The Pre-Loved edit from Shopbop
To share your reaction on this item, open the Amazon app from the App Store or Google Play on your phone.
Add Prime to get Fast, Free delivery
Amazon prime logo
Buy new:
$18.99
FREE delivery Monday, January 27 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$18.99
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Monday, January 27 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or Prime members get FREE delivery Friday, January 24. Order within 19 hrs 43 mins.
Only 3 left in stock (more on the way).
$$18.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$18.99
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
30-day refund/replacement
30-day refund/replacement
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$9.78
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
Nice clean copy with no highlighting or writing. We take pride in our accurate descriptions. Satisfaction Guaranteed. Nice clean copy with no highlighting or writing. We take pride in our accurate descriptions. Satisfaction Guaranteed. See less
FREE delivery Monday, January 27 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or Prime members get FREE delivery Friday, January 24. Order within 9 hrs 28 mins.
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$18.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$18.99
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

PKT WIFE Paperback – November 30, 2015

3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 3,338 ratings

{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$18.99","priceAmount":18.99,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"18","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"99","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"RlUQaHMNe7YGtqRJczdpGtDslloHDN1SJ6V7C5I46dVzcTkiE3k%2BuC6rA%2FMBEklqjqexxfDlHiAw2rApVRedyNmmM%2Bn3uxjtIm0vCbDPeJTpvgV%2FISZW6TZ%2Fswo9Hqf9vTZWSLKzgjsfhMtZ1Zu3UQ%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$9.78","priceAmount":9.78,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"9","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"78","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"RlUQaHMNe7YGtqRJczdpGtDslloHDN1Sgo6M48kWPqpwsDhxJ6cTy9tvi40uiRfZailagpNQWuYQU9z3OH0sNTFSY7bgYzyf5VYNa80XjaTGtF3GMSCOBaOxR81z%2FU%2FTPK9PIbe4zI2tM5eYl4ae2NM%2B3kWuTvMQx%2B5KMKi5Ioz%2BCzUuM4q7d4FM%2Fw6CKdIi","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

A stylish psychological thriller with the compelling intrigue of The Silent Wife and Turn of Mind and the white-knuckle pacing of Before I Go to Sleep—in which a woman suffering from bipolar disorder cannot remember if she murdered her friend.

Dana Catrell is shocked when her neighbor Celia is brutally murdered. To Dana’s horror, she was the last person to see Celia alive. Suffering from mania, the result of her bipolar disorder, she has troubling holes in her memory, including what happened on the afternoon of Celia’s death.

Her husband’s odd behavior and the probing of Detective Jack Moss create further complications as she searches for answers. The closer she comes to piecing together the shards of her broken memory, the more Dana falls apart. Is there a murderer lurking inside her . . . or is there one out there in the shadows of reality, waiting to strike again?

A story of marriage, murder, and madness, The Pocket Wife explores the world through the foggy lens of a woman on the edge.

The%20Amazon%20Book%20Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Not a word is wasted in Susan Crawford’s fast-paced, thrilling debut. As Crawford explores the boundaries of memory and sanity, the suspense steadily gathers, and in her skilled hands, readers will be left guessing until the very end.” — Lori Roy, Edgar Award winning author of BENT ROAD and LET ME DIE IN HIS FOOTSTEPS

“The Pocket Wife is an exceptional literary thriller debut that sensitively portrays a woman struggling with Bipolar Disorder, and the horrific possibility that she’s a murderer. Engrossing, thrilling, and page turning all the way through, this is one you won’t want to miss!” — Chevy Stevens, New York Times bestselling author

“The Pocket Wife is haunting, gripping, and lyrical--a book you won’t want to put down. Susan Crawford is a bright new star.” — Deborah Crombie, New York Times bestselling author

“Because the tale is told primarily from Dana’s sharp but manic perspective, suspense develops around her possibly unreliable interpretation of events. This is a gripping, character-driven mystery that would pair well with Sophie Hannah’s The Truth-Teller’s Lie.” — Booklist

“This intriguing thriller will leave readers guessing till the last minute. Dana Cantrell is a dynamic, well-written character whose bipolar disorder makes her both maddening and endearing. Tightly moving, fast-paced and suspenseful, Crawford’s debut novel puts her on the map of writers to watch.” — RT Book Reviews (4 1/2 STARS)

“Descriptive, lyrical prose creates an intimate and visceral read that is both a solid mystery and a fast-paced psychological thriller. Try this first novel as a read-alike for Alice LaPlante’s Turn of Mind.” — Library Journal

