Thanks for the advanced reader copy of the wives.


A solid 3 star read for me. Often predictable and the characters were flat but I liked the storyline and setting on a cruise.

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!
I finished this sooooo quickly, something about shorter chapters and multiple POV’s makes me read so fast. I really enjoyed it as I love a bit of mystery. I’m not usually that shocked by the plot twists but this one got me!! Was decent pay off in the end. I don’t think it’s one that will particularly stick with me, but it’s perfect for a quick and enjoyable read. I would have like to know more about Daniel and maybe get either some background on him or his POV, even just a chapter but regardless I had a good time reading it and couldn’t put it down until I had the answers.

Wow what an amazingly fabulous read this turned out to be and did I see the twist coming !!! No I did not !! Natasha and Daniel on a cruise taking Natasha friends all expenses paid. A chance for Natasha to show her friends how weak she’s done in Daniel but all is not what it seems and as the secrets and death occur who will be the killer?? 5+ star read for me thanks for the arc and the chance to read and review.

The Wives is full of friendships, drama, secrets and betrayal. All while on the perfect setting of a cruise ship. I didn't know who I could trust. While none of the characters are particularly likeable I think that's what made the story even better. It was like a competition of who is worse. While some of the twists were predictable, I did not predict the main twist. This is a quick and fun psychological thriller read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Four men and their wives take a cruise to relax and have some fun.
Instead of fun, each wife has a secret she has been hiding from her best friends.
It all unfolds in an unexpected shock wave.
Valerie Keogh has written a marvelous hypnotic murder mystery with The Wives.
#TheWives
#ValerieKeogh
#Boldwood
#NetGalley

Lies and secrets... and they all come back to one man, Daniel! This is such a page turner of a book. I had the crimes pinned on almost every character at some point and was still guessing right to the end - which is a big shock too! Just the kind of exciting book I've come to expect from Valerie, and she didn't disappoint. Seems Daniel thought he could get away with anything. He totally underestimated The Wives!! 5 Stars!!

This was a fast read and I liked Keogh’s writing style. The set-up for this book was really interesting and I liked that the story was told from multiple POVs. However, I didn’t really like any of the characters, which was disappointing. The plot twists weren’t anything crazy and I guessed most of them beforehand, but the ending was quite interesting.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is my first book by this Valerie Keogh and I could not put it down, it was excellent.
Natasha and her new husband invite 3 couples to holiday with them on a luxury cruise ship and what follows is the holiday from hell.
The story was full of twists and turns as lots of secrets were revealed. Lots of the characters had a motive and I had no clue which way the story was going to pan out.
A brilliant 5 star read and I can’t wait to work my way through this authors previous books.
Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Valerie Keogh for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
Natasha is tired of working as a nurse so when she meets Daniel she thinks he will make the perfect husband, ,,,but Daniel has secrets she doesn’t know!
He offers her friends a free cruise. What each don’t realize is each woman has a reason to want Daniel dead — so who murdered him or did he just pass away?

A good psychological thriller although I found it a bit slow in parts. Overall the characters were good and well described but for me personally it didn't keep me on the edge of my seat.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC which I would recommend if you are looking for a good, well written book.

This was a very slow burn, hard to get into until the end. The ending was kind of disappointing to me I was expecting more since it was such a slow burn. The idea was great just not executed as well as I would have liked.

The Wives by Valerie Keogh is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of friendship, trust, and the dark secrets people often hide. The story revolves around five women—Imogen, Ruby, Naomi, Anabelle, and Grace—who are part of a close-knit group that meets weekly for drinks and dinner. On the surface, they share a sense of camaraderie, but as the novel unfolds, it becomes clear that each of them harbors deeply buried secrets.

The novel’s tension builds slowly as small hints are dropped, leaving readers to piece together the puzzle of each woman’s life. Keogh skillfully portrays the intricacies of the women’s friendships, showing how envy, suspicion, and insecurity can erode trust. The characters are distinct and well-developed, though not always likable, which adds to the novel’s intrigue. Imogen, in particular, stands out as a complex character whose life unravels as she becomes suspicious of her friends and her own past.

One of the strongest aspects of the book is the way Keogh plays with the concept of unreliable narrators. The story is told from Imogen’s perspective, but as the plot progresses, readers begin to question her perceptions and mental stability. This element of doubt heightens the suspense, making the twists and turns more impactful.

Keogh’s writing style is taut and engaging, keeping readers on edge as the layers of deceit are peeled away. The pacing is steady, with a few sharp turns that will leave readers stunned, especially as the novel builds toward its shocking climax. The themes of betrayal, guilt, and self-deception are explored effectively, making this a psychological thriller that is both tense and thought-provoking.

While the book excels in creating suspense, some readers may find the ending a bit too abrupt, with certain threads left unresolved. However, this ambiguity could also be seen as a reflection of the unpredictability of human relationships and the complexities of the mind.

