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What the Wife Knew

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Darby Kane, author of the #1 international bestseller Pretty Little Wife, returns with another twisty domestic thriller about a wife wondering who tried to kill her husband twice before finally succeeding… because that was supposed to be her job. 

Dr. Richmond Dougherty is a renowned pediatric surgeon, an infamous tragedy survivor, and a national hero. He’s also very dead—thanks to a fall down the stairs. His neighbors angrily point a finger at the newest Ms. Dougherty, Addison. The sudden marriage to the mysterious young woman only lasted ninety-seven days, and he’d had two suspicious “accidents” during that time. Now Addison is a very rich widow.

As law enforcement starts to circle in on Addison and people in town become increasingly hostile, sides are chosen with Kathryn, Richmond’s high school sweetheart, wife number one, and the mother of his children, leading the fray. Despite rising tensions, Addison is even more driven to forge ahead on the path she charted years ago…

Determined at all costs to unravel Richmond’s legacy, she soon becomes a target—with a shocking note left on her bedroom  You will pay. But it will take a lot more than faceless threats to stop Addison. Her plan to marry Richmond then ruin him may have been derailed by his unexpected death, but she’s not done with him yet.

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 10, 2024

1536 people are currently reading
65532 people want to read

About the author

Darby Kane

11 books1,859 followers
Darby Kane is a former divorce lawyer with a dual writing personality. Her debut thriller, PRETTY LITTLE WIFE, was a Book Of The Month pick, #1 international bestseller, and has been optioned for a television series. She also writes romantic suspense and romantic mysteries as HelenKay Dimon.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,692 reviews
Profile Image for Jayme.
1,548 reviews4,497 followers
December 10, 2024
Outlier review! 🫣

I was THRILLED to receive a VERY early copy of this book, not due out until December 10, 2024-but unfortunately I wasn’t quite as thrilled with the story.

Dr. Richmond Dougherty was not only a renowned pediatric surgeon, but also an infamous tragedy survivor, and a national hero.

That is-he WAS until an unfortunate fall down the stairs.

And, it doesn’t look good that in the ninety-seven days since marrying the SECOND Mrs. Dougherty, Addison, that he’d had not one, but TWO other suspicious “accidents”.

Now Addison is a VERY rich widow-but one who has been left wondering WHO tried to kill her husband TWICE before succeeding-because that was supposed to be HER job!!

This was an ORIGINAL premise that started out well, unfolding from the very SNARKY first person POV (including inner thoughts) of our main protagonist, Addison.

I was “ALL IN” !

Then at 50%, we were privy to a chapter from HIS POV-one of those LONG conversations where the bad guy confesses his sins so that we have an opportunity to see just how despicable he REALLY was.

AND then things took a turn for the worse…

Addison’s home became a CONSTANT revolving door of uninvited guests, and the entire second half felt like one conversation after another until “what the wife knew” was revealed.

I began to lose interest.

Things became pretty convoluted at this point and the ending made me CRINGE!

Really? WHO would do that??

I think my tastes may just be changing. I still love mystery/suspense but in the last few years, I feel like my love for the PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER may be waning.

This genre used to be FUN, but it seems to be getting TOO TWISTY and TOO OTT for me, as authors try to AMP UP the shock value.

Be sure to read a sample of reviews to determine if this one might be a better fit for you!

AVAILABLE NOW!

Thank You to William Morrow for the gifted ARC, provided through NetGalley. These are my candid thoughts.
Profile Image for Nilufer Ozmekik.
3,115 reviews60.6k followers
June 15, 2025
Triple wow once again! This book really gave my brain cells a workout with its hurling twists and complex dysfunctional family relationships that I needed to fully absorb. I can honestly say that this has become my favorite Darby Kane novel to date! I've enjoyed her previous works as well, and interestingly, I've never been keen on reading psychological thrillers focused on unlikable and unreliable characters. However, this time, I can make an exception because this book is just too intelligent and deliciously intriguing, even though most of the characters cannot be considered decent human beings and are mostly despicable entities disguised in human furs, including the victim, Richmond Dougherty, whose innocence becomes hard to define as his past is revealed throughout the chapters. Before reading his point of view, we already get a picture of this narcissistic, cheating, manipulative man who would go to extreme lengths to secure a win.

Now, let's delve into the main plot, which mostly revolves around Addison, only 27 years old and an unlucky widow of Dr. Richmond Dougherty, who passed away after only being married for 97 days, which felt like an eternity of entitlement. A survivor of a school shooting at a young age and hailed as a hero for saving his fellow student friends at the expense of stopping his own brother, Richmond was a shining star as a pediatric surgeon, with everyone singing his praises. When he leaves his longtime wife, Kathryn, to marry his younger wife, Addison, nobody blames him except the second wife, who may have been manipulated into a forged marriage. After his death under suspicious circumstances, questions arise within the community, loyal to Richmond and his first wife Kathryn, who has deep connections in society and the police squad. Kathryn plays the martyr card from the beginning, pointing fingers at the second wife as a person of interest.

Addison knows two things for sure: she despises Richmond Dougherty, whom she was forced to marry as part of a revenge plan that turned into a dangerous cat-and-mouse game until the end, and she is not the person who killed him.

She is also certain of two more things: she must find the killer before the biased police officers, influenced by Kathryn's statements, throw her behind bars, and she must carry out her plan to tarnish Richmond Dougherty's reputation. But how can she accomplish this dangerous task when Richmond's enemies are closing in to take a piece of him, and someone is obviously targeting her to silence the secrets she knows? Everyone in town wants to see her fail, including Richmond's ex-wife and two elder kids. And another opponent decides to reveal herself, making things even more complicated, as this person is so close to her and may have already ruined her life, leaving Addison with compromised options and the feeling of being trapped in her own inherited mansion.

Overall, this is a smart, riveting page-turner, filled with a web of lies, scheming, and twists that you never see coming. Every character in this book harbors big secrets and hidden agendas, and nobody can be trusted. While you may have questions about Addison's past as a con artist at the beginning, as you learn more about her tragic history, you understand her motivations, and she becomes the only character you may root for amidst the rest of them committing jaw-droppingly despicable acts that would make any decent human being cringe.

I'm awarding this book 5 stars, even though the characters completely irritated me, because the pacing, cohesion, and conclusion of the book were executed perfectly. I truly enjoyed every bit of it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with this addictive thriller's digital review copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

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Profile Image for Linzie (suspenseisthrillingme).
844 reviews896 followers
November 8, 2024
OH. MY. GOD!!! There are simply no words for the utter perfection held within the pages of What the Wife Knew. From the morally gray characters to the twisty, twisty plot, I was spellbound from the epic first line until the breathtaking last page. I’m not joking. A fast-paced, revenge-filled storyline that was filled with plot charging drama, I couldn’t get enough of this mind-blowing psychological thriller. Trust me when I say that you’re going to have a hard time putting this one down no ifs, ands, or buts.

As much as I loved the whip-cracking plot, the characters were what made this book sing. A combination of thoroughly unlikeable characters and one strong, snarky protagonist at the center of the action, I became more and more invested as the plot rolled along. Addison, however, was firmly my favorite. Bringing to life dysfunctional family dynamics, it was her dynamite character arc that brought it all full circle by the downright explosive conclusion.

Returning to the intoxicating premise, I was beyond thrilled to finally find a synopsis that—for once—didn’t even hint at the shocking twists and turns. With dual POVs and plenty of flashbacks, the puzzle pieces slowly slotted into place with a steady IV drip of jaw-dropping revelations. Packed full of devious schemes, long-buried secrets, and unthinkable lies, all I could do was hold on for dear life as Darby Kane pulled the wool firmly—and happily—over my eyes.

All in all, while I already knew that this book was sure to be a slam dunk due to the author, I had no clue it was going to turn into my favorite of Ms. Kane’s—so far. It’s also not surprising that all of my colleagues at Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse have been clamoring over this one for weeks. Action-packed, thrilling, and smartly plotted, I highly advise you to clear your calendar before picking up this novel. After all, you’ll surely be ignoring chores, sleep, and maybe even your children just to read one more hypnotic page. Rating of 5+ stars.

SYNOPSIS:

Dr. Richmond Dougherty is a renowned pediatric surgeon, an infamous tragedy survivor, and a national hero. He’s also very dead—thanks to a fall down the stairs. His neighbors angrily point a finger at the newest Ms. Dougherty, Addison. The sudden marriage to the mysterious young woman only lasted ninety-seven days, and he’d had two suspicious “accidents” during that time. Now Addison is a very rich widow.

