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The Other Widow
An absolutely addictive and completely gripping psychological thriller
Our husbands died. Our husbands lied. Can I trust her?
I lost my husband Wayne last night. He was in a car crash—and worse, Trevor Malone was the other victim. Everyone knows Trevor, and his rich, beautiful wife Josephine. I cannot understand what Wayne was doing on that slick, dark country road…
Then, when Wayne’s things are returned to me, instead of a sweat-stained T-shirt my fingers touch buttery-soft fabric—Trevor’s Giorgio Armani suit. There’s a note in the pocket that causes cold fear to close around my heart… I need to know the truth.
When I return it to the other widow, she practically snatches the bag off me, a fake smile frozen in place.
I make myself at home on her soft leather couch, dabbing my red-rimmed eyes with a tissue. I silently congratulate myself on my performance.
I hated my husband. I’m not making friends with Josephine because of our shared trauma. And now that I’m in her house I’m not going anywhere.
She thinks she’s living a nightmare now, but it’s only just beginning…
A completely gripping listen that will have you staying up late into the night. Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Jeneva Rose and Lisa Jewell.
Our husbands died. Our husbands lied. Can I trust her?
I lost my husband Wayne last night. He was in a car crash—and worse, Trevor Malone was the other victim. Everyone knows Trevor, and his rich, beautiful wife Josephine. I cannot understand what Wayne was doing on that slick, dark country road…
Then, when Wayne’s things are returned to me, instead of a sweat-stained T-shirt my fingers touch buttery-soft fabric—Trevor’s Giorgio Armani suit. There’s a note in the pocket that causes cold fear to close around my heart… I need to know the truth.
When I return it to the other widow, she practically snatches the bag off me, a fake smile frozen in place.
I make myself at home on her soft leather couch, dabbing my red-rimmed eyes with a tissue. I silently congratulate myself on my performance.
I hated my husband. I’m not making friends with Josephine because of our shared trauma. And now that I’m in her house I’m not going anywhere.
She thinks she’s living a nightmare now, but it’s only just beginning…
A completely gripping listen that will have you staying up late into the night. Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, Jeneva Rose and Lisa Jewell.
398 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 9, 2026
About the author
LynDee Walker
50 books716 followersLynDee Walker writes about strong women who can’t seem to stay out of trouble. Her books have appeared on finalist lists for the Agatha and International Thriller awards—and once, on the weekly Amazon Charts US national bestsellers list smack in between two of her writing heroes.
LynDee is a member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime. Before she started writing fiction, LynDee was an award-winning journalist who covered everything from ribbon cuttings and high school football to capital murder trials and high level police corruption. Her work has appeared in newspapers and magazines across the United States. She has written more than 20 novels and feels lucky every day to get to play with her imaginary friends for a living.
LynDee's favorite things are family, hydrangeas, porches, beaches, and books. She lives in Richmond, Virginia, where she is working on her next novel when she's not juggling laundry, children's sports schedules, and two very happily spoiled rescue dogs.
LynDee is a member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime. Before she started writing fiction, LynDee was an award-winning journalist who covered everything from ribbon cuttings and high school football to capital murder trials and high level police corruption. Her work has appeared in newspapers and magazines across the United States. She has written more than 20 novels and feels lucky every day to get to play with her imaginary friends for a living.
LynDee's favorite things are family, hydrangeas, porches, beaches, and books. She lives in Richmond, Virginia, where she is working on her next novel when she's not juggling laundry, children's sports schedules, and two very happily spoiled rescue dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews
August 12, 2026
Everything is bigger in Texas. Even widowhood.
4.5 stars rounded up.
When future oil heiress Josephine Malone and struggling hotel maid Shelby Harris suddenly find themselves widowed by the same car accident, an unlikely friendship develops between two women who seemingly have very little in common. But soon enough, both begin to realize that their marriages may have been built on far more secrets than they ever imagined.
With two unreliable narrators, plenty of intrigue, and more than a few twists, this novel was anything but a car crash. I always really enjoy LynDee Walker's books, and The Other Widow was no exception. While the pacing was a little slower than in some of her other novels and the overall length exceeded what was necessary, the alternating perspectives and steadily unfolding revelations kept me flying through this thriller.
Twisted and thoroughly entertaining, The Other Widow delivered exactly the kind of deliciously deceptive thriller I was hoping for. In addition to the wholly original plot idea, I really liked the three-part structure used to gradually reveal what really happened, and the dueling perspectives, vast secrets, and numerous twists kept me turning pages. And that ending? I have a feeling we'll be arguing about that one.
Many thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"The Other Widow" was published on July 9, 2026, and is available now.
4.5 stars rounded up.
When future oil heiress Josephine Malone and struggling hotel maid Shelby Harris suddenly find themselves widowed by the same car accident, an unlikely friendship develops between two women who seemingly have very little in common. But soon enough, both begin to realize that their marriages may have been built on far more secrets than they ever imagined.
With two unreliable narrators, plenty of intrigue, and more than a few twists, this novel was anything but a car crash. I always really enjoy LynDee Walker's books, and The Other Widow was no exception. While the pacing was a little slower than in some of her other novels and the overall length exceeded what was necessary, the alternating perspectives and steadily unfolding revelations kept me flying through this thriller.
Twisted and thoroughly entertaining, The Other Widow delivered exactly the kind of deliciously deceptive thriller I was hoping for. In addition to the wholly original plot idea, I really liked the three-part structure used to gradually reveal what really happened, and the dueling perspectives, vast secrets, and numerous twists kept me turning pages. And that ending? I have a feeling we'll be arguing about that one.
Many thanks to Bookouture for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"The Other Widow" was published on July 9, 2026, and is available now.
September 10, 2026
this was really bad
July 11, 2026
The other widow is a story about two women who couldn't be more different that are bound by tragedy. Josephine Malone is wealthy and Shelby Harris isn't. Josephine is a bit of a socialite while Shelby is a maid, after loosing both of their husbands in the same accident they form a friendship.
The story is told from dual perspectives and it doesn't take long for the twists and turns to start. The story is addictive and easy to read. It has just the right amount of suspense and secrets to keep you interested.
If you enjoy unreliable narrators, plot twists, secrets and strong female leads then I definitely recommend this book. I think this author would be well received by people who enjoy reading books from Mcfadden and Jewell.
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
The story is told from dual perspectives and it doesn't take long for the twists and turns to start. The story is addictive and easy to read. It has just the right amount of suspense and secrets to keep you interested.
If you enjoy unreliable narrators, plot twists, secrets and strong female leads then I definitely recommend this book. I think this author would be well received by people who enjoy reading books from Mcfadden and Jewell.
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
May 12, 2026
The Other Widow
By: LynDee Walker
Pub Date: July 9, 2026
Publisher: Bookouture
Two men die in a crash. Now she is a widow. Wayne has died and when she receives his items from the crash there is a note in his suit pocket.
Problem is the suit is not her husbands, but the driver. The Ominous. What did the note say that is freaking her out?
Get ready for secrets, twists, betrayal and more. A fun one
By: LynDee Walker
Pub Date: July 9, 2026
Publisher: Bookouture
Two men die in a crash. Now she is a widow. Wayne has died and when she receives his items from the crash there is a note in his suit pocket.
Problem is the suit is not her husbands, but the driver. The Ominous. What did the note say that is freaking her out?
Get ready for secrets, twists, betrayal and more. A fun one
Did Not Finish
September 16, 2026DNF at 18%. I simply could not bring myself to care 🤷♀️
August 23, 2026
A waste of time ….
May 15, 2026
This book’s synopsis is quite vague, and as I was reading the book and thinking about how I’d review it, I understood why! This story is of two women, Shelby and Josephine, who come together in the most unlikely of ways. Their husbands were in a car accident and neither of them made it out alive. At the hospital, when the wives were given their husbands’ belongings, the bags were switched. Shelby ended up with Josephine’s husband’s Armani suit, and Josephine ends up with Shelby’s husbands ragged work clothes.
Eventually the two women meet to exchange the bags, and then an unexpected friendship is born. Shelby is a working class woman with no kids, her husband was a jerk, and they live on the “poor” side of town. Josephine’s family is very rich, relatively famous, and she has two teenage sons. When you come down to it though, these are both women who just lost their husbands and needed each other’s support.
