I loved this book. It was just as good as book one. The characters are amazing and funny and everything you would expect them to be. Thank you for the opportunity to read this arc!

Thank you to Sourcebooks for the early electronic arc via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Book 2 in the The Widows series helmed by multiple authors. It's been a bit since the plane crash that took the lives of the husbands of said widows. Now they are scrambling to support themselves and in some cases, children and businesses left behind by their crooked attorney husband's deaths. This outing sees the women being framed for the murder of the town Mayor while a fight for Indigenous land and what will be built upon it rages in the background.

What I liked was the 1980's time frame backdrop. The mention of cell phones had me googling if they were even available back then. They were! Huge and known as bricks, but available. Of course, the shoulder pads and descriptions of hair were a fun throwback for me.

I also appreciated the plight of the indigenous people and who ultimately controls their land.

Entertaining enough but I'm thinking I should have read book one first. I found myself not able to connect to the characters as much without that background.

I read this immediately after reading Young Rich Widows and what a damn good time I had with these characters. Despite having four authors writing from four POVs, all of the characters, including the secondary characters, are brilliantly fleshed out. Cinematic, campy, and just a great reading experience.

I didn’t know this was a series and haven’t read the first book but the characters were great. The book was kind of slow going and took me a while to get through. I wasn’t attracted to the storyline which is why it took me a while to get through.

As much as I liked the first book in this series, I couldn't seem to get into this sequel as much. The female friendships felt stunted, and it felt like the widows didn't understand or support each other as much as they did in the first book. The writing style felt a little bit all over the place and difficult to follow.

Desperate Deadly Widows: Where Crime Meets Girl Power

Four mob-connected lawyers die in a plane crash. Their widows inherit a mess of secrets. Two years later, Providence's mayor turns up dead in a strip club. Welcome to 1987 Rhode Island, where big hair meets bigger troubles.

This collaboration between authors Vanessa Lillie, Layne Fargo, Cate Holahan, and Kimberly Belle crackles with wit and tension. The story follows our unlikely heroines as they navigate a world of neon lights and dark alleys, trying to keep their late husbands' law firm alive while dodging both the mob and the law.

At the heart of this nailbiter are the widows themselves - each distinctly drawn and delightfully complex. There's Krystle, desperately keeping the firm's lights on, and Justine, a budding lawyer with secrets of her own. These women aren't just survivors; they're fighters who've learned that sometimes your best allies are the ones who share your worst memories.

The authors weave humour through the darkness like a neon sign in a thunderstorm. Sure, there are dead bodies and conspiracies, but there's also friendship, wisecracks, and the kind of loyalty that only comes from having someone's back when the whole world's against you.

While some readers might need a flowchart to track all the players and plots, the story's heart beats steady and strong. It's about women who refused to be victims, choosing instead to be the heroes of their noir fantasy. For anyone who likes their thrillers with a side of sisterhood and their mysteries wrapped in hairspray and attitude, this book delivers.

I loved the first installment of this series. Unfortunately, this book fell flat. The characters were not full and vibrant like they were in the first book. I found myself caring less and less what happened to the women. I also found the writing to be a bit repetitive. I wish I liked it more!

As with with first book in this series I loved the 80"s setting, along with the descriptions of the women's hair and clothing. I did find the characters and their backstories harder to keep track of this time. Luckily I could remember enough from the first book but I would have liked it if the authors had recapped a little bit.

I also found the murder suspects a little hard to keep track of along with the other characters. There was sometimes too much going on along with the timeline was hard to follow. They kept jumping from one scene to another. That being said if the series is continued I would continue reading it. Lots of time in books like this the writers resort to having some characters becoming goofy and just doing outrageous things. Other than Krystle's strip scene that didn't happen in this book. Krystle's strip scene was the huge focus of the book or something that made her seem like she was losing it. It struck me as something her character would do.

This is the perfect eighties read! A fun ride with some murder and light romance thrown in! Loved it!

did we need a book 2 no.
I feel because book 1 really didnt set up as sequel the widows were scrounging for a story to be interesting
I think if more humor was injected it would have been 10000x better becuase the scene set up for laugh out loud comedy
"so the mayor enters the chapagne room and winds up dead with a stripper"
but this books focus was on adding even more characters into the mix and turned it into a whodunit...but it wasnt very mysterious.
I liked the audio and some characters were voiced really well to give that 80s jersey twang.
In general the book should have been a novella becuase the characters and fluff added to keep us going was lackluster

A historical mystery/thriller set in the 80's. The sequel to "The Young Rich Widows" shows how the Widows have persevered and grown since the events of the first book. Most importantly the Widows know they can rely on each other in the darkest of circumstances - when one of their own is suspected of murder.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the e-galley!

I wish I had known this books was the second one in a series before I requested it, but still enjoyable nonetheless. Suspense meets the 80s and I thought it was radical!

This is second book in the series and just as fun. It has the nostalgia from the 80s, loveable characters and mystery. This book just screams neon and fishnets .

Mystery, suspense and the 80s. What more can you ask for? Desperate Deadly Widows is what I am here for. This is the epitome of Women power/girl power. Determination and will power to fight the fight and stand up for what’s right. I love these ladies and am hoping for another edition to follow the widows on their next adventure.
Thank you NetGalley!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the Arc

I wish I would have known it was a book one before I hit request but regardless this was still a great read. I love a good mystery that can also be a tad bit comical. I was entertained from start to finish. Definitely going back to read book 1.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the Arc of Desperate Deadly Widows.

. The story follows 2 years after the first book ended, and the Mayor ended up being dead and one of the widows was with him.
It's a whodunit with shoulder pads and 80's hair style!

Was it as enjoyable as the first one? No.. was it fun? Yes!!

Thank you once again!

I read the first book about the Widows and this one was just as good. It was a fun story. Thank you for the advanced copy.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

I found this story to be entertaining, clever, and an all-around great time, I hope the authors turn this into a series, I am definitely checking out the prequel. Now for my review...

"Desperate Deadly Widows" is an exhilarating journey through the intertwining lives of four widows, each grappling with their own secrets and facing unforeseen challenges. Written by four acclaimed authors, Vanessa Lillie, Layne Fargo, Cate Holahan, and Kimberly Belle, this novel is a masterclass in suspense, drama, and intricate storytelling.

The story begins with the unexpected death of Claire's husband, which sets off a chain of events that draw her into a world of danger and deceit. As she navigates her new reality, she discovers a network of widows, each with a deadly secret. These women, bound together by loss, must now face their pasts while protecting each other from a looming threat that could destroy them all.

The authors seamlessly weave their distinct voices into a cohesive narrative, creating a rich tapestry of emotion and tension. Each character is vividly brought to life, their struggles and triumphs resonating deeply with the reader. The pacing is impeccable, with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.

This story explored such as grief, resilience, and the bonds of friendship. The characters' journeys are not just about survival but also about finding strength in the face of adversity and reclaiming their lives.

Desperate Deadly Widows is a thrilling and thought-provoking read that will stay with you long. It is a testament to the power of collaboration and the exceptional talents of its authors. Whether you are a fan of suspense, drama, or simply well-crafted stories, this novel is a must-read.

In summary, Desperate Deadly Widows is an unforgettable story of resilience, friendship, and the indomitable spirit of women facing extraordinary circumstances. A page-turner from start to finish, it is a testament to the enduring power of hope and the strength found in the unlikeliest of places.

I went into this book not reading the first and maybe that was part of the issue. The female MCs did not feel connected to each other at all. The book stated they were close after the tragic death of their husbands but I did not feel it with the characters. It did not feel like a sisterhood or close bond. It felt like each was out for themselves. I found it hard to connect with the widows.

What I enjoyed most was the storyline with Aiden and the true reality of what continues to happen with the indigenous people today. Aiden rounded out the book.

I enjoyed the strong women working to show the city of Providence they don’t need a man but the book feel flat in character connection which made it harder to follow. I recommend reading book one first to understand the character development further.

This book is a follow up to Young Rich Widows written by the same authors. Sequels don't usually live up to the first book, right? Well not this one, this one is awesome!