Ever finish a book and wonder what the heck you just read? I had such a response upon completing Two Dead Wives – which is the follow-up to the author’s other recent release, Woman Last Seen. When I selected this book for review, I had no idea that was the case – neither author nor publisher bills this book as a ‘sequel’ – because of that, this review contains spoilers for the first volume in the series.

DCI Clements is keeping an open (the unkind might call it ‘empty’) mind when it comes to the case of missing bigamist Kylie Gillingham aka Leigh Fletcher/Kai Janssen. When the apartment where Kylie had been held prisoner was discovered, it became clear the woman had not just absconded from her dual lives but had been forcibly taken and abused. Evidence suggests the person responsible was someone close to the case since Kylie was moved only hours before the police found the hideyhole she was held in. Conventional wisdom says it must have been one of the husbands who murdered her. Many would add that the woman had it coming, given the pain and embarrassment Kylie had put both men through, and Clements’ partner/subordinate, Constable Tanner, is certainly convinced of that. Initially, Tanner had been focused on Mark Fletcher, husband number one, the suburban father of two sons whom Kylie, in her guise as Leigh, had helped raise, but Tanner now suspects the second, Daan Janssen. Kylie met and married the wealthy Janssen a few years into her marriage with Mark, identifying herself as Kai to the rich, generous foreigner. Daan, with his not-so-discreet hookups, supercilious demeanor, and thoroughly unhelpful attitude, makes for a very likely suspect. And the evidence – the proximity of where Kylie was held to his home, a receipt in his apartment, and items with his fingerprints on found in her prison – certainly seem to indicate he’s their man. However, Daan went home to his rich Dutch family at the start of the investigation, which was also at the beginning of the pandemic. He is under house arrest in the Netherlands and can’t return to England due to the restrictions on air travel. Clements isn’t thrilled with the situation, but she is savvy enough to know that everything could be coincidental, and none of it, in her mind, is a certain predictor of guilt. Since no body has been found, she continues to search for the absent Kylie/Leigh/Kai, hopeful that there will be a happy ending to the whole sordid mess.

After finding out all this, we make a PoV switch to a young woman who seemingly has nothing to do with the case. Stacie is so lucky. A brain cancer survivor, she could easily be weathering the pandemic in some shabby apartment, unsure how to take care of herself. Instead, she is living with her retired physician father in a seaside cottage. While the greater world, with its COVID concerns, is especially scary to someone with a compromised immune system, the fresh sea air that enters their windows night and day and their isolated slice of the beach are proving to be very healing for her. She just wishes she could remember something, anything about her life prior to the moment she woke in this unfamiliar house to find a stranger calling himself her father.

I can’t tell you much about the convoluted plot of this story beyond the above because it’s all meant to be a mystery till near the end. The previous book ended with us knowing just what happened to Kylie and why, while the perpetrator stepped neatly into one of the lives she had left behind. Clements, however, is not privy to the information the reader has, and is still actively searching for the missing woman several months down the road. We find this out at the start of the story, and I could only wonder how this was possible given the usual restrictions of budgets and man-hours that limit the police. Plus, the evidence against Daan is pretty damning and wouldn’t seem to merit further investigation.

Woman Last Seen had stretched my suspension of disbelief almost to the breaking point, and Two Dead Wives pushed me way past that. A lot of the police work is too convenient to be realistic, and there are twists at the end that are ludicrous.

The only two truly likable characters in the narrative are Kylie’s stepsons, Ollie and Seb. Ollie had been difficult with his stepmother prior to her disappearance, refusing to call her mom anymore and referring to her instead as Leigh (the name she went by in that life), and he now carries the guilt of wondering if his teen angst drove her to bigamy. In typical teen fashion, he acts even more surly to express his remorse and anxiety. Seb refuses to accept his stepmother is dead and believes she will come home to him, which is stressful for Mark and Fiona, the family friend who has moved in with them to help them through both the stress of the pandemic and Kylie/Leigh’s loss. The boys are a treasure who deserve better than the adults they’ve been given.

The most difficult part of this story is the author trying to redeem the irredeemable. The implication is that Kylie did what she did because, as a step-parent, she had no legal standing with the kids. She no longer loved Mark but wanted desperately to keep the boys in her life, so she half-assed it by spending part of the week with them and part of the week with the man she loved, Daan. However, we learn that Mark would have been very happy to share custody if that was what the kids wanted. I also couldn’t accept the reasoning offered. It was made clear Kylie was the main caregiver, but that seemed unlikely given her absences. Mark would have had to share the responsibilities – this isn’t a case of weekend parenting like in a divorce when the dad can get away with putting the onus on primary custody mom. Mark would have had to make sure the kids were fed, clothed and in school for half the week at the very least. So he couldn’t have been as irresponsible and laid back as the author tries to imply.

At another point, one of our suspects places the boys in extreme danger and then is made to seem caring when he risks himself to save them. What??? They were fine until he shoved them into harm’s way, so no, that didn’t work for me either.

