I dove into this novel by Anna-Lou Weatherley without realising that it was book three in a series. But that really doesn’t matter because the book focuses mostly on the story in hand and you don’t need to know much about any recurring characters. This can easily be read as a standalone novel and a very enjoyable one at that.

The Stranger’s Wife is a well-paced, artfully written tale about women in toxic relationships and the inevitable violent outcomes. The characters and believable and the story zips along nicely. Although the main plot device is easy to figure out before it is revealed that did not spoil my enjoyment of this book. Anna-Lou Weatherley is a new author for me but I will definitely look out for her other novels.

I really loved this book!! It had so many twists and turns. It kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next!! This was my first book by this Author, and it won’t be the last!! Quick read!! Highly recommended!! You won’t be disappointed!!

I didn't know that The Stranger’s Wife by Anna-Lou Weatherley was the third book in the Detective Dan Riley series and it is the first one that I read. It was a great stand-alone read!

It was definitely a page-turner and a great psychological book.

Told from the perspective of two abused women, this is a fast-paced book that will keep you well awake into the early hours of the morning.

A very special thank you to NetGalley with whom I received an advance reading copy of this book courtesy of Bookouture via Netgalley

You should never underestimate a woman’s revenge. When her nanny and friend vanishes, Beth decides that - since it all will finally come out anyhow - she can also make the first step herself: she tells her husband Evan that she’s going to leave him for her affair Nick. Evan seems to accept this calmly, they have lived next to each other but hardly with each other for years now, calling this a marriage was embellishing the situation. But he warns his wife that she will be sorry for this step. At that moment, Beth doesn’t have a clue what he means, how powerful her husband actually is and first of all, WHO she has been married to all these years. With her decision to leave him, she has triggered a ball that will send her directly into hell. But Beth is a fighter, much more a fighter than Evan could ever imagine.

Anna-Lou Weatherley’s novel really deserves the title “page-turner”. From the first chapter when the nanny goes missing to the very end: it is a rollercoaster ride of emotional ups and downs that fascinatingly and almost addictively keeps you reading on. The author has created enemies who fight on a very high level – a wonderful read that I enjoyed throughout.

“The Stranger’s Wife” is a psychological thriller combined with some serious issues that make you ponder quite some time after having finished reading it. I totally adored the idea of a woman fighting back, not accepting fate and a bullying husband who knows all the important people and thinks that life runs according to his personal laws. Having his evil character slowly unfold was exciting and frightening at the same time since you always wonder how well you actually know the people around you and how much and what they might hide. Yet, the story also showed that marital abuse and physical as well as psychological violence happens in all social classes, the rich can be affected in the same way as the poor, money does not make a difference when it comes to aggressions.

A marvellous plot with interesting and multifaceted characters, thus I can easily pardon the fact that it needed a kind of coincidence to make everything fall into place. The novel literally absorbed me and I hardly could put it down.

The third book in the Detective Dan Riley series, however The Stranger's Wife could stand on its own. With hints of The Girl on the Train, this thriller is sure to be a huge hit once it's released. 

Two women, two lives. two sets of problems. They eventually run into each other and discover a way to save the other - and ride each other of their own problems. It's fast moving and twisty in the perfectly delicious way that so many thrillers strive to be. 

Don't read any spoilers! Don't read ahead. Just sit back and let it all unfold.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

3.5 Stars

I enjoyed reading this fast-paced novel by Anna-Lou Weatherley, though I struggled to follow the past/present alternating chapters of the main characters at times. The central story line was similar to a world-wide scandal that has dominated the news, and the subplots were like those I'd read in other books. This novel is part of a detective series but stands alone quite well. Act III of the book is the strongest, and the author ties the first two acts together very nicely, creating a most satisfying ending. Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing an ARC for an honest review.

This is a story about two women in very difficult circumstances. One is willing to take control of her life and try to find true happiness and the other sees no way out. 

What would you do if your husband used your child to try to control your life with lies? How would you try to hang on to the small bit of happiness you have found?

Two women hurt by men for no other reason than their need to control them. After a chance meeting can they help each other to have the strength to grab on to a little bit of happiness?

Although this is a sad story it is very real in the emotions and despair the women experience. 
It is a well written story.
Thank you Netgalley for complimentary copy!

