The Dispensable Wife by A B Plum

Eyes are everywhere. Multi-millionaire, high-tech icon, Michael Romanov demands total compliance with this mantra from his three model children and his unstable wife. When he discovers her flirting over coffee in a very public place with an obvious loser, he makes certain a see-all, tell-all witness never breathes a word.

After living fifteen years with a sociopath, AnnaSophia Romanov knows exactly what her abusive husband is capable of. When he comes under suspicion of murder, she struggles to save her children, her ailing father, and herself.

THE DISPENSABLE WIFE author, A B Plum, recently discussed her latest with The Big Thrill:

What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

A realization that dysfunctional families come in all guises and socio-economic levels.

How does this book make a contribution to the genre?

Asks and answers the question: Why do women stay with abusive men?

Was there anything new you discovered, or surprised you, as you wrote this book?

Several humorous scenes emerged involving the antagonist.

No spoilers, but what can you tell us about your book that we won’t find in the jacket copy or the PR material?

An interesting clash of cultures between the protagonist and the Indian-born cop who can’t decide if she’s innocent or guilty.

What authors or books have influenced your career as a writer, and why?

In Carrie, Stephen King wrote about bullies so vividly that I went back to his portrayal when writing about a bullying husband, father, and boss.

Jodi Picoult always writes about taboo topics and complex relationships. I am still in awe of The Tenth Circle.

In every adult mystery and kid fantasy, Rick Riordan can make me laugh.

No one writes dialogue with the economy, wit, and insight into human nature like Robert P. Parker and Elmore Leonard.

Lisa Unger’s ability to show the past’s impact on the present sucks me in every time.

This is a trick question, I know, because it’s impossible to mention all the books that have influenced my writing. From Aesop’s Fables to Markus Zusak would be my short answer, adding that Death as the opening character in The Book Thief grabbed me as quickly as did Jack in N. Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book.

Story or prose? Setting or POV? Character or Plot? Conflict or Symbols? Favorite and new authors challenge me to do likewise.

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A B Plum grew up in Southern Missouri. She has lived in Mexico, Bolivia, and Argentina. After grad school she taught adolescent boys, created public library programs, and honed her fiction-writing skills developing high-tech marketing materials.

A six-month leave of absence to write fiction that entertains turned into a full-time career. PRINCE OF FROGS and QUEEN of the UNIVERSE, romantic comedies, were her first published novels. Two romantic suspense novels followed: PRESUMED GUILTY and UNRAVELED.

She now writes her passion—psychological suspense. Three novellas and three novels comprise her first series, THE MISfIT. Ever wonder about the twisted childhood of Hannibal Lector? Read the novellas and meet Michael Romanov—different, destructively different from birth.

Ever wonder about the pernicious influence of a grown-up misfit? Read the novels and follow the consequences of Michael Romanov’s conviction of his uniqueness.

A B lives just off the fast-lane in Silicon Valley with her husband. Reading, hiking, aerobic dancing, and participating in debates about hot-button topics propel her imagination toward murder.

To learn more, please visit her website.