3.5 ⭐️

This was quite a thrilling read. It’s been a minute since a stories has had me on the edge of my seat. I loved this plot was actually a surprise.
This was the first time I wasn’t trying to guess the plot. I just really enjoyed it. I haven’t read anything by this author before. I’m definitely going to check out her other books.


My only feedback would be that the writing didn’t flow organically at times. Mainly at the beginning. It was very written out.

Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read and review.

Elisabeth Carpenter’s The First Husband is a psychological thriller that grabs your attention from the very first page and doesn't let go. This gripping, fast-paced novel is packed with twists and turns, offering readers a thrilling journey through complex relationships, secrets, and unexpected betrayals. Carpenter masterfully builds suspense, keeping readers on edge as the plot unfolds.

The story centers around the protagonist, a woman whose life begins to unravel when she reconnects with her ex-husband, years after their marriage ended. What seems like an innocent reunion quickly spirals into a chilling exploration of obsession, guilt, and the dark side of love. Carpenter does an excellent job of developing the main characters, giving them depth and complexity. The protagonist's internal struggles and the complicated dynamic between her and her ex-husband make for a compelling, emotional read.

One of the novel’s strengths is its pacing. Carpenter skillfully keeps the tension high throughout, never allowing the story to lag. The alternating perspectives and gradual reveals help keep the plot unpredictable, with new information coming to light at just the right moments. The twists, though at times a bit expected for thriller enthusiasts, are still effective and keep you questioning everyone’s motivations.

The emotional depth of the novel is another standout feature. As the characters are forced to confront their past decisions, the novel delves into themes of guilt, self-revelation, and the complexity of human relationships. While the emotional and psychological aspects of the story are well-handled, some readers may find the central conflict slightly familiar or formulaic, especially within the psychological thriller genre.

Despite this, The First Husband is a thoroughly enjoyable and gripping read. Carpenter’s writing is sharp, and her ability to weave suspense into the emotional arcs of the characters elevates the story. The novel delivers a satisfying, if slightly predictable, conclusion that ties up the story’s loose ends.

In conclusion, The First Husband is a fast-paced, psychological page-turner that will keep readers hooked. While the plot may follow familiar territory for thriller lovers, the engaging characters, tense atmosphere, and well-executed twists make this novel a captivating read. Fans of psychological suspense will find plenty to enjoy here.

Quite a slow start told between the then and now. Lots of twists to keep the reader interested. A book well worth reading
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I enjoyed this book which was told over several time frames so flicked between present and some years before. Each one revealed trickles of information at a time. So the book was compelling to keep reading to see what happened.
Interesting characters but a couple I intensely disliked which I think was the point. No real clues although I had my thoughts whilst reading. No spoilers here though.
This was my first book written by this author and I will read more from her.
4 stars

The first husband by Elizabeth Carpenter and Elizabeth Bowen is a slow-burn of a thriller. There are two alternating timelines, both leading up to a wedding in the same location. The first marriage, to Callum ended with him going missing and presumed dead. After waiting the required amount of years for him to be officially called dead , a second wedding takes place to Matt, a former friend to Callum and it takes place in the exact spot that Callum went missing all those years ago.

The book's alternating timelines and multiple characters take a bit to keep straight, but the last 50 pages are so intense! This book is great for fans of Sheri Lapena, but like more of a backstory for the characters.

Thank you to Elizabeth Carpenter, Elizabeth Bowen and Bookouture for working with NetGalley. I received this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

I definitely enjoyed the writing style and I overall enjoyed this book. The ending was a bit disappointing. I would have preferred that the reveal of the writer of the notes was more detailed and didn’t end so quick.

I have never come across this author before, even though 'The First Husband' is her eighth psychological thriller.

The main protagonists are Leah and Matt who are about to get married. The novel tells the story of the few days leading up to this event, in the present day sections. We are also taken back to the time eight years ago when Leah's first husband disappeared. The suspense builds because just before the wedding takes place strange things start to happen.

A very quick and agreeable read but not particularly stimulating. As a fan of psychological thrillers I personally found it lacked depth, but is probably a good introduction to newcomers to the genre.

With thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read and review.

This author seems to be a hit or miss with me. Unfortunately this one was a miss. It was far too slow , and I didnt enjoy the ending. At times I found it to be repetitive.

Lots of twists and turns with this story and I loved every second of this story. What a thrill ride for sure. A definite recommend

Thanks publisher and netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and isn't influenced by anyone else

Big thanks to Bookouture for a copy on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The First Husband is a slow burn melodrama with an unfortunate saggy middle and a somewhat disappointing ending.
Callum, Leah first husband has disappeared many years ago and has now been declared officially dead.
Leah and Matt are travelling to his parent’s cottage with their three year old son, Noah.
Where they will be finally married after the tragic past.
While celebrating with her brother, his girlfriend and her father a note appears at the door.
The note is from Callum…… hasn’t he just be announced deceased??
The premise came across interesting but the plot was jagged and the flashbacks had a lot of unnecessary words and repetition.
There’s a few loose storylines that don’t make sense and are, or not explained properly or totally irrelevant.
Good luck to those who choose to read and I hope you enjoy it more than I did.

