Still a similar vibe to the Thursday Murder Club series. It does make me giggle that they're in their 60's and portrayed as old.

It's really about a fun group of Widows who keep finding themselves involved in solving murders (because there's never just simply one). I love how nosy the small town is and how involved in everything they are. While murder is a bummer, there is definitely some laugh out loud moments with these books. Even as a "youngen" you relate to the widows and love their spunk.

Definitely should be a read for you if cozy mysteries are your thing.

Number 2 in a new series by this author. A cosy murder mystery set in a quintessential village complete with library, pub and haberdashers. If you like Richard Osman, Robert Thorogood and Agatha Christie , then this is for you.

Looking for a cozy mystery that’s sure to put a smile on your face? I can’t recommend The Widow's Guide to Backstabbing by Amanda Ashby enough! This is the second installment in The Widows’ Detective Club Series, and it picks up where the first book left off, set in the charming little town we’ve come to love as the group of friends dive into yet another murder investigation. It’s an entertaining blend of The Golden Girls and Murder, She Wrote that will keep you engaged from beginning to end.

Just like in the first book, the characters are an absolute riot, getting into all sorts of amusing antics with their break-ins, knitting, lawyering attempts, and the return of “stolen” items—all while trying to navigate their way around Wallace without getting on his bad side (spoiler alert: they don’t quite succeed).

I found myself chuckling at the witty dialogue and the fearless antics of these widows who refuse to hold back. Some of my favorite moments included:

“… They wouldn’t take no for an answer. It was like a zombie movie. You know the kind where they won’t stop once they’ve smelled brains. In fact –”

“Not everyone who breaks into workshops has a criminal record,” (this coming from Tuppence who enjoys B&E and picking locks (which she’d proudly tell you she learned from YOUTUBE).

“Threatened him? I barely touched the man.” JM snorted before seeming to remember why she’d been there. She gave him a dazzling smile. ‘Please expunge that statement from the record. What I meant to say was, “How fascinating.”

“No idea, and remind me to get Human Resources to talk to you about personal space.”

“Oh, Ginny well done. And just what we need. JM almost got into a fight with two estate agents and Tuppence keeps wanting to break into the offices after hours. They will be relieved to have something to do.”

I loved seeing more of Connor in this book and how he’s matured since the first one. He’s becoming a wonderful addition to the group of widows, helping to keep them out of too much trouble. I especially enjoyed the moments when he plays the voice of reason. I’m excited to see how his character evolves as the series continues!

Like in A Widow’s Guide to Murder, there are some darker moments, but the overall tone remains light and delightful. It’s a cozy read that’s easy to follow, packed with twists that I felt were even better executed in this book compared to the first. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down and genuinely enjoyed every page!

Book three comes out later in 2025 and I couldn’t be more excited to see what my favorite widows get into this time!

A huge thank you to Netgalley & Amanda Ashby for the gifted ARC!

This is the second book in The Widows Detective Club series. Ginny is back and once again stumbling across a dead body. This time it's a local celebrity who runs his own haberdashery shop and is the head judge of the summer fete. The widows can't help but jump head first into the investigation but this time it's more dangerous and Gunny finds herself being targeted too.

I enjoyed this one just as much as the first! There were just as many suspects to follow and a boat load of red herrings! I enjoyed seeing more of Connor I this one, he's a great side character with brilliant wit! Edgar also made some great appearances, I loved that he'd turned into a little thief, making Ginny wander the village apologising for him.

I always look forward to this author books they have good plots.
From the beginning as they build to the end.
I recommend this book was well done.
I received arc from Net Galley and Storm Publisher

Loving it and definitely going to buy a copy when it's published. The characters are so believabe and feel like they live close by so I'm definitely going to recommend it to friends.

I loved being back in Little Shaw with Ginny and her widow cohorts, JM, Tuppence and Hen, these four ladies are great friends and rather enjoy investigating murders together even when asked not to by DI Wallace and now Ginny has discovered her second body in a matter of months since moving to Little Shaw, this time Timothy Harlow owner of the haberdashery shop and celebrity judge in the Little Shaw Spring Fete, he has been stabbed in the back by a pair of scissors, lots of question to find the answers to and will the fete go on?

