The Widow's Husband

by Natasha Boydell

A BRAND NEW page-turning psychological thriller full of twists from bestseller Natasha Boydell, perfect fans of Lisa Jewell, Freida McFadden and Daniel Hurst 🥀 He’s meant to be dead. But I think he’s back…

Maggie has started venturing out of her house at last. Years of being held as a virtual prisoner by her controlling husband, Frank, she’s now free. She’s just taking little walks in the village, braving smiling at strangers, feeling delighted when they smile back.

Then, on one of her walks, she finds herself drawn to a poster in the window of the local pub, advertising an evening with a psychic. Maggie doesn’t believe in the supernatural, but decides it is the perfect place to finally meet some friends.

But the psychic has news for Maggie. She tells her that Frank is back. And that he’s got a message for her… And when strange things begin happening, Maggie can’t help but wonder – does someone have it in for her? Or could Frank have found a way to come back for her?

Readers love Natasha

‘Wow! What a brilliant book!!... The suspense, the doubt, THE PLOT TWISTS!! I absolutely loved the characters, loved the story, loved everything about this book. This was my first by Natasha Boydell and now I am running to read more by her! 5 stars!!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This book blew me away. I love books that grab you from the beginning and hold on so tightly that you cannot put the book down… The ending was explosive and was not predictable at all. I love, love, love this author and cannot wait for more.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Literally picked this book up in the morning and began to read it and before I knew it I was finishing it later that evening. It’s that addicting, honestly I found this so hard to put down. Every page that went past, I was frightened, I was dreading what was coming next. I could never have predicted the outcome. I’m still in shock, it’s crazy. The suspense oh my god!… This book is incredible… I would definitely say this has got to be one of my favourite books ever!!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Amazing… it’s an addictive read, it has it all the shocks and twists… A page turner of a book… Who do you believe and who do you trust? I so recommend this book – a twisty read!’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A gripping masterpiece that masterfully combines elements of mystery and suspense. Boydell’s narrative unfolds like a carefully crafted puzzle, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The sense of suspense is palpable, making it nearly impossible to put the book down. As the intricate plot weaves its web of intrigue, the anticipation builds, creating a thrilling reading experience.’ Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Fiction, Mystery Thriller

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2025

About the author

Natasha is an internationally bestselling author of psychological thrillers. Her books have featured in the top 100 charts in the UK, Canada and Australia, and include the top 10 bestseller The Fortune Teller.

Natasha's novels are available around the world in ebook, paperback and audiobook and have been translated into several languages. She lives in North London with her husband, two daughters and two rescue cats.

Reviews

[Aya ☕︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is exactly how I imagine dark romance FMCs would react once their morally black MMCs die: they suddenly realize they were taken advantage of their entire lives—and become absolutely petrified, terrified that he might come back from the dead to haunt them. As always, Natasha’s books are incredibly fast-paced and kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. It really frayed my nerves! And the last chapter! OH MY GOD! it actually threw me off edge

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

Thank you boldwood and Natasha Boydell for the free eARC 💕

[Rachel the Page-Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Maggie’s husband Frank died, she became a free woman. For thirty years, he degraded her, controlled her, abused her and made her feel inhuman. After his heart attack, she spent weeks in their home, not knowing what to do. She hadn’t been allowed to leave the house without him, wasn’t allowed to have a job, her family is all gone, and Frank isolated her from her friends years ago. She’s happy he’s gone, but in general, she’s not happy at all.

After living on food delivery and losing her mind being alone, one day she finally finds the nerve to go out. While on a walk, she sees a flyer for a psychic supper coming up at a nearby pub, and she decides to go. At worst, the psychic will tell her that her husband is haunting her - she feels like she’s being watched, and can’t escape the feeling that Frank is still around. At best, she’ll meet some people…and that’s exactly what happens. Beth, Alyssa and Gary were all there alone as well, and the four soon became a group of good friends.

The problems at her house are only getting worse, though. Things are being moved around and broken. She smells Frank’s aftershave at strange times. She’s gotten a dog (something Frank never allowed) and he is often staring at unseen things and growling. She can’t afford to move, though; when Frank died, Maggie found out they were broke. So broke, they were in major debt, and he hadn’t been paying his life insurance premiums so she was left with nothing. When Gary’s daughter-in-law gives birth and she and his son move into his house to save money, an idea began to brew. Maggie lets Gary rent out her spare room in exchange for having someone around the house to help her feel safe.

Though the relationship is strictly platonic, as soon as Gary moves in, things begin to escalate. More things are broken. The house is always freezing, and the electricity is doing weird things. Maggie can never forget Frank once telling her if she cheated on him, he’d kill her. Does Frank consider this man living in their home cheating? Is he mad that she now has a job, some friends, a dog and a life?

This book was an easy page-turner, and quite enjoyable, but it’s going in the popcorn thriller category for me. That’s not a negative thing - quite often it’s what I’m in the mood for, but this book could have been made much more scary/creepy/graphic and I think I’d have liked it better. There were two big twists at the end, but neither really surprised me. This is a quick, entertaining read though! 3.5 stars, rounded up.

(Thank you to Boldwood Books, Natasha Boydell and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on June 18, 2025.)

[Jayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

TWs:
* Domestic abuse
* Gaslighting

Had I known about these TWs, I never would have selected this title.

JWs (Jayne Warnings)
* The first 75% of the book was 2-star disappointing
* Many predictable twists

WHAT KEPT ME READING/LISTENING?
* Natasha Boydell is one of my go-to authors
* I listened to the audiobook, expertly narrated by Melanie Crawley

WHAT ELEVATED MY STAR RATING?
The book's final twist was unpredictable and brilliant.

3.5 STARS

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

 
Maggie’s husband passed away four months ago, and still Maggie was finding it hard to get on with her life. Frank was a very controlling husband to the point where Maggie found it nearly impossible to be happy; most days she lived in fear.
When unexplained things start to happen, Maggie is convinced it’s Frank who is haunting her, but he is dead, isn’t he?

Oh my goodness, this book had me glued to the pages. As the plot intensified, I was desperate to know how this story would end. I was not expecting that ending. 😳 If you enjoy a good page-turner with an ending you won’t see coming, then I highly suggest you add this one to your list. This is a new author to me, and I’ll definitely be reading more of her books.

[Roz Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie is coming to terms with the death of her abusive husband. Alone and isolated in a small village, she decides she has no choice but to go out into the world to make connections with people. Soon she meets a nice group of friends and she feels that maybe things are looking up for her. The problem is her husband won't stay dead. He haunts her every waking moment and she has no peace.

I liked Maggie's character and how she kept trying to force herself out of her comfort zone to try new things and meet people, despite being terrified. Her inner monologue will resonate with anyone who has given themselves a pep talk!

We get to see the past and present from Maggie's pov and this worked really well at bringing the story together and building the tension.

The story pulled me in as I tried to figure out what was going on. The author did a great job of pulling it all together. It was well done and nicely paced.

Overall and enjoyable read.

with thanks to the author, Netgalley and Love Books Tours for providing a copy of the book to review.

[Monali · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my second book by Natasha Boydell and she loves delivering stories with creepy themes. I loved the writing in this one too. The atmosphere was created well. A haunted house thrown in with paranormal theme did draw the backdrop very well. And Frank was a thoroughly devilish character. Even in his absence his presence was felt. I loved the bonding between Maggie and her friends. And I learnt something new about psychic dinners since I was not aware of that as a concept. While this was a good thriller, I was able to predict quite a few things correctly including the main subplot and hence I did not like this as much as my first read by the author - The Doll’s House. If you are in for reading a thriller set up in a small village with paranormal bits, you will enjoy this.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily my most favourite book from this author to date, I was chomping at the bit to reach the conclusion of this book. So convinced that I had worked out how the plot would develop, I was determined to see that my predictions were proven correct… until Boydell threw in the massive plot twist that just had me reading and reading to see what would happen next.

Initially I was frustrated with the story because it felt like Boydell was including an over-used character type whereby we have a woman trapped in a loveless, abusive marriage. However, although the flashbacks to Maggie’s past were somewhat obvious, it is the present that really is significant. Having been isolated in her own home for weeks on end after the death of her husband, Maggie has decided to take some baby steps and live her life independently and enjoy things once and for all.

To the outside world, Maggie is grieving for the death of her husband. In reality, she is grieving for those lost years where she was dominated and isolated by her husband. However, just when it seems that Maggie is getting back on track with new friends, a new pet and a new job, things take a sinister turn. With objects being moved around her house, unsettling flickering of lights and even the scent of her dead husband’s aftershave, Maggie becomes convinced that she is not free of Frank after all and that he continues to control and intimidate her from beyond the grave.

I didn’t know where to take this story as there is a lot of emphasis on the suggested paranormal and that Maggie is being haunted by Frank’s ghost. Whilst the logical side of my brain was able to explain these odd occurrences away, there is enough of them to encourage readers to have that shred of doubt. What if Maggie’s husband really is, bizarrely, behind these strange events? Second to the fact that there doesn’t seem to be an obvious culprit, I really did start to believe in Maggie’s theory.

As the story picks up the pace, I loved how intense Boydell makes it. Maggie can’t seem to get on without Frank’s ghost literally reminding her of his control. I yearned to see the happy, confident Maggie develop but she is always held back by her dead husband. When I did latch on to my theory about what was really going on, I was delighted in how wrong I actually was – especially as the plot twist was so unexpected.

Not only that, the final chapters really had my jaw dropping in disbelief. Just when you think you have all of the answers, Boydell surprises the readers once more. It certainly added to the intensity of the story and made it all the more enjoyable.

A great read from this author where the paranormal appears to control a grieving widow who is more desperate than ever to make something of her life after so many years lost to a controlling husband. In my opinion, if you enjoy books by the likes of Keri Beevis and Valerie Keogh, then you will definitely like this one.

With thanks to Boldwood books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Pav S. (pav_sanborn_bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a masterclass in suspense, and I found myself suspicious of every character introduced—seriously, at one point, I was convinced her husband might not be dead after all!

Maggie, after years of being controlled by her husband Frank, finally emerges from her home to take small walks in her village, enjoying small interactions with people. During one of her outings, she sees a poster for a psychic event and decides to attend, hoping to make friends. However, the psychic reveals that Frank is back and has a message for her. As odd occurrences start happening, Maggie begins to question whether someone is targeting her or if Frank has somehow returned to her life.

Maggie, our protagonist, is the epitome of easygoing, though she’s not exactly the life of the party. She’s determined to embrace change, but just when she starts to find her footing, bizarre occurrences throw her off balance. I couldn’t help but put myself in her shoes, wondering how I would navigate such a tangled web of uncertainty.

There’s something undeniably frustrating about reading a book where the main character feels utterly helpless. You just want to reach through the pages, give them a good shake, and demand some answers! The story begins at a leisurely pace, but before long, it picks up speed, and I found myself racing to uncover the truth behind the chaos. The ending? Unexpected and oh-so-satisfying!

If you’re a fan of books that keep you questioning everything, where nothing is quite what it seems, and characters with layers as complex as an onion, then this one is for you. You’ll find yourself rooting for Maggie as she musters the courage to take charge of her life. It’s the perfect summer read for a rainy afternoon—just grab a cozy blanket and prepare for a delightful ride!

Thank you, Boldwood Books, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie is newly widowed but doesn’t feel Frank her tormentor of a husband has actually gone, he ruled her life when alive now it seems he is back to further rule and ruin in his demise…..but he’s dead so how can he?

Now, Maggie, what a character for a reader to get to know, she is reassuringly normal and has many foibles ( mainly due to Franks treatment of her ) but I instantly warmed to her, her honesty and vulnerability and the way she spoke and reasoned with herself was not only genuine but she created a feeling of wanting to protect her, it may sound odd but her character and thought processes really dug deep and I wanted her to succeed and be happy for once, the way she delighted in making a friend after so long not having one was touching and I admired her facing her fears and anxieties when so easily the status quo could have stayed

Yep I liked her a lot

As for the story well that builds and builds and gets more intriguing as it goes on, we are also privy to Maggie’s past as various chapters sneek back and look at her life before and with Frank

