Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Husband by Daniel Hurst due to be published January 20, 2025.

This is the 61st book I have read by Daniel Hurst – can you tell he is one of my favorite authors?
Jenny has been married to Lachlan for over twenty years. They have two teenage children, a beautiful home and a seemingly perfect life. Until my best friend whispers how strange it is that Lachlan has lived near to two unsolved murder cases. When Lachlan does not want to return to his childhood home, Jenny gets suspicious. Is Lachlan responsible, and are she and their children in danger?
Another great read from Daniel Hurst that kept my attention the entire time – read it in one day! Loved the suspense that built throughout the whole book – I couldn’t get through the pages fast enough to see what happened at the end – loved it!

#NetGalley #DanielHurst #Bookouture #TheHusband

Daniel Hurst is my favourite author and this was yet another fantastic read from him. I love how we see the story from both the husband and wife's point of views, and the book is exciting and gripping. Brilliant ending too! Loved it.

Daniel Hurst has done it again with The Husband, another compelling, unputdownable read that reeled me in from the very start, and kept me on the hook until the very end.

Lachlan is a family man with a very dark secret. When his wife and daughter realize that he grew up in the very same village where the subject of their latest true crime documentary was murdered, they are anxious to visit. But why is Lachlan so reluctant to share with them the place where he spent his formative years?

As with all of Daniel Hurst's novels, I was completely immersed from the word go. His narratives flow so seamlessly, are immensely readable, and nearly impossible to put down once started. If you have not read one of his novels, do yourself a favour and add them all to your TBR immediately. 4.5 stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC.

I enjoyed this new thriller, even though it seemed different than most of the other books I've read by this author. There were no surprises since you are given the POV of Lachlan and know what he has already done. I'm used to having my jaw drop on the floor with Hurst's infamous twists. There was none of that; however, the not knowing how the story will proceed was a nail biter. It started a bit slow, but the pace increased quickly when everything began to unravel. The true crime element to this story was interesting. Many of us are obsessed with it nowadays, and this book showcased the downside of it well. How the families and people affected by tragedies have to deal with the pain and heartache associated with those who use their tragedies for pure entertainment. Sad, but it is the world we live in, and, unfortunately, I can relate. The ending was classic with a comical send off. Hurst always makes me laugh at the end of his books. I can't say that this is a favorite, but I was thoroughly entertained. I would definitely recommend, especially if you love true crime.

Thank you to Bookouture for granting me digital access via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!

How well do you know your husband?

This book is about Jenny the typical housewife with a seemingly perfect life: her husband, Lachlan, is the ideal partner, and her children complete their picture-perfect family. Jenny prides herself on this life. But when her husband starts to change, or perhaps his facade begins to slip, she’s forced to confront the unsettling question: Who did I truly marry?

This book is a real page-turner with a slow start. I was not particularly hooked from page one, because the careful building of the dynamics of Jenny’s family was at the forefront, but once the pace picks up, it becomes almost impossible to turn the pages fast enough.

We’re given both Jenny’s and Lachlan’s points of view, which keeps us deeply immersed in their thoughts and emotions. While the reader knows all of Lachlan’s secrets from the start, something which usually takes out the excitement for me as I like to guess what's going on, in this book it actually works. Watching Lachlan navigate his web of lies, seeing his internal thoughts while he tries to manipulate those around him, makes it impossible to stop reading. The real tension comes from waiting for those lies to unravel.

Both Jenny and Lachlan are deeply unlikeable characters for me, but in a way that makes the story all the more compelling.
Jenny is the stereotypical housewife, overbearing and obsessed with her family’s image. She lives for taking care of the house, holding her family together, and gossiping with her friends. Her persistence and refusal to let things go drive much of the conflict, as she repeatedly undermines Lachlan and crosses boundaries. While her behavior is understandable given what she suspects, in a “normal” relationship, her actions would be wildly inappropriate.

Lachlan, on the surface, is the kind, submissive husband. But inside, he has an inflated ego and a dangerous sense of entitlement, particularly toward women. This makes him insufferable at times, but also a disturbingly realistic depiction of how I think some men think today proven by the recent world events, though most don’t have the urges Lachlan does.

What truly made this a 4-star read for me was its commentary on society’s desensitization to true crime and tragedy. The book offers a peek into our collective obsession with crime, mystery, and other people’s misfortunes, particularly in the age of social media and streaming platforms. It forces readers to reflect on why we’re so captivated by tragedy and the morality of turning real pain into entertainment. This element of the story felt profound and gave me a lot to think about.

If you enjoy thrillers that focus on the unraveling of a seemingly normal family with dark secrets, this book will not disappoint. It’s an easy, fast-paced read with layered characters, a gripping plot, and thought-provoking themes. Highly recommended for fans of domestic thrillers that dig deep into the complexities of relationships and the darker side of human nature.

This talented author has written a page turner. One of my favorite authors…one of my favorite publishers…intrigue…mystery…red herrings and secrets…realistic characters…much guessing…this is a quick read…difficult to stop until the ending. From page one,I was hooked. Thanks Netgalley

This is a book about secrets. What would you do if you suspected your husband of being a murderer? Would you trust him? The book starts out slow then hits you with a bang.