Fatal Impulse

Widow's Web #1

by Lori L. Robinett

Andi is married to a handsome, charismatic man. He’s a successful pillar of the community. She is a beautiful young wife devoted to him. From the outside, their life appears perfect.

But on the inside, she is constantly on edge, trying to keep him happy so she won’t suffer scathing words that hurt just as much as the occasional sharp blow from him.

Then she snaps.

In the blink of an eye, she becomes a widow and finds herself inextricably entwined in the web of lies he wove in the months before his death. When a blackmailer threatens to expose her as a murderer, she must piece together her husband’s life to find the key to her own freedom. Fatal Impulse is the first in an intriguing new series, where each widow faces challenges that threaten to destroy her just as she begins to find her strength.

340 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 2014

About the author

I'm a paralegal by day, writer by night. I write mysteries and western romance, with the common thread of strong women. I've been reading for as long as I can remember, and writing nearly that long. I love the joy of escaping into a world of words, where images come to life in my head.

I live in rural Missouri with my hubby of 25+ years. Our hobby farm is maintained solely for the comfort and enjoyment of our Beagle & Snorkie, who allow us to live there.

Reviews

[LittleDeadRedGoddessPersephone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book where I am torn. I liked the book but the ineptitude of the main character got in the way of my complete enjoyment. It was obvious who the bad guy was from the moment they appeared and yet Andi did not have the slightest idea who it was. It really had nothing to do with us knowing something she didn't know, so, you can't use that as an excuse for her inability to see what was obvious. I will read more by this author because I actually liked her style but I can't give this book more than three stars. If Andi had been smarter I would have given this a 5.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a book. Impossible to put down. First time for this writer for me but not the last. Suspense all the way.

[Aleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story poses the question of “What would you do if you were in an abusive relationship?” Abuse comes in all forms, physically and mentally, and the main character suffers from both kinds. Andi comes off as a meek person and is under the shadow of her husband. It takes a rainy day and a flat tire to change her life. But somehow it is not for the better. She steps out of the shadow of her husband only to watch her own shadow in return. The constant feel of mystery is always there. The threat of something evil in the background.

The story had elements of suspense and it kept me guessing throughout the story. Although half way through the book I did figure out the identity of the antagonist. I was rooting for Andi and hoping for a good outcome. She was naïve and even at the end, it still felt like she didn’t grow as a person. If it weren’t for her friend Dana, I don’t think it would have ended well for Andi. I liked the fact that this story held some Albert Hitchcock type themes. I could almost hear the constant suspenseful music in the background and I pictured it in black in white. That was the magic that this story held for me. I wouldn’t say it was an HEA kind of story, even though it didn’t end too bad and Andi solved her own mystery. She didn’t need a man to help her. Which in a way I kind of missed. All in all, Andi pulled through and it was an interesting journey to read about.

The author’s way of writing is well done and flowed easily. The character dialog was entertaining and the secondary characters were well written. I enjoyed this story and was a quick read for me.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

[Mommaleena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful puzzle mystery

Wow! I just finished reading Fatal Impulse by Lori Robinett, I absolutely enjoyed it! I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions and detail of the area around town, the scenic drives, and the like. It made me feel like I was right there, I could imagine each scene as if I were the one experiencing it myself.
Andi's husband Chad physically and mentally abused her, all Andi wanted was to be loved and cherished. Some accused her of killing him. After Chad's death she tried to step out from under his shadow and put the pieces of her life together, she'd take one step forward but something would cause her go two steps back. Something had to give, would Andi be able to stand on her own, or always be living in his shadow being buried in hurt because of the things he had hidden from her?
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*¥* Please be ADVISED before reading this book it may have some valid triggers. So PLEASE if you have a prejudice viewpoint regarding physical abuse that you cannot set aside while reading a fictional story, then please STOP reading and find another book. It would be unreasonable & unfair to the author if you read and then rated their work poorly based on personal feelings instead of the fictional work the author has produced. If you do decide to continue reading, HAPPY READING!
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This is my first book by Lori, but it won't be my last! I enjoy the twists and turns she put into this story. I give it 5 stars!

