"The Next Mrs. Parrish" | Reviewed by Pat Sainz

“The Next Mrs. Parrish” by Liv Constantine is a sequel to“The Last Mrs. Parrish” (a 2017 Reese’s Book Club Book) in which very wealthy women who seem to be perfect wives and community doyennes find themselves in desperate and sometimes life-threatening situations.

    Daphne, Amber, and Daisy Ann are wrapped up in a cycle of revenge in this domestic thriller that centers around the despicable Jackson Parrish, his innocent children, and the quest by all  for power and riches. 

     Daphne, the first Mrs. Jackson Parrish, fled to California with her two children following her divorce from Jackson. She was determined to free them from the sadistic control from which they all suffered while living with Jackson. Daphne didn’t anticipate that her children would miss their father so much. Even though Jackson lost custody of the children, Daphne decided to spend a summer near their former home in Connecticut for the sake of the children. She dreaded  becoming involved with either Jackson or his scheming new wife, Amber.

     Amber loves living a life of luxury as the new Mrs. Jackson, but she is bored by her baby and tired of Jackson’s financial schemes which have landed him in jail. Upon his return from prison, Amber and Jackson hatch a plan to get Daphne and the children to return to Connecticut and to live with Jackson permanently.  By now, Jackson and Amber hate each other, and Jackson wants Daphne back. Amber is happy to relinquish her son to Daphne and abscond with stolen merchandise and an offshore bank account.

     Daisy Ann, the third main female character in the novel,  is the owner of a sophisticated and financially lucrative jewelry business. When she inadvertently sees Amber whom she met once before under extremely adverse circumstances, Daisy Ann embarks on a mission to destroy Amber. 

     I rooted for Daphne, the first wife, even though she makes many cringe-worthy decisions. Amber is a villain so lacking in humility, empathy, and shame that her schemes and adventures make her a fascinating, albeit horrible, character.  Daisy Ann’s efforts to destroy Amber are relentless. All of the drama is couched around eye- popping wealth and privilege.         

     “The Next Mrs. Parrish” is a fast and entertaining summer read.  The stories reminded me of the television soap operas I used to watch with my mother. We couldn’t wait for the next day to see how characters would get their comeuppance. I felt the same reading this book. It was subversive fun.

     Liv Constantine is the pen name of sisters Lynne Constantine and Valerie Constantine.

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