In Kimberly Belle’s latest release, DEAR WIFE, two women are on the run. But why? The book opens with Beth Murphy frantically driving across the country to Atlanta, Georgia, while fleeing and hiding from her abusive husband. Meanwhile, Jeffrey Hardison's wife, Sabine, is missing from their home in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

With the story alternating between Sabine and Beth’s points of view, the reader can’t help but wonder: Are Sabine and Beth the same person? If not, what is their connection? Who is the abusive husband? Is it “always the husband. Especially one like me --- sexually frustrated and financially dependent,” as Jeffrey states at one point? Once Sabine is reported missing, what will Detective Marcus Durand uncover while investigating her disappearance? Will Sabine’s twin sister, Ingrid, be able to aid in the search?

"Just when I thought I had DEAR WIFE all figured out...I had to guess again.... Once I reached the last, extremely suspenseful quarter of this book, I felt exactly like Beth must have while speeding away from her husband, and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough."

Much to my utter delight, Belle has done it again. I don't know what it is about her domestic thrillers, but I absolutely love them. Perhaps it’s the dramatic suspense, or the fact that I can never guess the endings. Whatever the “it” factor is, it’s definitely made me a fan for life. Just when I thought I had DEAR WIFE all figured out, for instance, I had to guess again. As with her other novels, THE MARRIAGE LIE (5 stars) and THREE DAYS MISSING (4.5 stars), I was hooked from the very first paragraphs all the way to the shocking conclusions. I’m fairly good at guessing the twists in thrillers, but these three sure fooled me…in a good way. In DEAR WIFE, my pulse raced faster and faster as I read Beth’s chapters about her desperate attempt to outrun her cruel husband, while also leaving a fake trail for him to follow. How smart was that? And what happened to poor Sabine?

The way that Beth sometimes spoke to the reader as if he or she was her abusive husband was very unique and powerful. It definitely pulled me further and further into the already suspenseful story, while keeping me firmly on Team Beth. I’m a sucker for strong female characters, and this one did not disappoint. Once Beth decided she was sick and tired of “all those years of tiptoeing around your moods and catering to your every whim,” she took her chance and fled from her home. And, as her oh-so-loyal fan, I was right there by her side encouraging her to never look back and never give up. Go, Beth, go!

Once I reached the last, extremely suspenseful quarter of this book, I felt exactly like Beth must have while speeding away from her husband, and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. One part of the shocking conclusion brought tears to my eyes, which is always unexpected while reading a thriller. Kimberly Belle has yet to disappoint me with her cunning, clever writing. I’m so glad I still have a couple from her backlog, THE LAST BREATH and THE ONES WE TRUST, to grab when I need my next dark, riveting and twisty fix.