One man, a wife and a mistress. A deadly plot to remove a rival. Max Maric is happily married as far as his wife Claire is concerned, although perhaps he’s working too hard. He is hoping for a merger of his spa business with that of his mistress Annabelle but she refuses to start dealing with paperwork until he marries her. She also has hidden mental health issues…
Getting Away With Murder is an entertaining and engaging psychological and domestic thriller by Joy Wood. This is the first book I have read from this author but I look forward to finding her other books.
The start of the book carefully and gradually introduces the three main characters. Claire is the blissfully unaware wronged wife. Annabelle is the ‘other woman’, wealthy and single minded in love and business. Max is playing them both and I found it difficult to know where his true affections fell. He is jealous and protective of Claire yet is eager to pursue Annabelle and her business.
The love triangle is reaching its climax as Annabelle demands that Max leave Claire so they can proceed with the business merger. He delays due to Claire’s birthday party but Annabelle pushes on with wedding plans regardless. The idea of murder doesn’t strike Annabelle until half way through the book. Her mental state has deteriorated as she skips appointments with her therapists and doctors.
The book is easy to read and the style of writing draws you in by making you involved intimately with the characters’ lives. The book focuses on Claire and Annabelle’s perspective, written in the third person, and we see Max through their eyes.
Getting Away With Murder maintained my interest and brought the main three characters to life.
Getting Away with Murder
Claire is happily married to the charismatic Max Maric and living the dream in a luxury house in the prestigious Sandbanks area of Poole Harbour. She loves her husband and their precious son, Freddy. Her life is perfect. Or so she thinks.
Annabelle is Max Maric’s lover. She’s a wealthy widow and is all set to marry him, just as soon as he’s divorced. Her life will then be perfect. Or so she thinks.
One man, two women, but they can’t both have him.
And he doesn’t get to choose – the schizophrenic decides, with a sophisticated plan to eradicate her nemesis in the most heinous of ways.
The intended victim needs a friend. Fortunately, she has a new one she’s become close to.
But nobody told her that false friends are worse than open enemies.
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Author Bio
Joy Wood has worked as a nurse most of her adult life and turned to writing six years ago to ‘see if she could.’ Her earlier work was adult romance and intrigue, but more recently she has switched genres to romance with a crime element. Joy lives in the small but charming seaside town of Cleethorpes in North East Lincolnshire and her writing ideas come from watching the tide turn daily, of course with the obligatory ice-cream – someone has to support the local economy!
Margarete is a Jewish maid working for a high ranking Nazi. The house is bombed and her employers are killed. Margarete seizes the chance for a new life and swaps clothes with the dead daughter of the house, leaving her Jewish identification behind. She feels safe until Wilhelm Huber, her employers’ son arrives from Paris, searching for his sister to claim their inheritance…
A Light in the Window in an historical novel set in 1941 in Germany and France.
OK so this was a beautifully tragic book but does not offer a full conclusion: there will be a sequel! I loved the characters, the plot was wonderfully captivating although I doubted the realism. I thought the research into the lives and fears under Nazi rule was accurate. However, I did have to suspend my disbelief about the relationship between the main characters. The book overall was completely enthralling and the dramatic licence was creative, entertaining and emotive.
The whole of the book is delivered through the third person narrative perspectives of Margarete and Wilhelm. The mixed emotions from both characters are well written and fully explored to make both seem very human. Margarete shows amazing courage and daring as she adopts her new identity. Her determination to survive is inspiring. The nuances of Wilhelm’s realisation that the Nazi stance on Jews is not accurate is delicately handled.
A beautiful love story ensues. Both Wilhelm and Margarete struggle against the Nazi ideology which governs their lives. Both are in danger and risk death. I didn’t realise that there would be a sequel so the plot does not wrap up everything but does come to a major turning point following a dramatic and tragic twist.
A Light in the Window was a joy to read for an historical fiction fan. I have previously reviewed Not Without My Sister by Marion Kummerow.
A Light in the Window book description:
Margarete stumbles out of the bombed-out house, the dust settling around her like snow. Mistaking her for the dead officer’s daughter, a guard rushes over to gently ask her if she is all right and whether there’s anything he can do to help her. She glances down at where the hated yellow star had once been, and with barely a pause, she replies “Yes”.
Berlin, 1941: Margarete Rosenbaum is working as a housemaid for a senior Nazi officer when his house is bombed, leaving her the only survivor. But when she’s mistaken for his daughter in the aftermath of the blast, Margarete knows she can make a bid for freedom…
Issued with temporary papers—and with the freedom of not being seen as Jewish—a few hours are all she needs to escape to relative safety. That is, until her former employer’s son, SS officer Wilhelm Huber, tracks her down.
But strangely he doesn’t reveal her true identity right away. Instead he insists she comes and lives with him in Paris, and seems determined to keep her hidden. His only condition: she must continue to pretend to be his sister. Because whoever would suspect a Nazi girl of secretly being a Jew?
