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The Woman Who Wasn't There: The fast-paced, twisting and turning psychological thriller
Not yet published
Expected 23 Jul 26Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 23, 2026
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24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 21, 2026
I've been a huge fan of Wills since day one, devouring everything since the days of his debut YA book, WITCHFINDER: DAWN OF THE DEMONTIDE. I have thoroughly loved watching him go from strength to strength. From WITCHFINDER to HIDEOUS BEAUTY, to THE OUTRAGE, to JERICHO and now with THE WOMAN WHO WASN'T THERE I can confidently say he has well and truly done it again.
Right from the off I was hooked by the premise and desperate to find out what was actually going on. The fact that the book had sections set in Skegness (a mere 30-45 mins from my home) made it all the more exciting. There were landmarks I recognised, ones I have grown up on and I just loved the little details.
As for the twists, my god, the twists. Will has always had this knack with his crime novels of keeping me guessing to the very end and this one is no different. I didn't see the ending coming at all, so much so that when I read it I actually dropped my Kindle in shock before I grabbed it back up and had to check that I had actually just read what I thought I had.
It was an absolute pleasure to be able to read this so early ahead of publication and I cannot wait to see what Mr. Hussey has up his sleeve next. I just don't know how he does it!
Thank you to Netgalley and Bonnier books for my e-arc!
Right from the off I was hooked by the premise and desperate to find out what was actually going on. The fact that the book had sections set in Skegness (a mere 30-45 mins from my home) made it all the more exciting. There were landmarks I recognised, ones I have grown up on and I just loved the little details.
As for the twists, my god, the twists. Will has always had this knack with his crime novels of keeping me guessing to the very end and this one is no different. I didn't see the ending coming at all, so much so that when I read it I actually dropped my Kindle in shock before I grabbed it back up and had to check that I had actually just read what I thought I had.
It was an absolute pleasure to be able to read this so early ahead of publication and I cannot wait to see what Mr. Hussey has up his sleeve next. I just don't know how he does it!
Thank you to Netgalley and Bonnier books for my e-arc!
February 27, 2026
Review of ‘The Woman Who Wasn’t There’ by William Hussey, due to be published on 23 July 2026 by Bonnier Books UK, Zaffre.
Bestselling author Marian Lane is taking part in a presentation at a literary festival with her best friend Iris and niece Ari, when she receives the shocking news that her husband Dane has been found dead.
Marian is approached a few days later by a local, Mary Hannigan, who says that she was with Dane when he took his last breath, speaking to him through the door - she hasn’t told the police as she has her own reasons for wishing to stay anonymous, giving reasons that are accepted by Marian. But just what did happened, who has secrets they are wishing to protect and how far will they go to keep them hidden.
The characters are well written and developed giving you a tantalising glimpse across the pages of who they may, or may not, be. The storyline is both engaging and immersive.
Wow! What a rollercoaster ride this book is. It’s dark, it’s tense, it has you spinning with all the twists and turns it delivers and holds you in its claws until the last word on the very last page. The final explosive twist was exquisite. An exceptional psychological thriller.
Bestselling author Marian Lane is taking part in a presentation at a literary festival with her best friend Iris and niece Ari, when she receives the shocking news that her husband Dane has been found dead.
Marian is approached a few days later by a local, Mary Hannigan, who says that she was with Dane when he took his last breath, speaking to him through the door - she hasn’t told the police as she has her own reasons for wishing to stay anonymous, giving reasons that are accepted by Marian. But just what did happened, who has secrets they are wishing to protect and how far will they go to keep them hidden.
The characters are well written and developed giving you a tantalising glimpse across the pages of who they may, or may not, be. The storyline is both engaging and immersive.
Wow! What a rollercoaster ride this book is. It’s dark, it’s tense, it has you spinning with all the twists and turns it delivers and holds you in its claws until the last word on the very last page. The final explosive twist was exquisite. An exceptional psychological thriller.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was my first time reading anything by William Hussey, and it definitely won’t be my last. The Woman Who Wasn’t There completely pulled me in from the start. It’s packed with twists and turns that keep you on your toes throughout. I always enjoy trying to guess where a story is heading, but this one caught me out more than once. The characters are well written and really engaging, especially Marian. I loved the way the story moves backwards and forwards through her life, from her early years to her university days, slowly revealing pieces of the puzzle. It added an extra layer of intrigue and kept the tension building as the story unfolded. There are also little touches of humour peppered throughout, which give the story a nice balance and make the characters feel even more real. Just when I thought I might have worked things out, the ending completely surprised me. I really, really didn’t see it coming — William Hussey absolutely knocked it out of the park with that final twist. A gripping, twist-filled read with great characters, a clever plot, and an ending that will stay with you. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I'm in the minority with my feedback for this book I'm afraid.
