Book Stats
Title: The Wives
Author: Tarryn Fisher
Genre: Adult Fiction, Psychological Thriller
Page Count: 336
Synopsis
Imagine that your husband has two other wives.
You’ve never met the other wives. None of you know each other, and because of this unconventional arrangement, you can see your husband only one day a week. But you love him so much you don’t care. Or at least that’s what you’ve told yourself.
But one day, while you’re doing laundry, you find a scrap of paper in his pocket — an appointment reminder for a woman named Hannah, and you just know it’s another of the wives.
You thought you were fine with your arrangement, but you can’t help yourself: you track her down, and, under false pretenses, you strike up a friendship. Hannah has no idea who you really are. Then Hannah starts showing up to your coffee dates with telltale bruises, and you realize she’s being abused by her husband. Who, of course, is also your husband. But you’ve never known him to be violent, ever.
Who exactly is your husband, and how far would you go to find the truth? Would you risk your own life? And who is his mysterious third wife?
Review
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars ★★★★☆
Fast-paced and highly unpredictable, The Wives is a roller coaster of a novel that left me completely speechless. I could not put this book down. I even snuck it into work with me and read it underneath my desk while I was supposed to be making marketing calls (apologies to my boss, should he ever come across this review). I was hooked until the very last word.
The twists and turns hidden inside these pages will give you motion sickness. While I’m not completely satisfied with the way it ended, I can appreciate it. Fisher hints at the outcome countless times throughout the novel, dropping little breadcrumbs here and there, but they’re just subtle enough that you don’t pick up on them until the very end.
The characters were my favorite part of this book. I didn’t know whether to root for them, cringe at them, or scream at them. At times, I did all three. They all felt so real, and I began to wonder just how easy it would be for anyone to find themselves in the midst of such an unconventional and unnerving living situation.
I also really appreciated the psychological nuances within the story. It’s so easy for our brains to fixate on something to the point of obsession, isn’t it? These obsessions can be brought on by the smallest of triggers, too — in this case, it’s a scrap of paper. The complexities of the human psyche have always fascinated me. This book left me with many questions, and it’s a very grim reminder that things aren’t always what they appear to be.
Conclusion
If you’re in the market for a page-turning thriller with a controversial ending, The Wives is a must-read! It has a gripping plotline that sucks you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and I can honestly say that it’s one of the most unique novels I’ve read in a very long time. This was my first venture into the work of Tarryn Fisher, and it truly didn’t disappoint. I’m looking forward to reading more of her books!
Katarama Reads 