The Self-Made Widow is the second in a series called Suburban Dicks by Fabian Nicieza. It is every bit as good as the intro. and a bit better. Nicieza puts together a well written, swiftly moving mystery/thriller/comedy. One main protagonist, as in "Suburban Dicks" is a frustrated and ambitious reporter, looking for redemption and fame. Heading up their partnership in crime detection is a former FBI hopeful and smartest woman in the room who is juggling housewifery, multiple children, a marriage, friendship, and her urge to solve the unsolvable.

A great antagonist and complex relationships are part of what makes this follow-up book a worthy read. But even more important for the reader is how these characters continue to grow and change, and become more self-aware. I am looking forward to where the author takes them next.

thank you Negalley and the publisher for this advance copy!

First thing - I did not know this was the 2nd in a series, I just loved the description on NetGalley and requested it. When I went to start I felt lost immediately. Like I missed a few chapters that built up the history and characters. So after looking it up on Goodreads I learned this is a sequel. Well that explains it!

I think this was good, but would have been WAY better for me had I read the first one, which I will likely go back and read.

I received this arc from NetGalley.

I must start with the point that I didn't know this was the second book in a series ("Suburban Dicks"). Although I hadn't read the first one, this was a great middle of the road suspense. I was enthralled from the first chapter since we already knew who killed Derek. Andrea Stern is a great housewife 'wannabe detective' as she was the first to suspect one of her friends. As the novel spun on, the characters were well developed (but not too much details as we can fill in with our own minds) and gave me a CSI type vibe. The book overall kept me reading even though the killer was clear as day. I would recommend to anyone looking for a good murder with a twist of real housewives of ...(pick any of the series).

I LOVED this book! In fact, I read the first few pages, then I went and checked out SUBURBAN DICKS (the first in the series) and read it before coming back to SELF MADE WIDOW. Andie Stern is one of my new favorite characters and I really hope that we se more of her. This book had so many twists and turns. There was only one facet that seemed a bit unbelievable, but the characters and story are so good that I just rolled with it. I love how there is a diversity of characters without it beating you over the head. I love the dialogue and the pacing. I literally stayed up all night to finish this book and that is high praise from someone who loves to sleep! I can't wait for the next entry in this series.

Overall, a strong and interesting mystery, with complex characters, that eschews genre cliches. Sometimes, it felt that the author writing in the voice of a woman didn't quite fit (felt a little cringe), but I kept reading, drawn by the strong storytelling.

I enjoyed this book. I didn’t realize it was a sequel. I was still able to follow the story but I’m grabbing the first one to understand better. I recommend reading the first one before diving into this one. Characters are complex and well developed. It’s a fast pace store and quick read.

Disclaimer: I did not realize this was a sequel until after requesting and reading it.

This was . . . underwhelming. Humor and crime's a tough line to tow, and this fails on both fronts. The humor's broad but never effective, and the crime's only marginally interesting, not helped by the generally one-note characters. Honestly, the title's the best thing the book has going for it.

Thank you for inviting me to review this book.
First, I have reviewed the first book in the series, <Suburban Dicks> and really enjoyed it. This book starts as a continuation of the first book. To me, it feels like the author assumes us to have some knowledge of these main characters and their relationships. It assumes some level of knowledge about what Andie and Kenny have been through in book 1 and took off from there. As I have read the first book, I cannot really tell how much this will impact a reader who has not read the first book but just jumped in on this one. My gut feeling is not knowing the background story will somewhat hinder the reader's understanding of these characters, but my past experience of starting a book/movie from volume 2 or 3 has taught me that it may not have that much impact. This IS a new story. A new case. A new focus. So take that however you will.
Secondly, I feel that the tone of this book is quite different from the first one. There's a lacking of humor that was omnipresent in book one. The book focuses more on the personal growth of the two main characters--Andie and Kenny. While I really enjoyed seeing these two develop more as characters, I do wish there were more lightness to the book and fewer "growth pains". And coming back to my previous point, I do wonder how much a reader who doesn't know these characters coming into the story will experience their growth. It's hard for me to gauge.
Lastly, just as in the first book, it took me a little bit of time to get into the storytelling. For some reason, these books always seem to have a slow start for me. I didn't get really invested in the story and wanted to know what happens next until about 1/3 way in. Although, this may have more to do with how I read stories than the book itself.

In summary, I feel like this is a really solid book for someone who has read the first one and is interested in these characters. I really like it when authors try to develop their characters and make them more complex and alive, and I think the author has done a decent job here. However, do expect this book to feel different from the first one. The crime element is still complex and touches so many aspects of our lives and society at large. But the tone does feel different.
For a new reader who didn't read book one, I feel like the book should still be quite enjoyable. Knowing the backstory in book 1 definitely adds value to the story, but not knowing the backstory shouldn't be a huge hindrance to enjoying the story.
I feel like this book lies somewhere between 3-4 out of 5.

Two things I wish I had known before I read this book: it's a sequel, and the author mainly writes for comic books. When I learned both of those facts about 40 pages into the book, I began to enjoy it more. The storyline is exciting, although sometimes it teeters into the repetitive. The author gives great descriptions of the characters, locations, etc - placing you firmly in front of the action - but feels like an outline or brainstorm in places. The humor doesn't always land, but when it does, it's perfectly balanced to lighten the mood of the otherwise heavy content. I truly believe that if I had realized it was a sequel before I began I would have been pulled in much sooner. Niceieza has a unique writing style that I've yet to find outside of graphic novels, and it's refreshing to find a new cadence. If you enjoyed the first Suburban Dicks novel, The Self Made Widow is for you.

Fabian Nicieza returns to that bastion of crime and corruption, West Windsor, NJ, in The Self-Made Widow, the riotous follow-up to the chart-topping, guilty pleasure, Suburban Dicks. Coupling Jersey-style sarcasm with floor-to-ceiling expletives, Widow is the fun return of housemom/profiler Andie Stern who finds herself drawn into yet another murder-mystery, this one definitely closer-to-home than she would have liked. Yet for all its quick wit and razor-sharp dialogue, The Self-Made Widow feels like a story that should have come later if this were to be a series. The inter-relational dynamics were too deep; the mystery too aloof.

The Self-Made Widow finds Andie Stern called in to help her friend, Molly Goode, after Molly’s husband is found dead. A weak ticker is the culprit. Yet both Andie and intrepid, if miserable, reporter Kenny Lee feel their spider-sense go off. Something is not kosher with Molly. Is she a suffering widow? Or is she public enemy number one?

Nicieza has always been a master of dialogue even since his time with Marvel (go read his run on The New Warriors! Do it!). The style he established with Suburban Dicks seamlessly follows through here. What Widow lacks, however, is that strong mystery that not only ensnares the characters but lures in the reader. A good third of the book is all set up, catch-up, and development. Although this is certainly good for the new reader, the pace becomes lethargic for what should be a rock ‘em-sock ‘em murder-mystery.

When the pace finally does pick up, Nicieza unleashes both barrels of back-stabbing fun and hardcore neo-noir. He presents conflict with Andie who is fed up with the Jersey-girl image, a low-mileage minivan, and sacrificed career. He clues non-Jerseyites on how I-295 really flows, our annoyance-with-yet-addiction-to Wegmans, and why self-pump gas stations are not necessarily the best. And he has zero problems with altering the status quo on any and all characters.

The Self-Made Widow perfectly fits the Jersey crime subgenre that Nicieza is incredibly adept at portraying. The characters are real, and familiar, and annoying. As a sequel, the set-up is longer than the Free Fall queue at Great Adventure but the payout is as genuine as getting a third encore from Bruce.

Thanks to G.P. Putnam's Sons for the invite. Looking forward to what Fabe has lined up next.

This had a different tone to it than the first book in the series, and unfortunately I didn't like it quite as much. There's less humor and more soul-searching by the two main characters, and I don't care for either of them enough to be very entertained by their navel-gazing. Andie, mother of five and former FBI profiler, gets caught up in investigating the death of a friend's husband, and she draws in her partner from their last adventure/investigation, Kenny, who is enjoying his newfound success. I really enjoyed Andie's children, who were a little more present than in the first novel, and the mystery was intricately plotted. I just can't relate to either Andie or Kenny, and the pacing felt a little uneven as the investigation sort of lurched from point to point. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam/G.P. Putnam's Sons for an advanced digital copy to read and review.

Although this is the second book in the series and follows somewhat closely on the heels of the first, the author has done a good job of making it a stand-alone novel. I did, however, read the first book and found this one to have a slightly different feel to it. It wasn’t as slapstick as the first book and seemed to be much more concerned with the two main character’s self-examination and soul-searching, which seemed to happen too frequently for me.

The murder was interesting, as were the secondary characters. Andie’s children, in particular, were adorable. I felt, however, the pacing was a bit off. At times the book seemed a little slow and then it would pick up speed before bogging down again. The last 15% seemed very rushed. But, I did like how it ended and am looking forward to the next book in this series.

In the sequel to Suburban Dicks, two suburban dicks (investigators) find more suburban dicks (dicky people in the suburbs) doing dickish behavior in the suburbs.

After breaking her water on camera at a press conference after the events in book #1, Andie Stern is back in relative shape...and relative sanity. She has 5 kids, 1 of whom is an infant. Even though she briefly worked as an FBI Profiler, she’s not exactly satisfied NOW playing stay at home mom. Lucky for her, she has a penchant for tracking crimes and solving them…as well as catching killers.

UNLUCKILY for her, she now suspects that her friend, Molly Goode, murdered her husband. Andie’s instincts are good, and she knows when she’s right, so she starts digging into the Goodes’ background. Little does Andie know that the secrets she uncovers might involve someone a little too close for comfort.

Journalist Kenny Lee has finally regained some respect after helping Andie with the case in book #1. He’s about to release a book called Suburban Secrets, and is also working on a Netflix series. Then, he gets an anonymous phone call from someone stating that Molly did, in fact, kill her husband.

Now, Andie and Kenny are once again working together, along with an eclectic cast of characters, to solve another crime. Can they do that without tearing their personal lives apart?

I had a blast with the first book in the series, and I’m happy to report this one was no different. It’s a fun, clever read that is just BEGGING to be adapted for the big screen (It’s written by the co-creator of Deadpool after all).

While the first book delved a bit deeper into seriously dark and racial issues, this one delves into stuff as well…while still keeping things fun and including many LOL moments. The F-bombs are endless…endlessly hilarious, that is (I F’ing love Andie). The humor might be offensive to the Karen’s of the world. The culprit won’t be a shock (unless I’m lying). But everything in this comedic mystery works.

A few of the early reviews mention that there are too many characters to keep track of. However, many of them state they never read the first book in the series. While I think some of the reviews aren’t legit, I’d suggest starting at the beginning if this sounds appealing to you.

I see a clear, concise, hilarious path for this series if it continues. I so hope it does!

Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons for a widget of the ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 6/21/22.

Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com

After solving a murder and decades old conspiracy in her hometown, mother of five Andie Stern doesn't last long attending playdates, kid's soccer games or luncheons with her group of mom friends, before finding her next murder to solve. When Molly Goode's husband unexpectedly dies, everything points to natural causes. But Andie feels like something is amiss and starts to investigate the possibility Molly killed her husband. Her suspicions are further fueled when her old pal and journalist, Kenny Lee, gets an anonymous phone call from someone saying that Molly killed her husband. The two dig deeper, risking friendships, business deals, and in Andie's case, her relationship with her very own husband.

I thought this book was entertaining and engaging. It was a quick read that flowed well and was extremely detailed without being overbearing. All the characters were complex and developed, with distinct personalities and were utilized within the plot well. I did appreciate the small moments of dark humor throughout, although since this is from one of the cocreators of Deadpool, I was expecting there to be a lot more. The crime itself was filled with twists and turns, yet easy to track and understand.

With that said, I did have a few issues with this book. The first issue isn't the author's or the story's fault, but rather my own. I didn't realize this was the second book in a series. Having not read the first book, I did find it difficult to understand the connections and backstories between all the returning characters. I also wasn't aware of the previous crime Andie had solved, or how that investigation lead to everyone having the dynamics between each other that they have in this story. For that reason, I wish I had gone back and read "Suburban Dicks" before reading this. My next issue was that it felt like Andie and Kenny were investigating different crimes. I wish they worked a bit more together, instead of investigating on their own and then checking in with each other. In that respect, I didn't feel like the whole crime felt as cohesive as it should've been.

Overall, I would recommend this book to readers who are looking for a engaging, easy to read crime novel that isn't too heavy yet still packs a punch!

This is a sequel to a novel, but it works as a stand-alone. In this novel, Andie is a suburban mother of five children and a former FBI profiler. She has a snarky voice which made me smirk (come on, calling her fellow moms "The Cellutists?"). One of her mom friends' husband dies, presumably from a heart condition. But Andie suspects murder and calls on a journalist friend to help her investigate. I enjoyed the mystery and the tone of this novel, which reminded me of Susan Sarandon in the movie "Compromising Positions".

It took me a while to get into this book since there are so many characters and I've not read the first book. Nonetheless, now that I've finished this book, I'm looking forward to reading the first book and continuing this series. Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for this advanced copy. This should be in your shopping cart come June 21st.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Self-Made Widow.

I was pretty excited to read this series since I read the first book and enjoyed it very much.

The author 's writing style and tone is not for everyone; he provides plenty of exposition for major and secondary characters, giving us insight into their background, motivation, and what created the person you see before you.

But I enjoy his writing, as well as his humorous tone without being sarcastic and snide.

The second book in the series welcomes back Andie Stern, mother of five and wife of disgraced financier, Jeff, and Kenny Lee, former disgraced reporter, who is flying high on the success from the conclusion of the first case.

When the husband of a friend of hers dies, Andie suspects her friend of murder.

Andie is a complex character, which I appreciate the author taking time to create.

She's street smart, crafty, and has always regretted not taking her true path, a fulfilling career to fighting crime, now forever doomed to a suburban life, her brains and talents wasted at home.

There's a lot going on, just like in the first book; lots of characters and moving pieces, who did what and who did this, children are involved in this case, specifically Andie's oldest daughter as well as the deceased man's sons.

There's no mystery here; we know whodunit.

The Self-Made Widow is about the people; how Andie continues to struggle with parenthood and motherhood and her desire to bring criminals to justice; Kenny balancing work and love; Andie and Jeff's disintegrating marriage; how we do stupid things when we're bored, entitled, angry and frustrated with our lives and ourselves.

What the author does well is write real characters; yes, Andie and Kenny are smart and savvy and good at what they do, but they're also human.

They make mistakes; they're flawed, they're relentless, they're angry and they hurt people in their pursuit of justice. And that kind of don't care.

I look forward to the next book in the series.

Great cover!

I hadn't realized this was the second book in a series so it took me some time to get into it. On the plus side, I enjoyed what I read but on the other, I wish I had known this was book 2 before reading because I would have adjusted better to this one. Will I grab a copy of the first one? Absolutely. This is clever enough to warrant a look at the series from the beginning.

Another suburban secrets novel from Fabian Nicieza! We return to Jersey one year after the drama of "Suburban Dicks" unfolded. Andrea and Kenny have received growing attention for their crime-solving skills and the subsequent fallout. While this book is a completely new storyline, I do think the character development from the first book makes it essential to read before this one.

Andie and Kenny are back to ruffling feathers when they start digging into the sudden death of Derek Goode, husband to one of the women in Andie's friend group. They continue to pull on threads until a larger conspiracy unrolls.

Another smart, sarcastic, enjoyable crime drama from this author! I love the exploration of the aftermath of solving a crime that is not often addressed, including who can be hurt in the quest for the truth. I also love the idea of two complicated, at times unlikeable, crime solvers who struggle to define themselves within the lines of their existing lives.

Andrea Stern is back. After the spectacular finish in the last book (going into labor very publicly) Andrea is on the chase once again. The hook in this case is not who did the killing but how and why. When there are friends involved Andrea's single minded pursuit of the truth might hurt feelings, wreck friendships and when the investigations come a little too close to home it may also bring irreversible changes to her own life as well. I love this author and I love this series. We get a little bit more information about what formed Andrea into the, investigator, mom of five children and wife that she is. We also get a little more backstory about Andrea's husband. I was thoroughly caught up in this story definitely a fantastic read.