The Serial Killer’s Wife

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Pub Date 27 May 2021 | Archive Date 29 May 2021

Description

They’re saying he’s a monster. And they’re saying she knew.

Beth and Tom Hardcastle are the envy of their neighbourhood – they have the perfect marriage, the perfect house, the perfect family.

When the police knock on their door one evening, Beth panics. Tom should be back from work by now – what if he’s crashed his car? She fears the worst.

But the worst is beyond imagining.

As the interrogation begins, Beth will find herself questioning everything she believed about her husband.

They’re husband and wife – till death do them part…

They’re saying he’s a monster. And they’re saying she knew.

Beth and Tom Hardcastle are the envy of their neighbourhood – they have the perfect marriage, the perfect house, the perfect...


Available Editions

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ISBN 9780008414085
PRICE US$6.99 (USD)
PAGES 400

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Average rating from 765 members


Featured Reviews

Really enjoyed this book. The plot was good with a few twists and turns along the way and an ending that was fulfilling. Would reccomend this.

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A very interesting and tense read!

Beth is a character with a lot of depth and I really loved seeing more and more of her as the book goes on. With Tom, it was good to have some insight into him and what made him tick.
The little twist at the end was very surprising and I did not expect it!

Highly recommend!

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Excellent, Excellent Excellent. This was such a great read. Some terrific characters, brilliant voice and of course fantastic plot twist. Convincing and clever writing, I gobbled this up at speed. I can't recommend this highly enough. Thank you #Netgalley for the chance to read and review this.

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What great thriller dialogue had me guessing who all were the murders. The twist ending has me wondering will there be another book.

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This was amazing - different tidbits kept getting dropped which kept you guessing. I just started to read the book and thought it would just be an hour or so as was intrigued but had other books to read - stayed up to late as had to finish it.

No plot summaries as that would spoil it.

Very good character development and could just see a small village being like that which is why I moved to a city.

I was given an advance copy by Avon and netgalley but the review is my own.

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Would you know if your husband was a serial killer?
Beth and Tom have a perfect marriage a beautiful three year old daughter Poppy a idealistic house in the perfect village location.
That is until one day when Tom is late home from work and just as Beth is starting to worry there is a Knock on the door and to her surprise two police officers are asking about Tom.
Shortly after they arrive Tom comes home and is asked to come down the station to answer a few questions about a missing person from Tom's past ex girlfriend Katie.
After several hours Tom arrives back home but insists that it was nothing and they would talk about it the following day, the problem is the following day Tom is back at the station again and this time it doesn't look like he's coming home.
Do you really know the person you're married too?

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Loved this book. Once picked up I didn’t put it down. Read in one sitting.
Beth and Tom are happily married with there daughter Poppy. One evening Beth is waiting for her husband to return from work. He’s late. So she is shocked when she finds the police on her doorstep. Immediately she thinks the worst. He’s had a accident. But that isn’t it. He’s wanted for questioning in a murder investigation.
I don’t want to give away much as I don’t want to spoil this book for you. Just safe to say there are little twists along the book and then whopper at the end.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this Arc

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I read The Serial Killer’s Wife over a couple of days and found it was a boo I could really get my teeth into. Although I did predict part of it and had an inclination of what the ending would be I still found it to be most enjoyable. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books and the author for the chance to review.

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I really enjoyed this book. I was totally hooked from the beginning and wanting to know more. The writing style was really smooth and easily allowed you to read "one more page" until suddenly, like me you've finished it in 24 hours!
I guessed the big reveal, but honestly that was the only downside if you can call a good guess a negative! Really worth a read, especially if you like slow burn thrillers.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Addictive! Page turner that you can not put down! Absolutely consuming book for the ones who love the mysteries and thrillers! This book seriously was the definition of devour. It devours you while you devour it. The plot is so smooth, the character development is enticing and you connect and visualize the situations as if the images are right in your face on a tv screen. I’d love to see this come to life!

Plot wise- it’s so limited what can be revealed. You’re introduced to Beth who has a happy life married to Tom and they have a sweet three year old daughter named Poppy. It all comes crashing down when one evening police show up to question Tom in regards to a murder. From there things go downhill for the family as Beth tried to figure out the truth while trying to shield her daughter from damage. The story is told in both Beth and Tom’s POV and each page brings you closer and closer to the truth. There are no gaps. There are no over played scenes are unrequited information. You don’t even have time to start guessing because you’re completely enthralled in the story you just want to keep flipping to find out more!

Absolutely terrific read I highly recommend! Thank you to Avon Books and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

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The Serial Killer’s wife is such an addictive read! Told from several perspectives (Tom suspected in the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend, his wife Beth coping with the scandal and her new life in the spotlight, and his ex-girlfriend, Katie’s, viewpoint from several years previously) this book is a real mystery with plenty of twists.

Written in the first person, the casual tone of the character’s voices makes it seem like a friend is telling you their experiences and helps you to connect to them instantly. Particularly Beth as she tries to protect her young daughter from the inevitable pressures of local gossip and the tabloid press.

The chapters are told from alternating perspectives and are relatively short, helping to build the pace and suspense.
I love a story where there are clues dropped throughout, allowing you to play detective and try to piece together the mystery of what happed yourself and what other secrets the characters may be hiding.

Although some of the events may be a little unbelievable (no spoilers!), the author really delivers with a thriller of a tale that that I just couldn’t put down!

The ending also leaves things open for a potential sequel, which I would definitely be excited to read!

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📚BOOK REVIEW📚⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#theserialkillerswife by #alicehunter @avon_books @netgalley

So once again I really enjoyed this book! I found it to be very fast paced and hardly put it down from start to finish. I felt like it was a well set out, easy to read and a straightforward thriller.

The author kept the pace, suspicion and tension up easily by swapping to different narrators often, short chapters with cliffhanger endings, changing of timelines and just enough information revealed at any one time. I really liked how the author managed to keep the book interesting while also allowing you the time to play detective and try and work out what was going on.

I thought the characters were well constructed and executed cleverly. Although the plot could be seen as a little predictable in some ways, as you were suspicious of the characters from the very start, I think this was the authors intention as in you knew not to trust them but you didn’t know why and that definitely takes to the final twist to all become clear.

I did feel all the characters were a little bit shallow and personally would have like a lot more things explored especially with Tom but this did not effect my overall enjoyment of the book, perhaps just a personal preference.

Overall an excellent and well executed thriller. Perfect for a quick and easy but thrilling read!

➡️for synopsis

With thanks to #alicehunter @samcarringtonauthor #avonbooks and #netgalley for sending us this exclusive read!

Out May 27th 🙃

-Emily

@the_book_girls_1

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This book was intresting, loved the pace of it. So many twists i didnt see coming.
Im glad i was given a advanced copy of this book. Was well worth the read

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Fast paced, plenty of suspense and shock revelations. This book definitely shows that a, seemingly, perfect husband and wife really aren’t as they appear and you really shouldn’t judge based on external appearances or take anything for granted. The way the story is narrated from different perspectives is ingenious and sometimes leads you deliberately along the wrong path.
My allegiances switched countless times during this story, I’m still not totally sure who to trust or who to feel sorry for. There were lots of twists and turns and shocks along the way. An excellent and chilling tale - recommend!

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I don’t even know how to process what I just read! I had a feeling the ending was going to be a big twist but did not see that coming!

Alice Hunter did a phenomenal job. I could not put this book down. I had to know what happened! The story alternated POVs which I’m a big fan of. There were clues throughout the story that you kind of catch but when it all ties together in the end it’s just ✨perfection✨

I look forward to more by this author!

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This book was so fast paced and there were so many plot twists! I loved it and couldn't put it down. I read it in 24 hours. I would definitely read more by this author. The plot was very interesting and not like anything I'd read before. I would definitely recommend as a fun fast read. I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

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What a great read. A did-he-didn’t-he story. The wife with the idyllic life. The life comes crashing down around her ears when her husband is arrested for the murder of his ex girlfriend who disappeared 8 years ago.
But no body has been found, so what evidence can they possibly have.
Written in the first person from both Beth and her husband, Tom’s, point of view.
She’s dealing with the aftermath of his arrest and the effect it’s having on her and her small daughter in the small village they live in
He’s dealing with the assertive questions the police have whilst maintaining his innocence, but is he, and how much does his wife know
400 pages gone in the blink of an eye

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I very much enjoyed this story of a woman married to a suspected serial killer. How can one be married to such a man and not notice a thing? What are the dark truths we choose to hide from ourselves? Highly recommended!

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The Serial Killer's Wife is an entertaining thriller about a woman who discovers, or thinks she discovers, that her husband has killed two women in the past. She needs to figure out how to extricate herself and her daughter from this situation in a way that will be least damaging to the two of them. It's difficult to talk about this novel without spoilers, but the second half of The Serial Killer's Wife has great twists and the ending packs a wallop. It's not often that a final twist surprises me as much as this one did!

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Beth and Tom are happily married. But when Tom is arrested for murder and his deep dark secrets come to light, Beth is left wondering just how well does she really know her husband? As more questions are asked about him, it seems she’s about to find out!

A good suspenseful book with a nice twist at the end.

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I received this book from Net Galley as an ARC and I am so happy to have been given the chance to read this. It was a fast paced and a page turner. Can't wait to read more by this author!

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Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for a copy of "The Serial Killer's Wife" in exchange for my honest review.

This was definitely one of the best books of the year so far. I just wanted to keep turning pages to see what happens and I was not expecting the ending that I was faced with.

Beth Hardcastle, husband Tom and daughter Poppy live in Lower Tew in Banbury. The story is told in Beth's perspective "Now", Tom's perspective "Now", Katie and Tom's perspective "8 Years Ago", conversations between a man and a woman - they are not identified and it's up to the reader to figure out that mystery, Beth's perspective "4 months Later" and Beth "15 months ago".

Beth is worried about Tom being late by 2 hours coming home from his job in London. When he does get home there is no time to talk to him as DI Manning and DS Walters arrive to speak to Thomas Hardcastle about assisting them with a murder enquiry. He is taken the Banbury Police Station - Beth has a million questions when Tom is returned home who? what? where? why?

Tom has always insisted that Beth not have any friends, that they only need each other and no one else matters.

When Tom is taken to the police station again, he is arrested, finger-printed and a DNA sample taken. The police arrive with search warrants to seize and retain. Tom told Beth he was going to work but he was not at work and he’s nowhere to be found on CCTV. Where did Tom go in a suit with his briefcase at his usual time on Tuesday, if not to work? And why wasn’t he wearing his suit jacket when he came home?

Widower Adam Knight offers Beth support. He lost his wife Camilla a year ago to a severe anaphylaxis reaction to nuts. Would she really have been without her EpiPen? Or is that what really happened to her? The author casts doubt brilliantly.

Tom is charged with the murder of Katie Williams, his former girlfriend but he is confident that they will let him go because there can’t be a case without a body. If they don’t have a time of death, he doesn’t need an alibi. Beth will never turn against him. She loves him, she needs him.

Beth is given a very rough time in the village. “She must have known something” or “You can’t be married that long and not know” are the things she is overhearing from the villagers. Julia invites herself over, brings wine. Is she truly trying to be a friend or is she trying to get information out of Beth?

Then we learn about Phoebe Drake who drowned 15 years ago. How was she connected to Tom? A university sweatshirt figures prominently in this story. Whose sweatshirt was it really?

Tom soon realizes that Beth is cooperating with the police, but he doesn’t believe it because Beth would never sell him out, the police are lying to him about Beth.

When another body is found in Central London, will this be linked back to Tom as well. Is Beth married to a serial killer? What does she know and when did she know it?

Everything is explained in the end and the revelations are worth the wait. Ms. Hunter has written a brilliant mystery/thriller. I have been recommending this book to all my bookish friends. I will be looking forward to more from Ms. Hunter.

There are some editing errors in the book where paragraphs are missing. It took a bit away from the book but not enough to ruin the read.

**page 142 – the paragraph ends but on page 143 the 3 lines that appear at the top of the page don’t follow what was written on the previous page. Something is missing as it picks up mid-sentence.
**page 144 – you can’t tell if this part is Tom speaking.
**page 227-228 – paragraphs are broken here.
**page 277 – ends but page 278 starts in mid-sentence.
**page 297 – paragraph ends, and page 298 starts mid-sentence.

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This is a great psychological thriller with plenty of twists throughout that kept me guessing,
This is the first book I’ve read by this author but it definitely won’t be the last.
The ending is great and one that I definitely didn’t see coming.

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Twists, twists, and more clever twists. What would you do if your husband and father of your child were accused of the murder of his former lover. Beth, a pottery cafe owner is left in a frenzy to hold her life together and safeguard her three year old daughter. While her husband, Tom , remains in custody evidence against him continues to mount. How well did Beth know her husband and how far will she go to protect the life that she has loved?

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This is the first book I have read by Alice Hunter and The Serial Killers Wife had my interest from the synopsis alone.
On the face of it, Beth and Tom lead a charmed wife. Living away from the city with their daughter Poppy,
Tom is late home from work one night so when she hears a knock at the door she assumes it’s him and he had lost his keys.
Only it’s the police. Tom has been brought in for questioning about a murder.
Beth is left to deal with the Mums at the school gates gossiping and journalists outside their house.
I did enjoy this book, despite none of the characters being particularly likeable. I also figured out the twists in the story - that says more about me and the type of books I read as apposed to it being a negative about this book.
What I wasn’t sure about was the title of the book - The Serial Killers Wife......The title means you know that there’s more than one body and for me that took away some of the intrigue in the story.
Overall I enjoyed this one and I would recommend it.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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What a book! The twists were perfect and multiple times I shouted “what?!” at my screen. The only thing I didn’t like was the alternating first person POV, I feel like it would have been a lot stronger if it were put into third person. But that’s honestly my only complaint, as it was a perfect plot.

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From start to finish this is a page turner. Not one moment this book slow down to allow you to catch your breath. This must be just a sliver of what Beth felt when the police came knocking on her door.

Sex, lies, betrayal…MURDER. But that’s not all..

This is one hell of a thriller!

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Beth loves her husband. He passionately loves her and their young daughter. Then a cop knocks on the door. Upon investigating the possible disappearance and death of a girl from years ago, he becomes the prime suspect. As the town looks on and new friendships begin to grow as people show their support, everyone is watching Beth and wondering - how did she not know she was a serial killer’s wife?

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Beth thinks her life is perfect. She owns a thriving business, lives in a beautiful town, has an amazing daughter, and Tom is the perfect husband. Then one day, the police show up to question Tom about a murder. Turns out her perfect husband may not be so perfect after all. The story explores Beth's new, oddly convenient friendships as she navigates the unfolding investigation into her husband. There are a few twists, some of which were brilliant and one that felt so unrealistic that I literally said, "Oh come on!" out loud. But, overall I found the story intriguing and fun. It's certainly not a pulse racing, action packed tale but more of a plausible, what would I do in this situation, twisty, intellectual story. I definitely recommend giving it a chance!

Thank you @netgalley and @avon_books for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

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Beth and Tom Hardcastle are the envy of their neighbourhood everything is perfect - their married age, their house and their family. But when the police come knocking one evening, panic starts for Beth - is Tom dead, had there been an accident? No it’s much worse, Beth is the wife of a serial killer.

The book takes the reader on a lot of twists and turns as the evidence mounts up against Tom, whom it transpires has killed more than once, could it be multiple killings, did Beth know? What will happen to Poppy?

I read this book in just a few days and for me, the only missing bit j was looking forward to was the trail, the jury and the verdict, it felt slightly rushed. But an ending that I wasn’t expecting at all, hadn’t been lead towards and well, it certainly leaves the door open for a follow up!

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This book was not what I was expecting, yet it stayed true to the psychological thriller genre. Was not expecting the twist at the end, the author did a good job of tying it all together

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Easy to read and extremely juicy - this was an excellent read. When Beths husband is taken by the police on suspicion of murder - the small village (and the reader) want to know if she knew and kept it hidden!
Throughout the book, we find out exactly the kind of man poor Beth married, I knew there was more to this than meets the eye - so would often find myself trying to come up with exactly what had happened, but this didn’t take away my enjoyment - it just added to it.
I read this in a day and thoroughly enjoyed it.

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4 Stars from me

Well well well, some people really know what they want in life don't they! And for sure, Beth Hardcastle is one determined lady. She's settled in to a small town community and established a thriving business, she's got a lovely little girl 'perfect Poppy' who is doing well at a local school, she employs staff and her business is at the heart of the community for functions - the perfect way to meet people and make friends. She has a loving, loyal, hard working husband. She is making friends and fast establishing herself into a tight knit world.

She's got it all. Hasn't she?

One night it all gets upended when the police arrive to talk to her husband about a murder. I found her reactions to this a little odd at the time - was that how I would react? Hard to tell I guess isn't it.

But as I read on I found things really didn't seem to sit right with how Beth was behaving... I don't want to spoil the story for anyone so this is tricky both Beth and Adam's behaviour didn't sit right for me.

I loved the boozy friend, felt a bit sorry for the solicitor (and the murder victims, obvs) and very sorry for Poppy... not sure the future bodes well for that one. She's the subject of a future book when she's all grown up I hope!

Overall, a light fast read, don't overthink it just enjoy the ride!

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Beth and Tom Hardcastle live the perfect life, in an idyllic setting. However when the police knock on the door, Beth is relived it is not that Tom injured or worse, but to talk to Tom in connection of a missing, presumed dead ex-girlfriend. Beths world is turned upside down. Then she meets Adam and life is looking good again. But Beth is concerned everyone thinks she should have known about her husbands past.
A great storyline, told from different perspectives. With an nail biting twist. Loved it!!

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I loved it! The Serial Killer’s Wife should be on everyone’s “Must Read” list this summer.. Alice Hunter has crafted a fast paced read that you won’t want to put down. It’s a perfect escape.!
Many thanks to Alice Hunter, Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.
It’s a 4.5

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Tom and Beth have a beautiful life. Tom works in the city and commutes to his home. Beth runs her own pottery cafe and their precious 3 year old daughter, Poppy, brightens their life. All this comes crashing down when Tom is arrested for his involvement in the disappearance of his previous girlfriend, Kate. Soon Beth is trying to justify her findings and can she escape Tom’s lies!
Ah this was one of those sneaky books where you think you see what’s coming but then that soon changes! Really great read. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

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It's a great read with plenty of suspense and lots of twists and turns. The title is a giveaway to whether Tom is guilty or not but it doesn't prepare you for the enormity of the crimes the deceit and the lies.

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When Beth's husband is taken into custody for questioning about a murder, her life turns upside down. Having been with him for 7yrs, she surely knows him, right? Maybe she does or maybe she doesn't, follow the twists and turns to figure it all out.

Buckle up because this is a long one! This being 400 pages is a little long for me personally. I did enjoy this read. The twists and turns were fascinating and I did not see some of them coming! The way the book ended I see another book to possibly extend the story. I would recommend this read if the length of the book doesn't scare you!

Thank you Alice Hunter, Avon Books and Netgalley for the ARC!

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What would you do if your husband was arrested for murder?
This is not my usual read but damn this was a good book.
There is so much I wanna blurt out but if I do it will ruin things. I must not ruin this for others.

I recommend this book if your a fan of fiction crime books or if you are like myself and don't care for this genre because this book was so interesting. It gets straight to the point. You can't stop reading this train wreck.

I was given a copy through Netgalley for an honest review

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Beth’s seemingly perfect life with her perfect husband comes crumbling down around her when he is accused of murder. Did he do it? And more importantly did she know?

I enjoyed this read, the way that snippets of information slotted into place throughout, building up a complete picture whilst also leading you to some false discoveries. My feelings towards the characters changed throughout, as who to trust and who is giving a true account is something that is only slowly revealed.

I would recommend to people looking for a twisting story with plenty of unreliable narrators with their own motives.

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Beth’s world is turned upside down when her husband Tom is taken to the police station to help them with a missing person/murder investigation. Keen to keep their daughter Poppy in the dark, Beth struggles to make sense of what she learns.

I enjoyed this fast paced and gripping story. It wasn’t perfect- I felt Beth’s reactions at the start were off, especially in the light of revelations as the story progressed. I’m pretty sure the police would have reacted differently to some evidence too. However, I still very much enjoyed the read and I was keen at all times to discover the next piece of the puzzle. I guessed part of the ending, but not quite all of it!

I would definitely read more books by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy of this book.

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Good story with great twists near the end but the start felt very unrealistic.
I just felt thrown out by her reactions to the situation.
However Im glad I stuck with it because the pace livens up, the different characters become vibrant and you start to question everything you thought.

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This fast-moving thriller reminded me of Gone Girl, with secrets layered upon secrets. When someone knocks on the door, Beth’s life changes forever. Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Wow, what a brilliantly creepy page turner, I devoured this in a few hours. Jam packed with twists and turns, that ending! Would love a sequel.

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This was a really good read for me . I raced through it trying to get to the end . There was a little twist that I had mused over but it wasn't a disappointment at all . Beth is happily married to Tom , they have a 3 year old and live in an idyllic village in the Cotswolds . They seem to have it all but one night the police come knocking for Tom and take him away for questioning . The village is awash with gossip with more than one of them suspecting that Beth knows more than she is letting on . Beth starts to lean on Adam a recent Widower who supports her whilst her life seemingly falls apart around her . Really would recommend this , loved the setting as its just up the road from me . 5 stars

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I received this book as an advanced reader copy from Netgalley and this is my honest review.

Beth’s world is shattered when the police turn up one night and arrest her husband for a terrible crime. How could she not know the kind of man that she lived with?

The book mainly focuses on the perspectives of Beth and her husband Tom who has just been arrested. The story is good and it does get you thinking about what you would do in Beth’s situation and how you might react, especially if you were living in a small town with all eyes on you. There were a few things in the book that I didn’t see coming which was good, especially as it felt like the book did have a bit of a slow start. Definitely a solid book and I’ll be looking for more from this author.

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One evening the police turn up to talk to Tom about the disappearance of his ex girlfriend, Katie. His wife, Beth, is in shock because Tom is the perfect husband........ or is he?

I loved this book. It has exactly the kind of plot that I enjoy with a few twists. Some I saw coming and others that took me by surprise. I enjoyed the swapping perspectives, the pace and the tone.

Things to be aware of
Sexual violence
Murder
Domestic Abuse
Strangulation

I read this in less than a day because I couldn't put it down. I will be keeping my eye open for anything else from Alice Hunter

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The Serial Killer's Wife is a solid addition to the crowded thriller genre. A recommended purchase for collections where the genre is popular.

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Great read! Once again another book I read in a day. Plenty of suspence, twists and turns and an ending I did not predict. One never knows what goes on behind closed doors and how do we ever know who we are really married to. What seems like the ideal family can indeed be very deceptive, secrets hidden and agendas that only each party is aware of, much to the detriment of the others. .The ending also leaves it wide open for a sequel. I will definitely read more of this authors work.Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the chance to read this twisty little tale.

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This is complex, head spinning, absolutely disturbing, twisty and truly delicious psychological thriller which introduces us a new debut author Alice Hunter!

As soon as I finished the book and I wanted to read her bio and I found out Ms. Hunter’s main job was interventions facilitator in prisons, working at rehabilitation programs to men serving sentences, especially working with prisoners who’d committed serious brutal crimes!

It really explains how she managed to portray the dangerous mind of a real criminal. Especially BDSM parts of the book and the narration parts explain the killer’s instinct, the motivation and the thirst of committing crimes are blood freezing, terrifyingly bleak but also realistic!

We have four narrators in this book:

Tom: a exemplary, great husband and father is arrested for killing his ex girlfriend...

Tom’s wife Beth who tries to adjust in her new life with their beautiful kid Poppy but after their reputation has been tarnished, she will have to learn to live as killer’s wife!

Katie: 8 years ago she’s met with Tom and she thought she was so lucky to be chosen by him. But later she starts seeing the real face of her controlling lover and she feels trapped in her relationship. What happened to Katie? Is she really dead? Could Tom act such a violent crime against her?

And the unknown narrator who is forced to have BDSM kind of sexual relationship with a man: we’re not sure it’s Tom! And the woman can be anybody! Is she still alive to give us her identity?

