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The Widow

the unforgettable new courtroom drama from the master of the legal thriller!

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The Widow

By: John Grisham
Narrated by: Michael Beck
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Summary

 'A classic, compulsive, taut and thrilling novel from one of the great storytellers of our time. No one does it better' CHRIS WHITAKER

SHE NEEDS A LAWYER. HE NEEDS A PAYDAY.

Lawyer Simon Latch is struggling with debt, gambling issues and an impending divorce. But when Eleanor Barnett, an 85-year-old widow, visits his office to secure a new will, it seems his luck has finally changed: she claims she's sitting on a $20 million fortune and no one else knows about it.

Once he's hooked the richest client of his career, Simon works quietly to keep her wealth under the radar. But it's a terrible mistake. Hidden secrets have a way of being found out, and when Eleanor is hospitalised after a car accident, Simon realises that nothing is as it seems.

As events spiral out of control, he finds himself on trial for a crime he swears he didn't commit: murder.

The Widow is classic Grisham courtroom drama combined with a confounding murder mystery that will enthral his legion of fans.©2025 Belfry Holdings, Inc. Crime Crime Thrillers International Mystery & Crime Murder Mystery Psychological Suspense Thriller & Suspense Exciting
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Editorial Review

There oughta be a law
To start listening to John Grisham’s latest incredible legal thriller, I had to put a whole lot of things on hold. Like my weekend to-do list and my Sunday call to my mother (she was busy anyway). Yeah, it’s that good. Nothing like the trials and tribulations of a Southern US lawyer whose life seems to going further south. It has all the “fixins”: plenty of money, dubious relatives, biscuits, bourbon, and a marriage also on the rocks. Narrator Michael Beck does an excellent job insinuating himself into every character, male and female. I admit to chuckling more than a couple of times. I wanted the story to go on and on, but I had to go back to my daily life—which isn’t all that bad, but this audiobook is all that good and then some.—Yvonne D., Audible Editor

Critic reviews

A classic, compulsive, taut and thrilling novel from one of the great storytellers of our time. The Widow is John Grisham at his irresistible, unforgettable best. No one does it better
The Widow is primarily a moral parable ... it's a murder mystery, too, and permeated by evidence of John Grisham's often overlooked skill as a social observer
A twist-laden tale of greed, deception and privilege from the master of courtroom suspense
This is classic Grisham; the story of a small-town lawyer caught in a fix
Grisham is adroit at dealing with moral ambiguities, and they are all over this novel ... when that Grisham grip takes hold, readers will be unable to switch off their bedside lamps
Another nerve-shredding tale of a flawed justice system from the prolific past master of the courtroom drama
All stars
Most relevant
The story is very deferent from usual. One surprise after another. I love to guess the outcomes as I listed but I could not predict anything right. Brilliant story. The narrator did an amazing job as well.

One surprise after another

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When eighty-five-year-old widow Eleanor Barnett rang into Simon Latch’s law firm, expressing her wish to rewrite her will. As Simon's secretary, Matilda asked the standard questions—since wills were the firm's primary business—Eleanor insisted on sharing no details over the phone. She said she would explain her situation and wishes only to Mr Latch himself.
After the initial meeting, Simon Latch had two problems: one was whether this could be the answer to all his financial problems. Two - could he live with himself if he helped the old lady out?

Over several meetings, normally lunches that Eleanor never paid for, Simon learnt that his client's husband had left a vast amount of money, none of which she intended to leave to her useless stepsons. Having already made a will with a local law firm, Simon knew he had to tread carefully.

While juggling the recent separation from his wife, plus mounting gambling debts, could writing this will be the answer to all of his problems?
I loved how the author made you back Simon's plight. The line between greed and being a nice person is portrayed marvellously.

So when Eleanor is suddenly taken ill, Simon seems to be the only person around to help her. But when she suddenly passes away in hospital, the police are convinced she's been murdered. And all eyes are on her newly signed lawyer!

A brilliant twist.

4.5/5

Proving that greed and kindness are incompatible.

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This is a slow burn but stick with it. It is an excellent story as usual from the master of legal thrillers. !

Brilliant as usual!

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Very enjoyable easy listen and another great story from Grisham. The story had me gripped from start to finish!

Intriguing plot

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Having read most if not all of John Grisham’s books I enjoyed this one the most. The numerous well-drawn characters beautifully woven into the story creates that unique pleasure the reader gets from a good book when you get drawn into it and begin to visualise the characters and the settings . All that and, of course, a believable and cleverly constructed story

Brilliantly constructed story

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