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nina_gauri's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
karina_loves_cats's review
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
chelseatm's review against another edition
2.0
I loved the book throughout but didn't find the ending very satisfying. Felt it went out with a flicker instead of a bang.
lurker_stalker's review
3.0
I was browsing the available audio books on Overdrive and remembered seeing The Widow being shelved by a few of the people I follow on Goodreads. I didn't know what it was about except it was in the mystery category and that was good enough for me at that moment.
The story was interesting and engaging. For anyone who is hesitant about reading it for fear of graphic descriptions of crimes, have no fear, there aren't any. The POVs switch between several people who are involved in the crime and the investigation so there's a lot of information to absorb but it never felt overwhelming. This isn't a fast-paced "who dunnit" but more of a slow reveal.
I definitely enjoyed the book but didn't feel any sort of urgency in reading it. I could have easily set it aside and probably not thought about it again. The widow was certainly an interesting character. I would have liked to have spent more time in her head. I wanted to get back to her whenever another character's POV took over.
If you're looking for a lighter mystery that deals with potentially upsetting themes but doesn't go into graphic detail, this might be for you.
The story was interesting and engaging. For anyone who is hesitant about reading it for fear of graphic descriptions of crimes, have no fear, there aren't any. The POVs switch between several people who are involved in the crime and the investigation so there's a lot of information to absorb but it never felt overwhelming. This isn't a fast-paced "who dunnit" but more of a slow reveal.
I definitely enjoyed the book but didn't feel any sort of urgency in reading it. I could have easily set it aside and probably not thought about it again. The widow was certainly an interesting character. I would have liked to have spent more time in her head. I wanted to get back to her whenever another character's POV took over.
If you're looking for a lighter mystery that deals with potentially upsetting themes but doesn't go into graphic detail, this might be for you.
lainzzz's review
1.0
I feel sick to my stomach after reading this book. It is beyond disturbing. I kept reading, hoping there would be some sort of twist. A twist never comes. If you’re going to write about something so awful, there should be some type of hint at the subject on the book. I’ve enjoyed Barton’s other books, but the subject of this one was just too disgusting for me.
maninthebox's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
thephdivabooks's review
3.0
3.5 stars!!!
A quick read that will have you trying to guess what is going on and who knows what before things come to a head! The Widow by Fiona Barton made me think about what on earth I'd do if I were in this dilemma, which I love in a book.
This was a cute book. Its a really fast read, which I love for summer. I got busy and had to take a day or so away. I recommend readers stay on this one, because it moves back and forth in time and between characters and you'll want to keep up with the story line and timelines. An important part of this is discovering who knows what and when they knew it. That is the twisty part of this story!
About the Book
Jean Taylor's husband recently passed away--and quite unexpectedly! He tripped in front of a bus and was gone in a second, leaving Jean alone and dealing with the aftermath of his life. It is hard enough to be a widow, but Jean wasn't married to just anyone. She was married to one of the most hated men in the country--to a man who was tried but not convicted for a media-frenzy crime (think Madeleine McCann or Casey Anthony level of coverage in the media). The book opens with a reporter Kate asking to set up the first formal press interview with Jean since her husband's death.
But Jean isn't who everyone thinks she is. She played the supportive wife through all of the trial and aftermath. But now that her husband is gone, Jean can be who she wants to be. Someone who isn't just the wife of an accused criminal. And then a reporter, Kate, gets through to Jean. Jean agrees to finally give her first public interview. As the country watched in anticipation, Jean is about to play her biggest role yet--The Widow.
Reflection
One thing I enjoyed about this book is how much Jean keeps from everyone, including the reader. Jean is a HIGHLY unreliable narrator, and she sort of tells you that. SHe knows more than what she is revealing, and she is choosing what, how, and when to reveal what she knows. She keeps a lot to herself, even when just narrating to the reader. She acts in ways that don't make a lot of sense at first. It is unclear how she feels about her late husband. Her own descriptions are sometimes girlish and weak, and at other times she is cold, strong, and calculating. I liked seeing her switch back and forth! It made the reveal interesting, because I knew what Jean was capable of, but I didn't know who the real Jean was.
I wouldn't really say there is a twist so-to-speak--this is more of a slow-building suspense. This book excels in its character development, and you learn much more about the case and the characters as it goes, until the reveal at the end. There is also an answer of sorts, so you aren't left hanging. That can't be underestimated! All in all, I loved the concept of this book. I recently was at a conference and saw Monica Lewinsky speak. And the theme of her speech was "Don't judge a person until you've walked a mile in their headline." When I read this book, I thought about the powerful speech! About how she was open to public judgment and scrutiny, and without the platform and respect of others involved to tell her side.
I look forward to reading more from Fiona Barton!
A quick read that will have you trying to guess what is going on and who knows what before things come to a head! The Widow by Fiona Barton made me think about what on earth I'd do if I were in this dilemma, which I love in a book.
