Sometimes, the public library can be the absolute best thing in the world. I had this novel on my Holds list and I knew I wasn’t due to read this novel for a long time. But as I was walking through my public library, with no intention of borrowing anything, I suddenly saw it on the shelf. No one was trying to get it, no one was searching for it. It was just lying there, as if it were waiting for me to pick it up. I held my breath the whole time I walked to the checkout counter, hoping that it wouldn’t say it was under reserve for someone else. AND IT WASN’T. So I happily went home and started to read. I put all other novels away and just focused on this one; it had my full attention from the start. And boy, was it worth all of the effort!
Jean Taylor’s husband has just died in a terrible accident, where a bus ran over him. At a time like this, a widow should be allowed to mourn in peace. But Jean is not just any widow. She is the widow of a man suspected to be a killer. Up until now, Jean has been the perfect wife, the supportive presence in the limelight that her husband needed, staying quiet and standing by him throughout all of the accusations. But now that he is gone, there is no reason for her to maintain her silence. And the world cannot wait to hear what she has to say.
After Gone Girl, I have been searching in vain for a book to match that caliber. And I think this book might be it. The Widow is a compulsive thriller that takes you on a journey from many different perspectives. You hear from the Widow (of course), the Inspector in charge of the case, and the main newspaper reporter. Through them, you see the different angles and effects that the crime has. Moreover, you cannot help but be curious about Jean Taylor. At first glance, she doesn’t seem like the type who can do anything on her own. But as you read the novel, you will find that she is more than what she seems. Throughout the novel, I was speculating whether the husband had actually committed the crime or not. I was just as tense as the police force during their entire investigative process. And I discovered a new-found respect for journalists. I can definitely understand why this book is so coveted by everyone; it is definitely worth reading, no matter how long the wait!
Happy reading ~