His Perfect Wife proves how unknowable those closest to us can be.
“This smart, mirror maze of a thriller bristles with sharp edges, twisting familiar Gone Girl themes into Bell’s own intense creation.”—Kirkus Reviews
Before she disappeared, Alexandra Southwood lived an average, happy life: devoted to the care and upkeep of her husband, Marc, and their two beautiful daughters. But now, held in a room against her will, Alexandra is forced to imagine how her family is coping in the wake of her disappearance. She finds solace in memories of their past, recalling her courtship with Marc and their marriage—all that he saved her from, all that she’s lost.
Marc’s pain is visceral. He thinks of nothing but Alexandra. Even when the police discover her bloody belongings, he cannot accept that she is gone. Marc is the only one who believes she’s still alive, and he channels his pain into action, embarking on his own journey to find his wife, one that will lead him to discover answers to questions he never wanted to ask.
Previously published as Exhibit Alexandra
“An astutely written, complex debut.”—The Guardian
“Beautifully insidious, a novel that outwits expectation at every turn.”—Francis Spufford, author ofGolden Hill
“[A] provocative debut thriller . . . Bell’s daring performance can’t be ignored.”—Publishers Weekly(starred review)
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[A] provocative debut thriller...the full extent of [Bell's] audacity only becomes evident toward the end of this ingenious optical illusion...On one level a gripping page-turner and on another a disturbing exploration of identity, art, and decency, Bell's daring performance can't be ignored.
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Publishers Weekly (starred)