The Husband's Secret

By: Liane Moriarty

Narrated by: Caroline Lee

Length: 13 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

"My darling Cecilia, if you’re reading this, then I’ve died...."

Imagine that your husband wrote you a letter, to be opened after his death. Imagine, too, that the letter contains his deepest, darkest secret - something with the potential to destroy not just the life you built together, but the lives of others as well. Imagine, then, that you stumble across that letter while your husband is still very much alive....

Cecilia Fitzpatrick has achieved it all - she's an incredibly successful businesswoman, a pillar of her small community, and a devoted wife and mother. Her life is as orderly and spotless as her home. But that letter is about to change everything, and not just for her: Rachel and Tess barely know Cecilia - or each other - but they too are about to feel the earth-shattering repercussions of her husband’s secret.

Acclaimed author Liane Moriarty has written a gripping, thought-provoking novel about how well it is really possible to know our spouses - and, ultimately, ourselves.

©2013 Liane Moriarty (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Spellbinding.... A knockout!” (Emily Giffin, New York Times best-selling author)

“The Husband’s Secret is so good, you won’t be able to keep it to yourself.” (USA Today)

“Lip-smacking and sharply intelligent.” (Entertainment Weekly)

Wow! Great story & great characters!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Wow! WOW! W. O. W! So many characters, so intricately woven together...so much I never saw coming! I just finished this book and am going to purchase others by this author! LOVED it!

Great Book!!

If you could sum up The Husband's Secret in three words, what would they be?

At first, it was difficult following the author as she introduced the characters. However, after I got the flow of the story line, it was diffficult to stop. I'm glad the book ended the way it did. It made you think what would you do in those circumstances? I was surprised that she revealed the murderer, and who he was so soon.

If you can get through the first 10 chapters without glazing over, you'll find the book very enjoyable.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I enjoyed Tess and her journey of conflicting emotions of loving and hating all at the same time. Emotions that we all have or will experience, and how we manage those feelings.

The Real Secret..

Liane Moriarty has easily become one of my favourite authors since I read the amazing 'What Alice Forgot.' She seems to weave very complicated and deep characters into stories that make us thing, gasp, empathize, love, and hate.

The Husband's Secret is no different.

Years ago in small town Australia a young teenage girl was murdered by strangulation, and her murderer was never caught. Present day shows her mother Rachel, a secretary at the public school, who is in a depression because her only son is moving her grandchild to New York. She has more time to ponder the death of her daughter, seething with rage at the man in the town of whom she is certain committed the crime.

Tess has just found out her husband and sister-like cousin have fallen in love, so she goes off with her son to get away from her nightmare of a marriage.

Finally, Celia, the consummate volunteer mother who knows the whole town and is the first one to bring a casserole in times of need to any family is about to find out a secret that her husband has kept for years. And, it's quite the shocking secret.

The characters weave together and apart, and we're left with a fascinating story of survival and reality- one that touches our heart.

Caroline Lee is brilliant as per usual with her excellent narration.

Excellent book- 5 stars in all three categories.

What goes around comes around!

My mother warned me that I might get fed up with this book because she felt as if there was a cliff-hanger at the end of every chapter. I agree that would be irritating, but I did not get the same feeling.

I loved this story. To me, it was another great example of a book where you can just enjoy the ride and let the plot slowly unfold, let the various narratives run along, let all the stories eventually knit together into a drama and who cares how it ends because the ride was fun.

I never felt like I was left dangling, I was just intrigued throughout and driven to keep going because I liked the characters and wanted to read more about them.

If Liane Moriaty’s books are all this good, I’d like to read more!

Could not "put it down"

If you could sum up The Husband's Secret in three words, what would they be?

I was drawn into the story and really enjoyed the story line and narration.

What did you like best about this story?

I felt wrapped into the story and eager to find out the secret

Much More than Chick Lit for the Beach

Some readers have described this book as light Australian chick lit perfect for the beach. I read my fair share of chick lit beach reads but I would NOT place Liane Moriarty's The Husband's Secret in that category. This book is much more substantial than that description. Instead, expect to be challenged by this read. The first challenge is to keep straight the many (seemingly) unrelated characters that you will be introduced to in the first few chapters. The next challenge will unfold as the book progresses. The author let's you in to the thoughts and feelings of these characters as each faces and tackles some pretty daunting life obstacles. Your challenge is to refrain (if you can) on passing judgment too soon. Would you feel the same way given the same obstacle? Would you take the same action? This book is definitely a great beach read but don't expect to just sit on the sidelines, sipping a fruity drink. You will be mentally engaged in the story whether you like it or not. Expect this one to be made into a movie!

Excellent Story

This is one of the most well-written books I've read and I have read many! This is such a touching story. The way the story is written is why it is such a page turner, you have to keep reading to find out why the characters feel the way they do. This book definitely touched my heart. The reader did so much to enhance this novel as much as any I've encountered, she was amazing in her inflection. Many thanks for having novels such as this for download.

ANGST! ANGST! ANGST!

For some reason I thought there would be more mystery. I didn't like it, probably because I could not related on any level with ANY of the characters. BUT, I did finish it. The second story line was more interesting to me. I couldn't wait to see how THAT situation was going to be resolved!

Wanted More!

Would you listen to The Husband's Secret again? Why?

With so many other books to listen to I don't think I would listen to this one again.

What did you like best about this story?

Loved how the author co-related characters with their own stories and placed them together in time.

Which character – as performed by Caroline Lee – was your favorite?

Paulie

First Book I've read by Liane Moriarty

This book is just ok to me. There were moments when i thought it would be more exciting that it was but then it was like a twisted web of lies and secrets. A bit Confusing, i cant understand why Tess was so exciting but then got so boring and plane Jane towards the end. Not a must read for me. Just ok.