Title: The Wife Stalker by Liv Constantine
Publisher: Harper
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 316 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss
Summary:
The bestselling author of The Last Mrs. Parrish returns with a psychological thriller, filled with chilling serpentine twists, about a woman fighting to hold onto the only family she’s ever loved—and how far she’ll go to preserve it.
Named one of the most anticipated thrillers of the year by Goodreads, Bustle, SheReads, and Library Journal; A LibraryReads pick of the month
Breezing into the upscale seaside paradise of Westport, Connecticut, gorgeous thirtysomething Piper Reynard sets down roots, opening a rehab and wellness space and joining a local yacht club. When she meets Leo Drakos, a handsome, successful lawyer, the wedding ring on his finger is the only thing she doesn’t like about him. Yet as Piper well knows, no marriage is permanent.
Meanwhile, Joanna has been waiting patiently for Leo, the charismatic man she fell in love with all those years ago, to re-emerge from the severe depression that has engulfed him. Though she’s thankful when Leo returns to his charming, energetic self, paying attention again to Evie and Stelli, the children they both love beyond measure, Joanna is shocked to discover that it’s not her loving support that’s sparked his renewed happiness—it’s something else.
Piper. Leo has fallen head over heels for the flaky, New Age-y newcomer, and unrepentant and resolute, he’s more than willing to leave Joanna behind, along with everything they’ve built. Of course, he assures her, she can still see the children.
Joanna is devastated—and determined to find something, anything, to use against this woman who has stolen her life and her true love. As she digs deeper into Piper’s past, Joanna begins to unearth disturbing secrets . . . but when she confides to her therapist that she fears for the lives of her ex-husband and children, her concerns are dismissed as paranoia. Can she find the proof she needs in time to save them?
Review:
The Wife Stalker by Liv Constantine is an absolutely riveting domestic mystery.
Joanna quietly waits for Leo Drakos to emerge from the deep depression he has been battling for several months. She is thrilled when he begins working again but she is soon frustrated to discover that someone else is responsible for his increasing happiness. After Joanna is pushed aside, she is determined to uncover everything she can about the new woman in his life.
Piper Reynard’s new beginning in Westport, CT is off to a fantastic beginning. She is the owner of a successful wellness center and she focuses on the positive. After meeting lawyer Leo Drakos, she quickly falls for him and their relationship progresses quickly. Piper is soon stepmom to eight year old Evie and six year old Stelli and she is settling into her new life. As Leo puts in long hours working on his cases, she works on her relationships with her stepchildren. Evie is a delightful little girl who genuinely likes Piper but young Stelli is resistant to accepting her into the fold. Although frustrated, Piper is determined to make her marriage work.
Meanwhile, Joanna is doing everything she can to try to win Leo back. She is also fighting hard to regain visitation rights with Evie and Stelli. She deeply resents Piper’s intrusion into their life so she is furiously attempting to uncover her foe’s secrets. Digging deep into Piper’s past, Joanna grows increasingly certain Stelli, Evie and quite possibly, Leo, are in danger. Certain time is running out, Joanna takes extreme measure to try to save the people the loves.
Alternating between Joanna and Piper’s point of view, The Wife Stalker is a captivating mystery. The storyline is well-developed and the short chapters keep the story moving at a brisk pace. Piper is a bit standoffish and she desperately wants to put her past behind her. Joanna will go to any lengths to protect her loved ones. With starling twists and eye-popping turns, Liv Constantine brings this mesmerizing mystery to a jaw-dropping conclusion. An outstanding mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend to fans of the genre.
