Book Review: Black Widows by Cate Quinn

I took a chance on this next book… and it was worth it.

Goodreads Blurb

Black Widows by Cate Quinn

Blake is dead.
They say his wife killed him.
If so… which one?

Polygamist Blake Nelson built a homestead on a hidden stretch of land—a raw paradise in the wilds of Utah—where he lived with his three wives:

Rachel, the first wife, obedient and doting to a fault, with a past she’d prefer to keep quiet.
Tina, the rebel wife, everything Rachel isn’t, straight from rehab and the Vegas strip.
And Emily, the young wife, naïve and scared, estranged from her Catholic family.

The only thing that they had in common was Blake. Until all three are accused of his murder.

When Blake is found dead under the desert sun, all three wives become suspect—not only to the police, but to each other. As the investigation draws them closer, each wife must decide who can be trusted. With stories surfacing of a notorious cult tucked away in the hills, whispers flying about a fourth wife, and evidence that can’t quite explain what had been keeping Blake busy, the three widows face a reckoning that might shatter all they know to be true.

Review

I really enjoyed this book. It had all the makings of a great thriller: deceitful characters, twists and turns, and short, action-packed chapters. To say I was engrossed was an understatement. I flew through this book eager to know the ending, but here’s what I enjoyed along the way.

The characters. Rachel, Emily, and Tina are so different from each other. Safe to say, these differences make for some very interesting conflicts, but also some great character development as they are forced together to discover who exactly killed Blake. Likewise, each character brings a different element to the story. Through Rachel, we investigate the aftermath of growing up in a cult. Tina explores a life of vice and the journey towards living a better life, while with Emily, we see the effect of a negative mother-daughter relationship and the impact that has on a person’s mental health.

Dark Widows also explores Mormonism tied with polygamy. However, do take note of the author’s disclaimer at the beginning of the book: this is not a criticism or mockery of the religion. It is simply a fictional story that touches on Mormonism and the different ways people choose to live. Personally, I think these themes, especially polygamy, were treated rather respectfully instead of for pure entertainment value.

Besides the interesting themes and the surprise developments, this is genuinely a well-crafted story. Not a word was wasted and every single action slotted in to create a great story. It has me excited to see what Cate Quinn comes up with next!

Black Widows is available to buy now.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.