"The Wife Upstairs"

"The Wife Upstairs" by Rachel Hawkins

Stroll by the opulence of the gated homes in 

Thornfield Estates, and you'll see how the wealthy

live. Perfectly manicured lawns bursting with

vivid flowers surround magnificent homes with pricey

SUVs in the driveways, waiting for restless housewives

to depart for another gossipy luncheon fueled by 

over-priced cocktails.  

Jane is new to Birmingham, Alabama, and even though

her latest gig as a dog-walker for these over-indulged 

residents isn't her dream job, it does offer the opportunity

to imagine what it must be like to wake up every day

not worrying about how next month's rent will

miraculously appear. For just a moment, she can forget

the abusive foster homes where she spent her childhood.  

When resilient Jane happens to meet the charming, handsome

widower, Eddie Rochester, on one of these daily walks, she

immediately seizes the opportunity to ingratiate herself into

his life. With his tousled, good looks and captivating demeanor, 

Jane falls hard for Eddie, and he finds her to be a refreshing 

change from the boring, predictable ladies nearby. 

In just a matter of time, there's a stunning diamond and 

emerald sparkler on her finger, as the country club neighbors

slowly welcome her into their tight-knit circle, fascinated as to 

how this young woman won the heart of alluring Eddie. 

Soon, Jane learns the disturbing details of the tragic

events that took the life of Eddie's beloved, late wife, Bea.

The beautiful, elegant, sinfully rich, entrepreneur and her best friend,

Blanche, drowned in a boating accident, their bodies forever lost to

the churning waters of a deep, dark lake. 

Living with the legend of Bea is incredibly hard for Jane, but when

Blanche's husband, Tripp, is arrested for murder, she finds herself more unsettled

than ever. What really happened on that ominous night? With Tripp vehemently

denying the charges, Jane's uneasiness grows. How well does she really know

the man who's provided the life of luxury she's always craved, and how well

does Eddie know Jane, who has some pretty damning secrets of her own? 

Rachel Hawkins (who writes for young adults under the pen name, Erin

Sterling) ventures into the genre of psychological thrillers/romance, with

a debut that is raw, addictive, and satisfyingly brilliant. 

Filled with twists and turns that make the pages turn quickly, this compelling 

modern-day "Jane Eyre" has its very own updated Mr. Rochester, and is a 

decidedly fabulous choice of novels for the kick-off of 2021.