| Date: 22 May 2011, 19:25
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From the author of one of the worst Intrigues ever (#372-"The Tender Hours." Didn't read it? Lucky you.) comes this wonderfully romantic, suspenseful tale. I almost didn't buy it, but since I tend to buy all four books on reflex, I picked it up. Everything that was wrong with "The Tender Hours"--a killer who was obvious from page one, a hero who seemed totally unnecessary for the story, etc.--has been fixed and greatly improved upon. Anyone who read her last one and is wary of buying this one can rest easy: it's worth the investment.
Meg Lindley has been scraping to get by ever since her husband left her, so when a private investigator offers her a job with a big payoff, she's intrigued. All she has to do is pose as the wife of a wealthy developer at the opening at a new hotel. No one there knows her, so it should be no problem, and Meg accepts the job. But when Jake Chastain shows up unexpectedly, Meg's masquerade becomes a lot more difficult, especially when it looks like someone is trying to kill him.
Phillips' story is more of an old-fashioned tale than we're used to (actually, it's like an improved version of last year's "The Only Man to Trust"), but anyone who's tired of cowboys and secret babies will probably appreciate the change. Despite her early lies, Meg is a very sympathetic character, and her struggle to do the right thing is understandable considering all she's had to deal with in her life. Meanwhile, Jake is a very sexy hero who seems made for her. The plot is complicated enough to keep readers on their toes, and the increased difficulties Meg faces make for compelling reading. Jess and Huxley were great secondary characters, too. As a riveting mystery and sweet romance, "A Stranger's Wife" never lets up.
I have no idea if this review will ever be posted, since I've submitted it five times since I read the book in February, but I thought I'd try again. No, the book isn't perfect. Phillips does tip her hand a little early, telling us who the villain is far earlier than necessary, and the connection between Meg and her lookalike turns out to be a huge cliche. And I recognize that it won't be everyone's cup of tea, since it reminded me more of an old-fashioned gothic than today's brand of romantic suspense, with our hapless heroine struggling to overcome an increasingly disturbing set of odds. I also wouldn't have minded a few more glimpses into Jake's point-of-view (Phillips offers about...four of them), but that's a minor quibble. For the most part, the story is fast-moving, the characters are sympathetic, and the suspense well-drawn. I'm not exactly going to add Ms. Phillips to my must-buy list (this one doesn't quite overcome the complete catastrophe that was "The Tender Hours"), but overall, this was a pleasant surprise and a good read.
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