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The Widow
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Mystery & Thriller (2025)#1 New York Times bestselling author John Grisham is the acclaimed master of the legal thriller. Now, he’s back with his first-ever whodunit, even more suspenseful than his courtroom dramas, as a small-time lawyer accused of murder races to find the real killer to clear his name.
Simon Latch is a lawyer in rural Virginia, making just enough to pay his bills while his marriage slowly falls apart. Then into his office walks Eleanor Barnett, an elderly widow in need of a new will. Apparently, her husband left her a small fortune, and no one knows about it.
Once he hooks the richest client of his career, Simon works quietly to keep her wealth under the radar. But soon her story begins to crack. When she is hospitalized after a car accident, Simon realizes that nothing is as it seems, and he finds himself on trial for a crime he swears he didn’t murder.
Simon knows he’s innocent. But he also knows the circumstantial evidence is against him, and he could spend the rest of his life behind bars. To save himself, he must find the real killer….
Simon Latch is a lawyer in rural Virginia, making just enough to pay his bills while his marriage slowly falls apart. Then into his office walks Eleanor Barnett, an elderly widow in need of a new will. Apparently, her husband left her a small fortune, and no one knows about it.
Once he hooks the richest client of his career, Simon works quietly to keep her wealth under the radar. But soon her story begins to crack. When she is hospitalized after a car accident, Simon realizes that nothing is as it seems, and he finds himself on trial for a crime he swears he didn’t murder.
Simon knows he’s innocent. But he also knows the circumstantial evidence is against him, and he could spend the rest of his life behind bars. To save himself, he must find the real killer….
407 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 21, 2025
17518 people are currently reading
101675 people want to read
About the author
John Grisham
482 books89.4k followersJohn Grisham is the author of more than fifty consecutive #1 bestsellers, which have been translated into nearly fifty languages. His recent books include Framed, Camino Ghosts and The Exchange: After the Firm.
Grisham is a two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and was honored with the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction.
When he's not writing, Grisham serves on the board of directors of the Innocence Project and of Centurion Ministries, two national organizations dedicated to exonerating those who have been wrongfully convicted. Much of his fiction explores deep-seated problems in our criminal justice system.
John lives on a farm in central Virginia.
Grisham is a two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and was honored with the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction.
When he's not writing, Grisham serves on the board of directors of the Innocence Project and of Centurion Ministries, two national organizations dedicated to exonerating those who have been wrongfully convicted. Much of his fiction explores deep-seated problems in our criminal justice system.
John lives on a farm in central Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,301 reviews
March 27, 2025
I just finished my next novel. It’s called The Widow and will be published by Doubleday in October. It’s another legal thriller (surprise, surprise!) filled with all the usual twists and turns of legal intrigue and lawyers behaving badly. It also has something new that’s kind of unique. It’s the first time I’ve written a true mystery. A real whodunit. I hope it keeps you awake at night this October.
October 12, 2025
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a John Grisham novel. But when I spotted his latest, I couldn’t resist.
Simon Latch is a small-town lawyer scraping by. His marriage is in shambles and to be quite honest, he’s just going through the motions of life. That is until an elderly woman named Eleanor Barnett walks into his office asking for his assistance in re-writing her will. Nothing out of the ordinary for Simon, until Eleanor claims her net worth is in the millions!
Well, well, well! Things are suddenly looking rather rosy for Simon! Word of advice…enjoy it while you can! Your luck is about to run out!
This book started off as a slow burn legal thriller. John Grisham takes his time setting the stage and it isn’t till midway that things really ramp up. The second half is dedicated to true courtroom action in only the way JG knows how!
Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books!
Simon Latch is a small-town lawyer scraping by. His marriage is in shambles and to be quite honest, he’s just going through the motions of life. That is until an elderly woman named Eleanor Barnett walks into his office asking for his assistance in re-writing her will. Nothing out of the ordinary for Simon, until Eleanor claims her net worth is in the millions!
Well, well, well! Things are suddenly looking rather rosy for Simon! Word of advice…enjoy it while you can! Your luck is about to run out!
This book started off as a slow burn legal thriller. John Grisham takes his time setting the stage and it isn’t till midway that things really ramp up. The second half is dedicated to true courtroom action in only the way JG knows how!
Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books!
June 12, 2025
This one started off really great and I could see where motive for a murder was coming. An old lady claiming she has a suspiciously large amount of money and assets with no one to claim them.
This book lost me a bit in the middle. It seemed very repetitive and was just describing the lawyers life. I felt it should have been cut down about 50-100 pages as it seemed unnecessary.
It picked up again once the old lady died under suspicious circumstances and the trial that occurred after. I would give this book a 3.5 overall. I am rounding up, because I always like to be generous being one of the first reviewers of a book, but I do think this book should have been quite a bit shorter in length.
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book lost me a bit in the middle. It seemed very repetitive and was just describing the lawyers life. I felt it should have been cut down about 50-100 pages as it seemed unnecessary.
It picked up again once the old lady died under suspicious circumstances and the trial that occurred after. I would give this book a 3.5 overall. I am rounding up, because I always like to be generous being one of the first reviewers of a book, but I do think this book should have been quite a bit shorter in length.
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 25, 2025
Huff, puff.
Huff, puff.
This was a very, very, very long 14.5-hour audiobook.
The core plot and premise were ultra-compelling:
A deeply flawed small-town lawyer, a mysterious client, and an alleged fortune.
When the lawyer's widowed client dies under questionable circumstances, the lawyer becomes the prime suspect in her murder.
Who was responsible for the widow's death?
Grisham's nuanced portrayal of the widow was brilliant.
The widow begins as a seemingly frail, clueless, eccentric old woman shrouded in mystery, only to be gradually revealed as sharp, secretive, and deviously shrewd.
While the core plot and the widow's characterization were stellar, the narrative rambled excessively.
(Did Grisham have a word count to meet?)
From start to finish, the storyline was padded with excessive internal monologues and ruminating thoughts.
This unnecessary length stalled the book's momentum, especially during the high-stakes courtroom scenes.
And, finally, the book's final reveal was a letdown.
😭☹️😭☹️
The final reveal came completely out of left field, with no real connection to anything foreshadowed in the earlier chapters.
I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Michael Beck.
Michael Beck's performance was outstanding and helped me reach the finish line.
December 22, 2025
“This time the verdict isn’t the end of the story.”
What happens when attorney, Simon Latch was only attempting to do a complex will for a widow and then ends up accused of her murder? How will he be able to convince a judge of his innocence?
Simon Latch, whose life felt like it was simply unraveling, thought he was finally moving himself in to a possible positive direction when the widow, “Netty” Barnett showed up as his client. Little did he know that this ‘meeting’ would upend his life. A secretive client, Barnett dies unexpectedly, leading readers into a courtroom drama, that Latch never expected for himself.
What will he do to get himself out of this mess?
This was a slow-burn, somewhat boring beginning that began to pick up speed as readers attempt to discover what really happened to Simon Latch and why.
And, that is truly the story. Following Latch as he attempts to find out who was behind the death of Netty Barnett. The question being, will readers be patient enough to stick with the book?
