Read a thriller about a polygamist, his wives, and their secret pasts
Black Widows — Cate Quinn
What to Read This Week
Black Widows by Cate Quinn
What It’s About
It’s always fun when books start off at a full sprint, and this one does exactly that. Blake is dead, and everyone says his wife killed him. But which one?
Blake lived on a remote homestead and practiced polygamy, marrying three women who lived together as sister wives. Rachel, Tina, and Emily all came into Blake’s life for different reasons, and when all three are accused of murder, they each begin to doubt the other two.
Some books are better read without too much knowledge of the plot, and this is one of them. If you like twists and turns, stories about tight-knit communities with secrets under the surface, and dangerous, too-real cults, this is one to pick up. The chapters are short and propulsive, making this book move at a lightning-fast pace. I will note that if you are looking for a police investigation story with evidence and discovery aspects, you may be disappointed. This novel focuses more on the wives and their story of what happened rather than the investigation of the murder from a police aspect. If you want an investigation novel, I recommend Notes on an Execution.
There are major content warnings for this book, which are listed in the footnote at the bottom of this issue, but some do contain mild spoilers, so skip the footnote if you do not wish to see them.1
Who Will Like It
I really enjoyed this book for its readability—the ease with which I could jump in and out of the short chapters when I had just a few moments to read or a hard time focusing on anything. It’s perfect for holiday time when you’ll be surrounded by family and events, with a little time off, but not too much time to sit back and relax. And what’s more relaxing than a thriller about a murder?
Fans of classics like Gone Girl will like the twists and turns, and readers who enjoyed They Never Learn will like the fast-paced narration style of Black Widows.
Next Up
I’m still out of town after the Thanksgiving holiday and away from all my books, but since this is a darker recommendation that may not be for all readers, I’ve got two other recommendations for you.
If you’re interested in the sister wives and religious aspect but want less murder and mayhem and more family drama, check out The Book of Essie.
If you don’t want any of this and want a fun, lighthearted romance with laughter and a lot of heart and you’ve ended up on Broadway TikTok like I have, try When You Get the Chance.
More Books
Can’t get enough, or looking for a different recommendation? Browse the archives, or check out some popular past recommendations:
Read a novel where teenagers spontaneously combust in math class
Read a book about a bank heist, con artists, and falling in love
I also love hearing from readers! Let me know what kinds of books you’re looking for that you’d like to see featured, or send in your most recent five-star read (or two) and get a recommendation just for you. You might be featured in an upcoming newsletter! Reply to this email to get in touch!
Sponsor an issue of Reading Under the Radar! Add your own banner image or use text only, and link to your publication, product, or service. Fill out this form to inquire about sponsoring a newsletter and featuring your book or publication!
Content warnings for Black Widows include fire, death of a spouse, strangulation, drug use (off-page), sexual assault of children, sexual assault, incest, miscarriage, death of infant, trauma, domestic abuse.
This sounds wild.