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erboe501's review against another edition
5.0
This book was fantastic; I couldn't put it down. Lawhon set each scene up beautifully with her descriptions, so every scene was easy to visualize. I was totally immersed in the story, truly captivated. It sometimes took a few lines to adjust to the changes in point of view, but I'm glad that the reader was privy to so many outlooks on the case.
I just can't get over how adorable Jude and Maria were together, definitely one of the cutest couples I've read about because of their total, unconditional love for each other. I love when books describe some special trade or unconventional occupation, so the passages on Maria's sewing abilities were really a treat. Lawhon made it sound like her talent was magical so that all I wanted to do was witness this gift firsthand. The character I had the most trouble with was Stella, because I vacillated between not really liking her in the 1930s and then liking her strength in the 1969 sections. I do admire her tenacity, as I do in all three women. *SPOILER* The fact that the women orchestrated the whole crime definitely screams girl power. Except for Jude, Lawhon does not paint a very sympathetic picture of the men in the novel.
The cover design of the book is also right on point. A good cover always bodes well!
I just can't get over how adorable Jude and Maria were together, definitely one of the cutest couples I've read about because of their total, unconditional love for each other. I love when books describe some special trade or unconventional occupation, so the passages on Maria's sewing abilities were really a treat. Lawhon made it sound like her talent was magical so that all I wanted to do was witness this gift firsthand. The character I had the most trouble with was Stella, because I vacillated between not really liking her in the 1930s and then liking her strength in the 1969 sections. I do admire her tenacity, as I do in all three women. *SPOILER* The fact that the women orchestrated the whole crime definitely screams girl power. Except for Jude, Lawhon does not paint a very sympathetic picture of the men in the novel.
The cover design of the book is also right on point. A good cover always bodes well!
evawondergem's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility and Violence
Minor: Cancer
krobart's review against another edition
2.0
See my review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/the-wife-the-maid-and-the-mistress/
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/the-wife-the-maid-and-the-mistress/
mmseitz822's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. Though it was fictional, it was based on the actual disappearance of a New York Supreme Court Judge in the 1930s. It played off of some real events that took place at the time, but mostly made up a lot to make for an extremely compelling mystery! It really made me wonder what actually happened to Joe Crater but, sadly, no one will ever know. I thought this was a very imaginative story of what could have happened.
kathythelibraryteacher's review against another edition
5.0
An enthralling story
Somehow, I forgot or overlooked the “Missingest Man in NY” from history class and pop culture. It’s a fascinating story. This book is about so much more than that basic, interesting, historical event. It’s about the women who are often overlooked when we tell tales from the past. While it is a fictional take on real events, I found myself hoping that the real folks involved were this interesting. I truly cared about these characters. It was like going to a party with juicy gossip, interesting friends, wonderful clothes, and a few celebrity sightings. Well done!
Somehow, I forgot or overlooked the “Missingest Man in NY” from history class and pop culture. It’s a fascinating story. This book is about so much more than that basic, interesting, historical event. It’s about the women who are often overlooked when we tell tales from the past. While it is a fictional take on real events, I found myself hoping that the real folks involved were this interesting. I truly cared about these characters. It was like going to a party with juicy gossip, interesting friends, wonderful clothes, and a few celebrity sightings. Well done!
1721egp's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
For the best experience, do not Google anything about these characters or the book before reading.
The queen of plot twists does it again! I only recently discovered Ariel Lawhon as a writer but I am hooked on her style.
The mysteries that she unfolds can only be told in a non-chronological orders. My favorite part about this book is that I didn’t know any of the history. I only wish she’d added an author’s note at the end like she did with I Was Anastasia because I would’ve loved to hear how she pieced this story together and navigated the history. It’s bold to write a novel based on real people, especially those who aren’t that long dead, but Ms Lawhon does it with dignity and keeps you hanging on until the very end.
The queen of plot twists does it again! I only recently discovered Ariel Lawhon as a writer but I am hooked on her style.
The mysteries that she unfolds can only be told in a non-chronological orders. My favorite part about this book is that I didn’t know any of the history. I only wish she’d added an author’s note at the end like she did with I Was Anastasia because I would’ve loved to hear how she pieced this story together and navigated the history. It’s bold to write a novel based on real people, especially those who aren’t that long dead, but Ms Lawhon does it with dignity and keeps you hanging on until the very end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Death of parent, Murder, Gun violence, Infidelity, and Infertility
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Sexual assault, Abortion, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, and Gore
Minor: Alcoholism
laceylou10's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
smjohns91's review against another edition
5.0
I received The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress as part of a Goodreads giveaway. The book which will be available on January 28, 2014 is one I would recommend to anyone interested in the roaring 20s, historical fiction, or just a good read for the winter. Lawhon's novel was a real treat to read and through it's pages, I felt immersed in the culture and time period, set in New York City.
The story is about three women involved in the life of a New York judge who disappeared in 1930, an actual unsolved mystery. The wife, maid, and mistress of Judge Crater weave their own stories throughout the plot and is a definite page-turner until the very end. I'm tempted to read the book again!
The story is about three women involved in the life of a New York judge who disappeared in 1930, an actual unsolved mystery. The wife, maid, and mistress of Judge Crater weave their own stories throughout the plot and is a definite page-turner until the very end. I'm tempted to read the book again!
books4biana's review against another edition
Rare is it that I get a story from so long ago. It's easy to remember that men were men and women were Dolls. It's easy to recall that segregation was still a thing. It's even pretty easy to imagine the visage of "Wise Guys".
1930s. A judge vanishes and the women in his life are all impacted. Naturally in that era a woman just wasn't allowed to be single. She needed to be protected under a man and she needed his permission. How the absence of such a man impacts their lives is probably a surprise to them all.
A mystery. A murder mystery?
1930s. A judge vanishes and the women in his life are all impacted. Naturally in that era a woman just wasn't allowed to be single. She needed to be protected under a man and she needed his permission. How the absence of such a man impacts their lives is probably a surprise to them all.
A mystery. A murder mystery?
smolek's review against another edition
3.0
I heard about this book on the What Should I Read Next podcast--it really held my attention through the whole thing, but I kind of knew what the outcome would be at some point in the book. I was sort of disappointed with the "answer" for how the Judge disappeared.