The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress: A Novel

The "genuinely surprising whodunit" (USA Today) from the New York Times bestselling author of I Was Anastasia and The Frozen River tantalizingly reimagines a scandalous murder mystery that rocked the nation. Ariel Lawhon's wickedly entertaining debut mystery transports us into the smoky jazz clubs, the seedy backstage dressing rooms, and the shadowy streets beneath the Art Deco skyline of 1930s New York City.

One summer night in 1930, Judge Joseph Crater steps into a New York City cab and is never heard from again. Behind this great man are three women, each with her own tale to tell: Stella, his fashionable wife, the picture of propriety; Maria, their steadfast maid, indebted to the judge; and Ritzi, his showgirl mistress, willing to seize any chance to break out of the chorus line.

As the twisted truth emerges, the reader is taken on a captivating journey through the scandalous world of the judge's life and the web of secrets that surrounds his mysterious disappearance. The narrative skillfully weaves together the perspectives of the three women, each with their own motivations, desires, and burdens to bear.

Stella, the epitome of upper-class elegance and decorum, finds herself at the center of a media frenzy as the wife of the vanished judge. Maria, the loyal and hardworking maid, harbors a deep-seated loyalty to the judge, even as his indiscretions come to light. Ritzi, the showgirl with aspirations of a better life, is willing to take drastic measures to seize the opportunity presented by the judge's disappearance.

The reader is left to untangle the intricate web of lies, betrayals, and hidden agendas that surround the judge's fate, as the narrative builds towards a climactic and unexpected conclusion. Lawhon's masterful storytelling prowess is on full display, as she seamlessly blends historical elements with a captivating mystery that keeps the reader guessing until the very end.

Don't miss Ariel Lawhon's new book, The Frozen River, which promises to deliver another thrilling and immersive reading experience.

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