A new book from C.L. Taylor is always a “drop everything must read ASAP”.

I’ve been a huge fan ever since The Escape then The Fear, the two first psychological thrillers I ever read.

It’s Always The Husband is a school gates mums thriller with newly divorced Jude arriving in a small town and finding herself attracted to widower Will. Will, whose first wife died and whose second wife vanished, raising eyebrows and suspicions.

There’s a lot of characters, subplots, secrets, shocks and twists. C.L. Taylor’s writing is as great as ever, I’m just not the biggest fan of school gates thrillers. Like putting together a thousand piece jigsaw, without the box for reference, you only start to see the bigger picture nearer the end.

It’s very good, and I enjoyed reading it, but I do prefer a more direct approach.

Recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK

Just loved this, one of the best things i have read for a while.
A big cast of characters, many very unlikeable.
A missing woman, murder and mystery.
I changed my mind several times about who did what and the ending was a real wow moment.
The talented author C L Taylor has written a real cracker of a story.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

This is a brilliant thriller with several different mysteries going on which makes it difficult to guess what links and who did what. To.d from the perspective of 3 different mums there’s Jude who’s new to the area and who’s daughter is new to the school, Sorrell who used to be part of the clique but isn’t any more and queen bee Victoria. The main mystery is that of Robyn’s disappearance a while back and the cliques belief she was killed by her partner Will and they’re especially suspicious because his first wife died in an accident at home. It really does spiral from there with blackmail and murder added into the mix but for me it was the relationships between the different characters both in terms of the clique and romantic relationships that really made this such a solid read. There’s a lot of secrets that emerge as the story progresses, lots of surprises and I couldn’t have even started to guess the different perpetrators. This ends on a creepy note which I really loved.

The school gates clique, always an ordeal and at St Helena’s Primary it’s no different. Victoria Routledge, queen bee and demon of the PTA, rules the roost, with her trusty acolytes bobbing along in her wake. For newcomer Jude it’s her worst nightmare. All she wants is for her daughter Betsy to be happy after her last school experience. Keen to keep her distance from the ‘Mamas’, Jude chats along to single parent Will, and is more than happy when his daughter Milly befriends Betsy. When Jude realises that the clique have little or no time for Will, and she hears some cruel accusations, she is determined to find out what’s going on, even if it means gritting her teeth and getting into the inner circle.

What an absolute joy this book is! The horror of running the school gates gauntlet when you are an outsider is so perfectly illustrated, and the character of Victoria is spot on.

The start of the the book is character overload, but that adds to the feeling of the situation, and as each character establishes their place in the hierarchy all becomes clear.

An excellent plot with Taylor’s always exquisite writing, and the characterisation is perfect. And those last two chapters! 😱

I loved this book and thoroughly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK.

Excellent twisty storyline.
Keeps you guessing right to the end.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review

I really enjoyed this book, read it in a day. The politics of the school run mum's clique, plus the mystery of a missing woman as explored via multiple viewpoints including a mum who has recently moved into the area (Jude).

I felt I connected with the characters and really wanted to know what happened next so I couldn't stop reading. A good read.

C L Taylor creates solid thrills with a band of dislike-able characters you can’t help but root for. It’s Always The Husband is a fun, twisty thriller for this summer.

Excellent. Told from multiple viewpoints, this features the school run mama clique who doubt the innocence of school run Dad Will, whose wife died and then his subsequent girlfriend went missing presumed dead… Jude is a fairly new arrival to the school and her daughter is friends with Will’s daughter. They begin a tentative relationship, but is he innocent? Throw in a little blackmail and divorce and another death, and you have the makings of a fast paced and twisty thriller. And this is a genuinely good read with a nice little “Columbo” finale just when you think you’re done…!

I received a free ARC copy of this book via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

When newly-divorced Jude arrives in the small town of Lowbridge, she is keen to make friends with the parents she meets at the school gate. She is attracted to Will but there appears to be some mystery about the fate of his previous 2 wives.
This is a well-written book which captures the rumours and gossip of a small community. There are a lot of well-drawn characters and the twists and tension make this a thrilling read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Delicious…
What secrets, lies, scandal and betrayal lie within the seemingly content confines of the town of Lowbridge? Whilst the incessant chitter chatter of school mums drown out the underlying rot, rumbles of rumour begin - is it possible that a killer is hiding in plain sight? Pacy, tense and completely compelling this is a one sit rollercoaster of a read with an immersive and nicely crafted plot populated with a wholly credible and well drawn cast and a well imagined backdrop. Perfect storytelling, keenly observed, coupled with often unexpected twists and turns. Delicious.

I adore C L Taylor's writing style and she is brilliant at creating multi-faceted characters who you feel like you know really quickly. This book was no different and I found it very pleasant to read. The characters were excellent and I found the story reasonably engaging.

I don't think that the book had a strong enough concept to fill a full-length novel. There was a lot going on but nothing that I would categorise as thrilling. The book covered quite a few storylines without really going into depth in any of them, which was a shame.

I was all set to rate this a middle of the road 3 stars, but the last chapter bumped it up to 4, I did really enjoy that.

Another great read from C. L. Taylor, this was gripping and thrilling, and kept me guessing right to the end. Lots of interesting characters and twists and turns.

I am always super happy to see a CL Taylor book land in my inbox.
It's Always the Husband is a school mum thriller with interesting twists and a well paced plot, I read it in a day.
The final few pages, ooft! Very unexpected.
4 stars.

I love a good CL Taylor novel and completely devoured this one. Told from multiple points of view and set amongst the gauntlet of the school run, where gossip quickly gives rise to rumours of murder. Is there a killer in the midst of sleepy little Lowbridge? Tense, pacy and with a great cast of characters, this kept me guessing to the end. Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and the author for the chance to review.

This was a good thriller that develops well as you keep reading. It's Big Little Lies meets Desperate Housewives. There are a lot of characters and it does take a while to figure out who's who and who you should be paying attention to. Not all are rounded out but that works well as showing that school gate clique. The characters who drive the story are really well done. All very believable and different. The plot itself is undeniably convoluted and you do have to suspend disbelief. But if you want escapism, this is it. Some readers will love the ending. I didn't think it added much but overall it kept me reading, probably the characters more so than the story itself.

This was a story that kept me guessing until the end, however there was a lot of characters to guess from all who had their own back stories and the chapters flitted between them. I’m a fan of this usually as I love Shari Lapena stories who I think does similar but this seemed a little bit more work to keep up with. The storyline lacked a little bit but the very last few pages were great. I’m quite conflicted on the rating for this but will go 3.5-4 stars. Thanks for early access.

This is a masterful blend of suspense, intrigue, and emotional depth. The storys strength lies in its well-crafted characters and the tension that builds with each chapter. Jude's determination to uncover the truth about Will's past is both compelling and relatable, making her a protagonist you cant help but root for.

The plot twists and turns in unexpected ways, and with short snappy chapters you cant help but keep reading. The small-town setting adds an extra layer of claustrophobia and tension, as secrets and rumors swirl around the characters. The alternating perspectives between Jude and other school mums provides a well-rounded view of the unfolding mystery whilst not causing confusion about who's thread you're following.

For me It's Always the Husband was a thrilling and emotionally charged read that kept me guessing and after the final pages I felt like I just needed another chapter because I wasnt ready to leave life in Lowbridge.

This book has so much going on, I did get lost a bit along the way especially near the end. However, it was a great thriller and kept me gripped and hooked.

Wow wow this was such a great psychological thriller which I could not put down. I loved everything about it the characters the writing style and the suspense from start to finish. I felt I was on a rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish I was hooked with so many twists I could not predict how it was going to end and wow what a great ending it was. This author if so talented to write a book that grips you from the first page and doesn’t let u stop trading until the final page. I will definitely be recommending this fantastic thriller to everyone can’t wait to read more from this author. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this great book.

The intrigue and suspense start from the outset and slowly builds with shocks and surprises, leading to a dramatic climax. Who would have thought a school run could create so much drama and be so gripping? I liked the short chapters told from different viewpoints - each with their own version of the truth. I loved how all the characters are believable.
A brilliant read. Highly recommended.

Its always the husband

WOW WOW WOW what a book i could not put this down! Kept me guessing throughout. Quick read and fast paced
I think i have found a new fave author - off i go to read any previous books by this author.

Thanks as always to netgalley, the publisher and the author for the arc.

Book Review: It’s Always the Husband by C.L. Taylor

C.L. Taylor has done it again with It’s Always the Husband—another chilling, twist-filled thriller that kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. As a long-time fan of Taylor's work, I knew I was in for a rollercoaster of suspense, but this book exceeded even my high expectations.

