Dianne's Reviews > The Wife

The Wife by Alafair Burke
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This was a 3.5 for me. I enjoyed this marital deception "who-done-it" for the most part but the narrator's persona (the wife, Angela) wore on me after a while. I also figured out who the unreliable character was about half-way through, so it made me impatient for Burke to just get on with it already and reveal the specifics. The last third took forever to get to the point. Honestly, this is all Agatha Christie's fault. I read all of her books years ago, and I can't read a mystery or thriller novel now without weighing and analyzing every sentence with the dedication of a private investigator. I'm always working the angles and trying to stay one step ahead of the author because Christie was so sneaky, I learned early to treat everything revealed with suspicion. That doesn't always make for the most relaxing reading experience - and it ruins the fun.

So, if you read this (and you should), just go with the flow and enjoy the story. Let the author surprise you and don't overthink it!

Sincerely,
Miss Marple
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Reading Progress

February 19, 2018 – Started Reading
February 19, 2018 – Shelved
February 19, 2018 –
page 89
26.18%
February 20, 2018 –
page 208
61.18%
February 21, 2018 –
page 288
84.71%
February 22, 2018 – Finished Reading

Comments Showing 1-18 of 18 (18 new)

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j e w e l s Haaaaaa, Miss Marple!! I do the same thing—always comparing to the Queen👑


message 2: by Diane (new)

Diane Wallace Good review, Dianne!


message 3: by Jeannie (new)

Jeannie Nice review Dianne! I have seen mixed reviews for this one. I'm starting to think thrillers are not for me.


Marialyce I really liked this one and wish it had been a better read for you, Dianne.


Canadian Jen I'm on the fence with this one too. Maybe I'll sit on it for a while


message 6: by Marilyn (new)

Marilyn C. Great review, Dianne! I had to smile about that Christie comment- So true!


Jennifer Masterson Great review, Dianne! I completely agree with your advice of going in and not overthinking it. That’s what I did. When I play detective it sometimes screws it up for me.


message 8: by PorshaJo (new)

PorshaJo Ha! Great review Dianne! I'm a big Christie fan and just loved this review. Sorry it was kinda predictable for you.


Dianne Thanks, ladies! I have to figure out how to quit playing the detective, as Jennifer says, and just enjoy. :-)


Julie Terrific review, Dianne!!


message 11: by Deanna (new)

Deanna Great review, Dianne!! :)


Dianne Thanks, Julie and Deanna!


Cathrine ☯️ Kindred spirits on this one Dianne.


Victoria Miller Yes, I think I have to blame Agatha Christie, too. Loved all her books and think I have read most of them several times. Don't care much for today's suspense thrillers at all!


Karen Kidd I agree that once I figured out who was the unreliable character, I was ready for the denoument.


Madeline I wasn’t that enthralled either. Good but not great.


Mary Daniels For me, it's not enough just to recognize an unreliable narrator. I like to know WHY that narrator is obfuscating.


Aurora Jay Brilliant observations - I’m a huge AC fan too - try The Devotion of Suspect X - even AC would be struggling!!


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