He Said He Would Be Late - by Justine Sullivan (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A fast-paced, twisty psychological debut about the complexities of marriage and new motherhood, told through the frenetic lens of a wife seeking the truth about her husband, at all costs, as the validity of the life she once knew unravels page by page.

Liz Bennett knows that she is one of the lucky ones. Wealthy and charming, Arno is a supportive husband to Liz and a doting father to their daughter, Emma. A rising banker at a top firm in the Boston area, he is the picture of perfection, rounding off their idyllic New England life. But when Liz sees a text on Arno's phone with a kissy-face emoji, her anxiety kicks into overdrive and she begins to worry that her luck has run out.

In Justine Sullivan's ingenious debut, He Said He Would Be Late, a wife decides--as any wife would--that she must uncover the truth about her husband. So she takes a deep breath and dives down the rabbit hole. As Liz peels back layers of deceit and tracks down every lead, a frenzy begins to take over her life. Could Arno really be unfaithful? Or is Liz's imagination getting the best of her? When everyone around her is convinced she's become unhinged, she must prove, if only to herself, that a woman's intuition expands beyond a single cryptic text.

Review Quotes

"Frank, funny...a read-in-one-sitting ride that's crazy, heartfelt, and maybe a little heartbreaking as well."
--Gilly Macmillan, New York Times bestselling author of The Nanny

"A sharp debut examining the often-destabilizing identity of new motherhood, as well as postpartum depression, anxiety, and insecurity. Sullivan deftly conveys the overwhelming frustration of maintaining appearances as she leads readers through an emotional journey to an open-ended but deeply satisfying conclusion."
--Chris Cander, USA Today bestselling author of A Gracious Neighbor

"A pacey, compelling tale of obsession that's also an insightful and intimate look at marriage and the many vulnerabilities of new motherhood, this gorgeous debut truly shines!"
--Christina McDonald, USA Today bestselling author of The Night Olivia Fell

"He Said He Would Be Late is mesmerizing and propulsive--at once a humorous and relatable exploration of motherhood and marriage and an entirely successful story of suspense. I absolutely adored this book."
--Nora Murphy, author of The Favor

"Sullivan should be considered an author to watch"
--Booklist