My first book in the Dan Riley series but that didn't matter as it could be read easily as a stand alone. A great psychological thriller that had me hooked all the way through. Looking forward to going back & reading the first 2 books in the series now

From the 'eerie' opening to the 'gasp aloud' last sentence I was utterly and totally focused.

June, 2018 – Beth Lawler arrives home to find her four-year-old daughter alone in the house, napping upstairs, her nanny nowhere to be found. Marta's car is still in the driveway, handbag on the table, but her cell phone, and items of clothing are missing. Did the young women, who's always been 100% reliable, leave of her own accord, or is there something more sinister at play?

October, 2018 – Detective Dan Riley is called to a gruesome scene at a high-rise apartment. A man has been shot in the head at close range. There is something familiar about the crime, but Riley can't quite put his finger on it. The subsequent investigation will lead him to one of the most difficult and heart-wrenching decisions of his career – one that will have far-reaching consequences.

Last year I thoroughly enjoyed the twistiness that was The Couple on Cedar Close, so when I heard there was another book in the series being released this January, I knew I just had to get my hands on it. Be advised, avoid reading the official book blurb for this one if possible, I personally think it's too telling. Secondly, The Stranger's Wife can definitely be read as a standalone, even though it's the third installment. The protagonist’s (Detective Dan Riley) professional and personal life are fully explained, and the POV's connected to the crime/s and factors that led up to it outweigh Riley's narration.

The psychological thriller I read prior to this one warned to be wary of strangers. The Stranger's Wife cautioned that those closest to you are the ones to watch and can sometimes turn out to be the most duplicitous of all. Furthermore, a person can outwardly appear to be normal and non-threatening, but beneath lurks a monster, biding their time, waiting to strike. Revenge, betrayal, secrets, lies, reputation, and false accusations were some of the issues raised.

The novel dealt with the brutality and helplessness that is living in an abusive marriage (psychological, emotional, physical, manipulation and control) not just involving women, but children as well, so some parts were upsetting to the core. But feelings of disgust and distress were crucial to the plot, as later you were presented with a moral dilemma that will cause you to question society, the law, and its inability to believe and protect victims.

Whereas there were some “didn't see that coming" shockers, what was probably supposed to be the biggest twist was one I anticipated (and I didn't read the synopsis beforehand) because of its tendency to be overused in the thriller genre. There was some uniqueness to it, that I found intriguing, but overall, unfortunately predictable, hence my 4 rating.

Still, a fantastic read that had me swiping the pages to find out the fate of the characters I'd grown attached to, and Dan Riley just keeps getting better and better. There is no question I will be reading the first in the series – Black Heart, and book four upon release.

Note: Now that I'm in the know, the title is ingenious.

I'd like to thank Netgalley, Bookouture, and Anna-Lou Weatherley for the e-ARC.

Publication Date: 16th January, 2020.

This was my first book by Anna-Lou Weatherley and I didn't know I was about to read the number 3 in a series about Detective Dan Riley.
I am not going to write too much about the content as the publishers are much better at this. But be sure- it does not give away half of it at what expects you!
I really enjoyed this story and was hardly able to put it aside!
Beth and Cath are very likeable characters and both come along with tons of bad experiences. They won't just accept their faith but stand up for themselves.
IMHO I would have known more about Cath and her life. I really enjoyed that this book is not just about Dan Riley (who is a very human and sympathetic person) but the ending leaves plenty of space for following books in this series!
Thank you very much #netgalley and #Bookouture for this ARC

The Stranger's Wife falls into the increasingly popular domestic thriller genre. Set in England, we meet former nurse Beth who is married to the handsome but unemotional Ethan. Beth spends most of her days taking care of their young daughter Lily as she and Evan have grown far apart. When their nanny, Marta, disappears Beths' affair takes center stage. Evan, reacting unemotional as usual, is not a man who likes losing-whether it's a business deal or his wife to another man. 

Seemingly unrelated, the story alternates timelines and characters, in particular with an abused woman in Bristol named Cath.  Beth and Cath could not be more different...except in one pivotal way.  Their meeting seems to be designed by fate, as we learn more about the horrors Cath faces at the hand of her partner and as Evan's secrets start to unravel. What happens when the person we marry is a stranger?

This is a rather fast-paced story, with a lot of timeline hopping and perspectives presented. Readers who enjoy this genre will surely want to read The Stranger's Wife.

