Member Reviews
The Quiet Wife is extremely predictable. I like trying to figure out how twists are going to turn out in books, but I did not have to try very hard with this one. I also did not find any character to be likeable. It is a well written book, just not one I would read again.
Thanks to NetGalley, Diane Saxon, and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read an advanced reader copy of The Quiet Wife in the return of an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of The Quiet Wife by Diane Saxon.
I have not read a book by this author before and I did enjoy her writing style but I did not care for this storyline. I am ok with reading about horribly sad subject lines but the store about rape and abortion and they way it was told was not for me.
I had a hard time connecting with the characters of this book as well.
This book was not for me, but the ARC was very much appreciated.
'The Quiet Wife' - Publication date 20th February, 2025.
Never one to pass on a good mystery, the synopsis for this latest novel by Diane Saxon immediately jumped out at me. Narrated mostly by the main protagonist, Soriah, the plot moves quickly almost from the beginning. Having suffered through a terrible ordeal when she was younger, Soriah has pushed to overcome her past and is now a married woman, trying to start a family. However, her carefully curated world has started crumbling around her, bringing all of anxieties to the forefront once again. She must now confront her demons, both past and present, to secure her future.
Overall, what I enjoyed most was the pacing of the book. The storyline moved and flowed in a way that made sense and allowed me to easily follow along. There were some flashbacks utilised to give a better sense of how Soriah's past shaped her, and I thought they were well fleshed out. This technique isn't always successful but Saxon used it in a way that didn't become too overwhelming.
The biggest letdown for me was that I easily solved the 'whodunit!' I hate when this happens as I'm always hoping to be shocked and awed in a mystery novel. However, through a simple process of elimination, I correctly guessed the evildoer's identity quite early on.
All in all, I rate 'The Quiet Wife' 3 stars because while I didn't quite love it, it was a quick and simple read. Please note that there are some very heavy topics that will not make this an easy read - trigger warnings include stalking, abduction, rape, abortion and adoption. If these are not immediately off-putting to you in fiction, this book will provide some joy to you.
*A great many thanks to Boldwood Books, Diane Saxon, and NetGalley for this ARC. It is important to note that I was not committed to providing a positive review; all opinions are undoubtedly my own.*
Soriah is living a quiet life hiding a dark past until the man who once obsessed over her is released from prison. She begins to receive disturbing messages and fears for her safety as strange occurrences start happening around her. Her past is catching up to her and she must confront the secrets she has been keeping.
One of the reasons I am enamored with this author is her ability to craft a story filled with suspense and tension that builds up to a jaw-dropping twist. I am a sucker for books that keep me on the edge of my seat, unable to predict the outcome until the very last page. The shock factor of the reveal leaves me reeling, unable to shake the story from my mind long after I have finished reading.
The storyline unfolds like a nightmare, delving into sensitive topics that may trigger some readers. There were moments where I found myself clenching my teeth, but it was necessary to push through to fully grasp the depth of the narrative. The writing is masterful, making it nearly impossible to set the book down once you have started. The unexpected twist takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving you breathless and haunted by the story long after you have turned the final page.
If you crave a fast-paced, unpredictable, and suspenseful read that will keep you guessing until the very end, then this book is must-read. I assure you, that the conclusion will blindside you, so pay close attention to the subtle hints scattered throughout the story. Get ready for a thrilling ride that will leave you speechless and craving more.
Thank you, Boldwood Books for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book was a really great read with so many twists it keeps you hooked from the beginning. Really is a must read .
I think this is my favourite read by the author, each book seems better than the previous one! I really felt empathy for Soriah, the main character, as she struggled with the abuse she suffered from an unwanted relationship. There is plenty of tension, a couple of nasty so called friends and a couple of twists, albeit predictable. There are trigger warnings but it's a very good character driven, psychological thriller which left me wondering at the end. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
4.5 ⭐️ | The Quiet Wife is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps you at the edge of your seat. This was my first novel by Diane Saxon and upon finishing, I immediately added her entire catalogue to my TBR list.
The story follows Soriah as she navigates through life, still impacted by a traumatic experience of a stalker from her past. The alternating timelines between past and present were easy to follow, adding more suspense to the characters as the chapters continued. Suddenly, her world is yet again turned upside down when ghosts that she thought she buried long ago, comes back to haunt her. With the amount of deception in her midst, Soriah begins to question everyone & everything, including her own sanity.
That was an amazing, chilling thriller.
It was fast-paced, unable to put down.
Just enough twists to keep you hanging after.
I really enjoyed reading this book, it had that element that I was looking for from a psychological thriller novel. The plot was everything that I was hoping for and enjoyed the overall feel of this. I was invested in the twists and thought the characters worked overall. Diane Saxon has a strong writing style and really enjoyed the way this was written.
This is a twisty domestic psychological thriller. The timeline switches between the past and present with the POV of different characters. It definitely takes obsessive to a whole new level. The author hits on some difficult subjects. A couple of times I felt the story moved just a bit slow. The twists were good. Throughout the book I felt awful for the MC and disgusted with a few of the others. The author really brought out these emotions and I’ll definitely read another book by her.
Thank you to the author @DianeSaxon as well as to @BoldwoodBooks and @NetGalley for a free e-ARC. The opinions are mine alone and not biased in any way.
Diane Saxon writes some fantastic thrillers and this cast-paced, compelling read is absolutely one of them!
Soriah suffered a hugely traumatic experience at the hands of a fellow pupil at her school, 20 years earlier. She has just been informed that he has been released from prison and when strange things start to happen, Soriah is terrified he will come after her again.
The story is told in the present day, where Soriah is married to Marcus, a controlling and unsupportive man, and in the past, leading up to what happened to Soriah. The effects of the trauma on Soriah in the present day are clear and it is interesting to see the dynamic between her and her husband, and how it differs to that with her loving mother.
The twists were excellent, although the big one was a little too easy to work out. Still an enjoyable read, which I loved.
4.5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Diane Saxon and Boldwood for an ARC in return for an honest review.
The Quiet Wife by Diane Saxon is a page turning read. Having picked it up I just couldn't put it down, for it is an unforgettable novel that will stir the emotions
Once again Diane Saxon has given her readers a story that
will fulfill their expectations.
For Diane knows how to write and gives her audience plenty to satisfy their hunger, and she doesn't disappoint.
It is a real treat to read any of Diane's amazing work. I look forward to her next book.
My thanks go to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy for my honest review.
I received an ARC from Netgalley for my honest review.
"The Quiet Wife" by Diane Saxon is an ok read, but it read like something you'd see in a Lifetime movie. The story follows a seemingly perfect marriage that unravels due to secrets and betrayal. The plot felt predictable. While the suspense is there, it lacks the depth or twists that make it stand out. I did like that the author didn’t describe the sexual assault in gory detail.
Trigger warnings for sexual assault , betrayal,
and emotional manipulation. It’s a light read for those looking for suspense, but not groundbreaking.
thank you to NetGalley for kindly sending me this arc!
unfortunately, The Quiet Wife was just okay. it was very predictable and i found the writing very simple. none of the twists surprised me or did their job. and the title was kind of misleading because, yes, she is a wife, but being a wife had nothing to do with that story and her husband was barely in it.
overall, just left a lot be desired! would be a great book for someone just getting into thrillers.
When i first started this book, I had trouble getting into it then BOOM all of a sudden I couldn't read it quick enough., it was intense, stalkerish at times, a MASTERPIECE!! Well written, I sure didn't see how it ended coming . Most definately recommend
20 years ago, Soriah was assaulted by her classmate Craig. In the present day, Soriah is married and trying to get pregnant. However Craig is being released and Soriah feels that she is being watched. Or is it just her imagination? I like that you get the. perspective of both Soriah and Craig. The story jumps between both the past and present, which keeps the story engaging. Once the first twist had been revealed, I was able to guess the perpetrator. This did not change my enjoyment of the novel. It was a quick read and well written.
The Quiet Wife freaked me the heck out. A stunning several POV book with a killer twist at the end. Highly recommend for thriller fans. WIll be purchasing for libraries.
The story switches between Soriah in the present day in her late 30s, to and from her aged 18 in college. It also switches to other characters' stories interwoven with Soriah's.
We start on the first page with Soriah trying to not disturb her husband when she's having a violent nightmare. Why is she scared about waking him up? Is the nightmare about him?
Then we start to flashback to Soriah at college, which seems to be building up to something traumatic, from when a boy was obsessed with her. Is this what the nightmare was about? Why is she still not moving on 20 years later? What's stopping her? Who is this boy?
This was my first read by Diane Saxon so going in I was unsure if I would like her style but I have to say I loved this book.
There was a continuous build throughout the book and you never felt like you were in a rut. The characters were intertwined into the story so well and I really loved that it bounced back and forth from past to present. I would recommend this to anyone that loves a good thriller
Soriah is being stalked by someone from her past. She is terrified, and it seems her husband, Marcus, does not care.
A book about obsession, denial of the truth and fake friendships.
Beautifully written and triggering.
Monsters come in many forms, it is the human monster that you should fear.
Riveting novel, unputdownable, dark and engrossing.
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the DRC.