Sandy M’s review of What the Wife Knew by Darby Kane
Domestic Thriller published by William Morrow Paperbacks 10 Dec 24
Another terrific thriller by Darby Kane that keeps the reader guessing, traversing twist after twist at every turn, with no idea what’s truly going on until the very end.
Addison has just married her blackmail target, which should leave him dead when all is said and done. But someone gets to Richmond Dougherty, national hero and elite doctor, before she does. You’d think it should all be over after that. You’d be wrong. The man’s ex-wife, whose secrets are as dark and deep as his, along with his children and medical colleagues, as well as a patient or two either wanted something/everything from him or wanted him as dead as Addison did.
With the evidence of Richmond’s past pointing in one direction, she begins to learn all is not as it seems, and with the appearance of yet another person who wanted the doc’s demise, she has to now hope the police will begin to look elsewhere for the killer while she does her own investigation to keep herself out of jail and/or alive. Not many of these characters are likeable. While Addison is out for herself and some other murkiness that comes to life as they story goes on, she’s one of two who I like anyway. The other is her attorney, formerly her deceased husband’s lawyer, but at least he seems to do the right thing by her as often as possible. The rest of the characters can go down the ship, as far as I’m concerned.
Never believe you know where events will take you in this book. Ms. Darby knows exactly which string to pull to lead you where she wants you to go, and it’s not anywhere near the truth or an ending until you get to that last chapter. I do give Addison props for wanting to give Richmond’s children a break after all they’ve lived through before their father’s death. The man was a horrible human being. I also like how she finally does the best she can for herself when all is finally revealed, deciding enough is enough and it’s time to live life on her terms.
All of Ms. Kane’s thrillers are worth a read. She knows her stuff and knows how to use it to maximum effect.
Grade: A
Summary:
Dr. Richmond Dougherty is a renowned pediatric surgeon, an infamous tragedy survivor, and a national hero. He’s also very dead—thanks to a fall down the stairs. His neighbors angrily point a finger at the newest Ms. Dougherty, Addison. The sudden marriage to the mysterious young woman only lasted ninety-seven days, and he’d had two suspicious “accidents” during that time. Now Addison is a very rich widow.
As law enforcement starts to circle in on Addison and people in town become increasingly hostile, sides are chosen with Kathryn, Richmond’s high school sweetheart, wife number one, and the mother of his children, leading the fray. Despite rising tensions, Addison is even more driven to forge ahead on the path she charted years ago…
Determined at all costs to unravel Richmond’s legacy, she soon becomes a target—with a shocking note left on her bedroom wall: You will pay. But it will take a lot more than faceless threats to stop Addison. Her plan to marry Richmond then ruin him may have been derailed by his unexpected death, but she’s not done with him yet.
Read an excerpt.
