You know those books where you pick them up and wonder why you didn't read them sooner? Well, for me, The Silent Wife by Kerry Fisher is one such book. Maybe I just wasn't in the right headspace before, but I certainly was this time around, eating the book up in two evenings. I'm a sucker for a crime fiction novel, that much is clear. But I also like the odd journey away and this book, taking me into the midst of the somewhat complicated and occasionally claustrophobic world of the Farinelli family. It is really the story of two women, Maggie and Lara, who couldn't be more different, but who share that familial bond, married, as they are, to brothers Massimo and Nico.

Under the ever watchful eye of family matriarch, Anna Farinelli, we witness as Maggie clatters through the early days of her marriage to Nico, navigating the emotions of a step-daughter who resents her usurping her mother in Nico's affections, whilst Lara struggles under weight of her marriage to Massimo and the expectation placed upon her to be the perfect wife and mother where Massimo's first wife failed. Both situations are far from ideal but with Anna living directly over the road it feels as though they are both under the spotlight - and I cannot think of anything worse.

This is a book packed with conflicting emotions and exploring the many secrets that the family carry. Told from the alternating points of view of Lara and Maggie, Kerry Fisher does a brilliant job of making their individual voices stand out and in capturing their fears and their different emotional reactions to what they experience and uncover. I actually really understood the two women, how they looked at each other and found themselves wanting although for very different reasons. Maggie is jealous of the closeness she sees between Lara and Massimo. Lara watches Maggie's openness and courage in standing up to Anna, and yearns to be more free. Yet both are trapped in very difficult situations, Maggie nursing a secret that could break Nico, Lara a secret that could end up breaking her. I both felt for them, but also frustrated by them. In all the moments in which we witness them bonding, just a simple and honest conversation could have saved so much heartache.

In fairness, that would also have made the book a lot shorter, and there was authenticity in the way in which they skirted around the secrets they held. That trepidation and reluctance to be completely open with each other. It is one of the strengths of the book and Kerry Fisher has a brilliant ability to create believable characters, ones I can champion, and want to see come good. Certain situations, the true nature of one marriage in particular, felt very real and so relevant in an ever changing world with a great acceptance that violence in the home is not just about how a couple may cause physical hurt. This book may be a few years old, but it could have been written about any number of couples right now. It is relevant and sadly all too resonant.

The story is packed with varying emotions, and with a few surprises along the way, as moments that will have you holding your breath. There are some scenes that are hard to read, where the need to feel a connection pushes one of the characters into a very precarious situation. But for every dark moment, there are scenes of lightness, and in particular where Maggie and her mother, Beryl, get together, which can really make you smile. Beryl is a breath of fresh air compared to Anna, and I loved her free spirit and the fun she brought to the story. If they could all just learn to be more Beryl, I think it would be a much happier story.

An emotion driven story that exposes the many secrets of a very close, almost claustrophobic, family unit. So glad I finally read it.

Kerry Fisher is definitely a force to be reckoned with. Her books are really well written and storyline to be asked admired. I look forward to reading more of their books in the future.

This was a brilliant read. As soon as I started reading this book I just knew I was going to love it. Highly recommended

Really enjoyable read. Good strong characters and a Good story. Well worth a read. A good beach read your pulled into the plot it very good

Secrets and lies keep Lara trapped in her marriage. Her sister in law Maggie is also struggling. This is a decent read which I enjoyed but probably one I wouldn’t remember.
Thank you to netgalley for this arc which I finally got
Round to reading

Marry into an Italian family.
Be second wives to two brothers.
Live next door to you’re sister-in-law.
Live across from your mother-in-law.
Throw in some dark secrets and you’ve a recipe for an excellent story that took me by storm.

Of course there’s much more to this story that will grip you from page one.

It opens with a wedding.

And everyone loves a wedding…..right?

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of The Silent Wife by Kerry Fisher.

Maggie has just married Nico, who comes from a strong Italian family with a deep commitment to each other. But it becomes clear that she may always be an outsider to her mother-in-law and new step daughter. It definitely doesn't help that she is replacing Nico's deceased wife Kaitlyn, who was very beloved in the family.

Lara is Maggie's new sister-in-law, also married into the family, to the charming brother Massimo. And while Massimo has looks, charisma, and a strong love for his wife and son, something is definitely off with their relationship.

But families, and all of the relationships therein are never quite what they seem.

One thing I like about the Brits is that they know how to chill. Right when you expect an explosive climax, there is a gentle deflation, but somehow the outcome is still just as satisfying. This story really tackles some difficult and triggering issues, but it does it so quietly that it almost shines a brighter light on the ugliness of it all. Very well written and captivating from the first page to the last.

I was new to Kerry Fisher when I read this. It is a great thriller! We were actually on vacation at the beach when I read it and it was the perfect beach read!

Family secrets and lies prove corrosive in this fast paced novel of women who hide the truth about their men. It's a good read with lots of drama.

The summary of this book was intriguing, so I had to give it a try. The pace was fast, and the drama was interesting. I will say it was definitely more of a relationship drama than a thriller, but I really liked it.

I really loved this book! I could hardly put it down wanting to know more about the family and would Maggie survive it all. I cheered hard for her and was happy with the ending! It has a few twists and turns that keep you guessing but it all comes together in the end. I rate this book a 4.4

I highly recommend [book:The Silent Wife|33225794] by [author:Kerry Fisher|6907063]. It took me months to read the first quarter of the book and I almost gave up thinking it didn't have a plot. The ebook was entitled: "The Silent Wife: A gripping emotional page turner with a twist that will take your breath away" and that's what got my attention at first. Wow, a thriller, I love those. Now another blurb on the cover is "Would you risk everything for the man you love even if you knew he had done something terrible?" And I'm not sure if either of those subtitles accurately describes the book (FOR ME). The risking everything for the man you love? No, I believe it's more like a woman was bullied and controlled by a man with a personality disorder. But I don't want to use any spoilers so ...

As I mentioned, the book began slowly, and I was going to dismiss it until one of the characters fascinated me. This character, that the family saw as perfect, is a narcissist. But more than that, I believe, displaying all the characteristics of NPD (Narcissistic Personality Disorder). Note: the author never states this, nor uses the word Narcissist - and I apologize if I got it wrong.

The book revolves around the Farinelli family. Massimo is the golden child, remarried to Lara, seemingly cold and rigid, raising their meek son, Sandro. Next door is brother Nico and his 2nd wife, Maggie, raising Nico's daughter Francesca and Maggie's son, Sam. Nico's first wife, Caitlin, died after a battle with cancer and the Farinelli family considered her a perfect daughter and sister-in-law. Maggie is a little raw around the edges, raised poor by her mother Beryl. The Farinelli mom is a typical Italian mother, cannot see wrong in her own sons and not warm to anyone outside the family.

The last 50 pages changed my mind about the book. And although I still wouldn't call it a gripping page turner, it was an excellent character study. I couldn't stop the tears and felt my heart being gripped by the reality of the family dynamics revealing themselves. And one character in particular, whose evilness built up in little ways throughout and then burst open at the end.

I'd recommend this book as I said and I'm looking forward to reading Fisher's next novel. I give it 4.5 stars, my complaint being how the book was marketed bringing different expectations. If it was billed as a character study, it may have been a 4.9 because I wouldn't have expected something else.

Please do read this one!

Really enjoyable read. Good characters and a Good story. Well worth a read. Think others will enjoy.

The dynamics of a family. Two brothers each with second wives and the hidden lives led by each behind closed doors.

I can see how the right reader will love this book. I, on the other hand, is not the right reader. This is the kind of book that I in hindsight shouldn't even have requested. I should stick to my thrillers instead, not relationship dramas. I didn't even have the energy to finish the book.

Maggie and Lara, sisters in law living two separate lives, and married to brothers, Nico and Massimo. They are part of an Italian family, and this novel explores the hardships and darker sides to marriage. This book shows that what always appears on the outside may not be what it seems.

An enjoyable read, about a woman who marries into the Farinelli family and tries to overcome the feelings of not being wanted by the mother-in-law and the stepdaughter. Maggie is kind, caring, and finds her new family a bit overwhelming, but with the help of her lovely mum Beryl, she is instrumental in uncovering the family's secrets. It was a good story, humorous in parts, touching in others, and well written (with correct grammar - sadly not the norm these days). I'd definitely read more from this author.
Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.

What a gripping story - I didn't want it to end! Found myself reading late into the night and on the edge of my seat. Absolutely enjoyed it!!

I just love all books by Kerry Fisher and this one is no exception - I thoroughly enjoyed it - and would highly recommend this book to others.

I thought this book would be more of a thriller based on the title