Friday, July 7, 2023

The Killer's Wife by Susan Furlong Blog Tour Book Review

The Killer's Wife

by Susan Furlong

July 3 - August 11, 2023 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

A serial killer, a woman on the run, and an obsessive parole officer tangle in a psychological net of death and secrets. . .

When a severed finger was found in her car four years ago, Kerry Grey was arrested as an accomplice to the brutal slayings of three young women. Unbeknownst to Kerry, her husband Lucas was not only missing, but a deranged serial killer. Finally out on parole, she is ready to start anew and reunite with her young son. However, when a vigilante group inflamed by fear and motivated by reward money sparks a fevered hunt for Lucas, the nightmares of her past return.

Only one person can help Kerry evade the hysteria of the media—her parole officer, Adam Nash. But can she trust him? Was his move to the backwoods town of Joy, Montana coincidental or does Nash have his own obsessive hidden agenda involving the Hatchet Killer mystery, her husband and sweet justice?

It is not long before Kerry’s new life turns dark when she discovers that Lucas has been secretly giving their son carvings made of bone. And when a freshly dismembered victim is uncovered in the forest, the law is after her once again. Left with nowhere else to run, Kerry escapes up a mountainous trail to find Lucas and, one way or another, put an end to the real-life nightmare.

In a final twist of lies and betrayal, Kerry finds Lucas and the truth that will change everything.

Praise for The Killer's Wife:

"Susan Furlong is a master at keeping the reader on the edge of her seat. With a twisty plot, a vivid mountainous setting, and layered and intriguing characters, you won’t want to put down The Killer's Wife. Then the twists and turns will make you want to read it all again. You’ll devour The Killer's Wife late into the night, but you might want to keep the lights on."
~ Paige Shelton, New York Times Bestselling Author

The Killer's Wife "will have you rooting for a very unlikely hero. And... be prepared for a mind blowing twist at the end that you won't see coming! Expertly written! If you read only one book this year – make it this one."
~ Wall-to-Wall Books

"The Killer's Wife is a psychological thriller that takes you along for a ride as an armchair detective. As the pieces begin to morph into a final showdown, Furlong gives us a huge twist - one that you won't see coming."
~ Lynchburg Mama

My Review:

The strength of this novel is the well developed plot centering on one woman's nightmare, being wrongly accused of a crime and not being able to prove her innocence. I like Kerry as a heroine. She is one determined woman as she fights being associated with the murderous acts of her husband. Her counterpoint, Adam her parole officer, is definitely a flawed individual. He has severe mother issues, hearing her voice long after she has died.

The plot was cunningly crafted. There is a twist in the second half of the book I did not see coming. Then there is another huge twist at the end that was shocking. There is a good measure of suspense included as Kerry tries to find her husband, something the inept sheriff's department has been unable to do. Including the cuts from the television murder program in the narrative was interesting but I felt it really did not add much to the progression of the plot.

This is a good mystery/thriller for readers who like to be confronted with serious twists and a surprise ending. I think this is the first novel I have read by Furlong and I will definitely be looking for more from her.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Book Details:

Genre: Psychological Suspense
Published by: Seventh Street
Publication Date: July 2023
Number of Pages: 334
ISBN: 9781645060574 (ISBN10: 1645060578)
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | SimonAndSchuster.com

Read an excerpt:

It’s Monday morning and still dark outside when I slip from bed and creep away from my sleeping wife to hide in the attic and watch, for the umpteenth time, my favorite episode of Strange Murders.

Lucas Yates, “the Hatchet Killer.” Three bloody murders, all in one summer. The year was 2014, and back then the story was a blip on my radar, news lost amidst bigger headlines: ISIS, Robin Williams’s suicide, the Ebola outbreak . . . a dreary year in the news, but I paid little attention to any of it. At twenty-two, I lived a self-absorbed life thousands of miles away in Chicago, on break from my college classes, partying, and hanging with Miranda, my then girlfriend, now wife. What did Lucas Yates and the women he murdered in Joy, Montana, have to do with me?

Nothing. Until the story became an episode on Strange Murders.

***

Excerpt from The Killer's Wife by Susan Furlong. Copyright 2023 by Susan Furlong. Reproduced with permission from Susan Furlong. All rights reserved.

 

Author Bio:

Susan Furlong is the author of several mysteries including the acclaimed Bone Gap Travellers series, and SHATTERED JUSTICE, a New York Times Best Crime Novel of the Year. She also contributes, under a penname, to the New York Times bestselling Novel Idea series. Her latest novel is the THE KILLER'S WIFE. She resides in Illinois with her family.

Catch Up With Susan:
SusanFurlong.com
Goodreads
BookBub - @SusanFurlongAuthor
Instagram - @SusanFurlong
Twitter - @Furlong_Sue
Facebook - @SusanFurlongAuthor

 

Tour Participants:

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway!
Click here to view The Killer's Wife by Susan Furlong Tour Hosts.

 

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours


I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Partners in Crime Book Tours.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

3 comments:

Wall-to-wall books said...

Thanks for the nice review!
I read this one as well as - What They don't Know - both excellent in my opinion!

Susan Furlong said...

Thank you, Joan. So happy that you liked the story. Thanks for taking time to read and review.

RitaH said...

Great review and excerpt! I already follow Susan Furlong, have read 2 of her books, and look forward to reading this one soon.