As law enforcement starts to circle in on Addison and people in town become increasingly hostile, sides are chosen with Kathryn, Richmond’s high school sweetheart, wife number one, and the mother of his children, leading the fray. Despite rising tensions, Addison is even more driven to forge ahead on the path she charted years ago…

Determined at all costs to unravel Richmond’s legacy, she soon becomes a target—with a shocking note left on her bedroom wall: You will pay. But it will take a lot more than faceless threats to stop Addison. Her plan to marry Richmond then ruin him may have been derailed by his unexpected death, but she’s not done with him yet.

Thank you to Darby Kane, William Morrow, and NetGalley for my complimentary physical and digital copies. All opinions are my own.

PUB DATE: December 10, 2024

Scroll down for my potentially plot spoiling trigger list.





































































Trigger warning: blackmail, domestic violence, anaphylaxis, gun violence, mention of: school shooting, infidelity
Profile Image for Kaceey.
1,512 reviews4,525 followers
October 10, 2024
War of the roses!🔪🌹
Does anyone come away unscathed?

The main characters:
Kathryn
- The first wife and mother of Richmond’s two children. She may be the ex but she’s not about to let go and watch another woman waltz off with her extravagant life, I mean her husband.😉

Addison - You guessed it, the new wife. She’s in the marriage for everything except love. You’ll find out her reasons soon enough.

Richmond -The knight in shining armor. Pediatric surgeon. Pillar of the community. A man everyone looks up to. Everyone except his current wife. Now why would that be?

I really enjoyed most of the book but the ending just didn’t work for me. I’m all about a shocking final twist. Always in search of that final jaw-dropping moment where you sit back and let out a whispered “wow”. But this ending just went a bit too OTT🙈.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow
Profile Image for Joey R..
369 reviews829 followers
January 31, 2025
3.5 stars— One thing I can always say about Darby Kane’s books is that they are always original. However, unlike some authors ( Riley Sager and Grady Hendrix) she manages to be original but not go off of the deep end as far as the believability of the plot. This is why I enjoy her novels, even when the characters are not the type I usually cheer for. “What the Wife Knew” begins with Addison attending the funeral of her recently murdered husband, Richmond Dougherty. Addison lets us know from the beginning that she did not murder her husband, so who did? The author then lays out a very interesting narrative about the circumstances of Addison’s and Richmond’s marriage as well as introduces the hostile ex-wife and her two children into the mix. As the story unfolds I had to laugh because the entire premise of the book is so warped you will never guess the backstory despite the bits and pieces the author doles out throughout the book. Most of the book is written from Addison’s perspective and her persistent obnoxious sarcasm was right up my alley. However, the book suffers from the lack of any truly likable characters. When the entire plot is revealed it is difficult to root for any of the characters. With most (if not all) of the characters so flawed I never got to the “I love this book and can’t wait to see what happens next” status. It was more like “let’s see what is happening with this train wreck of a family today.” Was I glad I read this book? Yes. Will I ever list it as one of my favorites? Absolutely not. But, I will definitely read Darby Kane again due to her unpredictability and originality. I just hope I like the characters better next time.
Profile Image for Holly  B .
950 reviews2,888 followers
January 8, 2025
Audio upped this to a 3.5 ⭐

The beginning was ..... off to the races! The audio was super fantastic. I was hooked for the first two thirds!

I think all the drama went on a bit too long and then went completely off the rails! I still thought it was a fun, very twisty ride (maybe too twisted really). Let's say I was ready for the END.

Read if you love twisty popcorn revenge plots and don't mind stretching your imagination to the edge. The characters are all hiding something and have their own agendas. Plenty of wifey and ex-wife revelations, lots of questionable acts and over the top kitchen sink ending! 🤷‍♀️



Profile Image for Lisa.
931 reviews
February 2, 2025
What a convoluted non event this turned out to be it was a mess! I am not going to say much about this book …but I will say I enjoyed this one up to about half way, the book was for me a book of two haves good in the first but dull in the second half, listed on audio & even the narrators got on my nerves didn’t like any of the characters.

Let’s just say the reveals were too much & overdone I worked this out early on need I say more.
Profile Image for Kim ~ It’s All About the Thrill.
801 reviews583 followers
June 21, 2024
Since Pretty Little Wife.. I have been hooked on @hkdimon books!!! ❤️ Thank you soo much @hkdimon @williammorrowbooks for my gorgeous gifted copy!! 🥰

Pub date is December 10th!! 🥳🥳

Addison and Richmond are literally the match made in hell. 😈 SO WHY are they married??? 🤔 That is the question my friends. 😂

Richmond has it all… the mansion.. the career.. 👨‍⚕️…and the perfect family.. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦… He throws it all away for… Addison… time to upgrade to the younger hotter 🔥 wifey. 💍… TYPICAL….. 😂🤷‍♀️ … However… she wants him… DEAD…but someone beats her to it. 😳🤔

OMG the twists!! Little by little we find out…WHAT the wife knew. 😳…Just when I thought it couldn’t get more shocking.. or disturbing… it does!! 😬😳🤯🤯🤯 Wow!! I literally at one point screamed Noooo!!!! 😳

Loved it!! Five fantastic stars!

💍💍💍💍💍 Don’t you want to know WHAT the wife knew??
Profile Image for Nina (ninjasbooks).
1,588 reviews1,660 followers
February 15, 2025
The main character made this an entertaining read. She had guts and the sarcasm was just perfect. The plot was elevated because I wanted to know how she would react, and that made it more interesting.
Profile Image for CatsBnB.
453 reviews113 followers
May 5, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was like stepping into a storm, twists struck like lightning, sharp and relentless, leaving my head spinning! From the first page, you're dropped straight into chaos, and I couldn't look away. It's the ultimate popcorn thriller: fast, juicy, brimming with secrets, lies, and revenge.

But while I was initially hooked, my feelings are mixed. Why is that? Because at the halfway mark things went straight into melodramatic mayhem. The second half veers into full-on dramatic spectacle, with twists stacked like dominoes, some clever, others so exaggerated they bordered on absurd.

Still, there's no denying the ride was gripping, but I was ready to get off by the end. Despite its flaws (and perhaps because of them), this is the kind of wild, binge-worthy read that pulls you along like a runaway train. Just don't expect realism because this ride flirts shamelessly with the fantastical.

I recommend if you crave twisty drama, don't mind a little chaos, and enjoy a thriller with flair-even if it flies a bit too close to the sun! ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Nikki Lee.
601 reviews534 followers
November 19, 2024
I was absolutely thrilled when I won this as a giveaway on Bookstagram!

This is one of those stories where I highly recommend you going in blind! No synopsis, just live a little! You can do it! All you need to know is that this is a domestic thriller AND it’s Darby Kane! The best selling author of Pretty Little Wife! If you haven’t read that one, you should!!

Rich and renowned doctor marries his much younger mistress. The husband dies from a tragic accident, a fatal fall down the stairs. We soon discover that the doctor has more enemies than we thought of, making everyone in his life a suspect.

I could not put this down for the life of me! Very suspenseful! My only qualm with this is the book became a little too twisty towards the end. The reveals changed several times and I’m not fully sure if I caught all of it. All in all, it was still an enjoyable read. Add this to your TBR!
Release date- 12/10/24

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Profile Image for Mandy White (mandylovestoread).
2,777 reviews848 followers
May 19, 2024
One of the best parts of being part of Thriller Book Promotions The Pulse is getting to read such highly anticipated books so early.. and we are so spoilt to have What the Wife Knew. Not out until December, this is one that you need on your radar. Who doesn’t love a book full of revenge and family drama!! I binged it in a day and I am not sorry about it.

Addison is wife number 2 for Richmond Dougherty, acclaimed paediatrician and famous for his actions back when he was a teenager. They have been married for a sort few months when Richmond is found dead. Obviously, Addison is prime suspect but what about all the others that held grudges against him? it is clear early on that theirs was not a happy marriage so what is going on with that??

There are some really nasty characters in this story, but I loved Addison. She was strong and snarky and didn’t take any crap from anyone. I would not want to be in her bad side.

Thanks so much to William Morrow on NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. This book publishes on December 19th.
Profile Image for Lisa.
302 reviews42 followers
December 13, 2024
I was so excited to start reading this new book from Darby Kane, and after finishing it, I was not disappointed!! I loved it. Her latest psychological thriller, WHAT THE WIFE KNEW, offers the reader a suspenseful and intricate narrative, one packed with morally complex characters, unyielding suspense, and wonderfully unexpected twists.

The story follows an extremely likable and strong protagonist, Addison Dougherty, who is a newly widowed woman of husband Richmond, who by all accounts is a much loved surgeon and all-around great guy. But looks are deceiving because the more we find out about Richmond, the more of his polished veneer is stripped away, showing a twisted mind and evil heart.

