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Sidney Sheldon's The Silent Widow
Sweeping from Mexico City to the dark underbelly of LA, The Silent Widow has all the trademark glamour, suspense and unexpected twists of a classic Sidney Sheldon novel.
A young American au pair, Charlotte Clancy, vanishes without a trace in Mexico City. The case is left cold, but its legacy will be devastating.
A decade later, LA is shaken by a spate of violent murders. Psychologist Nikki Roberts is the common link between the victims, her patients at the heart of this treacherous web. When someone makes an attempt on Nikki’s life, it’s clear she is a marked woman.
Nikki makes a living out of reading people, drawing out their secrets, but the key to this shocking pattern eludes her. With the police at a dead end Nikki drafts in Derek Williams, a PI who isn’t afraid to put his hand into the hornet’s nest. Williams was thwarted in the notorious Charlotte Clancy case all those years ago, but what he unearths in LA – and the mention of one name in particular – leaves him cold, and takes him on a dangerous path into the past.
A shadowy manipulator has brought his deadly game to the streets of LA. In a crime spanning generations, it seems Nikki Roberts knows all too much – and a ruthless killer knows the price of her silence.
In this crooked city, where enemies and friends are one and the same, Nikki must be the master of her own escape . . .
A young American au pair, Charlotte Clancy, vanishes without a trace in Mexico City. The case is left cold, but its legacy will be devastating.
A decade later, LA is shaken by a spate of violent murders. Psychologist Nikki Roberts is the common link between the victims, her patients at the heart of this treacherous web. When someone makes an attempt on Nikki’s life, it’s clear she is a marked woman.
Nikki makes a living out of reading people, drawing out their secrets, but the key to this shocking pattern eludes her. With the police at a dead end Nikki drafts in Derek Williams, a PI who isn’t afraid to put his hand into the hornet’s nest. Williams was thwarted in the notorious Charlotte Clancy case all those years ago, but what he unearths in LA – and the mention of one name in particular – leaves him cold, and takes him on a dangerous path into the past.
A shadowy manipulator has brought his deadly game to the streets of LA. In a crime spanning generations, it seems Nikki Roberts knows all too much – and a ruthless killer knows the price of her silence.
In this crooked city, where enemies and friends are one and the same, Nikki must be the master of her own escape . . .
448 pages, Paperback
First published June 14, 2018
1409 people are currently reading
3052 people want to read
About the author
Tilly Bagshawe
50 books912 followersMatilda Emily N. Bagshawe was born on 12 June 1973 in England, UK. She attended local all-girls Catholic schools near her family home in Surrey. She was a single mother at 17, but she won a place at Cambridge University and took Persephone, her ten-month-old baby daughter with her. As a journalist, she went on to enjoy a successful career in London, and contributed regularly to The Sunday Times, Daily Mail and Evening Standard, before turning her hand to novels. Her first book, Adored as Tilly Bagshawe, was a smash hit on both sides of the Atlantic in 2005, and she hasn't looked back since.
Tilly is married Robin Nydes, a US businessman, and the couple have two sons together, Zac and Theo. The family divide their time between their homes in London and Los Angeles. Tilly is also the sister of the writer and politician Louise Bagshawe.
Tilly is married Robin Nydes, a US businessman, and the couple have two sons together, Zac and Theo. The family divide their time between their homes in London and Los Angeles. Tilly is also the sister of the writer and politician Louise Bagshawe.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 453 reviews
July 17, 2018
“Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to be their option.”
----Mark Twain
Tilly Bagshawe, the New York Times bestselling author, is back with a bang with another gripping Sidney Sheldon mystery called, The Silent Widow. This story revolves around a top shot psychiatrist, whose husband died in a car crash a year ago, and is still in grief, but soon her patients and acquaintances are dropping dead like flies, and the local police mark the poor widow as the prime suspect, even though her life too is in danger. Eventually forcing her to take help of a local PI, who uncovers a lot of dirt about a missing girl case 10 years ago to her husband's tragic death to the serial killings of her patients, which might even make him a victim out of it.
Synopsis:
Sweeping from Mexico City to the dark underbelly of LA, The Silent Widow has all the trademark glamour, suspense and unexpected twists of a classic Sidney Sheldon novel.
A young American au pair, Charlotte Clancy, vanishes without a trace in Mexico City. The case is left cold, but its legacy will be devastating.
A decade later, LA is shaken by a spate of violent murders. Psychologist Nikki Roberts is the common link between the victims, her patients at the heart of this treacherous web. When someone makes an attempt on Nikki’s life, it’s clear she is a marked woman.
Nikki makes a living out of reading people, drawing out their secrets, but the key to this shocking pattern eludes her. With the police at a dead end Nikki drafts in Derek Williams, a PI who isn’t afraid to put his hand into the hornet’s nest. Williams was thwarted in the notorious Charlotte Clancy case all those years ago, but what he unearths in LA – and the mention of one name in particular – leaves him cold, and takes him on a dangerous path into the past.
A shadowy manipulator has brought his deadly game to the streets of LA. In a crime spanning generations, it seems Nikki Roberts knows all too much – and a ruthless killer knows the price of her silence.
In this crooked city, where enemies and friends are one and the same, Nikki must be the master of her own escape.
Nikki Roberts, the beautiful, hotshot LA psychiatrist, whose husband died tragically in a car crash, now finds herself in the center of the murder investigation of one of her patients and her assistant. Moroever, Nikki too has been tried to run over by a car, but it seems, L.A.P.D is more interested in putting the blame on her for all those murders in the city. Enter Derek Williams, a local PI, who helps Nikki to dig up dirt on her husband's alleged involvement with a Russian woman. Little did Derek knew that a past case, which still haunted him, would come up with one of the names that he still fears of, and that he would become that person's next target for uncovering too much just for the sake of Nikki. But can Nikki save herself before its too late, even though one kind cop and her husband's partner cum best friend are turning into something more than "just friends"?
