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The Widow

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The Widow

By: Fiona Barton
Narrated by: Clare Corbett
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About this listen

Exclusive to Audible! Listen to a discussion between the author and the narrator of The Widow at the end of this recording.

We've all seen him: the man - the monster - staring from the front page of every newspaper, accused of a terrible crime.

But what about her: the woman who grips his arm on the courtroom stairs - the wife who stands by him?

Jean Taylor's life was blissfully ordinary. Nice house, nice husband. Glen was all she'd ever wanted: her Prince Charming.

Until he became that man accused, that monster on the front page. Jean was married to a man everyone thought capable of unimaginable evil.

But now Glen is dead, and she's alone for the first time, free to tell her story on her own terms.

Jean Taylor is going to tell us what she knows.

©2016 Fiona Barton (P)2015 Audible, Ltd Crime Fiction Psychological Suspense Thriller & Suspense Marriage Crime Fiction Exciting Scary

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Critic reviews

"The ultimate psychological thriller." (Lisa Gardner)
"My book of the year so far." (C. L. Taylor, author of The Lie)
All stars
Most relevant
I do wish that publishers would stop hyping novels as the next 'Gone Girl' or 'Girl on the Train' as they rarely live up to the hype. This book certainly doesn't but it is a promising, gripping debut. There is however nothing new here although it does stand out from some of the more recent 'domestic noir' novels. It is excellently read by Clare Corbett who does such a good job of keeping the reader engaged throughout.

A promising debut

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This book is excellent and gripping from start to finish. The authenticity of the reporter is highly convincing. The psychological exploration of the "widow" is extremely well done and plausible without jargon or over simplification - much of it is left up to the reader to complete or imagine. Why would a woman stand by a man who has apparently done the most atrocious act is the central question the author sets out to explore and to my mind succeeds in providing a convincing argument. I especially liked the way in which the widow's grip on reality shifts and changes throughout the narrative. The reader is kept guessing and feels a distrust of the widow's version of events. I hope Fiona Barton will soon publish more books. The interview at the end of the book is full of insights from the narrator and the author herself. The narration is excellent and I would say it is more like listening to a dramatisation than a reading.

Stunning First novel

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It's rare to find psychological thrillers that aren't over the top. Instead of bodies piling up, this entire novel premises around one particular child abduction and how the people around were affected. The widow of the alleged criminal is a completely flawed person, battling her own demons whilst trying to live with him and the press / police constantly hounding her. She is by far imperfect. If I say anymore it may reveal too much. Looking forward to see this on the small screen.

Great, no frills British psychological drama

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What did you like most about The Widow?

The story, it was well thought out and gripping right till the very end

What did you like best about this story?

The journalist, Kate and the story in general

What does Clare Corbett bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Her ability to BECOME all of the characters.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The other perspective

Any additional comments?

Great book, thoroughly enjoyed it

slow start but sooooo riveting

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Story was predictable but well written. The style of retelling events from different characters POV makes the reader feel like a voyeur, perhaps the author tried to mimic tabloid journalism :-) . Enjoyable story and excellently narrated by Clare Corbett

Great characters

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