Grisham takes his readers on a journey of murder, conspiracy and plot twists along with courtroom drama that will keep them engaged, for the most part. Even if the slow start moves readers towards a let-down, out of left field reveal and hurried-felt ending. Not his best work, but still a compelling and quick read. Obviously, I am conflicted about this one.
3.5 stars
What happens when attorney, Simon Latch was only attempting to do a complex will for a widow and then ends up accused of her murder? How will he be able to convince a judge of his innocence?
Simon Latch, whose life felt like it was simply unraveling, thought he was finally moving himself in to a possible positive direction when the widow, “Netty” Barnett showed up as his client. Little did he know that this ‘meeting’ would upend his life. A secretive client, Barnett dies unexpectedly, leading readers into a courtroom drama, that Latch never expected for himself.
What will he do to get himself out of this mess?
This was a slow-burn, somewhat boring beginning that began to pick up speed as readers attempt to discover what really happened to Simon Latch and why.
And, that is truly the story. Following Latch as he attempts to find out who was behind the death of Netty Barnett. The question being, will readers be patient enough to stick with the book?
Grisham takes his readers on a journey of murder, conspiracy and plot twists along with courtroom drama that will keep them engaged, for the most part. Even if the slow start moves readers towards a let-down, out of left field reveal and hurried-felt ending. Not his best work, but still a compelling and quick read. Obviously, I am conflicted about this one.
3.5 stars
December 2, 2025
Simon Latch is a down on his luck small town lawyer. His marriage is failing, he’s barely scraping by financially, has a little gambling habit, and is spending his nights on a cot in his office.
Then in walks Eleanor. She is 85, a multi-millionaire widow, heiress to a fortune that no one else knows about. She has no family, no friends, and she wants Simon to draft her will.
His heart is in the right place, but with more dollar signs in his eyes than common sense, Simon sees an opportunity to turn his luck around and Eleanor is his ticket to the good life.
Well, nothing is as it seems and soon Simon finds himself the only suspect in a murder investigation.
The last 50% of the book is a whodunit as well as a legal thriller. The courtroom scenes were tense and riveting. This is trademark Grisham at his finest with a great setting, well-developed characters, and a compelling mystery. Excellent!
The ending was brilliant and could be a ripped from the headlines scenario. It confirmed why I’ve been a Grisham fan for decades.
The audiobook narration by Michael Beck is excellent.
* I received a digital review copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own
Then in walks Eleanor. She is 85, a multi-millionaire widow, heiress to a fortune that no one else knows about. She has no family, no friends, and she wants Simon to draft her will.
His heart is in the right place, but with more dollar signs in his eyes than common sense, Simon sees an opportunity to turn his luck around and Eleanor is his ticket to the good life.
Well, nothing is as it seems and soon Simon finds himself the only suspect in a murder investigation.
The last 50% of the book is a whodunit as well as a legal thriller. The courtroom scenes were tense and riveting. This is trademark Grisham at his finest with a great setting, well-developed characters, and a compelling mystery. Excellent!
The ending was brilliant and could be a ripped from the headlines scenario. It confirmed why I’ve been a Grisham fan for decades.
The audiobook narration by Michael Beck is excellent.
* I received a digital review copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own
November 11, 2025
In typical John Grisham style, The Widow entertained with a drawn-out yet juicy legal battle, but this time around there was the added benefit of a well-plotted whodunnit. Multilayered and fully fleshed out, the storyline twisted and turned throughout the 400 pages. It was, however, the trademark revelation in the middle that got under my skin. An absolute shocker I just barely saw coming, it promised plenty of potential ramifications for all those involved. Piled on top of the smile-inducing courtroom scenes and easy-to-follow drama in this murder mystery novel, it wasn’t the only surprise in store for me as I flew through the book from cover to cover in one suspense-filled evening. A compelling tale filled with lawyers behaving badly and a taut, small-town atmosphere, there was a lot to love by the time I reached the end of the neatly wrapped-up conclusion.
That being said, there were a few flies in the ointment for me. Topping the list was the extremely slow pace, which felt somewhat tedious at times. Already written in Grisham’s familiar slightly dry manner, the gratuitous details and unneeded scenes merely detracted from the plot in my mind. In all honesty, a little bit of editing could’ve gone a long way, as there was a dynamite premise just waiting to breathe. After all, between the convincing lies, dirty schemes, and shocking levels of deceit, the scores of suspicious characters kept me mostly in the dark for much of the novel. I mean, even the protagonist was on the wrong side of morally gray. So if you also love well-timed twists and oodles of intrigue, you’ll be sure to agree that Grisham managed to deliver yet another barn-burner of a tale made for fans like you and me. Rating of 4 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Simon Latch is a lawyer in rural Virginia, making just enough to pay his bills while his marriage slowly falls apart. Then into his office walks Eleanor Barnett, an elderly widow in need of a new will. Apparently, her husband left her a small fortune, and no one knows about it.
Once he hooks the richest client of his career, Simon works quietly to keep her wealth under the radar. But soon her story begins to crack. When she is hospitalized after a car accident, Simon realizes that nothing is as it seems, and he finds himself on trial for a crime he swears he didn’t commit: murder.
Simon knows he’s innocent. But he also knows the circumstantial evidence is against him, and he could spend the rest of his life behind bars. To save himself, he must find the real killer….
Thank you to John Grisham and Doubleday Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: October 21, 2025
Content warning: gambling, violence, divorce, poisoning
That being said, there were a few flies in the ointment for me. Topping the list was the extremely slow pace, which felt somewhat tedious at times. Already written in Grisham’s familiar slightly dry manner, the gratuitous details and unneeded scenes merely detracted from the plot in my mind. In all honesty, a little bit of editing could’ve gone a long way, as there was a dynamite premise just waiting to breathe. After all, between the convincing lies, dirty schemes, and shocking levels of deceit, the scores of suspicious characters kept me mostly in the dark for much of the novel. I mean, even the protagonist was on the wrong side of morally gray. So if you also love well-timed twists and oodles of intrigue, you’ll be sure to agree that Grisham managed to deliver yet another barn-burner of a tale made for fans like you and me. Rating of 4 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Simon Latch is a lawyer in rural Virginia, making just enough to pay his bills while his marriage slowly falls apart. Then into his office walks Eleanor Barnett, an elderly widow in need of a new will. Apparently, her husband left her a small fortune, and no one knows about it.
Once he hooks the richest client of his career, Simon works quietly to keep her wealth under the radar. But soon her story begins to crack. When she is hospitalized after a car accident, Simon realizes that nothing is as it seems, and he finds himself on trial for a crime he swears he didn’t commit: murder.
Simon knows he’s innocent. But he also knows the circumstantial evidence is against him, and he could spend the rest of his life behind bars. To save himself, he must find the real killer….
Thank you to John Grisham and Doubleday Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: October 21, 2025
Content warning: gambling, violence, divorce, poisoning
October 6, 2025
Anyone who is familiar with Grisham’s work knows what to expect going in. John always masterfully delivers a tense legal thriller but in his upcoming work The Widow, we get this plus a whodunnit element!