They say, once a fan of Sheldon, will always be one. And it doesn't matter whoever is keeping his legacy alive, as long as the racy, intoxicating as well as addictive suspense keeps clawing at me every time I open a Sheldon titled book. That's the USP of his books. The plots have to be alluring, with unforeseeable twists and turns followed by dark, flawed characters, who should also be dangerously attractive to the eyes of the readers. Nevertheless, Tilly Bagshawe has done a great job over the years in keeping alive Sheldon's name in the hearts of his fans.
The author's writing style is articulate and is laced with enough tension to keep the readers frantically turning the pages of this book till the very end. The climax is bomb-blasting and as usual totally unpredictable, even though the readers will be left anticipating for it like a hungry fox looking for a prey. The dialogues are penned in an engaging manner, that has all kinds of emotions to make the readers high. The pacing is always a fast one in books of Tilly Bagshawe and will put the readers on their edges till the turn of the very last page of the book.
The tightly wrapped plot with enough twists and turns will keep the candle of suspense burn for a very, very long time. The mystery is so well concocted with edgy and page turning apprehension. Moroever it has so many layers and elements that while reading the readers are bound to feel intrigued. The scenes are penned with so much details and feels that it will feel like those are unraveling right before the eyes of the readers.
The characters are extremely well developed and well etched out from scratch with enough realism in their demeanor to make them look believable in the eyes of the readers. The central characters, Nikki, acted annoyed me most of the time, because of her fragile mentality and also always trying to be a damsel-in-distress, and sometimes her perfection was just too hot to handle for me in this story. I loved the other supporting characters, like Derek, Ann etc, more, they are simple and their psychologically twisted taste of minds are so gradually represented to us, that it felt really good to read about them, than Nikki.
In a nutshell, a must read captivating and page turning mystery novel not just for Sheldon fans but also for serious crime fiction readers too.
Verdict: A compelling, alluring story line with so much raw emotions and edgy suspense.
----Mark Twain
Tilly Bagshawe, the New York Times bestselling author, is back with a bang with another gripping Sidney Sheldon mystery called, The Silent Widow. This story revolves around a top shot psychiatrist, whose husband died in a car crash a year ago, and is still in grief, but soon her patients and acquaintances are dropping dead like flies, and the local police mark the poor widow as the prime suspect, even though her life too is in danger. Eventually forcing her to take help of a local PI, who uncovers a lot of dirt about a missing girl case 10 years ago to her husband's tragic death to the serial killings of her patients, which might even make him a victim out of it.
Synopsis:
Sweeping from Mexico City to the dark underbelly of LA, The Silent Widow has all the trademark glamour, suspense and unexpected twists of a classic Sidney Sheldon novel.
A young American au pair, Charlotte Clancy, vanishes without a trace in Mexico City. The case is left cold, but its legacy will be devastating.
A decade later, LA is shaken by a spate of violent murders. Psychologist Nikki Roberts is the common link between the victims, her patients at the heart of this treacherous web. When someone makes an attempt on Nikki’s life, it’s clear she is a marked woman.
Nikki makes a living out of reading people, drawing out their secrets, but the key to this shocking pattern eludes her. With the police at a dead end Nikki drafts in Derek Williams, a PI who isn’t afraid to put his hand into the hornet’s nest. Williams was thwarted in the notorious Charlotte Clancy case all those years ago, but what he unearths in LA – and the mention of one name in particular – leaves him cold, and takes him on a dangerous path into the past.
A shadowy manipulator has brought his deadly game to the streets of LA. In a crime spanning generations, it seems Nikki Roberts knows all too much – and a ruthless killer knows the price of her silence.
In this crooked city, where enemies and friends are one and the same, Nikki must be the master of her own escape.
Nikki Roberts, the beautiful, hotshot LA psychiatrist, whose husband died tragically in a car crash, now finds herself in the center of the murder investigation of one of her patients and her assistant. Moroever, Nikki too has been tried to run over by a car, but it seems, L.A.P.D is more interested in putting the blame on her for all those murders in the city. Enter Derek Williams, a local PI, who helps Nikki to dig up dirt on her husband's alleged involvement with a Russian woman. Little did Derek knew that a past case, which still haunted him, would come up with one of the names that he still fears of, and that he would become that person's next target for uncovering too much just for the sake of Nikki. But can Nikki save herself before its too late, even though one kind cop and her husband's partner cum best friend are turning into something more than "just friends"?
They say, once a fan of Sheldon, will always be one. And it doesn't matter whoever is keeping his legacy alive, as long as the racy, intoxicating as well as addictive suspense keeps clawing at me every time I open a Sheldon titled book. That's the USP of his books. The plots have to be alluring, with unforeseeable twists and turns followed by dark, flawed characters, who should also be dangerously attractive to the eyes of the readers. Nevertheless, Tilly Bagshawe has done a great job over the years in keeping alive Sheldon's name in the hearts of his fans.
The author's writing style is articulate and is laced with enough tension to keep the readers frantically turning the pages of this book till the very end. The climax is bomb-blasting and as usual totally unpredictable, even though the readers will be left anticipating for it like a hungry fox looking for a prey. The dialogues are penned in an engaging manner, that has all kinds of emotions to make the readers high. The pacing is always a fast one in books of Tilly Bagshawe and will put the readers on their edges till the turn of the very last page of the book.
The tightly wrapped plot with enough twists and turns will keep the candle of suspense burn for a very, very long time. The mystery is so well concocted with edgy and page turning apprehension. Moroever it has so many layers and elements that while reading the readers are bound to feel intrigued. The scenes are penned with so much details and feels that it will feel like those are unraveling right before the eyes of the readers.
The characters are extremely well developed and well etched out from scratch with enough realism in their demeanor to make them look believable in the eyes of the readers. The central characters, Nikki, acted annoyed me most of the time, because of her fragile mentality and also always trying to be a damsel-in-distress, and sometimes her perfection was just too hot to handle for me in this story. I loved the other supporting characters, like Derek, Ann etc, more, they are simple and their psychologically twisted taste of minds are so gradually represented to us, that it felt really good to read about them, than Nikki.
In a nutshell, a must read captivating and page turning mystery novel not just for Sheldon fans but also for serious crime fiction readers too.
Verdict: A compelling, alluring story line with so much raw emotions and edgy suspense.
July 22, 2018
Tilly Bagshawe continues Sidney Sheldon’s legacy, and does a decent job of it. A strong woman character – this time in Nikki Roberts who is a psychologist. One of her patients is brutally murdered, and her assistant at work meets the same fate soon after. Nikki is just picking up the pieces of her life, being widowed less than a year back, with her husband passing away in a car accident.
It looks like she is the person a killer is after. Very unsure of whether the police are taking the threat seriously, she hires a private detective Derek Williams. The case takes Derek back to over a decade earlier when an American au-pair Charlotte Clancy disappears in Mexico. Just when Derek makes progress, he is forced to leave Mexico abruptly. He soon realises he is against a very powerful adversary – a cartel of drug dealers. Nikki is left confused on who she can trust, and there are some secrets associated with her ex-husband as well.
The story provides a good amount of twists and turns. However, there are far too many characters and incidents which need to be tied together at the end. While Tilly Bagshawe does do it – it comes across unnecessarily complicated. There is also very little real novelty in the story except for the connection to incidents in the past.
This is however, a good book to relax with – and an easy and fast moving read.
It looks like she is the person a killer is after. Very unsure of whether the police are taking the threat seriously, she hires a private detective Derek Williams. The case takes Derek back to over a decade earlier when an American au-pair Charlotte Clancy disappears in Mexico. Just when Derek makes progress, he is forced to leave Mexico abruptly. He soon realises he is against a very powerful adversary – a cartel of drug dealers. Nikki is left confused on who she can trust, and there are some secrets associated with her ex-husband as well.
The story provides a good amount of twists and turns. However, there are far too many characters and incidents which need to be tied together at the end. While Tilly Bagshawe does do it – it comes across unnecessarily complicated. There is also very little real novelty in the story except for the connection to incidents in the past.
This is however, a good book to relax with – and an easy and fast moving read.
May 29, 2019
It was a pleasure to discover Tilly Bagshawe's writing which is reminiscent of the late Sidney Sheldon, a favourite author of mine many years ago.
"The Silent Widow" revolves around Psychologist Dr. Nikki Roberts. Still mourning the sudden loss of her husband a year ago, one of her clients and her PA are both found murdered after being brutally tortured.
Harassed by an insufferable detective who wants to pin the horrific crimes on Nikki, she hires a PI to resolve the mystery surrounding their deaths only to find herself in extreme danger.
In true Sheldon style this novel is a page turner and keeps you guessing til the end.
Highly Recommended
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
"The Silent Widow" revolves around Psychologist Dr. Nikki Roberts. Still mourning the sudden loss of her husband a year ago, one of her clients and her PA are both found murdered after being brutally tortured.
Harassed by an insufferable detective who wants to pin the horrific crimes on Nikki, she hires a PI to resolve the mystery surrounding their deaths only to find herself in extreme danger.
In true Sheldon style this novel is a page turner and keeps you guessing til the end.
Highly Recommended
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
August 4, 2018
I liked reading it. I liked the pace of the story and definitely where it went. It's entertaining. Cool.
Only thing that I disliked was the author's view of his women characters. The way each woman in the book... especially how their beauty or lack of it... has been described is bad, a turn off.
Only thing that I disliked was the author's view of his women characters. The way each woman in the book... especially how their beauty or lack of it... has been described is bad, a turn off.
July 16, 2019
Loved Sidney Sheldon’s books but since he passed, Tilly Bagshawe does a great book like him!
March 25, 2021
The story has many twists and turns, and I enjoy the way it unfolds. A good mystery requires a thoroughly-developed plot, and if you're not into it, then it troubles you to finish reading it. But if you're someone like me, then this will become one of your favorite for sure. I would surely recommend this fast-paced and captivating novel to all the mystery lovers out there.
Read the detailed review here - https://www.bookscharming.com/2021/03...
Read the detailed review here - https://www.bookscharming.com/2021/03...
July 16, 2018
Follow Just A Girl High On Books for more reviews.
I received a copy of this book from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
When I received a copy of this book, I was beyond overjoyed. Ever since a kid, I have loved Sidney Sheldon’s works. I have also read the few books by Tilly Bagshawe in which she tries to keep Sheldon’s charm alive. The thing about such books is that although they tend to try to keep the memory alive, there is a certain issue right there — no one can really replace Sheldon, can they?
The Silent Window follows the story of Nikki Roberts as she becomes a marked woman. What is it about her that all those close to her keep vanishing—brutally murdered and then thrown in a dumpster? No one knows, but Nikki is intent on finding out. When the police comes to a dead end, that’s when Nikki steps in and hires a detective on her own. Sooner or later, the truth will have to come out, won’t it?
What I loved a lot about the book was its title. The Silent Window immediately speaks out to you that something mysterious is about to happen. The cover in itself is quite pretty. The yellowish hue to it adds to its charm.
Then there is the whole thing about the book keeping Sheldon’s memory alive. Since a long while now I’ve been reading Sidney Sheldon’s book. I think I read Are You Afraid of The Dark? somewhere in 2012 (that’s just 6 years ago) but the memory of it is still alive in my mind as if read it just last night. I’ve read multiple Sheldon books since then and hope to read all of them soon enough. What I adored about all of them was how they kept the mystery alive till the last moment.
What is great about The Silent Window is that it does just that. It keeps the mystery alive till the last moment. I mean, there were a lot of things in the plot that I never would have guessed. However, unlike the usual Sheldon books, this book allows you to guess a few things that you would have ever guessed. And it is not just this particular book. This trait is common in most of the Sidney Sheldon and Tilly Bagshawe books available. (There are total five but I’ve read only three so far, including this one).
I find this to be disheartening which is why I’m not really giving it a complete 5 out of 4.
Other than that though, I find Bagshawe’s writing have a charisma of its own. Her quest at keeping Sidney Sheldon’s legacy alive has given out great results in the past, and continues to do so. Sadly, I haven’t read any of Bagshawe’s original works so I have nothing to compare, but reading this book I can positively say that her writing has a charm of its own.
The thing about this book is that nothing out of the ordinary seems to be happening in the beginning (except that one murder in the prologue). No one knows what that is, but as the story progresses, one realizes that nothing in those starting pages is about that murder. Slowly, it takes a place somewhere in the back of your mind. Yet, the lingering doubt remains.
Despite that one murder though, everything else in the beginning seems to be happening properly. Readers might even plan to not continue the book for some time, but believe me when I say, THE BEGINNING IS A BAIT. DO NOT QUIT THE BOOK EARLY ON JUST THAT. IT’S GOING TO GET A HELLUVA LOT MORE INTERESTING. And you know, I mean it.
Thus, as a whole, The Silent Window is a pretty fun read (if watching humans brutally murdered is your idea of fun—I know it is mine) and something you’re more likely than not bound to enjoy if you’re a fan of Mystery/Thriller.
You can buy the book on Amazon from here: The Silent Window
I received a copy of this book from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
When I received a copy of this book, I was beyond overjoyed. Ever since a kid, I have loved Sidney Sheldon’s works. I have also read the few books by Tilly Bagshawe in which she tries to keep Sheldon’s charm alive. The thing about such books is that although they tend to try to keep the memory alive, there is a certain issue right there — no one can really replace Sheldon, can they?
The Silent Window follows the story of Nikki Roberts as she becomes a marked woman. What is it about her that all those close to her keep vanishing—brutally murdered and then thrown in a dumpster? No one knows, but Nikki is intent on finding out. When the police comes to a dead end, that’s when Nikki steps in and hires a detective on her own. Sooner or later, the truth will have to come out, won’t it?
What I loved a lot about the book was its title. The Silent Window immediately speaks out to you that something mysterious is about to happen. The cover in itself is quite pretty. The yellowish hue to it adds to its charm.
Then there is the whole thing about the book keeping Sheldon’s memory alive. Since a long while now I’ve been reading Sidney Sheldon’s book. I think I read Are You Afraid of The Dark? somewhere in 2012 (that’s just 6 years ago) but the memory of it is still alive in my mind as if read it just last night. I’ve read multiple Sheldon books since then and hope to read all of them soon enough. What I adored about all of them was how they kept the mystery alive till the last moment.
What is great about The Silent Window is that it does just that. It keeps the mystery alive till the last moment. I mean, there were a lot of things in the plot that I never would have guessed. However, unlike the usual Sheldon books, this book allows you to guess a few things that you would have ever guessed. And it is not just this particular book. This trait is common in most of the Sidney Sheldon and Tilly Bagshawe books available. (There are total five but I’ve read only three so far, including this one).
I find this to be disheartening which is why I’m not really giving it a complete 5 out of 4.
Other than that though, I find Bagshawe’s writing have a charisma of its own. Her quest at keeping Sidney Sheldon’s legacy alive has given out great results in the past, and continues to do so. Sadly, I haven’t read any of Bagshawe’s original works so I have nothing to compare, but reading this book I can positively say that her writing has a charm of its own.
The thing about this book is that nothing out of the ordinary seems to be happening in the beginning (except that one murder in the prologue). No one knows what that is, but as the story progresses, one realizes that nothing in those starting pages is about that murder. Slowly, it takes a place somewhere in the back of your mind. Yet, the lingering doubt remains.
Despite that one murder though, everything else in the beginning seems to be happening properly. Readers might even plan to not continue the book for some time, but believe me when I say, THE BEGINNING IS A BAIT. DO NOT QUIT THE BOOK EARLY ON JUST THAT. IT’S GOING TO GET A HELLUVA LOT MORE INTERESTING. And you know, I mean it.
Thus, as a whole, The Silent Window is a pretty fun read (if watching humans brutally murdered is your idea of fun—I know it is mine) and something you’re more likely than not bound to enjoy if you’re a fan of Mystery/Thriller.
You can buy the book on Amazon from here: The Silent Window
August 2, 2018
Two and a half stars
It’s been years since I last read a book by Sidney Sheldon. But the writing style of an author is easier to remember than one would think.
As a reader you are bound to be surprised when a book bears names of two authors. Since one of them is deceased, the likely conclusion is that the other author is related to the first one and intends to carry forward his legacy through this book (Here, I pictured Tilly Bagshawe writing a book out of notes left by the Late Sidney Sheldon). The prospect is interesting, if anything.
