The Husband's Secret

The Husband's Secret

 
My darling Cecilia,
If you’re reading this, then I’ve died…

Imagine your husband wrote you a letter, to be opened after his death. Imagine, too, that the letter contains his deepest, darkest secret—something with the potential to destroy not only the life you built together, but the lives of others as well. And then imagine that you stumble across that letter while your husband is still very much alive…

Cecilia Fitzpatrick has achieved it all—she’s an incredibly successful businesswoman, a pillar of her small community, and a devoted wife and mother. But that letter is about to change everything—and not just for her. There are other women who barely know Cecilia—or each other—but they, too, are about to feel the earth-shattering repercussions of her husband’s secret.

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The Husband's Secret

Author : Liane Moriarty

Pages : 402

Genre : Drama, thriller

Publisher : Penguin Books

I've watched Big Little Lies last year and intrigued by the story line and great characterizations. That's what come in my mind when i picked up the Husband's Secret at the book store. It must be another suspense-soap drama comes from Liane Moriarty (Mind you, I'm big fan of Desperate Housewives even before I understand it). Moreover, the blurbs is intriguing a letter from alive husband, telling about the darkest secret.

Cecilia Flitzpatrick, the one of main heroine, resembles me about Reese Witherspoon, perfect housewife with perfect husband and children. She's one of very extrovert woman, president of Tupperware-something, and involuntary party organizer. She's the chatty one, someone that knows everyone and knew by everybody in the area. 

And there is Tess, a housewife with perfect husband and son, not long until her husband, Will realize that he's in love with Tess's most beloved cousin. Packing her bag, Tess decide to bring her son away from Will, back to her hometown Sydney. 

Long time ago, Cecilia and Tess attend the same school where Cecilia's daughters enrolled there now. A Catholic school, St. Angela. 

Then there is Rachel, middle aged woman works as secretary of St. Angela school. Twenty years ago, her daughter was murdered and until now, the mystery is still not-untangled-yet. Rachel suspects P.E Teacher, the last witness before her daughter went missing.

Those women, living in closed-loop neighborhood of course will interact and support each other. Cecilia must face her not-perfect-again husband's darkest secret that transform her relationship, her identity and her future. Cecilia is always perfect and righteous woman, how can she handle a very huge mistake from her husband's past?

Meanwhile, Tess meet her old flame. She love his husband infinitely but her heartbroken need to be mended. Her old flame remind her, how it feels to be wanted.

And Rachel, gloomy and not able to be happy with anything around him, slowly open her heart to Cecilia and her daughter in law.

And there will be a time, the secret of Cecilia's husband linked everything around them.

At first part, the-not-patient of me, got frustrated with how long time Cecilia's take to open letter from Paul...it's like almost quarter part of this book, then when i really into to the Tess' s story, the execution is quite weak. As for Rachel, I know who killed her beloved daughter in the halfway of the book.

I think, the characterization of housewives is one of Author's strong point. It's very real like I watched the soap drama. But then, the  plot itself somehow not developing. I almost give up reading after halfway because I started to feel bored. 

What I love the most about this book is how the author describe every woman in here is strong and independent on her own way. Even the antagonist, Tess's cousin is cannot be hated. But, since the woman is too strong, man in here is feel like accessory. But no complain needed. 

Overall, I'd prefer Big Little Lies drama version rather than Husband's secret novel (very-not-comparable). It's okay to read but can't feel more surprised.