The New Husband: A Novel

By D.J. Palmer

The New Husband is a riveting thriller about the lies we tell ourselves from D. J. Palmer, the author of Saving Meghan.

What makes Simon Fitch so perfect?

-He knows all her favorite foods, music, and movies.
-Her son adores him. He was there when she needed him most.
-He anticipates her every need.
-He would never betray her like her first husband.

The perfect husband. He checks all the boxes.

The question is, why?

Nina Garrity learned the hard way that her missing husband, Glen, had been leading a double life with another woman. But with Glen gone—presumably drowned while fishing on his boat—she couldn't confront him about the affair or find closure to the life he blew apart.

Now, a year and a half later, Nina has found love again and hopes she can put her shattered world back together. Simon, a widower still grieving the death of his first wife, thinks he has found his dream girl in Nina, and his charm and affections help break through to a heart hardened by betrayal. Nina's teenage son, Connor, embraces Simon as the father he wishes his dad could have been, while her friends see a different side to him, and they aren't afraid to use the word obsession.

Nina works hard to bridge the divide that’s come between her daughter and Simon. She wants so badly to believe her life is finally getting back on track, but she’ll soon discover that the greatest danger to herself and her children are the lies people tell themselves.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Apr 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781250107510

D.J. Palmer

D.J. PALMER is the author of numerous critically acclaimed suspense novels, including The New Husband, Saving Meghan, and The Perfect Daughter. He received his master’s degree from Boston University and after a career in e-commerce he shifted gears to writing full time. He lives by the ocean in Massachusetts where he is working on his current novel. Besides writing, DJ enjoys yoga, songwriting, and family time with his two children and his ever faithful dog.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

It was a chilly predawn morning when Anthony Strauss eased Sweet Caroline, his seventeen-foot Boston Whaler, from the trailer into water so dark it was indistinguishable from the sky. To the east, the rising sun raced along the riverbank, igniting the shoreline of Lake Winnipesaukee in a buttery glow. Anthony cast his lure about twenty feet out and was beginning to slowly reel in his line when he noticed a fellow boater some forty yards off his starboard.

In the early-morning darkness, the boat had been nothing but a black shape on dark water. The sunrise revealed a Starcraft Starfish, a great lake-fishing boat. The discovery was mildly disappointing. Anthony had thought he was alone out here and enjoyed feeling like he was the most dedicated fisherman. Still, it was polite to wave, and Anthony’s hand went up almost reflexively. Nobody waved back. On second inspection, Anthony discovered that the figure he believed to be the boat’s captain was, in fact, a dog.

Guiding his vessel closer to the Starcraft, Anthony watched while the dog—a golden retriever, he could now see—gazed forlornly toward land as though its owner might emerge at any moment from the dense forest abutting the rocky shoreline. The Starcraft, to Anthony’s recollection, did not have a below-deck cabin, so he was surprised when he couldn’t see anyone else in the boat with the dog.

The engine was off, but gusty winds pushed the unmanned vessel across the choppy gray water. The dog kept perfectly still while Anthony glided by, its black eyes locked on the same spot on the shoreline, golden fur rippling in the steady breeze. Where is the captain? What if he’s suffered a heart attack? What if he’s fallen overboard and drowned?

Anthony turned the wheel on his Whaler, steering the boat in a tight circle to make a second pass. As he neared, he called out: Hello? Is anybody there?

His barrel chest and solid build gave him a booming voice that should have attracted anyone’s attention, but still only the dog looked his way. Slowly, the animal’s gaze drifted back to the shoreline, as if it had assessed Anthony and determined he could be of no real help.

Steering the boat for a closer approach, Anthony hooked a set of bumpers onto his port side. As he neared, the dog moved, greeting Anthony with a wagging tail and lolling tongue. Gripping the gunwale with one hand, rope in the other, Anthony fastened the two boats together, using the bumpers to protect their respective hulls.

The dog barked three times in quick succession, as if trying to say something of great importance. Anthony appraised the animal thoughtfully before turning his attention to the Starcraft’s interior. The deck was covered in deep red. How odd, Anthony thought, until his mind clicked over. A gasp rose in his throat as a sickening realization set in.

Anthony had gutted plenty of fish in his day, but none had ever bled like that.

CHAPTER 2

SEVENTEEN MONTHS LATER …

Nina told herself everything would work out fine. A cloudless August day gave the sun free rein to scorch the earth dry and bake her olive-toned skin a shade darker. She stood on the brown grass of her new lawn, facing the thirty-foot Ryder truck that held the majority of her life’s possessions, all carefully packed inside corrugated boxes that were stacked neatly between the small pieces of furniture moved without the help of professionals. The bigger items were coming later.

Anybody see the box cutter?

Using her hand as a visor against the sun, Nina glanced at her feet and around her general vicinity, but did not see a box cutter. She did, however, catch the harsh look her thirteen-year-old daughter, Maggie, sent Simon, the new man in their lives, who was fumbling about the truck in search of the missing tool. That single glance reconfirmed Nina’s greatest fear, that this move wasn’t going to go as smoothly as she dared to dream. It was not a look of pure contempt, not the scathing, narrowed-eyed death stare any middle-school-aged girl could serve with the speed and accuracy of a pro tennis player, but still it smoldered with an unmistakable hostility.

Poor Maggie had so much on her plate, so many reasons to be angry, and for sure Nina was partly to blame, because she had opened her heart and soul to another man—a man who was not her daughter’s father.

Found it! Simon yelled, holding up the box cutter like he was wielding a broadsword. As it turned out, the missing tool had been hidden in the tall grass of the sloping front yard, which needed mowing as much as it did water. Somewhere, buried deep inside that truck, was the mower.

Nina was familiar with her new neighborhood because it was still in Seabury, New Hampshire, a few miles from where she had lived only this morning. Even so, she had no friends nearby, and maybe for that reason it felt foreign here, as though she’d moved clear across the country. She was used to living near her very dear friends Susanna Garston and Ginny Cowling, but pop-in visits would be less frequent now that they lived fifteen minutes across town. For whatever reason, it felt much farther than that. Of course she’d adjust, and eventually she’d be as comfortable here as she’d been in the place where she’d spent the last fifteen years raising her children. She understood it would take time and effort for things to feel normal for everyone, and that applied to her new relationship as much as to her new home.

But today it all felt eerily unsettling.

At the far edge of her lawn a splendid oak tree growing near her property line spread its thick branches from the neighbor’s yard into hers, providing pockets of shade where a bold chipmunk escaped the August heat and observed the move with curious dark eyes.

Turning her head to the sound of scuffing footsteps, Nina watched nervously as her son, Connor, backed down the truck ramp clutching an oversize box in his outstretched arms.

Careful, buddy. That looks pretty heavy, Simon said as Connor made a tricky pivot move at the bottom of the ramp that had heated to a steak-sizzling temperature under the unrelenting summer sun.

After deftly avoiding the family’s five-year-old golden retriever, Daisy, who had splayed herself out at the foot of the ramp, Connor sent Simon a confident look that carried no resentment, but then again, he didn’t share Maggie’s unrealistic fantasies about their dad. He knew as well as Nina that Glen was gone, and gone for good.

Connor trotted the box up the wide front stairs with ease. Nina still could not get comfortable with how much he’d grown in the past few years. He towered over her and his younger sister. Not only was he tall for his age—sixteen going on twenty-six, judging by his attitude these days—but he was also well-muscled, thanks to his dedication to the football team. He was as handsome as a Disney prince, too, with a wavy head of jet-black hair and an irresistible dimpled smile. He’d gotten Nina’s darker Italian coloring, and Glen, who was Irish through and through, had made plenty of milkman jokes over the years.

Inside, Nina caught Maggie, blue eyes brimming, surveying the empty rooms from the unfurnished foyer. The modest home was a good deal smaller than the one her daughter had lived in all her life, but square footage was not the reason for Maggie’s distress. It was all about whom she’d be living with, not where.

It was all about Simon.

If somebody had told Nina a few years ago that she would end up living with the social studies teacher from her daughter’s middle school, in a new house they had bought together, she would have broken into a fit of laughter.

In another eight months or so, the court most likely would grant Nina her divorce from Glen, after which she might feel ready to say yes to Simon’s marriage proposal so he could officially become her new husband. New Hampshire law was quite specific: spousal abandonment had to last two years or longer and required a demonstrated, willful desire to desert and terminate the marital relationship. Clearly, Glen’s actions met those criteria. Or maybe he really was dead. Without a body, Nina had no way of knowing, while Maggie continued to hold out hope that her dad would soon return to them.

Nina directed Connor, still lugging the box, down the hallway to the kitchen. At some point, she’d hang her framed family photographs on the bare white walls, just as she had decorated her last home—only this time Glen would not grace any of the images.

With the windows closed, the empty house had turned into a sauna. Sweat beaded up on Nina’s arms, and the cotton of her loose-fitting gray T-shirt stuck to the small of her back. But a tickle of excitement at the prospect of nesting helped her ignore the discomfort. Without the previous owners’ furniture, the rooms appeared smaller than Nina remembered, though it was easy to visualize where she would put her things. The living room curtains would have to be shortened, but first she’d have to find her sewing machine, hidden inside one of those moving boxes.

Returning to the front hall, Nina found Maggie, looking serious, standing in the middle of what would eventually be a small first-floor office. Perhaps she, too, was imagining what the room would look like with furniture in it, though she would have to picture it with Simon’s furnishings in the mix—if she could remember what he owned. Maggie had been to Simon’s house only a few times, even though he lived just on the other side of town.

Before cohabitating, Nina had enjoyed plenty of afternoon delights at Simon’s modest lake home, but she’d never spent the night. There was simply too much heartache, too much sadness, for her to leave the kids alone while pursuing personal pleasures. Still, she was no stranger to Simon’s place, having gone there enough to commit his alarm code to memory.

When the movers came, Maggie would see that Simon had perfectly fine furniture, nothing too fancy, that would mix well with what they already owned. Then again, as Nina was learning, it was much easier to blend furnishings than the people using them.

I hate it here, Maggie said, eyes watering, before Nina could utter a single word of comfort. She looked so much like Glen it was sometimes hard for Nina to hold her daughter’s gaze. Maggie had fair skin like her father and the same straw-colored hair, hers descending to the middle of her back. She shared Glen’s snub nose and big round eyes, and her sweet smile could melt the coldest of hearts. She was a slender girl with narrow shoulders and delicate arms. Her long legs were strong from skiing and lacrosse, but like a foal’s, they did not yet fit her body.

Deep breaths, Nina, deep breaths.

It’s going to be all right, just give it some time.

I wish we’d moved in with Nonni and Papa like we’d planned. I’d rather live in Nebraska.

Before Nina could respond, Simon sauntered into the room carrying a box labeled OFFICE, a smile on his face and sweat dripping into his eyes. Daisy followed him, panting from heat and thirst.

We’re making great progress—though gotta hand it to Connor, Simon said, breathing hard, he’s crazy strong. Football team’s lucky to have him.

Nina forced out a smile while Maggie tried to discreetly wipe her eyes.

Practiced at checking in with his students, Simon took notice of Maggie’s distress as he set down his box. He dropped to one knee, giving the youngest Garrity a temporary height advantage, and tried to make eye contact, though Maggie would not meet his gaze. Nina looked at him lovingly, appreciating his gentleness and compassion.

I know you don’t believe me, Simon said sweetly, but it’s going to work out fine. At school I might be Mr. Fitch, but here I’m just Simon. And I know we can all live together and be friends.

Channeling her social worker skills, Nina shared a few words of comfort and encouragement as well, though her daughter did not seem convinced. Worry turned her sweet face hard, older.

I’m going to help Connor, Maggie said, sending a look back at Daisy to encourage her beloved dog to follow.

Simon stood and sighed as he pulled Nina into an embrace. Putting her ear to his chest, not minding the dampness of his shirt, she listened to the steady patter of his heart.

It’s too much, she said in a whispered voice, like an admission to herself. It’s too much, too fast.

Simon kissed the top of her head. We knew what we were getting into, but what choice was there? he said. It was either this or you’d have had to move away, and neither of us wanted that.

It was true. Nina did not have the money to keep their family home and could not afford a new home without Simon. Before he had entered the picture her best, really her only option, was Maggie’s current wish—to move to Nebraska. While Nina was close to her parents, her life was in Seabury, and there she wished to stay.

People are talking about us, you know that? Nina said. We’re the talk of the town.

Simon didn’t look surprised, and for good reason. Both she and Simon had been touched by tragedy, and together they had raised eyebrows for the choices they had made in the aftermath. Nina had done what many had advised and moved on with her life, but apparently it was too quick for some.

I don’t care what people think, answered Simon. I love you and that’s all that matters. I know it’s tough on Maggie right now, but she’s going to get over it. I promise you it’s going to work out. You’ll see.

I hope you’re right, Nina said with audible desperation.

And I hope you know what you’re doing, she told herself.

In Simon, she had found a loving and genuinely caring companion who adored her and had guided her through the darkest days of her life. Still, she worried. How difficult would Maggie make this move for her, and even more so, for Simon?

CHAPTER 3

A week after move-in day, the house was still in complete disarray.

Moving boxes were strewn about in every room, and packing peanuts littered the floor like engorged confetti. Balls of crinkled packing paper roosted in corners of cluttered rooms with the grace of avant-garde sculptures. The television was still in the box, much to Connor and Maggie’s chagrin, while the basement—which Nina hoped to convert into a kids’ cave of sorts—needed a dehumidifier running twenty-four-seven before she could even consider laying down the carpet the movers had left rolled up down there. Simon, who was more obsessed than anyone in the Garrity clan with neatness and order, had assured Nina he was fine with the mess. But she knew that if she was feeling frazzled, he must have been in a total tizzy.

As the school’s robotics instructor, Simon was good with technology, and had already gotten the wireless internet up and running. The Bluetooth Sonos speakers he had configured continuously pumped out high-energy classic rock music, but the boxes full of stuff were Nina’s main job, and she desperately wanted to feel settled. Most nights she worked with Simon at her side, unpacking essentials, cleaning and scrubbing bathrooms, replacing the batteries in all the smoke detectors.

Despite these efforts, the place still felt like someone else’s home, with Nina as a temporary guest. Maybe when she added plants, or had pictures hanging in the hallway, maybe when all her things were in place, it would feel like home. Or maybe she should buy new furniture, new everything, because the old stuff might serve only as a reminder of all she had lost.

