The Candidate's Husband

'This dark story of vicarious marital ambition that unfolds in the murky world of politics and journalism will keep you guessing until the end - I couldn't put it down.' Sonia Sodha, columnist and broadcaster.

Ambitious working-class headteacher Kirsty is selected as Labour candidate in a contest to replace a disgraced MP. She's seen as a breath of fresh air in a toxic climate. The party love her. She's going to restore faith in politics. 

Only one person is unconvinced – her husband Rick.  

A man who has long lived in the shadow of his wife, Rick tries to dissuade Kirsty from standing. When he fails to do so, he tries to turn her election campaign to his own advantage. 

Kirsty battles on in the spotlight as the domestic and the political start to collide – until a revelation from the past threatens to derail the whole operation.

For politics is a ruthless business, especially, it seems, for a woman.

The Candidate's Husband is a gripping story about how we deceive those closest to us – and how sometimes we deceive ourselves too. 

"It's not just good material that makes for powerful storytelling. It's the writerly stuff: clever plotting and pacing, verbal precision, interesting characters, strong editing… 'The Candidate's Husband' has all of this." – Elise Valmorbida, award-winning author of 'The Madonna of the Mountains'. 

"Gripping and insightful. The moving personal side of political life by a writer who knows her craft." – Charles Harris, author and award-winning writer-director.

 "The antagonist at the heart of this novel … is quite a creation – misogynist and manipulator who doesn't seem to know his own villainy… This is an entertaining, often unnerving story that keeps you reading right through to the unexpected and satisfying conclusion." – Ian Nettleton, writer and lecturer, winner of the Bath Novel Award 2023. 

"Perfect for fans of Frieda McFadden." – Edel Coffey, The Gloss Magazine (50 of the Best Books of the Year) 

"Wendy Sacks Jones doesn't sugarcoat the failings of either Kirsty or Rick: both are selfish and ambitious but throughout the brutal campaign you can find reasons to sympathise with them both. My loyalties shifted between the parties right up to the final declaration." – Ella Walker, PA Media. 

"…a very fresh book, with a unique and different premise to anything that I have read before" – Bookish_Gabby.