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A review by mg_in_md_
One Wrong Word by Hank Phillippi Ryan
4.0
This is one wild and twisty ride from start to finish and I devoured it in a day! I have come to expect this type of complex thriller from this author and her latest stand-alone novel did not disappoint. The novel centers around Arden Ward, a crisis manager who seems to be at the top of her game when she finds herself in her own crisis that threatens to derail her career and tarnish her reputation. The wife of a high-power client informs Arden's boss that she suspects the relationship Arden has with her husband is more than professional. Arden's boss gives her an ultimatum to save her reputation and let her gracefully and quietly exit the firm, even though the charges are unfounded. Finding herself into a no-win situation, Arden relents and agrees to try and help one last client, Claudia Bannister, who is trying to repair her husband Ned's reputation following a fatal drunk driving incident. Ned was acquitted but the fallout is impacting the entire family's lives and Claudia is desperate to reclaim the life she, Ned, and their children had before the trial. As Arden begins to help Claudia and Ned rebuild, a second fatal car crash thrusts the family back into the spotlight and causes Arden to question whether she is protecting a killer.
The chapters alternate between the perspectives of Arden, Claudia, and District Attorney Monelle Churchwood, who was the lead counsel on Ned's prosecution. I liked seeing the story from multiple angles and the fact it was told through a totally female lens. The story's pacing was excellent and while I had suspicions about who might be behind things, I was completely stumped about the possible motivations and the why. When everything was ultimately revealed, I was surprised (in the best possible way) but felt like the clues had been laid out perfectly and strategically along the way. I loved seeing how everything was pulled together and how all of the small pieces of the puzzle ultimately came together. It was a riveting, complex tale from start to finish -- and an extremely satisfying read!
Many thanks to Forge Books and Hank Phillippi Ryan for providing a NetGalley copy of this novel and for the chance to be a Super Reader again.
The chapters alternate between the perspectives of Arden, Claudia, and District Attorney Monelle Churchwood, who was the lead counsel on Ned's prosecution. I liked seeing the story from multiple angles and the fact it was told through a totally female lens. The story's pacing was excellent and while I had suspicions about who might be behind things, I was completely stumped about the possible motivations and the why. When everything was ultimately revealed, I was surprised (in the best possible way) but felt like the clues had been laid out perfectly and strategically along the way. I loved seeing how everything was pulled together and how all of the small pieces of the puzzle ultimately came together. It was a riveting, complex tale from start to finish -- and an extremely satisfying read!
Many thanks to Forge Books and Hank Phillippi Ryan for providing a NetGalley copy of this novel and for the chance to be a Super Reader again.