As the mysterious circumstances surrounding Richmond’s life and death unfold, deftly handled through dual timelines, Addison’s shocking motivations and the tangled web of secrets in her marriage come to light. Addison’s sarcasm and cheekiness make for many laugh out loud moments while reading—she’s truly a character whom I came to admire so much by the end of the novel. Loved her!!

Themes of betrayal, revenge, and the insidiousness of hidden truths within relationships resonate strongly with readers, making the book both thought-provoking and unputdownable. A poignant theme explored remarkably well is the importance of parent/child relationships and how the impact of such important foundational relationships shapes individuals, for better or for worse. The unconditional love parents show to their children can never ever be underestimated!!

What a twisty, twisty ride. And I loved every minute of it! The novel offers a series of twists that keep readers guessing until the final pages. For those readers looking for a gripping and twist-filled read, WHAT THE WIFE KNEW is a fantastic choice. It officially releases on December 10, 2024 .

I want to thank NetGalley, Darby Kane, and William Morrow for gifting me the ARC of WHAT THE WIFE KNEW. It was such a privilege to read this before publication. And I appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!
Profile Image for Ella Atwood.
38 reviews
May 27, 2024
The book started with a bang, but ended with a dang.
Profile Image for Lisa B.
89 reviews15 followers
February 12, 2025
This was a train wreck horrible characters the narrators got on my nerves 😳
Profile Image for Dutchie.
447 reviews79 followers
December 1, 2024
Well, this certainly gave me whiplash. There was a ton going on in this book. that’s for sure.

Addison has recently married Richmond, a very prominent, highly successful doctor. What was obvious from the start is these two do not get along… at all. There are alternate timelines to try and provide backstory as to what is going on between these two for them to be at each other’s throat constantly. There is a bit of cat and mouse throughout as each one tries to up the other, ultimately ending in one loser.

Everything happens rather quickly. About the halfway mark the main question has been answered. I looked at the number of pages left and didn’t know what more could happen. Apparently a lot! At this point it’s turned into a full-fledged soap opera. Everything was thrown into the mix for the shock factor. I just kinda shook my head, as much as I could shake my head from all of the whiplash I was getting from reading each twist. I think for it became a little too over-the-top and too many twists. I really enjoy twists, but not to the point that it becomes completely out there. For those who like a very entertaining over the top read, this will certainly be for you.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Karen.
2,628 reviews1,296 followers
December 23, 2024
Am I a possible outlier?

Readers know quickly that Dr. Richmond Dougherty is dead. That he hasn’t been married to his new wife that long; and, that it seems obvious that she is the one who killed him. Or, that maybe he fell down the stairs naturally. But most likely that she pushed him. But even though it seems clear to readers that she wanted him dead, she did not do it, because that is what she is telling us readers.

So, who did kill him? And, why?

And, that becomes the suspense. The twists and turns. The quick, supposedly binge-worthy page-turning thriller read of what really happened here. My head aches from all the twists and turns. And, the simply unlikable characters. Is this really a movie script in the making? Maybe you will like this one more?

3.5 stars
Profile Image for Jonetta.
2,593 reviews1,325 followers
January 2, 2025
the setup…
Meet the Doughertys. Richmond is a wealthy, well respected pediatric surgeon with a thriving practice. He’s recently divorced wife Kathryn, mother of his two children Wyatt and Portia, to marry a much younger woman, Addison who is now the town pariah. As a teen, Richmond became a national hero arising from a tragedy that’s defined his life. But now he’s dead after having fallen down the stairs at home. All fingers are pointing at Addison…well, they’d only been married 97 days and now she’s a very rich widow. What they don’t know is Richmond dying was not part of Addison’s plan, one that she’d hatched many years ago. Yes, she despised him but she wanted to publicly ruin him. So, who really killed Richmond?

the heart of the story…
No spoilers here because we begin at Richmond’s funeral and everything is told from primarily from Addison’s point of view. She makes her feelings about Richmond clear from the start but what we don’t know is the why and what exactly she had on this man. It’s a really slow burn as we’re introduced to the important characters in his life, most I didn’t trust or like very much. It also created a wealth of suspects, especially when it looks like someone is coming after Addison. I started to get really antsy and then…I couldn’t put the book down.

the narration…
I’m a recent fan of Helen Laser and she soared in this one, firmly establishing her now as one of my most favorite. She shines as Addison but nails every other single character. Andrew Eiden has a limited role as Richmond but he was brilliant from start to end.

the bottom line…
Addison is a snarky character and that helped to make this crazy sauce story even more interesting. Admittedly, I grew weary waiting for stuff to be revealed but when it finally started leaking out, my mind started racing to assemble the clues. It shifts to warp speed, twisty surprises and a confounding ending. This was a sometimes bumpy ride but one I ended up enjoying, especially because of the audio experience.

