Hot Mess Lit Review: The Serial Killer’s Wife by Alice Hunter
Genre: Psychological Thriller, Domestic Suspense, Dark Secrets
Vibe Check: A marriage built on deception, a slow-burning tension, and twists that creep up on you? Buckle in—this ride is unsettling.
Other Notes (See sidebar): 🔪💀🖤🔥🎭🕶️💔🏠🗝🔎🕰💼
Blurb:
Every marriage has its secrets…
Beth and Tom Hardcastle are the envy of their neighbourhood – they have the perfect marriage, the perfect house, the perfect family.
When the police knock on their door one evening, Beth panics. Tom should be back from work by now – what if he’s crashed his car? She fears the worst.
But the worst is beyond imagining.
As the interrogation begins, Beth will find herself questioning everything she believed about her husband.
They’re saying he’s a monster. And they’re saying she knew.
First Impressions
Before I even turned a page… The title alone set the tone: Can you ever really know the person you sleep beside? Initially, the non-US phrasing took some adjustment, but once I got past that, the slow pace became the real challenge.
I read this book ages ago when it first came out and then read the second book. I had my the third auto-delivered, but had been so busy with work that I didn't think about it until recently. I miss the old cover. Anyway, reread books 1 and 2 in order to get to 3.
Did It Deliver? Or Did It Disappoint?
Expectations vs. Reality – I expected domestic suspense, and the book definitely delivered that. The tension builds gradually, as we're constantly reminded of just how perfect Beth and Tom's marriage is. Too perfect, maybe? That kind of repeated emphasis always sets up something darker lurking beneath the surface.
Best Thing About It: The twists. There were surprises I didn’t see coming—and moments that felt predictable but still satisfying.
Worst Offender: Beth’s response to Tom’s arrest. At first, she plays the role of the loyal, trusting wife. But when she stops fighting for his innocence sooner than expected? That shift caught me off guard—maybe even more than the actual twists.
The Hot Mess Breakdown
Characters: Tom is the picture-perfect husband, until suddenly, he’s anything but. Beth? Trapped between truth and survival, with her daughter being her only real focus.
Plot: A slow-burn thriller that builds tension through secrets, careful manipulation, and the gradual unraveling of trust.
Writing Style: Detailed, immersive—but the pacing won’t be for everyone.
Emotional Impact: If you enjoy domestic thrillers that make you uneasy, this will hit the mark.
Final Verdict
Take It or Torch It? Take it—but be patient with the pacing.
Worth Your Money? If slow-burn psychological thrillers intrigue you, yes.
Who Should Read This? Fans of Lisa Jewell, Freida McFadden, and the kind of thrillers that sneak up on you.
Hot Mess Lit Rating: – A slow-burning psychological thriller that got under my skin just enough to make me buy the next book.
No comments:
Post a Comment