The Husband’s Secret

This was the first Liane Moriarity book I read and I loved it! I went on to read everything else she wrote. I enjoyed this one more than her famous “Big Little Lies” though it was also excellent. I wish they would make a series of “The Husband’s Secret”.

Thought-provoking. For every action there is a reaction, but mostly we’ll never know all the reactions that came from a single action.

I read through some reviews and was quite surprised that not everyone enjoyed it. I was totally gripped. There is something so real and so frightening to think that a neighbor, a friend or even a family member is a coldhearted killer. Sends ice down my back.

The story takes place over 7 days, and is told from the view point of three different women. At the beginning they don’t know each other but their lives are woven together by invisible silk strands.

There’s Cecilla. A woman who has it altogether, her life is orderly, neat and idyllic, why wouldn’t you just want to be like her? She has everything it seems, loving husband, beautiful daughters, friends, family, nice house and even makes a fortune selling plastic containers!

And there’s Tess. Timid, shy but happily married with a wonderful son, a caring husband and a cousin who is more like a twin and always by her side. They’ve set up their own business, and they’re doing really well.

Then there’s Rachel. Oh my Lord, Rachel. Rachel broke my heart and I cried at the end. She was happily married once. She did have two great kids, once. But then one day someone murdered her daughter, strangled actually. Her pain is raw and I felt it all.

We come into their lives 27 years after the murder of Janie (Rachel’s daughter). In the exact same moment, their lives are sent on a collision course, 7 days before Easter, the anniversary of the death of Janie. It starts when Cecilla finds a letter her husband, John-Paul, wrote years ago and lost. As Cecilla holds the letter that states – To Cecilla, to be opened on the event of my death, Tess’s husband and her cousin explain, ever so regretfully, that they are in love and want to be together. At that precise moment, Rachel is told that her only joy in life – her little grandson, is being taken across the world. And so the crash begins.

Have you ever played pass-the-parcel? That’s how I felt the book read, like each time the music stops and someone rips off the next layer of paper but the prize still isn’t visible, so on it goes until the music stops again. Instead of becoming clearer, the mystery kept deepening, more intricate and definitely more compelling to read. Moriarty, in my opinion, is a master storyteller. Her characters so gripping, the plot clever the timing spot-on. The Epilogue reveals things that no one knew and I just kept thinking… this author is brill. Emotions run hot and heavy throughout and this is definitely a thriller that is more about people and how they think than the murder itself. I really thought it was a great read, I certainly couldn’t put it down.

At first I had a hard time getting the characters straight because it kept flip flopping from one person to the next, but finally was able to really get into the book and I didn’t want to put it down, I was blown away by the whole story plot and was not disappointed on all the twists and turns, loved how every character was linked together!

I’m usually quite good at predicting outcomes in books, but this one made it impossible for me to guess. It was definitely worth the read/listen.

I listened to the Audiobook. The narration was excellent.

The book was three major plot lines that were interwoven into each other. Each was interesting and as I listened, wondered where the story was going to take me.

Everyone has secrets, and if they are kept hidden or exposed, what changes will happen in your life? This concept is what the book explores. Secrets hidden still effect you, your actions and feelings are a result of your overall perception of yourself. Secrets told, can change lives for the better or for the worse.

I loved the epilogue that tied up the character’s lives for the future. You can see in their continuing lives how the secrets kept and told still have long playing out consequences.

This was the first book that I “read” by this author. I definitely will be seeking out her other books.

I found this book to be very engaging. I would suggest this book for a rainy day.

The Husband’s Secret is a lovely, gripping novel told from the point of view of three well-drawn characters. As their lives intersect, tension builds. There’s a mystery at the heart of this novel too. I enjoyed seeing how the tale unfolded and reading the stunning ending.

It was very hard to ‘get into’ this book. Too many characters presented too quickly and the chapters also changing groups of people was not only distracting, but made it very hard to stay reading. Because it is a book club selection, I have to finish it. If not, I would give up. Perhaps others have a positive take on the book. I hope so.

Another great one by Liane Moriarity. Her intricate plots and interesting characters make this one hard to put down.