Set in a small Wisconsin farming town crumbling under the impact of the troubled economic times of the 1890s, A Reliable Wife tells the story of Ralph Truitt, a wealthy businessman who advertises for "a reliable wife" in a Chicago newspaper. The woman who answers, Catherine Land, describes herself as "a simple, honest woman," but in truth she is both complex and devious -- not the missionary's daughter she describes in her letter but a courtesan of great beauty, kept by men and haunted by a terrible past. Her plan in ...
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Set in a small Wisconsin farming town crumbling under the impact of the troubled economic times of the 1890s, A Reliable Wife tells the story of Ralph Truitt, a wealthy businessman who advertises for "a reliable wife" in a Chicago newspaper. The woman who answers, Catherine Land, describes herself as "a simple, honest woman," but in truth she is both complex and devious -- not the missionary's daughter she describes in her letter but a courtesan of great beauty, kept by men and haunted by a terrible past. Her plan in accepting the marriage offer is simple: she will win this man's devotion and then, over time, poison him and leave Wisconsin a wealthy widow. What she has not counted on, though, is the passion she finds in this seemingly solid, forthright man -- a man who also harbours secrets and whose past is far from pure. Filled with remarkable characters and drenched with colour and atmosphere, A Reliable Wife is a story of love and madness, longing and murder, played out in a world that seems to have gone temporarily off its axis.
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Well worth reading. There is character development which I always enjoy. Also, redemption. Two of my favorite themes.
P. Frances P
Feb 25, 2011
WOW!
No prior knowledge of book or author. Picked at random by title name and pleased with the read. Surprising story and description of those hard times in early northwest. Author's descriptions made characters alive!
Melba C
Feb 9, 2011
Disappointing
Based on some reviews, I thought this book offered something different and mysterious, along with some real surprises. Instead, the writing was filled with repetitions, no real surprises, and a lot of sadness.
Gloria B
Dec 2, 2010
A Reliable Wife
Strange start to book but turns into a good read. It was a little different but the story developes into a facinating mystery plot.
Massager
Nov 4, 2010
A Reliable Wife
This book was read with a book club group.
It was a very racey book that I would not have
read personally.
Audrey Fisher
