4 out of 5 Stars!

When Dr. Richmond Dougherty died, all suspicion fell on his new wife, Addison. Their marriage was sudden and short, only being married for 97 days until his death. But in those short days, several accidents threatened Dr. Dougherty. Now, Addison is a rich widow.

So, what happened to Dr. Dougherty? Did Addison really kill him? That’s what the entire town is thinking, including Kathryn, the first wife and high school sweetheart of Richmond. While trying to uncover what happened, Addison becomes a target herself. But Addison had always had a plan, even before getting married.

“What the Wife Knew” by Darby Kane was a twisty, psychological thriller that had you guessing until the very last page! There were multiple mysteries involved in this thriller, with a murder to figure out to what happened to Dr. Dougherty all of those years before. With multiple perspectives and a nonlinear timeline, this thriller will keep you on your toes until the very end.

I really enjoyed the main character, Addison! She was very mysterious but also carried huge confidence throughout the novel. She had a very interesting backstory that contributed to the mystery of the novel. I really enjoyed this book, I just felt a little bored in the middle of the novel. There were a lot of characters, and it was hard to keep track of, as none of them really stood out other than Addison.

Overall, I think this book is a solid ⅘! If you are looking for a psychological thriller, this is the book for you!

Pick up “What the Wife Knew” by Darby Kane on December 10th, 2024!

Thank you to William Morrow, Darby Kane, and Netgalley for a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

initial thoughts: the premise of this was intriguing and it did start off strong. i really enjoyed Addison's POV and her revenge plot. then, another POV was added in (Richmond's) and things just fell off for me at that point. i didn't like any of the characters and the ending was unbelievable.

a big thanks to NetGalley & William Morrow for the ARC. while i was disappointed in the ending of this story, it did keep me entertained during my daily dog walks & chores around the house.

This read was fantastic. I thought I had it figured out, but I didn't. I definitely didn't see it coming. Kept me engaged the entire time. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Although I thought Addison's revenge was silly and farfetched - I really enjoyed this novel and it was fun to read. You really get thrown into the wind as soon as the book starts which sets a fast pace in the beginning.

As with any thriller, go into it as blind as possible. I found this book to be a quick read with plenty of twists and turns and unlikeable characters. Usually I feel disengaged when I don't like any of the characters, but for whatever reason, this book still had me hooked and wanting to know what happens next.

Thanks to NetGalley for the sneak peek, this book is out tomorrow!

Dr. Richmond Dougherty is a renowned pediatric surgeon, an infamous tragedy survivor, and a national hero. He’s also very dead—thanks to a fall down the stairs. His neighbors angrily point a finger at the newest Ms. Dougherty, Addison. The sudden marriage to the mysterious young woman only lasted ninety-seven days, and he’d had two suspicious “accidents” during that time. Now Addison is a very rich widow.

When I first started this book, I immediately loved Addison. She is no nonsense, she is smart, and she has herself in a mess. There is something about Addison that I felt sorry for, but yet I knew that was misplaced… or was it? The ending tells a bit of a different story.

This novel has a lot of moving parts and it will keep you on your toes with all of the questions about the past!

OK, y’all, I have never read this author before. I’m gonna have to pick up some of her books. I enjoyed the movement of this novel. I enjoyed the characters. And I definitely enjoyed the thrill. This ending will have you wanting to punch somebody, just letting you know. So be ready. 😉

Need a quick, twisty thriller…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

I was really excited to read this, the story sounded so fun! But it just didn’t wow me. It was a bit predictable towards the end. This was a quick easy read nonetheless.

Fell really flat but still entertaining. The book has potential but it just didnt give me a shock value

This was a super fun read. I really enjoyed the storyline, the character development, and the questions that kept me guessing! Would definitely recommend this for folks who don’t like over the top gory thrillers, but still want all the intrigue!

This is a poignant, entertaining and articulate psychological thriller that weaves together the complexities of family relationships and dysfunction.

Dr Richmond Dougherty who, 27 years earlier survived a tragedy and became a national hero, is now a renowned, married pediatric surgeon. He is a serial womanizer and when he meets Addison who is much younger and beautiful the attraction is instantaneous. And, she has definite plans for him. Plans based on a deep-seated desire for revenge. Richmond is killed just 97 days into their marriage. And during that less than four month period he has two nearly deadly “accidents”. As law enforcement and the residents of the town point to Addison as the killer she becomes a target.

This is a well-written book with flawed characters that are easily understood and family dynamics that are relatable. Kane has a gift for a well-form phrase. The story evolves at a rapid fire pace with shocking revelations that come together for an explosive finale. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

Omg there are no words for this book but umm read it!!

We start the book with Addison in a battle with her husband, as the chapter moves though he is found dead and she is the suspect however, she wasn’t the one who killed him even tho it was her plan and now she needs to figure out who before she is the one who takes the blame. Is it the lawyer? Other doctors? The ex wife? The kids? I figured out who killed him fast however the story was about why she hated him so much then who was the killer.

I will put a note they talk about school shootings so be mindful in reading this but that twist at the end omg.

Thanks NetGalley for the advanced reader copy!

I was so excited to start reading this new book from Darby Kane, and after finishing it, I was not disappointed!! I loved it. Her latest psychological thriller, WHAT THE WIFE KNEW, offers the reader a suspenseful and intricate narrative, one packed with morally complex characters, unyielding suspense, and wonderfully unexpected twists.

The story follows an extremely likable and strong protagonist, Addison Dougherty, who is a newly widowed woman of husband Richmond, who by all accounts is a much loved surgeon and all-around great guy. But looks are deceiving because the more we find out about Richmond, the more of his polished veneer is stripped away, showing a twisted mind and evil heart.

As the mysterious circumstances surrounding Richmond’s life and death unfold, deftly handled through dual timelines, Addison’s shocking motivations and the tangled web of secrets in her marriage come to light. Addison’s sarcasm and cheekiness make for many laugh out loud moments while reading—she’s truly a character whom I came to admire so much by the end of the novel. Loved her!!

Themes of betrayal, revenge, and the insidiousness of hidden truths within relationships resonate strongly with readers, making the book both thought-provoking and unputdownable. A poignant theme explored remarkably well is the importance of parent/child relationships and how the impact of such important foundational relationships shapes individuals, for better or for worse. The unconditional love parents show to their children can never ever be underestimated!!

What a twist, twisty ride! And I loved every minute of it! The novel offers a series of twists that keep readers guessing until the final pages. For those readers looking for a gripping and twist-filled read, WHAT THE WIFE KNEW is a fantastic choice. It officially releases on December 10, 2024 .

I want to thank NetGalley, Darby Kane, and William Morrow for gifting me the ARC of WHAT THE WIFE KNEW. It was such a privilege to read this before publication. And I appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!

What the Wife Knew 🚪💡

Synopsis: Dr. Richmond Dougherty is a renowned pediatric surgeon, an infamous tragedy survivor, and a national hero. He’s also very dead—thanks to a fall down the stairs. His neighbors angrily point a finger at the newest Ms. Dougherty, Addison. The sudden marriage to the mysterious young woman only lasted ninety-seven days, and he’d had two suspicious “accidents” during that time. Now Addison is a very rich widow.

This book started out okay. There was some plot building to help get to know the characters. I liked the dual POV of Addison and Richmond before he died. However, the last 50% wasn’t it for me. I felt like there was just too much fluff and was very predictable. The ending was also unnecessary and uncomfortable. I feel like it was there just to add 5 more chapters.

Read if you like:
🔎 who did it
💍 ex wife drama
👥 dual POV

⭐️ Rating : 2/5
📖 Genre: thriller
📝 Pub date: 12/10

Thank you @netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for an early copy for my honest review!

4⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced copy of What The Wife Knew.

Addison has just lost her husband Richmond to a fall down the stairs. They were married only a few months and everyone seemed to place the blame on her since she was his younger new wife. What they did not know was that Addison did want him dead but someone else got to him first. Now she begins to wonder just how many enemies Richmond had.

This book was so good and it had me hooked from the very beginning to the very last sentence. I really enjoyed the writing and the storyline. I also really enjoyed the dual point of views. This is a must read!

🌟 2 stars! Big thanks to William Morrow for the ARC through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review! What the Wife Knew drops on December 10, 2024, and it’s a 368-page psychological thriller that just didn’t quite hit the mark for me. 💔

✨ Tropes galore! ✨
✧ Revenge 💥
✧ Murder mystery 🕵️‍♀️
✧ Rich widow 💍
✧ Suspense 🔪
✧ Psychological thriller 🧠
✧ Family drama 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Okay, let me start by saying—I really wanted to love this book. The premise? So intriguing! A wife wondering if someone’s been trying to off her husband, then finally succeeds (spoiler alert: it was supposed to be her job). Throw in a national hero, some shady accidents, and a super-rich widow, and I was so ready. But, man, halfway through? Things started spiraling. 😬

At first, I was all about Addison. She’s got snark, wit, and this revenge-fueled plot that I was here for. Then… BAM! The POV switched to Dr. Richmond Dougherty, and let’s just say I was suddenly stuck in a never-ending monologue with a villain who could not stop spilling his dark secrets. Like, okay, we get it, buddy! 😵

The second half? Yikes. It was a revolving door of uninvited guests and way too much talking. The plot became so repetitive, I couldn’t keep up. By the time the big twist hit, I was all like, “Really? That’s the direction we’re going?” 🤦‍♀️

It just felt like a bunch of ideas crammed into one book, and none of them really hit home for me. The characters weren’t super likeable (Addison was the only one I could tolerate), and it just got way too much at times. 😬 The ending? Let’s just say I was cringing and rolling my eyes.

I know some folks love these twisty thrillers, but this one missed the mark for me. 😓 Honestly, I’m not sure I’ll pick up any of Darby Kane’s future releases after this.

If you’re into thrillers that go way over the top and throw in a ton of twists, you might vibe with this one. But for me? It was just a bit too much. 🤷‍♀️

Kane this is why I love your books! You never disappoint!
What the Wife Knew by Darby Kane is another fantastic domestic thriller.
An excellent mystery. The premise and surprises throughout were exciting. Great character building and plot development. I mean I absolutely loved it!
I completely inhaled this book in one sitting.
Darby Kane is an automatic read author for me and her latest novel is the perfect example of why!
Filled to the brim with twists and a captivating plot, this one is sure to keep readers hooked.

Thank You NetGalley and William Morrow for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

What the Wife Knew is a gripping thriller packed with nonstop twists and turns. Just when you think you have it figured out, the story veers in an entirely unexpected direction. The characters are far from likable, leaving you questioning who, if anyone, deserves your support. Its unbelievable plot keeps you hooked, eager to uncover what happens next.

What the Wife Knew by Darby Kane
🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is an entertaining and intense domestic thriller!
Addison, a newly widowed woman, has eyes on her for the death of her husband, who died from an accidental fall down the stairs. There’s lots of plot twists, thrills and suspense in this story! Some great secrets are revealed as well! The story has lots of excitement and It kept me on my toes, wanting to find out more!
This story is very well written and fun to read!

Thank you to NetGalley for an Arc of this great thriller! This is my first book from this author, but I’m excited to check out more!
*This book comes out December 10th!*

A fun, twisty ride filled with a lot unlikable characters. I really enjoyed this story. It took little to get going, but about half way through, the pace picked up and I could hardly put it down. I guessed some of the plot twists, but then was surprised by others. Overall a great read!

This was my first time reading any book by Darby Kane. I didn't know how much of a wild ride I would be in for. Richmond is a wealthy, married doctor with two children. Someone has killed him. His former wife appears to be grieving over his unfortunate death, but his current wife, Addison, is very relieved. She wanted him dead, but couldn't figure out who beat her to the punch. It turns out Richmond and Addison's marriage was anything but loving, their marriage was based on lies, deceit, and blackmail. As Addison gets closer and closer to figuring out Richmond's murderer, more secrets and twists are revealed. She already knew her husband was treacherous to the core, but just how treacherous is the question. There's a lot of family dysfunction between Richmond's former wife, Kathryn, who thinks Addison ruined their lives, and Richmond's two kids. Addison's mother, Liz, has a completely different, and conniving agenda; the final blowing secret that she delivers to Addison will completely shock you! I will say that this book was intriguing. I think it was adequate character development. It's definitely a lot of twists and turns, so please be prepared for your emotions to be engaged. I didn't like Addison at first, but after seeing how her mother was, I could see why Addison was the way she was. She grew on me towards the end.