A good cozy mystery which I always enjoy. These stories are so easy to read and good fun. Still get the twists and red herrings which I love. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Ever since I met my handsome husband, Dr Gabe Bonneville, I started playing the role of the perfect housewife. He works hard as a surgeon, so I look after our home, and throw elaborate dinner parties with champagne cocktails for his best friends Hugh and Anita. He's my safe place and the chance to have the family I've always wanted. I haven't told Gabe the truth about the woman who raised me, or the therapy I've been getting. My secrets stay hidden in the dark. Until the letter arrives at the front door. Someone knows I'm not just a housewife. And the lies I've told will be all that's left when I disappear.

Every time I see a book from Anna-Lou Weatherley I get excited and once again she has produced another great book. I love Dan Riley's character, he really seems like the kind of guy you would want on your side if the need arose. As the books have progressed you get to know more and more about him and what makes him tick.

Darcie is married to Gabe a cardiac surgeon and lives a wonderful life with him in a beautiful home but
Darcie has secrets, secrets that even her husband Gabe knows nothing about. She has always ensured that she has left no digital imprint that could be traced and when she receives a disturbing note delivered to her house she knows her past is about to come back and haunt her, she is very frightened and realises these secrets are now going to become known, in her mind the only way out is to disappear. It is now up to Dan to try and figure out what has happened in Darcie's life that has led to her current behaviour, where is she, is she safe or has something terrible happened to her?

This is another book that was just all consuming and I read it in a few hours. A very good plot that held my attention all the way through, I did guess the major twist but this did not detract from my enjoyment of the book. If you have read this authors work before you will know how clever she is in her story telling and if you have not read her work you will soon be adding another author to your list of favourites.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve read most of the Dan Riley books and they tend to be anywhere from just Ok to really good. This one is one of those books. You know the books. Someone had a secret and does anything to hide it. But the very fact of hiding it is their downfall. And there is the revenge. The revenge that goes way overboard. As I was reading I didn’t find myself engrossed in the story. None of the characters were very well fleshed out. The story seemed force. So,the book was OK but I can’t see myself recommending it to anyone.

Anna-Lou Weatherley has written another exciting installment in her #DetectiveDanRileySeries. Dan is such a well-liked character that puts so much into his cases. He once again cared a lot about the missing Darcie. He stops at nothing to locate her. This is not just a great storyline, but also one that can be read as a stand-alone if you haven’t read the other books in the series!

Thank you, Anna-Lou Weatherley, Bookouture, & netgalley for my copy! All opinions are my own.

What do you expect or want from a book before you start reading ?

I want to be kept on my toes in anticipation of what will happen next.

I want that can’t stop won’t stop feeling when I know I should really only read just “one more chapter”

And ultimately I want characters who feel real and relative .

Well…

Check ✔️
Check ✔️
Check ✔️

This book checks off every box on my list for what I believe is a soon to be bestseller .

I was consumed early on and didn’t want to put this book down for even a bathroom break.

This was my first by Anna-Lou Weatherley, but it won’t be my last ! You don’t want to miss this one!

The Housewife’s Secret

Teaser :

I cast my eyes over the impressive meal I’ve cooked and the half-empty crystal wine glasses. As our guests smile graciously, I squeeze my husband’s shoulder. It’s vital I get his friends to like me. To believe this version of me. Because I’ll do anything to stop them learning the truth…

Ever since I met my handsome husband Dr Gabe Bonneville, I started playing the role of the perfect housewife. He works hard as a surgeon, so I look after our home, and throw elaborate dinner parties with champagne cocktails for his best friends Hugh and Anita. He’s my safe place and my chance to have the family I’ve always wanted.

I’ve managed to hide the mornings when I wake up and see a face in the shadows. I haven’t told Gabe the truth about the woman who raised me, or told him about the therapy I’ve been getting so my secrets stay hidden in the dark. I haven’t questioned his past so he doesn’t ask about mine. I see the way Anita looks at him sometimes, but I’ll never say a word.

Until the letter arrives at the front door. The beautiful, expensive card shakes in my hand as I read the neat black handwriting.

Someone knows I’m not just a housewife. And the lies I’ve told will be all that’s left when I disappear…

Fans of Lisa Jewell, Gillian Flynn and The Housemaid will be gripped by this unputdownable thriller and its non-stop twists and turns! A breathtaking ride from the very first chapter to the explosive ending.

Another excellent read in this series. Right from the very start I was hooked and found it difficult to put this book down. Part crime and part psychological thriller which is a perfect combination.

The Housewife's Secret was a quick and easy read. Being the first book I've read by this author, I found it a 4 star read at least. This story had my attention from the beginning by dangling a carrot up front making me play detective until the end. Motives, suspicions, twists, characters you want to love and those you want to hate.
Chapters bounce between the perspectives of Darcie and DCI Daniel Riley. The story is based in the present with chapters flashing back to Darcie's past. It was a good read that left me wanting more by this author.
Thank you for the ARC through NetGalley. This is my personal opinion. I received no compensation for my review.

This is my first read from this author, but will certainly not be my last!
I did not want to put this one down, what a fantastic, twisty, mystery thriller this was. Just when I thought I knew what was going on, TWIST, nope I was wrong (and I loved it). I do not want to give anything away, the synopsis of the story is just the tip of the iceberg.
“Someone knows I’m not just a housewife. And the lies I’ve told will be all that’s left when I disappear…”

This book is a fast read and page turner! Dan Riley, DCI, is about to go on a much-needed vacation with his family, when a local woman goes missing and he is determined to find her. This is the first book of the series that I’ve read, and it can easily be read as a stand-alone. But I will go back to read the other books in this series and look forward to the next. Recommended!

I'm so enjoying the Detective Dan Riley series and the latest installment is no exception! A rollercoaster ride that will keep you guessing and trying to figure it out! Lots of interesting characters, twists and turns, and one heckuva story!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

It is no secret to those who know me that I absolutely love detective novels, and this writer did not disappoint me. Though it wasn’t as thrilling as I might have first expected, it did have some light scenes and several instances where I had to think ‘So who is the killer?’ 

Overall, this book is worth the read! If you are looking for something light and fun yet filled with mystery, you should totally check this book out!

I've loved all the previous Detective Dan Riley books so I was super excited to get my hands on an eARC of The Housewife's Secret!

I started this book late one afternoon and finished it the next day! From the first page I was a slave to the words in it. I so love Anna-Lou's writing style; always suspenseful and always keeping me wondering and guessing. This story was gripping and had me sleuthing until its explosive end.

Would recommend

4 stars

This is my first book in Detective Dan Riley books. Its well written and makes me curious to read the rest of the series.

I want to first thank Netgalley for allowing me to read the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I would rate this book a 3.75. This book is a standalone within the Detective Dan Riley series, I have not read any of the other books and had no issue following along with the characters. In this book we get Darcie's POV from the past and the present as well as Detective Dan's POV as he tries to bring Darcie home to safety. The Housewife's Secret was very fast paced and gripping!

When I tell you I read this book in a day I honestly did! I was gripped! It reminded me of a story in the news last year which I followed so instantly I knew this was right up my street and I'd literally have to keep reading until I found out what happened. And my god did I not see that coming! The twists and turns are unbelievable you will be so shocked! My heart was pounding throughout this book. I was frightened. I desperately wanted Darcie to be safe and return home to her loving husband.
Will definitely be recommending this book!

Dan Riley is one of the good ones. He’s instinctive and like a bloodhound in that he will keep sniffing until he finds his game.
I was invested in this story after the first chapter. The flipping back in time format helps readers fill in the gaps in Darcie’s background.
Aside from Dan, Gave was my other favorite character since he told the authorities what for.
I figured out a key piece before Dan did, but then I wasn’t as stressed out as he was.
Personally, Riley’;s supervisor needed to go away and she really irritated me the way she expected him to conjure up,clues in a nanosecond. Real detective work takes times and effort. I’m glad Dan disregarded her, the battle ax.
It’s a great read.

First I just want to say that this is my first read from this author but it won’t be my last.i was in a reading slump and this book got me out it was amazing and the twist in this book was so good didn’t see that coming this book was overall amazing get you a copy that’s all I will say

Wow! This is my first Anna-lou Weatherley book but definitely not my last. This one had lots of tension and twists as well as crazy reveals. The characters were fantastic. Big on the creep factor.
Thank you NetGalley, Anno-lou Weatherley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Read this if you like:
detective series
workaholic MC’s
posh/wealthy environments
dual POVs & timelines
secrets
mental health themed books

The Housewife's Secret is the 7th book in the Detective Dan Riley series, yet it didn't pose any issues in following the storyline, even without having read the previous books.
It presents a thrilling narrative that delves into the lives of various characters, although at times, it's inundated with a lot of names to remember. Initially, the book starts off strong, capturing the reader's attention with an intriguing premise but transitions into a slow burn before the momentum picks up. However, as the action intensifies, the story becomes more captivating, and I found myself increasingly invested in the plot. Weatherley weaves a tale with a solid storyline, blending suspense and mystery skillfully throughout the narrative. Despite the slow moments, the book eventually builds to deliver a satisfying and engaging read that keeps you guessing until the very end.

This is a second book in the Dan Riley series that I’ve read and I really enjoyed it. It is a fast paced book that’s hard to put down. The author is able to get your interest right from the beginning and have you guessing until the last chapter.
Detective Dan Riley is slowly becoming one of my favorite fictional characters. I am adding the other books in this series to my TBR list.

Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.