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Night Series
Night Widow
Murder. Mayhem. Madness. . . "NIGHT WIDOW has all the ingredients of a first-class a reclusive former movie star, a strong and capable heroine, and a story that twists and turns like Mulholland Drive. Nothing is as it seems in this present day story of Old Hollywood, obsession, and murder. As Luce delves deeper into the life of fading film star Sybil Squire, the stakes escalate to a stunning climax. NIGHT WIDOW will haunt you long after you turn the last page." --- J. Carson Black, author of DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN"Once again, Carol Davis Luce weaves a gripping tale of mystery and intrigue that brings characters to life on the page." K. C. May, author of THE WAYFARER KINGNIGHT WIDOWObsession. Voyeurism. Murder. . . Piper breaks away from her lavish LA life-style and controlling husband and makes a temporary home in a Hollywood Hills guest house, which happens to be next door to her favorite actress, a legend in her time. When Piper witnesses one strange event after another, she calls in the authorities, who peg her as a meddlesome neighbor obsessed with the 50's screen goddess. No one takes her warnings seriously. Piper, a film editor who pieces stories together, now has to use those eagle-eye skills to save her neighbor's life. Events escalate into a deadly game of cat and canary with Piper becoming the canary.
270 pages, Paperback
First published October 26, 2011
8 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Carol Davis Luce
18 books42 followersNew York Times & USA Today bestselling author of the "Night" books, NightWriter Carol Davis Luce writes standalone suspense novels with elements of romance. After publishing five books through a traditional publisher, she turned independent author with her 2011 suspense novel, Night Widow, and two short story trilogies.
Carol is one of The Twelve. Read all about this group of bestselling authors. http://thetwelvexii.com/
All seven suspense novels and two short story collections can be found at Amazon.com:
NIGHT STALKER
NIGHT HUNTER
NIGHT PREY
NIGHT PASSAGE
NIGHT GAME
NIGHT WIDOW
NIGHT CRIES (new release)
NIGHT TRILOGY-Three Night Novels
General Fiction/coming-of-age:
AWAKENING: Secrets of a Brown Eyed Girl, Loosely based on her childhood.
Carol is one of The Twelve. Read all about this group of bestselling authors. http://thetwelvexii.com/
All seven suspense novels and two short story collections can be found at Amazon.com:
NIGHT STALKER
NIGHT HUNTER
NIGHT PREY
NIGHT PASSAGE
NIGHT GAME
NIGHT WIDOW
NIGHT CRIES (new release)
NIGHT TRILOGY-Three Night Novels
General Fiction/coming-of-age:
AWAKENING: Secrets of a Brown Eyed Girl, Loosely based on her childhood.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 4, 2019
Generous rating, lotsa LGBA, otherwise a good plot and twists.
July 20, 2014
4,5 stars
Entertaining, engaging and well written!
I really liked this book. It has enough suspence elements to keep me glued to the pages and not too many to make me forget what point I'm at everytime I have to put the book down, enough depth of characters not to make me roll my eyes and a decent fast paced plot.
It may not be overly realistic, but I liked the mystery and the main characters enough to enjoy the read till the end. As another reviewer said, the only character I found a bit lackluster was probably Lee. While the idea of the highschool sweetheart turned transexual turned best friend isn't exactly too bad, it was a bit over the top and not extremely significant in the book. It didn't add anything, but I fortunately didn't find it took away much either.
What I really appreciated in the book was the fact that the author did a good work in mixing suspence and romance. There are elements of romance (and I LOVE romance books) but it doesn't exactly take over the suspence plot making you wonder what happened to it. That's one thing most authors should remember when writing this kind of book.
Entertaining, engaging and well written!
I really liked this book. It has enough suspence elements to keep me glued to the pages and not too many to make me forget what point I'm at everytime I have to put the book down, enough depth of characters not to make me roll my eyes and a decent fast paced plot.
It may not be overly realistic, but I liked the mystery and the main characters enough to enjoy the read till the end. As another reviewer said, the only character I found a bit lackluster was probably Lee. While the idea of the highschool sweetheart turned transexual turned best friend isn't exactly too bad, it was a bit over the top and not extremely significant in the book. It didn't add anything, but I fortunately didn't find it took away much either.
What I really appreciated in the book was the fact that the author did a good work in mixing suspence and romance. There are elements of romance (and I LOVE romance books) but it doesn't exactly take over the suspence plot making you wonder what happened to it. That's one thing most authors should remember when writing this kind of book.
July 19, 2014
I read Night Widow by Carol Davis Luce as part of the Deadly Dozen: 12 Mysteries/Thrillers set. I really enjoyed this story from the first chapter on. It is full of twists and unexpected turns, and the ending is absolutely brilliant.
The main character, Piper Lundberg, moves next door to Sybil Squire, “the platinum blonde…forever ingrained in our hearts for the femme fatale role in the 1950 Oscar win, The Shady Lady.” Piper has just broken up with Gordon and is house sitting for film producer friends while they are in Hong Kong working on a documentary. Prior to her marriage, Piper was a well-know film editor. In addition to giving her a place to stay, the Voights hire her to edit the documentary.
An admirer of Ms Squire since her childhood, Piper spies on the 85-year-old actress and starts noticing odd happenings. The plot thickens and Carol Davis Luce never lets the suspense drop. Hurry to buy this book and see the developments. Great read. I can’t wait to read more by this author.
The main character, Piper Lundberg, moves next door to Sybil Squire, “the platinum blonde…forever ingrained in our hearts for the femme fatale role in the 1950 Oscar win, The Shady Lady.” Piper has just broken up with Gordon and is house sitting for film producer friends while they are in Hong Kong working on a documentary. Prior to her marriage, Piper was a well-know film editor. In addition to giving her a place to stay, the Voights hire her to edit the documentary.
An admirer of Ms Squire since her childhood, Piper spies on the 85-year-old actress and starts noticing odd happenings. The plot thickens and Carol Davis Luce never lets the suspense drop. Hurry to buy this book and see the developments. Great read. I can’t wait to read more by this author.
October 6, 2012
The plot was decent, not original, but interesting enough to see it through to the end.
I had problems with the characters. They were hollow and incomplete. I especially did not see the need for Lee, the transsexual ex-husband turned best friend. Lee did not add credibility to the story. I felt the existence of this character actually undermined believability and the story would have been better without Lee. Some of the dialogue seemed forced. There was not a character in the story I could identify with, root for, or even like.
The end was anticlimactic and predictable. This story reminded me of a 60's era B-movie that needed a more convincing script to carry a commonly used plot.
I will read another book by this author as Night Widow wasn't terrible, I just didn't feel it was as good as the reviews suggested. Maybe this particular plot just wasn't for me.
I give Night Widow a 3-star rating for plot alone.
I had problems with the characters. They were hollow and incomplete. I especially did not see the need for Lee, the transsexual ex-husband turned best friend. Lee did not add credibility to the story. I felt the existence of this character actually undermined believability and the story would have been better without Lee. Some of the dialogue seemed forced. There was not a character in the story I could identify with, root for, or even like.
The end was anticlimactic and predictable. This story reminded me of a 60's era B-movie that needed a more convincing script to carry a commonly used plot.
I will read another book by this author as Night Widow wasn't terrible, I just didn't feel it was as good as the reviews suggested. Maybe this particular plot just wasn't for me.
I give Night Widow a 3-star rating for plot alone.
November 30, 2011
Night Widow is one of the most intriguing thrillers I've read this year. It deals with old Hollywood and a famous elderly legend with many twists and turns. If you like anything to do with Hollywood, you'll love this.
Ms. Luce is a very descriptive writer. Making each of her characters come alive. This is so full of suspense, I'll guarantee you won't want to put it down. I love it from beginning to end, and never once felt like I had already read it somewhere else.
This was the first book I've read by this author, but it won't be the last. Now, I've started Night Stalker by Ms. Luce, and hope it is as exciting.
Ms. Luce is a very descriptive writer. Making each of her characters come alive. This is so full of suspense, I'll guarantee you won't want to put it down. I love it from beginning to end, and never once felt like I had already read it somewhere else.
This was the first book I've read by this author, but it won't be the last. Now, I've started Night Stalker by Ms. Luce, and hope it is as exciting.
July 23, 2016
Piper Lundberg, a film editor becomes involved in an very
intriguing mystery. Piper is staying in a friend’s guest
house which is located neighboring the estate of a
forgotten film star, known as the platinum widow. Things
do not seem as they appear. Something is not right and
Piper is out to help prove that the widow needs help.
This is putting Piper in danger!!
This is a entertaining quick read with quirky characters,
a good mystery and a hint of romance.
I received a complimentary ebook of this book included
in the Deadly Dozen Box Collection. My opinion is my own.
intriguing mystery. Piper is staying in a friend’s guest
house which is located neighboring the estate of a
forgotten film star, known as the platinum widow. Things
do not seem as they appear. Something is not right and
Piper is out to help prove that the widow needs help.
This is putting Piper in danger!!
This is a entertaining quick read with quirky characters,
a good mystery and a hint of romance.
I received a complimentary ebook of this book included
in the Deadly Dozen Box Collection. My opinion is my own.
November 28, 2015
The rare five star rating, this year I set out to only give the very very best that rating, and this book deserves it. It slowly built up, almost got to the point of me quitting and I never got there, every thing kept building and building, making it impossible to stop, I had several theories about how it would end, I nailed a few and was off on some, but that is fine. This had a noir feel to it, in more ways than one, but pulled off perfectly
March 8, 2014
I can not quite put my finger on what is missing from this book,it has a smooth flow to the storyline,the characters are likable,the descriptive detail well written,I feel that this book lacks emotion within,I like a book to make me feel or debate oneself,this just did not do it for me,maybe it will appeal to other readers,I have given it two stars because it is not an awful book,just lacking.
May 10, 2014
This is the first time I have read Carol Davis Luce, but now I'm eager to read some of her other pieces. I'd have to leave the book to do other things and was so very eager to get back to it. I enjoyed watching the various (and often unexpected) clues show up! Another pleasant plus was the fact that it was a clean book, very little language and no pages to skip because of graphic sex scenes!
April 27, 2012
When I started the book, I wasn't sure I was going to like it. Until midway, it was a bit slow and awkward in some places and the main character, Piper also seemed a bit flaky. However, the story picked up and in the end, it was a very intriguing mystery. I liked it.
August 3, 2016
Hardly even worth reviewing. I read it only because I need something to read every night in order to fall asleep. A typical e-book; written quickly (I think) and without any depth or drama or even real skill.
August 6, 2020
I haven't read a suspense novel in a while. This was a fun and easy read. I liked the main character and the setting of Hollywood. There were some throw backs to the film noir and old Hollywood days, which I loved.
January 24, 2015
First book I've read by Carol Davis Luce. I'm glad I have several others because I really enjoyed this one. Great character development and plenty of suspense and action. Looking forward to the next Luce book.
April 30, 2012
Very nice descriptions of Hollywood area. The twists and turns were fun. I would recommend to any mystery reader.
April 27, 2012
Good Mystery....
December 8, 2013
Killer ending.
Wow what a page turner. Couldn't wait to finish. Surprise to get a good book using my primetime. Must find another!!!
Wow what a page turner. Couldn't wait to finish. Surprise to get a good book using my primetime. Must find another!!!
Want to Read
September 3, 2016Deadly Dozen: 12 Mysteries/Thrillers
September 2, 2016
Film noir becomes novel noir. You'll never guess the end until it's given to you
August 11, 2014
Caught between 3 and 4 stars.
December 22, 2014
Entertaining mix of current LA life and old Hollywood. Enjoyed her characters and story very much. Fun read!
April 11, 2017
Luce has once again managed to write an excellent, outstanding novel with absolutely unexpected turns and twists.
At first I was not merely impressed by the storyline - mostly I felt irritated by the stupid actions of the heroine, Piper. Yet, this book is written in such a thrilling as well as exciting way that I simply could not put the book down without knowing how the story would unfold in the end.
I absolutely recommend "Night Widow" ( of not read already the Silent series - it's pretty much the best series I have ever read).
At first I was not merely impressed by the storyline - mostly I felt irritated by the stupid actions of the heroine, Piper. Yet, this book is written in such a thrilling as well as exciting way that I simply could not put the book down without knowing how the story would unfold in the end.
I absolutely recommend "Night Widow" ( of not read already the Silent series - it's pretty much the best series I have ever read).
September 10, 2017
It's been a long time since one of my favorite authors came out with her next novel, but it was well worth the wait. All the elements that attracted me to her writing are still here, in full force, and better for it.
This story takes place in Hollywood where our heroine, Piper, a film editor, house-sits for a close friend while she picks up the pieces of her life and tries to rebuild her career. She soon learns that her neighbor is 50’s screen goddess Sybil Squire. Things start to go awry after she meets the legend and Piper notices things around Sybil’s house don’t seem to be going like they should. Before she knows it, Piper is embroiled in a mystery that threatens her career and her life.
Carol Davis Luce is the premier writer at women-in-jeopardy thrillers. I found this story engaging and easy to read. The chapters were relatively short with plenty of dialogue and no overly-long paragraphs or exposition. It was a very easy read and I couldn’t wait to go on to the next chapter to find out what happened next. The story drew me in right away. This is the type of story I can’t get enough of and the payoff was very satisfying.
Every since reading Night Passage so many years ago, I have been a big fan. She has not disappointed me yet. Night Widow shows that she is still at the top of her game. Ms Luce, keep them coming! Highly recommended.
This story takes place in Hollywood where our heroine, Piper, a film editor, house-sits for a close friend while she picks up the pieces of her life and tries to rebuild her career. She soon learns that her neighbor is 50’s screen goddess Sybil Squire. Things start to go awry after she meets the legend and Piper notices things around Sybil’s house don’t seem to be going like they should. Before she knows it, Piper is embroiled in a mystery that threatens her career and her life.
Carol Davis Luce is the premier writer at women-in-jeopardy thrillers. I found this story engaging and easy to read. The chapters were relatively short with plenty of dialogue and no overly-long paragraphs or exposition. It was a very easy read and I couldn’t wait to go on to the next chapter to find out what happened next. The story drew me in right away. This is the type of story I can’t get enough of and the payoff was very satisfying.
Every since reading Night Passage so many years ago, I have been a big fan. She has not disappointed me yet. Night Widow shows that she is still at the top of her game. Ms Luce, keep them coming! Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews