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There are currently 24 member reviews
for The Widow
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Norma R. (Secaucus, NJ)
Suspense
The Widow is a suspense novel set in the UK about a missing child; it is told from several viewpoints. The narratives switch time frames as well. There are only a few characters: Glen, Jean, the detective, the reporter, and the mother of the missing child. As I read I had the feeling that I didn't have the whole story. Clues are revealed little by little. I wanted to get to the end to see the "reveal ". The relationships between the characters play a huge role. I recommend this book
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Nanette S. (San Pierre, IN)
The Widow
You never really know what goes on with families behind closed doors, and this is one of those stories. you have a husband and wife, a single mother caring for a small child, the police, and a reporter. The story is told through varying years of the incident where the 2 year old daughter has disappeared, and the chapters are told through the widow, the detective, the mother, the reporter, and the husband. This approach did take some getting used to because I had to remember which character was narrating and what year was being discussed. Once that was worked out the story flowed pretty well, where you find out exactly what type of people you are actually dealing with, and how/why the child may have disappeared. It is one of those books where you are kept guessing to the end.
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Maribeth R. (Indianapolis, IN)
The Widow
Well-written debut that leaves the reader hanging until the end. The subject matter verges on "creepy" and the slow pace of the book often left me wishing it would move a bit faster. However, Barton kept me intrigued about the outcome even when I didn't want to know more about the subject matter. I couldn't find any characters that rallied my empathy as most were filled with huge personality deficits. Nonetheless, I was glad I read to the end because though I had made many guesses about how the book would conclude, I was still surprised at the outcome. I hope the author writes another novel in the near future, but I would prefer something with a different theme. Definitely not holiday reading.
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D. Albert
The Widow
There's a lot of hype on the covers of this book, which to me was unnecessary, because the story was told with a lot of suspense and mystery, something you can sink your teeth into. I liked it, especially the last 30 pages or so. 4 stars
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Barbara O. (Maryland Heights, MO)
Dark thriller
How well do we really know someone, even our spouse? "The Widow". Is a skillfully told story alternating in time and from different points of view. The reader is led through layers of the dark world of the pedophile. Book clubs will argue whether or not a wife "knows". The author makes a great case why she may not. Fast read with a nice twist.
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Madeline (Florida)
What the Widow Knows
From the beginning, the reader watches the dark threads of this story twist and twine then slowly unravel, revealing its secrets. With its fast pace and interesting characters, this is a novel of quiet tension and suspense.
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Betsy R. (Gig Harbor, WA)
The Widow
I was interested in reading this book as it was compared to Gone Girl and other recent books with unreliable narrators. The first part of the book was great; the second half not so much. The reader has to pay attention to the times listed at the beginning of each chapter as the focus shifts from past to present and back again...the theme involving child abuse etc is a dark one, although no details are given. I did find the ending to be sort of a let-down; I kept thinking I was missing something. Overall an OK read.
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