Another great book from this author, perfect as a summer read too based upon a brother and sister who have inherited their fathers home abroad. His new wife and her daughter are still living there and the son finds it difficult to ignore the beauty of her. But things don’t quite add up and the sister is not happy that the brother is doing everything he can to get the ownership over to them. Great thriller and summer read

I’m very aware of this kind of twisty tale book and although this was my first by the author I did enjoy it BUT I did think it took a while to get going and I persevered where I thought others might not. But when it picked up the pace, I loved it.

Didn’t enjoy this one as much as previous books by this author. It is still a good story with lots of twists, I just found I wasn’t really invested in the characters or what happened to them. I still finished it because I wanted to know what happened in the end, A good story overall but I didn’t find it as page turning as many people here.

I was disappointed with this - it started out well and it was a good setting and original premise. But, for me, it took a long time to get going and I was not invested enough in the characters to care much about what happened to them. I was eager to find the twist but the denouement fell flat for me. Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book.

In many ways this is a fascinating book. I've read others books by 'Delaney' so knew to expect some twists, but for much of this book it seems pretty straight forward.

Finn - at the behest of his sister - travels to Mallorca to ensure their estranged father's third and last wife, leaves the house the siblings are to inherit following his recent death.

When he arrives he finds that Ruensa's adult daughter, Roze lives there as well. And what follows is Finn trying to work out whether the two women are cunning and duplicitous or innocent refugees. It's a real tussle in his mind. I'm not sure if I'm cynical but I felt it was obvious he was being played, as his father possibly was before him. Although, I wondered...

CAN SOMEONE BE DUPED IF THEY KNOW THEY'RE BEING DUPED?

Is Finn needy enough to allow himself to be swept up in the women's dreams even though he's suspicious of their motives? There are certainly enough falsehoods or constantly-changing stories to be wary. And yet.... like the proverbial train crash we're unable to stop Finn's actions.

However... Delaney then throws a very large spanner in the works, giving us an entirely different scenario.

I have to say, like Finn's sister Jess, I'm not entirely sure who played who here and can't decide if the ending was clever or confusing.

This is certainly a twisty and unpredictable read. But I'm not sure I ultimately liked the characters enough to ponder if justice was served. Or not.

3.5 stars

A very twisty story! The plot keeps you guessing who to trust throughout with some very interesting characters. It’s a good summer read as it is set in beautiful Mallorca.

Another great read by JP Delaney.
Hooked from the start I felt reeled into the plot and could not put it down. Normally I work out plots/subplots before they happen but this book I can say I never saw certain parts coming which for me is the mark of a great read.
Highly recommended and looking forward to the next book by JP Delaney already

Indulging in this literary escapade was an experience beyond compare. The author masterfully weaved a narrative that effortlessly swept me to the edge of my seat, igniting a rollercoaster of emotions that left me breathless. Mallorca, with its idyllic charm and mysterious aura, became more than just a setting; it transformed into a character in itself, adding depth and intrigue to every twist and turn.

The plot's intricate design, riddled with unexpected surprises and artful suspense, ensured that I was perpetually engrossed, eager to unravel the enigmas that unfolded with each passing page. The author's craft lies not only in their ability to craft a tale that commands attention but also in their skill at weaving layers of complexity that entwine seamlessly, leaving a profound impact.

As a reader, I found myself lost amidst the labyrinth of emotions the characters evoked. From heart-pounding anticipation to genuine surprise, and even moments of introspection spurred by the artful prose, the journey through the narrative was as diverse as it was exhilarating. The author's prowess at crafting characters so relatable yet enigmatic underscores their understanding of human nature, ensuring that I felt an unbreakable connection to their struggles and triumphs.

In a world where literature often strives to create an experience that transcends the ordinary, this book succeeds admirably. It captivated not only my imagination but also my heart, leaving an indelible mark that will linger long after the final page has been turned. For those seeking a read that seamlessly melds the allure of an evocative locale with the allure of a suspenseful tale, this is an absolute gem that promises to satiate the most voracious appetite for both beauty and intrigue.

Wow what a book!

You think you know where things are going and then twist after twist gets thrown in to prove you wrong!

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest, independent review.

Finn and his sister Jess are not upset when they learn their father has died. Since their parents' divorce, their father Jimmy has lived a different, somewhat bohemian, lifestyle in Mallorca, while his family returned to the UK.

However, ownership of his run-down farmhouse now passes to Finn and Jess. Finn travels to Mallorca to take possession of their inheritance, but is surprised by what he finds: Jimmy's new wife Ruensa lives there.

As with JP Delaney's previous novels, I found this a gripping and suspenseful page-turner.

I enjoyed having a male narrator and found his unreliability as a narrator added to the suspenseful moments and unpredictable plot.

Delaney expertly weaves a web of intrigue, deceit and betrayal throughout. The plot revolves around a cat-and-mouse game and is filled with tension as suspicions shift from one character to the next.

While the characters are well-portrayed, and I like how Delaney builds suspense by gradually unveiling the characters' complexities and secrets, I struggled to like any of them due to their ulterior motives.

The description of Mallorca's setting is beautiful and atmospheric, and the location of the finca adds to the dramatic moments later in the book.

A captivating, cleverly plotted page-turner.

I enjoyed this twisting thriller and found the characters interesting. I didn’t see the twist coming which was good. It was the perfect holiday read.

As I’ve come to expect from JP Delaney, this was an intriguing, addictive read, featuring a convincing but unreliable narrator, and a raft of beautifully disguised twists.

I couldn’t put it down.

I loved the setting of Mallorca, and the idea of the dilapidated farmhouse, nestled in the hills. Delaney’s evocative descriptions brought them vividly to life.

Starting off as a slow burn, the plot increases in tension with each new twist, turning deliciously dark, before exploding in a heart-stopping finale.

I’ve read better by Delaney, but this was still a thoroughly enjoyable psychological thriller.

This book was absolutely not what I expected when I first started reading it - far darker than you are lead to originally believe. A great read with a great ending.

The New Wife
J.P Delaney

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks so mucn Netgalley and the author J.P Delaney for this much appreciated ARC of this latest book in exchange for my honest review.

I thouroughly enjoyed this one.

The setting in Mallorca is fantastic and makes it all the more a perfect escapism and summer holiday read.

It was so easy to read and I absolutely flew through it.

I was gripped from the very first chapter - in typical JP Delaney style.

The storyline started off as a slow burn despite it being well paced. I never could fully trust Ruensa or her daughter Rose. But the plot kept me guessing throughout and there were a couple of surprises thst shifted the storyline in an unexpected direction that I did not see coming.

I've read a few other books by this author but will defo be adding the rest of them to my list.

A Great Read.

Looking forward to the next book by J.P Delaney

⭐️⭐️⭐️

A good story with an interesting plot and such characters that you won't know who to believe. Some good twists culminate in a decent ending.

I will read anything written by JP Delaney. I stayed up so late to finish this one because I couldn't put it down. Was gripping right up until the end! Absolutely recommend!

A good story with an interesting plot. Cleverly written so you are not sure who to believe. Some great twists to conclude with a great ending.

I will read anything JP Delaney writes and this one is true to form, twisty and intriguing.
You can't go wrong with a JP Delaney holiday read and I particularly loved the ending of this one - it felt much more new and fresh than a lot I've read from Delaney.

Well what a fun read- so twisty with an unreliable narrator! I really didn’t know what to believe as I read the book and even when I got to the very last page I still didn’t know what to think!
Brother and sister, Finn and Jess get the news that their father has died in Majorca, leaving his third wife widowed. Neither has much love for him and Finn particularly, who is the narrator, seems estranged. He describes him with an unflattering acronym and all the reader learns about the father leads one to believe he was not a particularly nice man.
Jess tells Finn to fly over to claim their inheritance, a run down old villa in the mountains. Reluctantly he complies but on arrival finds it has been beautifully renovated and is being inhabited by his widow and her attractive daughter, Roze. Ruensa and Roze insist that Finn stays with them and therein begins a series of half truths and lies. Finn does not know what to believe and nor does the reader. However it becomes abundantly clear that there is much about Finn, the narrator, that we do not know,
This story is very cleverly woven and definitely kept me on my toes trying to work out what was going on and who to believe. The characters were well portrayed and the scenery of the island beautifully described.
Having said that I didn’t really like any of the characters, they all seemed to have something to hide and their motivations were difficult to fathom.
If you like books that are cleverly plotted psychological thrillers, you’ll definitely like “The New Wife” I was reading it over a wet weekend but it would lend itself to be a perfect holiday read.
When I read the afterword from the author I discovered that they had been inspired by a Daphne Du Maurer novel, My Cousin Rachel, and this did not surprise me. JP Delaney has definitely captured the style of one of my favourite classic writers.
I recommend this as a five star read and certainly a novel to tuck in your suitcase if you are off on holiday!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

An enjoyable beach read thriller with a good twist and well-developed characters.

Read it if: you like to second-guess your narrator.

Don’t read it if: you want likeable characters.

When Jimmy Hensen dies at his dilapidated Mallorcan farmhouse, it’s down to his estranged son, Finn, to visit Jimmy’s devastated third wife and step-daughter to secure his inheritance. When he arrives to a warm welcome from his step-relatives and a transformed farmhouse with a new business purpose, he begins to fall in love with the place and his new family. Despite his sister (who remains in England) hurrying him along to kick the women out so they can sell the property, Jimmy becomes enthralled by his new simple lifestyle and company.

The turn that this novel took was completely unexpected, so much so that I would probably re-read with a fresh perspective on these characters. I would recommend as a compelling summer read.

With thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.