Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
NAL/PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE (2016), Edition: First Edition, 324 pages
Description
"Following the twists and turns of an unimaginable crime, The Widow is an electrifying debut thriller that will take you into the dark spaces that exist between a husband and a wife. 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. . . "--… (more)
Media reviews
Barton skillfully weaves a tale that reminds us that yes, we can be deceived by others, but we can just as easily deceive ourselves. Perception is a two-way street. A stranger or a loved one can play a role or act a part until it feels real.
And here is where the brilliance of The Widow lies. Whom
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do you trust? Whom can you trust? And not just others but ourselves as well. The Widow reminds us that relationships are not black and white to those in them — they're forever grey. Show Less
Crime novels featuring ludicrous scenarios where numerous ciphers get offed in a variety of ways seem to be going out of fashion. The new trend is for more realistic accounts of crimes, focusing on the minutiae of investigation and the frequently dull and frustrating aspects of detection. Fiona
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Barton’s debut is firmly of this type and it’s utterly gripping...She cleverly details how each individual copes with a long investigation without ever lessening the tension. The Widow is a tribute to those professionals who never let go of a story, or a case, however cold. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member bsquaredinoz
I will always think of this book as The Girl Whose Husband Fell Under a Bus. Though perhaps its main narrator – Jean Taylor – is not a girl and that’s why a Girl…title was eschewed. I don’t know what the magic cut-off age is but Jean is in her late 30’s. Otherwise the book fits the
And now for a warning: this review is going to come off more harshly than it ought to given that I didn’t actually hate the book but it can’t be helped: it hit a two of my ‘oh no not this again’ hot buttons. Neither of which has anything to do with my weariness over the whole Girl…phenomenon.
Firstly there is the character of Jean. She is insipid and weak and made me want to shake her long before her trouble started. She gets confused and dithery when confronted with anything more difficult than walking and breathing at the same time and says things like ‘my husband does all the paperwork’. I’m not suggesting she is not realistic – though in the 21st century I fervently hope she is (literally) a dying breed – but I am so over that shit. Not just because it is the complete opposite of my own personality (it is but many, many characters in fiction I love are wildly different from me) but because it makes me want to scream “thousands of women the world over have fought, died even, so that we could have our independence and you never even ****ing tried.” I realise it is unreasonable, irrational even to react this way to a made up person but in my defence I do the same in real life to this particular kind of woman.
The other aspect of the book that made we want to scream is that, once again, a woman is depicted behaving badly* because of her inability to process the fact that she is, and will likely remain, childless. Again I’m not suggesting Jean’s anguish is unrealistic but it’s the third bloody book I’ve read this month (and we’re not even half-way through yet) in which this is a major plot point. Is there not something else to write about women in 2016 other than they are only good for child-bearing and if for some reason they can’t do that there’s a high probability they will go bonkers?
Deep breath time.
If you’re still with me after the rant I’ll attempt to put these biases aside and say something about the rest of the book. For what it’s worth. But remember I was seething at a made up person for most of the reading experience so it’s a fair bet my reactions are not as objective as they ought to be for review purposes.
The premise of THE WIDOW is simple and promising: Jean Taylor’s husband, Glen, is accused of kidnapping toddler Bella Elliot from outside her home. In parallel threads we learn about the Taylors’ lives before and during the furor over Bella’s kidnapping and the subsequent investigation and later how Jean handles things once her husband has died. Much of the story is told from Jean’s perspective but there are also chapters from a reporter’s point of view and some from the lead detective’s perspective also.
The element of this story that I found most engaging was the reporter Kate Waters and the insights her perspective offered into the grubby world of modern journalism. I thought there was an authentic flavour to this before I learned that Fiona Barton has been a journalist herself. With sentiments like this one
The Herald splashed the story over the first nine pages, pledging to bring Glen Taylor to justice and demanding that the Home Secretary order a retrial.
It was journalism at its most powerful, hammering home the message with a mallet, inciting reaction, and the readers responded. The comment sections on the websites were filled with unthinking, screaming vitriol, foul-mouthed opinion and calls for the death penalty to be reinstated. ‘The usual nutters’ the news editor summed up in morning conference. ‘But lots of them’.
it would be easy to scoff at the entire media industry but Kate is depicted as having qualms about the behaviour expected of her and her humanity reminds us that journalists are people too and are often a genuine avenue of hope and support for those experiencing life’s worst traumas.
Plot-wise the book was less successful. After a solidly page-turning start the last two thirds of the book were a bit flat for me because it didn’t really go…anywhere. I don’t mean there wasn’t a resolution (there was) but the journey there kind of meandered along without as much drama or insight as I’d have liked. There’s a couple living with enormous secrets at the centre of this novel but the issues that should inevitably flow from the revelation of those secrets are not explored in any depth. We never, for example, get any real sense of how Jean feels about living with Glen after she finds out what he has definitely done and learns what else police suspect him of. At some point she notices some odd behaviour but all she does is give it a name (‘his nonsense’) and goes back to cutting pictures of babies from magazines and putting them in scrapbooks. Would a better exploration of the ‘I lived with a madman‘ theme been possible if Jean hadn’t been so pathetic? Or am I just being harsh, feeling as I do about her?
Given how I felt about Jean I somewhat surprised myself by finishing the book. But I think I truly kept expecting there would be something…more…just around the corner. On reflection I think the book could have done without the police perspective all together. Bob Sparkes – the lead investigator – is one dimensional and brings nothing new to the fictional detectives’ table and there were other ways to bring into the story the investigative elements that needed to come to light. If a third narrative voice was needed in addition to Jean’s and Kate’s perhaps an alternative – one of Glen or Jean’s parents perhaps – might have brought out some of the elements I thought missing instead of the run-of-the-mill ‘investigating is mostly laborious, unglamorous work’ stuff that Bob’s view provided.
*I use this term a little euphemistically as I don’t want to give away spoilers regarding what Jean may or may not be responsible for.
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recently popular trend for suspense novels with multiple narrators, at least one of whom is a young-ish female who is at least partially unreliable and mostly unlikable.And now for a warning: this review is going to come off more harshly than it ought to given that I didn’t actually hate the book but it can’t be helped: it hit a two of my ‘oh no not this again’ hot buttons. Neither of which has anything to do with my weariness over the whole Girl…phenomenon.
Firstly there is the character of Jean. She is insipid and weak and made me want to shake her long before her trouble started. She gets confused and dithery when confronted with anything more difficult than walking and breathing at the same time and says things like ‘my husband does all the paperwork’. I’m not suggesting she is not realistic – though in the 21st century I fervently hope she is (literally) a dying breed – but I am so over that shit. Not just because it is the complete opposite of my own personality (it is but many, many characters in fiction I love are wildly different from me) but because it makes me want to scream “thousands of women the world over have fought, died even, so that we could have our independence and you never even ****ing tried.” I realise it is unreasonable, irrational even to react this way to a made up person but in my defence I do the same in real life to this particular kind of woman.
The other aspect of the book that made we want to scream is that, once again, a woman is depicted behaving badly* because of her inability to process the fact that she is, and will likely remain, childless. Again I’m not suggesting Jean’s anguish is unrealistic but it’s the third bloody book I’ve read this month (and we’re not even half-way through yet) in which this is a major plot point. Is there not something else to write about women in 2016 other than they are only good for child-bearing and if for some reason they can’t do that there’s a high probability they will go bonkers?
Deep breath time.
If you’re still with me after the rant I’ll attempt to put these biases aside and say something about the rest of the book. For what it’s worth. But remember I was seething at a made up person for most of the reading experience so it’s a fair bet my reactions are not as objective as they ought to be for review purposes.
The premise of THE WIDOW is simple and promising: Jean Taylor’s husband, Glen, is accused of kidnapping toddler Bella Elliot from outside her home. In parallel threads we learn about the Taylors’ lives before and during the furor over Bella’s kidnapping and the subsequent investigation and later how Jean handles things once her husband has died. Much of the story is told from Jean’s perspective but there are also chapters from a reporter’s point of view and some from the lead detective’s perspective also.
The element of this story that I found most engaging was the reporter Kate Waters and the insights her perspective offered into the grubby world of modern journalism. I thought there was an authentic flavour to this before I learned that Fiona Barton has been a journalist herself. With sentiments like this one
The Herald splashed the story over the first nine pages, pledging to bring Glen Taylor to justice and demanding that the Home Secretary order a retrial.
It was journalism at its most powerful, hammering home the message with a mallet, inciting reaction, and the readers responded. The comment sections on the websites were filled with unthinking, screaming vitriol, foul-mouthed opinion and calls for the death penalty to be reinstated. ‘The usual nutters’ the news editor summed up in morning conference. ‘But lots of them’.
it would be easy to scoff at the entire media industry but Kate is depicted as having qualms about the behaviour expected of her and her humanity reminds us that journalists are people too and are often a genuine avenue of hope and support for those experiencing life’s worst traumas.
Plot-wise the book was less successful. After a solidly page-turning start the last two thirds of the book were a bit flat for me because it didn’t really go…anywhere. I don’t mean there wasn’t a resolution (there was) but the journey there kind of meandered along without as much drama or insight as I’d have liked. There’s a couple living with enormous secrets at the centre of this novel but the issues that should inevitably flow from the revelation of those secrets are not explored in any depth. We never, for example, get any real sense of how Jean feels about living with Glen after she finds out what he has definitely done and learns what else police suspect him of. At some point she notices some odd behaviour but all she does is give it a name (‘his nonsense’) and goes back to cutting pictures of babies from magazines and putting them in scrapbooks. Would a better exploration of the ‘I lived with a madman‘ theme been possible if Jean hadn’t been so pathetic? Or am I just being harsh, feeling as I do about her?
Given how I felt about Jean I somewhat surprised myself by finishing the book. But I think I truly kept expecting there would be something…more…just around the corner. On reflection I think the book could have done without the police perspective all together. Bob Sparkes – the lead investigator – is one dimensional and brings nothing new to the fictional detectives’ table and there were other ways to bring into the story the investigative elements that needed to come to light. If a third narrative voice was needed in addition to Jean’s and Kate’s perhaps an alternative – one of Glen or Jean’s parents perhaps – might have brought out some of the elements I thought missing instead of the run-of-the-mill ‘investigating is mostly laborious, unglamorous work’ stuff that Bob’s view provided.
*I use this term a little euphemistically as I don’t want to give away spoilers regarding what Jean may or may not be responsible for.
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LibraryThing member vancouverdeb
As the story opens, Jean Taylor is a very recent widow. Her husband, Glen Taylor, stepped off a curb into the path of an oncoming bus. He was instantly killed. Four years prior to Glen's death, a toddler named Bella is apparently abducted from her front yard. Glen Taylor is suspected, but there no
Most of the story is told from the point of view of the widow, Jean Taylor, in the first person and the other character's points of view are written in the third person.
Main characters:
Jean Taylor - the subservient , quiet wife/ widow of Glen Taylor
Bob Sparkes - the dogged police detective who becomes obsessed with finding Bella's abductor, believing Glen to be the prime suspect
Dawn - Bella's mother, a single woman who swears that she did not leave Bella alone outside for more than a few minutes the day Bella was abducted
Kate: A determined newspaper reporter who follows the case for four years, and lands an exclusive interview with Jean shortly after she becomes a widow.
I found The Widow to be an intriguing , well told tale of psychological suspense. Characters and relationships are carefully and intimately drawn. A dark , compelling read.
4 stars
Recommended! I am sure this novel will catch on in a big way - I believe it already has in Canada, , though it is written by a UK author.
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definite proof that he is the guilty party. The story gives the history of the different characters as well the investigation in to Bella's disappearance, via several characters and moves back in forth from 2006 to the present time , that being 2010 in this novel. It is easy to follow as each chapter identifies the narrator / point of view and date in time.Most of the story is told from the point of view of the widow, Jean Taylor, in the first person and the other character's points of view are written in the third person.
Main characters:
Jean Taylor - the subservient , quiet wife/ widow of Glen Taylor
Bob Sparkes - the dogged police detective who becomes obsessed with finding Bella's abductor, believing Glen to be the prime suspect
Dawn - Bella's mother, a single woman who swears that she did not leave Bella alone outside for more than a few minutes the day Bella was abducted
Kate: A determined newspaper reporter who follows the case for four years, and lands an exclusive interview with Jean shortly after she becomes a widow.
I found The Widow to be an intriguing , well told tale of psychological suspense. Characters and relationships are carefully and intimately drawn. A dark , compelling read.
4 stars
Recommended! I am sure this novel will catch on in a big way - I believe it already has in Canada, , though it is written by a UK author.
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LibraryThing member arubabookwoman
This psychological thriller featuring an unreliable narrator (for extensive parts of the book) did not work for me. It's one of many that has been compared to Gone Girl since the success of that book, and in my opinion, (I enjoyed Gone Girl, but thought it a bit overhyped), The Widow does not come
As it opens, Jean's husband has just been killed in a tragic bus accident. The press is clamoring outside her door--they want to know what Jean knows about the unresolved crime Jean's husband had been suspected of a few years before, the abduction and possible murder of a toddler. Jean presents herself as a clueless wife, dominated by her husband. Alternating sections of the novel are narrated from the point of view of a somewhat unscrupulous journalist trying to get Jean's story from her, the police inspector who had been assigned the case of the missing toddler, and the not-entirely-sympathetic mother of that toddler. Overall, it's very predictable, not suspenseful, and using Jean to narrate portions of the book is awkward and unbelievable. I recommend avoiding this one.
1 1/2 stars
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close, and is an utter failure.As it opens, Jean's husband has just been killed in a tragic bus accident. The press is clamoring outside her door--they want to know what Jean knows about the unresolved crime Jean's husband had been suspected of a few years before, the abduction and possible murder of a toddler. Jean presents herself as a clueless wife, dominated by her husband. Alternating sections of the novel are narrated from the point of view of a somewhat unscrupulous journalist trying to get Jean's story from her, the police inspector who had been assigned the case of the missing toddler, and the not-entirely-sympathetic mother of that toddler. Overall, it's very predictable, not suspenseful, and using Jean to narrate portions of the book is awkward and unbelievable. I recommend avoiding this one.
1 1/2 stars
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LibraryThing member JudithDCollins
A special thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Smartly written, Fiona Barton’s debut THE WIDOW, most definitely lives up to the hype---a wicked, deliciously evil, slow-burning, taut psychological suspense—the author definitely knows her way around the
While readers seem to be flocking to psychological suspense and suburban noirs---2016 brings a mix of the hottest new genre, following the sensational Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train.
Barton masters the craft with her haunting creation. (I actually liked it better than the aforementioned). Filled with complex and intimate glimpses into the lives ruled by obsession, crisis, and fear; where mood and characters drive the novel—creating a dark, chilling, disturbing and unsettling tone.
Meet Jean Taylor, The Widow. She is the heart of the story. A complex woman of many faces.
As the novel opens, it is 2010. Jean is hiding out from reporters, as she has done for years. She has managed to stay clear; however, this time there is a different vulture calling, with her own agenda. Kate Waters, a tenacious reporter from the Daily Post. She is crafty and works herself smoothly inside the door, for her kill.
Why the interest in Jean?
Kate wants the story. A trained observer. She can taste the story. The story of Jean’s life with her killer husband, Glen. The real truth about Glen. Bella, the baby girl. He died the previous week, knocked down by a bus just outside Sainsbury. Accident, pushed, or suicide?
Is Jean really sad about Glen dying? Or, did she just dream of him dying. (with a devious smile). A grieving widow, or a happy one behind her veil?
Jean and Glen met when she was only seventeen years old. She, an apprentice at a hairdresser in Greenwich. Glen worked at a bank. He was a bit older. Good-looking. He was protective, neat, and romantic. She was messy. They were married when she was nineteen.
What does Jean really know about Glen? What does he know about her? The intimate lives of a marriage. A husband and wife. No children. Addictions. For better or worse-a marriage vow.
Meet the cast:
Dawn: A single young mother with a two- year- old daughter, Bella. Abducted from her own back yard.
Bob: The detective who is obsessed with finding the little girl. Desperate to prove Glen’s guilt.
Glen: The manipulative monster. A liar. A pedophile? A murderer? What is he really doing at night behind closed doors in front of the computer. His secrets. Accused of a brutal crime. Is he guilty or innocent? After getting laid (fired) off at the bank he was a delivery driver. A van. He wanted to start his own business. The unraveling. Guilty, not guilty?
Jean: She does what Glen says. Glen is her husband. Is she naive. She loves her husband. He could not do terrible things. Is she too, one of Glen’s victims? Under his control? Does she believe his lies, or is she as twisted as her husband? Does she have her own agenda? An obsession and desire for a baby. She is weak, clever, and manipulative. She plays two parts. Why would a woman stay with a man who looks at child abuse on their computer? What is the hold?
Kate: A strong personality. She wants more than anything to be the one to get the truth. She can taste it.
Let the games begin.
Flashing back and from 2006 to 2010, readers learn about the abduction. This event sets everything in motion. What happened to Baby Bella? There is much to explore in the four- year period.
Unprofessional behavior, inappropriate, termination. The end of their dreams. None of this was Glen’s fault. After all Jean (Jeanie) was his world, he leads her to believe. An investigation. Now, with him dead, they only have Jean to lead them to the truth. Where is Bella? Does Jean know what Glen did with Bella?
An intriguing puzzle. Jean is in control. Whether fake or real. Barton’s crafty skills are reflective throughout this ongoing nightmare. An abduction which only took minutes. Even though Jean dominates, readers learn perspectives from the important players.
Atmospheric. Doubt. There’s a dark, growing sense of foreboding; however, the compelling pace stems not so much from the actual action, but from the intensity of the mood. Disturbing, Creepy, and Unsettling.
THE WIDOW plays with your mind…leaving the reader wondering about the authenticity of the character. Barton takes you inside their complex minds. This is where I see a difference of opinions within the reviews posted. The novel plays with the readers’ mind. Internal psychological monsters are at play, versus external ones. Not from action. Intensity. The obsession. The changing of the character from beginning to the end, captures you. The "reveal" is in the changing of your perspective of the characters from the beginning of the book to the end. Inward, versus outward.
Tortured relationships. Obsessions. Emphasizing the psychology of its characters and their unstable emotional states. While reading, you will experience an array of emotion from doubt, fear, disgust, and in the end a satisfying twist.
Psychological suspense crosses suburban noir. Where characters are wounded and flawed, yearning for something they can’t define. A toxic marriage, greed, envy, discontent, fear. Off-balance, driven to crime by mental and emotional forces they’re unable to control—how many are in your own neighborhood? Obsessed, paranoid, desperate to find happiness, and clinging to their sense of security. A scary thought.
An excellent choice for book clubs or further discussions. An author to follow! Can't wait to see what's next.
Smartly written, Fiona Barton’s debut THE WIDOW, most definitely lives up to the hype---a wicked, deliciously evil, slow-burning, taut psychological suspense—the author definitely knows her way around the
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media, investigations, obsessions, and crazies. Even though this is a debut, (shocking), this is not Barton’s first rodeo. Have you read her bio? Impressive.While readers seem to be flocking to psychological suspense and suburban noirs---2016 brings a mix of the hottest new genre, following the sensational Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train.
Barton masters the craft with her haunting creation. (I actually liked it better than the aforementioned). Filled with complex and intimate glimpses into the lives ruled by obsession, crisis, and fear; where mood and characters drive the novel—creating a dark, chilling, disturbing and unsettling tone.
Meet Jean Taylor, The Widow. She is the heart of the story. A complex woman of many faces.
As the novel opens, it is 2010. Jean is hiding out from reporters, as she has done for years. She has managed to stay clear; however, this time there is a different vulture calling, with her own agenda. Kate Waters, a tenacious reporter from the Daily Post. She is crafty and works herself smoothly inside the door, for her kill.
Why the interest in Jean?
Kate wants the story. A trained observer. She can taste the story. The story of Jean’s life with her killer husband, Glen. The real truth about Glen. Bella, the baby girl. He died the previous week, knocked down by a bus just outside Sainsbury. Accident, pushed, or suicide?
Is Jean really sad about Glen dying? Or, did she just dream of him dying. (with a devious smile). A grieving widow, or a happy one behind her veil?
Jean and Glen met when she was only seventeen years old. She, an apprentice at a hairdresser in Greenwich. Glen worked at a bank. He was a bit older. Good-looking. He was protective, neat, and romantic. She was messy. They were married when she was nineteen.
What does Jean really know about Glen? What does he know about her? The intimate lives of a marriage. A husband and wife. No children. Addictions. For better or worse-a marriage vow.
Meet the cast:
Dawn: A single young mother with a two- year- old daughter, Bella. Abducted from her own back yard.
Bob: The detective who is obsessed with finding the little girl. Desperate to prove Glen’s guilt.
Glen: The manipulative monster. A liar. A pedophile? A murderer? What is he really doing at night behind closed doors in front of the computer. His secrets. Accused of a brutal crime. Is he guilty or innocent? After getting laid (fired) off at the bank he was a delivery driver. A van. He wanted to start his own business. The unraveling. Guilty, not guilty?
Jean: She does what Glen says. Glen is her husband. Is she naive. She loves her husband. He could not do terrible things. Is she too, one of Glen’s victims? Under his control? Does she believe his lies, or is she as twisted as her husband? Does she have her own agenda? An obsession and desire for a baby. She is weak, clever, and manipulative. She plays two parts. Why would a woman stay with a man who looks at child abuse on their computer? What is the hold?
Kate: A strong personality. She wants more than anything to be the one to get the truth. She can taste it.
Let the games begin.
Flashing back and from 2006 to 2010, readers learn about the abduction. This event sets everything in motion. What happened to Baby Bella? There is much to explore in the four- year period.
Unprofessional behavior, inappropriate, termination. The end of their dreams. None of this was Glen’s fault. After all Jean (Jeanie) was his world, he leads her to believe. An investigation. Now, with him dead, they only have Jean to lead them to the truth. Where is Bella? Does Jean know what Glen did with Bella?
An intriguing puzzle. Jean is in control. Whether fake or real. Barton’s crafty skills are reflective throughout this ongoing nightmare. An abduction which only took minutes. Even though Jean dominates, readers learn perspectives from the important players.
Atmospheric. Doubt. There’s a dark, growing sense of foreboding; however, the compelling pace stems not so much from the actual action, but from the intensity of the mood. Disturbing, Creepy, and Unsettling.
THE WIDOW plays with your mind…leaving the reader wondering about the authenticity of the character. Barton takes you inside their complex minds. This is where I see a difference of opinions within the reviews posted. The novel plays with the readers’ mind. Internal psychological monsters are at play, versus external ones. Not from action. Intensity. The obsession. The changing of the character from beginning to the end, captures you. The "reveal" is in the changing of your perspective of the characters from the beginning of the book to the end. Inward, versus outward.
Tortured relationships. Obsessions. Emphasizing the psychology of its characters and their unstable emotional states. While reading, you will experience an array of emotion from doubt, fear, disgust, and in the end a satisfying twist.
Psychological suspense crosses suburban noir. Where characters are wounded and flawed, yearning for something they can’t define. A toxic marriage, greed, envy, discontent, fear. Off-balance, driven to crime by mental and emotional forces they’re unable to control—how many are in your own neighborhood? Obsessed, paranoid, desperate to find happiness, and clinging to their sense of security. A scary thought.
An excellent choice for book clubs or further discussions. An author to follow! Can't wait to see what's next.
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LibraryThing member zmagic69
This book kept appearing as a recommendation based on other books I had read, so when I saw it on sale I picked it up. I was hesitant because it had so many warning signs-for me at least to NOT read it. They are; any book that is compared to Gone Girl, or Girl On A Train, a Stephen king endorsement
I can't wait for the trend of telling stories in the past and present and from alternate viewpoints, in alternating chapters to come to its needed end. Copying the style of Gone Girl, jumped the shark, years ago.
In The Widow, this method of storytelling is employed but better than many other books that have tried it. The story is not very complicated, and anyone who has read these types of books will have it figured out long before the characters in the book do.
To summarize it is about a couple who have a number of issues, she is weak, while he is very controlling become the center of attention when a little girl goes missing.
What made this a 3 1/2 star instead of a 3 star book was how well the author kept the story going, and how well written it was. The reason it wasn't a 4 or 5 star, is that there was no surprise or major revelation at the end, it was rather predictable.
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on the book, an Oprah recommendation on the book. But I went ahead and read it anyway.I can't wait for the trend of telling stories in the past and present and from alternate viewpoints, in alternating chapters to come to its needed end. Copying the style of Gone Girl, jumped the shark, years ago.
In The Widow, this method of storytelling is employed but better than many other books that have tried it. The story is not very complicated, and anyone who has read these types of books will have it figured out long before the characters in the book do.
To summarize it is about a couple who have a number of issues, she is weak, while he is very controlling become the center of attention when a little girl goes missing.
What made this a 3 1/2 star instead of a 3 star book was how well the author kept the story going, and how well written it was. The reason it wasn't a 4 or 5 star, is that there was no surprise or major revelation at the end, it was rather predictable.
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LibraryThing member jmchshannon
There have been so many novels over the past few years that compare themselves to Gone Girl that this comparison has become very much like The Boy Who Cried Wolf. For every novel that is similar and just as good, there are way too many that are duds and do the comparison a disservice. Then, there
Then again, The Widow is one of those stories where to share even a hint of what is to come will be to run the reading experience for future readers. It is a twisty novel in which the truth sneaks up on you more than it hits you over the fact, which is one of its greatest strengths. For, as long as you as the reader have doubts and demand answers, you will keep turning the pages as fast as you can.
The Widow is the perfect novel for a quiet weekend afternoon or a readathon. It should also come with a warning label that it can induce book hangover, especially if you start it in the evening, as “just one more chapter” becomes the entire book. It is not Gone Girl or any other novel of its ilk, but it is still a fascinating and thrilling read that will keep you guessing until the very end.
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is the issue that in saying that a new novel is like a very popular one, readers’ expectations for the story and their enjoyment of it are automatically set. Thankfully, The Widow at least lives up the hype even though its story is nothing like that of those to which it is compared.Then again, The Widow is one of those stories where to share even a hint of what is to come will be to run the reading experience for future readers. It is a twisty novel in which the truth sneaks up on you more than it hits you over the fact, which is one of its greatest strengths. For, as long as you as the reader have doubts and demand answers, you will keep turning the pages as fast as you can.
The Widow is the perfect novel for a quiet weekend afternoon or a readathon. It should also come with a warning label that it can induce book hangover, especially if you start it in the evening, as “just one more chapter” becomes the entire book. It is not Gone Girl or any other novel of its ilk, but it is still a fascinating and thrilling read that will keep you guessing until the very end.
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LibraryThing member lit_chick
"Justify, justify, deny, deny. It ought to get easier, but it doesn’t as each lie feels sourer and tighter, like an unripe apple. Unyielding and mouth-drying.The simple lies are the hardest, funnily enough. The big ones seem to just fall off the tongue.” (Ch 13)
The Widow is a story of a missing
The novel is alternately and effectively narrated by Jean, Taylor’s wife; Sparkes, the lead detective; and by Kate, the journalist chasing the case. I liked that Barton was able to draw me into Bella’s story, that I felt invested in solving the crime. My criticism of The Widow is that I found a good part of it dragged on terribly. All of the ingredients are here for a page-turning, psychological thriller, so I was disappointed with the pace. That said, I think Barton is certainly worth another look.
The Widow is a story of a missing
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child, a sweet toddler named Bella – taken from the front garden in her residential neighbourhood. While the police have several leads, it is Glen Taylor, a former bank executive, whom they decide to be the most likely suspect, and he their investigation focuses on. As a reader, I suspect that perhaps the vision of the lead detective is flawed, too singular, and I read on to see whether my theory will bear out. I am watching another suspect …The novel is alternately and effectively narrated by Jean, Taylor’s wife; Sparkes, the lead detective; and by Kate, the journalist chasing the case. I liked that Barton was able to draw me into Bella’s story, that I felt invested in solving the crime. My criticism of The Widow is that I found a good part of it dragged on terribly. All of the ingredients are here for a page-turning, psychological thriller, so I was disappointed with the pace. That said, I think Barton is certainly worth another look.
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LibraryThing member hubblegal
This is an interesting look at a wife whose husband has been accused of kidnapping a little girl. This book is advertised as a thriller but I don’t see it as that at all. So many books these days are compared to “Gone Girl” or “The Girl on the Train” as if that is the only type of book
The book fluctuates between the time of the kidnapping and the period after the widow’s husband has died. It’s told by different narrators – the widow herself, the husband, the reporter, the mother of the kidnapped child and the detective. This is a psychological study of a woman who tries to stand by her husband in the face of horrendous accusations. It’s also about the complex relationship between an accused, the police, the media and the victims. The revealing of the characters’ secrets is beautifully crafted and well written. The author does a nice job of keeping interest alive right up until the last page. The book is very readable and flew by. It’s a sad, dark story and pulled me in completely.
This book was given to me by the publisher through First to Read in return for an honest review.
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readers want to read. I think that type of comparison with this book is an unfair one and will lead readers to expect something else. This book is fairly slow going with not many surprises. It’s more of an in-depth look at a wife who is now questioning just what she knows about her husband and who he really is.The book fluctuates between the time of the kidnapping and the period after the widow’s husband has died. It’s told by different narrators – the widow herself, the husband, the reporter, the mother of the kidnapped child and the detective. This is a psychological study of a woman who tries to stand by her husband in the face of horrendous accusations. It’s also about the complex relationship between an accused, the police, the media and the victims. The revealing of the characters’ secrets is beautifully crafted and well written. The author does a nice job of keeping interest alive right up until the last page. The book is very readable and flew by. It’s a sad, dark story and pulled me in completely.
This book was given to me by the publisher through First to Read in return for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member herschelian
How could a woman married to a man who rapes and kills a small child not know what he has done? That is the premise of this book. The 'widow' of the man accused in this case protests his innocence and her ignorance all the way through. The tabloid press hound her incessantly, and she is
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'befriended' by an experienced woman journalist who attempts to get at the truth. Show Less
LibraryThing member Pet12
There has been an awful lot of hype surrounding this book and with the promise of a supreme psychological thriller and the usual comparisons to other well known books, I was excited to read this and maybe was expecting too much. For me personally, it didn't live up to its promise. To start with, I
Overall, it was a readable debut and perhaps I've been reading too many child disappearance plots lately, but The Widow left me feeling a bit bored.
I received a copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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didn't find it thrilling. It was more of a slow burner, and I had no difficulties putting it down at any time. I love thrillers that have a few surprises and maybe an unexpected final twist or at least something that makes me think 'oh that was clever'. I kept waiting and telling myself to read on because surely there would be something that wasn't as it seemed, but unfortunately there were no great twists, no final breathtaking reveals, it all played out exactly as one could have predicted from fairly early on. The character of the widow was dull. I pictured her as an ancient lady dressed in a light brown housedress with a tight perm, but she was supposed to be late thirties/early forties. The police were simply utterly incompetent in their investigation. The young, single mother of the abducted child was clichéd. The reporter was unlikable but at least had some spark. The media aspect was actually the most interesting part of this. Overall, it was a readable debut and perhaps I've been reading too many child disappearance plots lately, but The Widow left me feeling a bit bored.
I received a copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member boudicca123
This is a 3 1/2 star read. Told from different points of view - what happened to little Bella, who was guilty and who knew more than they were saying? The widow is Jean who is an old fashioned type of wife who does what her husband wants rather than what she would have liked to do - the type to
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stand by her man, no matter what. No one comes out of this story very well and not one character is likeable, not even the "supposed" good guys. It was an interesting concept - using the partner of the alleged villain as the main character. I liked the style of writing which kept me gripped till the end. A very good debut and I would be happy to read more books by this author. Show Less
LibraryThing member ivydtruitt
4 stars & a DNF
The history and story surrounding Bella’s abduction and subsequent investigation is revealed through four characters.
Jean ~ wife of Glen the prime suspect but no proof to tie him to Bella.
Dawn ~ Bella’s mother who tearfully pleads for her safe return.
Kate ~ a reporter who nabs
Bob ~ the lead detective who is convinced Glen is their man.
When THE WIDOW opens Glen is dead. Glen is revealed through the other character’s interactions with him, slowly and in layers.
I appreciate Ms. Barton’s ability to draw intriguing characters, her talent for creating atmosphere and building the story bit by bit. You have a good idea of where things are headed with one unanticipated twist that was, in all honesty, the highlight of the book for me.
Ms. Barton writes extremely well and I would no doubt have enjoyed it much more if Bella hadn’t been a toddler. I realize that fact is what creates the tension and basis for the public’s reaction, for what Jean has suffered through since Bella’s disappearance. And yes, it’s well written, great pacing and character development. There’s a specific tension that draws you in while creating a slow boil.
However, THE WIDOW was a difficult read for me. The nature of the crime, the victim, not easy at all. Nowhere in the blurb does it tell you the victim is a toddler. If that had been known ahead of time, in all honesty, I wouldn’t have read THE WIDOW.
So, for all the aspects that make a well written book I have to give THE WIDOW 4 stars.
From a personal perspective, if there’d been no obligation to continue, I’d have stopped when the victim was revealed.
Reviewed for Novels Alive TV
The history and story surrounding Bella’s abduction and subsequent investigation is revealed through four characters.
Jean ~ wife of Glen the prime suspect but no proof to tie him to Bella.
Dawn ~ Bella’s mother who tearfully pleads for her safe return.
Kate ~ a reporter who nabs
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the prize of interviewing both Dawn and later, Jean.Bob ~ the lead detective who is convinced Glen is their man.
When THE WIDOW opens Glen is dead. Glen is revealed through the other character’s interactions with him, slowly and in layers.
I appreciate Ms. Barton’s ability to draw intriguing characters, her talent for creating atmosphere and building the story bit by bit. You have a good idea of where things are headed with one unanticipated twist that was, in all honesty, the highlight of the book for me.
Ms. Barton writes extremely well and I would no doubt have enjoyed it much more if Bella hadn’t been a toddler. I realize that fact is what creates the tension and basis for the public’s reaction, for what Jean has suffered through since Bella’s disappearance. And yes, it’s well written, great pacing and character development. There’s a specific tension that draws you in while creating a slow boil.
However, THE WIDOW was a difficult read for me. The nature of the crime, the victim, not easy at all. Nowhere in the blurb does it tell you the victim is a toddler. If that had been known ahead of time, in all honesty, I wouldn’t have read THE WIDOW.
So, for all the aspects that make a well written book I have to give THE WIDOW 4 stars.
From a personal perspective, if there’d been no obligation to continue, I’d have stopped when the victim was revealed.
Reviewed for Novels Alive TV
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LibraryThing member Kris_Anderson
The Widow by Fiona Barton is supposed to be a suspense/mystery novel but it does not succeed. The book starts out in June of 2010. Jean Taylor’s husband was hit by a bus. Jean is sorry to lose her husband, but the scandal before his death was overwhelming. Glen Taylor was accused of kidnapping
The Widow is a slow moving book. It reminded me of oxen pulling a covered wagon across the open prairie (a long, slow journey). The writing itself is okay, but I found it lacking. The book is very dull with no action and a lousy ending. The first 17% of the book is just about Jean and her life with Glen. There is no action or mention of Glen’s crimes. The book goes back and forth from the present to the past. We get to see how Glen and Jean met, their life, etc. We also find out about Bella and her mother, Dawn. The police investigation into the crime. There is no suspense (not a page-turner). The book does not hold your attention. I give The Widow 1.5 out of 5 stars. The basic concept (the crime) is interesting, but the writer did not do a good job developing it.
I received a complimentary copy of The Widow from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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and killing a little girl (Bella Elliott). The police (especially Detective Inspector Bob Sparkes) could not prove that Glen committed the crime and now they may never find the out the truth. Kate Waters is a reporter with the Daily Post. She wants to get Jean’s story for their newspaper. Kate gets through the door and convinces Jean to sell her story to the Daily Post. We get to find out what Jean actually knew about Glen’s activities (the book then goes back to 2006). Did Glen kidnap and murder Bella Elliott? Can Jean lead the police to the body to give closure to Bella’s mother, Dawn?The Widow is a slow moving book. It reminded me of oxen pulling a covered wagon across the open prairie (a long, slow journey). The writing itself is okay, but I found it lacking. The book is very dull with no action and a lousy ending. The first 17% of the book is just about Jean and her life with Glen. There is no action or mention of Glen’s crimes. The book goes back and forth from the present to the past. We get to see how Glen and Jean met, their life, etc. We also find out about Bella and her mother, Dawn. The police investigation into the crime. There is no suspense (not a page-turner). The book does not hold your attention. I give The Widow 1.5 out of 5 stars. The basic concept (the crime) is interesting, but the writer did not do a good job developing it.
I received a complimentary copy of The Widow from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member celticlady53
"The Widow
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
I can hear the sound of her crunching up the path. Heavy footed in high heels. She's almost at the door, hesitating and smoothing her hair out of her face. Nice outfit: jacket with big buttons, decent dress underneath, and glasses perched on her head. Not a
How well do you know your spouse or significant other? Maybe you don't know him/her as well as you thought you did. What if that person committed a horrible crime? Would you stand by their side?
This is the premise of The Widow, Jean Taylor and her husband, Glen, have been married over a decade and she is somewhat happy in her marriage. They were in love when they married but sometimes complacency can make that love change.
The Widow starts out in 2010, after Jean's husband has died, hit by a bus. The reason for the reporters? Well, in October of 2006 a two-year-old little girl by the name of Bella disappears from her front yard. You may wonder what a little girl was doing out in the yard all alone. Her mum, Dawn, just went inside to make their tea and things happen very fast. There are predators out there who prey on children and that is what happened in this case.
Who took Bella? Glen is a suspect and undergoes interrogation after interrogation and never reveals what he knows. Jean sticks by her man, if you will, and they weather the storm of accusations by the press, neighbors, and family, but this goes on until 2010 and the death of Glen. There is no real evidence that Glen had anything to do with Bella's disappearance.
This story is told by different viewpoints, Jean being the main one, the reporter, Kate Walters and the investigating detective, Bob Sparkes. Through alternating chapters, the reader learns more about these people and the circumstances of not only Bella's disappearance but of Glen's death.
The Widow is being compared to the Best Seller The Girl on the Train, of which I have read. It definitely has a similarity as they are both psychological suspense in nature. The protagonists are both women in a situation not of their own making. I found the characters to be well developed, and as I read this book, I kept coming back to the question, how well do we know another person? Everyone has secrets, some minor in nature and some people have secrets that are dangerous. This book encompasses both of these scenarios as we learn what kind of people that Jean and Glen were.
I read this book in a few sittings and that is an accomplishment for me lately, and I really liked it. Kind of had an idea about the ending but was not sure. The author writes in a way that grabs your attention in the first chapter. I give this book five stars for writing and plot!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
I can hear the sound of her crunching up the path. Heavy footed in high heels. She's almost at the door, hesitating and smoothing her hair out of her face. Nice outfit: jacket with big buttons, decent dress underneath, and glasses perched on her head. Not a
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Jehovah's Witnesses or from the Labour party. Must be a reporter, but not the usual. She's my second one today--fourth this week, and it's only Wednesday. I bet she says, "I'm sorry to bother you at such a difficult time". They all say that and put on that stupid face. Like they care." --- from Chapter one of The Widow by Fiona Barton.How well do you know your spouse or significant other? Maybe you don't know him/her as well as you thought you did. What if that person committed a horrible crime? Would you stand by their side?
This is the premise of The Widow, Jean Taylor and her husband, Glen, have been married over a decade and she is somewhat happy in her marriage. They were in love when they married but sometimes complacency can make that love change.
The Widow starts out in 2010, after Jean's husband has died, hit by a bus. The reason for the reporters? Well, in October of 2006 a two-year-old little girl by the name of Bella disappears from her front yard. You may wonder what a little girl was doing out in the yard all alone. Her mum, Dawn, just went inside to make their tea and things happen very fast. There are predators out there who prey on children and that is what happened in this case.
Who took Bella? Glen is a suspect and undergoes interrogation after interrogation and never reveals what he knows. Jean sticks by her man, if you will, and they weather the storm of accusations by the press, neighbors, and family, but this goes on until 2010 and the death of Glen. There is no real evidence that Glen had anything to do with Bella's disappearance.
This story is told by different viewpoints, Jean being the main one, the reporter, Kate Walters and the investigating detective, Bob Sparkes. Through alternating chapters, the reader learns more about these people and the circumstances of not only Bella's disappearance but of Glen's death.
The Widow is being compared to the Best Seller The Girl on the Train, of which I have read. It definitely has a similarity as they are both psychological suspense in nature. The protagonists are both women in a situation not of their own making. I found the characters to be well developed, and as I read this book, I kept coming back to the question, how well do we know another person? Everyone has secrets, some minor in nature and some people have secrets that are dangerous. This book encompasses both of these scenarios as we learn what kind of people that Jean and Glen were.
I read this book in a few sittings and that is an accomplishment for me lately, and I really liked it. Kind of had an idea about the ending but was not sure. The author writes in a way that grabs your attention in the first chapter. I give this book five stars for writing and plot!
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LibraryThing member Twink
Fiona Barton's debut novel, The Widow has just released. And it only took me a day to devour it.....
Jean's husband has just accidentally died - hit by a bus as they waited at the corner to cross. "You see, my husband died last week. Everyone was very kind and trying to stop me from seeing his body,
That's from the opening pages - and I was immediately hooked. Why is she glad? What nonsense? Well, Glen was a suspect in the disappearance of a little girl - never found. Glen vehemently denied he had anything to do with it and Jean, being a good wife, stood by him.
Barton tells her story from the present - after Glen's death as a reporter tries to get 'the real story' out of Jean and the past - as a detective desperately tries to find the little girl. We're privy to not just Jean's thoughts, but also those of the mother of the missing child and the detective.
Barton deliciously ekes out the story - each new chapter reveals a little more. Cutting back and forth between time lines only serves to heighten the tension and draw the reader in further. And as I read, my thoughts on Jean changed many times - what did she know, was she protecting Glen or was she involved?
I'm always curious as to where an author's idea for a book comes from. Barton says this about The Widow... "The worm of this book infected me long ago when, as a national newspaper journalist covering notorious crimes and trials, I found myself wondering what the wives of those accused really knew – or allowed themselves to know." Let's just say everyone lies in The Widow.
The Widow was an utterly addictive read that I couldn't put down. What a great debut - I'm already looking forward to Barton's next book.
Jean's husband has just accidentally died - hit by a bus as they waited at the corner to cross. "You see, my husband died last week. Everyone was very kind and trying to stop me from seeing his body,
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but I couldn't tell them I was glad he was gone. No more of his nonsense."That's from the opening pages - and I was immediately hooked. Why is she glad? What nonsense? Well, Glen was a suspect in the disappearance of a little girl - never found. Glen vehemently denied he had anything to do with it and Jean, being a good wife, stood by him.
Barton tells her story from the present - after Glen's death as a reporter tries to get 'the real story' out of Jean and the past - as a detective desperately tries to find the little girl. We're privy to not just Jean's thoughts, but also those of the mother of the missing child and the detective.
Barton deliciously ekes out the story - each new chapter reveals a little more. Cutting back and forth between time lines only serves to heighten the tension and draw the reader in further. And as I read, my thoughts on Jean changed many times - what did she know, was she protecting Glen or was she involved?
I'm always curious as to where an author's idea for a book comes from. Barton says this about The Widow... "The worm of this book infected me long ago when, as a national newspaper journalist covering notorious crimes and trials, I found myself wondering what the wives of those accused really knew – or allowed themselves to know." Let's just say everyone lies in The Widow.
The Widow was an utterly addictive read that I couldn't put down. What a great debut - I'm already looking forward to Barton's next book.
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LibraryThing member cathyskye
I am glad that I didn't see all the Gone Girl and Girl on a Train hype before I decided to read this book. If I had, I wouldn't have read it. Gone Girl may be flavor of the month, but it left a very bad taste in my mouth, hence my reluctance to fall for any hype linking a new book to it.
This is the story of Jean Taylor, a woman who has tried her best for a very long time to be a perfect wife for Glen Taylor, a man who is less than perfect himself. As a matter of fact, readers slowly learn that Glen Taylor is one of the lower forms of pond scum. Orbiting around Jean like twin asteroids are Detective Inspector Bob Sparkes, the police officer who desperately wants to bring closure to a victim's family, and journalist Kate Stone, a woman with a knack for prying headline-grabbing stories from reluctant people. Just what does Jean know? What really happened? Is she going to tell Sparkes and Stone what they want to hear? These are questions that follow the reader throughout the book.
Jean Taylor's voice is a compelling one, and she gains sympathy very early on. This story is a gradual-- often mesmerizing-- unraveling of events, and the author often held me right in the palm of her hand. Barton made only one misstep: there is one important fact that Jean Taylor is withholding, and Barton telegraphs it too early. This takes away some of the power of the ending, but even so, this debut novel has me wanting to get my hands on the author's next book!
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Fortunately The Widow is not Gone Girl, so if that's been making you nervous, you can relax. This is the story of Jean Taylor, a woman who has tried her best for a very long time to be a perfect wife for Glen Taylor, a man who is less than perfect himself. As a matter of fact, readers slowly learn that Glen Taylor is one of the lower forms of pond scum. Orbiting around Jean like twin asteroids are Detective Inspector Bob Sparkes, the police officer who desperately wants to bring closure to a victim's family, and journalist Kate Stone, a woman with a knack for prying headline-grabbing stories from reluctant people. Just what does Jean know? What really happened? Is she going to tell Sparkes and Stone what they want to hear? These are questions that follow the reader throughout the book.
Jean Taylor's voice is a compelling one, and she gains sympathy very early on. This story is a gradual-- often mesmerizing-- unraveling of events, and the author often held me right in the palm of her hand. Barton made only one misstep: there is one important fact that Jean Taylor is withholding, and Barton telegraphs it too early. This takes away some of the power of the ending, but even so, this debut novel has me wanting to get my hands on the author's next book!
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LibraryThing member BookDivasReads
In 2006, a young toddler girl, Bella, disappeared from her front yard. The police investigation zeroed in on several suspects, including Glen Taylor. Now it's 2010 and Glen has died, reporters and the police are trying to get Glen's wife, Jean, to talk about what she knows in The Widow by Fiona
Jean met Glen Taylor when she was only seventeen years of age. She married him at age nineteen and fell into a life where Glen molded her into his version of the ideal, subservient wife. When Glen is questioned in a child abduction case and then arrested, Jean stands by her husband. Initially, she believes him when he says the pornographic material accidentally made its way onto his computer. He then confesses to being addicted to pornography. Throughout the arrest, trial and years after, Jean has stood by her man and protected his secrets. Now that Glen is dead, it might be time to release those secrets. Enter Kate Waters, a reporter determined to learn as much as she can about the wife of the man many assumed to be a pedophile and a child murderer. Kate appears to befriend Jean in an effort to get her to reveal all. Everyone wants to know why she stayed in a marriage with such a monster. People want to know if she knew what her husband did and if so, why she didn't turn him in. Can Kate get Glen's widow to talk and if so, will she finally be able to tell the world what happened to that missing child?
The Widow is a fast-paced and captivating read. Jean comes across as an unwitting victim of her husband and now she's a victim of journalists . . . or is she? The more I read, the more questions I had about Jean, Glen, and the missing child. Jean comes across as a sympathetic character and it was easy to feel for her. Glen is highly skilled at manipulating his wife and the truth. He's a man that is never at fault for any of his actions, and there’s always someone else to blame. This story delves into some dark areas, such as child pornography, pornography, and pedophilia without being gruesome or providing graphic details. The Widow is much more than a behind-the-scenes look at a dysfunctional marriage, it is a taut psychological suspense-thriller that provides enough twists and turns that the reader is never quite sure where or how the story is going to end. I enjoyed the gradual build of tension within the story. This story is told alternating between the past and the present, and I especially enjoyed how the author went back to the year of the crime and gradually moved forward to the present. Did I enjoy reading The Widow? Yes, so much so that even though I was dealing with another migraine episode I couldn't wait to get back to this book. I didn't read it one sitting simply because of the migrainus interruptus and that was the only reason I set this book down. Yes, you guessed it, I encourage you to grab a copy of The Widow to read. Reader be warned, if you start reading this in the evening you'll probably end up reading all night.
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Barton.Jean met Glen Taylor when she was only seventeen years of age. She married him at age nineteen and fell into a life where Glen molded her into his version of the ideal, subservient wife. When Glen is questioned in a child abduction case and then arrested, Jean stands by her husband. Initially, she believes him when he says the pornographic material accidentally made its way onto his computer. He then confesses to being addicted to pornography. Throughout the arrest, trial and years after, Jean has stood by her man and protected his secrets. Now that Glen is dead, it might be time to release those secrets. Enter Kate Waters, a reporter determined to learn as much as she can about the wife of the man many assumed to be a pedophile and a child murderer. Kate appears to befriend Jean in an effort to get her to reveal all. Everyone wants to know why she stayed in a marriage with such a monster. People want to know if she knew what her husband did and if so, why she didn't turn him in. Can Kate get Glen's widow to talk and if so, will she finally be able to tell the world what happened to that missing child?
The Widow is a fast-paced and captivating read. Jean comes across as an unwitting victim of her husband and now she's a victim of journalists . . . or is she? The more I read, the more questions I had about Jean, Glen, and the missing child. Jean comes across as a sympathetic character and it was easy to feel for her. Glen is highly skilled at manipulating his wife and the truth. He's a man that is never at fault for any of his actions, and there’s always someone else to blame. This story delves into some dark areas, such as child pornography, pornography, and pedophilia without being gruesome or providing graphic details. The Widow is much more than a behind-the-scenes look at a dysfunctional marriage, it is a taut psychological suspense-thriller that provides enough twists and turns that the reader is never quite sure where or how the story is going to end. I enjoyed the gradual build of tension within the story. This story is told alternating between the past and the present, and I especially enjoyed how the author went back to the year of the crime and gradually moved forward to the present. Did I enjoy reading The Widow? Yes, so much so that even though I was dealing with another migraine episode I couldn't wait to get back to this book. I didn't read it one sitting simply because of the migrainus interruptus and that was the only reason I set this book down. Yes, you guessed it, I encourage you to grab a copy of The Widow to read. Reader be warned, if you start reading this in the evening you'll probably end up reading all night.
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LibraryThing member Gary10
Something of a page turner--although the middle of the book drags a bit. Because of the topic felt voyeuristic.
LibraryThing member Staciele
Jean Taylor is the widow. She was the wife of Glen Taylor who happened to step off the curb right into a bus and was killed instantly. But that isn't the story. The story is who Glen Taylor was before he died. His story is told from his wife's perspective at first and you learn that Glen Taylor was
Glen Taylor was accused of a horrific crime that involved Bella. I'm sure I don't have to describe it, you can use your own imaginations. I admit it was a tough one for me to slough through. At times, I just had to put the book down because the material was too disturbing for me to think about any longer. Unfortunately, stories like this are part of the messed up world we live in and the author found a way to keep me interested, even through the atrocities. Giving away any more details of this story would ruin it for the reader, but it was definitely a page-turner.
With short chapters and a fast pace, the reader can quickly move through the details. Each chapter is told from the perspective of one of the main characters. Sometimes there is a bit of backtracking to fill in gaps and other times it moves ahead showing the rapid rate of the investigation. The reader will start to question each of the narrator's perspectives wondering which one of them can't be trusted. As you begin to doubt, then a new perspective is approached and you will have to keep reading to get the answers you need. From the widow to the detective, to Bella's mother, you will feel like you can picture each of them. Barton gives the reader a glimpse into their lives that is intimate and yet, revealing. Their stories hold secrets, that once revealed, will bring this case to a devastating conclusion and their lives, as well as yours, will never be the same.
For readers who have joined the bandwagon of unreliable narrators like GONE GIRL and GIRL ON THE TRAIN, this will be one to add to your list. Keep in mind the subject matter is quite disturbing and not for sensitive readers.
