by Jess Ryder
The Ex-Wife
A twisty, dark psychological thriller that will have you gripped
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You’ve got everything she wants …
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Newly married Natasha has the perfect house, a loving husband and a beautiful little girl called Emily. She’d have it all if it wasn’t for Jen, her husband’s ex-wife who just won’t leave them alone …
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Then Natasha returns home one day to find her husband and Emily gone without trace. Desperate to get her daughter back, Natasha will do anything even if it means accepting an offer of help from Jen. But can she trust her? And do either of them really know the man they married?
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If you loved The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl or The Couple Next Door then this dark, twisting psychological thriller from Amazon chart bestseller Jess Ryder is guaranteed to have you gripped.
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Books by Jess Ryder
The Guest
The Ex-Wife
The Good Sister
Lie To Me
A Letter from Jess
Thank you for taking the time to read The Guest. If this is your first Jess Ryder book, you might want to try my other psychological thrillers – Lie to Me, The Good Sister and The Ex-Wife. It’s easy to get in touch via my Facebook page, Goodreads, Twitter or my Jess Ryder website. Or you can keep up to date with my latest releases by signing up at the Bookouture link below. Your email address will never be shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.
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This story was initially inspired by my own house-hunting, and viewing a house that was opposite a women’s refuge. I have long been interested in the issue of domestic abuse and this sparked some creative thoughts that eventually turned into The Guest.
As a writer of psychological thrillers, I think very carefully about depicting violence in my stories, particularly violence against women. In this book, I wanted to confront the issue without falling into the trap of titillation, so have deliberately pulled back from graphically described physical abuse whenever possible. It cannot be entirely avoided, of course, but I’ve tried hard to take a responsible approach to this deeply concerning problem found in societies across the globe. The characters and story are entirely fictional, but if just one reader recognises elements of abuse in their own relationship through reading this novel, and is encouraged to change their life for the better, then writing it will have been entirely worthwhile.
Despite its serious themes, The Guest sets out to be a dramatic and entertaining story with convincing characters, and I very much hope you have enjoyed the experience. If you feel able to write a brief constructive review and post it online in the appropriate places, I would love to read it. These days, book buyers are very much guided by the opinions of other readers, so it is very helpful to share.
With best wishes,
Jess Ryder
www.jessryder.co.uk
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Note: If you have been affected by the issues in this novel, further information and practical help for victims of domestic abuse in the UK can be found via the following links:
www.refuge.org.uk (Refuge – including twenty-four-hour domestic abuse helpline)
www.ncdv.org.uk (National Centre for Domestic Violence)
The Good Sister
A twisty, dark psychological thriller that will have you gripped
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There are two sides to every secret.
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She is staring back at me with exactly my expression – a mixture of wonder, bewilderment and horror. It’s like looking in a dark, cracked mirror.
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‘Who are you?’ she whispers.
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When her beloved father dies, Josie is devastated to uncover a secret life he has led with another family: a half-sister, Valentina, born in the same week, in the same hospital. They look so physically alike they could be mistaken for twins. But the similarities end there.
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As an unlikely bond begins to form between them, Josie finds herself drawn into Valentina’s complex world; a world where Josie no longer has to be the good girl her father raised her to be. Could the same reckless, self-destructive streak that runs through Valentina’s blood, be running through her own?
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Could Josie be capable of more than she had ever imagined? Could she be capable of murder? One of them is.
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A tense and claustrophobic read that will keep you turning pages into the night. Perfect for fans of Louise Jensen, Claire Douglas and Sue Fortin.
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What readers are saying about Jess Ryder:
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‘I was hooked in from the very first page of this gripping, fast-paced story of secrets, relationships and betrayals. I really enjoyed this thrilling debut and would have given it more than five stars if I could.’ Nicki’s Life of Crime
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‘This is without a doubt the best psychological thriller I have read this year… OMG this book is so damn good!… Just one more chapter I kept telling myself, then before I knew it I had devoured it in one day. If you are looking for a fast-paced engaging read this is the book I highly recommend giving it 5 massive stars.’ Chelle’s Book Reviews 5*
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Lie to Me
A gripping psychological thriller with a shocking twist
‘I was hooked in from the very first page of this gripping, fast-paced story of secrets, relationships and betrayals.’ Nicki’s Life of Crime
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Out now!
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Three minutes. That’s all it takes for Meredith’s entire world to fall apart when she watches the videotape of her four-year-old self with Becca, the mother who abandoned her.
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Meredith can’t believe what her eyes have seen. Yet what if her memory has locked away the painful reality of her childhood? Can there be any truth in the strange and dangerous story her mother forced her to tell on camera?
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The search for answers leads Meredith to Darkwater Pool, the scene of the murder of a young woman, Cara, over 30 years ago. What could possibly be the link between her mother and the victim?
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To find the truth Meredith must search through a past that is not her own. The problem is, she’s not the only one looking…
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A dark, compulsive psychological thriller that will keep you up all night. Perfect for fans of Paula Hawkins and Louise Jensen.
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Out now!
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank the following people who have helped me in the writing of this novel:
Brenda Page, my researcher, who never fails to give me the information I’m looking for, no matter how obscure, ridiculously specific or hard to find. I’m also grateful to her for picking up on my typos and errors in the early drafts.
Julie Lloyd, therapist, whose insights into the issue of domestic violence have been invaluable. I would like to stress that the therapist’s notes in the novel are deliberately not what a reputable therapist would write!
The senior police detective who gave up her precious time to provide me with the lowdown on the role of the police in domestic violence cases and the current difficulties for women seeking help and protection in refuges. Any mistakes are entirely of my own making, or deliberate artistic licence.
Karen Drury (aka Sara Sartagne), fellow writer and long-standing friend. Also Fiona Eldridge – the two of you offer enormous support and have incredibly use
ful contacts!
My brilliant agent Rowan Lawton, who has such energy and passion for her writers’ work and makes me feel very valued and supported.
My equally brilliant editor Lydia Vassar-Smith, who has an uncanny ability to ask exactly the right question at the right moment. Also the perspicacious Leodora Darlington and everyone on the Bookouture team – they work so hard for their authors and I really appreciate it.
Not forgetting Christine Glover, my media agent at Casarotto Ramsay & Associates, who is always looking for new opportunities for my work.
And as ever, my wonderful family – husband David, my parents and mother-in-law, my children and their partners. I’m lucky to be surrounded by some very strong, intelligent women, including many friends too numerous to mention here.
Published by Bookouture in 2019
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An imprint of StoryFire Ltd.
Carmelite House
50 Victoria Embankment
London EC4Y 0DZ
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www.bookouture.com
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Copyright © Jess Ryder, 2019
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Jess Ryder has asserted her right to be identified as the author of this work.
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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers.
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eBook ISBN: 978-1-78681-970-3
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places and events other than those clearly in the public domain, are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.