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Lexington, Alabama #1
Mrs. Wiggins
New York Times bestselling author Mary Monroe returns to the Deep South Depression-era town of her scandalous Mama Ruby series, in this tale of a woman determined to have a respectable life--and she'll do anything to keep it...
The daughter of a prostitute mother and an alcoholic father, Maggie Franklin knew her only way out was to marry someone upstanding and church-going. Someone like Hubert Wiggins, the most eligible man in Lexington, Alabama--and the son of its most revered preacher. Proper and prosperous, Hubert is glad to finally have a wife, even one with Maggie's background. For Hubert has a secret he desperately needs to stay hidden. And Maggie's unexpected charm, elegance, and religious devotion makes her the perfect partner in lies...
Their surprising union makes the Wigginses the town's most envied couple--complete with a son, Claude, whom Maggie idolizes. Until he falls in love with the worst possible fiancée. Terrified, Maggie won't let this woman destroy her son. And when her employer's brother sexually harasses her, Maggie knows something needs to be done about him as well. In fact, she realizes there are an awful lot of "disruptive" people who should be eliminated from her perfect world...
But the more Maggie tries to take control, the more obstacles are thrown in her way. And when it seems like the one person she always expected to be there is starting to drift away, Maggie will play one final, merciless game to secure what she's fought so hard to earn...
The daughter of a prostitute mother and an alcoholic father, Maggie Franklin knew her only way out was to marry someone upstanding and church-going. Someone like Hubert Wiggins, the most eligible man in Lexington, Alabama--and the son of its most revered preacher. Proper and prosperous, Hubert is glad to finally have a wife, even one with Maggie's background. For Hubert has a secret he desperately needs to stay hidden. And Maggie's unexpected charm, elegance, and religious devotion makes her the perfect partner in lies...
Their surprising union makes the Wigginses the town's most envied couple--complete with a son, Claude, whom Maggie idolizes. Until he falls in love with the worst possible fiancée. Terrified, Maggie won't let this woman destroy her son. And when her employer's brother sexually harasses her, Maggie knows something needs to be done about him as well. In fact, she realizes there are an awful lot of "disruptive" people who should be eliminated from her perfect world...
But the more Maggie tries to take control, the more obstacles are thrown in her way. And when it seems like the one person she always expected to be there is starting to drift away, Maggie will play one final, merciless game to secure what she's fought so hard to earn...
1 pages, Audio CD
First published March 30, 2021
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About the author
Mary Monroe
61 books2,785 followersI am the third child of Alabama sharecroppers and the first and only member of my family to finish high school. I never attended college or any writing classes. I taught myself how to write and started writing short stories around age four. I spent the first part of my life in Alabama and Ohio and moved to Richmond, California in 1973. I have lived in Oakland since 1984.
My first novel THE UPPER ROOM was published by St. Martin's Press in 1985 and was widely reviewed throughout the U.S. and in Great Britain. An excerpt is included in Terry McMillan's anthology BREAKING ICE. I endured fifteen years and hundreds of more rejection letters before I landed a contract for my second novel, GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY. It was published in October 2000 by Kensington Books. GOD DON'T PLAY is my seventh novel to be published, and it landed me a spot on the prestigious New York Times Bestsellers list for the first time! My eighth novel, "BORROW TROUBLE," was released December 2006. My ninth novel, DELIVER ME FROM EVIL, was released September 2007 and my tenth novel, SHE HAD IT COMING, was released in September 2008, and my eleventh novel THE COMPANY WE KEEP, will be released March 2009.
I won the Oakland Pen Award for Best Fiction of the Year in 2001 for GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY. I won the Best Southern Author Award for GONNA LAY DOWN MY BURDENS, in 2004.
I am divorced, I love to travel, I love to mingle with other authors, and I love to read anything by Ernest Gaines, Stephen King, Alice Walker, and James Patterson. I still write seven days a week and I get most of my ideas from current events, the people around me, but most of my material is autobiographical.
My first novel THE UPPER ROOM was published by St. Martin's Press in 1985 and was widely reviewed throughout the U.S. and in Great Britain. An excerpt is included in Terry McMillan's anthology BREAKING ICE. I endured fifteen years and hundreds of more rejection letters before I landed a contract for my second novel, GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY. It was published in October 2000 by Kensington Books. GOD DON'T PLAY is my seventh novel to be published, and it landed me a spot on the prestigious New York Times Bestsellers list for the first time! My eighth novel, "BORROW TROUBLE," was released December 2006. My ninth novel, DELIVER ME FROM EVIL, was released September 2007 and my tenth novel, SHE HAD IT COMING, was released in September 2008, and my eleventh novel THE COMPANY WE KEEP, will be released March 2009.
