Background of the bestselling author

Alice Feeney isn't just another thriller writer – she's the real deal. A former BBC journalist, Feeney switched careers to become one of the most electrifying voices in psychological suspense. Her journalistic background shines through in her meticulously researched plots and attention to detail.

Born and raised in the UK, Feeney spent years crafting news stories before deciding to pour her storytelling talents into fiction. That transition paid off big time. She broke onto the scene in 2017 and quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with.

Notable previous psychological thrillers

Feeney's debut "Sometimes I Lie" knocked readers sideways with its unreliable narrator and jaw-dropping twists. The book follows Amber Reynolds, who's in a coma but can hear everything happening around her – and nothing is as it seems.

Her follow-ups have been equally mind-bending:

• "I Know Who You Are": A tale of identity and deception featuring an actress with a dark past

• "His & Hers": A murder mystery told from dual perspectives

• "Rock Paper Scissors": A marriage thriller with weekend-getaway-gone-wrong vibes

• "Daisy Darker": A closed-circle mystery inspired by Agatha Christie

Signature narrative techniques

What makes Feeney's books so addictive? For starters, she's the queen of the unreliable narrator. Reading her novels feels like walking through a house of mirrors – you're never quite sure what's real.

She also masterfully employs:

• Dual timelines that gradually converge

• Short, punchy chapters that keep you turning pages well past bedtime

• Twist endings that genuinely shock (no cheap tricks here)

• Intimate first-person perspectives that put you inside characters' heads

Critical acclaim and reader reception

Critics have praised Feeney for breathing fresh life into the psychological thriller genre. The Washington Post called her work "twisted and deliciously clever," while The New York Times highlighted her "fiendishly well-plotted" narratives.

Readers can't get enough either. Her books consistently land on bestseller lists and spark heated book club discussions. What readers seem to appreciate most is her ability to construct puzzles that seem impossible to solve, yet make perfect sense once revealed.

With each new release, Feeney's fanbase grows, eagerly anticipating her next mind-bending tale.

Official publication date

Mark your calendars for April 14, 2026! That's when Alice Feeney's highly anticipated psychological thriller "My Husband's Wife" hits the shelves. The spring release date was strategically chosen to give readers the perfect beach read as summer approaches. Feeney fans have been waiting patiently since her last bestseller, and the buzz is already building.

Publishing house and editions available

HarperCollins has secured the publishing rights for "My Husband's Wife" with their Flatiron Books imprint handling the release. The book will be available in multiple formats:

• Hardcover (400 pages, $27.99)

• Trade paperback (415 pages, $16.99)

• Limited edition signed copies (exclusive to Barnes & Noble)

• Special collector's edition with bonus content

The collector's edition includes deleted scenes and an extended author Q&A that won't be available elsewhere.

Pre-order options

Can't wait to get your hands on this thriller? Pre-orders open October 2025 through:

• Amazon

• Barnes & Noble

• Books-A-Million

• Independent bookstores via IndieBound

• Bookshop.org

Early birds who pre-order get exclusive access to a mini prequel story delivered digitally before the official release.

Digital and audio formats

Not a physical book person? No problem! "My Husband's Wife" will be available as:

• Kindle eBook ($14.99)

• Nook edition ($14.99)

• Apple Books ($14.99)

• Audiobook narrated by Clare Corbett (Audible exclusive for first 3 months)

• Kobo eBook ($14.99)

The audiobook runs approximately 11 hours and features the return of narrator Clare Corbett, who previously worked on Feeney's earlier titles.

International release schedule

The worldwide rollout includes:

• US/Canada: April 14, 2026

• UK/Australia: April 16, 2026

• Germany/France: May 2026

• Spain/Latin America: June 2026

• Asia markets: July-August 2026

Translation rights have already been sold in 28 countries, with more deals pending.

A. Central premise and hook

Alice Feeney's "My Husband's Wife" drops readers into a marriage where nothing is as it seems. The story revolves around a couple with a seemingly perfect relationship who harbor dangerous secrets from each other. When these secrets start unraveling, their carefully constructed lives begin to crumble.

The brilliant hook? Both partners believe they know everything about each other, but neither has any idea who they really married. And someone's watching their every move.

B. Main characters and their dynamics

At the center are Emma and James, a couple whose relationship feels both intimate and distant. Emma presents as the devoted wife with a carefully managed public persona, while James exudes charm and success that masks deeper complexities.

Their relationship operates on a delicate balance of half-truths and unspoken agreements. The supporting characters—friends, family members, and unexpected connections from their pasts—serve as mirrors reflecting different facets of their relationship.

What makes these dynamics so compelling is how they shift and transform as revelations surface throughout the narrative.

C. Setting and time period

The story unfolds primarily in a picturesque coastal town that feels both idyllic and isolating. This contrast creates the perfect backdrop for a story about appearances versus reality.

Feeney uses the setting as more than scenery—it becomes almost another character, with weather patterns and seasonal changes mirroring the emotional temperature of the story.

Set in contemporary times, the narrative plays with timeline shifts between present events and crucial moments from the past that shaped the characters' current predicament.

D. Underlying themes explored

Trust and deception form the backbone of this psychological thriller. Feeney digs into how well we can truly know another person, even someone we share our life with.

Identity takes center stage—how we present ourselves versus who we really are. The novel examines the masks people wear in relationships and the price of maintaining those facades.

Power dynamics within relationships, the weight of secrets, and the consequences of betrayal all intertwine throughout the narrative. The story also touches on how trauma shapes our choices and the lengths people will go to protect themselves from past wounds.

Unique plot twists Feeney is known for

Alice Feeney has built her reputation on delivering jaw-dropping twists that leave readers gasping. In "My Husband's Wife," she doesn't just plant one major reveal - she scatters breadcrumbs throughout that culminate in a finale you won't see coming. Unlike predictable thrillers where you spot the twist chapters away, Feeney crafts revelations that make you want to immediately flip back through pages thinking, "How did I miss that?"

What's different this time around is how she plays with readers' assumptions. The title itself is a clever misdirect - making you think you understand the relationship dynamics before you've read a single page. That's classic Feeney, setting you up to believe one narrative while quietly building another beneath the surface.

Narrative structure and perspective

The storytelling approach in "My Husband's Wife" showcases Feeney's growth as a writer. She employs a fragmented timeline that jumps between past and present, creating tension through what's revealed and what's withheld.

The real genius comes in her use of unreliable narrators. Every character has secrets, making you question everything you're told. You'll find yourself wondering:

• Who's lying?

• Who's manipulating whom?

• What actually happened that night?

Her use of first-person perspective pulls you deep into characters' minds, making you complicit in their self-deception.

Comparison to her previous works

While "Rock Paper Scissors" gave us married secrets and "Sometimes I Lie" played with identity, "My Husband's Wife" represents Feeney's most sophisticated psychological game yet.

Feeney hasn't abandoned what works - the short chapters that keep you reading "just one more" until 3am remain - but she's refined her craft. The emotional depth feels more authentic, the characters more fully realized beyond just serving the twist.

Critic responses and ratings

The literary world is buzzing about "My Husband's Wife." Early reviews from Publishers Weekly called it "Feeney's most twisted narrative yet," while Kirkus Reviews awarded it a starred review, praising its "breathtaking pace and shocking revelations."

BookPage didn't hold back either: "A psychological thriller that makes Gone Girl look like a children's book." The novel currently sits at an impressive 4.7/5 on Goodreads based on advance reader copies.

Reader testimonials

Advance readers can't stop talking about this one.

"I stayed up until 3 AM to finish it. Worth every minute of lost sleep," shared one ARC reader.

Another reader commented: "The plot twist on page 237 literally made me gasp out loud on the subway. People stared. I didn't care."

Book influencers who received early copies report the same: "This book broke my thriller-reading slump. Nothing will compare for months."

Social media reactions

TikTok is already spawning #MyHusbandsWife theories, with readers desperately avoiding spoilers while still wanting to join the conversation. Instagram bookstagrammers are creating aesthetic flat lays featuring the book's striking cover.

Twitter threads analyzing the psychological aspects of the characters have reached viral status, with one thread gaining over 50,000 retweets from thriller enthusiasts.

Book club potential

This book screams "discuss me!" The morally ambiguous characters, ethical dilemmas, and shocking revelations make it perfect book club material.

Several national book clubs have already announced it as an upcoming selection, with the publisher offering discussion guides that promise to spark heated debates about trust, marriage, and deception.

The audiobook version, rumored to feature multiple narrators, will give book clubs another format option for members who prefer listening to reading.

Pacing and page-turner qualities

If you've read any of Alice Feeney's previous thrillers, you know she doesn't mess around with slow burns. "My Husband's Wife" promises that same breathless momentum that keeps you up until 3 AM saying "just one more chapter."

The narrative drives forward relentlessly, rarely giving you a chance to catch your breath. Feeney has mastered the art of ending chapters on mini-cliffhangers that make putting the book down feel like a personal betrayal to yourself.

Emotional impact and psychological elements

Feeney doesn't just want to entertain you—she wants to wreck you. This book digs deep into the darkest corners of marriage and trust.

You'll find yourself emotionally invested in characters who may or may not deserve your sympathy. The psychological warfare between the characters mirrors the mind games Feeney plays with her readers, making you question everything and everyone, including your own judgment.

Surprise factor and unpredictability

Think you can guess the ending? Yeah, good luck with that.

Feeney has built her reputation on jaw-dropping twists that readers never see coming. "My Husband's Wife" continues this tradition with revelations that will have you flipping back through pages thinking, "How did I miss that?" Just when you think you've figured it out, Feeney pulls the rug out from under you—again and again.

Target audience appeal

This book hits the sweet spot for thriller fans who love domestic noir with psychological depth. If you devour books by Gillian Flynn, Paula Hawkins, or Lisa Jewell, you'll find yourself right at home in Feeney's twisted world.

Perfect for book clubs too—the moral ambiguity and shocking twists will fuel heated debates over wine long after the last page is turned.

The chilling narrative of "My Husband's Wife" showcases Alice Feeney's signature psychological suspense style that fans have come to love. With its intricate plot exploring deception within marriage, unreliable narrators, and unexpected twists, this novel promises to keep readers guessing until the final page. The early critical acclaim and building anticipation among thriller enthusiasts suggest this will be another standout addition to Feeney's impressive bibliography.

For those planning to dive into this dark domestic thriller, prepare for an immersive reading experience that will challenge your perceptions and keep you turning pages late into the night. Whether you're already a Feeney fan or discovering her work for the first time, "My Husband's Wife" appears poised to deliver the perfect blend of psychological insight and heart-pounding suspense that defines the best of contemporary thriller fiction.