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The Wrong Woman
Preorder the BRAND NEW psychological thriller from O.J. Mullen Everyone has secrets. Are yours worth dying for? Julia Sutherland isn’t too sure about her new colleague. Ellis Kirkbride is friendly, charismatic and handsome, but there’s just something about him – a bit too slick, a bit too confident, and he stands a bit too close. Normally she'd share her concerns with her husband Rob, but he’s been distant lately and Julia has a secret he mustn’t find out.
Ellis Kirkbride thought he had found the right woman, except Sasha couldn’t be trusted, and Ellis knows all about women like her. But the perfect woman is out there somewhere, and when he finds her, he’ll never let her go…
In a tale of twisted love and chilling revenge, bestseller O.J. Mullen will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. Perfect for fans of K. L Slater, Claire Douglas and Sue Watson.
Ellis Kirkbride thought he had found the right woman, except Sasha couldn’t be trusted, and Ellis knows all about women like her. But the perfect woman is out there somewhere, and when he finds her, he’ll never let her go…
In a tale of twisted love and chilling revenge, bestseller O.J. Mullen will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. Perfect for fans of K. L Slater, Claire Douglas and Sue Watson.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 17, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
July 17, 2024
Julia Sutherland is a star at the advertising firm she works for. She isn’t happy with her boss when he brings in a "superstar" recently returned to Glasgow from South Africa, Ellis Kirkbride. Not only does he toot his horn, but she is told he is now part of her team and they are to work together on a new campaign, shutting out the rest of her team. There is something about him she isn't sure of. He is friendly, charismatic and handsome, but he's also a bit too slick, confident, and easily becomes angry and almost childish when he doesn't get what he wants or is put in his place in front of others. When he becomes a bit too familiar with Julia, she isn't quite sure who to talk to about it. Recently her husband has become distant and is always at work, and she is afraid her boss won't believe her. Rob, has been lying to her, he is having an affair. Ellis left South Africa after he was betrayed by Sasha, a woman he loved, and now he has his sights on Julia. He is sure that she is his perfect woman, but she is a happily married one, or is she?
The Wrong Woman starts off with a bang, and although it slows down at times, it kept me quickly flipping the pages. The story builds, letting us in on Ellis' past as well as sharing what is happening in Julia's and Rob's lives. We get to know her co-workers, on a colleague level, but I did like them and thought they had been treated badly. As I got to know Julia, I felt bad for her. She was trying to get her old life back, but it seemed everyone else seemed to get in her way. Both her and Rob were workaholics and it was easy to see how they began to grow apart, even though they didn't realize it until it was too late. There is violence in this story which may be a trigger for some people. When Ellis decides it is time to put his plan in place, the story picks up and gave me chills. This is a creepy thriller that made me think twice about people being nice to me. I don't want to give anymore of the story away, but it is tense, dark, and dangerous. This is a domestic thriller that takes a turn that I was not expecting. I liked the ending and thought it tied up the loose ends well. As they say, "Karma is a B#*%$. I enjoyed this book and will watch for more standalone thrillers by Owen Mullen.
The Wrong Woman starts off with a bang, and although it slows down at times, it kept me quickly flipping the pages. The story builds, letting us in on Ellis' past as well as sharing what is happening in Julia's and Rob's lives. We get to know her co-workers, on a colleague level, but I did like them and thought they had been treated badly. As I got to know Julia, I felt bad for her. She was trying to get her old life back, but it seemed everyone else seemed to get in her way. Both her and Rob were workaholics and it was easy to see how they began to grow apart, even though they didn't realize it until it was too late. There is violence in this story which may be a trigger for some people. When Ellis decides it is time to put his plan in place, the story picks up and gave me chills. This is a creepy thriller that made me think twice about people being nice to me. I don't want to give anymore of the story away, but it is tense, dark, and dangerous. This is a domestic thriller that takes a turn that I was not expecting. I liked the ending and thought it tied up the loose ends well. As they say, "Karma is a B#*%$. I enjoyed this book and will watch for more standalone thrillers by Owen Mullen.
July 23, 2024
Julia Sutherland works in advertising, she’s good at what she does but when her boss brings in Ellis Kilbride who is recently back from South Africa she starts to question why he’s here.
Good looking but with an arrogance about him he soon starts to upset the work colleagues and Julia starts to think there’s something that makes her feel slightly uncomfortable about him.
Meanwhile back home Julia‘s husband Rob has his own secrets, Ellis Kilbride is aware of those secrets.
So who is Ellis Kilbride and why is he interested in Julia and has Julia got her own secrets?
This is an interesting plot, although it didn’t really grab me in the first 50% of the book but after that, it became a fast pace gritty story line.
I found the characters quite unlikable but somehow they all became tangled in the plot and that worked. I really like Owen Mullins writing and his last series was definitely a five star read for me. Although the writing in this one was good and descriptive, it didn’t quite work as much as his previous books.
Good looking but with an arrogance about him he soon starts to upset the work colleagues and Julia starts to think there’s something that makes her feel slightly uncomfortable about him.
Meanwhile back home Julia‘s husband Rob has his own secrets, Ellis Kilbride is aware of those secrets.
So who is Ellis Kilbride and why is he interested in Julia and has Julia got her own secrets?
This is an interesting plot, although it didn’t really grab me in the first 50% of the book but after that, it became a fast pace gritty story line.
I found the characters quite unlikable but somehow they all became tangled in the plot and that worked. I really like Owen Mullins writing and his last series was definitely a five star read for me. Although the writing in this one was good and descriptive, it didn’t quite work as much as his previous books.
July 23, 2024
The Wrong Woman by O.J. Mullen is an interesting psychological thriller. The prologue engaged me instantly and even though there were parts that moved a bit slowly overall the story was fast-paced and tense.
The characters were all deeply flawed and mostly unlikeable yet I was still interested in the outcome and wished most of them well throughout the story.
Like so many books in this genre there are definitely parts where you have to suspend belief to be able to go along with the story.
Overall, this was a fast paced, engaging thriller that kept me reading to find out the outcome. If you are a fan of psychological thrillers this one is worth a read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The characters were all deeply flawed and mostly unlikeable yet I was still interested in the outcome and wished most of them well throughout the story.
Like so many books in this genre there are definitely parts where you have to suspend belief to be able to go along with the story.
Overall, this was a fast paced, engaging thriller that kept me reading to find out the outcome. If you are a fan of psychological thrillers this one is worth a read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 16, 2024
This novel gets off to a resounding start and the pace builds to a climax that will take your breath away. Owen has found his niche in the psychological thriller genre. All his books are great. Psychological thrillers and series alike. A recommended and commended author.
October 2, 2024
Talk about mommy issues.
This was a very good thriller
there was no element of surprise but the way the plot is written is well done.
That damn Ellis had me in tears!
This was a very good thriller
there was no element of surprise but the way the plot is written is well done.
That damn Ellis had me in tears!
January 1, 2025
DNF. By 50% in I genuinely wasn’t bothered what happened to any of them. The dialogue between all the characters felt awkward and unnatural.
July 9, 2024
This is the first book I’ve read by the author and I’m excited to read more! I would rate this 3.5 stars, rounding up to 4 stars.
I felt the book was suspenseful and was solidly leading to a thrilling climax through about the 75% mark. But the last quarter of the book seemed like events quickly went from semi-realistic to downright crazy with the ending going off the rails!
If you enjoy thrillers with less than likable characters; characters seeking revenge; and crazy, unbelievable, twisty endings then I would recommend checking this out!
Thank you NetGalley, O.J. Mullen, and Boldwood for the opportunity to read the book in exchange for a candid review!
I felt the book was suspenseful and was solidly leading to a thrilling climax through about the 75% mark. But the last quarter of the book seemed like events quickly went from semi-realistic to downright crazy with the ending going off the rails!
If you enjoy thrillers with less than likable characters; characters seeking revenge; and crazy, unbelievable, twisty endings then I would recommend checking this out!
Thank you NetGalley, O.J. Mullen, and Boldwood for the opportunity to read the book in exchange for a candid review!
June 6, 2024
Sadly disappointed in this poorly executed thriller. There was just too much going on the entire time. The story incorporated too many similar, obsessive, ruthless characters to be believable. Not one character had any redeeming qualities thus making me not care what happened to any of them…it was a struggle to finish.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 15, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing this book, with my honest review below.
The Wrong Woman was highly disturbing but given this is a thriller that made it highly satisfying. Julia and Rob seem like the perfect couple, but as is often the case in a thriller, the seem is an important distinction. When Ellis, Julia’s new coworker comes into the picture he becomes a less than welcome addition and it is clear he’d love nothing better than to break the couple up. The reason why and the last part of this book are what take it to highly disturbing territory. While the fate of Ellis was a bit of a too fast and easy wrap up, the rest of this book ramped up the tension wonderfully and makes it a perfect addition to any thriller lover’s collection.
The Wrong Woman was highly disturbing but given this is a thriller that made it highly satisfying. Julia and Rob seem like the perfect couple, but as is often the case in a thriller, the seem is an important distinction. When Ellis, Julia’s new coworker comes into the picture he becomes a less than welcome addition and it is clear he’d love nothing better than to break the couple up. The reason why and the last part of this book are what take it to highly disturbing territory. While the fate of Ellis was a bit of a too fast and easy wrap up, the rest of this book ramped up the tension wonderfully and makes it a perfect addition to any thriller lover’s collection.
September 24, 2024
Well that was a waste of time. This type of book actually pisses me off...by "type" I mean where the entire plot is exactly as expected. The villain is shown right from the start, his crimes are known and shown. There is no misdirection, no red herrings, no guesswork on my part. And to make it even worse, the storytelling was bland as were the characters. The dialogue was like nothing I've ever heard between actual humans. Super cheesy wrap up which made me cringe.
December 16, 2025
EXCERPT: Julia's fingers reached across the bed searching for her husband, not finding him. She slowly opened her eyes and saw he wasn't there. If he hadn't come home something was wrong. Julia shot a worried glance at the clock on the bedside table and relaxed when she realised it was 7.10. Rob had mentioned a site meeting in Ayreshire. 'Darkest Ayreshire,' he'd called it. Panic over - her workaholic husband, darling man that he was, had left without waking her. Julia was glad nothing was amiss, though she couldn't help feeling disappointed. In their hectic lives, morning had become the time when they talked, drank their favorite Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee in bed and made love before going their separate ways to work. It would've been nice if he'd come through the door with two tall Americanos and a couple of almond croissants and got back in beside her; it seemed an age since they'd been together with nothing to think about but each other.
At first she didn't notice the folded rectangle of paper on the pillow. Rob was always leaving little messages for her around the house, probably imagining they went in the bin, unaware that his wife kept them in a battered tea tine that had belonged to her grandmother. This would be the latest addition to the collection. Years down the line when she was old and grey, she'd read her love letters from the past and relive what they'd found all over again.
The note was short but very, very sweet.
Love you to bits.
R xxx
ABOUT 'THE WRONG WOMAN': Everyone has secrets. Are yours worth dying for?
Julia Sutherland isn’t too sure about her new colleague. Ellis Kirkbride is friendly, charismatic and handsome, but there’s just something about him – a bit too slick, a bit too confident, and he stands a bit too close. Normally she'd share her concerns with her husband Rob, but he’s been distant lately and Julia has a secret he mustn’t find out.
Ellis Kirkbride thought he had found the right woman. She was everything he could want but she didn't want him. And that was unacceptable...
MY THOUGHTS: I really enjoyed this psychological thriller. The Wrong Woman is the best O.J. Mullen I have read for some time.
Clever and twisted, The Wrong Woman hooked me early on and never let me go. I kept frantically turning the pages, wanting to know more, to know what was going to happen. Mullen teased and enticed me as he built the storyline, then had me breathless and hanging on by my fingernails as the climax was reached.
I liked Mullen's depiction of his characters. He creates characters who are realistic and flawed - ordinary people, except for one! That one gave me the creeps. High functioning, manipulative and always with an eye on the main chance, Ellis is obsessive about everything - his work and the people in his life.
I enjoyed reconnecting with some characters from his earlier novels, but it is not necessary to have read them to appreciate The Wrong Woman.
Go into this with no more information than is contained in the blurb and settle in for a read which increases in intensity until it explodes with tension.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#TheWrongWoman #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: OWEN MULLEN graduated from Strathclyde University, moved to London and worked as a rock musician, session singer and songwriter, and had a hit record in Japan with a band he refuses to name; Owen still loves to perform on occasion. His great love for travel has taken him on many adventures from the Amazon and Africa to the colourful continent of India and Nepal. A gregarious recluse, he and his wife, Christine, split their time between Glasgow, and their home away from home in the Greek Islands where all of his crime thrillers were created.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Boldwood Books via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of The Wrong Woman by O.J. Mullen for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
At first she didn't notice the folded rectangle of paper on the pillow. Rob was always leaving little messages for her around the house, probably imagining they went in the bin, unaware that his wife kept them in a battered tea tine that had belonged to her grandmother. This would be the latest addition to the collection. Years down the line when she was old and grey, she'd read her love letters from the past and relive what they'd found all over again.
The note was short but very, very sweet.
Love you to bits.
R xxx
ABOUT 'THE WRONG WOMAN': Everyone has secrets. Are yours worth dying for?
Julia Sutherland isn’t too sure about her new colleague. Ellis Kirkbride is friendly, charismatic and handsome, but there’s just something about him – a bit too slick, a bit too confident, and he stands a bit too close. Normally she'd share her concerns with her husband Rob, but he’s been distant lately and Julia has a secret he mustn’t find out.
Ellis Kirkbride thought he had found the right woman. She was everything he could want but she didn't want him. And that was unacceptable...
MY THOUGHTS: I really enjoyed this psychological thriller. The Wrong Woman is the best O.J. Mullen I have read for some time.
Clever and twisted, The Wrong Woman hooked me early on and never let me go. I kept frantically turning the pages, wanting to know more, to know what was going to happen. Mullen teased and enticed me as he built the storyline, then had me breathless and hanging on by my fingernails as the climax was reached.
I liked Mullen's depiction of his characters. He creates characters who are realistic and flawed - ordinary people, except for one! That one gave me the creeps. High functioning, manipulative and always with an eye on the main chance, Ellis is obsessive about everything - his work and the people in his life.
I enjoyed reconnecting with some characters from his earlier novels, but it is not necessary to have read them to appreciate The Wrong Woman.
Go into this with no more information than is contained in the blurb and settle in for a read which increases in intensity until it explodes with tension.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#TheWrongWoman #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: OWEN MULLEN graduated from Strathclyde University, moved to London and worked as a rock musician, session singer and songwriter, and had a hit record in Japan with a band he refuses to name; Owen still loves to perform on occasion. His great love for travel has taken him on many adventures from the Amazon and Africa to the colourful continent of India and Nepal. A gregarious recluse, he and his wife, Christine, split their time between Glasgow, and their home away from home in the Greek Islands where all of his crime thrillers were created.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Boldwood Books via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of The Wrong Woman by O.J. Mullen for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
July 12, 2024
Well, this book had a dramatic start with the prologue and then it skipped forward. This means that you know it will link up later in the story. As the main story began it was slower paced as the author set the scene, then it gradually ended up at a break-necked speeding roller coaster of a ride.
Julia Sutherland is a designer who is well respected and has a bombshell when her boss Tony suddenly announces a new team member. Not only does he wax lyrical about this newcomer Ellis, but he also asks that she work alone with him as they begin a new project. Julia is obviously put out that her team has been excluded but Tony is the boss and after making her objections known, the project begins.
Ellis does not make the best first impression thanks to Tony, but Ellis has to knuckle down and prove that he is worthy of the job and role they have to work together on. Julie is used to working long hours, and her husband does the same. They are what you would possibly call a power couple, successful, hardworking and very well-off.
The author gradually lays down the foundations of the story, he relates Julia's life at work and home as well as introducing Ellis. But he still remains an enigma as such. After a bumpy start the two work well and do produce what the project requires.
Now, then! Things in the background have an unsettling edge to them and this becomes more pronounced as the story goes on and the author brings out the true feeling of Ellis.
I am not going to go into the details as this story takes a turn that I had not expected but my goodness it was so well done. The tension and drama continue to build and the devious natures of some of the cast gradually emerge. What starts as a contemporary fiction soon moves into a domestic thriller with an emphasis towards being dangerous.
I adored how the author built up the tension over time and the way he manipulated his characters. I will say there are a few characters, not a huge cast but they do have very important roles to play. If I mention them it will potentially lead to me dropping spoilers, which I am not going to do.
This is a fabulous story that I read in one sitting. It is a mix of crime, mystery and thriller, there is an element of police procedural and it does have a dramatic and tense feel to it throughout. I really enjoyed this one and I would definitely recommend it.
Julia Sutherland is a designer who is well respected and has a bombshell when her boss Tony suddenly announces a new team member. Not only does he wax lyrical about this newcomer Ellis, but he also asks that she work alone with him as they begin a new project. Julia is obviously put out that her team has been excluded but Tony is the boss and after making her objections known, the project begins.
Ellis does not make the best first impression thanks to Tony, but Ellis has to knuckle down and prove that he is worthy of the job and role they have to work together on. Julie is used to working long hours, and her husband does the same. They are what you would possibly call a power couple, successful, hardworking and very well-off.
The author gradually lays down the foundations of the story, he relates Julia's life at work and home as well as introducing Ellis. But he still remains an enigma as such. After a bumpy start the two work well and do produce what the project requires.
Now, then! Things in the background have an unsettling edge to them and this becomes more pronounced as the story goes on and the author brings out the true feeling of Ellis.
I am not going to go into the details as this story takes a turn that I had not expected but my goodness it was so well done. The tension and drama continue to build and the devious natures of some of the cast gradually emerge. What starts as a contemporary fiction soon moves into a domestic thriller with an emphasis towards being dangerous.
I adored how the author built up the tension over time and the way he manipulated his characters. I will say there are a few characters, not a huge cast but they do have very important roles to play. If I mention them it will potentially lead to me dropping spoilers, which I am not going to do.
This is a fabulous story that I read in one sitting. It is a mix of crime, mystery and thriller, there is an element of police procedural and it does have a dramatic and tense feel to it throughout. I really enjoyed this one and I would definitely recommend it.
July 21, 2024
This book keeps you on your toes from the first page to the last. Starting strong depicting a family falling apart.. it sets the tione perfectly and leaves the reader with questions instantly.. needing to know more.
We then meet Julia, she’s successful at the her job and has a loving husband.. but that’s it.. she doesn’t have the life she hoped, that they both hoped for, which has led to tension but overall she’s happy.. life could be worse.
Her husband Rob works too hard.. late nights.. sometimes they are like passing ships in the night.
In walks Ellis Kirkbride, he’s smart… but what’s his game? He’s got one hell of a backstory that he brings with him… but how much of the story he tells Julia is true?
I feel the author got the pace spot on, it’s deliberate, methodical and builds the tension.. by around 30% in I was wondering what could possibly happen next as you can see the pressure building, and there’s so many possibilities…but even more exciting is that more than one character has secrets to hide.
The Wrong Woman is most certainly one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve read but it’s more than that, there’s real emotion put into the character development, you can see them face their own battles with lust.. and loose..
