The Wild Zone by Joy Fielding
This is how it starts. With a joke.
Two brothers, Will and Jeff, and their friend, Tom, are out one night at their favourite bar when they decide to make a bet on who can be the first to seduce a mysterious young woman drinking by herself. Pretty, dark-haired Suzy has an innocent, girl-next-door appeal. 'Just waiting for Prince Charming to hit on her,' jokes Jeff. Little do they know the secrets she hides from the outside world, particularly those having to do with the daily horror she experiences under the watchful eye of her abusive husband. Little do they know she wants him killed. Little do they know another bet is on: who's man enough to slay the villain and rescue the damsel in distress? Another challenge is born, only this one proves to be lethal . . .
Two brothers, Will and Jeff, and their friend, Tom, are out one night at their favourite bar when they decide to make a bet on who can be the first to seduce a mysterious young woman drinking by herself. Pretty, dark-haired Suzy has an innocent, girl-next-door appeal. 'Just waiting for Prince Charming to hit on her,' jokes Jeff. Little do they know the secrets she hides from the outside world, particularly those having to do with the daily horror she experiences under the watchful eye of her abusive husband. Little do they know she wants him killed. Little do they know another bet is on: who's man enough to slay the villain and rescue the damsel in distress? Another challenge is born, only this one proves to be lethal . . .