Book Review | The Other Mrs by Mary Kubica

Book Description

Sadie and Will Foust have only just moved their family from bustling Chicago to small-town Maine when their neighbor, Morgan Baines, is found dead in her home. The murder rocks their tiny coastal island, but no one is more shaken than Sadie, who is terrified by the thought of a killer in her very own backyard.

But it’s not just Morgan’s death that has Sadie on edge. It’s their eerie old home, with its decrepit decor and creepy attic, which they inherited from Will’s sister after she died unexpectedly. It’s Will’s disturbed teenage niece Imogen, with her dark and threatening presence. And it’s the troubling past that continues to wear at the seams of their family.

As the eyes of suspicion turn toward the new family in town, Sadie is drawn deeper into the mystery of Morgan’s death. But Sadie must be careful, for the more she discovers about Mrs. Baines, the more she begins to realize just how much she has to lose if the truth ever comes to light.

My Review | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Other Mrs is a psychological thriller that took me on an intense journey with a conclusion that shocked me and an ending that showed me there is light at the end of even the darkest tunnels.

This is usually the section where I celebrate my favorite character, but this time I want to, instead, celebrate the author, Mary Kubica. In this novel, she handles mental health disorders with a respect and empathy that truly demonstrates her understanding of some of the toughest diagnoses. Her portrayal provides the intensity I expect to find in a Psychological Thriller, while still providing an educated look at what it is like to suffer – from the perspective of the ailing as well as those around them. As a counselor and a book reviewer, my hat’s off to Mary Kubica.

What I Loved

I am a very patient person when it comes to reading books. Starting and finishing a novel in one sitting doesn’t happen often, but this time it did. I couldn’t put the book down except when I had to and then for only minutes. 

The Other Mrs has all the elements that I expect to see in a Psychological Thriller. It is gripping, intense, and the pages can’t turn fast enough. It also has a shocking conclusion that I didn’t see coming until right before it is revealed. The story is told through the perspective of 4 characters: Sadie, Camille, Mouse, and Will. I usually don’t care for multiple perspectives, but, in The Other Mrs, it is easy to follow as each character has a very distinctive voice and temperament. The plot is character-driven, and the dialogue flows naturally throughout the novel.

I love that the story covers mental illness in such an illuminating manner. The stigma of a mental health disorder, the more common and the abnormal, can be as overwhelming as the disorder itself. But the story shows that even the toughest diagnoses can be successfully treated and a productive, full life restored.

I also loved the plots twists and turns. Even though I thought that the plot was following a predictable track, its conclusion was believably shocking. The story did not end in a creepy, predictable way but a very positive look at the possibilities of life with treatment.

To Read or Not to Read

I would consider this a must-read for all readers, especially for those who love Psychological Thrillers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.