I feel like I was missing something here. While the set up and the plot of the book was interesting, the execution was lacking. I feel like I was missing something as to why I needed to “care” about these characters. Anyways, here’s my honest review —

2.5/5 —Writing style
This is my first time reading a book from this author and I appreciate the attention to detail that was put into the plot of the book. I prefer reading similar books in first person, as it gives the reader a journey through the main characters eyes— but I felt like the writing style became redundant.. the FMC had a lot of inner monologue that felt like I was reading a diary. The execution could have been better without all the fluff of extra words.

3/5–plot
The plot is your typical thriller. Easy concept to follow but can quickly drag if the characters are constantly going in circles. Honestly, I did have trouble trying to stay interested because of how much the MC was going about the situations in the book.

2/5 — characters
While I appreciate the diverse characters where every character had their own agenda, I just couldn’t get around to liking the FMC. She went in circles of going about her personal relationships so much so, that it it started to fall flat to me. I also felt like I was missing out on key information that could have been shared in an earlier book because it felt like I was reading a sequel or prequel to this book.

Overall- 2.5/5
While this book had great moments, overall, the execution lacked interest for me. I need a reason to care more about why this MC was so invested, and what was the antagonist’s point?! I liked the last 10% of the book because of how everything starts to click, but needing to read up until 90% through is dragging. I appreciate a good “twist” but the twist was expected with how the characters were acting. I

Brilliant book about the secrets and lies being hidden in the suburbs! It appears nobody is who they appear to be and thet also can't be trusted either! I devoured the book and so will you.

A twisty, binge-worthy read that’s perfect for fans of psychological thrillers with a suburban edge. This was a good read and I would love to read more books by this author. This book was fast paced and easy to read from the start! I couldn't put it down. It read so well like someone was just telling me a story and I loved it. I loved this story and loved that it was able to have me hooked RIGHT away! I loved the twists and turns.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley.

Surprisingly, this book and I did not connect. I usually really enjoy first person POV, but I think the writing style of this particular book was not my favorite.

Humor I think is something that I really enjoy in thrillers whenever possible unless a more scare approach is taken in this book was paced just too slowly for me. I put this book down at 30% in because I was unfortunately getting bored.

Please know I am very picky about thrillers and just because this book wasn’t for me does not mean that you won’t inhale and love this book.

Thank you for the ARC. I appreciate the opportunity to leave honest feedback voluntarily.

The Widower is a fast paced read that will have you binge reading in one session.

Crazy meets crazy in this book. It is the sequel to The Stepson but I had no trouble reading it as a stand alone.

Lies, secrets, murder and so much more.

In fact everybody has a secret and who is the mysterious new neighbour Damian Mankiewicz. What could possibly be in that box Do Not Open.

D.L. Fisher takes the reader down a twisted fast paced road with a perfect jaw dropping ending.

Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for introducing me to D.L. Fisher , I am off to add her books to my TBR

Thank you so much Joffe Books, D.L. Fisher, NetGalley for this ARC!

The story was definitely fast-paced but the dialogue felt overly dramatic and the tone of book felt conflicting between humor, anger, and suspense. It wasn't a seamless blend of both and more like jumped from one tone to the other. The overly casual narrative style was filled with parenthesis of rhetorical questions. That made a bit difficult for me to connect with the story and the characters.

I don't feel that it's fair for me to post this review publicly on my pages since I struggled with the narrative style, plot elements, and trope executions.

I loved this book! Read the whole thing in one sitting and all throughout, I had no idea how it would end. Safe to say the ending shocked me in the best possible way! Couldn’t get enough of it.

D.L. Fisher delivers a twisty, atmospheric thriller that turns suburban peace into something far more chilling. The Widower picks up after the tragic events of The Stepson, but stands confidently on its own—no backstory needed to get hooked.

Damian Mankiewicz is the kind of neighbor you’d normally welcome with a casserole: charming, grieving, and settling into his new life. But Fisher slowly peels back the layers—there’s a box in his hallway labeled Do Not Open, and the house he’s moved into isn’t just infamous… it’s haunted by a murder.

Tensions build with every glance across the street. The protagonist, trying to hold her life together after tragedy and the arrival of her stepson TJ, finds herself watching Damian—and being watched. When a local teen goes missing, old suspicions flare, and the past creeps back like fog on freshly cut lawns.

Fisher’s writing is slick and smart, capturing both the eerie quiet of suburbia and the chaos beneath it. You feel every beat of anxiety, every hint of doubt. It’s psychological suspense done right—with relatable characters, sharp pacing, and a few “did-not-see-that-coming” moments that beg to be shared.

Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden or anyone who loves their thrillers with a healthy dose of paranoia and heart. The Widower is the kind of book you devour in one weekend—and think about every time your doorbell rings.

With thanks to D.L. Fisher, the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

A fast moving plot with some interesting twists.
A real whodunnit.
Well written characters and overall a good read.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

The people in the story was very witty sneaky and crazy lol everybody had. A secret in the book all the characters were insane if you ask me it’s like if you thought you had it all figured out you actually don’t until the very end and pow you won’t even see that twist coming another favorite of the year for me so juicy gripping edge of your seat book

The Estates are a prestigious place to live until the murders begin. Marnie and Carrie are best friends but the latest disappearance of sienna and the arrival of Damian at the estates will test that. I felt like there was a comical edge to the storyline and there was no real depth to the building of the characters. The plot felt flimsey at best. Not for me this book

This thriller was a gripping and suspenseful read. The plot moved quickly and kept me guessing with unexpected twists and turns. The tension built steadily, and the mystery at the heart of the story was engaging. The characters were interesting, and the stakes felt real. It’s a solid choice for anyone who enjoys a fast-paced and exciting thriller.

Was a fast easy read . Wondering what the heck was going on with the dead girl and the new neighbor. Definitely a good twist.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for a early release of this book.

I didn’t read The Stepson but this didn’t stop me reading and enjoying The Widower.

In fact I nearly read this in one sitting such as I enjoyed it. This novel is a whodunnit. And it could have been anyone. Really they are all dislikeable people and they all seemed to be hiding something.

I found the main protagonist Carrie is very annoying. In a kind of Desperate Housewives type of way. In fact I found the whole plot to almost be like an episode of DH. Very rich, bored housewives bickering about the Book Club reads and making comments about lawns and lowering the tone of the neighbourhoods. Sexy widowers with secrets. And a serial killer.

I really enjoyed the plot, the kookiness of the two main woman – Carrie and Marnie; and the fact that there were Red Herrings a plenty.

I can’t help thinking that there may be a third instalment in this series and I will be looking forward to reading it.

Just when I thought I’d got my life back together, a handsome stranger moves in across the street. He says he lost his wife six months ago. He says he’s here for a fresh start. But I think he might be a killer. Three months ago, a serial killer tore through our perfect little community. But he’s dead now, and I’m doing my best to pretend everything’s normal pot roasts, Pilates, and that my stepson TJ didn’t upend our lives the minute he arrived. That was before the new neighbor moved in! Wow! Fantastic read! This book had chilling suspense, murder, mystery, intrigue, fantastic characters and a few jaw dropping twists! The storyline was very interesting! I highly recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and Joffe books for sharing this book with me!