The Optician’s Wife

I found “The Optician’s Wife” to be very suspenseful and engaging. Many times during this read I found my pulse quickening and my breath catching. The story was what every psychological thriller aims to be, horrifying.

The narrative opens with Deborah, a mousy seventeen year old cashier. One day during Deborah’s very lonely lunch hour she meets Larry, the charismatic Optician-in-training who is absolutely smitten with her. After a short courting, Deborah (now known as Dee) becomes Larry’s wife. Larry is a bit overbearing and controlling, at times abusive. Dee is oblivious to his shortcomings as a husband and wants nothing more than for the marriage to work. Coincidentally, during their courting and marriage many woman associated with Larry have mysteriously wound up dead. When these women are found the victims are missing their eyes. Now years later, after the birth of their three children, Larry is being questioned for these horrific murders. Is the man Dee loves a murderer? As the evidence in this story mounts so does the suspense.

I found “The Optician’s Wife” to be both unique and intriguing. The characters were captivating – drawing me into their emotions. The storyline, from Deborah’s point of view, was very well written and flowed nicely. I would certainly recommend this new novel by Betsy Reavly for anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Please Note: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions on this novel are my own.

Remember when you were young and watched horror films through your fingers? You didn't want to watch but felt compelled to at the same time. This is how I felt about this book. A very dark and deeply disturbing novel, made all the more so by the coldness and detachment of the main character, a thoroughly unlikeable person even though at times she elicits a sort of stomach churning sympathy. I found this a very uncomfortable but morbidly fascinating read, it reminded me of 'We Need To Talk About Kevin'. I have Carrion on my tbr shelf but I think I'll need a break before I tackle that one!
This book isn't for the faint hearted but if you want a well written walk on the dark side of humanity then this is a must read.
Thank you to TBC and Betsy for my free acr of this novel in return for an honest review.

Deborah is a small town girl living a sheltered life working the till at Woolworths. All this changes when she meets Larry who changes her world. One thing leads to another and soon she is a wife and mother. Meanwhile there are murders occurring where the victims lose their eyes in the attack. Is it what it first appears? Why does Larry “work later or away”? Later there are more murders – people she has come across in her life albeit fleetingly and the town is shocked at what is happening.
The chapters vary from the time of the murders to the time of their discovery later in the book. You feel for “Dee” as Larry calls her- the different woman from naïve Deborah. Her confusion, the way she is and has been treated by males most of her life and feels that she can do nothing about it. The twist at the end although unexpected I did see coming through just one sentence earlier in the book- however this in no way spoilt it at all.
A real page turner that keeps you hooked until the very end.
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an open and honest review
4.5*

Can you ever really know someone?

When Deborah, an unpopular seventeen-year-old, meets the charming and handsome Larry, he sweeps her off her feet. The trouble is Larry has a secret.

Then a series of grisly murders cast a shadow over everything.

As Deborah’s world starts to fall apart she begins to suspect the man she loves of a terrible betrayal. And to keep their marriage alive, sacrifices must be made.

A compelling, psychological thriller that unpicks what goes on behind closed doors and reminds us that sometimes the worst crimes can take place closer to home than you think.

Wow. I best catch my breath first!! I had high anticipation and expectations for this book after numerous recommendations - and my word, it certainly lived up to them!

From the first few chapters, I got a sense of something was going to explode and slowly but surely the story reveals itself. It kept me gripped all the way! The atmosphere and undertones kept me turning the pages and always had me on the edge of my seat. Immensely intriguing and highly electric, this book has all the ingredients of an epic psychological thriller at it's best.

Betsy writes with minimal inhibitions and creates a story to drop anybody's jaw! I was expecting a big crescendo at the end and my, my, it certainly delivered.

A definite 5* and although there are a few grammatical errors, this in no way spoiled the experience of this tense thriller.

A must read of 2016 - One of my favorites!

My current obsession with brilliant psychological thrillers continues with The Optician’s Wife, another recommendation from THE Book Club on Facebook.

Deborah is a rather unpopular seventeen year old whose life is going nowhere fast. Her mother died leaving her to bring up her younger sister whilst her father drinks himself into oblivion. But Deborah’s life changes when she meets Larry, a handsome young man several years her senior who, in Deborah’s eyes, is going somewhere.

Larry saves Deborah (or Dee as she becomes to him) from her humdrum life and the pair marry rather quickly.

But Larry isn’t all he seems and when a series of grisly murders which have a particularly nasty calling card start to appear around Cambridge, Dee begins to suspect the answers to the murders may be closer to home.

But if you think that’s all this book is about, think again. There are multiple layers, twists and turns and just when you’re certain you’ve guessed where the story is leading you, there’s another whiplash of a twist. In fact, at around 40% in, something happens which actually had me gasping out loud – I did not see it coming at all.

Although I guessed the overall premise, this didn’t spoil my enjoyment of this book one bit; in fact, for me, it actually enhanced my enjoyment because I felt like I’d been let in on some special secret.

And even then, Betsy Reavley had one more twist up her sleeve at the very end…..genius!

A highly recommended thrilling ride which you won’t be disappointed with if brilliantly crafted psychological thrillers are your thing.

Deborah, the lead character, is living her life in a small town working behind the till at Woolworths. She meets Larry and her life changes. She is soon a wife and mother when murders begin to happen where the victims' eyes are gouged out. You are soon left wondering why does Larry return home late or is away from home so much.

The books leads you to all kinds of thoughts and possibilities. Eventually it twists and leaves you shocked as you least expect the ending it has.

I was honoured to be given an ARC by the author. As my husband is an Optician and I the optician's wife, I had to read a book with this title! My husband who is not born and bred in this country and does not read many books also read the book. He felt that being an optician, who is well educated and in his experience, receives a good salary generally, Larry would not be as short of money as the book led you to believe. He felt that this aspect was somewhat far fetched and I had to remind him that it was fiction and that these are part of the emotions that lead you along and that he should not make judgements until he has read the whole story. I felt that this was part and parcel of the thread of the story perhaps leading you to think that Larry was controlling and hiding something.

I felt that it was a well written and exciting story that kept you wanting more. My emotions and thoughts went all over the place and I was shocked at the ending. I enjoyed the book and would be more than willing to read more by this author.

This was a good story that kept me interested throughout. The ending was a surprise that I didn't see coming. The one thing that I struggled with was the plethora of grammatical errors. They were so frequent that I almost put the book down for good a couple of times. The grammatical errors, along with the punctuation errors, were nearly too much for me to bear, thus the 3 stars instead of 4 or maybe even 5. In the end, though, I finished the story because it really was a good psychological thriller.

I have seen some brilliant reviews about this book and was really keen to read it. This is always a problem, as rarely does a book match up to the hype - even when the hype is within your own group of reader friends.
I loved the premise of the book and thought the full range of really despicable characters was excellent. As a study of developing evil, this was great and the parallel with real life evil was clear to see. It didn't have that thrill for me that would make it a five star read, it was clear what was going on so there were not very many shocks or twists that I hadn't expected. This didn't detract from the story though - so it rates highly as a book worth reading but loses something when compared with really gripping psychological thrillers.
For me this was a 3.5 star read, definitely worth it, a really interesting storyline but not necessarily a gripping thriller.

Psychological thriller that keeps your attention to the very end. Deborah is a bookish, no-frills, dowdy, not popular girl working at the "till" at Woolworth's to help out her family when at one of her usual solitary lunches she is approached and meets Larry, a handsome young man training to be an optician. Larry gives her much needed confidence and becomes her husband. Dee's life now takes on many new aspects. Simultaneously, a serial killer is working in and about Cambridge( this story takes place in England). Excerpts of the killer are interspersed within Dee's story.
Good story; intriguing and keeps you guessing with it's twists and turns. Would have given a higher rating, but I did realize the outcome except for the very last few paragraphs! Definitely recommend this one.

I have seen some brilliant reviews about this book and was really keen to read it. This is always a problem, as rarely does a book match up to the hype - even when the hype is within your own group of reader friends.
I loved the premise of the book and thought the full range of really despicable characters was excellent. As a study of developing evil, this was great and the parallel with real life evil was clear to see. It didn't have that thrill for me that would make it a five star read, it was clear what was going on so there were not very many shocks or twists that I hadn't expected. This didn't detract from the story though - so it rates highly as a book worth reading but loses something when compared with really gripping psychological thrillers.
For me this was a 3.5 star read, definitely worth it, a really interesting storyline but not necessarily a gripping thriller.

