Jean Taylor got married young. She's allowed her husband to control most aspects of their married life. He takes care of things so that she doesn't have to. They're unable to have children, and although this makes her immensely sad, that's the way it is. After a local toddler goes missing and is assumed kidnapped, Jean's husband falls under suspicion. She sides with her husband and supports his innocence. When he is tragically killed, she no longer has to be the perfect, supportive wife. She is now the widow, and as that widow, does she know more than she originally claimed? And is she willing to share some of her suspicions with the public?

I liked this slowly evolving novel for the most part. Jean's character was infuriating at times, with her seemingly ignorant support of her husband and unwillingness to explore her own feelings. Some readers would be put off by this so-called "weak" character. However, it did keep the reader guessing to a certain extent. For the majority of this story, I felt like I *thought* I knew the underlying truth, but there was just enough doubt to make me unsure. This is the first in a series of novels that features the character of Kate Waters, a reporter who covers the kidnapping story. She's not the main character, but she does feature throughout the novel. I did enjoy this enough to want to read the second book of the series, which I've already started. ( )

I read this on holiday. And it's the right kind of book for the occasion. Just interesting enough without being in any way demanding. Controlling husband, who turms out to be into porn, is suspected of child abduction. Is he, or isn't he? Is his wife aware? Or complicit? Do we care? Not a lot. But it's well enough written, quite cleverly plotted. I probably won't read any more in the series. Well, maybe on holiday. ( )

This is the first book in the Kate Waters series...if there is a series. Not sure if there's a 3rd book.

This one alternates telling the story of the widow from the widow's perspective, the detective's perspective and Kate's perspective. Before the widow becomes the widow, her husband is accused of abducting a young girl. Kate is sent out to get an exclusive interview with the widow. The book goes back and forth in time telling the story of Bella and her disappearance. The book was well-written and I actually liked this one better than The Child (book 2 in the series). ( )

Suspense

Jean Taylor is a perfect London housewife, a little untidy. Her husband, Glen, is controlling. He married her young and convinced her of his importance in the world. Most of it was a lie, but Jean doesn't seem particularly upset by that. In fact she's not particularly upset about much of anything, including the fact that Glen was just run over by a bus. What does upset her is the ever-present horde of reporters wanting to get her story.

It seems that Glen just may have kidnapped beautiful little Bella, who was out playing in her yard one minute and, the next minute, was gone.

Despite Bella's mother's tearful pleas on the media, and the dedicated detecting of Bob Sparks, no trace of Bella is ever found.

Glen is the prime suspect. His truck was seen in the area the day Bella was snatched. And there are other clues, as well. But nothing can be proved.


The Widow had an excellent start that immediately grabbed me. It was consistent in its format, if not always fluid in the reading of it, and had an element of creepiness to it that warranted its label “psychological” thriller when used. Some may not like “creepy” or the way that it was offered here, but I LOVE it because it’s so much harder to pull off than “scary” or “gross.” “Creepy” toys with the mind in its subtlety.



I picked this one up not sure of what expectations to have, this being a debut and all, and that’s a delicious thing in itself: being able to go into something clean of prejudice or bias. The Widow had resonance. It offered those shards of thought, of dialogue, of wit that ring so true that they’re undeniable and, to some, possibly even a little off-putting. This was a great debut from Barton, and her experience in journalism came through. She offered insight into the world of breaking news media with a naturalness that can only come from a creature in their own element. 4 wonderful Widow Stars from me ( )