THE WATCHFUL WIFE

OUT NOW

A story of unshakeable belief and unbending faith from the author of The Deceptions.

Raised by her severe parents in a punitive and authoritarian church, Ellen's narrow world is upended when she meets Gordon, a fellow teacher. Ellen is both transformed and beguiled by the connection, love and laughter he brings into her life.

When Gordon is accused of a shocking crime, Ellen steadfastly refuses to believe Gordon has done anything wrong. Abandoned and reviled by those around her, she will have to fight to protect him.

But what will that cost her? And what will she discover about him along the way?

Reviews for The Watchful Wife

  • 'Leal's unusual perspective on the destructive force of an allegation gives this book real moral complexity…Nuanced, troubling and convincing.'

    Jock Serong, author of The Settlement

  • 'The Watchful Wife is assured and engrossing.'

    Jacqueline Bublitz, author of Before You Knew My Name

  • 'Suzanne Leal's books always grab me from the very first sentence and The Watchful Wife is no exception. It is intriguing, engaging and deeply moving from beginning to end.'

    Jane Caro, author of The Mother

  • 'Leal delivers an intriguing page-turner with emotional depth, nuance and moral complexity: The Watchful Wife is a truly gripping read from start to finish.'

    Mark Brandi, author of The Others

  • 'The Watchful Wife is a tense Australian thriller that reminds us: sometimes you need an outsider to fight injustice.'

    Jack Beaumont, author of The Frenchman

Suzanne Leal is a strong voice on the literary scene…In The Watchful Wife, Leal handles complex themes of justice, trust and power delicately and convincingly.’

Review, The Australian

'Nothing can prepare you for the final pages. It’s only in retrospect, when you are wowed by the final sparkling plot twist, that you realise how masterfully the author has manipulated her audience'

Books+Publishing

AWARDS

Copyright Agency Cultural Fund Grant 2020

Australia Council for the Arts - Create Grant 2020

INTERVIEWS & MEDIA

SUZANNE’S NOVELS

‘Leal is a master storyteller. Impossible to put down.’

NIKKI GEMMELL