Review By Gabrielle

First Wife’s Shadow is a good psychological thriller with plenty of twists and turns.

Favourite Quote:

Is this love? Losing yourself? I don’t know. Past partners have never crawled under my skin. Until recently, my big, enduring passion has always been work. This is the first time I’ve been willing to be overwhelmed by a person. I want this.

Book Synopsis:

HIS FIRST WIFE DIED. NOW THERE’S A VACANCY…

When Emma meets Matthew, a kind, handsome widower, he seems to be just what she needs.

Yet as their relationship moves fast, Emma’s friends worry she might be exploited. She’s a rich woman after all.

Emma doesn’t care Matthew has no money. But as the memory of his perfect first wife hangs over them, Emma does have one tiny doubt.

If Matthew’s wife hadn’t died, he wouldn’t be with her. And Emma wonders if she’s second best. Can she ever fill the dead woman’s shoes?

As jealousy and suspicion blossom between Emma and Matthew, events take a darker, dangerous turn.

Suddenly Emma doesn’t know who she can trust. Her friends? Her husband? Or even herself…?

Review:

I’ve been trying to get more into psychological thrillers lately. I tend to prefer more police procedurals or thrillers with more action, but I want to like psychological thrillers. I’m happy to report this is a good one.

The structure and pacing is very interesting. The first half of the book is told exclusively from Emma’s point of view (except for the prologue). We really get to know her as a character. We learn how smart, disciplined and career focused she is. How rational and logical she is. It’s fun to watch her get swept away in a whirlwind romance with Matthew. And then it’s alarming to watch as she starts to unravel due to mysterious events that keep happening to her. The tension builds gradually but then plateaus. By the halfway point of the book, I was starting to wonder (not in a good way), “where is this going?” I struggled to keep reading. Luckily, just as I was considering putting the book down, there is a big reveal. The second half of the book flies by with chapters written from other perspectives and so many twists and turns, I was furiously flipping pages to see what would happen next.

One of my favourite things about the book is Emma’s character. She is just so darn capable and confident. She’s also generous and loving, always wanting to do the right thing. It’s why I was so invested in what happens to her. The romance between Emma and Matthew was believable. Adele does a great job of capturing the complexities and nuances of a later in life love. One that comes with baggage. Even though Emma is completely independent and strong, I could understand why she gets so swept up with Matthew.

First Wife’s Shadow is a good read, sure to keep you guessing.

Thank you, Mira Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.