St. Martin’s Press

General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers

Pub Date 05 Jan 2021   

  

Description:

January 2021 Indie Next Pick and #1 LibraryReads Pick

A delicious twist on a Gothic classic, The Wife Upstairs pairs Southern charm with atmospheric domestic suspense, perfect for fans of B.A. Paris and Megan Miranda.

Meet Jane. Newly arrived to Birmingham, Alabama, Jane is a broke dog-walker in Thornfield Estates––a gated community full of McMansions, shiny SUVs, and bored housewives. The kind of place where no one will notice if Jane lifts the discarded tchotchkes and jewelry off the side tables of her well-heeled clients. Where no one will think to ask if Jane is her real name.

But her luck changes when she meets Eddie Rochester. Recently widowed, Eddie is Thornfield Estates’ most mysterious resident. His wife, Bea, drowned in a boating accident with her best friend, their bodies lost to the deep. Jane can’t help but see an opportunity in Eddie––not only is he rich, brooding, and handsome, he could also offer her the kind of protection she’s always yearned for.

Yet as Jane and Eddie fall for each other, Jane is increasingly haunted by the legend of Bea, an ambitious beauty with a rags-to-riches origin story, who launched a wildly successful southern lifestyle brand. How can she, plain Jane, ever measure up? And can she win Eddie’s heart before her past––or his––catches up to her?

With delicious suspense, incisive wit, and a fresh, feminist sensibility, The Wife Upstairs flips the script on a timeless tale of forbidden romance, ill-advised attraction, and a wife who just won’t stay buried. In this vivid reimagining of one of literature’s most twisted love triangles, which Mrs. Rochester will get her happy ending?

Adele’s Review:

Bayside Book Reviews wasn’t built before The Wife Upstairs was a new release, so I’m happy to post my NetGalley review here. I LOVED THIS BOOK and want to share my enthusiasm with other readers.

The Wife Upstairs is a MUST READ for thriller fans (and those who loved Jane Eyre). One of the best books I’ve read this year and one that will definitely make my Top 10 list for 2021.

Jane, the dog walking protagonist, pulled me right into her story and led me along the sidewalks of Thornfield Estates with her and her charges until I was totally immersed in the book and couldn’t put it down. I read the novel as a stand alone, without comparing it to Jane Eyre, which heightened my enjoyment of the tale and allowed it to unfold without expectations. I empathized with her character, rooted for her despite her imperfections, and hoped for a positive outcome at the end of the story. The book was well-written, perfectly paced, and the central characters were well formed. Even when I didn’t approve of their actions, I understood them.

Rachel Hawkins gave this reader a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience, and I say, BRAVA. I intend to check out her backlist. Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing an ARC for an honest review.

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Wife-Upstairs-Novel-Rachel-Hawkins-ebook/dp/B08BKLVZRJ/

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4042620682