The story is told from multiple points of view but as the story progresses you can see some characters are open and honest,while some even seem to lie to themselves to justify their actions. This style meant it was easy to read and sucked in as you didn’t get too bogged down in one character, everything is kept fresh and exciting but also treated the reader to development that was intense!
I can’t spoil it but from the synopsis you’d think you’ve a good idea of what is going to happen yes? Ellis sets his sights on Julia whose husband is a workaholic… prime target yeah? Oh how little you know… there’s so much packed into The Wrong Woman by Owen Mullen.
While the synopsis certainly hooks you in… it’s only part of the story… and that’s the point.. hook you in then Owen Mullen gives you a masterclass in potent psychological mind play!
We then meet Julia, she’s successful at the her job and has a loving husband.. but that’s it.. she doesn’t have the life she hoped, that they both hoped for, which has led to tension but overall she’s happy.. life could be worse.
Her husband Rob works too hard.. late nights.. sometimes they are like passing ships in the night.
In walks Ellis Kirkbride, he’s smart… but what’s his game? He’s got one hell of a backstory that he brings with him… but how much of the story he tells Julia is true?
I feel the author got the pace spot on, it’s deliberate, methodical and builds the tension.. by around 30% in I was wondering what could possibly happen next as you can see the pressure building, and there’s so many possibilities…but even more exciting is that more than one character has secrets to hide.
The Wrong Woman is most certainly one of the best psychological thrillers I’ve read but it’s more than that, there’s real emotion put into the character development, you can see them face their own battles with lust.. and loose..
The story is told from multiple points of view but as the story progresses you can see some characters are open and honest,while some even seem to lie to themselves to justify their actions. This style meant it was easy to read and sucked in as you didn’t get too bogged down in one character, everything is kept fresh and exciting but also treated the reader to development that was intense!
I can’t spoil it but from the synopsis you’d think you’ve a good idea of what is going to happen yes? Ellis sets his sights on Julia whose husband is a workaholic… prime target yeah? Oh how little you know… there’s so much packed into The Wrong Woman by Owen Mullen.
While the synopsis certainly hooks you in… it’s only part of the story… and that’s the point.. hook you in then Owen Mullen gives you a masterclass in potent psychological mind play!
September 23, 2024
Fans of dark and twisted chillers full of twists and turns will be completely captivated by O J Mullen’s latest page-turner, The Wrong Woman.
Julia Sutherland cannot shake off this feeling that all is not what it seems with Ellis Kirkbride. He might be charming, attractive and friendly with everyone and he seems to have won everybody round at their workplace, but there is something about him that just rubs her up the wrong way. He’s a bit too confident, a bit too sure of himself and he has got this alarming habit of standing just that little bit too close. Is Julia being paranoid? Is she letting her dislike of Ellis get the better of her? Or should she heed her instincts and steer well clear of him?
Whenever Julia is worried or sad about something, she usually shares her concerns with her husband, Rob. But lately Rob seems distant and determined to keep her at arm’s length. Julia mustn’t pry or arouse the slightest flicker of suspicion in him – because she has a secret that could end up costing her everything if Rob ever finds out the truth about what she’s hiding.
Ellis Kirkbride thought that he had found the woman he had been searching for. However, the woman he swore was the right one for him doesn’t want him and that is not acceptable. Ellis doesn’t take kindly to the word no and he will do anything to change the mind of the woman he is convinced is his soulmate. Absolutely anything…
Thriller fans look for a pulse-pounding and heart-stopping read where nothing is what it initially seems will not want to miss O J Mullen’s The Wrong Woman. Taut, tense and terrifying, this creepy tale of revenge, vengeance and obsession grips readers from the start and will keep them on a knife’s edge until the last page. Brilliantly plotted, cleverly set up and written by a master of his craft, O J Mullen’s The Wrong Woman is a superb thriller that is definitely not for the faint-hearted.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Julia Sutherland cannot shake off this feeling that all is not what it seems with Ellis Kirkbride. He might be charming, attractive and friendly with everyone and he seems to have won everybody round at their workplace, but there is something about him that just rubs her up the wrong way. He’s a bit too confident, a bit too sure of himself and he has got this alarming habit of standing just that little bit too close. Is Julia being paranoid? Is she letting her dislike of Ellis get the better of her? Or should she heed her instincts and steer well clear of him?
Whenever Julia is worried or sad about something, she usually shares her concerns with her husband, Rob. But lately Rob seems distant and determined to keep her at arm’s length. Julia mustn’t pry or arouse the slightest flicker of suspicion in him – because she has a secret that could end up costing her everything if Rob ever finds out the truth about what she’s hiding.
Ellis Kirkbride thought that he had found the woman he had been searching for. However, the woman he swore was the right one for him doesn’t want him and that is not acceptable. Ellis doesn’t take kindly to the word no and he will do anything to change the mind of the woman he is convinced is his soulmate. Absolutely anything…
Thriller fans look for a pulse-pounding and heart-stopping read where nothing is what it initially seems will not want to miss O J Mullen’s The Wrong Woman. Taut, tense and terrifying, this creepy tale of revenge, vengeance and obsession grips readers from the start and will keep them on a knife’s edge until the last page. Brilliantly plotted, cleverly set up and written by a master of his craft, O J Mullen’s The Wrong Woman is a superb thriller that is definitely not for the faint-hearted.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 25, 2024
I had a really hard time getting into this book but once I did, I felt that the 2nd half was very fast-paced. The story centers on Julia, who thinks she has a perfect marriage but there is more to that story. When a new guy at work, Ellis, shows up on the seen, he sets his sights on her, but turns out he also has secrets to share. I didn't find any of the characters likable or relatable.
The first half of the book tells the reader a little more about Ellis's background and also provides more insight into Julia's professional and personal life. This part of the book felt very slow to me, and I had trouble connecting with the characters. Once Ellis hatches a plan to make Julia see what she was missing, the pace picks up and the story takes an unexpected turn. I enjoyed this part of the book a lot more, and I thought the introduction of the police officers added more interesting characters (though not necessarily making decisions I would make) into the story. The ending was pretty exciting and I thought it was well done.
Overall, this ended up being a good story. If you are like me and don't feel a connection to the characters, I recommend to keep reading! Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The first half of the book tells the reader a little more about Ellis's background and also provides more insight into Julia's professional and personal life. This part of the book felt very slow to me, and I had trouble connecting with the characters. Once Ellis hatches a plan to make Julia see what she was missing, the pace picks up and the story takes an unexpected turn. I enjoyed this part of the book a lot more, and I thought the introduction of the police officers added more interesting characters (though not necessarily making decisions I would make) into the story. The ending was pretty exciting and I thought it was well done.
Overall, this ended up being a good story. If you are like me and don't feel a connection to the characters, I recommend to keep reading! Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 2, 2024
DNF - So Bad
I couldn’t make it past 30% but did skip to the last 20 pages to skim through; I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss out on anything and I surely did not.
There were too many side stories between Julia, Ellis, Rob and Michelle and none of it was interesting.
For example I don’t need all the details about their jobs, Julia and Ellis’ work with their agency had no purpose to the plot yet it was detailed pretty thoroughly considering none of it was relevant.
Michelle was not a main character, her only purpose in the story line is that she hooks up with married men and was involved with Rob, Julia’s husband. I felt like her bits in the book were simply to fill in pages because otherwise her journey was irrelevant. I’m not shaming her for her choices by any means; she simply didn’t have any other involvement with the story except that she’s the mistress pining over her lover but nothing comes of it, except the police department confirming she had the physical relationship with Rob. She offered no other details or explanation so other than confirming she slept with him, Michelle has no additional purpose. Rob stepping out of his marriage was relevant I guess but I feel like outside of that, the With Who and the Where were page fillers.
I couldn’t make it past 30% but did skip to the last 20 pages to skim through; I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss out on anything and I surely did not.
There were too many side stories between Julia, Ellis, Rob and Michelle and none of it was interesting.
For example I don’t need all the details about their jobs, Julia and Ellis’ work with their agency had no purpose to the plot yet it was detailed pretty thoroughly considering none of it was relevant.
Michelle was not a main character, her only purpose in the story line is that she hooks up with married men and was involved with Rob, Julia’s husband. I felt like her bits in the book were simply to fill in pages because otherwise her journey was irrelevant. I’m not shaming her for her choices by any means; she simply didn’t have any other involvement with the story except that she’s the mistress pining over her lover but nothing comes of it, except the police department confirming she had the physical relationship with Rob. She offered no other details or explanation so other than confirming she slept with him, Michelle has no additional purpose. Rob stepping out of his marriage was relevant I guess but I feel like outside of that, the With Who and the Where were page fillers.
July 19, 2024
The story begins with a haunting scene of family drama told from a young child's viewpoint. The action moves to current times and focuses on Julia, a successful advertising executive who discovers she has a new team member she knows nothing about. Initially threatened by his sudden appearance, she finds that he knows his job, and in some downtime, she sees a different side to him. Ellis has secrets, but as the story progresses, all the protagonists have something to hide and are, to some extent, unreliable narrators. It is an intense story; you constantly wonder what is next, making it hard to stop reading. I like the believable characters, the contrasts of everyday happenings and twisty crimes and the engaging way the author makes you care what happens to the characters even when they are unlikeable. It's a suspenseful, contemporary psychological thriller.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
July 22, 2024
Thank you to @rachelsrandomresources for inviting us onto this book tour.
This will have you gripped to the end. Julia thinks she's in the happiest marriage with Rob and they are both on the same page although she may find out this is not quite the case.
And when a new staff member Ellis is put into her team she isn't keen and maybe her first instincts were correct.
I really liked Julia and really felt for her through the whole book I really didn't like Rob her husband and as for Ellis I will let you make your mind up. Ravi and Olivia her other team members seem really nice too poor Julia is about to start having bad luck like you couldn't even imagine life just doesn't seem easy for her.