Beth and Tom’s perfect marriage will be destroyed after his conviction to kill his ex girlfriend. His loyal wife Beth does anything to protect their daughter but small townies don’t stop gossiping: how cannot she know what kind of monster she’s been married for 8 years! The press, the townies are suspicious about her acts. And Tom needs his wife’s support to be acquitted from the murder charge.

What does really Beth know? Will she help her husband to save him from prison? Does she keep important secrets which may change everything about their lives? And could her husband be a vicious killer?

Don’t worry! All your questions will be answered during this wild ride! I absolutely enjoyed this twisty, surprising, heart pounding reading!
It’s a fresh start and intriguing debut novel earned my four criminal minds, dysfunctional relationships, perfect couple stars!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

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I found this to be a fun and page turning book. the Serial Killer's Wife really asks the question, How well do you really know someone? The answers will surprise you. I read this book very quickly and couldn't put it down. It was a fun read and thought provoking. I was guessing all along and didn't guess right, so for me that is a win. The characters are rich and flawed and fantastic. You get a real feel for this little suburb and it is almost a character of it's own. The author described it so well I felt like I could picture it! The author also really gets you inside the minds of the characters, as we do read from a couple of points of view. I love the style of multiple narrators and it really works in this thriller with a great twist!

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A knock on the door changes the family lives forever when two detectives haul Beth’s husband Tom away for questioning. They want to know about a young woman, who had been missing for several years. What begins for them as enquires soon spirals into the unthinkable. Beth has to face the community where they live and where she owns a small business that puts her directly in touch with the public daily. Then there is their daughter who is still in nursery and the effects it will have on her.


What a belting good story it is as it is told between a triangle of the central cast of players, Beth, Tom and the missing girl Katie. Katie had been a former girlfriend of Tom’s before he met Beth. I had to take some deep breathes to read some of these chapters as the relationship between Tom and Katie developed. All three of them have distinctive voices.

I would say to you to read this in a quiet environment to get the most out of it. It scared me to hell when I did, as every noise on the pages came to life. I wasn’t sure just who was a real friend or just curious to know if Beth knew what had gone on. Beth had never really had a friend, and now she needed one more than ever. The story unfolds as the past is revisited by the three of them. Brilliant characters, superbly written.


I wish to thank Net Galley for an e-copy of this book which I have reviewed honestly.

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I would like thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. It was such a good read with lots of twists and an ending that came out of nowhere, I would definitely recommend this book.

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TW: murder, strangulation, violence, sexual violence, domestic abuse

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for granting my request to read The Serial Killer's Wife. It was definitely the title of this book that drew me in; I mean how can someone resist a title like that - it's definitely there to grip you and draw you in and make you intrigued about what's going to happen in the book.

I was definitely gripped throughout this; I picked it up and didn't put it down again until i'd finished reading it. It was fast paced and I was just able to race through this in one sitting. I felt like the plot and the writing was well done and well constructed; it was definitely easy to follow with enough mystery to keep you guessing. I had so many theories; some of which I was correct about and others I wasn't but I think Hunter did a good job of throwing in enough misdirects.

Aspects of my review have been removed as they contain spoilers!

Overall this was a really good and gripping read with a fleshed out plot. One i'd recommend!

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This book blew me away.

Last year, one of my favourite reads was My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing and this felt very much in the same vein. The pacing was excellent and I consumed the book very quickly, eager to know what happened to Beth and how much she knew or was involved in her husband's crimes. Really well written. Loved it!

I very much enjoyed this read and will definitely read another Alice Hunter book. Will be recommending it to everyone.

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Twists and turns even on the last page. Great read! Loved Hunter's writing style, very engaging and made for a hard-to-put-down story! Would love to read more from her!!

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Wow. I enjoyed this one-very different keeps you interested all the way through with a very unexpected ending. I am hoping that there will be a follow-up book. Fingers crossed.

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Beth and Tom live a perfect and successful life, a happy family with their three-year-old daughter. Until one evening when Tom doesn't come home in time and Beth worries that he has had an accident, especially when the police arrive at her door. But the police actually want to speak to Tom about one of their enquiries. Beth's life is about to get blown apart. Can she trust her husband?

This book was brilliant - the plot was thrilling, exciting, tense and full of twists and turns. I loved the range of characters, the style of writing, and the shocking ending. I really recommend this book and can't wait for Alice Hunter's next one!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of the book in return for my honest feedback.

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When the police knock on Beth Hardcastle’s door one night, she’s terrified her husband Tom, who hasn’t returned from work, has been involved in an accident. But the truth is much worse; the perfect marriage, the perfect husband, that Beth thought she had was an illusion. Tom is not a perfect husband or even a good man, if the police are to be believed; he’s a monster. Good, creepy fun

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This was SO good! I haven’t read this author before but I loved this. The pacing was excellent and the writing was superb.

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How does she not know? Isn’t that what everyone asks when someone is arrested?

This story asks this and then elaborates. There is also a twist that is a bit glaring because it’s something that is harped upon.

The ending kind of left it open for a sequel if the author so chooses. It ends but on a a question.

Read it!

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The Serial Killer's Wife had me hooked instantly. I read it in two days. The last chapter totally got me. I didn't see it coming! I thought the wife was completely innocent all along. Turns out there is more to meet the eye in everyone.

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What a brilliant read, the style of writing was fantastic and so easy to read. A page turner for sure and what an ending, i really did not see that one coming.

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Before this one even starts, there is a paragraph in the front about Alice Hunter’s experience with the prison system and working as a nurse for the NHS and how she used those experiences to write “The Serial Killer’s Wife”, and boy, does it show!
The book centers on Beth Hardcastle, her husband Tom and their daughter Poppy. The Hardcastle’s seem to have the most perfect life until a knock on the door late one night changes everything. The hand on the other side of the knock belongs to a Detective leading up a murder investigation, an investigation where Tom is a person of interest.
This book is a page turner (I finished it in a day) and a complete mind fuck. You dive head first into the lives of a seemly perfect couple and as all of their secrets start to be revealed.. you are left opened mouthed, lipping “what the fuck”! There was one part in the book about 100 pages in where the story started to drag a little, but Hunter quickly recovered and pulled you right back to the town’s web of lies.
This book keeps the twists coming (until the VERY end) and sends you on a wide, fast paced ride of lies, betrayal, and what some people WILL do for their families!
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!!!

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Enjoyable read, told from multiple points of view. Beth thought she had the perfect life. A loving husband, adorable daughter, a successful coffee/pottery shop and a home in a picturesque village. Until her husband was arrested for the murder of a former girlfriend.
I enjoyed the way certain chapters were from different points of view, some of them baffling. Lots of twists and turns that keep the reader enthralled. Very perceptive.
It’s my first Alice Hunter book and won’t be my last. Well-written, well-paced and highly enjoyable. I would recommend it.
Thank you to Avon Books and NetGalley for an advance copy in return for my honest review.

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We all dread a police officer knocking on our door as it often means bad news. But for Beth, the news is catastrophic. Her husband, Tom, is wanted for questioning in relation to a missing woman. And so the turmoil begins.

The setting of a village adds to the claustrophobic nature of the book. Although Beth and Tom have lived in Lower Tew for a couple of years, they haven't made many friends. Can Beth rely on the villagers' support? Added into the mix is their three year old daughter, Poppy. Surely people will be kind for her sake if nothing else?

This was a novel that I was immediately sucked into. The 'I'll just read for 10 minutes' quickly turned into much longer time periods. The narration of the story flicks between Beth and Tom, as well as past and present. Alice Hunter cleverly kept me on my toes as I was desperately trying to work it out. I really didn't know who to trust and there was a brilliant 'gasp' twist halfway in the book. The pace keeps up as Beth navigates her way through the police, journalists and local residents.

I thoroughly enjoyed this excellent psychological thriller and look forward to reading more from this author.

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“The Serial Killer’s Wife” by Alice Hunter had me hooked from the start. Actually, it had me hooked by the title alone. But the interesting thing about this book is that there was no big drawn out lead up - it went straight for the kill. Literally. A story told from the separate perspectives of husband Tom and wife Beth, with a few interludes from the mysterious Katie, this book keeps you guessing. Whilst reading Tom’s perspective, I thought him guilty, but then switch over to Beth’s perspective and I change my mind. And on and on this continued! It kept me reading, it held my interest and is definitely one of those books where you just have to keep reading because you just have to find out if you’re right! I’d highly recommend this book to all fans of psychological thrillers. My sincere thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

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Imagine a married couple with a young child. All seems wonderful to everyone who sees them. But then, the wife finds out her husband has been accused of murder. As the questioning continues, more secrets are revealed. This book was a good read, with a few unexpected twists!

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Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy of this book. I am so grateful for the opportunity.

I used to read this genre all of the time, until I became bored of everything being the same and stopped for quite a while.I very rarely pick up books like this nowadays however something screamed at me when I saw this one and just couldn't help myself.

I am very pleased that I picked it up. I actually really enjoyed it! Yes it was predictable at times, yes I kind of knew where the story was going but actually it was a fun read. I really like crime/thriller books written in the perspective of we already know the killer and actually what we are doing is finding out how and why they have committed the crimes that they have. This is exactly what The Serial Killer's Wife did and it worked!

The writing style is really engaging and I literally could not put the book down. The Serial Killer's Wife is definitely one of those books where you just want to read one more chapter and then something else is revealed and you need to carry on. Be prepared for a late night when you pick it up!

I was taken by surprise at the ending. Whilst I knew something along those lines were going to happen, I didn't expect it to be in the way that it was. I wont go into anymore details because spoilers. But it was surprising, it made sense but it made me want a little bit more detail about certain characters that I feel we could have had throughout the story. I feel like it was left in a position where we could be getting a sequel which I would welcome and I would definitely pick it up. Fingers crossed!

I'd definitely recommend.

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Thank you to publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

I enjoyed this fast paced quick read. Had me guessing from beginning to end!

Pub Date: 5/2021

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Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the ARC copy of The Serial Killer’s Wife by Alice Hunter.

This was a fun and quick read. I wasn’t sure who to trust through the whole story. Beth and Tom are the perfect couple admired from all afar until Tom gets accused of murdering his ex girlfriend. The gossiping ladies in town start to suspect that Beth know more than she lets on. Beth is an unreliable narrator who you want to believe in but there is something there to make you question get intentions.

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Yes!!. This book was exciting from beginning to end. Great story, well developed and interesting characters. The best part of the book were the twists and turn that this book took me through and the end... was so good. Highly recommend this book.

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Beth is a mother that likes her quiet life. She lives for her banker husband, her pottery painting business, her cottage, and most importantly - her daughter, Poppy. She finds herself annoyed one evening while tucking in her daughter - her prompt husband is late. She hears the door and runs down only to find...two detectives. They whisk her husband away to help them with "some questions", and by the next day, Tom is held for murder. The town gossip is ablaze; could Beth be so ignorant as to not know what her husband is accused of doing? How deep do his transgressions go? How will Beth cope? Does she really know as little as she says; is their marriage really the sweet and simple relationship that she says it is?

The Serial Killer's Wife is an interesting take on a psychological thriller; one that I don't think I've encountered before. This is a quick, entertaining, and light popcorn read - perfect for a rainy day or vacation read! There is a surprise twist ending that did bring a little shiver of excitement and question of "what comes next"?! I would definitely read anything else that Alice Hunter publishes in the future, as I found this to be an engaging and enjoyable read. Would recommend!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC.

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Thank you Netgalley and Avon for giving me a chance to review this book! This review is based on my honest opinion.

The title itself sounds...fascinating. The Serial Killer's Wife and it seems to have a ring in it. And the plot also sounds interesting. Beth and Tom Hardcastle seemed to be living a happy life with their daughter Poppy until the police come and knock on their door one day and takes Tom for questioning. And it was questioning about the disappearance/murder of a woman named Katie, who was Tom's ex girlfriend, eight years ago.

The story is told from Beth's Tom's and Katie's point of view so it is interesting to see what really goes in their head. Though the book is fast paced, chilling and as a reader you question if Tom is really innocent or not, this book did not have much twists and turns but nonetheless the reader (that's me) became engrossed into the story--the writer did a good job drawing the reader to the story! The emotions and feelings that Beth faced when her husband was arrested for the murder seemed realistic but at the same time you question if those feelings Beth had towards Tom was realistic or if she was hiding something. The ending of the story was a bit unexpected.

Overall, this was really good! I couldn't really put the book down and so I enjoyed reading this thriller and definitely read in one go! Worth five stars in my opinion.

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Wow what a book this book had me gripped for a whole day I Coulnt put it down as I was hooked from the 1st Page .

This book has amazing characters and wow what some twist this book has esp with the twist at the end

This book tells the story of Beth & Tom who live the perfect life but is all what it seems behind the door ?

With thanks to Netgalley & Avon books for the arc of this book in exchange for this honest review

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I enjoyed this book. Beth and Tom seem to be the perfect couple with their young daughter and lovely home. But one evening the police come knocking and Tom is charged with the murder of an ex girlfriend. Surely Beth would know if her husband was a killer? This is a fast paced story which I think was a bit far fetched at times, especially the big twist at the end, but it kept me on the edge of my seat. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

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This was a super fun read and was hard to put down. I really liked that the chapters were short because late at night when it was time to go to bed, I'd keep reading the next chapter, then the next, then the next, just because they were only several pages long.

The story itself kept rolling, and my mind was on overdrive the whole time, thinking, there's got to be some sort of twist here - maybe he wasn't the killer, maybe she was, or maybe the handsome widower is the one who did it and framed the husband. So many crazy ideas came to mind, which I loved. Very well written from many POVs. This is the kind of book I've been looking to read!

Gave 4 stars, but it's really a 4.5. I liked the twist at the end, but I sort of guessed that might be the case, so a little disappointed that there wasn't a bigger shocker.

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The Serial Killer's Wife is the debut novel of Alice Hunter, who uses her experience of working with violent prisoners to give the book added authenticity.
Beth and Tom Hardcastle are a devoted couple who have moved from London to the small village of Lower Tew with their young daughter Poppy. Tom commutes to his high-flying job while Beth runs a small cafe. When the usually reliable Tom doesn't arrive back from work at the usual time Beth starts to worry,more so when the Police arrive before he eventually turns up. Tom is taken away and questioned about the death of a former girlfriend.
The story is told from the perspectives of the main characters and tells not only the story of the murders,, I don't do spoilers but the title kind of gives things away,but the effect they have on Beth and Poppy as Tom is taken away from them.
The book is very well written,the narrative flows making it a quick and easy read. There's not actually much tension as it's pretty obvious from the start what has been done and by who but there are a couple of good twists,though I suspect old hands at crime thrillers won't be entirely surprised at most of them.
I really enjoyed the book,it doesn't stretch the brain and is very entertaining. My only issue is with the title, which is basically a massive spoiler that takes away a lot of potential suspense from the tale ,I realise it's mostly Beth's story something less plot-revealing would have been much more preferable.

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This. Was. GOOD! “The Serial Killer’s Wife” starts out with an apparently nice, normal couple, just living life, when suddenly one night the husband is late and the police show up at their door. The wife is startled thinking maybe he was involved in an accident, but turns out he can be involved in a murder… And everything pretty much goes downhill from that.

Plot: ★★★★★
Absolutely loved it! There were some great twists, only one of them I was expecting, but even that one was written in such a way that my head was spinning and I wanted to scream. I recently read a book with a similar premise but the plot played out completely different, loved them both. And the ending is just CRAZY, I love it when little clues are put into the story and you forget about them, just so the writer can come back and hit you in the face with it.

Structure: ★★★★★
Excellent pace, I took a while to pick it up but for other reasons, when I sat down to read it I read it all in one day, even slept late because I was just so close to finishing it! It is constructed with 4 POVs: the wife’s nowadays, the ex-girlfriend’s 8 years ago, the husband’s nowadays and 8 years ago and a mysterious woman’s, undated. They are all pretty exciting and alternated, my least favorite was probably the husband nowadays because it doesn’t add much, but they really are all very well written.

Characters: ★★★★
You can’t really trust anyone!! Maybe Poppy, but I wouldn’t vouch for her either. I liked how well Beth’s character was built, slowly and well-executed. With Tom you have different sides of him according to which POV is being presented at the moment, so at the end you can fully understand his essence. You don’t really get to know/understand a few other characters, but it isn’t an actual problem, and maybe too much information on everyone would just slow the story down.

4.7 ★

I wanted this ARC so much I went on twitter to bother Alice Hunter and ask for it, and I wasn’t let down AT ALL! Such exciting and impossible to put down suspense. Looking forward to any new things coming from this author!

Thank you NetGalley for this Advance Review Copy in exchange for my honest review!

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I have to say, this didn't turn out the way I expected! The twist seems obvious in hindsight, but I had convinced myself this was going in another direction entirely!

Short chapters kept the pace moving, but some parts seemed to drag on with unnecessary information.

I expected the author to lean more into the media frenzy and gossip mongering this would create for the wife of a serial killer. While the media hounds certainly came for Beth, her reaction just seemed a little bland to it all. Especially the running of her own business! Like your manager is acting very odd towards you, like she doesn't want anything to do with you, but you hand over the running of the entire business to her? Didn't make much sense to me.

I don't know why, but I kept getting pretty creepy vibes off of Adam. Is he really Mr. Perfect?

Interested to read more from this author.

Thank you to Avon via NetGalley for providing a digital review copy.

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Drew me right in a plot that kept me reading late into the night.Really well written so many twist and turns kept me guessing till the end.An author to follow,#netgalley#avonbooksuj

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Great quick read....I was trying to guess the ending but I was way off, so that is good! I wish there was a bit more backstory on the main characters. Things were hinted at but not explained. Overall, I enjoyed it.

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The Serial Killer’s Wife is a pacy and a totally addictive thriller by Alice Hunter. Whenever serial killers are reported on in the news, people often think about the killer’s family. How is it possible that they didn’t know what was going on right under their nose? If they did know, why didn’t they have the courage to come forward and tell the police? It’s what Alice Hunter explores in her novel as she tells it from the point of view of Beth, the wife of the killer, Tom Hardcastle. Beth and their daughter mean everything to Tom. At one time, Beth thought the same about him. But police arrest him following the discovery of new evidence in an old murder case, she begins to question everything she thought she knew. It also puts her in a very uncomfortable position as people begin to look at her in a different light than they did before.

I really wanted to know what the bigger picture was here. As more cases that are linked to Tom come to light, I wanted to know if Beth played any involvement at all in what happened. It made for really gripping reading as Sam explored her character further. I felt as though I couldn’t quite trust her as the story developed.

Tom is a really intriguing character as well. As the police come closer to uncovering the truth about him, we begin to see his true colours emerge. I thought Alice Hunter developed his character really well and Beth’s character too, as she comes to terms with what is happening around her. It makes for really tense reading as the narrative flicks between their viewpoints.

The tension in the book really turns up a notch as Alice Hunter reveals what is really going on. The characters kept me gripped and turning the pages faster and faster as I raced towards the end. Alice Hunter made me think about how I would react if I was in the same position as them.

The Serial Killer’s Wife is an addictive psychological thriller, and I was desperate to find out how things were going to pan out in the end. If you’re looking for a twisty read that will grip you right from the first page, I highly recommend it.

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This was an interesting spin on the usual serial killer thriller and not what I was expecting. I had thought from the title that I would feel some sympathy for the ‘poor wife’ but I never quite took to Beth. I know I always wonder about how much wives or close family knew when someone is accused of murder and particularly so when the murder occurred some years ago. So how much did Beth know? I guess you need to read it yourself and find out.

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I loved this fast paced book. It kept me guessing.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon UK publishing for a copy of the book for my honest opinion.

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Suspense! Intrigue! Just when you think you know you have no idea.
A thriller that will keep you entertained for pages.

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Really loved this book. Lots of suspense. Lots of red herrings and twist and turns. Well developed characters and great dialog. I was actually sorry to see this story end...it was quite an enjoyable read.Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review.

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I flew through this novel in less than 24 hours. The Serial Killer's Wife is an engaging crime thriller that follows Beth Hardcastle after her husband, Tom, is taken into police custody for a suspected violent crime. Beth struggles to continue to run her business, take care of their young daughter, and navigate the media attention her husband's case has attracted throughout the story. Just when you think you understand what is happening, there is a new development in the case against Tom. The plot will keep you on your toes up until the very last page and thriller fiction lovers will enjoy reading this one.

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The Serial Killer’s Wife Kindle Edition

by Alice Hunter  (Author)  Format: Kindle Edition

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary eARC. I am choosing to leave a fair and honest review.

This is a good initial book from Ms. Hunter. Centered around Beth, the wife of Tom, as she struggles to make sense of the news that he is being charged with the murder of his previous girlfriend, Katie. Filled with British cool, both in terms of attitude and style, the story moves at a decent clip as the story unfolds.

Set in the suburb of Lower Trew, the story is filled with interesting characters, who, for the most part, are unique but still tropes. This is managed admirably, most notably the put-together mom who really isn't perfect. It can also be seen in Tom, Beth's husband and the serial killer in the title.

Aside from a few formatting quirks, this is an easy but disturbing read. Ms. Hunter uses a strange convention for titling and timing chapters. Chapter after chapter repeats “Now” after the name of the narrator. There are also some difficult handling of texts with extra letters that make no sense. Beth and Tom and a mysterious third person pass the narration duties back and forth. They are fairly easy to separate if the reader loses track.

This is a book of small twists and a few zigs and a couple zag. Some make sense, other seem to come out of the blue with little warning. Think Gone Girl, but with less backfill.

The village of Lower Trew feels a lot like a 1980s/1990s American High School, where gossip is king and mean girls are queens. Even drenched in Early Gray and decorated with the charm of Paul Hollywood, the cliques form right away.

This is a strong first effort. With time, I foresee Ms. Hunter becoming quite the thriller writer.

4 stars out of 5

https://www.amazon.com/Serial-Killers-Wife-Alice-Hunter-ebook/dp/B08N5MQYJ5

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Firstly, thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon Books for allowing me an advanced reader copy for an honest review in return 😊

I have not read a thriller in a while and this book reminded me how much I love them! It was such an exciting read and I always love different POV’s in a thriller book... it added to the tension well. Hunters writing style was great and I loved how certain chapters ended - I was flying through each page to find out more!

Due to the title of this book I was worried it was going to be a little predictable however there were definitely some twists and turns! It’s also true what they say... you never know what’s going on behind closed doors 👀

This is a quick and suspenseful read and if you’re a fan of thrillers like myself... I’d recommend picking this one up! It’s out 27th May, add it to your TBR! 😊👏🏻

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Yes this book!
It was fantastic. Thank you! It was a book I needed to read before I even did it!
Can’t wait for people to enjoy this one

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What a great book as debut. The basic storyline is a loving couple who appear to have life sorted. I could not wait to finish the book and there were many unexpected twists and turns and did not disappoint and I failed to guess the ending. Like other reviewers I raced through in a couple of days and I cannot wait for the next book by this author.

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Absolutely fantastic! I finished this in two days because I couldn’t put it down. Well written and full of surprises. Keeps you on your toes the entire time!

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I could not put this book down! The twists and turns are exciting, unexpected. I enjoyed how the author spoke through each person; the timing of each voice was impeccable. Although I found it disturbing, I could understand how manipulative a killer's mindset can be to avoid blame, playing on his wife's insecurity so that she too does what is necessary to protect their perfect family life. Understanding how deeply a mother loves and protects her child from living a hellish past, it doesn't take much to see the wife's motives for her behaviours. It was really enjoyable that the author chose a village setting for the family; nothing is hidden from the grapevine. It was also clever for the author to gradually show that everyone has a façade they hide behind - whether guilty or not. Having worked in a small rural town myself, I felt so many similarities of how everyone knows your every move, how you worry about optics, how you have to hide from prying eyes watching you. Does hiding make you guilty, or does it make you look guilty? I highly recommend this book for readers to find out.

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The premise of this novel had me intrigued immediately and it did not disappoint. This is a fast-moving story that grips you right away - I read it in one day, having to know how it ended.
While relying on a few tried-and-true thriller tropes (which I won't detail to avoid spoilers), I found the plot was still exciting and felt fresh. It was easy to invest in the characters and I would definitely read a sequel to see how some of them fare in the aftermath.
Thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the digital copy for review. All opinions are my own.

