Review - 'Pretty Little Wife' by Darby Kane

His gaze held hers as his mouth twisted in hate. "You did something to him."

Ah yes, I always know when I'm in the midst of a domestic thriller: everyone acts extremely guilty even when innocent, every small word and action is blown out of proportion, and accusing each other of murder is the neighborhood hobby.

Welcome to Ithaca, New York, the bucolic college town where Lila and Aaron have been living for the past several years. When Aaron goes missing, the spotlight naturally falls on Lila. Is she guilty, or is she just the Pretty Little Wife that has been wrongly accused? With everyone guarding their own secrets, it's hard to tell where the lies end and the truth begins.

This was an easy and fast read for me. The plot was outrageous and it unfolded with plenty of salacious twists and tidbits, keeping me riveted and turning the pages. I found it well-paced for the most part, with plenty of forward momentum that did not let up until the very end.

But domestic thrillers is a well-trodden area, and it didn't feel like this story brought anything new to the table. It's definitely overwritten in the way that is true to the genre, with lots of eye-rolling moments when emotions and paranoia take over. The scent of guilt deftly surrounds every character. And the police are plenty tenacious, and no amount of evidence or lack thereof will throw them off the scent of spousal wrongdoing.

Still, it was a fun and mindless way to spend a few hours. I wouldn't say this surprised me at any point, but it was a steady stream of entertainment from beginning to end, and fans of domestic thrillers will surely very much enjoy it.

Readaroo Rating: 3 stars