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The Widow Kiss
Three dead husbands. Three mysterious deaths. One very wealthy widow.
Beatrice Finch has terrible luck with they keep ending up dead. The latest is Alistair Finch, found dead in his study. No struggle, no poison, just instant rigor mortis and a face frozen in shock. Beatrice has now buried three husbands, inheriting fortunes each time.
With Maddie Crow on the case and botanical witch Lily Teake uncovering magical twists at every turn, they must determine whether it's atrociously bad karma or good planning. But the deeper they dig, the more complicated the family dynamics become. There's the resentful stepchild, the desperate nephew, and enough old grudges to fuel a dozen revenge plots.
The investigation leads through elegant estates, family secrets, and a glittering masquerade ball where everyone wears masks—literally and figuratively. As the magical evidence mounts even higher than Detective Ross Hamilton's scepticism, Maddie must untangle the threads of what might be the deadliest curse and the perfect crime.
Because when "till death do us part" happens suspiciously often, it's time to call a curse breaker.
Welcome back to Stratford-upon-Avon, where marriage can be murder and nothing is quite what it seems.
Perfect for fans of cozy paranormal mysteries with British charm and just enough romance to warm the heart with supernatural intrigue, a determined curse-breaker and a sceptical detective who's beginning to question everything he thought he knew about the world.
Beatrice Finch has terrible luck with they keep ending up dead. The latest is Alistair Finch, found dead in his study. No struggle, no poison, just instant rigor mortis and a face frozen in shock. Beatrice has now buried three husbands, inheriting fortunes each time.
With Maddie Crow on the case and botanical witch Lily Teake uncovering magical twists at every turn, they must determine whether it's atrociously bad karma or good planning. But the deeper they dig, the more complicated the family dynamics become. There's the resentful stepchild, the desperate nephew, and enough old grudges to fuel a dozen revenge plots.
The investigation leads through elegant estates, family secrets, and a glittering masquerade ball where everyone wears masks—literally and figuratively. As the magical evidence mounts even higher than Detective Ross Hamilton's scepticism, Maddie must untangle the threads of what might be the deadliest curse and the perfect crime.
Because when "till death do us part" happens suspiciously often, it's time to call a curse breaker.
Welcome back to Stratford-upon-Avon, where marriage can be murder and nothing is quite what it seems.
Perfect for fans of cozy paranormal mysteries with British charm and just enough romance to warm the heart with supernatural intrigue, a determined curse-breaker and a sceptical detective who's beginning to question everything he thought he knew about the world.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 2, 2025
16 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Claire Robyns
37 books120 followersClaire Robyns writes mystery, romance and adventure, because sometimes one life really can have it all (between the pages of a book, at least.)
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 7, 2025
I just don’t like Maddie. She just spends most of her time having no idea about anything and then suddenly it’s like she knows all the answers out of nowhere.
January 23, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 — The Widow Kiss
Another easy, cosy read — I’m really enjoying this paranormal detective series.
What I loved most is the author’s writing style. The descriptions feel fresh and different, which makes the book really enjoyable. The humour sprinkled throughout genuinely made me smile, and I’m liking how the relationships are slowly building across the series.
What started to get a little annoying, though, was when her ex came back. The back-and-forth felt like filler and dragged on longer than necessary. I get that it was meant to deepen our understanding of her background, but it probably could’ve been a chapter or two shorter for me.
Detective Ross… I love him. He’s cute, don’t get me wrong. But come on. After three books, he still doesn’t believe in magic?! Maddie, please — just whip out some intentional magic and call it a day already.
I’d also love to see more depth in Maddie’s relationship with Crooks. More connection, more feeling — it sometimes feels like something’s missing there. And while we’re at it… Crooks, give her the living room already.
All that aside, these are enjoyable, short books that are easy to get lost in, and I’ll definitely be continuing the series.
Another easy, cosy read — I’m really enjoying this paranormal detective series.
What I loved most is the author’s writing style. The descriptions feel fresh and different, which makes the book really enjoyable. The humour sprinkled throughout genuinely made me smile, and I’m liking how the relationships are slowly building across the series.
What started to get a little annoying, though, was when her ex came back. The back-and-forth felt like filler and dragged on longer than necessary. I get that it was meant to deepen our understanding of her background, but it probably could’ve been a chapter or two shorter for me.
Detective Ross… I love him. He’s cute, don’t get me wrong. But come on. After three books, he still doesn’t believe in magic?! Maddie, please — just whip out some intentional magic and call it a day already.
I’d also love to see more depth in Maddie’s relationship with Crooks. More connection, more feeling — it sometimes feels like something’s missing there. And while we’re at it… Crooks, give her the living room already.
All that aside, these are enjoyable, short books that are easy to get lost in, and I’ll definitely be continuing the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2025
Another brilliant book and such an easy read. I love the magical elements in the book, the bookshop, the friends and the detective All make it a beautiful book.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews