The Grass Widow

by Vanessa Edwards

Ditched by her married lover Hugh on the day she was made redundant, Leonie plans to make life difficult for Hugh while she searches for a new job. She inveigles her way into his house as a cleaner, intending to plant fake clues to his new liaison for his wife Amanda to find. But instead she discovers real clues to Amanda’s secrets.

Meanwhile, fellow cleaners Brenda and Tina also have hidden agendas as they Brenda is counting on a spot of blackmail and Tina is looking for financial information to sell to her dodgy brother-in-law.

At the centre of this web is Amanda’s gardener handsome, ruthless and plausible, with a shady past and lofty ambitions.

A death in an apparent accident arouses Leonie’s suspicions. Can she put aside her animosity towards Amanda and use her impressive – if sometimes unorthodox – investigative skills to find the truth before someone else dies?

Genres: Thriller

394 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 17, 2023

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story:
Leonie, recently made redundant and dumped by her married lover on the same day, is looking for revenge. Hoping to land Hugh in trouble with his wife by revealing his current affair, she manages to manoeuvre her way into his home as a cleaner. But what begins as a plan to get her own back takes a more serious turn when a death occurs…

Tina and Brenda also work for New Brooms cleaning agency, and both have their own agendas on the side. The clients they clean for are rich, so why shouldn’t they earn a bit extra from them?

Leonie begins to suspect that the woman she set out to get her revenge on might be in real danger. But how can she warn her, without exposing her own real story?

My thoughts:
I was introduced to “The Grass Widow”, the debut novel of author Vanessa Edwards, via an extract I read for the #BBNYA and was excited to have the chance to read the whole book — I love a mystery!

Our main character is Leonie, although for the sake of disguise as she becomes a cleaner in her ex-lover’s home she goes by her middle of Jane. She is resourceful and determined character, and once the first wave of anger over her break up subsides, she starts to take a more objective view of the suspicious events in the Standing’s Winchester home. Her ex-partner Hugh works in London during the week, only returning at the weekend, and it’s clear to Leonie that Amanda Standing is in the midst of her own affair. But is Simon really just a gardener, or does he have his own agenda?

Over the course of the book poor Mrs Standing is the target of not one, not two, but three separate plots… Leonie’s is personal, but the other two are focused on separating her from her money, and despite herself Leonie finds herself being drawn in to try and help.

Of the other characters, I particularly liked Brenda, whose plans to make some money on the side turn out to be more difficult than she’d hoped! And if the cleaning doesn’t work out, she and Leonie could try their hands at detective work!

The story is a real slow-burn, with the author gradually building the tension and the complexity of the various characters’ schemes. As the book drew towards the end, I wasn’t sure there was time to wrap everything up, but the author surprised me with an exciting ending I didn’t expect. Overall this was a fun and exciting read, and a great debut — I look forward to seeing what this author does next!

[Jody Reads Smut · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Grass Widow is an engaging and suspenseful novel that guides readers on a thrilling passage through Leonie, Hugh, Amanda, and other interesting people’s lives. The tragedy starts at Leonie’s end when she is devastated and jobless following the separation from her married partner. Resolute to retaliate and discover meaning in her life again, Leonie decides to intrude into Hugh’s domain, masquerading as a cleaner.

Nevertheless, the more bottomless Leonie plunges into her endeavor, the more she unwittingly finds out about Amanda’s closely held secrets. The unforeseen twist deepens the complicated storyline by captivating readers and having them anxiously turn over the pages to reveal who Amanda is.

Brenda and Tina are other fellow cleaners who also have a hidden agenda of their own, just like that of Leonie. Leonie’s motivations begin to interact more and more with other characters as the story progresses, creating an atmosphere of suspense and mystery, which keeps readers curious until the last moment.

A dramatic event leads to a tragic death that questions the innocence of the characters involved in it. Leonie hated Amanda for a while, but this is precisely why she needed to get over it and get down to discovering the truth and saving further tragedies. This internal struggle enhances Leonie’s character since it involves her emotions, even though she tries to be objective.

In turn, the author cleverly develops each character, presenting them with sufficient shades for the reader to thoroughly get entangled in their life. The characters have a life of their own. Leonie’s will to survive is impressive. Who is this mysterious character, Hugh? Why is Amanda so strange?

The Grass Widow has an exciting storyline with correctly portrayed main characters and unpredictable twists, thus making it worth reading until the last page. Such suspense and tension steadily grow in the story, making it unavoidable. The story would hook readers as they ponder whether to unravel Amanda’s secret desires or uphold the call for justice.

To sum up, “The Grass Widow” is an excellent novel that portrays the issues revolving around revenge, secrets, and how far people can go to discover purpose in life. I adored this book, and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to Troubador, Matador and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

[Amanda Sheridan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Grass Widow by Vanessa Edwards is an intricate story revolving around Amanda and Hugh, a wealthy couple. He works in the City, and lives there through the week, while she maintains their perfect house and her own perfect appearance. Not quite a Stepford Wife, Amanda is left alone while Hugh enjoys his life in London that includes many affairs. He comes home at weekends and they enjoy quiet, companionship.
But their two worlds are about to come together in a devastating way, and it’s their staff – the cleaners and the gardener that bring this about.
There is fraud, blackmail and deception involved when the cleaners discover just what is going on in Whiteacres. The gardener, Simon, has his own plans.
Then murder comes into the mix and the cleaners begin to piece it together over many glasses of wine. They take their concerns to Amanda, and over many more glasses of wine, they let her know what is going on.
I loved the intrigue. I loved how the cleaner’s work. And I don’t mean clean, although they do a good job at this. But I also loved how, towards the end, a sisterhood of sorts was formed and Amanda was the sister they had to help and protect.
On a more personal note, this book was slightly disturbing because my name is Amanda and I’m married to a Hugh. But we’re not wealthy!

[karla_bookishlife · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tangled web of deceit , lies, and criminal activity. The Grasa Widow is a pacy, highly engaging thriller and one of my favourite reads of the summer. It begins with a spurned lover, Leonie, intent on getting back at her married ex, Hugh, by inveigling herself into his household as a cleaner. As a cleaner, you become an almost invisible entity and able to watch all the machinations of daily life. Soon, Leonie finds that Hugh's wife, Amanda, isn't the enemy she imagined, and the household gardener has a dark history and even darker intentions. Her new colleagues aren't as squeaky clean as their cleaning work either, but they are good at heart. Leonie finds herself at the heart of a life and death investigation. You won't be able to put this one down. #thegrasswidow #vanessaedwards #TheWriteReads

[Nicola Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great wee debut from Vanessa. It was a good story and a pleasure to read. I liked the cover. The wine glass with the house inside does not give anything away at all. The colours were good. I thought it was a great design job. The book is written well and flows nicely. The writing had me on edge the entire time. There were so many twists and turns. I can only describe this as a page turner! The characters were good and suited their roles well. I thought all the characters had too many unlikeable qualities, which is how it should be in a psychological thriller. My empathy for the characters was limited. I really enjoyed this and I cannot recommend it enough.

[Faye Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Grass Widow
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
One of my favourite reads this year
Really enjoyed the writing style
Hidden clues throughout the book. Cleaners know everything!
Loved how all the neighbours, gardeners and cleaners had their own hidden adjenda. Felt sorry some of the characters were killed off, there was more to explore from them.
Some random coincidences, but didn't deter from the fab book it is.
Highly recommend

[Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Special thanks to @TheWritesReads and the author for inviting me to be a part of this wonderful book tour. "The Grass Widow" by Vanessa Edwards is a captivating exploration of the lives of Leinie, Amanda, and Hugh, three intricately developed characters. Leinie, dealing with the aftermath of a job loss, makes the bold decision to infiltrate Hugh's world in disguise. As the story unfolds, a tragic event raises questions about the innocence of those involved, compelling Leinie to embark on a quest for truth amidst her internal struggles. Vanessa Edwards skillfully portrays her characters, and the unexpected twists in the narrative make "The Grass Widow" a truly gripping and emotionally rich read. This book is highly recommended for readers seeking a compelling story filled with layers of depth and intrigue.

#TheWritesReads #BookTour #VanessaEdwards #CharacterDevelopment #PlotTwist #Intrigue #EmotionalJourney #MustRead #BookLovers #FictionReads'
4 d

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Grass Widow by Vanessa Edwards.
I really did enjoy this book. I loved the cover and blurb of this book. The cover is what drew me to sign up for this tour. It was slow to start with but once I got into the story I couldn't put it down. I wasn't sure how I felt about the characters. I didn't like them but I didn't hate them. This was cleverly written. I wasn't sure who was after who. It was twisty and gripping. I recommend this book.

[Lisa reads alot Hamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, that cover is a thing of beauty, I keep looking at it, it’s stunning.
Right now the book, I really enjoyed the pace, not fast paced but the flow was really good as the tension built as I kept reading. It was particularly good to get to know the characters and I felt very invested in finding out how things were going and loved the twists and secrets along the way.
A great read from start to finish with a very clever storyline excellently written.

Thank you @zooloosbooktours for having me on the tour

#VanessaEdwards #TheGrassWidow
#ZooloosBookTours @vanessaedwardswriter

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the Match Makers so a no-brainer to pick this one up. Vanessa Edwards serves up a delicious slow burn that does more than enough to keep you interested. Very character driven and while we know what they are all up to, it's intriguing to see how it all pans out. The author does a great job of keeping all the plates spinning whilst making it easy for the reader to keep track of everyone. We get a perspective from all the main players so adds a nice flow. Some good twists and a satisfying ending makes for another enjoyable read from this talented author

[M Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book review of The Grass Widow - author Vanessa Edwards
by Maura Murphy

Here is a novel without pretension. It does what it says on the tin. For the reader, an honest, goodness me — this is just what I needed. A murder. In my opinion, a novel with mainly female characters slots perfectly into the category of ‘Commercial Women’s Fiction.’

We start ‘The Grass Widow’ with a prologue, a description of the weather. I thought this was brave. How many times have authors been told not to use description, especially at the beginning of a novel? It’s as if we don’t trust the reader to read on. Ms Edwards, like Arundhati Roy in ‘The God of Small Things’ made a creative decision, to use the weather to effectively create atmosphere. It was short, succinct and it did not stop me reading. To break the rules we need to know them. A creative decision delivered with a nod to the poet Stevie Smith. I liked that.
On the first formal page we have a setting of a tone, light hearted, humorous, and about a woman LEONIE contemplating revenge after an affair. A great hook. And our main character is on the move, off to get a job at a cleaning agency. We then have a change of point of view and the introduction of AMANDA. The wife. Moving swiftly on, we have the introduction of our villain. SIMON LONG. We enter the world of a woman seeking vengeance on a lover, who is unwittingly drawn into something delicious and deep. A murder.
The first five pages deliver the main characters, their motives and promise of a good story. Every character is well drawn, they are three-dimensional - all have their own story, but I especially liked the way I was manipulated into loathing the villain. It happened slowly, almost imperceptibly. This is notoriously difficult to do without making him or her into a caricature.
We travel with our characters and discover a well-paced plot, seamless changes in points of view. Each character is easy to identify, completed an arc within the story that leads to a resolution. I will not spoil the ending but when I slap the table and shout ‘YES!’ at the end of any novel, I’m not ‘Sleepless in Seattle,’ I’m leaving the story satisfied

The only criticism I have is the defining of the term ‘Grass Widow’ at the beginning. I thought wasn’t necessary but that’s a small thing in the light of this novels many strengths.

At the beginning of this review I said, ‘The Grass Widow’ sits in ‘Commercial Women’s Fiction,’ and it does, but it has the ability to move around in a bookshop and could be placed in general fiction, crime fiction or literary fiction, at home on a coffee table or a good read in an airport or on holiday. It should enjoy a wide readership. It’s funny. Well written. Buy it.


Maura Murphy’s work can be found on Instagram as

mauramurphyplaywright or Facebook mauramurphy.writer

[Rachel Healey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-paced suspense that kept me hooked from the start

This was a different genre to what I usually read but I was hooked from the first page. With an opener that promised a diabolical crime to come, I was enthralled by the tangled lives of Amanda, Simon and Leonie. The writer has managed to get the pace of the story spot on and described the scenes so well that it is easy to imagine the backdrop of the storyline against the sizzling ‘braai’ and the endless bottles of wine at Whiteacre.

At the heart of the story is Leonie, a wronged mistress who seeks out a plan for revenge against her married ex, Hugh, by posing as the couples’ cleaner. As Leonie’s plan begins to gather pace, so too does Amanda’s (Hugh’s wife) relationship with Simon (the gardener). It was this latter storyline which I found the most intriguing with both Amanda and Simon’s characters being incredibly well portrayed by the writer. We can feel Amanda’s boredom and neglect and Simon’s slow and careful scheme to win her over. At the same time, the writer interweaves two more characters into the plot - Tina and Brenda (both cleaners at the same firm as Leonie) - who individually embark on schemes of fraud and blackmail respectively. I found these characters a bit harder to get into and follow, but towards the latter half of the book, it’s clear why the author included them. Without spoiling the storyline for those who are yet to read it, my only criticism would be that Leonie’s seemingly change of direction in terms of her plot of retribution seems to come too fast without a thorough explanation. Other than that, I am thoroughly looking forward to the next novel Vanessa has in store - it would definitely find its way onto my reading shelf!

[Brett Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Glass Widow offers a thoroughly entertaining modern take on the country house murder mystery, weaving together a cast of characters of diverse backgrounds, with distinct voices and varied (though never virtuous) motivations. After teasing readers with the fleeting vision of a body in the novel’s prologue, author Vanessa Edwards wisely takes her time before making good on that initial promise, introducing us to Hugh and Amanda Standing of Whiteacre, and the people who work maintaining the sizeable house and garden. One of those is Leonie, a former lover of Hugh’s with revenge on her mind, working as a house cleaner under an alias while Hugh is in London during the week. Another is Simon, once a game warden in Zimbabwe, now a meticulous gardener and even more meticulous seductor to stay-at-home wife Amanda. Over multiple chapters we’re treated to deep dives into the lives and backstories of all of these characters and more. It takes insight to create people as richly detailed as these. It takes agility to jump between their points of view without confusing the reader. Most of all, it takes a kind of alchemy to keep the reader invested in all of their stories, and furthermore to care about them when each of them has a different unsavory goal on their mind. Edwards exhibits insight, agility, and alchemy to spare, and by the time the body drops, we’re totally on board, ready to see this mystery through to its unpredictable conclusion.

[Susan Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vanessa Edwards' "The Grass Widow" is an intriguing story that will draw you in and keep you spellbound. As a suspense thriller goes, it is ahead of other contenders and well-worth reading.

Everyone will identify with the protagonist, Leonie, who loses her job on the same day she finds out her lover has been cheating on her. Many of us have faced similar situations. Angry and frustrated, she decides to get her revenge, but things soon get out of control. The author gives us a rich character in Leonie, and reveals her emotional struggles and inner strength, which many readers will identify with.

Things begin to become more complicated as Leonie is drawn into a plot rich with complex characters, twists and turns, and deep with intrigue. There are some great characters who add to the mystery and whose hidden agendas only enrich the story. The references to the characters’ past and how these inform and add value to the present-day story is fascinating and makes them all the more believable and real.

This is a well-written tale. Edwards flair for the written word shines through page after page. She is a master of suspense and offers her readers something that will enhance their reading pleasure. I am sure you will enjoy this book as much as I did.

[Jeanné Olivier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed The Grass Widow. It was gripping and suspenseful from the first page, and so well plotted throughout. 

I am British-South African and split my time between Surrey and London in the UK, and the Western Cape in South Africa, and I particularly enjoyed the vivid scenery of Winchester, The New Forest and the British countryside in general. I loved the seasonal, class and cultural depictions, and I also thought the southern African anecdotes and slang were well researched and appropriately placed.

The references to the wonderful food and select wines in combination with the vivid imagery of Amanda and Hugh's house felt atmospheric and authentic of the setting. 

All the characters were well developed and believable. I had much sympathy for Amanda, and I thought Leoni's evolution from rejected lover to talented detective was skillfully achieved. 

The suspense kept my interest piqued until the end and I genuinely did not know how it was all going to work out. The Grass Widow is an intelligent and well executed story and I look forward to read more from Vanessa Edwards.

[AK52 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The expression Grass Widow refers to a married woman whose husband is often away from home, ostensibly due to business demands. It is this situation that Amanda finds herself in. Subconsciously suspicious that her husband Hugh may be having an affair, she tosses off that concern as she accepts the compensation, at least at first, of enjoying a wealthy lifestyle happily decorating her home and planning her gardens.

Then there is Leoni, a lawyer, Hugh’s most recently jilted mistress. Her plan is to pose as a cleaner in Amanda’s home to make trouble for the couple. This simple revenge plot soon cascades into a series of twists and turns that continued to surprise. The female characters presented in the book were well defined, very likeable, and true to life. As the story progressed and the stakes became higher, I cared what was going to happen to them.

The Grass Widow is one of those books where I became so involved in the story that I couldn’t put it down. It was funny, exciting, surprising, and included some truly tense moments. A fun read which I highly recommend!

[Cathy Lynn Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly the kind of book I love to read. I was drawn immediately to the rich characters and gorgeous setting. Each character is familiar with the convincing dialogue and inner thoughts. The perspectives change but the writing is clear and there’s no confusion.

It’s fun to glimpse into the lives of the rich. Equally, it’s fun to see how the “hired help” figure into the lives of these beautiful people. I enjoyed reading about the delicious meals and beautiful, gardens and homes.

Secret affairs and class distinctions are so intriguing. Revenge is so compelling and this book did not disappoint. Nosy neighbours add to the suspense. Will they be caught? Will they be exposed? I couldn’t put this book down. I was totally caught up in finding out what happens next.

This is a really well written and descriptive book. The reader gets into the mind of each character. Highly recommended.

[Katherine J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author spins a domestic mystery at a wealthy couple’s home in the beautiful town of Winchester, the UK. How does one start with the hidden agendas of the domestic help? The husband’s former lover, Leonie, has disguised herself with a new name and intends to get her revenge against the husband by getting herself hired by his wife, Amanda, as their new cleaning woman. Then there’s Simon, the gardener, who isn’t just there to pull weeds or to get into bed with the lady of the house. He also has ulterior motives. Then, Tina, also one of the domestic hires, has got a side-show of her own that isn’t exactly on the up and up. The complications pile up, especially when the inquisitive neighbors get involved.

A good story with more than enough characters and plot complications to keep the plates spinning. All were weaved into the central plot in such a way as to keep me as a reader on my toes trying to figure out how it would all end. An very enjoyable ride.

[J-Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A ‘what-happens-next’ with a bunch of women and a lot of secrets!

In the first few chapters I had a bit of a challenge keeping track of all the new characters coming into the story but then soon this novel blossomed into a great deal of fun. The plot takes you into the life and home of a wealthy woman who falls into an affair with her gardener while the circle of house cleaners working in the neighbourhood are brought into their private world in ways one would never expect. When murder happens, no one has a ‘clean’ enough record to go to the police to make any kind of report. So of course, they all have contributing opinions and take various actions to either put the pieces of the puzzle together, or to protect themselves from possible harm, including being fired.

This was my first time reading this author’s work, but I would certainly recommend this read!

[P.R. Farmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sequel please!

A very enjoyable read. Intricately plotted and elegantly written with well developed characters and touches of dry humour. The author employs a technique often used in stage plays where the audience knows more than the characters and looks on as they gradually piece things together. Eventually the characters catch up and the reader is treated to a surprise and satisfying ending. It all works well. Ultimately this is a story about a triumph over evil of female inquisitiveness, cunning and (in the circumstances) unexpected solidarity. My only (minor) criticism might be the lengthy narrative at the beginning as the characters are introduced. But readers shouldn’t be put off as the story soon springs into life once the characters start to interact. All in all an excellent read. The sequel please!

[H.D. Logic · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're ever in the position to hire domestic help, or to get a job as domestic help yourself, you'll think twice after reading this page-turning who-didn't-do-it by Vanessa Edwards. Everyone could be a victim or a suspect in this women's lit novel set in the upper crust suburbs of London where life and intrigue are fine but not too cozy.

A jilted lover joins a cleaning agency hoping to clean the house of and create some compromising evidence for her former lover. Meanwhile, a gardener takes exceptional interest in more than just the hedge rows at the same property. Another set of cleaners has their own designs on the house’s financials. What’s going on with these love-starved homeowners? Why is it so hard to find good help?

Add to this mix lots of wine, a few Gin & Tonics, some trout and wild mushrooms, and you've got a recipe for a delicious mystery.

[Morag · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this wonderful first noveland feel like raising a glass to all the wily, audacious and strong-willed women out there! Truly, we should rule the world.
Now I've got that off my chest, need I say that Ioved this book? The craftsmanship and plotting was superb, but there again the author is a lawyer. The attention to the many fine details within was admirable, but there again the author is also a translator.
I completely recommend this read - a thoroughly enjoyable narrative with interwoven plot lines and a very decent conclusion.
My only criticism: I feel that if the author employs a cleaner, she should (no, not watch her back) but make sure no feathers are ruffled.

[Justine Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an article about the author and her path to publication. It was so interesting, I bought her book and it didn't disappoint. I liked the fact that it wasn't a police procedural, and I especially liked the way every character gave a 360 degree view of their actions. People might break the law, murder others, cheat a little, but in every instance they wanted to justify themselves. And most interestingly, those that did the smallest transgressions clearly felt more guilty than those who did awful things. The ending was not predictable and yet totally satisfying. A really good read.

[Arvin Dhillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Waht a great thriller. I wish there were more books like this around. I stumbled on this gem while looking for something really intersting thriller (too many thrillers are about missing people theme which I am exhausted with) to read. Contrary to some reviews, the plot is easy to follow, and although the entire plot covers a period year plus, at no time the reader feels the lag. I mean pace of the events potrayed is a very fast read and absolutely engrossing and riveting. I loved all the women characters (with thier nefarious agendas). Simon's character was also perfect. A must read.

[Guy Baily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a genuine page turner. I am a slow reader but I devourd this in 48 hours. It is a thriller with a domestic setting. The characters are well drawn with complex mixed motives but (for the most part) likeable. The plot is intricate and unfolds pacily over 380 (if I remember) pages without letting you out of its grip. Its a great read

[Judy Jarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent thriller, perfect for a summer read.

[Alex Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Grass Widow (which, as the prelude to the book tells us, is a reference to women married to absent golfer husbands) is a very English sort of mystery: the lives of common people (in this case cleaners) become entangled in the affairs of the upper class with disastrous results.

It took me a while to get into it, as there's definitely a slow boil build up, but once the plot finally got up and running, I needed to see where it all went. And there's certainly a whole lot of plot happening here. The story rapidly jumps between the perspectives of multiple characters, so that at times I struggled to keep track of the details (a few occasions I had to flip back to a previous chapter for a refresher).

Fortunately, the cast of characters are compelling and complex (if not always likeable). The writing has an easy flow to it, and some wonderfully descriptive passages. There are the sorts of twists and turns you'd expect, some of which I saw coming, while others were a pleasant surprise. And the book mostly manages to tie together the many threads to deliver a satisfying conclusion.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dive into a tangled web of jealousy, secrets, and unexpected alliances in "The Grass Widow"! Leonie is out for a little retaliation against her unfaithful ex, Hugh, while his wife, Amanda, yearns for more than her picture-perfect life. Enter Simon, the gardener with aspirations that dig deeper than mere rose beds! When an accidental death triggers a surprising partnership between Leonie and Amanda, the stakes rise as they race to uncover the truth before another life slips away. This riveting tale is a delightful mix of suspense, humor, and female empowerment that will keep you turning pages. Grab your gardening gloves and get ready for some thrilling revelations!

[Rebecca Buder · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING!!!

This book is absolutely fantastic! My new favorite writer, if only after one book! Very pleasant to read, keeps you on the edge of your seat but also winds beautifully from chapter to chapter, making you feel like you wouldn’t mind staying on whatever page you are on…in fact, it made me sad to see my progress towards the last page - the characters have enough depth to like them but not necessarily trust them, and - wow! Absolutely fantastic! Grabbing her other book right now!

[Mags Hayward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vanessa Edward’s begins her novel,The Grass Widow with a definition of the title: a grass widow is a woman whose husband is away often or for a prolonged period. The grass widow of this tale is Amanda Standing, a gently, mild mannered lady living in Winchester while her tax lawyer husband, Hugh spends his weeks in London. Hugh Standing is a philanderer, and Amanda is aware of his affairs, choosing, however, to turn a blind eye for the sake of cosy weekends with Hugh and a comfortable lifestyle when he’s away.
Cue Simon, a rugged drifter/cash-in-hand gardener determined to get close to Amanda, and Leonie, one of Hugh’s many London girlfriends. Leonie has suffered the double humiliation of being dumped by Hugh and made redundant on the same day—the two events, it’s hinted, likely linked. Angry and vengeful, Leonie plans to seek revenge by opening Amanda’s eyes to her husband’s betrayal, and to do this, she schemes her way into Amanda’s Winchester home as Jane, her new cleaner.
We now meet the cleaners at New Brooms cleaning agency, women who clean, steal, cheat and scheme, all with their own agendas, and all key to the growing plot revolving around Amanda. The story is about to take a few unexpected turns.
This novel is a slow-burn psychological thriller with a cast of characters all out to con the hapless Amanda Standing. It’s a murder mystery, though the first murder doesn’t take place until half way through the novel. The diverse cast of characters are rounded, with detailed backstories and the author cleverly makes all the female characters likeable, even though their actions against Amanda Standing are despicable. There are surprises too, particularly from Leonie and the titular grass widow, Amanda.
This is a well thought out page-turner with lovely detail in the writing and enough plot-twists to keep me happy to the end. For me, however, it felt a little slow to get off the ground and the male characters, Hugh and Simon are not as well developed as their female counterparts. Even Simon, who has chapters of his own, remains something of a mystery, his character more of a cliched villain. That aside, The Grass Widow is a very enjoyable read and a most fortuitous find.