My Wife is Missing by D.J. Palmer

A complimentary advanced readers copy was provided to me through a contest hosted by the publisher.

Do you have an author that you simply read every book they write? No need to read the back cover, just pick up a copy as soon as you can? One that you can't wait for the next one to finally be available? That is how I am with D.J. Palmer and was with his father's books too. I'm always amazed when an author can continue to release books, each as good or better than the last. Where do the ideas come from? How do they assemble the story? So many questions.

The newest, soon to be released book by D.J. Palmer is My Wife is Missing. The book is being released on May 10th. Needless to say, when I had a chance to enter for a chance to win an advanced copy of this book, I entered right away and was excited when I learned that I was chosen along with several other entrants to get an advanced copy. You can pre-order a copy now from your favorite retailer (I highly recommend it).

I recieved the book a couple weeks ago and just finished reading it. The book did not disappoint. It was one of those books where each night I had to force myself to put the book down so that I could get some sleep. The book is told from three points of view - the husband, and the wife, before she disappeared and after. The current timeline keeps the story moving but the regularly interspersed 'before she disappeared' sections allow the reader to gain some insights on what had happened and how we got to the current situation. As a reader, this is part of what draws me in to reading more than I should at bedtime. The regular feed of flashbacks helps my theories continue to evolve with time and has me wanting to know some more, so as to help solidify or disprove my theory. As an added plus, there were defintely some unexpected things learned through those flashbacks, as well. I love it when a book keeps me guessing, and even enjoy it when there is a twist at the end that completely surprises me. I can proudly say that I had a suspicion on the right who but no idea on the why, which is why I wasn't fully convinced until I learned it in the story and continued to entertain multiple possibilities almost to the end of the book. And, was rather shocked by the other reveal in the epilogue.

I like the mystery and thriller nature of the book. If you read any of his ealrier work, as Daniel Palmer, this story is a little less on the scary side of thriller but definitely is high on the mystery side of the thriller. He keeps the reader guessing and worrying, as you wonder when the secrets will be revealed and who the characters (and you) can trust. My Wife is Missing was very enjoyable to read and I would highly recommend that you check it out. Then, if you haven't already, be sure to pick up and read the other books by DJ Palmer.

Natalie and Michael were the main characters, along with their two children. In addiiton, there was Detective Kennett, a few of Natalie's coworkers, a nanny and Natalie's friend that helped feed the story through conversation. Overall the character set was reasonably likeable, even as you started to question who was on the good side and who was on the bad side.

Book Details
When a woman disappears with her two children, one husband will do anything to find them--even confront the secrets of his own past--in D. J. Palmer's My Wife Is Missing, a twisty thriller from the author of The New Husband...

A family vacation turns into a nightmare for Michael Hart when he discovers his wife and two children have disappeared from their New York City hotel room. Horrified, he fears they’ve been kidnapped. Michael’s frantic search to find them takes a shocking turn when he discovers that his wife, Natalie, appears to have left quite willingly, taking their children with her. The police want to know why, and so does Michael. But there may be a reason why Natalie ran, something Michael can’t tell the police—the truth about his past.

While untangling his deceptions might be the key to locating Natalie, Michael knows it could also be his undoing. To find his wife, he must now turn to the one person capable of exposing all that he’s been hiding. Natalie thinks she has Michael all figured out and has hatched a plan to escape from him permanently. One detail, though, threatens to derail her efforts: sleep—or more accurately, the lack of it. Since the moment the shocking revelations about her husband came to light, Natalie’s insomnia has worsened to the point that she now suffers from delusions.

Are her fears about Michael valid—or a symptom of her condition? With her children’s lives at risk, the stakes for Natalie could not be higher. On her own, running low on energy and resources, avoiding increasingly close calls with Michael—who is on the hunt and closing in fast—Natalie needs someone to turn to for help. But who can she trust when she can’t even trust herself?

No compensation was received for this review. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family. A complimentary review copy was provided to me.

The Perfect Daughter by D.J. Palmer

A complimentary advanced readers copy and gift package was provided to me from the publisher, through an offer made to all fan page members.

Wow! As I finished up the newest book from DJ Palmer, "Wow!" was my immediate response. The Perfect Daughter was a terrific psychological thriller that left me guessing until the very end - and I didn't do as good of a job in considering the possible outcomes as I normally do. The character development and story-telling were awesome and I found myself unwilling to put it down because I needed to know what happened. The use of multiple narrators helped really explore the many facets of the story and allow the reader additional perspective that each character brings to the story.

I'm in awe of good writers, and DJ Palmer is definitely one of my favorites. When I read a novel that rattles me like this one did, I simply have to take pause after I finish. I reflect on the book and wonder how they came up with the concept and the details needed to build up and then unravel the mystery as they reveal the story to the reader. It is truly an art and a gift, and I am so thankful for those that share their talents with the world.

I was still in the early pages of the book, learning about how Penny came to live with the Francones when I read the following: "She filled the bookshelf with some of our favorite reads and some of hers, including one she loved as a girl, The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes." You may be wondering, why did that line catch your attention? Well, that was one of my favorite books from childhood as well. In fact, it was one of two of my favorites that I had a copy for my children (ther other one being Too Much Noise by Ann McGovern).

I'd love to share more about the actual story with you but I would hate to spoil anything about the book. I want to you to read the story and discover the truth for yourself. Order your copy here. And, be sure to check out his other books, many of which I have shared here on the blog (like Saving Meghan and The New Husband.

About the Book:

Grace never dreamt she’d visit her teenaged daughter Penny in the locked ward of a decaying state psychiatric hospital, charged with the murder of a stranger. There was not much question of her daughter’s guilt. Police had her fingerprints on the murder weapon and the victim’s blood on her body and clothes. But they didn’t have a motive. Grace blames herself, because that’s what mothers do—they look at their choices and wonder, what if? But hindsight offers little more than the chance for regret. None of this was conceivable the day Penny came into her life. Then, it seemed like a miracle. Penny was found abandoned, with a mysterious past, and it felt like fate brought Penny to her, and her husband Arthur. But as she grew, Penny's actions grew more disturbing, and different "personalities" emerged. Arthur and Grace took Penny to different psychiatrists, many of whom believed she was putting on a show to help manage her trauma. But Grace didn’t buy it. The personas were too real, too consistent. It had to be a severe multiple personality disorder. One determined psychiatrist, Dr. Mitch McHugh, helped discover someone new inside Penny—a young girl named Abigail. Is this the nameless girl who was abandoned in the park years ago? Mitch thinks Abigail is the key to Penny’s past and to the murder. But as Grace and Mitch dig deeper, they uncover dark and shocking secrets that put all their lives in grave danger.

I have been a fan of Michael Palmer and Daniel Palmer (aka DJ Palmer) since I first started reading their books. I started with the first book I picked up by Michael over 25 years ago now on vacation, having found a copy in the hotel gift shop. I was introduced by Michael to his son Daniel's works. They are both amazing writers, able to capture the reader and really leave you wondering. I was so excited to have received this special care package in the mail made available to fan page members simply for signing up and being willing to share (courtesy of DJ Palmer and St. Martin's Press). The tea was a wonderful treat and the cozy socks perfect for curling up for several hours when I simply couldn't put the book down. Thank you for the opportunity.

No compensation was received for this review. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family. A complimentary advanced readers copy was provided.

The New Husband by D.J. Palmer

A complimentary advanced readers copy was provided to me.

I have always loved how a book can transport you to another place, another time...can completely immerse you in the storyline to the point that you are there alongside the characters and living and breathing their joys, their sadness, their fears. During a time like we are living in, the ability to escape is a wonderful opportunity that awaits in books. I recently completed reading The New Husband by D.J. Palmer (aka Daniel Palmer, son of Michael Palmer) and it did not disappoint, it had me fully engrossed and wanting to keep reading (to borrow a word I saw describing another book - unputdownable).

The New Husband is a riveting thriller about the lies we tell ourselves from D. J. Palmer, the author of Saving Meghan.

Just because you love someone doesn’t mean you know them.

Nina Garrity learned that the hard way after discovering that her missing husband, Glen, had been leading a double life with another woman. But Glen's gone―presumably drowned while fishing on his boat―so she can't confront him about the affair or any of his other misdeeds. A year and a half after the accident, Nina considers herself a widow, even though the police never found a body. Following a chance encounter with Simon Fitch, a teacher from her daughter Maggie's middle school, Nina finds love again and has hopes of putting her shattered life back together.

Simon, a widower still grieving the suicide of his first wife, has found his dream girl in Nina. His charm and affections help break through to a heart hardened by betrayal. Nina's teenage son, Connor, embraces Simon as the father he wishes his dad could have been, but Maggie sees a far darker side to this new man in their lives. Even Nina’s good friends wonder if Simon is supremely devoted―or dangerously possessive.

But Nina is committed, not only to her soon-to-be new husband but also to resuming her former career as a social worker. Before she can move forward, however, Nina must first clear her conscience that she's not making another terrible choice in a man. In doing so, she will uncover the shocking truth: the greatest danger to her, and her children, are the lies people tell themselves.

Wow! That really is my first response to this story. The first couple of chapters were a little slow, as he was setting the scene and I wasn't sure where we were going, but once it got going, I didn't want to stop. I needed to know what really was going on - how did Simon seem to know so much, why did he seem to be so controlling yet not really, how was he always there at just the right points, what was Maggie seeing and why wasn't her mom and brother seeing the same things, who was telling the truth. And the twists, the turns, the unexpected...wow! (there's that word again)

I liked the story-telling method he used of having multiple characters share the story from their lens, allowing the reader to get different point of views around the same events and allowing you to draw your own conclusions. The story was so realistic and plausible, the thrill is so real and told in a way that really pulls you in to the story and the lives of the characters.

I definitely recommend this fast-paced, chilling read from DJ Palmer. Definitely a book that will have you so engrossed, you may be able to forget (temporarily) what's going on around you. The New Husband is scheduled for release in hardback on 4/14 but looks like you can get the Kindle version now.

You can learn more about DJ Palmer and his books on his website. And, since we all have a little more time now, if you love a thriller, be sure to check out other books by DJ Palmer (and Daniel Palmer) and Michael Palmer. I have not been disappointed by any of them that I have read.

As I thought back on the story, I actually found myself reflecting on the other books written by Daniel Palmer and those written by Michael Palmer. Michael Palmer wrote a number of medical thrillers and as I read them, I would always wonder how did he come up with these ideas. Concepts that were so well written and told that you knew that they could be true but didn't really want to believe that they could be true. Yet, here we are living the real life version of a medical thriller and as in the books, I feel like we don't know the whole story yet and we just keep reading, hoping that we will learn more and find the answer that will resolve this and allow us to breath a collective sigh of relief and return to (a new) normal.


No compensation was received for this review. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family. A complimentary review copy was provided to me.

Political Suicide by Michael Palmer

Awesome! That is my gut reaction to the recently finished Political Suicide.

I was so excited to finally have the newest release from Michael Palmer, Political Suicide, and in a time-frame where I knew that I had extra time to devote to reading. This holiday break has been the perfect mix of spending time with the kids - playing in the snow, playing games, building Legos, swimming, bowling and more; reading books; and watching several movies - some days two or more movies.

Anyway, back to the book.

I have been a fan of Michael Palmer for over 16 years. I picked up my first Michael Palmer book on a trip at the end of college. There was a trip planned each spring and was open to all students. After my senior year, a number of friends decided to take the road trip to Florida. I was doing a lot of reading and needed a new book to enjoy on the beach. There were two books I was considering, but I chose the Michael Palmer book Natural Causes. And, I was hooked!

There is something so captivating about the writing of Michael Palmer. After reading Natural Causes, I worked my way through all of his other novels and have reached a point that I have to wait on each new book to be published.

His books are so authentic. With him being a practicing doctor, he writes with authority and just the right level of detail around the medical portions. When I am reading one of his books, I find myself not wanting to put the book down.

Political Suicide, his just released 18th novel of medical suspense, did not disappoint. It was captivating from the start. Political Suicide brought back a couple of the characters from Oath of Office - so from the beginning, I already knew some of the characters - but if you haven't read Oath of Office, you would have no trouble jumping right in. Dr. Lou Welcome, receives a call from Dr. McHugh, his friend and a fellow doctor that he has been supervising through his work in the Physician Wellness Office. Dr. McHugh implores Welcome to help him get to the bottom of the mystery - who actually killed Congressman Colston? - shortly before McHugh is arrested for the murder.

As Dr. Welcome starts to dig into things, he discovers that there are several layers to the cover-up and puts himself into position as the next target. Will he find the evidence needed to help clear his friends' name? Will he become the next victim in the cover-up?

I would love to tell you more, but then there would be no point in reading the book. I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves a good suspense. There is even a developing love story that is woven into the thriller - a nice soft touch to the otherwise suspenseful thriller. Of course, the blossoming love also serves to heighten the suspense for the reader, when one or the other finds themselves in a precarious position.

You can pick up the newest release at your local book retailer or online.

Giveaway!
One lucky A Busy Mom of Two reader will win an auto-graphed hardcover copy of Political Suicide.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway will remain open through January 10th. Giveaway is open to residents of the US only. One winner will be selected through Rafflecopter. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.

No compensation was received for this post. An advanced reader copy of the book was provided for my review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own or that of my family.