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The Perfect Couple
In this masterful suspense novel, which will appeal to fans of 'Gone Girl', it's clear that the truth is not always what it seems.
There are secrets in every marriage . . . and some are more dangerous than others.
Sarah and Marco Moretti are the perfect couple. Together they have travelled the globe building high-profile careers as archaeologists. Now, at a dig in Florence, they are on the brink of the discovery of a lifetime.
However their marriage is not what it seems.
On the very evening that Sarah uncovers the San Gennaro necklace – a long-lost antiquity that will bring them worldwide fame - she witnesses Marco kissing another woman. Blinded by tears, she drives home alone in the dead of night . . .
When Sarah wakes up in hospital, she has no memory of the car accident that brought her there - or the 48 hours preceding it.
Gone is the knowledge of her husband’s infidelity. But gone too is all recollection of finding the precious necklace.
And the loss of those two crucial memories will have devastating repercussions…
"Memory can be the difference between love and hate, survival and death, forgiveness and revenge."
400 pages, Paperback
First published August 28, 2017
5 people are currently reading
271 people want to read
About the author
Lexi Landsman
3 books35 followersLexi Landsman is an Australian author, journalist and television producer. Her debut novel, The Ties That Bind, published by Penguin Random House, came out in 2016. Her second novel, The Perfect Couple is a psychological suspense thriller set in Florence. It will be released on 28 August 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 20, 2019
3 Stars
I never thought I’d be in a room like this talking to someone like you. I suppose you want me to start at the beginning. To show how we got here. How everything fell apart.
It starts and ends with the necklace. A rare masterpiece. A time capsule of history told in diamonds and stones. Flawless in its perfection.
Maybe I was never meant to be its keeper. Because, you see, I’m its antithesis. I’m flawed. I’m a rough diamond. If you look closely, you’ll see my imperfections, how loosely I’ve been strung together. All it took was one link to unclasp to set off the chain, to everything unraveling. Piece by piece.
Told in multiple POV, both in 1st and 3rd person, it’s a standalone novel. The writing dragged at some places and became repetitive. The plot wasn’t really that twisty and it was very predictable! After reading 60% I started skimming and skipping. It was my first read by this author and unfortunately, I wasn’t impressed. Overall, it was an okay read and hope you enjoy it more than me!
I never thought I’d be in a room like this talking to someone like you. I suppose you want me to start at the beginning. To show how we got here. How everything fell apart.
It starts and ends with the necklace. A rare masterpiece. A time capsule of history told in diamonds and stones. Flawless in its perfection.
Maybe I was never meant to be its keeper. Because, you see, I’m its antithesis. I’m flawed. I’m a rough diamond. If you look closely, you’ll see my imperfections, how loosely I’ve been strung together. All it took was one link to unclasp to set off the chain, to everything unraveling. Piece by piece.
Told in multiple POV, both in 1st and 3rd person, it’s a standalone novel. The writing dragged at some places and became repetitive. The plot wasn’t really that twisty and it was very predictable! After reading 60% I started skimming and skipping. It was my first read by this author and unfortunately, I wasn’t impressed. Overall, it was an okay read and hope you enjoy it more than me!
July 16, 2018
Sarah and Marco, have travelled the world in their work as archaeologists. They appear to have the perfect marriage and working relationship. But, as often happens what people see is not always the case. In Florence they find themselves on the verge of a momentous discovery – The San Gennaro necklace. Finding this long lost antiquity will bring them fame. It is Sarah who uncovers its hiding place. Together she and Marco plan to tell the world. But in the meantime Sarah sees something that leaves her senses reeling. Then something else unexpected happens. Sarah wakes in hospital with no memory of the hours before. Events are complicated further when the necklace goes missing again. Sarah’s memory loss has serious repercussions, for Sarah and especially for those close to her.
I found this a quick and gripping read that kept me turning the pages, wanting to know how it all fitted together. The story is told largely in the first person from Sarah and Marco’s points of view. But other chapters are related in the third person and tell events from the views of their two children, twenty year old Daniel and sixteen year old Emily. Telling the story in this way means the reader gets a more rounded view of emotions and what is going on.
I had my own thoughts about how this story might play out. Despite a few twists and turns it was close to the truth in some aspects but not all. The story kept me intrigued even though I didn’t particularly like Marco or Sarah. But there was enough happening that this was not an issue. This was an entertaining read, although I did the end dragged on a little longer than necessary. But perhaps it was just me.
I initially picked up this book because I loved the author’s first book The Ties that Bind. This is a different read to that but still works well. So, in my opinion while not as good as that first book, it is still a worthy successor that shows the author has a variety of skills at her disposal. An entertaining read that those who like mysteries and character driven stories that draw together aspects of the past and present should enjoy as I did.
I found this a quick and gripping read that kept me turning the pages, wanting to know how it all fitted together. The story is told largely in the first person from Sarah and Marco’s points of view. But other chapters are related in the third person and tell events from the views of their two children, twenty year old Daniel and sixteen year old Emily. Telling the story in this way means the reader gets a more rounded view of emotions and what is going on.
I had my own thoughts about how this story might play out. Despite a few twists and turns it was close to the truth in some aspects but not all. The story kept me intrigued even though I didn’t particularly like Marco or Sarah. But there was enough happening that this was not an issue. This was an entertaining read, although I did the end dragged on a little longer than necessary. But perhaps it was just me.
I initially picked up this book because I loved the author’s first book The Ties that Bind. This is a different read to that but still works well. So, in my opinion while not as good as that first book, it is still a worthy successor that shows the author has a variety of skills at her disposal. An entertaining read that those who like mysteries and character driven stories that draw together aspects of the past and present should enjoy as I did.
July 2, 2018
Fame, family, lust and limelight.
The Perfect Couple sees archaeologists Marco and Sarah Moretti make the discovery of a lifetime; the San Gennaro necklace, once thought lost undersea is found only to be lost again in the most suspicious of circumstances.
Shortly after the discovery Marco had been working towards for the better part of a decade, his wife is involved in a car accident and has no recollection of the discovery nor does she remember seeing her husband in the arms of another woman on that fateful night.
Given the couple hadn't gone public with their find, the decision to hide the necklace at the dig site until morning proves to be fatal - and not just for Marco's career, as come morning the necklace is gone, and Sarah is in hospital.
The Perfect Couple reads like a family drama with some nicely placed criminal elements delicately dropped into the lives of the Moretti family; a dangerous cat among the pigeons. I particularly enjoyed this family drama dynamic, notably the way Daniel (Marco's son) interacted with his father, which in turn, gave the book more depth and complimented the darker side of the story.
My rating: 3/5 stars. An enjoyable read for the most part, however the story did feel a little repetitive at times, but this is a minor gripe. The use of multiple points of view was a good move and provided the reader an insight into the characters, in turn generating a more well rounded feel to the story.
Review first appeared on my blog: http://justaguywholikes2read.blogspot...
The Perfect Couple sees archaeologists Marco and Sarah Moretti make the discovery of a lifetime; the San Gennaro necklace, once thought lost undersea is found only to be lost again in the most suspicious of circumstances.
Shortly after the discovery Marco had been working towards for the better part of a decade, his wife is involved in a car accident and has no recollection of the discovery nor does she remember seeing her husband in the arms of another woman on that fateful night.
Given the couple hadn't gone public with their find, the decision to hide the necklace at the dig site until morning proves to be fatal - and not just for Marco's career, as come morning the necklace is gone, and Sarah is in hospital.
The Perfect Couple reads like a family drama with some nicely placed criminal elements delicately dropped into the lives of the Moretti family; a dangerous cat among the pigeons. I particularly enjoyed this family drama dynamic, notably the way Daniel (Marco's son) interacted with his father, which in turn, gave the book more depth and complimented the darker side of the story.
My rating: 3/5 stars. An enjoyable read for the most part, however the story did feel a little repetitive at times, but this is a minor gripe. The use of multiple points of view was a good move and provided the reader an insight into the characters, in turn generating a more well rounded feel to the story.
Review first appeared on my blog: http://justaguywholikes2read.blogspot...
July 2, 2018
My feeling was very mixed. At first, I decided to give it just 2 or 3 stars, since the crime itself is not really psychological, but rather a theft that stems from the discovery of adultery. And then the author tries to prolong the book by adding more elements, like Sarah's car crash leading to her memory loss, which complicates the retrieval of the valuable necklace, and then Emily's abduction, which I found very confusing and forced, as though the main story line were too short and the author deemed it necessary to drag the story forwards. Well, it turns out I was wrong. Everything written has an advanced intention from the author, and there is an invisible link between them that makes the story fluent and fluid. The revelation about Marco is so astonishing that I couldn't predict. Even though Marco is depicted as an ambitious, unfaithful and calculating man, I was unable to foresee his reckless and audacious action. He is truly unbelievably despicable.
One more thing to add, I think Daniel is very redundant character that should be omitted entirely.
One more thing to add, I think Daniel is very redundant character that should be omitted entirely.
September 22, 2017
A drama told from four family member's viewpoints, Lexi Landsman's THE PERFECT COUPLE is an interesting title choice for a book that's about anything but the perfect couple. As the blurb explains, Sarah and Marco Moretti have travelled the world together as part of their joint work as archaeologists. In Florence this time, they are searching for the famous San Gennaro necklace, once thought lost at sea, it's been an obsession of Marco's for many years. Sarah's discovery of the necklace at the site of their dig, late at night, on her own, triggers a series of events that sees the family rapidly unravel and the veneer of perfection wash away.
As the story alternates between each character you're right inside their heads, seeing all of the events from their various viewpoints. After the necklace is found, Sarah and her husband agree to put it in the safe at the dig site, but as Sarah drives home that night, she witnesses Marco kissing another woman, and ends up in a car accident that wipes all memories of recent events. She has no idea why or how, but the necklace has also gone missing, but that's nothing compared to what starts to happen within the family as the search for it heats up.
As with all these sorts of in the character's head styled books, the reader is confronted with some tricky undertakings. In THE PERFECT COUPLE, Marco is obviously far from perfect - in fact he's a bit of a creep, and Sarah seems to play the victim really well. Then there's the deceitful son, and the daughter who is dragged into the mess in the worst possible way. As each narrative viewpoint switches, the reader is forced into the position of trying to decide who is telling the truth, who is believable, who can be supported or barracked for if you like. The other problem with this sort of narrative style is that there can be a feeling of repetition as events are sometimes recounted by more than one person.
It's a brave move by Landsman as it's a tricky undertaking to carry the various viewpoints forward, place the reader into the heads of some complicated and not always sympathetic characters, and keep the momentum of the plot that has that need to consider things from multiple people's points of view. There's also that issue of the cheating husband, and the wife who is seemingly in denial, and seemingly passive about the worst excesses of Marco's behaviour - professional and personal. Needless to say Marco's a prat and frankly it was hard to feel anything much in the way of sympathy or even concern about his precious professional reputation - what with him having staked everything on finding that necklace. Obviously sympathy here is meant to lie with Sarah, who may be a lot stronger than it initially seems, same with the son who is leading his own double life, and has a few barbs to fire at his own father into the bargain.
As with all of these styles of books though, a reader's connection and like or dislike of the novel is going to depend absolutely on a feeling of connection with somebody in this story. You're going to have to spend a bit of time in their heads after all and there's nothing more tricky if you can't stand any of them. It will be interesting to see how THE PERFECT COUPLE is received overall.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
As the story alternates between each character you're right inside their heads, seeing all of the events from their various viewpoints. After the necklace is found, Sarah and her husband agree to put it in the safe at the dig site, but as Sarah drives home that night, she witnesses Marco kissing another woman, and ends up in a car accident that wipes all memories of recent events. She has no idea why or how, but the necklace has also gone missing, but that's nothing compared to what starts to happen within the family as the search for it heats up.
As with all these sorts of in the character's head styled books, the reader is confronted with some tricky undertakings. In THE PERFECT COUPLE, Marco is obviously far from perfect - in fact he's a bit of a creep, and Sarah seems to play the victim really well. Then there's the deceitful son, and the daughter who is dragged into the mess in the worst possible way. As each narrative viewpoint switches, the reader is forced into the position of trying to decide who is telling the truth, who is believable, who can be supported or barracked for if you like. The other problem with this sort of narrative style is that there can be a feeling of repetition as events are sometimes recounted by more than one person.
It's a brave move by Landsman as it's a tricky undertaking to carry the various viewpoints forward, place the reader into the heads of some complicated and not always sympathetic characters, and keep the momentum of the plot that has that need to consider things from multiple people's points of view. There's also that issue of the cheating husband, and the wife who is seemingly in denial, and seemingly passive about the worst excesses of Marco's behaviour - professional and personal. Needless to say Marco's a prat and frankly it was hard to feel anything much in the way of sympathy or even concern about his precious professional reputation - what with him having staked everything on finding that necklace. Obviously sympathy here is meant to lie with Sarah, who may be a lot stronger than it initially seems, same with the son who is leading his own double life, and has a few barbs to fire at his own father into the bargain.