Set in the small, seemingly tranquil town of Lowbridge, the story follows newly-divorced Jude, who quickly finds herself entangled in the mystery surrounding widower Will. Will, the father of her daughter’s best friend, carries a dark past filled with tragedy and unanswered questions. With two dead wives under suspicious circumstances, the town has already made up its mind about Will, and rumors about murder swirl like a storm.

What makes this book so gripping is how Taylor masterfully weaves the tension between Jude’s desire to protect Will and the growing sense of danger surrounding him. As Jude digs deeper into the past, she uncovers secrets that make the town’s whispers even more sinister, all while battling her own demons from her family’s tragic history. The dual narratives of Jude’s investigation and the town’s gossip paint a compelling, chilling picture of how fear, suspicion, and obsession can warp people’s perceptions.

Taylor’s writing is sharp, and she knows how to create a sense of dread that keeps you turning the pages. Her characters are wonderfully complex—Jude’s determination and inner conflict add depth to her, while Will’s silence and secretive nature keep you on edge. The atmosphere in Lowbridge is so vivid that I could almost feel the weight of the town’s gossip bearing down on the characters.

The twists in this book are deliciously devious. Just when you think you’ve figured things out, Taylor throws in another curveball, leaving you questioning everyone and everything. The pace never slows, and the suspense builds to an explosive, satisfying conclusion.

If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers with complex characters, dark secrets, and shocking twists, It’s Always the Husband is an absolute must-read. C.L. Taylor continues to be one of the best in the genre, and this book is a brilliant addition to her already impressive catalog. You’ll be hooked from the first page and, just like me, you’ll finish it in one sitting—unable to look away from the chaos Taylor has so expertly created.

Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good, spine-tingling thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end!

Welcome to Lowbridge. Where secrets hide behind every door…

When newly divorced Jude arrives in the small town of Lowbridge, she is soon drawn to widower Will, the father of her young daughter's best friend.

But Will's past is shrouded in tragedy, with questions that no one knows the answer to – and after two tragedies tore his life apart in just a few short years, gossip and rumours abound about what really happened to the women he loved.

As whispers of murder surround Will, Jude becomes determined to uncover the truth – and with her own father's tragic fate haunting her, she refuses to let another innocent man suffer.

Yet in Lowbridge the darkness runs deep, and nothing is as it seems. Can Jude protect Will from a community out for blood? Or will she become the next victim in this web of deceit?

Because whilst one dead wife is tragic, two starts to look like murder…

Newly divorced Jude is quickly drawn to a widower when she and her daughter pitch up in a small town. Will is very handsome and charming, but his life is full of mystery, leaving the other school gate mums to give him a wide berth. Whispers about his personal life abound, and that doesn’t stop the mums from teaming up and having more to say on just about everyone. Gossip is currency in Lowbridge and though Jude wants to protect Will, it’s not being made easy for her. Mind you, the other male partners have plenty issues of their own to deal with. In such a small place, who knew how much of a hotbed of intrigue it could be…

Well that didn't take me long another cracking read by C. L. Taylor, a good set of charecters and a twisty turny story that didn't give up until the end

Another brilliantly twisted thriller from Cally Taylor, a right old page turner that I read in one sitting.

Never have I been more happy that school runs are behind me.

Nobody does divisive authentic characters like this author, every time there's at least one that I growl at endlessly through the read, but equally the mystery is always intriguing and clever

Overall a genuinely entertaining read. Loved it.

I’ve really enjoyed C.L Taylor’s other books, so was looking forward to reading to this new one. It certainly didn’t disappoint.
The characters were intriguing, and the plot delivered lots of layers and twists. It’s a memorable book and I’ll definitely recommend it.

With many thanks to Netgalley for this free arc and I am leaving this unbiased review voluntarily

Callie Taylor is consistently an author that never disappoints and this one is no exception. Bang on the money with her character portrayal and dialogue and you soon get pulled into this riveting story. Callie really captures the essence of the ‘school gate moms clique’ and it oozes realism. The story told from multiple pov adds real depth with strong solid chapters. There are a lot of twists, turns and red herrings as the author leads us on a merry dance and ends in a frantic conclusion. Then when you think it’s all over Ms Taylor throws in a wonderful last couple of chapters. Wonderful

When newly divorced Jude arrives in the small town of Lowbridge, she is soon drawn to widower Will, the father of her young daughter's best friend.

But Will's past is shrouded in tragedy, with questions that no one knows the answer to – and after two tragedies tore his life apart in just a few short years, gossip and rumours abound about what really happened to the women he loved.

As whispers of murder surround Will, Jude becomes determined to uncover the truth – and with her own father's tragic fate haunting her, she refuses to let another innocent man suffer.

Yet in Lowbridge the darkness runs deep, and nothing is as it seems. Can Jude protect Will from a community out for blood? Or will she become the next victim in this web of deceit?

Loved this book, I devoured it within 24 hours. Told from all different viewpoints but it wasn’t confusing at all. Murder, divorce, blackmail it had it all in and some of the twists were ones I hasn’t guessed at all. They kept coming up until the end which made a brilliant twisty thriller. It was well paced and a page turner, I kept having to read more. I will definitely look out for more from this author. It’s out in June and if you love this type of genre you won’t want to miss this!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this before publication.

Wow as usual my go to author C.L .Taylor did not disappoint with this intriguing and exciting read!
Had me hooked from the start and I didn’t see where the book was heading right until we got there. Loved the characters and the storyline this is a must read new edition from an amazing author and for anyone not familiar but love this genre then get this added to your ever growing tbr.
Thanks for the arc Negalley

I'm a big fan of C.L. Taylor, have read all her books over the years. This was no different, relatable characters, deceptive secrets, loads of mystery, nothing is ever as it seems. I would say it was a little slow starting and if it hadn't been that I like this author so much I might've not progressed with it..but I'm glad I did! Really enjoyed.

Everyone has a secret that can be hidden in plain sight. Wow firstly thankyou NetGalley & Avon books for this arc copy, this is by far my favourite book from C.L Tudor.

This book provides POV from 4 main characters (3 school moms & a husband) as they navigate school mom life and gossip.

Jude is a no nonsense single mom who has a love entwined relationship with one of the school dads Will. However no one trusts Will as he has had two partners presumed dead die in a mysterious way.

Victoria the main school mom busy body who is divorced but still wants to be the forefront of all the school gossip and be the main attention with every social groups

Sorreail a struggling mother trying to juggle her children, husband and work load as her husband is off sick from work with depression and anxiety.

& finally Andy the ex husband of Victoria and main ppoliceman who investigated into the death/disappearance of Wills recent partner.

This book has so many layers to it as it showcases the lives and povs of all these characters whilst showcasing the main source of why they all link. And that is where is Robyn and did Will kill her?

I absolutely the funny witty comment from the school moms the gossip the build up of tension when the high chase of trying to hide their secrets happen. This book had me gripped from the start and I wasn’t disappointed. This book is a fast paced thriller you need to get your hands on in 2025

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! It immediately appealed to me—I’ve spent years doing school runs, not quite fitting in, trying (and failing!) to find my place, so this story had me hooked from the start.

The plot follows Jude, a new mum trying to make friends, who ends up in a group led by Victoria, the intimidating "alpha mum." At first, Victoria is unlikeable, but as the story progresses, her vulnerabilities come through, and I actually warmed to her. The three main women—Jude, Victoria, and Sorrel—team up to unravel the mystery surrounding Will Ledger, a dad at the school. His first wife died in mysterious circumstances his daughters stepmother has also vanished, and soon after, one of the husbands turns up dead.

The discovery of a mysterious diary at Will’s house by Jude sets everything in motion. Initially, Jude assume it belonged to the missing stepmother, but when she realises it didn’t, they women work together to uncover the true author’s identity. As they dig deeper, they uncover the truth about what happened to Will’s second partner, Robyn, after his first wife’s tragic death. With multiple women at the school being blackmailed, the trio races to solve the case—because, as the saying goes, it’s always the husband, right?

I loved the multiple viewpoints, which added so much depth to the story. Sorrel was my favorite—I really resonated with her. Jude was okay, but I found some of the other characters less likeable. Will, the husband at the center of the mystery, was particularly well-written—I didn’t think he was evil, so the final twist completely shocked me!

This is the third book I’ve read by C.L. Taylor—one I loved, one I wasn’t as keen on—but I’m so glad I gave this one a go. It’s absolutely spot on! A solid 5 stars and a book I’ll be recommending to everyone!