The Widow is pure entertainment. Full of interesting characters including a Saul Goodman type lawyer, unlikable money grubbers, and a persnickety old lady, it keeps the reader invested in the story. The mystery kept me guessing until the very end and I was surprised by the big reveal. Fans of John’s prior works as well as readers who enjoy a good crime mystery will love The Widow.
I alternated between reading the book myself and listening to the audiobook. The audiobook is narrated by Michael Beck who did a great job.
The Widow by John Grisham will be available on October 21. Many thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for the gifted audiobook!
The Widow is pure entertainment. Full of interesting characters including a Saul Goodman type lawyer, unlikable money grubbers, and a persnickety old lady, it keeps the reader invested in the story. The mystery kept me guessing until the very end and I was surprised by the big reveal. Fans of John’s prior works as well as readers who enjoy a good crime mystery will love The Widow.
I alternated between reading the book myself and listening to the audiobook. The audiobook is narrated by Michael Beck who did a great job.
The Widow by John Grisham will be available on October 21. Many thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for the gifted audiobook!
December 19, 2025
5+ stars.
This just may be my favorite novel of the year.
This just may be my favorite novel of the year.
September 22, 2025
3.5 rounded down
There’s a quaint little lawfirm on the corner of Main and Maple. It deals in run of the mill problems so it’s been 18 years of grind for Simon F. Latch, Attorney and Counsellor at Law and he’s burning out. The current client is a widow. She’s 85 year old Ms Eleanor Barnett, she has no children but her last husband has via his first bad marriage. She’s always considered them to be loathsome boys and indeed, one of them has a rap sheet. She duly arrives for her appointment with Simon looking in pretty good shape for 85. Let’s just say that she has some surprises in store for Simon of the dollar bill variety and about the unethical weasel who drafts her previous will. Is Simon going to be another weasel, I wonder when he’s asked to draft a new one for her? However, even before Eleanor has a serious car accident there are a few off notes that give Simon plenty of pause for thought but after the crash the whole thing starts to unravel and goes well and truly off the rails.
There are some intriguing aspects to this latest legal thriller from John Grisham not least concerning Eleanor herself. Can she be trusted? Why is she being so oddly cagey? I do find her fascinating in her elusiveness. The deeper this goes and the truth starts to stare Simon in the face the better the book becomes. As the plot progresses it makes pertinent points about fair trials and trial by journalism/social media. There are some decent courtroom scenes where there’s tension and twists and the inclusion of some interesting characters on the truth trail.
However, the overall pace is slow and it’s very slow to get going where we get chapter and verse on Simon‘s life for at least the first third of the book. There’s much about his imploding home life, his financial issues, his betting (much of which goes totally over the top of this little Brit‘s head) and numerous lunches are varying cuisines with Eleanor. Stamina is required and although it does let you see the state of Simon‘s life, I really don’t think you need all of this. The pace is never brisk even in the courtroom which again is very detailed as the prosecution/defence/witnesses go back-and-forth. As for the ending it’s very abrupt and to be honest it doesn’t exactly deliver a wow factor.
I haven’t read a John Grisham for a while but have enjoyed a considerable number of his novels but this one is over long, has unnecessary detail which detracts from a good plot and the execution needs more pizzazz. It’s not a bad book by any means but this isn’t one of his best novels in my opinion.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
There’s a quaint little lawfirm on the corner of Main and Maple. It deals in run of the mill problems so it’s been 18 years of grind for Simon F. Latch, Attorney and Counsellor at Law and he’s burning out. The current client is a widow. She’s 85 year old Ms Eleanor Barnett, she has no children but her last husband has via his first bad marriage. She’s always considered them to be loathsome boys and indeed, one of them has a rap sheet. She duly arrives for her appointment with Simon looking in pretty good shape for 85. Let’s just say that she has some surprises in store for Simon of the dollar bill variety and about the unethical weasel who drafts her previous will. Is Simon going to be another weasel, I wonder when he’s asked to draft a new one for her? However, even before Eleanor has a serious car accident there are a few off notes that give Simon plenty of pause for thought but after the crash the whole thing starts to unravel and goes well and truly off the rails.
There are some intriguing aspects to this latest legal thriller from John Grisham not least concerning Eleanor herself. Can she be trusted? Why is she being so oddly cagey? I do find her fascinating in her elusiveness. The deeper this goes and the truth starts to stare Simon in the face the better the book becomes. As the plot progresses it makes pertinent points about fair trials and trial by journalism/social media. There are some decent courtroom scenes where there’s tension and twists and the inclusion of some interesting characters on the truth trail.
However, the overall pace is slow and it’s very slow to get going where we get chapter and verse on Simon‘s life for at least the first third of the book. There’s much about his imploding home life, his financial issues, his betting (much of which goes totally over the top of this little Brit‘s head) and numerous lunches are varying cuisines with Eleanor. Stamina is required and although it does let you see the state of Simon‘s life, I really don’t think you need all of this. The pace is never brisk even in the courtroom which again is very detailed as the prosecution/defence/witnesses go back-and-forth. As for the ending it’s very abrupt and to be honest it doesn’t exactly deliver a wow factor.
I haven’t read a John Grisham for a while but have enjoyed a considerable number of his novels but this one is over long, has unnecessary detail which detracts from a good plot and the execution needs more pizzazz. It’s not a bad book by any means but this isn’t one of his best novels in my opinion.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
October 23, 2025
the setup…
Simon Latch is a small town lawyer with a modest practice in Braxton, Virginia. He specializes in the simple stuff like bankruptcies and wills, barely enough to pay the bills. Simon’s marriage is crumbling and he has a slight gambling habit. Everything changes when Eleanor Barnett walks into his office. She’s an elderly widow with a stunning investment portfolio no one is aware of and wants to redo her will. Seeing the possibility of his fortunes changing, Simon stealthily goes about doing what he needs to do until Eleanor has a car accident and lands in the hospital. Her story starts to fall apart and suddenly Simon finds himself on trial for a murder he didn’t commit.
the heart of the story…
The thing about Simon is even though his greed drove his agenda with Eleanor, he wasn’t a bad guy, just someone who isn’t shy about operating in the gray. He was kindly towards Eleanor, even when he began to suspect her portfolio might not be what she claimed. Simon might be small town but he’s highly resourceful and smart, despite being possibly duped.
the narration…
Michael Beck delivered the most brilliant performance on every level. Bravo!
the bottom line…
This is classic Grisham, the one who set me on my path to loving legal thrillers, starting with The Firm. The pacing is perfect, the setting is a vital element and the characters so well developed you can visualize all of them. The courtroom drama is superb. Almost 15 hours of serious book love.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Random House Audio and Libro.fm for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Simon Latch is a small town lawyer with a modest practice in Braxton, Virginia. He specializes in the simple stuff like bankruptcies and wills, barely enough to pay the bills. Simon’s marriage is crumbling and he has a slight gambling habit. Everything changes when Eleanor Barnett walks into his office. She’s an elderly widow with a stunning investment portfolio no one is aware of and wants to redo her will. Seeing the possibility of his fortunes changing, Simon stealthily goes about doing what he needs to do until Eleanor has a car accident and lands in the hospital. Her story starts to fall apart and suddenly Simon finds himself on trial for a murder he didn’t commit.