Then everything you think you know flips as this book takes you into a second and third part. The first part is in the present, the second part is six weeks before the accident, and the final part is six months in the future. You start off thinking this is a regular story of loss, but it soon becomes an exciting thriller. In hindsight, I can see how I should have figured out the ending, but I didn’t even come close. This is a really good book about friendship, motherhood…and revenge. Four stars!
(Thank you to Bookouture for inviting me on this book’s tour. “The Other Widow” will be released on July 9, 2026.)
Eventually the two women meet to exchange the bags, and then an unexpected friendship is born. Shelby is a working class woman with no kids, her husband was a jerk, and they live on the “poor” side of town. Josephine’s family is very rich, relatively famous, and she has two teenage sons. When you come down to it though, these are both women who just lost their husbands and needed each other’s support.
Then everything you think you know flips as this book takes you into a second and third part. The first part is in the present, the second part is six weeks before the accident, and the final part is six months in the future. You start off thinking this is a regular story of loss, but it soon becomes an exciting thriller. In hindsight, I can see how I should have figured out the ending, but I didn’t even come close. This is a really good book about friendship, motherhood…and revenge. Four stars!
(Thank you to Bookouture for inviting me on this book’s tour. “The Other Widow” will be released on July 9, 2026.)
September 16, 2026
Not sure what the hype was about this.
July 14, 2026
3.5 stars
The Other Widow is an interesting psychological thriller. It is well written and the premise is engaging. It is told from dual POVs so you hear from both women who lost husbands in a car crash. The story is told in multiple timelines - the time of the accident, 6 weeks before, then 6 months after.
The story keeps you guessing. My only issue with this is that it was way too long. That unnecessary length made it feel repetitive and draggy in parts. If it had been shorter it would definitely have been more tension filled in parts.
I saw some reviewers bothered by the ending but I didn’t have that issue 🤷🏽♀️. Overall, this is a solid thriller and fans of the genre will enjoy it.
The Other Widow is an interesting psychological thriller. It is well written and the premise is engaging. It is told from dual POVs so you hear from both women who lost husbands in a car crash. The story is told in multiple timelines - the time of the accident, 6 weeks before, then 6 months after.
The story keeps you guessing. My only issue with this is that it was way too long. That unnecessary length made it feel repetitive and draggy in parts. If it had been shorter it would definitely have been more tension filled in parts.
I saw some reviewers bothered by the ending but I didn’t have that issue 🤷🏽♀️. Overall, this is a solid thriller and fans of the genre will enjoy it.
August 31, 2026
Good Lord. What did I just read?! So much promise with a seriously good idea, but as the book dragged on ( I mean continued on) it got worse and worse. There was so much going on that nothing meant much. I concede the last twist was jaw dropping, but the “my boys” was sickening in the end, and what just happened? Like 4 intertwined plot twists that don’t make much sense because they were never really fully developed. A half hour left and I was seriously wondering how it would wrap up. Would have loved to see one plot with one (or two) delicious twists. Took me an extra three days to read it stunk so bad. 👎🏻
August 25, 2026
Brilliant book
August 31, 2026
This was a psychological thriller about 2 widows. It was a page turner that surprised me in the end!
October 24, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
I thought it was a decent thriller, but it was drawn out far too long
The twist at the end was pretty surprising, but I’m glad that the boys have Shelby
I thought it was a decent thriller, but it was drawn out far too long
The twist at the end was pretty surprising, but I’m glad that the boys have Shelby
October 20, 2026
I was so hooked on this book all the way through, and I love Josephine’s sons, Bowie and Crockett. loved the writing style. It was the ending that just didn’t sit comfortable with me. It’s not a cliffhanger or anything like that. It’s not open-ended, but it wasn’t what I wanted.
Did Not Finish
October 14, 2026not interested enough to finish 🤷🏻♀️
July 14, 2026
Okay LynDee Walker... who gave you permission to absolutely wreck my detective skills like this?
Let's start with the characters because Shelby and Josephine completely stole the show. One is a maid trying to make ends meet, the other is a wealthy socialite living a life most people only see on Instagram. Their husbands die in the same car accident, and suddenly these two women from opposite ends of the financial spectrum are forced into the same orbit. The contrast between their lives was fascinating, and I loved watching their stories unfold.
This book isn't just a mystery—it's a reminder that money can buy a lot of things, but it certainly can't protect you from secrets, grief, or the consequences of bad decisions. More than once I found myself questioning people's motives and thinking, "Well... maybe my life choices aren't looking too bad after all."
The pacing was chef's kiss. Every time I thought I had the mystery neatly wrapped up with a bow, LynDee Walker casually snatched it out of my hands and said, "Try again." I happily accepted defeat because I was wrong... repeatedly.
And can we talk about that ending? WITHOUT actually talking about it because spoilers are rude. Let's just say my eyebrows shot into my hairline, I stared into space for a solid minute, and immediately wanted to discuss it with someone. I genuinely did not see it coming, and that's becoming harder and harder to say with psychological thrillers these days.
The writing pulled me in from the very beginning, the characters felt layered and believable, and the mystery never lost momentum. Every chapter gave me another reason to say, "Okay, just one more," until suddenly it was way past my bedtime.
Final Verdict
If you love thrillers that pair unforgettable characters with a fresh, original premise and enough twists to make your head spin, The Other Widow needs to move to the top of your TBR immediately. This has earned a spot among my favorite reads of 2026, and that shiny 5-star rating was never in doubt. Come for the mystery, stay for the emotional punches, and prepare to have your theories completely humbled. LynDee Walker absolutely knocked this one out of the park. 👏📚
Let's start with the characters because Shelby and Josephine completely stole the show. One is a maid trying to make ends meet, the other is a wealthy socialite living a life most people only see on Instagram. Their husbands die in the same car accident, and suddenly these two women from opposite ends of the financial spectrum are forced into the same orbit. The contrast between their lives was fascinating, and I loved watching their stories unfold.
This book isn't just a mystery—it's a reminder that money can buy a lot of things, but it certainly can't protect you from secrets, grief, or the consequences of bad decisions. More than once I found myself questioning people's motives and thinking, "Well... maybe my life choices aren't looking too bad after all."
The pacing was chef's kiss. Every time I thought I had the mystery neatly wrapped up with a bow, LynDee Walker casually snatched it out of my hands and said, "Try again." I happily accepted defeat because I was wrong... repeatedly.
And can we talk about that ending? WITHOUT actually talking about it because spoilers are rude. Let's just say my eyebrows shot into my hairline, I stared into space for a solid minute, and immediately wanted to discuss it with someone. I genuinely did not see it coming, and that's becoming harder and harder to say with psychological thrillers these days.
The writing pulled me in from the very beginning, the characters felt layered and believable, and the mystery never lost momentum. Every chapter gave me another reason to say, "Okay, just one more," until suddenly it was way past my bedtime.
Final Verdict
If you love thrillers that pair unforgettable characters with a fresh, original premise and enough twists to make your head spin, The Other Widow needs to move to the top of your TBR immediately. This has earned a spot among my favorite reads of 2026, and that shiny 5-star rating was never in doubt. Come for the mystery, stay for the emotional punches, and prepare to have your theories completely humbled. LynDee Walker absolutely knocked this one out of the park. 👏📚
August 30, 2026
This book will have you guessing all the way through. Great lead female characters with totally different backgrounds but so many secrets. A brilliant read.
August 30, 2026
This was middle of the road for me. If you don’t mind unbelievable twists you’ll probably really like it.
July 11, 2026
Two women from vastly different backgrounds form an unlikely friendship when they meet after their husbands die In the same car accident. Their story unfolds and the secrets they’re each hiding are slowly revealed through alternating points of view. This story is filled with the kind of twists that make you question who you can really trust and keeps you wondering how far each woman is willing to go to get what they want. An entertaining thriller!
November 5, 2026
The beginning was really hard for me to get into but the ending was good and shocking.
June 26, 2026
What a wild ride this book was! Between the first pages and the end of the book my perception of the characters and their intentions changed completely. There are plenty of twists to keep you guessing and turning those pages. I’ve read a lot of books about rich people behaving badly recently and this was a unique take on the trope because sometimes not everything is what it seems and things aren’t always black and white. This is a fast paced read that will keeping you turning those pages until the very end, which I definitely don’t see coming!
August 31, 2026
Really a true 3.5 and if I had been able to read it in a shorter span, I probably would’ve given it a 4 but days off created a lull. Some details made it more confusing rather than adding to the plot and I REALLY felt like name wise, Josephine and Wayne / Shelby and Trevor would’ve made more sense, not sure why I couldn’t get past that!
July 12, 2026
The other widow is a story of two women from totally different backgrounds who become connected when their husbands die in the same car wreck
I was totally hooked. I read this in a little over a day.
There so many twists and turns I couldn’t put this book down.
The ending came as a total surprise.
I highly recommend for Freida McFadden fans
Thank you #Bookouture and #NetGalley for the ARC
I was totally hooked. I read this in a little over a day.
There so many twists and turns I couldn’t put this book down.
The ending came as a total surprise.
I highly recommend for Freida McFadden fans
Thank you #Bookouture and #NetGalley for the ARC
September 11, 2026
I like when books move fast. This was a fast-paced thriller. Not a lot of depth, so it is an easy read.
September 21, 2026
This one’s a DNF for me. The storyline and the back-and-forth writing style just weren’t for me, especially with all the jumping between specific dates. I felt like I had to keep checking the dates and concentrating on the timeline instead of just getting lost in the story.
May 29, 2026
I flew right through this one! It's a fast paced popcorn thriller that you will not be able to put down.
This is only my second book by this author and I now want to go back and read all of her books!
The theme of this one is secrets, lies and unhinged twists. I'm here for it all!
Thank you NetGalley for this advanced reader copy!
This is only my second book by this author and I now want to go back and read all of her books!
The theme of this one is secrets, lies and unhinged twists. I'm here for it all!
Thank you NetGalley for this advanced reader copy!
August 24, 2026
not great
I hated the ending. There were so many great reviews. I had such high hopes. Lots of things were not tied up. Some things did not make sense to me.
Spoiler:
Why did the men change clothes? How much could Trevor actually been making from Wayne by sending him rich clients? The relationship with her parents was so weird. What was the purpose of her mom dying?
I hated the ending. There were so many great reviews. I had such high hopes. Lots of things were not tied up. Some things did not make sense to me.
Spoiler:
Why did the men change clothes? How much could Trevor actually been making from Wayne by sending him rich clients? The relationship with her parents was so weird. What was the purpose of her mom dying?
August 23, 2026
When the author has to spend the last chapter explaining what happened—it deserves no stars. I hate that.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Other Widow by Lynn D Walker, Shelby is a cleaning lady at a local hotel and is barely making it but when she learns her husband was killed in a car crash all she can feel is relief. there was another passenger in the car a man who also died in his widow Josephine isn’t taking the news so lightly. Her and her husband share two sons but she don’t know whether to be devastated or not. unlike Shelby Josephine has grown up in the lap of luxury and upon getting married just moved a little ways down the street. The two women become fast friends she even hires Shelby as a nanny/maid for the two boys Shelby is loving this she grew up in foster care after her parents died and she’s never had a real family in this family in this nice safe mansion is the first time she’s ever felt like part of the family. it seems the further they get away from the night of the crash the more secrets are uncovered not only were their husbands double dealing but someone else is double dealing triple dealing and in some cases quadruple dealing I mean this person‘s loyalty is to no one except their self and I mean they are a real piece of work. It isn’t long before Josephine gets arrested for attempted murder of her husband because they knew the crash was caused by the brake lines having holes punctured in them. OK I’m a stop the pretense that I can do justice to this book that is oh so so extremely long… 439 pages long but one of those books you don’t realize it until it’s over, because it is so good. there is so much I didn’t put in this review like over $1 million that is owed to a gangster Justine‘s decades of secret her dysfunctional parents her sons beloved yet dead first love there’s just so much in this book and it’s all so worth reading until you get to the end. when the end started I was like OK well maybe there’s another chapter and it’s not gonna end like I think it’s going to end but oh no it ended just like that exactly like I didn’t want to. There are so many opinions I have about the end of this book but I cannot say anything because it would give spoilers and I cannot stand when people do that just know if you have read the end in the book and it’s entirety you know exactly what I’m talking about a lot of a rating when I give ratings has to do with the end because how do you come away from the book feeling and I despite this being so compulsive so good left the book really just pissed off but I digress it is still worth reading I don’t think I will read it again but I would definitely recommend it I really for real fans like myself because I love her books wish she would come out with an alternative ending because that was such a disappointment I would’ve given this book 5 glowing stars if not for that letdown of an ending. Since that is my own personal opinion I still recommend this book. because this one is a doozy! #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,
Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews