The Widow's Guide to Backstabbing is another delightful read in The Widow's Detective Club Series.

I would love to join this club after I all I qualify though I could not match wits with Ginny and the girls.

Ginny thought she had returned to her quiet life in her new home with her new cat Edgar ( I love that cat) who is a bit of a thief.

Until she discovered another body in the haberdashery shop.

No one was fond of the victim so there are many suspects at hand.

The characters are well developed and you feel like you are either in the library with them, having a cup of tea with them or off on a misadventure that wont end well.

My only complaint is I did not want this book to end and I will be first in line for Book 3 of this delightful series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for introducing me to this series.

Well, this series is just a treat ! Yes, we have a murder, but it’s so well choreographed
and interesting from start to finish, The ladies are emboldened to pitch in and crack
another case after their previous success. You must enjoy an investigation in which
the cat participates, and is instrumental in evidence collection, right ?
This is book two in this series and the Author made sure that the backdrop, the
Widows and Wallace are re-introduced, making this a brilliant standalone.
I highly recommend this delightful murder mystery!
My thanks to Storm Publishing via NetGalley for the
download copy of this book for review purposes.

The Widow's Guide to Backstabbing by Amanda Ashby is the second book in The Widows' Detective Club series, and it delivers a delightful mix of cozy mystery, small-town charm, and quirky characters that will keep readers hooked.

Ginny Cole, a recently widowed librarian, and her group of widow friends – Hen, JM, and Tuppence – find themselves once again entangled in a murder investigation, this time when the body of Timothy Harlow, the local haberdashery owner, is discovered. Timothy, a once-famous and now bitter figure, has been murdered just days before the Little Shaw Spring Fête, throwing the village into chaos. As the police close in on a suspect, Ginny and her friends can't resist getting involved, determined to uncover the truth behind the murder and save the fête.

Ashby’s characters continue to shine, particularly Ginny, whose growing friendship with her fellow widows is heartwarming and full of charm. The addition of Connor, a younger character who brings a fresh dynamic to the group, is a welcome one, adding a bit of youth and energy to the otherwise more mature ensemble. Edgar the cat is, of course, a scene-stealer, adding plenty of humor to the mix. Readers will also appreciate the easy, banter-filled interactions between Ginny and the grumpy DI Wallace, which add layers of humor and warmth to the story.

The plot is engaging, with plenty of twists and turns, and the small-town setting is as cozy and inviting as ever. The mystery itself is well-paced, with a variety of suspects and enough intrigue to keep readers guessing. While some elements may feel predictable, the joy of this series lies in the characters and their interactions, making it a fun and satisfying read. The mystery also offers plenty of misdirection, keeping readers on their toes.

Overall, The Widow's Guide to Backstabbing is a thoroughly enjoyable read that fans of cozy mysteries will devour. With its lovable characters, clever mystery, and humorous touches, this book is a fantastic follow-up to the first in the series. It's perfect for readers who enjoy a good whodunit wrapped in small-town charm, and I can’t wait to see what happens next in Little Shaw.

small-town, small-business, library, local-law-enforcement, local-gossip, friends, friendship, widowed, senior-sleuths, women-sleuths, librarian, amateur-sleuth, secrets, lies, investigations, murder, attempted-murder, witty, sly-humor, grief, grieving*****
In the Detectives book 1, recently widowed Ginny Cole moved to the village of Little Shaw, started working as assistant in the local library, and has been included in a group of other widowed friends.
Her next neighbor is also the grumpy local DI. Good that he puts up with her (and her thieving cat) because this time the body she find is unpleasant haberdashery owner. There is no shortage if suspects, including Ginny. DI Wallace has enough trouble sorting things out but watch out for the secrets and new motives these local snoops uncover as you giggle the read away.
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected ebook file from Storm Publishing via NetGalley. Pub Date Mar 10, 2025
@stormbooks_co #netgalleyreview @amandaashby #thewidowsguidetobackstabbing #cozymystery #cozymysteryseries #murdermystery #NetGalley @goodreads @bookbub @librarythingofficial @barnesandnoble ***** Review #booksamillion #bookshop_org #bookshop_org_uk #kobo #Waterstones #England #MurderInvestigations #seniorsleuths #villagelibrary #newseries #grieving #womensleuths #twisty #TheWidowsGuidetoBackstabbing by @authoramandaashby #TheWidowsDetectiveClubBk2 @stormbooks_co

Oh-em-gee, this was such a fun little mystery! Like, picture the coziest, quirkiest village ever—where everyone’s all about baking, crafting, and, ya know, occasionally stumbling over dead bodies. Totally normal, right? Our main girl really didn’t sign up for murder-solving when she took her librarian gig, but here she is again, chasing clues, dodging danger, and dealing with the absolute chaos of small-town drama.

The mystery itself? Super engaging! So many suspects, so much tea, and honestly, the crime scene? Chef’s kiss—classic murder mystery vibes. And the squad? Love them. The friendships here are just so charming, especially with all their bickering and meddling. Also, shoutout to the cat, who is truly the MVP of chaos.

Why not a full 5? Okay, so sometimes it felt a teensy bit predictable, and I wouldn’t have minded a little more tension. But overall? A total delight! If you love your mysteries cozy, sassy, and just the right amount of ridiculous, you’ll have a blast.

Big thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion! 💕

Ginny Cole discovered that Little Shaw’s was not your typical small town when she found one of the town’s most respected business owners stabbed to death inside his upholstery shop. Timothy Harlow had been a town leader in many ways, and his current stint as the town’s Spring Fete judge had suddenly ended quickly.
Ginny quickly pulled her friends together: the dynamic JM, Hen, the town's craft queen, and the straightforward, down-to-earth Tuppence. She planned to investigate the secrets surrounding Timothy Harlow's business activities and what could have led them to his murder.
Ginny’s investigation soon causes her to become entangled in the town’s rivalries and the dangerous ambitions of some of its members, some of whom may have been responsible for Harlow’s murder. When her own life is endangered after her car brakes are tampered with, she fears the killer is now after her.
Ginny has several clues about who the murderer is, and she desperately seeks help from her friends and Detective Inspector Wallace to help her pull it all together before she becomes the killer’s next victim.

It was a very welcome return to this small village where murder seems to reside. It has been several months since Ginny moved and took up her role in the library, and with a group of widows who seem to have a knack for trouble and mysteries. They each have their own style, personality and talents, and compliment each other perfectly.
Ginny still lives next to the detective who still balks at their involvement with the crimes he is investigating but he is showing a softer side and though he is abrupt and scary, he knows these women are smart and discover things he can’t.

When a local, disliked haberdashery owner is found killed, the entire village is up in arms- not because they are scandalised but because they are worried their precious county fete will be cancelled! He was to be the celebrity judge! Ginny and her friends begin to piece suspects, motives and suspicions together and interview and trail people. They really are very resourceful and determined.

Their homemade crime board is a delightful addition and they make a formidable team. As with the first book, I found myself truly enjoying combing through suspects and judging community members! With the ending, there are brilliant twists and surprises with me having to read quickly to figure it all out.

Both books have been incredibly well-written and entertaining. I love Ginny and her new crew, as well as thieving cat, Edgar! I would happily read these again and look forward to adding them to library shelves soon!

This book in the second in a series, and whilst it does work as a standalone, I would recommend reading the first book as background to characters and relationships.

The Widows Guide to Backstabbing see us return to Little Shaw, and this time round Ginny discovers the body of local haberdashery owner Timothy Harlow. Harlow was due to be the judge at the local fete, but his murder leaves them without a celebrity guest. Can the widows help solve the case again, and help the fete go ahead?

It was lovely to revisit the characters, and Edgar the cat was such fun in this book! I also liked that Connor had more of a story. A fun series that I will definitely follow for more.

It's fair to say Ginny Cole's life has had its ups and downs recently! She lost her beloved husband, Eric, moved house, and changed career! She also found a dead body, solved a murder, and made some close friends in the process! Now, however, she is hoping for a quiet life, enjoying her new position at Little Shaw Library and joining in with as many village activities as possible. At least that was the plan until another dead body got in her way! Now she’s hoping her three friends will help her solve a second murder before the highly anticipated Little Shaw Spring Fête, the highlight of the village year has to be cancelled.

Book two in Amanda Ashby's Widows Detective Club follows on from the successful series debut with a cast of characters who compliment each other brilliantly as well as highlighting the eccentricities of living in a small village. The four main protagonists and the slightly grumpy detective provide smiles as well as great storyline and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this second Widows title.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Storm Publishing, but the opinions expressed are my own. This was a great read in what hopefully will become a cosy series to look out for long into the future.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to receive this book for an honest review.

I loved this book. It reminded me of a who dunnit, Murder She Wrote type of book. It kept me hooked and cannot wait to read the next one.

I highly suggest this if you looking for a good fun mystery book.

I loved this! These crazy ladies get themselves so tangled up in this murder mystery that even when Detective Wallace warns them off, they still manage to solve it. Plenty of twists and turns, secrets revealed and suspects investigated. Thoroughly enjoyable and I'm looking forward to their next adventure!
Thanks to Netgalley, Storm Publishing, and Amanda Ashby for the free ARC. All opinions are my own.

Murder seems to have a knack for finding Ginny Cole, even amongst the quiet shelves of the Little Shaw library. In Amanda Ashby's The Widows' Guide to Backstabbing (The Widows' Detective Club #2), Ginny's new role as head librarian is interrupted by a deadly discovery at the local haberdashery. With a suspect list longer than a ball of yarn, Ginny and her fellow widows – Hen, JM, and Tuppence – must unravel a web of secrets to clear the name of the victim's daughter and her boyfriend.

Ashby once again delivers a charming and witty mystery that kept me guessing until the very end. I was particularly drawn to the deepening friendships between the widows and their connection to the residents of Little Shaw. The scenes where Edgar the cat was bringing stolen objects to Ginny were very entertaining. The mystery included red herrings and surprising twists to keep you guessing until the end.

Fans of cozy mysteries with strong female friendships, a touch of humor, and a charming village setting will devour this book. Knitters and crafters will especially appreciate the detailed descriptions of the haberdashery and the characters' passion for their crafts and hobbies. I'm already eager to see what mystery awaits the Widows' Detective Club in the next installment!

Thank you to Storm Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

What a great sequel
I much preferred it to the first in the series
The characters are so loveable and them integrating young Connor into the group brings a new dynamic
I am looking forward to book 3!

The Widow's Guide to Backstabbing by Amanda Ashby is an excellent follow up to the first book in the series, building on the characters and situations to firmly establish the series.
The mystery is complex, with plenty of suspects, and the situations in which the Detective Club members find themselves are alternately amusing and suspenseful.
Ashby has written an entertaining book with relatable characters, and I look forward to reading more.
Thank you for the ARC of #TheWidowsGuidetoBackstabbing to #NetGalley.

Such a cute book about older women being nosey. I love a good series and was excited to read this after reading the first book in the series. I loved the continuation of the characters picking up right where they left off. The Widows Guide to Backstabbing is such a fun mystery book!

A great sequel for this amazing cozy mystery.

Loved it, and will totally recommended it.

A must on your TBR

I was very happy when Storm Publishing set me an advanced copy of this book. I so enjoyed the first one that I couldn’t wait to read this one and I couldn’t put it down. I do enjoy a mystery and a little cozy mystery of a librarian and her fellow widows help the police solve mysteries. Even though, InspectorsWallace does not want them interfering in his inquiries.. The ladies always find a way getting involved.
Ginny Coles decided after their last murdered adventure that she would put all her time and energy into the library. Since the last book she had become the head librarian and decided it was time for her to put all her energy into that title. Well, that didn’t last long because as you see upon visiting the local haberdashery Ginny you guessed it stumbles upon a dead body of the owner Mr. Harlow, who also is the local celebrity of Little Shaw and who was the head judge of Little Shaws yearly fete. Who would want to kill a local shop keeper whom everyone loved. Or was he as the Widows were soon to find out. As they investigate they find out about the baking rivalry that is thirty years old, a love triangle and other strange happenings in their little village. Plus Ginny must figure out why her cat Edger keeps bringing her items that belong to other people.
I truly enjoy these characters. They are fun loving and have a truly wonderful friendship. Although they tend to get into hot water with the police they remind me of the Golden Girls meet Jessica Fletcher. Very enjoyable and my new favorite murder investigators. Hope to read about the widows next adventure. Thank you Storm and NetGalley for the ARC.

Enjoyed the first one so much that I dived straight into this one. Although it's the second in the series, it works as a standalone as Amanda catches you up quickly and effectively.

Again, wonderful characterisation, good misdirection, a strong plot and good dialogue. Very enjoyable read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this second book about Ginny and her friends. Once again, there is a murder to solve and despite their best intentions not to get involved, things just keep happening. With a wide range of suspects, there are plenty of leads to follow. The backstory about the competition between bakers at the local fete was fun. It was great that Connor is now working at the library, as he is a character that adds to the story. Above all, the friendship and gentle humour make this a delightful series to read. Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for a chance to read this book, and I hope there are more to come.

Ginny and her three friends are back investigating a murder. This time local celebrity and owner of a haberdashery has been killed. When Wallace arrests a local man of the crime, the four women believe he was set up. With the local fete coming, they’re trying hard to solve this one. Ginny and her friends are fun to watch and I love that they have taken Connor under their wing. Once again, I was surprised of the culprit. I look forward to the next one.