I won the Oakland Pen Award for Best Fiction of the Year in 2001 for GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY. I won the Best Southern Author Award for GONNA LAY DOWN MY BURDENS, in 2004.
I am divorced, I love to travel, I love to mingle with other authors, and I love to read anything by Ernest Gaines, Stephen King, Alice Walker, and James Patterson. I still write seven days a week and I get most of my ideas from current events, the people around me, but most of my material is autobiographical.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,336 reviews
March 25, 2021
Mrs. Wiggins was the first book that I had the opportunity to read by Mary Monroe. I was glad that I started with this book because it was exactly what I needed. It was fast paced, kept me guessing, and transported me back in time to life in the Deep South during a turbulent and controversial time for African American men and women. Mrs. Wiggins was a character driven novel that included rich and vibrant characters that were full of substance and dimension. It was a multi-cultural book that also had elements of being historical fiction. I listened to the audiobook that was pleasantly narrated by Shari Peele. Her reading added just the correct amount of drama and suspense. I definitely enjoyed the second half of this audiobook a bit more than the first half but overall it was a pleasant experience.
Mrs. Wiggins by Mary Monroe was about the life Maggie Franklin and Hubert Wiggins would weave together in a small town in Alabama. Maggie and Hubert knew each other for many years. They had been childhood friends. The two couldn’t have been more different from each other, though. Their upbringings were so different from one another. Both of Maggie’s parents had been brought up in the Colored Orphanage. Maggie’s mother had the reputation of being a prostitute. When she found religion, she was able to make her life more respectable. People had long memories, though, and continued to remember Maggie’s mother the way they wanted to. Her father was an alcoholic. Maggie grew up poor and had many strikes against her from the start. She had also been sexually abused as a young girl. The abuse she suffered left permanent scars on Maggie. Maggie’s friend Hubert was the only child of a Preacher. Hubert’s family was a church-going family, had a good reputation and lived in the respectable part of the small town in Alabama where they both grew up. Both Maggie and Hubert were harboring secrets that they had managed to keep buried deep within their persons for the time being. It was no wonder that when Hubert asked Maggie, then seventeen years of age, to marry him, she readily accepted his proposal. Hubert confessed to Maggie that his sexual preferences were for men. In the time they lived, those preferences were most unconventional. Maggie had already guessed that about Hubert so it came as no surprise. Maggie was so broken by the sexual abuse she suffered as a young girl, that this arrangement suited her fine. The only thing was that they both agreed that they needed and wanted to have a child. They needed to outwardly convince their community in Alabama that they were indeed married in every sense. Hubert refused to be the father of their child so Maggie found a good man that resembled Hubert enough to father the child. Soon enough, Maggie and Hubert were the proud parents of little boy they named Claude. Their family was perfect to the outside world. It worked for Maggie and Hubert. Maggie got the child she had always wanted and Hubert continued his sexual encounters under the guise of his marriage. Everything was perfect until Claude grew up and chose the worst possible girlfriend. Slowly but surely, everything began to spiral out of control in Maggie’s and Hubert’s perfect little world.
Mary Monroe’s talent as a phenomenal storyteller shone throughout this audiobook. The many themes of sexual abuse and preferences, domestic violence, racism, the effects of The Depression, social tensions, secrets and murder were prevalent throughout the book. The ending surprised me. I did not see it coming but it was quite clever. Mrs. Wiggins was the last book in a series of books written by Mary Monroe. It can be read as a stand alone book, though. I had not read the other books and had no problems appreciating the merits of this book on its own. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to RB Media for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Mrs. Wiggins through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Mrs. Wiggins by Mary Monroe was about the life Maggie Franklin and Hubert Wiggins would weave together in a small town in Alabama. Maggie and Hubert knew each other for many years. They had been childhood friends. The two couldn’t have been more different from each other, though. Their upbringings were so different from one another. Both of Maggie’s parents had been brought up in the Colored Orphanage. Maggie’s mother had the reputation of being a prostitute. When she found religion, she was able to make her life more respectable. People had long memories, though, and continued to remember Maggie’s mother the way they wanted to. Her father was an alcoholic. Maggie grew up poor and had many strikes against her from the start. She had also been sexually abused as a young girl. The abuse she suffered left permanent scars on Maggie. Maggie’s friend Hubert was the only child of a Preacher. Hubert’s family was a church-going family, had a good reputation and lived in the respectable part of the small town in Alabama where they both grew up. Both Maggie and Hubert were harboring secrets that they had managed to keep buried deep within their persons for the time being. It was no wonder that when Hubert asked Maggie, then seventeen years of age, to marry him, she readily accepted his proposal. Hubert confessed to Maggie that his sexual preferences were for men. In the time they lived, those preferences were most unconventional. Maggie had already guessed that about Hubert so it came as no surprise. Maggie was so broken by the sexual abuse she suffered as a young girl, that this arrangement suited her fine. The only thing was that they both agreed that they needed and wanted to have a child. They needed to outwardly convince their community in Alabama that they were indeed married in every sense. Hubert refused to be the father of their child so Maggie found a good man that resembled Hubert enough to father the child. Soon enough, Maggie and Hubert were the proud parents of little boy they named Claude. Their family was perfect to the outside world. It worked for Maggie and Hubert. Maggie got the child she had always wanted and Hubert continued his sexual encounters under the guise of his marriage. Everything was perfect until Claude grew up and chose the worst possible girlfriend. Slowly but surely, everything began to spiral out of control in Maggie’s and Hubert’s perfect little world.
