The Dictator's Wife: Behind her smile lies a secret. The most darkly gripping debut novel of 2022
By Freya Berry

I am not my husband. I am innocent. Doand youand believe me?'The beautiful, enigmatic wife of a feared dictator stands trial for her late husband's crimes against the people.and The world will finally know the truth.and Butand whose?'A gripping, intelligent, utterly-of-the-moment thriller'and EMMA STONEX, bestselling author ofand The Lamplighters'A remarkable new talent'and ANTHONY HOROWITZ, bestselling author ofand A Line to Kill'Compelling, atmospheric... It's BRILLIANT'and MARIAN KEYES, bestselling author ofand Again, Rachel__________WOMANI learned early in life how to survive. A skill that became vital in my position.WIFEI was given no power, yet I was expected to hold my own with the most powerful man in the country.MOTHER OF THE NATIONMy people were my children. I stood between him and them.I am not the person they say I am.I am not my husband.I am innocent.Do you believe me?Visceral and thought provoking, haunting and heartbreaking,and The Dictator's Wifeand will hold you in its grip until its powerful conclusion, andand keep you turning the pages long into the night.__________'This book is magnificent'and CHARLOTTE PHILBY'One of the most original debuts I have read'and DAISY GOODWIN'A gripping and moving debut from a talent to watch'and HARLAN COBEN'A darkly atmospheric, rich, compulsive and page-turning read'and KATE HAMER'Demands to be devoured in one sitting.and Sumptuously written...and One of the most compelling literary debuts of the year'and GLAMOUR, Top 30 Books Coming in 2022'An unconventional legal thriller and absorbing debut that is as satisfyingly complex in both its plotting and moral conclusions'and EXPRESS'A captivating story of women's power, love and secrets. As timely and profound as it is unforgettable. The ending left me breathless'and LARA PRESCOTT'A fascinating exploration of absolute power, female agency and the complexities of complicity. Atmospheric, claustrophobic and so elegantly written'and ELLERY LLOYD'Excellent. Horrifying and immersive with strong characterisation and atmosphere'and HARRIET TYCE'Engrossing, evocative, chillingly claustrophobic. Wonderfully written'and KAREN HAMILTON'A thrilling novel'and OLIVIA VINALL