An emotion driven great read

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Widows Husband by Natasha Boydle, Maggie has recently lost her husband Frank and in her mind it was good riddance although she misses the presence of him she doesn’t miss his constant berating of her not to mention keeping her isolated in their home. tired of being alone Maggie decides to go walk the village and even buy a ticket for the psychic show that’s going to be at the local pub. This is where she meets Beth Alyssa and Gary. Beth invites all of them to dinner after they made fast friends at the psychic show despite the psychics doomed prediction to Maggie that Frank is around and he left the back door key and the plant pot. When she goes home and finds the key exactly where the psychic said she is on nerved but this only adds to the strange things already happening in her home like smelling Frank’s cologne hearing footsteps while she sleeps but she knows he is dead she saw his body. She tries to blow it off and starts visiting with her good friends and Gary even takes her to adopt a dog at the local SPCA Maggie is so happy to get the dog to transfer this happiness to inviting Gary to rent a room and her home when he says he needs a place to stay. When he moves in she is ambivalent about it because Alyssa recently told her his daughter-in-law who lives with him has nothing good to say about her new roommate. when her and Gary become romantically involved she’s never been happier but soon with Beth whispering in her ear and the things Alyssa said it causes things to go south with Gary and when he not only moves out but moves to Australia Maggie misses him but she still has Beth and Alyssa. Does Maggie really Bing haunted or is there something more sinister a foot? I love this author‘s books and this one did not at all disappoint. I know they’ll always end with someone I thought a good guy being the bad actor but I must admit the author always has an original twist to her plots and this one was totally included love her books so much. She is one of those authors all I have to see is she wrote it and I get it like Pavlov’s dog lol! #NetGalley,#BoldwoodBooks,#TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #NatashaBoydle, #TheWidowsHusband,

[Diane Merritt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whewwwwwww what a book! You will never see what happens happen, I mean really what a twist this one had!! Fantastic, Characters seem so real.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh Natasha Boydell I love you and all of your books! I flew through this one, doubting everyone, even my logic. 5 stars!!!

[Alexandra Lonsdale · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book! 3 stars because it wasn’t up there with some of my top reads that I’ll remember and recommend loads but It was a good book, it was an easy read, chapters were a mix of long and short.

I prefer a cliff hanger ending that has you questioning the whole book, which I get is a bit of a niche that not every book can give me😂 I just hate when you turn the page and you go oh that’s the end, you should just know when you read that last sentence that the book is over. I’m very judgy on how books end haahaha

It was free on prime in Jan so if you got it and you’re wondering if you should read or not, it is a good book! I didn’t guess any of the twists (altho not jaw dropping) it was all a mystery to me, but then again I’m not sure I wanted who it was to be the villain in the end…but somehow I still enjoyed the book…I’m really not selling it am I🤣 read it if you want

[Jenn McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley for giving me access to read this one early. I’m behind as this one has already been released but, I finally got to it and it was so good! It had me hooked from the very first page. I honestly thought I had the book figured out but the twists were not what I was expecting. Also, there was a BIG twist at the end with surprised me! In conclusion, every surprise/twist in this book I didn’t see coming.

Do yourself a favor and read this book!! If you’re a thriller fan, you’ll love it. Even if you’re not into thrillers, give it a try.. you may love it 😍

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

definitely worth the read

Such a great read.
I couldn’t put it down.
The ending is so good. It did have me thinking the ghost was real for minute. The twists were great. Some of them I didn’t see coming.
Definitely recommend!

[Jennifer Bendel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d rate this one 3.5 stars. I really liked the main theme of a possible haunted house. Is the house haunted? Is Maggie crazy? Is someone out to get her? I had so many questions. I liked Maggie’s character, she was easy to route for and it was nice seeing her grow as a person and make some new friends. The book did go at a slower pace than I prefer and some stuff felt repetitive. That very last twist got me. I did not see that coming at all. I love when you think it’s over and one more thing comes flying out of no where.

[Meddings_Musings: Erin Meddings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m always a fan of a thriller that makes me wonder “can a house really be haunted?”

Well if the answer is no then how else can Maggie explain the bizarre events that begin as soon as she tries to move on after the death of her husband? A key moving locations (that a psychic brought to Maggie’s attention!), bowls breaking, doors slamming, the scent of her deceased husband’s aftershave, sudden changes in temperature, doors left open, and her new rescue dog seemingly growling and barking at nothing - Maggie is certain that her abusive husband has come back to make her life miserable once again.

As Maggie tries to heal from her past and pave a way for her future, she relies on a small group of new friends she’s made in the village she’s lived in for three years. They all seem kind, supportive, and well intentioned but rumors abound in a small village making Maggie wonder if she is as stupid and useless as her husband always told her she was.

