What do you think?
Rate this book
Dublin Widow
The BRAND NEW instalment in Stephanie Harte's gripping, gritty Dublin Rogues series Praise for Stephanie
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 30, 2026
113 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Harte
23 books45 followersStephanie Harte was born and raised in North West London.
After leaving school, she trained in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy at London College of Fashion. Stephanie went on to teach beauty workshops at a specialist residential clinic for children with severe eating disorders for ten years. She also previously worked as a Pharmaceutical Buyer for the NHS and an international medical export company.
While taking a break to raise her two children, Stephanie began writing as a hobby. She signed a contract in March 2019 with Head of Zeus. Stephanie wrote seven crime novels for the publisher before signing a contract with Boldwood Books in June 2023. She is currently writing a new series, The Kennedy Twins. The first book, Double Trouble, will be released on 10th April 2024.
After leaving school, she trained in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy at London College of Fashion. Stephanie went on to teach beauty workshops at a specialist residential clinic for children with severe eating disorders for ten years. She also previously worked as a Pharmaceutical Buyer for the NHS and an international medical export company.
While taking a break to raise her two children, Stephanie began writing as a hobby. She signed a contract in March 2019 with Head of Zeus. Stephanie wrote seven crime novels for the publisher before signing a contract with Boldwood Books in June 2023. She is currently writing a new series, The Kennedy Twins. The first book, Double Trouble, will be released on 10th April 2024.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 17, 2026
It seems quite fitting, that I’m leaving this review, on St Patrick’s Day ☘️
It’s ten years since Sean O’Connor was killed, and wife Josie, is trying to carve out a living for herself and her daughter Orla. Not so easy, in a man’s world, but Josie is determined to build a future for them both, though 15 year old Orla, is not making it easy, and fights her mum, all the way. She’s trying to deal with the death of her dad Sean, and feels as though her mum is ignoring her, and instead spending all her time running the “business”.
This is the second book in the Dublin Rogue series, and it was just as good as the first, if not better. The writing is powerful and gritty, and I burned my way through each page. Once again, the ending was perfect and I can’t wait to read the third instalment. These gangland books are my guilty pleasure, and Stephanie Harte is one of the best.
Thanks to Stephanie Harte, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley, for providing me with this free ARC, with which I leave a voluntary review.
5 ⭐️
Available: 30th March 2026
It’s ten years since Sean O’Connor was killed, and wife Josie, is trying to carve out a living for herself and her daughter Orla. Not so easy, in a man’s world, but Josie is determined to build a future for them both, though 15 year old Orla, is not making it easy, and fights her mum, all the way. She’s trying to deal with the death of her dad Sean, and feels as though her mum is ignoring her, and instead spending all her time running the “business”.
This is the second book in the Dublin Rogue series, and it was just as good as the first, if not better. The writing is powerful and gritty, and I burned my way through each page. Once again, the ending was perfect and I can’t wait to read the third instalment. These gangland books are my guilty pleasure, and Stephanie Harte is one of the best.
Thanks to Stephanie Harte, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley, for providing me with this free ARC, with which I leave a voluntary review.
5 ⭐️
Available: 30th March 2026
March 31, 2026
If you were glued to Peaky Blinders, then Stephanie Harte’s latest novel, Dublin Widow, is the book for you.
Josie O’Connor’s life had been turned on its head when her husband Sean had been murdered. The ensuing decade had been tough, but Josie had persevered and managed to build an empire that strikes terror in the hearts of some of the toughest members of the criminal underworld in London. Josie may be feared, but the Dublin Widow knows that she isn’t respected and that her enemies are just waiting for the right time to strike and snatch what she has fought so hard for. Josie, however, refuses to be cowed. She’s never forgotten who murdered Sean – and she has certainly never forgiven them.
Her enemies keep circling around her, but Josie vows to stay strong and not let them win. But there is a chink in her armour: her daughter Orla. The teenager is pushing the envelope, testing boundaries and attracting the wrong kind of attention. With her rivals hiding round every corner and nobody she can trust, the Dublin widow stands to lose everything she cares about. But there’s one thing for sure: she will not give up without a fight!
Stephanie Harte’s Dublin Widow is a first-rate gangland thriller about strong women, high stakes and dangerous alliances that packs plenty of punch. Exciting, enthralling and so enjoyable you will find it hard to put down, Dublin Widow by Stephanie Harte is a brilliant read that is a must-buy for Martina Cole fans.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Josie O’Connor’s life had been turned on its head when her husband Sean had been murdered. The ensuing decade had been tough, but Josie had persevered and managed to build an empire that strikes terror in the hearts of some of the toughest members of the criminal underworld in London. Josie may be feared, but the Dublin Widow knows that she isn’t respected and that her enemies are just waiting for the right time to strike and snatch what she has fought so hard for. Josie, however, refuses to be cowed. She’s never forgotten who murdered Sean – and she has certainly never forgiven them.
Her enemies keep circling around her, but Josie vows to stay strong and not let them win. But there is a chink in her armour: her daughter Orla. The teenager is pushing the envelope, testing boundaries and attracting the wrong kind of attention. With her rivals hiding round every corner and nobody she can trust, the Dublin widow stands to lose everything she cares about. But there’s one thing for sure: she will not give up without a fight!
Stephanie Harte’s Dublin Widow is a first-rate gangland thriller about strong women, high stakes and dangerous alliances that packs plenty of punch. Exciting, enthralling and so enjoyable you will find it hard to put down, Dublin Widow by Stephanie Harte is a brilliant read that is a must-buy for Martina Cole fans.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Dublin Widow by Stephanie Harte is a powerful and gripping follow-up to Dublin Rouge, and it certainly does not disappoint. Josie O’Connor is back — stronger, tougher, and more determined than ever. Trying to carve out her place in a man’s world, she is focused on building her own empire and getting her new club up and running. But success never comes easy, especially in the ruthless world she inhabits. The memory of her husband Sean is never far from her mind.
At the heart of the story is the strained relationship between Josie and her daughter, Orla. Orla is fighting against her mother every way she can. She needs her mum more than ever, yet feels pushed aside as Josie pours everything into securing their future. The stubbornness between mother and daughter is written with such realism — it’s raw, emotional, and completely believable.
This is another well-told, sharp gangland fiction read that keeps the pages turning. The tension builds brilliantly throughout, with twists, danger, and emotional punches that make it impossible to put down. Stephanie Harte really knows how to write characters the reader can fully engage with — flawed, fierce, and unforgettable.
The ending was fantastic — a great build-up to the next book — and it leaves Josie facing even more trouble ahead. I genuinely can’t wait to see what happens next. Superb from start to finish. A gritty, emotional, and utterly gripping read.
At the heart of the story is the strained relationship between Josie and her daughter, Orla. Orla is fighting against her mother every way she can. She needs her mum more than ever, yet feels pushed aside as Josie pours everything into securing their future. The stubbornness between mother and daughter is written with such realism — it’s raw, emotional, and completely believable.
This is another well-told, sharp gangland fiction read that keeps the pages turning. The tension builds brilliantly throughout, with twists, danger, and emotional punches that make it impossible to put down. Stephanie Harte really knows how to write characters the reader can fully engage with — flawed, fierce, and unforgettable.
The ending was fantastic — a great build-up to the next book — and it leaves Josie facing even more trouble ahead. I genuinely can’t wait to see what happens next. Superb from start to finish. A gritty, emotional, and utterly gripping read.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Dublin Rogues #2
A decade after her husband Sean's murder, Josie O'Connor has built his empire into something feared across London's underworld. But respect is still in short supply. To the men circling her, she's a widow keeping the throne warm - and they're impatient to take what Sean left behind. Josie hasn't forgotten the night Sean died - or the man responsible. And she's finally ready to settle the score, no matter how bloody the path becomes. But danger isn't only lurking on the streets. At home, her teenage daughter Orla is slipping out of Josie's grip, testing boundaries and attracting the wrong kind of attention. As Orla rebels, Josie's enemies see their chance to strike where she's most vulnerable.
This is an action-packed and well-written gangland crime book. Men are after Josie O'Connor's territory, but she won't give it up without a fight. Her fifteen-year-old daughter Orla is testing the boundaries. The suspense builds throughout. The characters are well-developed and the pace is fast. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Published 30th March 2026
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #StephanieHarte for my ARC of #DublinWidow in exchange for an honest review.
A decade after her husband Sean's murder, Josie O'Connor has built his empire into something feared across London's underworld. But respect is still in short supply. To the men circling her, she's a widow keeping the throne warm - and they're impatient to take what Sean left behind. Josie hasn't forgotten the night Sean died - or the man responsible. And she's finally ready to settle the score, no matter how bloody the path becomes. But danger isn't only lurking on the streets. At home, her teenage daughter Orla is slipping out of Josie's grip, testing boundaries and attracting the wrong kind of attention. As Orla rebels, Josie's enemies see their chance to strike where she's most vulnerable.
This is an action-packed and well-written gangland crime book. Men are after Josie O'Connor's territory, but she won't give it up without a fight. Her fifteen-year-old daughter Orla is testing the boundaries. The suspense builds throughout. The characters are well-developed and the pace is fast. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Published 30th March 2026
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #StephanieHarte for my ARC of #DublinWidow in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Dublin Widow is the second book of a series and I for one think that the pages turn themselves. The writing is superbly gritty, emotional and hard. Josie O'Connor has to be hard and tough in a man's world and is trying to build a life for herself and her daughter though her daughter doesn't make it easy and fights her all the way. I was enchanted in the gangland world of wars, danger, payback and emotional attachment. The ending is exceptionally good and sets the scenes for the start of the next book which I feel excited for.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Loving the new series.
This is the 2nd book in the O'connor series. After Shawn is murdered, Josie his wife takes over the business, rivals thinks she is a soft touch, but is she? Men do not like taking orders from women but will they? Josie and her daughter Orla are constantly at logger heads but why?
This had so many twists! What is Orla hiding? Why are people trying to stop Josie opening a new nightclub? That belonged to a current rival?......... Brilliant..... can't wait for book 3.......
This is the 2nd book in the O'connor series. After Shawn is murdered, Josie his wife takes over the business, rivals thinks she is a soft touch, but is she? Men do not like taking orders from women but will they? Josie and her daughter Orla are constantly at logger heads but why?
This had so many twists! What is Orla hiding? Why are people trying to stop Josie opening a new nightclub? That belonged to a current rival?......... Brilliant..... can't wait for book 3.......
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews