The Widow: A Novel
4.4 | 50,508 ratings
Price: 14.99
Last update: 02-02-2026
Product details
- ASIN : B0F12K22XQ
- Publisher : Doubleday
- Accessibility :
- Publication date : October 21, 2025
- Language : English
- File size : 2.8 MB
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 407 pages
- ISBN-13 : 978-0385548991
- Page Flip : Enabled
- Best Sellers Rank:#13 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- Legal Thrillers (Kindle Store)
- Legal Thrillers (Books)
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- Customer Reviews:4.44.4 out of 5 stars(24,142)
The Widow: A NovelTop reviews from the United States
- Barefoot in MiamiGreat book. Exciting ending. Buy itThis is a great story that kept my interest all the way through to an exciting ending. I am a fan of JG. His writing is excellent and the stories interesting. Up until I read The Widow, my favorite JG book was Camino Island. Now the two books are tied. I am a fifty year lawyer and could identify with a lot of the story and the emotions in it. A well written book with a story line that is carefully constructed. Will likely be a movie before too long. So buy the book and enjoy it.
- ncreaderNothing happens.... until the last 100 pagesI don't know what the big acclaim is all about for this novel. NOTHING happens for the first half. Simon goes to lunch with Eleanor. One of her step-sons shows up. Simon & his wife are getting a divorce. The kids are typical teenagers and adolescents. Yawn. I almost quit at the 50% mark. Started skimming for the next 25%. (I hate giving up on a book!) Finally, at the 75% mark, the trial started and the pace picked up and it gained some traction. Yes - a story at last! The verdict was unexpected, after all the red herrings regarding how the prosecution was not proving its case from Simon's lawyers point of view.
Then the real plot began, IMO. Hunting down the real killer was actually the best part of the book. New characters were introduced and they were actually interesting (unlike Paula and his kids).
Finally, the denouement, and my opinion of The Widow rose from 2 stars to 3.5 (not rounding up, however, as it was too much effort to get to the last 25%). But the overall pace and storyline was dull and uninteresting. - vegasbillA departure in some ways from previous Grisham novels but a very entertaining read overall.Simon Latch personifies the phrase, "Down on your luck". He is a struggling sole practitioner lawyer in a small town in Virginia with virtually no chance of making it big. His marriage is in shambles, his three children sense the problem, he is chronically short of money, he has a budding drinking problem and he gambles on sports beyond his means. The apparent solution to his money problems walks into his office one day in the form of a wealthy widow who needs a new will and an estate plan. As the book progresses we learn all is not as it seems with regard to the widow and it appears Simon is in for another major disappointment. Then the widow suddenly dies. It is determined she was poisoned and Simon is the logical murder suspect.
It is at this point the book differs from most Grisham novels in that the trial is not the focal point of the story. Rather Simon's search for the real killer is. This search involves Simon seeking help from old friends in the FBI, hiring "consultants" familiar with the underworld and computer hackers who delve into the deepest parts of the dark web.
Like most Grisham novels the book moves along at a good pace, the story is interesting and the supporting cast of characters is well drawn. The story is intriguing and believable. My only negative is Simon is a depressing character to the max as we see him dig himself deeper and deeper into one problem after another until he finally hits rock bottom. It was hard for me to read about someone who makes so many obvious bad decisions. - Don D.What a wonderful writer from book one to all that’s been written.John Grisham is one of the best writers of all times. I have every one of his books. I started reading his books a very long time ago starting with A Time To Kill. My husband went to school and got a Masters. I told him he should read some of his books he told me I’ve read enough while I was in school I’m done reading. I begged him to read The Reckoning I was sure he’d love it but it was a no go for him. He has watched all of his movies and absolutely loved them. I’ve tried to get The Reckoning on tape but not have been able to it’s alway gone. One day I know I’ll find it. I can’t wait for him to hear it. I started reading it and was done on the second day. John don’t ever quit writing. I’ve had so many people ask if I will leave my books to them when I pass away. I just tell them get in line. Thank you for such wonderful memories from each and everyone of your books. Thank you. Barbara
- Tom CravensEXCELLENT NOVEL!Another fine novel by John Grisham. U’ve read over 30 of his legal thrillers. He never fails to surprise me and keep me interested in his stories. He is a master storyteller! You won’t be disappointed.