Hardback by Bantam Press, priced £12.99 (ebook £5.99)
Hotly tipped as 2016’s The Girl On The Train, The Widow certainly comes with great expectations as this year’s unputdownable psychological thriller. Fiona Barton’s crime debut is an emotional rollercoaster from the get-go. The titular character is Jean Taylor and the novel maps her journey as the loving and devoted wife of accused murderer, Glen.
Each chapter is told from a different perspective of those involved in the case, including the sceptical detective, the savvy reporter and the worn-down widow. Barton expertly jumps back and forth between time frames from the original date that ‘Baby Bella’ vanished from her front garden, to the present day where Jean Taylor is dealing with the repercussions of her husband’s sudden death. As the story unfolds, Barton sheds light on the turmoil that Jean faces, desperate to protect the man she loves, but each day growing more concerned for the truth about Bella’s disappearance.
The reader soon discovers that Jean and Glen’s relationship was riddled with its own problems; Glen’s secrecy, Jean’s obsession with children and the fact the couple were never able to reproduce. The character of Kate, the hardnosed reporter is also fascinating as she manages to gain the trust of many of the key players within the case.
As the story develops, it is extraordinary to watch the changes in each character, as new pieces of information are revealed from past and present. This progression is beautifully crafted and we soon start to question the honesty of Jean’s perspective and she transforms into the ultimate unreliable narrator.
As an ex-journalist, Barton writes with conviction, clarity and a shrewd understanding of the ruthlessness of the UK media. The permeating sense of ambiguity that runs through the novel keeps the reader guessing at every turn and allows us to understand how hard it must be to cope when your husband is branded as a monster. A fast-paced, relevant and gripping read, The Widow isn’t one to be missed.
