Member Reviews

This book kept me very engaged. I would stay up way too late to read this book. The ending had me on the edge of my seat.
The characters were so very developed. The story line flowed really well and kept my attention.

Was this review helpful?

The Husband by Daniel Hurst (which I rated 4.25 ⭐) is like a breath of fresh air when it comes to mystery/thrillers for me. Most books from the said genre goes like "the mystery unfolds as you read the book" and that is where "plot twists" enters. But in The Husband, "the mystery is revealed for the readers at the very beginning and you're going to read or witness how it's gonna unfold for the characters."

I think it's really charming 'cause first, you're not going to theorize what's what and who's who. Sometimes you just want to read and not think. and lastly, You're not going to feel like, "that's it? after all those suspense, that's the plot twist?" or like "that's so predictable" as I've said, the mystery is already revealed for the readers at the very beginning.

The remaining question is, "if the mystery is not a mystery in the beginning, what's the point of reading?"

For me, I was looking forward to the reactions of the characters when the mystery is revealed to them, what will they think, and what are they going to do about it. And also I want to see my reaction to the characters reaction. Isn't that the fun of reading? You really wouldn't know what you'll feel about a book unless you finish reading it.

So, if you're looking for your next read, please don't hesitate to pick up The Husband by Daniel Hurst. Who knows, it may be one of your top reads for this year 😉

Was this review helpful?

Jenny is married to Lachlan, the man of her dreams and their wedding twenty years ago was the best day of her life. Together they have two children, the eldest Bonnie and her brother William. Jenny is about to enter the next chapter of her life heading off to university while William is three years younger in high school.

The story is told from two perspectives, Jenny’s and Lachlan’s. Bonnie is fascinated by true crime, as are her friends and Bonnie makes podcasts on the topic. Bonnie begins watching a documentary regarding an unsolved murder and Bonnie is truly fascinated when she finds out this took place where her father grew up, soon Jenny is watching it with her, although hesitantly.

From early in the book we are privy to aspects of Lachlan’s character and personality which become indicative as to where this story is going. Bonnie then pesters her parents that they should visit where her father grew up. She wants to get closer to this crime scene which she knows will impress her friends and Jenny agrees to convince Lachlan to go as they know nothing about his childhood as he continuously refuses to discuss it stating there is nothing good regarding the way he grew up.

Although predictable this is still quite a decent book from the author with his usual way of providing red herrings and twists and turns along the way keeping the reader captivated.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all options expressed are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Absolutely brilliant.
Read this in a day.
Loved it.
Loved that the confession happened at the beginning and then we saw the rest unravel. Cleverly written.
Lots of suspense.

Was this review helpful?

Lachlan Ferguson is a father of two teenagers and a husband to a devoted wife, Jenny. He's a typical dad who works his day job and comes home and enjoys dinner with his family. Jenny considers herself lucky to have such a normal life but, little does she know her husband has a secret.

What a marvelous book, it really is a true suspenseful thriller with a good mystery intertwined. I loved the storyline, it hooks you and keeps you along for a fast paced ride. Daniel Hurst has such a powerful way of writing that you can absolutely envision this small town in Scotland and all the characters that live there stuck in time. Highly recommend for my thriller fans.

Thank you #NetGalley and #Bookouture for this ARC of #TheHusband by Daniel Hurst. Set yourself a reminder because this hits shelves on January 20th and you're not going to want to miss it.

Was this review helpful?

Another amazing read by Daniel Hurst and I want to say a massive thank you to both Daniel and NetGalley for giving me this arc!!

I really enjoyed the prologue, a great introduction to the story which starts by a big fear. Marrying someone who holds a horrifying secret, knowing you’re tied to your husband but not knowing everything about him or what he’s capable of…And what he’s capable of getting away with.

Trapped in a marriage with your children and scared of the terrifying outcome.

This is a fast paced psychological thriller and I recommend it to everyone who is starting thrillers or if you simply want an interesting, quick read! Addictive, suspense and thrilling.

A book you will get hooked into and will not be able to put it down, engaged in the book and ecstatic to find out what happens.

Jenny has a happy life, living with her two children William and Bonnie and her husband Lachlan. Her whole world and those she trusts and cares for, but can she really trust them?

It all starts from a true crime documentary. A fifteen year old girl who was murdered and the case was never solved.

Isn’t it such a coincidence how Lachlan grew up in that small town where the murder happened? Intrigued, Jenny and Bonnie ask about it and Lachlan admits to knowing Paisley, the unfortunate girl, but says nothing more.

Bonnie and her mother get hooked into the true crime documentary, as well as the whole world! But as Jenny tells her friends about Lachlans link to the town where it happened and knowing Paisley, she doesn’t know what she’s unraveling. More secrets? More…Murders?

Can Jenny trust Lachlan or is she just naive and looking to deep into this?

This book is full of tension, twists, secrets and overall addictive! I love how it jumps straight into it as-well as telling the story and the mind of the killer in great detail.

The epilogue is a MUST read and I adore how we got to know how Jenny’s life continued and who she continued it with.

Will the victims get justice? Or will the killer live without getting caught? He’s done it for over twenty-five years, surely he can do it again?

Was this review helpful?

I have never seen/read about a family where everyone is this dumb.
From a psychopath serial killer to even the youngest child of the family, there's no common sense or even sense of decorum.
Lachlan could have just said he got bullied in school and had bad memories in his childhood and he just didn't want to go back to his hometown.
His wife has the least sense of personal boundaries as possible.
Which parent takes their children to the scene of a crime they saw on a crime documentary -- I need parents like this. The trip was not about seeing their father's hometown, it was purely for clout among the children's friends. Also, a quick Google search tells you that there's nothing to see in this small town, they didn't need to go all the way.
The come back into town mid-way through the trip was a terrible idea. And he just left when somebody showed up at his scene? Just... up and left?
I will not disect the plot further, just I was disappointed by the lack of planning. When reading about a serial killer, I want them to be smart, them a little difficult to catch at least, not just... interested in killing.
Even the gorgeous scenery of the countryside was not described to build the ambience.

Was this review helpful?

How do you know if you really know someone? Jenny is going to find out if the man she loves really is who she thinks he is! Well written and very enjoyable read. Nice and twisted just the way I like. Recommend this book!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Net Galley for the advanced copy of this book. I liked this book but didn’t love it. I would read another book from this author though to give him another chance.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Bookouture for a copy on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Husband is an addictive, consuming and compelling read.
Daniel always gives his reader a gripping story with a twist that grabs you and makes you have a sly grin when finished.
A true crime documentary on streaming is the talk of the town.
Twenty five years ago a teenage girl was murdered and the crime was never solved.
For Lachlan and Jenny and their two kids, Bonnie and William, it’s about to change their lives in the most unexpected way.
With secrets, lies and deception, who is hiding the truth.
Fast paced with lots of tension to put you on the edge of your seat, wondering what’s going to happen next.
Writing, pacing, plot, characters and his trademark shock ending, it’s all here to be entertained by.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Daniel Hurst, Bookouture, and NetGalley for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion, set to release January 20, 2025.

I have read almost every book by Daniel Hurst. He is a master of the craft- brilliant writing, easy to read, engaging tension-fueled stories, and shocking twists. This story is told from the POVs of Lachlan and Jenny, a happily married couple for 20 years. After a documentary airs about an unsolved murder in Lachlan's hometown, we come to find out that has lived nearby, not one, but two unsolved murder cases. I mean one is a coincidence, but TWO?! If you know Daniel Hurst, you know nothing is ever what it seems. Jenny, fearing she's living with a serial killer, begins to deep-dive into Lachlan's past, but some secrets are better off staying buried...just like bodies! I really loved the pace of the book and it had plenty of delicious twists and turns. I did find this book different from most of his others, because the killer's identity is revealed early in the story and I typically prefer a traditional psychological whodunit. So knowing who the killer was, stole a little of my excitement. It's still an amazing novel which I found entertaining as I usually do with Hurst's books. If you're looking for a book that will make you question how well you know the people around you, this is the one for you. Now to wait for his next one...

Was this review helpful?

The Husband is another 5-star thriller by Daniel Hurst. Once again, he cleverly creates a page-turner I couldn't put down. This thriller poses the question of how well we know the ones near and dear to us. Can anyone actually escape their past, or will it inevitably come back with a vengeance? This thriller is fast-paced, gripping, and intense! It kept me reading late into the night racing to the shocking and satisfying conclusion. I highly recommend this book to all thriller addicts. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my copy.

Was this review helpful?

“The Husband” by Daniel Hurst earns a 3-star rating from me. The story alternates between chapters narrated by Jenny and her husband, Lachlan. While the premise is intriguing, the execution fell short of my expectations.

The prologue, in particular, felt like it revealed too much, undermining the suspense and leaving little room for surprises. Furthermore, I struggled to connect with the main characters. Their thoughts and actions didn’t feel entirely believable given their circumstances, which made it difficult to empathize with their journeys.

That said, I remain a big fan of Daniel Hurst, especially his “The Doctor’s Wife” series, and I’m excited to see what he comes out with next!

Thanks to Bookouture, Daniel Hurst, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Daniel Hurst yet again didnt disappoint. I was hooked.
In this dual POV husband and wife, Lachlan and Jenny have been happily married for 20 years 2children, house etc. Until a documentary gets aired about an unsolved murder from Lachlans hometown, somewhere he has never returned to since he left.

His reaction to the documentary makes Jenny starts questioning everything she's ever known. Why did Lachlan leave his home town? The secret is darker than she ever imagined.

I rated this book 4 stars only because the big twist is known early on in the book. I still really enjoyed it and I definitely recommend it also fans of Freida McFadden will LOVE Daniel Hursts books.

Was this review helpful?

“The Husband” by Daniel Hurst, is a cleverly crafted psychological thriller that delivers a suspenseful narrative, that kept me engaged throughout. The story unravels with enough twists and turns to maintain interest, but it doesn't quite reach the "edge of your seat" level of intensity. Hurst's writing is sharp and well-paced, creating an atmosphere of tension. Although it may not be the most intense thriller, it is a well-written and enjoyable read for those who prefer a slower, more deliberate pace in their suspense novels.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for this eARC.

Fast paced and addictive psychological thriller. I couldn’t put the book down! Lots of twists and turns along the way which made for an enjoyable reading experience. I finished the book within 2 days! This was the first book I’ve ever read by Daniel Hurst but certainly won’t be the last!!

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with the ARC of this amazing thriller. I’m providing my honest opinion.

I absolutely love psychological thriller and this is my first book by Daniel Hurst.

In the book a wife start suspecting her husband of 20 years of being a serial killer after she hears something from her best friend. She decides to go to Scottish highland to uncover the truth but once it mystery unravels she fears for her and her kids.

I absolutely loved this book. There were lots of twist and turns and kept me guessing. I finished it within 2 days. It makes you think how well you know your close people around you. All the twists and turns and turns were really good. I will read more books by this author. Thanks the publisher and NetGalley again for providing me this early copy of the book!

Was this review helpful?

Here is my review that I posted on Goodreads:

📚 Book Review: The Husband by Daniel Hurst 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

This book is an absolute page-turner. I finished this book in less than 24 hours. The pacing is relentless, the twists sharp, and the sense of unease gradually builds masterfully. Hurst’s writing grips you, making it nearly impossible to put this book down. So if you are in a reading slump, pick this one up, immediately.

In The Husband, Daniel Hurst crafts an addictive psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very last page. It has a dual POV, our two main characters are Jenny and Lachlan, husband and wife. Told through alternating POVs of the two, the story dives deep into both perspectives, heightening the tension as secrets unravel.

In the story, Jenny’s life seems idyllic—married to Lachlan with two amazing kids and a beautiful home. Life seems good and they are happy until Jenny and her daughter watch a documentary about an unsolved murder that took place where Lachlan grew up. From there on, it goes into a roller-coaster of a tale.

Without spoiling the story I must say, I was a bit shocked to see an early confession from our murderer about the murder of Paisley Hamilton in the town of Carnfield. You don’t usually see that in murder mystery novels. I think that created a sense of anxiety in me as a reader knowing that the murderer can strike anytime. It is only a matter of time.
The real highlight? The shocking ending. Just when you think you have it all figured out, Hurst throws in a twist that will leave you shocked. Fans of Lucy Foley ( who also writes in multiple POVs) or Freida McFadden or Lisa Jewell will find much to love here, while newcomers to Hurst’s work will discover why he’s a master of suspense. I have read Til Death Do Us Part by Hurst before this which I had enjoyed reading very much as well. It had a similar dual POV of husband and wife.

My only critique will be that the book is very similar to Hurst’s earlier works. It lacks novelty that I was hoping to find in the story because Hurst’s writing is really gripping, or maybe I was expecting more. Otherwise, everything else was great.

In the end, I must say The Husband is definitely a must-read. Just be prepared to question how well you really know the people you love.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#TheHusband #DanielHurst #PsychologicalThriller #BookReview #SuspenseReads #ThrillerAddict #MustRead

Was this review helpful?

I will continue to say this until we see this author on booktok! This author writes the perfect popcorn thriller and is perfect for fans of Freida McFadden! It was such a fast read with short chapters and multiple POVs. We also got a pretty big reveal pretty early on which was interesting as usually these larger reveals would be saved for the 3/4 mark. Definitely a good twisty thriller and that ending was well deserved!

Was this review helpful?

How well can you ever know another person? Jenny and Lachlan have a happy marriage and two children ages 15 and almost 18. Daughter Bonnie is heading to University soon and Jenny wants to spend as much time as she can with her daughter and this includes her daughters penchant for watching true crime documentaries. Mother and daughter watch a show together about a young woman named Paisley who was murdered in a small Scottish village, the same village where dad Lachlan grew up. This begins a domino effect of events that lead to Jenny and her family fearing for their lives.

This book was addicting and exciting and I liked the separate narratives of Jenny and Lachlan. We find out from the beginning that Lachlan has a lot of secrets he is hiding and as Jenny and her family take a family trip to the town where Lachlan was born, everything they thought they knew about their family will change. I liked it that the author created a tight story without crazy and unbelievable twists, so we were able to follow it in a straight-forward way with Lachlan becoming more sinister as time progressed. Jenny was an interesting lead character as she loved her husband and family but was also too intelligent to just dismiss the rumors and suspicions that surrounded Lachlan. Highly recommend this thriller! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC for review.

Was this review helpful?