Two Dead Wives is a train wreck of a book. You will want to look; you almost won’t be able to help yourself as the author’s excellent prose sucks you in and makes you wonder how it will all end. But when you’re finished you will be slightly embarrassed to have been gawking at such a tragedy and realize the time you lost to it wasn’t well spent. If you read book one and want more closure, by all means, pick this up. I would advise others to give both of them a miss.

I have mixed feelings about this one. I enjoyed the story overall, and I don't mind when an author goes in crazy directions. However, I thought this was a little TOO crazy. It became absolutely unbelievable that all of this would happen. This an enjoyable read, but you definitely have to suspend your disbelief.

I did not know this was a sequel, but it read really well as a standalone.

Adele Parks can write a story. Bigamy is at the heart of this book and the consequences that follow. I didn't realize that this was a sequel to WOMAN LAST SEEN until I was three chapters in, but pleasantly surprised. Although you don't need to read these in order, the first one gives the background history of Leigh/Kylie or THE TWO DEAD WIVES.
Dc Clements investigation keeps the story moving forward, all the while we are learning more about the two families who were affected by the missing woman. I really liked how the author dug deeper with these characters.
The many POV's were important insight we didn't get in the first book. For example, how the husbands, Dan and Mark, viewed the betrayal. Or how Marks two kids felt so differently towards Leigh. The Introduction of Stacie was a clever twist I didn't anticipate. Although in the middle the story seemed to drag a little, you need to stick with this story until the end. I appreciate the closure the author gave us readers in regard to Leigh. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a little mystery with a twist of a woman who commits bigamy instead of a man.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this arc.

A woman missing, presumed deadg and her
two husbands are under the radaro
Staci Jones lives a quiet life in a Small
cottage by the ocean with her father as
she recovers from brain Sur ger y.
How are these two families connected?
The twists, the turns, It's not what you
think...


I didn't realize that there was a prequel
So I didn't know if I was missing out on any
information or not So I read this one as
a stand-alone psychological thriller. I did
really enjoy this one as It was beautifully
written with the perfect amount of
Suspense and building storyline, It kept me
on my toes! It had me trying to figure out
what the twist was the whole way through:
I definitely put the woman last seen on my
TBR. Thanks to @netgalley and Harlequin
trade publishing, Mira for the ARC.

Before reading this I wasn’t aware it was a sequel. However, I felt that this story was still complete on its own and if I missed anything from the first book it didn’t have significant impact on my understanding of the characters and plot of this sequel. That being said, I thought this book was a good read. You’re told pretty early on who did it and throughout the first two thirds you’re able to gather what happened. All is revealed in the final act after many POVs. All of which come complete with their own flashbacks and theories of what happened. It gets repetitive after a while so I had to read in chunks to keep it engaging. Still a good book and a good read if you’re looking, not for a murder mystery, but a mystery all the same.

Thank you to Net Galley for early access to this book before its release.

I was torn when giving this book a rating. Possibly if I had read the first book I would have gone for 4 stars instead of 3. The book ramped up in activity midway but I found it slow at points. That being said parts were bone chilling on some of the psychological mindsets of some of the characters and I applaud the author for that. Thank you Harlequin and NetGalley for this ARC!

DNF. Wasn’t really a fan of this and couldn’t get into the writing style no matter how hard I tried. Also wasn’t aware of it being a sequel - I don’t think it super affected my view but I wish these were more clearly labeled as such.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Adele Parks, and the sequel to Woman Last Seen - 4 stars!

Kylie has gone missing, is presumed dead, and the secret she kept - being married to two different men - is now out. It's all been too much and has devastated her husband Mark, along with her stepsons Oli and Seb, and her younger, rich husband, Daan. It's Daan who is the main suspect in the case, but DCI Clements isn't convinced. Meanwhile, on the Dorset coast, Stacie is back home with her father after having brain cancer surgery. She's recovering but has lost her memories.

While this is a sequel, it definitely works as a standalone. I read the first, and although the details kind of escaped me, it was interesting to see how it all turned out. I thought this was another well-written, roller coaster thriller from Parks and I enjoyed it, even though some of the storyline was a bit over the top. Told from many different viewpoints, it was good to see how all the pieces came together. Plus, Covid was used as a very effective plot point in the story. Loved the stepsons and the ending was perfect.

Two Dead Wives is a thrilling novel of two seemingly unrelated plot lines that are in fact inner woven. Kylie is missing and signs of torture has been found at her husband’s apartment complex but not her body. Throughout the investigation it’s revealed that she has in fact been living a double life with two husbands and even two stepchildren. One of her husbands is under suspicion for her disappearance and is presumed guilty of her murder. Stacie is a terminally ill woman who has returned to her childhood home to be cared for by her doting, kindhearted father in his isolated cottage by the small. seaside village.. Both of these storylines eventually intersect in a twisty, dynamic fashion. I gave this domestic psychological thriller a 4 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed the twists and turns, the multiple POVs with dual storylines, unreliable narrators, character development, the police procedural element and the satisfying ending.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing MIRA for this eARC that will be released Dec 26 2023.

Absolutely thrilling!!!! This is the first book I've read by Adele Parks and it definitely will not be the last!! I was completely hooked the whole time. Even though we were told who the killer was somewhat early on, I had no idea the types of twists and turns that the story would take me on. I am hooked! This is a fast paced thriller that doesn't quit!

Read if you like:
🚨 Detective Stories
🧠 Psychological Thrillers
🏠 Family Dynamics
🔪 Murder Mysteries

Two Dead Wives masterfully weaves together these seemingly disparate lives, exploring the intricate threads that connect them. Adele Parks skillfully examines the concept of family, love, and fidelity, leaving readers questioning what it truly means to be a family after such profound tragedy. The dangerous secrets and hidden motivations of the characters keep you on the edge of your seat, making this a must-read for fans of suspenseful thrillers.

Whether you’re a seasoned fan of Adele Parks or new to her work, this novel promises an enthralling journey through dark secrets, unexpected twists, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Thank you so much to the publisher for my ARC in exchange for my review!

Two Dead Wives by Adele Parks.
DCI Clements knows the dark side of human nature and that love can make people do treacherous things. You can’t presume anything when it comes to crimes of the heart. Until a body is found, this scandalous and sad case remains wide open.
Stacie Jones lives a quiet life in a small village, nursed by her father as she recovers from illness, and shielded from any news of the outside world. But their reclusive life is about to be shattered.
How are these families linked, and can any of them ever rebuild their lives in the wake of tragedy?
I really enjoyed this gripping and twisty book. I did like Clements. 4*.

The plot was absolutely fantastic! I could not put the book down once I began reading it. I cannot wait for it to be released. I will recommend it to everyone I know. It was a joy reading on my kindle again on these chilly days.

This had an interesting concept. A woman is missing, leaving behind two husbands who have to come to grips with her betrayal. I found this book a little hard to get into because of the constantly changing viewpoints. But a nice read.

DNF @ 40% - I tried to get past the trigger of a terminal illness, but after losing my father to a terminal illness 2 years ago, I still can’t read with this subject. it just goes to show that triggers exist for a reason and to monitor them because at the end of the day, mental health is way more important than books!! however, I loved adele’s writing style and creativity and would definitely try another one of her books in the future!

Two dead wives is set in 2020 lockdown and everybody is following the news about a missing woman named Kylie. As it turns out Kylie has not one, but two husbands, both of whom are prime suspects.

We have an alternative plot line following another woman named Stacie, who has had no choice but to move back home with her father who is caring for her following a unique and tricky surgery.

We have narration from multiple POV, lots of mystery and intrigue and attempts to figure out how all of the storylines and characters relate to one another.

Eventually paths are crossed and both worlds collide and we get some shocks and twists as our questions are answered.

This book has fantastic pacing and lots of suspense. It sucks you right in and takes you on somewhat of a wild ride. With this being a sequel to the first book, a lot of loose ends are tied up nice and neat.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for a copy of this book!

I received a free copy of, Two Dead Wives, by Adele Parks, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book has a lot going on, a lot of characters with there own chapters, going back and forth is a little confusing, but a good thriller. There are some sick ans twisted people in this world of ours. This book had me on the edge of my seat, wanting to know what will happen next.

Kylie has been missing for two weeks - in this missing persons cases, the husband is always a top suspect right? But in Kylie, or is it Kai or is it Leigh - it's a lot trickier because there are two husbands. Read this book if you like police procedurals, multiple POVS, and a missing person mystery with plenty of twists and turns. This was a bingeable book for me - finished it quickly because I was hooked and needed to know - who dun it? Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Books for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Having thoroughly enjoyed a previous work by Adele Parks, which earned a solid 5-star rating from me, my anticipation was high when I discovered her latest release on NetGalley. "Two Dead Wives," a gripping thriller, successfully held my attention throughout. While I thought I had certain elements figured out early on (and was partially correct), the narrative took an unexpected turn, introducing a twist, followed by yet another unexpected development. This continual layering of suspense compelled me to eagerly return to the book, eager to uncover the next plot revelation.

The story unfolds through the perspectives of multiple characters, adding depth to the narrative. However, it was at the conclusion of the book that I encountered an unusual surprise—a "Spoiler Alert." This alert revealed that "Two Dead Wives" is, in fact, a sequel to Adele Parks' previous work, "Woman Last Seen." Although I managed to enjoy "Two Dead Wives" without prior knowledge of its sequel status, I found myself left with lingering questions about the dynamics between Kylie and her two husbands. It became apparent that these inquiries were addressed in the first book, "Woman Last Seen."

While the sequel stands well on its own, my hindsight suggests that delving into the prequel could have enhanced my overall experience with "Two Dead Wives." Consequently, this revelation is the sole reason for my decision to award it a 4-star rating instead of a perfect 5. I am now eager to explore the initial installment, believing that it might provide valuable context and insights, enriching the narrative in ways I might have missed.

Definitely a different spin on the missing wife thriller. This wife has two husbands, both good suspects when she is missing and the police starts an investigation into whether she is just missing or dead. The story seems to move quickly between the two lives/ families without giving us enough clues to figure out exactly what happened to Kylie. I had not read the lead in book so was a little confused at the beginning but soon figured out who was who and where they fit into the story. After that point, the story picked up pace and held my interest. Turned into a great twist on the multiple suspect mysteries and it had the perfect ending.