This book is a wild ride. If you love thrillers, this is a must read. Get your copy now, seriously, you will NOT regret it.

This book held my attention from the very first page to the last, I just HAD to know the answers to a million questions.

The story centers around Addison, who marries a rich, surgeon, Richmond, who she despises, and just 97 days later he is dead.

While she would have loved to be his killer, she isn’t, and now she must figure out who did to clear her name. Is it the ex-wife who lost so much? The devastated father, who lost a son during one of Richmond’s surgeries ? Richmond’s business partner? One of his children? Or did Richmond’s past come back to bite him through someone else ?

This book is jam packed with wild surprises and twists and turns.

Thank you so much to William Morrow and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

My fourth book by this author and probably my favorite.

Super short chapters for the win. I was intrigued and kept turning the pages to see what would happen. Some good twists until the very end. Rich people behaving badly and secretive pasts. A solid suspense from a trusted author.

As a previous fan of Darby Kane’s books, I was thrilled to receive an ARC of What the Wife Knew, and it did not disappoint. This gripping thriller had me hooked from start to finish. The twists and turns were relentless, keeping me guessing at every chapter. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the story shifted, and I was left questioning everything.
One of the standout features of the book was the dual POV, which was introduced a little further into the story. It added depth and complexity to the narrative, making it even harder to know who to trust. The pacing was absolutely perfect — there wasn’t a single lull. Every scene felt purposeful, building the tension and driving the story forward.
The characters were equally compelling. At times, I wasn’t sure how to feel about them, which only made me more invested in their journeys. The moral ambiguity kept me engaged, and I found myself racing toward the conclusion. In fact, I was so captivated that I ended up reading the entire book in one sitting.
Darby Kane has once again delivered a twist-filled thriller that keeps readers on edge until the final page. Highly recommended!

Highly promising premise and some great love-to-hate characters had me turning pages into the night. A revenge plot from the get-go, What The Wife Knew faltered with the over the top antics or plot twists but for some, that is the best part.

A young hot woman, Addison, sets up a prominent, successful Pediatric Surgeon (oh and a school shooting hero) in an attempt of exacting revenge for his past wrongs. The wrongs are parsed out and we learn he is a despicable human being. When the snake in the grass is found dead, Addison is set up for the fall. The problem is she didn't kill him but it had been part of her plan of revenge. - Female Rage is in and im here for it!

Addison's set up for the revenge is a really far reach. I mean really far. Her being there with the good doctor was at the behest of her hideous mother. It really was the mother's revenge to be had. Addison is surrounded by the detritist of her dead husband, ie., ex-wife, teen kids, attorney, partners of the practice, and of course, the local police. I would have enjoyed more reading time with the doctor's screw ups in his practice and the fall out from that in replacement of the constant contact with his ex wife.

For those that enjoy a lot of twists and outrageous reveals, this one might just be the book for you.

Thank you NetGalley, William morrow, and the author for this eArc!

This was such a great book!! Dr. Richmond Dougherty is dead. He fell down the stairs. First ruled an accident, then the cause of death was changed to unknown. The police suspect that it was his new wife that killed him, Addison, but she denies it. Richmond’s first wife, Kathryn, is determined to run Addison out of town and make her pay for ruining her marriage and her life. Addison wants to find Richmond’s real killer, and unravel his legacy. Nothing is what it seems, and most everyone seems to have a secret.

I read Pretty Little Wife back in 2021 and I remember enjoying it, but it’s been a while since I’ve read this author. I have ZERO idea why I haven’t read any of her books between that one and this one! This book was absolutely amazing.

The book starts with the suspense of finding out the secret that Addison holds over Richmond. We find that secret out, but then there’s the mystery of who killed Richmond – was it Addison and is she just being framed, or was it someone else? Then there is another little mystery about Richmond’s career, another one about Addison’s life, one about Kathryn, and probably one I’m forgetting. Then there are the twist, oh the twists. There were quite a few, but they were perfect!!!!

This book has a lot going on, but it’s easy to follow and there is never a dull moment. There’s a great action scene towards the end as well. I could envision it playing out on the screen as well.

Thriller readers, go read this one!

This book started off with a funeral and with a lot of action. You are left guessing what is really happening until about the midpoint of the novel. The pacing stays very fast the whole way through. I read this book within a day because it had me hooked.

