One Wrong Word by Hank Phillippi Ryan

 

My thoughts

This author never disappoints me. She knows how to weave a thriller that will keep you interested and watching for clues. 

While I did figure out one of the "bad guys" in this story, it didn't take away from it at all. The other was a total surprise. Until it wasn't. Way to pen a twist.

A young woman, Arden, loses her job as a crises management expert because a client accuses her of having an affair with her husband. Arden would never do this but her boss cares more about the money than his employee. In her last two weeks her boss, Walter, gives her an assignment. She is to help a wife get her and her family's life back on track after he is acquitted of vehicular homicide. Here you meet Cordelia Bannister. A real piece of work in my opinion. I just didn't like her at all. But she wanted her life back and it is Arden's job to do that.

You meet Ned who is accused of killing a man. A man who was on private property and on a skateboard. Did he know this man. Was Ned drunk and careless. He was acquitted so the jury didn't think so. But others are sending threatening text to Cordelia. Some saying that Ned knew the man. This family is going through so much after this year long trial and they just want their lives back. But did Ned do this? Was it on purpose. Or was it something way more sinister? 

I enjoyed this book even though I did figure out part of the story. Fairly early one at that. But I could have been wrong... ha Very well written and keeps you turning the pages. You'll want to know who did what and why. There are a couple of twists going one. Another hit and run. An affair to remember. A life possibly ruin because of a false accusation. Maybe even two lives. There is a lot going one and you'll get to know all of these characters. While I truly didn't like Cordelia she is a very important part of this story. She knows how to get people to do what she wants. Help her.

A lot of the secondary characters are wonderful also. A few maybe not so much. Overall this book is very good. Well written. Well thought out. Makes you cringe and even possibly shed a tear. Or a wow..

Thank you #NetGalley, #HankPhillippiRyan, #TorPublishingGroup/Forge, for this ARC. This is my own thoughts about this book.

FOUR big stars and a high recommendation.

About

A heart-racing new psychological thriller from USA Today bestselling and multiple award-winning author, Hank Phillippi Ryan.

One wrong word can ruin your life. And no one knows that better than savvy crisis management expert Arden Ward. Problem is, she's now forced to handle a shocking crisis of her own. Unfairly accused of having an affair with a powerful client, Arden’s life and dreams are about to crash and burn. Then, Arden is given an ultimatum. She has just two weeks to save her career and her reputation.

Is Cordelia Bannister the answer to her prayers?

Cordelia needs Arden’s help for her husband Ned, a Boston real estate mogul. Though he was recently acquitted in a fatal drunk driving accident, his reputation is ruined, and the fallout is devastating not only to the Bannisters' lives, but the lives of their two adorable children.

Arden devotes her skill and determination—and maybe her final days on the job—to helping this shattered family, but soon, revelations begin to emerge about what really happened the night of the accident. And then—another car crash throws Ned back into the spotlight.

This case is Arden’s final chance to protect her own future and clear her name. But the more she tries to untangle the truth, the more she’s haunted by one disturbing question—what if she’s also protecting a killer?

Gossip. Lies. Rumors. Words like that can hurt you. And Arden knows the reality. Sometimes one wrong word can kill.