ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.

Wowza! I had NO IDEA where this book was headed but it completely made my head spin! The narration was perfect for the characters in the story and it was very easy to listen for hours at a time! There are so many twists, turns, and unreliable narrators, it’s pure psychological chaos! I truly did enjoy this book and would recommend to anyone who loves psychological/domestic thrillers!

I read this one before I listened to it, so I already knew about the major twists (so many!) but it didn't detract from the experience at all. I was enthralled. The narrator was perfect.

I was intrigued from the first chapter. The story’s well written, descriptive passages flow from one chapter to the next. Good natured Emma meets/falls for seemingly well intentioned Sam, only to have her life begin to spiral. A juxtaposition of good and evil in human nature. I really liked how it was written.
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook. Sarah Durham’s pleasant voice is very easy to listen to. The narration is clear and well paced. I listened to it in one day!
Thank You to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media, for the opportunity to enjoy the audiobook version of this this ARC.

This gripping domestic thriller ropes you in immediately. Emma and Sam meet at a bereavement group through Sam's sister, Faith. Fast forward and they are happily together, expecting their first child. That is, until Emma phones Sam and a women, claiming to be his wife, picks up. As can be expected, things spiral from there. The seed of doubt has been planted.
This fast paced psychological thriller takes several twists and turns to the point that it was somewhat bizarre at times. There are several red flags. Sam messes with Emma. She starts thinking she might have pregnancy psychosis and it has her second guessing herself.
There are moments I want to yell at Emma for not seeing the signs. Other times, I'm so shocked and thrown off by the unexpected twists.
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook version of this novel. Thank you to Netgallery and the Publisher for this audiobook.

<i> ‘I’m sorry, Sam’s not available,’ says the woman who answers my husband’s phone. I can’t place her voice, so I politely ask who she is. Her answer sends my world spinning out of ‘I’m his wife.’

Then I find out Sam’s got more to hide than I ever imagined was possible. Because my husband is leading a double life. He’s already married to someone else.

But what Sam doesn’t know is that he’s not the only person keeping secrets.

And he has no idea how far I’ll go to protect myself… </i>

So. Many. Twists. Even the twists have twists. After some frustrated face palming early on in the narration (dear Gawd, is this another one of those stories?), the twists starting hitting, making me realize this wasn’t quite the overdone cliche-ridden story I’d begun to think. The only thing that was clear, from that point forward: trust no one. And enjoy the ride.

The audiobook was delightfully narrated by Sarah Durham.

Thank you Rona Halsall, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for providing this ALC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

Another day, another thriller. Right?! WRONG!

As the certified thriller expert that you are, you may be lulled into thinking you know where this is all going. Perhaps you’ll convince yourself, “easy-peasy!" Well my literary friends, you couldn’t be further off course on this one!

Emma finds love in the most unexpected place. A bereavement support group. OK, I suppose that beats online dating!
Fellow member Sam is an architect grieving the loss of his wife. It’s not long before the two are inseparable.

As one door closes another opens.

Emma now has a fresh start on her newly-found, joyful life. A new marriage, a baby on the way and her husband is building her the home of her dreams! Such a beautiful love story.

Ahh, poor Emma. Don’t you know, life can never be that perfect?

When another woman answers her husband's phone claiming to be his wife, her entire world collapses. Whaaat?😱.

But hold on a minute…is Sam the only one keeping secrets in this marriage?

Buckle up, because this is where everything takes off with delicious twists that are planted like little land mines ready to go off as you make your way through the chapters! I kept having to stop and let my brain fully absorb what I just heard! (audio version💁🏻‍♀️).

Speaking of which, Sarah Durham did an amazing job with the narration!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media🎧

THIS book just blows my mind! This was a wild, crazy, and totally unpredictable read! Was a while since I had a book where I must question every single step! And I mean EVERY step!
This book is the definition of "grabbed me from the beginning and didn't let me go until I finished this book!"I literally put all my day on pause! I didn't move, I gasp out loud, and definitely was holding my breath with or without realizing it!

The Bigamist by Rona Halsall, an audiobook narrated by Sarah Durham is a completely addictive and gripping psychological thriller with incredible twists all the way through! This book makes you question everything! You can't trust anyone! Everyone lies but who lies the most? Everyone has secrets but who has the biggest skeletons in the closet? This is something that follows through the book from begging until the last sentence!

I can't express how amazing a job Sarah Durham has done to bring this audiobook to life! Sometimes I forgot that there is just one narrator! Seriously! The narrator and author seem to work perfectly together to create a magical listening experience!

