The New Husband by D.J. Palmer (St. Martin’s Press)
April 9, 2020
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
During your life, you experienced your fair share of despair. There was never a shortage of troubled times for you Mr. H…that’s for sure. It is now April 2020, and we are in the middle of a global pandemic…the Coronavirus (Covid-19). Comparing our experiences is pretty much like comparing apples to oranges. However, what they do have in common is uncertainty, which carries its own set of luggage. Stress, worry, sadness, wonder, and confusion are just a few emotions that are now officially a part of our repertoire. One thing I know for sure is that escaping reality for even just a few minutes is often the break our brains need. For many of us, reading is our respite. I may not be eager to read a post-apocalyptic novel, but a sick and twisted, domestic style psychological thriller is the PERFECT getaway for my mind. The New Husband by D.J. Palmer is the quintessential roller coaster ride of thrills and suspense that will not only hold your attention but will have you guessing until the very end. Doesn’t this sound like a lovely distraction???
The synopsis of Palmer’s book is pretty straight forward. You can rest assured, I like to tread lightly when talking about thrillers and suspense novels so as to not accidentally leak any spoilers. If I seem vague, you will thank me for that later. First, we have Nina, mom to a middle school daughter, and a high school son. She is greeted suddenly with the horrific news that her husband, Glen, has gone missing and presumed dead. Months later, she begins dating Simon, a middle school teacher at her daughter’s school. Simon is a widow as well, losing his late wife to suicide. Simon seems perfect to Nina. He is the opposite of her late husband Glen, who in hindsight, wasn’t really meeting her or her family’s needs. Here is where I have to leave you hanging. Nina begins discovering things about Glen’s past that leaves her with more questions than answers. In addition to this, Simon, Mr. Wonderful, is beginning to appear less wonderful and more peculiar as time goes by. Bottom line… Nina may love him, but does she really know him???
The first half of this book is a slow and steady burn. Palmer sets the scene (did I mention this takes place in New Hampshire…..Live Free or Die), while acquainting his readers with all of the characters. Though the initial foundation of this story seems sturdy enough, red flags are peppered throughout signifying that something is amiss. The speed picks up quite a bit during Act II. This is far from a love story of two widows finding love. This my friends is a disturbing story that will bend your mind every which way. Palmer does a killer job keeping you on your toes while trying to figure out what this “new husband’s” agenda is. I am not going to lie, the vibe is warped, the tale is twisted and the ending is insane…. that’s a good thing. With that said… I LOVED IT! This fantastic distraction is my cup of tea! Will it be yours????
Stay safe and healthy my friends. Read more books! They are good for your soul!
Your Biggest Fan,
Kelly
P.S. If you live in the New England area, D.J. Palmer gives a nod to the restaurant Surf located in Nashua and Portsmouth, N.H. I have dined at the Nashua SURF and let me tell you this…Their Miso Marinated Salmon is out of this world. Check one of the locations out if you are ever in the area. You will not be disappointed!
Click on the pic of The New Husband below to pre-order. This book comes out Tuesday, April 14th 🤗🤗🤗.
