Review of "The Wife Between Us: A Novel" by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

To avoid spoilers, which is especially important for this book, I'm going to provide a bare bones review - just to give you an idea what the story is about.

*****

Years ago - when Vanessa was attending college in her home state of Florida - she was outgoing, happy, and the social director of her Chi Omega sorority.



After graduation Vanessa was living in New York City and riddled with anxiety - nervous about flying, going out alone at night, scary movies, and other things.



Vanessa was teaching pre-school during the day, working as a bartender at night, and coping with her insecurities as best she could when she met Richard - a handsome, wealthy, 36-year-old hedge fund manager.



Richard was attentive, sophisticated, fun, and - most of all- reassuring about Vanessa's fears.

Vanessa and Richard fell in love, got married, moved to the suburbs, and planned to start a family.



Some years later the couple divorced.



Vanessa is now living with her Aunt Charlotte in New York City and working as a fashion consultant at pricey Saks Department Store.



Vanessa has lost a lot of weight, can't sleep, and is drinking WAY too much. For his part, Richard is involved with his beautiful office assistant Emma.



When Vanessa hears that Richard and Emma are engaged, she loses it. Vanessa pretends to be ill, neglects her job, and starts acting out....determined to prevent Richard and Emma's nuptials.



The story alternates back and forth between the past and the present. In the chapters set in the past we learn about Vanessa's mother; her college experiences; her move to NYC; and her best friend/roommate Samantha - with whom Vanessa does facials, eats Chinese take-out, and watches movies.



We also follow Vanessa's engagement to Richard and their marriage.



In the present, we tag along as Vanessa tries to derail her ex-husband's wedding, much to his chagrin. At one point Richard threatens to get a restraining order if Vanessa doesn't stay away from Emma and himself.



The story is interesting, the characters are well-developed, and there are some big shockers (which seems to be de rigueur for current books).



I empathized with Vanessa and admired her solicitude for her aging Aunt Charlotte. I also liked Samantha, a good and caring friend who planned a wonderful bachelorette party. I had an inkling about one of the surprises, but certainly didn't guess them all. So well done, Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen.

On the downside, the story is slow in places, has a plotline that's somewhat derivative, and should wrap up more quickly after the climax (IMO). The final sections are too drawn out, with too much blather and too little action.

All in all, 'The Wife Between Us' is a well-wrought suspense novel that I would recommend to mystery fans.

Thanks to Netgalley, the authors (Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen), and the publisher (St. Martin's Press) for a copy of the book.

Rating: 3 stars