An Instant Bestseller!The New York Times USA Today The Globe and Mail The Toronto StarNew York Times bestselling author Tarryn Fisher delivers a pulse-pounding, fast-paced suspense novel that will leave you breathless. A thriller you won’t be able to put down!Imagine that your husband has two other wives.You’ve never met the other wives. None of you know each other, and because of this … wives.
You’ve never met the other wives. None of you know each other, and because of this unconventional arrangement, you can see your husband only one day a week. But you love him so much you don’t care. Or at least that’s what you’ve told yourself.
But one day, while you’re doing laundry, you find a scrap of paper in his pocket—an appointment reminder for a woman named Hannah, and you just know it’s another of the wives.
You thought you were fine with your arrangement, but you can’t help yourself: you track her down, and, under false pretenses, you strike up a friendship. Hannah has no idea who you really are. Then Hannah starts showing up to your coffee dates with telltale bruises, and you realize she’s being abused by her husband. Who, of course, is also your husband. But you’ve never known him to be violent, ever.
Who exactly is your husband, and how far would you be willing to go to find out?
And who is his mysterious third wife?
“Nail-biting, heart-clenchingly good.”—New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Torre
“[A] lightning-fast plot.”—Kirkus
“Suspense fans will be rewarded.”—Publishers Weekly
“Some sharp twists.”—Booklist
Don’t miss The Wrong Family, the next gripping, unputdownable, twist-filled thriller from Tarryn Fisher!
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Every now and then a book comes along with a plot so twisted it blows you away… This is that book! From the get go I was hooked and this book just kept reeling me in. The plot is so cleverly crafted and intricate that you have no idea where it’s going. My mind was working overtime and for the most part I thought I was going crazy!!
This book is what I’ve needed for a long time, it’s refreshing, a psychological thriller of epic proportions, it’s the type of plot that has you wondering how the hell the author came up with the idea. This will definitely be hard to beat. I can safely say this will be in my top 5 for 2020!
Based on the premise of a polygamist marriage, this book had an intriguing plot. The leading character in this story, Thursday, is a second wife and exhibiting the same symptoms as a middle child. She feels jealous and overlooked. She’s always looking for information on the other wives and comparing herself endlessly with their circumstances. She knows her husband Seth divorced his first wife so he could marry her. He wanted babies and the first wife didn’t want any. So it behooved her to give him babies but then she miscarried and later wasn’t able to have babies anymore.
So now Thursday feels like she failed on her purpose, and when Seth goes on to attain a third wife and got her pregnant, she’s feeling more and more forlorn.
I’ve been watching a lot of Chinese soap operas lately, about the Emperors and their harems, and found a lot of the same behavior of the concubines in Thursday. She’s conniving, ambitious, she wants to be the preferred one, she wants her husband all to herself. Not content on only having two days a week with Seth, she’s looking for clues to help her attain a better position in the wives hierarchy.
The reading pace on this book is initially slow. For me this was torture, because I like a fast pace in my reading. Then I realized that the author is doing a slow burn, a slow crescendo of the suspense. After 40% into the book, it went on from a chronicle of Thursday’s relation with Seth into a full-on investigation about his other wives. Little by little the pace increases, more information is discovered, more fear and suspense is created. From a slow and boring beginning, we get to a point where we feverishly pass the pages to find out what happens next and the anxiety grows.
Around 75% into the book, I already could predict the outcome and was not wrong, but even so, the author was brilliant in the way she pieced all the parts and the characters together into a cohesive and coherent whole. The author was brilliant in keeping the reader in the dark and developing the characters. At times I had doubts about each and every character in the plot and assigned them nefarious motives. The end was not surprising but very spectacular. There were some plot twists that took me by surprise and kept me guessing if my prediction was right. I would say that the first half of the books is a 3 star and the latter part a 5 star in terms of the anxiety it caused!
***** AUDIOBOOK REVIEW *****
I don’t even know what to say or how to review this book. I expected a story that was a bit off the rails but The Wives was off the rails and was set in fire! I am beyond floored. The first 50% of the story was a nice set up and showing you this nice neat box. Ha! Tarryn Fisher must not like nice or neat because she took that box and played basketball ball with it and then set it on fire. Everything I thought I knew, I didn’t. I mean, woah!
The narration by Lauren Fortgang was amazing. She portrayed Thursday to a T. Her narration mixed with the way Mrs. Fisher writes was stunning. It came to life. Just a very messed up life that will shock all listeners!!!
Thursday shares her husband with 2 other wives. The arrangement is working until Thursday finds the name of one of the other wives. Thursday is determined to find out about the “Monday” wife. This book is one wild ride and I thoroughly enjoyed it! The lengths Thursday to find out about the other wives takes the reader on an adventure that you can not put down!!!
If you’re a reader familiar with Tarryn Fisher’s books, you already know that nothing is what it seems when it comes to a story’s plot line and characters, and that what you perceive as the reality of certain situations that occur as the book progresses is anything but…perception isn’t always factual or honest, which is exactly why it’s extremely difficult to trust in your inferences about the story line because it’s not your story, for that matter, it’s not even the author’s story…it’s where the characters want and need to go that dictates how twisted and complex the journey is.