I really enjoyed this read and would happily read something by this author again it was a very quick read. I finished it in a day.
This will have you gripped to the end. Julia thinks she's in the happiest marriage with Rob and they are both on the same page although she may find out this is not quite the case.
And when a new staff member Ellis is put into her team she isn't keen and maybe her first instincts were correct.
I really liked Julia and really felt for her through the whole book I really didn't like Rob her husband and as for Ellis I will let you make your mind up. Ravi and Olivia her other team members seem really nice too poor Julia is about to start having bad luck like you couldn't even imagine life just doesn't seem easy for her.
I really enjoyed this read and would happily read something by this author again it was a very quick read. I finished it in a day.
June 7, 2024
I’m not sure how I feel about The Wrong Woman by O.J. Mullen. I could not connect with any of the characters. I did not like Julia’s boss, Tony. He was cringe-worthy. However, I did like Ravi and Olivia. They were solid characters and not morally corrupt.
The prologue was quite sad, with the little boy pleading with his mother not to leave, but you knew that this was going to come back up somewhere in the plot.
I had a difficult time in the middle of the book as it felt slow and cumbersome to get through. The last 1/3 of the book was good and page-turning as we were getting to the killer and the reveal and what would happen with Julia and Rob.
Overall, an okay read for me. A 3 out of 5 stars.
#TheWrongWoman #NetGalley @BoldwoodBooks
The prologue was quite sad, with the little boy pleading with his mother not to leave, but you knew that this was going to come back up somewhere in the plot.
I had a difficult time in the middle of the book as it felt slow and cumbersome to get through. The last 1/3 of the book was good and page-turning as we were getting to the killer and the reveal and what would happen with Julia and Rob.
Overall, an okay read for me. A 3 out of 5 stars.
#TheWrongWoman #NetGalley @BoldwoodBooks
July 2, 2024
If you're looking to read a real psychological thriller this is it. Gripped from the start this had me gasping out loud.
Julia, who works in advertising, and Rob who is an architect have a seemingly happy marriage until it isn't anymore. Julia loves her work and is happy with her team until her boss Tony, (who is cringeworthy), brings a new player, Ellis, to the team. Ellis is a true psychopath and convinces himself Julia is the perfect fit for him.
A true cat and mouse game begins as Ellis rushes to claim what he believes is his.
There is a lot going on, but it is well written and easy to follow.
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced copy of this book
Julia, who works in advertising, and Rob who is an architect have a seemingly happy marriage until it isn't anymore. Julia loves her work and is happy with her team until her boss Tony, (who is cringeworthy), brings a new player, Ellis, to the team. Ellis is a true psychopath and convinces himself Julia is the perfect fit for him.
A true cat and mouse game begins as Ellis rushes to claim what he believes is his.
There is a lot going on, but it is well written and easy to follow.
Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the advanced copy of this book
July 15, 2024
I loved Owen Mullen/OJ Mullen's book, Three Sisters and I was looking forward to the wrong woman, but unfortunately I just couldn't get into the wrong woman and I found that, despite the promising synopsis and a very riveting prologue, the rest of the book was just confusing in terms of characters and the workplace and other settings were not easy to visualise, nothing was.
There were too many characters and too much going on and I just couldn't feel for any of the characters or keep track of where the plot was going. This was a DNF for me.
Thanks to OJ Mullen and Boldwood books for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
2 stars
There were too many characters and too much going on and I just couldn't feel for any of the characters or keep track of where the plot was going. This was a DNF for me.
Thanks to OJ Mullen and Boldwood books for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
2 stars
June 15, 2024
this book should come with a warning. once you start you won't want to stop reading so good. Julia and her husband Rob have the perfect life still in love with each other and workaholics. Rob is an architect. Julia works in an advertising agency she loves her job, but her boss has brought someone else into the team. Ellis who has been living in south Africa but wanted to come back to his hometown. Ellis is very opinionated. but she starts to warm to him. and then things start to change for Julia won't say no more but so good
July 6, 2024
Another standalone book by the author with an interesting concept that reveals just what obsession can lead to.
The first part was a bit too slow paced for me, but the second half really picked up.The character ratio for the telling of the story was perfect,with some hard to like and others standing out more strongly.
I'd love to know more of D.I Geddes he was an intriguing character. Hopefully, he'll pop up in a later book at some point.
Overall, it was a good read with a very satisfying ending.
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.
The first part was a bit too slow paced for me, but the second half really picked up.The character ratio for the telling of the story was perfect,with some hard to like and others standing out more strongly.
I'd love to know more of D.I Geddes he was an intriguing character. Hopefully, he'll pop up in a later book at some point.
Overall, it was a good read with a very satisfying ending.
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.
July 22, 2024
As a new to me author, Mullen's writing style has piqued my interest in reading his previous books.
The Wrong Woman is a fast paced cat and mouse thriller, the adrenalin and suspense kicking in from the opening pages. There are several threads at play throughout the book, seamlessly connecting and easily navigable.
Mullen takes us on a journey into the darker side of obsession where secrets and lies are abound.
The characters are well developed, credible and no-one is as they seem.
Karma's a bitch and has an awful habit of creeping up on you when you least expect her.
The Wrong Woman is a fast paced cat and mouse thriller, the adrenalin and suspense kicking in from the opening pages. There are several threads at play throughout the book, seamlessly connecting and easily navigable.
Mullen takes us on a journey into the darker side of obsession where secrets and lies are abound.
The characters are well developed, credible and no-one is as they seem.
Karma's a bitch and has an awful habit of creeping up on you when you least expect her.
November 6, 2025
The story at the start of the book with a mother abandoning her child, leaving him with his father stayed present in my mind throughout this book. When it was uncovered that a man was serving time for a murder it was clear that he was covering up, as they always are in these type of books.
The storyline was predictable with Ellis seeking revenge on Julia and her husband after his rejected advances. Not much to the story really, the usual start middle and end but I felt no level of anticipation as the police began their investigation and search for the couple.
Two stars is generous
The storyline was predictable with Ellis seeking revenge on Julia and her husband after his rejected advances. Not much to the story really, the usual start middle and end but I felt no level of anticipation as the police began their investigation and search for the couple.
Two stars is generous
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2024
Julia Sutherland thought she had the perfect marriage with her husband, Rob. When Ellis Kirkbride joins her firm at work, she is puzzled by him – he is a little too slick and confident. Ellis is certain he has found his perfect woman in Julia. Will he win her over, or is he there for another reason?
I found this book mesmerizing and finished it in two days. It was definitely a page turner with lots of twists and turns. I highly recommend this one if you love psychological thrillers!
I found this book mesmerizing and finished it in two days. It was definitely a page turner with lots of twists and turns. I highly recommend this one if you love psychological thrillers!
September 28, 2024
First of all, I want to thank O. J. Mullen, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC and that’s my honest review.
Domestic thriller are one of my favourite psychological thriller, so I can say that The Wrong Woman is my cup of tea.
Maybe the first half of the book is quite slowly, and it’s not too difficult to foresee what is gonna happen, but it’s that kind of easy reading that can keep you company for an afternoon.
Domestic thriller are one of my favourite psychological thriller, so I can say that The Wrong Woman is my cup of tea.
Maybe the first half of the book is quite slowly, and it’s not too difficult to foresee what is gonna happen, but it’s that kind of easy reading that can keep you company for an afternoon.
June 19, 2025
For some reason, the psychopath in this story didn't scare me as much as a psychopath should, perhaps because he was a player of convoluted games rather than a genuinely enthusiastically brutal murderer. But he did kill, and try to kill even more often, so that's good enough. There were also very few likeable characters to root for, but the main character was okay, if possibly a bit underdeveloped. Notwithstanding the small gripes, I had a good time reading. 3.5 stars.
July 18, 2024
I received an E-ARC with a request for my honest review.
This dark and eerie crime thriller follows Julia Sutherland who is a manager at a Marketing Agency.
When a new colleague starts in the business, her boss makes it clear she must work closely with him on a new important project.
Whilst working with her new colleague she feels something isn’t quite right but is determined to finish their new campaign to her normal high standards.
With her husband seemingly pulling away from her, and keeping secrets, neither of them knows how deadly these secrets could become.
Is her new colleague as he seems? What secrets is her husband keeping?
This crime thriller has a very dark and eerie feel the more you read and get more into the storyline of Julia’s colleague.
I don’t really want to give too much away, as it will spoil the shocking events, I certainly wasn’t expecting it to twist in the direction it did.
I would love to read more from this author, as this is the kind of book I like to read.
Overall, a dark and eerie crime thriller where secrets could turn deadly.
This dark and eerie crime thriller follows Julia Sutherland who is a manager at a Marketing Agency.
When a new colleague starts in the business, her boss makes it clear she must work closely with him on a new important project.
Whilst working with her new colleague she feels something isn’t quite right but is determined to finish their new campaign to her normal high standards.
With her husband seemingly pulling away from her, and keeping secrets, neither of them knows how deadly these secrets could become.
Is her new colleague as he seems? What secrets is her husband keeping?
This crime thriller has a very dark and eerie feel the more you read and get more into the storyline of Julia’s colleague.
I don’t really want to give too much away, as it will spoil the shocking events, I certainly wasn’t expecting it to twist in the direction it did.
I would love to read more from this author, as this is the kind of book I like to read.
Overall, a dark and eerie crime thriller where secrets could turn deadly.
July 31, 2024
The Wrong Woman by O. J. Mullen was another excellent psychological thriller from start to finish. Once I started to read it, I couldn't turn the pages to my kindle quick enough, especially as it was excellent! It was full of twists and turns throughout. Great Story!
I highly recommend this book. Great holiday read.
Big Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood for my ARC.
I highly recommend this book. Great holiday read.
Big Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood for my ARC.
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