Modern Southern Gothic/Jane Eyre in “The Wife Upstairs”

In The Wife Upstairs, by Rachel Hawkins, Jane, a former foster kid, is a dog-walker for several families in the gated community of Thornfield Estates.  Jane’s not exactly a klepto, but sometimes the wealthy Thornfield wives carelessly leave their jewelry lying around and don’t pay a lot of attention to the dog-walker, and it’s very tempting for a broke girl with no savings. 

Eddie Rochester is one of the homeowners, and a handsome, wealthy widower. Eddie’s wife, Bea, died in tragically mysterious circumstances, a boating accident with a friend. The friend’s body was recovered, but Bea’s never was.  Jane is attracted to Eddie from the start, but she knows that he’s also incredibly wealthy, between his own construction company and his late wife’s lifestyle business, too, and his wealth could make all of her problems go away.

If the names haven’t tipped you off, most of this novel is a modernized Jane Eyre, but set in the McMansion south. It’s a modern southern gothic, full of secrets and keeping up appearances. I really thought the whole crazy-wife-in-the-attic wouldn’t transfer to modern times, but uh… it’s not a spoiler if it’s in the title, right? 

The southern setting is amazing, with all the neighborhood housewives gossiping about the tragic widower romancing the dogwalker. These are tanned, athleisure housewives, not the cooking-baking kind.  And Bea Rochester’s business, Southern Manors, sells exactly the kind of extensively homey accessories and home furnishings you’d expect to find in a gated community like Thornfield Estates. Let me just say, the author does southern-money style perfectly. Expensive gingham, florals where New Yorkers wear black, tans and highlights (the expensive kind, not the loud kind). Monogram necklaces and charm bracelets are essential to the plot. 

This suspense novel is mostly Jane Eyre, but although the story reimagines the major moments, it’s not quite a retelling.  I loved what happened with the Lowood school part of the story, but that’s a huge spoiler, so don’t click until you’ve read it.  I also loved how Eddie was brooding and dramatic, but also handsome and romantic, just like the original Mr Rochester.

The story is mostly Jane’s, but Bea and eventually Eddie get a chance to tell their stories. And whoa, there’s a lot. So many twists and secrets!  This novel is perfect for fans of another great modernized gothic, The Winters, a tense thriller heavily inspired by Rebecca, but set on modern-day Long Island.

The Wife Upstairs comes out on January 5, 2021. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC

This is my Review of the Month for the review collection on LovelyAudiobooks.info