I’ve read almost all of Natasha Boydell’s books and I feel they continue to get better and better! This was another four star, thrilling, engaging, engrossing read that I had to finish once I started it! I sincerely was hooked from the prologue and the chills it gave me!

Thank you NetGalley, Natasha Boydell, and Boldwood Books for providing this edge-of-my-seat thriller in exchange for a review! This book is scheduled to release June 18, 2025.

[Nicola Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had such high hopes and excitement for this. My bad. They were not set nearly high enough. This book was absolutely fantastic. I loved this. The premise was excellent. It made for a brilliant thriller.

I adore the cover. It's so eerie in a way. The single rose gives nothing away! The colours are good and they are eye catching. Fantastic job here.

The writing is excellent and flows beautifully. The descriptiveness helps make this thriller very chilling indeed!

The village setting is perfect for this story. It's a small place and make it a little claustrophobic giving the feeling that Maggie can't escape. I liked that Benji was adopted from a rescue centre. The babies in shelters need loving homes too. Thank you for including this Natasha.

I loved all the characters and they fit perfectly into the story. I felt so sorry for Maggie. Frank was vile to her and then she has these niggling feelings he's lingering. Bless her. Alyssa and Gary were great. Benji the dog was my favourite. He sounded super cute and smart. I'm glad he got a forever home.

I really, really recommend this book to you all. It is fantastic.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creepy, twisty, and completely addictive! I was suspicious of everyone at some point! Friends, neighbors, strangers, even Maggie’s husband being alive and I still didn’t see the ending coming. The romance plot with Gary added an interesting layer to all the tension and the slow unraveling of her world had me holding my breath. A chilling, gripping read that’ll leave you questioning everything!

Thank you to Boldwood Books via n
Netgalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Emily Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, steady pace. Some interesting twists.

[Alicia Kirkman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. This was a fast-paced read that kept me entertained the entire time. I suspected everyone of “haunting” the main character’s house at some point which I’m sure was the author’s plan!

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping thriller with twists and turns. Didn’t expect the ending. Love Natasha's writing and can't wait for more

[Leah Bassett · Rating 4 out of 5]

there was more potential here but i did enjoy it and would recommend

[Els · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author, and I was immediately intrigued by the title. After taking a glance at the blurb, I had a strong feeling this might be a story I’d really enjoy. Was I right or was I right?

We meet Maggie, a woman who hasn’t been widowed for very long and is struggling to piece her life back together. One day, she decides she’s too young to give up and makes the decision to treat this as the first day of the rest of her life. But that’s easier said than done. Apparently, something – or someone – has a different opinion about that.

We see Maggie slowly start to come out of her shell, only to be pushed back in again by the strange events that start to unfold. She begins to build a circle of friends, but increasingly starts to doubt whether she can really trust them. Her nerves are constantly on edge, and just when she thinks she’s figured things out, something else goes wrong.

Eventually, I couldn’t make heads or tails of it either, because every suspect on my list had a plausible reason why they shouldn’t be on it. So… who’s left?

Isn’t it just brilliant when an author can completely mislead you, guiding you so convincingly in a certain direction that you start to believe someone is guilty or innocent? I was convinced for a long time that someone else was the main culprit, and even when the truth came out, I was still skeptical. The real manipulator never crossed my mind. So all I can say is that the author did an excellent job.

I completely understood Maggie’s doubts about everything, because I was just as lost as she was.

And of course, as any thriller fan hopes… there was a twist. ;)

A truly enjoyable first encounter with this author and her work. 5 stars.

Thank you!

[Tracy ann Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie is now on her own her husband has died. she has not left the house she has become a recluse until one day she decides she needs to start living she takes a walk and sees there a Psychic supper in the pub, and she pushes herself to go, and that night she makes friends. and starts to live again but Maggie starts to think she has a ghost her husband as things start to happen, she is scared. it's a very addictive read so recommend.

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came in ready for a page-turning mind game. What I got was more of a slow exhale. Not unpleasant, but not the thrill ride I was expecting either. The Widow’s Husband sets the stage for something sinister, then simmers there for a long time. Tension exists, but it’s stretched thin, less like a taut wire and more like a polite unease that doesn’t always know where it’s going.

Maggie’s husband, Frank, is dead. Or so we think. One year later, she’s finally finding her footing when a psychic drops a bombshell: Frank has a message. Suddenly her world, already fragile, starts to unravel. There’s a new man in her life who radiates comforting energy, a handful of seemingly warm new friends who may or may not be trustworthy, and that one psychic whose whole vibe screams chaos in an expensive scarf.

This isn’t an Agatha Christie puzzle box. If you're looking for a tight whodunit with locked rooms and shocking reveals, this isn’t it. The mystery here is quieter, focused less on twists and more on watching a woman reassemble herself while the past claws at the door. It’s a psychological spiral wrapped in grief and disorientation, not a murder board covered in red string.

Maggie doesn’t burst onto the page with high-octane energy, but that’s not the point. She’s cautious, guarded, and processing years of manipulation. Her slow steps toward autonomy feel intentional. You can sense how much effort it takes for her to trust herself, let alone anyone else. She’s not passive. She’s careful. And while that care makes sense for her arc, it sometimes slows the plot to a crawl.

That’s the thing with this book. The story has stakes, but they rarely feel urgent. There’s a foggy, drawn-out quality to the suspense, like we’re watching everything unfold through frosted glass. It works in some moments, especially when Maggie’s uncertainty starts to infect your own, but in others, it feels like you’re just waiting for something to snap and it never quite does.

There’s atmosphere for days, and the idea of a not-so-dead husband reentering the picture is deliciously unsettling. But by the time the reveals land, they don’t hit with the impact they’re aiming for. You can feel the emotional bruises this book wants to leave, but they fade too quickly to linger.

Three stars. This isn’t a thriller that grabs you by the throat. It’s the one that circles politely, offers you tea, and then quietly rearranges your furniture while you question your grip on reality. I didn’t hate it, but I was definitely bored for a solid hundred pages. The suspense whispered. I needed it to scream. The vibes were haunting, the pacing was not. I just kept waiting for it to snap, and instead, it sighed.

Whodunity Award: For Most Likely to Be Rewritten as a Decent Miniseries on Netflix

Huge thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC. I came for the mystery, stayed for the mild paranoia, and left wondering if psychics now take Venmo.

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: The Widow’s Husband
Author: Natasha Boydell
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Pub Date: June 18, 2025
My Rating: 4.3. Stars!
Pages 352

Fifty-one year old Maggie Rossi has recently become a widow after thirty years. She has started to venture out of her house after years of being held as a virtual prisoner by her controlling abusive husband, Frank.
She finally feels free. And enjoys walks in her neighborhood.
One day on a one of her walks, she sees a poster in the window of the local pub, advertising a dinner evening with a psychic. Maggie doesn’t believe in the supernatural, but decides it might be fun plus a place to meet some friends.
She purchases a ticket and is seated at a table and meets Beth a woman about her age whose husband recently passed. The others at the table are also friendly.
When Zara the Psychic enters the room she walks slowly around the room. She approaches a table and tells the woman that her sister wants her to stop feeling guilt about what happen as – it wasn’t her fault. She finishes by saying she is sorry about stealing her clothes where she was younger especially the red dress. The girl laughs and states – I knew that was her!
When she approaches Maggie table Zara tells her “Your husband is here” - He wants you to know that the back door key is in the plant pot. Maggie nearly laughs as it certainly wasn’t something she expected and she knows the key is in the kitchen drawer.
Maggie rushes home to see if the psychic is correct. She checks the plant post knowing it once contained a plant now odds & ends – a matchbox, used batteries, business cards – no key. As she starts to put the pot back decides to thrown out the contents and dumps it and sees the key at the bottom.
Soon is convinced that Frank is haunting her.

I have only read one other Natasha Boydell thriller The Doll’s House and it was a Wow read! Had my head spinning!
I love psychological thrillers and trying to figure them out is always a fun challenge.
Ms. Boydell writes stories that have twists and turns and reveals that leave me saying ~ I DID NOT see coming!!!

In this case, I truly was expected the twist and yes! Natasha Boydell did not disappoint!

Want to thank NetGalley and Boldwood Books for granted me this great thriller.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for – June 18, 2025.

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maggie lived most of her adult life chasing the feeling she had when she first met Frank in the shoe store that she worked at. She immediately knew she loved him and hated when he left and did not return. The day he returned, she professed her love to him and he invited her to move to London with him. Everything changed after that. Frank for thirty years degraded Maggie, abused her, controlled what she did and made sure she felt like she was nothing. He locked her in the house when he left after accusing her of cheating, he would not let her leave alone and he isolated her. The day he died, she was free.

