A GOOD MARRIAGE by Kimberly McCreight

This is a book about four couples. Four with their own set of problems. Three of these couples seem very happily married for the most part. But they all have problems. They all have the world at their fingertips but along with that are major problems that lead to one woman being killed and one defending the husband. All of their lives will interconnect and some are the best of friends. Secrets will come to light that none see coming.

This book is so filled with twists and turns. I thought I had it all figured out but boy I was wrong. I truly was not even close.

Amanda, who is married to Zach, is dead. You learn this at the very beginning of this story. Her husband is arrested for the murder. There are several things that make him look ripe for this murder. He’s a bit of a cold man. I didn’t like him at all. He was not one you will connect with. Amanda had anything and everything money could buy and a son she adored with all her heart. The thing she didn’t have was the kind of love and support her two best friends had. Zach was a workaholic and thought that was all they needed.

Lizzie, who is married to Sam, is the attorney who defends Zach. She knew him from law school many years prior. As much as he is unlikable he does deserve a good defense. Lizzie didn’t want the job of being his defense attorney but she has no choice now. She’s a good attorney no doubt. She leaves no stone unturned getting to the bottom of things. A strong and very smart woman who has problems of her own. Sam, her husband, is an alcoholic and is prone to blackouts. Blackouts where he remembers nothing. He does things yet can’t remember them after.

The other two couples, Kerry and Sarah, who have been married a very long time and have three children. They love each other very much and Kerry  will do anything for Sarah. Is he as good as he seems or does he had some dark secrets that will come to light. Do they have secrets that need to be exposed? Then there is Sebe and Maude. They do have a great marriage. Problems? Of course. All marriages have problems. But they do have what they consider a great life. Everyone loves going to their parties. Their once a year parties that happen when all the children are away at sleep away camp. That is when all the fun happens and this time trouble...

Most of the characters in this book are so likable. There is something about each that you may relate too. With the exception of Zach who in my opinion is very cold. It’s like he’s dead inside, almost. But does that make him a killer? Maybe, maybe not. This book is very well written and the descriptions are so well developed you’ll feel like you are walking down the tree lined sidewalks or running through the forest and up the steps that Amanda ran. It’s a story of a murder. What appears to be a brutal murder. It’s the story of one woman’s hopes and dreams. Her horrible childhood and there is a touch of mental health issues included. A lot of what being an alcoholic can do to a person and what some love, laughter and just being a friend can do.

I really did enjoy this book. It caught me right from the start and I could not stop until I found out who killed Amanda. It held my attention from the very beginning.

Thank you to #BookishFirst, #NetGalley, #KimberlyMcCreight, #HarperCollinsPublishing for this ARC. My own true feelings are expressed here.

A 5 star book and a very high recommendation.