The Perfect Wife | JP Delaney

Let me start by saying I didn't read the back of the book before purchasing, I just saw JP Delaney had a new book out so I grabbed it (did a little happy dance as I LOVED The Girl Before) and dove straight in.

Now, if I HAD read the blurb I must admit I likely would have said "WHAAAAT, wait a minute this isn't my kind of book, sorry Mr Delaney, I don't do Sci-Fi, I'm out."

However, as I began reading, and with no idea what the book was about, Chapter One blew my mind! I really don't think this book could be classified as "traditional Sci-Fi" it is part horror, part thriller, definitely part psychological, and a little heartbreaking in the exploration of family relationships, especially where disabilities such as Autism are involved.

I found the use of different voices and perspectives enhanced the narrative and you definitely forget Abbie is a Robot most of the time. The short chapters make it a page turner, I stayed up very late reading "just one more page"

The creep factor is up there and I love the concept of "loving someone so much you can't bear to let them go," or at least the moral debate around love, control, narrcisim and the quest for eternal life. This is morality, domestic abuse style thriller is juxtaposed against a more classic "did she, didnt' she / whodunit crime thriller as you are asking yourself " What really happened five years ago? and, Was Abbie murdered or did she walk away from her family?" All this superimposed against a modern Sci-Fi plot in Silicon Valley certainly adds up to a unique read!

I did find the end a little confusing, defintiely didn't guess the twist but in the end all round loved the book. I would highly recommend you give it a go before judging the Genre. It would definitely be a great read for a book club and I'm rating it a solid 4/5 stars!