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The Original Wife  By  cover art

The Original Wife

By: Deborah Wynne
Narrated by: Carol Beth Anderson
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Publisher's summary

Winner: 2021 Firebird Book Award for Contemporary Novel

Winner: 2021 Firebird Book Award for Crime Fiction

Winner: 2021 Firebird Book Award for Romantic Suspense

Winner: 2021 Firebird Book Award for Women's Issues

A thriller. A love story. A cruel twist of fate. Sometimes six-feet-under isn't enough to bury someone.

Lanie Spenser endured a childhood of merry-go-round foster homes before suffering an abusive marriage to Dr. Stanley Greystone. After 20 years of suppression by her husband, she musters the courage to divorce and begin a new life. College, trauma counseling, and an exciting career strengthen Lanie into a confident and capable woman. Feeling empowered and restored, she begins a new relationship. Brock Burnham is everything that Stanley was not—kind, tender, and loving. Brock's quest for adventure, sense of humor, and generous affection allow Lanie to feel hopeful about happy-ever-after's for the first time in her life.

On the very day she meets Brock, she attends Stanley's funeral. Her ex-husband's death injects a bevy of baby mamas and discarded children into Lanie's world. As the original wife, she inherits the bulk of his estate as well as a string of clues to piece together the labyrinth of Stanley's lurid activities. His death exposes a tangled web of indiscretions, damaged women, and unspeakable acts of cruelty.

With every new grain of discovery, Stanley's evil continues to reach from beyond the grave. Lanie's life unravels as her past collides with her present and she uncovers the darkest of Stanley's transgressions. Stanley's pre-meditated attempts to implicate Lanie in his crimes takes one ugly turn after another and there seems to be no end to the depths of Stanley's malevolence. Each twist of his manipulation plunges a blade deeper into her soul, not only threatening her cherished relationship with Brock, but also her mental stability.

After Lanie is compelled to recall every moment of her traumatized marriage, she retreats to a reclusive existence. Desperately holding on to happy memories of being with Brock, she prays reflection and self-forgiveness will keep her from tumbling down a dark and bottomless rabbit hole of despair. She eventually emerges from her self-imposed solitude to reclaim what has been there all along—the sunshine she needs. Loving herself. Loving life. Loving Brock. She hopes it's not too late.

©2021 Deborah Wynne (P)2022 Deborah Wynne

What listeners say about The Original Wife

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Fantastic!

An outstanding story! I was sucked in from the beginning and couldn't stop listening! A gripping psychological thriller, a romance and a portrayal of the strength of the human spirit. This is a story I will listen to again! Amazing author and great narrator!

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Strength From Adversity

This was my first experience with Deborah Wynne's work, and it was powerful. The story was about a woman who was abused by her husband. Lanie found the courage to leave him and to work through the emotional trauma brought about by the abuse. The story was riveting. It engendered many emotions as abuse and cruelty to others were hard issues to listen to and to think about. There was triumph also as Lanie worked through her issues. Carol Beth Anderson's narration was good, and her performance was easy to follow. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.

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Intense crime story with a little love to boot

The criminal discovery is intense and dark and made me horrified at the depth if it. A bit too much sex in the beginning- somewhat unrealistic but- a good love story verifying that true love can withstand hard times narration was well done- i liked how the narrator used differing voices for the characters.

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Couldn’t stop listening!!

Excellent storyline. Kept me intrigued through out the book. A book of strength resilience and learning to let go of those demons that hunt you. Bravo.

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Really good emotional story

Such amazing strong story! Even though long, holds interest from beginning to end. Emotional read all through.

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