After Frank died however, Maggie continued to hid in the house. Eating way too much and believing all of the things that Frank has said about her. Finally however, she gets mad enough to leave the house and go for a walk. To embrace the freedom that she now has. On this walk, she sees a flyer for a Psychic Supper and decides maybe this would be a great way to meet people in her town. Maggie has another reason for attending too though, she feels like she is being watched, like Frank is still there in the house somehow. The psychic supper will either confirm this, or she will meet some new people. She does meet some new people in fact! She becomes friends with Beth, Alyssa and Gary while at the supper, where the psychic gives her an unnerving message.

The house hauntings are now getting worse. Smashed objects. The smell of Frank's cologne. Things getting moved around, and after she adopts a dog, the dog also seems to sense things. Maggie goes through all of these struggles with the support of her friends. Gary rents a room from her to help her feel safe, but to also get out of his sons and daughter-in-laws way after a new addition to the family. But as soon as Gary moves in, things get even worse at the cottage!

The Widow's Husband was a super quick read that I actually really enjoyed. I wish this has been made to read a little more scary then it was, as I had such potential to be a horror read, and I think I would have liked it even more then. Towards the end there are two rather big plot twists, but neither are all that surprising. If you are looking for a quick and easy read, this is for you!

(This books is set to be released on June 18, 2025. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC read in exchange for my honest review.)

[Kiran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t expect a story about grief, rebuilding, and quiet resilience to pull me in so completely, but this book did exactly that.

This is a beautiful, deeply emotional story about a woman finding herself again after the death of her husband. The journey she goes on is raw, honest, and incredibly relatable, touching on so many emotions that feel grounded in real life rather than dramatised for effect.

What stood out most to me was how realistic and modern this book felt. The author handles sensitive themes with such care and understanding, and it’s clear how in touch with reality they are. I personally know people in similar situations, which made the story feel even more authentic and impactful. Nothing felt exaggerated or forced, just very human.

The characters were another highlight. It was so easy to fall in love with them and to experience their emotions alongside them. When things became difficult for our female main character, I found myself rooting for her every step of the way, desperately wanting her to find her happiness again.

Although this book is a thriller, it isn’t fast-paced in the way I’m used to. The twist takes a little longer to arrive compared to other thrillers I’ve read, but that didn’t lessen its impact at all. In fact, I appreciated the slower build. It allowed me to really settle into the story, get to know the characters, and feel comfortable in the world before everything unravelled. When the twist finally hit, it still landed just as hard.

I also ended up devouring this book in around six hours, which says everything. It was a comforting, cosy suspense thriller where you don’t fully realise what’s happening until it’s already too late. That balance between comfort and tension worked beautifully, and it made for such an enjoyable reading experience.

Very different from what I usually read, but genuinely very good, and one I’m really glad I picked up.

[Deanna Loves to Read!!:) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty easy, satisfying read. Maggie has been recently widowed. Her husband, Frank, was mentally abusive throughout their entire marriage. They married young, and very quickly. They did not know each other very well- for Maggie it was insta-love. Frank. not so much. He liked to control what she wore, if she worked- and then he got very mentally abusive. Maggie has been stuck in her house since is death about a year ago. She feels like he is still around, and there seems to be gaps in her short term memory (did she actually make 2 cups of coffee??)- or is she being haunted? One day, she suddenly decides to go out, and joins a psychic medium night at the local restaurant. There she meets Beth, Alyssa, and Gary. They form a friend group- and this is where the fun begins!

The story is well written, and although is starts a little slow at the beginning, I felt that this was the perfect approach for this story. We get to really know Maggie- then and now-, along with the other characters. As strange things keep happening, I began to suspect each of her friends, while also thinking Frank might still be alive. It kept my attention, and when it started amping up in pace, I was hooked. And the twist at the end? I was suspicious of one thing- but this caught me a little off guard!

I really liked Maggie. She confronts her demons, and decides to take control of her life and realize that nothing was her fault. However, I did find the change from agoraphobic to social butterfly a little head jolting. It happens in a day, with no setbacks. That is the only thing that truly bothered me.

Overall, this is a very good quick read thriller- perfect for a summer read! This is my 2nd Boydell book, and I enjoyed it as much as the first!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.