Posted on Blue Mood Café
Profile Image for Elaine.
2,074 reviews1 follower
June 25, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of What the Wife Knew.

I love revenge stories and the premise sounded like it was right up my alley.

** Minor this-sounds-familiar spoilers ahead **

When esteemed pediatric surgeon Richmond Dougherty is found dead, his very young, attractive second wife is the #1 suspect.

Except Addison didn't do it and now it looks like whoever did kill her despicable husband has their sights set on Addison.

The first quarter of the narrative moved smoothly despite all the typical tropes found in these genres:

Addison is a pretty young woman with a traumatic upbringing who has learned to survive by using her wits and street smarts.

Richmond Dougherty is a disgusting, arrogant, egotistical a**hole and his first wife isn't quite likable either.

I read mostly mysteries/thrillers so I wasn't surprised by the 'twists' and revelations since I saw most of them coming a mile away.

I've noticed most thrillers tend to do this to readers; throw every silly and ridiculous twist plus the kitchen sink at you.

But it lands poorly, at least for me, because as each twist unfolds, I find it more and more difficult to suspend disbelief.

There's very little suspense or urgency; we get nothing but scenes of mouthy dialogue like an episode of The Real Housewives of New York.

Even the flashbacks become mundane, Addison and Richmond trying to outdo the other and see who gets the last word.

There are plenty of red herrings and subplots like the malpractice suit that are meant to distract the reader (or pad the word count, you decide.)

Also, I couldn't understand why Addison would allow people to keep walking in and out of her home.

At the end, it was comical when people kept walking in and out, info dumping and interrupting the 'showdown' between Addison and Kathryn.

I wanted to like this more but when it turned into a Lifetime reality show, I abandoned all hope.
Profile Image for Maren’s Reads.
1,187 reviews2,196 followers
January 7, 2025
Newly married Addison is trying to figure out who killed her husband, Dr. Richard Dougherty, when that had been *her* plan all along. Now with police focusing in on Addison, she’s more determined than ever to enact her long held plan.

When I think of books that feel like roller coaster rides, this one tops the list. Immediately intrigued by the less than traditional marriage between Addison and her husband, this book captured my attention and never let it go. Was it over the top at times? Yes. Was it twisty AF? Oh heck yeah! If you are looking for a popcorn thriller, with a side of family drama, this is the book for you.

🎧 I alternated between the audiobook and the physical book. Both formats are terrific, but I have to give a shoutout to narrators Helen Laser (who puts the snark in snarky as Addison) and Andrew Eiden (aka Teddy Hamilton) who brings the drama needed for this to be such a nail biter. If you are a fan of audiobooks, the audio is probably the way to go for this one.

Read if you like:
▪️domestic suspense
▪️twisty books
▪️family drama
▪️enemies to enemies
▪️dual pov
▪️bingeable books

Thank you William Morrow Books and Harper Audio for the gifted copies.
Profile Image for Samantha Berry.
85 reviews
December 15, 2024
0 stars if possible. Worst book I’ve read this year. The characters were unlikable, the main character doesn’t leave the house for 90% of the book, and the last “twist” is the most nauseating/unhinged plot imaginable.

I would like the 5 hours of my life I wasted reading this back!
Profile Image for Coffee&Cliffhangers.
195 reviews109 followers
October 20, 2024
"What the Wife Knew" by Darby Kane is a psychological thriller that takes unexpected turns, some of which may be unforgettable. The book is engaging from the beginning, and even when you think you have predicted the plot, it surprises you. Richmond Dougherty, a celebrated pediatric surgeon and a national hero, meets his demise after a fall down the stairs. Suspicion falls on his new wife, Addison Dougherty, who was married to him for only ninety-seven days. Now wealthy, Addison attracts the attention of law enforcement, while Richmond's ex-wife and the mother of his children are determined to make her suffer. Despite the escalating tension, Addison's plans involving Richmond are far from over. The story unfolds gradually, leaving readers amazed and eager for more. It's a recommended read for fans of domestic thrillers, promising an experience that won't disappoint.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Beary Into Books.
962 reviews64 followers
April 26, 2024
Rating 3.75

