The Second Husband: A Novel

A woman’s seemingly perfect second marriage is rocked by a discovery about the death of her first husband in this twisty psychological thriller from Kate White, the New York Times bestselling author whom Entertainment Weekly called “impossible to outwit.” 

After losing her husband, Derrick, in what appears to have been a random street crime, thirtysomething Emma has built a new life with widower Tom, who is kind, handsome, driven, and successful. Emma is finally able to feel safe again, both in her relationship with Tom and in the home they've made together on the Connecticut shore.

Then one day a homicide detective shows up at Emma and Tom’s door asking questions. Though Emma had been cleared of her husband’s murder, it appears that law enforcement is taking another look at her and the case. 

What do they know? Are they on the right track this time? And most importantly, will the renewed investigation ruin Emma’s chances of a happy life? 

With twists and turns all the way to the last page, this fast-paced, expertly plotted novel will have you asking that age-old question: how well do you really know the ones you love?

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Published Jun 28, 2022

386 pages

Average rating: 6.25

12 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

AlexGJ
Aug 16, 2023
4/10 stars
Could have been really interesting, but the MC's internal monologue is unbearable - she obsesses over everything and then goes to insane lengths to rationalize it to herself. The 'plot' is just the main character running around to coffee dates to talk about her husband. The dialogue is awful - all the characters just muse aloud every stray theory instead of letting us come to the conclusion. Every single conversation is some variation of "Character A did x" "Oh wow! If character A did x then it seems they have a motive to do y!" "Yeah you're probably right! And don't forget Character A did z as well, which is further evidence!" "Wow you're so smart!" And the MC's internal dialogue is kind of the same way.

Then in the last like 10% of the story a 'twist' that came out of nowhere suddenly changes. The ending is just... not good. It's not an earned twist, and it just invalidates the entire book. I can't convey how deeply unsatisfying the ending is. So frustrating.
hufflepuff.ness
Oct 19, 2022
2/10 stars
Audiobook: I did not like the way the main character narrated her whole thoughts throughout the process. It ruined it for me.

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