#BlogTour My Husband's Lies by Maryann Webb

 

Aria can't shake the feeling that her husband, Ethan, is cheating on her. When a friend is murdered during a night out she begins to wonder if it was a case of mistaken identity and if she was the intended target.

I am very pleased to be taking part in the Blog Tour for My Husband's Lies. The novel (previously published as How Well Do You Know Your Husband?) by Maryann Webb is a psychological thriller that really focuses on how a person's doubts and mistrust can completely take over their thought processes, leaving them questioning everything around them, to the extent that paranoia sets in.

Aria and Ethan had a whirlwind romance, resulting in them eloping to get married. A couple of years later cracks in the marriage are beginning to show. Aria originally put this down to the stress of her not being able to get pregnant but Ethan's recent behaviour has sown a seed of doubt in Aria's mind. Frequent business trips and unexpected changes of plan have Aria wondering if her husband is having an affair.

It is during one of these business trips that Aria's friends persuade her to join them on a night out. You immediately see the red flags, Ethan's behaviour has become controlling, dictating who she can see and what she can do. During the evening one of the friends is murdered, a shocking event but not one that initially triggers any suspicion. Later, discussing her fears with her best friend, Aria realises that the friend who was murdered bore a striking resemblance to her. Combining this with her suspicion of her husband's affair and being unable to contact him sends her spiraling out of control.

Understandably, Aria's thoughts and behaviour become extremely erratic. She doesn't know who she can trust, feels her life could be in danger, is convinced someone is watching her and has even been in their apartment, and, worst of all, is being ghosted by the husband she is frantically trying to contact. I did feel that far too much of the narrative focused on Aria overthinking everything but appreciated why someone would react in this way, particularly as the mystery deepened and there were subtle hints of events in Aria's past.

When Aria was finally able to confront Ethan some of the mystery surrounding the strange events was solved. I was shocked and angry at the way in which lies and manipulation had been used against Aria. What I didn't expect was the couple of big twists that the author had saved for the end, leading to a distressing conclusion.

My Husband's Lies by Maryann Webb is available in paperback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to Embla Books and Tracy Fenton (www.compulsivereaders.com) for a review copy.

Author Details

Maryann Webb (M. Q. Webb) writes psychological thrillers and suspense novels, including the Oscar de la Nuit series. Her books have hit the Amazon best seller chart in the US. She studied psychology and business.

My Husband's Lies (previously published as How Well Do You Know Your Husband) is a stand alone psychological thriller, and her third release.

Party Of Liars by Kelsey Cox (Audiobook)

 

During a sixteenth birthday party, a body falls from a balcony. Was it an accident or murder? Or could it have been "The Mother", the legendary ghost who haunts the house?

Author Kelsey Cox has packed a lot into Party Of Liars, from the supernatural element, through revenge, jealousy and desperation to keep secrets hidden. As I listened, I was constantly changing my mind about the direction the story was taking. The story is told from multiple perspectives, and the use of a variety of narrators really helped me to understand clearly whose narrative we were hearing.

The book opens with a sixteenth birthday party for Sophie Matthews. The party is being held at her father Ethan's mansion, a once rundown property that Ethan has completely modernised. Right from the beginning, we know that someone has fallen to their death from an upstairs balcony. The author keeps the reader in suspense throughout as who has fallen isn't revealed until the very end.

Since the setting is a party, there is a wide range of characters. Alongside Ethan and Sophie, there are Ethan's first wife, Kim and his new wife, Dani. Both women are struggling in their own ways. Sophie's best friend Mikayla feels out of place because of the cheerleaders present and daren't tell Sophie she likes her ex-boyfriend, the boy Sophie is desperate to get back together with. There's also the nanny Ethan hired to help Dani, who is struggling with being a new mother, a nanny who acts a little strangely.

There are lots of other guests; friends and colleagues from the well-to-do enclave of Bulverde, Texas. Over the course of the day, we learn that Kim is looked down upon because of her drinking problem and Dani is considered to be struggling with her mental health. As people mingle and the alcohol flows, secrets are uncovered and grievances aired, all leading to the cataclysmic ending. By the conclusion, I'd just about figured out what was happening, but events were still shocking, and even more secrets were then revealed.

Party Of Liars by Kelsey Cox is available in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for a review copy.

