The Next Mrs. Parrish Summary, Characters and Themes

The Next Mrs. Parrish, published in 2024 is a riveting psychological thriller that deepens the dark intrigue introduced in The Last Mrs. Parrish. Written by Liv Constantine, this gripping sequel explores the chilling and deceptive reunion of Amber and Daphne Parrish, set against the backdrop of a wealthy Connecticut community. 

As Amber fights to secure her future in the wake of her husband’s legal troubles, Daphne returns to face a past she hoped to leave behind. What unfolds is a twisted game of manipulation, survival, and vengeance, where power shifts constantly, and no one can be trusted.

Summary

In The Next Mrs. Parrish, Amber Parrish, once a conniving socialite, finds herself grappling with the fallout from her husband Jackson’s imprisonment for tax evasion. Though she projects an image of wealth and control, Amber’s life is crumbling. 

Jackson’s release from prison looms, and she fears the return of his abusive dominance. Desperate for financial security, she steals Jackson’s hidden stash of diamonds. Her anxiety deepens when Daisy Ann, the daughter of her former husband Jake Crawford, publicly accuses Amber of murdering him at an upscale event. 

Determined to protect herself and ruin Daisy Ann, Amber schemes to take control of Daisy Ann’s jewelry company, White Orchid, enlisting the help of Daisy Ann’s corrupt business partner, Wade Ashford.

Meanwhile, Jackson’s ex-wife, Daphne, who has rebuilt her life after their bitter divorce, is drawn back into Jackson’s orbit when their teenage daughter, Tallulah, seeks him out. 

Daphne, scarred by years of Jackson’s psychological and emotional abuse, reluctantly agrees to supervised visits between Jackson and their daughters. However, Jackson soon manipulates the situation, drugging Daphne during a family outing and putting her children in jeopardy. 

This results in Child Services intervening and temporarily placing the girls with Jackson. Daphne is left with an impossible choice: return to Jackson’s control or risk losing her daughters entirely.

As Jackson tightens his grip, Daphne becomes trapped once more in his web of manipulation. Jackson and Amber, despite their mutual distrust, work together to keep Daphne under Jackson’s control, while Amber pursues her vendetta against Daisy Ann. 

She attempts to seize control of White Orchid by exploiting Wade and tricking Daisy Ann into selling her shares. However, Amber’s plans are quietly sabotaged by Jackson, who has secretly aligned himself with Daisy Ann, ensuring Amber’s failure in the business world while using her as a pawn.

In the midst of Amber’s unraveling schemes, Daisy Ann investigates Amber’s past. She uncovers Amber’s real identity as Lana Crump and learns of her history of manipulating wealthy men, including Amber’s involvement in Jake’s death. 

Armed with this information, Daisy Ann sets a trap for Amber, waiting for the right moment to expose her crimes.

The story reaches its climax when Daphne, drugged and desperate, manages to escape Jackson’s grasp. 

She traps him by slipping a sedative into his drink, cuffing him to a bed, and fleeing with her daughters to a safe house secretly arranged by Daisy Ann. Jackson, however, appears at the safe house, gloating that Daisy Ann has betrayed Daphne. 

But just as Jackson believes he has the upper hand, FBI agents arrive and arrest him instead. Daisy Ann’s betrayal of Jackson was part of a larger plot to bring him to justice.

Meanwhile, Amber, whose scheme to take over White Orchid has backfired, tries to flee the country. However, Daisy Ann’s relentless investigation results in Amber’s arrest at the airport for Jake Crawford’s murder.

In the end, Jackson is left incapacitated after a brutal attack by a vengeful associate, and Daphne is finally free from his shadow, able to start anew with her daughters.

Characters

Amber Parrish (Lana Crump)

Amber Parrish, born Lana Crump, remains one of the most complex characters in The Next Mrs. Parrish, continuing the deceitful and manipulative persona she exhibited in The Last Mrs. Parrish. Amber is defined by her ambition, greed, and willingness to use anyone, including her husband Jackson, to achieve her goals.

Once a prominent socialite, Amber’s world unravels as her husband’s imprisonment and the exposure of her dark past loom large over her. Her primary motivation is survival, particularly financial independence, which leads her to steal Jackson’s hidden diamonds.

Amber’s past crimes, particularly the murder of her previous husband Jake Crawford, continue to haunt her. When Daisy Ann accuses her of the murder, it reveals Amber’s vulnerabilities and ignites a public scandal.

Desperation drives Amber as she schemes to ruin Daisy Ann and seize control of White Orchid. Yet, Amber’s façade of control crumbles as Daisy Ann uncovers evidence of her crimes, and Jackson betrays her in her final attempt to secure a new life abroad.

Ultimately, Amber’s downfall is a result of her unchecked ambition and disregard for the harm she causes to others. This leads to her arrest and the collapse of her schemes.

Jackson Parrish

Jackson Parrish is a master manipulator, exerting control over both his current wife, Amber, and his ex-wife, Daphne. Despite being imprisoned for tax evasion, Jackson’s toxic influence continues to dominate the lives of those around him.

Jackson’s character is marked by his ability to deceive and manipulate others to maintain power and control. He is emotionally and psychologically abusive, particularly to Daphne, and uses his impending release from prison as a tool to reassert dominance over her and their children.

He orchestrates situations that place Daphne in danger, such as the beach incident that leads to Child Services separating her from their daughters. His ultimate goal is to force Daphne back into his grasp, using custody of their children as leverage.

Jackson’s partnership with Daisy Ann in thwarting Amber’s schemes demonstrates his cunning and willingness to align with anyone who serves his purposes. However, his cruelty and underhanded tactics eventually lead to his downfall.

Betrayed by both Amber and Daisy Ann, Jackson’s fate is sealed when his past business dealings catch up with him. He is permanently incapacitated, marking the ultimate consequence of his actions.

Daphne Parrish

Daphne Parrish is the emotional and moral center of the novel, having endured years of abuse at the hands of Jackson. In The Next Mrs. Parrish, she emerges as a survivor, although the scars of her past are still evident.

Her decision to return to Bishops Harbor for the sake of her daughters highlights her maternal instincts and the depth of her love for her children. Daphne’s character arc is marked by her internal struggle between fear of Jackson’s abuse and her desire to protect her daughters from him.

She is cautious and careful, aware of Jackson’s manipulative tendencies, yet she is forced into an impossible situation when he gains temporary custody of their daughters. Despite her trauma, Daphne displays immense courage, making multiple attempts to escape Jackson’s clutches.

Her ultimate victory comes when she drugs Jackson, flees with her daughters, and secures a safe house with Daisy Ann’s help. Daphne’s growth is evident in her increasing ability to fight back, culminating in Jackson’s arrest and her family’s newfound freedom.

Daisy Ann Crawford

Daisy Ann serves as both a catalyst for Amber’s downfall and a key ally to Daphne. As the daughter of Jake Crawford, Amber’s murdered ex-husband, Daisy Ann has personal stakes in bringing Amber to justice.

Her introduction into the narrative as the owner of White Orchid and her public accusation against Amber sets the plot in motion. Daisy Ann’s character is defined by her relentless pursuit of the truth, conducting her own investigation into Amber’s past and uncovering evidence linking her to Jake’s death.

She is shrewd and strategic, aligning with Jackson to sabotage Amber’s schemes. However, this alliance is part of a larger plan to help Daphne, showcasing Daisy Ann’s intelligence and resourcefulness.

In the end, Daisy Ann emerges as a strong and determined character, using her sense of justice to bring Amber and Jackson to their respective downfalls. Her actions significantly impact the outcome of the story, making her a key figure in the unraveling of the central plot.

Tallulah Parrish

Tallulah, Daphne and Jackson’s teenage daughter, plays a smaller yet significant role in the narrative. Her decision to run away in search of her father highlights her vulnerability and the impact Jackson’s manipulation has on her perception of reality.

Tallulah’s character illustrates the collateral damage of Jackson’s abuse, as she becomes a pawn in his game to control Daphne. Her estrangement from her mother, due to Jackson’s influence, adds emotional depth to Daphne’s character, amplifying the stakes of Daphne’s fight for her daughters.

While Tallulah does not have a prominent individual arc, her presence adds emotional complexity to the plot. She represents the lasting effects of Jackson’s psychological manipulation on his family.

Wade Ashford

Wade Ashford, a secondary but pivotal character, is Daisy Ann’s unethical business partner. His involvement with Amber reflects his moral flexibility and willingness to engage in deceitful practices for personal gain.

Wade is easily manipulated by Amber, who extorts him into assisting her in her scheme to take over White Orchid. His lack of integrity and weak character make him a tool in Amber’s larger plan, though his actions ultimately backfire.

His role in the plot serves primarily to advance Amber’s storyline, highlighting the broader theme of corruption within the world of wealth and privilege. Wade’s character underscores the moral decay present in the novel’s upper-class setting.

Themes

The Manipulation of Identity and Self-Perception as Tools of Power

In The Next Mrs. Parrish, identity is not merely an inherent trait but a mutable construct, manipulated by key characters to gain power, control, and wealth. Amber Parrish, previously known as Lana Crump, continuously alters her identity, molding herself into the persona of an affluent, poised socialite to navigate the upper echelons of society.

Her past as Lana Crump, with its connotations of poverty and lack of sophistication, is buried beneath layers of lies, as she reinvents herself to better manipulate those around her. This thematic thread emphasizes the precarious nature of identity when it is unmoored from truth and used as a tool for deception and manipulation.

