Ginny is a widow and has moved to a quiet village to start new. She gets a job at the library to meet people and is suddenly thrust into the murder of her boss. Along with friends she meets who are also widows they decide to investigate. Then another murder happens and the Widows Detective Club begins.
A delightful journey of murder and mystery. Thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the chance to read this story.

I love a good detective series- especially one with a MFC! This thoroughly enjoyed and excited for more in the series! Kept me hooked and enjoying all throughout and shocked by the surprises. Worth the read for sure!

This wondrous cozy crime with a twist, soothed my soul. Perfect for this march, just get that cup of tea and hunker down in your reading space. I read this twice, because that strong female main character really made me happy. I loved the way the murder plot was developed. I am rally glad I could go straight to book 2 after this, because this book willl give you a withdrawal feeling.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced e-book copy.

The Widows’ Guide to Murder by Amanda Ashby was a hoot! Ginny Cole moved to Little Shaw Village shortly after her husband passed away. She lived a quiet life until she discovered the murdered body of Luisa Farnsworth.

Ginny’s life quickly turns chaotic, but manages to make friends in the process. Like Ginny, they’re all widows. They come together and form the Widows’ Detective Club.

I thoroughly enjoyed the widows coming together and causing trouble. These amateur sleuths often find themselves in crazy predicaments, and they quickly realize they’re way in over their heads. The author threw me for a loop just when I thought I had it figured out! This cozy mystery will keep you guessing until the very end.

The Widow's Guide to Murder was an absolute delight from start to finish! Ginny is such a fantastic protagonist—smart, witty, and determined to solve the case despite being a "newcomer" to the village. The quirky group of widows in the Detective Club had me laughing and cheering for them at every turn. The mystery itself was gripping, with plenty of twists and secrets to uncover. I loved how the story balanced the cozy atmosphere of the village with the suspense of a killer lurking nearby. The characters were so endearing, and the plot kept me on my toes. A charming and thoroughly enjoyable read!

**rounded up from 4.5 stars**

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the digital ARC of ”The Widows’ Guide to Murder” in exchange for my honest opinion. This is a lighter take on a murder mystery that centers around a group of widows trying to solve the crime. I enjoyed Ginny’s character and that so much of the setting took place in a library. There were so many characters introduced with just bits and pieces of a backstory that often left me confused. The ending seemed a bit abrupt, but overall an enjoyable read.

Widowhood hits Ginny Cole hard. Although she’s moved house and seeks a fresh start in Little Shaw, she cannot stop speaking aloud to her husband as if he were still present with her. She hopes that her new job as Library Assistant will satisfy her desire for social connections and provide her with a purpose again.

So, a few days into her post, the last thing Ginny expects (including the acerbic, unlikeable and totally unhelpful Louise Farnsworth as her Library Manager) is to discover said person’s dead body sprawled on the floor when she opens the door which impatient book lovers have been waiting outside wondering why it wasn’t ajar yet.

Murmurs and rumours escalate when it’s determined that Louisa has been murdered. Ginny has already tentatively made new friends with fellow widows JM, Tuppence, and Hen. Desperate to see justice done and protect the innocent, they decide to take matters into their own hands when Hen’s daughter Alison comes under suspicion due to a threatening letter she once sent Louisa.

Their antics incense DI Wallace who’s on the case and happens to be Ginny’s next-door neighbour. Though they exasperate him tremendously at first, he slowly begins to take them seriously. And when another murder occurs, it makes Ginny and her friends targets and potential victims themselves.

I loved these colourful Widows’ Detective Agency characters and how they support one another. There are several twists and turns to the story to maintain interest and make the denouement hard to guess. A delightful cozy crime mystery which whets the appetite for book 2 in this series. Grateful thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC.

