TW: this book features a relationship with minor domestic abuse.
Sally Hepworth’s previous best-selling novels have gained popularity among bookworms who enjoy exploring dysfunctional families and well-kept secrets. In her latest book, The Younger Wife, Hepworth delivers the same captivating narrative while adding an extra layer of intrigue. Although some chapters offer moments of romantic comedy that may elicit laughter, a darker undertone pervades throughout, aligning it more with the genres of domestic fiction and family thriller, which Hepworth has skilfully claimed as her own. The author’s storytelling prowess is evident in the way she expertly weaves the plot, making it a book that readers will not want to put down.
The Younger Wife commences with a gripping prologue, unfolding at the wedding of surgeon Stephen Aston and his significantly younger bride, Heather. The groom’s daughters, Rachel and Tully, find themselves close in age to their new stepmother. The narrator remains unidentified initially, described only as “a woman of a certain age” who has been inconspicuous and forgettable for years.
The wedding takes an unexpected turn during the signing of the marriage register, marked by a scream and a disturbing thud. The Wedding Celebrant reappears with bloodstains, leaving the guests in suspense regarding the victim and the perpetrator. The narrative then backtracks a year, with chapters presenting different perspectives from the daughters and the new wife.
The Younger Wife transcends typical domestic narratives, delving into the complexities of flawed characters shaped by their pasts, where lingering sins cast enduring shadows. Hepworth skilfully unveils secrets gradually, allowing readers to comprehend the characters’ motivations, fears, and idiosyncrasies.
Hepworth introduces humour and pathos, inviting readers to resonate with moments of self-doubt regarding the truth and acknowledge personal imperfections. The novel’s darker undertone emerges as characters grapple with the inclination to ignore uncomfortable truths and seemingly out-of-character actions that make them doubt what they have seen and heard.
The narrative captivates from the first to the last page, presenting a conundrum familiar to avid readers: the desire to unravel the plot’s resolution juxtaposed with the reluctance for the story to conclude. In summary, The Younger Wife is a compelling read, skilfully balancing suspense, humour, and pathos, making it a highly recommended and enjoyable experience.
Rating: 4/5
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