But start reading the book, and you realize that this is just a lame attempt at capitalizing on a famous author’s name. I dug deeper and found that apparently the two authors are known to share writing styles. Clearly that is not the case, as is revealed when you read the book. Immature characters, unnecessary plot twists, an interesting topic that isn’t handled properly- all these points end up in providing you with a half-baked novel.
It’s been years since I last read a book by Sidney Sheldon. But the writing style of an author is easier to remember than one would think.
As a reader you are bound to be surprised when a book bears names of two authors. Since one of them is deceased, the likely conclusion is that the other author is related to the first one and intends to carry forward his legacy through this book (Here, I pictured Tilly Bagshawe writing a book out of notes left by the Late Sidney Sheldon). The prospect is interesting, if anything.
But start reading the book, and you realize that this is just a lame attempt at capitalizing on a famous author’s name. I dug deeper and found that apparently the two authors are known to share writing styles. Clearly that is not the case, as is revealed when you read the book. Immature characters, unnecessary plot twists, an interesting topic that isn’t handled properly- all these points end up in providing you with a half-baked novel.
June 30, 2018
Gripping Thriller
Wow! So many twists and turns. Who could trust who in this tangled web of drugs, murder, and deceit? I was truly horrified to discover, one of the characters, whom I came to trust in all this paraphernalia, turned out to be a killer! Still getting my head around that!
Wow! So many twists and turns. Who could trust who in this tangled web of drugs, murder, and deceit? I was truly horrified to discover, one of the characters, whom I came to trust in all this paraphernalia, turned out to be a killer! Still getting my head around that!
July 12, 2022
3.5* actually. শেলডনের লেখা এই চিন্তা বাইরে রেখে পড়তে পারলে আশা করি ভালো লাগবে বইটা। আমার কাছেও মোটামুটি ভালো লেগেছে।
July 10, 2018
Am a total fan of Sidney Sheldon books, was sad when we lost him , then Tilly Bagshawe returned with his manuscripts. Like the few edited by her.
About The Silent Widow - the protagonist is not a strong women like all the characters in Sheldon's books; this was a big letdown for me. The plot was good and i read the book in two days time at a stretch.
The main character Dr. Nikki Roberts is a counselor and her patients are murdered brutally. And we have the LAPD Duo Mr Johnson and Mr Goodman following it . Her relation with one of her patients Anne Bateman is funny , she is attracted to her, is Dr Nikki a Lesbian ? But she is attracted to the Detective Mr Goodman. She is a widow. So you don't get a handle to her character. 80 percent in the book i had guessed who the killer was.
Another incident which is not explored is Derek Williams explosive find and the email he send to someone called Alan . why is this not given a closure ?
And the end is prolonged with not so interesting chapters.
In all being a Sidney Sheldon was disappointing.
About The Silent Widow - the protagonist is not a strong women like all the characters in Sheldon's books; this was a big letdown for me. The plot was good and i read the book in two days time at a stretch.
The main character Dr. Nikki Roberts is a counselor and her patients are murdered brutally. And we have the LAPD Duo Mr Johnson and Mr Goodman following it . Her relation with one of her patients Anne Bateman is funny , she is attracted to her, is Dr Nikki a Lesbian ? But she is attracted to the Detective Mr Goodman. She is a widow. So you don't get a handle to her character. 80 percent in the book i had guessed who the killer was.
Another incident which is not explored is Derek Williams explosive find and the email he send to someone called Alan . why is this not given a closure ?
And the end is prolonged with not so interesting chapters.
In all being a Sidney Sheldon was disappointing.
May 9, 2019
A mystery that will keep you engaged.
Nikki Roberts is a psychologist who is still grappling with the loss of her husband that happened one year prior when she is found to be a common link among some recent murder victims. With the police beginning to ask questions as well as suspect her, Nikki turns to a private detective to help find answers to the murders as well as answers to her husband's death. I have not previously read any Sidney Sheldon or Tilly Bagshawe books so I had no expectations going into the book and was pleasantly surprised when it kept my attention. Although not perfect, I found it a quick read and the plot was easy to pick back up on when I had to put it down. I can easily see it being a type of book you would pick up at an airport to help pass the time on a flight.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Nikki Roberts is a psychologist who is still grappling with the loss of her husband that happened one year prior when she is found to be a common link among some recent murder victims. With the police beginning to ask questions as well as suspect her, Nikki turns to a private detective to help find answers to the murders as well as answers to her husband's death. I have not previously read any Sidney Sheldon or Tilly Bagshawe books so I had no expectations going into the book and was pleasantly surprised when it kept my attention. Although not perfect, I found it a quick read and the plot was easy to pick back up on when I had to put it down. I can easily see it being a type of book you would pick up at an airport to help pass the time on a flight.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 2, 2020
I've read almost all of Sidney Sheldon's books back when I was younger and how I loved most of them. I picked this book in his memory, only to be disappointed. I mean, the plot is good if you were looking for a cop-killing-drug ring-corruption kind of story where some good guys are the bad ones and the bad is good in the end. Then there are some bad who just go wicked. My problem with the writing is that it is all too predictable, the more shades a character is given to expect the exact opposite and that is what it is. But who am I to judge when it's me who stumbled on a genre that was not my thing? I just continued to read it anyway because I don't like to leave a book unfinished and wouldn't grudge the book or the author for my misjudgment.
June 11, 2019
The Silent Widow by Sidney Sheldon; Tilly Bagshawe
Good mystery going on here with many characters some likeable some not (most), there were plenty of murders, drug cartel involvement, Russians, crooked cops and politicians galore! It starts off with a young au pair going missing when in Mexico to a psychologist who loses her husband in a car accident or was it an accident?! You won't want to miss this book! Thank you Netgalley and the Publishers Crooked Lane for letting me read this ARC and give my opinion!
Good mystery going on here with many characters some likeable some not (most), there were plenty of murders, drug cartel involvement, Russians, crooked cops and politicians galore! It starts off with a young au pair going missing when in Mexico to a psychologist who loses her husband in a car accident or was it an accident?! You won't want to miss this book! Thank you Netgalley and the Publishers Crooked Lane for letting me read this ARC and give my opinion!
June 11, 2020
AUTHOR Bagshawe, Tilly
TITLE Sidney Sheldon's The Silent Widow
DATE READ 06/10/20
RATING 4/B
FIRST SENTENCE It never rains in Los Angeles in May, so the light mist falling on my bare arms is a surprise.
GENRE/ PUB DATE/PUBLISHER / # OF Fiction/2019/library/392 pgs
SERIES/STAND-ALONE SA
CHALLENGE Good Reads 2020 Reading Goal 115/120;
GROUP READ Reading Cove Buddy Read/ Millenia
TIME/PLACE Present/California
CHARACTERS Dr. Nikki Roberts/psychotherapist
COMMENTS Way too long of a gap for me to make comparisons with Sidney Sheldon's original books. I do remember he was a good storyteller. And there certainly is a story of crime and corruption involving many characters in LA. It did hold my interest although at times the coincidences were a bit over the top -- every one of Nikki's patients were somehow involved, the right person showing up at the exact right second… I did have feeling for Nikki and felt a depth of sadness in her … not sure how she will overcome.
TITLE Sidney Sheldon's The Silent Widow
DATE READ 06/10/20
RATING 4/B
FIRST SENTENCE It never rains in Los Angeles in May, so the light mist falling on my bare arms is a surprise.
GENRE/ PUB DATE/PUBLISHER / # OF Fiction/2019/library/392 pgs
SERIES/STAND-ALONE SA
CHALLENGE Good Reads 2020 Reading Goal 115/120;
GROUP READ Reading Cove Buddy Read/ Millenia
TIME/PLACE Present/California
CHARACTERS Dr. Nikki Roberts/psychotherapist
COMMENTS Way too long of a gap for me to make comparisons with Sidney Sheldon's original books. I do remember he was a good storyteller. And there certainly is a story of crime and corruption involving many characters in LA. It did hold my interest although at times the coincidences were a bit over the top -- every one of Nikki's patients were somehow involved, the right person showing up at the exact right second… I did have feeling for Nikki and felt a depth of sadness in her … not sure how she will overcome.
February 19, 2019
This book gave me shivers.
The story revolves around Dr. Nikki Roberts and when the people around her suddenly start dropping dead, being victims of brutal attacks-the police knock on her door and they are nothing but biased and it doesn't help that one thinks she's evil and the other is too sweet and kind.
What's great about the writing here is that it keeps you turning the pages and the desire to figure out the reason and person behind all the killings.
It was an enjoyable read and the murders did give me shivers too. Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.
The story revolves around Dr. Nikki Roberts and when the people around her suddenly start dropping dead, being victims of brutal attacks-the police knock on her door and they are nothing but biased and it doesn't help that one thinks she's evil and the other is too sweet and kind.
What's great about the writing here is that it keeps you turning the pages and the desire to figure out the reason and person behind all the killings.
It was an enjoyable read and the murders did give me shivers too. Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.
February 19, 2025
4.5
This is one of the underrated books that you wish more people knew of. One of my senior at work gave me this book and I'm thankful that I got into it. I don't really go into thrillers but this one is IT.
The story was fast paced and so addicting that you just can't wait for all the answers.
My only only for 4.5 stars is that there was too much fillers in there and tooo many questions that at the end I didn't even have a track of what was unsolved.
But would I recommend this book? YES.
Would I think about it? Definitely Yes.
This is one of the underrated books that you wish more people knew of. One of my senior at work gave me this book and I'm thankful that I got into it. I don't really go into thrillers but this one is IT.
The story was fast paced and so addicting that you just can't wait for all the answers.
My only only for 4.5 stars is that there was too much fillers in there and tooo many questions that at the end I didn't even have a track of what was unsolved.
But would I recommend this book? YES.
Would I think about it? Definitely Yes.
February 27, 2019
This is one of the books that held me in tip toes towards the middle of the second half and boy I was disappointed. This book seems incomplete to me. And there wasn't even a single character that I genuinely liked except Derek Williams. The book had soo many missing pieces. Like the reader ought to fill the pieces and finally unravel the mystery. Most of the info seemed incoherent. The protagonist Nikki Roberts is psychologist who reads all her patients, well almost everyone around her wrong and she seem to have a successful career! She is too stupid to understand what's happening around her. And then comes a series of characters who didn't go well into my list of likable characters, until Derek Williams popped up as the PI of Dr. Nikki. Somehow he is the only one with a good conscience and balls to figure out things in Godspeed. And then, when he knew his life was in danger, he gets killed. Just like that, in a rather careless way. BAM. Then there is no mention of the email Derek had sent to his friend prior to him getting killed. And at the beginning of the novel, Dr. Nikki Roberts says that she know that her husband's death wasn't an accident and that she know it now as she gets close to taking her own life. But then after taking the readers through the flashback preceding 10 years and then the events leading to the occasion where Nikki plans to take her own life through more than half the book, there is no mention as to Nikki knowing the fact that her Husband's death was no accident. And then the several calls made by people near Nikki informing some unknown person/persons about Nikki's whereabouts hangs unrevealed at the end. No proper mention of the level of involvement of various people arrested etc ! I'll put it this way, this one seemed like a book that was rushed into leaving several loose ends and plot holes. I'm thoroughly disappointed and I owe my disappointment mostly to the wonderful books I've read before this one. I'd give it a 1.5/5, because I felt this book was carelessly written and with lack of real interest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2021
There were some very good elements to this mystery/suspense book. Unfortunately,every single character was unlikeable and the story kept getting overshadowed by the constant stream of mindless descriptions. I don’t care to know what the characters are doing unless it pertains somehow to the plot or character development. I think what bothered me about the physical descriptions was how the author constantly reminded us how beautiful Dr. Roberts and Ann were, and how fat and overweight Johnson was. It really felt awkward and so unnecessary to body-shame a character for no reason at all. I also knew with a detective named Goodman that he would end up not being a good man.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2020
Not a bad book, but something just inherently pisses me off about "ghostwriters" Sheldon died in 2007 and although this writer does a good job writing like him, I just can't get it out of my mind that this is NOT Sheldon.
