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My Lovely Wife  By  cover art

My Lovely Wife

By: Samantha Downing
Narrated by: David Pittu
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Publisher's summary

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of My Lovely Wife, by Samantha Downing

Introducing the next generation of domestic thriller....

Every marriage has secrets. Everyone has flaws. Your wife isn't perfect - you know that - but then again nor are you.

But now a serial killer is on the loose in your small town, preying on young women. Fear is driving your well-behaved young daughter off the rails, and you find yourself in bed late at night, looking at the woman who lies asleep beside you.

Because you thought you knew the worst about her. The truth is you know nothing at all.

©2019 Samantha Downing (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"The twist at the end of the first chapter made me read through the night. Clever. Manipulative. Dark. Disturbing. What more can you ask for?" (Jane Corry, best-selling author of My Husband's Wife)

"An assured and deliciously engrossing debut. You'll surely devour My Lovely Wife, but it will linger long after you've reached the last page." (Sarah Pinborough, Sunday Times best-selling author of Behind Her Eyes)

"You'll never look at your neighbors the same. I couldn't pull myself away from this story... Make sure you clear your schedule before you pick it up. Absolutely unputdownable." (Liv Constantine, best-selling author of The Last Mrs. Parrish)

What listeners say about My Lovely Wife

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Disturbingly Excellent

I beacame a nervous wreck 20 min into this book. Take into consideration that I write thrillers too. What got to me was how realisticly "ordinary" the narrative is. The thoughts and actions of the characters draws the reader/listener into a world of surrealistic normalcy. A kaleidoscope of viewpoints! Excellent narration!!

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Omg what a thriller! Unbelievably twisted!

This book is highly disturbing and a very good read. I was extremely uncomfortable with the subject matter as it didn’t sit well with my spirit but yet was too good to put down, I had to see what happened. Milicent is unlike any other character I’ve ever read, hard to believe this is a debut novel. Has a bit inevitably of a Gone Girl feel and would make a brilliant and riveting cross over to film. Can’t say anymore in my review without giving away spoilers. A fab summer read if you have the stomach for it.

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  • Carol
  • 04-01-19

Great narration - ridiculous story

I didn't realise that I was still listening to this drivel because the narrator's voice is so great and his reading style so professional. Shame he was narrating such nonsense.

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12 people found this helpful

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  • Sidney
  • 05-28-19

The sickest book I’ve ever listened to.

It went from bad to worse. I have listened to hundreds of psychological thrillers and this one is by far the most twisted. A couple that gets their pleasure from finding and killing women...a new low. I don’t know why I kept listening. I guess it’s like watching a car wreck. Please don’t bother buying this; it’s twisted and sadistic.

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8 people found this helpful

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  • Heidi
  • 04-10-19

Ridiculous....

I had to listen to the whole book just to see if at any point it would become plausible. In my library of over 80 audiobooks, this is without a doubt the worst. Totally stupid plot, awful narration, so unbelievably that I laughed out loud at times!!!

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8 people found this helpful

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  • Sharplady
  • 04-22-19

Gripping

It's a love story, it's a murder-mystery, it's beautifully written and utterly (horribly!) believable. I loved it!

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  • Julie R.
  • 05-15-19

Awful - what a dislikeable couple

Plot line full of holes and main character unbelievably dense! The American setting was also annoying.

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  • Hawt
  • 04-04-22

fine but not a gritty thriler

I read one review that made this sound very intense so I was curious. However I think it's very hands off with its subject matter and becomes more of a kind of domestic saga with some Twists in for thriller's sake. This was ok, but also I found it to be quite disengaging and I did not get to care for, nor hate, any of the character's who felt somehow 2d. I give it 3stars which for me means OK overall kept me listening but felt a bit drawn out and not really dark or gritty at all, in fact so much of it was kind of left to the imagination I wondered if it was because the logistics of what was suggested would be too hard for the author to work out so we are left to do the work? Maybe I am desensitised due to being a horror and thriller fiction fan for so many years, but if you're a fan of Karen, le Carre or even King, it's tame.

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 11-26-19

better than expected!

Didnt see the twist coming! I wasn't keen with the narrator voicing all the characters

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  • Anonymous User
  • 11-21-19

Disappointing.

Full of dislikeable characters. I didn't care about any of them therefore didn't invest in their story or their plight.
The last 2 hours picked up momentum. The 'twist' was predictable.

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  • V_Nerdbooks
  • 04-15-19

Grab it Grab it Grab it!

If you haven't got your hands on this one yet, it should be bumped up your TBR list ASAP!

A great dose of thriller, with a sprinkle of chiller, topped off with a blood red cherry on the top!

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  • Louise
  • 05-23-23

Wow!

I don’t often leave comments - but this was the best audiobook I’ve listened to in a long time. Cracking storyline and great narration: perfect combination!

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  • Bonnie B
  • 06-11-19

Took My Breath Away - A MUST READ

I almost didn't read this one because of a few bad reviews, and all I can say is that I am desperately glad I didn't listen to them. How this book deserves low reviews is beyond me.

My Lovely Wife is an eerily clever psychological experience. I constantly stopped to appreciate the protagonist's mind and that of his wife. Two incredibly believable (even considering circumstances) characters that endear but also terrify. Somehow I even found myself empathising, and relating with them.

Samantha Downing is a talented author. A clever author. Not one stone was left unturned, not one question unanswered. I have found it difficult to come by a novel in this genre, that does not have an ending that is either saccharine or underwhelming, however somehow this novel did neither. It ends with a warm, almost nostalgic note. Looking at the storyline, I would expect to feel sad, or even frustrated, yet I do not.
I also want to take note of the very last line, which for me, was the PERFECT ending. The essence of this whole novel was tied up in that one line...just when you think you know...you don't.
I cannot express how well the characters were defined. Their actions made sense, their idiosyncrasies were believable and almost understandable. It was a pleasure to read about the characters alone.

The narration, I think, is what has lured in the bad reviews. I personally found it excellent in terms of the protagonist, and his voice. It seems to be very well-reflective of the protagonist himself and I really enjoyed his voice for that role.
I do have to agree that the female voices are...well, bad. Particularly for such a strong female character (among others), it seemed a bit of an insult. However this did nothing to ruin the experience, and I only mention it now as I look back and try to find any criticisms worth noting.

I also want to say that I did not stop listening to this audio book after my normal times (commutes and such) ended. I actually finished the last third on a Friday evening with a glass of wine - that's how involved I was! I genuinely could not stop listening to the story.

For anyone who enjoys this genre, I beg you to read this one. It is the perfect balance between the 'easy-to-read' thrillers and the more long-form pieces of work. It will not bore you, and it will not leave you with questions.
Highly, highly recommend. I have bought the hardcover to keep and am hoping for more from this author.

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  • Mindy May
  • 05-12-19

This book is terrible.

I hate this book so much that it actually puts me in a bad mood. Waiting for something to happen and nothing ever does. it's predictable and boring.

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  • Jolene
  • 04-30-19

Couldn’t stand it

The narrator was unbearable especially with female voices. I listened hoping it would get better but it was really bad so I returned it. It showed 4.6 stars but after purchasing it, I only came across bad reviews.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 09-19-19

Eye Roll

I finished this because I did want to know the twist, I found it a hard slogg the narration did my head in. I just couldn't stand the sons and the woman's voices they were just awful. The twist meh!!!

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  • Elizabeth
  • 08-30-19

Unbelievable

This book was a disappointment - totally ridiculous plot - weak unrealistic characters. I forced myself to listen to the end of the book in the hope it would have a better ending but alas, it failed!

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  • wallis rose
  • 08-21-19

good read

The storyline was captivating but at times creepy. The narriation wasnt to best particularly millicent character which for me was a bit too silky. overall a good book and difficult to put down.

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  • elizabeth b.
  • 03-28-19

My scary wife

I loved this book. Beautifully read by David potty. The story is terrific. Wicked and scary at times. I really enjoyed it.

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  • Kindle Customer
  • 08-13-22

Great listen. 🙂😆

Great to listen too.
The ending was pickable but overall I liked it. Some of the voices were a little cringeworthy, but other then that..two psycho's under the one roof.. insane..👌😬

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  • Anonymous User
  • 05-05-22

Pretty much Gone Girl

Liked this book, was engaging enough. Narrator did a good job but I found the twist was a bit anti climatic as was the conclusion.

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  • Brooke Lazar
  • 04-19-22

Amazing 🙌

My very first audiobook and I finished this in two days and ordered the paperback straight away! It was absolutely amazing! Twist after twist, fast paced and one of the best psychological thrillers I've read. Dark, disturbing, and so very clever, with a fantastic cast of characters. Told from the husband’s point of view, this novel was suspensful and impossible to stop listening to.
Highly recommend if you haven't read this one 👌

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