A Circle of Wives

By: Alice LaPlante

Narrated by: George Newbern, Betsy Zajko, Nan McNamara, Deanna Hurst, Kyla Garcia

Length: 9 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

When Dr. John Taylor is found dead in a hotel room in his hometown, the local police find enough incriminating evidence to suspect foul play. Detective Samantha Adams, whose Palo Alto beat usually covers small-town crimes, is innocently thrown into a high-profile murder case that is more intricately intertwined than she could ever imagine. A renowned plastic surgeon, a respected family man, and an active community spokesman, Dr. Taylor was loved and admired. But, hidden from the public eye, he led a secret life - in fact, multiple lives. A closeted polygamist, Dr. Taylor was married to three very different women in three separate cities. And when these three unsuspecting women show up at his funeral, suspicions run high. Adams soon finds herself tracking down a murderer through a web of lies and marital discord.

With a rare combination of gripping storytelling, vivid prose, and remarkable insight into character, Alice LaPlante brings to life a story of passion and obsession that will haunt listeners long after they turn the final page. A charged and provocative psychological thriller, A Circle of Wives dissects the dynamics of love and marriage, trust and jealousy, posing the terrifying question: How well do you really know your spouse?

©2014 Alice LaPlante. Recorded by arrangement with Grove/Atlantic, Inc. (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Kyla Garcia manages the perfect balance between uncertainty and determination as she voices new detective Sam Adams's battle to differentiate truth from lies on her first murder case. Plastic surgeon John Taylor is found dead in a hotel room. As the story unfolds through first-person accounts - delivered by the other female narrators - and newspaper reports - read by George Newbern - the listener is invited into the complicated life of Taylor, who had three wives. Only the first wife, Deborah, coolly characterized by Nan MacNamara, knows of the existence of the others. At times, the listening is disorienting as each of these very different women voices her grief and analyses the lie of her marriage. It can be painful but ultimately fascinating. Who killed the likable and idealistic Doctor Taylor and why?" ( AudioFile)

Everything to lose

Wife # one thinking she is fully in control of her husbands life , until she isn't . She no longer loves him or he her but she won't let go hence the title. If I say any thing more ill ruin the story so enjoy I certainly did

Strange ending

This was a good who done it, especially enjoyable because I am very familiar with setting. The ending was bizarre. I don’t understand the significance at all!

Great book!

Great book! Kept me guessing until the end! A lot of people said they were disappointed with the ending or didn't understand it, but I think it is fitting. The ending shows how the protagonist of the story ultimately suffers because, unlike the other characters in the book, she was afraid to love too much. This book tries to send the message that we must never be afraid to love others, but we cannot allow that love to devolve into selfishness and avarice.

Predictable

The characters were somewhat well developed and I enjoyed getting to know them. It was an easy read with no sex and profanity (maybe a couple of words) and that is a really good thing where I'm concerned. The story line was predictable in my opinion. The performance was excellent.

Very interesting

The ending was surprising and it kept you guessing. I didn't like how it ended for the main character

Enjoyable until the end

I selected this book because of its setting (I'm a long time resident of the area) and the concept of the story being told by individual characters. The read was pleasant enough--performances by the narrators quite good--but parts of the plot became a bit predictable. What was the most disappointing was the very end. I felt lured to the conclusion only to be left hanging mid-air. I even listened a second time..still can't figure out what the last chapter was intended to communicate.

Narrators don't know proper pronunciation

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The resolution of the whodunit seemed contrived.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Not sure. I couldn't relate to the characters I wanted to like. But I found them interesting, if weak and vulnerable.

How could the performance have been better?

The narrators' lack of familiarity with elementary English words is astonishing. Mispronunciation at critical moments totally ruined the flow of the story. "Sangween" for "sanguine", for example. Gross mispronunciation coming out of the mouth of the hoity toity character totally undermined her.

Could you see A Circle of Wives being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No. The story is too contrived. Maybe a Lifetime soapy drama, but nothing more.

Disappointed 😞

While the subject matter was interesting in the beginning, the jumping back and forth of characters got monotonous. The author seemed as if she was trying to extend the book by having many, many needless details and conversations between the characters. The ending, on the other hand, was quite abrupt and disappointing.

Good story but the language is too flowery and dis

I enjoyed the story but was annoyed by the flowery language. It seems like author was hoping for an A in a high school creative writing class.

My daddy always said, a man needs 3 wives

This book explains why he thought that was true and how wonderful Alice LaPlante does weaving the why through and through her thoughtful story. Highly recommend.