Thank you NetGalley, Amanda Ashby, & Storm Publishing for an E-ARC of The Widows' Guide to Murder!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication Date: March 3rd, 2025


Synopsis:

Ginny Cole doesn’t want to be a widow. She’d rather not be forcibly adopted by an opinionated black cat. And she’d give anything not to have just found the murdered body of her rude and dislikeable new boss…So she’s as surprised as anyone to realise that she doesn’t hate being on the wrong side of the law, searching a graveyard for evidence in the company of three fellow widows, and doing a whole host of un-Ginny-like things in order to solve a fiendish mystery.It was a bumpy start, but Ginny might even be starting to like her new life. Certainly well enough that when her sleuthing puts her too close for the killer’s comfort, she’ll do whatever it takes to hold onto it…


Review:

The first book in The Widows Detective Club series, The Widows’ Guide to Murder is a fun cozy murder mystery. Such an entertaining and fun cozy murder mystery. I was immediately immersed in the story! The group of widows are so charming, adorable and quirky - you want to be their friends and join their group. I can't wait to read the next book, and I can't wait to see what trouble the widows get into next. Had everything I love about a cozy mystery-an excellent cast of (sometimes eccentric) characters, a quirky cat, a charming village...and a grumpy detective inspector who glares at everyone A wonderful, fast-paced murder mystery, with fun, quirky, characters, and a good storyline makes this a great read. I look forward to reading more tales in this series!


If you love Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, Robert Thorogood and The Thursday Murder Club mysteries, you’ll adore this charming cozy mystery full of thrilling twists and endearing characters.

After the unexpected death of her husband, Ginny moves to the village of Little Shaw. Ginny’s husband was her whole life. She’s elected a move and has found a job at the local library to augment her income. But she’s not interested in becoming friends with the local widow’s group. Or planning on adopting a black cat, or becoming involved in solving a murder. But Ginny’s new life does not resemble her old life. Join her in her first adventure. Great mystery, interesting town characters, and definitely more adventure than Ginny has ever had. Loved this and looking forward to the next in this series. #netgalley

Sort of four widows who eventually solve some murders. The heroine Ginny is a newbie to a northern town where everybody knows each other.

A fast paced, light-hearted story following Ginny Cole, a recent widow, as she finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery in an otherwise peaceful village. Teamed up with four other widows, it is not their mission to find the perpetrator before the wrong person ends up behind the bars.

I enjoyed the read, and I cannot wait to see what the sequel holds! The writing style is almost nostalgic, and I love the casual representation of the marginalised groups.

If you enjoy light reads that still keep the mind engaged, actively following the clues, this book is the one for you!

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity!

"The Widows' Guide to Murder" by Amanda Ashby is a delightful addition to the cosy mystery genre, transporting readers to the charming village of Little Shaw. The story follows Ginny Cole, a sixty-year-old widow and newly appointed assistant librarian, whose second day on the job takes a dark turn—she stumbles upon the body of her *very* unlikeable boss, Louisa Farnsworth, right in the library. Suddenly, our shy and timid Ginny finds herself playing amateur sleuth, aided by a trio of fellow widows: JM, Tuppence, and Hen.

The Thursday Murder Club vibes are strong, and I am here for it.

This book is packed with humour, perfectly quirky characters, and the warmth of newfound friendships. The dynamic between the widows is equal parts hilarious and heartwarming, and their determination to solve Louisa’s murder leads them into a whirlwind of misadventures—from midnight graveyard escapades to unearthing long-buried village secrets.

Sure, I did wonder how Ginny went from uncertain widow to confident investigator overnight, but honestly? I want to be an amateur detective with a sidekick cat when I turn 60 too, so I’ll allow it. And yes, some elements fell into place *a little* too conveniently, but the vibes were vibing, and I had a great time uncovering the truth alongside Ginny.

An entertaining, easy read that’s perfect for cosy mystery fans like me. Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing, for the ARC!

Amanda Ashby's The Widows' Guide to Murder introduces readers to a delightful new cozy mystery series, The Widows' Detective Club. Released on February 6, 2025, the novel centers on Ginny Cole, a 60-year-old widow seeking a fresh start in the quaint village of Little Shaw. Her attempt at a peaceful life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers the lifeless body of her disagreeable new boss, Louisa Farnsworth, the local library manager.

Ginny's inadvertent involvement in the murder investigation leads her to form an unlikely alliance with three fellow widows, each bringing their own quirks and perspectives to the amateur sleuthing team. Their camaraderie and determination infuse the narrative with both humor and heart, as they navigate the challenges of small-town dynamics and uncover hidden secrets.

Ashby's skillful blend of mystery and humor, combined with a charming village setting and a cast of relatable characters, makes The Widows' Guide to Murder a compelling read for fans of cozy mysteries. As the inaugural book in the series, it sets a promising foundation for future installments, leaving readers eager to join Ginny and her friends on their next adventure.

