A Good Marriage: A Novel
Written by Kimberly McCreight
Narrated by Sarah Zimmerman, Karissa Vacker and George Newbern
4/5
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About this audiobook
COMING SOON FROM AMAZON AND NICOLE KIDMAN’S BLOSSOM FILMS
A New York Times Summer Reads Selection | A People Best Book of the Summer | A Library Reads Pick | A Book Riot Addictive New Thriller to Add to Your TBR Pile | A Book of the Month Selection | A Publishers Weekly Summer Reads Pick | A Bookish Most-Anticipated Novel | A Good Morning America ""Binge This!"" Pick
Big Little Lies meets Presumed Innocent in this “irresistible domestic drama” (Washington Post) from the New York Times bestselling author of Reconstructing Amelia, in which a woman’s brutal murder reveals the perilous compromises some couples make—and the secrets they keep—in order to stay together.
Lizzie Kitsakis is working late when she gets the call. Grueling hours are standard at elite law firms like Young & Crane, but they’d be easier to swallow if Lizzie was there voluntarily. Until recently, she’d been a happily underpaid federal prosecutor. That job and her brilliant, devoted husband Sam—she had everything she’d ever wanted. And then, suddenly, it all fell apart.
No. That’s a lie. It wasn’t sudden, was it? Long ago the cracks in Lizzie’s marriage had started to show. She was just good at averting her eyes.
The last thing Lizzie needs right now is a call from an inmate at Rikers asking for help—even if Zach Grayson is an old friend. But Zach is desperate: his wife, Amanda, has been found dead at the bottom of the stairs in their Brooklyn brownstone. And Zach’s the primary suspect.
As Lizzie is drawn into the dark heart of idyllic Park Slope, she learns that Zach and Amanda weren’t what they seemed—and that their friends, a close-knit group of fellow parents at the exclusive Brooklyn Country Day school, might be protecting troubling secrets of their own. In the end, she’s left wondering not only whether her own marriage can be saved, but what it means to have a good marriage in the first place.
Kimberly McCreight
Kimberly McCreight is the New York Times bestselling author of Reconstructing Amelia, which was nominated for the Edgar, Anthony, and Alex Awards; Where They Found Her; and The Outliers young adult trilogy. She attended Vassar College and graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two daughters.
More audiobooks from Kimberly Mc Creight
Reconstructing Amelia Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Where They Found Her: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Friends Like These: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Scattering Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
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Reviews for A Good Marriage
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What our readers think
Readers find this title to be a mix of positive and negative reviews. Some readers loved the mystery and were completely hooked, finding the characters and narration excellent. Others felt the book moved too slow, had a random ending, and left unanswered questions. However, there was a huge twist that blew readers' minds and kept their attention. Overall, the book is recommended but with some flaws. It is a complex and engaging legal suspense novel with multiple points of view. Some readers loved it, while others found it to be an okay read.
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Book is great but the audiobook skips pages at a time. I happened to get the physical book at the library so o was following along. It went from page 280 right to 287. There are multiple instances of this happening.
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- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Actual Rating: (3.5)
A Good Marriage wasn't my favorite thriller, nothing truly surprised me. But, the writing was wonderful and that makes it worth reading in my opinion. - Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5It wasn't awful, but I didn't care about any of the characters. Court and detective things bore me so I constantly wanted to skip those chapters. The resolution was... a weird decision. It felt like a waste of time.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5It book left out unanswered questions like who was stalking Amanda ,was she really delusional, . Then Zack needed to be punished for at least for not being available.. so ya it was just ok..
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5This book moved WAY too slow and the ending was random and left much to be desired. I was happy to be done with it, not a good book at all.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great Book! Loved the mystery, keeps the listener enthralled right til the end. Great characters, narration was excellent too
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Really good! Not everything wrapped up but worth the ride.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I can’t even tell you how much I loved this book. I was incredibly invested in the characters. I was completely hooked. Kept me wondering all the way. I recommend this highly.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Too many things going on in this story and I truly believe that if you removed one little thread, it would all fall apart and not work. And I know that's the point of stories but I feel like theres been better stories with less drama. Eh. It was an okay read.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Dang! This was an excellent read. I can't write too much without giving away the whole story.
What I can say is that the author, Kimberly McCreight, did an awesome job in writing this legal suspense novel; and the book's descriptive synopsis really doesn't do it any justice because it is so much more.
Complex characters abound, with each of them sharing their point of view. The different points of view leads to a very engaging read that will leave you in suspense until he end.
Five stars - I loved it. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5There was a huge twist about 80% in that absolutely blew my mind. It was one of several surprises that I didn't predict at all but it was the most shocking. I had to step away from the book for a bit to process what I had read and how it changed everything. I've been having difficulty focusing lately but I had no problem losing myself in this story. There wasn't a single part that didn't hold my attention and I couldn't stop listening!
I listened to the audiobook and the narration was excellent. It's a story that works well in audio and I highly recommend this book in any form! - Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5This was a decent thriller. I was hooked in by the dead woman at the bottom of the stairs at the beginning--shades of Michael Peterson (since I just watched the HBO series about him starring Colin Firth). That's where the resemblance ended. I liked the contrasts of the different marriages with secrets, although whoa, there are a lot of bad men in this book. Perhaps the surprise reveal was a bit too neat. I'm not sure I bought all the details that came together so nicely. But it was entertaining and kept me reading to find out what happened, so in that sense, it was a successful mystery.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Once hooked, I could not stop reading this novel. Wow
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Good Marriage by Kimberly McCreight is a 2020 Harper publication. Lizzie has taken a job with Young & Crane out of necessity after her marriage and finances took a serious hit. Out of the blue an old friend, Zach Grayson, calls asking for her help. He’s in a bit of a bind after his wife, Amanda, was found dead. Seems he hit a police officer at the scene, and is perhaps the prime suspect in Amanda’s death. Although her firm does not handle criminal cases, Lizzie is given permission to represent Zach- although she’s not exactly thrilled about taking his case. As Lizzie begins to dig into Amanda’s life, and the affluent enclave she and Zach lived in, she discovers Amanda’s closest friends were into a few unconventional activities, such as open marriages and key parties, for example. Did Amanda participate? Did someone become jealous? What about Amanda’s ambiguous past, or her best friend, Carolyn, a woman no one else has met? And what about Zach? What motive might he have for murdering his wife? I was expecting the usual domestic thriller set-up with this one, but got a little more than I bargained for. I love Legal Thrillers, and this book has a bit of that included in the story, so that certainly enhanced my enjoyment of this book. The story is also a bit titillating, kind of soapy, but oh so entertaining. There were a few open- ended threads I would have liked to have been tied up or given a little more explanation- because some avenues seem to just dead end. The exploration of marriage in general, the secrets hidden behind closed doors, the struggles no one else knows about, or the dangerous games people play, was a great backdrop and the way the case intersects with Lizzie’s life was surprising. Overall, this was a twisty, absorbing, thrill ride- a bit convoluted at times- but I still enjoyed it. This would be a good book to pack in your beach bag this summer! 3.5 stars
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A solid 4 for me, maybe 4.4. I enjoyed the story and the twists and turns. I had no clue who the real killer was until the end which makes for a great book. Great characters from the ultra-quick and smart Lizzie, to the absolute pile of dog shit Zach. I will be looking forward to others by Kimberly.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I rather liked the back and forth between Amanada and Lizzie in this book. The countdown at every chapter with Amanada as it gets closer to the "party" created the tense atmosphere which is prevalent throughout the novel. The plot itself was pretty good. The pace itself was steady however as we get closer to the last third of the novel, it starts to bog down and drag. There's an aspect of the plot (can't reveal as it's a spoiler) where there seems to be a loose end involving Amanda's father and best friend, and you're left with your own interpretation of it. There are plenty of twists and a good red herring while Lizzie was investigating but it made the reading more engrossing and involved and it certainly kept the pace going.The characters in the novel were well written with good development in some. I didn't care too much about Sarah though. She's that type of friend where you love her for being your cheerleader and for telling it like it is. But she's also the type of friend you can only see and have in small increments because it would get old pretty quick. I really liked reading Lizzie's chapters though. The investigation parts were so good and exciting, her increasing tense relationship with Sam was going over the edge and you could feel her patience wearing thin was very well written. You empathized with her and can't help but admire her for continuing along while trying to manage both aspects of her life.Aside from the glaring loose end, it's a great book to read. Filled with drama, suspense, and enough plot twists to keep you going until the end.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This thriller kept me guessing the whole way through. Zach Grayson tricks Lizzie Kitsakis, his old law school friend from Penn, into representing him in what will likely turn into a murder case. Lizzie, now working for a top law firm so she can pay some bills that her alcoholic husband has racked up, did not fully disclose her financial situation to the new firm and Zach knows this. So Lizzie is stuck and goes to work finding the real murderer so that she can put the case behind her. Amanda, Zach's gorgeous wife, was found murdered at her home late at night and the crime scene is a bloody mess. As Lizzie reads Amanda's diaries which she found under the bed (revealing that Amanda has a best friend from childhood she is still in touch with named Carolynn and that her father whom had raped her in the past is stalking her) and interviews Amanda's fancy Park Slope friends (Sarah who is in a perfect marriage to Corey and Maude who is married to a handsome French man), she slowly starts to gather the facts. There are several red herrings and things are not as they appear. Lizzie, struggling with her own marriage, begins to realize that the untruths that she has told and important details she has failed to disclose is no way to live. The story has a surprising and happy ending for solving the murder, catching Zach for his real crime and for Lizzie on a personal level.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Good Marriage is one of those books that I almost let myself put off reading because of all of the hype that it was receiving pre-release. I know that shouldn't be a thing but sometimes books that are SO popular almost scare me off more than those books which receive little to no buzz (I STILL haven't read The Hunger Games if that tells you anything). Kimberly McCreight is also an author who I've always intended to read but hadn't yet tried until now. All of that being said, I'm so glad that I decided to mood read my way through August because it led to me picking this one off of my shelves where it was sitting with all of the other books that I haven't gotten to yet. I have to say that I really, really enjoyed this one! I wasn't sure what to expect because as with so many popular books, I had seen a mix of reviews where some readers loved it and others not as much. The thing about this book though is that for me, it gripped me from the very first page. It's told from a couple of different viewpoints - one is from Lizzie's point of view as she is drawn into the investigation of what happened to Zach's wife and the second viewpoint is from Amanda's viewpoint and the events leading up to her death. The combination of the two viewpoints made for a very compelling read. So compelling that I ended up finishing the last fourth of this book by candlelight at my kitchen table because we had lost power earlier that afternoon from a huge storm. I just HAD to see how everything was all going to end!! And while I really, really enjoyed this book - there were a few minor issues that I had with it that kept it from being a five star read. I cannot share specifics because spoilers but if you've already read this one and want to discuss, just send me a message. I will say that this book really takes a look at marriages and some of the hard truths that can be behind some of them. I felt so badly for Amanda for a variety of reasons throughout the book. And it was hard for me to relate the facts of her death with the parts of the book that were told from her viewpoint because I liked her. I didn't want that ending for her even though technically it had already happened. Does that even make sense? I just came to care for her character so it was hard to see everything that she was forced to go through with really no happy ending to come. I've seen reviews that compare this to a legal thriller but I don't think that I agree. There are some legal parts to it but it's not a courtroom setting or anything like that so just a FYI so that you go into this book with the right expectations. I do think that this is a very suspenseful read - and totally worth all of the hype that it received! Lesson learned that I should probably shy away from hyped books less...Overall, I enjoyed my time with this book and am eager to read more by this author. I believe I already have at least one of her other books waiting on my shelves to be read. Readers that enjoy mysteries, suspenseful reads that keep you guessing, and those that enjoy books where everyone seems to have a secret or two should definitely check this book out. Also, I saw a comparison to Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty - I can see the comparison (not in specifics necessarily) so if you enjoyed that one you may want to pick this one up as well. All in all, this is a book that I would definitely recommend!Bottom Line: A suspenseful and compelling read!Disclosure: I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher. Honest thoughts are my own.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Good Marriage is a compelling thriller and legal story. This is my second novel by Kimberly McCreight and I am a fan of her writing. As a warning to those who don't like the style - there is one unreliable narrator in the novel (think Girl On A Train). Lizzie is one narrator. She's a corporate attorney in a new position. She receives a phone call from a law school friend who is now in Rikers. It becomes clear that he will be charged with the murder of his wife Amanda. Amanda is the second narrator. While Lizzie is learning about Zach and Amanda's lives (and dealing with her own personal issues) alternate chapters give Amanda's perspective in the days before her death.There are plenty of twists, surprises, and questionable motives. There are also lots of bad actors in the bunch and it's not always easy to tell the bad from the good.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This legal/psychological thriller definitely does not hold back when it comes to laying bare the trials and sacrifices that make up a marriage. All of the characters are multi-layered and some are downright delusional. When Amanda and Zach move to the posh community of Park Slope, they seem to be the perfect couple, but nothing could be farther from the truth. However, their seemingly rich and privileged new neighbors are certainly no better. As the plot leads us down a twisty path of lies, deceptions, and addictions, it becomes clear that nothing is as it seems and nobody has a perfect marriage. I found this one entertaining and suspenseful all the way to the last page.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Good Marriage is a deep-dive, compelling, thought-provoking look at marriages, the secrets we keep, the compromises me make, and the reality behind the shiny façade we show the world.Expectations are important, so be aware this is not a thriller as some marketing is currently claiming. This is a slow burn character study, a legal drama, a mystery/suspense, but not a thriller. The intensity builds along with pacing, until the final quarter becomes explosive and impossible to put down.I loved the writing style, the complexities and depth of the characters, and the exploration of certain topics. Really, I simply loved everything about this book.*I received an ARC from Harper Books, via BookishFirst.*
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I love a book with flawed characters and from the beginning of this mystery we know the characters have challenges. The thing they are best at is concealing their problems, like adultery, drug abuse and financial problems. And, boy, are there secrets. It’s a good book to read while trying to escape the real life going on around us.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5What makes a good marriage? We see couples in various places, some talking little to each other, others holding hands, acting lovey dovey. But we know looks can be deceiving, and those of us who have been married a while know there is much going on the background that others do not see. In this book we observe four marriages, each unique, each with their own problems. Problems that remain hidden until the wife in one is murdered, her husband accused of the crime. Now all bets are off, and the secrets tumble into the foreground.The husband reaches out to an old law school friend, she is now a lawyer. Her marriage though has many secrets too, things she has kept hidden. Things that could change her life and her marriage. I have to admit that this is a thriller that for me worked well. So far this year, one of a few.n Enjoyed the format, a combination of narrative, emails and grand jury testimonials. The pace was relatively quick and the secrets revealed kept one from knowing who did what and when. There is quite alot going on here, but it is handled well. Anyway, I found it interesting and revealing, this peek into others private lives. Like a fly on the wall.ARC from Edelweiss.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Short of It:A woman is found dead at the bottom of the stairs. Her husband has been arrested for the crime, but everyone is lying.The Rest of It:*No Spoilers*Zach is married to beautiful Amanda but their marriage is riddled with secrets. After dragging Zach to a party that he does not want to attend, Amanda returns home alone and is murdered shortly thereafter.When Zach finds himself accused of her murder, he contacts an old lawyer friend, Lizzie to defend him even though she’s never defended anyone in a criminal trial. As Lizzie goes through the motions to discover the truth, she slowly realizes that anyone could have killed Amanda and that Amanda’s past was haunting her the entire time.A Good Marriage is getting a lot of buzz. The author keeps you guessing the entire time. I thought I knew who the killer was numerous times and was wrong every time. Structurally, it’s tightly written and is an absolute a page turner (read it in one sitting) but I did not care about any of these characters, even Amanda. I don’t think you have to love the characters to like a story but in a murder mystery, I find it’s helpful to at least care about the victim. I felt nothing for her. Everything felt a little too detached for me. The relationships were somewhat shallow, or appeared to be which made it difficult to feel anything for these people.I’ve read McCreight before. You may remember Reconstructing Amelia. That one had a lot of drama but I remember feeling empathy for the characters. That is the only thing I felt was missing here. In the end, I appreciated how quickly the story was told and for the author’s skill at keeping the big reveal a secret right until the end but had I felt a little more for these characters I think I would have enjoyed it even more.For more reviews, visit my blog: Book Chatter.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This law and order-esque read is perfect for any and all thriller fans. Readers will love to hate Zach as the author brings her personal law experience to this novel making it ever more believable.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5A Good Marriage by Kimberly McCreight was an entertaining and suspenseful read. Part mystery, part legal thriller, with many little twists throughout.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Kimberly McCreight's latest novel, A Good Marriage, is another twisty psychological legal thriller. There are multiple stories running through this novel, with an overarching theme of secrecy and revenge. The secrecy is prevalent in most of the characters. Amanda, the woman murdered, has a secret past with her father. Lizzie, the lawyer, has a secret concerning her father as well, in addition to a secret about her husband. The parents of Park Slope also have many secrets. Some of the secrets concern their jobs, some concern their spouses, some concern their children. But, they all have something to hide, and are afraid of being exposed.Add to the secrets a gruesome murder. Amanda, the wife of wealthy and detached Zach Grayson, is found dead at the bottom of her stairs. Naturally, Zach, as her husband, is accused of murder. He calls his old law school pal, Lizzie. Lizzie is now in corporate law, and doesn't want the case. But she is pulled into the case, and tries to find an alternate suspect to Amanda's murder. But there is more to Zach's friendship and what he wants from Lizzie. As Lizzie realizes this, she recognizes that she will have to face her own secrets.This is an intricately developed plot, with some interesting story lines. It ends with some hope of redemption.#AGoodMarriage #KimberlyMcCreight #BookishFirst
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5BOTM pick. I had a very hard time getting into this book. It is extremely wordy and some things definitely could have been left out. The switching between Lizzie and Amanda wasn’t difficult to follow, and actually added to the suspense. I would say the real “gripping” part started at about halfway, otherwise it’s just building it up. The outcome you don’t see coming, your constantly thinking “who did it” and all your theories make sense haha. Ultimately I gave it 4 stars just because the first half was extremely boring in my opinion and just dragged. Overall.... Didn’t love it, didn’t hate it either