The Second Mrs Wallace

by Olivia Gavoyannis

Rebecca meets White Lotus in this chilling slow-burn suspense set against the glittering backdrop of the sparkling Swiss Alps in the 1960s . . .

Switzerland, 1963.

Yesterday, as the train whizzed past the Gstaad Palace hotel lit up like a fairytale castle in the snow-topped mountains, I glanced once more at the diamond ring sparkling on my finger and thought, my life is perfect.

From the very first moment I met Max Wallace two months ago, I knew that he would change my life forever.

But today I feel doubts creeping in . . .

In the swirling snow at the top of the mountain I see a woman - blonde Brigitte Bardot updo, pointed chin and upturned nose - and my breath catches in my throat. She looks exactly like me.

She lifts her sunglasses and I see the recognition on her face. We could be twins, but she's not looking at me. She's looking at my husband. She knows him.

Max says he didn't see her. But he did. And that's when I realise: my new husband is already lying to me.

I couldn't wait to become Mrs Wallace. But what if I don't know the man I married?

Packed with intrigue and suspense, and dripping with old-world glamour, this is an addictive story of obsession, betrayal, and the dark truths behind every romance.

301 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 14, 2026

About the author

Olivia grew up in Brighton and studied English literature at the University of St Andrews. She has a Journalism MA from City University, and lives and works in London as a journalist.

She is half-Greek and has been visiting the country with her family since she was a young child, when she first fell in love with the rich mythology, stunning scenery and of course the food. Returning to Corfu as an adult, she was struck by the dramatic - and often perilous - landscape and knew the island was the perfect starting point for a stifling psychological thriller.

Reviews

[Jayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Swiss Alps honeymoon, a doppelgänger......
And a marriage built on secrets.

"OUTLIER ISLAND" ALERT!
With such a compelling premise, my expectations for this betrayal/obsession thriller were sky high.

Set in the 1960s, this historical thriller opened with a gripping premise, promising something deliciously dark:

After a shotgun wedding, a woman on her Swiss Alps honeymoon sees another woman who could be her twin, carefully scrutinizing her new husband.  

The story unfolded across dual timelines, moving between the smoky clubs of Soho and the Swiss Alps. 

I especially enjoyed the author's portrayal of 1960's clothing, decadence, and the limited options for women objectified and trapped in marriages during this time period.

While the characterizations were strong and the settings were atmospheric and richly imagined, the constant back-and-forth sometimes felt dizzying rather than suspenseful.

Although this pacey thriller boasted an intriguing concept with strong period detail, it never reached its full potential.  

I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Sofia Zervudachi.

3.5 stars

[Ewen Stevenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Second Mrs Wallace was a book I got into straight away. The characters quickly drew me in, and the writing made it easy to picture each scene as the story unfolded. I really liked how the characters backgrounds were revealed gradually, which kept the suspense going. The ending was especially tense and satisfying. Overall, it was an engaging read that held my attention from start to finish.

[Diane Vallere · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me Vertigo vibes. My reading tastes often keep me in the sixties, and this timeless, slow-burn tale of psychological games had the unique addition of Mod London (at times) and a lot of skiing. I found it compulsively readable, and there was a nice twist toward the end.

I received an ARC from the publisher; opinions are my own.

[Edward Preston bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gripped from the first page. I loved the blend of the Soho underworld with the slopes of Gstaad. Such evocative settings and great pace to the narrative.

[Aimee Leigh Brannan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very last night in Soho vibes!

[Livi Hartley-Stevenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia Gavoyannis has the fantastic skill of really transporting you back in time with her stories.

I adored the contrasted scenes flitting between a sultry, swinging 60s Soho and the pomp and elegance on the slopes of Gstaad — all the while a creeping sense of dread unfolded in the plot.

Clearly excellently researched and the delivery of the plot shows again why this author is the new queen of Slow Burn thrillers.

[Amelia Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was utterly gripping thriller I took it around with just to get in a few more pages. Set in beautiful backdrop of an upscale ski resort in Switzerland it follow newly married Heather and her husband Max. But all is not as seems and things start to unravel when Heather sees a woman who could be her doppelgänger. Throw in a body found in the snow in mysterious circumstances and shady behaviour is everything as it seems?

[Lynsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading ‘Lie to Me’ earlier in the year, I was very excited to pick up a copy of ‘The Second Mrs Wallace’. Once again, a historical thriller set in the 1960s, it flits between the smoky clubs of Soho to the finest of the fine at Gstaad. It was claustrophobic, packed full of tension, and utterly addictive!

Heather has been swept off her feet by the handsome Max. They married quickly and are now on a luxury honeymoon in Switzerland. With days on the white slopes skiing, everything looks picture perfect. But soon Max is having violent moods, and Heather sees a woman on the slopes who looks exactly like her.