When Dr. Richmond Dougherty falls dead after falling down a flight of stairs, it is highly doubtful that it was an accident. His wife of 97 days seems rather suspicious. Her name is Addison and things with their marriage were extremely peculiar. Could their strange marriage have something to do with the death of her husband?

Dr. Dougherty was loaded and now Addison is very rich. Not only is this upsetting to Dougherty’s first wife, but to his children as well. Addison may not just be unlikeable to his first family, but she presents as unlikeable to readers as well. This just might be the thing that made this book impossible to put down.

Addison’s often irredeemable nature, coupled with the book’s fast-pacing and shocking twists and turns, made it a compelling read. Intriguingly, her disagreeable character contrasts sharply with her strong desire to uncover the truth behind her husband’s disappearance. This story was an exhilarating journey, akin to a speeding train.

Many thanks to William Morrow Paperbacks and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

What a roller coaster ride! The start of this book had me absolutely gripped. I loved the snarky first person POV from Addison, Richmond’s widow. Although, you’ll be questioning why these two were married because they do not get along at all. The alternating timelines piece together the backstory and why they’re constantly at war with each other.

At about the halfway mark, this story gets rather bizarre and over the top – which coming from me says a lot. This psychological thriller will give you whiplash. The twists were just so unbelievable and it felt like they were thrown in just for shock value.

As a side note, I’m not sure I’ve ever HATED a character more than Addison’s mom.

Overall, what started off with a bang and a thriller I could not put down spiraled off the deep end. While memorable, I can’t say I particularly liked it, which is a bit disappointing since at first I thought I had a 5-star read on my hands.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

When a scorned woman sets out to destroy a man you'd better look out. Everyone in her path better look out. She won't be stopped. And if there are possibly two scorned women it's murder...

Dr Richmond Dougherty has a few secrets. He has a lifetime of secrets. Seems he has left a few disgruntled people in the wake of his death or possible murder. Maybe an ex-wife. An old lover. Or the parent of a child. Someone was out to kill Dr Dougherty. There were a few people who held a grudge against the popular and much loved Dr Richmond Dougherty. One killed him.

Addison has a lot on the good doctor. So much that he marries her after she threatens to go public with his secrets. And he has many secrets. So many. Addison has had a tough life. Her mother is about as sorry as they come when it comes to being there for her daughter. But is this marriage an act for herself or for her manipulative mother.

Kathryn, who is wife number one and Richmond's highschool sweetheart has a lot to lose with this marriage. She has many secrets of her own though and will do anything to keep them. She has two children with Richmond. Though Kathryn and Richmond seem to be horrible people their children come across as good kids.

Then we have the family lawyer. What is his role in all of this. Does he have secrets? Can you actually trust anyone in this family? What happens once you open this book is a very good thriller. A good who done it. It's got a few things going on and a few secrets will be revealed.

I really enjoyed this book even though I did figure it out. That did not take away from it in any way though. It's excellent.

Thank you #NetGalley, #WilliamMorrowPublishing, for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.

4.5-5 stars.

Her inclination has always been to run from trouble…

…but this time she is staying to see things through.

To the outside world Addison Dougherty had it all. Famed pediatric surgeon Richmond Dougherty divorced his high school sweetheart wife and left his two children to marry her, and together they moved into the huge new home that his ex Kathryn had handpicked for herself but never got to inhabit. Of course the community where they live has pretty much decided that Addison is a gold-digging home-wrecker and reserved their sympathy for Kathryn, which made going out for a coffee awkward. Richmond, who survived an horrific tragedy in his teens that turned him into a beloved national figure, escaped much of the ill feeling directed at Addison. The whirlwind romance that many have imagined could not have been further from reality…there was only hatred and anger between Addison and Richmond, and it was just a matter of time before one of them killed the other. When Richmond turns up dead everyone assumes that Addison killed him, but she has a solid alibi…but the town’s (and especially Kathryn’s) hostility towards her ratchets up even more. It’s hard to prove yourself innocent of killing someone whom you genuinely wanted dead, especially when you were planning to do so at some point only someone beat you to it. Why did Addison and Richmond marry? What secrets was each keeping from the other, and what damaging information had they dug up on one another? And if Addison didn’t kill Richmond, who did….and why?
If you like your protagonists less than squeaky clean and tough as nails (at least on the surface), then get ready to meet Addison. Her meeting with and marriage to Richmond were planned for a long time, and as the story progresses the reader learns all about her toxic childhood and what it was that Richmond did which merited the revenge Addison was in the process of delivering. Richmond may be a practically saintly figure to the world, but there is far more to him than anyone suspects. With an impeccably groomed but furious ex-wife, two step-children who hate her yet keep arriving at her door, Richmond’s lawyer who claims to be impartial (but is he, really?), and a local detective who is convinced of her guilt, Addison has her work cut out for her if she wants to avoid being arrested for and convicted of murder. Being the trophy wife can be hard to pull off in a town where the first wife is adored, but Addison is more concerned with staying alive than winning a popularity contest. Lots of plot twists will keep the reader guessing right up until the end, and the vivid characters add to the overall enjoyment. Readers of author Darby Kane’s previous novels will find this an engaging read, as will fans of authors like Liv Constantine, Carol Goodman and Jaime Lynn Hendricks. Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow Paperbacks for allowing me early access to What the Wife Knew in exchange for my honest review.

Oh man was I pumped to get approval for this one! I’ve been a fan since her first book so the chance to read this was fab. Unfortunately, it was quite a let down. The premise was great and the first 1/3ish of the book had me going, but as we got further into the story, the faster it started to go downhill in the sense that it was like every other thriller these days-throw everything you can in and hope something works. The “twists” you could see a mile away so they weren’t super thrilling and the ending you have to pretty much suspend all belief to accept. Then there’s all the superfluous subplots that do nothing to add to the story that I guess are meant to be red herrings but really do nothing more than fill up more pages.

If you crossed a lifetime movie and an episode of the Real Housewives of any city, you’d get this. Maybe I’m just jaded but it didn’t work for me.
Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for this eArc in excellent for my review.

While the pacing of this thriller was excellent and kept me hooked the whole time, I think it suffered from one twist too many. So much that the last one was really a WTF moment that sort of ruined it for me. I would have rated this in the 4-5 star range had it ended before the last twist. It was so out of the realm of believability and reality that it spoiled the plot.

What the Wife Knew by Darby Kane, is an entertaining thrill ride through dysfunction, deception, and delightful drama.
Domestic fiction fans, sharpen your claws and pour a glass of wine, you’re in for a wild, scandalous escape into messy marriages, family feuds, and the ultimate revenge plot. This is a no mercy thriller, hitting shelves December 10th. It’s part murder mystery, part soap opera, and all kinds of deliciously twisted. Buckle up, because this one’s a doozy.

Imagine this, Dr. Richmond Dougherty, a revered pediatric surgeon and tragic hero, takes a fatal tumble down the stairs. Suspicious, right? Well, his new young wife, Addison Dougherty, is the obvious suspect. After all, their whirlwind marriage lasted only 97 days, and the town already hated her for snatching up the wealthy, freshly divorced doctor. But here’s the kicker, Addison didn’t kill him. Sure, she was planning to (eventually), but someone else got there first. Now Addison has to clear her name, dodge threats, and untangle a web of secrets that might just make her the next victim.

Along the way, we meet Kathryn, Richmond’s pompous first wife. Elias, the sharp tongued lawyer Addison loves to hate, and a supporting cast of liars, narcissists, and backstabbers who keep the drama simmering. The cherry on top? A note left in Addison’s bedroom that reads “You will pay”.

Oh, where to begin? Kane serves up a steaming dish of intrigue with a side of biting wit. Addison is a standout, spitfire protagonist who’s equal parts clever, sarcastic, and utterly unbothered by the town’s disdain. Her sharp wisecracks and “take no prisoners” attitude make her the anti-heroine we can’t help but root for.

The plot? Wildly unpredictable. Every time you think you’ve got it figured out, Kane tosses in another twist that has you second guessing every character’s motives. Is Elias really on Addison’s side? What’s the deal with her mother’s lies? And just how many secrets was Richmond hiding? It’s a rollercoaster of betrayals and revelations that had my jaw on the floor.

The story also deftly explores deeper themes, dysfunctional families, emotional abuse, and the illusion of privilege. Kane doesn’t shy away from showing the dark underbelly of wealth and power, making the characters motivations feel disturbingly authentic.

Now, if you’re looking for a fast-paced thriller, you might find parts of this one a slow burn. Kane takes her time unraveling the layers of deceit, which can feel repetitive at moments. And while the ending ties up most loose ends, a few lingering questions (especially around Addison’s mother) might leave some frustrated.

Also, let’s not sugarcoat it, this book is packed with unlikable characters. But honestly, that’s half the fun. It’s like watching a reality TV reunion. You hate them all, but you need to know what happens next.

What the Wife Knew is a drama filled domestic thriller that’ll keep you flipping pages late into the night. With its unapologetically messy characters, juicy twists, and a protagonist you can’t help but cheer for, it’s a must read for fans of The Housemaid or Big Little Lies. Sure, it’s over the top at times, but that’s exactly what makes it so entertaining.

So grab a copy on December 10th, settle in with a cozy blanket (and maybe a stiff drink), and get ready for a ride that’s equal parts outrageous and 100% addicting. Just don’t trust anyone, not even the narrator. This is perfect for readers who love their thrillers with a side of sass and a whole lot of drama.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Darby Kane, for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a good thriller. Like, I gasped out loud multiple times. The pacing was great, the twists were a mix of expected versus surprising, and even though everyone was extremely morally gray, I still found myself rooting for Addison. Darby Kane knocked this one out of the park. Thank you so much NetGalley for the ARC!

I was interested in this story right away, but then it completely fell apart for me. It was very repetitive. The writing and the plot were both repetitive. For example, we get it Richmond is a bad person. And people kept showing up to Addison’s house and she would comment every time like “look another uninvited guest!”. The plot and dialogue were so unrealistic (ex. Richmond is a “piece of crap”. Like he killed his whole family, I think he’s a little more than a piece of crap. I also needed more detail as to why Addison killed her stepdad. This was a major issue between her and her mom and we never got much detail. A ten year old killing someone, accidental or not, is a big deal! Even the climactic scene at the end with the fight between Kathryn and Addison was so dragged out it ceased to be exciting.

This book grabbed me and kept my attention from the very beginning.
The main female character is full of wit and sarcasm, and I adored her for that. Up until the very end the twists kept coming.

Richmond is a well-known small-town hero turned pediatric surgeon, he is wealthy and has everything going for him.
His life takes a turn when he immediately divorces his wife and marries a much younger Addison.
After only being married for a short time, Richmond has an accident and dies unexpectedly.

The first twist, Addison wanted to be the one to kill him, but who beat her to the punch? Investigators are hot on her tail as all the signs point at her when his death is determined to be a murder and not an accident.
This is just the beginning of the unexpected twists and turns.
Who can be trusted?
Everyone has secrets and the revelations are shocking.

Thank you, William Morrow, Darby Kane, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What the Wife Knew delivers exactly what I have come to expect from Darby Kane. This work had me shocked time after time.

When a well known surgeon is found dead, all eyes turn to his new, young, wife. Although Addison entered into this marriage with less than altruistic motives she swears she didn't kill her husband. This multi-POV book will remind you that there are three sides to every story - his, hers, and the truth.

Thank you William Morrow and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A fast paced suspense novel with an original plot. Once you start reading you can’t stop. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.

How is this my first Darby Kane novel? Yes, I’ve clearly been hiding under a rock. Her newest novel, WHAT THE WIFE KNEW, had me hooked immediately. It starts with a scorned wife at her husband’s funeral to make sure he really died. It was a wild ride from the start. The occasional past timeline chapters uncover why main character, Addison, despises her new husband, Richmond. Richmond is a well known pediatric surgeon with a past history of saving his school from a gun shooting (shooter being his brother). He sounds like a lovable hero. Now Addison is prime suspect in his murder.

I honestly didn’t know who to trust in this book. Everyone held secrets including (and especially) Addison. Addison is kind of a lovable con though and I rooted for her as she meant well most of the time. The twists were great and loved the punch ending.

This book was released yesterday so if it’s not already in your cart or on your library hold list, get it there. It’s a fast paced psychological thriller for fans of unreliable characters, dysfunctional families, and lots of twists!

Many thanks to William Morrow Books or the early e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Darby Kane's previous release was a miss for me so I was a bit nervous about What The Wife Knew. I'm happy to say that this one was a hit! This is a fast paced domestic thriller full of morally gray characters and twists galore! I was hooked from start to finish! I paired the ebook and audio and the narration from Helen Laser and Andrew Elden was very well done.