On a cold, dark night, two cars collide …
Inside the vehicle at fault, Jennifer Ashby survives with barely a scratch. In the wreckage of the second, the occupants are not so lucky. Jennifer’s good character helps her escape jail, but she is traumatised by the event.
Desperate for a change, and with her marriage buckling under the stress, she convinces her husband Jon to move to the beautiful but wild Daintree region, far away from family and friends.
As Jon spends long hours at his new job and Jennifer makes plans to absolve her lingering guilt, cracks begin to form in their idyllic new life. Will the shadow of their past continue to haunt them? Will their dark secret be exposed?
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Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
I opened this book, started my reading journey, soon finding myself captivated with the story and the main character Jennifer. Through her amazing skill, Susannah has created a beautiful Daintree region community, which gives the story its basis for loveable and interesting characters. I enjoyed tagging along with Jennifer’s journey as she navigates her way through life and the trauma that follows her, with good days that have a few questionable moments but triumphs as well. This is an entertaining tale that had me feeling a range of emotions, especially for Jennifer and what is happening around and to her, and considering I read most of it in one day, I’d safely say it’s a tad addictive. There are many explosive moments that had me cringing, and lots of twists and turns, some of which I picked up along the way, but the ending just blindsided me leaving me a little bit shocked. Between Husbands and Wives is a great read you won’t be disappointed with. Nerelle, NSW, 5 stars
Follows the story of what seems a loving husband and wife in their recent house move. But wait for the surprise twist at the end when the truth is exposed. A win I would say for Susannah’s debut novel. Laura, NSW, 5 stars
This debut novel instantly captivated me as soon as I started reading it. I was intrigued by the story and the characters. A great psychological thriller and I look forward to reading more from this author! Jenny, VIC, 5 stars
I loved ‘Between Husbands and Wives’. It kept me on my toes the whole way through, intrigued to see what was going to happen next. It had a great storyline with lots of twists and turns and interesting characters and kept me guessing right through to the last page. Well-written and great characters. Don’t want to give too much away but I can ‘t wait to see what Susannah Glenn comes up with next. I’ll definitely be reading more of her books. Angela, QLD, 5 stars
I loved this novel. It was captivating from the start. It was full of suspense and had enough twists and turns to keep you hooked. I’d love to read a follow-up novel on the next chapter in the characters lives. Kristy, NSW, 5 stars
I was intrigued with this story and read the novel in one day. I enjoyed the small additions of information and characters as the story progressed and found myself anticipating how the story would turn out, I did not guess correctly. A great debut novel, I will be looking forward to more from this author. Ann, WA, 5 stars
This is a book I would not normally have picked up to read. I enjoyed it. The story of a husband and wife, secrets, life’s excitement, moving house. All are covered. As I read on about Jennifer and Jon I became more involved with what was happening. They moved to Daintree from Sydney after a car accident they were involved in left Jennifer struggling with life. There life in Mossman soon became interesting, community involvement. But underlying it all were secrets, and incidents that didn’t seem right . In the end I couldn’t put this book down and had to finish it. I was left very surprised at how it all was tied together in the end. Excellent first novel, loved the setting, recommended read. Lyndsay, QLD, 5 stars
It was a book that I could not put down, wanted to find out what happened next. Conveyed the image that on the surface a couples relationships can be not all that it seems. The full details of the accident not being revealed at the start of the book and being interwoven through out the novel was very intriguing. Danielle, VIC, 5 stars
I was delighted to read Between Husbands & Wives as it was mainly set in the idyllic location I had just returned from and which is a place that feels like heaven on earth so I devoured this book pretty quickly. It is a light but very invigorating read and definitely had my heart thumping in parts. An impressive debut novel that is adrenaline fuelled and a real page turner. Coral, VIC, 5 stars
Susannah Glenn has excelled with this debut novel. I consumed it over the weekend and loved every twist and turn. I found this book to be so well written. The story deals with Jen who is in a marriage with a man that is very controlling and will do all he can to mess with her mind. After jen was involved in a tragic and fatal accident they decide to move away from Sydney and set up a new life North of Cairns with their 5 year old son Jasper. Jen finds that an old Uni friend of hers works for the local newspaper and as luck would have it she offers Jen a job as a photographer. As soon as she tells her husband about the job he starts with the mind games and trying to control her into not taking the job. Jen has made some big steps to regain her old self. She is now driving again and with Jasper starting school she knows that a job would help her to move on and forget the night of the tragic accident that constantly haunts her. This is a book that you must add to your reading shelf. Annamaree, QLD, 5 stars
A real page turner that I couldn’t put down. Jen is a wife, mother, daughter and her life is turned upside down following a car accident. Suffering from grief and trauma Jen and Hubby Jon decide to start afresh in far north Queensland in a lovely home in the rainforest that runs down to a secluded beach… perfect bliss. Jen reconnects with an old friend from University her life seems to be back on track, picking up her old career, renewing old friendships, making new ones.What could possibly go wrong? Glenys, NSW, 5 stars
‘Between Husbands and Wives’ is an easy to read and easy to follow story, focussing on Jennifer and her husband Jonathan Ashby, moving from Sydney to far North Queensland to escape a traumatic past, but what unravels is more deeper and darker secrets about their past lives. Do she really know the person she’s married to? Is he really who she thinks he is? Has she been open and honest about her past? A domestic thriller keeping the reader captivated till the very end wondering what will be revealed next! Maria, NSW, 4 stars
Jennifer and Jonathon, along with their son Jasper, move from Sydney to Far North Queensland after a tragic event. The story, told from Jen’s perspective, sheds light on her relationship with Jon. Jon has a dark side that Jen somehow kept ignoring. There were some red flags that Jen overlooked, which was a bit frustrating. As Jon insists on throwing a big party for Jen’s 40th birthday, the tension escalates, leading to a dramatic climax. The narrative is fast paced and keep readers engaged. Overall an enjoyable read! Divya, NSW, 4 stars
Comfort is subjective. And this book made me feel supremely uncomfortable, like I needed to shed my skin and escape. Jen, the main protagonist, is totally distasteful and Jon, her conceited overbearing and emotionally abusive husband-despite his elaborate displays of physical affection, is not much better. Lust and attraction prove a lethal combination for this pair and underpins their often unhealthy union. Their was an underlying unease throughout the story ,and caught in the middle of this is the couple’s son Jasper- the gossamer thread that binds them together. Thankfully Jen knows her own mind and proves to have a moral compass-despite what her past and Jon frequently imply. This is her saving grace and stopped her from being totally unrelatable which I feared she would morph into at the start of the novel. An easy read, this is a great book to take on holiday. Do persist, because what follows is an engrossing tale of love, lies and the consequences of your actions that all lead to an unforgettable and traumatic climax. Kathy, VIC, 4 stars
I loved reading Between Husbands and Wives, the narrative is compelling and exciting throughout the tale and the author has a real way with building the mystery and suspense behind the accident referred to in the beginning. You will soon discover that not everything is as it seems as you continue to read further, to a dramatic climax and conclusion. The story itself is quite unique and I loved the Australian backdrop. I would be excited to read more from this author! Sarah, TAS, 4 stars
Oh la la! This one was a goodie! Loved that the majority of it was based in Far North QLD and there were even places in the book I had been to before. Jessica, QLD, 4 stars
I do enjoy a novel that keeps me guessing until the end, Between Husbands and Wives certainly had me doing that. Reaching the end and finding I hadn’t quite worked it out fully had me scrambling back to see where I’d missed the clues. Between Husbands and Wives is the story of Jen, a photographer, her husband Jon, and their five-year-old son, Jasper. The three Js. When we first meet them Jen and Jasper are about to catch a plane to Cairns. They are going to live in the Daintree where Jon has a new job at the local council. We know that something has happened, but not what, and when Jon fails to meet them at the airport the sense of unease begins to stir. The picture widens as we read further, explore their past. I was fascinated by the uncovering of their relationship, that unknowable thing we cannot see from the outside, of the bond between husband and wife. Susannah Glenn has a good story-telling touch which kept me reading, drawing me on deeper into the story. And she has a great sense of place. I could feel the humidity! Highly recommended read. Daniella, QLD, 4 stars
The Australian setting and characters bring a lovely comfort of familiarity which is comparable to books by Sally Hepworth, Petronella McGovern, Holly Wainwright & Liane Moriarty. I did enjoy this debut novel although some of the actions of the husband, Jon, had my spidey senses tingling while some of the actions of the wife Jennifer had me shaking my head in disbelief. The twist at the end was a welcome surprise. Altogether an enjoyable read. Mandy, VIC, 4 stars
Jennifer and Jon Ashby and their son Jasper move to Far North Queensland, trying to start a new life after being involved in a car crash with fatal consequences. Jennifer escapes gaol but is haunted by the accident. Husband Jon makes much of the sacrifices he is making for Jennifer: leaving a job he loved to give her a fresh start. Jon is caught up, working long hours in his new job and once Jasper starts school, Jennifer has time on her hands. She finds a new job as a freelance photographer. Is this the new start that Jennifer wanted? Both Jennifer and Jon have secrets. But while Jon can always justify his own actions, he is always questioning Jennifer’s. Life in Far North Queensland is not as idyllic as you might expect. While aspects of this story are obvious and there are a couple of unlikely coincidences, there was a surprise at the end that was a little surprising (and then, with hindsight, blindingly obvious). The past always has a way of catching up. An enjoyable and fast-paced debut novel. Jennifer, ACT, 4 stars
All is not as it seems. A family seeking to start a new life after a tragic accident. A charismatic husband, a traumatised wife and their little boy. We are slowly given clues to past events, personalities and motives. The setting is beautiful, the characters strong and the author holds your interest with her ever changing plot. Christina, NSW, 4 stars
What would appear to be the perfect family moves states after a terrible accident to try and start a new life. Things seem to be going well, until they aren’t, and then they are, and aren’t again! A story of how things are never really what they seem. I knew something wasn’t right from the start and as Jennifer and Jon’s story unfolded, it dropped hints along the way. I did guess most things but sometimes in a slightly different way. Whilst the storyline felt familiar, I enjoyed the buildup and the telling of the back story, especially towards the end when more “interesting” details emerged. I was a little disappointed in the ending as I felt there were a couple of things that could have been explored a little more first. But overall, the book was easy to read and kept me interested until the end. I liked the book and would definitely read the author again. Katrina, VIC, 4 stars
I quite enjoyed this book. It was easy to read and I read it in a couple of sittings. I did work out quite easily in the story how I would end, but that didn’t lessen my interest. Well done to the author. Nell, NSW, 4 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I couldn’t put it down as it was fast paced with lots of surprises along the way. The main characters were complex and mysterious and the plot kept you guessing until the end. I highly recommend this book to those that love a good thriller. Great debut novel. Karen, NSW, 4 stars
A pacy read with an ominous undertone from page 1. Great debut! Mopsy, VIC, 4 stars
TW: abuse and coercive control. Gaslighting. Death of an infant. Alcoholism. Infidelity. Unfortunately, it didn’t hit the mark for me. It was average, and while it took me quite a while to really get into it, there was some good parts. It definitely had me feeling some things, rage mostly. Rage at the absolutely vile nature of people in the world, and marital abuse. If this is a sensitive topic for you, it might be an idea to skip this one. I figured out both of the twists fairly easily as the clues were all there for most of the book, so I was a bit disappointed in that. Not the worst thriller I’ve ever read so definitely give it a go if you’re looking for something not TOO intense! Emma, NSW, 3 stars
Between Husbands and Wives tells the story of Jennifer and Jonathon who, with their son, Jasper, move from Sydney to the Daintree in Far North Queensland following a traumatic event. After a slow start with the events preceding the move slowly unfolding from Jennifer’s point of view, we begin to understand the relationship between Jen and Jon, and despite the reader recognising many ‘red flags’ Jen remains oblivious. She is very fragile after the car accident and takes a little time for her to take control of her life in FNQ. Its then we start to piece together her story. The whole situation implodes when Jon insists on throwing a big party for Jen’s 40th birthday. This story covers many topics: coercive control, lies, ego and secrets to name a few, and by the time I had reached halfway I was frustrated with Jen, and did not like Jon. Overall this was a good read with some very good characters, but I must admit I had guessed a lot of the outcomes, though not the final ones, early into the second quarter of the book. I would rate the book three and a half stars. Catherine, QLD, 3 stars
Jennifer and Jonathon, and their young son Jasper, move from Sydney to Far North Queensland for a fresh start, and to escape a tragic past. Jen’s first person POV walks us through her ‘new present’, with many flashbacks and memories thrown, in bringing readers up to speed across many aspects of her life – but in particular, the relationship with her husband Jon. His darker side is obvious to us, but Jen spends a lot of time justifying his actions to herself and questioning her own. Though the love and loyalty for her family are strong, she begins to have doubts, as this fast-paced story progresses. Jen interacts with a variety of characters, which highlight her different strengths and traits. The action and narrative show themes of family, friendship and independence; and heavier issues such as coercive control and domestic violence are evident. Secrets abound, compelling us to keep turning the pages. I was gunning for Jen but often frustrated that she couldn’t see what we as readers could. Belief must be suspended more than once, and though the placement of clues was occasionally obvious, I was genuinely surprised by one of the final twists. Solid debut, for escapist holiday reading! Alida, VIC, 3 stars
This debut novel is a dark and twisty thriller about a stay-at-home mother (Jen) who used to be a professional photographer before the arrival of her young son (Jasper) and who is married to Jon. They sell up and move to FNQ (Far North Queensland) in the aftermath of a traumatising car accident to start afresh after Jon secured a new job as General Manager with Greater Daintree Council. It was a simple, straightforward, non-taxing read with a very neat ending. Pamela, VIC, 3 stars
Jennifer and Jon leave Sydney to start a new life in far north Queensland following a terrible car accident. Jon obtains a new position as GM of the local council and life in the tropics seems to be just what the couple and their young son, Jasper, need. What could possibly go wrong? As it turns out, plenty. The past is not so easy to leave behind. Susannah Glenn conveys a strong sense of place in her portrayal of Port Douglas and the surrounding areas. The couple’s new house is designed in the style of brutalist architecture, these constructions often being associated with the ills of society. Not the most optimistic start to their new life. I wanted to like this book and had high hopes of an enthralling tale but I’m sorry to say that the characters were somewhat cliched and I guessed all the elements of surprise long before they were revealed. This was not the book for me but perhaps it will suit others as a light beach read. Judi, NSW, 2 stars
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