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The Widows’ Detective Club #1
The Widows’ Guide to Murder
Ginny Cole doesn’t want to be a widow. She’d rather not be forcibly adopted by an opinionated black cat. And she’d give anything not to have just found the murdered body of her rude and dislikeable new boss…
So she’s as surprised as anyone to realise that she doesn’t hate being on the wrong side of the law, searching a graveyard for evidence in the company of three fellow widows, and doing a whole host of un-Ginny-like things in order to solve a fiendish mystery.
It was a bumpy start, but Ginny might even be starting to like her new life. Certainly well enough that when her sleuthing puts her too close for the killer’s comfort, she’ll do whatever it takes to hold onto it…
If you love Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, Robert Thorogood and The Thursday Murder Club mysteries, you’ll adore this charming cozy mystery full of page-turning twists and endearing characters.
So she’s as surprised as anyone to realise that she doesn’t hate being on the wrong side of the law, searching a graveyard for evidence in the company of three fellow widows, and doing a whole host of un-Ginny-like things in order to solve a fiendish mystery.
It was a bumpy start, but Ginny might even be starting to like her new life. Certainly well enough that when her sleuthing puts her too close for the killer’s comfort, she’ll do whatever it takes to hold onto it…
If you love Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, Robert Thorogood and The Thursday Murder Club mysteries, you’ll adore this charming cozy mystery full of page-turning twists and endearing characters.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 3, 2025
328 people are currently reading
905 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Ashby
27 books426 followersAmanda Ashby was born in Australia but now lives in New Zealand where she writes romance, young adult and middle grade books. She also works in a library, owns far too many vintage tablecloths and likes to delight her family by constantly rearranging the furniture.
She has a degree in English and Journalism from the University of Queensland and is married with two children. Her debut book was nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award, and her first young adult book was listed by the New York Public Libraryʼs Stuff for the Teen Age. Because she’s mysterious she also writes middle grade books under the name, Catherine Holt and hopes that all this writing won’t interfere with her Netflix schedule.
She also runs writing workshops and loves to speak to people about Buffy (er, she means writing). See her Website for more information.
She has a degree in English and Journalism from the University of Queensland and is married with two children. Her debut book was nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award, and her first young adult book was listed by the New York Public Libraryʼs Stuff for the Teen Age. Because she’s mysterious she also writes middle grade books under the name, Catherine Holt and hopes that all this writing won’t interfere with her Netflix schedule.
She also runs writing workshops and loves to speak to people about Buffy (er, she means writing). See her Website for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 264 reviews
March 16, 2025
EXCERPT: At the surgery she'd always been so in control. And even though each day had brought new challenges, the overall running of the place had been as smooth as clockwork, with no real surprises.
She'd only worked at the library for one day and already felt off-kilter.
Still, there wasn't much else she could do. Eric used to tease her that she was a person who finished what they started. And he was right. So, even if she was about to be fired, at least she would have seen it through.
She turned the handle and stepped inside.
The lights were on, the low hum of the computer suggesting it was in sleep mode. The tall shelves were lined with new books, and a stepladder was lying on the ground. And there, in the middle of the floor, was Louisa Farnsworth, half covered in a pile of books, the pages spread out like birds ready to take flight.
The Lee Childs everyone had been waiting for.
ABOUT 'THE WIDOWS' GUIDE TO MURDER': Ginny Cole doesn’t want to be a widow. She’d rather not be forcibly adopted by an opinionated black cat. And she’d give anything not to have just found the murdered body of her rude and dislikeable new boss…
So she’s as surprised as anyone to realise that she doesn’t hate being on the wrong side of the law, searching a graveyard for evidence in the company of three fellow widows, and doing a whole host of un-Ginny-like things in order to solve a fiendish mystery.
It was a bumpy start, but Ginny might even be starting to like her new life. Certainly well enough that when her sleuthing puts her too close for the killer’s comfort, she’ll do whatever it takes to hold onto it…
MY THOUGHTS: I loved meeting Ginny and the other widows on their hunt for a murderer as they try and clear the name of Alyson, the daughter of one of the widows, who seems to be the prime suspect.
The Widows' Guide to Murder is the first book in a new series that promises to be full of fun and intrigue. Finding a dead body and collaborating to try to solve a murder must be the strangest way to make friends that I have ever heard of. Even worse - Ginny, an ardent rule follower, has capiophobia - the fear of being arrested and thrown in prison - and some of the things that the widows get up aren't exactly legal! To make things worse, her new neighbor is DI Wallace, the man in charge of the case and he is not particularly impressed with the widows' interference.
Each of the widows has a unique personality and I am looking forward to seeing how their characters develop in the next book, The Widows' Guide to Backstabbing.
A fun and easy read.
⭐⭐⭐.8
#TheWidowsGuidetoMurder #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: Amanda Ashby was born in Australia but now lives in New Zealand where she writes romance, young adult and middle grade books. She also works in a library, owns far too many vintage tablecloths and likes to delight her family by constantly rearranging the furniture.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Storm Publishing via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of The Widows' Guide to Murder by Amanda Ashby for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
She'd only worked at the library for one day and already felt off-kilter.
Still, there wasn't much else she could do. Eric used to tease her that she was a person who finished what they started. And he was right. So, even if she was about to be fired, at least she would have seen it through.
She turned the handle and stepped inside.
The lights were on, the low hum of the computer suggesting it was in sleep mode. The tall shelves were lined with new books, and a stepladder was lying on the ground. And there, in the middle of the floor, was Louisa Farnsworth, half covered in a pile of books, the pages spread out like birds ready to take flight.
The Lee Childs everyone had been waiting for.
