The book begins with a strong premise and well-developed characters, drawing readers in with intrigue and secrets waiting to unfold. However, the pacing falters in the second half, and the abrupt ending left me dissatisfied.

The shifting timelines and perspectives added to the confusion, with chapter transitions often making it hard to discern the sequence of events. The POVs lacked clear distinction, and I frequently found myself rewinding to piece it together.

While the slow build promised a compelling payoff, the final quarter felt rushed, cramming major developments into too few pages. The abrupt conclusion left lingering questions, making the journey feel incomplete.

Worth a read for the premise and character work, but prepare for some frustration with structure and pacing.


A. Twist and Suspense
⭐: Illogical or incoherent; the mystery is shallow or unresolved

B. Atmosphere and Writing
⭐⭐: Weak atmosphere, writing had some redeeming moments but wasn't engaging

C. Character Development
⭐⭐: Characters were underdeveloped, with unclear motivations.

D. Pacing and Engagement
⭐⭐⭐: Pacing was decent, with a few engaging moments.

E. Mystery Resolution
⭐⭐⭐: The resolution made sense but wasn’t particularly satisfying.

F. Emotional Impact
⭐⭐: Minimal emotional engagement; few memorable moments.

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐ out of 5

I just finished “The Pastor’s Wife” by Lyndee Walker, and it is a very good thriller! The story is about a young, down on her luck woman named Martha who meets the local church pastor’s wife, Mary.

Mary and her husband Tim, the pastor, lead a seemingly perfect life and offer Martha an opportunity to change her fortune.

The story is told from Martha and Mary’s POV’s. It’s filled with twists and turns. The plot did seem to drag in the middle, but I did enjoy the writing, so a slower pace did not bother me.

This book will definitely keep you guessing! It earned a solid 4 stars from me! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This book publishes on June 16th. Go read it!

#bookstagram
#NetGalley
#ThePastor’sWife

A dark, engrossing thriller that peels back church-life facades—though a few beats felt familiar.
The Pastor’s Wife is a gripping slow-burn thriller with a deceptively cozy setting and high emotional stakes. Walker’s strength is in her pacing and atmosphere—even if it leans on a few familiar tropes, the ride is intense. A solid 4 stars for fans of domestic suspense with secrets simmering just beneath the surface.

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Great pick if you like psychological thrillers set in seemingly idyllic communities—think In the Woods-style dread meets small-town intrigue.

Unfortunately this book was not it. I found my mind wandering more often then not when reading and I had to reread pages multiple times to get myself to understand - not a good sign

Martha is new to Whitney Falls. But so are the smooth and charming Pastor Tim and his wife Mary. Mary and Tim had moved from town to town, but had finally found a home in Whitney Falls. From the outside looking in Tim and Mary’s marriage seemed idyllic, but it wouldn’t take long for Martha to see the cracks in their marriage.

The rapid friendship that developed between Martha and Mary was about to face significant challenges. With each of them harboring pasts they’d rather keep hidden, the narrative takes on a sinister tone. This book might have been a tale of secrets and lies, but it turned out to be far more intricate, making it an enthralling read from beginning to end.

As an avid audiobook listener, Stephanie Cannon and Pat Rodriguez were unfamiliar to me as narrators. However, I believe they both delivered exceptional performances in capturing the captivating voices of Martha and Mary. This added an extra layer of intrigue to the unfolding narrative. LynDee Walker was also a new name to me, and I thoroughly enjoyed my first encounter with what I hope will be a series of captivating books in the future.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

This one started out strong but then just dragged from about halfway. I found the majority of characters Mary and Tim especially irritating and dislikable. Martha for me was the only really likeable character. The small town theme and the dialogue was a little cringe. The twists and turns seemed a little forced and not overly engaging. The last 1/4 was engaging if a little drawn out and iseemed like it came out of nowhere. This one didn’t work for me at all.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for the opportunity to listen and review #ThePastorsWife

All I can say is WOW. This book had me hooked from the very first page and refused to let go. It’s an absolute page-turner—tense, addictive, and filled with twists that kept me second-guessing every character. I found myself devouring chapter after chapter late into the night, completely unable to stop.

Set against the eerie backdrop of a seemingly perfect church community, the story unravels with creeping dread. Pastor Tim exudes charm and control, but it’s his wife—haunted, silent, and clearly hiding something—that truly stole my attention. The suspense builds masterfully as secrets begin to surface and facades start to crack.

This is one of those thrillers where just when you think you’ve figured it out, the rug is pulled from beneath you. If you’re a fan of tightly wound psychological suspense that plays with perception and keeps you on edge, this is a must-read.

**3.5 Stars**

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬
Whitney Falls was supposed to be a quiet place for Martha to disappear. But when she’s saved from an accident by the pastor’s wife, Mary, she finds herself drawn into their seemingly perfect world Sunday services, warm dinners, and smiles that don’t quite reach the eyes.
Pastor Tim is charming and adored by all… except, it seems, by his own wife. Something’s off Mary flinches at his touch, follows his rules, and never talks about their past. Then there’s the black car that won’t stop watching Martha.
One night, curiosity drives Martha to search their home and what she finds changes everything. Everyone thinks the pastor and his wife are saints. Martha knows better now. And they have no idea who she really is… or what she’s capable of.

𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
A dark and twisted tale that explores hidden motives, the illusion of perfection, and the complex overlap between virtue and vice. Set in the fictional town of Whitney Falls and told through dual points of view, the story gradually unravels its secrets.
I found the beginning a bit slow and had some difficulty getting into the narrative, but the pace picked up toward the end, which made for a stronger finish. Despite the slow start, the themes and twists kept me intrigued, and overall, I would still recommend giving it a read.
Note: Be sure to check trigger warnings before reading, as the story delves into some heavy and potentially sensitive topics.
Thank You @Netgalley and @Bookouture for allowing me to review this book.

The Pastor’s Wife started out strong — easily a 4-star read in the first half. The premise was gripping, the writing was solid, and I was pulled in quickly by the characters and setting. I had high hopes for where the story was headed.

Unfortunately, the second half lost its way. The plot started to spiral, and by the time I reached the final chapters, it felt like a completely different book. Things got chaotic, unrealistic, and scattered — and I need my fiction to maintain at least a thread of believability. It was frustrating to see such a promising setup unravel into something that felt more like a soap opera than a cohesive story.

I really wanted to love this one all the way through, but in the end, it just didn’t hold up. A disappointing finish to an otherwise strong beginning.

#ARCReview #ThePastorsWife #BookReview #HonestReview #NetGalley

Lemme tell yall bout The Pastor’s Wife by LynDee Walker—it ain’t your average church whisper story. This one’s a psychological thriller that sneaks up on you and stays in your head 👀.

What hooked me
• 🔥 Fast-paced grit
• 💣 Twists for days
• 🎭 That façade

What worked for me
• Main character energy – She rolls into Whitney Falls with ghosts in her past, and nobody likes her and she has unfortunate luck. But she gets down to business when things seem fishy.
• Atmosphere on point – The small-town church is cozy, but Walker lets that serenity soured. Every corner hides secrets, every gesture got weight.

Where it stumbled
• I felt certain plot turns were a lil’ stitched together a bit too tight. At some points, the suspense outweighed the fluff .
• I read this super quick. Ain’t much standing between you and sleep—this is a page-turner. So if you need downtime without racing heart, maybe pace yourself.

Final verdict:

💯 3.5 to 4 stars from me: ride-or-die for psychological chillers. If you love that mix of small-town vibes, church secrets, and a heroine who ain’t afraid to go deep? Grab this one. It’ll keep your late‑night light on.

My sign-off:
The Pastor’s Wife is slick, it’s juicy, and it WONT let you doze off. Don’t come for it feelin’ basic—it’ll bite you with its big twists. If you’re up for a dark, unexpected ride, join the seat‑belt brigade. 🚗💨

Would I recommend it?
Absolutely. It’s trouble with a capital “T”—and trust, we love a thriller that’s trouble in disguise 😈

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Mary and Martha are new to town but have very different backgrounds and reasons for being there.

Mary seems lovely to begin with and we're pulled into a false sense of security - not because of who she married but because of her personality and the way she seems to treat Martha. I thought she was better than Ruthie but ultimately they both had the same insecurities.

Tim was a terrible person but seemed to be developing some kind of conscience where Charlotte was concerned. Too little too late though!!

Martha is clearly the better person with a better moral compass than those around her. She's a survivor and I liked her instincts.

This has a good few twists and turns that show that there's so much more going on than you initially assume. I like how the characters develop and show that you shouldn't just rely on first impressions!!

Unputdownable right up to its twisted end.

Let me preface my review by saying that the book’s blurb feels almost like it’s describing a completely different story - which works well, oddly enough, because going in with minimal expectations and knowledge about the plot enhanced the suspense and surprises in this psychological thriller.

:LynDee Walker has been a must-read for me for years, thanks to her Nichelle Clarke crime thrillers and especially her Faith McLellan series. "The Pastor's Wife" marks the author's first foray into psychological thrillers, thrillers, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Set in the fictional small town of Whitney Fall, AK, the story alternates between two women who are both outsiders: Mary, the new pastor’s wife, and Martha, a struggling young cashier. From early on, it’s clear both have secrets they’re desperate to keep hidden.

LynDee Walker’s signature gripping prose kept me turning pages at a breakneck pace. She masterfully builds tension and atmosphere, making the story utterly compelling, with the suspense even more enhanced by alternating the viewpoints of the two women. While the sheer volume of dark secrets packed into one small town may feel a bit over the top, it adds to the novel’s addictive quality.

"The Pastor's Wife" kept me hooked right up until its twisted, completely implausible but nevertheless gripping ending, making this an unputdownable read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"The Pastor's Wife" is slated to be released on Jun 16, 2025.

Wow. This book is crazy, in the best way possible! There are so many secrets and twists that I can’t say much outside of the synopsis, but we have two very interesting main characters…

Martha has had a hard life, and she has moved to the Ozarks from Appalachia to escape her past. She’s barely scraping by working as a cashier and living in a seedy motel when she goes to make a grocery delivery to the town’s pastor and his wife, Mary. After a series of unfortunate events, this leaves her bloody and broken in their driveway. Mary comes out to help her, and an unlikely friendship is born.

Mary was able to help with the medical aid that Martha needed because she was once a nurse. Now, she’s the wife of Pastor Tim, a charming man in person, but after Mary asks Martha to leave the horrible motel she’s at and live in their garage apartment, Martha soon starts seeing a very dark side to this man. Mary seems scared of him, and as the book goes on, you’ll see why…

The suspense increases throughout the story, and then you get to the first big shock. I was so surprised and happy with that twist, but for the last third of the book, the twists just keep coming. I had figured out one, but the rest…I was clueless about so many of them, and I love that. This whole book was a very entertaining read from the start, but that last third of the book was GOLDEN. 4.5 stars, rounded up for being a debut!

(Thank you to Bookouture for inviting me on this book tour! “The Pastor’s Wife” is slated to be released on June 16, 2025.)

THE PASTOR'S WIFE BY LYNDEE WALKER.
Release date set for the 16th of June 2025.
I'll round this book off to 4 ✨s.
Great twists, liked the premise and the storyline was good.
It took me a minute or two to get fully stuck into this book but glad I stuck with it.
This is my first book by this author and I'll deffo read more in the future.

Sordid and sinful!!!!
Sometimes the most ungodly people profess to be the most pious.
It took me most of the book to figure out who was doing what and why, but I totally overlooked the biggest fraud and sinner of all.
Parts of the story will turn your stomach and make you never want to get close to a place of worship ever again.
The author deftly captures a small isolated community and now everyone is up in everyone’s business, even the bad stuff.

Unfortunately i found the book was not for me,it was a slow start and I found myself reading it in a Deep Southern accent in my mind re the area the book was set and the characters language,this isen’t a bd thing but did take my concentration away from the story and found it difficult to then settle to the book

The story kicks off with all the markings of a gripping thriller - an intriguing setup, well-drawn characters, and an undercurrent of secrets that promises bug reveals. The first half had me genuinely hooked, with the pacing and suspense keeping the pages turning.

Unfortunately, as the story moved in the second half, things slowed down and the twists felt more forced than clever. Rather than deepening the mystery or delivering jaw-dropping moments, the plot developments missed the mark and undermined some of the strong groundwork laid early on. It wasn’t that the ideas weren’t interesting - it was the execution that let me down.

Overall, the writing was solid and I appreciated the unique premise and strong start, but the payoff just didn’t quite deliver for me. If you’re in it for the atmosphere and setup then it is worth the read, just don’t expect the ending to pop.

Well full disclosure this book was disturbing in that the realism displayed insofar as certain crimes that are in the limelight in the news at times. I don’t want to give any spoilers so forgive the cryptic nature.

I was fortunate to be able to do an immersion read for this book with both the eARC and the Audio ALC and it was the perfect experience. Usually when I do such a read I’m trying to ascertain which format suits the book better for those that have a choice of how to read. But in this case they both were equally effective but even better together.

That narrators Stephanie Cannon and Patricia Rodriguez both did a fabulous job with this Duel POV book which centers around Martha and Marys perspective in their mentor/ mentee type relationship and their interactions and life with The Pastor in a multi timeline thriller. They both spoke at a good even pace for the 1x speed but it also translates very well to increasing the speed. I was able to listen to it at 2.5x with no issues. However, I would have listened at 2x speed had I not been able to follow along with the digital copy.

The physical copy enables the reader to more easily follow along with the time line as it does jump around a lot and there are many small sub plots to make sense of. That’s probably where the book suffers a bit as there was a bit too many side issues going on. I will say that I did find the twists a bit predictable but I enjoyed the ride regardless.

So if your looking for a thriller that a bit on the darker side filled with more than a few twisted individuals, this book is for you as it comes out on June 16th 2025

I am thankful to have gotten both a complimentary audio ALC and the eARC from Bookouture and Bookouture Audio through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

The Pastor's Wife started off interesting with the gossipy small town atmosphere where strangers were scrutinized and assumptions made about each other. Martha is new to town and in financial straits, compounded by an accident. Pastor Tim and Mary welcome her to their home and provide friendship and accommodations but sometimes their masks slip. Who really knows what goes on behind closed doors? Everyone has a past, including Martha. Charlotte loses her mother and joins the motley crew. Undercurrents of unease and mistrust blanket the town. Wandering eyes and suspicions mount.

The first third or so intrigued me but the story seemed to derail and entered disturbing darkness later on. The twists started coming, some expected, others surprising. But it felt as though the author wanted to fit in several incidents all at once to make the story compelling. For me it didn't work and became implausible. It's unfortunate as I was hooked to begin with. Pleasant thrillery unease morphed into creepiness fast and I didn't like the directions the novel took. A lot of infidelity going on in this community, too.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC. This one didn’t quite fit the bill. It was trying to be twisty but in an a way that just didn’t hit the spot.