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The Widow
The Widow
Author: Fiona Barton
For fans of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train, an electrifying thriller that will take you into the dark spaces that exist between a husband and a wife. — When the police started asking questions, Jean Taylor turned into a different woman. One who enabled her and her husband to carry on, when more bad things began to happen... —   — But that woma...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9781101990261
ISBN-10: 1101990260
Publication Date: 3/1/2016
Pages: 368
Rating:
  • Currently 3.2/5 Stars.
 40

3.2 stars, based on 40 ratings
Publisher: NAL
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

junie avatar reviewed The Widow on + 630 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
I kept waiting for the " electrifying psychological thriller" this book claimed to be. I'm still waiting to be "thrilled". Didn't happen.

It was a psychological mystery about a whiny wife married to a domineering husband, who led her life only to please him. That is until a little girl disappears and she discovers her husband is a child cyber porn addict, suspected of the kidnapping.

The book alternates with past and present, and is told in various voices during the investigation of the crime.

This book, especially the ending was dark and disturbing and I was left with a bad taste.
Linda avatar reviewed The Widow on + 770 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
One of the worst nightmares for a parent is to have a child abducted. This is such a story. It is told by the point of view of five different people.

THE MOTHER: Dawn, a young single mother, leaves her 2-year-old daughter alone outside "for just a minute".

THE POLICEMAN: Bob, who takes this case more seriously than any other case ever has. He's like a bull-dog, he will not turn loose, even when the big bosses tell him to. He will stay with the case until the very end.

THE HUSBAND/THE SUSPECT: Glen is the prime suspect. But there is no tangible proof. Glen is married, he is manipulative, he's a liar, but is he a pedophile?

THE WIDOW: Jean... Glen's wife, his widow now that Glen is dead. Married at a young age, childless, Glen is her whole life. He says JUMP, she JUMPS.

THE REPORTER: Kate, who knows there is much more to the widow's story. All she wants is the truth ... and an award winning expose.

The story actually starts with Glen's death. Not even a really spectacular death .. he loses his footing, falling into the path of a bus.

The story is played out in turn by the main characters, each remembering the time starting with an abduction and ending with Glen's death. Or is it really ended?

Fantastic story line. It kept me riveted, furiously trying to read faster to get to the end, yet dreading the time it would be finished.

It is so hard to believe that this was a debut novel. It's a dark and depressing look at a marriage that only works because Jean can keep secrets. But now that he's dead, maybe the truth will out.

The characters are wonderfully written, so believable. The ending was a surprise, and yet I can't imagine it ending any other way. Magnificent psychological thriller.

Many thank to the author / Berkley Publishing Group - NAL / NetGalley who furnished a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Read All 12 Book Reviews of "The Widow"

Book Wiki

People/Characters
Jean (Primary Character)
Glen (Major Character)

Genres: