The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Baker, Chandler. The Husbands. Flatiron Books, 2021.

Chandler Baker's novel The Husbands is written from the third person point of view and in the present tense. The novel follows a linear progression through time.

After seven years of living in their Austin, Texas home, couple Nora and Hayden Spangler are looking for a change. They venture off to a house showing in the elite Dynasty Ranch community. Hayden argues that the neighborhood is too far removed from town, while Nora insists that the house will be ideal for their growing family. They have a four-year-old daughter, Liv, and another baby on the way.

Nora immediately falls in love with the house, but Hayden remains reluctant. Over the following weeks, they perpetually argue about what to do. Meanwhile, the realtor who showed them the house, Isla Wong, contacts Nora while she is at work. Because Nora is up for partner at her legal firm, she tries to remain focused, though she is eager to speak with Isla. Once they finally talk, Isla asks Nora if she will help her friends with a wrongful death case.

Nora ventures back to Dynasty Ranch where she meets Dynasty Ranch wives, Cornelia White, Alexis Foster-Ross, and Thea Jenkins. Over the weeks that follow, she becomes increasingly involved in their lives. They explain that their friend Penny March's husband Richard recently died in a tragic fire. They want Nora to help solve the case, hopefully proving that the fire was the fault of a contractor or electrician.

Nora grows close with the women. They all seem to love and support one another. Their homes and families also seem ideal. Not only do they have lovely children, but all of their husbands willingly help with the household responsibilities and laud their wives for all of their hard work. Nora desperately wants to be included in their group, and hopes that her work on the case will not compromise her admission.

The more Nora learns about Penny's story, the more confused she feels. At times Penny appears to have motives for killing her husband. At other times, Penny seems overwhelmed by grief. At still other times, Penny appears mentally unstable and prone to dramatic public outbursts. Unable to reconcile these competing versions of reality, Nora relies upon what Cornelia, Alexis, and Thea tell her.

Nora's continued frustrations with her husband lead her to confide in Cornelia. Cornelia suggests that she and Hayden begin couples therapy with her. Nora and Hayden agree. Over the following weeks, they meet with Cornelia. Her sessions do seem to work. Nora notices her husband's demeanor altering. However, the more he changes, the more unnerved Nora feels. Hayden barely resembles himself.

One day while working, Nora receives a call from Penny saying she needs her help to flee town. When Nora tries to find Penny she is missing. She races into Cornelia's house, shocked to discover Penny's body in a pool of blood at the foot of the stairs. The Dynasty Ranch women killed her before she could publicize the truth of their nefarious activities. Cornelia explains that she and Thea have been manipulating the husbands' minds in order to make them into the people they want them to be. Nora is horrified.

Two years later, Nora and Hayden have returned to a normal life.