Having read and enjoyed “The Good Wife of Bath” by Karen Brooks, I was looking forward to “The Whisky Widow” and was not disappointed.
The painstaking attention to detail is evident as the reader is immersed in a totally believable setting, rich and fascinating. The story revolves around strong female protagonists. A rollicking whisky fuelled adventure, with a touch of mystery and romance…..thanks to Harlequin Australia and NetGalley for the ARC, a satisfying saga to be enjoyed with a nip of Scotland’s finest!

Nobody but Karen Brooks could write such a riveting and rollicking historical masterpiece like The Whiskey Widow! Brimming with detail, suspense, surprise, drama, emotion and intrigue, my head was spinning from all the clever twists and turns and unexpected plot directions. I never saw many of them coming! I was on the edge of my seat flipping the pages as fast as I could into the wee hours of the night. This complex tale certainly fired my imagination from start to finish. I was completely invested at all levels and my heart raced more than once! Other times I shed tears in the sad and tragic moments. It was easy to get invested in the well-developed characters’ lives. I felt their pain, loss, heartbreak and disappointment. And sympathised in their struggles against injustice. But also cheered at their special victories.

Set in 1780, The Whisky Widow, covers a tumultuous period of Scottish history. Whiskey and the Scots go hand in hand. There are lots of emotional connections and associations, too. It was a risky and dangerous venture to be making, smuggling and trading this fiery liquid. The Scots often fought hard for freedom to do what they loved and to choose their own livelihood. Conditions were poor and everyone struggled. But the excise officers often proved vengeful and murder and framing of the innocent were common occurrences. Sometimes these acts were fuelled by jealousy and greed and a means to cut the competition.

The dislike of the Highlanders by the English comes through loudly but also there were battles within the close knit community. Distrust of those coming into their circle, was common. When Greer moves into Glasglen with her daughter, she finds out quickly the locals don’t trust her. It seems for a while no matter what she does to contribute to the community, many members will not change their minds. Or not until something horrible happens and she is put in an unexpected position. Even then it is an uphill battle but once her strengths take centre stage and she fires up with gusto, they begin to take notice. Her journey to gaining respect may have been a challenging one, but she eventually achieves success. Some like Tam, (a character I adored and is proven to be her equal) admire her for her skills and determination and ability to overcome the odds.

There are numerous cultural references in The Whisky Widow that stood out to me. One is the co-existence of Christian and ancient customs and how that played out in the Highlanders’ lives. A second are the mentioned conflicts that existed among the Scots. Plus the surprising prejudice and distrust between the Highlanders and Lowlanders. These points are seen in The Whisky Widow in substantial measures. I also marvelled at Karen’s expert use of the local language giving the dialogue authenticity. And the detailed descriptions of the Scottish surrounds are so explicit they provide a true immersive experience. I was fully transported to the historical setting that placed me in the heart of the action making me feel part of the scenes.

In the end, this is a story about courage, a resilient smart woman leading those she loves to victory. She fights through the betrayal, brings together the uncooperative, gets out of some tight corners through clever thinking and persuasive speech, knows how to manipulate the manipulators and transforms those around her. Greer is a bold woman to be admired and her strength shines like a beacon. Motivated by her honest passion for beloved Tam and her daughter, Fen, and care for her community—she ploughs ahead like a steamroller. Although many locals initially did not want to know her, she proves her worth and turns opinions around. An absolute stunning novel that should not be missed. Full of history, mystery and mayhem! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to HQ Fiction and Netgalley for the ARC.

1780, Scotland. After her nasty husband dies Greer MacAlister becomes Tam Gordon’s housekeeper and she and her deaf daughter Fen leave Edinburgh and move to his remote Highland village. Greer tries her best to fit in and make friends but they don’t like outsiders or people with an impairment like Fen, and the crofters all speak Gaelic and not English.

Here illegal whisky is made, stills are hidden everywhere and it’s smuggled out, sold and it’s very dangerous. Whisky is an everyday drink, it practically runs through Highlanders veins and they refer to it as “water of life.” The residents of Glasglen worry a newcomer like Greer could dob them into the British who occupy and patrol the area and their livelihood and stills being destroyed and menfolk locked up.

Greer and Fen have to find a way to be part of the community, to be seen as not the enemy, and are on their side. Greer’s a woman who lived in a man’s world, she certainly looked outside of the box for solutions to hers and the villager’s problems and misfortunes.

I received a copy of The Whisky Widow from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia in exchange for an honest review. Karen Brooks portrays what it was like to live in the Scottish Highlands at the time, the lairds and the British made a hard life harder. I could tell Ms Brooks knows Scotland well and did extensive research for latest historical fiction novel and it holds a special place in her heart.

An action and adventure narrative full of interesting and hilarious characters, about whisky distilling and how important it was, courage and bravery, conflict and betrayal, family and community, defiance and survival, not giving up and overcoming obstacles. Tam Gordon's my new hero and move over William Wallace!

I savoured every page of The Whisky Widow, my Mam is Sottish and I loved reading about her homeland and my heritage and how the Scots thought it was their god given right to make, drink and sell whisky and it was.

Karen Brooks latest book is a credit to her in so many ways, five stars from me and I highly recommend.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️¾ (4.75/5)

Karen Brooks continues to cement her place as one of my favorite historical fiction authors with The Whiskey Widow. Her ability to craft compelling, multidimensional female protagonists is on full display here, and once again she delivers a rich, layered story full of heart, resilience, and emotional depth.

While I won’t repeat the blurb, what stood out to me was Greer’s journey through stigma, betrayal, and the challenge of rebuilding a life as an outsider in a tight-knit community. The inclusion of her deaf daughter added a unique and touching element, and I especially appreciated the way Brooks explores not just romance, but also the complexities of friendships and mother-daughter bonds.

The pacing is excellent, and I found the setting and insights into the world of whiskey-making both fascinating and well-researched. There’s humor, heartbreak, and so many emotional twists—it’s the kind of story that stays with you.

I highly recommend The Whiskey Widow to fans of historical fiction. It’s a gripping adventure with a strong emotional core. My only reason for not giving it a full 5 stars is that The Good Wife of Bath still holds the top spot in my heart.