With so much to do, Nina focused on tackling the laundry, because at least it was a task she could manage to completion. She was folding a basket of clothes while her endless to-do list tumbled disjointedly through her mind, just like the dryer itself.

Dog food … shopping … Maggie’s dentist appointment … mend the hole in Connor’s jersey … forms for fall lacrosse … order team sweatshirts … pick up prescriptions at CVS … enroll Maggie in CCD classes at St. Francis … the kids’ physicals … nut-free ingredients for the football team bake sale (Maggie was deathly allergic) … and on … and on.

Moving didn’t erase Nina’s responsibilities, but rather added to them.

From down the hall, Nina heard an echoing Hello? and rose on achy knees to greet Ginny and Susanna, who had let themselves in. They were carrying two bottles of red wine, a foil-covered baking dish, and a cake box with WHOLE FOODS printed on the side.

Happy birthday! they shouted in unison, beaming at Nina as she approached.

It’s not my birthday, Nina said with a crooked smile.

Well, the cake was on sale, so it’s somebody’s birthday—and it might as well be yours, said Ginny as she sauntered inside, delicately balancing the bottles as she stooped to give Daisy a scratch hello. Ginny dressed like a J.Crew model, but despite the coastal palette of her cardigans and pleated pants, she still looked like a tired mom of three who lived in woodsy New Hampshire. She had a tousled nest of blond hair cut well above her shoulders, and a round, friendly face that was always quick with a smile.

Where are the kids? Susanna asked.

Out, said Nina. With friends. They can’t take the chaos. Neither can I.

And Simon? Nina caught the slight hesitation in Ginny’s voice, though she wasn’t surprised. Not long ago both her friends had been trying to talk Nina out of making this move. They didn’t have anything against Simon, per se, but each had reservations about the speed at which the relationship had evolved. They weren’t the only ones.

Nina’s parents hadn’t embraced her choice to move in with Simon either. Her mother liked Simon well enough, but thought Nina was setting a bad example for the children to be living with him before they were married. It was an argument that didn’t quite adhere to her mother’s views on personal choice, but Nina saw it for what it was—a poorly disguised way of masking her hope that her only daughter would move back home to live with them. Her father, who had loved Glen like the son he’d never had, worried Simon was taking advantage of a vulnerable woman in a very tricky situation, concerns that Nina herself understood.

Before her life had taken a U-turn, Nina had scoffed at those dolled-up reality show contestants who professed their undying love for each other after a few staged dates. Now she knew there were more than a few kernels of truth to their mawkish sentiments—and that a TV show wasn’t the only way to accelerate romance. Trauma, true bone-jarring trauma, did the job just as well, if not better.

Love what you’ve done with the place… Ginny said, spinning around in a circle as she surveyed the disordered kitchen. Susanna sent Nina a sympathetic look. This was the third time since move-in day they’d showed up to help unpack, and the place still looked like it had been ransacked by raccoons. Nina had wondered if her lack of progress was a subconscious reaction from a part of her that wasn’t wholly embracing the move. It wasn’t only her daughter she worried about. As much as she loved Simon, Nina harbored a mostly unspoken fear of opening herself up to being hurt again.

After uncorking the wine, Nina cut three big pieces of vanilla buttercream cake. The lasagna could wait. Susanna went to the fridge after announcing her intention to whip up a quick salad, took one look inside, and had to think again.

Someone’s vying for the Mother Hubbard of the Year Award, she said.

Nina laughed. She might have lost her mind in the mess, but not her sense of humor.

The children aren’t starving, I swear. I just haven’t made it to the supermarket.

Like, since you moved in? said Ginny, after checking the pantry.

It’s been hard, Nina said, slumping down on a metal stool at the kitchen island.

A toast then, Susanna proposed, raising her glass. To a happy, healthy home.

Cheers to that, Nina said as all three clinked glasses.

Susanna took a sip of wine and then went to work emptying the box closest to her, aptly labeled KITCHEN. Nina felt supremely grateful to have such good friends in her life, and couldn’t imagine where she’d be without them. Back when everything had first exploded, when her ordered world had become unmanageably disordered, Susanna had functioned as the family spokesperson. She was the perfect choice, already experienced with handling the media from her years as a reporter. An attractive woman with long chestnut hair and kind brown eyes, Susanna was a natural on TV. But now the cameras were long gone, and Nina’s great ordeal was nothing but a tabloid footnote.

When Ginny went to help Susanna unpack the box, the first thing she pulled out was an old issue of Real Simple magazine. "Thank goodness you brought this," she said with a laugh.

But Nina wasn’t laughing. She hadn’t even realized she’d put that magazine in the box, but of course she had. She couldn’t have thrown it away. It was a reminder, a memento from the day that everything had changed.

---

NINA HAD been in her living room—her old living room—ready to decompress during a rare moment of downtime. A cup of chamomile tea waited on the coffee table, and that Real Simple magazine sat on her lap. She was interested in the cover story about—of all things—making life simpler. The issue also featured an article on four summer recipes to make outdoor entertaining easier than ever, which she found annoying because it was only the first week of spring.

She got cozy beneath a soft fleece blanket, sinking deeply into the faded beige cushions of her couch. She flipped to the desired article and read a page until her eyes glazed over. She remembered thinking she should have been working on the PTA newsletter, or even getting an early jump on the live auction, but no—she had been cocooned, supposedly guilt-free, beneath a fuzzy blanket, preparing to relax.

Even when she worked at it, Nina could not quite get a handle on how to unwind. It simply wasn’t in her DNA to turn off and do nothing. There was a time, years ago, when her entire life had been her career as a social worker. Then came Glen, who was work-obsessed even during their honeymoon phase, and admittedly Nina was too, at least until the kids were born. Then they became her whole world, until they didn’t need her as they once had. To fill the void, Nina found herself unable to say no to whatever favor, obligation, committee, or volunteer effort came her way. In this respect, she didn’t stop working—she just stopped getting a paycheck.

Surrendering her downtime, Nina tossed the blanket aside. Today there would be no relaxing; she really had to work on that newsletter. Moments later, the issue of Real Simple lay atop a pile of other magazines on the floor by her cluttered desk.

It wasn’t until Nina had returned to the living room to get her cup of tea that she saw a police car parked in her driveway. The car’s roof-mounted light bar was off, and that gave her a moment’s comfort: not an emergency. Still, her first thought had been of the children, always the children.

Maggie was with her best friend, Laura Abel, and Connor was at a weekend football practice, punishment for the team’s lackluster performance during the previous night’s game. She wondered if he had been hurt—but surely one of the team moms would have called if something awful had happened.

Nina watched through the window as two police officers, female and male, exited the car. They were dressed identically in khaki pants and blue polo shirts with official-looking embroidery stitched over the right breast pocket, guns strapped to their waists, their expressions grave.

Under normal circumstances, Nina would have felt a stab of embarrassment at the weeds growing between the paving stones. The yard didn’t look all that great, either. Glen’s busy work schedule left little time for the honey-do list. Nina could have used vinegar to get rid of those pesky weeds herself, but somehow—hello volunteering, organizing, chauffeuring, cooking, cleaning—she never seemed to have the time. Those quick thoughts fled as she opened the door to watch the two police officers make their way up the brick front steps.

Can I help you? Nina asked, a slight quaver in her voice.

Are you Nina Garrity? asked the man. He removed his sunglasses the way cops sometimes did on TV shows, slowly and full of intent, revealing eyes that were a striking, steely light gray.

He tilted his head slightly, his edginess giving way to something more congenial. Or was it sympathy? Nina couldn’t tell.

Yes. Can I help you? Is everything all right? Her voice was tinged with dread.

Is your husband at home? the female cop asked.

I’m sorry, Nina said. Who are you? What’s this about?

I’m Detective Yvonne Murphy, and this is my partner, Detective Eric Wheeler, the woman said. We’re with the Seabury Police.

They showed her their badges.

Are you home alone? said Murphy.

Yes, Nina said. I’m alone. Is this about Glen?

Glen is your husband? Wheeler asked.

Yes, Nina said.

Do you know where he is?

Nina answered Wheeler with a single word: Fishing.

What time did he leave? asked Murphy.

Before sunrise. Maybe four A.M. Maybe earlier—I don’t really know, I was asleep. Is everything okay?

Was he going with anyone else? asked Wheeler.

Nina shook her head slightly, trying to clear her mind so she could answer correctly. Her heartbeat quickened.

Saturday is his fishing day. With the kids so busy on the weekends he almost always goes alone, she said.

And do you know where he usually goes?

Nina’s pulse ticked up another notch, her throat tightening.

The launch near Governors Island. Tell me, what’s going on? Her voice rose sharply.

The two detectives exchanged glances before Murphy headed back to the police car, leaving Wheeler alone on the front steps to answer Nina’s question.

Somebody found a boat, a Starcraft, floating near that boat launch this morning, Wheeler said.

There was a dog aboard, Wheeler continued, but no operator.

Where’s Glen?

Marine Patrol and Fish and Game are searching the water right now.

Nina’s hand went to her mouth, but not in time to stifle a gasp that became a sob. He fell overboard?

We don’t know, answered Wheeler. We also found a Ford F-150 parked at the boat launch. We’ve towed the truck and boat to our impound lot. Registrations show this address. Checked the dog’s microchip, and believe she belongs to you.

At that moment, Murphy opened the rear door of the patrol car and out came Daisy. She bounded up the walkway at full speed, squeezing past the detectives to get inside, eager to be home.

I guess she’s your dog, Wheeler said, almost with a smile.

Yes, this is Daisy, answered Nina as she patted her dog reassuringly. Overjoyed, Daisy reared up on her hind legs and placed her front paws on Nina’s stomach. It was a habit of hers long ago broken, but instead of saying Down, Nina noticed dried blood matting the fur around Daisy’s paws.

What’s going on here? Nina said, pointing to Daisy’s paws.

There was some blood found.

Blood? Where?

In the boat, said Wheeler. Look, why don’t you take a minute to get yourself together. Make arrangements for your children if you need.

Why?

Because you should come with us to the police station, Wheeler said. Better if we talk there.

---

AS THE memory of that terrible day faded, Nina’s eyes filled with tears. A cry broke from her lips, sending her shoulders quaking. Susanna and Ginny were at her side in a flash.

"Oh sweetie, I know it’s not the best magazine, but it’s not that bad."

Nina managed a weak laugh before she relayed what that magazine actually signified—that day, when she first got the news.

Have you talked to somebody? Susanna asked with concern.

I talk to you girls, Nina said defensively.

No, I mean somebody professional, Susanna said.

A therapist, Ginny added, not that the clarification was needed.

Maggie and Connor were both seeing a therapist, but for some reason, Nina hadn’t found one for herself. Everything was still so raw that talking about it felt like poking an open wound. And then, when Simon came along, her life seemed to stabilize. The welcome distraction from her troubles had made it possible to suppress her feelings, but maybe no more. Maybe her friends were right. The move was a trigger, and perhaps the time had come to get real help. She should have done it ages ago. She was a social worker and honestly knew better. But then again, the cobbler’s kid not having proper shoes was a trope for good reason.

Anybody have a recommendation? asked Nina.

Mine’s great, Susanna and Ginny said simultaneously.

The three laughed and hugged, and Nina’s fresh tears felt like a cry of relief.

CHAPTER 4

Dr. Sydney Wilcox worked on the second floor of a redbrick office building, in a neighborhood dotted with small businesses. The office itself was cozy and intimate with muted walls and a beige rug. The bland aesthetic was clearly intended to encourage patients to contribute their own color and energy to the environment. The soothing gurgle of a miniature fountain blended with the nearly inaudible hum of a white noise machine put there to ensure privacy. It was all carefully orchestrated to convey one critical message: this was a safe place to share.

Nina sat in an oversize armchair facing a stout woman in her early sixties who had a pageboy haircut that was more salt than pepper. Plastic-frame glasses gave Dr. Wilcox a professorial air, but there was nothing intimidating about her. She had her notebook open, her expression relaxed and nonjudgmental.

How do we start? Nina asked.

Nina kept her hands clasped on her lap, allowing her interlaced fingers to nervously caress her knuckles. Why so anxious? she asked herself. She’d been in the business of untangling human messes, and it wasn’t like this was her first time in therapy. There had been some bumpy days early in her marriage, typical intimacy problems and communication snares that snagged lots of young couples shocked by the cold-water plunge of child-rearing.

Where do you want to start? Dr. Wilcox asked.

Nina should have expected her response—therapy was the fine art of asking questions. Where do you want to start? might as well have been What brings you here today?

Nina spoke of Glen, Maggie, and Connor, providing Dr. Wilcox with the necessary background information. She recalled the day the police came to inform her that Glen was a missing person, then told her that he was still missing, and that many months later, with the help of a successful quiet-title lawsuit that transferred the property title to her name exclusively, she’d sold her home in Seabury, bought a new one in the same town, and moved in with a new man, all in the span of little more than a year and a half.

Nina waited for a flicker of recognition to come to Dr. Wilcox’s eyes—Oh, you’re that woman!—but saw nothing of the sort. Maybe she didn’t watch the news, or maybe, like anyone outside her immediate friends and family, Dr. Wilcox had forgotten all about the Glen Garrity story. After all, tragedy was personal, and like a wound, it mattered most to those people left with the scars.

How has the move gone? asked Dr. Wilcox.

Good, good, Nina said, worried she sounded like she was trying to reassure herself. I mean, Maggie is taking it the hardest.

Nina explained how Maggie had grown hostile when Simon became more than a friend.

What about Connor? Does he get along with Simon?

Well, yes. Maybe because he’s older. But Connor had some difficulties with his father.

Difficulties?

Glen was something of a workaholic. My nickname for him was Glengarrity Glen Ross.

From the play, Dr. Wilcox correctly noted.

And movie about those crazed salespeople trying to save their jobs.

He was a salesman?

No, he worked at a bank. Not in a branch, in the main office. He was a senior financial advisor. Always busy with something. The first night after his dad went missing, Connor confided how he was sad they didn’t spend much time together.

Dr. Wilcox took notes with her pencil.

"I tried to convince him that his father loved him very much and that they did do things together. Glen always went to Connor’s games, and they watched sports together on TV. But that wasn’t the same—it wasn’t what Connor wanted or needed, and Maggie had her own frustrations with her dad, mostly to do with his availability or lack thereof.

"When I tried to talk to Glen about his work habits, his obsession with his phone or email, he’d remind me that all the financial pressure was on him, and guiltily I’d let the behavior slide. I don’t think I realized the effect it had on Connor, but that night he told me he didn’t feel like he really knew his dad, which turned out to be true for all of us."

Dr. Wilcox’s eyebrows rose slightly. How so?

Maybe next session, Nina said. She knew it would be too much information, and therapy was a process, after all.

Fair enough.

Anyway, Connor wanted more from his father—more of a connection.

And you didn’t?

Nina gazed up at the ceiling, trying to piece together her feelings.

It wasn’t a perfect marriage by any stretch, she explained, "but I guess it was enough for me. I had the kids, my friends, my life; in some ways it was easier not having Glen involved in everything. I could make decisions and not be second-guessed all the time. I got what I needed, Glen got what he wanted, but poor Connor felt like his father was uninterested in him, and that was hard to

Reviews for The New Husband

[jynell-71874 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed reading this book, although sometimes I get frustrated with women characters that choose suspicious men. I think that's my own prejudice though. The writing is great and it kept me entertained! If you enjoy a good, face-paced read, I recommend this book!

[bookanonjeff · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Starts Slow Then Gets Explosive. This is one of those that is a very slow burn at first - things maybe feel a bit off, and there is more of a sense that a particular character is pretty dark without any real evidence at first. Then just before the 50% mark, the game changes completely and we spend the rest of the book waiting for various characters to catch up to what the readers now know. Strong use of an Autistic character in that he is shown to be perfectly "normal", just Autistic. The one jarring part in at least the ARC copy I read (which could very easily be fixed before publication, so if it is fixed in your version, just ignore this comment) is that the perspective shifts at random chapter beginnings can be a bit jarring and perhaps a label could be used to better identify what is happening. (Note that the chapter is from whatever singular perspective, but the character that may be narrating a given chapter can and does change.) Ultimately everything builds to an explosive yet satisfying ending. Very much recommended.

[jen_bartels-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I always find it difficult to review mystery novels, because I live in fear or the spoiler, and I know mystery lovers like myself will be able to read between the lines and pick up on clues that may spoil the experience for them as well. So this is why I just leave vague feelings of the book and hope it helps a little.
Pretty predictable, with a few twists I didn't see coming, though in hindsight I should have. However, I enjoyed the writing very much and I liked several of the characters. Not overly gratuitous in the love scenes or the violent scenes so readers averse to overly graphic descriptions of either will be pleased.
All in all I will read more of this author as they do have a nice style, and I would recommend this to anyone looking for something more than a cozy but not some gritty thriller.

[vanessa_menez-453497 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

One of the best psychological thriller I have read after a long time!! The main message which stands out is about how well you know someone whom you love ??

It kind of reminded me of an advice which my dad always gave me, " You only get to know the depth of the water only once you enter into it and you get to know the true self of a person only once you have lived with them."

Overall it was a really satisfying read for me!!

[grandmacootie · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I am in agreement with another posted review of this book. I tried to like it. I really did. It had a good premise, domestic thrillers are the thing now, and I like to listen to an exciting audiobook when I take my daily walk. But the more I listened and came to know the characters, the lower my rating went, and the behavior of some of them at the book’s end was just distasteful and unacceptable to me, which accounts for my 2-star rating. I finished it because I wanted to know who survived and who didn’t. if I had been reading a paper copy instead of listening to an audiobook I probably would have just flipped to the last chapter.I don’t know if this is a new author or not, but the book has the feel of inexperience. There is just way too much duplication – instead of a description or reference to set the scene, it goes on and on. It’s as if the author wants to include every possible phrase or scenario or bit of knowledge a character might have.The characters don’t ring true. I am willing to suspend disbelief – it’s fiction, after all – but this was beyond what I could ignore. On the one hand Nora knew pretty much everything and knew the lingo to go with it. How to do excellent online research, tail a suspect, avoid being scammed, she fell right back into the job she left many, many years before; you name it, she knew about it and could do it. But this is the same indecisive woman who fumbled around doing who knows what for a year and a half after Glenn disappeared and then ended up moving her family in with Simon, knowing as much about him as you would after a first date. Is he good, is he bad? Who knows? Well, daughter Maggie says she knows, but Nora won’t listen. Maggie is in junior high but her character feels more like a high schooler. A spoiled, whiny high schooler. It was eventually too much of a stretch to imagine a girl about 12 years old behaving as Maggie did. Son Connor is kind of just there. He likes Simon so provides the balance to Maggie’s loathing of him. And Nora can’t figure anything out, and when she starts to, she is inept, even with all her self-proclaimed expertise.Once the story got going the suspense ramped up and stayed at that level. There were several surprises that I did not anticipate. I was drawn into the story and wanted to find out how things ended. Had it not been for the poorly-developed, unrealistic characters I might have enjoyed it. However, the behavior of the characters at the end is entitled, selfish, and just wrong and totally spoiled it for me.Thanks to Macmillan Audio for providing a copy of The New Husband via Audiobooks.com for my honest review. I appreciate the opportunity to listen and regret I could not provide a more positive review. All opinions are my own.

[jpeterman-190606 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a ride! I'm not normally one for the psychological thrillers, but this one kept me interested all the way through! I was hooked from the first chapter, though it did slow down for a bit after that, when we're learning everything we need to know. I have an advanced reader's copy (thanks, St. Martin's Press!!), so this may have changed with the final publication, but the chapters do change character POVs rather without warning, so that did confuse me every time for a sentence or 2.

The writing is excellent, and the dialogue is realistic. There are quite a few authors who just cannot get dialogue to read naturally. D.J. Palmer isn't one of them.

I'm so glad I got to take this journey on a book I wouldn't have picked up normally. I received this advanced reader's copy from St. Martin's Press in exchange for my honest opinion.

[susan0316 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Things are not always what they seem to be. Nina's husband had been gone for 18 months. He disappeared on a fishing trip and all that was found was his bloody boat - was he dead or did he run away with the woman he was having an affair with. Now, much to her parents and her best friends dismay, Nina has bought a house with Simon who appears to be the best husband ever. He wants to take care of her and her two children, he is loving and attentive - all the things that her husband hadn't been. Her 16 year old son really likes Simon and they spend a lot of time together. Her13 year old daughter, Maggie, wants her dad and there is no way that she will allow Simon to take her dad's place. Her reluctance to accept Simon is keeping the household in a turmoil and Nina and Simon both work to make her accept Simon but Maggie sees something sinister in him -- is she missing her dad or is Simon not really the perfect boyfriend that Nina thinks he is???This is a fun book to read - there are lots of twists and turns and even though I guessed the ending early, I wasn't aware of how cruel this person could be (not going to tell you who). My favorite character was Maggie - she knew something was wrong with her Mom's new boyfriend and went out of her way to prove it to her mom. Nina was pretty naive and missed some important clues until things got so bad, she could no longer ignore them. This is a great book to read to take you away from everything that's going on in the world right now.

[carole888fort · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The New Husband by D.J. Palmer is a stunning thriller. The minute you start reading this book, there is a feeling of foreboding and dread but you don’t know why. Nina Garrity’s husband Glen has disappeared, leaving everyone wondering if he left intentionally or may have met with foul play. She later finds out that he has had an affair with a local waitress. A year and a half later, Nina falls in love again and moves her family in with Simon Fitch. She is thrilled with the new relationship: he seems to know her so well and is devoted to making her happy. Her daughter instantly exhibits dislike towards Simon and her son enjoys spending time with him, making for a tense household. The plot cannot be discussed here but I think that you will not regret reading The New Husband. It is simply unpredictable and an absolute thrill-ride. Highly recommended. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[medwards429 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Thank you in advance to the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, for providing an advanced review copy. A positive review was not required. All words are my own.

This is the second book I’ve read by the author. The first one was the 2019 release “Saving Meghan”. These two books are connected, so they are standalone reads.

I have to hand it to St. Martin’s Press. Sometimes their “marketing” ideas are great! After requesting the book, and prior to receiving it, I got a “to show he cares” package. It consisted of a WONDERFUL scented Pine candle (which I still haven’t used), a letter to Nina from Simon, and a recipe card.

The cover is eerily calm and creepy. And, there will be some questionable language in it. Though the “F” word is not used in this book.

If you enjoy suspense novels with knowing up front who the bad guy is, you will probably enjoy this read. If you want it stretched out and be surprised – this will be a letdown. Readers who are observant will know that Simon Fitch is the bad guy, it is evident in chapter six (6). He is definitely a master manipulator, and this is seen by Maggie. Obviously, I hated Simon practically from the moment he is introduced.

In the first chapter, it starts off with a standard third person set-up – finding an abandoned boat. And, what is interesting – the character it starts with; isn’t seen or heard from again. That would’ve been an interesting plot angle to explore somewhere in this novel. So, right off this novel grabbed me.

From chapter two (2) to 29, it is told from Nina’s POV (3rd person) and 13 year old Maggie’s POV (1st person). However, from chapter 29 on, there was a new POV, also told in the third (3rd) person. And, it is in chapter 29 that there is little doubt as to who Simon is and what he is after.

The chain of events that begin this novel is set off by Nina’s husband, Glen, mysteriously disappearing. Now, 17 months later, she and her two children (Maggie and Connor) are moving into a house with Simon. Simon is also a teacher at Maggie’s school.

Nina is definitely naïve, with her son Connor worshipping Simon. The only “sane” voice of reason is Maggie. In addition to dealing with the Simon issue, Maggie also has her middle school drama. Even Nina’s friends Ginny and Susanna aren’t overly fond of Simon.

At the end of chapter 13, he is caught in a lie, but no one questions it except Maggie.

There are some questionable moments that made me roll my eyes – chapter 20 was an example, especially over a hairstyle.
The relatively short chapters made this a quick read, and I managed to read it in about six (6) hours. It was, at points, hard to put down. After the first break, I had managed to read 148 pages.

Overall, the plot was solid, but I found Simon’s motives a bit weak; considering his obsession with Nina and the outlandish efforts he went to. The main plot centered around the first wife (Allison) who disappeared. Her fate is never revealed, and his second wife, the deceased Emma.

Maggie at least has one ally – her friend Ben. He is her calm voice of reason, her sounding board, and her saving grace.

It isn’t until around chapter 31 that Nina starts seeing the “isolation” from her friends as a problem. Even when she starts analyzing the fact that Simon uses the same cologne as her missing husband, drives the same kind of truck, and even gets the same gifts – she tries to dismiss it, even to the point of doubting herself. Even when a disastrous even occurs, she still can’t see what is going on.

At times I wanted to shake Nina as she was believing Simon over everyone else. Finally about chapter 43, she begins to question things – including a bottle of ipecac.

For their part, and given their ages – Ben, Maggie, and even Connor start staking out Simon’s rental property when they all find problems with what he is saying. Connor does it only to prove his sister wrong.

After Maggie’s life is put in jeopardy, and Nina FINALLY catches him in a lie – Nina tosses him out of the house. It is at this point, where I wanted to yell FINALLY as she starts seeing him in a different light.

From there, it takes a stunning turn for Nina, something the readers knew about 30 chapters earlier. From there, things pick up rather quickly.

Another problem I had – both kids were seeing a therapist. While Nina’s “therapy” was featured – there was nothing about the kids, particularly Maggie who was having the most issues. It was a bit to believe that Maggie hadn’t told her therapist about Simon. This is a plot point I think the writer could’ve explored and added a bit more to the plot with, even after Maggie’s “accident” at school.

Maggie’s reflection at the end was interesting and eye-opening.

A gripping, suspenseful, haunting, page-turning read that combines torture, murder, and an obsessed controlling psychopath.

It was fascinating to read, but at the same time, it was like watching a train about to wreck while trying to signal the engineer who is oblivious to the impending havoc and chaos.


“Just because you love someone, doesn’t mean you know them”.

[kmjessica · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a great book. Kept me wanting more all the way through and I liked the ending a lot.
This isn't the kind of story that you seam to read over and over again. It was what I was expecting from the tittle but it did not make the story any less enjoyable. The author had a way of giving the characters just the right personality to pull off the book. Its a 5 star for sure!

[bettytaylor56 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is possibly the BEST thriller of the year! It kept me interested from beginning to end. A real page-turner.Nina’s husband has disappeared. It is not known if he drowned or just abandoned her and their two children, Maggie and Connor. Then Simon, a widower, enters her life. He seems perfect – prepares her favorite food, anticipates her every need, makes her feel special. Connor adores him, Maggie detests him. Maggie won’t give up hope that her father is alive and will one day return to them.The book is very suspenseful and fast-paced, and since I loved the characters (except for Simon, of course) I was on the edge of my seat over their safety. Maggie stole my heart. She is grieving the loss of her father, being bullied at school, and sees a side of Simon that neither her mother nor her brother sees. She tries to warn them, but they will not believe her. Once you start it, this is book is very hard to put down. This book is the perfect blend of secrets, lies and manipulation.I highly recommend this book if you love thrillers. I look forward to this author’s next release.Thank you to Shelf Awareness and St. Martin’s Press for the advance copy.

[arlenadean · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Title: The New HusbandAuthor: D. J. PalmerPublisher: St. Martin's PressReviewed By: Arlena DeanRating: FiveReview:"The New Husband" by D. J. PalmerMy Speculation: As I started reading 'The New Husband,' I found each chapter kept my attention turning the pages and on the edge of your seat, seeing what was coming next in this mystery, thriller, suspense fast-paced read. I will say that this author gives the reader a good read of the mind of a sociopath who loved 'playing games with people's minds and emotions.' That Simons showed how he could play with one's minds as he manipulates so well in this story; however, this didn't happen with Maggie. Now, why was that?Be ready for one nightmare of terror with many twists and turns you will not see coming.

[kimd66 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I received this book as an ARC. I really wanted to love this book! However....Well begin with the good? Or bad?GOOD: The writer is good. Really good. In general. Great, solid writing. Great description. Authentic dialog. And a relatively interesting story once the protagonist, Nina, got her act together.BAD: Nina, Nina, Nina. What a contradiction! Her relationship with her daughter, Maggie, just does NOT ring true. I simply cannot comprehend a mother disregarding the genuine concerns of her daughter! Dismiss her every word and pass it all off as a "phase".ESPECIALLY as Nina is "trained to recognize" signs of abuse. She actually THANKED her social work training for sharpening her observation skills. This after TWO YEARS of being manipulated without a SINGLE CLUE!!Frustrating, to say the least. One singular character stood out for me. - I believe the 6 pages Allison's story took up provided the essential point of the book.Maybe I'm too close to the subject matter. There is no AHA moment. The whole cycle of abuse was way too condensed. Recovery way too quick.I honestly can't wait to read a new D.J. Palmer book, because she's got what it takes.

[emily_wai_catan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Nina Garrity was devastated when her husband, Glen, disappeared – presumably drowned because police couldn’t find his body – when he was out fishing on his boat at Carson one day. After more than one and a half years, Nina moved on with her life, finding her new love, soon-to-be- new husband, Simon Fitch; and hoped to rebuild a loving family with him and her two children, Maggie and Conner…However, Nina slowly learned that she was being isolated from her social circle, her job, outside world… To make things worse, something horrendous had happened to her therapist that almost killed her! Nina’s life was turned upside down when she discovered layer after layer of dark secrets and lies about Glen as well as Simon!! Were there more unthinkable disasters coming her way?D.J. Palmer has brilliantly weaved plenty of twists and turns into this gripping thriller “The New Husband” that keep one on edge! I loved his “Saving Meghan” and “The New Husband”, both full of compelling plots! D.J. Palmer is a stunning author with great potential and I truly looking forward to reading his future thrillers!

[darcia_10 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Unpopular opinion: The New Husband is yet another domestic suspense novel that made me want to toss the book in my pool.Pacing is quite slow to start, picking up about midway and exploding in implausible insanity toward the end.I liked Maggie, Nina’s teenage daughter, who is the only character with a shred of sense. Nina needed a good slap. She perfectly fits the TSTL (too stupid to live) character profile. And I wanted Simon to die a horrible death from the very beginning.The plot, though, is where this book totally lost me. I saw the major twist coming, but I so wanted to be wrong. Then that twist happened, and my brain spewed the entire list of words I can’t say in public. From there, things got ridiculous. I couldn’t take anything seriously, and my eyes hurt from all the rolling they did.So, total disappointment for me. But lots of readers have loved this one, and you might too.*I received a review copy from the publisher.*

[kulmona · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Thanks, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my ARC.Too good to be true. Sounds cynical, but, more times than not, this adage fits.Nina's world changed when her husband was declared missing. It was a routine weekend morning, until the police officers showed up at her front door, bearing good news...and bad.Then, a couple years later(too soon for some), Nina finds a new love in Simon. Although she' is wary, Simon isn't exactly a stranger(he teaches at her daughter's school and they had previously met at a school event). But he's  evasive about his past, claiming it was too painful and Nina doesn't want to pry. She should have.In the best of times, a blended family is an adjustment. But, add to that, a shift of residence and the uncertainty surrounding Glen, Nina and her two children, Maggie and Connor, have a lot to grapple with. Granted, Glen was far from a perfect husband and father but still...they feel the loss, acutely. But, the Glen they lost is far different from the Glen who is missing.Her family and friends mean everything to Nina. They are her support system and she just wants everyone to at least TRY to get along. And, she wants to take a stab at rejuvenating her social work career. As a modern, independent woman, being totally reliant on a man does not sit well with her. But, balancing personal and professional life is easier said than done. Something's gotta give and Simon's mixed messages aren't helping. As expected, there are conflicts and Nina often finds herself caught in the middle. She ignores her instincts, to her detrimentTold from varying perspectives, the plot shifts smoothly in time from the present to flashbacks. Even though I could often predict what would happen next, it was an entertaining read with some good life lessons.

[tamidale · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This new thriller by DJ Palmer may take a bit to get going, but once it does, there is not a dull moment! It definitely fits the definition of a thriller.When Glen Garrity goes missing, everyone assumes he must be dead—even his family. His wife Nina eventually begins a relationship with a middle school teacher named Simon. The children, Connor and Maggie, have two distinctly different feelings about Simon.As time goes on the relationship between Simon and Maggie becomes very tense. Simon and Nina are having trouble as well, because of Maggie and because of Nina’s lingering feelings for Glen and her reluctance to go ahead and marry Simon.Eventually Maggie gets Connor involved in a scheme to find out some things about Simon. Things within the family soon reach a dangerous level and thankfully Connor is able to make a decision that saves his family.Along with the family’s loyal dog, Daisy (my favorite character), they all soon learn what really happened to their dad and what secrets Simon has been hiding. The ending was so tense, that I had to put the book down and walk away for a bit!For sensitive readers, there are some violent scenes and references to domestic abuse. Readers who love a great thriller, will enjoy this one. It may be a bit predictable, but I still found it quite an exciting read.Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.

[cherylk_44 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I must admit that I was not a fan of Mr. Palmer's second book. After reading the first and really enjoying it, I was looking forward to reading this book. What did not work for me was how naïve, Nina came off. She had many signs hitting her in the face and she ignored them all. Than, when she was confronted with the truth; she acted as if she was surprised. Simon was not likable at all. This is the point but he also was not a very good liar. He would act like a gentleman one moment and the next he would lose his temper. Nina was in an emotional abusive relationship and she went with it. Nina's actions frustrated me so much that I found myself yelling at her constantly and getting even turned off by her. While, this book may not have been a winner for me. I do look forward to the next book by Mr. Palmer as I know he can write.

[techeditor_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The second half of THE NEW HUSBAND by DJ Palmer is what gets this book high marks and great reviews. But you have to be patient when you read the first half and hope that the second half will be good enough to make it worth the wait. It is. (But I rate on the basis of both halves, not just the second.)When this book opens, Glenn has been missing for nearly two years, leaving his wife, Nina, and two teenage kids, Conner and Maggie, to wonder what happened to him and how they could live on the little savings he left. Simon stepped in to woo Nina soon after Glen's disappearance. He has promised to take care of the family financially so won Nina over too quickly. Now he and Nina have purchased a home, and Simon wants to marry Nina. Conner likes Simon; Maggie despises him.The first half of THE NEW HUSBAND establishes Simon's obsession with Nina and Maggie's hate of Simon. Although Nina does not ignorantly go along with every one of Simon's sweet-sounding demands, she still cannot see what 13-year-old Maggie does. Although Palmer doesn't explicitly say so, if the reader is the least bit perceptive, she will realize that Simon is, indeed, a bad guy and young Maggie is smarter than her mom. Admittedly, though, Nina does finally look into Simon's past before the halfway point of the book. This isn't a complete exercise in frustration.So this goes on for 170-some pages. In the second half of the book, the reader sees just how bad Simon really is.I've said enough. I'll say no more. But I'm glad I read both halves.I won an advance reader's copy of THE NEW HUSBAND from St. Martin's Press.

[vintage1series1lisa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

*********** SPOILER ALERT********* Well, this was a great book!Sometimes reviews become difficult for me to write because I have trouble finding what to say. This book's review was not difficult at all. First of all, it grabbed me from the start. It kept my interest until the end. I did not want it to end! I wanted to know more. I wanted to know what happened to Allison and to the baby. After Nina's husband disappears from a fishing outing, she had thought he was dead. 3 months later, she falls in love with Simon. A very charming man, he was perfect. The relationship moves rather quickly and Nina's family and friends do not agree with the rapid progression and her moving in with him so quickly. But, they support her anyways. 8th grade Maggie, Nina's daughter, hates Simon. They were always butting heads. There was so much tension in the house, that Nina starts to see a therapist at the recommendation of one of her friends. Now, the red-flags begin. His true colors were starting to surface. He is the example of a classic covert narcissist psychopath. Their first date was the love-bombing stage. It was so sickening. Nina was blinded by love and all of the attention. Then the narc kicked in...numerous calls to her work, jealous rage, blame-shifting, scapegoating, controlling, manipulation, gas-lighting to make her look crazy, isolation from her friends and family, walking on eggshells, etc...she kept getting feelings that things were not right. Major plot twist, ch 29, when we find out that Simon has Glen held captive in the basement.! We find out that Simon had been stalking them and Glen was the victim of a well- planned set-up. Simon tried to kill Nina's therapist, he killed his brother and planted Glen's DNA on her. Simon purposely made Maggie sick by making brownies with peanut oil in them knowing that Maggie was deathly allergic to nuts. And he took her EpiPens out of her bag. He comes to the rescue with her pens while she was almost dead. This led Nina to finally pay attention to her gut feelings and the advice that Hugh gave her before he was killed.So much more happens in this story that I don't want to tell everything. I will leave it up to the reader. I found myself talking out loud and shaking my head many times throughout the book. There are many triggers here for me as I lived this way previously. This book really hit home for me. Well-written. Great character development. I felt like I personally knew them. This book totally exhausted me when I was finished though. I felt like I went through it personally. I will definitely read more from this author. I received an ARC copy of this book by the author in return for my honest review. Thank you so much!

[juju2cat · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book was quite the thriller! We presume from the title that the new husband has issues and boy, does he. I was very impressed with the characterizations, especially Maggie the daughter and her friend Ben O'Dell. The end left me feeling a bit put out but this was all in all a very good read.

[khal_khaleesi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love a good thriller, so when I found out about The New Husband by D.J. Palmer, I was all over it! This was a book that I knew I had to read. Luckily, I was not disappointed at all.Nina's husband Glen disappeared after going out on his boat. No one was ever able to locate Glen's body although Nina presumes him to be dead. About two years later, Nina finds love with Simon Fitch, a teacher at her daughter's middle school. Simon is absolutely perfect for Nina, but Maggie, Nina's daughter, knows something is very wrong with Simon. Is Simon actually who he says he is or is Nina over her head?I found the plot for The New Husband to be entertaining even though I also found it fairly predictable. While the plot is similar to other books, Palmer does a fantastic job at adding his own voice to the story. There were a couple of little plot twist I didn't predict to be fair, and the pacing was done brilliantly. I felt like every loose end was tied up by the end of the book and was explained very well. The descriptive use of text has me transported right into the middle of the setting for every scene in The New Husband.The characters in The New Husband all had plenty of depth and were very fleshed out. I loved Nina, but so many times I wanted her to really pry more into Simon's background instead of taking him at face value. It was easy to see why she wanted to trust him since she was in love with him though. I loved how Nina's curiosity eventually got the better of her, and she did start digging up info on Simon. Simon seemed like a complete psychopath to me. I loved how well he was written, but I was constantly second guessing everything Simon said. I wanted to be wrong about him. I loved how Maggie was willing to investigate Simon from the get go. Something about him didn't sit right with her, and she acted on it. Whenever everyone else was jaded when it came to Simon, Maggie saw right through him. I did feel that Maggie sometimes acted younger than her actual age though based on how her thoughts were written.Trigger warnings include profanity, gas-lighting, mentions of sex (although not graphic), gun use, alcohol use, violence, attempted murder, and murder.The New Husband will definitely leave you on your toes as well as turning the page wanting to know more. Although the plot is fairly predictable, it has a great cast of characters who hold their own. I would definitely recommend The New Husband by D.J. Palmer to those who love a story that sucks them right in!--(A special thank you to the publisher for sending me a paperback ARC of The New Husband by D.J. Palmer. I was not required to write a review.)

[sigmundfraud · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The New Husband by D.J. Palmer is a domestic novel as well as a mystery of sorts. It starts slowly but by the denouement it is filled with violence, murder and torture. I must admit the end was hard to take. A woman's husband disappears while fishing off his boat. Blood is found and he is presumed to be dead. The woman takes up with a new man who is a teacher in the local high school. He eventually moves in with her and her two children, a daughter who can't stand him and a son who gets along with him. I found him a little too solicitous to his companion which made me suspicious which was warranted. I will leave it to you to find out what happens. I enjoyed the book but didn't find it compelling

[susan.h.schofield · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I really struggled with this book. It was slow to start and just very predictable. You knew who the bad guy was from the beginning and even what was supposed to be the big shocking twist wasn't that shocking. The behavior and actions of Nina's character, especially being that she was a mother and a social worker, were so unbelievable. If you are looking for a psychological thriller, there are definitely a lot of better options out there. Thanks to the St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

[jfe16 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Review of uncorrected digital galleyGlen Garrity, missing for some eighteen months, deserted his family, presumably for a life with another woman. But since so much time has passed, the lack of a body has not stopped his wife, Nina, from considering him dead. After all, his fishing boat, with a great deal of blood on its deck, was floating on the lake with only the family dog, Daisy, on board. Everyone believes Glen fell overboard and drowned. Despite her children’s misgivings, Nina has moved on. Her relationship with middle school teacher Simon Fitch seems headed toward marriage. They’ve bought a house together and the four of them are living there. Connor seems to accept Simon, but Maggie does not. She’s certain her father will return.Nina, looking forward, resumes her social work career. But Simon is unhappy with this decision and, as Nina strives to please the new man in her life, she soon discovers that Simon’s apparent devotion hides something more dangerous. Nevertheless, she’s determined to find a way to make things work.But what will happen when Nina discovers the sinister secrets Simon holds? What happens when everything she though she knew turns out to be a lie?Well-developed, believable characters populate this story of closely-held secrets and deception and, although there are moments when Nina makes some cringe-worthy decisions, this top-notch thriller is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats. The plot, with its revelations readers simply won’t see coming, takes readers in unexpected directions and the unfolding of this twisted tale is sure to keep the pages turning as fast as possible.Highly recommended. I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley #TheNewHusband #NetGalley

[bonnie.franks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I would have read this book no matter what, as DJ (Daniel) Palmer is one of my top 5 favorite writers. I have read nothing of his that I wouldn't read again or tell others to read.This one touches on so many topics. One thing I have noted the author always does is write about current issues. This book has issues that are as old as time and some that are current and socially trending as we speak. It's all put together in a glorious mix, which kept me hanging on, guessing, applauding some of the characters, calling some of them names, making some more guesses, finding out I was right (but so wrong) on one of my guesses, rooting for the good guys always, and in about the middle of the book, closing it gently to let that part settle in before I continued. Wow, what a ride this was. It was great.I was lucky enough to receive an advanced reading copy from both NetGalley.com and the publisher, for which I thank them profusely. You will want to rush out and grab this one when it publishes! #thenewhusband