Wednesday, 26 June 2019

Book Review: DEAR WIFE by Kimberly Belle


Title: DEAR WIFE
Author: Kimberly Belle
Publisher: Park Row
Read: June 2019
Expected publication: out now
My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟


Book Description:


Beth Murphy is on the run...

For nearly a year, Beth has been planning for this day. A day some people might call any other Wednesday, but Beth prefers to see it as her new beginning--one with a new look, new name and new city. Beth has given her plan significant thought, because one small slip and her violent husband will find her.

Sabine Hardison is missing...

A couple hundred miles away, Jeffrey returns home from a work trip to find his wife, Sabine, is missing. Wherever she is, she's taken almost nothing with her. Her abandoned car is the only evidence the police have, and all signs point to foul play.

As the police search for leads, the case becomes more and more convoluted. Sabine's carefully laid plans for her future indicate trouble at home, and a husband who would be better off with her gone. The detective on the case will stop at nothing to find out what happened and bring this missing woman home. Where is Sabine? And who is Beth? The only thing that's certain is that someone is lying and the truth won't stay buried for long.


My musings:


The blurb had me at “Beth Murphy is on the run.” I admit I am a total sucker for books that feature someone running away, living under a fake identity, a cat-and-mouse game, a chase – the excitement of it all, the adrenaline rush! It’s like one of those dreams where you run from an enemy, heart pounding, feet like lead, but suddenly discover a magical power ....

I am getting carried away, but it is true that this was a fast paced, fun read for me. Not fun as in the  issues tackled in the story, which after all feature domestic abuse, murder and more, but as in compelling, entertaining and hard to put down. The equivalent of a good car chase in an action movie. With the bonus of a plucky and clever female lead who really made this story for me, even though it took me most of the book to work out who she was.

As much as it entertained, it’s a difficult one to review, because of – you know – spoilers. So read the blurb if you must, but go into it blindly and let the web of mystery engulf you. Take pleasure in unravelling the knots one at a time, which really is the essence of a story like this. There are multiple POVs to take you along on a ride, and you may find them a bit confusing at first, but trust me when I say it will all come together in the end. In the best possible way.


Compulsive, well-plotted, clever and un-putdownable are just a few words that instantly come to mind when I think about DEAR WIFE. After a few miserable experiences with thrillers lately, my faith has been restored. Thank you, Kimberly Belle, for bringing a breath of fresh air back into the genre. If you are looking for the perfect summer or holiday read, then this clever thriller one should definitely be on your list. I now need to read the author’s other books!


Thank you to Edelweiss and Park Row for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review. And to the Traveling Sisters Group for another awesome buddy read and for putting up with my WTH????? questions as I was trying to work out what was going on here! 


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