If you're into for a domestic thriller that'll keep your toes curled, "The Final Wife" is a fast-paced, page-turner novel that'll entertain you. It's a gripping murder mystery that had me guessing until the end. It spins around the lives of Anna, Rose, and Luke and their bizarre relationships, which have turned deadly! Anna "allegedly" stabbed Luke and confessed to the murder. I would say I felt a mix of emotions in this novel. There's boredom, excitement, amazement, and those satisfying "oooh" moments that every thriller lover craves!

It has multiple POVs and shifts through different timelines from past to present, but generally, it's surprisingly easy to follow and read, even though the first few pages are dull because it's a bit slow and has some unnecessary narratives. It's a bit of a mess, to be honest. There were some moments along the way that made me uninterested, and I skimmed some pages, but it didn't spoil any of the fun! Giving it a go is a great idea, and it kept me engaged until the last page. It amused me enough as a reader, and I enjoyed guessing the twists and turns. I had fun correctly predicting some twists, and plenty caught me off guard! LMAO!

I had no idea what was happening until the plot developed towards the big twists that made me say, "Oh! So that's what really happened!" and it pieced everything together as the story unfolded. However, the epilogue is unnecessary (I guess) because I don't know if "she" made a significant contribution to the whole act despite "her" relationship with the Kents. "She" was just there in the background, and for me, it didn't seem to add much to the overall plot twist. It would have been more gobsmacking if it was Anna or DS Dance, not "her". In conclusion, it was a brilliant plot twist, and the author did well with this whodunit novel!

Jenny Blackhurst's "The Final Wife" is a compelling psychological thriller that delves into themes of betrayal, deception, and the complexities of human relationships. The narrative follows Anna, who, after the sudden death of her husband Luke, finds herself entangled in a web of secrets and lies that challenge her understanding of those closest to her.

Blackhurst's storytelling is both engaging and thought-provoking, drawing readers into a world where nothing is as it seems. The novel's intricate plot and well-developed characters keep readers guessing until the very end, making it a standout in the thriller genre.

Overall, "The Final Wife" is a masterfully crafted thriller that offers a fresh perspective on familiar themes, solidifying Jenny Blackhurst's reputation as a talented author in the genre.

Entertaining, is what I feel. It's a super fast read, a super easy one, and Mystery being my fave genre, I could hardly feel bored reading something that was just so easy to follow along. But what could have been a 4 or 5 stars read got severely pulled down by the super predictable plot, full of 'twists and turns' that came at you in the final act of the novel, which felt soooo dated, for me, and the completely unnecessary excess of POVs, especially because they all read the same way. Except for the Rebecca POVs, Pippa, Anna and Rose could have been the same character, down to the manner in which they refered to themselves in terms of physical descriptions - do people really talk of themselves that way in their head? I know I don't even describe myself in my head in terms of my 'coffee brown loose waves' or my 'moss green eyes'... but it's something I find more and more in books written in first person POV where the character is a woman, and it feels so cringe because, honestly NO ONE WOULD SPEAK OF THEMSELVES THAT WAY!
There was a clever, interesting plot twist at the end, which I did not see coming and that, my friends, elevated the book to a better level. Loved that detail!

Thank you NetGalley! This is my first book by this author. I throughly enjoyed it. The back and forth between the main characters is always my favorite way to read. The twists really surprised me

The final wife by Jenny Blackhurst
Told through multiple POV this is a twisty thriller that will have you guessing who has committed the crime. I really enjoyed the different characters and hearing from each one of them.
I rated this book 4 stars simply because I felt some of the details put in this book just added more confusion than necessary.
Thank you Canelo publishing for allowing me to read this ARC. I

Offering shades of The Silent Patient, this is a complex piece of story telling well handled.

When wealthy Luke Whitney is found dead at the couple's holiday home, his second wife Anna inexplicably confesses to his murder, even though the police officer investigating Whitney's death quickly comes to the conclusion that he was killed by someone other than his wife.

Luke's first wife, who got dumped after his affair with Anna, insists that Anna must be the killer. And if she didn't do it, why would Anna confess? The Whitneys did not have a conventional marriage, it turns out, but is Luke's death then simply the result of a high stakes game gone badly wrong?

An engaging read with plenty of twists, this one will appeal to readers who enjoy domestic thrillers.

4.5 stars
I really liked the different points of views. This story really kept me on my toes. This is a fast paced book that will keep you up all night wanting to know what happens next. I'm usually good at guessing who the "bad" guy is and I couldn't believe the ending in this!

When Anna Whitney confesses to the murder of her husband Luke, it should be an open and shut case. However, there is too much about the crime scene that strikes a false note with DS Rebecca Dance. She also always knows when someone is lying.

As the investigation hots up, a picture of Luke as a womaniser who moves through wives and lovers at a fast pace begins to emerge. Rose, his first wife, and Anna are only two of the suspects. Have his games caught up with him?

