The Husband's Secret
by Liane Moriarty
Best premise ever! A woman finds a letter written to her by her husband, to be opened in the event of his death. Should she open it, given the fact that he's very much alive? I was absolutely hooked, especially since Liane Moriarty wrote in a delightfully accessible tone in the opening chapter. I always read the first chapter of a book before buying it, to make sure the writing style won't drive me crazy.
I actually read this book all in one sitting; I was a passenger in an 8-hour drive. The first quarter of the drive/read, I absolutely loved The Husband's Secret. I couldn't read it fast enough, couldn't get enough, couldn't wait for the wife to decide whether or not to open her husband's letter. As the book continued, and as more characters were introduced, with their own secrets and past tragedies, I began to turn the pages slower and with far less gusto. I hoped for a redeeming second half of the book, but unfortunately, my gusto became non-existent as the final pages passed before my eyes.
I've only read one other book in my life that had such an incredible premise and ended so far from where I would have preferred. The Husband's Secret left me gaping, calling to characters who couldn't hear me, "You've got to be kidding me!" I understand an author's job is to plan out a story, but Moriarty planned her anti-climactic ending far too precisely. There was so much more that could have been done with the juiciest of beginnings, in my opinion. If you like books that tie up every single loose end and then use mustache scissors to trim the ties, you might enjoy this read. I, unfortunately, found it unrealistic, cheesy, obvious, and disappointing.
I actually read this book all in one sitting; I was a passenger in an 8-hour drive. The first quarter of the drive/read, I absolutely loved The Husband's Secret. I couldn't read it fast enough, couldn't get enough, couldn't wait for the wife to decide whether or not to open her husband's letter. As the book continued, and as more characters were introduced, with their own secrets and past tragedies, I began to turn the pages slower and with far less gusto. I hoped for a redeeming second half of the book, but unfortunately, my gusto became non-existent as the final pages passed before my eyes.
I've only read one other book in my life that had such an incredible premise and ended so far from where I would have preferred. The Husband's Secret left me gaping, calling to characters who couldn't hear me, "You've got to be kidding me!" I understand an author's job is to plan out a story, but Moriarty planned her anti-climactic ending far too precisely. There was so much more that could have been done with the juiciest of beginnings, in my opinion. If you like books that tie up every single loose end and then use mustache scissors to trim the ties, you might enjoy this read. I, unfortunately, found it unrealistic, cheesy, obvious, and disappointing.