A juicy, page-turning story of marital secrets ... Sandie Jones is a true pro at writing those 'never saw it coming' plot twists, and The First Mistake involves not one, not two, but many such twists that will keep readers constantly wrong-footed. Employing alternate narrators and time jumps to impeccable effect, Jones keeps readers hooked; she masterfully doles out just enough information to keep you wanting more. And just when you think you’ve got this story figured out, Jones pulls the rug out from under you once again ... If you’re game for a twisty, layered psychological suspense novel that involves all manner of deceit and scheming, let Sandie Jones lead you into this deliciously shocking story of a marriage in which nothing is as it seems.
[Jones] takes her game to another level here, delivering a novel so addicting and hypnotic that it begs to be read in one sitting. The less readers know about this one the better, as The First Mistake isn’t your average, typical domestic thriller. Jones sets the table with her engaging, compelling characters—including Alice, who also serves as the story’s narrator—then ramps things up by combining blind-siding twists with nail-biting suspense, never taking her foot off the gas pedal for a second. Even those who do guess where the plot is heading before it gets there will enjoy the hell out of the journey Jones takes them, and her characters, on as the plot unfolds. The Other Woman was a special debut, but with her latest, Sandie Jones proves that she’s one of the best writers the genre has to offer . . . and The First Mistake is a must-read for fans of Gillian Flynn, Greer Hendricks, and Shari Lapena.
This domestic thriller will keep you thinking about the characters and what happens long after the last page is turned. Savvy readers will pick up clues along the way about what might transpire, and some of those do lead to the final denouement. But for many, it's only in retrospect that they will see how everything adds up. All is mysterious and deceiving; all is logical. Brilliantly done, The First Mistake is a pleasure to read.
Jones writes relatable women like nobody’s business, and she does the same here ... It’s hard to juggle multiple narratives, whether they’re first-person or third, but Jones handles it like a pro, and eagle-eyed readers will be keeping an eye on each strange occurrence, hoping to guess just what the hell is going on. I thought I had It figured out, but I didn’t. Not even close ... Trust and security are at the forefront of this absorbing, relentless tale ... Jones has established herself as a master craftswoman of domestic suspense.
Jones...surprises everyone with the revelations in her powerful climactic close, which presents Alice with a fateful choice. A provocative view of trust, placed and misplaced.
...[a] riveting domestic thriller ... The twisty plot builds to a shocking conclusion. This puzzler reinforces Jones’s status as a rising suspense star.
