This was such an interesting book, I greedily read through it in a day.
The Husband’s Secret centres its focus on 3 seemingly unconnected women and their families, the story weaving threads around characters and drawing them closer, pulling them uncomfortably tight together.
Cecilia Fitzpatrick, a Stepford wife-esque character, finds a letter from her husband while he is away. It says to be opened in the event of his death. Cecilia keeps thinking about opening it. What could his secret possibly be? What could he possibly keep from her and their perfect lives and family? I can see what her dilemma is, that she trusts her husband. I’m not sure I wouldn’t have ripped a letter like that open the second I found it, to be honest.
There is also Tess, who’s family is being pulled apart against her best wishes. While the dust settles, she and her son spend time with her mother under the guise of helping her while she recovers from a broken ankle, meeting Cecilia and our other main character, Rachel.
Rachel is a delightful older woman. I really enjoyed her as a character, finding her really relate-able. She is still grieving her daughter who was killed in 1984, and trying to remain connected to her grandchild through her still living son.
The chapters are often shorter, moving between each of these women and their lives. The characters seem well thought out, and very real. Even after the “big reveal” of the letter, you still want to know where the story is going, where everything is heading, how is this possibly going to end?
The parallel between Pandora and the box she opened makes perfect sense in this book. The character’s curiosity makes you question what you would do in that situation.
-Karina, Belconnen QBD
