Sarah Gailey’s The Echo Wife is “a trippy domestic thriller which takes the extramarital affair trope in some intriguingly weird new directions.”–Entertainment WeeklyI’m embarrassed, still, by how long it took me to notice. Everything was right there in the open, right there in front of me, but it still took me so long to see the person I had married.It took me so long to hate him.Martine is a … took me so long to hate him.
Martine is a genetically cloned replica made from Evelyn Caldwell’s award-winning research. She’s patient and gentle and obedient. She’s everything Evelyn swore she’d never be.
And she’s having an affair with Evelyn’s husband.
Now, the cheating bastard is dead, and both Caldwell wives have a mess to clean up.
Good thing Evelyn Caldwell is used to getting her hands dirty.
At the Publisher’s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
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A fast-paced, twisty thriller that was compulsively readable. And that ending? *chef’s kiss*.
YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK. BE PREPARED FOR ALLLLLLLL THE FEELINGS.
This book was absolutely incredible. I got so caught up in the story and felt like I was right there along with the characters, and felt like I was a part of their secret they had to hide/take care of. Imagine waking up one day and realizing that your husband is not only cheating on you, but cheating on you with a clone of yourself…that is all the things that you are not. Talk about a mindf**k. This brought me back to my terrible marriage where I was told for over 7 years that I wasn’t good enough…ever. It made me think of what my current partner might choose to “fix” about me if he was able to make a clone of me…holy moly, this book makes you look at yourself and your flaws…but actually be THANKFUL for them. This book is full of betrayal, shock, happiness, bonding, frustration, guilt, and so many other feelings…I was exhausted in the best way after reading it. I will definitely check out more of their work.
The Echo Wife is a dark sci-fi thriller full of twists that is a must-read for 2021! This book shocked me with its twists and out of all the directions I imagined it to go, I did not expect the one it took. The writing is great and Sarah Gailey spins and intriguing and original tale full of suspense. The book was exciting and fresh and written in a way that draws readers in and makes them not want to put down the book. I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamic between Evelyn Caldwell and Martine, her genetic identical clone, with whom her husband was having an affair. While the story does have a science fiction aspect, its much more of a thriller and will leave you guessing until the finish. This book is also about Evelyn finding herself after being cheated on(with a “better, more obedient” version of her self and it was interesting to see her growth throughout the story. People have been comparing it to Killing Eve and Big Little Lies, Westworld, etc., but I see a much more original story that is reminiscent of a dark thrill ride.
An amazing and taunt suspenseful read that will keep you guessing until the very end.
BOOK RATING: 3/5
AUDIOBOOK RATING: 5/5
The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey is one strange little book. It is pretty short at under 300 pages and 8.5 hours for the audiobook, so it goes by really quickly but I just have no idea what to think about it. I was immediately pulled in by both the cover and synopsis, and I am usually a big fan of science fiction. I don’t know if it was the writing or the content but there was something about this book that didn’t fully pull me in like I was hoping it would. The clone aspect was intriguing and there is some disturbing content that I was definitely here for. The pacing was a little off for me and slow at first, but I was listening to the audiobook, so it wasn’t a big deal. It felt like it went by really quickly though and I finished it in 1 afternoon so that’s something!
The audiobook itself was a big winner for me and it is narrated by Xe Sands who is one of my favorite narrators. I think her narration is one thing that really helped me stick it out until the very end, but on top of that, it was just so bizarre that I didn’t want to put it down. I went in pretty blindly just knowing The Echo Wife had a sci-fi quality and I think it is best described as a mix of that and psychological thriller. The cloning aspect was explained in a way I could understand, and I can’t believe how much Gailey was able to pack into this small novel. A magazine compared The Echo Wife to Black Mirror, and I can definitely see that based on what I know about the show. So, if you are a fan of Black Mirror and/or clone stories this is definitely worth checking out.
I received an advanced listening copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
My favorite audiobook of the year so far. Brilliantly written by Sarah Gailey, brilliantly read by Xe Sands. When a groundbreaking researcher’s ex-husband steals her research to create a clone — OF HER — it’s a wild ride of ethical dilemmas, impossible decisions, vengeful impulses, and shocking revelations you won’t see coming. So beautifully done.
Four and a half for this one, a drop because of some plot holes I couldn’t get over. Our (or one of our) heroine is Evelyn, a scientist working in the field of cloning. She is still aching from her recent divorce from her husband, Nathan. Nathan has moved on and is now with a new partner, Martine. Evelyn is devastated by the divorce, but finding out who Nathan’s new wife is has driven her to near distraction.
A meeting over tea between Evelyn and Martine sets the plot in motion in directions I never could have dreamed of. The novel does a great job of illustrating how messy and filled with landmines modern science can be. Remarkable advances accumulate but the ethical questions that arise in their wake far outnumber said advances.
A sci-fi thriller on the surface, but peel back the layers and you’ll find twisted relationships, ambitious women, and the raw beating heart of what it means to be human. This one gave me some serious DEAD TO ME and LIVING WITH YOURSELF vibes.
The premise behind this book is different and intriguing from what I often read but there were times while reading that I had to back up and re-read because I missed something. I did not really connect with the characters but found myself wanting to know what was going to happen still throughout the story with them. I have still continued to think about this book to process and details from the story that keep coming back to me. I have a feeling it will continue with me for days or weeks to come.
Wow, this was unique!! Evelyn Caldwell is a distinguished scientist who has successfully completed with in cloning specimens. While she has professional success, her marriage has fallen apart. Her husband, Nathan, has left Evelyn for another woman, Martine. But Martine isn’t just any woman, she is Evelyn’s clone, just more perfect for Nathan than Evelyn. When Nathan ends up dead, Martine calls Evelyn, desperate for help. What follows is creepy and unsettling.
Very enjoyable and creepy, while creating ethical questions about science and human genetics, especially the ethics around cloning.
The ending will surprise you, as will the story behind the creation of Martine. I look forward to reading more books from this author. I enjoyed the way she combined science and intrigue into this unforgettable science fiction psychological thriller!
Deeply disturbing and deliciously twisted. While there were some questions left unanswered (perhaps deliberately), the author gives us a tale of marriage, self-identity, who we love, and lots of off-camera gore. I liked it, but it’s not going to be for everyone.
I was a little disappointed in this book. The premise sounded great. The first half was very slow to start, but once I hit 50% the pacing picked up. I thought it would get much better. The ending gave resolution, but I was very confused by it. I almost felt like it made everything pointless? Unfortunately I won’t be able to recommend this book.
I just finished The Echo Wife and my mind is spinning! This science fiction mystery thriller was fascinating and compelling. It’s a quick read that would easily translate to a tv series or movie and I would watch it in a heartbeat. I don’t read a ton of sci-fi but I absolutely loved this book and knew I had to read it after reading an excerpt on BookishFirst.
Evelyn isn’t necessarily a likable character but she is FASCINATING. She is obsessed with her work on cloning and has built a successful career, yet she’s cold and distant. She’s everything Martine isn’t. Martine is sweet and submissive and focused on building a family with Nathan. She’s almost the perfect woman for Nathan. Almost.
These two characters were complex and unique. I really enjoyed their interactions and seeing Martine’s growth and change. There are twists and turns in this story that kept me flipping the pages. The Echo Wife delves into so many interesting topics and there is just so much to discuss and dissect. You will find yourself debating various ethical scenarios in your head. Where do you draw the line in science and medical experimentation? How far is too far?
This is a must read for 2021. Science fiction fans will love it but I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a book that keeps you hooked and makes you think while being entertaining. I haven’t read anything by Sarah Gailey before but I am a fan n
So many events circling back upon each other; how the past molds the present and future in this one, ripple effect.
The book deals with cloning of humans: the ethics and the science of it. Thinks like knowledge and memories and behavior that you don’t consider when you hear about the cloning of sheep. As I read, questions would form in my mind and were generally answered.
I’ll never look at a rose garden the same way again. And how large was that garden (at Nathan’s home) anyway?
2.8
Just okay, disappointed because it wasn’t at all what I had expected or hoped for. I also didn’t like Evelyn and with the entire book told from her point of view and being VERY repetitive on top of it – didn’t make getting through it any easier for me.
