The first time we meet Simon, he is the hero who found the family dog after the family has been rocked by a tragedy. Strike one I say!
And then....
The first time she invites him into her home, he shows up with her favorite meal? Suspicious. Coincidence? There are no coincidences in thrillers!
D. J. Palmer got me right from the beginning because I needed to keep reading to find out if Simon is a terrible monster, or if there is going to be a turn of events that will show me I am a cynical suspicious person. Either way, I'm invested in how this turns out.
Since I don't write spoiler book reviews, if you would like to know how things turned out for me as a Simon-hater; you'll have to read The New Husband.