Book Review: The Wives by Valerie Keogh

I’m excited to be welcoming Valerie Keogh back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, The Wives.

Meet The Wives…

Lies, secrets, deadly decisions…

When Natasha meets Daniel, she knows her life is made. Rich, handsome and charming, Daniel will make the perfect husband. Even if she won’t make the perfect wife…

She is thrilled when Daniel suggests an all-expenses paid cruise for Natasha, her friends, Barbara, Tracy Ann and Michelle, and their husbands. What better way to show everyone that Natasha has finally made it?

But as the ship sets sail, she learns that far from being the perfect husband, Daniel has terrible secrets that are about to be revealed. And each of the wives has their own reasons for wanting him dead.

This trip might cost more than any of them ever imagined…

*****

When Natasha marries Daniel, she feels that her life can finally be her own again without having to go back to nursing. 

When Daniel suggests that she and their friends go on a cruise, the secrets and lies reveal themselves one by one and with fatal consequences. 

I always get super excited when Valerie Keogh releases a novel as I know it’s going to be a rollercoaster of a ride. This novel was no exception. 

From chapter one, there’s an underlying sense of foreboding. It almost feels too good to be true. The tension and suspense is built well as the plot progresses. Twists, turns and gasp out loud moments follow with a shocking ending I didn’t see coming. 

Told from the point of view of Natasha, Michele, Barbara and Tracy-Ann, I went from having sympathy with many of the characters to not and then back again. They are a well developed, complicated, flawed bunch who all have their demons, regrets and bad decisions. It’s really hard to know which one to trust. 

It was interesting to see the story from each point of view. As a result, you do get a couple of plot moments that repeat themselves but in my opinion, it’s so cleverly done, you really get to know each of the women and why each decision is being made. 

Overall, The Wives is a brilliant, compelling, explosive thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat and guessing all the way through. It’s a tale of betrayal, loyalty, trust and has the reader asking how well they know their friends. I loved this book and I’m a big fan of this author. 

If you’re looking for a great book to escape these dark nights, this one is a fantastic choice.

About Valerie Keogh  –

Valerie Keogh is the best-selling author of The Nurse. She lives in Wiltshire with her husband and a huge black cat, Fatty Arbuckle. She grew up reading Agatha Christie and initially wrote crime novels – she now writes psychological thrillers.

The Little Lies was shortlisted for the Crime Fiction Lovers Award 2021.

Say hello to Valerie on Facebook, X, Instagram and Bookbub. Click here to sign up to her newsletter. 

The Wives was released on 6th November 2024 by Boldwood Books. Click to buy on Amazon and Waterstones. 

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.