Overall, The Wives is a chilling exploration of trust and betrayal, with enough twists to keep fans of psychological thrillers thoroughly engaged. Valerie Keogh has crafted a dark and suspenseful tale that will linger in the minds of readers long after they’ve turned the last page.

Rating: 4/5

I always enjoy Valerie Keogh’s books and this was no exception I loved it. It gripped me from start to finish could not put it down once I started that was me hooked. I enjoyed the writing style and the way the characters were written. It was a thriller full of secrets lies and deceit. I can’t wait to recommend this excellent thriller and all of this author’s previous books as they just get better and better. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this great book.

I found this book a bit slow and was speed reading towards the end just to find out the ending. The wives did have a few tangled lives that were interesting to read but the whole book just didn’t gel together for me . I love this author but I’m afraid I didn’t think this was one of her best

Nice easy read. Characters were easy to get to know. Did find certain aspects of the book a little unbelievable such as the main character quitting her career she’d worked so hard at to be a kept woman and the ending was not what I was expecting

You can always count on Valerie Keogh for a good thriller, and The Wives did not disappoint! I was especially excited to dive into this one since I LOVE vacation thrillers, and the cruise ship setting added an extra layer of claustrophobia that really worked for me. The sense of being trapped with characters who all had their own crazy secrets kept the tension high and made it impossible to predict where the story was heading.

Each character, from Natasha’s friends to their husbands, was distinct, which made them easy to follow and even more intriguing as the suspense built. With multiple POVs, the book delivered some pretty wild reveals that I didn't see coming. It’s a super fast and easy read—I had a tough time putting it down! Keogh definitely kept me guessing, and I was shocked more than once. If you’re looking for a crazy adventure, this is one thriller you need to pick up!

3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and Valerie Keogh for the ARC of The Wives.

I love cruises and thrillers, so I was excited for this book. Unfortunately, it was a letdown. It was alright, but definitely not my favorite thriller/mystery. I liked the fact that The Wives had multiple POVs throughout. It was fast-paced and the chapters were relatively short. The cruise ship setting was great and I think Keogh did a good job with the details.

There were so many characters, yet not a single one of the eight were even remotely likable. It was hard to believe that the wives were even friends due to how they treated/talked about each other throughout the book. I found myself having to go back to remember who lied about what and try to keep it all straight. It seemed everyone had “killer tendencies” and honestly I could’ve believed any of them did so. There were a lot of clues throughout the book that could take you in the wrong direction which did make it more interesting. There was a nice little twist in the end I didn’t see coming, so that was a plus.

The Wives
By: Valerie Keogh
Pub date: November 6. 2024
Publisher: Boldwood Books

I loved this novel about best friends. Most best friends have been through the ups and downs of life including marriage, children and perhaps divorce and death.
This one friend 3 friends who go on a cruise. The recently married Natasha and her husband Daniel give her friends and spouses an all-expenses paid cruise.
As the cruise embarks and excursions are planned things go horrible wrong. One of the husbands ends up dead!
So many delicious secrets held by everyone provide so many motives. This book is one delicious ride.

I love Valerie Keogh’s books and she is definitely one of my favourite authors. I was super excited to read this book and it certainly didn’t disappoint. I was hooked from page 1 and was kept guessing right up until the unexpected ending.

Book Title: The Wives
Author: Valerie Keogh
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pub Date: November 6, 2024
My Rating: 3.3 Stars
Pages: 299

Natasha is a nurse and although she loves her career – but doesn’t love being a bit financially strapped at her age
When she meets rich, handsome and charming Daniel her thoughts are he will make the perfect husband and she is fine with being a trophy wife.

Natasha likes Daniel and loves his life style but knows she is not in love with him but the perks of being his wife seem to outweigh that. When Daniel asks her to marry him, she accepts.

Daniel surprises Natasha with a cruise and wants to know her friend better so tells her to invite - her best friends Barbara, Tracy Ann, and Michelle and their husbands to come along on the cruise at his expense.

Since this is a thriller as you might expect the trip just might cost more than what any of them ever imagined...

We find out more about the friends and their secrets via a chapter from their POV. We also learn they all have connections to Daniel.
• Michelle and her husband Dan
• Barbara and husband Ralph.
• Tracy Ann and Blake

I am a big thriller fan so this story pulled me in immediately.
However I soon found the characters unlikable.
This is my tenth: Valerie Keogh novel.
Her psychological thrillers have never been a disappointment- however there was something missing for me in this one. The ending wasn’t the big shock I was expecting

I know Ms. Keogh typically has a signature ending!!! “ She loves to leave us reader with some doubt!! In this case, I got thinking - I sure must have missed something!
But I am definitely looking forward to her next thriller!

Want to thank NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this this great early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for November 6, 2024.