As I started reading Secrets of A Marine’s Wife by Shanna Hogan, I realized it was vaguely familiar, then remembered that I had read the story in a magazine (People?) which had featured a cover photo of a young Marine and his wife in formal dress, attending a formal Marines Ball shortly before the wife disappeared. Although I had a slight familiarity with the story, I was happy to read all the sordid tragic details, thanks to a review copy provided by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Eric and Jon Corwin, a VERY young couple, lived in the California desert town of Twentynine Palms, near the base where Jon served. Christoper Lee, a Marine who lived next door, struck up a friendship with the Corwins. His relationship with Erin grew as he used her as someone to whom he could vent about his depression. Their affair was no secret, so when Erin disappeared, the three main suspects were Jon, Chris, and Chris’s wife Nichole. All of them had a good reason to want Erin to disappear, particularly since Erin was pregnant, apparently with Chris’s child.

Chris was one of the dumbest criminals ever. He went into the desert a week prior to Erin’s disappearance, checking out abandoned mines with a friend who documented the sites, including the eventual dump site. He also explained his absence the day of Erin’s disappearance by saying he was going coyote hunting. Really? Hunting nocturnal animals in the middle of the day in 100-plus degree weather? Nearly two months after her disappearance, Erin’s body was found at the bottom of an abandoned mine shaft (captured earlier by his friend with a photo that made it possible for searchers to locate). She had a homemade garrote wrapped around her neck– an exact duplicate of which was found in Chris’s truck. Oh, and he had searched on his computer for how to dispose of a body.

It’s an interesting story, with no surprises other than how stupid Chris was. People with a particular interest in this case or just domestic true crime in general will be interested in reading this. It could have used some editing, however. For example, we read about “the scandalous ten-day trial” and are told about the “third week of the trial.” Possibly this is due to calendar oddities (ten actual court days spread over three different weeks?), but it stood out. I’d give it two stars, but I’m still an easy grader even in retirement, so let’s call it three.