The Wrong Family by Tarryn Fisher

Hello everyone.  Hope you and your family are staying safe.

The internet can be a great thing. When we are watching tv and hubby thinks he recognizes somebody from a 1970's sitcom that actually looks nothing like the person he now insists is the same actor, I can look up cast members. It's quick, easy, nips in the bud any possibility of a ridiculous argument creeping up over some actor who means nothing to either of us, except, of course, who is correct. (obviously it's me). What I've really grown to hate is how on social media people post the best parts of their lives. It's generally not any condition they are suffering with, or their tedious work schedule, or the puppy that refuses to potty outside.  Nope, it's always close up pictures of wine glasses, toes over some pool or beach, or sunset over some Bahamian island with the title "23 days until our next trip!" Don't get me wrong, I love seeing what friends are up to but I find it impossible to measure up.  Don't they vacuum, do dishes, bake chickens?  My point it that the grass is always greener, but if you look really closely everyone has issues, whether they advertise them or not.

I recently read The Wrong Family by Tarryn Fisher.  This is the story of a woman, Juno, who isn't well.  She has moved in with a couple and their son. Nigel and Winnie have a beautiful home, great son and plenty of money. What could be wrong?  This is one of those stories with some very careful writing, that will have you assuming things repeatedly that aren't true. Realizing that you, the reader, have gotten things wrong adds to the twist and turns of the story.  The book itself is interesting and quick to read.  During these trying times perhaps a word of warning here, this book is fairly dark in tone and feeling.  It is, after all, a thriller and not a walk through the park with Mary Poppins, but be aware it will not lighten your mood.

Okay, I won't keep you any longer. I'm sure you have photos to take of your toes...at least order a few books while you're at it.

The Wives by Tarryn Fisher

Hello everyone.

I hope you are having a great week. Have you seen the pictures of Australia? The news about the fire is absolutely terrifying, I can't imagine watching the place you love burn. Heartbreaking. Over here in the States things are...odd.  I've never seen things happen nationally and internationally concerning the USA as they have lately. Makes you ask what the heck is going on?  Never putting any politics on this blog, just reminding everyone (yes, again) that the people living in a country and that country's government are two very different things. It is sad that humans have been on this planet for such a long time and still can't figure out that love is nicer than hate. We each only have so much time why not spend it on having fun, with love and blissful happiness? Wow, that got kind of deep. Way too much for a book/lazy housewife blog.

To lighten things up and to mention things that don't matter to anyone, I will report that our roofer finally reappeared to collect the last of his belongings and trailer full of our old roof. Took him three months but he was great at his job and local tradesmen are hard to find. Ummm, housewife wise all appliances are working well (knock on wood) and I still hate to clean. One thing that definitely needs attention around here is my stack of to be read books (tbr). I have received quite a few advanced copies from publishers lately and HAD to take advantage of holiday book sales. I keep telling myself that not buying books during a sale is like losing money.  Hubby would disagree. He better get ready because there are a lot of great books set to be released this year. I was up all last night reading one of the last novels of 2019.

I just read The Wives by Tarryn Fisher. While the book jacket says Ms. Fisher is the author of nine books, this is the first I've read. This is one of those books where you casually flip to the first page just wondering if you'll like the writing style and before you know it you're asking your husband either fix dinner himself or order takeout. I honestly don't know what happened, I opened The Wives and suddenly I was twenty-seven pages from the end. Now that is engrossing writing! As the story begins the reader learns about a triangle of women and one man, taking part in a pluralistic marriage. Each of the women is known as the day of the week she enjoys the company of her husband, we follow Thursday. She is a nurse, an independent woman, yet devoted to her part-time husband, Seth. She tries to make things perfect, setting a beautiful table, keeping a well stocked refrigerator able to make his favorite foods from scratch on a moments notice. Things appear idyllic...well...for the one day she gets her spouse.

While getting his clothing ready to launder, after one of his visits, Thursday finds a slip of paper in his pocket. She has agreed to know nothing about the other wives, so Thursday is quite surprised when she sees a name on that bit of paper. The internet beckons, a quick search can't hurt...right? Pretty soon, Thursday is trying to unmask her husband's other wives. She becomes entangled in their lives, how she compares, wondering what Seth sees in herself. As Thursday struggles with her own place in this three-way relationship, she discovers things may not be as her beloved husband said, in fact, things maybe very wrong.

This novel is quick read, dark and twisty, letting you think you've figured it out only to be proven wrong. This is a well put together psychological thriller from first page to last. Be warned, before you open The Wives, set aside enough time to finish it.