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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
This was really predictable and really unbelievable, but hey, once I started this book I physically couldn’t stop. So if you like thrillers, you get what you pay for here.
I will say, however, this should come with a trigger warning for child abuse. Some parts were very difficult to get through, to say the least.
I will say, however, this should come with a trigger warning for child abuse. Some parts were very difficult to get through, to say the least.
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
I really need to learn to walk away from books that don't bring me pleasure.
medium-paced
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I figured out one of the twists pretty early on, and that led me to start to be suspicious about who was behind the murder. By the last few chapters, the only thing I was somewhat surprised by was the connection between the murder victim and someone from the past (trying to be vague to avoid spoilers).
Also, mixed feelings on Imogen. On the one hand, holy crap the girl does some terrible things. On the other, holy crap the girl has experienced some terrible things and she's still really young.
Also, mixed feelings on Imogen. On the one hand, holy crap the girl does some terrible things. On the other, holy crap the girl has experienced some terrible things and she's still really young.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Mary Kubica is always a thrill to read. I thought I had this one figured out, but it was full of surprises. Bonus points for short chapters and multiple povs.
3.75 ⭐
Brief Summary (No Spoilers)
The Other Mrs. is a psychological thriller that centers around Sadie and Will Foust, who move from Chicago to a small coastal town in Maine after inheriting a home from Will’s sister. Along with the move comes the responsibility of caring for their teenage niece, Imogen. Shortly after their arrival, a neighbor is found dead, and suspicions begin to mount.
As the investigation unfolds, Sadie is plagued by paranoia, mysterious happenings, and unsettling revelations—causing her to question everything around her, including her own grip on reality. The story spirals through twists and turns that force you to re-evaluate what you’ve read.
Main Characters
Sadie Foust – A doctor and mother of two, trying to adjust to life in a new town. She’s the primary POV character, and her descent into doubt and paranoia drives much of the suspense.
Will Foust – Sadie’s husband, a professor who may be hiding secrets of his own.
Imogen – Will’s niece, who moves in with them after her mother’s death. She’s quiet, intense, and possibly dangerous.
Camden & Otto – Sadie and Will’s sons. Otto, especially, is troubled and distant.
Mouse – A mysterious young girl whose storyline interweaves with Sadie’s, raising questions about identity and trauma.
Major Themes
Mental Health & Identity – The book dives deep into the psychological effects of trauma and the unreliability of memory and perception.
Marriage and Trust – At its core, the novel questions how well we can ever truly know the people we love.
Secrets and Deception – Every character harbors something, and Kubica slowly peels away those layers.
Small-Town Suspicion – The insular, judgmental community adds to the claustrophobic tone of the novel.
Plot Highlights (Without Spoilers)
The Foust family’s relocation and the eerie vibe of their new home.
Imogen’s increasingly disturbing behavior.
A neighbor’s sudden and violent death.
Sadie’s unraveling sense of reality.
The parallel storyline of Mouse, which seems disconnected—until it suddenly isn’t.
A final twist that dramatically redefines everything you’ve read.
Style and Structure
Told through multiple POVs, mainly Sadie and Mouse. The shifts are crucial to how the suspense builds.
The narrative is non-linear and deliberately disorienting, meant to mirror Sadie’s psychological state.
Kubica writes in a tight, fast-paced, suspenseful style with short chapters that keep the momentum going.
Use of misdirection is key—what you think is happening is often not the case.
Notable Quotes
“I worry sometimes that I’ve forgotten more about myself than I remember.”
“There are truths I’d rather not know. I’m not sure what I’ll do with them.”
“Fear is a funny thing. It alters everything—even your memory.”
Good to Know
If you enjoy unreliable narrators and shocking twist endings, this book delivers.
It’s being adapted into a Netflix film with Renée Zellweger, so it might be worth reading before it releases.
The structure can feel disorienting at first, but it’s intentional. Stick with it—the payoff is significant.
Kubica is known for twisty thrillers (The Good Girl, Local Woman Missing), and this is one of her most twist-filled.
Why the Title Is What It Is
The Other Mrs. plays on the idea of identity, deception, and multiple women playing roles that may not be what they seem. It hints at:
The idea that Sadie is the “other” Mrs. Foust, not Will’s first wife.
Or that another “Mrs.” is lurking in the shadows, holding the key to the mystery.
Or perhaps, that more than one woman is pretending to be someone she’s not.
The title becomes brilliantly clear by the end, tying into the final twist and themes of mistaken identity and hidden truths.