Like the other Dorothy Koomson novels I’ve read (The Brighton Mermaid and I Know What You’ve Done), My Other Husband is mainly set in Brighton where the author lives. I have to admit, this is a huge plus point for me as Brighton is my hometown, so I love reading novels set there.
That is, of course, not the only reason I loved My Other Husband. This book is a masterclass in perfectly-timed plot reveals, 3D characters and a very clever what-can-possibly-happen-next atmosphere that keeps you turning those pages.
Opening sentence: ‘Cleo Forsum Pryce, I am arresting you on the suspicion of attempted murder.’
My Other Husband opens on the above highly dramatic line. There is a split timeline so in the present, Cleo is an author – her book, The Baking Detective, is being adapted into a successful TV series and she’s working on the scripts. She is married to Wallace but is divorcing him, not for any reason you would ever guess, though…
In the split timeline we also meet a younger Cleo when she was at university in Leeds. Her best friend, Trina and boyfriend, Heath are huge parts of her life, both past and present.
It’s nothing personal, it’s just that people are messy. Humans are complicated.
When life imitates fiction
Back in the present, Cleo finds herself under police scrutiny as murders start to occur that mimic the way Cleo crafted deaths for her Baking Detective series. Something sinister is at play. Who is trying to frame Cleo and just why is she pressing self-destruct on a life she is seemingly happy with?
If you knew the truth, you would both hate me with a fury that would never, ever end.
I absolutely loved the way the story in My Other Husband revealed itself. I won’t say any more as I don’t want to put spoilers in this review but trust me, this is such a unique story – I haven’t read a thriller with something similar, so good!
As well as the main plot, Dorothy Koomson also makes important social commentary on how Black characters are removed or stereotyped from novels and TV shows and how it has to stop.
Another excellent Dorothy Koomson thriller, couldn’t put it down!
- Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC;
- Get your copy of My Other Husband here;
- Published by Headline Review;
- 401 pages;
- My rating:
Books on the 7:47 
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