The Wife and the Widow is the second novel by author Christian White. Told in alternating chapters between The Widow, Kate, and The Wife, Abby. In the first few chapters, Kate and her daughter Mia go to the airport to surprise her husband and he’s nowhere to be seen – He’s missing without a trace. She then finds out he quit his job months earlier without telling her and lied about the business trip he was supposed to be on. Kate has so many questions – Where is he? Why did he lie about his business trip? Did she ever really know her husband at all? Abby’s husband Ray, on the other hand has been acting differently and she is determined to figure out what is going on. He’s keeping some secrets from her. As a reader, we know that the two stories will somehow intersect and they do although it takes a while. I kept trying to come up with a theory as to how that was going to happen – because thats what I do! None of my theories panned out however and my jaw dropped at the twist. I did not see that ending coming. I recommend you read it when this book is released on January 21, 2020 and see if you guess the ending! This book was a quick read that I was able to finish in one day. I do like this author’s writing and I am most certainly going to check out his first novel The Nowhere Child which I just so happen to already own! I give this novel 4 1/2 stars – the only reason for the 1/2 point drop is I got a bit confused on the timeline in part of the book and the chapters didn’t indicate a difference in the time. It all made sense in the end but I think if that had been pointed out at the start of the chapters I would have had a quicker understanding – but perhaps that was the authors intent. Thank you Minotaur Books for sending me out a review copy of this excellent book in exchange for my honest review.

Set on a small island (equal parts claustrophobic and majestic), this mystery was refreshing and well worth the read.

Some thrillers are superficial - all they do is make you race to the finish, but by the time you close the book, you’ve forgotten the story.

This one was much MORE than that. It delves into the nuances of family, love, and the place you call home. It was both eerie and gripping.

And it reminds us that we all keep secrets - just some more than others.

**Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Entertaining but not great. I finished it and enjoyed the story. Three and a half stars. A bit disappointed in the ending, but so goes life.

I can usually figure out most of the mysteries in thrillers before they're revealed. Not this time!! There were two parallel stories told and I wasn't sure how they were connected until it came out in the end. Neither of the women featured - Kate and Abby - were especially likable but they were intriguing. Kate found her own strength that she didn't know she had. Abby had strength of her own but misplaced.

This was a real page-turner - an excellent thriller!

I was really interested to read this book, even though I never got around to reading the author's debut novel. This seemed like it was up my alley and would be a twisty read. While there were a few twists and turns, it all felt so predictable and boring. I honestly forgot I even finished the book and then had to reread the last part to recall what had happened because it wasn't anything too exciting.

I think the time jumps were a good idea, but it was kind of confusing at time and almost seemed like that was meant to be the big reveal more than the who the killer was. Pretty quick read, but would have liked more depth to the characters.

Kate and their daughter Mia head to the airport to surprise John, who is returning from a business trip, but he doesn't get off the plane. John's unknown whereabouts set in motion a missing person search, that soon tragically turns into a murder investigation. John's body is found on Belport Island, a place where they own a summer home. But why was John there and why did he lie about his location? Kate heads to Belport Island to uncover the truth about her husband and finds herself in the crosshairs of a cold-blooded killer.
Abby, Ray, and their 2 children are year-round residents of Belport Island. Dependent but resentful of the wealthy summer residents, the offseason requires creativity to just get by. Abby works in a grocery store while Ray takes care of all the empty houses. When Abby discovers bloody clothing, she wonders what her husband has done.
Cleverly alternating between Kate and Abby's perspectives, we learn what ties them together and what ultimately tears them apart. Shocking secrets and lies were revealed, and I'll admit it, I did not see the ending coming. Kudos to the author for keeping me trying to puzzle out the clues, and ensuring that all my guesses were wrong! This book was fast-paced, provided an intriguing mystery, well -developed characters, and an unforgettable location.
I didn't read Christian White's, The Nowhere Child, but I will soon be rectifying that oversight. 4.5 stars.

3.5 stars for me. Set in Australia, with two intersecting storylines centering around female protagonists, family secrets, shame, and hidden selves. There’s some cleverness with timelines that creates a twist. I was in for the vaguely unsympathetic but interesting and evolving characters of Abby and Kate. And I didn’t predict the denouement. But: the amateur taxidermy—! I just couldn’t get over it.

I was provided with an advance copy of this book by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a meticulously, brilliantly-crafted story. With acidic prose, abrupt segues between story lines, and an unflinching honesty, a tale had been created that was as beautiful as it was bleak.

Gripping. Riveting. Haunting.

This story may not warm your heart but it will seep into your bones.

'The Wife and the Widow' just reset the bar for my opinion of a great psychological mystery and thriller. Unfortunately, all I've got is 5 stars to give and it is not nearly enough. This book was too good to be real.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Christian White for an ARC of 'The Wife and the Widow' in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

I absolutely loved this book. I loved how there was a moment about three quarters of the way in where I had to stop and have a ‘huh’ moment before returning to the book. The author describes the characters splendid lyrics so you’re rooting for everyone even though you know you wouldn’t normally. This is the first book I’ve read by this author but I’d love to read more.

The Wife and The Widow is a psychological thriller not to miss. A twisted story of a murder 20 years ago and a current day missing person case. The story the unites 2 families, in the worst possible way. Past and present. Chilling twists and turns. It’s a wild and surprising ride. Well written, with an unexpected ending. 4 stars.

