Summary

The Silent Wife is a gripping psychological thriller by bestselling author Kerry Fisher. Published in 2020, the novel explores themes of marriage, secrets, and the devastating consequences of keeping them. Set against the backdrop of an affluent Italian family, Fisher weaves a tale of two sisters-in-law whose lives are intertwined by lies and hidden truths. Widely acclaimed for its intricate plot and complex character development, the novel unravels the tangled web of deception that threatens to tear apart the seemingly perfect façade of the protagonists' lives. With its exploration of moral dilemmas and the lengths people will go to protect their loved ones, The Silent Wife has struck a chord with audiences worldwide.

Plot

Lara appears to have the perfect life with her husband, Massimo, and their young son, Sandro. However, she harbors a dark secret about Massimo that she cannot reveal without destroying everything he has worked for, including his job and their reputation. This secret effectively keeps Lara trapped in her marriage, unable to speak out.

Maggie is married to Massimo's brother Nico. She believes she knows all of Nico's deepest secrets until one day she discovers a letter in the attic. This letter reveals a shocking truth about Nico's first wife, Caitlin, that Maggie had been unaware of. Maggie is now faced with a difficult decision. Should she reveal the truth or keep up the lie to protect her loved ones?

As The Silent Wife unfolds, it becomes clear that this family has been held together by a complex web of lies and secrets. The truth threatens to unravel everything, potentially at a devastating cost to all involved. Both Lara and Maggie find themselves in precarious positions, forced to weigh the consequences of their knowledge and actions. As they grapple with their respective dilemmas, the tension builds, leading to a climax where the truth can no longer be contained. 

Themes

• Secrets and lies within marriage

• Consequences of long-term deception

• Family loyalty versus personal integrity

• Power dynamics in relationships

• Burden of keeping secrets

• Impact of past decisions on present lives

• Moral dilemmas and difficult choices

Setting

Released in 2020, The Silent Wife is set in contemporary times. While no specific year is mentioned, the novel portrays modern family dynamics and societal expectations. The story primarily takes place in Italy, though the exact region or city is not specified. The narrative focuses on the domestic lives of two couples, with much of the action likely occurring within their homes and immediate community.

Key locations in the novel include Lara and Massimo's home, which is described as “perfect” on the surface, and Maggie and Nico's residence, where a revealing letter is discovered in the attic. These private spaces serve as backdrops for the unfolding family drama and hidden secrets that drive the plot forward.

Characters

• Lara: The main protagonist and Massimo's wife. She appears to have a perfect life on the surface but is trapped in her marriage by a secret she keeps about her husband. Lara struggles with the weight of this knowledge and its impact on her family. She is torn between protecting her son's future and revealing the truth about Massimo.

• Massimo: Lara's husband and a central character in the story. He has a dark secret that Lara knows about, which threatens to destroy his career, reputation, and family. Massimo has worked hard to build his life and will do anything to maintain the facade of perfection.

• Maggie: Married to Massimo's brother Nico, Maggie is another key character. She believes she knows all of Nico's secrets until she discovers a letter revealing shocking information about his first wife, Caitlin. Maggie must decide whether to reveal this information or keep it hidden to protect her loved ones.

• Nico: Massimo's brother and Maggie's husband. He has a complex past, including a previous marriage to Caitlin. Nico's secrets become a central part of the story when Maggie discovers new information about his history.

• Sandro: Lara and Massimo's young son. His future and well-being are a major concern for Lara as she grapples with the secret she keeps about Massimo.

• Caitlin: Nico's first wife. While not physically present in the story, the revelation about her becomes a pivotal plot point that affects the other characters' decisions and relationships.

Quick facts

• The Silent Wife was published in 2017 by Bookouture, an imprint of Hachette UK, and became an international bestseller, reaching #1 on Amazon charts in several countries.

• Kerry Fisher was inspired to write The Silent Wife after overhearing a conversation about a family secret. 

• The story is told from the alternating perspectives of two sisters-in-law, Lara and Maggie.

• Fisher conducted extensive research on family dynamics and the psychology of secrets for the novel.

• The Silent Wife is Fisher's fourth novel.

• The audiobook version is narrated by English actress and director Emma Spurgin-Hussey.

• The novel received more than 3,000 5-star reviews on Amazon within its first year of publication. 

• The Silent Wife has been translated into nearly a dozen languages, including German, Italian, and Polish.

About the Author

Kerry Fisher is an internationally bestselling author of contemporary fiction. Her novels include The Woman I Was Before, The Silent Wife, and Other People's Marriages. Her writing often explores the secrets and complexities of family life, drawing readers into compelling narratives.

Born in Peterborough, England, Fisher developed an early passion for languages and travel. She studied French and Italian at the University of Bath and spent considerable time living in Spain, Italy, and France. These experiences influenced her writing, providing a rich cultural backdrop for her stories. She worked as a journalist, honing her storytelling skills through real-life reporting, before finding her talent for fiction. 

The mother of young adult children, she lives in Surrey with her spouse. Her approach to writing is encapsulated in her favorite piece of advice: “This is fiction, we can skip the boring bits.” This philosophy, coupled with her life mantra “Good times will come again,” informs her storytelling.