In WHAT THE WIFE KNEW, accomplished author Darby Kane ably demonstrates her expertise writing about families and relationships.

There are several dysfunctional families here, but perhaps the most dysfunctional is that of Addison. Her mother, Lizzy, clearly would win a "Worst Mother of the Year" award. She is an absolute narcissist who has used Addison her whole life without regard to her daughter’s safety or well-being at any time whatsoever. Addison fled when she graduated from high school, but no matter how far she goes or how she tries to stay under the radar, her mother finds her and tries to manipulate her.

Though Addison knows Lizzy is a horrible person, she craves her love. So when Lizzy asks Addison to help her in her quest for revenge, she finally agrees. Her mother has been trying to get even with the person she blames for ruining her life practically since Addison was born. To enact this devious scheme, Addison marries successful pediatric surgeon Richmond Dougherty, who saved his high school from a shooter and is revered everywhere as a hero.

"The whole package --- the writing, the plot, the characters, the chronology and each new revelation --- works so well that you’ll love this book right up to the last page."

It turns out that Richmond divorced his wife, Kathryn, in order to marry Addison, whom he hates, but we don’t know why. The story opens, interestingly, on the day of Richmond's funeral. We see Kathryn and her histrionics; his children mourning the loss of their father; and Addison, looking at his friends and family, who think she killed him. She admits (to us) that she wanted to off him. Unfortunately, someone else did it first. All that pathos and humor in just the first three pages!

The story is laid out brilliantly, with much of the first person narrative in the "present" and by "her," meaning Addison. But there is also a narrative set in the past, with the time and speaker clearly noted. Some of it is humorously labeled by number of days of marriage, and there are a few short chapters by "him," from Richmond's point of view. Altogether, it's a masterful narrative that becomes so engrossing that we can't stop reading. I literally was up until the early morning to finish it because the pages flew by. There are twists and very unexpected turns almost until the end.

Kane treats us to an extremely jaded look at "high society," successful people who go from country club to office to private posh events. But while the doctor is highly esteemed, what we come to realize is that he is not someone to revere or admire. The person behind the glass is like a carnival mirror, warped and distorted, and completely unlike his public persona, which is heroic, capable and brilliant. In a truth-is-stranger-than-fiction moment, Richmond mirrors a real-life Helena, Montana oncologist recently discovered to have misdiagnosed cancers; the power he wielded shielded him from scrutiny for decades. But Richmond’s misdeeds go even deeper.

Addison is a fascinating, multifaceted character who was raised by a grifting amoral mother. By all rights, she should have few concerns about taking revenge on the Dougherty family, ruining them all and leaving with the money. But Addison is much more of a whole, caring person who believes in doing the right thing than many others who should know better. She has a large enough heart to cover for her mother's lack of that organ. We really like Addison, who has gotten a raw deal in life but still wants to be kind and compassionate (to those who deserve it). And while she wants to drive Richmond crazy and then kill him, he is also threatening to kill her.

Richmond is dead, but we don't know who did the deed and why. There are several people who have motives, although the local police have bought into the whole "Saint Richmond" thing and think Addison is guilty. There is his scheming ex-wife who detests Addison and wants "her" money back. There is also the grieving father whose son died on the operating table and who blames Richmond for it.

The whole package --- the writing, the plot, the characters, the chronology and each new revelation --- works so well that you’ll love this book right up to the last page. You will become immersed in Addison's life and her determination to find the real killer (she doesn't want to go to jail!) and do the right thing with Richmond's blood money. Because, make no mistake, you won't feel sorry for Richmond at all. He is a really perfect, really bad guy.