The Stranger’s Wife is a marketed as a thriller novel, though I found it to be more of a mystery as the main “twist” simply explained a crime that the reader already knew about. It is told from multiple character viewpoints, namely two women- Cath and Beth- and Dan, a police officer. Beth is a wealthy mother going through a divorce from her husband Evan while also having an affair with a landscaper. Cath is poor, living in a disheveled apartment with her abusive addict partner. Dan, meanwhile, is hard at work trying to unravel a case that he believes is tied to one of the women. 

The case being investigated and the link the two women share all comes together of the course of the novel. The Stranger’s Wife is fast-paced, layering multiple stories and viewpoints within each chapter and jumping back-and-forth over the course of a couple of years, although I found the story to be mostly focused on Beth and not enough character depth was given to Cath. Furthermore, the history of Beth and Evan as people and as a couple is barely explored; the reader only learns more about Evan’s past as the novel wraps up. There wasn’t much build-up in the story, but rather a crime occurs and the question is “why did it happen and who did it?” Thus, I didn’t find this book to be particularly thrilling, as the reader knows the big event early on in the story. Instead of anticipating a big event, the reader is learning what Dan, the police officer, thinks of the crime and how the investigation will unfold. 

Additionally, this book had several supporting characters who did not play significant roles in the story, but continued to be mentioned throughout, making the story dense at times. Though the main characters could have had more background information or details in lieu of the many supporting characters to follow, the plot was very well done and the “twist” (though I would use that loosely in this book) was very original. I gave this book 3 stars because it was depicted as a psychological thriller, yet it lacked any anticipation or real suspense to me. Though not a typical thriller novel, I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it for its unique storyline that made me eager to finish it. 

*Thank you NetGalley for my advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review!*

Two women in 2 social classes make their own justice after the law has failed them. Detective Dan Riley knows that they've both done what they're accused of, but he doesn't know how. 

Beth is stuck in an unhappy and loveless marriage. She's having an affair and is ready to leave Evan and take their daughter with her. When their nanny/housekeeper goes missing, Beth decides the time is right to get her daughter out of their loveless house. It's a day she'll live with the rest of her life. 

Cath is the wife of Saul. We can't call Saul literal garbage because that is an offense to garbage. He is sexually, physically, and mentally abusive to Cath. Even when she tries to escape he finds her. After the latest and worst beating of her life, she finally attempts and escape. 

When these two women meet, their lives will be forever changed.
 
The Stranger's wife is the third in the Detective Dan Riley series. I've read the second one (The Couple on Cedar Close) and quite enjoyed it. I'll be checking out the first soon too. 

It's hard to talk about this one without giving away the plot, but I will say I thoroughly enjoyed it. There were some quite difficult moments during reading it. There is definitely a trigger warning to be discussed. But, despite that, Dan Riley is a good detective and I hope to see more books in this series. 

TW: domestic abuse mentioned (sexual, physical, mental;) death of an infant as a result of mentioned abuse

The Strangers wife # Netgalley 
Wow. I had a couple of weeks off reading during the Christmas period. I then tried two different novels to get back into my reading however none of them where encouraging. Then I thought I would see what this one was like. Wow wow brilliant. For saying I was only going to read for a hour, next thing I know I had finished the book and stayed awake all nigh to do so. Absolutely brilliant storyline with twist and turns through out the book. Once you start it you really will struggle to put it down. It’s one of those books that grabs you from the word go. Awesome. I highly recommend you read this book. Good characters. Strong and believable. I felt I was part of the book. You have to feel that from any book to really absorb yourself into the storyline. Fantastic. Faaaaaasntasic

This is the third book in a series starring Detective Dan Riley and I haven't read the previous novels but don’t feel this  stopped me enjoying this novel.
It follows two women both in bad relationships with no way to get out.  Cath is being abused by her husband and Cath is being controlled by hers. A chance encounter between the two women on a train could change it all.  Dan is investigating the fall out that occurs from the chance meeting.
This was an enjoyable read and I’d like to read the previous novels.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#TheStrangersWife #NetGalley

I read the blurb on Goodreads after I finished the book but it doesn’t really give you a true idea of the story.   I didn’t realize this the third in the Detective Dan Riley series but I don’t think it affected the story as this seems to be a standalone.

The story begins with Beth returning home and her nanny is nowhere to be found. Her young child was left alone, door open and she’s frantic as she knows Marta would not have left Lily.  She contacts the police and then her husband, Evan, but nothing comes of the investigation and Beth is left to wonder what happened.