Mary Monroe’s talent as a phenomenal storyteller shone throughout this audiobook. The many themes of sexual abuse and preferences, domestic violence, racism, the effects of The Depression, social tensions, secrets and murder were prevalent throughout the book. The ending surprised me. I did not see it coming but it was quite clever. Mrs. Wiggins was the last book in a series of books written by Mary Monroe. It can be read as a stand alone book, though. I had not read the other books and had no problems appreciating the merits of this book on its own. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to RB Media for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Mrs. Wiggins through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
February 18, 2022
Fast paced with an unexpected story that forms within the book. In the end you might have to ask…Karma?
June 7, 2021
I’m not even about to play with this lady. Mary Monroe has told a story that has captured me from the first page. This book has so many twists and turns The ending my Lawd! I’m so glad I picked up this book! The characters are rich... the story is entertaining and I just cannot with the book! I loved it. 😂😂😂
August 15, 2024
“That one word sealed his fate”
IKYFL!!!!!!!!!!!! 🗣️Maggie!!!! Ma’am you have me flabbergasted!! Where did all of this come frooommmmm?!?!!!! I could have lived with every consequence of your actions but the last thing?!?!!! Chyyyyyyyyyyyy you reaped what you sowed! 🤯😱😳 I am SICK for you!! 🫠😵💫
Maggie and Hubert formed a trauma bond of sorts in their teen years. She had parents whose questionable past made life hard for her and he had a secret that could potentially damage everything his parents worked for. As friends and close confidants they decided to enter into an agreement that would prove beneficial for them both.
What started out as a marriage of convenience quickly turned into a life of comfort. Now 20ish years into their marriage, things start to take a bizarre turn and Mrs. Wiggins chooses an unconventional way to make those that have wronged her and those that she loves pay in a major way! 😬
Baby that last 40% or so, Maggie wasn’t playing!!! She was on her Olivia Pope ish “It’s handled”! I mean she was righting every wrong in her eyes and I was here 👏🏽for👏🏽it👏🏽!!!
I don’t know what I was expecting with this title and cover but I got way more than I bargained for in the best way possible. Folks learned one way or another that Maggie was not the one nor the two! Read the book!
IKYFL!!!!!!!!!!!! 🗣️Maggie!!!! Ma’am you have me flabbergasted!! Where did all of this come frooommmmm?!?!!!! I could have lived with every consequence of your actions but the last thing?!?!!! Chyyyyyyyyyyyy you reaped what you sowed! 🤯😱😳 I am SICK for you!! 🫠😵💫
Maggie and Hubert formed a trauma bond of sorts in their teen years. She had parents whose questionable past made life hard for her and he had a secret that could potentially damage everything his parents worked for. As friends and close confidants they decided to enter into an agreement that would prove beneficial for them both.
What started out as a marriage of convenience quickly turned into a life of comfort. Now 20ish years into their marriage, things start to take a bizarre turn and Mrs. Wiggins chooses an unconventional way to make those that have wronged her and those that she loves pay in a major way! 😬
Baby that last 40% or so, Maggie wasn’t playing!!! She was on her Olivia Pope ish “It’s handled”! I mean she was righting every wrong in her eyes and I was here 👏🏽for👏🏽it👏🏽!!!
I don’t know what I was expecting with this title and cover but I got way more than I bargained for in the best way possible. Folks learned one way or another that Maggie was not the one nor the two! Read the book!
September 9, 2021
We meet the eponymous Mrs. Wiggins on the day of her wedding at the age of seventeen to young Hubert Wiggins, circa 1917. Both of them have secret reasons for getting married to each other, and as they are good friends, the marriage is more of a platonic understanding than a romantic bond. Things go as per their plan for a nice long time. However, about 20 years later, in the post-Depression economy, when people and circumstances threaten the unity of the family and her own personal propriety, Maggie Wiggins decides to take matters in her own hands.
The book starts off very well. Right from the first page, you get caught up in young Maggie’s emotional helplessness and can feel the strength of her character. She seems like a strong and determined young woman who knows what she wants and works hard to get it. Unfortunately, this same perseverance makes the book and the character predictable after the Daisy incident. (Not giving details here as it would lead to major spoilers.) While there are still some twists in the story, I felt that the plot became quite unconvincing in the second half, especially with the way some of the characters suddenly started behaving differently just to take the story ahead.
Maggie Wiggins as the lead character is excellent. It was great to see a morally gray character in a historical narrative. Most stories dealing with this time period have the goody-two-shoes leads and hence the stories don’t offer much thrill. But Maggie was a great example of “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. Her morality seemed to be dual-layered: one rule applied for herself and one for the others. For instance, she herself comes from a disgraced family and yet she looks down on another character for “coming from that lowly sharecropper stock.” Studying a character like Maggie would be an interesting experience. If only the other characters were as interesting!
A character-oriented book needs to have strong supporting characters too but this book rests almost entirely on the petite shoulders of Maggie Wiggins. The rest of the cast come and go as per the whims and fancies of the author. This results in many ignored plot holes and incomplete character arcs for quite a few of the secondary players of the narrative. The ending does redeem the book a little bit, but unfortunately for me, I could see it coming many chapters in advance and hence spoiled my enjoyment.
On the positive side, the book gives a great insight into the lives of black people in the racist South without being too clichéd about it. We get an inside perspective into how segregation and segregationist mentality created problems even beyond the official rules of white and black division.
I heard the audiobook of Mrs. Wiggins as narrated by Shari Peele and she did a fabulous job, Her narration brought Mrs. Wiggins to life with her enunciation and accent being spot on.
Thank you, NetGalley and Recorded Books, for the Advanced Audio Review Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I would give the book 3.5 stars, rounding up to 4.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Follow me on Instagram: RoshReviews
The book starts off very well. Right from the first page, you get caught up in young Maggie’s emotional helplessness and can feel the strength of her character. She seems like a strong and determined young woman who knows what she wants and works hard to get it. Unfortunately, this same perseverance makes the book and the character predictable after the Daisy incident. (Not giving details here as it would lead to major spoilers.) While there are still some twists in the story, I felt that the plot became quite unconvincing in the second half, especially with the way some of the characters suddenly started behaving differently just to take the story ahead.
Maggie Wiggins as the lead character is excellent. It was great to see a morally gray character in a historical narrative. Most stories dealing with this time period have the goody-two-shoes leads and hence the stories don’t offer much thrill. But Maggie was a great example of “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. Her morality seemed to be dual-layered: one rule applied for herself and one for the others. For instance, she herself comes from a disgraced family and yet she looks down on another character for “coming from that lowly sharecropper stock.” Studying a character like Maggie would be an interesting experience. If only the other characters were as interesting!
A character-oriented book needs to have strong supporting characters too but this book rests almost entirely on the petite shoulders of Maggie Wiggins. The rest of the cast come and go as per the whims and fancies of the author. This results in many ignored plot holes and incomplete character arcs for quite a few of the secondary players of the narrative. The ending does redeem the book a little bit, but unfortunately for me, I could see it coming many chapters in advance and hence spoiled my enjoyment.
On the positive side, the book gives a great insight into the lives of black people in the racist South without being too clichéd about it. We get an inside perspective into how segregation and segregationist mentality created problems even beyond the official rules of white and black division.
I heard the audiobook of Mrs. Wiggins as narrated by Shari Peele and she did a fabulous job, Her narration brought Mrs. Wiggins to life with her enunciation and accent being spot on.
Thank you, NetGalley and Recorded Books, for the Advanced Audio Review Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I would give the book 3.5 stars, rounding up to 4.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Follow me on Instagram: RoshReviews
June 23, 2021
Seventeen year old Maggie Franklin grew up in Alabama with an alcoholic father and her poor mother was once a prostitute. Hubert Wiggins is a respectable young man, her childhood friend, he works hard and goes to church. His parents are lovely, Leroy his father is a minister and his mother Clarice would make the ideal grandmother. Hubert has prospects, he’s quite the catch and they marry.
Hubert has a secret, one he needs to keep hidden and marrying Maggie is the perfect cover.
In fact Hubert and Maggie seem to be the ideal married couple and when baby Claude comes along they become a happy family. Maggie loves her son, her only child and she adores on him. When Claude falls in love with Daisy Compton, she totally unsuitable and Maggie isn’t happy. She’s never looked forward to having to share her son with another woman and let alone a floozy like Daisy.
Maggie has the perfect job working for the kind and generous Mrs. Dowler, when her employer’s brother moves in with her, Maggie knows he’s going to be a problem and make her life difficult.
Maggie’s a woman who needs to be in control, so when everything starts changing in her relationships with her son, Mrs. Dowler and Hubert and things begin to get out of hand with Maggie's behavior. This is when my interest in the story started to decline along with the books plot and I’m sorry to say I found it all a bit far fetched for me. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and I can only give it three stars. https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
Hubert has a secret, one he needs to keep hidden and marrying Maggie is the perfect cover.
In fact Hubert and Maggie seem to be the ideal married couple and when baby Claude comes along they become a happy family. Maggie loves her son, her only child and she adores on him. When Claude falls in love with Daisy Compton, she totally unsuitable and Maggie isn’t happy. She’s never looked forward to having to share her son with another woman and let alone a floozy like Daisy.
Maggie has the perfect job working for the kind and generous Mrs. Dowler, when her employer’s brother moves in with her, Maggie knows he’s going to be a problem and make her life difficult.
Maggie’s a woman who needs to be in control, so when everything starts changing in her relationships with her son, Mrs. Dowler and Hubert and things begin to get out of hand with Maggie's behavior. This is when my interest in the story started to decline along with the books plot and I’m sorry to say I found it all a bit far fetched for me. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and I can only give it three stars. https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/
May 3, 2021
This was a slow read for me. The plot was predictable and I was not attached to the characters. I've read every book by this author and this is my least favorite
June 17, 2022
Did not enjoy the writing, for lack of a better word, it was ‘elementary’ to me, although the story itself wasn’t bad. I was waiting for the wrong person to reap from what Maggie was doing and wasn’t surprised by who it was. Interesting storyline for the time period it was written in, which helped Maggie get away with her crimes, because there’s no way she could have gotten away with them in this century. I’m annoyed by the writing but I don’t regret reading it, does that make any sense?
April 21, 2025
Wow! This book was good. I usually don’t pick books like this but I’m glad I decided to give it a chance. I declare, the narrator did an amazing job.
July 31, 2021
This book was so good! I loved how Maggie’s quest for retribution against her son’s lover, her rapist, her best friend’s husband and neighbor caused her to ultimately pay for her sins in the final pages of the book. The story is a wild ride from beginning to end - true to Mary Monroe’s collection of southern historical novels. I absolutely loved it and would recommend it to anyone who loves historical dramas with a twist of southern-style revenge 5 stars!
January 8, 2024
10 stars! This is my favorite Mary Monroe book so far. The story took a turn and took off about halfway through. I couldn’t put it down!
September 20, 2021
I don't know what it is about Mary Monroe's writing that pulls me in so. I am not a fan of historical fiction, except Mary Monroe's books. I have tried many and most of the time I just can't get into it no matter how good the synopsis sounds. So, I was glad that this book was on par with the previous stories I've read by her. I had a soft spot in my heart for Hubert and Maggie despite their decisions. I was hoping for a different outcome in the end but I understand the ending. The other characters in the book were so colorful and entertaining. You definitely despised who you were supposed to and were fond of or indifferent towards others. As sweet as Maggie seemed, her actions to "protect" Claude, surprised me. Sometimes, people don't make the best decisions when they feel like their back is up against a wall. But, we don't always have to intervene and take matters into our own hands. I really enjoyed the story, felt bad for a few and others I felt had it coming. Although things like this happen, I am glad this was a work of fiction and I can say I was entertained. Mary Monroe is one of my favorite authors and I always recommend her books, this one included.
March 31, 2023
3.25
I reread this to finish the trilogy.
I liked this more on rereading it.
This is a wild ride and I can't wait to see how this ends.
I reread this to finish the trilogy.
I liked this more on rereading it.
This is a wild ride and I can't wait to see how this ends.
August 30, 2024
It’s been years since I’ve read a book by Ms. Monroe, and I see that nothing has changed. Ms. Monroe is still a great storyteller. I listened to the audiobook and I’m happy to say that a good narrator was selected for the story, and I felt like her voice really matched the character.
Maggie and Hubert are hiding secrets, and you know what they say, when you tell a lie, you have to tell another one to cover the first lie, then another and another. When things begin to snowball and get out of control, Maggie decides to take things in her own hand literally. Maggie loved to play the victim until she really became one.
This book had a lot of crazy twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting but enjoyed the story, nonetheless. I’m kind of nervous to read book 2 🙉🙈🙊.
Maggie and Hubert are hiding secrets, and you know what they say, when you tell a lie, you have to tell another one to cover the first lie, then another and another. When things begin to snowball and get out of control, Maggie decides to take things in her own hand literally. Maggie loved to play the victim until she really became one.
This book had a lot of crazy twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting but enjoyed the story, nonetheless. I’m kind of nervous to read book 2 🙉🙈🙊.
July 30, 2021
I actually found myself avoiding reading because I didn’t want to finish this book lol. There was absolutely no action or connection to the characters for me. From the beginning I didn’t understand Mrs. Wiggins logic or Hubert’s and I kept waiting for something spectacular to happen based on previous reviews I saw but it just never happened.
Mrs. Wiggins justifies her crazy actions as she is doing it for the greater good until karma bites back. Without giving away what happens, it felt very obvious what was going to happen. Just a matter of to who and when.
When I did finally get to the end of this long and drawn out, uneventful story it felt rushed and random. Although I wasn’t mad it was over, I was left saying “this is it, this is how it ends???”
Mrs. Wiggins justifies her crazy actions as she is doing it for the greater good until karma bites back. Without giving away what happens, it felt very obvious what was going to happen. Just a matter of to who and when.
When I did finally get to the end of this long and drawn out, uneventful story it felt rushed and random. Although I wasn’t mad it was over, I was left saying “this is it, this is how it ends???”
May 17, 2021
https://youtu.be/j8DRpQT4a0I
It was difficult giving a spoiler-free review because I have so much to say about this book. I just love Mary Monroe!
It was difficult giving a spoiler-free review because I have so much to say about this book. I just love Mary Monroe!
August 2, 2024
4.25
🎧
The cover of this book is so deceiving 😭
Maggie's mother was a reformed sex worker and her father struggled with alcoholism. Desiring a more respectable life and seeking to escape from a painful past, Maggie found solace in her best friend Hubert, the son of a respected pastor who harbored his own secrets. In 1917, Maggie and Hubert entered into a marriage of understanding. Soon after, Maggie & Hubert decide that it’s time to have a child.
Things really just go downhill from there.
This was a VERY messy read and I was entertained. I enjoyed the pace of the story - the storyline grabbed my attention right away and I could not stop listening. At a certain point towards the end, you kind of start expecting what happens next but it doesn’t make things any less shocking in my opinion.
🎧
The cover of this book is so deceiving 😭
Maggie's mother was a reformed sex worker and her father struggled with alcoholism. Desiring a more respectable life and seeking to escape from a painful past, Maggie found solace in her best friend Hubert, the son of a respected pastor who harbored his own secrets. In 1917, Maggie and Hubert entered into a marriage of understanding. Soon after, Maggie & Hubert decide that it’s time to have a child.
Things really just go downhill from there.
This was a VERY messy read and I was entertained. I enjoyed the pace of the story - the storyline grabbed my attention right away and I could not stop listening. At a certain point towards the end, you kind of start expecting what happens next but it doesn’t make things any less shocking in my opinion.
August 17, 2024
5⭐️ - I had no idea what to expect, but this book completely shook me! The tension and the drama just kept intensifying. I was hooked from start to finish, laughing and screaming the whole way through. MM never disappoints with her writing!
Want to read
February 25, 2021Giveaway Win!
March 11, 2022
You can't just go killin all willy nilly!
January 13, 2022
3 head scratching stars.
Hmmm, this story is what I’d imagine if Tyler Perry were to write an episode of Dexter.
Mary Monroe is a Bay Area treasure, at least she is for me. We live in the same city. And I love seeing her display in our Black bookstores. She has a niche. And I’ve enjoyed that niche before. But this is the first time I’ve seen her stretch and write a psychological thriller. Parts worked and parts didn’t.
I kept reading because she’d drawn it out so long, I needed to know what the twist was. When I got the twist, I said, aloud, ‘For real!?! That’s it!?’ I was a lil disappointed. 😬
This book could have been over 100 pages shorter. There was so much exposition that didn’t lead anywhere, or ultimately enhance the plot or ending. That final scene was so unsatisfactory and a total cop out. This is the second book, in a row, where I felt the authors both said, ‘Whelp! That’s enough! Wrap it up!’ And the story just ends, right there! Done!
Mrs. Wiggins had some interesting points that drew me in and pumped me up just enough to keep reading. It’s an easy, light read; very digestible. I just didn’t believe that the woman Monroe fleshed out to us was capable of what she wrought. I work CLOSELY with mental health patients and Mrs. Wiggins didn’t fit my understanding of someone with mental health issues or a premeditated shit stirrer. Her motives, while explained and seemingly simple, didn’t seem pressing enough for her to enact her plan.
Meh! Not a bad read, but not what I’d call good. Just ok. I feel unsettled and unsatisfied.
Hmmm, this story is what I’d imagine if Tyler Perry were to write an episode of Dexter.
Mary Monroe is a Bay Area treasure, at least she is for me. We live in the same city. And I love seeing her display in our Black bookstores. She has a niche. And I’ve enjoyed that niche before. But this is the first time I’ve seen her stretch and write a psychological thriller. Parts worked and parts didn’t.
I kept reading because she’d drawn it out so long, I needed to know what the twist was. When I got the twist, I said, aloud, ‘For real!?! That’s it!?’ I was a lil disappointed. 😬
This book could have been over 100 pages shorter. There was so much exposition that didn’t lead anywhere, or ultimately enhance the plot or ending. That final scene was so unsatisfactory and a total cop out. This is the second book, in a row, where I felt the authors both said, ‘Whelp! That’s enough! Wrap it up!’ And the story just ends, right there! Done!
Mrs. Wiggins had some interesting points that drew me in and pumped me up just enough to keep reading. It’s an easy, light read; very digestible. I just didn’t believe that the woman Monroe fleshed out to us was capable of what she wrought. I work CLOSELY with mental health patients and Mrs. Wiggins didn’t fit my understanding of someone with mental health issues or a premeditated shit stirrer. Her motives, while explained and seemingly simple, didn’t seem pressing enough for her to enact her plan.
Meh! Not a bad read, but not what I’d call good. Just ok. I feel unsettled and unsatisfied.
June 27, 2022
This is my first audiobook review, and I must say I enjoyed it. I also read the ebook version, so I was really fully immersed in the story. Mrs. Wiggins was narrated by Shari Peele, and she really brought the book to life for me. She has a beautiful, smooth voice with great inflection. Her reading provided the proper tone and texture. The reading deserves 5 out of 5 stars.
Following is my review of the book itself:
Mary Monroe blends impeccable characterization with an intriguing plot for an impressive product. The characters are very well-developed but not entirely likable. The story develops a little slowly, but soon takes off like a rocket. Monroe utilizes the southern Depression-era scenery and lifestyle to her advantage. Mrs. Wiggins is a more than good read; I give it 4 out of 5 stars, deducting one star for the initial pace, and recommend it to fans of historical fiction.
Following is my review of the book itself:
Mary Monroe blends impeccable characterization with an intriguing plot for an impressive product. The characters are very well-developed but not entirely likable. The story develops a little slowly, but soon takes off like a rocket. Monroe utilizes the southern Depression-era scenery and lifestyle to her advantage. Mrs. Wiggins is a more than good read; I give it 4 out of 5 stars, deducting one star for the initial pace, and recommend it to fans of historical fiction.
March 7, 2023
This was a good book. That Mrs. Wiggins was something else. I can't wait to read the next book.
November 7, 2021
Mary Monroe doesn’t miss! This was a great piece of historical fiction. It had me hooked from the first paragraph and left me on the edge of my seat until the very last sentence. My progress update captures how this is another example of Mary Monroe’s excellence:
One of the things to love about Mary Monroe in addition to her content (African American historical fiction-one of my fave) is her pen. Her writing skills are off the hook! Sometimes you feel you are getting annoyed at the length of the description and want to speed it up, but then, if you do, you’ve missed something so now you have to go back anyways( the people who don’t go back abandon prematurely and it truly is their loss). It’s when you do go back, that’s when you experience the power she puts on that pen. Her writing is so livid that you lose yourself and begin to feel, not even like you’re watching it on tv, but like you are actually THERE . Sitting silent in the corner like a child being nosey but also conscious of alerting them to your presence for fear your presence will result in you missing out on some shit. That’s Mary Monroe’s gift to us as a writer and why she, like Beverly Jenkins, stands high upon the historical fiction author’s cannon. She’s been relevant and she’s going to always be relevant!! Her content stands the rest of time and her stylistic impact are grade A and I want her to have all her flowers NOW!!!!
One of the things to love about Mary Monroe in addition to her content (African American historical fiction-one of my fave) is her pen. Her writing skills are off the hook! Sometimes you feel you are getting annoyed at the length of the description and want to speed it up, but then, if you do, you’ve missed something so now you have to go back anyways( the people who don’t go back abandon prematurely and it truly is their loss). It’s when you do go back, that’s when you experience the power she puts on that pen. Her writing is so livid that you lose yourself and begin to feel, not even like you’re watching it on tv, but like you are actually THERE . Sitting silent in the corner like a child being nosey but also conscious of alerting them to your presence for fear your presence will result in you missing out on some shit. That’s Mary Monroe’s gift to us as a writer and why she, like Beverly Jenkins, stands high upon the historical fiction author’s cannon. She’s been relevant and she’s going to always be relevant!! Her content stands the rest of time and her stylistic impact are grade A and I want her to have all her flowers NOW!!!!
April 16, 2021
Mary Monroe has written amazing stories. Her earlier work kept me captivated and years ago, I would not hesitate to buy her books as soon as they were released. I am thankful for all of the wonderful characters and stories that she brought to life. My love of reading kept me occupied during trying times, provided enjoyment and even comfort. Mary Monroe's work played a role in that and I am grateful.
I have not enjoyed Monroe's latest offerings. I have been critical of her last 3-4 books. Rather than continue to read her work and express my disappointment, I decided to stop buying her books. I guess I made that decision after preordering this title, because I was surprised when my Kindle downloaded it.
Mrs. Wiggins is a quick read. True to her writing style, Monroe's characters are unlikeable and their behavior is ridiculous. While Mrs. Wiggins is an entertaining tale, I felt that the story lacked a real plot. As I mentioned, all of the characters are unlikeable, so it is impossible to root for anyone. I could go into the main character's baffling thought process, but it does not matter.
I am still glad that I read it and I am glad that Mary Monroe is still writing. Hopefully, this really is the final book that I will read by her! I don't think this is a good read, but I do think that if you are interested you should give Mrs. Wiggins a try as you may feel differently.
I have not enjoyed Monroe's latest offerings. I have been critical of her last 3-4 books. Rather than continue to read her work and express my disappointment, I decided to stop buying her books. I guess I made that decision after preordering this title, because I was surprised when my Kindle downloaded it.
Mrs. Wiggins is a quick read. True to her writing style, Monroe's characters are unlikeable and their behavior is ridiculous. While Mrs. Wiggins is an entertaining tale, I felt that the story lacked a real plot. As I mentioned, all of the characters are unlikeable, so it is impossible to root for anyone. I could go into the main character's baffling thought process, but it does not matter.
I am still glad that I read it and I am glad that Mary Monroe is still writing. Hopefully, this really is the final book that I will read by her! I don't think this is a good read, but I do think that if you are interested you should give Mrs. Wiggins a try as you may feel differently.
May 25, 2022
3.7 stars.
To be fair it was an okay read, but it could be better. Maggie was a sympathetic figure up to a certain point. I certainly understand the reason why she and Hubert got married, the traumas she suffered and continued to suffer through her life, especially during the era the book is set. My issue with the book is that the characters felt shallow. There was little to no real character development that would allow you to “feel” in depth about them one way or the other. Even the abusive relationship between Claude and Daisy felt off in the sense that it’s such a serious topic, and one done in such a way not often discussed, the female being the abuser, yet, it was also done in passing, which was a disservice to the characters and the plot.
Even Hubert’s secret is not discussed to move the plot along or give him some depth. Given the issue and the age, it would have been nice to see how Hubert dealt with the issue, the emotions, barriers, fears, etc throughout the book before making the decision that ultimately, inadvertently led to the final tragedy. In the end it just appeared his decision came out of nowhere, thus making him selfish etc, and Maggie unable to cope, resorted to murder, again.
In the end, the plot was there, the makings of a 5 star book was there, but it fell flat to me in many aspects.
To be fair it was an okay read, but it could be better. Maggie was a sympathetic figure up to a certain point. I certainly understand the reason why she and Hubert got married, the traumas she suffered and continued to suffer through her life, especially during the era the book is set. My issue with the book is that the characters felt shallow. There was little to no real character development that would allow you to “feel” in depth about them one way or the other. Even the abusive relationship between Claude and Daisy felt off in the sense that it’s such a serious topic, and one done in such a way not often discussed, the female being the abuser, yet, it was also done in passing, which was a disservice to the characters and the plot.
Even Hubert’s secret is not discussed to move the plot along or give him some depth. Given the issue and the age, it would have been nice to see how Hubert dealt with the issue, the emotions, barriers, fears, etc throughout the book before making the decision that ultimately, inadvertently led to the final tragedy. In the end it just appeared his decision came out of nowhere, thus making him selfish etc, and Maggie unable to cope, resorted to murder, again.
In the end, the plot was there, the makings of a 5 star book was there, but it fell flat to me in many aspects.
March 30, 2021
This book needs content warnings for sexual assault and harm/self harm (I don't want to spoil it, so I can't give more specific warnings than that), however Ms. Monroe knows exactly how to spin a tale that is like sitting around the kitchen table listening to ladies gossiping and telling the town's business. Mr & Mrs Wiggins aren't your typical couple, and the way they've constructed their lives is so unconventional, but it works for them. Until it doesn't. And the way the Mrs. works that out? WAYULL you gonna have to read it, but you will never guess.
Fabulous read. My only nit is the abrupt end. I felt as though there was some fatigue with the story and the outcome was just... there. Caveat: I complain about the end of 90% of novels I read.
Fabulous read. My only nit is the abrupt end. I felt as though there was some fatigue with the story and the outcome was just... there. Caveat: I complain about the end of 90% of novels I read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2022
Mrs. Wiggins could be my friend any day! I know some folks who could use a little gumbo.
April 16, 2022
By any means necessary! And watch out for that gumbo! 👀😅
Great story I can’t wait to read the follow up!
Great story I can’t wait to read the follow up!
June 12, 2024
It's such a fun book. A complex woman doing whatever it takes to maintain! She has the sweetest personality but is Gansta on the low. 😆 I love complex characters.
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