The Wife Upstairs

In her first adult title, YA author Hawkins presents a twisted Jane Eyre, reimagined and set in a modern-day affluent gated community in Birmingham, AL. Penniless Jane is a dog walker whose wealthy customers include Eddie Rochester, a widower who has recently lost his wife, Bea, to a mysterious drowning accident. Strangely, Bea’s body has not been found. Jane falls in love with the rich and handsome Mr. Rochester and moves in with him. She is obsessed by thoughts of the successful and beautiful Bea and wonders if Eddie will ever love her as intensely. Narrators Emily Shaffer, Kirby Heyborne, and Lauren Fortgang do an excellent job reading this gripping and intriguing mystery. Patrons who have read Jane Eyre will enjoy the similarities between the two books and be delightfully surprised by the unexpected twists in the modern story.