The Ex

A Novel

By: Alafair Burke

Narrated by: Xe Sands

In this breakout standalone novel of suspense in the vein of Gone Girl and The Girl on a Train, a woman agrees to help an old boyfriend who has been framed for murder—but begins to suspect that she is the one being manipulated.

And look for Alafair Burke's latest heart-racing novel of psychological suspense, The Wife, coming in January 2018.

Twenty years ago she ruined his life. Now she has the chance to save it.

Widower Jack Harris has resisted the dating scene ever since the shooting of his wife Molly by a fifteen-year-old boy three years ago. An early morning run along the Hudson River changes that when he spots a woman in last night’s party dress, barefoot, enjoying a champagne picnic alone, reading his favorite novel. Everything about her reminds him of what he used to have with Molly. Eager to help Jack find love again, his best friend posts a message on a popular website after he mentions the encounter. Days later, that same beautiful stranger responds and invites Jack to meet her in person at the waterfront. That's when Jack's world falls apart.

Olivia Randall is one of New York City's best criminal defense lawyers. When she hears that her former fiancé, Jack Harris, has been arrested for a triple homicide—and that one of the victims was connected to his wife's murder—there is no doubt in her mind as to his innocence. The only question is who would go to such great lengths to frame him—and why?

For Olivia, representing Jack is a way to make up for past regrets, to absolve herself of guilt from a tragic decision, a secret she has held for twenty years. But as the evidence against him mounts, she is forced to confront her doubts. The man she knew could not have done this. But what if she never really knew him?

©2016 Alafair Burke (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers

Ex: cellent

I KNEW IT! Okay no I didn't, well, yes I did, kinda. I love this book and the narration was spot on. The author had me scrambling trying to connect the dots and when I thought I knew what was going on or who done it, I would discover I was wrong. This, in my humble opinion, was a true mystery and a MUST READ/LISTEN. I had important work to do and still I couldn't put this book down. Excellent, superb, marvelous well written book.

Excellent, really excellent story

Any additional comments?

I find it difficult to try to review this story without giving away many of the surprises of the story. I found the plot really suspenseful and could feel the ending coming but like the proverbial "train wreck" I couldn't put the brakes on to avoid the ending. Alafair Burke is an excellent writer and a really talented storyteller.

A must listen!

Loved it! Kept me engaged in trying to figure out who done it. The narrator was very easy to listen to and had great differences between the characters.

Irritating narrator

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I haven't finished the book but will buy the print version because I think it is a good story but I can't stand listening to the narrator.

Interesting story

I liked the narration; good voices and read like a sharp attorney. Some stories I listen to are read too slowly. This story however just ended too abruptly. Kind of left me hanging.

excallent

First time author for me. OK, I admit, I bought this book because the author is the daughter of one of my favorite authors, James Lee Burke. I'd checked out her books before and none of them had really interested me but this one had a good plot, a good rating, and good reviews so I jumped in for my first Alafair.

I would call this book written in a hip, New York style and that is the highlight of the book. The murder mystery in interesting, the lead character, Olivia, easy to like, and it was well narrated. Fairly short, it was an easy, fun listen.

This is a good one!

I read a lot of these... psychological, twisty turny who-dunnits. Well written and performed, great character development, dropped hints all along the way ;) I think I’ll read another Alafair Burke now! Hope they are all as good as this one.

Predictable but solid

The story line was easy to see through about halfway in. I enjoyed the narrator's performance, but it isn't a book that left me on the edge of my seat. Great read for a credit or if you need something easy to listen to.

Brilliant

This novel just keeps you guessing all the time. As soon as you think you figured it out, there is a twist. Nicely done, Ms Burke. I really enjoyed it

hold on to your seat, surprise ending is twisted

Would you listen to The Ex again? Why?

maybe, it was a very twisted tale and surprise ending

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Ex?

when the ex goes to prison

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

did not like narrator, had difficulty with her robot like voice, no feeling or emotion in the reading

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

impressed by a father's love or sacrifice for his daughter

Any additional comments?

would definitely like to listen to another Ala Fair Burke novel, but not the narrator of this one