“Great premise, and characters, and a wonderfully evocative setting, heavy with heat and suburban boredom, and the uneasy threat of not quite knowing what is going on. Really great.” — Sabine Durrant, author of Under Your Skin

From the Back Cover

It isn’t the big things Peter does that make Dana want to leave him; it’s more the smaller things, like sticking her inside his pocket in the middle of a thought—these demeaning, shrinking things he does that make her feel as trivial as a sneeze.” Dana Catrell leads a quiet life in a suburb a stone’s throw from Manhattan. She spends her days tidying, reading, missing her son who’s away at college, and wondering what went wrong in her marriage to her husband, Peter, who comes home late most nights and makes her feel as unimportant as a pocketful of loose change.

Then on one horrific day, Celia—Dana’s friend and neighbor—is found murdered . . . and Dana’s life suddenly begins to spiral out of control as she feels herself sliding toward the brink of insanity. Dana suffers from bipolar disorder, and she can’t account for the troubling gaps in her memory on the afternoon of Celia’s death. Even more terrifying, Dana was the last person to see her friend alive on that deadly day when Celia revealed a disturbing secret.

Is murder on Dana’s mind—or is it all in her head? And is there a killer lurking inside her . . . or is there one out there in the shadows of reality, waiting to strike again? “Exceptional.”—Chevy Stevens, New York Times bestselling author

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ MorrowPb; Reprint edition (November 30, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0062362860
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062362865
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.9 x 5.3 x 7.9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars 3,338 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Susan Crawford
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Susan grew up in Miami, Florida, where she spent her childhood summers reading mysteries in a hammock strung between two Banyan trees, and collecting lizards, baby skunks and other odd, exotic creatures.

She later moved to New York City and then to Boston before settling in Atlanta to raise three amazing daughters and to teach in various adult education settings. A member of The Atlanta Writers Club and The Village Writers Group, Susan is now a full-time author and is a member of her local planning commission. She lives in Atlanta with her husband and a trio of rescue cats, where she enjoys reading books, writing books, rainy days, and spending time with the people she loves.

The Pocket Wife is Susan's debut novel. Represented by Jenny Bent at The Bent Agency, it was published in March, 2015, by Morrow-Harper Collins and by Faber & Faber in England. Booklist describes The Pocket Wife as "a gripping, character-driven mystery."

The Other Widow, Susan's second suspense novel, also represented by Jenny Bent at The Bent Agency, was published in April, 2016, by Morrow-Harper Collins and will be published by Faber & Faber in England. Of The Other Widow and Susan Crawford, Jackie K. Cooper of The Huffington Post says, "gets better with every book she produces." Visit her webpage at susancrawfordnovelist.com.

Customer reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars
3,338 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers

Customers say

Customers find the story engaging and suspenseful. They describe the book as a page-turner with interesting characters and an easy-to-read style. The writing quality is praised as well-crafted and flowing naturally. The psychological development and subtle nuances are found fascinating by customers. Overall, the book has a unique style that appeals to them.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

134 customers mention "Suspenseful story"102 positive32 negative

Customers enjoy the suspenseful story. They find the plot interesting and engaging, with a fast pace that keeps them hooked. The book features a likable protagonist and a well-written psychological drama without overdramatizing. Overall, readers describe it as an enjoyable mystery novel that is hard to put down.

"...THE POCKET WIFE is a very lyrical literary thriller with a gripping character-based mystery...." Read more

"...There are multiple suspects in this book as Jack Moss the detective searches for evidence against a growing dread as one of the suspects brings a..." Read more

"Good book - suspenseful, kept my interest......BUT the author kept stopping me in my tracks with what I found to be glaring inconsistencies about..." Read more

"...The writer does this with empathy, without over dramatizing, by bringing the reader along on the woman’s struggles to recognize and cope with the..." Read more

108 customers mention "Readability"104 positive4 negative

Customers find the book engaging with many twists and turns. They describe it as a compelling page-turner that is well worth reading. The book explores mental illness in an insightful and interactive way that charms readers of all tastes. It's described as an outstanding debut novel from the mind of Susan Crawford.

"...I absoultely loved the writing though and for that reason, I really enjoyed the book...." Read more

"I was totally engrossed in this book that is full of suspense, a real page turner...." Read more

"Good book - suspenseful, kept my interest......BUT the author kept stopping me in my tracks with what I found to be glaring inconsistencies about..." Read more

"The Pocket Wife by Susan Crawford is an excellent book on many levels. It’s a compelling read with suspense that builds and builds to the very end...." Read more

54 customers mention "Character development"43 positive11 negative

Customers enjoy the detailed character descriptions and empathy for the protagonist. The characters are likable, interesting, and flawed.

"...THE POCKET WIFE is a very lyrical literary thriller with a gripping character-based mystery...." Read more

"...It’s a fascinating character study and a sensitive depiction of the protagonist, a woman who suffers from bipolar disorder...." Read more

"...murder/mystery with fingers pointing everywhere and a main character who is easy to love and yet who frustrates you (just as she should)...." Read more

"...I have to say the author portrayed this woman very well because I am bipolar and was able to relate to it...." Read more

54 customers mention "Writing quality"40 positive14 negative

Customers praise the writing quality. They find it well-written, easy to read, and engaging. The author has an amazing way with words that flow naturally. They appreciate her expertise in writing a novel and the use of language, imagery, intrigue, and empathy without overdoing it.

"...The writer does this with empathy, without over dramatizing, by bringing the reader along on the woman’s struggles to recognize and cope with the..." Read more

"...I enjoyed the author's style of writing most. The Pocket Wife is well written and allows a reader to become personally aquatinted with the characters..." Read more

"...Very easy to read, captivating and thought provoking...." Read more

"...There were times as I read that the mystery felt a little muddled, leading to reader confusion...or it could have just been me...." Read more

35 customers mention "Thought provoking"33 positive2 negative

Customers find the book insightful and fascinating. They appreciate the subtle nuances and good descriptions of mental health issues in the subtext. The story is gently told, keeping them guessing with its language.

"...There are heart racing moments as the plot moves swiftly along with many twists and turns that kept me guessing until the last few chapters...." Read more

"...It is well written, intelligent, insightful, interactive and very enjoyable. Reading this book was similar to going on a vacation...." Read more

"...is not graphic, violent or sexual, it also is not overly detailed or involved in mental illness - overall it is a gently told story with a fast pace..." Read more

"...I guessed who the killer was abut 75% in, but I like when an author paints enough clues to allow the reader to figure things out along with..." Read more

8 customers mention "Style"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's style. They find it unique and polished, with a stunning cover. The characters are multi-dimensional, with a motive to kill their neighbor.

"...Each and every charcter is multi-faceted, all with a motive to kill neighbor Celia Steinhauser. But who did...really?..." Read more

"...This novel is not graphic, violent or sexual, it also is not overly detailed or involved in mental illness - overall it is a gently told story with..." Read more

"...What attract me to this book is its stunning cover...." Read more

"...Crawford has found a way to separate from those works and create an entire set of unique, interesting characters that are easy to root for...." Read more

19 customers mention "Pace"12 positive7 negative

Customers have different views on the book's pace. Some find it fast-paced and engaging, with heart-pounding moments as the plot moves swiftly along with many twists. Others mention it starts slow but improves after an unexpected ending.

"...There are heart racing moments as the plot moves swiftly along with many twists and turns that kept me guessing until the last few chapters...." Read more

"I chose this rating because this book was not a fast paced as I usually prefer...." Read more

"I liked the story and it was certainly a fast and compelling read. I just felt like there was a lack of character/story development...." Read more

"...in mental illness - overall it is a gently told story with a fast pace that gives you just enough detail to hook you in and get your attention." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2015
    Oh goodness...wow. I absolutely adore the lucid, poetic writing of Susan Crawford. I found myself re-reading passages looking for deeper meaning and unconventional nuances.

    THE POCKET WIFE is a very lyrical literary thriller with a gripping character-based mystery. Each and every charcter is multi-faceted, all with a motive to kill neighbor Celia Steinhauser. But who did...really? That is the crux of THE POCKET WIFE.

    We're immediately drawn to Dana Catrell, a married mother of a son away at college suffering from bipolar--her husband is an illustrious prosecuter. As we delve into Dana's slightly hypomanic mind, we are introduced to a brittle women fighting past mental health battles. One reviewer indicates we are lead deep into the mind of a manic woman, but I may have to disagree here slightly--what I see is a disturbed woman who may be more anxiety-ridden with a drinking problem and not bipolar. That's fine and totally works for this book, but if you are reading to get a glimpse inside the bipolar mind, I am not sure this is the best representation (or label) to use.(I have a background in psychiatry).

    There were times as I read that the mystery felt a little muddled, leading to reader confusion...or it could have just been me. There were definitely passages I had to re-read to "get," and I found the cast of characters sort of hard to keep straight, with the exception of Dana and the dead woman, Celia of course.