Cute story, funny characters. A good example of a fun cozy mystery in a small town. Love that it's partly set in a library!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was the sort of cosy crime I needed right now. Loved it!

The characters walked that fine line between being deliciously eccentric and endearingly relatable with their real world woes and experiences. It was a perfect balance. Not too over the top, not too close to stark reality like a True Crime genre. Perfect UK based cosy crime.

I may be a couple of decades younger than the main characters, but they epitomise what I hope to be like at their age. Not a widow, as such (sorry if that freaked my hubby out), but knowing the world no longer considers you useful, or important and thumbing your nose at the lot if them and just being the best YOU that you can be. Growing old gracefully, with a firm grip on sarcasm, curiosity, and a desire for "good deeds" whether folks want the help or not. Plus a cat that puts attitude first, cuddles last.

A great first book in what looks to be a highly entertaining series. I've made a note of it, and the author Amanda Ashby, and will be keeping an eye out for further books in this series.

For lovers of UK based cosy crimes - this book is for you!

I highly recommend and am grateful for the opportunity of having to get to read and ARC.

This sounded like a fun, cozy mystery to me so I picked it up. This is the first book in The Widows' Detective Club series, and it is always good to get in on the first of a series. Amanda Ashby is a new author for me.

Description:
Ginny Cole doesn’t want to be a widow. She’d rather not be forcibly adopted by an opinionated black cat. And she’d give anything not to have just found the murdered body of her rude and dislikeable new boss…

So she’s as surprised as anyone to realise that she doesn’t hate being on the wrong side of the law, searching a graveyard for evidence in the company of three fellow widows, and doing a whole host of un-Ginny-like things in order to solve a fiendish mystery.

It was a bumpy start, but Ginny might even be starting to like her new life. Certainly well enough that when her sleuthing puts her too close for the killer’s comfort, she’ll do whatever it takes to hold onto it…

My Thoughts:
Ginny moved to a new town after her husband died. She want to work at a library, but her boss was found dead at the library not long after she started work. Soon Ginny meets three other widows and befriends them. These women are hilarious and it was fun to follow their antics as they try to figure out who murdered the librarian. I enjoyed the book and think anyone who likes a cozy filled with humor will enjoy this one.

Thanks to Storm Publishing through Netgalley for an advance copy.

Ginny has moved to the small village of Little Shaw miles away from the home in Bristol that she shared with her now late husband Eric. On her second day in her new job at the village library, she finds her boss dead, supposedly from a head attack. However, she notices something and mentions it to the young detective constable that shows up.
A group of local widows befriend her and decide to investigate the death that has now been declared a murder. This is mainly because the daughter of one of them is under suspicion and they want to clear her name.
When more bodies turn up, the widows have to use all their collective brain power to help solve the mystery.
A fun read.

This was an enjoyable cosy mystery. I loved the depth and diversity of the main characters. I was not expecting there to be three lgbtq characters. Good on the author. That kind of casual representation is so important.

The plot was complex and kept me guessing until the very last minute. I had no idea who did it and DI Wallace’s redemption arc was incredible.

I’m super grateful to have gotten an ARC and I look forward to reading the second book in the series. I know everyone compares this to the Thursday Murder Club, and I see why, but for me it was more like retired Kitt Hartley and friends (Kitt Hartley Yorkshire Mysteries by Helen Cox). Super atmospheric; lots of sassy, strong independent women; and one eccentric sapphic.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Amanda Ashby for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Widows' Guide to Murder coming out March 3, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I’m super obsessed with cozy mysteries! I definitely read a lot of them. I can’t relate to being a widow, but I thought it was a really interesting set up with Ginny’s unlikable boss being the murder victim. I really enjoyed the mystery. I would definitely check out more books by this author!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries!

Ginny is recently widowed and has moved to Shaw Village for a new start in life. She takes a position at the local library and settles in. But it doesn’t turn out to be quite what she expected. The second day on her job she finds the dead body of her very unfriendly new boss. Three other widows befriend Gand Ginny and they talk her into helping them investigate the killing. This delightful, fun cozy really heated up as more killings occurred. I appreciate receiving an ARC from Netgalley and Storm Publishing. I look forward to reading the next escape of these widows and this review is my opinion.