Author Details

Kelsey Cox received her MFA in fiction from Purdue University and works from home in the Texas Hill Country. You can often find her writing at Mammen Family Public Library, chasing around her two young daughters, or watching British mysteries with her mom and aunts. On nights when bedtime goes as planned, she enjoys curling up on the sofa, glass of wine in hand, and a book with complicated characters and a killer twist in her lap.

Mr Lynch's Holiday by Catherine O'Flynn

 

Dermot Lynch turns up unexpectedly to visit his son, Eamonn, and his partner, Laura, in the Spanish resort of Lomaverde. Upon his arrival, he discovers that things are not as he expected.

A few years ago there seemed to be a spate of books about Brits abandoning the rat race and relocating to France and Spain. In these books, the main characters found that not everything was as easy as they expected but through perseverance and integration with the local community, they were able to solve their problems and find the lifestyle they were seeking. In Mr Lynch's Holiday, my book group read for June, author Catherine O'Flynn has written the antithesis of these stories.

Retired and recently widowed Dermot Lynch makes an unannounced visit to his son in Spain. Eamonn and his partner had decided that relocating to Spain would offer them the work/life balance they truly wanted. They could both work remotely from the newly established resort of Lomaverde. When Dermot arrives he discovers that things aren't as rosy as he had expected. The resort is a half-built ghost town, populated by a few Europeans who had sunk their money into buying property they now couldn't sell. Eamonn is also alone as Laura has walked out and returned to the UK. A despondent Eamonn has buried his head in the sand, refusing to accept what is happening around him.

I found the story quite sad, there is a clear message that the grass isn't always greener. The thought of investing all of your money in a property that becomes virtually worthless is daunting. While the few residents remaining have tried to make the best of the situation you feel that it is a mask to try and cover up how they really feel. Eamonn in particular feels a sense of hopelessness and inertia.

Thankfully, Dermot is of a different generation. He's one of those characters who refuses to be beaten by life's adversities. If Dermot can't solve a problem immediately he'll do research or seek help. He's also willing to get involved and not be judgmental about people.

Over the fortnight of Dermot's visit, we see a father and son who struggled to communicate slowly realise that they are both quite similar and dealing with similar issues, just at different times in their lives. The conclusion was a fitting solution for both father and son.

Author Details

Catherine O’Flynn grew up in a sweet shop. She is a former child-detective who failed to ever solve a crime. Catherine lives in Birmingham with her husband and two daughters. She’s the author of three novels for grown-ups and her adult novel What Was Lost was the winner of the Costa First Novel Award and the Newcomer Award at the Nibbies.

June 2025 Reads

 

Can you believe we're halfway through 2025 already? June started well, I managed to read five books in the first half of the month. The second half didn't fare as well but I was expecting that. I'm marking GCSE exams and the work can be pretty intensive. Now that I've marked my allocation I'm hoping to get back to doing what I love - reading.

First book of the month was The Protest from Rob Rinder, the third book in the Adam Green series. This time Adam is helping to defend a young woman who was carrying out a stunt as part of an anti-war protest. Unfortunately, the stunt resulted in a famous artist dying. I’ve loved watching the characters developing over this series of books.

Female serial killers are a popular sub-genre at the moment. I assumed The Six Murders Of Daphne St Clair by MacKenzie Common would be in the same vein, filled with dark humour. Instead, it’s more of a mystery; why would a ninety-year-old who has gotten away with murder for seventy years suddenly confess? We learn about Daphne’s reasons, from abuse through to the desire for wealth, through a podcast.

Georgina Moore’s debut novel gained lots of praise so I jumped at the chance to read her second novel, River Of Stars. A dual time frame story featuring Jo and her grandmother, Mary, set on an island in the Thames. I was engrossed by Mary’s story as a wild child of the sixties but couldn’t warm to Jo. The setting, based on real-life Eel Pie Island, was fascinating.

TV presenter Steph McGovern has certainly written about what she knows in the thriller Deadline. During a live TV interview at a top-secret location, presenter Rose Steedman’s feed is hijacked. The voice in her ear informs her they have kidnapped her wife and son and if she wants to see them again she must do exactly as she’s told.

When Ethan’s business trips become more frequent and last longer, his wife Aria begins to wonder if he’s having an affair. Maryann Webb delves into the suspicions and paranoia that develop in a rocky marriage in My Husband’s Lies. Aria’s uncertainty isn’t helped when she thinks she’s being followed and then a close friend is murdered.

Kiss Her Goodbye is the fourth book in the Frankie Elkin series from Lisa Gardner. Frankie is a wanderer who takes on difficult missing-person cases. This case involves a recent asylum seeker from Afghanistan. A friend is convinced there must be foul play involved as the young woman wouldn’t abandon her child. Frankie is helped along the way by some memorable characters in this informative and exciting thriller.

My book group read for the month was Mr Lynch’s Holiday by Catherine O’Flynn. A few years ago there were lots of novels about Brits relocating to Europe and discovering themselves, this book is the antithesis of that. Elderly Dermot Lynch suddenly decides to visit his son Eamonn in Spain. When he arrives he discovers that the idyllic life Eamonn had hoped for has become a nightmare.

The only audiobook this month was the wonderful The Light A Candle Society by Ruth Hogan. Witnessing a funeral without mourners, George McGlory learns about public health funerals. These are ones organised by local councils when the deceased has no known relatives or friends. Saddened by this, George is determined to try and attend any in the future. As word spreads friends and colleagues do their bit to help. Despite the sombre theme, the author avoids despondency by giving us brief glimpses of the deceased when their lives were filled with happiness.

Publication dates to watch for are:-

River Of Stars by Georgina Moore will be published on 3/7/25 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

Deadline by Steph McGovern will be published on 3/7/25 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

Kiss Her Goodbye by Lisa Gardner will be published on 14/8/25 in hardback, ebook and audio format.

The Light A Candle Society by Ruth Hogan (Audiobook)

 

When George McGlory stumbles across a funeral without any mourners he's shocked and intrigued. Upon learning that a public health funeral is carried out when a deceased has no family or friends to make the necessary arrangements he takes it upon himself to attend as many as he can.

Ruth Hogan has such a magical way of drawing you into a story that you can't help but be completely absorbed by The Light A Candle Society. Wonderful narration from Mark Elstob adds the perfect touch as he makes it so easy to distinguish between the different characters.

George is still mourning the loss of his wife and regularly visits her grave. It's during one of these visits that he notices a funeral taking place with no mourners. Chatting with the funeral director he discovers that it is a public health funeral, one carried out by the local council as the deceased had no known family or friends. George is disheartened thinking that someone can die without anyone to mark their passing and pledges to try and attend any public health funerals in the future. As he shares his discovery with friends and colleagues he finds like-minded souls who offer to support him in any way they can and thus, the Light A Candle Society is born.

Despite the somber theme, this is an uplifting story, we see the good in many people, the generosity of spirit and a sense of community as they offer support. There is a snowball effect, particularly when a local journalist gets involved.

The deceased aren't simply names in the story, the author does a wonderful job by giving us a glimpse into their lives, almost a short story about the character. This snapshot focuses on a happy time when everything in life seemed to be going well, this is then juxtaposed with the lonely funeral. As George investigates the life of each solitary individual we learn the sad story of how they came to be alone and it makes you realise how easy it is for life to change so drastically.

The Light A Candle Society by Ruth Hogan will be published on 26th June 2025 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and W. F. Howes Ltd for a review copy.

Author Details

Ruth Hogan studied English and Drama at Goldsmiths College and went on to work in local government. A car accident and a subsequent run-in with cancer convinced her finally to get her act together and pursue her dream of becoming a writer. The result was her debut novel - The Keeper of Lost Things, which went on to sell two million copies globally. She is now living the dream (and occasional nightmare) as a full-time author, along with her husband and rescue dogs in a rambling Victorian house stuffed with treasure that inspires her novels.

Deadline by Steph McGovern

 

TV presenter Rose Steedman is in the middle of the biggest interview of her life, live on TV, when she hears a strange voice through her earpiece. The voice tells her that they have kidnapped her wife and son and she needs to do exactly as they say if she wants to see them alive again.

Deadline is Steph McGovern's debut novel. An often-used piece of advice to aspiring writers is to write what you know about and Steph McGovern has done just that, to the point that as I was reading I was picturing Steph as the lead character Rose. Rose is a no-nonsense, down-to-earth reporter who viewers delight in seeing on their screens, particularly when she's on location. We quickly learn, however, that the life of a roving reporter is not a glamorous one. The author also shows that life in the public eye can be unpleasant and the widespread use of social media can add danger.

The build-up to the ominous message is quick and gripping as we gain a glimpse into the fascinating world of Rose and her small team of camera operator, broadcast engineer and producer. You can feel the rapport between the team and there is lots of humour. Tension builds as we learn that after the first report from a construction site, the team is to interview the Chancellor at a top-secret location. Security around the location is extremely tight, making you wonder what is being protected. 

The pace of the story and the suspense doesn't let up for a second until Rose hears the sinister warning during her interview. At this point, approximately a third of the way through the novel, the story goes back five years and introduces some new characters. While the narrative around these characters is interesting I felt that the momentum built in the first part of the book was lost. It takes quite a while for the story surrounding the new characters to coalesce and figure out how everything fits together. When the two stories merge anticipation begins to climb again and by the conclusion you want to punch the air and shout "YES!".

This is an immensely readable debut novel, filled with engaging characters, a heartbreaking story and plenty of misdirection. I'm sure this is going to be one of those books that every other person on the beach or around the pool will be reading this summer.

Deadline by Steph McGovern will be published on 3rd July 2025 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for a review copy.

Author Details

Steph McGovern is an award-winning broadcaster who currently presents The Rest Is Money podcast with Robert Peston. Steph has worked in journalism for over twenty years, eight of them as part of the BBC Breakfast family. She went on to present her own BAFTA-nominated live daily show, Steph’s Packed Lunch, on Channel 4 and is a regular Have I Got News for You panellist and host. Steph is an avid crime reader and has interviewed countless authors including Val McDermid, Ann Cleeves, Hillary Clinton, Harlan Coben, Lee Child and Don Winslow, as well as judging the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year award at the Harrogate Crime Festival since 2019. Deadline is her first novel.

River Of Stars by Georgina Moore

 

Jo Star's heart was broken over twenty years ago when her first true love, Oliver, disappeared from Walnut Tree Island. His sudden return not only stirs up old memories but also brings unrest to the residents of the island as he is determined to sell the land.

River Of Stars by Georgina Moore really surprised me when I started reading it. The beautifully dreamy cover and the accompanying blurb had me picturing something set in the American South. As I read I discovered that the fictional Walnut Tree Island is based on Eel Pie Island in the Thames. The author's description of the island is wonderful, it comes across as idyllic, almost otherworldly - not in a supernatural way but just a different way of life, verging on magical.

The story is told through a dual timeline, alongside Jo's story we also learn of her grandmother, Mary, the first of the Star women to live on the island. We meet Mary as a teenager in 1964 who is entranced by the music scene on Walnut Tree Island, falls in love with a musician on the cusp of fame and is then abandoned. Finding herself pregnant and disowned by her own family, George Greenwood, the owner of the island, takes pity on her and gives her a place to live. The story regularly revisits Mary as she raises her daughter and granddaughter on the island. I was fascinated by Mary's story, from the hedonistic days of the 1960s through to the current day and her role as matriarch of the community who call Walnut Tree Island home.

Jo's story begins in a similar way, discovering young love on the island with Oliver Greenwood, grandson of George. Unfortunately, Oliver's father is domineering and wants nothing to do with the island, forcing the young lovers apart and controlling the rest of Oliver's life. Despite Jo's tragic backstory and heartbreak I really couldn't warm to her, I found her demanding, stubborn, jealous and petulant, to the point where I was more invested in Mary's story than Jo's.

Alongside the Star women are a host of supporting characters who add depth to the novel and the descriptions of life on the island are riveting and seductive. The community atmosphere is the sort of thing that people dream of finding.

The conclusion isn't a surprise, although there is a mixture of joy and sadness for various residents.

River Of Stars by Georgina Moore will be published on 3rd July 2025 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and HQ for a review copy.

Author Details

Georgina Moore grew up in London and lives on a houseboat on the River Thames with her partner, two children and Bomber, the Border Terrier.   The Garnett Girls was her debut novel and is set on the Isle of Wight, where Georgina and her family have a holiday houseboat called Sturdy. Georgina's new novel River of Stars is published is inspired by the legendary Eel Pie Island and its colourful history as a rock and roll haven in the 1960s, and by her own life on the river.