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The Serial Killer’s Wife is the reason I love a good thriller so much- you think you’ve got it all figured out, then the author pulls you right back in until the last few pages. Alice Hunter has done just that with this novel, the perfect escapist read. I will definitely look to read another one of Hunter’s books in hopes of another twisted story that keeps me guessing and thinking even after I’ve finished the novel!

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and the author Alice Hunter for the opportunity to receive and review this ARC.

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Excellent psychological thriller, difficult to put down. Beth and Tom seem like the perfect loving couple with their beautiful daughter Poppy. When Tom is arrested on suspicion of murder their beautiful facade starts to crumble. As Beth tries to shield Poppy from the fallout of her dads arrest, she also must come to terms with what she knew about her husband prior to his arrest. Extremely fast paced page turner full of twists and turns.

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First, thank you to NetGalley, Alice Hunter and Avon Books UK for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I very much enjoyed this book. It, like others have said, was a true page turner. I took my Kindle everywhere I went to even if I just had a few minutes to keep reading I did. Some reviewers said they saw things a mile away but not me. I was totally blown away by the ending and am truly hoping for a sequel. This was gripping and I will definitely be reading more of this author's works. I liked all the characters and the story progressed well. This was gripping and I will definitely be reading more of this author's works.

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Brilliant! An easy read with lots of twists and turns. Beth's husband Tom is arrested for murder and everyone thinks Beth must have known - but your whole view point changes as you go through the book and more and more facts are revealed.

I liked the way the story was told from the view point of different key characters and at different times.

A really enjoyable read.

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Loved this book, I devoured it within a few days. The narrative follows Beth and Tom who have an idyllic house/business in a perfect little village. The story starts from page one, Tom is under investigation by the police due to a missing persons case. I do not want to give too much away but this is worth a read, really good characters and I really warmed to Beth, she was easy to like and I enjoyed reading about her. There are a few twists along the way in this novel and I loved the twist at the end. Right up my street, thanks Alice Hunter I will be looking out for more of your books.

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The Serial Killer’s Wife by Alice Hunter has an interesting plot. The characters are well developed but not sure I connected with them, and maybe that was point. The story did drag on in places, some of the repetitive details could have been edited out as it was also a bit long. I try to just enjoy books with twists without trying to hard to figure them out and this one was no different. The twists were fun, but the ending was a bit too open ended for me.

***** I received an ARC from NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my honest review. *****

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4.5 Stars
Wow, I loved this book. The story was very engaging and intense. I loved the way it built and unfolded.
I've only given 4.5 stars as I did guess a couple of things but equally there were plenty of things I didn't guess.
I definitely think this is a book to keep an eye out for as I feel it will be a big hit when it's released. I've certainly mentioned to a few people already.

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Wow what a complex twisty psychological thriller with a great twist at the end!
How well do we really know someone? What secrets are they keeping from us?
Beth and Tom seen to have the perfect life living in a rural idyll, a lovely cottage a gorgeous daughter but things are not as they seem!
When police come knocking at the door their lives change forever as secrets from Tom’s past are revealed, Beths worst fears are realised as she is implicated in the accusations as more grisly facts emerge! This book keeps the pace up and engages with you so that although you want to find out the surprising conclusion you don’t want the book to end!
Would highly recommend
Thank you net galley for this early read.

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Beth had the perfect baking-mom kind of constructed life as little wifey to her adoring husband Tom, both dogs in their toddler Poppy.
One evening Tom misses bedtime story time because he is being questioned by the police.
Beth then finds it is in connection with a murder investigation into a mudding woman who was a former girlfriend if Tom's.
One would expect her to be the supportive, loyal wife but she is too vague to respond as their lawyer expects and cannot even bring herself to visit him.
She then becomes progressively more irritating and impractical. Or at least, that's what I was thought.But don't stop there because that's just when the fun starts.
I cannot describe more without revealing spoilers. but oh us it an unpredictable, bumpy ride.
I loved it, it's really clever though hi f I was the author's husband if be very uneasy!

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Such an incredible book. Thankyou to Netgalley. Avon books UK and Alice Hunter. I really enjoyed reading this book.

Beth has the perfect life with her husband Tom and their daughter Poppy. Their lives get uplifted into turmoil, once Tom is brought down to the police station under suspicions of murder. Beth now, is viewed as the serial killers wife.

A book that jumps from character to charterer, and present and past. This book captives what it is like to live inside a criminal mind. Hearing their thoughts, and their next calculating move. How they can twist words, and actions to suit them. Preying on the weak and innocent. Alice Hunter really brings her expertise of her knowledge of psychology and the mind of a criminal into this book.
My favourite part of the book was the plot and the epilogue. I slowly was able to fit the pieces together of what was going to happen. In the epilogue there is a small cliffhanger, however there is enough information to complete the story but still lefted me wanting more.

I'm look forward to the future, to be able to read more from Alice Hunter.

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Beth and Tom moved from London to the country to give their young daughter Poppy a happier childhood than they both had. This changes when the police arrive to speak to Tom about the disappearance of a former girlfriend 8 years previous. When he is charged with murder, Beth does all she can to protect Poppy. The story is told from 3 POV's, Beths, Toms and an unknown woman. All becomes clear as the book proceeds with an ending I didnt see coming.
A great debut novel from Alice. Look forward to reading more from her in the future
I received this book from Netgalley and Avon &Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own

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I really enjoyed this book full of twists and turns. So many surprising hairpin turns! This book had that definite creep factor! Which is a huge plus for me. Great characters and plot line. Highly recommend.

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I enjoyed this book. All the twisty turny suspicions that chop and change all the way through the book. Worth a read and I did recommend this to a friend so I must of liked it!

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I enjoyed reading this novel from various POV's. Parts were told from Beth's POV and parts were told from her husband Tom's POV. Imagine getting a knock on the door, on an evening when your husband is late getting home from work, and you answer the door to find the police on your doorstep wanting to ask questions about your husband. This is the situation Beth finds herself in. Can one truly know their spouse?

There were so many twists and turns in this novel and I loved it. With a final huge twist at the end that I did not see coming! A definite must read if you haven't read this one yet!

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The Serial Killer’s Wife by Alice Hunter is a thriller with lots of twists and turns you will not see coming.

Beth and Tom moved to a small town from busy London to raise their family. All is well until one night the police comes knocking on the door and brings Tom in for questioning for the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend. Beth's life suddenly turned upside down as her family becomes the talk of the town and the news. Slowly, Beth realizes her husband might not be who he seems.

The author does a great job in the alternation of narration. It leaves you clueless until the very end, and then the unpredictable ending hits you. There were a lot of plot twists, some which I thought I saw coming, but I end up being wrong.

I knocked a star off because I did not like the characters. Everyone was questionable and felt underdeveloped. There were a few plot holes that felt like there could be more to that storyline but the author does not mention it again. Perhaps, she means for it to be a red herring to throw the reader off, but nonetheless, it leaves me wondering about a certain character.

Thank you to Netgalley, author Alice Hunter, and publisher Avon Books UK, for providing me with an ARC, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

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Firstly a big thank you to Avon for my copy to review . I whizzed through this tonight.. what an amazing debut!

I was hooked instantly . Compelling and completely unpredictable.

A fantastic psychological thriller that will leave you wondering who’s telling the truth…

Fast paced with twists and turns aplenty. Perfect for fans of gripping thrillers and you won’t be disappointed.

Published 27th May and I look forward to reading more from Alice.

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Wow. What a ride! Beth and Tom are the proud parents of 3 yr old Poppy. The police come to the door and want to speak to Tom about a missing woman he dated. As the story unfolds, there are a lot of secrets he has been keeping from those around him. Beth must come to terms with the man she married and what he may have done when more women are found dead. Beth must try to make a life for herself and Poppy when it looks like Tom will be sent to prison for life. But the twists and turns just keep coming all the way to the end. Don’t miss this one. Thanks to NetGalley and author Alice Hunter for an ARC for my unbiased opinion.

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I really enjoyed the pace of this book and how it was told through various perspectives and timelines. It was hard to put down! The premise moved quickly and the twists and turns kept me wanting to read more and more. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is wanting a fast-paced thriller with an ending you do not suspect!

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A great read, lots of twists and turns and an ending that left me feeling very satisfied and fulfilled.
Highly recommended for fans of thrillers and twisty dramas.

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This was an excellent book that kept me guessing at every turn. I was unable to figure out the storyline, which is my favorite type of story.

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Loved it !! Could not put it down because I just had to know what was happening ! Well written and a great mind tease and escape!

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Thank you to Net Galley and Avon Books for an e-ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. This book had some crazy twists and turns. I wasn't sure what to expect as I started the first page, but it was so very well done. I don't want to give anything away, so this is shorter than my usual reviews, but trust me...don't pass this one up.

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I so enjoyed reading this suspenseful, twisty psychological thriller. Disturbing, complicated, and unreliable narrators kept me on my toes wondering how much they aren't saying and what secrets are waiting to be revealed. I truly did not see the final twist coming.

Congrats to Alice Hunter on her debut novel. And thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

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I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

It was ok. I saw the first twist coming but not the second. Three and a half

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Wasn't expecting that. This thriller had enough twists to leave me wondering what was next. Beth was both innocent and cunning and half way through the story I started to dislike her for some of the antics she pulled. The end ties in so well and leaves an opening for the story to continue. Entertaining from start to finish.

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This was a fast-paced read, centered on married couple Beth and Tom, who seem to have the perfect marriage until Tom is accused of murdering an ex-girlfriend. The rest of the book alternates between Beth's and Tom's POVs, as the reader tries to piece together what really happened and who knew what.

The pacing of the book was fast, with short chapters and only a small number of primary characters. There were twists throughout, though I did see most of them coming, at least to some extent, and the book didn't provide a ton of mystery when recounting past events. Still, it was interesting to watch the story unfold and see the different pieces lock in to place, as well as determine what the characters were hiding and what they were already aware of. There was a brilliant twist at the end which didn't fully catch me off-guard, but was an interesting way to take the story.

I had a bit of a rough time connecting to the characters- we didn't get much background info on what made Tom the person he is today, and I was regularly frustrated with Beth for neglecting her work duties, pawning her daughter off on others, and over-sharing information with people who she wasn't sure she could trust.

Overall, this was a good read and I enjoyed it. I would have liked it better if I had connected more with the characters and been more surprised by the twists, but it was still a good book. I'd give it 3.5 stars and recommend it to those who like domestic suspense and psychological thrillers. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Thanks netgalley and of course Alice Hunter for this very exciting read.
Tom has killed woman for sexual pleasure, he likes to hurt woman by strangulation.
His wife Beth is saved as he only does it with woman who enjoy it and does not want to destroy his family and daughter.
Tom is arrested for murder and Beth helps to put him in prison.
But Beth is not as innocent as you are led to believe, and I really did not guess the end of this book.
Really enjoyed it well done.

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This book was a new Author to me, I absolutely loved it very early on.

Tom and Beth appear to have the perfect life, how far will you go to ensure that people never find out your dark dirty secrets?

This book was full of twists, the ending was not what I was expecting and I find predictability of the ending usually easy, this was a complete mystery !

The characters are relatable, the lies, the deception, they pull you in !

I was sad when this book ended, it was a very quick read for me!

Thank you for the chance to read this brilliant work of art!

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Beth and Tom have the perfect marriage and the perfect child, Poppy. They have moved to a small town outside London to live their dream of a happy family, and Beth has inaugurated her coffee shop, where she also does her pottery. Everything seems to be perfect until, one night, Tom is taken by the police under suspicion of murder. Apparently, there is a link between the disappearance of Tom’s ex girlfriend, Katie, and Tom himself. And that is only the beginning...

I’ve enjoyed this book which starts off very quickly and, although there are a few parts when it seems to slow down, it manages to keep the tension going for most of the time. It’s not a “whodunnit” kind of crime book, but rather a psychological thriller which explores the reactions of a woman who realises to be the wife of a killer, and her sense of indirect responsibility towards the crimes. Overall a very enjoyable read, I’d recommend it. Out on May 27th.

•thanks to #netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review•

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Another favorite by a great author. The plot of the story was very well written. The author really draws the reader in as you read.

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Without doubt one of my favourite reads this year, I absolutely had to read it in one sitting!

Beth has just finished putting her daughter Poppy to bed when two policemen appear at her door. Her husband Tom has been arrested as a suspect for the murder of his ex girlfriend, Katie.

The novel is predominantly told from Beth's perspective with other chapters presented from the point of view of Tom, Katie (8 years earlier) and an unknown narrator in a BDSM relationship with Tom.

It all comes as a huge shock for Beth and she confides in Adam, who has recently lost his wife Cassandra and has a daughter in Poppy's nursery class.

The author cleverly drip feeds information throughout the novel which keeps the reader guessing and I loved the reveals when we realise that not all is as it seems. The writing was engaging and I felt invested in Beth's experience.

I was surprised to read that this is a debut for Alice Hunter, as it is so well written. It would make a great TV drama.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Avon for the advance copy.

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This is a real belter of a book. Dark, filled with tension and I could not put it down. I am pretty sure I held my breath through the whole second half of the story.

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This is a very clever book which makes readers take a long look at the idea of the family dynamic. Of how much we really know about and understand the people will love, and how much we are willing to forgive. For Beth Hardcastle all of her belief in and loyalty towards her husband Tom, are about to be pushed to the limit when Tom is accused of a horrendous act many years before. In a small and close knit community it is hard for Beth to hide, or to escape the gossip and the suspicion that she must have known. That she might be, in some way, complicit. But nothing is ever that straightforward. It's psychological fiction after all.

Now as readers we are not kept in suspense for too long over what actually might have happened, and with the story told from the points of view of both Beth and Tom, and a third party whose narrative adds a very different spin in the story and starts to unlock the eventual truths that will stun the reader. Beth comes across as a very sympathetic character, someone who has been lied to as much as any other, whilst my feelings towards Tom fluctuated the further we got into the story. Guilty party or perfect patsy. It was interesting to see how the author played this, toying with. our emotions and certainly at the beginning making me wonder if the right person was standing accused. It's fair to say that in this book there is more than the odd obsessive character and there were not many, with the exception of the children, that I completely trusted.

This is a fairly quick book to read, and I finished it in just the two settings. With the point of view moving between. the characters quite quickly, it really moves the story on, although the lion's share of the attention falls on Beth and her struggle to come to terms with what is happening. And yet ... there were times, early on, where suspicion falls her way, and her hurried assertion of Tom's guilt made me wonder is it was a case of the lady protesting too much. Whether I was right or not, you will need to read to find out, but. I was not prepared for all of the revelations that emerged by the end of the novel.

This was an entertaining. read, full of complex and multi-faceted characters who i mostly loved and loathed in equal measure. The author has used her understanding of psychology well, exploring the motivations and behaviours of several of the characters, making readers question how they would have behaved in similar circumstances. We all like to think we would be better stronger, do the right thing. But would we? Let's hope we never have to find out. A great character led story than fans of psychological thrillers will love.

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I would like to thank net galley and Avon for an advanced copy of The Serial Killer's Wife in exchange for my honest opinion.

Great debut novel by Alice Hunter. The Serial Killer's Wife is full of plot twists and turns. Honestly, I don't think I have ever read a book that was so full of unlikeable characters and yet still manages to be a fulfilling read. That speaks volumes to the actual substance of the story line and plot. That is what makes this book a success. I feel like every book I have read lately you see the plot twist coming a mile away. Not with this one! Enjoy!

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This book was absolutely fantastic! I have not read a really great thriller in so long and this book blew me away. You’ll be completely tangled in this story and I promise you won’t want to put it down until the last page.

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Synopsis:

Beth and Tom live a seemingly perfect life with their daughter in a quaint English village. Beth runs a successful pottery cafe and Tom is a well-paid banker.

Everything is perfect.... until the police show up at their doorstep and Tom is taken in to be questioned regarding his involvement in the disappearance of an ex-girlfriend. As the police investigate, Beth begins to question everything she thought she knew about her husband.

Pub date: May 27, 2021

My review:

This is my first Alice Hunter novel. I LOVED it. It was well written, but easy to follow. It held my attention throughout and I finished it in a few hours. I thought I had it figured out at one point, but Ms. Hunter cleverly inserted a few misdirects and I was COMPLETELY wrong! The twists kept coming until the very end. This was a page turner and I definitely recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and Alice Hunter for the opportunity to review this ARC. This review and all opinions are my own.

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What a fabulous read! I loved this story told mainly through the two main characters Beth and Tom who have the perfect marriage but do they ?The story is quite disturbing but a very good psychological thriller which had me gripped from the beginning.I didn't guess the ending I didn't see it coming at all ,as the ending was left open I do hope there will be a sequel to conclude this very good debut book .Many thanks to the Publisher the Author and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review

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<b>I’ll be keeping my eye out for the author’s future work. Ms. Hunter has fabricated a juicy psychological thriller brimming with disturbing fantasies, complex characters and complicated relationships!</b>

Does anyone really know their spouse? How long can you let yourself be deceived before you suspect you’ve been manipulated into believing their lies?

Beth and Tom have an enviable marriage until Tom is questioned about the disappearance of an old girlfriend. Before long, he’s arrested and charged with murder. I felt guilty, taking joy in reading about their crumbling marriage, as Beth is left to take care of their daughter—Poppy—and deal with the hostile backlash of being a serial killer’s wife! It’s hard to believe she’s been married to a monster all of these years, without knowing it.

I usually hate endings that don’t provide full closure, but I loved this twisty (and somewhat predictable) ending! Alice Hunter is on my radar for sure!

Thank you to NetGalley, Alice Hunter and Avon Books UK for this free digital ARC, in exchange for my honest opinion!

<b>My Rating: </b> 4 ⭐️’s
<b>Published:</b> May 27th 2021 by Avon Books UK
<b>Pages:</b> 400
<b>Recommend:</b> Yes, but don’t expect a deep and realistic read.

#AliceHunter @AvonBooksUK @NetGalley
#FamilySuspense #NoRulesJustThrills #InExchangeForReview #BookReview #JustFinished #SerialKiller

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They’re saying he’s a monster. And they’re saying she knew.
Loved the plot of this story. Well written and lots of twists and turns. A must read.

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I enjoyed this book, I found myself completely engaged, invested and unable to put it down. It makes you really asses what you think you know and your preconceived ideas of situations. I would recommend this to anyone

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The Serial Killer’s Wife by Alice Hunter Engrossing mystery, multitude of hidden desires, relationships, hidden clues throughout ending with an I didn't see that coming climax. Passages of Beth's POV get irritating at times as she seems so hesitant. Tom is expertly portrayed. Julia and Lucy are two very different kind of friends. DC Cooper is at times hard as nails and then we see a glimpse of a softer side. Then there is Adam.....

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

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A typically twisted suspense piece as the truth unravels. The author did a fantastic job letting out the story bit by bit, while giving plenty of backstory and perspectives to build up your suspicions and intrigue. By the time a twist or secret was revealed, you had surely guessed it! While the twists were not necessarily shocking, the development of the characters completely MADE the story. Alice Hunter made so many intentional decisions about sequence and character when creating this story that you can't help but love it.

Definitely a story to add to your TBR if you like suspense & mystery.

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I first read this book and thought what everyone is probably thinking, she knew her man was a killer. Then really thinking about it, I changed my mind. A killer would be a narcissistic person. He can act better than anything. A wife or husband would want to believe the best of that person.
I was given this book to read and review by the publisher. I enjoyed the book and I would recommend it to whomever loves psychological thrillers.

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This was a good book and I would read Alice Hunter again. The story of Beth and her her husband Tom's crumbling relationship starts with him being suspected of murder. The tale was told to us from differing points of views. It was pretty suspenseful and definitely flowed well. In addition, there was a few twists.... but I just did not feel any kind of "oomph" at the end of it all. The characters are unlikeable and some of the events that happen at the end did not seem believable to me. I would still recommend it as it was original in how it unfolded and I liked that.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for a chance to read and review.

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Beth and Tom Hardcastle are the envy of their neighbourhood – they have the perfect marriage, the perfect house, the perfect family. When the police knock on their door one evening, Beth panics. Tom should be back from work by now – what if he’s crashed his car? She fears the worst. But the worst is beyond imagining.

This is such an addictive book, you turn page after page consuming the book, it is easy for time to pass and read the book in very little settings. It is the perfect mystery and thriller. The plot keeps you guessing throughout and the character development keeps you hooked and enticed.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

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Beth has a happy life with her husband and young daughter. But when her husband is late home she worries something has happened to him as he is always back in time to say goodnight to their daughter. But it’s the police at the door wanting to question him. Her whole world is about to be torn apart.
I got really involved with the characters and rushed through the book

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Such a great book! I read this in a day. The intrigue and intensity of the story builds with each page as you read. Beth and Tom are a married couple, living the perfect life. Or so it seems.....

I felt this book moved along quickly. I liked the short chapters and the volleying between character's story lines. And the ending was not a disappointment! I see a sequel coming, and if there isn't, there should be!

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers. You won't be disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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@rossyreads
👍🏼 b o o k r e v i e w 👍🏼

Super excited to get my hands on an #arc of The Serial Killer’s Wife by Alice Hunter (out 5/27)

Beth and Tom had the perfect marriage, perfect family, perfect life. Or so everybody thought. Beth, a mother and business owner, is surprised when her husband is late coming home from work. A knock at the door turns her life upside down as police are looking for Tom in connection in his ex/girlfriend’s disappearance. Readers follow Beth and her navigation of a new life without Tom, taking care of Poppy, taking care of her business, friendships and dealing with a whole lot of deceit.

This is a captivating story full of twists and turns causing readers to try to figure out what in the heck happened! Some parts were predictable and there are a couple twists that will blow. your. mind. 🤯

TW: abuse, alcoholism, violence, sexual assault/violent sex

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: thriller

#book #books #bookstagram #iowabookstagram #thriller #theserialkillerswife #alicehunter #netgalley #read #reader #booklover #bookreview #bookrecomendation #booknerd

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I really enjoyed this book, it keeps you turning the page and guessing the extent of the titular wife's knowledge and involvement in her husbands crimes throughout.

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This is a new author for me. The blurb sounded like the book was something a bit different. I’ve read a lot of thrillers and books featuring serial killers, but I don’t think I’ve read a book with the wife of a serial killer before so I was looking to forward to finding out where the story would go. Beth is a great character, she really come to life on the page and I enjoyed the way she developed across the book. I also enjoyed the use of a first person POV. I loved the pacing of the book Like all good thrillers, it’s full of twists, turns and misdirection that left me wondering what the truth was. The truth left me a bit stunned and I wonder if there will be a sequel?

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Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books for this Advanced Copy of The Serial Killer's wife.

I am a huge fan of thrillers and there is something about a serial killer that chills you to your bone. The title of the book is what initially drew me to want to read this book and I was not disappointed. I enjoyed this book and the twists and turns along the way.

I would recommend this book to people who enjoy thrillers

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Great read! This twisty atmospheric thriller is driven by rich, believable characters and a well written crazy storyline. I was hooked from the first page! I figured out the big twist, but was thoroughly satisfied with the unexpected ending. A great beach or pool read!

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Beth and Tom have the perfect marriage don't they? Even if Tom is a little controlling, he adores their daughter Poppy and provides a good life for them all. When Tom is arrested on suspicion of murdering an old girlfriend, Beth doesn't know what to think. People talk in their small village they live in, and Beth's world starts to unravel.
As more and more is revealed of Tom's character, Beth wonders if she really knew her husband at all! Who does really know someone else truly?
The other Mum's in the village like to gossip but widowed dad, Adam is there to listen to Beth and provide support and a good ear.
We follow the story through the murder charges and trial, until there was a brilliant twist at the end which was a great surprise. Very cleverly written.

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I enjoyed this book when the ending came. I don’t mean that in a unforgiving way but when the ending came and the plot thickened, I felt somewhat pleased. I’ll tell you why.

The main protagonist throughout, the wife, is not only presented as annoyingly naive but she’s a bit of a lush. She moves on quick, she’s a wimp and just frustrating.

Without giving too much away, I am normally quick at solving the ‘Whodunnit’ scenario but I was surprisingly whipped off my feet with this.

It’s an progressively slow read and then BAM! Read it!

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I very much enjoyed this book! It was suspenseful and had a twist I did not see coming!

The story is told from the perspectives of Beth and Tom Hardcastle. They are a married couple with a 3 year old daughter, Poppy. To the people outside they have a picture perfect life.

Everything comes crashing down when the police knock on their door one evening, Beth panics. Tom should be back from work by now. Before she knows what has happened Tom is being questioned for murder. Everything changes overnight. It makes you ask the question of how well do we really know anyone?

I enjoyed the storyline, the characters were well written and I would love to have a sequel!!

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This kept me up reading all night! Was an intriguing idea and I did not see the ending coming at all. Loved this. Loved the characters, thought it was deliciously moreish and I couldn't put it down!

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I received a complimentary copy of The Serial Killer’s Wife from NetGalley.  Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Excellent book! I read most of this one in one sitting...so glad I had the time as I did not want to put it down! Dealing with the fallout of her husband’s possible involvement in a murder, Beth is exceptionally strong for the sake of her young daughter, Poppy. Much of this novel deliciously delivered the expected and allowed me to believe I had discovered some pieces of the puzzle, but Alice Hunter also wove in some twists and turns that really kept me reading well beyond the limits of my spare time. This one is a “must read”!

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Absolutely loved this book. Fast paced and with a final twist that I never saw coming.

Beth and Tom appear to be the ideal family...living in a village with their 3 year old daughter, Tom daily commutes for his banking job whilst Beth runs her pottery cafe.

Tom does not come home til very late one evening, where the police are waiting for him to question him regarding a historic murder with no body being found. He is released but 're arrested the following day where he is subsequently held with a charge of murder.

Beth has to battle through the following days, looking after her daughter and business whilst dodging the press as well as whispers from the neighbours.

As the book progresses, it becomes apparent that actually Beth did have some idea of her husband's wrong doings. Whilst she battles to protect her daughter, her morals and values are questioned with difficult decisions needing to be made

A must read of a book. Can't wait for more from this author.

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Put yourself in Beth Hardcastle’s place. Your husband’s late for dinner and it’s time to put your three year old daughter Poppy to bed. You don’t know whether you are angry or worried when the doorbell rings. You open the door, expecting Tom. But it isn’t him, it’s the police.

And when Tom comes home, he’s taken in for questioning. His former girlfriend Katie is missing and he is a suspected of killing her. Of course, he says he is innocent. The next day, he’s arrested and their house is searched. Beth’s life becomes a nightmare as her friends alternate between kindness and suspicion. The press is a constant, annoying and intrusive presence. Beth is supported by Adam, a recent widower with a daughter Poppy’s age. As their relationship begins to grow, Tom is accused of another crime.

The Serial Killers Wife is a suspenseful, tension filled domestic thriller. You won’t be able to put it down and the final twist will leave you breathless. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and Alice Hunter for this ARC.

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Loved this! So good, so exciting, so gripping and great story. Can't wait to read more by this author - absolutely brilliant.

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# The Serial Killers Wife # Netgalley

This is the first book I have read by this author, but I certainly know for sure it will definitely not be my last. When I first saw the title I thought it was about to tell a story of how the wife of a serial killers as coped before, during, after the trial etc, I thought actually you don’t see book on things like that as I imagine it would be extremely hard. Would people believe you didn’t know how will people treat you. Would they have to move away. However when I started the book it was nothing like I expected it was better. At no time did I see any of the things that were going to. Come, happily married and Tom absolutely adored his wife and daughter. So when the police came knocking and asked him to go to the station in relation to a murder he was so shocked on why they were asking him, his wife is in bits over it. From there on in I struggled to put the book down, the twist and turns in this nook take your through so many things expect the truth. The trust is a long time coming. When Tom is on remand Beth his wife visits him. As while he wax being questioned she was not allowed to see him. Still in shock he’s still no idea of what’s happening why him. Beth starts asking questions which you would think is only normal as she too doesn’t understand why they asked Tom To go to the station on a volunteer basis, no arrest it was to do with a ex girlfriend of Toms who had gone missing and believed to be dead. But he’s been happily married to Beth for over 8 years so why him it’s must be a good nine years since he’s seen her. Oh what a absolutely brilliant twist at the end. I don’t think anyone sees coming until we’ll I will advise you to read it as it would be the only way to find out what that twist is. I sat in bed with my jaw would have fallen to the floor had I not been in need. It certainly took me awhile to gather my thoughts and shake myself down as want of a better way to put bit. This book is definitely a must read

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The Serial Killer's Wife is a surprising psychological thriller by a new author. I have read quite a few twisty psychological thrill that are popular right now and this one did not disappoint. Ms. Hunter works through how Beth finds out she is married to a Serial Killer. The story unfolds through several deaths. Beth and Poppy, the child, are likable people so you hope for the best for them as they eventually work towards a life without Tom and the stigma of being a serial killers wife in a small village. The story ties up nicely but there is an opening for a second book. I really hope that does not happen. I hope Ms. Hunter gives us more stories but this one can be done.

I would like to thank #NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. I would also like to wish #AliceHunter the best in her writing career.

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Do you ever start a book and know by the first page you are going to love it? Well that’s exactly what happened to me when I read the first page of The Serial Killers Wife. I was captivated. It’s a dark and twisty fast paced psychological thriller written by Alice Hunter

Beth Hardcastle is reading a bedtime story to her three year old daughter Poppy, when she hears a knock on her front door. She assumes it is her husband Tom, as he was expected home two hours ago from work. Beth had been sick with worry as Tom is never late so she opens the door in anticipated relief, but to her horror it is not Tom, but two inspectors standing at her door. In that moment Beth knows her life is about to change forever.

Beth and Tom appear to be the perfect couple. Happily married, successful careers, a beloved daughter and a cottage in a small village in England. From an outsider they have it all. But life isn’t always as it appears, people are not always who we think they are. Behind closed doors anything is possible.

The Serial Killers Wife involves missing women, lies, deception, abuse, manipulation, murder and plenty of plot twists. The last plot twist in the book was completely shocking and one I did not see coming. And based on the ending of the book I’m hopeful that a sequel is in the works!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the advanced readers copy of The Serial Killers Wife. I am eagerly anticipating Alice Hunters next book.

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Interesting book! Reminded me of You combined with the Silent Patient and a dash of the Power Couple. Good domestic thriller with just enough twists to keep you reading. The unreliable narrator always keeps a reader on their toes.

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The Serial Killer’s Wife is a pretty decent novel. I believe it was classified as a thriller, but I’m not sure it entirely fits that category.
The story centers on Beth, who is blindsided when her husband is questioned and then arrested for murder. She deals with the fallout and tries to protect her daughter from the news.
The book switches POVs between Tom and Beth, and also switches points in time. It was not confusing to keep track of, but I didn’t think it added much to the story either. The writing was very good and it certainly kept me on the edge of my seat. However there were no real twists in the story. Anymore, I really associate twisted endings with thrillers. Decent book, I just could see how it could have been better.

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Oh I do like a good domestic drama! This was a great read, plenty of twists and the book totally went in a different direction to what I was expecting. I certainly couldn't put this book down and I will definitely read more from this author..

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Beth is putting her daughter Poppy to bed when there is a knock at the door. Her husband Tom is late, Poppy wants her daddy, and Beth is infuriated that he must have forgotten his door key. If only it was Tom instead of the police who are looking for him. When he arrives home, the life Beth, Tom, and Poppy enjoyed will never be the same.
You see, Tom's girlfriend vanished eight years ago. The police seem to now believe that it is because Tom killed her. When he is arrested, Beth tries to put on a brave face for Poppy, but it isn't easy. All she wants is for her family to be together, making a lovely home for their daughter. Soon though, Beth has doubts about her husband and it appears she may know more than she has told the police. When the truth emerged, it certainly surprised me!
I had my suspicions about this couple, but I was convinced I was wrong about at least one of them. No spoilers, but you are in for a bumpy ride and the catalyst for Tom's arrest might surprise you. As the police look to Beth for answers, I kept wondering just how much she knew about her husband. Told through Beth, Tom, and an unknown narrator's POV, this one definitely kept me guessing.
My first book by this author and I pretty much flew through it. Oh, and that ending was just perfect!

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A great book that had me turning the pages in an attempt to find out what has happened in the lives of Tom and Beth. Really enjoyed the style of writing which had me immersed from the first chapter. Interesting twists and turns throughout - really enjoyed this book and cant wait to read another from this author. 5*

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I don't read a lot of thrillers but I've wanted to branch out a bit and I'm glad I did. The book started off so quick with Tom being arrested and Beth trying to figure out what to do. Beth surprised me a few times and I couldn't stop reading once a new storyline started. I was drawn to the characters because it seemed like a perfect little family to begin but looks are deceiving and it was very much the case with Beth's family. My stomach was in my throat for the last 50 pages and now I can't fall asleep because it was twisty!!!

I would recommend this book because it surprised me and was super twisty.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

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Review posted on my Instagram of @bookshelfofjess on March 23, 2021. I’ve added a little more to this review than what I posted due to spoilers.

Thank you @avon_books and @netgalley for gifting me this ARC!

I enjoyed this thriller by Alice Hunter and recommend it if you enjoy psychological thrillers! It was fast paced, kept my interest, and had a good ending.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤:

- The chapter structure was short and altered between two point of views. I really liked this because it kept the book fast-paced and kept me interested
- I liked how the author would give you breadcrumbs or clues to what happened slowly and not all at once (at the end of the book) like a lot of authors do
- The ending was good! I predicted some of it but was surprised by the twist and enjoyed that

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤:

- I wish there was more character development with specific characters— but other than that I really didn’t find much with the book I didn’t like! I wish there was more interaction and plot with Julia since she makes such an impact at the end of the book. I forgot about her character until the very end.

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They’re saying he’s a monster. And they’re saying she knew.

Beth and Tom Hardcastle are the envy of their neighbourhood – they have the perfect marriage, the perfect house, the perfect family.

When the police knock on their door one evening, Beth panics. Tom should be back from work by now – what if he’s crashed his car? She fears the worst.

But the worst is beyond imagining.

As the interrogation begins, Beth will find herself questioning everything she believed about her husband.

They’re husband and wife – till death do them part…

Very mild spoilers ahead…

Well…. What an interesting read that was!

These types of books are usually full of twists and turns so I’m always prepared but I definitely didn’t see that first major twist coming!

It was a little frustrating though in that there is no real detail to a lot of it, there’s no gaps filled in in places. You at least want to know what the evidence they have on Tom is but you don’t get to find that out til very late in the book. It was annoying to me that Beth wasn’t asking enough questions and just seemed to be accepting things as they were playing out. This becomes more evident why later on but you kind of just want to shake her and say ASK SOME QUESTIONS WOMAN!

What I found interesting was that she makes quite a lot of the characters seem very suspicious but then doesn’t follow through. This annoyed me at first but then I realised it was done to throw you off and to suspect everyone of having some kind of secret or ulterior motive. I found myself not trusting anyone in the book apart from Poppy!

I loved that you get to see inside quite a few characters heads but you don’t necessarily believe everything they are saying either.

I guessed the ending twist quite a few chapters beforehand but I still enjoyed how it played out. But that prologue really threw me. I just want to know what happens next…a sequel perhaps?

(Received an advanced copy from NetGalley and AvonBooks UK. All thoughts are my own).

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A read that drew me right in with characters I connected to. The title alone is excellent--the premise is even better.

Beth is a character I feel like most people can relate to--but how many can relate to what she's dealing with? Few of us, and yet it makes us look at our husbands and wonder--could they be keeping a secret? The reality is that plenty of serial killers ARE hidden in plain sight, and this premise blew me a way. The twists throughout the book will keep you guessing.

Highly recommend!

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I had originally passed on the idea of reading and reviewing this book, but when the publisher emailed me suggesting that I might like it considering other books I’d reviewed, I decided to take a chance. I’m glad I did.

We ALL keep secrets. Doesn’t matter how long we’ve been married. Beth and Tom Hardcastle are no exception.

Don’t skip over the author’s note prior to chapter 1. It gives readers a framework for the novel. Knowing the author’s background will help readers understand that Alice Hunter is using her experience to explore the psychology of the criminal mind. Instead of seeing Tom and Beth’s subconscious actions as irritating, we now see them differently. We are seeing how a calculating mind works to manipulate and rearrange events to fit a predetermined outcome.

I absolutely loved that I was dropped into the plot mid-action. No background info was given nor needed. The pace was quick and thrilling for the introduction and conclusion. The author expertly spoon feeds information and readers jump to conclusions only to discover that their gut reaction was wrong. The twist was fantastic. The characters were great. Having both perspectives made for a fantastic read as we soon find out they are unreliable. The epilogue suggests that the author might have a sequel in mind? Perhaps I’m wrong and it’s going to be part of her signature style to leave us wanting a neat and tidy ending.

Thank you to Alice Hunter, Avon Books UK, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this domestic thriller. I received my advance copy for free and was under no obligation to provide feedback.
Publishes May 27, 2021

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The Serial Killers Wife by Alice Hunter
Publication date -27th May 2021.

Thank you to @netgalley and @avon_books for this advanced readers copy, in exchange for an honest review.

Book Synopsis
They’re saying he’s a monster. And they’re saying she knew.
Beth and Tom Hardcastle are the envy of their neighbourhood – they have the perfect marriage, the perfect house, the perfect family.

When the police knock on their door one evening, Beth panics. Tom should be back from work by now – what if he’s crashed his car? She fears the worst.

But the worst is beyond imagining.

As the interrogation begins, Beth will find herself questioning everything she believed about her husband.

They’re husband and wife – till death do them part…

My Thoughts
I really enjoyed this book, I liked that we followed not only Tom as the serial killer, but also his wife and how his actions affected her. Not that she didn’t have her own secrets to hide, the end was very unexpected!!!

I also liked that there were flash backs to all of Toms victims and we got to understand him as a character.

I recommend this to any thriller lover!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
#bookreview #theserialkillerswife #avonbooks #netgalley #netgalleyreview #netgalleyreads #bookblog #bookblogger #advancedreaderscopy #arc #ebook #ebookstagram #thriller

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“We all hide behind closed doors for the majority of the time, don’t we? No one knows what happens; what a person’s life is really like once the door is locked…”

Knock…knock! Imagine opening the door to find the police on the other side. Your spouse is late coming home from work, so your mind immediately leaps to the worse-case scenario of them being in an accident. Your heart is pounding, and your mind is going in so many directions it’s hard to focus on what the officers are saying. But what if it’s something entirely different…something that will completely alter your life and that of your child’s…something that will shatter the perception of your perfect life…your picture-perfect family…what if your spouse is a serial killer…

This story is exactly what the title implies…Beth Hardcastle’s husband, Tom, has been arrested for the murder of his ex, Katie, who vanished eight years ago. Beth now must navigate being a single mom amidst the whispers of neighbors, questions from the media, and speculations from the police. After all, how could she have been married and living with a killer all this time and not know?

If you are looking for a let the bodies hit the floor Dexter-ish serial killer book, this isn’t it…the body count is measured a wee bit differently…but it will leave you questioning just how far would you be willing to go to protect the image of your perfect family…

This twisty tale was like watching a train wreck…I couldn’t look away! I couldn’t stop reading! Devoured it and applaud the author for tricking this reader at the end! Would recommend to fans of this genre!



**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **

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Beth has a great life with her husband, Tom, and three year old daughter, Poppy. One night while Beth is tucking Poppy into bed, police knock on the door. They are looking for Tom as part of a murder inquiry; for whatever reason, they have begun to investigate the disappearance of Katie, Tom’s ex-girlfriend from years ago. Tom is eventually arrested and this kicks off A Serial Killer’s Wife.

I felt the plot was well-written and the book well-structured overall, although the middle of the book was a bit slow and could’ve used a pick-me-up. I was surprised with the ending, despite the spoilers revealed in the title and Beth’s hints throughout. Beth wasn’t a very likable character at all, but I wonder if that was deliberate.

Overall, I recommend this novel to anyone who has an appetite for psychological thrillers.

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Firstly I would like to thank Alice and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was super excited to read this book when I read the blurb, sounded right up my alley and boy, I was NOT wrong. Another great thriller that left me on the edge of my seat and wanting more. I couldn't stop reading or put it down, it had me gripped.

I love how Alice just dived straight in, not much of a background before the action started but it worked, and it worked very well.

Tremendous read, would highly recommend.

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Great read - twists in the plot that keep you reading.
Beth & Tom appear to have the perfect marriage but this gets shattered when Tom is late one night and the Police come knocking on their door.
Little does Beth know who she is married to and her life as she knows it is shattered... or is it?

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many many readers. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

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Thank you first and foremost to Netgalley and Avon Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion..

Beth and Tom and their little girl Poppy have a picture perfect life or so it seems. Tom is not just a husband and father but a serial killer. Told from Beth's and Tom's perspectives ...We the reader start to put the pieces together in a slow and detailed account. The ending had me rethinking who the real monster is...Will definitely read more from this author.

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This is the first book I’ve read by this author but it won’t be the last. Great twisty thriller. Perfect escapist reading. 3.5-4 stars. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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The Serial Killer's Wife by Alice Hunter was a very good read. The story follows Beth and Tom Hardcastle with their seemingly perfect marriage. But quickly at the beginning of the story, Tom is questioned about the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend Katie Williams who went missing several years ago before Tom and Beth married. How is Beth going to handle this and take care of her and her daughter. The author does a good job at making you feel sorry for Beth for a little bit at least. I don't want to say anymore. Definitely a good read.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review The Serial Killer's Wife by Alice Hunter.

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This book kept me on the edge of my seat. There were several twist and turns that I didn't see coming. And the ending?? That was the biggest twist of them all. Overall, I really enjoyed this book.

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I really liked this book.

When the police come to Beth's house to interview her husband Tom about the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend, her world is rocked. They had moved to a small village in England where Beth opened up a shop that doubled in coffee/painting ceramics. She is working on being accepted by the locals and is afraid of how they will react to her husband's arrest.

The book is mainly told from Beth's POV but it also has flashes back in time and also from Tom's POV. Beth finds support from a few villagers including a recently widowed gentleman but others wonder if she knew the whole time.

Great twist at the end.

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This was an enjoyable book. I read it in just a couple of sittings. The plot moves forward quickly and I appreciated the attention to detail of the twist at the end. It's not scary or an edge-of-your-seat thriller, but I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes mysteries!

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Alice Hunter obviously knows what she is writing. She transmitted her vast experience on the subject to her book in a way that makes the book addiciting. It*s a heavy, dark, and twisted psychological thriller that will make you forget about the world around you for a couple of hours.

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Warning this review contains spoilers! This one started out a little slowly--Tom being in police custody without facing murder charges sure drug out the first third of the book. I wish it had been edited down and more background into both Tom and Beth could have been explored--they were both diabolical and I think it would have been easy to develop why. I actually wanted Tom to be a more twisted/prolific serial killer. I also suspected Beth had something to do with Camilla's death as soon as she started to interact with Adam and I knew she had actually cast the suspicions about Katie's death onto Tom. It was pretty obvious that Beth had a plan through the whole book.

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I enjoyed this book, it was quick reading and interesting take, from the start we know her husband is guilty but is she the innocent victim she wants us to believe There is the top layer of story and the underneath suspicious story, everyone is a possible culprit. worth the read

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I believe this to be a debut novel and wow, what a hit!
I couldn't put the book down. While the characters, mainly Beth are a bit chatty, we see what she is thinking and going through. The author takes you to the small village and is right on in describing the nuisance's of the people.. How would you react if your husband was suddenly questioned by the police regarding an old girlfriend? How well do you know your spouse?
You know there are going to be twists and turns through the book, and the author doesn't disappoint the reader. I will certainly follow Alice Hunter as I hope she continues writing these psychological thrillers.

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I received a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This story is about Beth who is married to Tom. They have a 3 year old daughter called Poppy and Beth runs her own pottery cafe. Everything is ticking along until one night her husband is late home from work and the police are sat waiting for him. He is taken in for questioning by the police in connection with the disappearance of the girlfriend he had before meeting and marrying Beth.

I enjoyed this story overall. I was a bit worried before I read it that there might be apolice procedural but it definitely isn’t. The story is told from multiple POV. We mainly hear from Beth but we also have chapters from Tom and also Katie who is the ex girlfriend who disappeared. I had a theory not too far into this book as to what the ending was going to be. I was mainly correct but got the details wrong. This was a fast paced enjoyable read and would highly recommend it especially if you are new to the thriller genre.

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The Serial Killer's wife is an intriguing mystery thriller with twists that kept me wanting to read more. The book is primarily from the perspective of Beth Hardcastle, the serial killer's wife, with a few sections from the perspective of her husband, Tom, and some flashbacks involving Tom's ex-girlfriend and an anonymous woman. With each flashback, we gain a little more into Tom's character, which I really liked.

The Serial Killer's Wife starts right off with Tom being questioned and taken into the station. We see how Beth handles the consequences of this as a mother, wife, and person of a small town. As revelations and twists are revealed, we gain further understanding into the death of Tom's ex-girlfriend, Katie, along with other unexpected details.

Beth is not a character you particularly like, but I found her very interesting. The fact that she could be married to a serial killer made me think early on that she must have some issues of her own. Even though she doesn't know Tom is a serial killer, I felt like she must not have the best intuition and judgement. I think because of that, anything that seemed like odd or annoying behavior from Beth made sense to me. My only complaint is that about halfway through the book, it started to feel a little slow and repetitive. With that said, I felt like it picked back up again and each twist made it so that I couldn't wait to see how everything would end. Speaking of the ending and twists... You learn new things all the way up to the very end and I loved it! I think Alice Hunter's experience as a psychologist who had worked with prisoners made for a very interesting read.

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"𝑫𝒐 𝒘𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒂 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏? 𝑰 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏, 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎? 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒈𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒔?"

This was an addictive and well-paced page-turner that makes you question how well you really know the people close to you.
Beth Hardcastle's entire life comes crumbling down when her husband, Tom, is charged with the disappearance and possible murder of his ex-girlfriend. When cornered, she does what any good mother would do - protect and secure her daughter's future. How Beth deals with the fallout, ensuring justice prevails, is what the story is about...or is it??
Beth is shown to be a sweet, hard-working person whose world revolves around her daughter. Much of her actions come across as naive, hasty or questionable. Tom is portrayed as a serial killer with a heart??? I do feel that the author could have provided some kind of flashback for these characters to emphasise what made them the person/monster they are in the current time.
The twist in the climax was simply WOW. I am amazed at how cleverly these subtle clues were placed throughout the plot leading upto that final reveal.
Overall, a gripping domestic thriller that I greatly enjoyed.
A big thanks to Avon books and Netgalley for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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What a brilliant book - I started thinking that this was a straightforward book, but I was so wrong. Beth's lifestyle is believable as are all the characters, but then the twists start appearing.

Would make a perfect book club read - would recommend.

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The Serial Killer’s Wife has all the ingredients for a great thriller- a handsome husband, a beautiful wife, a seemingly perfect marriage with lots of deeply disturbing, dark secrets.

I was quickly engaged in Beth and Tom Hardcastle’s life. Their picture perfect life in a quaint english town was idyllic. Police officer’s stopping by to question Tom on a missing person begins to quickly changed my mind about this perceived perfection.

As the story unravels, we are in the middle of Beth’s angst as her husband’s horrid past comes forward. Alice Hunter writes in a way which made me trust all characters, until I had reason not to. Alice believably shares several character’s points of view and jumps between several years, which kept me on my toes and fully present.

Many times I thought the story was predictable but in the end, it completely surprised me- 4 stars!

A very sincere thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this addicting thriller.

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Oh my goodness, this book! I just could not stop reading until the very end. Every time I thought I knew what would happen next, I was surprised! A must read for anyone who enjoys good suspense novel!

