The Estates is back with (mostly) all of its residents! Carrie is still paranoid as ever and Marnie cranks up the crazy. And now there is a mysterious new neighbor that’s moved in. Is it a coincidence that weird things started happening since he moved in? Or is Carrie just overthinking it all?

The short chapters made it easy to fly through this one. The pacing was good and all the weird events kept making me want to read on. Def read if you love drama and domestic thrillers!

This book is the sequel to The Stepson and technically can be read as a standalone. I highly recommend reading The Stepson first for context and a better understanding of the situation! It’s currently available on KU!

Fast-paced and a narration that keeps you guessing.
Downside is this really is a follow-up to The Stepson (which I didn't know when reading it), so I don't think I got the full picture/story reading this as a stand-alone.
Thank you, NetGally and the publisher, for access to this eARC.

The Widower has so many twists and turns that you would want in a thriller. If you love a neighborhood with lots of gossip and nosy neighbors, you will love this. This is the first book I have read by D.L. Fisher. This can be a stand alone but many have suggested to read the Stepson first. I am going to go read that now. The twist at the end had me kept reading until it ended. Really enjoyed this and can't wait to see what will come next
Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the ARC

This was an incredible read! Just when things started to quiet down in The Estates, the arrival of a mysterious new neighbor seems to kick off another wave of shady secrets and insidious activity in the neighborhood. Eerie calls from an unknown number, a missing girl, and a car accident are only the beginning in this page-turning thriller!

What a wild turn of events that was! The book had me hooked from the blurb, and the twist did not disappoint; it was clever and kept me on my toes. The unreliable narrator added so much tension and suspense, making the whole story even more gripping. I really enjoyed the read! It’s a great reminder that sometimes, we don’t truly know the people around us, even the ones closest to us.

The Widower is a masterclass in psychological tension and mystery. From the moment Damian moves in across the street, the reader is drawn into a web of suspense, unsure of who can be trusted and what is truly happening behind closed doors. Fisher does an excellent job of creating an atmosphere of unease, using small but significant details to build a sense of dread.

The protagonist is relatable, caught between her desire for peace and her growing sense of danger. The inner turmoil of dealing with grief, a troubled stepson, and a potentially dangerous neighbor makes her a multi-dimensional character who drives the narrative forward. Damian’s charm and enigmatic nature keep you guessing, while the escalating disappearance of locals adds urgency to the plot.

The twists in The Widower are sharp and unexpected, ensuring that no one will see the ending coming. The slow-building suspense and nail-biting climax make this a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers.

I received a free copy of, The Widower by D.L. Fisher, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. You never truly know your neighbors and friends in your estate. This was an an engaging read.

Damian, the newly widowed new neighbor has moved in. Ironically, this is around the same time that girls were found murdered? Is Damian who he says he is? Or, is something far more sinister? Warning, you are about to go for a ride!

A quick read and twist you will not see coming, I recommend this read to any thriller lovers. D.L. Fisher is a thriller genius!

Thank you NetGalley for the eArc.

This was a great story. The only downside is that I felt like the widower did not have as big of a role as I would have liked to see. It was definitely the sequel to the previous book. Even though I haven't read that I was able to follow along. Great twist at the end. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!

First, thank you Netgalley and Joffe Books for the ARC!

I fear I am not sure how to feel about this book. I did like the blurb, it did sound promising. But nowhere was mention that this was a sequel (and when I look at other reviews, I was not the only one falling for this trap).

I've had this nagging feeling all the time that some things sounded familiar, but only after finishing I've realized I've read the first book back in May...

I'm giving this one 3,5 stars. Iiked the writing style, and it was fast paced with short chapters. It was still a good book, I do just prefer stand-alone stories usually. I'm reading a lot, but also don't remember for too long what a book was about after finishing it.

I’m not really sure how I feel about this book; it’s a very easy read with its short chapters and fast pace, it keeps you guessing as to who everyone really is and what their motives are but I also found the characters to be melodramatic and the story to be really far fetched. The ending felt like the author was told they had 10 minutes to finish the book as there was no logic to the conclusion and no explanation.

Absolutely loved this one and I read it in less than 24 hours! Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the ARC and for introducing me to DL Fisher as I now have her books on my TBR list! This can be read as a stand alone as I will be going back to read The Stepson. All opinions are my own. Rating: 4 stars Publication date: Sept 18, 2025

I didn’t realise this was a follow up so I was a bit lost in regards to the story . I didn't really enjoy the book as I found it hard to connect with and like the characters

I am afraid this book wasn’t for me. It quite quickly became clear that it was a sequel, and although the synopsis said it could be read as a stand alone, I didn’t find this to be the case. The clear complexity of the previous book meant that the opening chapters were full of trying to clumsily shoe horn in the events of that story. However what it didn’t do was introduce us properly to the main characters, meaning they were difficult to care about. I couldn’t get into it - sorry!

Im a bit on the fence about this one. I hadn't read the previous book so was probably floundering a bit when it came to back story and connecting with the characters. My biggest issue was just that, I didnt really care about the characters and they all felt a bit weird and annoying! They were well written and brought to life but I just did not like these people so its hard to root for them lol. That aside, it may have been a little bit predictable but I still really enjoyed the actual plot and all the drama that ensued. It kept me invested and I couldnt get to the bottom of everything fast enough tbh. Again, the main character did drag on a bit but overall its a good book that keeps you engaged and has some really good twists. Those characters were just .... ugh!!!

I didn’t realise this was a follow up so I was a bit lost in regards to the story . I didnt really enjoy the book as I found it hard to connect with and like the characters

Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc.

I think I missed a book before this one because I was a little lost. There was a lot of stuff that happened prior to this book that I didn't understand which made things a little more confusing.

I think the twist was done very well at the end but wished for more!

The Widower by D. L. Fisher is set in a neighborhood known as the Estates, one of the most exclusive gated communities in Westchester County. Carrie, her husband Bennett, and her stepson TJ are trying to move on with their lives after the death of a young girl in their exclusive neighborhood. The problem is TJ was a suspect but was cleared by police. However, many of the neighbors don't believe he is innocent. Marnie Black, a recent widow, is Carrie's best friend. Her husband, Mark, was a known sociopathic serial killer, accidentally killed by Carrie. When a handsome widower moves in next door, Marnie is all over him. Carrie, however, is suspicious of him and his real reason for moving in. When another young girl disappears, the finger pointing begins, and no one is above being a suspect.


This is a very fast-moving read packed with action. The tensions and suspense are not lacking. The characters are all unreliable and immature. I did enjoy the story, the writing, and the surprise ending.

Thanks to Netgalley and Joffe Books for the advanced copy

This compelling domestic thriller by D.L. Fisher offered a thoroughly engaging and suspenseful reading experience. I was immediately drawn into its central mystery, which raises questions about a seemingly tragic accident and the unsettling behavior of those left behind.

The narrative focuses on Anna, a woman who grows increasingly suspicious of Ben, the widower of a family member. As I read, I felt her mounting unease and her determined efforts to uncover the truth behind what was widely believed to be an accident. The author skillfully builds an atmosphere of distrust and hidden secrets within the family dynamic, making me question every character's motivations and loyalties.

The book maintains a steady, intriguing pace, with secrets from the past gradually coming to light and complicating the present. The suspense is expertly managed, keeping me invested in Anna's quest for answers and constantly guessing about the true nature of Ben. While some readers might see certain plot developments coming, the overall journey and the unfolding of the events felt both tense and satisfying.

I appreciated the author's ability to craft a story that is both a thrilling mystery and a deep dive into the hidden complexities of family relationships. It's a solid choice for those who enjoy domestic thrillers that explore deception and the search for truth in the face of grief.

Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the ARC.

The Widower is a creepy atmospheric thriller about the dangerous secrets in suburbia. The mysterious and handsome Damian moves on to the street to a house where a teenage girl had recently been found murdered outside. He seems too good to be true, yet Marnie and Carrie (best friends) are hooked. He has a box in his house labeled “Do Not Open,” which Carrie cannot stop obsessing about. She has enough concerns about her stepson TJ and his possible link to a dead teenager. Then another girl disappears. This book is tight and fast paced, and I read it in one day. The twist at the end was not too difficult to figure out but the story is worth the ride. This book is not yet on Goodreads. With thanks to Netgalley and Joffre Books for this ARC. My opinions are my own.