His plan seems impossible, and Margarete is terrified they might be found out, not to mention worried about what Wilhelm might want in return. But as the Nazis start rounding up Jews in Paris and the Résistance steps up its activities, putting everyone who opposes the regime in peril, she realizes staying hidden in plain sight may be her only chance of survival…
Can Margarete trust a Nazi officer with the only things she has left though… her safety, her life, even her heart?
A totally heartbreaking and unputdownable story about how far someone would go to save one life, that fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Nightingale and All the Light We Cannot See will adore.
Author Bio:
Marion Kummerow was born and raised in Germany, before she set out to “discover the world” and lived in various countries. In 1999 she returned to Germany and settled down in Munich where she’s now living with her family.
Inspired by the true story about her grandparents, who belonged to the German resistance and fought against the Nazi regime, she started writing historical fiction, set during World War II. Her books are filled with raw emotions, fierce loyalty and resilience. She loves to put her characters through the mangle, making them reach deep within to find the strength to face moral dilemma, take difficult decisions or fight for what is right. And she never forgets to include humor and undying love in her books, because ultimately love is what makes the world go round.
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Three women and their husbands. Three very different marriages. Steph and Mal have been married for decades but now she has hit 60 she realsises how unhappy she is and plans to leave Mal. But her estranged friend Evie, now divorced, gets in touch with birthday wishes. Will this make leaving Mal easier or harder? And how will the third friend Teresa react to this reunion…?
Other People’s Marriages is an endearing and heartwarming story about marriage, friendship and the bravery of women.
The story of the three couples unfolds in 2018 and a timeline of the origins of their friendship beginning at at toddler group in the 1980s and fracturing in the 1990s. I really liked the fact that the women are in their 60s as this age group is under represented in fiction.
The book is written from the first person perspectives of the three women in both the past and present. This allows us to see their versions of events and understand their thoughts and feelings about their marriages and friendships.
Steph is the lead character as we spend most time with her viewpoint. Outwardly loud and bold but not quite happy internally, she decides that it is time to break her marriage in order to escape the feeling of being trapped. However, despite her bravado, she is concerned about the ramifications of her decision on her son especially as she suspects her daughter in law may be having an affair.
There is a warmth to the narrative and the enduring nature of friendship which is really enjoyable to read. However this is undermined by the insidious nature of secrets which underpin the plot developments.
Other People’s Marriages was a thought provoking book for making you consider how you would behave and react to the marriage situations described in the novel. I have previously reviewed The Woman I Was Before by Kerry Fisher.
As I stood at my own birthday party, listening to my husband’s speech about me, I could no longer silence the thought that had started as a low-level hum five years ago and built until I could no longer ignore it… did I want to leave him?
Steph has spent decades building a family with her husband Mal, and putting that family first. She is the glue that holds them all together and she has convinced herself that she’s been happy… most of the time. But as she stands at her birthday party watching her husband talking about a wonderful marriage she doesn’t fully recognise, the doubts that she has been pushing down for so long begin to grow…
After the party, as Steph tries to gather her courage to leave Mal, she receives a letter from her old friend Evie. Steph hasn’t spoken to Evie since a sunny weekend on a holiday beach twenty years earlier, when the two friends said things to each other that could never be unsaid. And now, Evie is seeking a reunion and a way to repair the friendship. But this reunion threatens to reveal a secret that could destroy two families.
Other People’s Marriages is an absolutely unputdownable and heartbreaking read about the lies we tell to keep our loved ones close. Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Liane Moriarty and Diane Chamberlain.
Author Bio:
Kerry Fisher is a million-copy bestselling author. She writes women’s contemporary fiction, is a USA Today bestseller and her books have been translated into twelve languages. She was born in Peterborough, studied French and Italian at the University of Bath and spent several years living in Spain, Italy and Corsica. After returning to England to work as a journalist, she eventually abandoned real life stories for the secrets of fictional families. She lives in Surrey with her husband, and a naughty Lab/Schnauzer called Poppy, who joins in the huge dances of joy when her young adult children come home.
Isla is shocked to receive a phone call at midnight from her nephew Cal saying that her sister Annie, his mother, is dead. His stepdad Dominic is also dead, both bodies burned in their art studio. Isla hurries down to Dorset to support her nephew but discovers he is the prime suspect…
Her Sister’s Secret is a family psychological thriller with a dose of police procedure as well.
The plot is delivered through two timelines: the past and the present. In the past, we see Annie’s relationship with Dom as it develops (in a third person perspective). In the present, we see Isla’s first person viewpoint dealing with the aftermath of the couples’ deaths. It soon becomes clear that theirs was not a happy marriage and that Annie had been keeping secrets from her sister.
I thought that the changing relationship between the sisters was accurate and realistic. The siblings we grow up with develop to have a life separate from us and we rarely know the minutiae of their relationships with others. Perhaps also a touch of sibling rivalry too, wanting to out-do each other rather than reveal unhappy truths.
Annie and Isla’s story has great twists as the past and present are examined. I think Isla’s character really shines but this could be because we see events through her eyes. Her grief and confusion as well as her love for her sister and nephew are well written and emotive.
Her Sister’s Secret is an entertaining and thought provoking psychological thriller and I liked the police and legal elements. I have previously reviewed The Housewarming, The Women, The Lies We Hide, and Can You See Her? by S.E. Lynes.
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Book: Her Sister’s Secret (Previous title: The One To Blame)
Author: S.E. Lynes
Pub Day: July 13th 2021
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About the Book:
Why would you pretend your life is a dream when you’re living a nightmare?
Annie and Dom lead perfect lives in a lovely cottage in a quiet village by the sea, with flowers at the front gate and an apple tree in the garden. Everyone knows them: generous, loving Dom, creative, joyful Annie.
But their neighbours don’t see Annie as she sits waiting for Dom well into the night. They don’t see her smiling through her tears. They don’t know what the perfect couple are hiding.
They just hear the sirens that break the silence of the night and see the flames that rise against the dark sky.
And the morning after, what everyone wants to know is – which one was to blame?
A brilliantly twisty tale of family secrets and the darkness that can lie behind closed doors, The One to Blame will keep you turning the pages till the final devastating revelation. Fans of Lisa Jewell, Gillian Flynn and Louise Candlish will love it.
Author Bio
Former BBC Producer, S.E. Lynes is the Amazon #1 best selling author of ‘intelligent and haunting’, ‘beautifully written’ psychological thrillers, VALENTINA, MOTHER, THE PACT, THE PROPOSAL, THE WOMEN, THE LIES WE HIDE, CAN YOU SEE HER? and THE HOUSEWARMING. Her latest novel, THE ONE TO BLAME is available for pre-order NOW.
After completing her MA, Lynes taught creative writing at Richmond Adult Community College for over ten years. She now combines writing, mentoring and lecturing.
She has also published three children’s books in Italy: IL LEOPARDO LAMPO, LA COCCODRILLA INGAMBA, and the bilingual LA SCIMMIA SPIRITOSA/THE FUNNY MONKEY, all available at Amazon.it
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DCI Lesley Clarke relocates to Dorset following an injury. She moves from inner city to a rural location and struggles to adjust to the change of pace. But there is a murder the day before she officially starts. Can she get her new team on side and will they solve the case before another death happens…?
The Corfe Castle Murders is the first book in a new series set in Dorset and also the first book by author Rachel McLean that I have read.
Lesley is a great character to throw into the mix with the Dorset police team. They are a male heavy team, averse to the involvement of uniform, and have a dislike of bad language! Lesley defies the conventions especially in her encouragement of a young female uniformed officer, oh and the odd swear word!
The murder plot is intriguing as Laila finds her boyfriend Archie’s body at the archaeological dig they are working on. Jealousy is suspected as the motive but is it Laila who knew Archie was married, Susan his wife or the other dig researcher who wanted a relationship with Laila? Or could another motive be uncovered…
The writing and dialogue are easy to read and feel realistic so it is easy to get involved with the plot and characters. I liked the way Lesley sounds out each of her new colleagues which allows us to get to know them too.
The Corfe Castle Murders was a hugely enjoyable police procedual novel and I loved the lead character as well as the strong plot. I can’t wait for more in the series!
The Corfe Castle Murders
Meet DCI Lesley Clarke. She’s a straight-talking city copper who doesn’t suffer fools gladly… and she’s been transferred to rural Dorset.
After being injured in a bomb attack, Lesley is presented with a choice – early retirement, or a period of respite in a calmer location.
But things don’t stay calm for long.
Before she’s even started her new job, Lesley is dragged into investigating a murder at one of England’s most iconic landmarks, the imposing Corfe Castle.
Lesley must hit the ground running. Can she get along with her new partner DS Dennis Frampton, a traditionalist who doesn’t appreciate her style? How will she navigate the politics of a smaller force where she’s a bigger, and less welcome, fish? And most importantly, can she solve the murder before the killer strikes again?
The Corfe Castle Murders is a compelling, character-driven mystery perfect for fans of Ruth Rendell, Colin Dexter, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis.
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Author Bio –
My name’s Rachel McLean and I write thrillers that make you think.
What does that mean?
In short, I want my stories to make your pulse race and your brain tick.
Do you often get through a thriller at breakneck pace but are left with little sense of what the book was really about? Do you sometimes read literary fiction but just wish something would damn well happen?
My books aim to fill that gap.
If you’d like to know more about my books and receive extra bonus content, please join my book club. I’ll send you a weekly (sometimes fortnightly) email with news about my writing research and progress, stories and bonus content for each book. And I’ll let you know when my books are on offer.
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