The police have a suspect in custody fairly quickly but when the widows meet up with Megan Harlow daughter of the murder victim she convinces them that their suspect is not the murderer so the ladies start their investigation and soon are adding suspects and crossing them of on their murder board (a new on this time) there are many people to question, add to that Ginny’s cat Edgar has taken to arriving home with items that he appears to have taken and this leads Ginny be acting as negotiator between two locals, could this lead to more information?

This really is another great story in this series, what the ladies discover is secrets, love affairs, riverly and so much more, but will they discover the truth before DI Wallace and will they be safe? This is a fabulous page turner of a story, fabulous characters, setting and mystery to uncover and one that I would highly recommend to any lover of a good cosy mystery, bring on book three, I say.

My thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for my digital copy to read and review.

More Murders In The Village..
The second entry to the Widows Detective Club series of mysteries finds Ginny, now more settled, delving deep into village secrets. Seemingly peaceful, however, the village seems to have its fair share of heinous crime and it’s not long before another murder investigation is underway. Enjoyable and entertaining cosy mystery with a cast of colourful characters, a solid backdrop and a plot laced with gentle humour.

Another cozy read with twists! Second book of the series and again I loved it! It'd be perfect for a rainy day read. Fast paced and short-ish chapters. I love this group of ladies and their adventures!

I have had the pleasure of reading the first book "The Widows Guide to Murder" and thoroughly enjoyed it the same style cozy mystery and now the pleasure of no:2.
Ginny has come to terms with her husbands death and decided to stay at Little Shaw village now she has made some good friends also widows. Quaint little village and still has these small shops and a haberdashery which she and her widowed friend went in to return some material but found a body instead.
The police which the Inspector lives next door to Ginny is convinced he has arrested the correct person but the widows are not so sure, hence they start their own investigation much to the displeasure of her neighbour Inspector Wallace, so it's all done in secret, or is it.?
Charming story charming characters and this is the 2nd book from this author and already she is on a 3rd which I will be looking forward too.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC copy.

I just finished The Widows' Guide to Backstabbing by Amanda Ashby, and I have to say, it's just as engaging and atmospheric as the first book in the series. If you loved the first one, you'll definitely enjoy this sequel.

The story follows librarian Ginny Cole and her friends, the widows, as they dive into another murder mystery in their quaint village. The characters are as charming and relatable as ever, and their sleuthing adventures are both fun and intriguing.

What I really appreciate about this series is how it balances humor with suspense, making it a delightful read from start to finish. The plot twists keep you guessing, and the small-town setting adds a cozy, immersive feel to the story.

Overall, The Widows' Guide to Backstabbing is a fantastic continuation of a series that's quickly becoming a favorite of mine. If you're looking for a cozy mystery with great characters and an engaging plot, this is definitely a series to keep up with!

A delightfully fun read! Just as good as the first book in the series. I can't wait to see what the ladies get up to next.

Definitely should be on all the "To Read" lists of lovers of UK based cosy crime series everywhere. I highly recommend.

A great combination of suspense, secrets,and fun. I enjoyed sleuthing alongside Ginny as she, once again, sorts through false leads,and red herrings.
A well plotted cosy whodunit.

Hot on the heels of the first in series, comes the second - which is even better!

Ginny Cole has now settled both into widowhood and into her new home in the village of Little Shaw. She is enjoying her new job as librarian and has made friends. What she doesn't need in her life is another dead body - but that's exactly what she finds when she visits the haberdashery shop. Once again, Ginny's new friends draw her into an investigation all of their own ...

Having really enjoyed the first in this series, I was delighted when the second one came along so quickly. This is developing into a wonderful cosy series, well written and with a wide array of characters. A terrific read and one I'm happy to recommend and give 4.5*.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley.

What an awesome follow-up to the first book, The Widows’ Guide to Murder!
The Widows' Guide to Backstabbing is the second book in Amanda Ashby’s Widows’ Detective Club series. Ginny Cole, the librarian turned amateur sleuth, is once again caught up in a murder mystery. When the local haberdashery owner is found dead - with sewing scissors in his back, no less - Ginny and her widow friends can’t resist getting involved.
I found this one stronger than the first book. The characters feel more developed, their personalities more distinct. There is also so much local drama, past and present, that I couldn’t help but laugh aloud or gasp in pleasant shock many times during reading. I also appreciated that Ginny is more reasonable this time around. She doesn’t let her friends dictate what she should do and when, and she actually tries to leave the police to do their bit (not her fault that they are doing such a poor job of solving the murder, is it??).
Many clever details are woven throughout the story, which is always so important in a good mystery. The plot keeps you on your toes with twists that feel well-placed rather than forced, with plenty of red herrings along the way. Plus, the side characters are just as interesting as the main bunch - Slim, the ex-burglar turned baker, and Connor, the moody teenager, who turns out to care about the world more than anyone gives him credit for, were particular standouts for me.
I wouldn’t be myself if I didn’t mention that there was also a lovely ‘women supporting women’ element - I wish I could say more, but I would be dishing out spoilers if I did!
With its perfect blend of humour and intrigue, The Widows' Guide to Backstabbing is everything I want in a cosy mystery. The village setting is as lively as ever, with rivalries, romance, and a local fête shake-up adding even more entertainment to the mix. I am now genuinely excited about book number 3, which is coming out in June.

Thank you, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for letting me review this book.

This is the second book in the series of, The Widows’ Detective Club, by Amanda Ashby. The Widows are at it again! Ginny, the librarian, and the rest of the members of The Widows' Detective Club, seem to have found themselves tangled up into a murder case. Ginny promised DI Wallace she would not interfere, but the club did not feel the police were taking this seriously. So, of course, they have to take it into their own hands.

Is Ginny going to put herself into trouble? Is the murderer one of the residents of Little Shaw? There are twists and turns and they all merge together at the end, but you will never guess or see where this book is going. I am a huge fan of this cozy mystery series, and I literally cannot wait for the next book to come out! I feel like a resident in Little Shaw and love following the murder club around.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading books that are cozy mysteries, that take place in a small town, and the book can make you feel like you are part of the story.

Murder, mischief, and a group of widowed sleuths—what more could a cozy mystery fan want? The Widows' Guide to Backstabbing whisks readers away to an English village where no secret stays buried for long. When a local shop owner turns up dead, librarian Ginny Cole and her friends take it upon themselves to unravel the case. But in a town full of hidden rivalries and ambitious residents, nothing is as simple as it seems…

If you love amateur sleuths, British village settings, and mysteries with a touch of humor, this one’s for you!

Thank you to the author (@authoramandaashby), Storm Publishing (@stormbooks_co) and NetGalley (@netgalley) for a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest reveiw.

#CozyMystery #bookstagrammer #Bookstagram #amandaashby #TheWidowsGuideToBackstabbing

As with the first book I loved the characters and felt invested in the story, a fun quick read overall.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced review copy.

This was a welcome return to the village of Little Shaw. The mystery was intriguing to watch unfold and it was nice to see Ginny settling in her new home and becoming more open and self assured with her friends and neighbors.

I can’t wait for book 3.

This was a great follow-up to The Widows' Guide to Murder. It was so great to jump back into Little Shaw and these slightly eccentric characters. I also appreciated that the author clearly stated how much time had passed since the events of the previous book. Other cozy mysteries I have read do not do that and it always seems like murders are constantly occurring. The passage in time also allowed for Ginny to settle into her new job, house, and life a little more. I also really liked that the author got right down to business with the murder occurring pretty early on - I hate when it's held off until almost a quarter of the way through a book (yes, I can be a bit impatient when it comes to murder mysteries). The mystery here was filled with great twists and turns and had an ending that I did not see coming at all. The killer here certainly takes the prize in terms of being stone cold evil. Although they do end up getting some pretty good leads for the police, you can understand why their methods annoy Wallace the way they do - definitely entertaining for us readers, but a nuisance for the people actually in charge of solving the crime. I also really liked how the author continued to add layers to the character of Connor and find ways for him to somehow get mixed up in the investigations. Having him living with Hen should be interesting. I look forward to book 3 to see what else these widows get up to!