Kerry Fisher (above on the right) wrote a letter to this books reader, and it is located at the end of this novel. It tells us why she decided to write this story. She said, in searching opinion pieces and internet forums discussing what women were talking about, that the discussions came back, over and over, to the intricacies of family dynamics.
The story centers on two brothers who live next door to each other, across the street from their mother, Anna. Anna is the matriarch of the Farinelli extended Italian family. Lara is married to Massimo Farinelli and they have a son Sandro. Massimo is the older brother and has been married before. Their life looks perfect on the surface. Maggie is married to Massimo’s brother Nico. Maggie is the stepmother to their daughter, Francesea.
The book was originally titled “The Secrets of the Second Wives”. There is plenty of material here to discuss family dynamics, and indeed that is what the book does.
In Kerry’s letter she mentioned that she knew conflict was the “heart of a good novel”. The subject of “The Silent Wife” was indeed one of conflict.
The book has received good reviews and I thought it was well written. I found my own interest drifted as the story seemed to move slow. I wish I had read the letter from the author at the end first.
About the Author Kerry Fisher
Kerry Fisher was born in Peterborough, UK. She studied French and Italian at Bath University, and then worked for several years as an English teacher in Corsica and in Spain. Her Website is: