Everyone thinks that Louise Bridges has the perfect life but her life will change when two officers go to her house and tell her and her children that her husband is dead. Officer Becca Holt will be the one that will deliver the horrible news, but she is not expecting the cold answer she will have from the widow. This is when everything will start…
Let’s be honest, if you have a normal marriage just the simple thought that your partner can suffer an accident will put you in pain and sadness, so the answer of Louise to the news will sound really weird to the reader, but what can Louise be hiding? She has the perfect life; a nice house, two beautiful children and a nice husband… There are so many questions since the beginning that it was really interesting reading the past of Louise and how she met her husband, but the Louise from the past has little in common with the present one. She is so obsessed in having the perfect life that no one will have concerns of pointing at her as the killer. But could it be really true? Is she the killer of her husband?
The story will be told in first person between Louise and Becca, because Becca will have doubts of Louise since the beginning; like a sixth sense telling her loud and clear that something is not right. She will “investigate” the case in their own way, that I am sure any reader will love.
I was intrigued with the plot of this story, wanting to know how someone so in love with her husband could be so cold in his dead. What are the true feelings of Louise? There will be surprises and twists, don’t worry, you’ll love The Perfect Widow! Ready?

#ThePerfectWidow #NetGalley
Its a one time read. Its definitely a thriller but not a psychological one.
Louise Bridges has the perfect life.
A loving husband, Patrick. Two adorable children. A comfortable home.
So when PC Becca Holt arrives to break the news that Patrick has been killed in an accident, she thinks Louise’s perfect world is about to collapse around her.
PC Becca comes to Louise's home to inform her about the death of her husband, Patrick but she doesn't react in a way Becca wanted. And then the game of cat and mouse begins.
Is Louise hiding something? Is Becca wrong or right? Read this book to know more.
Although the premise of the story is good but i didn't understand one thing that how someone is so sure that the person in front is hiding something?
Characters are just ok but i didn't feel attached to them.
Story is told in three POV's, one is Louis's present, one is her past and one is Becca's present which is the most interesting POV.
One time read for the fans of psychological thrillers Although i personally think that its a thriller but its genre is mentioned as a psychological thriller.
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ Digital for providing me an advance copy of this book.

PC Becca Holt and her partner deliver the news to the beautiful Louise Bridges that her husband died in a fire at his office. Becca thinks there is something off about Louise's reaction to the news, but Patrick's death is ruled an accident. Louise tries to get on with her life with her two children and remembers when she first met and fell in love with her husband. Meanwhile, Becca just can't let Patrick's death go and investigates the death and Louise's background on her own time to get the the truth of what really happened.

This book sounds great and has all the elements to be a great thriller. There is the beautiful widow with secrets in her past and memories of a marriage that wasn't as perfect as if appeared from the outside. Then, there is the police constable who is smart, and determined to get to the truth even when her supervisors won't take her seriously. The story is told from both Becca and Louise's points of view. Louise's chapters take place in both the present and the past when she first met Patrick.

Unfortunately, the style in which the book is written detracts from the promising story. Everything is described in a passive way with a lot of reminiscing and internal musings by both Louise and Becca and not enough "action." Some of the chapters seem more like an expanded outline rather than a completed novel. This slowed the pace of the book and prevented me from being fully invested in the story. The investigation didn't have the urgency of a more detailed narrative and even though I liked Becca, the way the book is written kept me from fully connecting with her. I didn't really care for the ending and I had already guessed the final "reveal" so it wasn't a surprise to me. I would rate the book 3.5 stars. It had the potential to be a 5 star thriller, but ultimately was lacking in suspense.

I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of HQ Digital. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

Sorry but I found this really slow and not enough to keep me interested, the widow was dull and uninteresting and the suspecting police lady was just boring . Not for me I’m afraid

The Perfect Widow by A.M. Castle is a marvellous contemporary psychological suspense that will draw you in from the start.
A.M. Castle has created a compelling plotline, intricate and clever with its twists and turns. Her characters are well drawn, not always likable but realistic. She manipulated my emotional responses well.
The novel is about obsessions – once something takes a hold, everything else pales into insignificance. We see a coppers nose that is suspicious – but is her nose correct?
People have secrets and pasts they want hidden. To what lengths are they prepared to go?
There is neglect of a minor. “My childhood was about survival.” This neglect is a catalyst for self-improvement, creating a drive and passion. In contrast there are well loved children who are put first at all costs.
The novel is written from two alternating points of view and time frames of ‘then’ and ‘now.’ I found the whole book riveting and could not put it down.
The Perfect Widow was a cleverly constructed book delving into the human psyche. There is an element of fear – just how well do you know your loved ones? Where do you place your trust? An excellent book.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

This is another author who has written in a different genre the one I''m used to reading from her - and what a successful move it is!!