Psychological thriller that keeps your attention to the very end. Deborah is a bookish, no-frills, dowdy, not popular girl working at the "till" at Woolworth's to help out her family when at one of her usual solitary lunches she is approached and meets Larry, a handsome young man training to be an optician. Larry gives her much needed confidence and becomes her husband. Dee's life now takes on many new aspects. Simultaneously, a serial killer is working in and about Cambridge( this story takes place in England). Excerpts of the killer are interspersed within Dee's story.
Good story; intriguing and keeps you guessing with it's twists and turns. Would have given a higher rating, but I did realize the outcome except for the very last few paragraphs! Definitely recommend this one.

3.5 stars
Deborah (Dee) is a painfully shy, very withdrawn and introverted teenager. Then along comes Larry who takes hold of the reins and turns her life completely around..... I enjoyed the premise of the story, although I found this book to be more about social intricacies and a character study than a psychological thriller. I was not fully persuaded that such an introverted person could change quite so drastically in such a short time. However, when a book immediately pulls you in at the start of the evening and you’re still up reading it into the small hours; you know it must have been good! There is a lot to recommend in this book and some quite chilling moments. If you’re looking for a fast paced page turner that grabs you from the start then look no further.

Many thanks to TBC and the author for supplying a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I borrowed this book via the store Unlimited. Shocking weird but compelling - a very strange story with an unanticipated ending. In case gore bothers you, I'd rate this one mid-way on my personal gore-score: Not high, not low - but there was gore. Still, there was an intriguing story in there, a mystery that caught my attention and held it until the end of the book. That's why I gave it a 5-Star rating: definitely kept me reading.

The two characters at the center of the action were defined rather well - both were strange. Not your usual mystery!

I was really disappointed after reading this book. Seeing all the wonderful reviews, I can't believe I hated it as much as I did. I probably should have only left 2 stars but I'll give the book 3 for good writing and a decent story, not to mention some originality. My biggest problem with the book is that I absolutely hated the main character, Deborah. She hated her kids, she was weak-willed and whiny, letting her hubby and family push her around. Also very mean spirited. As for the shocking ending everyone is talking about, I had that figured out by 25% into the book--another disappointment for me. No big surprise to me at all. I just finished it because I was hoping that it got better as it went along and then needed to know the ending. I seem to be in the minority of reviewers, so take my review to heart or not.

I was starting to lose confidence in my ability to choose books that I was going to enjoy reading... until now. I loved this book and thought it was something a bit more out of the ordinary. A chilling serial killer is at large in Cambridge and we have an insight into their thoughts in various places throughout the book without really knowing who it is. The story is told through two different time zones, present day and the 80's when we first meet Deborah as a shy, awkward, friendless 17 year old working on the till at Woolworths. Her life and character starts to change when she meets Larry who's training to be an optician. I didn't really like Deborah or Larry but I would have been worried if I did! A chilling thriller of a story which I enjoyed.

I was given The Optician’s Wife in exchange for an honest review by Bloodhound Books
I didn’t like it….

I loved it…..

Betsy did a fantastic job, with various murders throughout and not knowing who it was doing the crimes. At one point I thought I knew exactly what was going on, then nope something happened to change my mind, what a brilliant twist.

No spoilers. Want to know more? Then go along and order your own copy.

I have given The Optician’s Wife 5 stars and it was worth every bit of them.

Deborah meets Larry, who is training to be an optician. He's self assured and takes quiet Deborah under his wing.
They marry, have kids, buy a house. While all this normality is going on a serial killer strikes, nerves are frayed.
Dee, as Larry likes to call her gains a bit more confidence but her weight knocks her thoughts of herself.
This book wasn't anything I was expecting. It started off ok and led in deeper, the turn was not what I had in mind at all. Unusual but enjoyable read.

This book explores the damages that can happen to children who are neglected and had trauma. It is a page turner once the story is laid out. Very layered characters and believable dialog.

I loved it and am so excited she is in Kindle Unlimited! I'm off to get her next book and am so excited that there are at least 5!

If you like horror, but with psychological suspense, you will enjoy this new U.K. Author.

After they get married Debra, or Dee as Larry calls her, is forced to contribute to the household expenses in the most degrading way.

At the same time there's a serial killer on the loose in Cambridge, who also likes to collect trophies from his victims.

To say more would I believe give too much of the plot away. Needless to say I highly recommend, you won't forget where it leads you in a hurry. :-)

Was recommended this book by a friend and also #TBC. It definitely was not what I was expecting. The characters are personable and you actually start to feel sorry for one of them. As the story progresses you start to change your opinion on many things and with twists and turns as each chapter continues, this is definitely a book for those who like thrillers, and for those who like their mind to keep turning over ideas on what's gonna happen next.
I absolutely loved this book, and will definitely be reading more of the authors work

I really enjoyed reading the book, however, it led to the same place I thought it would. To me there were no twists & I truly thought Larry maybe imaginary. How else would a handsome man find interest in someone that couldn't keep herself clean, her house clean, was a bad cook & seemed to neglect her children. I never felt any love between the two of them, just awkwardness & almost a hatred towards eachother. It was still a good read but left me questioning a lot of facts at the end and that things just didn't add up! All of the characters except Owen and Daisy were unlikeable & never had you on their side. I truly just didn't get a twist that I was hoping for. It all ended the way it should have.

Betsy Reavley has woven a host of frankly unlikable characters into a dark and suspenseful story of lust, greed, control and jealousy - I loved this thriller and how the tension built gradually throughout the book , excellent pace and style!
This is one that I fully expect to be in my top books of 2016 - I'm now adding Betsy's earlier novels to my 'To Read' list - Fully deserved 5 star must read Thanks to TBC for the ARC

Ms. Reavley knows how to write a scary page-turner!!! I can't write much because I personally hate spoiler alerts when reading reviews. "Eye" did figure out a few twists ahead of time, but that didn't slow down the pace of the storyline. I've read many suspenseful mysteries but some are redundant and boring. Not this book! Looking forward to reading more of this author's work! Bloody good thriller!

There is no mystery or suspense in this novel. The killer's motivation is a dead give-a-way. The victim never looked at Larry like he was beneath her, so only one other option. Seemed like the author tried hard to make Deb likable in the beginning, her results were flat and clichéd. Hard to like a person when you've figured out the plot twist. I only gave this book 2 stars because I was able to finish it, that's about the most praise I can give it.

A very interesting read. I really, really loved this story, and anyone who likes psychological thrillers will too. My one complaint is the lack of editing. I know it was edited as the author thanks her editor in the acknowledgments. But maybe she she find a new one if her current one missed that many typos and misspellings. Overall a good story. I'm glad I read it and will probably read this author again.

This is a horrible story. The writing is decent and cohesive. The story was much too graphic and dark. Reading this was like rubbernecking at a traffic accident. Things you wish you had not seen or read. Twisted, dark and really stomach churning. I don't know why I finished it. A real horror story. If you have a tender heart or a tender stomach don't read this.

OK, where do I begin? It actually started out ok...but quickly went super weird in a way that makes your skin crawl (not good at all) -- I hate to say negative things about someone's creation, but this was not edited well, was jumbled up and lacking any sense of flow, and was a distressing crescendo of depravity. I had to just delete it off my kindle. Don't read this...you'll end up feeling kind of gross.

This book keeps you reading just to discover what is really going on. Are these murders connected to the optical profession? Is it the husband? Lots of red herrings and twists. I figured out who the killer was about half way through the book. But, I did not come close to figuring out the graphic ending. Please, if you enjoy thrillers, don't read ahead. Find out and feel as shocked at the end as I was.

This is a disturbing book that runs the gambit from sexual abuse to torture, suicide and murder. You can easily put the pieces together well before the end. But it is a read that leaves you feeling dirty. And I was in the mood for that. This book was well written and I would read another book by this author.

This was definitely a compelling psychological masterpiece.You feel compassion and sympathy for the Wife but the ending will shock you.I literally read the last line with a gasp and felt a cold shudder go down my spine. As an avid reader of psychological suspense this is a rarity. Awesome!

The Optician’s Wife by Betsy Reavley
I was hooked from the start and finished this book within 24 hours. The author does a great job of reeling you into the story and then twisting it just enough to have you go back for more and more. I wanted to like some of the characters but never really felt that warm fuzzy feeling for any of them; however, after reading the book to the end, I think that is what was on purpose.
I will say at time I was frustrated with the missing words and words that were not meant to be in the sentence, so that did distract me some. I would however recommend this book to friends that enjoy a good thriller. I would give this book a 4 star.

I was very disappointed with the ending of the story although it had taken me to other possibilities. She seemed a very likeable person who had a hard life but to see her transformed into an evil entity was disappointing.

The killer was obvious from the beginning of the book. No real 'psychological' explanation was ever revealed for the husband's repeated dramatic changes in attitudes and behaviors. The optician ' s wife isn't a sympathetic or interesting character after the first few chapters. With that being said, once begun, enough of a story exists to want to reach the conclusion.