The Starter Wife

The Starter Wife"Laurin knows how to ratchet up the suspense." --Publishers WeeklySo, I’m sort of unsure on this book, if that makes any sense. I loved her last book and I think I really liked this book but then the ending kind of went way over my head and just seemed too much. I also really didn’t like the ending, but it might be your cup of tea.This book follows Claire and her husband Byron. She is living in the shadows of his ex wife, Colleen who seemingly disappeared years ago and her body was never recovered. Claire seems to struggle with living in Colleens old home with all of her belongings everywhere that Byron is not prepared to part with her. Then someone else is narrating, that sort of sounds like a psycho stalker. I started to put two and two together as the book progressed, and let’s just say....that girl is not right in the head. I felt bad for Byron and for any female that Byron looked at.I feel that this girl should of gotten help back in her teens and maybe that would of helped somewhat but those girls didn’t not deserve their fates. I sort of hate her character with a fiery passion and I honestly wish revenge would of been served in the end. For the rage and anger I felt towards this character, I feel like the ending didn’t sizzle! But I would like you to be the judge and give me some ideas on how any one who read this felt, of if I’m alone in this review!!

Eight years ago, 37 year old esteemed artist Colleen May was suspected of drowning in the harbor. Her car was found parked near the waterfront. But, her body has never been found. No evidence of foul play has been discovered. Colleen's death was ruled a suicide. The police did, at one time, consider her husband a person of interest. So much about the case is still shrouded in mystery.Her surviving spouse (Byron Westcott) is a college professor of English literature (without tenure). He could barely make ends meet, if it weren't for his late wife, who was a famous painter.Two years ago, he remarried. Claire Greene is 27. Byron is almost twice her age. They met at an open house at the college. He gave her a private tour of the campus, that day. Now, they live in Colleen's house & live off of her sizable savings. Her paintings are all over the house.Byron hires a firm to do a background check on Claire. The report he receives is shocking. Her real name is Tracy Belfour. The stories she told him about herself, her father & mother are fabrications; pure fiction, all lies. And, she has a sister she's never mentioned. She's a tormented & miserable person who thinks that he's THE key to her happiness. She doesn't really have a solid sense of self.Tracy started pursuing Byron, when she was only 16. She stalked Colleen, spied on her, infiltrated her house & sabotaged her life. In the dramatic conclusion, we find out what really happened to Colleen.

Creepy and twisty. Good characters and a little spice.

From the moment I opened this book, I couldn’t put it down. I found Claire to be an intriguing and interesting character. Much of this book is told from an almost train-of-thought style, which I really enjoyed. I think this helped the reader delve into Claire’s mind and see things from her perspective. This book kept me guessing as I read and kept moving faster and faster until I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Overall, very enjoyable and well-written! I would definitely read this again!

You want to keep reading to find out what is going to happen next!.You can not predict the next twist of turn.Great book

I did not care for this book, it was dull, not exciting , and disshovelled. The actual story was not worth reading until around the twenty seventh or nineth chapters. The character, Claire was sick, be it reason for her overthinking/over analyzing and immature behaviors. I was for most of the time, wondering what this tangent story was about. Sorry I would not recommend this book, but the authors next book about the sister and brother who sets fire to the house sounds more impactful/organized/suspenseful.

This book kept me guessing and confused (in a good way) until the end. The story keptme turning pages way past my bedtime.

Great book.

What an extraordinary tale The Starter Wife is. A really passionate piece of writing from Nina Layton. A young girl's obsession with a Literature Professor is the basis of the story. but as the words unfold, the reader is taken on a roller coaster of a ride, not for the feint hearted. Highly Recommended.

Not great but good enough.

A great read Claire the new wife the perfect wife, married to the older college professor. The first wife the starter wife went missing 8 years ago, body never found, rules as suicide. Husband Byron. Psychological suspense, found both main characters strong but annoying. Wanted Claire ditched early on. Lots to the story. 4* kindle.

This book grabbed me early as I sensed an undercurrent of delicious deception, secrets and lies. Nothing have warning to what unfolds.The characters are vivid and damaged and ever do imperfect. Claire Westcott, married to her older, be!loved husband Byron was a woman I was desperate to know. Her character development is brilliant and she is the star of the novel for sure.This helped me out of a frustrating reading slump with its interesting plot and great pacing. The last forty percent had me riveted until three in The morning! I lapped it up.Expect the unexpected, enjoy the tense undercurrent and back in your voyeurism of the lives of these characters. Do we ever truly know those closest to us?Highly recommended as a twisty take with a dark edge that I found to be so entertaining. I liked the authors writing a lot and bravo for the thri!!ing climax and unforseen end chapters. A solid 4* book to be enjoyed.Never assume a thing.

I really liked this book , good plot and I liked how little clues were dropped along the wayOnly thing stopping me from giving 5 stars is that it was obvious that Clare or Tracey ! Was the person stealing the ring and gaslighting Colleen so not really a twist at the end