Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Other Woman: A Novel
- Author: Sandie Jones
- Narrator: Clare Corbett
- Length: 09:52:31
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 21/08/2018
- Publisher: Macmillan Audio
- Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Horror, Suspense
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
As someone who has spent countless hours listening to audiobooks while crossing deserts and navigating foreign cities, I can tell you that the best psychological thrillers create their own immersive worlds. Sandie Jones’ “The Other Woman”, narrated with razor-sharp precision by Clare Corbett, is one of those rare audiobooks that makes the miles disappear, replacing the road before you with the twisting psychological landscape of its characters.
This Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick unfolds like a particularly unsettling family dinner I once attended in rural Portugal – where the surface pleasantries gradually gave way to something far more sinister beneath. Jones crafts a domestic thriller that explores the most dangerous relationship of all: the one between a woman and her mother-in-law. Protagonist Emily believes she’s found her perfect match in Adam, until she meets Pammie, the mother who will stop at nothing to protect her son.
Clare Corbett’s narration is nothing short of masterful. She gives each character – from the seemingly sweet Emily to the subtly venomous Pammie – such distinct vocal identities that I found myself forgetting this was a single narrator performance. There’s a particular scene where Pammie’s voice takes on this terrifyingly saccharine quality that reminded me of the way my Oaxacan host’s grandmother would tell ghost stories – that perfect balance of warmth and menace that raises the hairs on your neck.
What makes this audiobook experience particularly compelling is how Jones plays with perspective. Like staring at one of those optical illusion paintings where the image changes depending on your angle, the story constantly makes you question who to trust. Corbett enhances this effect through subtle vocal shifts that plant seeds of doubt without ever tipping the story’s hand. The production quality is excellent, with crisp audio that maintains consistency even at whispered intensities.
As a travel writer, I’m particularly attuned to how settings function in stories, and Jones uses domestic spaces with the same psychological potency that Gothic writers use haunted houses. The ordinary becomes ominous – a kitchen isn’t just a kitchen, but a battleground. Corbett’s narration enhances this, using pacing and pregnant pauses to make even the description of a living room feel charged with tension.
The novel’s exploration of female relationships and societal expectations reminded me of watching complicated family dynamics play out in different cultures I’ve visited. There’s a universal quality to these tensions that transcends borders – the unspoken rules, the power struggles, the way love can curdle into something darker. Jones captures this with psychological acuity, and Corbett delivers these nuances with perfect timing.
While the thriller elements are undoubtedly gripping, what elevates “The Other Woman” is its emotional authenticity. The relationship between Emily and Adam feels painfully real in its early stages, making the subsequent unraveling all the more devastating. Corbett captures this emotional arc beautifully, letting the cracks in their relationship show gradually through vocal inflections rather than dramatic shifts.
If I had one critique, it’s that some of the supporting characters could have been more fully developed, though this is a minor quibble in what’s otherwise a tightly constructed thriller. The audiobook format actually enhances the experience, as Corbett’s performance adds layers that might be missed in silent reading.
For listeners who enjoyed “Gone Girl” or “The Girl on the Train”, this offers a fresh twist on the domestic thriller genre. The bonus conversation with the author provides fascinating insights into Jones’ creative process and the psychology behind the characters.
Having listened to this while driving through the winding roads of the Andes (not recommended for the faint of heart), I can attest to its ability to make hours disappear. Just be warned – you might find yourself sitting in your parked car long after arriving at your destination, unable to pause during the final, breathtaking twists.
Until our next literary adventure, keep your passport and headphones handy.
Marcus Rivera
