First Wife's Shadow

For fans of Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley. When a successful businesswoman marries a younger widower after a passionate, whirlwind romance she can’t shake the feeling she is second best. She is haunted by the memory of who went before. Then strange things begin to happen and it is clear her life is in danger. But is she being haunted or hunted? An exhilarating psychological thriller from the #1 international bestseller explores themes of love, jealousy and dark family secrets.

Emma Westley is the 47 year old CEO of AirBright a renewable energy company. She’s wealthy, independent, practical, sensible. Her personality traits are a reaction to her chaotic childhood; her alcoholic father killed himself and her mother, while driving drunk, when she was 12.

She meets Matthew Charlton, a 36 year old photographer at a conference. He is a widower, gentle, interested, full of admiration for her success and they quickly fall into a serious relationship.

Her friends are initially supportive of the relationship, happy to see Emma have fun but when she gets engaged after only 3 months of knowing him, they panic. Matthew says after the early death of his wife, Becky, he believes in carpe diem, and doesn’t want to waste any more time. Emma is in love and lust, that’s all that matters to her.

Except, Emma finds that instead of enjoying the new relationship to the full, she can’t quite shake the feeling she is second best. Matthew would not be with her if Becky was alive. She becomes obsessed with the first wife. Matthew tries to close down the conversation but his reluctance and silence just makes Emma more curious. She is haunted by the memory of who went before.

Then peculiar things start to happen to Emma; she feels watched, objects move or are broken. The strange occurrences escalate and Emma’s very life is in danger.

Matthew thinks she’s drinking too much, like her father before her.

Emma's friends think Matthew is gaslighting her.

Emma thinks she’s being haunted…