VBT# The Snake Handler's Wife - Sue Hinkin

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VBT# The Snake Handler's Wife - Book #6 A Vega and Middleton Novel - Sue Hinkin - October 2025

When Books Forward sent me The Snake Handler's Wife by Sue Hinkin, I went in completely blind and honestly, that's exactly how this book wants you. The opening scene had me convinced I was diving into a classic affair thriller: someone's planting venomous snakes in the stables, clearly gunning for the lady of the house. My brain immediately jumped to "If I can't have her, no one can" territory. Spoiler alert: I was delightfully wrong.

The story quickly pivots to Lucy and her son Henry, who've just been abandoned (again) by Michael, Lucy's perpetually absent partner who's buggered off to the Middle East for yet another news assignment. Just when Lucy's adjusting to single life, Michael's daughter Jane rocks up unannounced. At first, she seems like she might be extending an olive branch, but nope—Jane's husband is the titular Snake Handler, a cult leader who's got his sights set on Lucy's ranch property and isn't afraid to get his hands dirty to claim it.

Here's where Sue Hinkin gets clever: Jane isn't your stereotypical villain's wife. As she spends time with Lucy, she begins to genuinely like her stepmother and starts questioning her husband's increasingly sinister motives. This moral awakening adds unexpected depth to what could've been a straightforward thriller. The tension ramps up beautifully when Lucy gets kidnapped by the cult, and suddenly it's a race against time to see if Jane and Lucy's mates can save her.

I'm a complete sucker for cult-based fiction—there's something utterly compelling about exploring the psychology of manipulation and control—so The Snake Handler's Wife was always going to hook me. Sue Hinkin delivers on the creepy cult vibes while weaving in elements of family drama and romantic suspense. 

The Snake Handler's Wife earns a solid three Ps from me. It's not perfect, but it's an engaging read that successfully blends cult thriller elements with family dynamics and a touch of romance. If you're into stories about dangerous religious movements, complicated family relationships, or just enjoy watching a woman find her strength when pushed to the edge, slither on over and give this one a go.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3WSz1JA




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