Louise Bridges has a perfect life: perfect husband, two perfect children - one of each, of course - and a stunning, perfect home. She devotes herself to her family and has never stopped loving husband Patrick. After receiving the shattering news of Patrick's death, one of the police officers finds it playing on her mind afterwards about how Louise reacted to the dreadful words they had to impart. Why didn't her world cave in on her, as would be expected? Despite an official verdict to the contrary, Becca decides to look into this 'off the books' hoping it may gain her recognition and advance her career in the force.

I know this author's work really well; I'm a big fan of her London Murder Mysteries and have always felt that her journalistic background shows through in the tremendous use of language in her novels. The Perfect Widow is a stunning read, securing this author's place in the world of thrillers. Skilfully crafted, and slowly revealing the whole story, my attention was not only on the page - I couldn't take my eyes off it! The story is told on two time-scales - the present and the past - and also from two different points of view: that of both Louise and Becca. Right up until the very last, I couldn't have told you which way this was going and I was utterly astounded at the ending! An staggeringly gratifying read and one I'm thrilled to have read. Within any doubt, a sparkling five stars - and no less - will do!

My thanks to publisher HQ Digital for my copy via NetGalley. All stated opinions are both entirely my own and completely honest.

I could not get into this book at all. I gave it a shot, tried jumping in farther to see if anything could grab my interest. I gave up.

"Don't we all have lies we need, at all costs, to hide? ...how far will people go to protect the life they love?"

On a September evening, the doorbell rings at the Bridges' beautiful home. Louise Bridges is at the kitchen table doing homework with her 13-year-old son, Giles, and her 11-year-old daughter, Emmy, was upstairs doing who knows what when Louise asks her to get the door. It's the worst news imaginable. A fire at the office has killed her husband, Patrick. Louise gathers her children to her as she absorbs this shocking and devastating information from the police who are doing the knock. She's a widow now, with two children that need all her love and support. But PC Becca Holt isn't satisfied with the verdict of accidental death and she's determined to prove that Louise isn't "the Perfect Widow" that everyone sees. NO SPOILERS.

I really enjoyed this psychological thriller! I loved the writing style and the way the narrative was written from the points of view of both Louise and Becca as well as the shifts back and forth in time. The sentences and the chapters were short which made the story fly by and was so absorbing that I read it in a single sitting as I couldn't put it down without knowing the outcome. The two female characters, Louise and Becca, were so different and each was dealing with the fallout from their pasts and that insight into their personalities made them so relatable in many ways. I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to happen within these pages, but I was quite pleased with the conclusion. I've not read any other books by this author, but I will definitely keep an eye out for future titles.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ Digital for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend. A very entertaining domestic drama with many nuances that challenge your thoughts on crime and punishment!

At the start of this story Louise receives some devastating news, however she doesn’t seem that heartbroken....
I really tried with this book but it wasn’t for me. I did not like the writing style at all, and thought it was very long winded. I did not feel swept up in the story or attached to the characters in any way. I am unsure as to why in the opening of the book the police officer is particularly suspicious in the first place. I didn’t find it thrilling and struggled to finish it. I hate to leave a bad review but I have to be honest. Some may like this book, it just wasn’t for me. I would be glad to hear other people’s opinions on this one.
Publication date: 15/11/19
Thank you @netgalley for the chance to read and review this.

Louise Bridges husband Patrick is killed and she doesn't seem to react in the way that PC Becca Holt deems acceptable.. so she begins to investigate her. Is there more to Louise than her seemingly perfect marriage and family?

We learn a lot about Louise's backstory, from her distressful upbringing by her mother, to when she started a new job which lead to her obsession with Patrick, however I found this story to be quite repetitive. It is quite clear that she is an obsessive, self-doubting person. There is a great deal of foreshadowing in all the the background of Louise that is great though, and if you're paying attention to that, you will enjoy this one. I liked the short, choppy writing style, but would have appreciated a little bit more twists!

Thank you to NetGalley, A.M. Castle and HQ Digital for this #egalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was excellent! I was interested from start to finish. I love the way it would go back and forth between characters. The author did a good job of developing the characters and plot throughout the book. Not only that, but it made you sympathize with the villain...and that is a hard thing to do. Great read!

2 stars for The Perfect Widow. I was anticipating that this would be one of my favorite fall books. I hate to say, I was really disappointed. I struggled the most with the back and forth with character perspectives and the flip flop between past and present. I kept pushing through, hoping that there would be one of the characters that I would like. Unfortunately, neither one of the main characters sucked me in. I spent most of the book trying to figure out the link between the women while understanding how the additional characters contributed to the overall story.

I don't take book reviews lightly and hate giving 2 stars. But, I can't sleep tonight without being honest. I was provided this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you @Netgalley and @HQpublishing. #bookblog #bookreviews @oakcitybooks #oakcitybooks #weekendisbooked #readmorebooks #nextbook #booklover #booknerd #readgoodbooks #reader #theperfectwidow #sendmorebooks #loveabook

The premise and style are my favorite genre of domestic noir and I settled down to read a good book. This was certainly not the best of the genre available and although I enjoyed it I wished it had a tighter plot and writing as it floundered midway through.

This was the most tedious read I have read. Short chapters, to much about the main characters. Louise and Becca. As you read from the blurb of the book, Becca. a detective with her partner come to tell Louise Bridges that her husband has been killed in a car accident and Becca sees three plate down on the kitchen table. She becomes obsessed, feeling that Louise murdered her husband. So, from this point on the book goes back and forth between Becca and Louise plus their back stories. First of all ...more

Louise’s husband has been killed in a fire at work. One of the police officers, Becca, who delivers the news to her thinks something is “off” about this wife’s reaction and, despite her own emotional issues, pursues the case. Told from the perspectives of these two characters, much is revealed about both of their backgrounds and what has brought them to this time and place.

I really liked this psychological thriller; I couldn’t put it down. I think it is one of the best of this genre that I have read. The writing is excellent, with vivid descriptions, a painfully good understanding of human nature, and a sharp sense of humor.

I voluntarily read this ARC for an honest review - all thoughts and opinions are mine and unbiased

Loved this
Great characters and story

Original in style and easy to follow

A great read

Fabulous read really recommend this book took me a while to get into but once I did I was hooked! Thankyou to netgalley and the author for the arc.

I found this quite difficult to get into and didn't particular like any of the characters which made it quite a slow read for me. The chopping from past to present just felt too sluggish for me and too many chapters about how Louise tries to capture Patrick. I kept hoping he would hurry up and make his move so there wasn't anymore mooching. I wanted to enjoy this as it sounded really promising but it was just too slow for me.

I liked this book, once I got into it a bit. It focuses on Louise, whose husband is killed in an office accident, and Becca, the detective who broke the news and thinks that there is more to the story. The chapters alternate between Louise in current time, Louise on her quest to land her husband Patrick, and Becca in current time.

For the first half of the book, I didn't think any of the characters were likeable. However, Louise, with all her flaws, grew on me as the book went on. I don't know if the author intended it that way, but I hope she did. Becca, however, never grew on me and I found myself rooting against her.

The last 20% or so of the book ties everything together and did so in a great way. I found the end satisfying and couldn't find a loose end, even though there were things that happened earlier in the book that I initially thought wouldn't be revisited. I'd recommend this book.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Louise Bridges has the perfect life, by all outward appearances. She has a loving husband, 2 beautiful children, a nice home. She spends her days being the perfect wife and mother, and loves it. Then one day the police arrive and notify her that there was a fire at her husband's place of business and her husband is dead. One of the detectives didn't think Louise showed the appropriate reaction for a new widow and becomes convinced that Louise had something to do with her husband's death.
When I first read what this book was about, I thought it sounded like it would be a really good suspense/thriller book. I really wanted to like it. But I did not like the writing style at all. I felt it was too choppy, and I thought the chapters were often too short to really get into the story since the chapters were told in alternating parts by Louise (before she and Patrick were together), Louise (now) and the detective. I didn't find the dective likeable at all, and the parts about Louise before she and Patrick were together (and there was a lot of that) was mainly her gushing about how wonderful he was and how unworthy she was of him and how she didn't think she would ever get him to notice her. I will say, the final 10% or so of the book got really good. So I did really enjoy that part of the book.