The Second Wife

At the start of this twisty domestic thriller from Fleet (The House Swap), recently remarried widower Alex Carmichael, a Brighton, England, advertising executive, returns to his house late one night to find firefighters battling a roaring blaze—and his 14-year-old daughter, Jade, being carried out unconscious. After regaining consciousness, Jade insists a strange man was in the house just before the fire. When Natalie, Jade’s stepmother, firmly denies this, Alex suspects his wife of having an affair. His subsequent search through the rubble for evidence of Natalie’s infidelity uncovers a cache of documents among her belongings referring to a woman he’s never heard of, Rachel Castelle. Natalie’s evasive nonexplanation spurs Alex—who functions more as a plot propellant than a fully realized character—to begin digging into his spouse’s past. The ensuing sinister, if not completely convincing, revelations, including the nature of Natalie’s connection to the mysterious Rachel, will surprise many. This tale of deceit, obsession, and betrayal should win Fleet new fans. Agent: Caroline Wood, Felicity Bryan Assoc. (U.K.). (Aug.)