The Widows’ Guide to Backstabbing is the 2nd fun book in Amanda Ashby’s The Widows Detective Club series. The characters are likable and add warmth and humor to this British cozy mystery. Ginny Cole recently became a widow, moved to Little Shaw, a new town in England, and is the local librarian. She has become friends with widows JM, Hen and Tuppence. The four widows are the Widows Detective Club and when an unpopular local ends up dead, they begin to investigate to clear their friend. The local fair is very popular and there are contests for every kind of Craft especially baked goods. Several of the locals are hiding secrets which keeps it interesting. I wasn’t a fan of Megan. Detective Inspector James Wallace lives next door to Ginny and his father is visiting. There is some heated competition at the fair. This is an enjoyable cozy mystery and I look forward to more escapades with the Widows Detective Club Club ladies. #TheWidowsGuideToBackstabbing #TheWidowsDetectiveClub #StormPublishing #AmandaAshby

I read this straight after reading A Widow's Guide to Murder and it follows on a few months later.
Timothy Hatton, the local "celebrity" haberdashery owner is found stabbed to death with scissors in his back by Ginny in his shop.
The village is in uproar as he was due to do the judging at the village fete in a few weeks. When his daughter's boyfriend is accused of the murder, Megan begs the Widows to prove him innocent.
In the course of their investigation, with the help of their innovative mobile murder board, they get themselves into several scrapes and in trouble with Ginny's policeman neighbour, Wallace.
An easy and pleasant read.

There is a lot of benefit in being the second book in a series. For one, if the legwork had been done earlier in terms of character creation and world-building, the sequel can focus on the fun stuff, such as funny hijinks and witty banters. This book excels at that; compliments to Ashby for capitalizing on that advantage. Genuinely I think this book is funnier and more engaging, and I was kind of sad that there is no Book 3 at the moment.

Despite the grim nature, the story starts off cheekily with Harlow literally stabbed in the back with a pair of scissors. It was also somewhat funny when Ginny, due to circumstances, ended up finding the body again. As DI Wallace pointed out, that made her sort of a suspect?

Following the formula of the first book, the list of suspects was long indeed. Despite his celebrity status, Harlow was deeply unpopular. Not being someone who minced his words and having judged the spring fete for years, it meant that he had pissed off a lot of people. It didn't help that those participating in the fete could be dramatically competitive, a fact that Ginny learnt the hard way.

The overall plot of this book is fine. There were plenty of red herrings and some plot twists, allowing the gang to get into all kinds of funny trouble. However, I'd say that the resolution was a little weak. Really, the murderer killed Harlow for *that* reason? I'm not really buying it, but well... FINE.

By any means, I was glad that Connor and DI Wallace were given more screentime this time around. Connor, who was forced to serve in the library in the first book and was largely monosyllabic there, now has some pretty funny lines and more to do. At one point he even joined the ladies on their mission! Meanwhile, in a sobering scene, DI Wallace demonstrated to the widows that contrary to their impressions, he and his team were not slacking or incompetent, but were instead doing all they could to solve the murder despite limited resources. I mean, I knew he is a good detective even from the first book, so I liked that Ashby wrote a scene specifically to demonstrate that. Anyway, there was one scene that had me laughing out loud: DI Wallace spread his arms to block off Tuppence, Hen, and JM, only for them to misunderstand his gesture and hugged him instead!

This was a fun whodunnit that's not particularly heavy or long. I'm hoping for more books to come!

Another very fun installment with Ginny and the widows! I really enjoyed getting to know them all better and spending more time in the village of Little Shaw. The murder and storylines were interesting, with lots of twists and turns that I didn't see coming. I can't wait for the next one, and to get to know more about this little village! Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advance digital copy!

Oh, the trouble Ginny and her friends can get into. Even though they promised that handsome, albeit grumpy, detective they would not investigate any more crimes. But could Ginny help it if she found another body? More lively Shaw Village characters are introduced, a backstabbing murder in more than one way occurs and although I did not find as much humor in this book as the first standalone, this was still a delightful cozy to read. Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the arc. This review is my personal opinion.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series. This one I didn’t like quite as well. It seemed a little more serious and a bit too wordy at times. I might be interested to see what happens in the next one

We are back at Little Shaw with Ashby’s ‘The Widows’ Dective Club’ sequel, The Widows’ Guide to Backstabbing. Join Ginny, Tuppence, JM and Hen as they take on another gruesome murder in the quaint village.

When Timothy Harlow is murdered in his own shop, Ginny and the gang decide to take it upon themselves to solve the crime when Harlow’s daughter Megan believes the wrong suspect has been arrested.

I love these characters so much and get some cosy mystery vibes from Ashby’s writing. If you love The Thursday Murder Club and The Marlow Murder Club then you’ll love The Widows’ Detective Club. I cannot wait for the third in the series to come out.

A very enjoyable second book in the ‘Widows’ Guide’ series. This one is set around the annual village fete and the long standing rivalry between craft and baking entrants. Once again the story twists and turns, suspects come and go, and the plot keeps you guessing right til the end. Thoroughly enjoyed this satisfying cozy murder and look forward to reading the third outing of Ginny, Tuppence, JM and Hen………. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Accidentally submitted the review on this book instead of The Widows' Guide to Murder! Will come back and edit this review when book is ready! Sorry!

Ginny is settling into widowhood and the local library as well as starting to engage more with the three quirky widows. Her ex feral cat is also settling but likes collecting things and bringing them to her. She naturally finds a body, the mortal remains of a nasty, arrogant 'artist' and becomes embroiled with the investigations - professional (police) and informal (3 widows). She's lead astray by them again and really infuriates the long suffering grumpy DI Wallace. She is becoming a little more assertive and sensible but JM, Hen and Tuppence (the 3 widows) are quite a challenge to this. Light hearted and somewhat impossible to believe at times but a good cosy read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I just love Ginny, JM, Tuppence, and Hen. They are a quirky group of older women amateur sleuths. I giggled at some of the antics. It’s so sweet how they lift each other up. It was fun following them as they searched out clues leading to the killer. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Thank you Storm Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC! Well Ginny Cole and her cohorts are back! When going to visit the local haberdashery Ginny finds the eccentric owner dead in the back room with a pair of sewing scissors in his back. Another case for the widows to try to solve or are they just getting in the way? With so many people with nothing good to say about Harlow, the murder victim including his own daughter where to start? Thanks to Edgar the thieving cat, can this all finally come to an end? Hope to see more of these lovely ladies soon!

A great follow up to The Widows Guide to Backstabbing! We have the same characters as the 1st book and they are all just as funny and great! I love an older character and a cosy murder mystery so this book was always going to be a hit with me! There was a great twist and you don’t find out who the murderer is until near the end which is good! I didn’t feel as drawn to this book as I did the first one which is why I gave it 4 stars! I’d still recommend this to readers who enjoy a cosy murder mystery!

Ms. Ashby tells a terrific tale in this second book of the Widows' Detective Club series. I really enjoyed watching the different friendships develop and grow; plus Ginny growing more into her 'self' even as an older woman. It was an affirmation of friendship, relationship, determination, and second chances. So many lovely surprises along the way with this story - with the obligatory murderer who gets a little too close to Ginny.

I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

I received an ARC; this is my honest review.

I enjoyed this cozy mystery and I loved the characters which were so quirky. This just flowed along without getting slow or boring at all. I love the twists in this story which had me going in all directions. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I recently read book 1 of this series and couldn't wait to start this one. The group of widows once again get involved in another investigation, complete with a crafted portable murder board! The murderer was a bit harder to guess in this book. I don't think it's necessary to read the series to enjoy each of the books, but I'm looking forward to book 3 to see what exploits the widows get up to next!