[Mave · Rating 4 out of 5]

It 's a very attractive and compelling mystery, full of suspense, secrets, tensions, there is an aura of mystery that surrounds the protagonist throughout the novel.
Andi thought she had married the man of her dreams, instead he was a real nightmare. Chad was a successful man and together they formed a wonderful couple. Andi was pretending with all that her marriage was happy but Chad was domineering and arrogant, terrified her and mistreated her constantly, never missed an opportunity to say her ugly words. She couldn't easily get rid of this nightmare, divorce for her family was not contemplated. During a rainy night Andi makes a gesture of exasperation that liberate her forever from her husband. But all the lies she had to tell boomerangs back upon her.
Andi is a naive woman, weak, completely submissive to her husband. When Chad disappears, she must build her life and fight with the feeling of guilt.
The plot is well developed, smooth, a bit predictable. The characters are well developed and quite credible.
A very riveting and enjoyable reading.

[Julia Damatto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing, suspenseful and nerve-wracking, "Fatal Impulse" will have you gripping your seat.

With plenty action and suspense, character development, captivating dialogues, an ensemble of secondary characters, excellent writing and gripping tension, this book is going to keep everyone enthralled.

Highly Recommended for any lover of the genre!!

*I received a Free copy in exchange for an Honest Review*

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

**SPOILER FREE**

A little slow to start, but don't give up easily, this book picks up quickly and nicely! Once you're in the book, you're in the book! There's no turning back. The chairacters...well... You love and hate. The story plot can be a little more than some can handle and should have a warning in reviews. Sensitive subject matter at some points. Other than that, a good read!


*Received for an honest review*

[Barbara L Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect book for a lazy afternoon or sleepless night.

Great characters and smooth dialogue, but enjoyed the imagery most of all. Such an easy read. Can't wait to read the next one.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book but the main character drove me crazy. I really wanted to slap her.
Andi was in what appeared to be the perfect marriage to a successful man. It was all a lie. He was successful but she suspected he was cheating on her and he was a controlling, abusive jerk. One night they had a flat tire and he was his usual hateful self but Andi couldn't take it any more. One good swing of the flashlight and a conveniently placed cliff, and her problems were solved. Or so it appeared.
Andi finds out Chad set things up so she gets nothing except the life insurance, which she can't have until the investigation is over. Then the blackmail starts. Someone wants something they think she has but she doesn't even know what it is!
She meets Paul through work and thinks she has finally found the perfect man. So what if he's married?
Except for Andi coming across as kind of stupid (or incredibly naive), it was a good story. There was a lot going on and I did manage to figure things out before the end but it did take a while.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about a woman who after years of abuse from her husband finally strikes back. Chad, Andi's husband is found on a pile of rocks below their home. While the sheriff isn't convinced that she is not guilty of something, the community gathers around the new widow. But then Chad had a secret that Andi didn't know, but it could destroy her. Will Chad get the "final blow" in on Andi? This is a wonderfully written story with characters you can get behind and cheer for or wonder what were they thinking. I highly recommend it!

[Louise Pledge · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were many good things about this book but many more that weren't! Some things didn't make sense or contradicted each other, for example. Then there was the fact that the struggling widow was either extremely vulnerable and naive or just plain stupid! I kept trying to convince myself that it wasn't the latter but without much success. Overall, I was left with somewhat of a feeling of disgust.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! One of the best books I have ever read! Lots of twists and turns, interesting, complex characters and a story that was unpredictable, entertaining and intense! I could not put this book down! A real page turner and a must must read!

[Joan Barstad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great idea for a book.

Lori Robinette keeps things hopping right to the end.

I'm looking forward to reading more of her work.

[Jill Gooch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Wow.. This was a great book! I just couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Can't wait to read book number two!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story!!

Could hardly put it down! This is definitely an attention keeper. Lori Robinett is an amazing and creative author. Highly recommend her books!

