She is the perfect wife.
He is the perfect liar.
Verity and Linden Lockwood vowed to spend the rest of their lives together, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do they part. Five years later they’ve kept their promise to never let their love die, to never slip into becoming one of those couples …
But a year after Linden is brutally and inexplicably murdered in their picture-perfect home, Verity’s world shatters again. They’re not the golden couple she thought they were. Linden betrayed her: he had been having an affair.
Determined to uncover the identity of the other woman, Verity delves into her husband’s life. Everyone is a suspect: her neighbour, her best friend, her assistant … even her cousin. But as she unearths Linden’s shocking secrets, Verity realises she didn’t know her husband at all and the truth might be more dangerous than she realises.
Can Verity expose the other woman before she joins her husband in the morgue?
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Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
What a fantastic read! The change in point of view and character building throughout was very well done and meant I truly was guessing until the very end as to who the other woman was, and the identity of the murderer. A very clever plot with plenty of heart-racing moments. One moment in particular gave me goosebumps. Definitely a book that was tough to put down. Highly recommend. Chrissie, WA, 5 stars
Wow, that left me on the edge of my seat from the very first chapter! I absolutely loved the way it was written from two different perspectives. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Highly recommend. Emma, WA, 5 stars
The Wedding Vow is a masterfully crafted whodunit with a well-paced plot and sense of mystery, that had me hooked. The story centres around Verity and Linden Lockwood, who have been married for five years when Linden is brutally murdered in their home. Verity is devastated and, as time goes on, more than one secret is revealed. The narrative shifts between Verity’s point of view and that of ‘The Other Woman,’ whose identity remains shrouded in mystery until the very end. This alternating perspective kept me questioning and second-guessing the motives and truths behind nearly every female character in the story. The author excels in knowing exactly when to withhold information and when to reveal it, heightening the suspense and drawing readers deeper into the mystery. As someone who often prides themselves on predicting the twists in mysteries, I was genuinely impressed by how The Wedding Vow kept me on my toes. I didn’t even consider the true deception until the chapter before the reveal, only to then question myself again! Knowing the truth, I now want to go back and read it again from this perspective. A must-read for anyone who loves a well-executed mystery. Kylie, VIC, 5 stars
Verity and Linden Lockwood vowed to spend the rest of their lives together, for richer, for poorer, till death do they part. But five years later Verity’s world shatters when Linden is brutally murdered in their picture-perfect home, and shatters again a year later, when Verity discovers her husband was having an affair. Fuelled by a burning need to know the truth, Verity embarks on a quest to uncover the identity of the elusive “other woman,” plunging herself into the unraveling threads of her husband’s life leading up to his untimely death. Everyone is a suspect. The seemingly friendly neighbour, the trusted best friend, the diligent assistant, even a close family member – all find themselves under Verity’s scrutinising gaze as she desperately seeks answers. The narrative unfolds through alternating perspectives of “The Wife” and “The Other Woman,” revealing two starkly different experiences revolving around the central figure of Linden Lockwood. This dual viewpoint enriches the storytelling, allowing readers to navigate through layers of secrets and lies with clarity and ease. As someone who doesn’t regularly delve into this genre, I initially felt hesitant about whether “The Wedding Vow” could captivate my attention. However, just a few chapters in, I found myself utterly absorbed. The author’s skilful construction of suspense kept me on my toes, creating a narrative that is simultaneously engaging and unsettling. Early on, I was convinced I had deduced the identity of the other woman with absolute certainty, only to be blindsided by a jaw-dropping twist at the conclusion that upended everything I thought I knew. Now, equipped with the real truth, I’m eager to go back and re-examine the text, keen to uncover any missed clues nestled within this intricately woven tale. Christine, TAS, 5 stars
I didn’t see the twist coming! Deliciously thrilling and unputdownable, I thoroughly enjoyed this whodunnit Rachel, QLD, 5 stars
This story starts with a bang, and the grenades continue to detonate throughout! Meet Verity -the beleaguered wife- supposedly being supported by her friends and family after the brutal slaying of her husband, Linden. Unfortunately, no-one ever really liked Linden. Everyone appeared well aware he was a player and manipulator, but never bothered to share these truths with Verity, so many secrets and lies are exposed and suspects mount as Verity struggles to grieve and work out who her husband really was. The story slips between ‘the wife’ and ‘the other woman’, with a plethora of women seemingly in Linden’s recent and past orbits. I was on edge the whole time – I would get to the end of a chapter and just keep going, trying to untangle the web of lies and red herrings being cast about. The clever dialogue kept me in the dark until the end about who the ‘other woman’ actually was. I have to say- the twist at the end was extremely satisfying and unexpected. They say revenge is a dessert best served cold – it was swift and freezing. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It has all the best elements- a murder, sex, mystery. Recommended. Kathy, VIC, 5 stars
The Wedding Vow The Wife and the Other Woman….every chapter alternates between the two main characters. Verity is successful, beautiful, and devoted to her husband. Linden is a struggling author of a one hit wonder, always wanting everyone to love him, not just his wife. This is a story is about control, manipulation, and the sanctity of marriage. It touches on the age-old adage “a leopard doesn’t ever change its spots” and the lies that are hidden beneath. Verity’s best friend and neighbour, Mimi and her cousin, Addison don’t quite seem to trust each other. Addison has been Verity’s rock since the shocking murder of her husband, but Mimi has deserted her……. why? Verity takes the plunge to sort through Linden’s possessions, but this only uncovers more questions. Who killed Linden? Did she really know her husband after all? This journey of discovery leads you on several paths that twist and turn right until the very end. Every time I thought I could grasp what happened another path opened up. I thoroughly enjoyed this book especially the style of writing and the alternating chapters of the Wife and the Other Woman. Can you solve the mystery? Gillian, QLD, 5 stars
An intelligent, engaging murder/ mystery book with surprising twists, which was why I was so captivated with, that I didn’t want to put it down. The characters all had connections with each other which made it more intriguing especially trying to figure out who was the murderer. Dandy Smith definitely knows how to keep readers enthralled from beginning to the end. Karen, QLD, 5 stars
Oh wow. So many twists and turns. This book captures you from the first page and keeps you enthralled until the very end. Janice, WA, 5 stars
Verity and Linden were a perfect couple, also it would seem. Verity comes home to find Linden brutally murdered in their picture perfect home, and this starts a quest by verity to find the murderer. The story is told in two perspectives, the wife and the other woman.I found that an interesting way to convey the story and enjoyed reading that way. This book has you suspecting everyone just when you think you’ve worked it out it takes a twist and a turn, you are back where it started. During her quest she finds out her husband is not the man she thought he was and you start suspecting every female character in the book. The big twist at the end was unexpected although I had to reread a couple of pages to let it sink in. Good read, well written. Leonie, SA, 5 stars
No surprise that The Wedding Vow is a murder mystery however, what is surprising is that it’s like one I’ve never read before. The story is told from two perspectives – that of “The Wife” and that of “The Other Woman”. Verity Lockwood’s world is rocked by the murder of her husband, Linden. A year later and his murder still unsolved, Verity starts cleaning out Linden’s possessions. What she stumbles across is something that will change not only her life, but question the relationships she has with those around her. Could one of them be responsible for his murder? This is a fast paced, edge of your seat, not to be missed murder mystery. Be prepared for the unthinkable and then think again, and again. To Dandy Smith (an author I’ve never heard of before) you are a legend. What a roller coaster journey you took me on. To all the readers who love a whodunnit that shocks until the last few pages, go and pick this book up the minute it hits the shelves! Diane, SA, 5 stars
A wonderfully gripping story which enthralled me from the start. Verity’s husband Linden is found brutally murdered, and in the aftermath Verity discovers evidence that he has been cheating for quite some time. Who is the mystery other woman? Did she murder Linden? Verity decides to try and discover more about her husband’s secret life. When she receives threatening messages it appears that her life might be in danger too. Told in alternating chapters from The Wife and The Other Woman, this book draws you in and makes you question all the evidence. The ending is satisfying and the whole story is beautifully constructed. Highly recommend! Denise, QLD, 5 stars
This is a domestic thriller that kept me guessing right up to the final reveal. I was hooked from the first sentence. It’s not a spoiler to know that Verity Rose returns from a weekend yoga retreat to find her husband brutally murdered, and then after some time discovers that he was having an affair. What she thought was the perfect marriage was a sham. Once the affair is discovered, you become suspicious of each female friend and associate, as does Verity, trying to fit each into a profile and intrigued to discover who his mistress was and who murdered him. As the reader we become privy to the other woman’s life, and become invested in testing out theories as to who this mistress might be. Short, eventful chapters alternating between the wife and the mistress, makes this a definite page turner with each chapter ending in a cliff hanger. As the pieces fall into place and what has been misinterpreted explained away, the lies and deception are revealed. I was blindsided by the twists. This is the kind of book that needs to be read a second time just to unravel how the mystery all played out. Belinda, NSW, 5 stars
The Wedding Vow, took me on an emotional roller coaster.The novel follows Verity, a successful business woman whose life is shattered after the murder of her husband Linden.As the story unfolds,Verity discovers shocking secrets about her late husband, which sets her out to uncover the truth.This obsession pulls her deeper into a web of deception, betrayal and mistrust. What makes ‘The Wedding Vow ‘ stand out is its compelling narrative, unexpected twists and ability to maintain tension and suspense throughout. The pacing is fast. This book delves into the themes of trust, grief, complexities of relationships and unravels the dark secrets of a seemingly perfect life. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and is a must read for fans of suspenseful and twist filled stories. Jessy, NSW, 5 stars
This book is incredible it has plot twist after plot twist, it makes your head spin. What happens if everything you believe to be true about your life comes crashing down after discovering an unspeakable act of violence is discovered? Truths unravel. No one can be trusted and people Verity loves keep getting hurt. The more she digs for answers the more danger her friends, family and herself become at risk of. A very unpredictable and fast paced tale of deception, lies and finding yourself when everything you believe in is shattered. Loved it and am looking forward to her next book. Janet, NSW, 5 stars
They are the perfect couple, or so everyone believes. The secrets in their marriage start coming unraveled when a death occurs. Who was having an affair and who is the main culprit? A psychological thriller filled with intense and suspense – had me suspecting everyone! This was a book that I didn’t want to put down – a real page turner. So many twists including the shocking twist the end that you won’t see coming! Rachael, NSW, 5 stars
Wow doesn’t even begin to describe or express what an amazing read The Wedding Vow by Dandy Smith is. This is an addictive psychological thriller that kept me hanging right to the very end. Verity and Linden Lockwood are the perfect couple as far as everyone are concerned. Verity is the perfect wife and Linden as it turns out is the perfect liar indeed. 12 months after Linden was murdered Verity finds her world coming apart all over again. She discovers that he cheated on her – not just cheated but had an affair. Verity suspects everyone in her life could be the “other woman” and as she unearths more secrets it dawns on her – she never really knew her husband and the truth is beyond dangerous. The ending is definitely something you won’t expect. Catherine, NSW, 5 stars
This book has me hooked from the first pages. A parallel story line told by two women that gets further and further complicated. The characters were totally believable, so much so that I struggled to align my sympathies. It kept me guessing until the very last pages. Extremely engaging & well written. Loved it! Lina, VIC, 5 stars
WOW this is a well written domestic thriller / murder mystery with some twists that I did not see coming at all. The cover looks ever so innocent, its totally dark and multilayered reading. The story begins with the recent and quite violent murder of Linden, husband of a high profile business woman Verity. Law enforcement officers never work out the truth. To be honest, he’s one of those guys people are happy that he’s dead, but you won’t know until you read how he abused his power and took away from other women. However Verity starts to come out of grieving for him, and among her associates and relatives finds out scandalous secrets her husband was keeping, he was truly awful behind her back. This novel is a domestic thriller genre which will be devoured by so many young and old readers, especially because Dandy is a better writer than others that have movie deals. If you like reading stories written by Freida McFadden, Sally Hepworth, Colleen Hoover, Lisa Jewell, Alice Feeney or enjoyed novels like Gone Girl and Girl on The Train, Dandy Smith is more than deserving of your book reading time. I’m already looking for Dandy’s over novel published in 2025 called The Wrong Daughter and really looking forward to seeing this book hit the shelves. Preeya, QLD, 5 stars
The Wedding Vow had me invested from the very 1st chapter which sets the scene of how this novel becomes a who done it type thriller. It is an absolutely riveting read which I found very hard to put down and I enjoyed how the chapters shifted from the different perspectives of The Wife and The Other Woman. This book gave me lots to think about, muse over and kept me guessing until the end. It delves into the complexities of relationships and how some bad choices can have devastating effects down the track. This is quite the psychological thriller which takes you on a heart thumping journey revealing that sometimes things aren’t always as they seem. The Wedding Vow is one of those rare gems that could easily be read all over again. Coral, VIC, 5 stars
A good read – murder, intrigue, friendships, lies, sex – and an unexpected twist. We get to see inside the murderer’s head, though it takes a while to realise who and why. A great cast of characters from perfect liar to perfect wife, neighbour with a secret to cousin with even more secrets. A sit down and read til the end! Victoria, NSW, 5 stars
Penned by UK based author Dandy Smith, The Wedding Vow is characterised by a gripping, high-energy, character-focused psychological focused storyline. With themes of life promises, devotion, pledges, love, death, betrayal, adultery, identity and secrets, this is a consumable novel. Smith exposes her audience to a golden couple and she unravels this twosome’s perfect marriage portrait, revealing a complex tale of deceit, infidelity, arrogance and mistreatment. Ripping apart ideas of the ideal marriage, the perfect partner, beauty and status, The Wedding Vow is a surprising psychological thriller. I was invested in this one from the onset and I’m glad I turned to this pulp fiction thriller during a heavy work week. With plenty of suspects in a whodunnit style murder, the riddle that must be solved is revealing and sordid. Shifting perspectives and emotional viewpoints form layers to this novel, with clues that are sometimes easy to decipher, with other times they are slightly cryptic. I did enjoy this one, especially wading through the list of suspects and working out whether to trust or discard the varying conflicting perspectives that were presented to me. I’ll definitely read another Dandy Smith novel and I recommend The Wedding Vow to popcorn thriller enthusiasts. Amanda, WA, 4 stars
A tangled web of deceit, infidelity and revenge all play out after the murder of the philanderer. His unscrupulous and devious treatment of women punctuated his arrogance. Karma was not his ally. Linden and Verity on the surface could be described as a golden couple with their lifestyle, money and looks. Verity’s life was shattered when he was found dead in their apartment. Discovering he had a mistress added to the pain and she became determined to find out who she was. A list of suspects formed and the investigation begins. The murky waters of the flippant starts to clear as the truth becomes apparent. The wife and the mistresses both shared their point of view to paint the picture and capture the emotion. The past, present and future no matter how fractured all featured and the sordid relay of events revealed the truth. The reader has to be astute to engage and follow the plot and they might just guess the outcome. I had an inkling as I delved into the plot. Phil, VIC, 4 stars
Just finished reading this intriguing book , It was well written and I enjoyed the story, would definitely recommend Kathleen, NSW, 4 stars
Well, I don’t know where to start! It’s a book that I struggled with, as I found it just went on & on and I was close to having a DNF on my hands, but I did finish and I did not see that ending coming at all. The chapters went between The Wife & The Other Woman, but once you get to the end of the book, you find out that what you thought was two people, was actually the same person. And the murder of Linden Lockwood, your not sure who you want to believe or think is the murderer & then when you think you’ve found out who it is, it turns out it wasn’t them after all but someone else. It was definitely an intriguing read, and I’m not sure if I saw other Dandy Smith books in the bookshop or library if I’d pick them up to read. Amanda, NSW, 4 stars
A really engaging, strong and empowering read. Verity tries to find the answers after her husband was murdered. Shock, love. lies and loss keeps you captured in this engaging story line. Secrets come to the forefront and hard to put down Julie, NSW, 4 stars
I enjoyed the dual POV chapters (“the wife” and “the other woman”) and the slow unveiling of the mystery; who is the other woman? This was done so brilliantly as there was plenty of options thrown into the mix that you had to keep reading to solve it. Very intriguing! Nadine Amber, NSW, 4 stars
This book started out really well for me but somewhere around the middle I was getting mixed up with all the women suspected of being ‘the other woman’. It was interesting being written from the perspectives of ‘the wife’ and ‘the other woman’. I felt this approach kept up the pace of the story and really kept us guessing. Now Linden (the husband). I didn’t like him from the start. We know he’s good looking, charismatic and the women like him but he’s really an awful man! Isn’t he? This book was overall a really good read. It’s hard to write a summary without giving away a ‘spoiler’, but it’s well written and I enjoyed all the twists and turns in the plot. Enjoyed the conclusion too! Chris, VIC, 4 stars
Verity and Linden Lockwood appear to have a wonderful marriage until Verity’s life is shattered when Linden is viciously and inexplicably murdered. Was it a robbery gone wrong? No suspects are found. A year later Verity’s life is in turmoil once more when she finds out Linden had been betraying their marriage by having an affair. She realises she didn’t know her husband at all. Is her life in danger as well? It seems so. It’s a race to find out the truth. So many twists and turns in this book keep the reader wanting to find out more. Everyone is a suspect and the more Verity looks into this, the more she uncovers and the less she knows about Linden. She has to know the truth but who can she trust? An exciting read with more than a few surprises. Helen, QLD, 4 stars
Just finished The Wedding Vow a really good book it keeps you thinking who murdered Linden so many different women if could have been. But what a finish, really enjoyed this book Julie, TAS, 4 stars
The story line is intriguing although I found it a bit off putting when it flitted from the wife to the other woman throughout the book. The husband Linden seems to be the perfect husband but as the story progressed he became someone untrustworthy and unlikeable. After he was murdered his wife Verity discovered he was having numerous affairs. Her friends, cousin, accountant and work colleagues all became under suspicion of his murder as one way or another she discovered they all had a history being involved with her husband. As well as trying to work out the identity of the other woman I found myself second guessing who the murderer could be so was taken by surprise to the twist at the end. I found myself intrigued to discover who the killer might be so read to quite late in the night on a couple of occasions to complete the book. Would recommend The Wedding Vow if you enjoy a book of intrigue, well written with a surprise ending Marise, VIC, 4 stars
A great murder mystery full of twists and turns. 4 out of 5 stars! Jacinda, NSW, 4 stars
The Wedding Vow by Dandy Smith is a thrilling, suspenseful read that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The mystery surrounding the identity of the “other woman” is cleverly crafted, with Smith skilfully dropping new bits of information that make you constantly rethink your assumptions. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, the plot takes a sharp turn, sending you in a completely different direction. The pacing is perfect, building tension with each chapter, and the suspense is relentless. Smith does an exceptional job of weaving intrigue and emotional depth into the narrative, keeping readers captivated. If you love unpredictable twists and a story that leaves you guessing, The Wedding Vow is a must-read! Suzanne, NSW, 4 stars
A very interesting and surprising psychological thriller . The twists and turns do surprise. You think you have the answers, then WHAM! everything changes. These novels always remind me of the quote “Oh what a tangled web we weave when we first practice to deceive.” Tricky part here is who is doing the deceiving? It is difficult to say much for fear of giving anything away. My advice, step on board and start reading, it hard to read fast enough as you try to get to the finale. The poster book couple Verity and Linden get things off to a standard beginning. The beautiful, wealthy, successful couple, living the lives we are all supposed to envy and aspire to. What follows is a complex ( bravo to the author and editors) series of twists, turns, lies, deceits and the perpetual question of who is telling the truth? Caroline, NSW, 4 stars
Really enjoyed this book, the story really spoke to me, I loved it and have recommended it to all my friends. Jessica, NSW, 4 stars
I enjoyed the two points of view that alternated through the book. Ultimately, the book wasn’t one that gripped me but it interested me enough to finish it. Karlie, SA, 3 stars
The Wedding Vow is a thriller with many twists and turns which occasionally seem to ramble and be difficult to follow. I still enjoyed this book with the main character Verity trying to unravel the mystery of the murder of her “perfect “ husband. There are many unexpected twists I did not see coming. The ending I certainly did not see coming. A book I would recommend. Helen, TAS, 3 stars
The Wedding Vow was a quick read that kept me guessing throughout until about half way when the pieces fit. Short detailed chapters jumping from “Wife” to “The Other Woman” kept the book flowing. An overuse of similies, almost 1 per page, did add detail and build anticipation. Sharnee, QLD, 3 stars
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