Daphne Parrish’s character reflects a more painful evolution of identity. Her sense of self is fractured by years of emotional abuse from Jackson, and her return to Bishops Harbor represents a reluctant attempt to reclaim a part of herself that was lost in her abusive marriage.

Both women’s narratives explore how malleable identities can be shaped by external forces, specifically by the men in their lives. It also examines how this manipulation of self can ultimately be weaponized for survival.

The Intersection of Wealth, Social Status, and Moral Corruption

The novel interrogates the complex interplay between wealth, social status, and moral decay. It reveals how the pursuit and preservation of power in affluent settings often lead to ethical compromises and outright criminal behavior.

Amber, once an outsider to wealth, becomes consumed by her desire for status. She is willing to murder and steal to sustain her luxurious lifestyle, demonstrating how the lure of wealth distorts morality.

Jackson similarly uses his wealth as both a shield for his crimes and a tool of domination. He controls his ex-wife Daphne and exploits legal loopholes to maintain power over her and their children.

The glamorous setting of wealthy Connecticut society serves as a stark backdrop to this ethical degradation. Ultimately, wealth in The Next Mrs. Parrish is less a source of comfort or security and more a medium through which moral decay festers, as characters betray their principles to maintain social standing.

The Long-Term Psychological and Emotional Repercussions of Abuse

Daphne’s arc in The Next Mrs. Parrish centers around the lasting psychological and emotional scars left by years of abuse at Jackson’s hands. Even after leaving her marriage, Daphne remains haunted by Jackson’s presence and influence, highlighting how abuse doesn’t end with physical separation.

The novel delves into the psychological mechanisms of control, illustrating how Jackson’s abuse has fractured Daphne’s identity. Her return to Bishops Harbor is fraught with tension as she cautiously navigates interactions with Jackson, indicating that his psychological hold over her continues despite their divorce.

The toxic influence Jackson has on their daughters highlights the multigenerational impact of abuse. Amber also experiences psychological manipulation at Jackson’s hands, and while she appears outwardly strong, her actions reveal an inner fragility shaped by fear.

The novel paints a grim picture of how abuse, both emotional and physical, has long-term consequences. These extend far beyond the immediate confines of the relationship.

The Illusion of Control and the Fragility of Power

Throughout The Next Mrs. Parrish, characters grapple with the illusion of control, believing they hold power, only for that perception to be shattered at critical moments. Amber’s belief in her ability to control her surroundings and manipulate others unravels as the plot progresses.

Her grand schemes to destroy Daisy Ann and take over White Orchid reflect her delusions of omnipotence. However, these fail when Jackson betrays her.

The theme of fragile power is also central to Jackson’s arc. Despite his efforts to manipulate the legal system to his advantage, he is brought down by his hubris and criminal overreach.

Jackson’s fall from power underscores the fleeting and tenuous nature of control, especially when it is built on deceit, coercion, and exploitation. Even Daisy Ann, who appears to be a figure of power and influence, ultimately uses her resources to dismantle systems of control rather than perpetuate them.

Moral Ambiguity in the Quest for Justice and Retribution

In The Next Mrs. Parrish, justice is not a clear-cut concept but one that exists within a morally ambiguous landscape. Amber, who has committed heinous crimes, is driven by a desire to secure financial independence and escape Jackson’s abuse, complicating the reader’s perception of her as a villain.

Her actions are undeniably criminal, but her desperation is rooted in a real fear of Jackson’s power over her. This reflects how survival instincts can push individuals into morally gray territory.

Daisy Ann’s quest for justice for her father’s murder leads her to engage in deceptive behavior. She temporarily aligns with Jackson to set Amber up for her downfall, showing that even those who seek justice are not immune to moral compromise.

Daphne, too, operates in a morally complex space as she navigates her attempts to free herself and her daughters from Jackson’s control. The novel raises questions about whether ends justify means and whether true justice can be achieved when all parties involved have compromised their integrity in the pursuit of retribution.

The Cyclical Nature of Abuse, Deception, and Revenge

A key theme in The Next Mrs. Parrish is the cyclical nature of abuse, deception, and revenge, which perpetuates across different characters and relationships. Amber’s manipulation of Jackson mirrors how Jackson manipulated and abused Daphne, creating a cycle in which deception and power plays are repeated.

Even as Amber seeks revenge on Daisy Ann and Jackson, she finds herself caught in a similar web of lies and betrayals. This indicates that those who engage in deception are often deceived themselves.

Daphne’s eventual drugging and imprisonment of Jackson is a direct reversal of his earlier control tactics. This showcases how cycles of abuse can lead victims to adopt the tactics of their abusers in their quest for freedom.

Daisy Ann’s investigation into Amber’s past mirrors Amber’s earlier schemes to expose Daphne. This further emphasizes how cycles of manipulation and revenge pervade the characters’ lives.

The novel presents a bleak view of how difficult it is to break free from these cycles once they are set in motion. Each character’s actions feed into a larger web of betrayal and retribution.