I have mixed feelings about Heather. At times, I liked her, but as the story reveals more about her life, I began to feel a bit ambivalent about her. I did have a lot of empathy for her situation and the hole she finds herself in, but let’s just say she wouldn’t be a friend. Max, I hated from the start, but I think that was the aim of the author, though. He just gave off sleazy vibes. The tension in their relationship was especially well written. As a reader, I was holding my breath at times, fearing that Max might turn his attention on me!

The standard of writing was excellent. I felt as if I was up there high in the Alps, and the descriptions of the vista were flawless. As an FYI, the name ‘Toblerone’ for a horse was adorable! Normally, I fly through books, but I was hindered with migraines this week, but in a way that was positive. As in between sittings, the story was percolating away and managed to get its hooks in even stronger! It was a great read, packed full of realistic characters and a plot that will give you the chills!

Let me know if you pick this one up!

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my, this one just had me completely gripped from start to finish and although it was technically a slow burn thriller - I could not put this down and devoured it over just 2 sittings!

I really loved Helen and really wanted to grab her and tell her not to trust Max - he was showing so many red flags, but she fell for him despite this and within 2 months, they were married and off to their Swiss chalet.

This sounds idyllic - a life nestled within such a stunning landscape - but imagine just how isolating this would be.
Especially when Max totally changes and there's a mysterious woman who looks just like Helen in the area too.
I loved the descriptions and could feel myself getting more and more on edge, just waiting for something else to happen.

The writing was just perfect as the story unfolds revealing more about the characters bit by bit and building the tension.
I loved how each chapter left me unable to stop reading and in the end, I just gave up and settled in for the day!

This is my first read by this author but I will be eagerly awaiting what will come next.
What a perfect wintery, chilling read for this season - great for snuggling down with for the weekend.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

How the tide can turn, in a suspenseful physiological thriller set in gritty 1960s Soho and the glamour of the Swiss skifields.
Who doesn't want to be swept off your feet by a wealthy good looking guy who lavishes gifts on you. Your seedy job in Soho is swapped for a whirlwind quicky marriage and a honeymoon trip to Gstaard Switzerland, where an isolated chalet awaits you and your attentive generous husband.
But "The Second Mrs Wallace" is an addictive story of obsession and betrayal, not dreamy love, as Max Wallace is a headcase! Controlling. Evil. Menacing. Heather doesn't know who she has married. And certainly doesn't know the history Max is unable to let go.
Tension builds to a fantastic dramatic finale. I loved this book and couldn't wait to dive into it at any opportunity. Swapping between timelines of Soho and present, the mounting sense of dread and inevitability had me screamingn "get out of there Heather!". What a fabulous movie this would make.
I highly recommend "The Second Mrs Wallace" by Olivia Gavoyannis and thank NetGalley and Embla Books for my copy.

[Jo Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

had me hooked from the start! I don’t mean there was a shock on every page but every chapter added something new to the characters’ backgrounds or personalities.

This book had me tensing my shoulders with apprehension as Helen discovered more and more about the man who swept her off her feet. It had me clenching my jaw at the gaslighting and manipulation. And it had me open-mouthed towards the end.

I loved how the weather and landscape were almost characters themselves at times, almost as capricious as Max. The chasm of class between Helen and Max was so uncomfortable; think Pretty Woman but with more judgemental side-eyes than indulgent smiles.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am giving it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Kate Murdoch · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this twisty thriller set in London and Gstaad in 1963, Heather works as a club showgirl but has ambitions for much more. When she meets Max, it appears her life is about to change for the better, but her new husband is controlling and secretive. I found this story hard to put down, and I also liked that Heather has secrets and flaws of her own, but is still a heroine I wanted the best for. The time period was vivid in terms of clothing, atmosphere and decadence. The limited options for women at the time is also well illustrated—they were often objectified and trapped in marriages that didn’t serve them. I recommend this novel for those who love intrigue, glamour and a fast-paced narrative. Many thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for the ARC.

[Kelly Hollingworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is chilling (literally) from the Prologue. Set in 1960’s Switzerland with a back story of London, newly weds Heather and Max Wallace head to secluded, romantic Chalet Amorica. All would seem perfect and idyllic until a woman calls out to Max in a familiar way and who looks in every way like Heather but it’s not Heather.

This book was a very compelling read. I strongly disliked aloof, closed off Max from the outset demonstrating great writing to make me feel like that. I liked the way the plot gathered momentum and the twists as it headed towards the unexpected conclusion. With all that snow and cold weather in Switzerland and a chilling plot I recommend reading the book with a warm blanket, hot chocolate and the heating on!

[Marcia - itsabookthing2021]

I really enjoyed reading The Second Mrs Wallace, I really liked Olivia Gavoyannis' writing style, the pull that grabs you from the beginning and the air of mystery that keeps you hooked throughout. I loved the flash backs into Heather's life and we see just how she and Max got to where they were. The events unravelling as we dive deeper into the storyline. The lavish descriptions of the Swiss Alps made you feel like you were there with them, the descriptions throughout really made me connect to the story. I loved the 1960s backdrop and the slow burn of this novel. I was gripped to the very end

[whatzoreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Second Mrs Wallace is obsession in a fur coat.

1963, Switzerland, and we begin on a train… The Gstaad Palace is glowing like a fairy tale, and from the first page, it’s a story that feels familiar because it is glamour that has the deep ache of something dangerous.

A whirlwind romance, a shotgun wedding, a honeymoon in the Alps. Life smells like money and promises security until our young, dazzled bride sees a woman on the mountain who could be her twin, and she is watching her new husband.

There is no escape from the slow psychological suffocation; the novel spirals rather than rushes, looping back on itself, tightening the sense of inevitability. If you love stories about women orbiting powerful men, nostalgia that curdles, and psychological tension that seduces before it devastates, The Second Mrs Wallace will ruin you in the best way.

I read it twice. No regrets. No Notes. Five stars.

Thank you to Olivia, and the team at Embla Books for allowing me to read an advance copy of The Second Mrs Wallace in exchange for my honest thoughts. It is being published on January 14th and will be available on Kindle Unlimited.

[Jessie Elland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this down! As gripping as it is glamorous, The Second Mrs Wallace is a beguiling thriller that twists and turns flawlessly, and had me guessing right up until its final chapters.
Gavoyannis so skilfully evokes the atmosphere of the 60’s, flitting between the sultry clubs of Soho and the chilling glamour of the Gstaad. I NEED to see this on screen!
A perfect way to kick off my 2026 reads!

[Shauna Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It had me hooked from the start, and I flew through it trying to figure out who was lying to who and what was really going on. The glamorous Alpine setting mixed with all the secrets and tension made for such a fun, twisty read. Every chapter left me wanting more, and I genuinely didn’t see some of the turns coming. A great slow-burn thriller that kept me guessing right to the end!

[Sahar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A suspenseful, twisty, glamorous thriller. I binged this in a couple of days. The writing was brilliant and I was hooked from the start. I loved all of the descriptions of Switzerland and the skiing. The characters were loathsome yet intriguing and the story kept me guessing right until the final few chapters.

[Josie Gavoyannis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and struggled to put it down! The characters were complex and intriguing and as the story unfolds, their connections/relationships/past lives blend together to create a tense and thrilling read. I also love the book cover which oozes 1960’s glamour.

[JXR · Rating 5 out of 5]

intense and well-written book with some intense aspects throughout. would recommend this one. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A suspenseful thriller set in the 1960’s. The characters each have their own sides. The story is so rich. I highly recommend.

[Crystal Miu · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5

[nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Second Mrs Wallace was an interesting read that was hard to put down! The storyline reminds me of what could be a tv drama/psychological thriller series that I would 100% watch. I loved the mystery behind each character and how their stories slowly unveiled as the book progressed, with secrets coming to light. The introduction of the other Mrs Wallace made sense to the title but I did not expect the truth behind it…

Max’s backstory came as a shock to me- I really underestimated his character! It’s safe to say that I’m glad that came to light… On a positive note, the girl power moments (especially at the end) were a lovely touch to the character relationships.

Thank you so much to @oliviagavoyannis @emblabooks @bonnierbooks_uk @lovebookstours for the gifted arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a slow burn of a book but completely worth the gradual build up. The story takes us back to the 1960s and is mainly set in the Swiss alps where Helen, the new Mrs Wallace is expecting a dream honeymoon with her new husband, Max. The holiday turns sinister rather quickly. Max’s behaviour becomes strange and there’s a woman Helen keeps seeing who looks eerily like her.

I had no idea what to expect each time I turned a page. The story has a mysterious and tense feeling about it. Helen becomes trapped and even as the reader I felt agitated. I was really compelled to carry on reading this twisty thriller.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely raced through this book and loved it. I couldn’t put it down. Heather meets the charming Max, is swept off her feet and within 2 months they are married and heading to Switzerland for their honeymoon. But something feels off and Heather is convinced there’s more to Max than she first thought.

I thought this was a brilliant slow burn that actually left me wanting more after each chapter. Heather was a great character and Max just grated on me. How did she fall for him in the first place? The setting was great too, in 1963 in a remote chalet in the Swiss Alps, they’re was just a growing sense of dread as the story went on. A great winter thriller

[Kate Edmondson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow Burn?

I could not put this down, it kept giving and giving! I cannot wait to see the cover as an Arc reader. I love the cover how it is, it is almost perfect as it is hiding what is inside!

The suspense is definitely chilling, set in the Swiss Alps it is chilling in mystery and weather!

Heather is a likeable but naïve character when you begin the book, recently married to Max who is controlling and also supportive in one mouthful - but is everything as it seems?

My favourite character was Mags!

The suspense when you are on the mountains, every time you are there is just so clear! I don't know if I could go skiing after this, the descriptions, the fear the disarray!

A brilliant thriller - I am excited for you to read it over winter - especially whilst at a skiing chalet!