As with all of these styles of books though, a reader's connection and like or dislike of the novel is going to depend absolutely on a feeling of connection with somebody in this story. You're going to have to spend a bit of time in their heads after all and there's nothing more tricky if you can't stand any of them. It will be interesting to see how THE PERFECT COUPLE is received overall.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
November 26, 2017
Such an easy book to read, one that had me totally enthralled. I did have suspicions of what could have happened but I didn’t see it all.
Totally different to the authors first novel ‘The Ties That Bind’ but no less enjoyable.
Totally different to the authors first novel ‘The Ties That Bind’ but no less enjoyable.
September 4, 2017
A fast-paced thriller that kept me reading late into the night. Full of suspense and secrets, with unexpected twists and turns. One of the best books I've read in a long time!
Read
August 2, 2017On the very evening that Sarah uncovers the San Gennaro necklace – a long-lost antiquity that will bring them worldwide fame - she witnesses Marco kissing another woman. Blinded by tears, she drives home alone in the dead of night . . .
When Sarah wakes up in hospital, she has no memory of the car accident that brought her there - or the 48 hours preceding it.
Great thriller, really enjoyed the book!!!
When Sarah wakes up in hospital, she has no memory of the car accident that brought her there - or the 48 hours preceding it.
Great thriller, really enjoyed the book!!!
September 6, 2017
I love nothing more than a book that I can't put down, one that I look forward to reading and that I'll stay up late in order to find out what happens next. This is exactly what 'The Perfect Couple' embodied for me. The characters were intriguing, and the setting of Italy with its rich history was the ideal location... as much a character as any of the others within the book. A real page turner that is thrilling, mysterious and beautifully written. As you read through the pages, you'll feel like an archeologist yourself as you gradually peel away the layers to uncover the truth. I highly recommend this new novel by Lexi Landsman, it is highly entertaining!
November 1, 2017
One of the most captivating and well written books I have read. The story line was so interesting and each of the characters was so developed. I couldn't put this book down!
Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a book with lots of mystery and plot twists.
Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a book with lots of mystery and plot twists.
January 27, 2018
Well written novel that I had trouble putting down, highly recommended! I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that the book gets turned into a movie. I did notice a few grammatical errors throughout the book however I give this book 5 stars due to the sheer enjoyment I got from reading this book. Thank you Lexi!
September 25, 2017
Totally enjoyed this one!! Found myself Googling some of the story lines throughout the book and really impressed with the research and the story from end to end.......looking forward to more !!!
October 24, 2017
This book kept me on the edge of my seat and wanting to read more! The characters were interesting and developed well. The story line kept me guessing. I particularly liked the setting and would like to visit on my next holiday. Thanks for an enjoyable read!
March 14, 2018
Although quite slow at first, the author tied the story together well by the end. It did take me until about two thirds of the way through to get into it. It was, however, quite easy to read.
January 16, 2020
Great mystery thriller read in one day
September 16, 2017
I was hooked from the first page. This psychological thriller has so many unexpected twists and turns that it kept me guessing until the last page. I read it in two sittings! I strongly recommend this brilliant book.
January 17, 2018
I loved this gripping psychological thriller. I read it in a day and literally could not put it down. It had all the ingredients I look for in a thriller: interesting characters, beautiful writing, intriguing setting and unexpected twists! I look forward to more from this talented Australian author.
September 23, 2019
A good holiday lying-on-the-sand-with-a-pina-colada read. Not going to challenge you but keeps the pace up without trying too hard. As I said, perfect read if you’re in the mood for something light, well-paced, with a satisfying ending.
December 13, 2019
I loved this book! Could see it being made into a film. Lots of unexpected twists. Full of suspense. Strongly recommend!
January 14, 2019
This book was only OK. I was trying to think of a single word that best described it and came up with 'clumsy'. The characters do not feel right and the story line is a little unbelievable. The book didn't gel in my opinion and the relationship between the cheated wife and the mistress that we are asked to accept, is an example of this. The character of the son Daniel was particularly annoying. Not a book that I would recommend.
November 22, 2019
A gripping tale.
I definitely didn't see the twists coming, and the book didn't let me go until the end. I'm usually a fantasy reader, so this is the first time a book from another genre has captivated me quite so much as this!
Definitely worth the read.
I definitely didn't see the twists coming, and the book didn't let me go until the end. I'm usually a fantasy reader, so this is the first time a book from another genre has captivated me quite so much as this!
Definitely worth the read.
February 21, 2018
A little slow to start off with but some good little twists towards the end
October 16, 2017
I’d had this book for a while before getting to it. The backcover blurb talks about archeologists and antiquities and I wasn’t sure it was my thing.
And though there is quite a bit of detail about a four hundred year old necklace and historical events from around its era (particularly at the time of its disappearance) the majority of this book is more of a thriller of sorts.
This book started a little slowly for me. I wasn’t hooked and worried a little that it would be too densely filled with detail of bygone eras – Napoleonic Wars and the like.
However, things turned around halfway into the book and I found myself more invested in the unfolding plot.
Little progress is initially made to uncover the events of the night of the accident (and the night the necklace was found)… Sarah wishes she remembered more but has reconciled herself to never knowing. Whereas Marco – whose reputation is on the line – is sure his wife will recover her memories. Eventually.
Eventually things come to a head via a kidnapping and ransom request. I felt as if we were able to fairly easily identify those involved – not just via the plot itself but also the language used by the person involved. I decided it would be too obvious however, and it didn’t entirely seem logical – though in retrospect I guess they were drawn to the plan because of their desperation.
Although I eventually enjoyed this and read it in a sitting, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I loved some of the twists Landman threw in at the end however and this book will appeal to those with an interest in history, archaeology and antiquities as well as lovers of novels of suspense.
Read the full review on my site: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
And though there is quite a bit of detail about a four hundred year old necklace and historical events from around its era (particularly at the time of its disappearance) the majority of this book is more of a thriller of sorts.
This book started a little slowly for me. I wasn’t hooked and worried a little that it would be too densely filled with detail of bygone eras – Napoleonic Wars and the like.
However, things turned around halfway into the book and I found myself more invested in the unfolding plot.
Little progress is initially made to uncover the events of the night of the accident (and the night the necklace was found)… Sarah wishes she remembered more but has reconciled herself to never knowing. Whereas Marco – whose reputation is on the line – is sure his wife will recover her memories. Eventually.
Eventually things come to a head via a kidnapping and ransom request. I felt as if we were able to fairly easily identify those involved – not just via the plot itself but also the language used by the person involved. I decided it would be too obvious however, and it didn’t entirely seem logical – though in retrospect I guess they were drawn to the plan because of their desperation.
Although I eventually enjoyed this and read it in a sitting, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I loved some of the twists Landman threw in at the end however and this book will appeal to those with an interest in history, archaeology and antiquities as well as lovers of novels of suspense.
Read the full review on my site: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
December 21, 2024
I’ve had this book sitting in my TBR pile for years and I’ve finally got to read it. This is a great book. It tells of a couple of archaeologists who seem to have it all, successful careers albeit the husband outshining his wife. Marcos obsession in finding the long lost necklace leads to a tale of obsession which leads to a trail of lies, lust, family breakdown and kidnapping.
I flew through this book which kept me engaged the whole way through. Highly recommended for readers who like fast paced but detailed stories with a twist!
I flew through this book which kept me engaged the whole way through. Highly recommended for readers who like fast paced but detailed stories with a twist!
November 24, 2018
I had hoped that this book would get me back reading more frequently. It didn't to begin with but as it's due date got closer and the story got going it has sucked me in. It isn't a brilliant story but is intriguing.
My Goodreads star rating...***
My Goodreads scale:
* waste of time
**filled in time
***good
****excellent
*****absolutely amazing
My Goodreads star rating...***
My Goodreads scale:
* waste of time
**filled in time
***good
****excellent
*****absolutely amazing
April 17, 2019
I am honestly puzzled by this book. It was a solid idea, executed poorly, but the final confrontation part played off of and subverted expectations so well that with a bit more workshopping and refining, it could have been great. Sometimes people are just too eager to get their work published that close enough is good enough but it could have been so much better.
August 30, 2023
Hmmmmmmmmmmm I didn't not like it I just didn't like like it, I loved the history and the achaeologistic elements however, the mystry side of things fell flat for me; although the other main female character turned out to be my favourite as the wife was a bit too nice and the son drove me nuts with his pussy footing around. Not a bad read not a breathe taking one either
September 24, 2017
3 1/2 stars for me
The last few chapters have some great unexpected reveals.
The last few chapters have some great unexpected reveals.
January 18, 2018
I could not put it down from start to finish. It was a really gripping book with plenty of unexpected twists.
October 18, 2025
Good story - but painfully drawn out.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews