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Kinship #1
The Widows
Kinship, Ohio, 1924: When Lily Ross learns that her husband, Daniel Ross, the town’s widely respected sheriff, is killed while transporting a prisoner, she is devastated and vows to avenge his death.
Hours after his funeral, a stranger appears at her door. Marvena Whitcomb, a coal miner’s widow, is unaware that Daniel has died, and begs to speak with him about her missing daughter.
From miles away but worlds apart, Lily and Marvena’s lives collide as they realize that Daniel was not the man that either of them believed him to be—and that his murder is far more complex than either of them could have imagined.
Inspired by the true story of Ohio’s first female sheriff, this is a powerful debut about two women’s search for justice as they take on the corruption at the heart of their community.
Hours after his funeral, a stranger appears at her door. Marvena Whitcomb, a coal miner’s widow, is unaware that Daniel has died, and begs to speak with him about her missing daughter.
From miles away but worlds apart, Lily and Marvena’s lives collide as they realize that Daniel was not the man that either of them believed him to be—and that his murder is far more complex than either of them could have imagined.
Inspired by the true story of Ohio’s first female sheriff, this is a powerful debut about two women’s search for justice as they take on the corruption at the heart of their community.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 8, 2019
677 people are currently reading
10404 people want to read
About the author
Jess Montgomery
8 books497 followersJESS MONTGOMERY is the author of the Kinship Historical Mystery series, inspired by a true-life 1920s female sheriff in Appalachia.
-->Learn more, read excerpts and find book club discussion questions at www.jessmontgomeryauthor.com.
-->Follow Jess on BookBub to get free alerts when her books go on sale: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jess-...
-->Stay in touch, get updates, and receive bonus content through her free enewsletter, https://www.subscribepage.com/jessmon... or on Facebook @JessMontgomeryAuthor
Under Jess's given name, she is a columnist for Writer's Digest, "Level Up Your Writing (Life)." Jess also interviews authors and artists on her podcast: "Tea with Jess: Chatting with Authors and Artists." Find the podcast "Tea with Jess" on podcast directories or her website.
Her first novel in the Kinship Historical Mystery series, THE WIDOWS, won the Readers' Choice in Fiction for the 2019 Ohioana Awards. Jess is a three-time recipient of the Individual Excellence Award in Literary Arts from the Ohio Arts Council, and has been a John E. Nance Writer in Residence at Thurber House (Columbus, Ohio).
She lives in her native Ohio, and in addition to writing, loves spending time with family and friends, reading, crocheting, baking (especially pies), spoiling her cats and houseplants, hiking, swimming, and fishing.
-->Learn more, read excerpts and find book club discussion questions at www.jessmontgomeryauthor.com.
-->Follow Jess on BookBub to get free alerts when her books go on sale: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jess-...
-->Stay in touch, get updates, and receive bonus content through her free enewsletter, https://www.subscribepage.com/jessmon... or on Facebook @JessMontgomeryAuthor
Under Jess's given name, she is a columnist for Writer's Digest, "Level Up Your Writing (Life)." Jess also interviews authors and artists on her podcast: "Tea with Jess: Chatting with Authors and Artists." Find the podcast "Tea with Jess" on podcast directories or her website.
Her first novel in the Kinship Historical Mystery series, THE WIDOWS, won the Readers' Choice in Fiction for the 2019 Ohioana Awards. Jess is a three-time recipient of the Individual Excellence Award in Literary Arts from the Ohio Arts Council, and has been a John E. Nance Writer in Residence at Thurber House (Columbus, Ohio).
She lives in her native Ohio, and in addition to writing, loves spending time with family and friends, reading, crocheting, baking (especially pies), spoiling her cats and houseplants, hiking, swimming, and fishing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 631 reviews
September 19, 2018
Revenge keeps the pain of the wound seeping blood into the forever.
Lily Ross bends wearily as she sets thing right in the Rossville jail. Strapped with a derringer at her ankle, Lily eyes the prisoner in the cell facing her. The Appalachian foothills in 1925 in this small Ohio town provide a panoramic view of the Devil's Backbone and the coal mines that give dangerous employment to the men of the community. Lily's own father was killed in a mine blast in the Widowmaker due to a build-up of methane gas.
Lily tends to her duties as the jail mistress. It's just within sight of their small home where her two young children sleep contently under the watchful eye of Hildy. Her husband, Sheriff Daniel Ross, left to pick up another prisoner. He promises to be back in time for her famous buttermilk pie.
As the hours pass, Lily waits alert to any footsteps on the stairs. But the footsteps on the stairs aren't going to belong to Daniel. His Uncle Elias stands in the doorway with sorry written in the form of blood on his hands and his shirt. Daniel has been shot to death on the county road. It appears that the prisoner wrestled away his gun and the tragedy occurs.
Within hours of the funeral, Lily is approached by Daniel's deputy to take over the job of sheriff until the elections can take place. And here is where Jess Montgomery steadies your hands as you clench this book tightly. The character of Lily Ross will take on the owners of the local mines, the Bureau of Mine Safety, and the community that wishes to look the other way. Lily will lock eyes with Marvena, a mine widow, who seems to know Daniel on a different level. She, too, knows that Daniel's death reeks of murder.
Montgomery presents a storyline so character driven and so polished in its detail that you feel like you are in surround-sound. The era is one of sacrifice and hard living in which tomorrow is never fully promised. At the core is an adept layering of threads filled with rawness and reality. And two women, Lily and Marvena, will settle scores and take on inhuman challenges presented to them. Jess Montgomery keeps the pulse of this story pumping and you will savor each and every moment.
I received a copy of The Widows through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to St. Martin's Press and to Jess Montgomery for the opportunity.
Lily Ross bends wearily as she sets thing right in the Rossville jail. Strapped with a derringer at her ankle, Lily eyes the prisoner in the cell facing her. The Appalachian foothills in 1925 in this small Ohio town provide a panoramic view of the Devil's Backbone and the coal mines that give dangerous employment to the men of the community. Lily's own father was killed in a mine blast in the Widowmaker due to a build-up of methane gas.
Lily tends to her duties as the jail mistress. It's just within sight of their small home where her two young children sleep contently under the watchful eye of Hildy. Her husband, Sheriff Daniel Ross, left to pick up another prisoner. He promises to be back in time for her famous buttermilk pie.
As the hours pass, Lily waits alert to any footsteps on the stairs. But the footsteps on the stairs aren't going to belong to Daniel. His Uncle Elias stands in the doorway with sorry written in the form of blood on his hands and his shirt. Daniel has been shot to death on the county road. It appears that the prisoner wrestled away his gun and the tragedy occurs.
Within hours of the funeral, Lily is approached by Daniel's deputy to take over the job of sheriff until the elections can take place. And here is where Jess Montgomery steadies your hands as you clench this book tightly. The character of Lily Ross will take on the owners of the local mines, the Bureau of Mine Safety, and the community that wishes to look the other way. Lily will lock eyes with Marvena, a mine widow, who seems to know Daniel on a different level. She, too, knows that Daniel's death reeks of murder.
Montgomery presents a storyline so character driven and so polished in its detail that you feel like you are in surround-sound. The era is one of sacrifice and hard living in which tomorrow is never fully promised. At the core is an adept layering of threads filled with rawness and reality. And two women, Lily and Marvena, will settle scores and take on inhuman challenges presented to them. Jess Montgomery keeps the pulse of this story pumping and you will savor each and every moment.
I received a copy of The Widows through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to St. Martin's Press and to Jess Montgomery for the opportunity.
January 12, 2020
The Widows is the first book in the Kinship series, a historical mystery written by Jess Montgomery. I stumbled upon the second book in the series on NetGalley recently and requested it... the story focuses on a female sheriff, which is also a key role in my book series - I had to read it! When I realized it was part of a series, I ordered the first one and read it yesterday. I have to read in order, it's just who I am. I'm so glad I enjoyed this book as it makes me eager to read the second one. Let's dive into a review...
The book takes place in Ohio in the mid-1920s, after World War I and the Spanish Influenza but before the Great Depression. The chapters alternate POV between Marvena, a close ally of the sheriff, and Lily, the sheriff's wife. The two women have never met... until Daniel's, the sheriff's, death. Who killed him? Add in a nasty half-brother who fought with Daniel over unionization in the mines, several Pinkerton guards, a deputy, a group of miners with nothing to lose, and some seedy characters who might've been in the mob... you've got a well-rounded cast of suspects. As the tale unfolds, we learn what happened in the past, when Daniel and Marvena were closer, and how Lily and Daniel fell in love and married.
To start with, this book combines two of my favorite genres: mystery and historical fiction. I loved learning about live nearly a century ago, especially in a small town I've never been to. Kinship is key, and the author's forward and summary at the end (about how she came up with this story) was just as fascinating as the story itself. I supported the miners but understood the town's fury and debate. I loved how Lily became sheriff, given some of the responsibilities but kept from others because she was a woman -- this showed the possibilities, even ~100 years ago. While I don't condone what the town did to her at times, knowing when this takes place, it was a positive thing to see how she pushed forward. Excellent characterization.
The bond between Marvena and Lilly was tremendous - and it was not always easy. Questions of love and infidelity lingered on the surface. Family ties were strong and painful. In the end, the mystery kept me guessing, and I was fairly sure whodunit, but let me just say... I never saw the twist coming! So... kudos to the author for keeping the suspense - a most appropriate kind for 1920s rural America. I kept turning the pages to find out what would happen to these wonderful people. I'm very intrigued to read the second book, and I definitely recommend this series so far.
The book takes place in Ohio in the mid-1920s, after World War I and the Spanish Influenza but before the Great Depression. The chapters alternate POV between Marvena, a close ally of the sheriff, and Lily, the sheriff's wife. The two women have never met... until Daniel's, the sheriff's, death. Who killed him? Add in a nasty half-brother who fought with Daniel over unionization in the mines, several Pinkerton guards, a deputy, a group of miners with nothing to lose, and some seedy characters who might've been in the mob... you've got a well-rounded cast of suspects. As the tale unfolds, we learn what happened in the past, when Daniel and Marvena were closer, and how Lily and Daniel fell in love and married.
To start with, this book combines two of my favorite genres: mystery and historical fiction. I loved learning about live nearly a century ago, especially in a small town I've never been to. Kinship is key, and the author's forward and summary at the end (about how she came up with this story) was just as fascinating as the story itself. I supported the miners but understood the town's fury and debate. I loved how Lily became sheriff, given some of the responsibilities but kept from others because she was a woman -- this showed the possibilities, even ~100 years ago. While I don't condone what the town did to her at times, knowing when this takes place, it was a positive thing to see how she pushed forward. Excellent characterization.
The bond between Marvena and Lilly was tremendous - and it was not always easy. Questions of love and infidelity lingered on the surface. Family ties were strong and painful. In the end, the mystery kept me guessing, and I was fairly sure whodunit, but let me just say... I never saw the twist coming! So... kudos to the author for keeping the suspense - a most appropriate kind for 1920s rural America. I kept turning the pages to find out what would happen to these wonderful people. I'm very intrigued to read the second book, and I definitely recommend this series so far.
July 22, 2022
This is a historical fiction, and this is the first book in the Kinship series. I loved this book. It took place in 1924 in Ohio. This book is about Lily trying to solve her husband who was the sheriff murder, and Marvena a coal miner's widow want to solve the corruption at the heart of their town. Lily becomes the sheriff after her husband is killed, and she finds out her husband was not totally the man she thought he was. Her and Marvena join together to find out who killed Lily's husband and fixed the corruption in their town. This book was powerful and fast moving. I won a copy of this book from a goodreads giveaway, but this review is 100% my opinion. Note: This book was inspired by the true story of Ohio's first female sheriff, Jess Montgomery.
January 7, 2019
"Life often demands doing contradictory things in exchange for survival". Life in the Appalachian mining town of Kinship, Ohio changed in the blink of an eye following a 1924 cave-in resulting from an undetectable buildup of methane gas ignited by lightning. John Rutherford, Marvena Whitcomb's common-law husband and Caleb McArthur, Lily Ross's father died trying to rescue trapped miners in the Widowmaker. Lily and Marvena would soon meet each other under less than ideal circumstances.
Lily Ross was jail mistress, keeping prisoner records and assisting her husband, extremely popular Sheriff, Daniel Ross. Daniel's half-brother, Luther owned and managed Ross Mining. Miners lived in company housing and were paid in scrip, in lieu of money, to be used for purchases in the company store. Workers who complained often were forced to vacate company housing units. Luther hired Pinkertons, thugs used an enforcers. Sheriff Ross was sent by a Pinkerton to pick up and jail a prisoner who was a miner. Daniel never returned. Lily was informed that he was killed by the "escaping" prisoner.
Lily and Marvena meet after Daniel's funeral. Each woman has a connection to him. What happened to the close, honest marriage between Daniel and Lily? The uncomfortable relationship between these two strong minded, determined women was ever changing. Lily had been appointed acting sheriff until a new election. This title would enable her to investigate Daniel's death. Marvena would "keep stirring up" what her husband started, the organization of mine workers. Luther Ross with the backing of hired Pinkertons, was not having it!
Lily and Marvena had joined the "sorrowful sisterhood of widows". Will acting Sheriff Lily Ross glean the details of her husband's death? Will Marvena Whitcomb's attempts to organize mine workers be successful? Did Lily truly know Daniel? So many questions...deaths...disappearances.
"The Widows" by Jess Montgomery was a historical fiction debut novel loosely based upon the true story of Ohio's first female sheriff, Maude Collins and activist, "Mother" Jones. Both Lily and Marvena were women crusaders fighting corruption and seeking justice. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "The Widows".
Lily Ross was jail mistress, keeping prisoner records and assisting her husband, extremely popular Sheriff, Daniel Ross. Daniel's half-brother, Luther owned and managed Ross Mining. Miners lived in company housing and were paid in scrip, in lieu of money, to be used for purchases in the company store. Workers who complained often were forced to vacate company housing units. Luther hired Pinkertons, thugs used an enforcers. Sheriff Ross was sent by a Pinkerton to pick up and jail a prisoner who was a miner. Daniel never returned. Lily was informed that he was killed by the "escaping" prisoner.
Lily and Marvena meet after Daniel's funeral. Each woman has a connection to him. What happened to the close, honest marriage between Daniel and Lily? The uncomfortable relationship between these two strong minded, determined women was ever changing. Lily had been appointed acting sheriff until a new election. This title would enable her to investigate Daniel's death. Marvena would "keep stirring up" what her husband started, the organization of mine workers. Luther Ross with the backing of hired Pinkertons, was not having it!
Lily and Marvena had joined the "sorrowful sisterhood of widows". Will acting Sheriff Lily Ross glean the details of her husband's death? Will Marvena Whitcomb's attempts to organize mine workers be successful? Did Lily truly know Daniel? So many questions...deaths...disappearances.
"The Widows" by Jess Montgomery was a historical fiction debut novel loosely based upon the true story of Ohio's first female sheriff, Maude Collins and activist, "Mother" Jones. Both Lily and Marvena were women crusaders fighting corruption and seeking justice. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "The Widows".
January 16, 2019
Favorite Quote:
Mama’s round face is so puckered with outrage that her mouth looks like the top of a drawstring purse.
My Review:
I am in awe of this author, this is her first novel and it was simply stellar! The storytelling was commanding, cunningly crafted, enthralling, emotive, highly descriptive, and smartly nuanced. I was instantly sucked into her vortex and heard a multitude of sounds, accents, and dialects in my head. I was right there with them, riding in their cars, feeling the dynamite blasts as well as their deep sorrows, and smelling their sweat and fear. The mystery was hopelessly intriguing and appeared an impossibly tangled knot that I feared was without hope for a solution. I was so deeply engrossed in their tale I experienced the conflict of simultaneous relief and grief upon completion. Jess Montgomery’s word voodoo packs a powerful punch and is dangerously hypnotic.
Mama’s round face is so puckered with outrage that her mouth looks like the top of a drawstring purse.
My Review:
I am in awe of this author, this is her first novel and it was simply stellar! The storytelling was commanding, cunningly crafted, enthralling, emotive, highly descriptive, and smartly nuanced. I was instantly sucked into her vortex and heard a multitude of sounds, accents, and dialects in my head. I was right there with them, riding in their cars, feeling the dynamite blasts as well as their deep sorrows, and smelling their sweat and fear. The mystery was hopelessly intriguing and appeared an impossibly tangled knot that I feared was without hope for a solution. I was so deeply engrossed in their tale I experienced the conflict of simultaneous relief and grief upon completion. Jess Montgomery’s word voodoo packs a powerful punch and is dangerously hypnotic.
January 31, 2019
3.75 stars rounded up to 4
Thanks to Netgalley and St.Martins Press for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Described as a historical mystery, The Widows is the beginning of a new series called "Kinship" set in the 1920's and featuring two captivating women - Lily Ross, who becomes sheriff of her Ohio town after the death of her husband; and Marvena Whitcomb, a miner's widow who is an active member in the union movement. Lily is bent on bringing vengenacnce down on her husband's killer. Marvena is determined that the sheriff's brother in law be stopped from re-opening the dangerous part of the coal mine known as the "Widowmaker" and finding out what happened to her teenage daughter. Together the two women find themselves working together and standing up for justice.
The Widows is an engrossing tale that is impossible to put down. I felt that our two main leads- Lily and Marvena( who both take turns with the narration) really displayed the strong character of women in that time period to continue holding up their families after the deaths of their husbands. Equally interesting is the author's note and the inspiration behind the tale. A book that I would defintely recommend putting on your TBR.
Thanks to Netgalley and St.Martins Press for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Described as a historical mystery, The Widows is the beginning of a new series called "Kinship" set in the 1920's and featuring two captivating women - Lily Ross, who becomes sheriff of her Ohio town after the death of her husband; and Marvena Whitcomb, a miner's widow who is an active member in the union movement. Lily is bent on bringing vengenacnce down on her husband's killer. Marvena is determined that the sheriff's brother in law be stopped from re-opening the dangerous part of the coal mine known as the "Widowmaker" and finding out what happened to her teenage daughter. Together the two women find themselves working together and standing up for justice.
The Widows is an engrossing tale that is impossible to put down. I felt that our two main leads- Lily and Marvena( who both take turns with the narration) really displayed the strong character of women in that time period to continue holding up their families after the deaths of their husbands. Equally interesting is the author's note and the inspiration behind the tale. A book that I would defintely recommend putting on your TBR.
Read
June 26, 2019The Hook Just give me fiction with the facts, Ma'am!
The Line - “Life is hard. Have tea.”
In addition there are many references to hymns, ballads, and songs, which are much a part of the heritage of the people of the fictional town of Kinship, Ohio, these used in worship and comfort. Be certain to read the author notes.
"Precious Memories, how they linger, how they ever flood my soul
The Sinker - My sincere thanks to Librarian, blogger and trusted reviewer, Lesa Holstine lesasbookcritiques for recommending The Widows. Stop by and read Lesa's review here on GoodReads.
I've also discovered this interview with author, Jess Montgomery on Bookpage Behind the Book The Widows. Read the book, read the author's inspiration, visit Vinton County Ohio's webpageMaude Collins, Ohio's First Female Sheriff
I really enjoy books like this featuring strong female characters who are pioneers as the first in careers formerly held only by men. Like many females of her day, Lily Ross was content, even comfortable in her role as wife and mother. Lily's extra duties as mistress of the jail headed by Sheriff Daniel Ross, her husband, was enough adventure outside the home. 1920's Bronwyn County, Ohio, home to Company Mine #9, the Widowmaker, impetus for Lily's appointment as acting sheriff when her husband is killed, sets the backdrop of the interesting plot, a story of life, of love, of sorrow, of home.
The Widows, a debut is a winner which should appeal to historical fiction lovers and fans of The Kopp Sisters Series by Amy Stewart. There's room for two female sheriffs in my reading life. Can't wait for the next in The Kinship Series Jess Montgomery.
Grave of Maude Charles Collins
The Line - “Life is hard. Have tea.”
In addition there are many references to hymns, ballads, and songs, which are much a part of the heritage of the people of the fictional town of Kinship, Ohio, these used in worship and comfort. Be certain to read the author notes.
"Precious Memories, how they linger, how they ever flood my soul
The Sinker - My sincere thanks to Librarian, blogger and trusted reviewer, Lesa Holstine lesasbookcritiques for recommending The Widows. Stop by and read Lesa's review here on GoodReads.
I've also discovered this interview with author, Jess Montgomery on Bookpage Behind the Book The Widows. Read the book, read the author's inspiration, visit Vinton County Ohio's webpageMaude Collins, Ohio's First Female Sheriff
I really enjoy books like this featuring strong female characters who are pioneers as the first in careers formerly held only by men. Like many females of her day, Lily Ross was content, even comfortable in her role as wife and mother. Lily's extra duties as mistress of the jail headed by Sheriff Daniel Ross, her husband, was enough adventure outside the home. 1920's Bronwyn County, Ohio, home to Company Mine #9, the Widowmaker, impetus for Lily's appointment as acting sheriff when her husband is killed, sets the backdrop of the interesting plot, a story of life, of love, of sorrow, of home.
The Widows, a debut is a winner which should appeal to historical fiction lovers and fans of The Kopp Sisters Series by Amy Stewart. There's room for two female sheriffs in my reading life. Can't wait for the next in The Kinship Series Jess Montgomery.
Grave of Maude Charles Collins
September 16, 2019
A story of two courageous, hard-working, and thoroughly admirable women, this story is set in an Appalachian mining community where a mine called "The Widowmaker" has proven its name on three separate occasions...
"The sisterhood of widows. Such a sorrowful sisterhood Lily has joined."
Lily Ross - Wife of the Sheriff, Daniel Ross, pregnant and with two young children, she is widowed at the tender age of twenty-six. Approached by the deputy and offered the position of temporary sheriff, Lily accepts. She aims to find out how and why her beloved husband was killed. They have underestimated Lily's strength and obstinacy.
Marvena Whitcomb - Widow of a miner, mother to two girls, and former lover and lifelong friend of Daniel Ross. The thirty-five year-old Marvena, having suffered many losses due to the dire conditions in the mining industry, is a union organizer. She is also a moonshiner during the lean years of prohibition.
"So many believe women are too sensitive for life's brutal truths. That's only, Lily thinks, because they've not experienced the brutal truths life gives particularly and uniquely to women."
The women overcome mistrust to merge together to combat desperate conditions and corrupt men of power. And, most importantly, to find out the hows and whys of Daniel Ross's murder.
MY THOUGHTS
It is obvious that Jess Montgomery didn't stint on her meticulous research. She crafted two fictional woman who became flesh and blood to the reader. Vividly described places and situations expound on the extreme poverty and resilience of the coal mining families in the 1920s. A time when the 'company' owned the houses the miners lived in, owned the schools the children attended, employed the only doctor for miles, and owned the store the miners shopped at. It was a time when young boys worked in the mines as early as the age of eleven. Also, it was a time when the Pinkerton Agency was just a band of 'thugs for hire'.
The women overcome the odds in a time when women had little, if any, socioeconomic power. In addition to the dangerous and downright criminal practices of the mining company, they expose kickbacks, organized criminals, and murder. All the while tending to their children, cooking, cleaning, and more. These women will remain in my memory for a very long time.
This fiction debut by author Jess Montgomery proves that she has a writing talent to be reckoned with - and should be a firm favorite of all lovers of historical fiction. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Minotaur/St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in order to participate in a TLC Blog Tour. 4.5 stars rounded up for Goodreads
"The sisterhood of widows. Such a sorrowful sisterhood Lily has joined."
Lily Ross - Wife of the Sheriff, Daniel Ross, pregnant and with two young children, she is widowed at the tender age of twenty-six. Approached by the deputy and offered the position of temporary sheriff, Lily accepts. She aims to find out how and why her beloved husband was killed. They have underestimated Lily's strength and obstinacy.
Marvena Whitcomb - Widow of a miner, mother to two girls, and former lover and lifelong friend of Daniel Ross. The thirty-five year-old Marvena, having suffered many losses due to the dire conditions in the mining industry, is a union organizer. She is also a moonshiner during the lean years of prohibition.
"So many believe women are too sensitive for life's brutal truths. That's only, Lily thinks, because they've not experienced the brutal truths life gives particularly and uniquely to women."
The women overcome mistrust to merge together to combat desperate conditions and corrupt men of power. And, most importantly, to find out the hows and whys of Daniel Ross's murder.
MY THOUGHTS
It is obvious that Jess Montgomery didn't stint on her meticulous research. She crafted two fictional woman who became flesh and blood to the reader. Vividly described places and situations expound on the extreme poverty and resilience of the coal mining families in the 1920s. A time when the 'company' owned the houses the miners lived in, owned the schools the children attended, employed the only doctor for miles, and owned the store the miners shopped at. It was a time when young boys worked in the mines as early as the age of eleven. Also, it was a time when the Pinkerton Agency was just a band of 'thugs for hire'.
The women overcome the odds in a time when women had little, if any, socioeconomic power. In addition to the dangerous and downright criminal practices of the mining company, they expose kickbacks, organized criminals, and murder. All the while tending to their children, cooking, cleaning, and more. These women will remain in my memory for a very long time.
This fiction debut by author Jess Montgomery proves that she has a writing talent to be reckoned with - and should be a firm favorite of all lovers of historical fiction. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Minotaur/St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in order to participate in a TLC Blog Tour. 4.5 stars rounded up for Goodreads
January 7, 2019
The year is 1924, and Lilly Ross learns her husband, Kinship's sheriff was killed while transporting a prisoner. However, just after the funeral, a strange woman shows up not knowing that Daniel Ross is dead. Marvena Whitcomb has known Daniel for years, and now she's there to talk to him about her missing daughter. Her husband was a coal miner who died a while back. Both women have to deal with the loss of Daniel, and they join forces to find out the truth about his death.
READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT FRESH FICTION!
READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT FRESH FICTION!
August 26, 2020
This is the first of a series that introduces Lily and Marvena. Lily's husband Daniel, the sheriff, has been killed. The town elders ask Lily to step in and underestimate her will, smarts, and drive to find out who has murdered Daniel. Marvena's husband has also died but she too, has a past with Daniel. Their lives intersect during this time of unions and coal mining, prohibition and moonshine. Lily proves to be as formidable and does not step into the role of sheriff lightly.
This story was inspired by the true life story of Ohio's first female sheriff, who also came into her role through the death of her husband.
The historical realism of this time period is phenomenal. Anyone familiar with the Appalachian area will recognize the food particular to that region. The poverty and perils of the coal mines and those that worked them and their families come to life and we feel their apprehension as they secretly try to unionize.
This is a different period piece for the 1920's and I highly recommend it. The characters are well developed and so true to life. I was happy to read that Jess Montgomery already has the second book in the series published and has ideas for the third.
This story was inspired by the true life story of Ohio's first female sheriff, who also came into her role through the death of her husband.
The historical realism of this time period is phenomenal. Anyone familiar with the Appalachian area will recognize the food particular to that region. The poverty and perils of the coal mines and those that worked them and their families come to life and we feel their apprehension as they secretly try to unionize.
This is a different period piece for the 1920's and I highly recommend it. The characters are well developed and so true to life. I was happy to read that Jess Montgomery already has the second book in the series published and has ideas for the third.
June 17, 2022
It was weird with this book. I really enjoyed the story while I was reading it but didn’t have the desire to pick it up every day. Took me a while to finish because of that. Always amazes me how women were regarded in the not too distant past.
February 3, 2019
3.5 stars. Our story begins September of 1924 in the fictitious Bronwyn County of Ohio. Jess Montgomery writes in her author’s note that Bronwyn is meant to represent “western Athens, eastern Vinton, and southern Hocking and Perry counties” of Ohio. The Appalachian region is ever of interest to me; its histories and varied, distinct, and fascinating characters strike a chord. Born and raised in my own briar patch of western North Carolina, I sometimes take for granted my heritage, sometimes ugly in its prejudices, but resilient, hopeful, and beautiful when it's accepting, tolerant, and aware.
This novel will strike a chord in the heart of the feminist as well. Lily Ross becomes the first female sheriff in Ohio in 1925. When her husband, Daniel, is murdered, Lily who had assisted Daniel as jail matron, is given the mostly honorary title of sheriff. The men who bestow the title upon her have no idea at the lengths Lily will go to find the answer to who murdered her husband. Lily thinks as many women do (and rightly so), that the men have underestimated her. Daniel’s half brother, Luther, owns the coal mining business where so many people in the surrounding area known as Rossville, work. Working for scrip which can only be used in the company store or to pay for a home provided by the company, Montgomery details the hard, often brutal life of coal miners and their families. When the coal miners, headed up by Marvena Whitcomb, start to agitate for unionization, the intrigue of Marvena’s life spills over to Lily’s world. However, there is a deeper connection between these two women, that readers will want to discover for themselves.
Methane collecting near the mouths of mining tunnels proves to be a horrible problem, then. Now, it is still the dirge of our modern world; methane emissions from the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline will equal that of 20 coal-powered plants according to this website, http://priceofoil.org/2017/02/15/new-.... It’s hard to read about the past and not think about the present or the future. Just as in Montgomery’s novel, the people are at risk of being exploited by business and today, the superstructures of corporation.
Jess Montgomery shows what can happen when people unite. Women are the leaders in this novel, so refreshing. The author tells a straightforward story with mostly no-frills prose. The plot manages to be powerful and audacious because so much of it is grounded in history. There is an interesting aspect of organized crime holding sway over outcomes.
This novel will strike a chord in the heart of the feminist as well. Lily Ross becomes the first female sheriff in Ohio in 1925. When her husband, Daniel, is murdered, Lily who had assisted Daniel as jail matron, is given the mostly honorary title of sheriff. The men who bestow the title upon her have no idea at the lengths Lily will go to find the answer to who murdered her husband. Lily thinks as many women do (and rightly so), that the men have underestimated her. Daniel’s half brother, Luther, owns the coal mining business where so many people in the surrounding area known as Rossville, work. Working for scrip which can only be used in the company store or to pay for a home provided by the company, Montgomery details the hard, often brutal life of coal miners and their families. When the coal miners, headed up by Marvena Whitcomb, start to agitate for unionization, the intrigue of Marvena’s life spills over to Lily’s world. However, there is a deeper connection between these two women, that readers will want to discover for themselves.
Methane collecting near the mouths of mining tunnels proves to be a horrible problem, then. Now, it is still the dirge of our modern world; methane emissions from the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline will equal that of 20 coal-powered plants according to this website, http://priceofoil.org/2017/02/15/new-.... It’s hard to read about the past and not think about the present or the future. Just as in Montgomery’s novel, the people are at risk of being exploited by business and today, the superstructures of corporation.
Jess Montgomery shows what can happen when people unite. Women are the leaders in this novel, so refreshing. The author tells a straightforward story with mostly no-frills prose. The plot manages to be powerful and audacious because so much of it is grounded in history. There is an interesting aspect of organized crime holding sway over outcomes.
December 19, 2018
I'm torn between 3 and 3.5 stars.
The Widows is a character rich historical-fiction novel that takes place in small town, coal mining Ohio during the 1920's. The two main protagonists, Lily and Marvena, are both strong, independent, and powerful women, who are helping shape America's coal mining society during a time where the rich kept getting richer, while the poor was kept in the shadows. Kind of reminds me of America today...
While Lily represents Ohio as their first female sheriff, Marvena represents the coal industry townsfolk struggling to organize and union. Lily's husband is killed while transporting a prisoner, and she struggles to work while being a single parent, while Marvena loses her husband as well in the mines. The two characters face off in a battle that both parties are unprepared for, but they both believe that they're right.
The Widows provides a gripping bird's eye view from a woman's point of view, at a time where women were not regarded as equals in society. While the mystery is strong, the story also provides realistic storytelling—allowing readers to take a peek into the greed and corruption of a time period that is most often overlooked.
The Widows is a character rich historical-fiction novel that takes place in small town, coal mining Ohio during the 1920's. The two main protagonists, Lily and Marvena, are both strong, independent, and powerful women, who are helping shape America's coal mining society during a time where the rich kept getting richer, while the poor was kept in the shadows. Kind of reminds me of America today...
While Lily represents Ohio as their first female sheriff, Marvena represents the coal industry townsfolk struggling to organize and union. Lily's husband is killed while transporting a prisoner, and she struggles to work while being a single parent, while Marvena loses her husband as well in the mines. The two characters face off in a battle that both parties are unprepared for, but they both believe that they're right.
The Widows provides a gripping bird's eye view from a woman's point of view, at a time where women were not regarded as equals in society. While the mystery is strong, the story also provides realistic storytelling—allowing readers to take a peek into the greed and corruption of a time period that is most often overlooked.
June 4, 2022
This isn't my usual choice of reading but I decided to try some new types of books this year.
Wow am so glad I did. This is now a Favorite.
Lily and Marvena such a force.
On to "The Hollows" to see what they do next.
Wow am so glad I did. This is now a Favorite.
Lily and Marvena such a force.
On to "The Hollows" to see what they do next.
August 22, 2018
Oh, how I love this book. Two strong women, a gripping mystery, and so beautifully written that I can practically hear the hawk’s cry, taste the sorghum, and feel coal dust on my skin. The Widows has earned a spot on my keeper shelf, and may there be many, many more books in this series to come.
August 13, 2019
I felt the novel started a bit slow, but once I was drawn into the story I was captivated by the strength, intelligence and resilience of Lily and Marvena.
Set in the Appalachian region of Ohio in the 1920s. Lily Ross is shocked by the news of her husband, and sheriff, Daniel's death. He was supposedly killed while transporting a prisoner. She is surprised by a visit from Marvena, a coal miner's widow, just hours after Daniel's funeral. Unaware of Daniel's death, Marvena came seeking news of her daughter's disappearance. Lily was completely unaware of Daniel's connection to Marvena, and begins to question other pieces of Daniel's life she knew nothing about.
Lily vows to avenge Daniel's death and when she is sworn in as acting sheriff, she has the means to investigate. Marvena is determined to continue her late husband's work to band the coal miner's together to pursue unionization. The owner of the coal mines has brought in thugs from Pinkerton and will do anything to stop talk of organizing to demand better work conditions. Things are about to become dangerous and violent and it will take every ounce of courage Lily and Marvena have to bring hope to their community.
All three of our boys went to Ohio University in Athens, so I was familiar with the area. Even today, once you leave the campus and the Athen's area, there is a hardscrabble beauty in the surrounding area.
Loosely based on the true story of Ohio's first female sheriff, a wonderful debut.
Set in the Appalachian region of Ohio in the 1920s. Lily Ross is shocked by the news of her husband, and sheriff, Daniel's death. He was supposedly killed while transporting a prisoner. She is surprised by a visit from Marvena, a coal miner's widow, just hours after Daniel's funeral. Unaware of Daniel's death, Marvena came seeking news of her daughter's disappearance. Lily was completely unaware of Daniel's connection to Marvena, and begins to question other pieces of Daniel's life she knew nothing about.