CL Taylor does it again, fantastic read, characters and storyline, thoroughly enjoyable and thrilling from beginning to end, I loved it

Oh yes, the school run, I’m still doing it after all these years! The school gates of Saint Helena‘s Primary School are abuzz after a dramatic incident involving Will Ledger, whose daughter Millie is now best friends with Jude‘s daughter, Betsy, who are newly arrived in Lowbridge. We all know school gates can be covens for gossip mongering at the very least, especially among the Queen Bees but are the rumours about Will true? “We all know what you did” rings out from someone and Jude has no clue what that means. Initially. One dead wife can be viewed as a tragedy but additionally a missing girlfriend would seem to form a pattern. However, this isn’t the only mystery in Lowbridge and Queen of Queen Bees Victoria is determined to get answers. After all, it’s always the husband, right?

I’m a big fan of CL Taylor and this is another good one to add to her pile of best sellers. The first half is especially strong and I mean STRONG! There’s whip smart dialogue, especially between Will and Jude,a ‘laser’ sharp, brilliantly astute portrayal of the school gate coterie and sparks which fly in all directions. It’s a bit like sitting on top of a huge powder keg just waiting for the thing to ignite and explode in all directions. Pressure piles on top of pressure with excellent mysteries to ponder and speculate over, just as the coven does. There’s delusion, confusion, exclusion, plenty of allusion and illusion, a barrel load of suspicion some well-founded others less so but it all adds up to the delicious ‘juiciness’.It chills, it shocks at the manipulation and devious behaviour. Cats chase mice, then the mice chase the cat, or cats but the million dollar question is who is the biggest cat? Who can Jude trust? Are these female characters especially harpies or just strong women? What about the men especially Will?? I’m all in watching the dramas, side changing and shenanigans as it’s engrossing and entertaining.

The last section does get a bit convoluted as it twists and turns in a myriad of directions often up blind alleys following the wrong suspect but it is still very enjoyable. There are quite a lot of characters to keep track of especially towards the end, which does make my head spin a bit.

Overall, it’s a really good highly entertaining domestic style psychological drama.

Publication date = 5th of June in the United Kingdom.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Avon
Books for the much appreciated epub in return for an honest review.

Another excellent read from C.L. Taylor. I was already a fan of her books and was delighted to be given the chance to advance read. This book does not disappoint but, be warned, it is engrossing and will keep you from doing anything else. Captivates you from the start and keeps you guessing until the very end when the various mysteries are revealed. I had no idea where it was going, who to like or dislike, who to trust or suspect. I won’t give any spoilers but would like point out that those groups of mums you see at school can be an interesting, varied and sometimes dangerous collection of people. although you may that already know that. I thoroughly recommend you read this.
My thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the opportunity to review and to the author for another wonderful piece of work.

‘It’s Always the Husband is another exciting psychological thriller by C.L. Taylor. A dark, twisty tale of secrets and suspicion together with an intriguing plot make a very good read.

Jude is looking for a new beginning following her divorce and moves to the quiet town of Lowbridge. But it’s not long before she is feels attracted to another man. A widower named Will has had a tragic past, his first wife’s death was a devastating accident and his second wife also died tragically. The two tragic deaths encourage locals to gossip and have suspicions of Will.

Jude has known tragedy herself, and is determined not to let an innocent man be unjustly damned. But as she digs deeper, she realises that in Lowbridge, nothing is as it seems. The town’s secrets run deep, and the more she investigates, the more she risks becoming the next victim.

This is a novel full of tension, interesting characters and a well thought out plot. Twists and turns make the reading more interesting and I found this book difficult to put down.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Avon Books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I love C.L. Taylor! All of her thrillers are superbly written, and this one is no accepting! A twisty mystery with an ending I did not see coming!

I LOVED THIS PHENOMENAL, GRIPPING BOOK. I raced through it, it consumed me in its pages. A shocking conclusion which left me gobsmacked! LOVED IT! LOVED IT! LOVED IT!

C.L Taylor has done it again I love all her books and this was certainly no different! I devoured this book in a few days! From the beginning to end I was kept in suspense and shock. I really didn't see any of it coming.

There was so many lies, twists, and edge-of-seat moments for me everyone was the suspect, except the real one. My jaw hit the floor and kept me going to the very last page.

A huge 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 stars from me!