Adele Parks, the Sunday Times bestselling author who has consistently delivered nail-biting psychological thrillers like “Lies Lies Lies” and “One Last Secret,” returns with perhaps her most unsettling work to date. “First Wife’s Shadow” is a meticulously crafted exploration of manipulation, identity theft, and the dangerous consequences of falling for someone too quickly. What begins as a seemingly straightforward love story spirals into a labyrinthine tale of deception that will leave readers questioning every character’s motivation until the very last page.
The Deceivingly Simple Plot
Emma Westly, a 47-year-old CEO of Britain’s biggest wind harvesting company, lives a structured, disciplined life. Her routines are sacred—early morning runs, kale smoothies, and long hours at the office define her existence. She’s successful but alone, having dedicated her life to her career rather than relationships. When she meets Matthew Charlton, a charming widower and photographer at a climate conference, Emma’s carefully constructed world begins to shift.
Their relationship progresses rapidly, and despite warnings from her best friends Heidi and Gina, Emma falls deeply in love. Matthew moves into Emma’s eco-friendly Hampshire home, and they soon marry. But strange occurrences begin to plague Emma—items moving around the house, unexplained accidents, and a persistent feeling of being watched. Emma becomes convinced she’s being haunted by Matthew’s deceased wife Becky, whom he still speaks of with profound love. But the truth lurking in the shadows is far more sinister than any ghost.
Layers Upon Layers
What sets “First Wife’s Shadow” apart from typical psychological thrillers is Parks’ extraordinary ability to stack revelations like a house of cards. Just when you think you understand the dynamic between the characters, she pulls the rug out from under you. The narrative alternates between Emma’s perspective and eventually Becky’s—a woman who is very much alive and orchestrating an elaborate con with Matthew, her partner of sixteen years.
The dual narrative structure is masterfully handled. For the first half of the novel, we’re solely in Emma’s head, experiencing her confusion, fear, and gradual descent into doubt about her own sanity. When Becky’s perspective enters, it recontextualizes everything we thought we knew, creating a disorienting but thrilling reading experience.
Characters With Depth
Parks excels at creating complex, flawed characters that defy easy categorization:
- Emma – Far from a one-dimensional victim, Emma is strong-willed, intelligent, and successful. Her vulnerability stems not from weakness but from genuine loneliness and a desire for connection after years of solitude. Her character arc from confident CEO to doubting her own sanity and eventually reclaiming her power is compelling.
- Matthew/Mattie – One of the most disturbing aspects of the novel is how effectively Parks portrays Matthew’s chameleonic nature. With Emma, he’s thoughtful and supportive; with Becky, he’s more juvenile and dependent. The question of which version is the “real” Matthew creates an unsettling ambiguity.
- Becky – Perhaps the most fascinating character, Becky’s ruthlessness is tempered by glimpses of genuine pain from her troubled childhood. Her ambition and determination to secure financial stability by any means necessary make her more than just a villain—she’s a survivor.
The Psychological Element
Parks demonstrates a profound understanding of gaslighting and psychological manipulation. The scenes where Emma begins to doubt her own perception—wondering if she’s drinking too much, if she’s imagining things, if she’s simply going mad—are disturbing in their plausibility. The author doesn’t rush these moments, allowing the slow degradation of Emma’s confidence to unfold naturally.
The novel also explores how trauma shapes us. Emma’s experiences as an orphan, Becky’s chaotic upbringing in foster care, and even Matthew’s unremarkable but stifling suburban childhood all influence their adult behaviors and create a fascinating psychological landscape.
Style and Pacing
Parks’ writing strikes a perfect balance between literary and accessible. Her prose is clean and effective, with occasional flourishes that elevate key emotional moments. The pacing is exemplary—the first half builds tension gradually, while the second half accelerates toward its explosive conclusion.
The author demonstrates particular skill in her use of settings. Emma’s eco-friendly glass house in the woods initially represents her success and independence but gradually becomes a symbol of her vulnerability—transparent, exposed, with nowhere to hide. Similarly, the decrepit Old Schoolhouse that Matthew and Becky dream of renovating serves as a physical manifestation of their relationship—once grand but now rotting from within.
Points of Criticism
Despite its strengths, “First Wife’s Shadow” isn’t without flaws:
- The resolution comes too quickly after the intense build-up. After meticulously constructing the psychological warfare between the characters, Parks rushes through some of the aftermath, particularly regarding Matthew’s fate.
- Some plot points strain credibility. The ease with which Becky accesses Emma’s home repeatedly without detection requires suspension of disbelief, even with the explanation of Matthew’s involvement.
- The twist regarding Becky and Emma’s true connection, while shocking, feels somewhat tacked on rather than integral to the story’s themes.
- Certain secondary characters, particularly Emma’s brother Tom, are introduced as significant but ultimately serve little purpose in the narrative.
Final Verdict
“First Wife’s Shadow” solidifies Parks’ reputation as one of the premier writers of psychological thrillers. The novel succeeds not just as a page-turner but as an examination of identity, deception, and the lengths people will go to for financial security. Parks doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths about class disparity and how economic desperation can fuel criminal behavior.
Fans of Parks’ previous works like “Both of You” and “One Last Secret” will find the same meticulous plotting and psychological insight here, though “First Wife’s Shadow” pushes into even darker territory. Readers who enjoy the works of Lisa Jewell (None of This Is True), Clare Mackintosh (A Game of Lies), and B.A. Paris (The Guest) will find much to appreciate in Parks’ unflinching portrayal of toxic relationships and psychological warfare.
Would I Recommend It?
Absolutely, but with a caveat—”First Wife’s Shadow” is psychologically intense and could be triggering for readers who have experienced gaslighting or emotional abuse. For fans of dark psychological thrillers who don’t mind being unsettled, this novel delivers a masterclass in suspense and manipulation that will keep you guessing until the final twist.
