Title: The Other Mrs. by Mary Kubica
Publisher: Park Row
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
Propulsive and addictive, and perfect for fans of “You,” The Other Mrs. is the twisty new psychological thriller from Mary Kubica, the New York Times bestselling author of The Good Girl
She tried to run, but she can’t escape the other Mrs.
Sadie and Will Foust have only just moved their family from bustling Chicago to small-town Maine when their neighbor Morgan Baines is found dead in her home. The murder rocks their tiny coastal island, but no one is more shaken than Sadie.
But it’s not just Morgan’s death that has Sadie on edge. And as the eyes of suspicion turn toward the new family in town, Sadie is drawn deeper into the mystery of what really happened that dark and deadly night. But Sadie must be careful, for the more she discovers about Mrs. Baines, the more she begins to realize just how much she has to lose if the truth ever comes to light.
Review:
The Other Mrs. by Mary Kubica is a disquieting domestic mystery.
Dr. Sadie Foust and her family relocate to an island off the coast of Maine following her sister-in-law’s death. The move comes at a fortuitous time since she recently discovered husband Will’s affair and their fourteen year old son Otto has been in trouble at school. Sadie’s unhappiness at their new home is exacerbated by her sixteen year old niece Imogen’s troubling behavior. When neighbor Morgan Baines is murdered, Sadie cannot shake the feeling the killer is close by. Determined to discover who murdered Morgan, is Sadie prepared for the information she might unearth?
Sadie feels like both the house and the island are closing in on her. She is also bored and unhappy with her new job. Sadie is also still wrestling with her feelings after learning about Will’s affair. No matter how hard she tries to put it behind her, she is not all receptive to his affectionate overtures. She is also somewhat concerned about Otto and the distance between them. But her biggest worry is Imogen who is angry, undisciplined and foul-mouthed. Unable to break through her resentment, Sadie takes steps to learn more about her niece. What she discovers raises even more anxiety about the grieving teenager.
Following Morgan’s murder, Sadie’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic. She makes eye-brow raising, reckless choices that may or may not provide answers she is seeking. Unable to stop herself after making very shocking discoveries and amid fears for her family, Sadie makes impulsive decisions that could have life-altering repercussions.
In addition to Sadie’s perspective, the chapters alternate between two very different points of view. Camille is a brash, no holds barred woman who goes after she wants without worrying about the consequences. Mouse is a child whose happy life with her father takes a drastic turn when he remarries. Camille’s involvement in the Sadie’s life is obvious but who is Mouse? And how does she fit into the unfolding story?
The Other Mrs. is an atmospheric mystery that is quite engrossing. The characters are interesting but not always easy to like. The three narratives are engaging and add another layer of tension to the suspenseful storyline. With a series of breathtaking twists and shocking turns, Mary Kubica brings this clever mystery to a dramatic, jaw-dropping conclusion. I very much enjoyed and highly recommend this diabolically twisted mystery to readers of the genre.
