The Starter Wife

By: Nina Laurin

Narrated by: Molly Parker Myers

From the best-selling author of Girl Last Seen comes "a spine-tingler" (Booklist) of a psychological suspense, perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Jessica Knoll.

Local police have announced that they're closing the investigation of the suspected drowning of 37-year-old painter Colleen Westcott. She disappeared on April 11, 2010, and her car was found parked near the waterfront in Cleveland two days later, but her body has never been found. The chief of police has stated that no concrete evidence of foul play has been discovered in the probe.

I close the online search window, annoyed. These articles never have enough detail. They think my husband's first wife disappeared, or they think she is dead. There's a big difference.

My phone rings, jarring me away from my thoughts, and when I pick it up, it's an unknown number. The only answer to my slightly breathless hello is empty static.

When the voice does finally come, it's female, low, muffled somehow. "Where is it, Claire? What did you do with it? Tell me where it is."

A woman. A real flesh-and-blood woman on the other end of the phone. She's not just in my head.

A wave of panic spreads under my skin like ice water. It's Colleen.

©2019 Nina Laurin (P)2019 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Laurin knows how to ratchet up the suspense." (Publishers Weekly)

"Laurin, with her knack for psychological suspense, here portrays the effects of obsession in chilling detail as the facts of Claire's life are revealed. A spine-tingler." (Booklist)

Too slow and repetitive.

The entire story was slow and very repetitive. The main character had very little depth and the entire story wasn’t very believable. It was more confusing than suspenseful. The end was somewhat interesting. I wouldn’t have continued listening except that it was selected for our book club and I wanted to be able to know the details for the discussion.

AMAZING

Once again, Nina Laurin has written an exceptionally amazing piece! I couldn’t stop listening to this book! It had me at the edge of my seat constantly and the ending was so unexpected! 5 out of 5 stars!!!!

really enjoyed it !!

good book just wish the ending was summed up a little bit better about Colleen.

I wish I could get those hours back. Ridiculous story

Story was horrible & boring. Don’t waste your time. Wish I could get those hours back

Terrible narration

I feel like I’m listening to a computer but I have to say I love the story so much that I keep listening but who is now reading this it’s terrible I hope the author is not the narrator and if she is I’m sorry I love your story but the narration is going to kill it I’m suffering through the book because I like your story someone else Hass to read the story

Starter Wife

The story was slow to develop and the focus on the main character’s obsession with food was very distracting.

Needed More

I actually finished this in one sitting as it was a quick read. However; I did not love it and at times thought about DNFing. I kept pushing through waiting for something to happen. The beginning was way too slow. There was nothing really happening. I knew things had to pick up, but it still took too long to get to the action. It just never had me sitting on the edge of seat. I wanted more. I am glad I finished to see how everything unfolded, but this one is a pass from me.

Just awful

This is the worst audiobook I have purchased. The story was ridiculous and the writing terrible.

A waste of a credit.

This book was awful. The last part was so very confusing regarding time frame. Don't recommend it to anyone who enjoys a really GOOD mystery.

Tried and tried and tried again

To much back and forth between the character and her talking to herself. Tried multiple times to finish it. Tried reading it and thought maybe audio book would be better and still didn’t finish it. *yawn*