4* An entertaining cosy mystery

The second book in the Widows' series set in Little Shaw, including some familiar characters, easily read as a stand-alone, each book contains a different plot with a satisfactory ending.

Continuing five months after the end of Book 1, Ginny Cole is now the library manager with Conner a full time employee, Edgar the cat has taken up a permanent residence in Ginny's home.

Previously a quiet Lancashire village, Little Shaw seems to be full of criminal activity. Ginny discovers the local haberdashery shop owner lying in a pool of blood on the floor of his backroom. Overworked DI Wallace is still bad tempered and immediately warns Ginny to leave the investigation to the police.

Ignoring Wallace, Ginny and her three friends, JM, Hen and Tuppence, collectively known as The Widows' Detective Club, intend to pursue the truth. As the victim was pompous and generally disliked, there's a vast amount of possible suspects for the crime. When unexplained events occur to Ginny, it's clear that she's become the murderer's latest target.

3.5* rounded up to 4, looking forward to the next in the series.

With thanks to Elke from Storm Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book, this review is my personal, unbiased opinion.

This was another enjoyable book in the Widows Murder Club series. These ladies have a lot of fun and a serious lack of concern for following rules, and leaving murder to the experts.
I do enjoy a cosy mystery, for a little relief from the tougher thriller type books. These books are entertaining, and still allow me to try to figure out ‘whodunnit’. There are plenty of references to backstabbing in this book, after the unfortunate victim is found with a pair of scissors in his back. The ladies of course go off on a tangent, making assumptions about the other citizens of their small town, and causing the police no end of frustration. Eventually though, it all gets sorted, mostly in spite of the efforts of the widows.
I’m looking forward to further books in this series.

An enjoyable cosy mystery with a cast of loveable characters, this book follows the group of crime solving widows for a second time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC.

This is book 2 in The Widows' Detective Club series and I would really recommend to read them in order though you don't have to.

Seven months ago, Ginny Cole, 60, recently widowed, moved to Middle Cottage, Little Shaw for a fresh start and got herself a part-time job in the local library. Then she discovered a body, met three other widows, solved some murders with their help, adopted a stray cat and was promoted to library manager. Grumpy DI James Wallace who also happens to be her neighbour, was not happy about her interference.

And now she is doing it again! Haberdasher Timothy Harlow has been stabbed in the back with dressmaking scissors and as he "had been a bad-tempered eccentric shop owner who’d gone out of his way to make enemies", the suspect list is long. There is daughter Megan, her lover Milos Petrovic, his father Vanja Petrovic, rival shop owner Ants Mancini and artist Juliana Melville, not to mention many disgruntled customers.

The cast is enormous but most of them are just there in the background to round out the community. I had so many theories and changed my mind countless times - if the widows were convinced of the murderer's identity I was too, and we were all wrong every time. The reveal came a bit out of left field in what turned out to be quite a complicated story involving several unsavoury characters.

I'm giving this such a high score because I felt extremely entertained by this motley crew of community characters, and I love feisty, elderly women just doing what they want, although unfortunately the other widows Hen, JM and Tuppence still feel a little underdeveloped. The preparations for the Little Shaw Spring Fete with its 65 categories of arts, craft, produce and baking provide huge entertainment, especially if you are a crafter or baker.

The plot this time is a bit muddled (the murderer's motive was ridiculous) and there are several community members like PC Singh and pathologist Imogen Smith who don't really get to shine but at least cat Edgar and his thieving tendencies were actively helping with the sleuthing and the book is full of female friendship and village life.

I wish DI Wallace would thaw a bit and I hope we get to see more of his taciturn but good at DIY Dad Ted. The travelling murder board with Velcroed felt miniatures is genius and will hopefully be used again because it's clear that those four aren't done interfering with police business yet! Recommended as this incredibly warmhearted cosy mystery with great characters is cracking good fun.