Look, I love a messy little domestic thriller. Give me a dead husband with too many secrets, an emotionally unstable wife confessing to a murder she’s not explaining, and a nosy detective with a tragic backstory, and I will gleefully dive in like it’s my emotional support popcorn.

The Final Wife kicks off strong. The setup? Delicious. Luke (the dead dude) was a charming narcissist with a history of screwing over women, so there’s no shortage of people with motive. Anna, the new wife, confesses to the murder but conveniently forgets the whole "details" part. Meanwhile, DS Rebecca Dance is trying to sort out the truth while wading through the emotional wreckage Luke left behind.

And yes, the twist at the end landed for me—it was satisfying, if a little soap-opera-adjacent.

But here’s the thing: the middle third dragged like my attention span on a Monday morning. The multiple POVs started to feel samey. Like, are you a haunted ex-wife or just another woman with coffee-colored curls and a vague sense of guilt? The voices bled together, and a few of the side plots (hi, Jimmy and Tom) felt like they were dropped halfway through.

I didn’t hate it. It was compulsively readable and had its moments. But it didn’t hit that emotional punch or originality I was hoping for. Solid? Yes. Memorable? Eh.

Am I in the minority when I say I don't think Luke deserved to die? Yes, he was a womaniser, a huge cheat, and a liar, but I don't think he needed to die. Because of this, I found the plot honestly just so over the top. He's cheating on you? Leave him. It's as simple as that.
This book kinda put me in a mood, but I couldn't stop reading. I found myself needing to know who did it and how it was done. Even if it was a little extreme.
I really enjoyed the chapters from the detective's pov, reading how they investigated, etc. I found that side of things absolutely fascinating.
Overall, it wasn't my favourite book from this author, but I was entertained for a few hours.

This was a quick and easy thriller read. I enjoyed it and was not expecting the ending. Can’t wait to read more by this author!

I was hoping for so much more with this book. Unfortunately I didnt like the ending. The book I found at times to be predictable and confusing. Make sure you keep your eye on the ball with this book.

This book was so good most definitely a page turner I didn’t want it to end but I had to know what was next so good

#TheFinalWife #NetGalley
Luke Whitney is stabbed to death. His wife Anna confesses after she is found next to his lifeless body. But if she did it, why can’t she confirm any of the details of the crime? As police dig into the circumstances, they learn that the victim was a liar, a cheat and a narcissist. More than one person had a reason to want him dead; his scorned ex, his neglected mistress and Anna – who knows what happens to Mrs Whitneys when Luke gets bored of them. Luke Whitney had it coming. But who made sure he got what he deserved?
The ending fell flat for me.
An ok read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for giving me an advance copy. advance copy.

Till death do us part...

I really liked the premise of this book and overall it was a really good thriller but there were parts of the book that I didn't like. Some of the characters made me want to scream and some of the plot was far-fetched. I did like the plot twist which I didn't see coming.

4.25 🌟

This book kept me hooked from basically the beginning. All the twists and turns were so unexpected, I never would have been able to guess the ended. And just when I though I had figured something out, another twist was thrown at me.

I would highly recommend if you are looking for a murder mystery!

I have whiplash! Wow what a crazy ride. A twist in almost every chapter as the ending got nearer. I loved it. I would love to see more from this author.

This isn’t a bad thriller. It kept me reading, and there were some good twists. The various points of view keep the story moving and the pacing is well done. There was no one in the book who was worth liking though. I know that’s not necessarily needed to enjoy a book, but everyone in this book is terrible. The man they all fall in love with… the actions each woman takes. No one is good, they’re all different shades of grey. I think this is well suited for anyone who wants a good mystery thriller. I’m still somewhat confused by the ending though.

Thank you Canelo and NetGalley for the review copy.

The Final Wife by Jenny Blackhurst is one of those rare thrillers that pulls you in from the very first page and doesn’t let go. From the start, I found myself completely hooked and eager to keep reading. The writing is accessible and fast-paced, making it a truly easy and enjoyable read.

At first, I thought the plot was heading down a predictable path—but I was wrong. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the twists at the end took me completely by surprise. Blackhurst weaves a clever narrative that plays with expectations and keeps readers on their toes until the very last chapter.

If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers with unexpected turns and sharp writing, The Final Wife is definitely worth picking up. I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for a gripping and cleverly crafted story.

The Final Wife is a twisty and propulsive psychological thriller that kept me hooked from the very first page. The story follows Anna, who confesses to the murder of her husband, Luke Whitney, but her inability to recall key details of the crime raises suspicions. As Detective Rebecca Dance delves deeper into the case, she uncovers a web of lies, deceit, and hidden motives. Blackhurst masterfully weaves multiple perspectives and red herrings, keeping readers guessing until the final, jaw-dropping twist. If you're a fan of domestic thrillers with complex characters and unpredictable plots, this book is a must-read.