This was a cute book. Its a really fast read, which I love for summer. I got busy and had to take a day or so away. I recommend readers stay on this one, because it moves back and forth in time and between characters and you'll want to keep up with the story line and timelines. An important part of this is discovering who knows what and when they knew it. That is the twisty part of this story!
About the Book
Jean Taylor's husband recently passed away--and quite unexpectedly! He tripped in front of a bus and was gone in a second, leaving Jean alone and dealing with the aftermath of his life. It is hard enough to be a widow, but Jean wasn't married to just anyone. She was married to one of the most hated men in the country--to a man who was tried but not convicted for a media-frenzy crime (think Madeleine McCann or Casey Anthony level of coverage in the media). The book opens with a reporter Kate asking to set up the first formal press interview with Jean since her husband's death.
But Jean isn't who everyone thinks she is. She played the supportive wife through all of the trial and aftermath. But now that her husband is gone, Jean can be who she wants to be. Someone who isn't just the wife of an accused criminal. And then a reporter, Kate, gets through to Jean. Jean agrees to finally give her first public interview. As the country watched in anticipation, Jean is about to play her biggest role yet--The Widow.
Reflection
One thing I enjoyed about this book is how much Jean keeps from everyone, including the reader. Jean is a HIGHLY unreliable narrator, and she sort of tells you that. SHe knows more than what she is revealing, and she is choosing what, how, and when to reveal what she knows. She keeps a lot to herself, even when just narrating to the reader. She acts in ways that don't make a lot of sense at first. It is unclear how she feels about her late husband. Her own descriptions are sometimes girlish and weak, and at other times she is cold, strong, and calculating. I liked seeing her switch back and forth! It made the reveal interesting, because I knew what Jean was capable of, but I didn't know who the real Jean was.
I wouldn't really say there is a twist so-to-speak--this is more of a slow-building suspense. This book excels in its character development, and you learn much more about the case and the characters as it goes, until the reveal at the end. There is also an answer of sorts, so you aren't left hanging. That can't be underestimated! All in all, I loved the concept of this book. I recently was at a conference and saw Monica Lewinsky speak. And the theme of her speech was "Don't judge a person until you've walked a mile in their headline." When I read this book, I thought about the powerful speech! About how she was open to public judgment and scrutiny, and without the platform and respect of others involved to tell her side.
I look forward to reading more from Fiona Barton!
mollykatbru's review
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
paulabrandon's review against another edition
1.0
What a boring, stupid waste of time this one was! The Widow sells itself as a psychological thriller, but it's really just another police procedural. There are actually more chapters from the POV of Bob Sparkes, the detective who investigates the disappearance of 2 year old Bella than there are of the widow of the title! There is also a heavy, heavy, heavy, HEAVY emphasis on the journalism aspect - part of the story involves journalist Kate seeking an exclusive interview with Jean Taylor, the widow of Glen Taylor, the prime suspect in Bella's disappearance.
I don't hold journalists in very high regard. Sure, there are some who do good work, but they're in the minority. This book hit me over the head again and again and again with the scummy actions journalists take to get their story, when I was already well aware of their vile behaviours from years of, well, WATCHING THE NEWS!!! I thought The Widow might be an interesting glimpse into the mindset of that woman we all see on the news who stands behind her husband despite him being accused of all manner of terrible things.
But it was not to be. Instead, the narrative jumped from year to year and back again, across several different POVs, with the main emphasis being on Bob Sparkes' investigation and search for the truth. If you're after a police procedural with a heavy dose of the unethical, fear-mongering, slanderous nature of the world of trash journalism, that ends exactly how you expected it would from the opening chapters, maybe give this a try. The Widow relies entirely on a narrator who knows all the facts simply withholding information from the reader, and instead fills its pages with the other characters struggling to catch up. A total cheat, if you ask me, and not clever at all!
I won't be bothering with this author again!
I don't hold journalists in very high regard. Sure, there are some who do good work, but they're in the minority. This book hit me over the head again and again and again with the scummy actions journalists take to get their story, when I was already well aware of their vile behaviours from years of, well, WATCHING THE NEWS!!! I thought The Widow might be an interesting glimpse into the mindset of that woman we all see on the news who stands behind her husband despite him being accused of all manner of terrible things.
But it was not to be. Instead, the narrative jumped from year to year and back again, across several different POVs, with the main emphasis being on Bob Sparkes' investigation and search for the truth. If you're after a police procedural with a heavy dose of the unethical, fear-mongering, slanderous nature of the world of trash journalism, that ends exactly how you expected it would from the opening chapters, maybe give this a try. The Widow relies entirely on a narrator who knows all the facts simply withholding information from the reader, and instead fills its pages with the other characters struggling to catch up. A total cheat, if you ask me, and not clever at all!
I won't be bothering with this author again!
morganestoner's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5