This book is about Emma who met Sam at a bereavement group. A friendship quickly escalates to a relationship and soon after Emma finds she is pregnant! All like in fairy tail where the wedding follows straight after and Emma feels her life can't be happier. Unfortunitelly things take a wrong turn when Emma founds her painting in the picture in the magazine! Looking for an answer Emma calls Sam but instead of Sam, she speaks with Sam's wife! Excuse me, what? Emma was positive she was Sam's wife! If Sam is hiding a wife, what else he is hiding? How much of everything he told her is true? How much she can trust him? And what is the best way to deal with the situation? Those are just some questions, believe me, questions roll in one after another, so you will need to guess! No one tells the truth! Everyone has secrets!

I finished many good books this month but I believe this goes straight to the top of my favorite books! The expected publication is July 5, 2023, so take a day off, you will need it! There is no chance to put it down to read/listen later!

I am so incredibly grateful to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an advance copy! Thank you, Rona Halsall and Sarah Durham for an incredible experience!

Red Flag Alert!

This was an entertaining, fast paced and twist filled read. There were several I didn't-see-that-coming parts in this book which kept me on my toes, wanting more and anxious about what was going to happen next!

Emma met Sam at a bereavement group. The attraction was instant. When Emma finds out that she is pregnant, she is over the moon! She has longed to be a mother and looks forward to a life with Sam and their child. Sam works long hours as an architect and has frequent private phone calls and trips out of town, but it is all to build a life (and home) together.

But money begins to disappear from her bank account and then her beloved paintings are gone. Emma is not happy about this nor is she happy when she calls him, and a woman claims to be "his wife? What?!?

Is Sam living a secret life? Is that why all the private phone calls? Is he a bigamist?

Sam may have his secrets, but so does Emma. But who has the biggest secret of all?

This was a lot of fun. I enjoyed the increasing tension as the book progressed. The characters have secrets yet are angry at other characters for keeping secrets. Isn't that how it always is? The pot and the kettle and all that. This kept me on my toes, entertained and wanting more. Just when I thought I knew everything and where this book was heading, Rona Halsall turned the tables on me with another twist and reveal. I enjoyed the fast pacing of this well thought out and well written book.

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

"What's my picture doing on a stranger's wall?"

Seeing an original painting she owns, which should be in storage, on someone else's wall in a magazine in the waiting room has shaken Emma. She calls her husband Sam who must have loaned it to someone for a photo shoot, but gets an even bigger surprise. A woman answers the phone saying SHE is his wife. Well, that's news to Emma, as she leaves her pregnancy checkup.. for his baby.

Then we go back in time (a year or so) and get a back story and context for Emma. She met Sam and his sister Faith in a bereavement support group and they hit it off quickly. Suspiciously quickly if you ask me. Emma lost a string of people, which she shares.. mostly, but Sam goes a long time without telling her who he lost. He needs time, Faith proclaims.

Red flags aside, this is the best she's felt in a long time. It's nice to laugh again and have a sense of community and friendship. She's so grateful she had the courage to attend the support group.

Supportive as they may be, everyone in it has something to hide. It's just a matter of finding out what and why.. and doing it in time to survive!

There is a lot packed into this book! Everyone has secrets and nothing is what it seems. Opinions and sympathies change quickly. I had a few questions left at the end but there was a lot to tie in. It didn't mesh perfectly and it could probably be polished by switching up the narration a bit but any small flaws aside, I had a good time and stayed interested.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to listen and review. The audio narrator was excellent.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. Well this one was an interesting little read. Emma is just getting over the devastating loss of a baby and her husband when she attends a grief support group and meets Faith. She instantly connects with Faith and they start to form a close friendship, then Faith introduces Emma to her brother Sam and a relationship starts to flourish. Emma is concerned that things are moving quickly and she starts to question some of the decisions she is making but goes ahead and does them anyway. Sam is an architect and offers to design and build Emma's dream house and they quickly find a rental to move into together while the house is being built however, there is a small catch Sam needs Emma to pay for the deposit on the house as he is strapped for cash....red flag #1. Shortly after Emma finds out that she is pregnant and is not sure how Sam will handle the news. Well he proposes and they are married. Then one day Emma calls Sam's cell phone and the woman on the other end says he isn't available and when Emma asks who she is speaking with the woman says "Sam's Wife".....WHAT????.....not only that but the twist at the end is a good one too......Enjoy!!!

Quite a twist in this one! Rona’s best!

I loved it but did not see the ending coming. I love a secretly psychopathic husband, but this couple was next level!

A Mind-Bending Ride into the Depths of Deceit

A sincere thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for granting me the privilege of an advanced copy of Rona Halsall's "The Bigamist." A captivating piece of domestic thriller literature, the novel has certainly left an indelible mark on me, taking me on a remarkable journey of deception, secrets, and unexpected revelations.

"The Bigamist" was a thoroughly engaging read that was successful in binding my attention from the start until the very last page. Halsall has a knack for creating an atmosphere of suspense and mystery that is both tantalizing and unnerving. The pacing of the narrative was well-maintained, keeping me invested in the storyline without a moment of respite.

What truly stands out in "The Bigamist" is its unpredictability. The crafty plot twist was executed with such finesse that it caught me completely off guard. Too often, thrillers fall into the trap of predictability, but this novel breaks that mold, delivering a complex narrative that cleverly defies expectations.

This riveting tale is ideal for those who have an affinity for domestic thrillers. A perfect companion for a leisurely weekend, it offers the right mix of suspense and intrigue to keep readers engrossed. It's a thriller/mystery that kept me guessing, tricking me right up to the very end.

In addition to the compelling plot, the narration of "The Bigamist" deserves special praise. The reader's voice breathes life into the characters, adding an extra layer of complexity and empathy to their situations.

To sum it up, "The Bigamist" is a thrilling novel that excels in its genre. Rona Halsall has crafted an exceptional narrative that is sure to keep readers guessing and eagerly turning pages. If you're in search of a compelling, unpredictable domestic thriller, look no further - this book delivers.

This was a wild ride of a very twisted thriller. Nothing is what is appears to be and no one is who they seem to be. It isn’t often I am left surprised at the end and this was quite the twist. This was my first title from this author and I am going back for more. The narration was fabulous and added to the experience.

4 stars

This is an engaging and nicely paced thriller that will keep readers wondering if anyone can ever be trusted at all...especially if they're married to you!

Emma and Sam get married, and like any good couple at the center of a thriller, there are red flags galore. What do they do? IGNORE. Of course. But the drama doesn't even start or end there.

Thanks to the title and tagline, it's no secret that readers are going to meet a bigamist, but the options for who and where and how are not as clear cut as they may seem at first blush. It is pretty fun to learn about everyone's secrets. Most are strange and some are really out there, but all bring entertainment.

This is my first book by Halsall, whom I now realize is a rather prolific writer. It won't be my last. I recommend this especially as a summer thriller for that afternoon when you want to escape into a whole other space that you're thankful isn't yours!

Many thanks to Net Galley and Dreamscape Media for an audio copy of The Bigamist for an honest review.

This book was hard to put down! It has lots of twists, and it flowed beautifully.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the free audio book in exchange for my honest review. This is narrated by Sarah Durham who does a fantastic job!

I love psychological thrillers and this one is so good!

Emma is attending a group where people who have lost someone close go for help, advice and comfort. She meets Sam who is in the same circumstance and they bonded over grief, but is Sam all he seems to be? That is the essential theme of this story; is anyone as they appear to be?

Everytime I thought I had the story figured out, it went sideways. My head spun so many times with all of the twists! And all of them were so believable! Go into this blind. Know its a psychological thriller that has everything you want - twists, turns, suspense, murder and psychotic characters! The story has so much going on but pay close attention to all the threads as they will line up in an uncharacteristically unique way!

Highly recommend!!!

I couldn't resist the alluring cover or the hype in the rave reviews for this twisty domestic suspense. A new to me author, this one definitely kept me guessing and was worth the time. While it didn't completely blow me away, I am still looking forward to more from this writer. Recommended for fans of Frida McFadden. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

The Bigamist by Rona Halsall
Narrated by Sarah Durham

Oh you crazy people! First we meet Emma, reeling with grief from her husband's horrific accident, the loss of their baby, and the death of her mother in law. Finally she is trying a grief support group and that is where she meets Sam, a widower, and Sam's sister Faith, a therapist. Maybe her life is finally going to take a turn for the better because Emma falls for Sam immediately.

Never mind the red flags smacking Emma in the face. She blunders from one bad decision to another and many of those bad decisions are mind blowing. But now Emma and Sam are married, he's kindly taken over their finances and he wants Emma to enjoy their new country rental. But Emma is uneasy (you should be, Emma!) with Sam being away from home a set number of days each week. And he's cagey about things, gets defensive when questioned, and he has his sister hovering over Emma.

But, Emma's no saint herself. There is something in her past that she keeps shunting to the back of her mind. She'll think about it later, she did what she had to do, it's for the best, none of it is her fault (nothing is ever Emma's fault...eye roll).

Take the story in with a huge pile of salt and a suspension of disbelief and just hang on while you try to decide who is the biggest liar. There are several of them and a whole lot of denial of responsibility. These people deserve each other, too bad there could be collateral damage.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media, Hachette UK - Bookouture, and NetGalley for this ARC.

You’ve met the man of your dreams, you’re expecting his child and you’ve taken wedding vows promising to forsake all others till death do you part. Yes, he’s gone a lot for work, but it’s a small price to pay. Of course, from the title readers know that our heroine is married to a first class philanderer and criminal, what they don’t know is the little bomb Halsall planted. Prepare for a big surprise