Customer Reviews

The Widow

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

THE WIDOW by Carla Neggers

December 31, 2007

Rating: 3/5 Stars

In THE WIDOW, Abigail Browning is a woman whose husband was murdered during their honeymoon. She has returned to the scene of the crime seven years later, after receiving anonymous phone calls leading her back to the island where they honeymooned. Abigail is now a detective, and is much more experienced than she had been when she was a young bride.

The story is set up through flashbacks and memories related to by other characters. While some readers may enjoy the story, I found it a bit convoluted, with too many characters giving a sense of a soap opera type of narrative. The ending seemed forced to me, although I was glad to finally find out "who dunnit". What I did like about the book was the near-gothic feel I got from the various story lines and the history behind the main characters, all who are tied up or related to the murder of Abigail's husband, as well as the death of another character's sister many years ago.

THE WIDOW isn't a bad read. However, readers shouldn't expect anything more than an average murder mystery on par with a TV series murder mystery.

In Mount Desert, Maine, FBI Special Agent Chris Browning and his wife Boston homicide detective Abigail are on their honeymoon when someone murders him. Seven years later, the homicide is unsolved and classified as a cold case by local authorities.

Thirtyish Abigail has not been able to find closure as long as her spouse's killer walks free. She decides she has waited too long so she resolves to return to the killing scene to investigate. She begins questioning locals starting with Owen Garrison, who had informed her that Chris was dead. Most of the locals offer nothing while the summer people offer less. However though emotionally dying with every step, Abigail refuses to back off even when someone tries to kill her.

THE WIDOW is a fabulous private investigative tale (Abigail may be a cop but she is on her own) in which the heroine seeks closure, but finds a myriad of plausible suspects instead. The Maine background adds to the feeling of New England stoic silence that seems to hammer at Abigail's inquiries. Though a romantic subplot with Owen seems more a throw in to fans of that genre, Carla Neggers provides a strong thriller.

Harriet Klausner

This is almost an old-time gothic romance, with murder, a mysterious caller, a wealthy hero, and an intrepid police detective set on an island. The characters are well-drawn, the plot twisting, and the ending not predictable. All in all, a very satisfying read, and the author ties up all the numerous plot lines. Well done!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading THE WIDOW this last weekend. The character of Abigail was particularly compelling, I was hooked from the opening scene! A great thriller from my favorite author!

This was my first book by the author and I was excited because she had been recommended by another author that I love. Maybe it was just this book but I was truly disappointed. She reminded me of Beverly Barton in that she really gives all the characters a lot if time in the book, but while Barton still manages to develop the main characters, this book didnt. Not only did you not get to know Owen and Abigail at all but their relationship was rushed and very little time was spent on it. The plot itself was ok but without main characters to carry it i was pretty bored.

I found this book to be a great suspense with a heart-wrenching plot. I was able to really get in to the heads of the characters and the author did a great job setting up place and time to make the story come alive. I also really enjoyed that it kept me guessing until the very end. Well done! It reminded of a recent release by Martha Powers called DEATH ANGEL, in which the mother of a murdered girl searches relentlessly for her child's killer despite deep deceptions and imminent danger. Also an emotional and thrilling read.

As with all of Ms Neggers books, it grabs you from the first and builds from there. I recommend this book to anyone that loves mystery and romance in the same book.

I bought this book for lack of a better choice at the airport book shop. While it made for a good airplane read, after arriving at my destination I had trouble motivating myself to finish it.

The book is slow and the ending is downright stupid. It seemed like the author had to find a way to end the book and tried to wrap everything up neatly, something she did not accomplish with great success. My first Carla Neggers' book and probably my last.

I couldn't put this book down. It was fabulous. I loved the whole atmosphere of Mt. Desert Island and Acadia in Maine. I thought it was suspenseful to the very end. The heroine was courageous and tenacious, and the "whodunit" kept me guessing. I read all of Carla's books, and I am never, ever disappointed. Fabulous read.

Ever since I discovered Carla Neggers I take one of her books when I go on vacation to the beach - it is a perfect beach read - loved the Widow and I am looking forward to reading Angel.