A Killer's Wife: Desert Plains, Book 1

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars | 42,830 ratings

Price: 17.5

Last update: 10-14-2024


About this item

An Amazon Charts bestseller.

From the bestselling author of The Neon Lawyer comes a gripping thriller about a prosecutor confronted with the darkest part of her past and the worst fears for her future....

Fourteen years ago, prosecutor Jessica Yardley's husband went to prison for a series of brutal murders. She's finally created a life with her daughter and is a well-respected attorney. She's moving on. But when a new rash of homicides has her ex-husband, Eddie, written all over them - the nightmares of her past come back to life.

The FBI asks Jessica to get involved in the hunt for this copycat killer - which means visiting her ex and collaborating with the man who tore her life apart.

As the copycat's motives become clearer, the new life Jessica created for herself gets darker. She must ask herself who she can trust and if she's capable of stopping the killer - a man whose every crime is a bloody valentine from a twisted mastermind she's afraid she may never escape.


Top reviews from the United States

Michelle L. Beck
5.0 out of 5 stars A gem!! 4.5 stars
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2022
It has taken me a long time to get use to reading books on my Kindle. I have downloaded tons of books, but have been reluctant to read them. I typically prefer paper books. There is something about flipping the pages and seeing my progress that as a reader I find satisfying (and yes, I know that you can monitor your progress on a Kindle, but it isn’t the same). “A Killer’s Wife” by Victor Methos is a gem that I downloaded some time ago but only read recently. Boy, if I only had known how entertaining this read would be, I would have read it a long time ago. Methos’ writing style is easy to read, entertaining, and filled with a few twists and turns. The story definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat (although I wasn’t surprised by any of the twists and turns) until the last chapter. The story is enjoyable, suspenseful and thrilling to read with some decent characters and an unforgettable plot. Of course, some things are unbelievable or a stretch (I’ve worked for a police department, two DA’s office and the State and Federal Courts), but don’t we all READ to escape after all?

In a nutshell (the plot)….
Jessica Yardley is a single mom, a federal prosecutor and ex-wife of crazed, serial killer/artist Eddie Cal. She constantly questions how she could have loved and slept beside a monster (rapist/murderer) for years without any inclination. How can she explain to her daughter that her father was a killer? She thinks she has found some solace, since years later, she has found an understanding, yet unassuming new boyfriend, who is the opposite of her ex in every way. He is not a “looker” (like Cal), confident (like Cal), and creative (like Cal). Unfortunately now, she’s involved in a new hunt for a serial killer, one who mimics her ex-husband’s crimes, all while dealing with a rebellious teen and a seemingly understanding lover. As she tracks down clues, and works with her ex-love interest (FBI SA Cason Baldwin), she hopes to uncover who the Dark Casanova is and why he is mimicking her husband’s crimes. She doesn’t want any more loss of life.

As the story unravels, we have the classic tale of good versus evil, nature versus nurture, and what is truth. You will definitely be entertained with the twists/turns and some reveals, which is why I would definitely recommend this read. AND I definitely plan to download the next story in the Desert Plains series to see what happens.
Monnie Ryan
4.0 out of 5 stars Bring on the Next Installment
Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2020
Let me get what I didn't like so much about this book - which I read as part of Amazon's First Reads program - out of the way up front. Although prosecuting attorney Jessica Yardley is a woman made stronger in large part by her less-then-perfect life choices, those choices don't quite line up with her strengths (put another way, it's hard to believe she's really that clueless when it comes to love). Also straining credulity is another prosecutor in her office - one who becomes charged with a case central to the plot - who inexplicably turns in a blithering idiot performance when it counts most. Finally, although I fervently hoped I would be wrong in my early assessment of another main character, my hunch was spot-on. And rather than make me happy that I was right, what I felt more than anything was disappointment (and, Lord help me, some sympathy for that prosecuting attorney for whom I had little sympathy to begin with).

All that out of the way, I quite happily stuck with this book from beginning to end - actually wishing I weren't so busy with other things that I was unable to read it in a marathon session. And as I do love any story that includes courtroom action and psychological drama, it was a treat to find plenty of both here to keep me turning the pages. As the story begins, Jessica is worried about her precious teenage daughter, Tara, who seems to be so bored with school that she's in danger of losing her way. Tara's father and Jessica's ex-husband, Eddie, is on death row, convicted of being a serial killer (unknown to Jessica when they were married, of course). While she's told Tara about her dad, she's never let the girl visit him in prison (nor has Jessica done so).

Since Eddie's conviction, Jessica met Wesley, a law professor at the University of Nevada who recently moved in with her and Tara. When murders similar to those committed by Eddie suddenly turn up, a copycat killer is suspected; Cason Baldwin, a detective and Jessica's one-time love interest, asks her to go visit Eddie to get his insights as to who the killer might be (and who might be the next victims).

Of course, she balks at going to see her manipulating ex; also of course, she relents. Not surprisingly, Eddie wants to get off death row; but he plays it coy and demands to see Tara before he'll cooperate. Of course, Jessica balks at allowing that to happen; also of course...

Somewhere around the middle of the book, readers learn (for the most part) who did what; after that, it's mostly a matter of revealing the when, how and why - some of which happens at the trial of one of the characters - a trial from which Jessica at first is prohibited from prosecuting because of an obvious conflict of interest. Revealing anything more would spoil the book for others, so all I'll say is it ends with that (to me) unhoped-for twist. All told, this is an intriguing start to a new series (Desert Plains No. 1), and for sure I'll be watching for the next installment.
Pamalam
5.0 out of 5 stars Whoa!
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2024
Very easy and entertaining and enjoyable read. Totally unexpected ending! That is what makes a great book. I could not put it down. And I love strong female characters.
Ryan
5.0 out of 5 stars A good read.
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2024
It was engaging and entertaining. I was a little worried when the story seemed to come to an end near the middle. The author did a great job of keeping it exciting and providing a good twist.

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