I felt that I couldn't identify with any of the characters and there were huge plot holes in the story.
After reading the synopsis, I was expecting something different, so maybe my expectations were wrong.
Towards the end, Marion, who hasn't driven in a long time, jumps into her dead husband's powerful BMW, still in the clothes she wore for his funeral, with an injured foot, and no mention of taking anything with her. After rescuing Mary, they spend a couple of days driving around the country, buying fuel and food, but no mention of clothes (though Marion does have an eyebrow pencil!) eventually ending up at the posh home of Iris and Gile, surely rather bedraggled.
This part was so far fetched that I almost gave up reading, and I really didn't care about the final twists when they came.
Sorry, but this book just wasn't for me I'm afraid.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I felt that I couldn't identify with any of the characters and there were huge plot holes in the story.
After reading the synopsis, I was expecting something different, so maybe my expectations were wrong.
Towards the end, Marion, who hasn't driven in a long time, jumps into her dead husband's powerful BMW, still in the clothes she wore for his funeral, with an injured foot, and no mention of taking anything with her. After rescuing Mary, they spend a couple of days driving around the country, buying fuel and food, but no mention of clothes (though Marion does have an eyebrow pencil!) eventually ending up at the posh home of Iris and Gile, surely rather bedraggled.
This part was so far fetched that I almost gave up reading, and I really didn't care about the final twists when they came.
Sorry, but this book just wasn't for me I'm afraid.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnier Books for this ARC.
I was very excited to get approved for this book, I absolutely love the Jericho series by William Hussey and couldn’t wait to read this.
Marian Lane is a celebrated crime writer whose husband dies while she is away and she is quickly befriended by the strange Mary who claims she was with him when he died. How much can Marian trust what she says?
It took me a little while to get into the story, as we switch between the present day and flashbacks to Marian’s childhood in Skegness, but once I did I raced through this. It was well written with lots of twists and turns leading to a satisfying ending, I’m sure this will soon be a big hit as a perfect summer read.
I was very excited to get approved for this book, I absolutely love the Jericho series by William Hussey and couldn’t wait to read this.
Marian Lane is a celebrated crime writer whose husband dies while she is away and she is quickly befriended by the strange Mary who claims she was with him when he died. How much can Marian trust what she says?
It took me a little while to get into the story, as we switch between the present day and flashbacks to Marian’s childhood in Skegness, but once I did I raced through this. It was well written with lots of twists and turns leading to a satisfying ending, I’m sure this will soon be a big hit as a perfect summer read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
On returning home after an interview with her close friend, Marian discovers her husband dead.
A strange woman named Mary befriends Marian and worms her way into her life by proclaiming that she was with her husband as he lay dying.
This goes backwards and forwards to when Marian was growing up and then right through her uni days.
I can't say I really enjoyed this, to be honest.
I thought there were too many twists at the end, which, for me, made this unbelievable.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bonnier Books UK/ Zaffre for the ARC in return for an honest review.
A strange woman named Mary befriends Marian and worms her way into her life by proclaiming that she was with her husband as he lay dying.
This goes backwards and forwards to when Marian was growing up and then right through her uni days.
I can't say I really enjoyed this, to be honest.
I thought there were too many twists at the end, which, for me, made this unbelievable.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bonnier Books UK/ Zaffre for the ARC in return for an honest review.
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March 22, 2026What a treat this was! I’m a fan of William Hussey from his Jericho series, set in the Showman community. This new one is a departure from that milieu - although there is a caravan park setting! - and it’s confirmed for me that this author is a firm favourite. I loved the fun references in this to the Harrogate crime writing festival, the life of a bestselling author, and the business of cosy crime. And the twists…! Utterly fabulous!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow!
This is slightly less 'dark' than the Jericho series and may suit a wider audience, especially fans of Agatha Christie et al.
It has more twists and turns than the Hampton Court maze and each time I was 'sure' of what was going on there was yet another U-turn, although I eventually came back almost to where I'd started from...
A great read for all fans of the genre
This is slightly less 'dark' than the Jericho series and may suit a wider audience, especially fans of Agatha Christie et al.
It has more twists and turns than the Hampton Court maze and each time I was 'sure' of what was going on there was yet another U-turn, although I eventually came back almost to where I'd started from...
A great read for all fans of the genre
March 6, 2026
What appears to start out as a cosy tale about successful author Marian soon turns dark and full of twists and turns. Definitely a case of keeping your friends close but your enemies closer. Loved this book for the roller coaster ride of emotions mixed with repulsion at times.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews