The Wife Between Us
 | |
| Author | Greer Hendricks Sarah Pekkanen |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Thriller |
| Published | January 2, 2018 |
| Publisher | Pan Macmillan |
| Publication place | United States |
| Pages | 346 pp[1] |
The Wife Between Us is a 2018 thriller novel written by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen.[1][2][3]
Critical reception
The New York Times wrote "The novel is halfway over before the first reveal, but it’s worth the wait, if only for its singularity. Then the twists come fast and furious."[1]
(Spoilers ahead) The first part of the book goes back and forth between Vanessa and Nellie. Vanessa is watching her ex husbands new fiance and tracking her every move. Vanessa has been living with her aunt in New York City and is currently working at a clothing store to get by after her divorce from Richard. Nellie is Richards new fiance and a pre-school teacher. She is keeps unsolicited phone calls from a unknown number. She assumes its Richards ex wife, whom he never speaks about. At the conclusion of the first part, we learn that Vanessa and Nellie are the same person (Vanessa being her present self, and Nellie being her past self). It was Richards idea to give Vanessa the nickname Nellie, because when they first met she was a "nervous nellie." Part two starts with what happened between Vanessa and Richard and the downfall of their marriage. We learn that Richard started gas-lighting and abusing Vanessa. Cutting her off from friends and the little family she had. She starts seeing a therapist who points out that Vanessa needs to leave as soon as she can. However, Vanessa knows Richard will not let her go willingly that it must be his idea for a divorce. She sets Richard up with his assistant, Emma, and the two begin an affair. Vanessa is finally let out of her abusive marriage only to find out that Richard intends on marrying Emma now. To save her from Richard, Vanessa starts following Emma, tracking her every move. Finding a time where she can tell her what Richard is really like. When Vanessa finally gets that chance, Emma does not believe her. Emma tells Richard and Richard confronts Vanessa. Eventually, Vanessa tells Emma little things that Richard started doing with her in the beginning of their relationship and how that is the first sign he was controlling her. Emma realizes she is being manipulated by Richard and agrees to leave him with Vanessa's help. This leads to a explosive fight between Richard and Vanessa at Emma's apartment. Richard attempts to strangle Vanessa before Emma and Richards sister, Maureen, intervene. Flash-froward, Richard is in a psych ward where he is getting help. Vanessa visits Richard only to find Maureen there, and Vanessa seems to think there is something going on between the two (leaving that up to the readers imagination). Vanessa finally tells her therapist that it is over and she can move on. We get another flashback when Vanessa first meets her and it is revealed that Vanessa's therapist is Richards other ex wife, who he threw down a flight of stairs. All 3 women are now connected by their experiences
Film adaptation
In 2017 the film rights for The Wife Between Us were purchased by Steven Spielberg's Amblin Partners.[4]
References
- ^ a b c Carey, Jacqueline (February 23, 2018). "Dangers Close to Home: Four New Domestic Thrillers". The New York Times.
- ^ "The Wife Between Us". Google Books.
- ^ Haupt, Angela (January 4, 2018). "The authors of 'The Wife Between Us' may have the first hit book of the year". The Washington Post.
- ^ van Straaten, Laura (October 26, 2017). "'Girl on the Train' Team Takes on 'The Wife Between Us' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
External links
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