A mediocre read at best.
A mediocre read at best.
January 14, 2021
1.5
Depois de muita insistência da minha mãe eu finalmente peguei alguma coisa do Sidney Sheldon para ler e meu deus, esse foi difícil de terminar. Cheio de personagens caricatos e com plots twists previsíveis desde a primeira página nem como thriller esse livro funciona
Depois de muita insistência da minha mãe eu finalmente peguei alguma coisa do Sidney Sheldon para ler e meu deus, esse foi difícil de terminar. Cheio de personagens caricatos e com plots twists previsíveis desde a primeira página nem como thriller esse livro funciona
June 27, 2018
I like the way Bagshawe was able to ease out the whole complex web of events that make up the plot of this book.
August 21, 2020
It was difficult to complete this one, I kept on loosing interest as the story is not at all engaging. Who was Alan? What was said to him in the letter? Why was the photo taken from Nikki' room?
March 28, 2020
"Sadness seemed to cling to her like mist to the ocean."
After reading almost all of Sidney Sheldon's books, I was still hungry for more.
Tilly Bagshaw is no stranger. I have liked her earlier two works - Sidney Sheldon's Mistress of the Game and Sidney Sheldon's After the Darkness because of obvious reasons.
"Memories were no respecters of geography."
This book is a fast paced but a predictable one. The major characters (just like Sheldon's) especially the MC Dr. Nikki Roberts, are all gray.
However, I could not like any character except Derek Williams. A decent book.
After reading almost all of Sidney Sheldon's books, I was still hungry for more.
Tilly Bagshaw is no stranger. I have liked her earlier two works - Sidney Sheldon's Mistress of the Game and Sidney Sheldon's After the Darkness because of obvious reasons.
"Memories were no respecters of geography."
This book is a fast paced but a predictable one. The major characters (just like Sheldon's) especially the MC Dr. Nikki Roberts, are all gray.
However, I could not like any character except Derek Williams. A decent book.
March 8, 2019
2.5 stars.
I had high expectations for this book but was very disappointed. I liked the base plot, that looked promising, the murders were interesting and intriguing.
Negative points for me were slow pace, weak main character and character development. Maybe because the pace is so slow at times, many of the twists towards the end are easily predictable. I was expecting crazy twists and a grabbing story but just found it very basic and predictable. Some important characters had a weak closure too, which was disappointing.
This is an average murder mystery thriller and despite all the problems it was still entertaining and readable.
I had high expectations for this book but was very disappointed. I liked the base plot, that looked promising, the murders were interesting and intriguing.
Negative points for me were slow pace, weak main character and character development. Maybe because the pace is so slow at times, many of the twists towards the end are easily predictable. I was expecting crazy twists and a grabbing story but just found it very basic and predictable. Some important characters had a weak closure too, which was disappointing.
This is an average murder mystery thriller and despite all the problems it was still entertaining and readable.
April 24, 2021
Доста увлекателна, заплетена и изпълнена с обрати история, разкриваща връзките между елита на Ел Ей,наркокартели и полиция и поразителния им "домино" ефект. Криминален трилър, в който почти всичко си е намястото. Лично на мен ми липсваше конкретика в полицейската работа. Определено повествованието на Багшоу носи заряда на Шелдън и през цялото време се чудех къде е граниата между двамата автори - не я усетих.
October 8, 2021
This is a fast paced book with multiple characters and interwoven plots and motives. Lots of deaths, murder, torture and jealousy, much akin to watching a soap opera. I suppose this is the usual style of a Sidney Sheldon’s book and it’s a quick change of pace from my usual reads.
June 26, 2018
Although I do own a Kindle, I bought this edition in paperback. It arrived on publication date, 14th June 2018, I went on holiday on 15th June and by Sunday 17th June I had read it. This is the first time I have ever read a book as soon as it was delivered. Sidney Sheldon and Tilly Bagshawe are both authors I like and read quite often. The plot is good and it made my inquisitive mind work that little bit harder. To say I could not put it down is an understatement. I now look forward to reading the other Tilly Bagshawe writing as Sidney Sheldon books that I possess. 5 out of 5 stars for this book.
November 28, 2018
30th Book of 2018
Quote from the Book I Liked - 'But when everybody's telling you not to look at someone, not to ask questions... you get curious.' (Page 254)
Rating - 3 Stars
Plot Summary - Sweeping from Mexico City to the dark underbelly of LA, The Silent Widow has all the trademark glamour, suspense and unexpected twists of a classic Sidney Sheldon novel.
A young American au pair, Charlotte Clancy, vanishes without a trace in Mexico City. The case is left cold, but its legacy will be devastating.
A decade later, LA is shaken by a spate of violent murders. Psychologist Nikki Roberts is the common link between the victims, her patients at the heart of this treacherous web. When someone makes an attempt on Nikki’s life, it’s clear she is a marked woman.
Nikki makes a living out of reading people, drawing out their secrets, but the key to this shocking pattern eludes her. With the police at a dead end Nikki drafts in Derek Williams, a PI who isn’t afraid to put his hand into the hornet’s nest. Williams was thwarted in the notorious Charlotte Clancy case all those years ago, but what he unearths in LA – and the mention of one name in particular – leaves him cold, and takes him on a dangerous path into the past.
A shadowy manipulator has brought his deadly game to the streets of LA. In a crime spanning generations, it seems Nikki Roberts knows all too much – and a ruthless killer knows the price of her silence.
In this crooked city, where enemies and friends are one and the same, Nikki must be the master of her own escape . . .
My Review - Nikki Roberts is a well-known therapist in town. Her husband is in social works who along with his organization fights against Drugs use and Rehabilitate the people who are Addicts. Because of her husband, Nikki's clientele went up very high as all the cases her husband get were sent to Nikki for Therapy. One night Nikki's husband met with a car accident and is declared Dead on site. After that major below, Nikki herself gets deep down in depression thus her Clients get dispersed, only stayed those who were Loyal and close patients of Nikki. After some months, while watching Television in the morning she finds out in the news of the Brutal murder of her patient Lisa, who just last night had a session with Nikki. The shocking news came with another blow when her Attendant (ex-addict) was found almost dead on a street. These series of Murder and murder attempts worries Nikki to such an extent that she asks for help from Police, which in turn think of her as a Possible Criminal who attempted or was somehow involved in these murders. Among all this chaos Nikki digs deep along with her now hired Private Investigator into all these Murders and Case of her Lost Husband whom she thinks was Murdered too.
The plot of the books goes fine up until a point but gets enlarged to such high grounds which made me confused and diminished my interest in the book. Although the story is fast-paced, the Expanse came with a blow and felt unrealistic to me. Up until Nikki and the case was at a low end, it was alright, but when the Whole Drug Mafia of Mexico and Gang Rivalry came in, I lost my interest and felt it as a loose end for the book. But the suspense and discovery of everything at the end somewhat made up for the loss of interest in the book.
Conclusion - Choose if you want to read a Mystery thriller genre but be prepared for the (not so necessary) exaggeration of the plot.
Full Review on Blog.
Link to Blog - The Tales of Fugitive Biker
Quote from the Book I Liked - 'But when everybody's telling you not to look at someone, not to ask questions... you get curious.' (Page 254)
Rating - 3 Stars
Plot Summary - Sweeping from Mexico City to the dark underbelly of LA, The Silent Widow has all the trademark glamour, suspense and unexpected twists of a classic Sidney Sheldon novel.
A young American au pair, Charlotte Clancy, vanishes without a trace in Mexico City. The case is left cold, but its legacy will be devastating.
A decade later, LA is shaken by a spate of violent murders. Psychologist Nikki Roberts is the common link between the victims, her patients at the heart of this treacherous web. When someone makes an attempt on Nikki’s life, it’s clear she is a marked woman.
Nikki makes a living out of reading people, drawing out their secrets, but the key to this shocking pattern eludes her. With the police at a dead end Nikki drafts in Derek Williams, a PI who isn’t afraid to put his hand into the hornet’s nest. Williams was thwarted in the notorious Charlotte Clancy case all those years ago, but what he unearths in LA – and the mention of one name in particular – leaves him cold, and takes him on a dangerous path into the past.
A shadowy manipulator has brought his deadly game to the streets of LA. In a crime spanning generations, it seems Nikki Roberts knows all too much – and a ruthless killer knows the price of her silence.
In this crooked city, where enemies and friends are one and the same, Nikki must be the master of her own escape . . .
My Review - Nikki Roberts is a well-known therapist in town. Her husband is in social works who along with his organization fights against Drugs use and Rehabilitate the people who are Addicts. Because of her husband, Nikki's clientele went up very high as all the cases her husband get were sent to Nikki for Therapy. One night Nikki's husband met with a car accident and is declared Dead on site. After that major below, Nikki herself gets deep down in depression thus her Clients get dispersed, only stayed those who were Loyal and close patients of Nikki. After some months, while watching Television in the morning she finds out in the news of the Brutal murder of her patient Lisa, who just last night had a session with Nikki. The shocking news came with another blow when her Attendant (ex-addict) was found almost dead on a street. These series of Murder and murder attempts worries Nikki to such an extent that she asks for help from Police, which in turn think of her as a Possible Criminal who attempted or was somehow involved in these murders. Among all this chaos Nikki digs deep along with her now hired Private Investigator into all these Murders and Case of her Lost Husband whom she thinks was Murdered too.
The plot of the books goes fine up until a point but gets enlarged to such high grounds which made me confused and diminished my interest in the book. Although the story is fast-paced, the Expanse came with a blow and felt unrealistic to me. Up until Nikki and the case was at a low end, it was alright, but when the Whole Drug Mafia of Mexico and Gang Rivalry came in, I lost my interest and felt it as a loose end for the book. But the suspense and discovery of everything at the end somewhat made up for the loss of interest in the book.
Conclusion - Choose if you want to read a Mystery thriller genre but be prepared for the (not so necessary) exaggeration of the plot.
Full Review on Blog.
Link to Blog - The Tales of Fugitive Biker
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