Without spoiling the story, there are changes in relationships, terrible charges made, which puts Beth, her mother and daughter all in various states of emotional distress.  Beth’s life seems to be spinning out of control.   This psychological thriller kept me wondering how much worse things could get for Beth.

As Beth takes a train ride, she meets Cath.  This was such a unique meeting but gave me a hint of what might be planned to avenge some abusive and controlling men.  No matter if you are wealthy or poor, educated or not, many times there is an inequity between men who seem to have all the power and the women are stuck in sad situations.  

While the story was intriguing, it seemed to pickup speed in the last third as more and more details came to light.  I had skimmed a bit in the first half but still felt like I had a good idea of the characters and the storyline.  I had a feeling about Evan from the beginning as he just acted too odd.  As more details are found out about him, I was horrified for Beth and Lily and others.  

Dan and his partner Fiona are expecting a baby and was an interesting small part of the story.  Dan had suffered loss and I don’t think he was certain about having a baby.  But once anyone holds their baby, they fall in love and would do anything to protect them.   I like the character of Dan Riley with his certainly in following the rules and believing in justice.

This story was told from the viewpoint of Beth, Dan and Cath and I enjoy that story format which helps me understand the characters more fully.  The majority of the story was back and forth between 2018 and 2019 and threw me off at times.

I’ve read several books with British phrases and slang but this story had quite a few words and phrases I had never heard before.   

There were plenty of twists and turns, lies, secrets, and deceit with vengeance on Evan’s part and almost a sense of futility for Beth and Cath as they struggled with their situations.  The ending, while still sad in many ways, also seemed to be somewhat positive.

Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read this new work.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Beth's husband, Evan, is emotionally unavailable and she is having an affair with Nick. Cath's partner has been abusing her for years. Their paths cross on a train and things will never be the same.

This was a quick 1 day read.  It started with the nanny going missing and I thought that was what the book was going to be about but that was the tip of the iceberg. There were so many twists and turns. New info was being turned up constantly. I couldn't put it down. This book jumped around on about a 1.5 year timeline and was told from various perspectives, which could have been confusing, but it was very well done by the author and I found it flowed well and was easy to follow. This was the third book in the Detective Dan Reilly series and I look forward to picking up the previous 2 installments, because I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Stranger’s Wife. 

This book is the definition of psychological thriller. The story is about two women who couldn’t be more different from each other; Beth who is married to Evan, materialistically has everything she could want or need with a little six year old daughter, Lily and Cath who has been stuck in a domestically violent relationship for years with Saul. What these women do have in common is that they’re both victims of domestic abuse, either emotional or physical. It was heartbreaking reading what both of these women went through and the lengths they had to go to to try and live a happy life. 

Skip this next sentence as it MAY be considered a small spoiler but it needs to be said... while I found the book to be a fast read and unputdownable, this is pretty much a modern take on Strangers on a train. Once I realized where this book was headed, it’s all I could think about which kind of made of ending anticlimactic for me.

This is a great read that had me hooked throughout. 
I loved the way we got to know Beth and Cath through chapters a year apart and how this all came to a head. 
Beth leaves her husband as their marriage has become stale but Evan doesn’t take it well. He makes her life a misery and pushes her too far. 
Cath is in an abusive relationship and after a really nasty attack she loses her baby and her partner has no sympathy. All he cares about are drugs and she reaches her limit. 
The two women meet on a train and feel a connection straight away and then both their lives change forever. 
This is a gripping psychological thriller that will have you hooked until the last page and is a great read. 
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I am gong this book 3.5 stars,  I really feel that this book is so much like serval other books smooshed together.  I was hooked from the beginning and wanted to know what was really going one, However, I feel that questions were left unanswered, making the ending not as satisfying. I spent the first half trying to figure out of the two woman knew each other and that really caused me to lose attention to the main plot-line. 

Once you are told, it is clear what would happen next, as it is a trope from a popular book. I have so much to say but they are all spoilers. The main character's child is written like an infant when she is actually ages 4-6 throughout the book. Having a 4 and a 6 year old daughter, I know what they would act like and it is nothing like Lily's character. Does anyone else see this? It was so distracting to me. 

So, let's put aside the things that drove me nuts and you get a pretty decent psychological thriller/detective thriller. I had no idea that this was actual part of a story but I think I would pass on the rest of the books in the series as the more I think about this book the more I decide that maybe I don't really like it all that much and need to keep it as a solid 3.