The Silent Wife
By A.S.A. Harrison
Penguin Books, Paperback, 9780143123231, June 2013, 336pp.)
The Short of It:
Two people. One marriage. Deception at its finest.
The Rest of It:
Jodi and Todd Gilbert have it all. She’s a successful therapist who’s successful enough to pick and choose who she treats on a day-to-day basis. He’s a real estate developer who knows how to turn a run-down building into profit. Together, they live in their swank, well-appointed Chicago condo and their lives are very comfortable. After a long day at the office, Todd comes home to a plate of artfully arranged canapés made by Jodi herself and Todd mixes the cocktails for them both to enjoy while looking out at the sweeping views of the city before them.
All is not golden. After twenty years together, the excitement of being with one another has dimmed to a flicker yet they’re both willing to push this aside since there is still so much to gain from such a relationship. Jodi seems to know her place as the beautiful, dutiful wife and Todd’s need to “be a guy” is not dampened in the slightest by Jodi because she “gets” him. She understands him like no other woman can and as long as he continues to keep her happy with the thoughtful gifts that he picks up for her every now and then, she seems content and that’s all Todd wants, is for her to be happy and content.
Oddly enough, Jodi feels the same way and overlooks Todd’s numerous indiscretions. He works hard, Plays hard and can’t be expected to toe the line every single moment, can he? But when one of his indiscretions turns into something more serious, Jodi begins to assert herself in a way that Todd is not accustomed to. But even this is so deceptively subtle, that it goes right over Todd’s head. Somehow, he’s convinced himself that he can have both. That he can be the happy husband with Jodi at home whenever he needs her, and that he can have Natasha, the daughter of his best friend whenever he feels the need for change.
This book is deceptively simple as far as plot goes but what makes the story so compelling is how the author handles the characters. These are sophisticated types and the way they handle themselves is not how you or I (or any normal person) would behave in a situation like theirs. They are even-tempered, cool even… and rarely break a sweat. At one point, I felt that Jodi was a cold, calculated woman but I liked her for being that way. I liked her for the way she put distance between herself and the situation. Something would happen and she’d take it all in stride with only a small tell that anything was amiss. I found both Jodi and Todd to be fascinating characters.
The story is told in alternating chapters titled “Her” and “Him” so you get both sides of the story and what each chracter is feeling at any given point. This back and forth format delivers, innocently, their motivations behind their actions but then later you realize that what seemed so innocent early on was really a pre-cursor to the total and utter destruction that follows.
This book is marketed as a thriller and I can see why. The level of suspense builds to a point where you just have no idea how the story will end and although you get to know the characters and their feelings quite intimately, you can’t predict what they’ll do. There are small implosions that occur throughout the book. Little upsets telling you that things are not looking good and I loved every one of them. This book will have you questioning right and wrong right up to the very last page. I am still thinking about the book. Plus, it’s so well-written and tastefully done. I really loved it.
Sadly, A.S.A. Harrison recently passed away so she isn’t around to receive the praise that this book will most surely garner but I am still screaming from the rooftops singing its praises. You have to read it! I loved everything about and I don’t say that too often.
Source: Sent to me by the publisher via Edelweiss
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.
Book Chatter 
I loved this book…about a million times more than Gone Girl. She died? The twist in big brother? You know everything!
Just you all know…the above comment is not a spoiler! She is referring to the author’s death.
“Two people. One marriage. Deception at its finest.”
You got me with that opening, but the rest of your review makes me want to read this novel even more! Sorry to hear about the author.
This looks pretty darn good. My kind of read.
I just requested this from the library – can’t wait to read it.
I thought you would love this one. It has everything. Such a shame the author has passed. But what an accomplishment!
How sad that the author has passed. The book sounds intriguing.
Not sure this is for me — novels with infidelity as a major plot just make my stomach hurt! (I’m such a baby!)
The infidelity in this one will make your squirm! It’s so good though.
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This book is generating a lot of buzz! I want to get my hands on it!
I loved this book, too! So good! Way better than Gone Girl (which I hated). Was so happy that I read this one – definitely a must read!!
Ooh ooh ooh! I have this on my tbr pile and now I’m even more excited to get to it!
You MUST read it!
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You are really working it these days. You know I’m going to have to read this.
You would eat this one up.
How was the trip? Are you recovered yet? I hope you ate many Pierogies.
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This is on my list to read. I do believe my library has the audio so I think I’ll get that.
I bet the audio will be great.
You have piqued my interest…adding it to my cart!
Adding to the TBR list, which grows higher every day. Have you heard about The Infatuations? It’s up next for me because I do love ambiguity!
I had not heard of The Infatuations but I just requested it from Edelweiss (thank you very much!) My list is also growing longer. I am infatuated with books about marriage and marriages falling apart this summer. Mystery, murder and mayhem. All the better.
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Oh, this sounds like another great one I need to pick up! I might need to recover a bit from my suspenseful trips with The Never List and Night Film, but when I feel the need for creep I’ll know where to turn.
I can’t wait to read this one! It is also on must-read list this summer! There are quite a few literary thrillers releasing this summer.
oh wow, I had no idea this author passed away, I do want to try this one, as you make it sound like one that I would enjoy.
I was thinking of Gone Girl while reading your review. Interesting to see a couple of your other commenters mentioning it as well. I may just have to give this one a go 😛
Oh, this sounds FABULOUS. I must track down a copy now! Also, how have I not heard of it?
Um, just checked my Kindle and I totally got it from Edelweiss and forgot. Hooray!
It took me awhile to read it. I also got it from Edelweiss but man, once I started I was sorry I waited for so long. Story of my life;)
I can’t wait for you to read it.
So is the wife silent till the end?! Do tell.
Oh god–did I just read a spoiler in that very first comment? I don’t normally gravitate towards thrillers but you do have me curious!! (minus the potential spoiler that I read…grrrr!)
Not a spoiler! She was referring to the author’s death after writing the book. I would never allow a spoiler in the comments. I’d delete it!
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This sounds like a book with alternating chapters that actually works well.
And you know how it is with alternating chapters… you sometimes like one point of view more than the other? I didn’t have that here. I EAGERLY awaited the POV switch no matter who was coming up.
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Wonderful review, Ti. I’m going to get this book today! I have been stuck Under the Dome for the last two months (loving/dreading every minute) and this seems like it will ease me back into “calmer” fiction.
Finished The Silent Wife in one day, leaving my hubby to make dinner.
Wonderful book, great writing and lots of intrigue plus twist ending.
I, too, am sad that the author passed but I read that before she did, she knew of the advance praise of her book. Sad but she was working on another psychological suspense book. This was her first fiction debut and somewhere in heaven hope she knows how great it was.