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The Good Widow
by
Liz Fenton (Goodreads Author),
Lisa Steinke (Goodreads Author), Dara Rosenberg
Bestselling authors Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke make their suspense debut in this twisty, emotional thriller.
Elementary school teacher Jacqueline “Jacks” Morales’s marriage was far from perfect, but even in its ups and downs it was predictable, familiar. Or at least she thought it was…until two police officers showed up at her door with devastating news. Her husband of eig ...more
Elementary school teacher Jacqueline “Jacks” Morales’s marriage was far from perfect, but even in its ups and downs it was predictable, familiar. Or at least she thought it was…until two police officers showed up at her door with devastating news. Her husband of eig ...more
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Sarah
Are you thinking of "The Other Widow" by Susan Crawford? In that one, the husband ends the affair and then they get in a car crash right after.
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Community Reviews
(showing 1-30)
Jan 08, 2017
Chelsea Humphrey
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Chelsea by:
Liz Fenton
Here's your summer read ladies (and progressive gentlemen)!
To say I was doing the happy dance the moment I heard Liz & Lisa were publishing a novel of suspense would be an understatement; I was like that dang emoji on the iPhone in the red dress, so much so that my family is still embarrassed to be seen in public with me. Oops. On one hand, I knew this storyline would fit perfect with the type of novels that Lake Union has been publishing lately; the suspenseful, domestic fiction is really w ...more
To say I was doing the happy dance the moment I heard Liz & Lisa were publishing a novel of suspense would be an understatement; I was like that dang emoji on the iPhone in the red dress, so much so that my family is still embarrassed to be seen in public with me. Oops. On one hand, I knew this storyline would fit perfect with the type of novels that Lake Union has been publishing lately; the suspenseful, domestic fiction is really w ...more
Jacqueline “Jacks” Morales gets a surprise visit by two police officers at her home in California. They inform her that her husband, James, has died in Hawaii in a car crash. Adding to the mystery is an unknown woman who also died in the accident. Jacks is confused because James was supposed to be on a business trip to Kansas.
James and Jacks had been married for eight years. She never felt that their marriage was perfect but they seemed to get along. After his memorial, an unknown man named Nick ...more
James and Jacks had been married for eight years. She never felt that their marriage was perfect but they seemed to get along. After his memorial, an unknown man named Nick ...more
Mixed feelings on this one...to say the least!
Jacks Morales hears a knock on her door - her life is about to change forever.
"Five minutes ago, I wasn't a widow"
The police have come with the sad news that her husband James died in a tragic accident while in Maui. But wait just a minute, wasn't he supposed to be In Kansas on business? And, he wasn't alone!? Woops.
Plans are made with the other woman's fiancé Nick, to fly to Maui and retrace the steps of their cheating, loved ones. All the way to th ...more
Jacks Morales hears a knock on her door - her life is about to change forever.
"Five minutes ago, I wasn't a widow"
The police have come with the sad news that her husband James died in a tragic accident while in Maui. But wait just a minute, wasn't he supposed to be In Kansas on business? And, he wasn't alone!? Woops.
Plans are made with the other woman's fiancé Nick, to fly to Maui and retrace the steps of their cheating, loved ones. All the way to th ...more
90% chick lit, 10% suspense. This is the best way that I can think of to describe The Good Widow
When Jack’s husband of years dies in a freak car accident in Maui, she is shocked. Her husband James is supposed to be on a business trip in Kansas. Jacks soon learns that James was in Maui with his mistress, Dylan. Jacks realizes that she never really knew her husband of eight years.When Dylan’s fiancée, Nick, shows up at her door asking her to go to Maui with him to find more out about Dylan and Ja ...more
When Jack’s husband of years dies in a freak car accident in Maui, she is shocked. Her husband James is supposed to be on a business trip in Kansas. Jacks soon learns that James was in Maui with his mistress, Dylan. Jacks realizes that she never really knew her husband of eight years.When Dylan’s fiancée, Nick, shows up at her door asking her to go to Maui with him to find more out about Dylan and Ja ...more
Jun 11, 2017
Linda
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
net-galley,
mystery-thrillers
Shape Sifters.
Mythical creatures who possess the ability to transform themselves at will.
Hmm.....But it seems we have the human type here amongst us. They weave in and out presenting themselves in a far different light with far different intentions. Words spoken eye to eye tinged with the sting of lies.
That unexpected knock at the door never seems to be good news. It isn't. Not for Jacqueline "Jacks" Morales that day. Two police officers spill out the words that will change her life forever. Ja ...more
Mythical creatures who possess the ability to transform themselves at will.
Hmm.....But it seems we have the human type here amongst us. They weave in and out presenting themselves in a far different light with far different intentions. Words spoken eye to eye tinged with the sting of lies.
That unexpected knock at the door never seems to be good news. It isn't. Not for Jacqueline "Jacks" Morales that day. Two police officers spill out the words that will change her life forever. Ja ...more
Wasn't what I expected.
Many GR friends gave good reviews for this book, but definitely isn't my age group. Thirty something age group will enjoy reading this book. Main character needs to grow up and examine what she's doing and not so dependent on people around her. You have to start any true relationship by disclosing everything, good or bad.
Many GR friends gave good reviews for this book, but definitely isn't my age group. Thirty something age group will enjoy reading this book. Main character needs to grow up and examine what she's doing and not so dependent on people around her. You have to start any true relationship by disclosing everything, good or bad.
Another great book to read on the beach or bring along on vacation. This is a good one. Very entertaining and suspenseful. I devoured it in one sitting, it's a nice quick read that will keep you hooked from the beginning.
Jacqueline ("Jacks" to almost everyone) has just received devastating news. Her husband has died far from home. He had a car accident on a well-known dangerous road in Hawaii. Wait... wasn't he supposed to be in Kansas?
Turns out he wasn't on the boring business trip he told his ...more
Jacqueline ("Jacks" to almost everyone) has just received devastating news. Her husband has died far from home. He had a car accident on a well-known dangerous road in Hawaii. Wait... wasn't he supposed to be in Kansas?
Turns out he wasn't on the boring business trip he told his ...more
Jacqueline “Jacks” Morales is a school teacher who while she didn't think she had a perfect marriage she did think it was stable and comfortable that is until the day two police officers showed up on her doorstep. Jacks is told that her husband had been involved in an accident while driving the road to Hana in Hawaii. Now since her husband was supposed to be on a business trip in Kansas Jack's is completely confused as to what happened.
Not only did Jacks get the information that her husband is ...more
Not only did Jacks get the information that her husband is ...more
4.5 stars
The Good Widow is a terrifically fun and engrossing read! The book grabbed me from the second I picked it up until I reached its highly satisfying conclusion. As I frequently state in my reviews, the thriller genre (particularly the unreliable narrator subgenre which thankfully this is not) is a bit overloaded these days – some are quite good, others are not good at all. Fortunately, The Good Widow is an outstanding addition to the group.
The story opens with a nameless couple driving t ...more
The Good Widow is a terrifically fun and engrossing read! The book grabbed me from the second I picked it up until I reached its highly satisfying conclusion. As I frequently state in my reviews, the thriller genre (particularly the unreliable narrator subgenre which thankfully this is not) is a bit overloaded these days – some are quite good, others are not good at all. Fortunately, The Good Widow is an outstanding addition to the group.
The story opens with a nameless couple driving t ...more
For book reviews and recommendations visit https://booknationbyjen.wordpress.com.
Nothing wrong with a quick departure from reality as you become wholeheartedly absorbed in the suspense of The Good Widow. Jacks answers her front door to find two police officers telling her the shocking news that her husband is dead. She knew he was on a business trip in Kansas...or was he? The plot thickens when they tell her he was in an accident in Maui, Hawaii. With another woman. And so it begins...th ...more
Nothing wrong with a quick departure from reality as you become wholeheartedly absorbed in the suspense of The Good Widow. Jacks answers her front door to find two police officers telling her the shocking news that her husband is dead. She knew he was on a business trip in Kansas...or was he? The plot thickens when they tell her he was in an accident in Maui, Hawaii. With another woman. And so it begins...th ...more
So fun to read this first suspense novel from Liz and Lisa! Put this one on your to-read shelf!
WOW. Wow, wow, wow.
This is without a doubt one of my favorite books of the year. It is Neglect-Your-Children good. The suspense, the twists...I was trying to figure out the ending the entire time and I just did NOT see it coming. To read it and "watch" it unfold...like I said- I have no idea what my kids were doing, I just had to finish this book. I devoured it and ignored my kids...that right there tells you how damn good this one is. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would.
I have been ...more
This is without a doubt one of my favorite books of the year. It is Neglect-Your-Children good. The suspense, the twists...I was trying to figure out the ending the entire time and I just did NOT see it coming. To read it and "watch" it unfold...like I said- I have no idea what my kids were doing, I just had to finish this book. I devoured it and ignored my kids...that right there tells you how damn good this one is. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would.
I have been ...more
*2.5 stars
Well, to be honest, I didn't enjoy this like so many others have. After seeing great reviews from some of my Goodreads friends, I quickly requested this from Netgalley. I was hoping for a great suspense novel--I've been in such a thriller reading mood lately, but this did not live up to my expectations. Don't get me wrong, I thought this was well-written and very readable. There's no doubt that I will be reading more from these two authors. I'm just not sure it will be another suspense ...more
Well, to be honest, I didn't enjoy this like so many others have. After seeing great reviews from some of my Goodreads friends, I quickly requested this from Netgalley. I was hoping for a great suspense novel--I've been in such a thriller reading mood lately, but this did not live up to my expectations. Don't get me wrong, I thought this was well-written and very readable. There's no doubt that I will be reading more from these two authors. I'm just not sure it will be another suspense ...more
Wow!! What a great thriller! A shocking twist at the end too!!! Had me wanting more!
I was lucky enough to get my hands on a early copy of THE GOOD WIDOW and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
The writing is smart, but accessible, funny, and thoughtful. The pace is taut, but not so much that it feels forced. I really connected with the characters and their storylines - I don't want to say too much about the plot because it might give something away, but I will say this: They ring so true, like friends I would have in my own life, so reading about the intricacies of their relat ...more
The writing is smart, but accessible, funny, and thoughtful. The pace is taut, but not so much that it feels forced. I really connected with the characters and their storylines - I don't want to say too much about the plot because it might give something away, but I will say this: They ring so true, like friends I would have in my own life, so reading about the intricacies of their relat ...more
Jan 27, 2017
Liz Fenton
rated it
it was amazing
· (Review from the author)
·
review of another edition
Dear Reader,
We are so excited for you to read our debut suspense novel! This one is very near and dear to our hearts, as it takes place in one of our favorite places-Maui! We hope you come to love Jacks as much as we did-that you appreciate the complexities of her quest for answers. Enjoy-and don't forget to let us know what you think! Thank you so much for your support.
We are so excited for you to read our debut suspense novel! This one is very near and dear to our hearts, as it takes place in one of our favorite places-Maui! We hope you come to love Jacks as much as we did-that you appreciate the complexities of her quest for answers. Enjoy-and don't forget to let us know what you think! Thank you so much for your support.
THE GOOD WIDOW is both heartrending and suspenseful, deftly navigating Jack's mourning and the loss of her less-than-perfect marriage. The writing is sharp and evocative, the Hawaiian setting is spectacular, and the ending was a wonderful, twisty surprise. A quintessential summer beach read!
Jun 30, 2017
Angie Haupt
added it
The premise grabbed me because, for one thing, it seemed reminiscent of "The Marriage Lie." (Which I tore through.) Husband dies in a place (or on his way to a place) that is not the place where he's supposed to be. Twisty ride through said husband's secretive life ensues.
Before I knock "The Good Widow" too much, I'll say this: A lot of people seem to love it, and I get it. It's fun book candy, perfect for a beach day, forgettable but still entertaining. It just didn't do it for me. The writing ...more
Before I knock "The Good Widow" too much, I'll say this: A lot of people seem to love it, and I get it. It's fun book candy, perfect for a beach day, forgettable but still entertaining. It just didn't do it for me. The writing ...more
A short while after I started my book blog, I got to read a novel written by Liz and Lisa in their early days of writing. It is no longer in print, but my review still is. After that, they produced some more amazing novels, two of which made my favorites list in the years they came out. Those three novels were surreal in nature, dealing with time travel and mind-swapping. However, they are back to a more realistic situation with The Good Widow. And getting real works still really well for them!
I ...more
I ...more
Wowza!!! Talk about a great suspense novel! I thoroughly enjoyed this story with its oh so many details about Hawaii & it's wonderfully real characters. Lisa & Liz may have found their new calling with this genre. Not one dull moment for sure!
Mar 06, 2017
Deborah Blanchard
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
early-review-books,
for-review
Wow, what a book!! I just finished and am still in awe of this story. I hope that I can do this book justice. First of all, it will take you on a ride. Filled with love, loss, betrayal and oh, the suspense! What do you do when your whole world seems to collapse around you? You need answers to your questions and so you go on a quest for those answers. That is what jacks (Jacqueline) does, along with Nick. I am trying to do this without spoilers of any kind. Told in alternating perspectives, it is
...more
Here I am, reading along, thinking how much I am loving this fabulous book in all of its sadness and grief, and especially the utterly devastated Jacks and all of the angst and suspicion and mystery and gloriousness this book is. When BOOM out of nowhere this book suddenly becomes a completely different animal and I'm shocked and it's brilliant and I loved every last moment of it!
I could gush for days but I won't. I will just tell you that this book kept me riveted. The characters were well wri ...more
I could gush for days but I won't. I will just tell you that this book kept me riveted. The characters were well wri ...more
I was given an ARC of this book by the authors for an honest review. WOW. What a great book. This is a departure from the authors previous books. This is their first mystery/suspense novel. This book grabs you from the first page and you don't want to put it down. The characters are very well developed as is the story. Jacqueline (Jacks) is married to James. He is found dead in Maui. As the story unfolds we learn more about their marriage and the fact that Jacks thinks her husband was on a busin
...more
Schoolteacher Jacqueline "Jacks" opens her door to police officers who are there to tell her that her husband James has died in a car accident in Hawaii. However, James had told her he would be working in Kansas, not Hawaii. Jacks also finds out he was with another woman Dylan. As Jacks struggles with James's death and his affair, which she did not even suspect, Dylan's fiancee Nick, a firefighter, comes to her house to ask her to go with him to Hawaii to ask questions and see the spot where the
...more
I thoroughly enjoyed THE GOOD WIDOW. For me, it was a page-turner, and as a frequent visitor to Maui, set in a location near and dear to my heart. I could easily visualize "Jacks" journey to discover the truth about her husband's death. This is a fantastic breakout debut in the suspense arena for accomplished authors Liz & Lisa. I highly recommend.
*Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and the authors for an advanced copy.
*Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and the authors for an advanced copy.
I have read all of Liz and Lisa's previous books and loved them all. This is their debut suspense novel and WOW is it fantastic. Clear your calendar before you open this book because you won't want to put it down until you read the last page.
Jacks and her husband have been married for 8 years - it's an ok marriage with what she thinks are normal problems that most people have. He travels as part of his job and is gone most of every week. Her life is pretty calm until the police show up at her do ...more
Jacks and her husband have been married for 8 years - it's an ok marriage with what she thinks are normal problems that most people have. He travels as part of his job and is gone most of every week. Her life is pretty calm until the police show up at her do ...more
I loved this book! Liz and Lisa take their writing to a new level in thus domestic suspense thriller. It twists and turns with dynamic complex characters. I completely did not see the ending coming. I am being deliberately vague to offer no spoilers. Suffice to say you will need stronger than a pina colada with an umbrella to digest this thriller.
Can't wait to see what the dynamic author duo write next!
I read an early copy of this book. All opinions, as always, are my own.
Can't wait to see what the dynamic author duo write next!
I read an early copy of this book. All opinions, as always, are my own.
A woman is shocked to discover her husband—who was supposed to be in Kansas for a business trip—has died, along with his mistress in Hawaii.
Talented writing duo Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke deliver their first thriller with The Good Widow. Fast paced and twisty, the novel explores the internal turmoil that roils with grief and betrayal.
Jacqueline “Jacks” Morales is left reeling with the news that her husband James is dead after his car tumbles off a cliff in Maui. Worse yet, his death uncovers an ...more
Talented writing duo Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke deliver their first thriller with The Good Widow. Fast paced and twisty, the novel explores the internal turmoil that roils with grief and betrayal.
Jacqueline “Jacks” Morales is left reeling with the news that her husband James is dead after his car tumbles off a cliff in Maui. Worse yet, his death uncovers an ...more
WOW!! This book is outstanding! I devoured it in one day because it was impossible to put down. This book is what a suspense novel should be. It was about more than just "what happened and who did it"; it was about the characters and their journey as well. I felt a strong emotional connection to Jacks and really cared about what she was going through. (I fully admit to being in tears at one point in the story). Just when you think you know what track the story is on, watch out because there is a
...more
Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke's best yet! The audiobook was exceptional performed by Dara Rosenberg, making my long flight a pleasurable one. Review to follow.
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| 52 weeks, 52 books: Week 2017.22: The Good Widow | 1 | 34 | Jun 02, 2017 07:26AM |
Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke have been best friends for 25 years and survived high school and college together. Liz lives in San Diego, CA with her husband and two children. Lisa, a former talk show producer, now lives in Chicago, IL with her husband, daughter and two bonus children.
More about Liz Fenton...
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“She can kill with a smile She can wound with her eyes She can ruin your faith with her casual lies And she only reveals what she wants you to see She hides like a child But she’s always a woman to me —Billy Joel”
—
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“His fingers slithered like a snake to find hers. She opened her palm and accepted them. There was something about the commanding way he reached for her.”
—
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