ABOUT 'THE WIDOWS' GUIDE TO MURDER': Ginny Cole doesn’t want to be a widow. She’d rather not be forcibly adopted by an opinionated black cat. And she’d give anything not to have just found the murdered body of her rude and dislikeable new boss…
So she’s as surprised as anyone to realise that she doesn’t hate being on the wrong side of the law, searching a graveyard for evidence in the company of three fellow widows, and doing a whole host of un-Ginny-like things in order to solve a fiendish mystery.
It was a bumpy start, but Ginny might even be starting to like her new life. Certainly well enough that when her sleuthing puts her too close for the killer’s comfort, she’ll do whatever it takes to hold onto it…
MY THOUGHTS: I loved meeting Ginny and the other widows on their hunt for a murderer as they try and clear the name of Alyson, the daughter of one of the widows, who seems to be the prime suspect.
The Widows' Guide to Murder is the first book in a new series that promises to be full of fun and intrigue. Finding a dead body and collaborating to try to solve a murder must be the strangest way to make friends that I have ever heard of. Even worse - Ginny, an ardent rule follower, has capiophobia - the fear of being arrested and thrown in prison - and some of the things that the widows get up aren't exactly legal! To make things worse, her new neighbor is DI Wallace, the man in charge of the case and he is not particularly impressed with the widows' interference.
Each of the widows has a unique personality and I am looking forward to seeing how their characters develop in the next book, The Widows' Guide to Backstabbing.
A fun and easy read.
⭐⭐⭐.8
#TheWidowsGuidetoMurder #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: Amanda Ashby was born in Australia but now lives in New Zealand where she writes romance, young adult and middle grade books. She also works in a library, owns far too many vintage tablecloths and likes to delight her family by constantly rearranging the furniture.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Storm Publishing via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of The Widows' Guide to Murder by Amanda Ashby for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
March 4, 2025
This was a great story about Ginny Cole, recently widowed and struggling to live an independent life. She finds herself a job as a library assistant only to discover her boss murdered shortly after starting the job. Ginny manages to be adopted into a group of widows and their search for the murderer begins, up to and including digging up a grave in the middle of the night!
This is a fun book, very well written and a really good read. I had not read her before and it turns out she is an Aussie author and she has written heaps of books. There is already a follow up to this book which I must get hold of.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This is a fun book, very well written and a really good read. I had not read her before and it turns out she is an Aussie author and she has written heaps of books. There is already a follow up to this book which I must get hold of.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
August 8, 2025
After the death of her beloved husband, Ginny Cole, is left with no choice but to start over. She's heartbroken and misses him dearly, but it cannot be changed.
What is going to change is Ginny's life. She decides to move to the village of Little Shaw for her fresh start, and she needs to get a job. She's happy, though also nervous, when she ends up securing a position as a librarian's assistant.
She's never worked at a library before, but she loves to read and it seems like it could be a fun and fulfilling job. Her unlikable new boss, Louisa, is startlingly rude, but Ginny just supposes that's something she will have to get used to.
At least the volunteers seem lovely, and she imagines she'll fit in with time. Her hopes of an easy transition are nixed though, when on her second-day on the job she discovers a dead body in the library. Now Ginny finds herself thrust head-first into local scandals and secrets.
She ends up being approached and befriended by a small group of local widows, feisty and full of fun, the lot of them, who take Ginny under their wing and start to include her in their activities.
Of course, their current activity is getting to the bottom of this murder mystery. One of the widows, her daughter, Alyson, is currently the prime suspect. The women know she's not guilty, meaning the killer is still out there, and they plan to find them.
This is such a strong start to a new Cozy Mystery series. This main character, Ginny, is definitely one I could picture myself enjoying for many books to come. Bonus points: in this book, she adopts an adorably-cheeky black cat that she names, Edgar. He's so cute!
I loved the friend group that Ginny gets brought into as well. They all know what it's like to be in her shoes, and I think she found strength in their friendship. It was incredibly healing for Ginny and she really needed that.
Ginny's character arc was very well done. Watching her coming into her own, I'm definitely looking forward to more of that as the series continues.
There's also a teenage volunteer, Connor, who I hope is a recurring character in the series. I feel like he and Ginny could end up having a sort of grandparent/child relationship and it's so sweet to read about.
I enjoyed how Ginny is new to town, so you get to learn all about the townsfolk at the same time she does. It makes it feel really natural. I also appreciated how logical Ginny is in such a realistic way. She doesn't have OTT-powers of deductive reasoning like some sleuths.
While I had a few issues at the conclusion, overall, I adored this. The library, the cat, the hilarious group of widows; well played, Amanda Ashby. I'm looking forward to more!!
I would definitely recommend this to Cozy Mystery fans who love small town settings and slightly older protagonists. Full of humor and heart, this one shouldn't be missed.
Thank you so much, Storm Publishing, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the next book soon!
What is going to change is Ginny's life. She decides to move to the village of Little Shaw for her fresh start, and she needs to get a job. She's happy, though also nervous, when she ends up securing a position as a librarian's assistant.
She's never worked at a library before, but she loves to read and it seems like it could be a fun and fulfilling job. Her unlikable new boss, Louisa, is startlingly rude, but Ginny just supposes that's something she will have to get used to.
At least the volunteers seem lovely, and she imagines she'll fit in with time. Her hopes of an easy transition are nixed though, when on her second-day on the job she discovers a dead body in the library. Now Ginny finds herself thrust head-first into local scandals and secrets.
She ends up being approached and befriended by a small group of local widows, feisty and full of fun, the lot of them, who take Ginny under their wing and start to include her in their activities.
Of course, their current activity is getting to the bottom of this murder mystery. One of the widows, her daughter, Alyson, is currently the prime suspect. The women know she's not guilty, meaning the killer is still out there, and they plan to find them.
This is such a strong start to a new Cozy Mystery series. This main character, Ginny, is definitely one I could picture myself enjoying for many books to come. Bonus points: in this book, she adopts an adorably-cheeky black cat that she names, Edgar. He's so cute!
I loved the friend group that Ginny gets brought into as well. They all know what it's like to be in her shoes, and I think she found strength in their friendship. It was incredibly healing for Ginny and she really needed that.
Ginny's character arc was very well done. Watching her coming into her own, I'm definitely looking forward to more of that as the series continues.
There's also a teenage volunteer, Connor, who I hope is a recurring character in the series. I feel like he and Ginny could end up having a sort of grandparent/child relationship and it's so sweet to read about.
I enjoyed how Ginny is new to town, so you get to learn all about the townsfolk at the same time she does. It makes it feel really natural. I also appreciated how logical Ginny is in such a realistic way. She doesn't have OTT-powers of deductive reasoning like some sleuths.
While I had a few issues at the conclusion, overall, I adored this. The library, the cat, the hilarious group of widows; well played, Amanda Ashby. I'm looking forward to more!!
I would definitely recommend this to Cozy Mystery fans who love small town settings and slightly older protagonists. Full of humor and heart, this one shouldn't be missed.
Thank you so much, Storm Publishing, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the next book soon!
March 5, 2025
This is the first book from Amanda Ashby that I have read, I will need to rectify that and soon, I loved this one from start to finish getting to know Ginny Cole and the widows she has met when she moves to the village of Little Shaw, come a long and meet the Ladies you are sure to be kept thinking.
When Ginny loses her dear husband, Eric she follows the plan they had for retirement and moves to middle cottage in Little Shaw here she decides that getting a job will be needed and before she knows it she is hired as library assistant at the local parish library where her boss Louisa is not a very nice person, her second day on the job she discovers Louisa’s body and here starts her sleuthing never realising that it was something that she would get into making friends with three other widows, Hen, Tuppence and JD together they make a formidable team and Ginny is soon doing things she never thought she would and what’s more getting on the wrong side of the law and pushing the Detectives buttons along the way.
It takes a bit, but Ginny is soon settling in to her new life in Little Shaw and loving her new friends and the cat Edgar who has adopted and her job at the library, as well as uncovering murderers, this is such a well written cosy mystery that had me thinking all the way through I was cheering Ginny and the widows on as they uncovered secrets and did their best to save lives.
This is the start of a new series and it is one that I would highly recommend, I loved it and book two is realeasing very soon, can’t wait to read it.
My thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for my digital copy to read and review.
When Ginny loses her dear husband, Eric she follows the plan they had for retirement and moves to middle cottage in Little Shaw here she decides that getting a job will be needed and before she knows it she is hired as library assistant at the local parish library where her boss Louisa is not a very nice person, her second day on the job she discovers Louisa’s body and here starts her sleuthing never realising that it was something that she would get into making friends with three other widows, Hen, Tuppence and JD together they make a formidable team and Ginny is soon doing things she never thought she would and what’s more getting on the wrong side of the law and pushing the Detectives buttons along the way.
It takes a bit, but Ginny is soon settling in to her new life in Little Shaw and loving her new friends and the cat Edgar who has adopted and her job at the library, as well as uncovering murderers, this is such a well written cosy mystery that had me thinking all the way through I was cheering Ginny and the widows on as they uncovered secrets and did their best to save lives.
This is the start of a new series and it is one that I would highly recommend, I loved it and book two is realeasing very soon, can’t wait to read it.
My thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for my digital copy to read and review.
February 25, 2025
This sounded like a fun, cozy mystery to me so I picked it up. This is the first book in The Widows' Detective Club series, and it is always good to get in on the first of a series. Amanda Ashby is a new author for me.
Description:
Ginny Cole doesn’t want to be a widow. She’d rather not be forcibly adopted by an opinionated black cat. And she’d give anything not to have just found the murdered body of her rude and dislikeable new boss…
So she’s as surprised as anyone to realise that she doesn’t hate being on the wrong side of the law, searching a graveyard for evidence in the company of three fellow widows, and doing a whole host of un-Ginny-like things in order to solve a fiendish mystery.
It was a bumpy start, but Ginny might even be starting to like her new life. Certainly well enough that when her sleuthing puts her too close for the killer’s comfort, she’ll do whatever it takes to hold onto it…
My Thoughts:
Ginny moved to a new town after her husband died. She want to work at a library, but her boss was found dead at the library not long after she started work. Soon Ginny meets three other widows and befriends them. These women are hilarious and it was fun to follow their antics as they try to figure out who murdered the librarian. I enjoyed the book and think anyone who likes a cozy filled with humor will enjoy this one.
Thanks to Storm Publishing through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Description:
Ginny Cole doesn’t want to be a widow. She’d rather not be forcibly adopted by an opinionated black cat. And she’d give anything not to have just found the murdered body of her rude and dislikeable new boss…
So she’s as surprised as anyone to realise that she doesn’t hate being on the wrong side of the law, searching a graveyard for evidence in the company of three fellow widows, and doing a whole host of un-Ginny-like things in order to solve a fiendish mystery.
It was a bumpy start, but Ginny might even be starting to like her new life. Certainly well enough that when her sleuthing puts her too close for the killer’s comfort, she’ll do whatever it takes to hold onto it…
My Thoughts:
Ginny moved to a new town after her husband died. She want to work at a library, but her boss was found dead at the library not long after she started work. Soon Ginny meets three other widows and befriends them. These women are hilarious and it was fun to follow their antics as they try to figure out who murdered the librarian. I enjoyed the book and think anyone who likes a cozy filled with humor will enjoy this one.
Thanks to Storm Publishing through Netgalley for an advance copy.
April 25, 2025
The vibes in this book are 🤌🏼 It has all the small-town cosy mystery feels.
From the first chapter, I was hooked on this story! Instantly loving Ginny, the MFC. Ginny is a 60-year old widow; she doesn’t want to be a widow. Nevertheless, she packs up her bags and moves to the quaint village of Little Shaw, also starting a new part-time job at the community library. What she expects is the quiet-life. What she gets is somewhat different….
Ginny turns up to her second day at work to find the librarian dead. Ginny suspects poisoning.
Next came a note:
‘We need to talk, but there are too many eyes on us.
Meet us at TLG (The Lost Goat bar) at 5pm.
All will be revealed.’
Ginny quickly befriends a small group of local widows - Hen, JM and Tuppence. Oh, and she also becomes adopted by a stray black cat. Ginny and the quirky trio become amateur sleuths, determined to uncover the hidden truths within the small community...
This was a fun and fast-paced murder mystery with plenty of twists and turns; it kept me guessing until the very end! It was also very funny in places and had me laughing out loud. I particularly loved the quirky, charming, and very memorable characters. And, the library setting was just the cherry on top of this fantastic, gossip-filled story.
The Widows' Guide to Murder is the first book in a series and I can’t wait to get my hands on the second book - The Widows' Guide to Backstabbing.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
From the first chapter, I was hooked on this story! Instantly loving Ginny, the MFC. Ginny is a 60-year old widow; she doesn’t want to be a widow. Nevertheless, she packs up her bags and moves to the quaint village of Little Shaw, also starting a new part-time job at the community library. What she expects is the quiet-life. What she gets is somewhat different….
Ginny turns up to her second day at work to find the librarian dead. Ginny suspects poisoning.
Next came a note:
‘We need to talk, but there are too many eyes on us.
Meet us at TLG (The Lost Goat bar) at 5pm.
All will be revealed.’
Ginny quickly befriends a small group of local widows - Hen, JM and Tuppence. Oh, and she also becomes adopted by a stray black cat. Ginny and the quirky trio become amateur sleuths, determined to uncover the hidden truths within the small community...
This was a fun and fast-paced murder mystery with plenty of twists and turns; it kept me guessing until the very end! It was also very funny in places and had me laughing out loud. I particularly loved the quirky, charming, and very memorable characters. And, the library setting was just the cherry on top of this fantastic, gossip-filled story.
The Widows' Guide to Murder is the first book in a series and I can’t wait to get my hands on the second book - The Widows' Guide to Backstabbing.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
March 1, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced e-book copy.
The Widows’ Guide to Murder by Amanda Ashby was a hoot! Ginny Cole moved to Little Shaw Village shortly after her husband passed away. She lived a quiet life until she discovered the murdered body of Luisa Farnsworth.
Ginny’s life quickly turns chaotic, but manages to make friends in the process. Like Ginny, they’re all widows. They come together and form the Widows’ Detective Club.
I thoroughly enjoyed the widows coming together and causing trouble. These amateur sleuths often find themselves in crazy predicaments, and they quickly realize they’re way in over their heads. The author threw me for a loop just when I thought I had it figured out! This cozy mystery will keep you guessing until the very end.
The Widows’ Guide to Murder by Amanda Ashby was a hoot! Ginny Cole moved to Little Shaw Village shortly after her husband passed away. She lived a quiet life until she discovered the murdered body of Luisa Farnsworth.
Ginny’s life quickly turns chaotic, but manages to make friends in the process. Like Ginny, they’re all widows. They come together and form the Widows’ Detective Club.
I thoroughly enjoyed the widows coming together and causing trouble. These amateur sleuths often find themselves in crazy predicaments, and they quickly realize they’re way in over their heads. The author threw me for a loop just when I thought I had it figured out! This cozy mystery will keep you guessing until the very end.
February 15, 2025
I received a free copy of, The Widows' Guide to Murder, by Amanda Ashby, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book in The Widows Detective Club series. Ginny is a widow, and now she is also a crime solver. With the help of her widow friends, they are going to solve murders. I liked this cozy murder mystery.
August 9, 2025
4.5★s
The Widows’ Guide To Murder is the first book in the Widows’ Detective Club series by Australian-born New Zealand author, Amanda Ashby. Less than a year widowed, sixty-year-old Ginny Cole has moved from Bristol to the retirement cottage she and Eric had planned in the Lancashire village of Little Shaw. But she’s having second thoughts about taking the job at the community-run library: her manager, Louisa Farnsworth is really unpleasant, nasty to just about everyone.
Arriving for her shift on her second day, a shock awaits: Louisa’s dead body in the library’s office. After telling the police what she can, including an observation pointing to the cause of death, Ginny goes home to Middle Cottage, at a loose end. She considers making jam from the damsons on her rude young neighbour’s tree, and ends up adopting a stray cat.
At the village grocery store, needing cat food, she encounters a trio of widows whose main concern seems to be the impending arrest of the shopkeeper, Alyson Farnsworth, ex-wife of the newly-widowed Bernard Farnsworth, and daughter of one of the trio. With no intention of getting involved, she’s somehow searching the library stacks for incriminating evidence, trying to subtly interrogate villagers who might know more, and attracting the ire of that young neighbour, who turns out to be DI James Wallace. His opinion of her new friends: “nosy civilians with more grey hair than wit”.
Ginny’s investigations cast doubt on two earlier deaths in the village, and it looks like corruption and embezzlement are rife, even in Little Shaw. Before the case is solved and the guilty are brought to justice, there’s another murder, and two attempted murders. Ginny never thought she’d be digging up a grave, saving a man from burning to death, and trying to stop a not-so-innocent woman from being murdered.
Ashby gives the reader plenty of red herrings and distractions to keep them guessing and the pages turning right up to the dramatic climax. The widows are a quirky bunch: an avid knitter, an almost-lawyer, and an expert on many things courtesy of YouTube. More of this cast in The Widows’ Guide to Backstabbing will be most welcome. A very enjoyable cosy.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Storm Publishing.
The Widows’ Guide To Murder is the first book in the Widows’ Detective Club series by Australian-born New Zealand author, Amanda Ashby. Less than a year widowed, sixty-year-old Ginny Cole has moved from Bristol to the retirement cottage she and Eric had planned in the Lancashire village of Little Shaw. But she’s having second thoughts about taking the job at the community-run library: her manager, Louisa Farnsworth is really unpleasant, nasty to just about everyone.
Arriving for her shift on her second day, a shock awaits: Louisa’s dead body in the library’s office. After telling the police what she can, including an observation pointing to the cause of death, Ginny goes home to Middle Cottage, at a loose end. She considers making jam from the damsons on her rude young neighbour’s tree, and ends up adopting a stray cat.
At the village grocery store, needing cat food, she encounters a trio of widows whose main concern seems to be the impending arrest of the shopkeeper, Alyson Farnsworth, ex-wife of the newly-widowed Bernard Farnsworth, and daughter of one of the trio. With no intention of getting involved, she’s somehow searching the library stacks for incriminating evidence, trying to subtly interrogate villagers who might know more, and attracting the ire of that young neighbour, who turns out to be DI James Wallace. His opinion of her new friends: “nosy civilians with more grey hair than wit”.
Ginny’s investigations cast doubt on two earlier deaths in the village, and it looks like corruption and embezzlement are rife, even in Little Shaw. Before the case is solved and the guilty are brought to justice, there’s another murder, and two attempted murders. Ginny never thought she’d be digging up a grave, saving a man from burning to death, and trying to stop a not-so-innocent woman from being murdered.
Ashby gives the reader plenty of red herrings and distractions to keep them guessing and the pages turning right up to the dramatic climax. The widows are a quirky bunch: an avid knitter, an almost-lawyer, and an expert on many things courtesy of YouTube. More of this cast in The Widows’ Guide to Backstabbing will be most welcome. A very enjoyable cosy.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Storm Publishing.
January 26, 2025
Let me preface this review by stating that as I age, I'm comforted by the fact that after I am widowed, I can buy a spunky pet, befriend other sassy geriatrics and start amateur sleuthing my way through countries. These books give me hope!!
I have been on a cozy mystery kick and this one is highly recommended if you like the genre!
Ginny Cole has found herself widowed, owner of an unexpectedly rude cat and in the middle of a murder mystery. She is investigating a murder while trying to clear the name of a comrades daughter. She is doing this as she adjusts to the changes in her life, and I found her character quite inspiring and realistic.
Together, with a ragtag group of retirees, Ginny takes us on a little adventure, and I enjoyed it greatly!
My first read by Amanda Ashby, I look forward to more in this series!
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review prior to it's March 2025 release date.
I have been on a cozy mystery kick and this one is highly recommended if you like the genre!
Ginny Cole has found herself widowed, owner of an unexpectedly rude cat and in the middle of a murder mystery. She is investigating a murder while trying to clear the name of a comrades daughter. She is doing this as she adjusts to the changes in her life, and I found her character quite inspiring and realistic.
Together, with a ragtag group of retirees, Ginny takes us on a little adventure, and I enjoyed it greatly!
My first read by Amanda Ashby, I look forward to more in this series!
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review prior to it's March 2025 release date.
April 16, 2025
This was a fun and entertaining read. I do love cozy mysteries set in charming little villages and if there is a bunch of elderly ladies trying to solve couple of murders while multitasking with their other hobbies, then its like a cherry on the cake. And to top it all off, this book even has a library as its murder venue. I mean, what can go wrong with this combination, right?
Ginny Cole has started her new job as a library assistant in the village of Little Shaw and she's just settling in her job and new place while coping with the loss of her dear husband. Her boss, Louisa, is a demanding and generally disliked by all the villagers. Ginny's hope for a tranquil life goes for a toss when she is the first person to discover the dead body of her boss in the library office. Ginny gets right in the middle of the whole investigation when three widows- JM, Hen and Tuppence take Ginny under their wing. As Hen's daughter is the prime suspect in the case, the widows' club is doing everything they can to uncover the real murderer before things go down south.
The murder plot is well crafted and though I did guess the identity of the killer(I am getting better with this now!!!) there were enough twists to keep me glued to the book. I loved Ginny's character and her compulsion to be on right side of law(which I find kind of relatable) but hope to read more about the other widows in the next books.
Ginny Cole has started her new job as a library assistant in the village of Little Shaw and she's just settling in her job and new place while coping with the loss of her dear husband. Her boss, Louisa, is a demanding and generally disliked by all the villagers. Ginny's hope for a tranquil life goes for a toss when she is the first person to discover the dead body of her boss in the library office. Ginny gets right in the middle of the whole investigation when three widows- JM, Hen and Tuppence take Ginny under their wing. As Hen's daughter is the prime suspect in the case, the widows' club is doing everything they can to uncover the real murderer before things go down south.
The murder plot is well crafted and though I did guess the identity of the killer(I am getting better with this now!!!) there were enough twists to keep me glued to the book. I loved Ginny's character and her compulsion to be on right side of law(which I find kind of relatable) but hope to read more about the other widows in the next books.
March 18, 2025
I bought this based on reviews by other readers, but I was not satisfied with the plotting, characters or writing. Too bad.
February 3, 2025
I was on the hunt for my next cozy mystery—something light, fun, and just the right amount of murder (because who doesn’t love a little crime with their bubble tea?).
Enters The Widow’s Guide to Murder by Amanda Ashby, an ARC that practically fell into my hands at the perfect time (A big thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for that). And let me tell you, Amanda Ashby delivered.
Ginny Cole is having a time.
Widowhood? Check.
Unwanted adoption by a judgmental black cat? Check.
Finding the dead body of her incredibly rude boss? *Big* check.
Honestly, at this point, I’d be demanding a refund on life.
But instead of curling up with a bottle of wine (which, no judgment if she had), Ginny gets pulled into a murder investigation alongside three fellow widows, some graveyard snooping, and a surprising knack for bending the law.
Ashby’s writing is effortlessly charming, blending humor, heart, and just enough intrigue to keep the pages turning. Ginny is the kind of protagonist you instantly connect with—relatable, a little overwhelmed, but sharper than she gives herself credit for.
The pacing is spot-on, the twists sneak up on you in the best way, and the overall vibe is like a warm hug… with a side of crime-solving.
And let’s not forget the real star of the show—the cat, definitely the opinionated feline who steals scenes like it is it's job.
Final verdict? A delightful, clever, and highly entertaining read. 4/5 stars, and I *need* more Ginny in my life ASAP.
Enters The Widow’s Guide to Murder by Amanda Ashby, an ARC that practically fell into my hands at the perfect time (A big thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for that). And let me tell you, Amanda Ashby delivered.
Ginny Cole is having a time.
Widowhood? Check.
Unwanted adoption by a judgmental black cat? Check.
Finding the dead body of her incredibly rude boss? *Big* check.
Honestly, at this point, I’d be demanding a refund on life.
But instead of curling up with a bottle of wine (which, no judgment if she had), Ginny gets pulled into a murder investigation alongside three fellow widows, some graveyard snooping, and a surprising knack for bending the law.
Ashby’s writing is effortlessly charming, blending humor, heart, and just enough intrigue to keep the pages turning. Ginny is the kind of protagonist you instantly connect with—relatable, a little overwhelmed, but sharper than she gives herself credit for.
The pacing is spot-on, the twists sneak up on you in the best way, and the overall vibe is like a warm hug… with a side of crime-solving.
And let’s not forget the real star of the show—the cat, definitely the opinionated feline who steals scenes like it is it's job.
Final verdict? A delightful, clever, and highly entertaining read. 4/5 stars, and I *need* more Ginny in my life ASAP.
May 16, 2025
This is the first book in The Widow’s Detective Club series and what a great start to the series.
I didn’t know anything about this book when I picked it up and sometimes I feel that’s the best way to read a book as you have no expectations. An enjoyable cosy mystery which I thoroughly enjoyed. Looking forward to the next book in the series. With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review. Recommended.
I didn’t know anything about this book when I picked it up and sometimes I feel that’s the best way to read a book as you have no expectations. An enjoyable cosy mystery which I thoroughly enjoyed. Looking forward to the next book in the series. With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review. Recommended.
March 5, 2025
I was in a weird book slump, and I couldn’t get into several books that I had been excited about. I randomly decided to pick this one up, and it stuck! I think I needed something easy but that kept my attention. And this one did that! I wasn’t a huge fun of any of the widows. I think if I had loved their characters, I would have loved this book more. But the mystery itself was not one I could easily solve, and so I’m definitely rounding up because of that.
If you’re looking for an easy, cozy mystery novel, this one’s got your name on it!
3.5/5 rounded up
If you’re looking for an easy, cozy mystery novel, this one’s got your name on it!
3.5/5 rounded up
January 26, 2025
Ginny Cole is new to the village of Little Shaw, she’s also the new library assistant, and, most upsetting of all, she's newly widowed. While the village is everything she and late husband, Eric had hoped for, the job has its problems, and widowhood isn't something she'd planned for at all! When she discovers a dead body in the library it sets in motion a chain of events which introduces her to three ladies, also widows, who take her under their wing and involve her in activities she definitely would have avoided pre Little Shaw!
Book one in Amanda Ashby's new series is an easy and fun read with red herrings and twists and turns aplenty all of which I thoroughly enjoyed. Ginny is a relatable and quite complex character, which is good as there is plenty of potential for the forthcoming series. The three other widows are all likeable, and her next-door neighbour's identity is inspired. I look forward to seeing what everyone gets up to next, -which is lucky as the second book is also released this month.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Storm Publishing, but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a good series starter and easy to recommend. 3.75 rounded up to 4*
Book one in Amanda Ashby's new series is an easy and fun read with red herrings and twists and turns aplenty all of which I thoroughly enjoyed. Ginny is a relatable and quite complex character, which is good as there is plenty of potential for the forthcoming series. The three other widows are all likeable, and her next-door neighbour's identity is inspired. I look forward to seeing what everyone gets up to next, -which is lucky as the second book is also released this month.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Storm Publishing, but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a good series starter and easy to recommend. 3.75 rounded up to 4*
July 2, 2025
Crotchety librarian gets clapped and an intuitive black cat gets a new loving home. 4-stars.
February 14, 2025
The Widows’ Guide to Murder is a palate cleanser - a lighthearted and entertaining cosy mystery.
The main character is a likable older woman who, despite preferring a quiet life, finds herself drawn into a murder investigation. I enjoyed following her as she stepped outside her comfort zone and battled with grief. Her inner thoughts made her growth feel genuine.
One of the highlights of the book was the cozy atmosphere, particularly the library setting and, of course, the inclusion of a stray cat - because cats and books are always a winning combination. The humor and camaraderie among the main characters added to the novel’s charm, making it an easy and enjoyable read.
That said, the book had some drawbacks. The sheer number of side characters made things a bit confusing at times, and some of the twists and interactions felt overly far-fetched. While the story is set in Britain, aside from the abundance of tea, it didn’t always feel distinctly British. The pacing was steady for the most part but slowed down considerably toward the end, making the resolution feel a bit drawn out.
A thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.
The main character is a likable older woman who, despite preferring a quiet life, finds herself drawn into a murder investigation. I enjoyed following her as she stepped outside her comfort zone and battled with grief. Her inner thoughts made her growth feel genuine.
One of the highlights of the book was the cozy atmosphere, particularly the library setting and, of course, the inclusion of a stray cat - because cats and books are always a winning combination. The humor and camaraderie among the main characters added to the novel’s charm, making it an easy and enjoyable read.
That said, the book had some drawbacks. The sheer number of side characters made things a bit confusing at times, and some of the twists and interactions felt overly far-fetched. While the story is set in Britain, aside from the abundance of tea, it didn’t always feel distinctly British. The pacing was steady for the most part but slowed down considerably toward the end, making the resolution feel a bit drawn out.
A thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.
March 21, 2025
3 1/2 stars, but rounded up, partly because I could only get the audiobook version via Hoopla and I find that app to be lacking in features. Also, the narrator was slightly hard for me to understand, and there were a lot of characters, which made it hard for me to keep up with the storyline at times.
I was hoping for something like the Thursday Murder Club series to keep me going until the next one comes out. But in my opinion, this was not nearly as well done, although perhaps it was more realistic. But I personally just really love the humor in the Thursday gang. However, this series is promising, and perhaps will develop into something more as we all get to know the characters better.
I was hoping for something like the Thursday Murder Club series to keep me going until the next one comes out. But in my opinion, this was not nearly as well done, although perhaps it was more realistic. But I personally just really love the humor in the Thursday gang. However, this series is promising, and perhaps will develop into something more as we all get to know the characters better.
August 4, 2025
The mystery and whodunit aspect of this book was PHENOMENAL! I did not see the culprit coming for a thousand miles away and the way the book unfolded to reveal the series of events was masterful. 5⭐ all the way!
July 29, 2025
black cat supremacy
February 9, 2025
Whenever I’m in the mood for a cozy read, senior citizens solving murder mysteries (not because they’re qualified, but because they’re stubborn and nosey) will always be perfect. I liked the characters, the mystery and all the clues were well thought out, and overall it was very well written.
July 7, 2025
3.5★ I really enjoyed the characters in this one. It was a fun read.
June 10, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and the Editor. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
3.5 stars
This is a nice and fun read, a good book to spend some hours with, and a great choice if you want to take a break, or if you are in the mood for something nice and quick, but with a good mystery to it and some interesting characters.
I liked the older MCs, Ginny is trying to make herself a new life, and she meets a lot of interesting people, that's for sure. But my favorite was his neighbor, Wallace. He is also a detective, and I think his patience knows no bounds.
The group of older MCs, all of them widows, was nice to follow around, and this book has all you can ask from this genre: a small town setting, a mystery that is intriguing, and a group of older people ready to make some shenanigans and to investigate the murder.
I had fun with it, even if I am starting to have some problems with amateur sleuth. I love them when there is some plausibility to why they are investigating, but it is not always the case; more often than not, it's just because the people think that the police are not doing their job, without reason. And this is one of those. You just have to suspend your disbelief a lot, and I am not so happy about that.
But all things considered, it wasn't so bad, and I had fun!
3.5 stars
This is a nice and fun read, a good book to spend some hours with, and a great choice if you want to take a break, or if you are in the mood for something nice and quick, but with a good mystery to it and some interesting characters.
I liked the older MCs, Ginny is trying to make herself a new life, and she meets a lot of interesting people, that's for sure. But my favorite was his neighbor, Wallace. He is also a detective, and I think his patience knows no bounds.
The group of older MCs, all of them widows, was nice to follow around, and this book has all you can ask from this genre: a small town setting, a mystery that is intriguing, and a group of older people ready to make some shenanigans and to investigate the murder.
I had fun with it, even if I am starting to have some problems with amateur sleuth. I love them when there is some plausibility to why they are investigating, but it is not always the case; more often than not, it's just because the people think that the police are not doing their job, without reason. And this is one of those. You just have to suspend your disbelief a lot, and I am not so happy about that.
But all things considered, it wasn't so bad, and I had fun!
March 19, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the Arc.
This brought me out of my reading slump! For the past few months I have been so busy and could not for the life of me pick up or finish any of my books until now.
This novel follows Ginny, a widow who recently moved into a quaint little town. Wanting to become more independent, she decides to get a job. She gets hired as a library assistant at the community library, only to hate her employer. It seems no one else in the town liked her boss either as she ended up dead soon after. Soon, Ginny and her new widow friends meddle and solve the crime.
I really liked Ginny, I think she’s a great character and super interesting. She’s not particularly complicated but she has some depth for a cozy mystery. The book was also very easy to read and I finished it in about three sittings, but only because I am still quite busy. You can easily finish this in one day.
This brought me out of my reading slump! For the past few months I have been so busy and could not for the life of me pick up or finish any of my books until now.
This novel follows Ginny, a widow who recently moved into a quaint little town. Wanting to become more independent, she decides to get a job. She gets hired as a library assistant at the community library, only to hate her employer. It seems no one else in the town liked her boss either as she ended up dead soon after. Soon, Ginny and her new widow friends meddle and solve the crime.
I really liked Ginny, I think she’s a great character and super interesting. She’s not particularly complicated but she has some depth for a cozy mystery. The book was also very easy to read and I finished it in about three sittings, but only because I am still quite busy. You can easily finish this in one day.
March 12, 2025
I was a little apprehensive going into this one. Sometimes, when you have elderly sleuths in cozies, it tends to get a little silly and is short on substance. That is not the case with this series and I loved it! The characters are quirky but well-developed and have common sense (except the whole not having the cell phone with you at all times but that’s quickly remedied), and the setting is quaint and welcoming. Besides the mystery, there are some tough topics covered as well, primarily coping with the loss of loved ones, which added a little heft to the book but was well balanced with the humor and shenanigans of the club. I enjoyed getting to know Ginny and her new friends, following along as they investigated the murders in town. Looking forward to the next in the series!
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
March 2, 2025
I really enjoyed the story of Ginny and her courage through becoming a widow and all the people she meets along the way! She really came into herself in the book and gained confidence and friends!! Add a little murder into that and you have a great easy fun read! Definitely read this book!
March 2, 2025
This is the first book in a new cosy mystery series, and is a good read.
Ginny moves to a small village and wants to keep busy after recently losing her husband, so starts a job in the local library.
Her boss Louise is a nasty woman so Ginny wonders if this was a mistake. However, on her second day Ginny finds Louise dead in the library.
Some local women get in touch with Ginny and ask her questions about the death and soon she is working with them to try and work out who killed Louise.
This is a good cosy mystery.
Thanks to Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.
Ginny moves to a small village and wants to keep busy after recently losing her husband, so starts a job in the local library.
Her boss Louise is a nasty woman so Ginny wonders if this was a mistake. However, on her second day Ginny finds Louise dead in the library.
Some local women get in touch with Ginny and ask her questions about the death and soon she is working with them to try and work out who killed Louise.
This is a good cosy mystery.
Thanks to Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.
February 12, 2025
Ginny Cole has moved into a new home and town after her beloved husband of many years dies. Ginny does not know what to do with herself, and continues the routines she had with Thomas, such as crosswords in the evening. She keeps to herself, but finds that without his income, her retirement money doesn't go as far as she expected, and she takes a job in the local library, where she meets the overly demanding, demeaning and quick to anger manager, Louisa Farnsworth.
The next morning, Ginny finds Louisa dead, seemingly of a heart attack, but Ginny also feels something else is going on when she notices a detail that could point to something nefarious.
This murder both shocks and excites townspeople, with many pointing fingers at the first Mrs. Farnsworth, Alison, whose land development husband left her for Louisa. Alison is a wreck with the attention, and quickly comes to police attention with her behaviour. Alison's mother, and her group of friends, all widows, rope Ginny in to help them clear Alison's name. They create a murder board, break into homes, and generally cause some amount of trouble, and bring the ire of the investigating detective, an irascible man, and Ginny's neighbour, on their heads.
Ginny, even after agreeing to halt all her investigating, keeps noticing details, and eventually discovers the identity of the murderer and how it connects to a tragic incident some time earlier, shocking her and the rest of the town. Along the way, Ginny comes out of her shell, makes new friends, and finds a way to move forward with her life.
This is my first read by Amanda Ashby, and though the pace is a little slow, it fits as we need to see Ginny stuck and grieving, and gradually deciding to connect with other women. The investigation propels the narrative forward, but is also just the vehicle for Ginny to open up and find herself again.
There's also an opinionated cat who pushes himself into her life and refuses to go away, which I loved.
This was fun, and I'm interested in what the widows get up to in their next investigation.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Storm Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my review.
The next morning, Ginny finds Louisa dead, seemingly of a heart attack, but Ginny also feels something else is going on when she notices a detail that could point to something nefarious.
This murder both shocks and excites townspeople, with many pointing fingers at the first Mrs. Farnsworth, Alison, whose land development husband left her for Louisa. Alison is a wreck with the attention, and quickly comes to police attention with her behaviour. Alison's mother, and her group of friends, all widows, rope Ginny in to help them clear Alison's name. They create a murder board, break into homes, and generally cause some amount of trouble, and bring the ire of the investigating detective, an irascible man, and Ginny's neighbour, on their heads.
Ginny, even after agreeing to halt all her investigating, keeps noticing details, and eventually discovers the identity of the murderer and how it connects to a tragic incident some time earlier, shocking her and the rest of the town. Along the way, Ginny comes out of her shell, makes new friends, and finds a way to move forward with her life.
This is my first read by Amanda Ashby, and though the pace is a little slow, it fits as we need to see Ginny stuck and grieving, and gradually deciding to connect with other women. The investigation propels the narrative forward, but is also just the vehicle for Ginny to open up and find herself again.
There's also an opinionated cat who pushes himself into her life and refuses to go away, which I loved.
This was fun, and I'm interested in what the widows get up to in their next investigation.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Storm Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my review.
March 15, 2025
I usually go more for the darker mysteries, but this was a lot of fun.
Ginny is newly widowed and has moved to Little Shaw, a small village in the English countryside, to take a job as a library assistant. When the head librarian is found dead shortly after she starts her job, Ginny is drawn into an unofficial investigation. A few other widows include her in their group as they try to clear Alyson, the daughter of Hen. The mystery eventually encompasses several other suspects and there are enough crumbs scattered to successfully deflect suspicion until the end. Along the way, Ginny and her friends investigate several of the main suspects and get involved in shenanigans like digging up a body in search of clues and rescuing the temporary head librarian from a fire. She befriends Connor, a young man doing volunteer work at the library. There's a stray cat with an uncanny ability to point out hidden clues to Ginny. And her next-door neighbor, DI Wallace, is both frustrated and impressed by the widows' interference in his case.
Overall, it's a great start to a series and I look forward to more from Ginny and her friends, JM, Tuppence and Hen. The writing is good and keeps your interest with a well-plotted mystery and a lot of quirky humor. It's a delightful read and I'm sure these ladies will be getting into more predicaments soon.
Ginny is newly widowed and has moved to Little Shaw, a small village in the English countryside, to take a job as a library assistant. When the head librarian is found dead shortly after she starts her job, Ginny is drawn into an unofficial investigation. A few other widows include her in their group as they try to clear Alyson, the daughter of Hen. The mystery eventually encompasses several other suspects and there are enough crumbs scattered to successfully deflect suspicion until the end. Along the way, Ginny and her friends investigate several of the main suspects and get involved in shenanigans like digging up a body in search of clues and rescuing the temporary head librarian from a fire. She befriends Connor, a young man doing volunteer work at the library. There's a stray cat with an uncanny ability to point out hidden clues to Ginny. And her next-door neighbor, DI Wallace, is both frustrated and impressed by the widows' interference in his case.
Overall, it's a great start to a series and I look forward to more from Ginny and her friends, JM, Tuppence and Hen. The writing is good and keeps your interest with a well-plotted mystery and a lot of quirky humor. It's a delightful read and I'm sure these ladies will be getting into more predicaments soon.
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