This twisty and fast paced thriller had me hooked. Nothing was as it seems and the twists kept coming. I couldn't trust anyone by the end. Highly recommend!

This was a good book. It kept my attention the whole time. I read it fast because I couldn’t wait to find out what happened. I was shocked! Great read!

Omg I loved everything about this! I love domestic noirs and this gave me everything I could want. The characters were well written and realistic, nothing too far fetched happened to make it all seem "just for the plot", it's well paced and well plotted out. It also had me thinking and wasn't quite obvious as to how it would all play out. I really enjoyed it

Well wasn't Luke quite the charmer! Womaniser and serial chat Luke is found dead and his latest wife has confessed to his murder. This was a good domestic suspense thriller as there were quite a lot of twists and surprises. I liked the characters of Rebecca and KIm the police officers, they were very well written. However, the plot became a little convoluted in my opinion, by the end I was a bit unsure as to exactly what had happened although the final twist was an excellent one. I was puzzled as to why all these women fell for this horrible man and why they put up with his behaviour.

It looks like an open and shut case - Anna Whitney, second wife of plastic surgeon Luke, has confessed to stabbing him. No need to look further, surely. But DS Rebecca Dance is convinced it's not that simple, and indeed it isn't. After all, there's more than one person who might want Luke Whitney dead.

This was a tightly plotted story with, at its heart, the mystery of why Anna would confess to something which it seems she didn't do. And if she didn't kill Luke, then who did?

There's a slight subplot about Rebecca's relationship(s) which seemed incomplete and I'm not sure if she is or will be a recurring character.

The ultimate resolution was a bit complicated, and I'm still not sure I entirely understand it, although I'm sure it all makes sense.

Not a spoiler, since nothing relevant happened, but I was almost sure the casually mentioned Becky of Anna's childhood was going to turn out to be police officer Rebecca, especially when it was mentioned that they came from a similar background. (I thought I was so clever to spot that.) But nope.

An enjoyable and unpredictable read.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

Terrific book which would keep you hooked and give you plenty sleepless nights;p

Jenny Blackhurst’s The Final Wife is a taut psychological thriller that masterfully weaves layers of suspense, deceit, and emotional turmoil into a gripping narrative. From the very first page, readers are pulled into a dark and complex web of secrets surrounding the enigmatic figure of Luke — a man whose past holds more danger than anyone could have anticipated.

The novel is relentless in its pacing, with twist after twist that keep you second-guessing everyone’s motives. As the story unfolds, Blackhurst expertly peels back each layer, revealing betrayals, hidden identities, and the psychological scars left behind by manipulation and lies. The deeper you go, the more the lines blur between victim and perpetrator, love and obsession, truth and illusion.

What truly sets this novel apart is its exploration of revenge and justice, framed through characters who are equal parts sympathetic and unsettling. Luke becomes less of a man and more of a symbol — of the damage caused by narcissism, secrets, and control — and the women in his life must decide how far they are willing to go to free themselves from his shadow.

A chilling dive into the consequences of deceit and the cost of uncovering the truth, The Final Wife is a compelling read that will leave readers questioning how well we ever really know the people we love.

In The Final Wife, Jenny Blackhurst delivers a tightly woven psychological thriller that keeps readers second-guessing every truth, every character, and every motive right up until the final page. From the opening scene—Anna Whitney found beside her husband Luke’s lifeless, bloodied body—Blackhurst plunges us into a world of secrets, manipulation, and twisted love.

Anna’s confession to the murder raises more questions than it answers. Her fragmented memory, paired with the chilling calm that surrounds her, sets the tone for a story built on psychological tension rather than brute violence. As the investigation unravels, so too does the image of Luke Whitney: not the charismatic, successful husband he portrayed himself to be, but a manipulative narcissist who left emotional wreckage in his wake.

Blackhurst masterfully paints a portrait of a man who made enemies of nearly every woman in his life—his ex-wife, his mistress, and Anna herself. But while Luke’s death may seem like poetic justice, the mystery of who actually dealt the fatal blow is what keeps the pages turning. Everyone had a reason to hate him. But who hated him enough to kill?

The strength of The Final Wife lies not just in its twisty plot, but in its character work. Anna is complex and haunting, with a voice that oscillates between strength and fragility. The secondary characters are equally well-drawn, each one carrying secrets that slowly peel away, revealing a darker picture of Luke and the world he controlled.

With its sharp pacing, layered perspectives, and unsettling psychological depth, The Final Wife is a must-read for fans of domestic noir and psychological thrillers. Blackhurst proves once again that behind every perfect marriage might be a chilling story waiting to surface.

Rating: 4.5/5 – A dark, addictive read that lingers long after the last chapter.