Hello April!  We are into the 4th month of 2018 and I am proud to say that I have read four books already!  Yes!  Today I am sharing my review of my third book of 2018, The Widow by Fiona Barton.  I have talked about how I have enjoyed reading psychological thrillers and this is one I had my eye on for quite awhile.  One of my most recent psychological thrillers that I really enjoyed was The Breakdown by B.A. Paris.  So well written.  And now on to book three of 2018!

The Widow by Fiona Barton

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 woman’s husband died last week. And Jean doesn’t have to be her anymore.

There’s a lot Jean hasn’t said over the years about the crime her husband was suspected of committing. She was too busy being the perfect wife, standing by her man while living with the accusing glares and the anonymous harassment. Now there’s no reason to stay quiet. There are people who want to hear her story. They want to know what it was like living with that man. She can tell them that there were secrets. There always are in a marriage.

The truth—that’s all anyone wants. But the one lesson Jean has learned in the last few years is that she can make people believe anything…

My Review of The Widow

I have to be honest, it took me a few days to really get into this book, which for a psychological thriller is a bit different.  Usually those types of novels suck me right in.  Nevertheless, I read on.  Now, the way this book is set up is a bit different as well.  Each chapter is labeled as who’s perspective you are reading.  Could be Jean, the detective, the reporter, ect.  Once I got into the book and found myself flipping through pages quickly, I did get confused a few times when not knowing who I recently turned too.  With that set up, I felt like it was a little broken up.

When you first pick up this novel you know that you will be reading about a husband and wife dealing with press and police because of the husband being accused of kidnapping and killing a little girl.  As I kept reading, yes, this was true, however what I was most focused on was the marriage unit.  Jean was in a terrible marriage and as the story evolves you almost feel like Jean is apart of the bigger issue on hand.  Trying to not spoil the ending….kind of hard with this one.

One of the reasons I really enjoy psychological thrillers is for the twists and bits of mystery but with The Widow, the mystery is gone.  I will not say this book was terrible.  But it certainly was not my favorite and the subject of children being photographed inappropriately has me a bit itchy.  I keep going back and forth about this book.  I didn’t hate it…but I didn’t love it.  But for it being Barton’s first novel I am impressed, her written is really well done.

I honestly would recommend this book but I am happy that I gave it a go and I think I will pick up Fiona Barton’s next book and see how she has evolved.

What book are you currently reading?

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