the heart of the story…
The thing about Simon is even though his greed drove his agenda with Eleanor, he wasn’t a bad guy, just someone who isn’t shy about operating in the gray. He was kindly towards Eleanor, even when he began to suspect her portfolio might not be what she claimed. Simon might be small town but he’s highly resourceful and smart, despite being possibly duped.
the narration…
Michael Beck delivered the most brilliant performance on every level. Bravo!
the bottom line…
This is classic Grisham, the one who set me on my path to loving legal thrillers, starting with The Firm. The pacing is perfect, the setting is a vital element and the characters so well developed you can visualize all of them. The courtroom drama is superb. Almost 15 hours of serious book love.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Random House Audio and Libro.fm for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
July 29, 2025
This novel was a legal thriller that I absolutely enjoyed reading! This was my first book that I have read by this author and I am grateful that I found a new thriller author that I love! He did an amazing job writing this book, it is easy to read and exciting! This is a whodunit book that has a very big twist! I would say this is more of a slow burn thriller, which is perfect for me! It had vivid descriptions, a clear thesis and was thought provoking! It was very atmospheric and had me guessing who did it throughout the entire book!
I really enjoyed the legal drama aspect of the thriller, it made it seem more realistic! It is emotional, suspenseful, full of small town secrets and full of courtroom tension. I was fully immersed while reading this book! It had me at the edge of my seat the entire time! This book also comes with mystery, both unlikable and likable characters and is a slow to medium paced read. I was satisfied with the entire novel, especially the ending! Overall, I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars!
I think fans of legal thrillers would absolutely love this book! Content warnings include death and murder.
Thank you to NetGalley, author John Grisham and Doubleday Books for this electronic ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book is expected to be published on October 21, 2025!
I really enjoyed the legal drama aspect of the thriller, it made it seem more realistic! It is emotional, suspenseful, full of small town secrets and full of courtroom tension. I was fully immersed while reading this book! It had me at the edge of my seat the entire time! This book also comes with mystery, both unlikable and likable characters and is a slow to medium paced read. I was satisfied with the entire novel, especially the ending! Overall, I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars!
I think fans of legal thrillers would absolutely love this book! Content warnings include death and murder.
Thank you to NetGalley, author John Grisham and Doubleday Books for this electronic ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book is expected to be published on October 21, 2025!
November 28, 2025
John Grisham is the master of the legal thriller, many of which have been adapted into iconic films: "The Pelican Brief," "The Firm," and "The Rainmaker" to name a few.
His latest release, The Widow, blends courtroom drama, small-town secrets, probate puzzles, and a murder mystery.
At the center of the drama is Simon Latch, a struggling lawyer with a gambling problem, mounting debt, and a failing marriage. Not to mention, he's kinda worn down by years of bankruptcy filings, DUI defenses, and slip-and-fall cases that barely keep the office lights on.
And then, glory hallelujah, Eleanor "Netty" Barnett walks through his law firm door.
She’s 85, recently widowed, and hiding a small fortune worth millions. No one knows about the Coca-Cola and Walmart stocks her late husband left behind.
Could this be Simon's salvation wrapped in estate planning documents, a lifeline to save himself from financial disaster?
His will drafting, though morally questionable, is technically legal.
But then, Netty dies... and the police don’t think it was an accident.
Uh oh.
Let the fun begin. Things quickly spiral into a murder investigation.
You can guess who comes under scrutiny: both the motive and opportunity point directly at Simon Latch.
Okay, so the book could’ve used some editing. The first half of The Widow tests your patience. The second half rewards it.
This is where Grisham shines. Once things shift into the courtroom, the pace quickens, the tension builds.
But the real mystery here isn’t who killed Eleanor Barnett. It’s whether Simon Latch can save himself from both the legal system... and his own worst instincts.
Any "Better Call Saul" fans out there? Oh, you're gonna love this one, too.
October 25, 2025
A gripping crime mystery that will have you questioning who to trust. This novel sucked me right in and kept me turning the pages.
Quick synopsis: Simon is a small town, lawyer who spends any money he has on sports gambling. He is struggling to make ends meet until one day an elderly widow named Eleanor(Nettie to her friends), comes into his office, asking to have her will redone. The thing with Eleanor is her late husband had a massive amount of stock shares and she is worth millions. Simon sees Eleanor as a cash cow and does everything he can to basically end up being her executor and close confidant. Simon starts to realize that some things may be too good to be true.
This one ends up being a combination of a legal thriller and crime mystery. The first third of the novel spends a ton of time on Simon’s gambling and his relationship with Eleanor. I found this bit to be quite redundant and could’ve been scaled back in order to keep things moving. The second third is where things really start to take off and we get more of the courtroom drama that Grisham is known for. This was definitely my favorite part of the novel. And finally, the crime mystery resolution in the final third. The ending tied everything up and there were no loose ends. The characters were all extremely well developed. Simon was super unlikable, but yet you still wanted to root for him. Eleanor was in a class of her own!
I haven’t read this author in quite a bit and now I need to circle back to some novels on his back list for sure. For those of you who are fan of this author, definitely check this out.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Quick synopsis: Simon is a small town, lawyer who spends any money he has on sports gambling. He is struggling to make ends meet until one day an elderly widow named Eleanor(Nettie to her friends), comes into his office, asking to have her will redone. The thing with Eleanor is her late husband had a massive amount of stock shares and she is worth millions. Simon sees Eleanor as a cash cow and does everything he can to basically end up being her executor and close confidant. Simon starts to realize that some things may be too good to be true.
This one ends up being a combination of a legal thriller and crime mystery. The first third of the novel spends a ton of time on Simon’s gambling and his relationship with Eleanor. I found this bit to be quite redundant and could’ve been scaled back in order to keep things moving. The second third is where things really start to take off and we get more of the courtroom drama that Grisham is known for. This was definitely my favorite part of the novel. And finally, the crime mystery resolution in the final third. The ending tied everything up and there were no loose ends. The characters were all extremely well developed. Simon was super unlikable, but yet you still wanted to root for him. Eleanor was in a class of her own!
I haven’t read this author in quite a bit and now I need to circle back to some novels on his back list for sure. For those of you who are fan of this author, definitely check this out.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 23, 2025
Nobody does a legal thriller better than John Grisham. I am a long time fan and will read anything this man writes. There is a mixture of the legal side and a murder mystery in The Widow.. what fun!!
A small time lawyer with his life falling apart around him suddenly sees a light at the end of the tunnel when a new elderly client comes to him to help him with her will. This begins a series of questions and very few answers. When the client ends up in hospital things really do ramp up. It is a slow burn to begin with but trust me stay with it, a twisty and shocking ride is ahead.
Grishams writing is just brilliant as always. The reader really does get to know the main characters so well, and I started to feel very protective of Simon, despite all his flaws. I read it is 2 sittings, as always completely caught up in the story.
Another triumph and one I could see on the big screen one day. I do love a down and out lawyer fighting for the little guy. Easy 5 stars from me.
Thank you so much to Doubleday Books for this early copy to read. I devoured it and highly recommend. Published on October 21st.
A small time lawyer with his life falling apart around him suddenly sees a light at the end of the tunnel when a new elderly client comes to him to help him with her will. This begins a series of questions and very few answers. When the client ends up in hospital things really do ramp up. It is a slow burn to begin with but trust me stay with it, a twisty and shocking ride is ahead.
Grishams writing is just brilliant as always. The reader really does get to know the main characters so well, and I started to feel very protective of Simon, despite all his flaws. I read it is 2 sittings, as always completely caught up in the story.
Another triumph and one I could see on the big screen one day. I do love a down and out lawyer fighting for the little guy. Easy 5 stars from me.
Thank you so much to Doubleday Books for this early copy to read. I devoured it and highly recommend. Published on October 21st.
October 10, 2025
I’ve made a mistake. Twice.
Every time I see the name John Grisham, I get this nostalgic itch — a reminder of the gripping novels from 20 years ago that actually made me care about lawyers. So I get excited. I think, “Maybe this one will take me on a journey again. Maybe the legend still has it.”
That’s what I thought when I picked up The Boys of Biloxi a few years back. It was a complete letdown. But time passed, and like a fool with selective memory, I gave it another shot.
This time, I was left even more disappointed.
The characters? All loathsome. Not a single one worth rooting for. The story arc? Boring. The legal drama? Uninspired. At one point, a lawyer explains to another lawyer what an NDA is. I mean, seriously — what are we doing here?
The writing felt like someone threw ten sentences into ChatGPT and hit publish without even trying to clean it up. And I say that as someone currently using ChatGPT.
Maybe I’m being harsh. But the reality is this book wasted hours of my life I won’t get back. I kept hoping for a spark, a twist, a reason to care — but it never came.
Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy. I just wish I had better things to say.
Every time I see the name John Grisham, I get this nostalgic itch — a reminder of the gripping novels from 20 years ago that actually made me care about lawyers. So I get excited. I think, “Maybe this one will take me on a journey again. Maybe the legend still has it.”
That’s what I thought when I picked up The Boys of Biloxi a few years back. It was a complete letdown. But time passed, and like a fool with selective memory, I gave it another shot.
This time, I was left even more disappointed.
The characters? All loathsome. Not a single one worth rooting for. The story arc? Boring. The legal drama? Uninspired. At one point, a lawyer explains to another lawyer what an NDA is. I mean, seriously — what are we doing here?
The writing felt like someone threw ten sentences into ChatGPT and hit publish without even trying to clean it up. And I say that as someone currently using ChatGPT.
Maybe I’m being harsh. But the reality is this book wasted hours of my life I won’t get back. I kept hoping for a spark, a twist, a reason to care — but it never came.
Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy. I just wish I had better things to say.
November 7, 2025
I think my time with court dramas may be over. Love me some Grisham! this one didn't hit.
It just felt like it wouldn't end! In my humble opinion its longer than it needed to be.
So a Greedy lawyer gets finessed and is left holding the proverbial murder weapon when his client ends up dead! With a failing marriage and a career going no where he has to fight for the only thing worth anything; his LIFE!!
Thanks to NetGalley and Double day book for this arc!!! Beyond humbled and grateful!! 🙏🏾
Solid 3.5 Stars!!!
THE WIDOW out Oct 21st 2025!!!
It just felt like it wouldn't end! In my humble opinion its longer than it needed to be.
So a Greedy lawyer gets finessed and is left holding the proverbial murder weapon when his client ends up dead! With a failing marriage and a career going no where he has to fight for the only thing worth anything; his LIFE!!
Thanks to NetGalley and Double day book for this arc!!! Beyond humbled and grateful!! 🙏🏾
Solid 3.5 Stars!!!
THE WIDOW out Oct 21st 2025!!!
December 12, 2025
In typical three-star fashion, here is a novel that straddles the fence between elements that work and those that don't. Over the years I've picked up a few Grisham novels and been whisked away to high stakes worlds complete with thrills, chills, and plenty of action. However, this time around less would've been more and the abrupt ending out of nowhere wasn't worth the journey to get there. The stellar characterization of down on his luck attorney Simon Latch is what kept me turning pages. I didn't feel any particular warmth toward Latch but therein lies the appeal of good writing because I was still interested. Netty the widow herself was quite the character and added a little flair to the pages. The whodunit aspect was also appealing although the reveal was lackluster.
Simon Latch is a small-time attorney, living in small town America, taking on small legal gigs. His practice revolves around bankruptcy filings and drafting wills. His marriage is on the rocks leaving him feeling disconnected and struggling to protect his children from the inevitable fall out. He is prone to gamble which isn't helping his financial situation. Eighty-five-year-old Netty has an appointment to draft a new will, Simon thinks it will be business as usual until she reveals that her estate is worth a whopping 20 million dollars. She has no close relatives or friends and leans into Simon to handle her business, taking on the role of executor. Simon sees green. He realizes this estate could be his golden egg laying goose. He stays within the bounds of the law taking pains to be sure that nothing appears out of sorts. He will make his cash through the legal fees. After the widow's death is ruled a homicide, he is a prime suspect and is soon on trial for his life.
There were sections that read quick and ones that were a slog. Every time I thought there's the momentum, it would crawl again. There's a lot of unnecessary passages when the same thing happens on repeat or we are dragging along with no real purpose. There was more time spent on developing red herrings than uncovering the murderer. The ending was so abrupt I felt like it needed another chapter or an epilogue which is rare for me. It felt like the culprit dropped in out of left field which was strange. However, for the large page count not to feel complete says it all. The first third of the book could've been cutdown by at least 50% and the last third needed to be reworked.
I'm an Outlier (again) so please check out the many glowing reviews this book has if it has caught your eye.
Thank you to Doubleday Books for providing an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Simon Latch is a small-time attorney, living in small town America, taking on small legal gigs. His practice revolves around bankruptcy filings and drafting wills. His marriage is on the rocks leaving him feeling disconnected and struggling to protect his children from the inevitable fall out. He is prone to gamble which isn't helping his financial situation. Eighty-five-year-old Netty has an appointment to draft a new will, Simon thinks it will be business as usual until she reveals that her estate is worth a whopping 20 million dollars. She has no close relatives or friends and leans into Simon to handle her business, taking on the role of executor. Simon sees green. He realizes this estate could be his golden egg laying goose. He stays within the bounds of the law taking pains to be sure that nothing appears out of sorts. He will make his cash through the legal fees. After the widow's death is ruled a homicide, he is a prime suspect and is soon on trial for his life.
There were sections that read quick and ones that were a slog. Every time I thought there's the momentum, it would crawl again. There's a lot of unnecessary passages when the same thing happens on repeat or we are dragging along with no real purpose. There was more time spent on developing red herrings than uncovering the murderer. The ending was so abrupt I felt like it needed another chapter or an epilogue which is rare for me. It felt like the culprit dropped in out of left field which was strange. However, for the large page count not to feel complete says it all. The first third of the book could've been cutdown by at least 50% and the last third needed to be reworked.
I'm an Outlier (again) so please check out the many glowing reviews this book has if it has caught your eye.
Thank you to Doubleday Books for providing an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 18, 2025
"#1 New York Times bestselling author John Grisham is the acclaimed master of the legal thriller. Now, he’s back with his first-ever whodunit, even more suspenseful than his courtroom dramas, as a small-time lawyer accused of murder races to find the real killer to clear his name."
Simon Latch is an attorney down on his luck financially and personally until Eleanor Barnett walks into his office wanting help rewriting her will. She claims she is worth millions and has no one to give it to. Things move along slowly over the first half of the book as Simon and Eleanor work together and he background checks everything. Around the halfway point things heat up. Eleanor is involved in a car accident and Simon finds himself arrested. The last half is full of suspense as Simon works hard to clear his name and things come to a shocking conclusion.
Is this my favorite Grisham novel? Did I find it his most suspenseful yet? No, it did not have me on the edge of my seat as books such as The Firm, The Pelican Brief, and The Runaway Jury did. It covers a compelling topic and is perhaps more realistic, and the last half is suspenseful and I did enjoy it and highly recommend adding it to your fall TBR.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Doubleday Books, and John Grisham for an advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to @prhaudio for an advance listening copy. The audio performance by Michael Beck was excellent and brought the characters to life.🎧
Simon Latch is an attorney down on his luck financially and personally until Eleanor Barnett walks into his office wanting help rewriting her will. She claims she is worth millions and has no one to give it to. Things move along slowly over the first half of the book as Simon and Eleanor work together and he background checks everything. Around the halfway point things heat up. Eleanor is involved in a car accident and Simon finds himself arrested. The last half is full of suspense as Simon works hard to clear his name and things come to a shocking conclusion.
Is this my favorite Grisham novel? Did I find it his most suspenseful yet? No, it did not have me on the edge of my seat as books such as The Firm, The Pelican Brief, and The Runaway Jury did. It covers a compelling topic and is perhaps more realistic, and the last half is suspenseful and I did enjoy it and highly recommend adding it to your fall TBR.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Doubleday Books, and John Grisham for an advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to @prhaudio for an advance listening copy. The audio performance by Michael Beck was excellent and brought the characters to life.🎧
August 10, 2025
3.5 rounded to 4
Simon Latch is a small town lawyer, who is struggling to make ends meet. He has a huge gambling problem and a failing marriage. In comes Eleanor Barnett, a 85 year-old widow who needs a new will drawn up. She claims she’s very wealthy with no family or friends. Simon couldn’t believe his luck. He takes Eleanor in as his new client and draws up her Will. He sets himself up as executor and trustee with full control of her money. But suddenly, Eleanor dies after having a car accident, but passing in a suspicious manner. Simon is arrested for her murder.
My thoughts:
I had a hard time getting into this story. It was very drawn out in the beginning about gambling and lunches with Eleanor. I couldn’t wait for something exciting to happen. I felt that the end was very abrupt and not very satisfying.
I enjoyed the court room drama very much.
It was an enjoyable read just very slow in the beginning. I would have liked a different ending.
Thank you NetGalley and Doubleday for this advanced readers copy.
Simon Latch is a small town lawyer, who is struggling to make ends meet. He has a huge gambling problem and a failing marriage. In comes Eleanor Barnett, a 85 year-old widow who needs a new will drawn up. She claims she’s very wealthy with no family or friends. Simon couldn’t believe his luck. He takes Eleanor in as his new client and draws up her Will. He sets himself up as executor and trustee with full control of her money. But suddenly, Eleanor dies after having a car accident, but passing in a suspicious manner. Simon is arrested for her murder.
My thoughts:
I had a hard time getting into this story. It was very drawn out in the beginning about gambling and lunches with Eleanor. I couldn’t wait for something exciting to happen. I felt that the end was very abrupt and not very satisfying.
I enjoyed the court room drama very much.
It was an enjoyable read just very slow in the beginning. I would have liked a different ending.
Thank you NetGalley and Doubleday for this advanced readers copy.
November 6, 2025
“The Widow”, by John Grisham
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Warning: hateful characters
Just a brief note.
This was a nice surprise!
I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this book as much I did, but I must be honest.
In the beginning I wasn’t so sure, because some scenes or dialogues seemed to be quite repetitive.
But I must praise the concept, the writing and the captivating storytelling., which kept me interested, never mind the unlikeable characters. I really did not want to put this book down.
This is definitely not one of his best, but it is undeniably entertaining.
I liked how believable the story was, especially in the court room, but the conclusion felt rushed.
This was my 39th book by this author and my favourite is still “The Chamber”.
Hardcover (by Doubleday): 404 pages (65 chapters)
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Warning: hateful characters
Just a brief note.
This was a nice surprise!
I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this book as much I did, but I must be honest.
In the beginning I wasn’t so sure, because some scenes or dialogues seemed to be quite repetitive.
But I must praise the concept, the writing and the captivating storytelling., which kept me interested, never mind the unlikeable characters. I really did not want to put this book down.
This is definitely not one of his best, but it is undeniably entertaining.
I liked how believable the story was, especially in the court room, but the conclusion felt rushed.
This was my 39th book by this author and my favourite is still “The Chamber”.
Hardcover (by Doubleday): 404 pages (65 chapters)
September 3, 2025
Wow, this is remarkably underwhelming.
I mean, it's a fine enough book I guess. Our main character is a bit of a weasel. Did I think he should pay for a crime he didn't commit? No. Did I think he deserved to suffer a bit for being such a dumbass? Absolutely. I did, however, want to know what would happen.
The court case drags. While I recognize that most court cases, even criminal ones, are not exciting in the actuality, this is a book...for entertainment. I was not entertained by the court case at all.
When the who and why are revealed, it comes out of left field. It's honestly kind of cheating because it doesn't give the reader a fair shot at guessing it. It's lazy and unsatisfying.
I will give it three stars because I stuck it out until the end and didn't want to throw virtual book at virtual wall, but it was definitely inching toward a 2 star read.
* ARC via Publisher
I mean, it's a fine enough book I guess. Our main character is a bit of a weasel. Did I think he should pay for a crime he didn't commit? No. Did I think he deserved to suffer a bit for being such a dumbass? Absolutely. I did, however, want to know what would happen.
The court case drags. While I recognize that most court cases, even criminal ones, are not exciting in the actuality, this is a book...for entertainment. I was not entertained by the court case at all.
When the who and why are revealed, it comes out of left field. It's honestly kind of cheating because it doesn't give the reader a fair shot at guessing it. It's lazy and unsatisfying.
I will give it three stars because I stuck it out until the end and didn't want to throw virtual book at virtual wall, but it was definitely inching toward a 2 star read.
* ARC via Publisher
October 29, 2025
Extraordinary.
September 20, 2025
So, Simon, our MC, is an absolute a$$hat. Despite the situation he becomes ensnared in, I had a hard time drumming up even a drop of empathy. And none of the other characters were much better. This was the biggest problem for me throughout.
Pacing was uneven, being especially slow throughout the first half.
A lot of irrelevant and unnecessary content felt like it was tossed in to add pages. A LOT of pages. How many client lunches did we really need to read about? And no one with a serious gambling addiction simply decides to stop one day because he has other things going on. Totally unrealistic.
The reveal felt abrupt and rushed.
I wanted to know how things turned out, so I never considered not finishing. But I did quite a bit of skimming because, quite honestly, I was bored. And, well, I just didn’t find the ending worth all those pages it took me to get there.
*Thanks to Doubleday for the free copy.*
Pacing was uneven, being especially slow throughout the first half.
A lot of irrelevant and unnecessary content felt like it was tossed in to add pages. A LOT of pages. How many client lunches did we really need to read about? And no one with a serious gambling addiction simply decides to stop one day because he has other things going on. Totally unrealistic.
The reveal felt abrupt and rushed.
I wanted to know how things turned out, so I never considered not finishing. But I did quite a bit of skimming because, quite honestly, I was bored. And, well, I just didn’t find the ending worth all those pages it took me to get there.
*Thanks to Doubleday for the free copy.*
November 19, 2025
Be wary of widows who claim to be ultra wealthy for they could be your downfall.
Simon Latch is a down on his luck lawyer. His life is falling apart with a looming divorce, a semi gambling obsession, and debts piling up. In other words he is treading water in his small Virginia office.
When Eleanor Barnett walks into his office, he finds out that good fortune may have shone down on him. Ellie wants him to draft her will as she says she is not happy with the one done by the lawyer across the street.
No problem for Simon although he is sick of doing two bit wills, he agrees to work for her.
Then bit by bit the truth emerges (or so it seems). Ellie is an uberweathy widow so Simon is salivating to take her on. And take her on, he does!
However, her story starts to resemble one that just might not be true, and Simon might be left holding the bag.
When his client dies, Simon is accused of being a murderer in order to get his greedy hands on Ellie's wealth. The problem is, he didn't do it, but the cookies he or his secretary brought to her in the hospital were found to be laced with poison
Things look pretty dire for Simon!
As always, in Mr Grisham's books, there seems to be a number of people who might have offed Ellie, but the law felt they had their man.
Tense and a fun read, Grisham has a wonderful story telling knack that flirts with somewhat devious characters and make us think we know exactly who the culprit is. .
As I thought about it, that ending was ridiculous so I am lowering my rating.
Simon Latch is a down on his luck lawyer. His life is falling apart with a looming divorce, a semi gambling obsession, and debts piling up. In other words he is treading water in his small Virginia office.
When Eleanor Barnett walks into his office, he finds out that good fortune may have shone down on him. Ellie wants him to draft her will as she says she is not happy with the one done by the lawyer across the street.
No problem for Simon although he is sick of doing two bit wills, he agrees to work for her.
Then bit by bit the truth emerges (or so it seems). Ellie is an uberweathy widow so Simon is salivating to take her on. And take her on, he does!
However, her story starts to resemble one that just might not be true, and Simon might be left holding the bag.
When his client dies, Simon is accused of being a murderer in order to get his greedy hands on Ellie's wealth. The problem is, he didn't do it, but the cookies he or his secretary brought to her in the hospital were found to be laced with poison
Things look pretty dire for Simon!
As always, in Mr Grisham's books, there seems to be a number of people who might have offed Ellie, but the law felt they had their man.
Tense and a fun read, Grisham has a wonderful story telling knack that flirts with somewhat devious characters and make us think we know exactly who the culprit is. .
As I thought about it, that ending was ridiculous so I am lowering my rating.
October 4, 2025
I do enjoy a good courtroom scene: the tension, the legal jousting, the drama of the impending outcome. And Grisham does this kind of thing as well as anyone I’ve come across. But here, though there is a court case, most of the action takes place outside of the courtroom.
Simon Latch is a lawyer in a small Virginian town. He’s reached his forties but considers himself a bit of a failure: his marriage is on the rocks, he has no money in the bank and his caseload largely comprises of the drafting of wills and a few small bankruptcy cases. He’s not going to get rich any time soon. But one day, a lady in her eighties walks into his office, and he suddenly senses the opportunity to take on a case that will earn him more than he ever thought he could dream of. As Eleanor Barnett tells her story, it becomes apparent that she’s a thrifty widow with a stack of company shares and is in need of a new will. Managing her estate following her death would be rich pickings indeed, via the huge fees he’d charge for his services.
It’s hard to say whether I liked Simon or not. He’s had some bad luck, but most of it seems to be of his own making. Also, at his core, he comes across as a self-serving guy who’s only tenuously interested in the welfare of others. That said, he does have some redeeming qualities: he loves his kids and, in truth, he’s fundamentally honest. There are a number of strands here as the story plays out, and I genuinely found it hard to predict how it would all finally unfold. I found it entertaining, sometimes amusing, and overall pretty satisfying. The courtroom action was great – I just wish there was a little more of it.
My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for supplying a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Simon Latch is a lawyer in a small Virginian town. He’s reached his forties but considers himself a bit of a failure: his marriage is on the rocks, he has no money in the bank and his caseload largely comprises of the drafting of wills and a few small bankruptcy cases. He’s not going to get rich any time soon. But one day, a lady in her eighties walks into his office, and he suddenly senses the opportunity to take on a case that will earn him more than he ever thought he could dream of. As Eleanor Barnett tells her story, it becomes apparent that she’s a thrifty widow with a stack of company shares and is in need of a new will. Managing her estate following her death would be rich pickings indeed, via the huge fees he’d charge for his services.
It’s hard to say whether I liked Simon or not. He’s had some bad luck, but most of it seems to be of his own making. Also, at his core, he comes across as a self-serving guy who’s only tenuously interested in the welfare of others. That said, he does have some redeeming qualities: he loves his kids and, in truth, he’s fundamentally honest. There are a number of strands here as the story plays out, and I genuinely found it hard to predict how it would all finally unfold. I found it entertaining, sometimes amusing, and overall pretty satisfying. The courtroom action was great – I just wish there was a little more of it.
My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for supplying a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
November 2, 2025
OMG...what was this? What happened to Grisham? There is no soul, no reason to care in this bloated book.
One of the reasons I loved books by Grisham was the small time lawyer generally was on the right side against The Big Bad. There was thrills.
This book had an unlikeable pathetic small time lawyer who was out to swindle an old woman who died mysteriously. But this is the premise but we had every last detail until her death at around 45%. And when Eleanor died, i didn't really care since she wasn't very nice and was driving drunk which put her in the hospital.
This story had no thrills, I didn't care who killed Eleanor since Simon was a trash human (and everyone around her). I hated the writing. This was such a huge miss to me.
One of the reasons I loved books by Grisham was the small time lawyer generally was on the right side against The Big Bad. There was thrills.
This book had an unlikeable pathetic small time lawyer who was out to swindle an old woman who died mysteriously. But this is the premise but we had every last detail until her death at around 45%. And when Eleanor died, i didn't really care since she wasn't very nice and was driving drunk which put her in the hospital.
This story had no thrills, I didn't care who killed Eleanor since Simon was a trash human (and everyone around her). I hated the writing. This was such a huge miss to me.
October 14, 2025
Attorney Simon is a likable morally-grey character. He's got a lot going on in his life including an impeding divorce, a gambling problem, and few professional prospects. Not only is he in a rut, but he's not exactly a stand-up guy. He judges his assistant based on her appearance and is fully ready to take advantage of an old woman because he thinks she might be extremely wealthy. But when Simon is tested, he proves that there's more to him than a seemingly shallow lawyer. When he's accused of murder, his feelings and fears are so genuine that I forgave him his earlier mistakes and desperately rooted for his exoneration.
December 20, 2025
I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.
Simon Latch is a lawyer who’s down and almost out. His marriage is sliding towards divorce and it’s getting nearly impossible to keep it from impacting the kids, gambling is ruining everything, especially the business; he just can’t keep going like this. Small town lawyer, small town clients, it’s NOT working; at all.
Enter Eleanor Barnett - an octogenarian with millions; the answer to Simon’s prayers. If he does things right, her account could be worth in excess of half a million this year; all his problems solved in one tiny old lady. Will Simon treat her right?
Is Eleanor telling the truth? What about her step sons? The other lawyers?
Things don’t go right and Eleanor dies after being in a car accident. Simon has a feeling that something isn’t right. All the above and many other questions get answered in this first ever “who done it” penned by prolific, much honored author, John Grisham. For those expecting his typical courtroom drama, you might be a little let down. There are some chapters devoted to traditional Grisham lawyering and they garner a glorious five stars but the preponderance of this tome is focused on mystery solving and character building. I wouldn’t be surprised if Simon Latch was to appear in another novel or two.
For much of the story, I wanted to skip or scan pages; hurry things along. I’ve gone back to look at a few of the side stories and they don’t figure into the main mystery at all. Their contribution to the character is minimal so I can only assume their purpose is to build the page count up to its whopping 400+ tally. If the editor had trimmed 50-60 pages, the reading experience would have been much tenser, which for this genre is a good thing.
The only thing that was trimmed in this book was the ending and it was so unsatisfying I was actually cranky about it. Maybe my ARC was missing something?
In keeping with his usual style, Grisham keeps the violent and sexual content at a G - PG level. What’s turned up some is the foul language. There aren’t any f-bombs but IMO, there are too many other expletives tossed around. It’s sad to find yet another author who consistently took the high road has taken an unnecessary detour.
Because of the slow moving mid section and lazy use of language, I offer 3.5 stars for THE WIDOW. Due to his impressive and excellent body of work in total, I’ve rounded up📚
Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks
Simon Latch is a lawyer who’s down and almost out. His marriage is sliding towards divorce and it’s getting nearly impossible to keep it from impacting the kids, gambling is ruining everything, especially the business; he just can’t keep going like this. Small town lawyer, small town clients, it’s NOT working; at all.
Enter Eleanor Barnett - an octogenarian with millions; the answer to Simon’s prayers. If he does things right, her account could be worth in excess of half a million this year; all his problems solved in one tiny old lady. Will Simon treat her right?
Is Eleanor telling the truth? What about her step sons? The other lawyers?
Things don’t go right and Eleanor dies after being in a car accident. Simon has a feeling that something isn’t right. All the above and many other questions get answered in this first ever “who done it” penned by prolific, much honored author, John Grisham. For those expecting his typical courtroom drama, you might be a little let down. There are some chapters devoted to traditional Grisham lawyering and they garner a glorious five stars but the preponderance of this tome is focused on mystery solving and character building. I wouldn’t be surprised if Simon Latch was to appear in another novel or two.
For much of the story, I wanted to skip or scan pages; hurry things along. I’ve gone back to look at a few of the side stories and they don’t figure into the main mystery at all. Their contribution to the character is minimal so I can only assume their purpose is to build the page count up to its whopping 400+ tally. If the editor had trimmed 50-60 pages, the reading experience would have been much tenser, which for this genre is a good thing.
The only thing that was trimmed in this book was the ending and it was so unsatisfying I was actually cranky about it. Maybe my ARC was missing something?
In keeping with his usual style, Grisham keeps the violent and sexual content at a G - PG level. What’s turned up some is the foul language. There aren’t any f-bombs but IMO, there are too many other expletives tossed around. It’s sad to find yet another author who consistently took the high road has taken an unnecessary detour.
Because of the slow moving mid section and lazy use of language, I offer 3.5 stars for THE WIDOW. Due to his impressive and excellent body of work in total, I’ve rounded up📚
Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks
December 9, 2025
A time to snooze.
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. I honestly can't remember the last John Grisham novel I read, but this one certainly didn't live up to my memories (although, looking at the ratings, I know I'm in the minority here).
In "The Widow", small-town lawyer Simon Latch is barely keeping his practice - and his marriage - afloat when wealthy widow Eleanor Barnett walks into his office to draft a new will. Her late husband left her a hidden fortune, and Simon sees the chance of a lifetime. But when Eleanor's story starts to unravel and she ends up in the hospital, Simon is suddenly accused of a crime he swears he didn't commit.
"The Widow" is long - very long - and not in a good, immersive way. The first 60% of the book could and should have easily been cut in half. Those chapters drag on endlessly, filled with a lot of pointless repetition and filler, with almost nothing happening beyond Simon being shady, spending money he doesn't have, and cozying up to his elderly client by taking her out for countless lunches.
Then, just when things finally pick up in the last 40%, the pacing flips completely and races through the parts that should have been the most exciting - the courtroom drama and investigative energy you'd expect from a Grisham novel. The result is an unbalanced story that feels strangely hollow, centering around a small-town lawyer who is - perhaps a first in Grisham's universe - almost impossible to root for.
I initially attempted the audiobook, narrated by Michael Beck, but gave up quickly after realizing that while the nasal, whiny tone he adopted for the elderly widow might have suited her, he unfortunately applied that same voice to practically every female character, including the thirty-somethings, and it became unbearable fast.
Overall, "The Widow" felt more like a chore than an escape, but if you're determined to give it a try, skip the audiobook and stick with the print version.
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. I honestly can't remember the last John Grisham novel I read, but this one certainly didn't live up to my memories (although, looking at the ratings, I know I'm in the minority here).
In "The Widow", small-town lawyer Simon Latch is barely keeping his practice - and his marriage - afloat when wealthy widow Eleanor Barnett walks into his office to draft a new will. Her late husband left her a hidden fortune, and Simon sees the chance of a lifetime. But when Eleanor's story starts to unravel and she ends up in the hospital, Simon is suddenly accused of a crime he swears he didn't commit.
"The Widow" is long - very long - and not in a good, immersive way. The first 60% of the book could and should have easily been cut in half. Those chapters drag on endlessly, filled with a lot of pointless repetition and filler, with almost nothing happening beyond Simon being shady, spending money he doesn't have, and cozying up to his elderly client by taking her out for countless lunches.
Then, just when things finally pick up in the last 40%, the pacing flips completely and races through the parts that should have been the most exciting - the courtroom drama and investigative energy you'd expect from a Grisham novel. The result is an unbalanced story that feels strangely hollow, centering around a small-town lawyer who is - perhaps a first in Grisham's universe - almost impossible to root for.
I initially attempted the audiobook, narrated by Michael Beck, but gave up quickly after realizing that while the nasal, whiny tone he adopted for the elderly widow might have suited her, he unfortunately applied that same voice to practically every female character, including the thirty-somethings, and it became unbearable fast.
Overall, "The Widow" felt more like a chore than an escape, but if you're determined to give it a try, skip the audiobook and stick with the print version.
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