I was a huge fan of The Nowhere Child so I was excited to get this second stand alone book as an ARC.
Kate is a widow who is learning that her dead husband held many secrets and Abby is confronting evidence of her husband's guilt. Set on an island in the winter, this atmospheric thriller keeps you wanting more as these two women connect and set out to find the truth.
I don't want to give much more info because the less you know the more shocked you will be. This will probably be one of my favorite books of the coming year.
The writing is flawless and draws you in with plot twists and eerie things that there is noway you could see coming. Get this book when it comes out, you won't be disappointed.

This was great! The island setting was so atmospheric, and this is the kind of book that's perfect for a dark and stormy night. All kinds of secrets and surprises I didn't see coming at all. Would definitely recommend to all fans of mysteries/thrillers

I cannot wait for this book to hit the shelves so other people can read it. I was on the edge of my seat so often, it nearly tipped over. Good thing I have acrylics or I wouldn't have fingernails left.

This is the classic domestic thriller that has gotten more and more popular lately and I think it'll appeal to fans of Gillian Flynn and Paula Hawkins.

Things I loved about this book:
-creepy isolated island! When a mystery is set on an isolated island, you know shit is going to go down and there will be many secrets woven through the people.
-husband goes missing, is found dead, we find out he has been keeping secrets from his wife! We all know that never turns out well
-another wife who is slowly finding out that her husband is also keeping secrets from her! But why? and what?
-the dual perspectives! As soon as I thought we were going to get an answer, the POV would switch and I'd curse at the author because NOW I'M LATE FOR WORK BECAUSE I HAVE TO READ THIS CHAPTER TOO.
-the red herrings! There were multiple times I was convinced I knew what was going on. I kept thinking to myself "HA You can't fool ME, Christian White!!!" but uhhh, yeah I was very wrong about that one. Multiple times.
-the plot twist!! I truly did not see this coming. You could give me 10 tries to guess this twist and I highly doubt I would have. I'd love to reread this and see if there were any guesses or anything I missed that would have made it more obvious.

So basically, I enjoyed every minute of this and I do want to reread it again, even though I know the ending, just to experience the characters and the island again.

This another amazing thriller! A very strong 4 stars! If you like thrillers that ACTUALLY keep you guessing until the end, this is for you. I thought I had the twist figured out early on and was a little bummed, but I was so wrong! I can't wait to read more by this author. I'll post a full, more detailed review soon!

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was really surprised by the twists and turns in this book! It was a quick and engaging read that left me pretty dumbfounded- which is always a good thing. I will definitely be reading more from this author, as this was my first. This definitely feels like one of those novels that anyone who likes a solid thriller/mystery would enjoy.

A solid thriller written with an engaging style and plot. With many helpful reviews already available, I'll just recommend this for mystery fans seeking a good read.

I really appreciate the ARC for review!!

"We all have things that ought to stay buried, things a person should keep to themselves...how well can you really know anyone?"

Kate Keddie, a stay at home mom, lived in an elegant Victorian home in Caulfield. She was married to John, a physician at Trinity Health Centre for Palliative Care. As our story unfolds, Kate and ten year old daughter Mia, await John's return from a two week conference in London. As passengers deplane at Melbourne International Airport, he is not among them. In fact, John never flew to London to attend the palliative care seminar. John and Kate own a holiday house on Belport Island, a wedding gift from John's parents, Fisher and Pam Keddie. John dislikes the island. Fisher is not impressed with John's choice of wife. Kate is "passive to the point of invisible...".

Abby Gilpin, long time Belport Island resident, lived with husband Ray and two kids in a small weatherboard beach house with "groaning floorboards, the constant pop of settling wood...". Abby worked shifts at the "Buy and Bye" Food Market. She was an amateur taxidermist and stored various chemical supplies in a work station in her garage. The supplies included tanning solutions and luminol. In the cold months, Ray ran Island Care, "a caretaking business focusing on maintaining unoccupied holiday houses across the island."

In alternating voices, Kate and Abby share their stories. Quiet, mousy Kate comes into her own. She doesn't know her own strength until John dies on Belport Island. Why was he there when he stated that he was at a conference? Why was he no longer an employee of Trinity Health Centre? Abby discovers work boots and a grey work shirt with the logo Island Care in an overturned garbage bin. She decides to test the suspiciously stained items using luminol. What might Ray have done?

"The Wife and the Widow" by Christian White is a psychological thriller filled with lies and deception. Author White keeps the reader guessing. The many twists and turns, past and present, create an eerie island atmosphere filled with many unexpected reveals. This sophomore crime thriller is one I highly recommend.

Thank you St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "The Wife and the Widow".

When you are blessed enough to find a book that keeps you guessing, you are in book heaven! I just couldn't put this one down. I stayed up all night reading just to find out who was who and what exactly happened. The story came together beautifully and was masterfully written. It was an "edge of your seat" plot with a surprising ending. It is a definite must read for people who enjoy thrillers! I highly recommend this book! :)

Wow! This book kept me on the edge of my seat from the very first page! Just when I thought I had some things figured out, NOPE! Not even close. This is my first book by this author but you can bet I’ll be reading many more from Christian White. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book for my honest review.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This novel is told from the point of view of a widow and the wife in the family responsible for his death. Interesting plot twist. I enjoyed the novel.