You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

One of the group reads for July is The Widows’ Guide to Murder by Amanda Ashby. Please discuss the book in this thread.

Kristie will be leading the discussion.

In order to receive a badge you must:
1. have read the book before or during July 2025.
2. discussed it in this thread. Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favorite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc. You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in this thread. Please refer to our group spoiler policy for further information.
3. Report that you have read AND discussed the book in the reporting thread (include a brief summary of what you thought of the book).

A note on discussion: Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favorite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc.

In addition to this, the group reads are meant to be a "read along" so it is preferable that you discuss the book as you read rather than wait until you've finished the book.

And finally, discussion is not about just listing your thoughts. Please interact with the other group members, comment on their thoughts, and if they comment on yours, respond to them. This is what makes a good book discussion!

You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in this thread.

Please refer to our group spoiler policy for further information.

General Rules:
1. Please mark your spoilers with the spoiler tags along with mentioning what stage of the book you are at so other's don't get a nasty shock. Chapter numbers/titles are generally best as they are the same across all formats and editions. See our spoiler policy
2. The book may be combined with the Year Long Challenge, Topplers, and Monthly Challenges.

Happy reading!

I'm looking forward to this one. I tend to enjoy stories with older protagonists and I'm hoping this is a fun one. I'm going to try to start tomorrow, but I need to finish my current book first, so I may end up having to start on the 2nd.

I'll start this one as as soon as I finish my current book.

I’ve started reading the book. I’m totally with you, Kristie, I also enjoy books with elderly protagonists. I loved The Thursday Murder Club as the characters were so quirky but lovely at the same time.

I was able to start tonight, but only got through chapter 2. So far, I'm enjoying it and it seems like it will be a fun read. Just meeting all the characters now, but they are quirky and I already love the black cat. lol

Based on your comment and the introductions to the characters, I think you may enjoy this one too, Alexandra.

I absolutely do.
I almost finished chapter 2 (listening to the audio).
(view spoiler)[Ginny just met the three widows at the grocery store as she was buying food for the cat. I love their definition of friendship: „real friends don’t let you walk down the street in your pyjamas“ (hide spoiler)]

Alexandra wrote: "I absolutely do.
I almost finished chapter 2 (listening to the audio).
[spoilers removed]"

Unless you want to. lol

I'm through chapter 12. I like the way the characters are being introduced. (view spoiler)[ You get the background on a character, then meet them, then learn about someone else. It doesn't feel like a big info drop. I think having the main character being new to town and having the other characters have to explain who is who to her is a good way to also give us the information.

As usual, you can not take any of this too seriously. The characters are bigger than life and say things they would never say to a stranger, but it's been fun watching Ginny investigate. She's very smart and I like her character a lot.
(hide spoiler)]

I'm really enjoying this one so far.

I just started the book and it appears to be a quick and easy read. I am also enjoying meeting the characters and can't wait for a little action.

I’m halfway into chapter 6. I really like the audio.
(view spoiler)[I love how the cat got his new name. „Poe“ also would have been nice.
To me it seems Harold is kind of strange and that we will hear more from him. (hide spoiler)]

I really like the cat, Alexandra. (view spoiler)[ It was cute that he helped to pick his name. lol (hide spoiler)]

I have a long haul flight tomorrow and plan on listening to this one. It sounds like a good one for traveling.

Oh! There's a likeable cat! Sign me up.

I think it will easy to listen to in a long session, Marnie. I'll be interested to see your thoughts.

Yes, Janice, the cat is quite a character. lol He has a funny personality.

I've had a bit going on at my house, so haven't been able to read much the last couple of days. I'm looking forward to getting back into this one though. Hopefully tomorrow.

I'm up to chapter 10 and Ginny (view spoiler)[ has met the 3 widows and is in the thick of it in her new little town. They are a lot of fun and are fearless. They are my role models. There are several interesting side characters - not sure what to make of Harold - what is he doing in the back offices? Bernard is easily hateable, but I think he is to obvious of a suspect.
The one character I'm having problems with is Alyson - she needs to grow a spin and get over her ex. - something isn't right there.

There are a lot of characters, but I think they are going to be key to other books in the series. (hide spoiler)]

I may finish this today since my plan is to float in the pool and read today. I love the cat and agree Alexandra (view spoiler)[ his name should have been Poe. (hide spoiler)]

Kristie wrote: "I'm through chapter 12. I like the way the characters are being introduced. You get the background on a character, then meet them, then learn about someone else. It doesn't feel like a big info dr..."

I like Ginny too. (view spoiler)[ She seems to have the right response to all the craziness swirling around her. The story is over the top, but there is a lot of heart in the characters which makes this a fun read (hide spoiler)]

Well I just found my knitting project for the upcoming fall/winter months. When Hen mentioned she was knitting bird nests for charity I had to look it up on Google and apparently it is a thing. Wildlife rehabilitation organizations and the SPCA use these nests to provide baby birds and baby animals a safe and cozy place to grow and heal. I checked and our local SPCA does take knitted bird nests. Now I have a project that I can use my extra yarn and help little critters.

Oh, that's wonderful, Jayme! I didn't know that's a real thing. That's a fun charity project.

re your spoilers: (view spoiler)[ I also think Alyson needs to get a grip. It makes me want to suspect her, but maybe that's why the author did it? Or just to keep her out of the investigating because she's so fragile? I don't know, but she's annoying.

I love the three widows. They're so feisty. I was surprised that Ginny agreed to do something illegal so readily, but she seems like a real people pleaser and I think they're going to end up being really good friends.

I thought the cat was going to go with Raven. I like that name, but I guess it makes sense the cat would not like it. It's kind of cliche being named something black and what cat would want to be named after a bird. lol I think he chose a more dignified name for a cat.
(hide spoiler)]

Also, floating in the pool & reading sounds like a great way to spend your day. Enjoy! I have a fun day planned with my husband and grandson. I'm going to try to read around it. I could definitely use a lazy day too. I think I'll try to set up my hammock this summer. It's nice when the weather starts to cool off a bit.

Oh wow, Jayme, I am totally with Kristie: floating in the pool AND reading just sounds heavenly!
Also the bird nest knitting project sounds great. I’m definitely not a skilled knitter but it sounds to be easy enough. I’ll look it up…

(view spoiler)[I am suspecting Alyson as well at this point. Don’t you say „if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck it’s probably a duck“? I am a little bit surprised of how unblinkingly the widows want to destroy possible evidence by getting hold of this letter. (hide spoiler)]

Kristie wrote: "Oh, that's wonderful, Jayme! I didn't know that's a real thing. That's a fun charity project.

I hope you have a fun day with your husband and grandson! It must be nice when you can return them to their parents ;-). I’m looking forward to that..,

That is. a great charity idea, Jayme!

That's interesting. I'll have to put a bug in my friend's ear. See if I can tempt her as retaliation for tempting me into my crochet challenge. *evil laugh*

Finished chapter 18
(view spoiler)[ Ok now they are just being silly digging up Tom's grave in the cometary. That was over the top and I can't believe that Ginny just went along with it "Hey, I'm new in town. This is a novel Saturday night social event. Bonding over a grave is the new happy hour." I still like the characters and the story though just pressing the "I believe" button.
My theory that it was Harold just busted now that he was found trapped in the fire library. On to theory 2. (hide spoiler)]

Finished the book and well (view spoiler)[ I was totally wrong on who the killer was. I thought it was funny how the author kept referring to Rita's strength because she lifted beer kegs (I kind of wanted to see her biceps - they must have been huge). (hide spoiler)]
Anyway this was a fun, no-brainer read which is just what I needed on this relaxing 4th of July weekend. I did pick up the second book, so it will be fun to see what the widow's get into next.

I'm through ch 16 now. Hoping to finish today and be able to read your last couple of spoilers, Jayme.

Alexandra wrote: "Oh wow, Jayme, I am totally with Kristie: floating in the pool AND reading just sounds heavenly!
Also the bird nest knitting project sounds great. I’m definitely not a skilled knitter but it sound..."

through ch 16. (view spoiler)[ I didn't ever really suspect Alyson; I just wanted to. lol I still find her ridiculous. The woman can barely function.

I have been suspecting Harold (the library manager) for a while now. I was thinking maybe he just wanted back into the library position, but now they have additional murders and he has a bigger motive with the land deal. I'm still thinking it could be him. He's been looking for something and it's likely the documents for the donation of the land. (hide spoiler)]

I’ve also finished the book. It was a nice and light read.

(view spoiler)[I was also suspecting Harold for a long time and I am sure that he and his husband will appear again in the sequel. I never suspected Rita and found it a bit farfetched from her description of the cancer-struck, weak, grieving mother to the strong, beer-cases-lifting person. (hide spoiler)]

I also finished. (view spoiler)[ I wasn't sure if it was too early to be focusing on Harold when the story started to lean towards him. You never know with cozies, often they are quite straight forward. Once we realized it wasn't him I thought it must be Marigold, since she was my second guess. That was immediately cleared up. lol Then I didn't know who it was.

I was disappointed when they decided it was the handyman (I forgot his name already! Mitchell, I think? Something like that.) and then glad when it turned out to not be him. I did not suspect Rita at all.

Of course, you have to suspend your disbelief quite a bit with this one, but it was also fun. I really enjoyed the ladies.

Also, there were a lot more murders in this one than I expected! It was really a serial killer cozy.
(hide spoiler)]

Kristie wrote: ". Once we r..."

I think you created a new genre (view spoiler)[serial killer cozies! (hide spoiler)]

lol, Jayme! It certainly fits. :)

I just started this book and am finding it a delightful read.(view spoiler)[ Ginny has just discovered Louisa dead in her office. I have also enjoyed meeting the cat and quirky characters.

We have had a very busy month of entertaining and such and I am not quite recovered from June which was a sick month for me. So, today will be a lazy day of reading and resting. It looks like this book might fit the bill and being a quick read, I might go ahead and read it all. (hide spoiler)]

Enjoy your quiet day reading, Sharon.

A lazy day sounds awesome to me, Sharon. :)

A lazy day was just what I needed, thanks! I have finished the book. (view spoiler)[ I enjoyed this little book. The ladies in the cemetery made me laugh out loud…caskets, dirt and egg salad sandwiches. I enjoyed the characters very much and decided I wouldn’t mind living in such a quaint place. The mystery was “light” although there were a good many victims. It was a nice way to pass the day. (hide spoiler)]

Glad you enjoyed it, Sharon. I also really enjoyed the characters. I think I'll end up reading the second book at some point.

I finally started this one and am through chapter four. I think the author’s description of new widowhood to be very emotional. Ginny talking to her husband, telling him about her day and wondering what advice he would give her. It hits me in the feels.

Now I’m ready for some over the top fun.

I'm through ch 6. I really like the book so far. Ginny is a fun character, and I love the cat (I love when cozies have a cat). (view spoiler)[I'm glad we don't have to deal with Louisa through the whole book, although it seems like Bernard is going to be just as annoying a character. I really like the other widows and can't wait to get to know more about them. (hide spoiler)]

Amanda wrote: "I'm through ch 6. I really like the book so far. Ginny is a fun character, and I love the cat (I love when cozies have a cat). [spoilers removed]"

Yes, I agree. I find that (view spoiler)[ cozies usually make the person who dies very unlikeable. I suppose that serves a dual purpose. It helps us to not feel too bad about their death and it gives us a lot of suspects. (hide spoiler)]

So I'm 50% done. I wonder if (view spoiler)[the ladies are going to dig up a body. That would be crazy! I can see wanting the drive, but not enough to go to that extreme. (hide spoiler)]

Amanda wrote: "So I'm 50% done. I wonder if [spoilers removed]"

They are definitely considering drastic measures. lol

Finished.

I liked this book, enough that I bought the rest of the series. I'm a sucker for cozy mysteries. I loved Ginny and the ladies. The scene (view spoiler)[where they dig up the body is crazy! I appreciate that the author had the detective stop them before they opened the casket.I liked the reveal of Rita, it made sense for the story and was a bit of a surprise. I do prefer mysteries where the reader can solve it with the clues provided before the end is revealed, but cozies rarely do that, so I'm used to it. (hide spoiler)]

I changed my mind on who the 'bad guy' was a couple of times before the end, Amanda. Glad you enjoyed it too.

Kristie wrote: "I changed my mind on who the 'bad guy' was a couple of times before the end, Amanda. Glad you enjoyed it too."

I did too! It had me really sure of several people before the end.

Remember to report your read!

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