A slow burning thriller where the reader is usually a few steps behind.

told through multiple points of view is always a favorite of mine. because i like how in thrillers especially, you really get to know ow things can be different for multiple people in any given situation. it also help build tension as you find out who did it and how, based on who you reading about.
in this case we have a murder. but the victim in this case isnt innocent at all. and there appears to be a few people who might not mind if hes not here anymore. but who could have murdered him? because from the start his wife says she did it. but there is more than one woman involved in this mans life.
that is a great hook for me. who did it and why? and the questions you ask throughout the book as it slowly unfolds is great. i love how we slowly unravel as the book goes on of how we came to be here and exactly how it came to be.

Rebecca gets wakened up that there been a domestic a man has been stabbed to death in a holiday cottage, his wife Anna says she has done it but Rebecca is not convinced she has done it as the husband Luke Whitney has secrets this book is so addictive very past faced and very twisty i so recommend.

Thank you Netgalley and Canelo Crime for this ARC!

Three women - thw wife, the scorned ex, and the mistress - are connected to Luke Whitney in one way or another. And while Anna, the current wife, does confess she has killed Luke, DS Rebecca Dance has the impression that is not what did actually happen. Also because it does seem that more people actually have a reason to see the man dead.

The story is told in several POVs - Anna, Rebecca, Pippa and Rose - you have to figure out by reading the book who is who from the last two - and yes, for me, this was overwhelming at times. But it was still a great book, and I am still going to read whatever Jenny Blackhurst does write!

Release: April 17, 2025
Author: Jenny Blackhurst
Publisher: Canelo

Rating: 4 ★ 

The Final Wife is a gripping murder mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. When renowned plastic surgeon Luke Whitney is found stabbed to death, his wife, Anna, confesses—but her story is riddled with inconsistencies. As Detective Sergeant Rebecca Dance investigates, it becomes clear that Luke was far from a devoted husband. His history of affairs, a scorned ex-wife, and a neglected mistress all add to the growing list of suspects.

Told through multiple perspectives and timelines, the story starts off a bit disorienting, but once the pieces fall into place, the suspense takes hold. The characters—while not always likable—are compelling, and the detectives make for an interesting investigative duo. With twists, betrayals, and a fast-paced plot, the novel keeps you engaged. While some subplots don’t fully develop and the epilogue may feel unnecessary, the overall mystery is intense and well-executed. If you enjoy a good whodunit with plenty of surprises, this one is worth a read.

Luke Whitney is found stabbed to death, and his wife, Anna, confesses to the crime. However, she can’t seem to recall any of the details. As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that Luke wasn’t exactly an innocent victim—he was a liar, a cheater, and a narcissist. With multiple people having a motive, including his ex, his mistress, and Anna herself—who knows all too well what happens when Luke loses interest in his wives—the question remains: who finally made sure Luke got what he deserved?

Favorite Quote:
"you don't always see the monster until it's too late."

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

A great murder mystery book. I flew through this book. There are not many twists but loved the ending never seen it coming. Thank you to Netgalley and Canelo for ARC

This book didn't have as many shocks, twists and turns as I expected, but it was very bingeable. I; however, did not see the last few paragraphs coming so that was a fun reveal.

Oh my goodness, I love a good whodunnit, and this one was really good! It’ll keep you guessing up until the last page!

Luke is a successful plastic surgeon, married to his second wife, Anna. When Luke ends up dead, Anna confesses to killing him, but there are quite a few unanswered questions and holes in her story. Luke had cheated on his first wife, Rose, and ended up leaving her for Anna. Luke is not very good at being a faithful husband, so it’s not a huge surprise when Anna realizes he’s not been faithful to her either. There’s definitely more than one person that may have wanted him dead, but the question is, who actually killed him? There are twists and turns, betrayals and surprises, this one will keep you wondering! Even if you think you know how it’s going to end, I’m fairly sure the ending will surprise you!
This was my first book I’ve read by this author, but it won’t be the last. I’m definitely going to have to read more of her books!

Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo Crime for giving an advance copy to read. All opinions are my own.

digital arc was provided by Netgalley and the publisher

I quite enjoyed the book. At first it was a hassle to differentiate the women (or, the wives), but when it got interesting, their voices kinda differ by themselves. Unfortunately, some plot just went nowhere and the epilogue should be cut since it plays too much on the secret that readers can't guess.

A brilliant murder mystery full of twists and turns.
Wonderfully written characters, not all are likeable.
Everything you expect from this talented author.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

Plastic surgeon Luke Whitney is stabbed to death and his wife Anna confesses to his murder. Surely its case closed, but DS Rebecca Dance is convinced that Anna is lying, to find out why she believes this you'll have to read this latest twisted novel by Jenny Blackhurst.
I liked the characters, the detectives worked well together, I wonder if they will feature in future novels. The novel is fast paced and intriguing.
I was gifted this advanced copy from Netgalley and Canelo with no expectations of leaving my review. I will post my review on Goodreads, Bookmory, Storygraph and Fable now and on Amazon and Waterstones on publication day

Luke is found dead and his wife Anna has confessed.

Luke is not a nice man, he left his first wife, married Anna and has been known to have affairs.

Although Anna has confessed there are suspicions that she is lying..buy why? Who is she protecting.

This is a good read and is intense and complex.

I loved my reading time and cannot wait to recommend this book to my friends.