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This was a proper edge-of-your-seat read. It starts as it means to go on with Beth opening the door to the police fearing the worst - her husband Tom has been in an accident. What's actually happened is beyond belief and her entire life spirals out of control. The story is told from various viewpoints Tom, Beth and the murder victims. There are lots of flashbacks which helps you really understand what all of the characters have been going through. It is jam packed with all the ingredients of a fantastic thriller: Twists, turns, surprises - nice and nasty - and of course, an unexpected ending!

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Apart from the title being a bit of a giveaway, this book has a huge story to tell. With tension throughout, it delivers with many a twist and shocking reveal until the final pages. Beth’s husband Tom is arrested for an historic murder disrupting their idyllic family life. Having to protect their young daughter, Poppy and keep her business going, Beth doesn’t know where to turn for help. With no real friends she can count on, she struggles with the enormity of the situation. What would you do in this situation? Defend your husband? Does anyone really know the person they live with?
Can you trust people who reach out to you? Or do they have their own agenda? Answers are forthcoming but possibly raise even more questions. A great read that, despite the title, has the reader guessing throughout.

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I really loved this book!! It had so many twists and turns. It kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next!! This was my first book by this Author, and it won’t be the last!! Quick read!! Highly recommended!! You won’t be disappointed!!

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When first we meet Beth and Tom Hardcastle, living in a little cottage outside London proper, they seem to have the perfect life and the perfect family, with their sweet daughter Poppy. But very quickly things change. The police come to question Tom for the disappearance of his former girlfriend eight years before. Beth is in shock, and trying to explain to Poppy why her Daddy is not there to tuck her into bed.

From this quick opening the drama keeps coming at a steady pace, and I was glued to the story and finished it in a day. This was an easy and quick read, and had and interesting set of characters and a twisty story line. We know from the first, from the title of the book actually, that Tom is a murderer. His character actually has a very small part in the book. Most of the story is spent on Beth. We watch how she handles the stigma of being the wife of a possible murderer. All the while, we feel that there is some undercurrent that we haven't quite figured out yet!

I really enjoyed reading this book. If you need an engaging story that you will tear through, this is it! Thank you to NetGalley, Alice Hunter, and Avon Books UK for allowing me to read this ARC. I would round up my rating to 4.5 stars.

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The story took a while to get going but I read the second part in a few hours, could not put it down. Beth and Tom lead the ideal life, until the police show up one night with questions for Tom about an old girlfriend. Beth doesn't know what to think or do, doubt creeps in. She begins to trust and lean on recently widowed Adam and his support is a lifeline, as Tom is charged and residents of their little village begin speculating. How did she not know, is a question heard frequently. I won't reveal any more of the plot because of possible spoilers but let me say, I adored this book and was fooled into thinking I was reading one thing and then got completely flipped upside down!

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Excellent.

I really enjoyed this crime fiction book, it was a nice change, and kept me guessing all the way through.

Tom and Beth moved into the area and their lovely cottage two years ago. Beth has a pottery café business. They have a little daughter, Poppy. Beth thought her life was perfect.

I liked how this was done: Fast-moving short chapters/ scenes, and a bit of a different angle- chapters from Beth's point of view, then from Tom's-so we get what's happening with him too. Or do we? Will the character weave lies to us?

I was straight into it; there was no long-drawn-out stuff. It was easy to read, and I found it gripping. I read more non-fiction/memoirs these days, but when you get a cracker of a fiction book, as this is, it's a real treat. While I was reading, I was thinking this would make great viewing for a TV drama/ mini series.

When I was just a quarter of the way through, this book was so good that I searched on amazon to see what other books Alice Hunter had written, thinking I'd definitely get it, or them. I could only find this. Unbelievable that this is a first novel!

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Wow. I loved this. Not at all what I expected. Without giving anything away; Beth’s husband, Tom is arrested for the murder of a former girlfriend. The story is told by Beth and occasionally Tom. And there are a couple of stings in the tale that you won’t see coming. I really couldn’t put this book down. A fabulous read and highly recommended.

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For a wife, it's terrifying to open the door to police. Your worst nightmare is that your spouse is dead - but for Beth - it's that her husband is suspected of murder...

The Serial Killer's Wife immediately puts you into the action and it's a page turner. Twists, an unreliable narrator, and short chapters made this an addicting read! One you will have a hard time putting down until every last secret is revealed. And you won't see that last one coming. Definitely recommend for all the thriller lovers out there!

Congrats to Alice Hunter on your debut novel. And thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC!

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A woman hears a knock at the door and the police stand there. It's her worst nightmare - it's about her husband. Except he isn't dead, he's suspected of being a murderer.

Our narrator has to live her life, looking after her small child, running her business, while the police investigation continues, and her local community look at her with suspicion.

I thought The Serial Killer's Wife was great. I read it in two sittings, because it's incredibly readable. Alice Hunter is a very accomplished writer; I had no doubts that the novel would have a satisfactory ending.

If you enjoy thrillers that twist and turn, this is for you.

Thanks to Alice Hunter, NetGalley, and Avon Books for this copy.

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The Serial Killers Wife by Alice Hunter
Genre - Suspense/Drama
Format - Ebook
Rating 5 out of 5 stars

This book was amazing I don’t even know how to put into words how much I loved this book! I do have a warning to people who like the endings of books to be wrapped up in a package with a bow on top. This book is not for you.

The heroine in the book has been married to a man for 7 years when the police show up at the door to question and subsequently arrest him for murder. In the beginning of the books she is baffled why this happened but as the twist and turns go by she wonders if it is true among other things I will not mention because I don’t like to do spoilers.

This book had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Never knowing what was going to happen. As my readers know I read a lot of different kinds of books but I seem to like the suspenseful ones the best. There is also some romance thrown in which I loved.

Not to give to much away but the ending will leave you wanting more. I don’t know if the author intends to do a follow up book but it will make you wonder if she does or if it is left up to the readers imagination what happens next.

This book has a release date of May 27, 2021!

Reviewers note - For my USA readers spousal privilege is a bit different in England. I did some research and found that in England what she did is perfectly legal.

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Great book! It’s not easy being a serial killer’s wife, especially one with her own secrets. First time reading a book by Alice Hunter and it won’t be the last.

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Great twisted thriller! I loved hearing the POV from both Beth and Tom, in the past and present. This author knows her stuff! She did a wonderful job unraveling Tom and Beth’s secrets. Every time I thought I had it figured out, she threw in another twist! The story ends with a small cliffhanger that left me wanting more!

Looking forward to reading more by this author!

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Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

We begin with inspectors knocking at Beth’s door. They need to question her husband, Tom about an investigation into the death of Katie, a woman he was dating before she disappeared. What transpires is a suspenseful debut novel from author Alice Hunter, with a few pretty good twists and turns.

My only complaint is that I felt like it could have been a little shorter. There were periods where I was interested but also thought skimming a few chapters wouldn’t be too far out of line. Also with a title like THAT, I was expecting a lot more bodies/victims. You may be disappointed to learn how many there were (I won’t spoil it here for you, but it’s not double digits 😉).

I quite enjoyed the final twist though. I can’t say I didn’t see something coming—I had some suspicions but I definitely didn’t guess it exactly. With the epilogue, I’m wondering if we will get a follow up. Either way, I’ll be looking for Alice Hunter’s future books!

4/5

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I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and opinion.
One word: ADDICTIVE! This book is a definite page turner that you can not put down and will keep you up all night reading! This is a must read for anyone who loves mysteries and thrillers! I highly recommend you stop everything and read this ASAP!

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The Serial Killer’s Wife is an exciting, mind-blowing, twisty page turner! Beth and Tom are the envy of their neighborhood- perfect marriage, perfect house, and perfect little girl… But one day the cops show up wanting to question Tom about the murder of his girlfriend eight years before.

Suddenly their lives are turned upside down and the reader is along for the ride! Told in four different perspectives, the story is slowly reveled through a series of flash backs.

I was immediately attracted to this book thanks to the title, but found the beginning of this novel a little slow. Honestly, it wasn’t rocking my world. But then the end happened and it was so clever and enjoyable!

I’m going to rate this one four stars! I recommend The Serial Killer’s Wife to fans of psychological thrillers and will be checking out debut author, Alice Hunter’s next book

Thank you Alice Hunter, Avon Books and Netgalley for the ARC. The Serial Killer’s Wife publishes on May 27, 2021. #theserialkillerswife by #alicehunter @avon_books @netgalley

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Absolutely loved this debut domestic psychological thriller. A classic page turner that takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride full of twists and turns. Calculated and manipulative characters this definitely keeps the reader wanting to read more and found out how the story will conclude.

I found this hard to put down. The author drops us straight into the drama, and the backstory is weaved in really well making this flow well and easy to follow. This does include some descriptions of BDSM that some readers may find upsetting.

As a debut book I was incredibly impressed. I will definitely be on the look out for more by this author. Highly recommend picking this up on publication date.

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Wow! This was a real page turner!

The Hardcastles, Beth and Tom, have a great life, a great marriage and an adorable little girl named Poppy. However, one night everything changes for them, when the police show up at their cottage to question Tom about the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend, Katie. Beth's life changes dramatically and she questions if she ever really knew the man she married. Is he a killer?

I loved this book! From the beginning it gripped my attention and I had a hard time putting it down. The ending left me speechless!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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I couldn't put this book down. The Serial Killer's Wife delivered suspense and unexpected twists throughout. I loved getting into the minds of both Beth and Tom and would thoroughly recommend this title to those interested in both psychology and modern crime fiction.

I will be reviewing on Instagram @asreadbyaki closer to the release date.

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The Serial Killer's Wife is an addictive, gripping thriller following the idyllic life of Beth and Tom, a married couple living in a small town. Their whole world is turned upside down when Tom is accused of murdering his ex girlfriend, and an investigation ensues, uncovering much more than meets the eye.

This novel is utterly gripping. I read it from start to finish in a few hours, unable to put it down, needing to find answers to the hundreds of questions the book poses. It is expertly written, drip-feeding small clues to keep you guessing about how much Beth knew of Tom's crimes. Multiple enigmatic twists and turns ensure your attention is held throughout, questioning every fact you have been presented with.

Wrestling with an un-reliable narrator, this book will leave you overanalysing for days. If you enjoy a fast-paced, well written thriller that will keep you guessing, this is the book for you!

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I really enjoyed reading this book and found it quite an easy and comfortable read. This does not mean that there were not twists and turns throughout, but more that the authors writing style was flawless and the story flowed beautifully. This book immediately dropped the reader into the action and I found myself second-guessing everything that I was reading. My only criticism was that the pace dropped off towards the middle of the book, however, the ending completely made up for this with the major twist! This book is written from both the husband (Tom) and wife's (Beth) point of view. I am a fan of books that are written in this style anyway but this was done masterfully in 'The Serial Killers Wife' I loved that, as Ive stated before, I was second guessing everything that I was reading and I really couldn't take anything either protagonist was saying at face value. This heightened by paranoia throughout reading and I could not put the book down until I had uncovered all of the secrets within. I would definitely recommend this book to others, especially if they haven't read thriller books before as this felt like one that was really enjoyable but not too heavy.

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I really enjoyed this psychological thriller what a breathe of fresh air.

What would you do if one day the police arrive at you home and want to question your partner in relation to the disappearance of their ex not only that they suspect she could be dead? Well this is what happens to Beth one Monday evening.


I found Beth's characyed to be interesting. She is quite obsessed with her image within the town. She spends her days trying to get sympathy from the villagers and really plays the role of heart broken wife. The whole time we get to read her thoughts as to what she is doing and why. It's interesting.

Ofcourse she starts forming relations with people around her and it made me question her motivation but what's a woman to do when your world has been shattered and the written really plays on that well. I enjoyed all of Beth's chaptersnbecause she clearly isn't all sweetness and lights like she tries to produce herself to others
.
I loved the way the prose is set out as ite all in first person and not only do we go between Beth and Tom we get to find out what happened to the missing girlfriend, I had loads of theories all of which were wrong lol. But it's so well written its more ish.

In summary I totally recommend. If I keep writing this review I will give away everything. This book is so well written and plays into the genre so well I struggled to put it down!! Beth's character brings shivers down my spine and not for the obvious reasons. I rate 5 stars I loved it.

Thank you for netgslley the publishers and authors for allowing to get caught up in the 7 days we are allocated with the books time line. I rate a massive 5 stars couldn't put it down.

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I LOVE LOVE LOVED THIS BOOK!! I honestly didn't guess the ending and the entire way through reading I was stumped and left trying to piece together the puzzle. Hunter does a really great job on character development as well and I would truly recommend this book to everyone who loves a good thriller!

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*4.5 Stars*

Copy kindly received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, what a really good read with interesting characters. Lots of secrets hidden in this one. Would recommend.

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Poor, poor Beth. She left a corporate job in London to settle in a quaint cottage with her handsome husband Tom and their adorable daughter Poppy where she opened a cute little coffee house with fresh-baked goods. Pretty idyllic, that is until her husband is arrested for murder. Then everything basically falls apart.

Luckily, there’s another attractive single in town, Adam, whose wife died from a nut allergy when she was careless and consumed something with nuts and didn’t have her epi-pen with her. Adam is super supportive and really the perfect guy to have waiting when something like this happens.

And sure, it’s looks bad, but the evidence is starting to stack up against Tom and it turns out that Beth might have known a bit more than she was letting on.

The Serial Killer’s Wife is a fast-paced, surprisingly kind of light, book that I really enjoyed. There were some good twists and turns and the book moves as a steady clip. Alice Hunter is definitely an author I’m putting on my radar! This one releases May 27, so it will be perfect to read poolside Memorial Day Weekend. Special thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books for an advanced e-galley in exchange for my honest review.

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The Serial Killers Wife, Alice Hunter

Genre: Thriller

Status: Adult

Themes: rape & murder

★★★★.5


The Serial Killer’s has promise to be the next most talked about thriller with its dark themes and surprising twists and turns.

Much like the Chris Watt’s case, The Serial Killer’s wife paints a picture of the perfect and normal family, that is until the husband, Tom is suspected of the murder of his ex girlfriend, Katie Williams.Beth’s world comes tumbling down along with the perfect family image she and Tom had created around their daughter Poppy. Can Beth really trust her husband?

As an honest reviewer, I felt the writing was sloppy at the beginning and it went straight into the my-husband-the-suspected-murderer storyline rather quickly. Whereas, I would have preferred a buildup. However, once I truly got into this book, I ended up devouring it in two hours and I couldn’t put it down. The whole book had you feeling like you never truly knew Beth and Tom. We have 4 perspectives throughout this book, mostly between Tom and Beth, with parts about the murder victim, Katie throughout.

The most amazing part about this book is the ending. I would have never seen that coming.

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With a title like The Serial Killer's Wife how could I resist!

A psychological thriller that kept me reading, I was itching to know how it would end. I had plenty of my own theories whilst reading it, most of which were completely wrong which I love.

It is never a good thing when you open the front door expecting your husband who is late home from work and you come face to face with 2 police officers. They are looking for Beth's husband Tom, with questions about his ex-girlfriend who went missing 8 years ago. What does Tom know about it? You will have to read it to find out.

Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for my advanced copy of this book to read.

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"But there's always something more, isn't there? Something else to strive for. Perfection is a state which is always at least one step ahead of where you already are. A completeness that's not really achievable. Flawlessness rarely is."

Thank you netgalley and Avon Books for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great domestic thriller, and to be honest, I don't usually enjoy domestic thrillers. We start off with Beth and Tom, who are living a perfect-picture life with their daughter Poppy in a small town in the UK. This is a really well done story, as Tom is arrested for a murder committed 8 years ago. One of his ex-girlfriends, Katie went missing 8 years ago, and now the police believe she was murdered.

Suddenly Tom and Beth are being destroyed in the media. He's an accused murderer, and she's his wife - she must know something. The story switches between Tom, Beth, and Katie's POVs and also plays with time, allowing us to slowly learn more and more about the characters. I think the way the story slowly built up was well done. I appreciate that Beth has her own role to play in this story - and if you read it, you'll see what I mean.

3.75 overall, rounded up to 4. Seems like there is room for a sequel - and I'm game.

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The Serial killer’s wife by Alice Hunter is a great start for one writing a debut novel.
Beth and Tom Hardcastle have the perfect life. They have a perfect marriage. They have a beautiful home in the village of Little Tiplow where Beth runs her own business, and they have a three year old daughter Poppy.
When Tom doesn’t come home one night from work. Beth is worried as he is usually home by now. So, when there is a knock on the door, she expects her husband. But instead, there are two Police officers asking the whereabouts of her husband to help with enquires of a woman, Tom’s ex- girlfriend that disappeared 8 years ago.
So, when they finally catch up with him and he goes in for questioning Tom is accused of the woman’s murder.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon for a copy of The Serial Killers wife. This story is told in two points of view of both Tom and Beth relationship and to the conclusion of Toms accusation of murder. This is full of suspense and twists and turns that kept me turning the pages and I really enjoyed this and I wasn’t expecting the twist at the end but, it also left me with some unanswered questions. 4 stars from me.

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I wish that this book had a different title as it gives away more than is anticipated at the start.

Beth is living her best life: happily married, raising her beautiful daughter and running her ceramic cafe. All is good until her perfect husband Tom is arrested in connection with the disappearance of his previous girlfriend. Being a newcomer in a small village community, this is not what Beth needs....

I love books told through multiple POV’s and this did not disappoint. However the alternating viewpoints did reveal too much too early, and therefore I did work out the twist earlier than I would have liked.

I really liked the plot and will be looking out for future offerings by this clearly knowledgeable author. Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review.

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This was one of those slowly unfurling thrillers that kept me riveted! Beth married Tom and they have been that 'perfect couple.' But, have they really? One of those "you never know what goes on behind closed doors' stories that somehow keeps throwing down surprise after surprise. Definitely a great read!

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People are never who they appear to be...Tom and Beth seem to have the perfect life. Good jobs, a nice home and a beautiful daughter. But when Tom’s past comes back to haunt them, their lives are turned upside down. What really happened? Is Tom a killer? You won’t be able to put this one down until you find out!

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Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC.
4 Stars
Was hard to put down, fast paced and read in 1 day. Lots of twists and turns, kept me guessing and did not predict the ending. It was interesting and suspenseful. Highly recommend reading this one!

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The Serial Killers Wife is a twisty, suspenseful, psychological thriller from a debut author Alice Hunter! Tom and Beth have a beautiful daughter Poppy and what seems to be the perfect marriage. Beth is a local business woman respected by the area, until one day Tom is taken into custody for the murder of his ex girlfriend Katie. Does Beth even know her husband after all they've been married for eight years? Everyone thinks that Beth knows what Tom had done but did she? She must protect her daughter. Is it after all the perfect marriage??
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the advance ecopy.

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If you enjoy a book with twists & turns and a shocking ending, The Serial Killer’s Wife needs to be your next read. I finished the book in two days and am trying to process what happened. It was so good! This is my first book by Alice Hunter and it won’t be my last.

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Whoa! What a ride this took me through! And that ending? I'm still processing it! Fast paced and well thought out story line, just when you think you figured it out, out comes another twist or turn! Highly recommend!

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Told from several points of view, alternating between present and past times, this psychological thriller peels back an unbelievable plot one harrowing scene at a time. The Hardcastle family, living in a quaint English village outside of London, appears to be the envy of many. Beth, the owner of a bakery pottery shop, is happily married to Tom, an investment banker, and, together, they are the proud parents of precocious, three-year-old Poppy, who attends a local prestigious nursery school. One evening Tom is late coming home, and when the police question Beth about his whereabouts, his answers don’t add up. It turns out the detectives are seeking Tom in regards to the disappearance, and possible murder, of his last girlfriend, eight years ago in London, before he settled in with Beth. The plot twists and turns, leaving readers on high alert for the truth. Well written with an extraordinarily dark story that clings long after the cover is closed, this thriller will keep you engaged through the final page.

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Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The premise for this book was very vague (as it should) and it got me curious. I wished it had a different title though, to me this one gives more than I would like to know going in.

We mainly follow Beth's point of view, and occasionally Tom's and rarely from other people. The ones from other people were particularly instigating.

I felt that the book could be a bit shorter, The beginning was good to introduce the characters and their dynamics, but then it dragged a little until we started getting some answers.

The ending got me by surprise, I definitely did not see that coming and really enjoyed it. The epilogue made me wish for a sequel. It is a book I recommend if you like thrillers.

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Excellent tale, with layer upon layer of deceit peeled away, until the stunning denouement at the end. I didn’t see the final twist until very close to the end. Masterfully plotted.

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The Serial Killer's Wife by Alice Hunter ticked all of the boxes for me. It is twisty, compulsively readable, and it will virtually propel you through the pages.

Beth and Tom Hardcastle have a happy marriage, and both dote on their only daughter, Poppy. But when the police turn up one night to question Tom about the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend, Beth is forced to re-evaluate all that she thinks she knows about the man to whom she has committed her life.

This is a gripping read that I was not inclined to put down until all of the puzzle pieces had been firmly slotted into place, and what a shocking conclusion awaits at the end of the journey. This is my first read from this author, and I hope to read much more in the future. Alice Hunter is one to watch.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for an ARC.

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Well this was a darker book than expected! It’s a gripping psychological thriller that kept me on edge, not knowing who to trust and with some fabulous twists that I didn’t see coming. Beth and Tom seemed like any normal married couple at the start, living an idyllic village life with toddler daughter Poppy but when Tom returns late home one night, the police are there to arrest him…for murder.

Told by both Beth and Tom, in the present and in the past, we gradually come to understand Tom and his relationships with those around him. But poor Beth is left reeling with both journalists and the police questioning why she didn’t suspect her husband may not be as squeaky clean as he seemed. But haven’t we all thought the same at times? I know it seems almost incomprehensible that a woman can live with someone but be oblivious to their extracurricular activities (so to speak!) but history proves otherwise!

What I enjoyed about The Serial Killers Wife was feeling that I didn’t really know anyone! And that’s not because Alice Hunters characters aren’t very carefully crafted, they are, but she always seemed to keep something back so I didn’t trust anyone and questioned every decision they made or action they took-and I loved that! I was quite jealous of Alice at times-she had a lovely daughter and successful business but also a quiet determination to keep them unaffected by the arrest of her husband. I did become frustrated with her at times though especially during the middle third of the book but thankfully the last third was a thrilling rollercoaster of emotions that made me forget all my frustrations as the shocking truths we’re revealed.

The Serial Killers Wife is an addictive and darkly twisted read. What a debut from Alice Hunter!

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Beth and Tom appear to have the perfect marriage, they have a beautiful daughter Poppy. Beth owns a successful Ceramic Cafe and the locals have accepted her as they settle into the small community.

But that’s all about to change, as one night when her husband is working late at the office, the police arrive to question Tom about a murder of Katie an ex girlfriend of his.

Tom is arrested. Beth is struggling to protect her daughter against the gossips who think Beth must have known what her husband had done. Did she really know her husband even though they have been married for eight years!!

This was a roller coaster of a ride with its many twists and gasp out loud moments!!

I will definitely be looking out for Alice Hunters next books!!

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

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This was an incredibly interesting look at a wife and mother’s life being turned upside when she finds out the impossible— you have no idea who you married. Lovers of Criminal Minds, this one is for you!

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This book was a page turner from beginning to end. I literally couldn’t put this book down and finished in one reading. A wife suddenly finds out her husband is a serial killer. Her entire life is upended. But no one believes that she never knew. What is the real truth?? I literally couldn’t put this down until I found out the truth. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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The Serial Killer’s Wife by Alice Hunter was a fast read. I sat down and read this entire book in one afternoon! This novel features four characters telling their sides of the story- Tom who was arrested for murder, Beth who is Tom’s wife, then there is Katie – Tom’s old girlfriend, and a narrator whose identity we don’t know.

This is a suspenseful read that is at times, dark and troubling.

Here’s the plot:

They’re saying he’s a monster. And they’re saying she knew.

Beth and Tom Hardcastle are the envy of their neighborhood – they have the perfect marriage, the perfect house, the perfect family.

When the police knock on their door one evening, Beth panics. Tom should be back from work by now – what if he’s crashed his car? She fears the worst.

But the worst is beyond imagining.

As the interrogation begins, Beth will find herself questioning everything she believed about her husband.

They’re husband and wife – till death do them part…

Whew! This is a good one. Don’t miss it! Coming out on May 27.

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Great twist at the end. This book drew me right in. I felt something was going on but couldn't quite put my finger on it. Great characters and storyline.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.

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The Serial Killer’s Wife by Alice Hunter ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

A big thanks to @netgalley and @avon_books for the ARC!!

This book was exactly what I thought it would be. That’s not a bad thing either - i was expecting to get a look from the wife’s POV, and that’s what the reader was given.

The overall pace of the book I found slow; however, I never once thought about putting it down. I wanted to finish. I wanted to find out what happened.

The trajectory of the story was interesting. Some things felt weird, but most of it came together in the end. I still have some questions about some things.

Overall, this is a good one if you’re looking for another take on serial killers. This one is out in May, so be looking for it! (Swipe to see the description.)

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Beth and Tom have the perfect life with their daughter, Poppy, living life in a rural village. After returning home late from work one evening, Tom is arrested for murder...
Will events from the past have a impact on Tom and Beths idyllic lifestyle? And how will their new friends cope with the knowledge there may be a serial killer amongst them?

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The story is told from 3 POV's, Beths, Toms and an unknown woman. A very intriguing thriller!
This book keeps a very fast pace and engages with you so that although you want to find out the surprising conclusion you don’t want the book to end!
This had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Never knowing what was going to happen.
Such an addictive read! One to definitely keep an out for!

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What a wild ride! This book kept me guessing - changing those guesses constantly. Beth was an interesting character that I found myself both rooting for and against at her different choices. I had some suspicions on how everything was going to wrap up, and I was pretty wrong! My only issue with this book is that I really wish it had a different title. You go in knowing that Tom's a killer, and I feel like being unsure as the reader about that fact would have been even more fun.

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Honestly, I loved this book. If it were possible, I’d have easily devoured it in one sitting, but... kids. Still, I stayed up late and finished it in a day. Typically, my favourite thrillers are written by a multi-POV, like this one; not only were there multiple narrative voices (primarily Beth and Tom), but the timeline also switched between past and present, emphasizing the confusion and suspense. Honestly, I normally call the majority of the twists in these thrillers, but I found the majority of plot twists surprising and the final one really had me shocked.

For me, I think the most important thing to note is that the author herself is a practicing psychologist who worked as an interventions facilitator in prisons, often working with prisoners who have committed seriously heinous crimes. I think the authors past work experience truly brought something extra to the characters she created and I cannot wait to see what else she writes in the future.

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Oh I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Poor Beth discovering her husband is serial killer and what she has to put up with as a result. However, so much unravels as the book goes on and it gets darker and darker. I look forward to the next one

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The Serial Killer's Wife is a quick twisted read that the pages just fly by!

Twists and turns, red herrings and all the time you are reading you are shaking your head at Beth.

Beth !! Why did you not run for your life?

Her husband Tom has been arrested and charged with murder.

The ending bumped this book up to 5 stars as I did not see that coming.

A good book to escape from your troubles and the crazy world we are in.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books Uk , Avon for a page turning read.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Beth and Tom have a perfect marriage. After meeting in London, getting married, and having their little girl, Poppy, they moved to a small town to build their life. Tom commutes to London for work, while Beth runs her own business, "Poppy's Place," a Cafe where guests can enjoy a hot drink and a snack while painting pre-made pottery. However, not everything is as it appears. Tom is late coming home on Monday night, and the police are waiting at his doorstep for his arrival, to question his involvement in the murder of his ex, Katie, eight years ago. While Tom is hauled away, one question lingers in the small town gossip: Did his wife know?

This is a solid thriller. With short chapters and a steady pacing, it's easy to speed right through this book, and that's exactly what I did. The characters are interesting enough, and the author convinces you to dislike the people you're meant to, ie the suspected criminal. The ending was a bit surprising, but it made sense, which is important, because a twist you can't explain is not a good twist.

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Oh my gosh this book was absolutely brilliant. I honestly didn’t want to stop reading once I started it.
Brilliant.

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This is a great book - well written with twists and turns leaving you believing one thing for certain and then finding everything changed. It was so credible - right from the characters to the pace of the plot. Authors can take a lesson from this in creating tension without being obvious.

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Wow!!! What a superb read from this new author. I was drawn in from the very first page, the writing was excellent, keeping me wondering what was on the next page and leading to a totally unexpected ending. It just goes to show that what appears to be perfect is only for show and that you never quite know what happens behind closed doors. Thanks to Avon books and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this brilliant book. I will certainly be reading more from this author.

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A captivating psychological thriller that drew me in right from the beginning. The story of Beth & Tom & their seemingly perfect fairytale life. Quickly becomes shaky once Tom is suspected in the disappearance of his ex girlfriend. Further complications arise as Tom is held and charged with murder. Complex characters & relationships are revealed with lots of twists & turns along the way. What started out as suspicion is growing exponentially!
Can Beth survive the hounding journalists & protect her daughter? Will there lives ever go back to normal or will she forever be known as “the serial killer’s wife”
A good fast paced read. Somewhat predictable but still enjoyable. Look forward to reading more from this author. A definite recommendation for those that enjoy psychological thrillers.
Thank you NetGalley, Alice Hunter and Avon Books for this free digital ARC. This review is my honest opinion & is strictly voluntary.

#AliceHunter #AvonBooks #NetGalley

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With A Serial Killer’s Wife as a title, how could i not request a copy, such a easy addictive read, it did not let me down, for a debut novel, Alice Hunter did an amazing job and i will be reading all her future works. There were multiple Pov’s in this book, which surprisingly did not make it confusing, mostly from Beths point of view, but also others, like Katie 8 years ago, and what tom is thinking. Small chapters with few primary characters, also made this a fast paced read. The only problem i had as the story unfolded was the missing background information on Tom, it would of been nice to see how he ended up that way, but i also feel like Alice has definitely paved the way for a sequel! The end of the book blew my mind! Did not see that coming, it was very deceptive until it hit you in the face like a brick wall, i was thoroughly surprised and praise Alice Hunter for this wonderful Thriller.

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Some books, soon as they start, give us a feeling that they are going to be different. The Serial Killer's Wife gave me that vibe within a few pages into the story. 

It starts with an investigation into a disappearance of a woman, which then becomes a murder investigation. The story then delves into the hearts and minds of very intriguing people; people who are not at all what they seem.

As the story progresses, we get twists after twists, some which blow your mind. At the same time, we also journey emotionally along with the characters. The emotional depth that has been explored in the story, with its complexities, really impressed me. 

I particularly loved the way the author, Alice Hunter, described the way a criminal mind thinks. It was insightful. And this really sets her apart from other authors of the same genre and I would love to read more of her works.

Thanks to Netgalley and the author for this ARC. I completely enjoyed it.

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An absolutely brilliantly addictive psychological thriller. Very well written I loved every word on every page and I couldn't stop reading it held my interest from the beginning to the end.

I can thoroughly recommend this book and I hope to read more from this author in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this fantastic book.

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A really exciting novel about a wife waiting for her husband to come home, only for the police to arrive. Her husband is a serial killer, but did she know.

This book kept me guessing all the way through, with enough thrills, red herrings and twists to keep me turning the pages, it to mention a really great ending that maybe hints at another book.

I really enjoyed this and at no point was the pace to slow nor was it hard to keep up. Excellent

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Beth Hardcastle has the perfect life: a husband who adores her, an adorable three year old daughter, and her dream job owning her own business. But a knock on the door one night changes everything. When her husband is brought in for questioning on the disappearance of an ex-girlfriend, Beth must face the facts that maybe she didn't have the perfect life and maybe she didn't know her husband at all?

This book is a triumphant debut by Alice Hunter. I was hooked from the first page. No spoilers but this book will keep you shocked and surprised until the last line in the epilogue.

*I was provided an ARC by Netgalley and the publisher for my honest feeback*

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I will start by saying that this book was not even close to what I thought it would be according to the title. Reading the title and the summary, I was expecting a dark, psychological thriller. This book was not that. Even so, I enjoyed the book from beginning to end.
The story moved quickly and was easily engaging. Told from the viewpoint of the wife of a man being held for murder, although the serial part doesn't come until nearly the end. The story tells the day to day struggles Beth, the wife in trying to run her business, shield and raise her young daughter and her budding relationship with the widower down the street.
I enjoyed this book and the characters were well written. I only wished that more time was spent on Tom, the alleged serial killer and his background that turned him into a murderer.
all of this aside, the ending, completely took me by surprise (although there were plenty of clues) and made me finish the book on a positive note.
this is the first book I have read from this author, and I will be looking for more.

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A great , compelling read!
The writing was easy to read and fast paced , and the different character narratives added depth to the story.

Beth’s husband Tom, is late home from work and this leads us in to a dark tale of murder and suspense and all that it involves. Tom is a chilling character , definitely two very different sides to his personality, and Beth his wife stands firm through the book or does she? The concluding twists , finished the story off perfectly. It left me with a question how well do we really know a person? Even those closest to us?
The calibre of the writing had me hooked and I read the book in one sitting ,the story is both gripping and absorbing and I needed to know how it would end,

A great debut looking forward to reading more in the future from the author.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK.

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I really enjoyed this book. It moved at a pace and you could feel the wife's pain as more information came out about her husband. I did have an inkling about the ending but that did not spoil my enjoyment of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for the advance copy of this book.

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Beth and Tom Hardcastle are happily married and have a daughter named Poppy – they have the perfect family, until one day DC Imogen Cooper shows up to take Tom away on account of suspicion of murdering his ex-girlfriend Kate. Tom denies everything, and knows he can because the cops haven’t found any body and they don’t have any evidence against him as well.
Beth is conflicted, she doesn’t know what Tom might have done in the past and this is what she tells the cops too, but then does she know more than what she is letting on?
As the interrogation begins, Beth will find herself questioning everything she believed about her husband and she is slowly falling in love with someone else!
Does Beth speak up and divulge more than she should and achieve her end goal – isn’t that what started this whole arrest?
This was a very engaging book, and I am glad I was able to get my hands on this via Netgalley
#netgalley #theserialkillerswife #arc

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That ending though!! What a crazy book. I loved the story line here and I loved the characters. I found parts of the plot to be a little difficult to believe but overall the story worked. The character development was awesome and the relationships were great. I loved how the characters changed so much from the start to the end. This book had one of the craziest plot twists ever and boy did it shock me. A great read:

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Great read! Looking forward to reading more by this author! I highly recommend this book and author to all!

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The Serial Killer’s Wife
by Alice Hunter 

Hey Alice- I give you 4 out of 5 birds for The Serial Killer's Wife! What a debut book. I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The title alone sucked me in. I mean, finding out your husband's a serial killer? It was a fast read and the twists and turns were plentiful. Most I saw coming, but there were still a few surprises. There were times when I felt like I needed more. Also the one thing I found super unbelievable.. okay it's fiction so there might have been a few, but the serial killers kill amount... It was lacking. I mean the bare minimum to be considered a serial killer is three.... I feel like there was room for more? Super morbid to say? Yes, it probably is. Overall, I really liked this book and stayed up late to finish it. It will keep you on edge, draw you in, and leave you with your mouth open. I'd read more by Alice Hunter!

Also p.s my husband is sick of me asking him if he's a secret serial killer.... I'm really starting to believe he's not.


#read #bookstagram #books #reading #book #bookworm #booklover #bookish #bibliophile #instabook #reader #bookaddict #booknerd #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #booklove #booksofinstagram #bookshelf #instabooks #readersofinstagram #booklovers #igreads #mysteryread #mrsbirdswords #netgalley #alicehunter #theserialkillerswife #serialkiller

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Beth and Tom Hardcastle have a perfect life together or so Beth thinks. One evening the police come to the door to question Tom about an ex-girlfriend Katie. Tom is arrested and people are wondering how Beth didn't know anything.

This was a great domestic thriller but I had no feeling for Beth or Tom. Both were unlikable. The twists and turns were fun and not all were expected. I would read more from this author.

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I requested this book first thinking it was a true story - luckily for all characters involved it was fiction.

And what a read it was. It opens with Bethany Hardcastle wondering why her husband isn't home yet and discovering police on her doorstep looking for him. As the story progresses, you find yourself feeling sorry for her and her daughter at the mess her husband had dumped them in - the embarrassment of the whole village knowing your husband has been arrested for murder. But as the story progresses, things shift ever so slightly and you start to view Bethany in a whole different light until the last chapter. What a twist. And it leaves you with a rather lot of thoughts to ponder as to where the line between black and white is and how acceptable versions of gray are.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book.

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Thank you to the author, the publisher and to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book completing it in one day. I looked at the other reviews and I think the ending was upsetting for some. It was definitely a surprise . . .

It starts with Beth's husband being questioned then charged with a murder of an ex-partner. Things do not go well from here. Beth starts her own investigation to see if her husband really is guilty.

There are not a lot of likable characters in this story. The moms aren't nice people with almost no appearances from the dads except for one. This is not a community that seems like a desirable place to live or raise children. Beth struggles with both the media and her nosy neighbours after her husband is arrested. All she wants to do is keep their daughter safe and she will stop at nothing to achieve this.

This book kept me up late to see how it ended. I was not disappointed.

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Oh my this was a juicy domestic thriller! Beth believes that she has the perfect marriage with Tom, They are the picture perfect family within their community, However their world is soon to be turned upside down when Tom is accused of something horrendous, if that isn't bad enough Beth is soon accused of knowing what her husband was up to. Beths life is understandably turned up side down, and the man she thought she knew is turning out to be a stranger,

A fantastic debut novel which had me gripped from the very beginning, I'm really looking forward to seeing what other books this author comes out with, A big thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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The Serial Killer's wife definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. I devoured this book, which had the POV from Beth, the wife, and Tom, the husband. Beth was a complex character and reading the book was like peeling back the layers of an onion to learn more about her. I would recommend this to mystery/thriller readers.

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Trouble in suburbia, death and scandal, and occasionally cupcakes and playgroups.

Told from two main perspectives (and others as well), this is the story of Tom, a man suspected of murder, and of Beth, his wife, still reeling with the notions of what has been said and done. Cracking read, moves along at a nice clip and there's just enough hints and maybe's throughout the story to keep you guessing about the truth behind everything.

I have to say that while I figured something was more than it seemed, I didn't see the first twist, and I certainly didn't see the second, which leads to the inevitable question of is this a stand alone book? It's certainly self contained, the story is complete as it is, but with the questions raised, there is sufficient in here for a second book, and that would be a book I would definitely read as well.

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I found this book a little slow to start with but after the halfway point I couldn’t put it down. Full of intrigue and keeps the plot twisting until the very end.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

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3.5 stars

The Serial Killer’s Wife by Alice Hunter is a psychological thriller.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Avon Books, and in particular Ellie Pilcher for sending me a widget,  and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Beth and Tom have a wonderful life.  They live in a small town where Beth opened a pottery café.  Tom is in finance and commutes to London, and their three year old Poppy is the love of their lives.

How could the police possibly think that Tom had anything to do with killing Katie.  Katie was his ex-girlfriend, and they haven't seen each other in eight years!  No body has been found, so what evidence could the police possible have.

Beth doesn't know which way to turn.  She has no close friends to confide in, only Tom, and she's not sure she trusts him any more.  Does she really believe what they are saying?  Is she in denial?  Is this just a nightmare that will see Tom come home soon?

She is afraid to confide in anyone, since she feels that this small town is already judging her.  The only person she really has is her new friend Adam, who lost his wife a year ago, and who sort of understands loss and the strains of being a one-parent household.  Unfortunately, he is a little afraid of being seen with Beth too.


My Opinions:   
Okay, I didn't particularly like any of the characters.  Beth seemed like a very weak, paranoid woman.  Tom was a controlling,  jealous, male chauvinist.  Adam was a push-over. Everyone was hiding something, so you didn't know who to trust.  Normally I would hate a book like this, but somehow it worked.

The story was told in multiple points of view, and in some cases, in the past, but everything was quite straight-forward, although there was one identity that was kept a secret for a bit.  I must say there were a lot of twists in this book, and although most of them were predictable, they were still really well written. I didn't particularly like the end.


Overall, it was a quick and easy read, and I will make sure I check out whatever this author writes next.

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Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

This story is about Beth and her husband, Tom. They left London for a quieter life in the countryside, and everything is perfect. One evening Tom is late back from work, and the police arrive to talk to Tom about his help in a murder investigation. Tom is gone most of the night, and goes to sleep when he arrives back, meaning Beth doesn’t get to talk to him about it. The next day he goes off to work as normal, and before Beth can speak to him, he’s being arrested. Beth is, understandably, shocked to hear this, and tries to help the police clear her husbands name. But the situation takes a dark turn, and Beth struggles to believe her husbands innocence. She turns to the villagers for support when lots of journalists turn up, and Adam, a local who is also newly widowed, springs to help her, and steer her to the truth.

This was a brilliant book, full of twists and turns. I read this in less than a day, as it’s a real page turner. The chapters are short, which I really like, but also makes you decide to read one more chapter that turns out to be ten more. The characters were styled wonderfully, with Beth being vulnerable and relatable, and Tom being uncaring and brash. I was sure I knew exactly what was unfolding, but I was wrong. This is definitely a book for you if you enjoy authors such as Katerina Diamond or Helen Fields. I can’t wait to see more from this author in the future.

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Thank you to Avon Books and Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Beth and Tom have the perfect marriage and family. That is until one day Beth hears a knock on the door - there are two police officers asking about Tom and want to talk to him about his ex-girlfriend who is missing. It poses the question - how much do you really know the person you are married to?

I loved this book - I flew through it in a couple of days. I couldn't put it down as I was desperate to know what happens next. There were loads of twists and turns throughout and a great ending!

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The book was great. Great plot. Excellent character development. And most importantly the writing was fantastic.

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I loved this book as it’s full of twists and turns and kept me guessing all the way through. What would happen if your husband is suddenly arrested for a historic murder of his ex girlfriend who has supposedly been travelling for the last eight years. That’s where our lead character finds herself. As her world is turned upside down and she is not getting any answers from her husband Beth’s life is thrown into turmoil as people start to question how much did she really know about her husband.

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Loved it - It's got great characters, twists and turns a plenty and was a definite page turner for me.
I loved the writing style, I just loved everything about it and it kept me on the edge of my seat right to the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for my ARC.

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A good book although I wish the author would have let the ending play out a little more. It kept my attention though and had me eager to find out all of the details. Would recommend.

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Quite the interesting domestic thriller! The Serial Killer's Wife opens up with a seemingly normal night, but Tom is late home from work. Then there's a knock at the door that changes everything. Beth opens the door to two detectives who are there to question her husband about a possible murder. I would consider this to be a lighter serial killer thriller (think My Lovely Wife). I really enjoyed the different points of view. Most of it was told from Beth's POV ("the serial killer's wife") but some parts are told from the killer's POV and also a victim's up until her very last breath. Those two POVs were definitely creepy and included a few very disturbing and violent scenes. Overall, this was not a super tense and shocking thriller but it was absolutely engrossing and kept me turning the pages quickly! I found the ending to be satisfying but not mind-blowing. A quick and easy read and definitely worth checking out! CW: domestic/sexual abuse, strangulation.

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Well, the title of this only gives part of this thriller away--no small feat for The Serial Killer's Wife! It's a tightly paced read that kept me turning the pages and definitely has a few twists up its sleeve! Will absolutely be enjoyed by thriller fans, domestic suspense fans, as well as those who enjoy psychological thrillers. Definitely recommend!

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What a rollercoaster ride that was! Not what I was expecting at all, in a good way, of course. Such brilliant characters, all hiding so much! Proof that you never know what’s lurking underneath the surface. The book is written in such a matter-of-fact, chilling voice, as layers were gradually peeled away to reveal secrets, lies and murder. And what an ending! Brilliant stuff!

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Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to preview The Serial Killer's Wife. Well the title gives it away - A married couple, Beth and Tom, and their little girl, Poppy, live a good life outside of London. They are established, have a home, money, Everything! That changes the day the police come to their house to speak to Tom about his ex-girlfriend. Tom is a good husband, a good provider, how can he possibly be in trouble for anything let alone his missing ex-girlfriend. Beth tells most of this story - her feelings, thoughts, and an undercurrent of fear. Soon Tom is arrested, and Beth must forge on and be by Tom's side. Beth's narrative goes back and forth in time and each time she speaks the onion starts to peel. And Beth knows things about Tom - after all they are married and don't all married couples share their secrets.....
I liked this book and found i could not put it down. A bit wordy at times and Beth is not a likeable character. The author has carefully pulled a thread with each chapter giving the reader more insight, more tells, and more information.
Another British thriller and I am starting to like them more and more....Good Read.
4 stars.

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Tom Hardcastle is the perfect husband. He loves his wife, Beth, he is good looking, has a successful career, and he's always home early to tuck their 3 year old daughter, Poppy, in bed. They live in an idyllic little village just outside London and life couldn't been more perfect for the Hardcastles.

Until one day Tom was called to help with the investigation of a missing person who vanished 8 years ago. As her husband was held by the police, secrets uncovered, lies unveiled and Beth was left devastated. She thought she knows her husband inside out but apparently he is a whole different person.

A murderer.

And in this small town, people can't help but wonder aloud : did his wife know?

* * *

The Serial Killer's Wife is a solid thriller, a good debut by Alice Hunter. The plot is told in multiple POVs with some flash backs and a mystery narrator that kept me wondering "who is this?" The chapters are kept short and sweet and straightforward..

.. until a huge plot twist at the end that I didn't see coming and made me go 😱😱😱

I was engrossed in this book that I finished it in 48 hours. A perfect book to read in this rainy season in lockdown 😂

The Serial Killer's Wife will be out on 27th May 2021.

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BOOM! I never saw that coming! What a great book; it kept me going right up to the very last page. Alice Hunter's debut is a really interesting idea for a book, questioning how well you ever really know your partner and how people hide their true selves behind a mask.

I really wanted to feel sorry for Beth when her husband Tom is arrested for murder, but there was just something about her that I didn't warm to and I felt like one of the school mums as I questioned just how much she actually knew. I considered women's instinct and how we can always seem to sniff out a lie, no matter how cunning our partner thinks they are. Beth had to know something...didn't she?

As the police investigation progresses I simply couldn't read fast enough, gasping out loud as little landmines of shock and surprise exploded in my path. Alice Hunter's writing is exceptional, creating layer upon layer of intrigue and unwrapping the secrets of Beth and Tom's marriage like a game of pass the parcel. With so many twists and turns, my interest was held throughout and my eyes were firmly glued to the page. There is no doubt that Tom is a killer, but just how many bodies has he buried?

Gripping, compelling and twisty, The Serial Killer's Wife is a brilliant debut from Alice Hunter. I will definitely be adding her to my watch list and I can't wait to see what she writes next.

I chose to read a digital ARC received from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮'𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙚'𝙨 𝙖 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮'𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙬..
—————————————————
This book included every single thing I love about a book — short chapters, fast paced, great storyline and gripping! I was hooked right from the very first page. I am gutted it took me a good few days to finish it because I could have easily of sat down and got it read in a couple of days!

I always find with a lot of thrillers that it can get quite slow in the middle of the book, there's a big build up, nothing and then some more at the end. I didn't get this! I was hooked literally the whole way through and it didn't get boring.

The twists and turns in the storyline were my absolute favourite. I had no clue where the story was going to go, what was going to happen! I don't want to say too much about it because I feel like it's better to be surprised when you get to it. 😅

I haven't read a good Thriller in a little while so I am really made up with this read!

**TW: sexual violence, talk of strangulation in detail, murder and domestic abuse.**

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Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book.
I cannot recommend this book enough. I really hope it does well when it’s released.
The plot is well paced, the characters believable and the turns along the way keep you wanting more.
I devoured this book in just a few days because I needed to know what on earth was going on.
You’re living a normal life and one night your husband comes home late, closely followed by police officers who take him in for questioning. It quickly transpires that he won’t be coming home because he is charged with murder.
Told from multiple points of view the author has clever crafted this so that many of the truths are well and truly hidden.
There are a few obvious parts but they are definitely outweighed by the twists.
I didn’t see the ending coming at all, my guess was completely off!
Get yourself a copy as soon as you can.

