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Jacki (Julia Flyte)'s Reviews > The Husband's Secret
The Husband's Secret
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by
Cecilia Fitzpatrick thinks she knows her husband inside out, so she's surprised to accidentally discover in the attic a dusty sealed envelope with "For my wife - to be opened only in the event of my death" written on it in his handwriting. When she casually mentions it to him on the phone, his reaction makes it clear that the last thing he wants is for her to open that envelope - but why?
Leaving us with this intriguing puzzle, the story then jumps to another woman, Tess, whose husband has fallen in love with someone else. Shocked and distraught, Tess makes immediate plans to go and stay with her mother in Sydney, taking her young son with her. Then we move onto a third woman, Rachel, whose much loved daughter died many years previously and whose life now centres on her grandson. Shortly, the three women's lives will intersect and the secret that Cecilia's husband has been guarding for so long will impact on them all.
Despite strong word of mouth, I wasn't expecting a lot from this book, having once tried to read another by this Australian author and giving up on it. But I absolutely devoured The Husband's Secret. From the first chapter I was gripped and I read it in two sittings. I worried about the characters - I even woke up in the middle of the night wondering how the author could possibly resolve the events that she'd set in motion. This isn't epic literature by any means, but it's incredibly readable and totally gripping - the kind of book you want for a long plane flight.
Leaving us with this intriguing puzzle, the story then jumps to another woman, Tess, whose husband has fallen in love with someone else. Shocked and distraught, Tess makes immediate plans to go and stay with her mother in Sydney, taking her young son with her. Then we move onto a third woman, Rachel, whose much loved daughter died many years previously and whose life now centres on her grandson. Shortly, the three women's lives will intersect and the secret that Cecilia's husband has been guarding for so long will impact on them all.
Despite strong word of mouth, I wasn't expecting a lot from this book, having once tried to read another by this Australian author and giving up on it. But I absolutely devoured The Husband's Secret. From the first chapter I was gripped and I read it in two sittings. I worried about the characters - I even woke up in the middle of the night wondering how the author could possibly resolve the events that she'd set in motion. This isn't epic literature by any means, but it's incredibly readable and totally gripping - the kind of book you want for a long plane flight.
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
July 28, 2013
– Shelved
July 28, 2013
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Finished Reading
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Sheryle
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Dec 08, 2013 03:21AM
What is the meaning of the dried flower on the front of the book
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I think it's about something beautiful starting to fall apart.
Ahh..so this is the book that had been in my mind recently but can't figure out the title. Yes, quite a story.haunting yet, realistic. A woman who thinks she has everything. Happy and contented wife until she discovered the letter that her husband was trying to keep from her and to be opened only at the event of his death. Did she open it before his death? Yes., and that is where her troubles began..
Didn't Rachel bring a flower every year to the sight of where her daughters body was found?
Great review. Not epic, but gripping and readable sums this up perfectly. And fascinating, because you can really never know what's going on behind someone else's doors.
Would you recommend this for a guy to read my sister said it a good read Great review by the way
Hi Garrett, it is quite chick litty but I reckon you should give it a go. And read The Rosie Project while you're at it (my husband liked that).
This book was written wonderfully. I loved every chapter.
Just started reading this seems good so far
Hi KiwicmcWell gave it a read and did enjoy it have the Roise project added to me TBR list.
Garrett
Really enjoyed this book.
Did you guess the secret Debs
Some of the story line was expected but well written; one of the few books that has kept this mom with 3 crazy young kids from falling asleep as soon as she opens a book. Love the thought process at the end - what actually was reality and what happened by chance, happenstance and by lies. So interesting!
Presume you meant you read it in two SITTINGS! typo!
This book had me hooked from the start. Although some what predictable, I found it to be a very compelling read. I enjoyed the writing style and the way in which the three main storylines became entangled as the characters' secrets were revealed and the story progressed.However, I have to say that I felt the one storyline did not fit in so well with the other two and I was left disappointed with the way in which this particular story concluded with fidelity being treated so flippantly. I would also say that the epilogue (although clever) felt rushed and was a little confusing.
Overall this was an enjoyable and moving story and I will be looking out for more books from this author.
I started it last night and was completely sucked in. At first a bit confusing when they changed to all the different characters, but then I realized it was starting to intertwine! Can hardly wait for some " me" time tonight to read!
I love listened to this audiobook and I just finished it, lying in bed with the flu. Ordinary lives taken under a microscope reveal their complexities. Nothing runs in a straight trajectory. Yet it is by exposing human fragilities, the pitfalls and wonkiness of our relationships,...a more honest understanding has a chance to emerge.
