The Wives, by Tarryn Fisher {Audio Book Review}

Hands up if you’d like to share your husband with 2 other wives! *Simone makes sure both hands are currently being sat on.* Today’s review is a suspense novel titled, The Wives. From the synopsis, this sounded like ‘Sister wives’ meets Dexter….of sorts. That sort of description is right up my alley….and I clicked ‘add to cart’ on Audible faster than that Sister Wives guy gains a new wife 🙂

What is The Wives about?

Thursday’s husband, Seth, has two other wives. She’s never met them, and she doesn’t know anything about them. She agreed to this unusual arrangement because she’s so crazy about him.

But one day, she finds something. Something that tells a very different—and horrifying—story about the man she married.

What follows is one of the most twisted, shocking thrillers you’ll ever read.

You’ll have to grab a copy to find out why.

My Review

Characters and Storyline

Off the bat, I’ve never read a book about a polygamist sort of relationship, so nosey Simone was definitely intrigued. How does this work? What does this sort of relationship do to your self esteem? Who gets to have him the most during the week???

Thursday, our protagonist, is wife number 2 in a polygamist marriage. An arrangement she agreed to when Seth told her he wanted kids, and Monday (no. 1) was a no kid zone! When Thursday’s pregnancy ends in the loss of her baby, and an end to ever having kids, she then agrees to Seth trying to fulfill his dreams of being a father, by taking wife no.3, Tuesday.

My thoughts

Before I start, I am like a stuck record when it comes to my disclaimer about an audio book….the experience to me is very different. It’s like listening to a movie….it’s about being able to conjure up a stronger image of the character and their personality. It makes the words come alive, that maybe would appear way more vanilla on paper. I think a potential 2.5 star book, as an audio book, just with a good narrator, can get to a 3.5 star rating. Okay, back to the review….

This book started off strong, with me being very intrigued as to Seth and Thursday’s story. I also really wanted to know about his dynamics with the other wives, and if Thursday ever wondered about them. I mean, you’d have to be helluva confident to be sharing a husband with 2 other women. I’d be OBSESSED with knowing everything about them. Thursday starts this obsessive investigation into the lives of Monday and Tuesday and that’s where things spiral and turn dark.

Seth’s character is obviously trash….no matter how this story ends….I must say that! To need multiple women in whichever context is sick. I really liked Thursday though, and it seemed bizarre to me that her character would get involved in a relationship like this. She seems confident, logical and self aware. Thursday has isolated herself because of her lifestyle, and not even her parents or best friend knows that Seth (the man everybody wants) has 2 other wives.

This book was fast paced and had me gripped with every word spoken. You’re going to have to suspend reality a bit for this one…I felt it was a roller coaster for me! I had a feeling where this book was heading, but it was still pretty mesmerizing witnessing it all unfold.

Some Critique?

I felt that The Wives was slightly drawn out as Thursday spent a lot of time talking about her observations. A 3 line conversation went on for so long, because we got a play by play on the surroundings, which was unnecessary in the moment.

Not critique, but worth mentioning that there are some triggers in The Wives: Mental health, fertility and domestic violence.

My rating

The Wives has a Goodreads rating of 3.78 stars and I’m inclined to give it a solid 3.8 stars myself. People complain that they’ve seen this done before. That the plot was unbelievable. Is this not why we read? For crazy plots that take us away from our own lives? I really enjoyed it, and as an audio book, this was an entertaining listen on my route to work every day.

This was my last Audible audio book, as I’ve cancelled my Audible subscription 🙁 BUT I don’t know if I can go back to driving to work in silence again… Chances are, when the right promotion hits my inbox, I will sign up again! Have you ever tried an audio book?