The Wife Before by Shanora Williams

The story sounds familiar, but Shanora Williams definitely puts her own twist on it. The premise of the novel is familiar. A second wife is drawn into the tragedy that killed the first—and she must find out the truth before she’s next.

Finding herself without a job and with bills due, Samira accepts a waitressing job at a charity event where she meets the attractive famous golfer Roland Graham. Soon they are an item, and he’s wowing her with trips and gifts. Samira’s brother warns her, though, to be careful; Roland’s first wife, Melanie, died under mysterious circumstances, and there’s a lot of speculation (on social media, anyway) that Roland was responsible.

Roland reassures Samira, and they get married and move into Roland’s mansion in Colorado—the mansion where he used to live with Melanie. She meets Roland’s handsome cousin, Dylan, and the housekeeper/chef, Yadira, and then she finds Melanie’s journals.

The reader slowly begins to learn more about Melanie’s life and marriage at the same time that Samira does: the distance that gradually grows between her and her husband; her attraction to Dylan; her complicated sister drama. Samira can’t confront her husband with these truths, but as she reads further and digs deeper into Melanie’s past, she knows she must discover the truth behind her death—before it’s too late for Samira, too.

My Verdict: The book, for me, was one that I just couldn't put down. Williams gives both Melanie and Samira multiple dimensions; they're flawed but also strong and determined, and the twist at the end is a surprise. I thought I knew where this was headed and I wasn't completely wrong, but I wasn't completely right either. My definition of a good thriller is one where I am surprised at the end and that makes this a good one for me. It is a thriller with a familiar foundation but some contemporary spice, so if spicy isn't a flavor you enjoy this one might not be for you, but if you enjoy a spicy mystery grab a copy of this one.

I give this novel 4 stars.