An Inconvenient Wife: A Modern Tudor Mystery

by Karen E. Olson

Overview

This astonishing crime novel—inspired by the Tudor era—takes the reader into the world of Kate Parker, who has just married billionaire Hank Tudor when a headless body is discovered near their summer home . . .

Kate Parker knows what she’s getting into when she marries billionaire businessman Hank Tudor—she’s his sixth wife, after all, and was by his side (as his assistant) when his fifth marriage to actress Caitlyn Howard fell apart.

But honeymoon plans go awry when a headless body is discovered near Hank’s summer home, forcing Kate to contend with two more of his exes: Catherine Alvarez—the first—who lives as a shut-in with her computers, carefully following Tudor Enterprises; and Anna Klein—the fourth—who runs a bed-and-breakfast where she and her wife keep a steady eye on things—particularly Hank’s children, Lizzie and Teddy.

In this clever and suspenseful reimagining of Tudor era betrayals, these three women become entwined in a deadly game of cat and mouse—with each other, Hank, and Hank’s brilliant fixer, Tom Cromwell—as Kate seeks to solve the puzzle of who the murdered woman is, who killed her, and whether her death has any connection to the other headless body from eight years ago.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781639365661
Publisher:	Pegasus Books
Publication date:	04/02/2024
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	234,415
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Karen E. Olson is the winner of the Sara Ann Freed Memorial Award and a Shamus Award finalist. She is the author of the Annie Seymour mysteries, the Tattoo Shop mysteries, and the Black Hat thrillers. Karen was a longtime editor, both in newspapers and at Yale. She lives in North Haven, Connecticut.

Editorial Reviews

02/19/2024

In this clever riff on the saga of Henry VIII, Olson (the Annie Seymour mysteries) introduces executive assistant Kate Parker, who’s just become billionaire Hank Tudor’s sixth wife. Kate’s knowledge of her husband’s many divorces has prepared her for the possibility that their marital bliss might be short-lived, but not for the discovery of the headless body of Hanks’s fifth wife, Caitlyn Howard, near their honeymoon villa in Tuscany. Caitlyn’s corpse is found in the same condition as Hank’s late second wife, Nan, who died eight years earlier, raising the possibility of a serial killer or copycat (Hank had strong alibis for both murders). Worried her head may be next on the chopping block, Kate sets out to solve Caitlyn’s death, zeroing in on a series of suspects including Hank’s three children, his first and fourth wives, and his ruthless business partner. Some readers may balk at the conclusion’s loose ends, but Olson’s intelligent plotting—in which she recasts Tudor dynastic maneuverings through the lens of 21st-century ultra-wealth—make this much more than a simple in-joke for history buffs. Those willing to go along for the ride will be happy they did. Agent: Josh Getzler, HG Literary. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

A Succession-esque update of Henry VIII, An Inconvenient Wife is sharp, suspenseful and deviously clever. Block out some time for this one—you'll want to read it in one sitting!” - Alison Gaylin, Edgar Award-winning author of The Collective

“Twisty, sly, and utterly unique, An Inconvenient Wife is a sinfully entertaining, one-sitting read. Don’t miss it!

Alafair Burke

"It is the wives in this story who offer glimpses of interesting backgrounds and ranges of emotions that feel more and more relatable as multiple mysteries begin to unravel."

Booklist

"Karen E. Olson achieves something wholly original with An Inconvenient Wife, which is both a crime novel and an astute study in marital relations and power struggles. While it takes its inspiration from Henry VIII and his wives, a king (and killer) who lived more than five hundred years ago, the story is thoroughly modern. At the risk of sounding impertinent: You may just lose your head over this book.

Mystery Scene

Praise for Karen E. Olson:

“Olson steps up to a new storytelling level.” - The Baltimore Sun

“A sharply written and beautifully plotted story.

The Chicago Tribune

An Inconvenient Wife is a truly captivating and often startling ‘what if’ adventure, both eerily familiar and entirely unknown. Karen E. Olsen brilliantly captures the psychological terror of the Tudor period, translating it into a vivid twenty-first century world. It is clever, captivating and oh-so-difficult to put down; the mystery deepens with every turn of the page. The book combines all the feminist fire of SIX with the dark familiar murder-mystery of Knives Out."

Joanne Paul

"The Tudor monarch mystery that I never knew I needed. As a fan of the Tudor era, this book had me hooked from the start. Yet regardless of the historical parallels, I also found myself engrossed by the unique and gripping narrative. An Inconvenient Wife beautifully weaves together the past and present, resulting in a thrilling must-read."

Criminal Element

"A complex story with a large cast that Olson masterfully weaves and develops, An Inconvenient Wife is a new take on a historical family, proving that high-class murder never gets old."

The Big Thrill

An entertaining modern take on Henry VIII’s six wives. A complete page-turner!” - Naomi Hirahara, Mary Higgins Clark award winning author of Clark and Division

"Step aside Gone Girl, An Inconvenient Wife is the new sheriff in town. Everything old is new again. Olson not only proves it; she improves it.

Reed Farrel Coleman

By moving the story of Henry VIII to the present, Karen Olson performs magic, delivering a compulsively readable broken-marriage thriller with tons of twists and the beating heart of a historical. Intricately plotted, completely gripping and utterly original, An Inconvenient Wife is an absolute must-read.

Michele Campbell

"Obscenely wealthy Hank Tudor might imagine he’s king of his realm, but it’s the women around him who rule. Devious and delicious as a season of celebrity housewives, An Inconvenient Wife pulses with the intrigue of the most dangerous time in history to be a woman wedded to power. Beginning with an unidentified body, and at least one missing wife, the secrets and betrayals are non-stop. You’ll never see the killer ending coming!"

Laura Benedict

Kate Parker has just wed her boss, the six-times-married Titan of industry Hank Tudor, when the headless corpse of a woman is discovered on his land. But this is not the first one – some years before another decapitated female was found and never identified. Kate is hell-bent on finding out the truth. I thought I knew exactly where this was going but Olson kept me guessing with her twisty plot. Hugely entertaining, bursting with irony and all about the women – imagine The Tudors set in the world of Succession, by way of Jackie Collins. I was swept off my feet.

Elizabeth Fremantle

An edge-of-your-seat thriller with surprises at every turn.” - Alison Gaylin, USA Today bestselling author

“Karen E. Olson knows this beat like the back of her hand.” - Michael Connelly, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Takes the series to truly impressive territory. Absolutely everything a first-rate crime novel should be.

Lee Child

As smart, sassy tattooed protagonist. A winner, full of crisp dialogue, and a red-hot setting." - Susan McBride, USA Today bestselling author

“A wonderful piece of entertainment, with lots of fascinating technical aspects that never get in the way of the fast-moving plot.

Connecticut Post

"Effective descriptive writing, coupled with the reflective protagonist, give this thriller a contemplative feel while not sacrificing suspense.” - Booklist

“Awesome. The talented Karen Olson has created a terrific heroine, and her mad skills will keep you turning the pages as fast as you can.

Harry Phillippi Ryan

The protagonist of Vanished barely has time to breathe, and neither do we. Karen Olson shows us that the most dangerous paths we travel are wireless.

Joseph Finder

A gem of a novel in which Olson emerges as a powerhouse thriller writer. Nuanced storytelling and characters that are both complex and compelling elevate this work. The author has proven herself a force to be reckoned with—and this welcome reemergence will leave readers rejoicing.

Hartford Books Examiner