Authors: Greg & Ann Clouthier

ISBN:  1590790715

The following review was contributed by:  NORM GOLDMAN:  Editor of Bookpleasures &CLICK TO VIEW  Norm Goldman's Reviews

Facing the brutal reality of a cheating mate, some wives become very imaginative and creative when it comes to catching the scoundrel. These innovative strategies are revealed in a series of short case studies that have been put together by private investigators Greg and Ann Clouthier in A Woman's Guide To Revenge.

Drawing upon their professional experiences with their clients, the Clouthiers describe how vengeful betrayed wives can react when they discover that their spouses have been carrying on affairs. Many of these tales are quite hilarious, however, as the authors warn, it is best that a suspecting wife work with the assistance of professionals, otherwise she may find herself on the wrong side of the law and even loose a great deal in an eventual divorce settlement.

Divided into twenty three episodes, A Woman's Guide To Revenge will probably make some men think twice before venturing in or continuing an adulterous affair.  For example, how about the case of the betrayed wife who used Super Glue and attached her husband's penis to a beam of their country cottage? You can well imagine the consequences, particularly when the husband's mistress had to explain the situation to the firemen, as well as to the doctors at the hospital.

Then there was the story of the wife who was a great housekeeper and baker. She helped her husband pack for his so called business trip, which she suspected was a skiing trip with his girlfriend. She even packed brownies that contained a chocolate laxative. Our charming husband and his lady friend had a great time with the brownies, however, they also experienced some wonderful quick trips down the ski hill to the wash rooms. Need I say more!

As the authors point out, many cheating spouses display common patterns of behavior, such as the need for companionship, sex and lots of communications to feel good about what they are doing. They constantly reassure each other that what they are doing is justified and it is the best plan. Often the adulterous husband tells his mistress that he loves her and assures her that he will shortly divorce his awful wife.

As for rendezvous sites, we are informed that these are only limited by the imagination. There are the quickies in the back seat of cars, the Yacht, the hot tubs in the neighborhood spa, and even on private airplanes.

And if you do suspect your hubby of betraying you, here are some essential signs to be on the lookout for: a changing appearance, picking petty arguments, receiving a flurry of mysterious calls, detecting scratches, lipstick smudges, or fragrances on your husband's clothing or body, cleaning up the old car and getting a new one, unexplained credit card purchases, mood changes, saying he is working late at the office, lost weight, joining a health club, talking softly on the phone and then hanging up, buying an new wardrobe, criticizing your manners, and keeping his e-mail private. Although, as pointed out, sometimes danger signs are very often innocent, and you should not jump to immediate conclusions.

The stories and advice in this book are good, no question. And yet, we are still reminded that very often the innocent are deeply hurt, leading us to the question, is an adulterous affair really worth it?