This book pulls you in immediately- it really is a fast paced, psychological thriller. It has just the right plot and character development, balancing the pace at the right speed the whole time. It’s only 223 pages and usually you’d think that’d be too short to pack everything in, but with this book I think less was more.

Abby receives a note that says “You don’t know your husband”, and what follows is a lot of twists and turns while she and her friend Katherine try to figure out what he’s up to and who he really is. Everything came across very authentic- you feel how Abby’s feeling and you dislike her husband.

This was my first book by Jack Dane and I would read another!

Jack Dane delivers a gripping, fast-paced psychological thriller with His First Wife, a story that immediately pulls readers in and refuses to let go. Despite its shorter length, the novel packs a powerful punch, offering all the elements necessary for a fully immersive and satisfying reading experience.

Dane masterfully balances suspense and character development, providing just the right amount of detail to make the characters compelling while maintaining the novel’s momentum. The pacing is relentless, keeping readers on edge as the twists unfold.

For fans of psychological thrillers, His First Wife is a must-read—concise, intense, and expertly crafted. Jack Dane proves that a story doesn’t need to be long to be thoroughly engaging and unforgettable.

Thank you NetGalley and Back Alley Press for the ARC of this book.

I very much appreciated how short this book was however, I felt like there wasn't enough character development to pull me into the story. Everything felt rushed and to the point and while I didn't expect the twists towards the end it wasn't enough to excite me, either. I'd label this as a popcorn thriller and, for what it was, it was fine but just not the type of book I typically gravitate for unless I need a quick palette cleanser.

'His First Wife' by Jack Dane, is a Fredia McFadden style psychological thriller. This quick read has a great storyline that is easy to follow, and the twist hit just at the right time. I would recommend this book to anyone new to thrillers or looking for a quick punchy read. The characters could have been developed a little more to give them some depth, and possibly creating a more organic connection with the reader. All in all this was a good read that left me wanting more. We will read this author again.

Kept me gripped all the way through and I read it in one very short sitting. Well paced and twists that kept me guessing right until the end

Thank you for the ARC. This book was a fast paced read. It held my attention and had twists and turns I didn’t expect. The husband was a douche but in the end, I felt bad for him. I didn’t see a few of those twists happen. I look forward to reading more by this author.

Thank GOD this one was short. This is by far the worst thriller I've read in quite a while. The marketing compares the novel to Frieda McFadden, so I wasn't expecting fantastic writing, but this was just flat out awful. I hated all of the characters, there was no redeeming qualities for any of them, and I honestly wished they all died in the end. That is the only way this thriller could have gotten any better.

This was a brilliant psychological thriller, with a massive twist I did not see coming. Loved it. Highly recommended for domestic noir/psychological mayhem 😀

His First Wife by Jack Dane

Abby and Spencer have been married for five years. Abby is deeply in love and committed to her marriage. Until she receives a cryptic five word letter. She begins to uncover a string of lies and betrayal. Suddenly women start dying. Is there a serial killer on the loose? A story based on love, obsession and betrayal.

Enjoyable read. Fast paced - short and sweet. Good plot twists!

Thank you NetGalley and Back Alley Press for the e-ARC. This is an honest review.

Loved it! First book I’ve read by Dane and it was a pleasure! I really loved the writing style, the multiple perspectives and the twists! Will definitely read more of his books.

The only criticism I had is that the female characters fall a little flat (similar and simple personalities) and that I would have loved to read a chapter or two from the perspective of Spencer’s therapist (maybe even his wife’s as well?)! I think it would have added another layer to the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC - looking forward to release day!

I just cannot put this down! 

This is my first time reading Jack Dane’s work and “His First Wife” did not disappoint!



Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

My first book by this author and it won’t be my last!!! I absolutely loved it and was shocked at the twists!!! Well written.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this.

“You don’t know your husband.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

Spenser and Abby are happily married, or so Abby thought. She opens an anonymous envelope outside their door with the note “you don’t know your husband.” What makes it even creepier is 7 years prior, Spenser’s first wife went missing…

This note sends Abby down the “amateur detective” path and she enlists the help of her best friend Katherine to help. They start checking his tablet, in search of something, when they realize he’s been unfaithful, and one of those women has turned up dead…. She’s realizes, she may be in danger herself.

OMG this book was absolutely unhinged and I loved it! The story is told from three points of view, Abby, Spenser, and Shannon, Spensers first wife. It’s also told in the past and present. I can genuinely say I did not see this coming, maybe some of the smaller twists but dear lord that was just insane.

I read this book in four hours, as I couldn’t turn away. I love books like this that rope you in from the beginning and then just throw you for a loop. My first book by Jack Dane and it will not be my last!

Thank you to NetGalley, Jack Dane, and Xpresso Book Tours for an arc in exchange for my honest review.

What a wild read!! OMG! This is probably my favorite thriller that I’ve read so far this year. I could not put this book down! It captured my attention immediately and had my trying to figure out how to fit all the puzzle pieces together the ENTIRE TIME.

Abby loves her husband and is content with the life that they share until a mysterious letter shows up under her door one day, telling her that she doesn’t know her husband. As she starts to question and look for flaws in their perfect life, things get crazy!

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book is a fast and fun read that hooks you from the very beginning. The story revolves around a man, haunted by his past and the mysterious disappearance of his first wife. The story kept me intrigued with its twists and turns, and the multiple POV added an interesting layer to the plot. The short chapters make it easy to keep turning the pages, and the suspense builds quickly, making it hard to put down. I was immersed in the psychological turmoil of the characters. The plot twists are unpredictable, and the story explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the consequences of past actions. The characters are well-developed, and the pacing keeps the tension alive throughout the book.

Abby is married to Spencer, who she regards as the perfect husband. She receives an anonymous note that tells her only that she doesn't know her husband as well as she thought.
Spencer has no idea what his wife is capable of.

A short, quick read, twisty and gripping.
I loved the twists and turns, and disliked most of the characters!
The final jaw dropping twist was totally unpredictable.
Well written without any long descriptive paragraphs and long explanations.
I binged this in one night.

Totally recommend.

Strap in and get ready for a ride. His First Wife was a fast and fun read filled with lots of twists and turns. Just when you think you have it all figured out..........guess again!

It is tricky finding a way to say all the things that I would like to about this book without giving away any spoilers so I will say this.....it is a great palate cleanser. It is fun, entertaining and an enjoyable read.

Thank you to Back Alley Press for the ARC copy of this book. It was a great snowy afternoon reading treat!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review. This book will be released on 2/21/25.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THIS ONE!!!

Oh, this thriller HOOKED me from page 1 and didn’t let go. I mean really it didn’t LET GO, I binge read it in less than a day! This one is a similar twisty style to Freida McFadden books so if you like her books this one is definitely for you! I really don’t want to give away any of the plot and twist(s) so I’ll just say I loved it !!


This is the first book I’ve read from
Jack Dane and I saw this author has other books on kindle unlimited so I will definitely be checking out more of his books soon!! Absolutely will be reading more from him!

Immediately I was invested in this book, it had me hooked by its twists and turns and kept me guessing throughout.,

this was twisty and turny in all the best ways. and i was delightfully shocked and couldnt guess more than just a few of the twists. which these days can take alot to do. so that is a real bonus to this book. i forgot how good it feels to openly gasp at a book,ha.
i was immediately into this book simply from thinking from the blurb. that one line in the letter. "you dont know your husband" ???? eeeeek. how would you ever sleep again if you received such a letter! there would be questions and paranoia forever. there would be bits you think you missed about your husband. things you'd make up simply by overthinking micro details of his behavior. you would or i certainly would turn into a quivering mess. particularly when you add to that the missing wife detail.

i found having the POV of the husband and interesting one. and really original take on this. i did have to think as a reader was i being manipulated by him though. you see, even my paranoia was in over drive!
it was a really great paced book. there were never a dull moments but it didnt feel cliched either which can sometimes happe with modern books trying to just add bits in for the shock factor. this book didnt do this and the woven bits of jigsaw pieces to this plot were enough in themselves to gather the intensity and emotive nature to the story unfolding before us.
this was the first book ive read from this author and have aready searched for more and saved them to my goodreads ever expanding folder!