"I was determined I would be the final wife... there would be no need to replace me with a newer model."

The Final Wife by Jenny Blackhurst is a twisty and propulsive psychological thriller where nothing and no one is quite what they seem.

When Luke Whitney, a renowned plastic surgeon, is found stabbed to death, his wife Anna covered in his blood confesses. But when DS Rebecca Dance starts investigating the case, she finds some startling inconsistencies in Anna's account of the crime. As DS Dance digs deeper into Luke's life, she learns that he is a liar, narcissist and a cheat with a long list of scorned women including an ex-wife and a mistress. If Anna didn't kill Luke then who did? And why is she taking the fall for it?

This is a new to me author so I had no idea what to expect. The story does start off a little odd but as little clues and tidbits came along I was absolutely hooked. With multiple timelines and perspectives you are able to see the events as the characters perceive them. With twists, turns and a fast paced plot, this is definitely a read that I would recommend!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Jenny Blackhurst, and Canelo Crime for this ARC!! Publication date is April 17th 2025.

It took me a minute to get into it probably because I'm a mama at 11 month old but once I was able to sit down and really concentrate on this book OMG they twist I couldn't believe what happened happened it was truly shocking.. this is an oh my God I can't put down book!!!

Rebecca gets wakened up that there been a domestic a man has been stabbed to death in a holiday cottage, his wife Anna says she has done it but Rebecca is not convinced she has done it as the husband Luke Whitney has secrets this book is so addictive very past faced and very twisty i so recommend.

When Anna confesses to killing her husband it looks like an open and shut case but Detective Rebecca Dance isn’t happy and believes the crime scene has been staged. If Anna didn’t do it who is she covering for and why.

Rebecca’s team investigate to find out if Anna did stab Luke to death or if the real perpetrator is still out there.

This is an interesting take on a crime thriller as it starts off with the killer confessing and the main detective working hard to prove it wasn’t her that committed the crime.

I really liked the character of the detective and found her funny as well as insightful. It would be good to see her return in another book.

The plot is very twisty and takes several unseen turns as the true events of what happened to Luke and why unravel.

Overall a good thriller which kept me guessing till the end.

My thanks to Canelo and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Final Wife’ written by Jenny Blackhurst in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Luke Whitney’s wife Anna confesses to stabbing him to death when he’s found lying on the floor in their holiday home. DS Rebecca Dance can easily see through lies and is convinced Anna’s lying but she doesn’t know why.

‘The Final Wife’ is a psychological thriller of Luke Whitney, the women in his life and the police investigation into who’s actually responsible for stabbing him. After taking over from his previous wife Rose, Anna learns of the women he’s had affairs with before and since their marriage and is determined to keep him interested and be his final wife. It’s an involving plot that has many points of view and so many suspects that it’s kept me guessing as to who was responsible. Just as the loose ends were being neatly tied, a final twist arises that I wasn’t expecting and although I’ve enjoyed reading the story I’ve been left thoroughly confused and need to read the final chapters again.

Jenny Blackhurst is one of my favourite authors so when I seen this I couldn’t wait to read it and wow I was not disappointed. It was a gripping psychological thriller which had me hooked from the first page until the very last. I loved the pace of the book and how the story just flowed through told from multiple perspectives which I always find build up the suspense. Overall I absolutely devoured this book and can’t wait to recommend it to everyone. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this great book.

A gripping, twist-filled thriller, The Final Wife pulls you into a world of secrets, lies, and chilling suspense. Jenny Blackhurst masterfully unravels a story where nothing—and no one—is quite what they seem. Fast-paced and full of tension, this book is perfect for fans of domestic thrillers that keep you guessing until the end.

Jenny Blackhurst's The Final Wife audiobook is a twisty and compelling psychological thriller that immediately casts doubt on the seemingly straightforward confession. The narration effectively conveys the unsettling ambiguity surrounding Anna's guilt, as she admits to the crime but can't recall the details.

Blackhurst masterfully peels back the layers of the victim, Luke Whitney, revealing a man with a dark side – a liar, a cheat, and a narcissist with a string of scorned women in his wake. The audiobook format enhances the sense of suspicion, allowing the listener to consider each potential suspect and their motives, from the neglected mistress to the jilted ex-wife and the enigmatic Anna.

The question at the heart of the story – who truly made sure Luke Whitney got what he deserved – propels the narrative forward with a relentless pace. The audiobook keeps you guessing as the police uncover the tangled web of relationships and secrets surrounding the victim. Just when you think you have it figured out, Blackhurst expertly throws in another twist, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the final, shocking revelations.

The Final Wife is a propulsive and addictive listen, perfect for fans of psychological thrillers that keep you questioning everything and everyone. Blackhurst delivers a satisfyingly dark and intricate tale where the truth is buried beneath layers of lies and the final wife might not be the only one with secrets.

The Final Wife by Jenny Blackhurst was another excellent psychological thriller and very addictive read. It was fast-paced,with brilliant twists and turns throughout that I just could not put it down until I had finished it.
Blackhurst writes all her books that will have you wanting more and this one was no different! It was a roller coaster ride. . . . .

Anna Whitney is found next to the body of her husband Luke, she claims to have stabbed him but is very unclear on the details of how and why and the police are certain she is lying. As the investigation gets underway DS Rebecca Dance and the rest of the team hear that Luke was not a very nice person, he was a liar, a cheat and a narcissist, and he tired easily of the women in his life, Anna was his second wife and he'd had numerous affairs but, did any of them hate him enough to end his life and why is Anna taking the blame?

The Final Wife is the latest thriller by Blackhurst and this one hits the ground running, it's a fast paced, multi perspective and dual timeline read with an intriguing plot and some interesting characters, which grabbed me from the start and kept me second guessing till the end when all the pieces of the puzzle slotted into place and what really happened on that night was revealed. This author is known for her great twists when you least expect them and the final twist in this book definitely caught me out. I've long since been a huge fan of Blackhurst's books and this one once again hit the spot, I'd love to see Rebecca and her team in future books.

I'd like to thank Canelo and NetGalley for the approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

This book kept me fully engaged the entire time I was reading. I did not want to put it down. I highly recommend this one.

I have read many of Jenny Blackhurst's books and they always manage to keep me hooked. This one was no different as I couldn't put it down until I knew who had committed the murder.

Immersive Whodunit..
When Luke Whitney is murdered, wife Anna confesses to the crime. Did she really commit murder and why does her confession not sound believable? As the investigation gets underway, former wives and mistresses begin to emerge and it soon transpires that there are many people who would have liked to see the victim dead. Well plotted and well executed whodunit with a cast of credible and well drawn characters populating a pacy plot with twists aplenty. Immersive and compelling,

The Final Wife by Jenny Blackhurst

AD/PR from @canelo_co @netgalley

Out 17th April

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

‘I was determined I would be the final wife- there would be no need to replace me with a newer model’

Synopsis

Till death do us part…

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?

More than one person had a reason to want him dead; his scorned ex, his neglected mistress and Anna.

Luke Whitney had it coming. But who made sure he got what he deserved?

Thoughts:

A great domestic suspense thriller, and for the most part I enjoyed this one! I liked the fact this one was easy to read and hard to put down. The chapters weren’t too long too, so I was certainly kept gripped all the way through! It did become a little confusing for me sometimes though- there were a lot of characters to try and keep track of. In terms of unlikable characters, Donald was horrible with the way he treats women! 😡

However, I did think the plot was quite cleverly done. I’m still unsure what happened in the end though🙉😂(anyone else who has read this? Please explain!)
The twist was good and I honestly couldn’t have predicted it - it wasn’t anything to make my jaw drop though unfortunately!

Whilst I only gave this one 3 stars, it does make me want to check out more of this authors work, as I did enjoy it overall. I think I’m more used to reading thrillers with a slightly darker theme and multiple shocking twists, so it’s a me problem! 😂 I’m sure plenty of you would enjoy this one if you’re a fan of domestic thrillers, so definitely check it out!

