The Next Mrs. Parrish

Constantine’s sequel to The Last Mrs. Parrish continues the outrageous story of manipulative and wealthy Jackson Parrish. He is due to be paroled, having served a sentence for tax evasion after his second wife, Amber, informed on him. After selling his stash of diamonds, Amber is ready to flee when Jackson is released early. The two then hatch a mutually advantageous plan to get revenge on Daisy Ann Briscoe, Amber’s former stepdaughter, who is convinced that Amber was responsible for her father’s death. Meanwhile, Jackson is desperate to reunite with his first wife, Daphne, whom he abused terribly. He uses their children in his schemes, and it appears he will win custody if Daphne doesn’t do as he wishes. Raquel Beattie, Suzanne Elise Freeman, and Erin Bennett voice the women characters, superbly portraying their machinations, reactions, victories, and spectacular failures. Freeman’s depiction of Amber is particularly effective, perfectly capturing her entitlement and whininess. Scott Brick narrates one chapter as the abhorrent Jackson, deliciously channeling his complete lack of scruples.