[Melissa Mitravich · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the author and Romance Authors That Rock, in exchange for an honest review. The genre of this book is not romance. I’d call it a drama/mystery. The plot had me curious and piqued my interests. The main character Andi is a broken woman because of her husband Chad and the author takes you on a ride revolving around secrets, lies, and scandal. I didn’t care much for Andi’s character, at least not by the time I made it half way into the book. I felt bad for her, but her naïve demeanor drove me bonkers. For a woman who was conditioned to keep things in perfect order such as alphabetizing canned goods in the pantry, she was constantly oblivious to her surroundings and the people around her. I actually liked her best friend Dana much better. Andi did redeem herself in my eyes by the end of the story though.

The story was well written and well edited. My only critique would be that it was over detailed. Don’t get me wrong, details are important so a reader can use their imagination. It’s what makes reading enjoyable, at least for me it does. But there are many, many, scenes that have every single detail mapped out, therefore inhibiting a reader’s imagination. I like basics so I can build a picture in my mind’s eye. An example of over detailing- one part took up three pages where they were driving and every single direction was given, plus details of what the scenery was- they went left, they turned right, then this way and that way, so on and so on. It was like someone giving you directions to follow. Those three pages could be cut out and have simply said they drove from point A to point B, and it wouldn’t have affected the story in any way. The drive was significant to the story, but the detailed directions were not. The over indulgence of detail was definitely a bit much and made the book drag. For me the beginning was good, the middle was so very slow and actually it took me an effort to push through it, and then the ending picked up. Taking into consideration- the plot, characters, writing, editing- Overall I give this book (4) stars. I’d recommend this book for YA and up. There isn’t any explicit content, but I don’t think young readers would fare well with the emotional content. This is a story of struggle, loss, betrayal, and growth.

[E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5 stars


"Fatal Impulse" by Lori L. Robinett is the first book in the ‘Widow’s Web’ series and follows an abused wife who has to live with her spur-of-the-moment action that both frees her and yet constrains her life even more. The stress of dealing with an investigation into her husband’s death and dealing with multiple threats to her own safety is almost balanced by finding someone who is the opposite of her former husband, but she may not live long enough to truly appreciate her new widow’s status if someone actually follows through on the threats she is receiving.


One can’t help but ache at the situation this woman finds herself in over the course of this contemporary mystery but she is also frustratingly obtuse. The author does a nice job of eliciting sympathy for the newly-minted widow and gives the reader a horrifying view of the hell she has been through but many of the subsequent events are pretty predictable and make one want to shake the poor heroine to get her to wake up. This is a sometimes sad portrait of how pervasive abuse can be, to the extent that a battered person can’t function well professionally or personally, and I was dismayed that one bad decision after another characterized her life. There are a couple of nice twists to the story and I was very surprised by a couple of events at the very end so one should beware that a definite suspension of disbelief will be needed to enjoy this story that reminds us of how quickly life can change because of one impulsive act.


A copy of this title was provided to me for review

[Felita Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the promise of a series that had its foundation around widows as the main characters. There is a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt, “A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong it is until it's in hot water.” So I can see how being in that place in their lives will be a great setting for a story.
I will say that I had a smidgen of trouble reading the opening pages of this novel. Andi’s husband speaks to her so horribly. The next male character you meet is Detective Johnson and he isn’t much more pleasant in dealing with a woman who has just lost her husband. But the writing is done well. I wouldn’t have been getting angry if they didn’t seem real to me.
I don’t give away endings, especially in mysteries. But the blurb implies that others didn’t know what type of man her husband was. As events unfold, maybe Andi didn’t know all there was to know about him either. She has to put pieces of her life together, while piecing the mystery of her husband and his demise into place also. Some parts of this book were frustrating to read. The things folks said to the widow, how her mother treats her, or how Andi didn’t stand up for herself are all a little hard to swallow at times. The pace was good and things do start to unfold once you got past the neighbors bringing food. Step by step, Andi discovers more about her husband and herself.
I was provided a free copy to read in order to write an honest review.

[Patricia Hullett · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book but not as good as it could have been.
The main character seemed a bit off which made the story confusing, in my opinion. To be fair I think the author is a very good writer and I would like to read another book by her. This was a hard one for me to rate as I wanted to rate it higher.

[Raven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saved

Quick enticing read. How are women so dumb manipulated and bound by vows? Why do they stop thinking and taking care of themselves once married? Add an abusive relationship and lies and you have a traditional love/hate who done it. Hope the next book has a stronger female lead.