Lily vows to avenge Daniel's death and when she is sworn in as acting sheriff, she has the means to investigate. Marvena is determined to continue her late husband's work to band the coal miner's together to pursue unionization. The owner of the coal mines has brought in thugs from Pinkerton and will do anything to stop talk of organizing to demand better work conditions. Things are about to become dangerous and violent and it will take every ounce of courage Lily and Marvena have to bring hope to their community.
All three of our boys went to Ohio University in Athens, so I was familiar with the area. Even today, once you leave the campus and the Athen's area, there is a hardscrabble beauty in the surrounding area.
Loosely based on the true story of Ohio's first female sheriff, a wonderful debut.
January 18, 2019
This Historical Fiction novel sets itself apart from others in this popular genre by focusing on the lives and points of view of two women in a small, coal mining town in Ohio during the 1920's. Coal mining, especially in the early 20th century, was a dangerous business and in this book, two women, with a complicated bond, find themselves in the middle of a controversy as some townspeople want to organize a union while others will do anything to stop it.
Inspired by true events, the story follows Lily, the first female sheriff in Ohio, and Marvena, a coal miner's widow. These women are determined single mothers who take on the greed and corruption that has taken over their small town. There are many characters added into the story (sometimes making it hard to remember who is who) but if readers are patient, their connections to the story and main characters will be revealed. The characters are varied and show the different groups of people living in this small town. From the poor townspeople that rely on bootlegging to get by, to the rich mine owners and Pinkertons who aim to control the small town and its residents by any means possible.
While there is a mystery at the heart of the book, I found my focus to be more on the historical aspects rather than the mystery surrounding the death of Lily's husband and Marvena's missing daughter. With rich descriptions, Montgomery brings readers to a historical time and place that many (including myself) may not know much about.
Overall, this is a well-researched historical read set during a tumultuous time. I enjoyed seeing the story through the eyes of women and witnessing the difficult stereotypes they faced during a time when men dominated business and the law. This is the first book in a new series, and I think readers will look forward to getting to know Lily and Marvena better in future books.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to TLC Book Tours and Minotaur Books for providing me with a complimentary advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I have a book giveaway (Canada and US only) on my blog:
https://thebakingbookworm.blogspot.co...
Inspired by true events, the story follows Lily, the first female sheriff in Ohio, and Marvena, a coal miner's widow. These women are determined single mothers who take on the greed and corruption that has taken over their small town. There are many characters added into the story (sometimes making it hard to remember who is who) but if readers are patient, their connections to the story and main characters will be revealed. The characters are varied and show the different groups of people living in this small town. From the poor townspeople that rely on bootlegging to get by, to the rich mine owners and Pinkertons who aim to control the small town and its residents by any means possible.
While there is a mystery at the heart of the book, I found my focus to be more on the historical aspects rather than the mystery surrounding the death of Lily's husband and Marvena's missing daughter. With rich descriptions, Montgomery brings readers to a historical time and place that many (including myself) may not know much about.
Overall, this is a well-researched historical read set during a tumultuous time. I enjoyed seeing the story through the eyes of women and witnessing the difficult stereotypes they faced during a time when men dominated business and the law. This is the first book in a new series, and I think readers will look forward to getting to know Lily and Marvena better in future books.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to TLC Book Tours and Minotaur Books for providing me with a complimentary advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I have a book giveaway (Canada and US only) on my blog:
https://thebakingbookworm.blogspot.co...
November 11, 2019
Not for me. I almost made it to the end (reading it for a book club) but at almost 80% just couldn't do it anymore. The characters were flat and had absolutely no dimension to them, I found it very hard to care about them at all. The story felt pieced together, it did not flow well and the editing was horrendous! I found so many misspellings and even a wrong character inserted into a scene. Not kidding. There are two young girls in this story and in one scene they were switched. I reread that scene many times trying to figure out if I misunderstood something but nope, they were switched.
September 14, 2018
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for this read in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions contained herein are my own.
This was a first time read for me by Jess Montgomery that was a well-written novel.
"The Widows" is set in 1920’s Ohio, in a small town that depends on its living from a mining company. Lily Ross is the Sheriff’s wife of Bronwyn County who serves as the jail mistress, and who enjoys working with her husband. Her husband’s connections with the owner of the local mine, her bother-in-law enables her to understand the mechanics that go on within the mining community.
Unfortunately, her husband is killed transporting a prisoner and she must deal with her loss and with raising her two young children. She also uncovers the secret life her husband lived and is bent on finding his killer. The other woman, Marvena Whitcomb is strong-willed and loses her common law husband, who was the local union organizer in the mines trying to save others. Her quest is to find out what has happened to her daughter.
This novel was a very nice piece of historical fiction from a woman’s point of view dealing with a mining community dominated by men and tears down stereotypes put on women of the time. It has its twists and turns surrounding the greed of people involved in the coal mining industry in the 1920s and did not disappoint. It began strong and held this reader’s attention until the end.
I think the author did a very good job with researching the history of her story bringing forth as story inspired by true events. I loved the strong convictions and courage held by these two women as they learned to understand and trust each other. Truly a wonderful book.
4.5 Stars
This was a first time read for me by Jess Montgomery that was a well-written novel.
"The Widows" is set in 1920’s Ohio, in a small town that depends on its living from a mining company. Lily Ross is the Sheriff’s wife of Bronwyn County who serves as the jail mistress, and who enjoys working with her husband. Her husband’s connections with the owner of the local mine, her bother-in-law enables her to understand the mechanics that go on within the mining community.
Unfortunately, her husband is killed transporting a prisoner and she must deal with her loss and with raising her two young children. She also uncovers the secret life her husband lived and is bent on finding his killer. The other woman, Marvena Whitcomb is strong-willed and loses her common law husband, who was the local union organizer in the mines trying to save others. Her quest is to find out what has happened to her daughter.
This novel was a very nice piece of historical fiction from a woman’s point of view dealing with a mining community dominated by men and tears down stereotypes put on women of the time. It has its twists and turns surrounding the greed of people involved in the coal mining industry in the 1920s and did not disappoint. It began strong and held this reader’s attention until the end.
I think the author did a very good job with researching the history of her story bringing forth as story inspired by true events. I loved the strong convictions and courage held by these two women as they learned to understand and trust each other. Truly a wonderful book.
4.5 Stars
July 16, 2021
This was nice, but it could have been better. I read this for book club, and I found that most of us in the group felt that this novel needed something to make it better, but we couldn't put a finger on what. Things are slow to start, and the two main characters, Lily and Marvena, take a long time to come into focus. These are two strong women, but for much of the book, they don’t have much personality. They simply react to the things that happen to them, at least at first, though they improve in second half of the novel. This historical fiction book touches on a lot of social issues from that time, including anti-German violence, sexism, poverty, mining safety, unions, corrupt officials—all sorts of interesting topics. The mystery is compelling and well-plotted. Many of the characters, especially the side characters, are well fleshed-out.
I've been thinking a lot about this since I finished reading it, and I think one of the biggest problems with it is that it doesn't give enough attention to the "bad" guys. It focuses on people's relationships and friendships, sometimes with great nuance, but the people who are mean are flat and almost cartoonish in their simplicity. I'm not asking for every villain to have some sort of traumatic origin story, but I know that in real life, most people are complicated. Even bullies. That sort of oversimplifying might merely be annoying in other novels, but it's disastrous here because of the novel's political focus. This book looks at many political issues, and the biggest ones—miners' safety, fair wages, and unionization—drive the plot. How can there be tension between two opposing sides if we never hear both sides? The heroines want safety, and money for laborers, and all sorts of good things. Good for them. But I have to say, if they're opposing people who believe otherwise, would it hurt to explain their side as well? Or does the author trust her readers so little, that she's afraid we'd side with them? Does she think we'll say safety is bad? Or are there other factors at play? I'm sure these people had reasons that made sense to them, and it would have helped us to understand their side of the issue. It would have helped us understand what the heroines were up against. It's too bad the readers missed out on all that.
I've been thinking a lot about this since I finished reading it, and I think one of the biggest problems with it is that it doesn't give enough attention to the "bad" guys. It focuses on people's relationships and friendships, sometimes with great nuance, but the people who are mean are flat and almost cartoonish in their simplicity. I'm not asking for every villain to have some sort of traumatic origin story, but I know that in real life, most people are complicated. Even bullies. That sort of oversimplifying might merely be annoying in other novels, but it's disastrous here because of the novel's political focus. This book looks at many political issues, and the biggest ones—miners' safety, fair wages, and unionization—drive the plot. How can there be tension between two opposing sides if we never hear both sides? The heroines want safety, and money for laborers, and all sorts of good things. Good for them. But I have to say, if they're opposing people who believe otherwise, would it hurt to explain their side as well? Or does the author trust her readers so little, that she's afraid we'd side with them? Does she think we'll say safety is bad? Or are there other factors at play? I'm sure these people had reasons that made sense to them, and it would have helped us to understand their side of the issue. It would have helped us understand what the heroines were up against. It's too bad the readers missed out on all that.
January 27, 2020
I just reread this in one sitting! I love historical mysteries, particularly when they feature strong women.
The Widows is set in a small coal-mining town in Ohio in the early 1900's. Lily Ross' husband Daniel, the sheriff, has been killed and Lily is named acting sheriff until the next election. She is fiercely determined to solve the mystery of her husband's murder. Her path crosses with Marvena Whitcomb, wife of a deceased coal-miner, when Marvena asks for help in finding her missing daughter. Lily finds out that her husband has a connection to Marvena's family, which makes the relationship between these two women understandably cautious and awkward. Lily had no idea that they both knew Daniel until a few hours after the funeral. Over the course of the story, their relationship grows into one of trust and then into a friendship as they work together to find safety and justice for their community.
I really loved this. When I started reading the first time, I didn't realize this had such a big mystery component. When I read it the second time, I grew to be even more fond of Lily and Marvena as their individual POV's are told, and I was encouraged by their strength as they continued to work so hard while grieving such incredible losses. One of my favorite parts of this story is how the daughters of these two women grow so close and form a fast, immediate friendship--this really fosters the healing of these two women in their grief and it helps them to trust one another more completely. And I also loved the wisdom and respect of the elder women in the community.
Just a good one all around. I was fortunate enough to be gifted finished copies of the first two books in this series by the publisher for review, and I immediately started the second book when I finished this one.
i>I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you, Minotaur Books!
Find this review and more like it on my blog, Into the Hall of Books!
The Widows is set in a small coal-mining town in Ohio in the early 1900's. Lily Ross' husband Daniel, the sheriff, has been killed and Lily is named acting sheriff until the next election. She is fiercely determined to solve the mystery of her husband's murder. Her path crosses with Marvena Whitcomb, wife of a deceased coal-miner, when Marvena asks for help in finding her missing daughter. Lily finds out that her husband has a connection to Marvena's family, which makes the relationship between these two women understandably cautious and awkward. Lily had no idea that they both knew Daniel until a few hours after the funeral. Over the course of the story, their relationship grows into one of trust and then into a friendship as they work together to find safety and justice for their community.
I really loved this. When I started reading the first time, I didn't realize this had such a big mystery component. When I read it the second time, I grew to be even more fond of Lily and Marvena as their individual POV's are told, and I was encouraged by their strength as they continued to work so hard while grieving such incredible losses. One of my favorite parts of this story is how the daughters of these two women grow so close and form a fast, immediate friendship--this really fosters the healing of these two women in their grief and it helps them to trust one another more completely. And I also loved the wisdom and respect of the elder women in the community.
Just a good one all around. I was fortunate enough to be gifted finished copies of the first two books in this series by the publisher for review, and I immediately started the second book when I finished this one.
i>I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you, Minotaur Books!
Find this review and more like it on my blog, Into the Hall of Books!
January 24, 2019
Gripping!
"The hawk is a sign to be alert, to consider carefully one’s situation."
Widows Lily Ross and Marvena Whitcom will need to be hawk like for all that they will endure. 1924 Kinship, Ohio. Two widows joined by their relationship to the town's sheriff Daniel Ross. One is Daniel's widow Lily Ross, the other is Marvena Whitcom, a coal miner's widow and long a friend of Daniel.
Shockingly for the small community, Daniel is killed whilst transporting a prisoner.
Lily is asked to take on the role of sheriff. All expect her to toe the line, be a figurehead, but Lily is determined to find Daniel's killer.
And that search leads her to Maverna, to a troubled coal mining town, to secrets Daniel has hidden from her, to organized crime interests during prohibition and into dangerous territories including the not so heroic side of the Pinkerton Detective employees.
Beyond a powerful story of loss, of rage, and a growing unlikely friendship is a fascinating treatise into coal industry communities of the times, mining conditions, mining company practices and the miners fight for unionization.
The women of the town, their economies and support of each other is vivid, often poignant and show the sting the of such communities in the simple acts of providing for each other and working together. The number of widows becomes apparent as the story unfolds.
Lily and Morvena are strong women whose lives are bound together by the past and their future. I think the moments of them coming to trust each other are beautifully drawn as their relationship builds towards the climax.
A truly unique read.
A St. Martin's Press Minotaur ARC via NetGalley
"The hawk is a sign to be alert, to consider carefully one’s situation."
Widows Lily Ross and Marvena Whitcom will need to be hawk like for all that they will endure. 1924 Kinship, Ohio. Two widows joined by their relationship to the town's sheriff Daniel Ross. One is Daniel's widow Lily Ross, the other is Marvena Whitcom, a coal miner's widow and long a friend of Daniel.
Shockingly for the small community, Daniel is killed whilst transporting a prisoner.
Lily is asked to take on the role of sheriff. All expect her to toe the line, be a figurehead, but Lily is determined to find Daniel's killer.
And that search leads her to Maverna, to a troubled coal mining town, to secrets Daniel has hidden from her, to organized crime interests during prohibition and into dangerous territories including the not so heroic side of the Pinkerton Detective employees.
Beyond a powerful story of loss, of rage, and a growing unlikely friendship is a fascinating treatise into coal industry communities of the times, mining conditions, mining company practices and the miners fight for unionization.
The women of the town, their economies and support of each other is vivid, often poignant and show the sting the of such communities in the simple acts of providing for each other and working together. The number of widows becomes apparent as the story unfolds.
Lily and Morvena are strong women whose lives are bound together by the past and their future. I think the moments of them coming to trust each other are beautifully drawn as their relationship builds towards the climax.
A truly unique read.
A St. Martin's Press Minotaur ARC via NetGalley
March 25, 2019
I was really interested in this book initially. I liked that it was based loosely on a true story of the first lady sheriff in 1925. It starts off with plenty of action with the death of two men in the very first chapter. One of the deaths is of Lily Ross' husband, Daniel, who happens to be the sheriff of Kinship, Ohio. Lily soon agrees to be appointed temporary sheriff as she realized this would give her the authority to investigate her husband's murder. She quickly meets Marvena, who just so happens to have been Daniel's lover before he met Lily. Marvena shows up at the Ross' house on the day of the funeral looking for Daniel because he was searching for her teenaged daughter, Eula (who may or may not be Daniel's child). The chapters alternate between Lily and Marvena. I read well over half of the book and realized I just wanted it to end already. It felt very long and drawn out to me. There were a lot of characters' names to remember. There was a lot of talk about the mines that employed many of the town people. Maybe it was me, but I just got bored, so I started skimming until the great mystery was finally solved. I did like the ending, just wished it came much sooner.
January 12, 2019
A gut-wrenching novel about the mining industry in this country. Jess's description and characters will draw you in and keep you with them to the end of this moving novel. I was reading THE WIDOWS simultaneously with EDUCATED, and had trouble keeping them separate! Fabulous novel about an important aspect of our American history that is so meaningful still today.
June 3, 2021
A story about two brave women in post WWI Ohio. On her husband’s death, Lily is invited to become the first female sheriff in Ohio. Set amidst a backdrop of a mining community and its fight for unionisation, the poverty and company scrips forcing miners to spend their wages at inflated prices, illegal moonshining and a very underhand management. A very satisfying conclusion as well as start to a new series.
March 11, 2019
I have to say that I was captivated by The Widows from the minute I began reading, and it does have a lot to do with my own personal experience. My mother was a widow (wife at eighteen, mother at nineteen, widow at twenty), so I know how tough and protective women on their own can be. Secondly, I come from a small farm town that used to be a mining town. On Christmas Eve 1932, methane gas built up in the mine, the barometric pressure dropped, the man who was going to be Santa that night at the community center flipped the switch to the lights down in the mine, and... no more mine. Fifty-four men died that day. Several sets of fathers and sons, brothers, uncles... My mother grew up with those men's children. Why am I yammering on about this? Because in those first few pages of The Widows when the methane gas begins to build in the coal mine known as The Widowmaker outside Kinship, chills ran up my spine. A connection was formed right then and there that never wavered throughout Montgomery's story.
The setting is pitch perfect, and the characters of Lily and Marvena are wonderful and completely capable of surprising everyone with just what they can do and how they can figure things out. They aren't just trying to find a killer. Lily, in particular, is also dealing with an extremely volatile situation concerning the mine owner who wants unionizers kept off his property, and to top it all off, the Volstead Act means that she's got to take care of moonshiners, too.
The excellent characterization also extends to Daniel, who moves from being a caricature of the heroic sheriff to being much more sharply delineated and "human." There's even a bad guy named Vogel who's so scary that if I were to turn around and find him standing behind me, I'd probably shatter into a million pieces.
In reading The Widows, you can learn about the dangers of being a miner and the importance of unions, you're treated to some excellent characters and one fine, twisty mystery that I loved even if I did figure out the identity of the spider at the center of the web early on. I can't tell you how happy I was when I learned that this is the first book in a series. I can't wait to get back to Kinship, Ohio, to be with Lily and Marvena again!
The setting is pitch perfect, and the characters of Lily and Marvena are wonderful and completely capable of surprising everyone with just what they can do and how they can figure things out. They aren't just trying to find a killer. Lily, in particular, is also dealing with an extremely volatile situation concerning the mine owner who wants unionizers kept off his property, and to top it all off, the Volstead Act means that she's got to take care of moonshiners, too.
The excellent characterization also extends to Daniel, who moves from being a caricature of the heroic sheriff to being much more sharply delineated and "human." There's even a bad guy named Vogel who's so scary that if I were to turn around and find him standing behind me, I'd probably shatter into a million pieces.
In reading The Widows, you can learn about the dangers of being a miner and the importance of unions, you're treated to some excellent characters and one fine, twisty mystery that I loved even if I did figure out the identity of the spider at the center of the web early on. I can't tell you how happy I was when I learned that this is the first book in a series. I can't wait to get back to Kinship, Ohio, to be with Lily and Marvena again!
June 16, 2020
RATING: 4.5 STARS
2019; Minotaur/St. Martin's Press
I loved The Widows! If you loved Ordinary Grace, this is your next read (if you haven't read it already). The Widows is based on true events of Ohio's first female sheriff. That premise caught my attention, but this novel was so much more. This novel felt like a good western, where being the law does not secure your safety, but in fact, puts you in the crosshairs. After Sheriff Daniel Ross is murdered the town is still in turmoil as the miners want to unionize, and everyone in town has picked a side. Daniel's one time lover comes to see him, but meets his widow, Lily instead. When Lily becomes acting Sheriff, the women decide to get to the bottom or Daniel's murder and how to stop Luther Ross from killing more loved ones among the minors. The writing is gorgeous and the story is engaging. The characters get into your heart and you look forward to finding out what happens next. I was so happy to hear that there is a sequel! I am excited to read that one soon.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2019; Minotaur/St. Martin's Press
I loved The Widows! If you loved Ordinary Grace, this is your next read (if you haven't read it already). The Widows is based on true events of Ohio's first female sheriff. That premise caught my attention, but this novel was so much more. This novel felt like a good western, where being the law does not secure your safety, but in fact, puts you in the crosshairs. After Sheriff Daniel Ross is murdered the town is still in turmoil as the miners want to unionize, and everyone in town has picked a side. Daniel's one time lover comes to see him, but meets his widow, Lily instead. When Lily becomes acting Sheriff, the women decide to get to the bottom or Daniel's murder and how to stop Luther Ross from killing more loved ones among the minors. The writing is gorgeous and the story is engaging. The characters get into your heart and you look forward to finding out what happens next. I was so happy to hear that there is a sequel! I am excited to read that one soon.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
March 7, 2019
Pulling back the curtain on a time and place where women's roles were too often overlooked, The Widows is full of characters who surprise those who underestimate them. A rich, empowering and satisfying read. (Many thanks to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read and review early.)
August 26, 2021
I managed about 60 pages before dnf'ing it. The writing wasn't bad but I just could not get into the story. I felt bored and it also swapped between two women and I didn't connect with either of them. This is likely another case of "it's me not the book".
2.5 ⭐ rounded up to 3.
2.5 ⭐ rounded up to 3.
March 4, 2019
Very disappointed in this based on a true story. Not a challenging read at all and difficult to keep my interest.
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