The plot had me intrigued and only a few chapters in I was hooked. Pace was fast, pages kept turning, and it became such a great book to binge.

Dual timelines allowed me to build up a picture of the events leading up to and after Callum's disappearance. I had theories, did a bit of finger pointing, but each twist made me rethink.

Suspense and tension had me hanging off the edge of my seat, and when that ending hit I had to scrape my jaw off the floor.

Leah and Matt along with their 3-year-old son, Noah are heading to his parents’ vacation place, Lakeside Cottage. There, they will finally be married. Leah and Matt have been friends for many years when they first met in college. Leah eventually married his friend, Callum. But he disappeared 8 years ago when they were celebrating Leah’s birthday and it’s believed that he drowned in the lake at the vacation home. However, his body was never found and he was eventually declared dead.

The couple will meet up with Leah’s brother, Jake and his wife Katherine. In addition, Leah’s father will be there along with Matt’s parents.

When they get there, the friends start drinking. But a card is found outside the door and it’s signed from Callum saying he will them at the wedding. What is happening? Could he be alive?

This book was a headache. It’s tedious and repetitious. I was wondering how much of what was happening was due to the copious amount of alcohol being consumed by the characters. I stuck with it though hoping I would prove myself wrong and find that the story had some redeeming features. I’m sorry but this was rather a mess all the way through.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I gave this book 4 stars. I enjoyed reading it. The main character is fixing to remarry after the death of her first husband. Before she does she receives a letter from her " dead" husband. He disappered and was declared dead. However now it is obvious he is not and she must figure out what he wants and if her friends and family are in on whatever is going on.

Thank you to NetGalley & Bookouture for the chance to read this book!

Wow ok Lot to unpack in this book, but it's a good one. I ended up liking it. The story time lines go back and forth and get a bit confusing at times, Just because there is a couple people missing from one so it's a little hard to keep remembering who is in this one and not in the next. But overall pretty decent once you get through it. There were a few things left unexplained yes, but I'm not one that has to have a bow on things at the end, when it's over it's over so... But i was expecting to find out if a certain someone would get punished for being some kind of accomplice, even though it's vague on what she actually did to help out...

Many thanks to NetGalley, Elisabeth Carpenter, and Bookouture for the ebook. This fast-paced thriller is full of twists and turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat with plenty to unpack.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for the book #TheFirstHusband by #ElisabethCarpenter. Eight years ago, Leah’s husband, Callum went missing. Now she is marrying his best friend and father of her son, Matt. As the date nears closer, she starts receiving cards from her first husband. How can this be when he has been declared dead? Could he be alive? And if so, could I be in danger?

I’m a huge fan of Elizabeth Carpenter’s novels, I know I’m always going to be in the situation where I need to read one more chapter. In this novel the chapters are short but with each one moving between the past, in the hours leading up to Callum’s disappearance and the present, where Leah is due to get married, I couldn’t stop at just one more chapter. It is a long time since I have read a novel within a few hours.
Most of the characters appear in both time frames, it’s only parents who only feature in the present. All have suffered due to Callum, with his behaviour and anyone in this novel could have had a hand in his disappearance. I suspected all of them. Most of the detail about his abuse and manipulation is revealed in the past, but as the group are all together for the wedding emotions are raw, the level of trust is zero and the isolation increases. As well as the fear of exposure.
Whilst you could see the anger and resentment in the buildup to Callum’s disappearance it was the anxiety and fear in the modern day that I found most gripping. Not knowing who, if any, were responsible faded into significance compared to the threats from the text messages. I couldn’t even begin to think what the eventual outcome would be.
I like to analyse a novel for a few days after finishing and I can honestly say, within an hour of finishing this novel that it is my favourite so far. This was a nov

This book kept me on my toes the entire time! I love when a story keeps me guessing, and this one definitely delivered. The dual timelines worked really well, slowly unraveling the mystery while adding layers to the characters’ relationships. It was hard to know who to trust—just when I thought I had someone figured out, another detail would throw me off. And that’s exactly how I like my thrillers!
Leah was such a well-drawn character. Her emotions felt raw and real as she balanced the happiness of her future with Matt against the unsettling shadows of her past. The story had just the right mix of psychological depth and suspense, making it an engaging read from start to finish.
That said, I wish we had gotten to know more about Callum and Matt beyond just their roles in Leah’s life. Who were they as individuals? What really made them tick? Still, this was a gripping read, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride!

The First Husband by Elisabeth Carpenter is a masterfully crafted thriller that expertly weaves a suspenseful story with layers of twisted suspense.
A gripping psychological thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish.
All the unexpected twists, the simmering dark secrets, the way the tension is built up and up, kept me turning the pages well into the night. And, even when I thought there could not possibly be any more surprises, this author managed to surprise me yet again!

This was such a suspensful read, immediately I was hooked and couldn't put it down, especially with the great twists,