This book had me intrigued right from the beginning - trying to figure out how the photographer and police officer are going to cross paths.

Y’all know I love crime fiction, especially Nordic Noir & I recently saw @hannahmorrisseywriter’s work described as Midwest Noir. I could not agree more and absolutely loved her newest crime thriller, The Widowmaker. It is dark and has some great twists that you don’t see coming. I switched back and forth between the book and audiobook. I have to say that the choice of Xe Sands as the female narrator was excellent. I highly recommend grabbing either the book or audiobook when they publish!

Thank you to @stmartinspress @minotaur_books@macmillan.audio and @netgalley for allowing me to read & listen to this book ahead of publication in exchange for my honest review.

This is my first book by this author and I definitely enjoyed it. I liked the dark places it went but I felt that the story could have benefited from exploring Morgan's past a bit more. The story was well-written and while it was a tad farfetched, I didn't leave with any unanswered questions. I feel that listening to it on audio may have affected my enjoyment of the story. Sometimes with NetGalley audiobooks, the listening speed goes haywire and makes for a frustrating listen. This is not at all the fault of the story but it made it hard for me to concentrate.

The Widowmaker audiobook by Hannah Morrissey
Narrated by Adam Verner and Xe Sands (***Review*** 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

The Widowmaker audiobook sent me into a tailspin of epic proportions. Psychological thriller fans won't want to miss this phenomenal mystery!

The plot alternates between photographer Morgan Mori and Detective Ryan Hudson. Morgan receives a key that is a cryptic clue to her past. She is perplexed, but determined to figure out the mystery. Investigator Ryan Hudson lost a dear friend and colleague in the line of duty. Is there a disturbing connection between Morgan and Ryan?

If you enjoy a baffling mystery, this audiobook is for you. It is deep and suspenseful. Throughout the book, the narrative voices transport you into the story. This is a totally mind-bending novel that sticks with you for a long time. I enjoyed it so much that I plan to listen to it again. A compelling mystery such as The Widowmaker ticks off all my boxes.

The Widowmaker audiobook is available on December 6th.

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, for sharing this outstanding audiobook with me. I love every minute of this edge-of-your-seat thriller! It is my first book by Hannah Morrissey and I am hooked!

This was a solid suspense novel. The author wove an interesting plot that unfolding over time with just enough Easter eggs and misdirects to keep to reader guessing. The description of the derelict mail locale was incredibly vivid. I feel like I both picture and place like this and have seen it in person. The main characters were well written and you came to care about their wellbeing. I liked the Christmas setting, however this is a read for anytime of the year. I would recommend this to anyone who likes as slow burn mystery with police involvement and a bit of a romantic entanglement. Great for lovers of Denise Mina, Blake Pierce, and J.T. Ellison.

Disjointed, disappointing, poor pacing, and overall just blah. I was determined to finish it both in hopes of a surprising twist that would make it all worth it, and in order to give it a completely fair shake. Unfortunately, the ending didn’t make up for the rest of the book and the whole storyline just dragged.

I really enjoyed listening to this book. It was an interesting story line that kept me guessing what would happen next. This will sure be a popular pick!

I was really interested in this author's next book, when I read her debut, Hello Transcriber. I liked it, especially the format. But it had too much relationship and fell short on the thriller for me.

Well The Widowmaker definitely improved on both those parts. It is also vastly more descriptive and dark.

Xe Sands is quickly becoming one of my favorite new narrators from the past year or teo (since Plain Bad Heroines, which was my first book narrated by her but then there was a large gap before hearing her again).

Photographer Morgan Mori is back in Black Harbor and finds herself pulled into the orbit of the Reynolds family. The day she is hied by them to document a family get together in the Reynolds home, she witnesses the murder of a police officer. The trauma brings hidden memories to the surface, memories that could help solve the cold case murder of Clive Reynolds. Together with a cop who has something to prove, Morgan faces her own past in order to solve both cases

From beginning to end, this was a suspenseful murder mystery that kept me hooked. Laced with deeper meanings to words and family secrets, the story is told by two characters. Morgan Mori is a young woman trying to uncover the secrets behind a key tied to her past. Investigator Hudson is trying to solve the mystery to his former partner's muder. Both characters are brought together by a cold case of the missing rich business man, Clive Reynolds. Author Hannah Morrissey reveals the darkest sides of people as well as shines light on the good. Excellent novel, beginning to end! Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan for the Advanced Reader Copy!