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With a title like The Serial Killer’s Wife, this is undoubtedly a book that many of us will buy over the coming months. There's nothing we love more than to get into the head of a serial killer, and what better way to do that than through the point of view of his wife?

Of course, the title does take away some of the "Did he? Didn't he?" which could have added more mystery to the story, but there's still plenty to question. With short chapters and a quick pace, it's an easy book to get through which makes it all the more exciting as you can race through it to reveal the answers.

While I did immensely enjoy this twisty and engaging thriller, I did find Alice quite a selfish character and therefore a little annoying at times as she couldn't look past her own situation. But this is one of those books where your irritations are explained in the final chapter, so it depends on whether you feel that the end justifies the means or not.

And I certainly think that it does. Although I did guess one of the twists, there was still a lot that took me by surprise and I was constantly interested in how it was going to progress.

I definitely look forward to seeing what Alice Hunter writes next!

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Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books UK on the arc of The Serial Killers Wife by Alice Hunter.

5 star read⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- A debut Author- a great book! Follows Beth and her husband Tom, when everything seems normal until inspectors knock on their door asking to talk to her husband about a disappearance of the woman he previously dated 8 years ago before Beth! whom is named Katie!

Head twisting, compelling and twisty book, very well written- recommend to all!

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This was a complex and strong debut from this author and I’m looking forward to future books, hopefully even a sequel to this one!
Beth and Tom have been married for 7 years and have an adorable daughter named Poppy. All is well in their lives until one night investigators pound on the door and turn their world upside down. Tom is accused of having something to do with the disappearance of his former fiancée, Katie and is taken into custody. Beth is left to deal with the fallout, including the other mothers at Poppy’s daycare and the customers at the cafe she owns in the neighborhood. The police still haven’t recovered the body, so what new evidence could have been brought the case to light again?
The story is told in chapters from Beths, Tom’s and even Katie’s POV and from the current time and the past which showed what led up to what happened. Although Beth comes across as selfish and kind of unlikeable, I found myself trying to justify her actions and thoughts because of what she was going through, but as the story went on and I put the pieces together and that explained it for me.
I did predict the one final twist, but the way it wrapped up was super satisfying and left me wanting a sequel!
Thanks to Avon Books UK and Netgalley for this Arc in exchange for my review.

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Till death do us part...but no one said one of us had to be the one to die...

When Beth's husband is late coming home from work and two detectives show up at the door, it doesn't take much for Beth to conclude that the two events are related. Fearing that her husband has been in an accident of some kind, Beth is shocked to hear that her husband is wanted for questioning in regards to a possible murder. Could Beth really be married to a killer? And what will this mean for her and her three-year-old daughter's future?
I loved this novel and relished every spare moment I had to pick it up and read. I came up with so many theories throughout the book and though some of my suspicions were right, it wasn't in the way I was expecting! I was hooked from the beginning and loved the tension, the twists and the turns throughout the story. I would gladly recommend this incredible thriller to anyone who is obsessed with serial killers and loves a dark thriller!

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When Beth's husband Tom is accused of murdering a former girlfriend, she doesn't know what to believe...or what the police will uncover.

I couldn't put this book down! As more & more secrets were uncovered, I just had to keep reading to find out the ending - & I wasn't disappointed! This was really well written & kept me guessing until the end.

I would definitely recommend this book to fans of psychological thrillers or domestic dramas.

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A spine chilling story with twists and turns right until the last chapter!
I absolutely loved this book! Being a true crime fan I was drawn in by the title of this book. Even though it is a work of fiction, it is still the type of book I would be inclined to pick up off the shelf.
The story was very well written and flowed extremely well. The back stories of the characters and their secrets were interesting and kept me wanting more. There were a lot of twists and turns in this story but not so many that you get confused or lose track of what is going on.
This is the first book I have read by Alice Hunter and I am excited to see what she comes up with next. This book would he an incredible short TV series.
Thank you to Alice Hunter, Net Galley and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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Wow! What a thriller!

I really enjoyed the concept of this book. The idea of focusing on the wife and the themes of knowing or not knowing, we're really clever and interesting.

I loved the short chapters, it made it a super quick and easy book to read.

I also liked the writing style. It was really tense and had me on the edge of my seat. I never once got confused with the different perspectives.

For me, the ending really made this book. I did not see it coming at all. It definitely made me gasp out loud.

I've read a lot of thrillers in my time so I'm used to reading the same things over and over again.

But this thriller was dark, unique and a really enjoyable read. Highly recommend, if you are looking for a fantastic new psychological thriller to check out.

TW: murder and violence

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Wow , just wow and maybe wow again !
This is about a couple called Tom and Beth who from the outside world look like they have the perfect relationship , the perfect house , and everything is just perfect. Except is isn't.
One day Beth answers the door and in front of her are the police, and they are about to tell her that her husband Tom is a murderer .
How much do you really know about your husband ? Could they really be able to do this ?
As the story unfolds it becomes terrifying and chilling, it's a toxic story of love and obsession .
It's scary and thrilling at the same time. Can't wait to read another by this author.

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Really enjoyed this book. Found myself totally immersed in this story from the word go. An idyllic marriage for Tom and Beth, with a beautiful little daughter Poppy. Living the dream in a sleepy little village. But of course all is not what it seems, especially when Beth gets a visit from the police asking to speak to her husband. This sets off a chain of events which unravels what really happens 'behind closed doors'. Plenty of suspense and twists which keep you turning the pages. A great ending too!! I would recommend this book highly, and a big thank you to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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This is complex, head spinning, absolutely disturbing, twisty and truly delicious psychological thriller which introduces us a new debut author Alice Hunter

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Beth's life will never be the same after the police come knocking on her door to ask her husband a few questions about Katie, his ex-girlfriend who disappeared years ago.
Beth can't believe her husband could have anything to do with it? But how much does she really trust him?


I have read a couple of books written by this author (under her real name), and I enjoyed them, so I had certain expectations when I reached for this book.
This started as a good, entertaining read that for a while had a 3-star book feeling. However, the story, later on, turned into a fast-paced rollercoaster full of twists, that kept me in suspense, and had me quickly turning the pages to find out how it ends.
The final revelation was shocking, and I certainly didn't see it coming. I think the book could do without the last chapter, but overall, it was a great read, and I recommend you check it out.

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What an amazing debut novel! If you enjoy psychological thrillers then this is for you. One of my favourites of the year so far.

Tom and Beth seem to have the perfect home life with their young daughter Poppy, when one day Tom is late home from work. This is the beginning of the nightmare for Beth, as before long the police are knocking at the door, taking Tom to help with their enquiries about a missing girlfriend from 8 years ago and Beth is left at home wondering if she will ever see her devoted Husband again.

This is written in chapters mainly from the point of view of Beth and Tom in the past and present which adds to the build up finding out gradually what had happened all those years ago. There are a few chapters from an unknown male regarding “erotic asphyxiation” so you can maybe guess to whom these are referring to. Also, some chapters from Katie, the missing girlfriend.

As the story unfolds, we learn about more deaths. Could these be linked? Does Beth really know her husband? Does she have any idea what he has done in the past or even more recently? The village gossips and journalists certainly want answers and have their own suspicions.

I have to say, the ending is brilliant. I wasn’t expecting that at all so a massive thanks to the author for surprising me.

I am really hoping there is a sequel to this as I think there is definitely more to come in the life of Tom and Beth!

Thank you to netgalley, the publishers and the author for an arc.

Publication day is 27th May so pre-order now! You won’t be disappointed.

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This was surprisingly juicy and very easy to read! I couldn’t believe the ending it was such a shock. I’m wondering if there will be another book to follow this one. Overall, this was a good read and I enjoyed it.

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This was an absolutely addictive read that flies past you. The characters are engaging and suitably hard to predict and it’s a highly entertaining read from first page to last.

Beth has a pretty perfect life but unfortunately for her, Tom, her husband, may have hidden a dark side. I say may because we don’t know what Beth knows and we don’t know if Tom is guilty…

That’s what keeps you reading and the author manages the twisty plot pitch perfectly holding the reveal moments close until you head into the finale.

Overall a great read and a classically good example of its genre.

Recommended.

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When Beth's husband is brought in for questioning about the disappearance of an ex girlfriend, she isn't sure what to think, but realises it is quite clear that the little village they live in have made up their minds already. As events continue to spiral, she is left to wonder - what is the man she loves capable of? I really enjoyed this book and stayed up late in the night to see how it ended - and the twists keep going until the very last page. Highly recommend.

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OOO this one was a creepy one!! Definitely held my attention the whole way through.. I will say I didn't like the ending as much but it was still a really good book and the writing was fantastic. I will recommend this to others, for sure!

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This was such a great, twisty book to read, I loved it. It just grabbed hold of me straight away and I just didn’t want to put it down until I finished it. I couldn’t believe the ending it was such a shock. I’m wondering if there will be another book to follow this one. I certainly hope so as I would love to find out what happens next. I do hope Ms Hunter writes more books like this one. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

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Ok WOW I loved this thriller! This definitely unlocked a new fear for me thought I couldn't handle finding out my husband was a serial killer. I loved the split perspectives between Tom, Katie and Beth even though hearing Tom's POV was horrifying with all his stalker behavior and gross justifications for what he did. Even though his chapters were hard to read content wise they were just so well written! I knew Beth was just as crazy as he was but it was still wild to see it all unfold. This book gave me major "You" vibes and was incredible. Poor Adam is the real victim here (and all the actual murder victims of course)

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You agree to spend the rest of your life with the person you love and trust, but how well do you truly know them?
Beth and Tom Hardcastle are the envy of their small village; They live a perfect life with their perfect family. Beth spends her days running her successful ceramic cafe while Tom spends his working for a bank, and they both end their days spending time with their three-year-old daughter, Poppy. Life is great until Tom is late home from work and the police have shown up at their home looking for him. Beth, already worried, is immediately filled with fear of him being involved in some kind of accident. Why are the police showing up at their home? Is everything as perfect as it seems behind closed doors?
This debut novel by Alice Hunter was absolutely amazing! I could not get enough of this story. I picked it up any chance I got and dreaded having to put it down! I flew through this story in under 48 hours, itching to know more. This story had so many twists and turns, I think my mind is still spinning! It was filled with action from the very beginning, right up until the very end. I highly recommend this to all lovers of psychological thrillers. I look forward to reading more work by her!
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

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The story is centered around Beth and Tom who have relocated outside of London. An unexpected call from the police one night arouses suspicion in Beth over her husband. Has he played a part in the disappearance of his ex girlfriend.? You will want to read on to see if your theories are right.. Do you really know the person you are married to? Kept in suspense right till the end with an opportunity for the story to continue.

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I really enjoyed this book. The plot was good and the characters well written. The ending was great. Highly recommended.

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Once this book got going, I enjoyed it. It was a bit slow at first but I liked the second half of the book a lot. There were some unexpected twists and turns that kept me wondering. I guessed some of them, but still enjoyed how the end unfolded. At first, I thought some of Beth's dialogue was forced and odd, but eventually I realized that was part of the point.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this one and found it surprising.

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Wow, this book really shows how you will never truly know someone's past and inner dark thoughts.

I really enjoyed this book. It started out pretty slow since it felt very repetitive, but really picked up halfway through. I loved the different POVs since it really showed the inner workings of the victim and killer.

I found the process and the progression of the murder investigation very interesting. I loved the twist at the end, but I had an inkling from the beginning that I knew how this would all pan out, but I wasn't at all disappointed in it.

A lot of this book felt like a domestic fiction novel, but it is all part of the process of the thriller. I usually get annoyed of this, but it was very good.

Caution: there is rape, strangulation, abuse, and necrophilia.

Thanks Netgalley and publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

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I was intrigued by the premise of this book and the story did not disappoint. Difficult to say too much without giving the plot away, but I can say I read this book over a couple of days - just couldn't put it down, and there were enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. I thought the ending was cleverly done and well written so as to be satisfying and also provide one final thrill.

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Beth has to rethink everything when her husband Tom is arrested for the murder of his girlfriend Katie, who went missing 8 yeas ago. She's in a horrible spot trying to protect herself, her child, and her business from the community even as she questions what she knows about Tom. Told mostly by Beth, but also by Tom, Katie, and an unidentified man, this is a twisty tale that kept me reading (even though it might have been trimmed a bit). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A nice debut for thriller fans.

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A fantastic novel packed full of intrigue and twists. Really enjoyable!

The Serial Killer's Wife has pace, interesting characters, and a unique storyline that will pull you through the book.

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I finished The Serial Killer’s Wife a couple days ago and have been thinking about it since! I read it in a couple of sittings, it was hard to put down. It gave me Dexter vibes immediately as is it was going to be told from the perspective of his wife and it did not disappoint! Was not expecting the ending

Highly recommend if you’re looking for a fast paced thriller. Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

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If your husband was arrested for a murder, how would you react? Beth Hardcastle has to face that exact dilemma in this novel. And because she has a small child and a thriving business in the small town they live in, there is nowhere for her to escape to. The burning question on many peoples minds is, how did she not know?

While I was reading this I wondered how I would react. When I found out what she did know, and why she chose to keep it a secret I went back and forth with agreeing with her decision and not. A very good story with a little surprise twist at the end.

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This was an enjoyable read and interesting debut novel.
I found this book just jumped straight in at the beginning, slowed down towards the middle and picked up pace again towards the end. The ending was good and unexpected. Good plot with a few twists. I enjoyed the characters but felt they could have been developed a little bit more. I will look forward to reading more by this author.

The blurb:
They’re saying he’s a monster. And they’re saying she knew.
Beth and Tom Hardcastle are the envy of their neighbourhood – they have the perfect marriage, the perfect house, the perfect family.

When the police knock on their door one evening, Beth panics. Tom should be back from work by now – what if he’s crashed his car? She fears the worst.

But the worst is beyond imagining.

As the interrogation begins, Beth will find herself questioning everything she believed about her husband.

They’re husband and wife – till death do them part…

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

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WOW!!!! Can we talk about how good this book is?? It’s one of those books that we already know who the guilty party is, but there are so many other things going on around one of the main characters that now you have to sit back and think like, “wait what?”

We meet Beth and Tom they have the perfect family, they live outside of London in a nice town and Beth has her amazing business, but when Tom gets questioned by the police because there was a missing person who was connected to him more than 7 years ago, their perfect world is not so perfect underneath.

Beth was such a great character we end up finding out that the perfect family has secrets and Tom is not who he seems, or is Beth not who she seems as well???? This book had me waking up in the middle of the night because I had to finish it, and it left me hanging in a way that I’m like “OMG! WHAT!!!”

Great read! Thanks NetGalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book! Can’t wait for it to launch and for others to read as well.

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What's holding me back from giving this book a five star review? Let's start with the good. We meet the main character living a "perfect" life in a London suburb, her handsome husband commuting to a good job in the big city while she manages a successful pottery cafe in their small town. But a revelation about an ex-girlfriend of his comes to light and changes everything. Sounds like a great set-up. Yet, I found this story way too predictable. The revelations, instead of coming out as twists and causing me to gasp, had me nodding my head, like well, duh, of course. Maybe I've read too many of these, but this didn't have that feel. Things marched on a bit too predictably. That being said, I couldn't put it down, and I did enjoy the time I spent with it.

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I really enjoyed this. I hadn't read a thriller for a while that kept me guessing but this did it. I read this in one sitting and definitely felt like it ended too soon.

The characters were great and I liked that we had POV from 3 different characters as well as chapters from a 3rd person narrator. Phoebe is super cute.

The plot was interesting and kept me guessing. Each time I felt like I knew what was going on and had almost "solved" it, a new piece of information was added and I began questioning my judgements again. Ultimately, I guessed the big reveal but still really enjoyed the journey.

The writing was clever and this was a great read to make you ask how much you really know the people around you.

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I’d like to thank Avon Books UK and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Serial Killer’s Wife’ by Alice Hunter in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

As Beth and Poppy wait for Tom to return home from work two police officers from the Metropolitan Police arrive at their home asking to speak to Tom. They say it’s regarding the disappearance eight years ago of his ex-girlfriend Katie Williams. Beth tells the police she trusts Tom, he’s been a good husband to her and father to Poppy, but he has been keeping secrets…

‘The Serial Killer’s Wife’ is a well-written thriller with an imaginative plot that becomes darker and more unpredictable as the story evolves, and contains drama, suspense and unexpected events to keep me guessing, although my suspicions were way off the mark. The story tells of how Beth is coping with inquisitive mums at the school gate and running her business ‘Poppy’s Place’ while Tom is being questioned at the police station, with flashbacks to Katie Williams and what happened eight years ago. As the story continues the twists and turns become more frequent until the unbelievable twist in the final few pages which is shocking and not at all what I was expecting. I can recommend this novel, it’s thoroughly enjoyable and well worth spending time reading.

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Beth and Tom are great characters ,in very different ways
Great story telling,convincing,twists,turns,fab ending and would recommend

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This is an insanely intense book!!!!!!!!!! This is my first Alice Hunter book and I loved it!!!!!!! The twists and turns in this book are so good it will boggle your mind!!!!! I highly recommend this book.

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The Serial Killer's Wife was not what I initially expected. Beth and Tom are a married couple with a Daughter named Poppy. They seem like a happy couple but looks are deceiving. When Tom is arrested for the murder of his ex-girlfriend 8 years ago things go downhill fast.
The tricky part of this book is who can you really trust? Is anyone telling the truth?
I enjoyed the characters and they were will written. I do wish maybe more of Tom's upbringing was told in the beginning.
Imagine finding out your husband is a serial killer when the police come to the door. Add in the nosy neighbors and reporters and life is really hard to deal with, all the while trying to protect Poppy from the fallout.
This one kept me up late "dying" to find out the answers.

Thanks to netgalley and Avon Books UK for the arc

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This was a better story than I’d expected.
Started off very slowly and I just couldn’t get my imagination to start working on it but then about 4 chapters in it clicked with me. I warmed to the characters and I was hooked.
Well told (if slow to start) and kept me interested right to the end, didn’t want to put it down

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Perfect doesn't always equal safe or sane in The Serial Killer's Wife! I enjoyed the pace of the story and watching the unraveling of this mystery.

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What an amazing story! I really enjoyed reading this book. I was addicted right from the beginning. There was many twists and turns and the ending I didn’t see coming at all.
Beth and Tom has moved to a small village to enjoy a quieter life away from London with their little girl Poppy..
Life is going well until the police arrive and arrest Tom for the murder of a former girlfriend 8 years ago.
How much does Beth know and will everyone believe she’s innocent.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for an early copy of this fantastic book.

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When I first saw this, I knew I had to read it. The title, the synopsis, everything about it was calling out to me.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I would have powered through it in one sitting but alas... toddlers.

Alice has experience of working with offenders, and her knowledge and experience clearly shows in her descriptive writing and characterisation. I love a good baddie and boooooy was Tom a baddie. It has all the ingredients of a cracking thriller:

- multiple POV ✅
- Different timelines ✅
- Suspense ✅
- Twists ✅

It also has a deliciously devious twist at the end which I was NOT expecting. Oh, and Tom isn’t the only one with secrets....

If you love thrillers, I highly recommend adding this to your TBR.

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Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins and Alice Hunter for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Wow, talk about a thriller! I adored everything about this book; the characters, the story line and the pace. I read this is one sitting and then was fortunate enough to listen to the audiobook. Alice Hunter is an author to watch. I can’t wait to read more from her. I was gripped from start to finish, such an interesting take on the story line.

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No one every truly knows what goes on behind closed doors. In a lovely little village lives a seemingly perfect family alongside other seemingly perfect families. But who is hiding what? And who has the biggest secret? A wonderful domestic thriller for debut author Alice Hunter!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC!

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What a wild ride this was! The Serial Killers Wife is fantastic, one of the best thrillers I’ve read in a while.
I was gripped from the very start and constantly found myself saying ‘just one more chapter’ and I’d still be saying that 10 chapters later.
This is pretty fast paced with lots of twists and Beth is one of those characters that you find yourself feeling sorry for only to realise that she doesn’t really deserve any sympathy.
The Serial Killers Wife is one of those books that’s hard to talk or write about without giving any spoilers. I loved it and I can’t wait to read more by Alice Hunter.

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My thanks to Avon Books U.K. for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Serial Killer’s Wife’ by Alice Hunter in exchange for an honest review.

Alice Hunter had studied psychology and worked in the prison service as part of a team offering rehabilitation programmes and her writing is informed by this background. With respect to plot details, I am going to be cautious in order to avoid spoilers.

Beth and Tom Hardcastle have been married for seven years and have recently moved from London to a small village near Banbury. Tom works in banking and commutes daily to London. Beth has recently opened a small ceramics cafe, Poppy’s Pottery Place, named for their three-year-old daughter.

Then one evening there is a knock on their door. It’s the police and they want to question Tom about a murder ..... I will leave it there.

This is the kind of novel that I would advise it best to read ‘cold’ for maximum impact. Hunter’s writing is quite character driven and the story unfolds at a measured pace. Yet I still found it a page-turner with plenty of twists that emerged in an organic way. While most of the story is told from Beth’s point of view, there is input from Tom and on occasion from two other women.

Overall, I enjoyed this very much and felt that it was an assured debut. I look forward to news of Alice Hunter’s future projects.

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How well do we really know those we are closest to?

Beth and Tom Hardcastle appear to have it all, the perfect marriage and the perfect family, so when police come knocking on their door, asking to speak to Tom about something that happened eight years ago, before Beth even knew him, her perfect world comes crashing down around her, could what the police are saying be true and does Beth know more about these events than she's letting on?

The Serial Killers Wife is told across two timelines; Now and Eight years ago, and from four perspectives; Beth, Tom, Katie and an unknown person, with a title that says it all, centring around Beth and the apparent realisation that Tom isn't the person she thought he was. It's a tale of secrets and lies, with a slight BDSM element, the author hits the ground running with this one, which reeled me in from the first page and kept me hooked throughout. It's a great plot with plenty of twists along the way to keep the reader intrigued and an unexpected ending. I didn't warm to any of the characters but applauded Beth in her determination to do everything she could to protect her little girl Poppy, just as any good mother would. All in all, it's a tense, intriguing read from an author whose books I've read before, albeit under a different pen name, but equally as good as this one.

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

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could NOT put this down 😱 #theserialkillerswife #alicehunter #avonbooksuk #netgalley Beth thinks she has found the perfect husband and lives an idyllic life. When she stumbles across his ex girlfriend’s email on his iPad questions are raised. And the answer isn’t one you might think. This is out in four days. May 27th. Get this one NOW. You definitely will NOT be stepping away from this one #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #netgalleyreviewer #bookstagrammer #readersofig #netgalleyreads #bookrecommendations

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This was a great read. Excellent characters and some great twists throughout. I loved the author's voice and found myself fully absorbed in the story. The twist ending was excellent and I didn't get what was going to happen. Perfect read for those who like mystery thrillers.

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Beth and Tom Hardcastle have the perfect life…or so it seems until one day the police arrive from at their doorstop and ask Tom to accompany them to the station to answer questions about the disappearance of his ex. After that, piece by piece their “perfect” life is shattered and it’s not long before the focus turns on Beth - surely she must have known?

This is a fast paced, tense but enjoyable thriller. I loved having alternate chapters from Beth and Tom’s perspectives which give the reader insight into the criminal and victim. Added to that, there’s a third anonymous narrative which sparks plenty of intrigue and I enjoyed speculating whose voice it was.
There were elements of the plot that I guessed but also revelation after revelation that meant I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. The ending is brilliant not only because I totally didn’t see it coming but because when I thought about it, the author had weaved clues through out the plot and the answers were there all along. The last chapter is chilling.

It’s a fantastic psychological thriller. I am really glad to have read it. Perfect for a book club discussion or a fan of true crime.

Thank you to the author, Netgalley and Avon for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion.

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I’d like to thank NetGalley and Avon Books for approving me for an ARC of this book.

We start the story being thrown into the action and by the end of the chapter one Tom has been taken away for questioning. I love it when a mystery/thriller gets stuck straight in and builds the back story as we go along. It ups the tension and makes me want to keep going.

As a main character Beth was likeable and being a mum myself I immediately felt for the situation she was in. Can you imagine trying to keep a three year olds routine the same whilst dealing with your husband being arrested for murder? I applauded her handling of everything and felt she really had Poppy’s best interest at heart. As the story progressed I started to wonder what she was hiding. There was something about her that didn’t quite fit and whilst I had sympathy for her situation I did start to wonder how much she knew.

Tom’s chapters were the most haunting. They were well written, short and snappy chapters that left me with an uneasy feeling in my stomach. He was twisted, dark and calculating in what he said or did. What was the worst was he reasoning and how he saw his justification in his actions. If you then add Katie’s chapters to the mix you can see the fear and even though I knew where it was heading I wanted to save Katie in some way.

The story continues to progress in a pacey way and the big reveals keep on coming. Whilst I had figured one or two of the reveals out, it didn’t take away from the read at all. What stuck with me most was how rational our main characters had been in their decisions. Ultimately if they felt it was for the best then what could possibly be wrong with what they were doing?

This story left me questioning all the characters and trusting no one. It was packed with memorable characters, quick revelations and manipulation like you’ve never seen!

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Thank you NetGalley, author Alice Hunter, and Avon publishing for giving me a free arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4.5 stars
TW: murder and violence.
This was definitely a wild ride!
Beth and Tom seem to have the perfect marriage with their beautiful daughter Poppy. Beth owns a successful Ceramic Cafe and the locals have accepted her as they settle into the small community. One night the police knock on Beth's door looking to ask a few questions about her husband Tom and his ex Katie, who disappeared eight years ago. What starts out as routine questions leads to Beth wondering how much she really knows about her husband Tom? What really happened to Katie?
This book was so dark and twisted. I kept asking myself how much did Beth really know or not know? Did she help her husband cover up the crime?
I enjoyed how the book's chapters were not only short and easy to move through, but also the povs of the main characters in both the present and past. Each pov had their own unique voice so it made it easy to switch to the thoughts and feelings of each character without getting confused. The characters were not overly developed, but given just enough growth to move the story along. The author did a wonderful job with the pacing and writing that the story held my interest until the very end. That ending was such perfection that I did not see it coming.
I would recommend those who are looking for their next domestic psychological thriller! I can't wait to read another book by this author in the future.

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A fab thriller with a clever twist at the end!

I was lucky enough to be approved for both an ebook and audiobook for this title. I enjoy being able to switch between reading and listening.

This story is full of surprises, just as you think you know the full story, you are hit with another shocking twist, particularly the last one, that leaves you gobsmacked! It is told through the narratives of the main characters, and through this you can really feel the emotions and frustrations the characters are experiencing. I quite liked the story line and the deceit and lies that unravel as you progress further into the story. The character development is fab and very unexpected in some cases, but cleverly done! I enjoyed the twists and the variety of characters involved within the story, and was certainly hooked from the start. It is well paced and an enjoyable, easy read.

I absolutely loved how Beth comes across so innocently in the beginning and by the end her true intentions come to light! I liked the easy chapters that weren’t to lengthy, so when doing “one more chapter” you are able to add in another couple more without losing too many hours into the night.

I will certainly be looking into this authors future books to read, I really enjoyed her writing style throughout this book.

** I received an advanced copy of this ebook and audiobook to read and review. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for allowing me this opportunity**

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The Serial Killer’s Wife is a great debut thriller that is well written and packed with plenty of twists and turns to keep you turning those pages.
Beth and Tom Hardcastle have been married for eight years and have a young daughter, from the outside everything seems rosy, Beth successfully runs her own ceramic cafe and Tom has a good job, commuting to London daily. Beths world comes crashing down when Tom is arrested for the murder of an ex girlfriend and the locals feel she must have known about it.
This was a great thriller that I enjoyed from start to finish, it is a deviously written book as the more you read the more you find out and your loyalties for that character start to change. Tom and Beth are both quite complex characters and I would have liked to have had more knowledge of their childhoods so it would have linked in better with how they are in their adult years. You were told a little about their earlier lives but I didn’t think it was enough, but maybe that’s just me?
I would like to thank Netgalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

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This was a very good book. I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it! It had several twists I was not expecting. Once I got started reading, I couldn't put it down! A must read!

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Well this was fun.

This doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is: a brain candy beach read of a good time. Expect mega suspense, characters that are oh-so-suspicious, and some delightfully trashy behavior.

As you’d expect, some of our characters have…secrets. And you’ll love discovering them.

This is definitely an enjoyable read and I’d read the author again!

*ARC provided via Net Galley

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Really enjoyed this book and all the twists in it. Some people come across as innocent but is everything always as it seems...

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Tom and Beth are relatively happy in their lives; blessed by their daughter Poppy. But Bath's world is rocked when, one day, as she is waiting Tom to come home from work, the police arrive wanting to talk to him about a missing person from his past. A missing person that they have escalated to murder victim, even without a body, with Tom as their number one suspect.
We then hear from Tom's past, of his relationship with Katie and how that started off all well and good but then descended into being more about control.
Could Tom really have done something to Katie and, after 8 years of being together, could Beth have known about it and, irrespective of whether she does or doesn't, how far will she go to protect her husband, her marriage, her family...?
This was a twisty, turny, chilling, psychological thriller that, for me, hit the ground running and didn't let up until the very end when I left the book exhausted but satisfied. It's told, in turn, by four people; Tom, Beth, Katie and the ubiquitous for this genre "unknown character". Each had a distinct voice and their parts and how much they divulge along the way both kept the intrigue level high as well as keeping the narrative ticking along at a nice pace.
Although I didn't really take to Beth, something about her didn't fall right with me but that's OK, I did feel for her and also was impressed with the way she tried to protect her daughter from the sheer ugliness of what was going on. I also enjoyed the concept of the Ceramic Cafe she runs, wish we had likewise near me!
I was a bit hit and miss with the twists and turns however. Some I saw coming, some shocked me, some came a bit out of left field and left me wondering.
All in all, a pretty solid debut which has left me wondering what is next for the author. I'll be keeping my eye open, that's for sure. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

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Four stars for this amazing thriller! I mean honestly, you can say serial killer and I’m immediately in. The action started out right away and never slowed down. I was constantly trying to decide who was involved, who was covering for who, and if Tom really murdered those girls. I could not put this one down. Must read for thriller lovers!

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I flew through this one in no time at all, totally gripping and couldn’t put it down!! Didn’t guess the ending which is always a bonus 😉 I thought the characters were pretty well written and I enjoyed the storyline, a really good thriller right here.

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I’m a sucker for being drawn to books that have a serial killer in the title, make of that what you will! So of course I was going to read The Serial Killer’s Wife, if I’m honest I didn’t have high expectations for this book, as I have read many psychological thrillers where the wife is married to a serial killer, and is oblivious to their crimes etc, ect..... so I was surprised at just how much I enjoyed this book. 

Would you know if your husband was a serial killer? I’m convinced I would, but Beth Hardcastle married to Tom isn’t so sure. From the outside they have the perfect marriage, house, and family, but perhaps things aren’t as perfect as they first seem! This is one of those books you can resist just reading ‘one more chapter’, as each chapter is short whilst drawing you further into the turmoil of the Hardcastle’s lives. Is Tom guilty? Does Beth know more than she’s letting on? These are the questions that urge the reader onwards to its ‘OMFG’ conclusion 

“She must have known, you can’t be married that long and not know” is the one phrase I kept repeating, as there were certain things that cast a shadow of doubt over Beth. I enjoy a book so much more when you aren’t sure who to trust. It adds to the suspense tenfold. The book is told from the POV of Beth and Tom but there are also chapters from an anonymous voice. They add a dark and ominous tone to the read, but over time they also reveal the answers to the readers’ many questions.

This isn’t a fast-paced read by any means it’s very much character driven, the ‘is he guilty/not guilty?’ riddle ensures the reader is kept firmly in the author’s clutches. The characters are well depicted some more likeable than others, and I really enjoyed the way the author explores the psychological side of the characters’ personalities (vague, but I’m trying not to give away spoilers). The Serial Killers Wife is an addictive psychological thriller, deliciously twisted and made for an enjoyable read.

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Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A very good read that will have you flying through the pages to see what happens next. Could it be possible that your spouse is hiding a secret so dark & disturbing? How can Beth possibly be married to a serial killer and not know it? Or does there have to be something wrong with her to be completely unaware of her husbands dark desires?

Recommend The Serial Killer's Wife to all your mystery and fiction fans who like a good psychological thriller!

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📚 BOOK REVIEW 📚 The Serial Killers Wife By Alice Hunter - Publication Date 27th May 2021.

Tom & Beth Hardcastle and their daughter Poppy move from central London, to a small village. They love village life, perfect family!

Then one day, Beth answers the door and the police are there, asking for Tom. Everything that was their perfect life, starts to unravel when Tom is questioned about the disappearance of someone. As we know - nothing is perfect in the real world - and certainly not Beth & Tom!

I really enjoyed this book. So trying not to give much away........
I loved the 2 main characters in the book. The story was a then and now from both their prospectives and also other people involved in the past storyline. I would have like to have know a bit more about Tom’s childhood and why he was, the way he was. Beth I found an intriguing character.... I found myself thinking ... ‘what is she up to ?!’. If I’m honest, I did guess a couple of the twists from but I picked up in the book bet definitely couple of surprises.

Definitely would read more books from this author!! Enjoy!!

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#avonpublishing #netgalley #theserialkillerswife #alicehunter

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Wow, what a breath of fresh air! Kept me turning the pages and I didn’t want to put it down. You think you know how you’ll react in certain circumstances, but faced with the reality, would you? Recommend this read, I loved it.

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I read #TheSerialKillersWife in one sitting!

It kept me on the edge of my seat and I didn’t see the final twist coming. I highly recommend this well written book about a seemingly perfect family.

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for my free advance copy in return for an unbiased review.

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Wow! This book is gripping and so easy to read, I raced through it. And the ending just keeps giving!!

A brilliant, dark tale of love, betrayal, murder and motives.

Beth is devastated by her husband being arrested for murder, how will she and her daughter recover from this? When it turns out he is a serial killer Beth feels the need to share her suspicions with the police. But the ending is full of twists!

Absolutely brilliant!

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The intensity of this twisty psychological suspense builds with every page turn. Then the secrets begin to unfold, and you can't stop reading. You have to know, what next?

Told mainly from Beth and Tom's viewpoints, this story gives the reader insight into the main players, but you're never sure if they are truthful, and the mystery deepens. A well-written plot makes it easy to read. Beth is so shocked by the police investigation into her husband it's hard not to empathise with her.

The suspense builds believably and relentlessly. With each revelation, another question is raised. The ending draws all the plot strands together with some notable twists that resonate.

I received a copy of this book from Avon Books UK in return for an honest review.

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A gripping thriller with a great plot. Suspenseful and full of twists. I was hooked from the first page. Beth and Tom have the perfect marriage. Their move from London to a beautiful Oxfordshire village with their young daughter is the icing on the cake. But when the police arrive on Beth's doorstep and Tom is unexpectedly late home from work, the life they have built begins to unravel.

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Beth and Tom are perfect couple. They and their little daughter live in a picturesque village, where everybody know everything about their neighbours.

Until one evening the police arrest Tom for a murder and their lives start to crumble. What is the truth? And how will Beth cope labeled as a serial killer's wife?

Nothing is as it seems.

Characters are well developed, their inner world exposed. Novel is really gripping and offers some nice escapism.


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This is a fabulous 5 🌟 physiological thriller.

I was hooked from the first until the very last page.

I thought I knew what had happened but no, I was totally blindsided!

I will definitely be looking out for this author in the future.

Loved it!

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This is exactly the kind of book that you want to press into people’s hands and just say two words READ IT!

Not only was the premise interesting but the way it was written was not how I was expecting it to go either (always nice to be surprised). Narrated in first person by both Beth and her husband Tom and in third person by victim Kate there is also another nameless narration. Now I had my suspicions on who that narrator was but while I was thinking chalk the writer was writing cheese. In fact I’m either getting dumber with my guesses, the more thrillers I read, or the writers are getting smarter. I will leave you to form an opinion on that!

Although Beth was written to be likeable there was something a little off about her. Was she gullible or did she know? Is she the Rose West to Tom’s Fred or a Myra Hindley to Ian Brady. Or is she a victim herself? You will ask yourself so many questions and I hate the word unputdownable but putting this book down is the equivalent of eating a sugar donut without licking your lips.

Now I make it no secret that I’m judgy and I form an opinion quite quickly. However there was one character who I couldn’t form an opinion on and that was all down to the writing smarts of Alice Hunter. She alludes, she diverts attention, she pitches one train of thought then brutally swaps it for another. So before you know it you are changing your opinion and second guessing yourself.

So I will leave you with those two very words I stated earlier. READ IT!

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An outstanding debut for Alice Hunter!

How well do you know your partner? After several years of marriage, you’d think you would know each other inside and out, wouldn’t you? Many people have skeletons in their closets, but what if those skeletons were real?

Beth is blissfully married to Tom, living happily in the village of Lower Tew with their daughter Poppy, life couldn’t get much better until one evening a knock at the door turns Beth’s whole world upside down. Tom gets taken to the police station to answer some questions about an ex-girlfriend who is missing and before long he is being held on suspicion of murder!

The title of this book I’m sure will make you realise that Tom’s ex-girlfriend is not his only victim. We follow Beth as she comes to terms with the fact that her husband is a killer and how she deals with the backlash of the press and the entire neighbourhood. They all think she knew, how could she not? Like I said though, how well do you really know your partner?

What a fantastic read this was! We know from the off that Tom is guilty of murder, but don’t worry, there are still plenty of shocks and surprises in this book which will catch you unaware each time! Every character has an unreliable side, making you question things throughout and wonder if it’s all quite so clear cut.

The pace of this story is just right, it’s not overly fast-paced like some psychological thrillers, but it’s not too slow either. Information is drip-fed to us throughout and the twists are spread out, this helps to hold your interest and makes the book incredibly difficult to put down. The whole thing is cleverly plotted, and the ending is just phenomenal! I did not see it coming! I think a sequel could come from this one.

When I read a book and it plays out in my mind like a movie/TV drama, that is when I know it would be fantastic on screen and this book did just that!

An addictive read with a realistic and chilling edge! I look forward to reading more from Alice Hunter.

Thank you so much to Alice Hunter and Avon for my copy of this fantastic new thriller!

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A jaw dropping twist at the end! Fantastic result by a debut author.

This story held your attention throughout and the end is a rare gem of making you think of your own continuation to the titbit you are left with. I do love a book that does this.

To be honest I doubt I would have chosen this as a book to read but as I was invited to read this for an honest opinion I was then keen enoug. Telling a story about a serial Killer's wife did grab my attention as not many books tell this angle and I was interested to find out how this story would pan out and it didn't go the way I thought it would.

I'll certainly be looking out for more from Alice Hunter.

Out today 27 May 2021 and happy publication day Alice!

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This was an easy read with the characters and locations being well described. I kept wondering what the twists were going to be as everything was obvious from the title and the book itself that her husband was a murderer. It was easy to relate to Beth, her home life, the pottery cafe and the trying to settle into the village, especially over the yummy mummy’s. A well thought out book by a talented debut author.

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The Serial Killer's Wife is an addictive and disturbing domestic thriller, written by Sam Carrington under the pseudonym Alice Hunter, and raises the question: how well do you really know the person you're married to? Beth and Tom Hardcastle have a seemingly idyllic life, the perfect marriage and family, and together they want for nothing. They appear hopelessly in love exactly as they should be, but we all know looks can be deceiving. Blissfully married for 7 years, they recently decided to move from the chaos of London to a village near Banbury for a quieter life in the countryside where Beth opened a successful business - Poppy's Pottery Place - a cosy, rustic ceramics cafe full of freshly homemade baked goods while Tom continued to be a finance portfolio manager in the city. The story opens at 8 PM with Beth having just settled her 3-year-old daughter, Poppy, when rather forceful knocking begins on the front door. She goes to answer expecting it to be her husband, Tom; he's later than usual but he's back now and that's all that matters. But behind the door stands the police and naturally, she begins to panic, her mind frantically skipping around the different possible scenarios as to why they're here and Tom is not. Has he been involved in an accident on his way home from work? The two plainclothes police officers introduce themselves as Detective Inspector Manning from the Metropolitan Police and his colleague from Thames Valley, Detective Sergeant Walters. They are here looking to speak to Tom and insist on coming in to wait. Tom commutes from their family home, a quaint cottage in Lower Tew to central London Monday to Friday as he works in banking at Moore & Wells.

Eventually, he arrives through the door and is greeted by detectives; he looks terrified and they inform him that they think he may be able to assist them with a murder inquiry. Tom is taken away for questioning at Banbury station before being released and then the following day is shockingly arrested for being involved in the disappearance and probable murder of his ex-girlfriend Katie Williams 8 years ago. Beth realises her life is ruined and about to fall apart and whether he has committed the crime or not the gossip-mongering villagers can't believe that Beth, the person supposed to be closest to him, didn't know about his deadly deeds. She stands by him but as more and more information comes to light she questions whether her husband was a Jekyll and Hyde type character who could've hidden his murderous streak and masqueraded as the loyal family man. But, it turns out, Katie is not the only one he is suspected of brutally slaughtering. They’re saying he’s a monster. And they’re saying she knew. This is one of the most addictive and disturbing thrillers I’ve read in years. Beth and Tom’s story is one of toxic love and obsession – it’s sinister, twisted, and terrifyingly plausible. It’s a totally compulsive read that had me gripped right up to the final line and left chills down my spine for hours after. This deliciously devious tale is perfectly paced, full of mind-boggling twists with an abundance of dark secrets unravelling before our very eyes. Laced with suspense and impossible to put down, Hunter studied psychology and worked in the prison service as part of a team offering rehabilitation programmes to violent offenders and the story feels more authentic due to her experience. Highly recommended.

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Wow! This book captured my attention from the very start and kept me guessing until the very end. Navigating my way through the story, I had numerous theories about who was reliable and who had ill intentions. I must admit, it had me fooled.. if you like dark who-done-it’s, with rich characters, give this one a try.

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Thank you to Netgalley and Avon books for the opportunity to read and review The Serial Killers Wife by Alice Hunter.

This was a superb debut novel. I was hooked from the very beginning. The story is told from Beth and Tom's view points and gets more gripping the deeper you go into the book.

I thought it was really well written and the supporting characters definitely added so much to the story which I find isn't always the case when you've got two such strong main characters.

It was a really fast paced book as well which I always enjoy, when you think it's going one way off the storyline swings in another direction, it definitely keeps you guessing!

I felt so sorry for Beth for the majority of the book but without giving away any spoilers this was totally gone by the end!!

Fantastic debut from Alice Hunter - will look forward to the next one!

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Beth has found the perfect man in Tom and seven years later they are living a dream life with their daughter Poppy. Until one night Tom is late home and the police come to call. A twisty tale that will keep you reading. Everyone has secrets !
#NetGalley #TheSerialKillersWife #AliceHunter

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There is a lot of buzz about this title. A debut novel that’s got a great premise and promise. Beth is our typical gal living her best life, married to Tom, a hunk, mother to an adorable little girl and running her dream pottery cafe. In the first few pages police come for Tom. Suspected of murdering his previous girlfriend. Beth spends a lot of time telling us and anyone who will listen how great a father, husband and man Tom really is. Some in the village shun her. Beth tries to hold her head high and continue her life. This doesn’t feel right, though. What is she hiding? Surely she had some idea? After a fast paced opening, we begin to doubt Beth right away. There are several twists (one big one telegraphed too soon and too obviously) that kept me rushing to the end.

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This is a good read centred around the lives of Beth and Tom.
The book begins with a knock at the door and Tom is taken away for questioning about a murder.
Beth is shocked and has lots of questions when he returns home. However, he’s not home long before he’s taken into custody and not released.
The circumstantial evidence is building up and Beth is able to fill in a few gaps as well.
The book as a few twists and turns but I didn’t see the ending coming.
This is not really a thriller as it’s more about Beth, Tom and the people he’s killed but it’s a fast paced read that had me hooked.
Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

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Thank you to Netgalley, Alice Hunter and Avon Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Beth and Tom are happily married, living in a quaint little village with a young daughter they both dote on... everythin is perfect. Until a knock on the door late on evening turns Beth's world upside down. Her Tom is a suspect in a murder enquiry and she's left to fend for her and Poppy, herself. How could Tom do the unthinkable to them and will anyone believe Beth when she says she had no idea?

Well this debut novel is full of the twists and turns you'd expect in a thriller... but BETTER.

Written so you are gripped from page one and straight into the drama, The Serial Killer's Wife had me page turning and desperate to find out more! I enjoyed the narrative from Beth but also the few chapters from Tom's perspective, however I especially enjoyed the snippets we get from an 'unknown' character and foudn these intertwined with the plot nicely.

I am really looking forward to reading more from Alice Hunter!

A refreshing perspective on a thriller that is full of dark secrets and mystery right up until the very end!

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Good book, well worth a read. It kept me page turning, eager to find out what was going on. I think this will be a hit with other readers. Not going to rehash the plot, or give anything away, you will have to find out for yourself, and I think you will enjoy the journey.

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I found this a very interesting book, it is a side of the story you never see. Fancy having to live with this knowledge and keeping it hidden.. Deep dark secrets.. thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

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Oh my goodness this is a jaw-dropping book!

Beth and Tom seem like a lovely, normal, happily married couple. How can Tom be accused of murder?

It’s difficult to review this book without giving too much of the plot away, and with a plot like this, full of twists and bombshells, you really don’t want it spoiled for you.

I’ll just tell you that this is probably my top psychological thriller book of this year so far. It’s tense and twisty, gripping and shocking. It’s a total must-read. It’s out today, just read it. You’ll be completely consumed by it, as I was. Superb.

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Beth's husband is late home from work. And then the police appear and take him away for questioning about a missing girl. Her perfect life - husband, child, business - all start to unravel as it seems the man she married is not who she thought he was. But there is more to the tale than first appears. Is Tom guilty as charged, or is he being set up?

This is an entertaining read, and the reader keeps thinking they know what is happening, then the plot takes another twist. Although I wasn't particularly surprised by the final ending.

Some of the characters are a little one-dimensional, and some of the events a little unbelievable - like how Adam so readily inveigles himself into Beth's life, and Beth's reactions when the press hound her and she becomes notorious in the village - but overall it makes for a fun read that keeps you guessing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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What a gripping thriller.

This was a very disturbing but good read.

Thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish and could not get enough of.

This is a must read for anyone who enjoys a good thriller!!
Absolutely loved the characters, the plot, the tension -  impossible to put it down.
Certainly recommended!

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‘The Serial Killer’s Wife’ is the debut book by Alice Hunter.

Beth and Tom Hardcastle are the envy of their neighbourhood – they have the perfect marriage, the perfect house, the perfect family. When the police knock on their door one evening, Beth panics. Tom should be back from work by now – what if he’s crashed his car? She fears the worst. But the worst is beyond imagining. As the interrogation begins, Beth will find herself questioning everything she believed about her husband.

A debut novel with a fascinating narrative is exactly how I’d describe this book.

Seen from the narrative of Beth Hardcastle, she’s shocked when her husband is suspected to be involved with a disappearance of a woman from 8 years ago. And the perfect life that they’ve set up outside London is about to come crashing down, when rumours start circulating about him. Interestingly, the story is also seen through the opinion of Tom as he deals with the allegations being held behind bars and the worry of what Beth thinks.

Beth seems quite an interesting character, she’s settled into her new role of mother and owner of a ceramic cafe quite well, but she’s not used to the Yummy Mummy crowd and the judgement they pass at the school gates. She’s a strong woman and refuses to believe that her loving husband would have this side to him and as more stories are revealed, we see her opinion change which makes for gripping reading.

The story is written in the past and present tense from the lead up of the couple meeting whilst Alice has also included a narrative from Kate, the missing woman which I thought was a great addition to the story. This helped put a face and personality to the character instead of just thinking of her as an unknown.

‘The Serial Killer’s Wife’ is a complex psychological thriller that travels at a fast pace and is cleverly crafted with twists and drama throughout.

You can buy ‘The Serial Killer’s Wife’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.

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