    I absoultely loved the writing though and for that reason, I really enjoyed the book. Ms. Crawford definitely has a way with words, one that is rich, lush, and lyrical making you wish you could write as well.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2016
    I was totally engrossed in this book that is full of suspense, a real page turner. Dana suffers from Bi-Polar disorder, and she struggles with her upside down, out of control world, wondering if what she is experiencing is truth or her illness. Lights, sounds images, crashing together in a vivid sensation haunt her. The book begins with the sound of an ambulance, Dana rushing from her neighbor's house with stumbling steps, spinning thoughts and fear raging inside her. Dana needs to call Peter her husband to tell him there has been a murder. Peter has been emotionally unavailable lately ending her phone calls by putting his phone in his pocket saying he has to run, he is busy and this call is no exception leaving Dana trying to piece together what just happened. Her husband has just brushed her off, was she dreaming this? Did she do something horrible, she isn't sure, because she knows there was an argument between she and her friend Celia, and they both had too much to drink. There are multiple suspects in this book as Jack Moss the detective searches for evidence against a growing dread as one of the suspects brings a personal fear to him that would be devastating to his life and career. Bonds of romance, friendship, betrayals are all in question. There are heart racing moments as the plot moves swiftly along with many twists and turns that kept me guessing until the last few chapters. This book is one psychological thriller that I found very hard to put down, from the first page till the last!
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2015
    Good book - suspenseful, kept my interest......BUT the author kept stopping me in my tracks with what I found to be glaring inconsistencies about the area of northern New Jersey in which the story takes place. I've lived in Passaic County for 45 years ( of which Paterson is the county seat) and I have NEVER heard any resident of any town on or near the borders of Paterson refer to their town as a suburb of Paterson. I think we all pretty much agree that our towns are suburbs of New York City. Also, I didn't get the feeling that the author spent much time in or around Paterson. The ambience described is not what I've ever seen in the vicinity of the main police station or city or county offices. Thirdly, and this is probably just nitpicking on my part, if Dana's car was left by the tollbooths on the upper level of the GW Bridge, she wouldn't really be on the bridge itself yet - unless she walked barefoot quite a distance. And finally, what every New Jerseyan knows and I, for one, LOVE - you don't scramble out of your car to fill your tank in NJ because it's illegal to pump your own gas!
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2021
    The Pocket Wife by Susan Crawford is an excellent book on many levels. It’s a compelling read with suspense that builds and builds to the very end. It’s a fascinating character study and a sensitive depiction of the protagonist, a woman who suffers from bipolar disorder. The story unfolds, revealing the woman’s interior life as she rushes to clear herself, before she slips into psychosis, from suspicion that she killed her neighbor. The writer does this with empathy, without over dramatizing, by bringing the reader along on the woman’s struggles to recognize and cope with the effects of her illness. The book may even help readers who struggle to understand family members suffering from bipolar disorder. Finally, the language is beautiful without attracting undue attention, the ultimate accomplishment for a writer. The well-crafted language gives the reader an underlying sense of stability that nicely balances the chaos of the protagonist’s experience.

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Ashley Pilkey
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on December 3, 2015
    Not too bad. I cant say I loved this book but I certainly read it fast enough.
  • simonetta
    3.0 out of 5 stars Non un li Roma da un non ci si riesce a staccare
    Reviewed in Italy on July 31, 2016
    Ho apprezzato l'analisi psicologica dei personaggi, ma trovato alcune descrizioni prolisse, la trama nn troppo originale. Avevo pensato stato fosse molto simile a "la ragazza del treno", in realtà quest'altro romanzo era molto più avvincente
  • Simon Lambert
    4.0 out of 5 stars A good phsycological who dunnit.
    Reviewed in France on March 22, 2016
    A very readable page-turner which examines mental illness and manipulation set within a well-constructed detective story. I highly recommend this book.
  • beattheswiss
    5.0 out of 5 stars Guilt corrupts!
    Reviewed in Germany on May 10, 2015
    I enjoyed this book immensely. I found it full of wisdom. Particularly Detective Jack Moss's guilt-stricken struggle with his own work ethics is a stark reminder not ever to get caught up in such dilemmas in the first place.
    Susan Crawford describes Dana's experience with her mental illness in such fine detail that you're tempted to believe she really knows what she's talking about, if you know what you mean.
  • Barbielilac
    4.0 out of 5 stars Did I do it?
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 19, 2015
    Crazy mixed up thriller! Who's the mad one? Two neighbours have a shouting match, one is later found dead, the other one has psychological problems anyway and she's wondering whether she did it! Good read, great characters, really enjoyed reading it.