All opinions in this review are my own. A huge thank you to the publisher for the ARC.

A brilliant storyline and outcome, love the style of writing and the ideas in it, it had everything AAA

An extremely entertaining and twisty psychological thriller, one of those great to read fast page turner's that keep you interested throughout.

It follows the murder of a rather horrible man and the shenanigans of his various partners. Some good writing keeps you guessing the actual outcome and the multiple points of view add to the unpredictability.

Enjoyable for sure I had a lot of fun reading it and trying to work it all out.

I have been a fan of Jenny Blackhurst since reading The Hiking Trip about 3 years ago so when I saw this title on NetGalley I knew I had to request it straight away! Queen of the red herring you never know what to believe and what not to believe in Jenny’s books and this one had me hooked from start to finish! 10/10 recommend for any thriller lovers.

Jenny Blackhurst's The Final Wife is a captivating psychological thriller that excels in its intricate storytelling and memorable characters. The story unfolds following the death of plastic surgeon Luke Whitney. We are treated to the perspectives of two women who were both married to Luke, creating a gripping exploration of their relationships with him and what might reveal who his murderer. was..

A true highlight of the novel is the brilliant DS Rebecca Dance. Blackhurst crafts her as a compelling character whose sharp intelligence and determination drive the investigation forward. Moreover, her interactions with her colleagues provide moments of levity, weaving humour seamlessly into the narrative. These lighter exchanges not only add depth to her character but also enhance the overall reading experience, balancing the darker themes of the novel.

I loved the character dynamics and twisting plotlines making for an engrossing read. The surprises and emotional complexity fully captured my attention while the interplay between humour and suspense elevates it to another level.

Luke Whitney is found stabbed to death at a rural cottage. His second, and final wife, Anna, confesses to killing him. But detectives aren't convinced. There are holes in her story that you can drive a freight train through, there are lies, and there are seemingly easy details about the crime that she can't confirm. I mean, surely if you're going to stab your husband after a fight, you'd remember what the fight was about, right? (Probably threw his socks next to the laundry hamper instead of it in it.)

Luke was a narcissist. A manipulator. A liar. And above all, a serial cheater. In short, a total catch. Not. It seems that there could be quite the list of scorned and dumped women who might like to get their hands on him and hurt him fiercely. But murder? Did Anna kill her husband? Why is she so quick to confess? If she didn't, then who did and why is she protecting this person? Is it wife number one? Someone else? And why?

This is one of those books that is tough to review as it's an entertaining and okay read, but there's nothing about it that really stands out. I had a few niggles throughout as well. It seemed to lack some depth and I never really felt like I got a good handle on the women in Luke's life. I had a hard time with the wives and their attitudes towards this man who treated them like poo. The bargaining, the changing of their appearance, trying to do whatever it takes to make this loser happy when he couldn't even keep it in his trousers for five minutes. Luke wasn't a nice person, in case you hadn't realised that yet. That made it rather impossible to try and figure out whodunnit. It really could have been anyone who decided whatever he did or said was the last straw.

In hindsight, I would never have reached the correct conclusion anyway. At first it was definitely rather far-fetched. Then, true to form for this genre, there was a twist that turned things upside down again. And maybe I would have been okay if things were left done and dusted at that point. Unfortunately, the author decided on another angle and explanation that quite honestly had me rolling my eyes, I'm sorry to say. It's tough to explain without including massive spoilers. Sometimes, enough is just enough, and too much is just too much.

Up until that point though, I was rather enjoying 'The Final Wife'. It's undoubtedly full of intrigue and just like the detectives, the reader is trying to dig through the lies and find the truth. However, it needed that little bit more for me, and I would have liked it less twisty. But maybe that's just me.

It was somehow preditable but entertaining at the same time. Maybe the epilogue wasn't needed? There were some twists towards the end that I didn't exoect. At some point the voices of the characters were similar to each other snd got confusing but towards the middle it shufted and was easier to differentiate between them. Overall, a good read.