Favorite Quote:
"It's a strange feeling, owning a secret. It's like a stone in my stomach,
crushing my insides and making me feel sick every time I think of it."
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not a nice man. As the story develops, other characters give perspectives on Glen's life and the choices he made, including a detective and a reporter interviewing Jean after Glen's death. You see, there is a story to tell before Glen stepped off the curb to his death. A story that involves a missing little girl, Bella, and what may have happened to her. We will also hear from Dawn, Bella's mother. All of these versions of the story come together to a shocking ending that will leave you shivering, and not from the cold weather outside.Glen Taylor was accused of a horrific crime that involved Bella. I'm sure I don't have to describe it, you can use your own imaginations. I admit it was a tough one for me to slough through. At times, I just had to put the book down because the material was too disturbing for me to think about any longer. Unfortunately, stories like this are part of the messed up world we live in and the author found a way to keep me interested, even through the atrocities. Giving away any more details of this story would ruin it for the reader, but it was definitely a page-turner.
With short chapters and a fast pace, the reader can quickly move through the details. Each chapter is told from the perspective of one of the main characters. Sometimes there is a bit of backtracking to fill in gaps and other times it moves ahead showing the rapid rate of the investigation. The reader will start to question each of the narrator's perspectives wondering which one of them can't be trusted. As you begin to doubt, then a new perspective is approached and you will have to keep reading to get the answers you need. From the widow to the detective, to Bella's mother, you will feel like you can picture each of them. Barton gives the reader a glimpse into their lives that is intimate and yet, revealing. Their stories hold secrets, that once revealed, will bring this case to a devastating conclusion and their lives, as well as yours, will never be the same.
For readers who have joined the bandwagon of unreliable narrators like GONE GIRL and GIRL ON THE TRAIN, this will be one to add to your list. Keep in mind the subject matter is quite disturbing and not for sensitive readers.
Favorite Quote:
"It's a strange feeling, owning a secret. It's like a stone in my stomach,
crushing my insides and making me feel sick every time I think of it."
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LibraryThing member mountie9
Intriguing psychological thriller with lots of twists and turns. Characters were damaged and some had questionable morals but you found yourself fascinated by them and also wanting to smack them upside the head for being so stupid. The story is disturbing but I appreciate that the author didn't go
Have heard it marketed as similar to Gone Girl and Girl on a Train, but cannot tell you if that is accurate as I have not read either. It is a character fault but when a book is hyped like those two, I just do not want to read. Also another character flaw is if my non book obsessed friends (yes they are people too and I loves them) recommend something, I shy away from it too. I am somewhat shamed by this fact, but I have to be honest.
Favorite Quotes Passages
"Kate suddenly shouts, "Fuck Off!" and I stare at her. Glen would never have allowed a woman to say that word in his house. She looks at me and mouths, sorry, and then puts her finger to her lips. And the telly man does fuck off.
"Well that obviously works," I say.
"Sorry, but it's the only language they understand," she says, and laughs. It's a nice laugh, sounds genuine, and I haven't heard much laughter lately."
"But then monsters rarely look the part. You hope you'll be able to see the evil shining out of them_it would make police work a damned sight easier, he often said. But evil was a slippery substance, glimpsed only occasionally and all the more horrifying for that, he knew."
Received this one in a evidence bag with skittles with them which I wont lie, made me more intrigued to read the book. (Brilliant marketing job folks) Also not sure how I feel about skittles now - did not eat them while reading just in case & now still not sure if I want to eat them.
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graphically into details. This one is pretty fast paced, but not in a heart stopping way, but you still didn't want to put it down because you wanted to know what really happened. This would be a great story for a book club and also a good one for cold Calgary nights or sitting on a beach somewhere (damn I wish I was on one right now). Heads up, none of the characters are very likable, which usually turns me off a book, but in this case it works.Have heard it marketed as similar to Gone Girl and Girl on a Train, but cannot tell you if that is accurate as I have not read either. It is a character fault but when a book is hyped like those two, I just do not want to read. Also another character flaw is if my non book obsessed friends (yes they are people too and I loves them) recommend something, I shy away from it too. I am somewhat shamed by this fact, but I have to be honest.
Favorite Quotes Passages
"Kate suddenly shouts, "Fuck Off!" and I stare at her. Glen would never have allowed a woman to say that word in his house. She looks at me and mouths, sorry, and then puts her finger to her lips. And the telly man does fuck off.
"Well that obviously works," I say.
"Sorry, but it's the only language they understand," she says, and laughs. It's a nice laugh, sounds genuine, and I haven't heard much laughter lately."
"But then monsters rarely look the part. You hope you'll be able to see the evil shining out of them_it would make police work a damned sight easier, he often said. But evil was a slippery substance, glimpsed only occasionally and all the more horrifying for that, he knew."
Received this one in a evidence bag with skittles with them which I wont lie, made me more intrigued to read the book. (Brilliant marketing job folks) Also not sure how I feel about skittles now - did not eat them while reading just in case & now still not sure if I want to eat them.
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LibraryThing member bookappeal
Jean's husband was hit by a bus and killed but she's not all that torn up about it. Glen was the main suspect in the kidnapping of a child, an accusation that turned their lives upside down. Told from several points of view, the author builds an uneasy more than suspenseful story about Glen and
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Jean's life. The reporter who scores an exclusive interview with "the widow" illustrates the determination and obsession of the media, the lead detective reveals how damaging and infuriating the unsolved case has been to his personal life, and Jean's point of view calls everything into question. How much did she really know about Glen's activities? How honest is she with herself and, therefore, with the reader? Fiona Barton's tense novel unfortunately fizzles to a lackluster ending and works better as a character study than as psychological suspense. Show Less
LibraryThing member joannemonck
The story centers around a mousy wife who differs to her husband on everything because she thinks he is wonderful. When a little girls goes missing the husband is brought in for questioning. He apparently is watching porn on the internet and going to "cyber clubs". They weather the storm and sue
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the police for wrongful accusations and they win a settlement. The detective believes he is guilty and never drops the case hoping to find the little girl dead or alive. The husband is killed by a bus and the wife is left on her own. The book was mesmerizing but I am still not sure I like it. I found the ending a bit of a let down but probably the best way to end. Show Less
LibraryThing member Dianekeenoy
I picked up this book yesterday at the library. When I sat down last night to see where in my library book pile to put it (there were 6 ahead of it), I read it straight through right past my bedtime! I just love when that happens. The story is told from the point of view of the widow, the detective
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and the reporter. Jean's husband, Glen, was suspected of a crime and Jean hasn't had a lot to say to the police about this. She spends a lot of time being the perfect wife who supports her husband. Then, her husband dies and Jean doesn't have to stay quiet any longer. Highly recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member smik
Little Bella Elliot goes missing on 2 October 2006, snatched from the front yard of her home. The man accused of her abduction and murder dies nearly 4 years later. The investigation that occupies that time nearly ruins a policeman's career.
This tale is told by three principal narrators: The Widow,
Excellent reading.
This tale is told by three principal narrators: The Widow,
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The Reporter, and The Detective and is a story about what it takes to get at the truth.Excellent reading.
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LibraryThing member Suedarc
Interesting book that keeps the reader engaged, wondering who did the deed. Told from various viewpoints, the book captures the multi-layered reality of its characters. Looks like one that will end up on the big screen
Awards
Macavity Award (Nominee — First Novel — 2017)
The British Book Industry Awards (Shortlist — 2017)
Publishers Weekly's Best Books of the Year (Mystery/Thriller — 2016)
NPR: Books We Love (2016)
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Adults (Selection — 2016)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2016-02-16
ISBN
0399583025 / 9780399583025