This book had such potential to be 5 stars. It started out strong and immediately had me intrigued. I was thinking about all of these different outcomes and who the real murderer was. But when I got to about chapter 40 I was thinking dang, how much is left in this book? Which is never something you should be thinking about when you're only halfway through. This book has 70 chapters which is WAY too many. The author could have cut about 25 chapters and still gotten their point across. The ending didn’t feel as satisfying because by the time I got there I was just ready to be finished with this book. I also guessed the ending pretty early on so there was no shock factor for me. I do appreciate that the author tried to add in some additional twists but at a certain point it becomes too twisty and doesn’t make sense. Overall, this was a good book but the pacing goes from fast to slow and the writing can feel a bit repetitive. I would still highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Morgan.
125 reviews9 followers
January 24, 2025
2.5 ⭐️ I’m sorrrry… I found this really repetitive and thought it dragged on a lot. ☹️
Profile Image for Kayla Hewett.
402 reviews17 followers
December 11, 2024
97 days after Addison married Dr. Richmond Dougherty; he is dead. As a well known pediatric surgeon, tragedy survivor, and hero; Richmond is highly thought of by his neighbors, coworkers, family, and his patient's families. When the admirable doctor is found at the bottom of the stairs dead after a quick and short marriage to his new wife, fingers are quickly pointed at her. Was the fall an accident or was he pushed? Addison only has one thing on her mind, ruin the man she married even in his death.
Review: 3.5 stars
If you like family drama, revenge plots, questionable morals, and lots of twists and turns; this one will definitely be for you! It is a quick and bingeable popcorn thriller! I had a clear idea of where I thought it was going and I was completely wrong (love that)! I will say, there were certain parts that seemed drawn out, at least for me. I wasn't super invested in any of the characters. I really enjoyed the ending with all the twists and turns, it was definitely entertaining and had me saying, "WHATTT???"
What the Wife Knew is available now!
Thank you to NetGalley, Darby Kane, and William Morrow for this ARC of What the Wife Knew in exchange for an honest review!
Profile Image for Ramona.
353 reviews69 followers
January 4, 2025
This book is not for me! I hated it. Picked it up after Steph’s Reads A Lot on Tik Tok recommended, and was so disappointed.

Horrible characters. All of them are lame. Horrible plot- just one outlandish idea on top of the other, way too many moving parts for anything to really stick. The MC “anti-hero” is so incredibly unbelievable.
The writing is ridiculous. (At one point she says “I’m glad I watched that video online about using household items as weapons”) as if the 27 year old woman is going to out fight these men…. Ugh. Plot twists? Saw them coming from a mile away and they aren’t written well!

So, to me a domestic thriller needs to have a few elements of empathy and investment to really hook you as a reader.
This has none of that.

Worse than any cheesy Lifetime network movie you can imagine.
1.5 stars
Profile Image for Sherri Thacker.
1,675 reviews373 followers
December 11, 2024
This is my 3rd book by Darby Kane and it kept me on my toes the whole entire 368 pages. Yes I felt it a little long but holy cow, the lies, secrets, revenge - it was all there the whole time!! Lots to still process. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this release. It’s publication day today! It’s a great thriller with twists and turns, especially at the end.
Profile Image for ❀Heather❀Brown❀.
1,006 reviews73 followers
June 4, 2024
Coming this December — A must read for thriller lovers

Addison has her sights set on Dr Richmond Dougherty. She will get what she wants, and what she wants is revenge. She has a plan and no one will get in her way of having that plan come together, because she wants this Dr dead. There’s only a slight problem as someone has killed him before she got the chance to and now they’ve set her up to take the fall for it.

Darby has done it again y’all. This book is wild and I loved it all. The story is fast-paced and will have you flipping the pages long past your bedtime.

I loved Addison, even though she doesn’t know what parental love feels like, she has no father and her mother only uses her for her own agenda, Addison has deep empathy for other kids with parents like her own. She’s very maternal and is always thinking of the kids.

As I have a sarcastic mouth, I fully enjoyed Addison’s sarcastic antics. This book is action-packed and will not disappoint. Darby had hoped she would be able to explore the reach of family dysfunction while keeping the same fast-pace as her other thrillers. I have to say you did accomplish it!

This book was so fun to read. You must read this book. I highly recommend for thriller lovers.

Thanks for my gifted copy - I appreciate it greatly. ♥️
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