This was a fascinating story of several widows trying to solve several murders in their village. The characters really came to life and the scenes were easy to imagine. What a lovely complicated conclusion.

4.5★s
The Widows’ Guide To Murder is the first book in the Widows’ Detective Club series by British author, Amanda Ashby. Less than a year widowed, sixty-year-old Ginny Cole has moved from Bristol to the retirement cottage she and Eric had planned in the Lancashire village of Little Shaw. But she’s having second thoughts about taking the job at the community-run library: her manager, Louisa Farnsworth is really unpleasant, nasty to just about everyone.

Arriving for her shift on her second day, a shock awaits: Louisa’s dead body in the library’s office. After telling the police what she can, including an observation pointing to the cause of death, Ginny goes home to Middle Cottage, at a loose end. She considers making jam from the damsons on her rude young neighbour’s tree, and ends up adopting a stray cat.

At the village grocery store, needing cat food, she encounters a trio of widows whose main concern seems to be the impending arrest of the shopkeeper, Alyson Farnsworth, ex-wife of the newly-widowed Bernard Farnsworth, and daughter of one of the trio. With no intention of getting involved, she’s somehow searching the library stacks for incriminating evidence, trying to subtly interrogate villagers who might know more, and attracting the ire of that young neighbour, who turns out to be DI James Wallace. His opinion of her new friends: “nosy civilians with more grey hair than wit”.

Ginny’s investigations cast doubt on two earlier deaths in the village, and it looks like corruption and embezzlement are rife, even in Little Shaw. Before the case is solved and the guilty are brought to justice, there’s another murder, and two attempted murders. Ginny never thought she’d be digging up a grave, saving a man from burning to death, and trying to stop a not-so-innocent woman from being murdered.

Ashby gives the reader plenty of red herrings and distractions to keep them guessing and the pages turning right up to the dramatic climax. The widows are a quirky bunch: an avid knitter, an almost-lawyer, and an expert on many things courtesy of YouTube. More of this cast in The Widows’ Guide to Backstabbing will be most welcome. A very enjoyable cosy.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Storm Publishing.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

This book is a delightful blend of cozy mystery and romantic comedy, centered around the recently widowed Evie Harris. Grieving the unexpected loss of her husband, Evie finds herself not only navigating the complexities of widowhood but also unexpectedly embroiled in a murder investigation.

This book was entertaining. I really liked our protagonist, Ginny Cole, and her fellow widow friends. They're all quirky and have good personalities. I agree with another review that mentioned that there were too many characters introduced. I understand why... more characters, more red herrings, but I did find it a bit confusing and ended up not really connecting with any of them. My favorite character, by far, is Edgar and he was the true hero and mystery solver IMO. IYKYN lol Although a little slow paced and a bit long-winded, I enjoyed it overall and appreciated all the little twists that got us to the end. Thanks to Storm Publishing at NetGalley for this ARC, and for including Book 2. I'll pick up that book soon!

Thank you so much Netgalley for the amazing read!
The town felt so welcoming and comforting, I didn't feel like leaving it! The plot was very well written and the grandmas are super sweet with great mystery solving brains 😂😂
I enjoyed the book a lot!
Kudos to the author! And thoroughly enjoyed and a must read book!

Ginny has been a widow for eight months and she still feels buried by her grief. Hoping to improve her outlook, she moves to the village of Little Shaw, where she meets three other widows who seem to instinctively understand Ginny’s need to recover from life’s setbacks. Ginny’s new job at the library is a step in the right direction and when she discovers the library manager’s body she and her new friends become involved in a murder investigation.

The Widows’ Guide to Murder is a notch above the normal cozy. It’s charming and relatable, with characters that are so likable (well, except for the bad apples) and whom I enjoyed meeting. The writing is well-done, with dialogue that’s realistic and natural, and the mystery is well-paced, with a nice twist at the end. Meanwhile, the author also does a good job addressing the effects of grief and the loss of someone close. This adds yet another layer to the characters and gives the story even more depth.

This was the perfect book to enjoy with a cup of tea (of course). Now I’m definitely looking forward to the second book in this series. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.

This was such a cozy and delightful read! I absolutely adore mysteries set in charming little villages, and when you throw in a group of elderly ladies juggling murder investigations with knitting, baking, or whatever other hobbies they’re into? Total win. Oh and the murder happens in a library. I mean, come on. That’s peak cozy mystery.
Ginny Cole has just started working as a library assistant in the sweet village of Little Shaw. She’s trying to settle into her new life and quietly process the loss of her husband, but things take a turn when she finds her (very unpopular) boss dead in the library office. Not exactly the fresh start she had in mind.
Before long, Ginny gets caught up in the investigation with the help of three delightful widows (JM, Hen, and Tuppence) who basically take her under their wing. Hen’s daughter is the prime suspect, so the ladies are on a mission to uncover the real killer before things get even messier.
The murder plot was nicely done! I actually guessed the killer (go me!), but there were enough twists to keep me turning the pages. Ginny is such a sweet, grounded character, and I really related to her need to always do the right thing. I’m hoping we get to learn more about the other widow ladies in future books, they’ve definitely got stories to tell.
If you’re in the mood for a feel-good mystery with a little charm, a little mischief, and a lot of heart, this one’s a lovely pick.
4 Solid stars!

This cozy mystery is as charming as its title suggests, with a delightful cast of older amateur sleuths, small-town secrets, and just enough murder to keep the pages turning. Ginny Cole, recently widowed and hoping for a quiet fresh start, finds herself tangled in a murder investigation almost the moment she arrives in the village of Little Shaw. What follows is a mix of mischief, midnight graveyard escapades, and the power of unlikely friendships.

The widows’ dynamic is the heart of the book—quirky, loyal, and full of spark. The mystery itself has some solid twists, and the pacing is solid, with some clever twists, and I enjoyed the unique premise of widows turning detectives.

That said, I believe some characters could have used more development, and also a few plot points were predictable, but overall it’s a cozy, slightly offbeat mystery perfect for fans of lighthearted crime fiction. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s charming in its own way and sometimes, that’s exactly what you need. 3.7

Aww I loved this book!!

I loved Ginny and my heart ached for her at the start when she has to try and navigate life as a widow.

This is a perfect cozy mystery. It’s funny, heartwarming, and really good fun.

My favourite thing is how Ginnys confidence grows. But generally a very good, very well written book. Loved it!

This is a great book for any fans of cozy mysteries who love an older protagonist. I really enjoyed the main character and the group of friends that folded her in there was just enough mystery, but not too much to take it into thriller territory.

I’ve been looking for a series to fill that Thursday Murder Club shaped hole in my life waiting for the next in the series and this was just the ticket! I loved the premise and adored Ginny as a character. It’s filled with warmth and humour and it is a lovely cosy murder mystery, Will be seeking out the other books in this series.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book in a new series of cozy mysteries. I enjoyed meeting these new characters, all of them having their own personalities and each being a little quirky. The mystery was interesting too, and the story moved along at a decent pace. In all its a good light and quick mystery.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Newly widowed Ginny moves into the home she and her late husband had bought for their retirement. It is a small village where she knows no one. She is not sure how prepared she is for this new life but with a job in the local library and a new kitty, she is thrust into village life when she discovers the body of her superior the day after starting. She probably would not have become involved in the murder investigation but for three other widows who “adopt” her and with the power of their personalities enlist her help in proving the innocence of one of the ladies’ daughter. The daughter had just cause to dislike the victim and the subsequent murders connected to this one.

But there are others with far better claims to wanting these individuals dead. The problem is there is more than one of them and while the book does a bang up job making the reader think they have solved the mystery, there is one final twist that I did not see coming. I love that. It makes the read so much fun when things turn out differently than expected.

Ginny and her new friends are fascinating characters. Sufficiently quirky to be interesting but not so over the top that they become cliches. I look forward to future adventures. Five purrs and two paws up.

This was a fun and entertaining read. I do love cozy mysteries set in charming little villages and if there is a bunch of elderly ladies trying to solve couple of murders while multitasking with their other hobbies, then its like a cherry on the cake. And to top it all off, this book even has a library as its murder venue. I mean, what can go wrong with this combination, right?

Ginny Cole has started her new job as a library assistant in the village of Little Shaw and she's just settling in her job and new place while coping with the loss of her dear husband. Her boss, Louisa, is a demanding and generally disliked by all the villagers. Ginny's hope for a tranquil life goes for a toss when she is the first person to discover the dead body of her boss in the library office. Ginny gets right in the middle of the whole investigation when three widows- JM, Hen and Tuppence take Ginny under their wing. As Hen's daughter is the prime suspect in the case, the widows' club is doing everything they can to uncover the real murderer before things go down south.

The murder plot is well crafted and though I did guess the identity of the killer(I am getting better with this now!!!) there were enough twists to keep me glued to the book. I loved Ginny's character and her compulsion to be on right side of law(which I find kind of relatable) but hope to read more about the other widows in the next books.

Amanda Ashby’s The Widows’ Guide to Murder is a delightful, cozy mystery book, introducing readers to the charming yet enigmatic village of Little Shaw. At the heart of the narrative is Ginny Cole, a sixty-year-old widow seeking solace and a fresh start. However, her aspirations for tranquility are quickly dashed when she discovers the lifeless body of her disagreeable new boss, Louisa Farnsworth, in the local library.

This unexpected event propels Ginny into an impromptu alliance with fellow widows Hen, Tuppence, and JM. Together, they form the Widows’ Detective Club, embarking on a mission to clear the name of Hen’s daughter, Alyson, who becomes the prime suspect in Louisa’s murder.

The village of Little Shaw is depicted with vivid detail, offering readers a picturesque backdrop that contrasts sharply with the dark mysteries unfolding within. However, some readers might find certain character developments. Additionally, while the plot is engaging, seasoned mystery enthusiasts may anticipate some of the twists. ​

In conclusion, The Widows’ Guide to Murder is an easy and light read. Not the best in this genre, but worth a read.

The Widows’ Guide to Murder is a typical cozy mystery book. It’s the first in the series and tells the story of Ginny Cole, a widow who finds herself drawn into a murder investigation. Together with her new friends, Ginny wants to solve the crime.
Overall, it was a good read - nothing special, but enjoyable.

The Widow’s Guide to Murder is the first book I’ve read by Amanda Ashby and it most definitely won’t be the last!

I absolutely loved this story from start to finish. With a wonderful cast of characters, an engaging mystery, and a heartwarming sense of community, this book is a brilliant introduction to what promises to be a fantastic new cosy crime series.

Following the death of her beloved husband Eric, Ginny Cole moves to the quaint village of Little Shaw, following the retirement plan they had made together.

Looking to rebuild her life, she takes a job as a part-time library assistant - only to find her boss, the unpleasant Louisa, dead on her second day.

What follows is an unexpected foray into sleuthing, and Ginny soon finds herself at the centre of a murder investigation.

Thankfully, she’s not alone. Ginny becomes friends with three other widows - Hen, Tuppence and JD and together they form a formidable and entertaining team.

As they dig into the mystery, Ginny discovers a new sense of purpose, even if it means getting on the wrong side of the local detective who just so happens to be her nextdoor neighbour.

This cosy mystery is charming, witty and full of heart. I was cheering Ginny and the widows on as they uncovered secrets and tried to save lives, all while building strong friendships and navigating their own personal grief.

Edgar the cat is also a delightful addition - every village mystery needs a clever feline sidekick.

Amanda Ashby’s writing is warm and engaging, and she’s created a world that I was more than happy to get lost in. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment and was lucky enough to have book two ready to dive into straight away!

Highly recommended for fans of cosy crime, quirky characters, and mysteries with heart.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a good series starter of a lovely, older heroine, Ginny and her new friends in her new town. The mystery was interesting with a lot of wrong whodunits before everyone is on the right track.

#netgalley #TheWidowsGuidetoMurder

This book is a full member of the gentle cosy murder genre. It is a feel good book with endearing characters and a gentle but well thought out plot.
An enjoyable light read.