Seeing everything through Thursday’s eyes, one of Seth’s three wives, is what I found to be the biggest mindjolt. There’s truly no reason to doubt what she uncovers, how she reacts to that information, and the way everything unfolds due to the steps taken to resolve the position she finds herself in when her life implodes.
What’s clear throughout this psychological thriller is that the world is not, and almost cannot be experienced/lived in only black and white, and this is more than scary because it’s an unpredictable, uncontrolled, and potentially unhinged gray area – a place where nothing is guaranteed and where fighting for what you want doesn’t mean you get it or perhaps, even deserve it.
Even though I have a number of Fisher’s book in my Kindle library, I had yet to dive into one, so the opportunity to read/review The Wives was exactly what I needed to be introduced to the way she crafts a story and how character-driven her storylines are…now, I just need to find the time to read her other books!
4.5 Poison Apples
I thought I knew what was happening, but I was so wrong! Total page-turner. So many twists and turns..what a crazy, unpredictable story!
Tarryn has always had a way with words. She weaves a spell filled with desire and cunning that will leave the hardest won critic gasping for breath and shaking their heads wondering WHAT THE HELL DID I JUST READ!
Thursday is in a marriage with the man of her dreams… and TWO other WOMEN. When I first read the synopsis for this book I spent days trying to wrap my head around it all. And then my ARC arrived and I dove in, breath held. I ached for Thursday. Her predicament brought forth all the feelings, vulnerability, sadness, aching, and anger for the position her husband put her in. Then it shifted in true Tarryn form. No other author has the ability to make me love a character and then question my sanity for loving them within the span of a single novel. For a second I thought I was the one losing MY mind.
Don’t second guess yourself. GRAB THIS BOOK. Like it, Love it, Hate it… it doesn’t matter. I can promise that regardless of your opinion this is one book that will stick with you for a very long time.
Wow! What a ride…. so many twists, turns and surprises which I simply didn’t see coming!
This book has it all. From the very first page to the very last it will all shock you. You think you know what is happening and then suddenly something changes and you’re back to square one.
A story that will leave you questioning your thoughts, questioning your mind and wondering what the heck you’ve just read.
I almost feel I need to re-read this book immediately. The ending, for me, was brilliant!
Another super read from Tarryn Fisher. A psychological story with just a hint of romance, but quite honestly, nope… no romance at all!!
A must-read!
What an amazing book. It kept me on the edge of my seat anxiously awaiting what was coming next from page to page. Just when I thought I had it figured out, something would happen that totally changed my mind. Then that ending! That was something I never saw coming. I absolutely loved this book and definitely recommend it. Lauren Fortgang did perfect with the narration and putting sound and emotion to the characters.
This was the first book I have read of Tarryn’s and after hearing so much about it I jumped at the chance to read it and I wasn’t disappointed.
I’m not sure what I expected from the blurb as I tried to go in relatively blind and I was hooked. I never knew which way this book was going to go and the twists and turns where honestly brilliant. I never suspected them. Simply brilliant writing.
If this is Tarryn’s level of writing then I will certainly be checking out her backlist of work and looking out for new books.
“My existence is exhausting, all of the games I play. This is a woman’s curse.”
“I love my husband, but I’m not the only one. There are others.”
The Wives is a psychological thriller from a new to me author and this book put my mind in an endless spin hours after reading it.
This book is told through our heroine’s POV, Thursday. Like any mystery novel, the story slowly but surely builds up the suspense while I was sitting here gripping my e-reader and madly flipping the pages to know what will happen next. I read this book until the wee hours of the morning because of its driving story plot, and honestly, who doesn’t like a thriller like this one? Aside from romance, this is one of my book crack.
As I read through, I thought I know what this story will be about, only to be proven wrong. I really didn’t expect it to turn/ end the story that way. I was speechless, dumbfounded, astounded… All of these things. I keep trying to replay the story in my head, staring mindlessly at space as I try to digest everything. Gahd! And that’s why, this book is amazing! This is MIND FUCKERY at its best!
I won’t say anything more because I want you all to experience what I had. Needless to say, I have nothing but mad love for this book and this is definitely, a must read for fans of this trope.
I could not have picked a better book to finish off the year! Tarryn has done it again! I love when I think I have a book figured out but then my mind melts when I am completely wrong and The Wives did just that! This is definitely a top 5 for best books of the decade!
I found this story to be a little strange, yes I knew going into it that Tarryn Fisher writes stories that are different and thought provoking but I really found this story a little irritating and a bit of a mockery of mental health. I really hated the ending of the story and cannot really say why due to it being a major spoiler. I found this to be just an ok read and wasn’t really my cup of tea. I was really hoping for a better outcome for the books characters but it just didn’t go the way I thought it would.and so I wouldn’t ever read this book again. I have loved many other stories from this author but this one just didn’t do it for me this time.
I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of this book in April. I devoured it as I always do with Tarryn Fisher books. This one took me by complete surprise and flipped all of my suspicions upside down. The ending left me speechless. Everything about this story was unexpected and I love that. This is one for the true psychological thriller lovers of the world. It’s been 8 months since I read this book and Thursday’s story hasn’t left me. I highly highly recommend it!
Apparently I didn’t review this? Let me tell you why.. I’m guessing it was because I stared at the wall for a good 20 minutes after I read it trying to figure out what the heck just happened. No words. I had no words. I didn’t even know what just happened and my brain had a mini explosion. I went into this book thinking one thing and I came out the other side with my mind all messed up. I loved this book, not only because it was unexpected, but I love a good unreliable narrator. It makes things all the more fun. I thought I knew, but I didn’t. I had no idea. I won’t say much because it is really a book you need to go in blind for. You might think you know, but you really don’t.
The last read of the decade. A decade in which I discovered the kindle and Indie writers and Tarryn Fisher definitely became a firm favourite.
Other than seeing the cover I went in blind. I didn’t feel the need to read the blurb because, it’s TF, she can do no wrong. I realised at around half way through that I didn’t know the name of the lead character, the narrator. It was when that name was revealed that I realised TF had mind fucked me. Like Marrow.
I was so in tune trying to spot what the twist would be, but the things I found were red herrings. Zippo lighter, jell-o. Interesting but not the plot breaker.
So Seth has three wives and the real middle wife (our narrator) wants him to herself so she tracks down the competition. But all does not go to plan.
Which one would Seth pick if he was forced to choose? Would it be wife number one, the petite career wife who loves shoes? Or would it be wife number two, the sexy trust fund wife who can whip up a rack of lamb and whip your trousers off while it cooks? Or what about wife number three, the wholesome young blonde who can still shell out a baby or two?
Seth himself doesn’t get that much of a mention. I definitely didn’t like him but I’m not sure if I liked wife number two either. She’s bonkers!
A super story and a great last read of 2019.
The Wives was another great read by Tarryn Fisher. Thursday’s husband has two other wives and none of them know each other. Unfortunately because of this, Thursday is only able to see Seth one day a week. One day Thursday is doing laundry and finds a paper in Seth’s pocket that is an appointment reminder. The reminder is for someone named Hannah and she knows it has to be one of Seth’s other wives. Thursday starts to question the arrangement and tracks Hannah down. She befriends her and discovers that Hannah has bruises and Seth is abusing her. She starts questioning her husband and if he is this abusive person. This book brings you on an emotional rollercoaster ride. Just when you think you know what is going on, something huge happens. I absolutely love Tarryn’s writing and how you never truly know what’s happening. I loved reading this book and can’t wait to read more by Tarryn Fisher.
When the book starts, Thursday is trying to deal with her husband Seth and his other wives. As the story progresses, I was on edge of my seat. I thought I had handle on the truth and then another twist. What’s the truth?
5 Crazy Stars!!!
This is my first book by Tarryn Fisher and it’s definitely NOT going to be my last!! I was hooked from the blurb and hoped the book was as good as the blurb and it totally was.
Thursday loves her husband Seth. But their marriage isn’t conventional and isn’t for everyone. Seth is married to Thursday and two other women. Yes, they’re in a plural marriage. Only Thursday doesn’t know Seth’s other wives. She doesn’t know anything about them other then they all share Seth. She doesn’t even know their names. They’re referred as “Monday” and “Tuesday” and Thursday’s OK with it. Or so she thought.
When Thursday sees a paper for a Dr’s appointment in Seth’s pocket for a “Hannah” she wonders is that Tuesday’s real name. Thursday decides to do a drive-by to get a glimpse of what she looks like. Even though that’s totally against Seth’s rules she figures what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.
Thursday bumps into Hannah and realize they’re total opposites, from their looks to how they’re living and even how Seth treats them both.
That one conversation with Hannah makes Thursday question everything about herself, her marriage and everything about Seth. Thursday wants answers from Seth but isn’t sure she’s ready or can handle the answers.
Once I opened my kindle I couldn’t put it down until I finished! I legit couldn’t figure out what was going to happen next or what was real or who/what was fake or lying.
I’ve always loved thrillers and suspense books. It’s why Stephen King has always been one of my favorite authors for as long as I can remember. I’ve been reading a lot of romance and fantasy/paranormal books for awhile now. So getting a chance to read this book was such a great treat. I’ve forgotten how much I love this genre and that I need to start reading it more often.
3.5 “What did I just read?” stars
So this book is a total mindf**k!! I can safely say that you will NOT see all the twists and turns in this one. Just when I thought I knew what was going on – something else happened.
We hear the story from Thursday’s (the second wife) point of view and she paints a relatively clear picture of what her life is like and her perception of the others. To be honest – it was hard to really like any of the characters and at times – I thought the book lagged a bit.
As you can probably guess – it isn’t an easy life sharing your man with two other women. Thursday learns things she probably wishes she didn’t know and you’ll learn things you probably wish you didn’t know. This is definitely a psychological thriller and you absolutely won’t believe how it ends. Jaw dropping finish all the way around.
I voluntarily requested and received an advance reader copy from the publisher through Net Galley.