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3.29 AVERAGE
3.29 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm not usually one for mystery books, but I had this book sitting on my shelf and picked it up. After reading the first few pages, I was intrigued. The writing seemed to flow easily and it had a good hook that reeled me in. However, once going farther into the book, things started to turn dull, even cliche in some aspects. We have the widow who was the the wife of an accused child kidnapper. The widow's name is Jean Taylor and she is the most inconsistent character in this book. The author describes Jean as a loyal and submissive wife who follows her husband's lead, but then would characterize her as someone who is smart and knows how to be in control. Her character who contradicting to say the least. But I did notice that for Jean's POV, the author used first person, but for other characters she used third person. I thought that was interesting. Maybe the author wanted to show the reader how Jean viewed herself compared to how others viewed her.
The major problem of the whole story was that it was just so predictable. There was no twist or special surprise. The author basically gave what happened to the reader within the first chapters of the story. The author tried to cast subtle doubt by introducing new leads in the detective POV, but I don't see how that would work to convince any reader.
I also was left with a sour taste with Jean. Jean's character kinda just left me confused. She was so entrapped in her marriage and was so obsessed with kids. I felt like the author should elaborate more on Jean's need for kids and her mindset with how she has dealt with her husband's doings.
Overall, the book just didn't hit the sweet spot that I was expecting and hoping for. However, the last hundred pages flew by for me. I don't know if it was the writing that was flowing easily or just inherent need to read at that moment, but it drew me in a bit. I just felt like there could have been a better way to end.
The major problem of the whole story was that it was just so predictable. There was no twist or special surprise. The author basically gave what happened to the reader within the first chapters of the story. The author tried to cast subtle doubt by introducing new leads in the detective POV, but I don't see how that would work to convince any reader.
I also was left with a sour taste with Jean. Jean's character kinda just left me confused. She was so entrapped in her marriage and was so obsessed with kids. I felt like the author should elaborate more on Jean's need for kids and her mindset with how she has dealt with her husband's doings.
Overall, the book just didn't hit the sweet spot that I was expecting and hoping for. However, the last hundred pages flew by for me. I don't know if it was the writing that was flowing easily or just inherent need to read at that moment, but it drew me in a bit. I just felt like there could have been a better way to end.
3 1/2 stars, not "the next Gone Girl" but a fairly decent story.
I have to say I really had a hard time following. So many different time periods.
This was ok - it kept me reading, but mostly because I kept expecting something major to happen. And it just never really did. And although we are in the main character's head for most of the book, I still felt very removed from her and just didn't fully understand her actions.
Just posted my full review w/ audiobook comments.
I've been really into thrillers this year (in case you hadn't noticed). The Widow was one release that was getting a lot of buzz in the publishing world earlier this year with its comparison to Gone Girl and Girl on the Train.
In a nutshell, the story follows an investigation into the disappearance of a toddler named Bella who was taken out of her front yard. The story is told through the eyes of the main suspect, Glen; his wife, Jean; the lead detective; a tenacious reporter, Kate; and the missing girl's mother. Jean is a woman who's seemingly weak in character, broken down by her own infertility and Glen's unyielding control. But she has a secret that she's harbored for many years that's dying to get out.
What I enjoyed was the novel's commentary on the media and how intrusive it can be to those involved in an investigation of this magnitude. The media was unrelenting on the Taylor's for several years and it only intensified. The ripple effect of evil is far-reaching and long-lasting.
I found The Widow to be very, very slow, even boring at times. The novel is more of an accounting of events with the reader being told what has happened. Because of this, there wasn't really any climax to the story, and it was particularly suspenseful to me. There was really very little tension at all. I can't say I really recommend this one, but it may work for you more than it did for me.
Audiobook Comments: It was a bit hard for me to distinguish between the different characters because the narrators' voices were so similar. But I thought the delivery was very well-done. Sometimes when listening to audiobooks it can feel like the narrators are just reading the words on the page instead of injecting a bit of life on them. That wasn't the case here. I really liked Hannah Curtis's portrayal of Jean and her fragility.
Narrators:
* I received this audiobook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion.
Read this Review • My Website • Facebook • Twitter • Pinterest • Instagram • Subscribe by Email
****************
★★UPCOMING BOOK RELEASES★★
****************
I've been really into thrillers this year (in case you hadn't noticed). The Widow was one release that was getting a lot of buzz in the publishing world earlier this year with its comparison to Gone Girl and Girl on the Train.
In a nutshell, the story follows an investigation into the disappearance of a toddler named Bella who was taken out of her front yard. The story is told through the eyes of the main suspect, Glen; his wife, Jean; the lead detective; a tenacious reporter, Kate; and the missing girl's mother. Jean is a woman who's seemingly weak in character, broken down by her own infertility and Glen's unyielding control. But she has a secret that she's harbored for many years that's dying to get out.
What I enjoyed was the novel's commentary on the media and how intrusive it can be to those involved in an investigation of this magnitude. The media was unrelenting on the Taylor's for several years and it only intensified. The ripple effect of evil is far-reaching and long-lasting.
I found The Widow to be very, very slow, even boring at times. The novel is more of an accounting of events with the reader being told what has happened. Because of this, there wasn't really any climax to the story, and it was particularly suspenseful to me. There was really very little tension at all. I can't say I really recommend this one, but it may work for you more than it did for me.
Audiobook Comments: It was a bit hard for me to distinguish between the different characters because the narrators' voices were so similar. But I thought the delivery was very well-done. Sometimes when listening to audiobooks it can feel like the narrators are just reading the words on the page instead of injecting a bit of life on them. That wasn't the case here. I really liked Hannah Curtis's portrayal of Jean and her fragility.
Narrators:
- • The Mother read by Jayne Entwistle
- • The Detective read by Nicholas Guy Smith
- • The Widow read by Hannah Curtis
- • The Husband read by Steve West
- • The Reporter read by Mandy Williams
* I received this audiobook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion.
Read this Review • My Website • Facebook • Twitter • Pinterest • Instagram • Subscribe by Email
****************
★★UPCOMING BOOK RELEASES★★
****************
I kept expecting some twists and turns but it really turned out to be the outcome you expected.
This wasn't the psychological thriller it was advertised to be, and comparisons to Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train are unjustified. This isn't them. But it's a page-turning, intriguing story, one that lingers in the silence that follows its finish. It was a good way to spend a rainy, somber afternoon.