Wow wow wow. I just sat down and read this in one shot. I still can’t believe the ending I read. I wish there would be a follow up to figure out where all of the kids lives go from here. This book was phenomal. I can’t wait to read the author’s next book.

This book immediately caught my attention. I was so intrigued. I didn’t know really what to expect. It was a book that was hard to put down. I kept saying to myself, “okay just one more chapter.” And then 5 chapters later I still couldn’t put the book down.

The main character, Addison, this story centers around was a character that I felt for and was drawn to. She was unlikable often, but also likable and relatable. Many characters in stories like this you just can’t feel for, but I felt for Addison.

It was interesting to get some perspective from Richmond, which helped fill in a lot of gaps of the story that I think were important.

The only feedback for this book I have is that parts of it felt a little long toward the middle and end but there was a lot to the story. The twist at the end was insane, strange and wild.

All in all, this was a thriller that is what I would consider your classic thriller. A fun read you can’t put down and has an absolutely insane twist at the end. I loved that this was my first read of 2025!

I’m still trying to recover from the whiplash this book gave me…

Let’s just say, Darby Kane knows how to write a domestic thriller. She is an auto buy author for me. Five stars for this stunning read that will leave you dizzy, angry, sad, and stunned in all of the best ways.

This book opens with a bang. Addison Dougherty is wondering who killed her husband, because that was supposed to be her task. Her husband, Dr. Richmond Dougherty has secrets - a lot of secrets. She is now caught between investigations, family obligations, and a lot of questions.

No matter what you think you know at various points in this story, just know that you probably are wrong. Once the twists start coming, they never stop - and the ending was not what I expected.

This book is so twisted - I loved it! Also - if you prefer the audiobook, this was a great listen. I listened when I couldn’t sit down to read, and this one has two great narrators.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the opportunity to read this one! If you are new to this author, this book is out now and a great place to start. Just know that once you read one of her books, you will need to get the others. This is the perfect domestic thriller for a cold winter’s night!

Thank you to Darby Kane, William Morrow, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This wasn't my favorite from Darby Kane. While the beginning held my attention, around the 50% mark, I felt like this one started to drag. There were also a lot of unnecessary side conversations. But that is just my opinion.

When I first started this, I wasn't sure how I was feeling about it but, as I kept reading, it hooked me in. I think it took me a bit because so many characters were unlikable but that ended up changing. Some made a 180 (or close) and some became despicable to me - but that was the point.
I would recommend this though for the twists alone. It really got thrown in at the end with some, but it was wild and made sense with how the characters were that some came crashing at the end.

Definitely a book I needed to keep track of what was happening and no speed reading! Lots of pieces fell together in the end and it all made sense!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book was a perfect “popcorn” type thriller book that I have come to know and love from this author. I went into this one pretty much blind, only requesting it because I have enjoyed other books by this author. This is a fast-paced book with a whodunnit angle that I definitely did not see coming. There were some times where it felt as though there was a lot going on that sometimes felt a bit convoluted, but it all came together in the end for readers. Definitely recommend giving this one a read if you’re in the mood for a thriller!

My feelings for this book sort of flip flop - I couldn't put the book down, I was drawn into it, I was intrigued by the premise... But there was one "little detail" that made me cringe. I would expect this "little detail" to make anyone else feel this way. It doesn't make for a bad book but I would definitely see this being talked about. I think it's still worth the read. I have been enjoying DK's books and I still look forward to the next one.

This was a fantastic thriller. It kept me guessing the whole way through. I enjoyed the dual POV. I did not figure out the twists which was fun!

A domestic thriller from the author of Pretty Little Wife, which I loved. Addison Doherty is the second wife of a renowned pediatrician. Their marriage only lasts 97 days before he tragically has an accident down the stairs. Suddenly, Addison’s world is turned upside down when she becomes the police’s main suspect in his suspicious death. It seems that Addison isn’t as innocent as she may seem as she proves to have a few secrets of her own. This one started out strong for me, and I really wanted to love it, but found myself struggling to get through the second half. The suspense was just not there for me and the plot was just too far fetched and undeveloped. Anyone else read this one? Thank you to @netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Special Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins, and Author Darby Kane for ARC for honest review.

Twists, twists and more twists. Richardson was an egotistical man. Very full of himself and his credentials at his special pediatric surgery practice. Most of Richardson's friends see it as 'in one ear and out the other' with his talking but not much more that than. Surely, no friend wants Richardson dead, but Addison, his new wife does. Oh and she has tried, if fact, planning for the next try, but someone beat her to it. Addison, is holding on to something from her past, but no one knows and can't know. She has to figure out who got to her husband first and why. Revenge is a dish best served cold. Multiple twist, three sit read, recommend. 5 star.

Darby Kane did it once again keeping me on edge, double guessing myself on what the outcome would be and how the story would progress.

Addison has a score to settle with her husband yet someone beat her to it. Who killed him and why? Also why are they trying to frame her for it? I mean yes she wanted to kill him but they don't know that or do they?

Darby Kane does a great job jumping back and forth in the timeline to show back story to Addison's life growing up, her not so great marriage to Dr. Richmond Dougherty along with little clues here and there that don't add up until she's ready for it to be revealed to you. She'll have you guessing until the very last page and that's what I love about her writing. I highly recommend What the Wife Knew if you enjoy thriller's and Who-done-it-mysteries.

Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you Darby Kane for this book. I absolutely loved it!

A great twisty ride! I couldn’t predict what was going to happen next and it kept me reading all day.

WHAT THE WIFE KNEW is my favorite Darby Kane thriller since her barnstorming debut, PRETTY LITTLE WIFE!

As a reader of all of Darby Kane's pulse-pounding, twisty turny thrillers, I love my annual chance to peek into her brain and find out what messed up dynamics she puts on the page for her readers. Let me tell you - she's upped her game for this one! The premise here is, well, simple enough: Newly married, newly minted Addison discovers that her Doctor husband Richmond, a heroic figure and local celebrity, is dead at the bottom of the stairs. Addison is devastated... because she wanted to be the one who killed him one day. When the will is read out and secrets about Richmond are revealed, Addison discovers that the husband she hated so much had quite a few enemies. And if someone is mad enough at Richmond to knock him out, might she be next? The cops are focused on her, Richmond's family is looking at her, and, it turns out, what the wife knows about Richmond is definitely what's going to determine who dies next...

I can't give away the secrets on this one, but trust me when I say that just be prepared to throw out whatever judgments of the characters you make at each third of this novel. I love when a title of a book tells the entire story before you realize it, and WHAT THE WIFE KNEW packs great story in just a few short words. Readers of Darby's other novels will agree that this one is by far her darkest in terms of the moments in life that lead up to the aspects of the story. I let out a legit gasp on page 160 of the novel. The build up into who wants Richmond dead the most feels like a race to the moral bottom in the most fun way as a reader. Just be prepared to really hate some of these characters, y'all!

The first 1/3 if the book started out slow for me but after that point, I did enjoy it. It kept my interest and the twists were t too far out of left field that they could be believed.

Wow! The twists and turns just don't stop coming. The writing was engaging and kept me wanting more. Each time a part of the secret came out I'd want to keep going. The pacing was spot on, the characters well thought through, and the way that everything tied together was better than I imagined, though I had figured out at least part of it about halfway through.

It was definitely a book that I enjoyed and would highly recommend to anyone who loves mystery/thrillers.

**Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for sending this book for review. All opinions are my own.**

What the Wife Knew is a story about a woman sent to destroy a man but someone beats her to it and kills him first. Who and why and how Addison will manage to clear her name is a mystery. I enjoyed the writing style of this book very much. The main character Addison is sarcastic and relatable. Every other character in this book ranges from somewhat unlikable to downright awful and it's evident that this was done on purpose. Addison definitely seems alone with everyone else out to get her and you feel that from the way the author writes the story.

When you get to the actual story, it's not something I was super drawn to. I didn't feel the need to go back day after day and towards the end I didn't really care how it all worked out because some of the chapters and conversations were getting redundant. That being said, there were a few twists in the end that I didn't see coming. I wouldn't say the book was suspenseful in many ways, and I think it needed a bit more suspense and tension to be a thriller in my sense of the word.

I would be interested in reading more from this author as I did like the easy and entertaining writing style. Thank you to William Morrow publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!

3.5 stars

I enjoyed the premise but by the end the story itself went a little off the rails. I think the issue for me was that it had too many plot twists in the last couple of chapters. And let me tell you there is a thing as too many plot twists.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this earc in exchange for my honest review

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my review.

Darby Kane is a new author for me. What the Wife Knew is a domestic thriller about a young woman named Addison who marries a rich man, who was murdered. That was supposed to be her job, but someone beat her to it. The ex-wife and her two kids keep showing up to the house uninvited, which causes a lot of arguing. I didn't really like any of the characters. The book had a lot of twists and turns and short chapters which made the book fast paced. I did like the book but, like I said, the characters were not my favorite people.

In "What the Wife Knew" by Darby Kane, readers are drawn into a gripping psychological thriller filled with unexpected twists that linger long after the last page. From the outset, the narrative captivates, keeping you on your toes as it defies your predictions at every turn. The story centers around Richmond Dougherty, a renowned pediatric surgeon and national hero, whose tragic fall down the stairs sparks a whirlwind of suspicion aimed at his new wife, Addison Dougherty—married for a mere ninety-seven days.

Suddenly thrust into wealth, Addison becomes the focus of an intense investigation, facing not only law enforcement scrutiny but also the wrath of Richmond's ex-wife and children, who are determined to make her pay. As the tension escalates, Addison's plans regarding her late husband take unpredictable directions. The twisty plot unfolds at a tantalizing pace, leaving readers hungry for more.

For fans of domestic thrillers, this book is a must-read, ensuring an exhilarating experience that truly delivers. A heartfelt thank you to Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.