A futuristic-day take on Frankenstein that also explores misogyny, moral dilemmas, abuse and clones.
Lots of clones.
Compelling characters with an interesting but somewhat anemic storyline.
The Echo Wife is very different take on the psychological thriller genre. The clever science fiction premise is unlike anything I’ve read and makes the story feel fresh and unique. The scientific elements are just detailed enough to make them believable without bogging down the story. Both Evelyn and Martine are empathetic characters and I found myself rooting for them both. I don’t want to reveal too much…trust me. Pick this one up and you will not be sorry.
“The Echo Wife” by Sarah Gailey takes that domestic thriller trope where there’s a wife and a husband and the husband has another woman on the side and transplants it into a universe of speculative fiction where cloning humans has become a norm in the name of scientific advancement.
Not only that, it doesn’t plod along making us wait to get to what we already know is going to happen, creating a false sense of build up. The story begins after the husband’s infidelity has already been discovered and the pace just doesn’t slow down from there. I was a bit concerned it would go back in time and spend most of the time with Nathan, but the book didn’t and I’m THRILLED about it. Every turn in the story was exciting, and the one twist a fourth of the way in honestly shocked (and impressed) me. I didn’t want it to end, but the ending was perfect too.
Since I’m not college-educated in either genetics or biology, I wonder if the plethora of sciencey jargon in this book sounds off to anyone who is. I was able to follow well enough, even if I didn’t understand exactly what was being described, and the way Gailey writes about it, the way characters chat and pass along casual information was super engaging. So it was convincing enough for me, but I’d be interested in more-educated opinions on the matter.
Anyway, I just adore this book!!
*received ARC from TOR through BookishFirst!
The Echo Wife was an amazing read that features an incredibly unique concept.
Evelyn Caldwell is a pioneer in the scientific community for her genetic clone research. The last thing she expected was for her husband to leave her for a cloned replica of herself. But Martine is everything Evelyn is not, patient, kind, and obedient. When Evelyn receives an urgent call from Martine requesting a meeting, she’s shocked to discover her ex-husband dead on the woman’s floor. Now the Caldwell wives must clean up the mess before Evelyn loses everything she’s worked for her entire life.
The cloning concept in this book was quite interesting and I liked that the author made it easy to understand. The author has Evelyn explain the process behind cloning to Martine who, like the reader, knows nothing about it. By explaining everything to Martine, it allows the reader to get all the necessary information without an uninteresting info dump. So don’t let the science fiction aspect of the story put you off as it’s easy to understand.
Evelyn and Martine’s characters are so different from each other at the start of this book which I didn’t expect given that Martine is a clone. While they do have some of the same mannerisms and obviously they are physically identical, they very much stand apart as characters. Evelyn has dedicated her life to her work and she is very driven. She doesn’t bother with anything that doesn’t interest her and is unapologetic about that. Martine is a much softer version of Evelyn and her focus in life is her husband. She doesn’t question information she’s given and accepts that what she is told is what’s best for her. Martine changes a lot over the course of the book and I won’t detail how to avoid spoilers but it was definitely interesting watching her development.
The thriller aspect of this story is very slow paced and that’s definitely a change from most thrillers that I read. The Echo Wife is more about what’s happening with the characters and not necessarily the death of Nathan Caldwell. Don’t get me wrong, his death does ultimately influence why the story goes a certain direction but this book is more about the other characters’ journeys after his death. I don’t want to give away what happens, but I will say it was a quite interesting plot and I wondered how Evelyn and Martine would pull it off. The ending was a bit surprising but I did enjoy it.
Overall The Echo Wife was a fantastic read and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a unique sci-fi twist on the traditional thriller.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
Really not my sort of book. I despise “literature” in general, because I do not believe that it is possible to learn anything reliably from fiction. You are literally putting large parts of your judgement at risk of absorbing some other person’s prejudices. Fiction should be entertaining. This wasn’t. By comparison, think of a certified classic, like anything from Shakespeare; It entertains at every level from high politics to low humor.