BOOK REVIEW + GIVEAWAY: The Widow’s Watcher by Eliza Maxwell (Mystery)

From the story’s gripping first chapter to its full circle conclusion, I was completely transfixed by the frozen Minnesota setting and the crushing grief that bonds together two seemingly unlikely yet broken individuals. It is through this unusual friendship that Jenna and Lars begin to heal. I was so captivated by their relationship that it was hard to say goodbye by the end. Each character within this cast is so fully developed, complicated, and highly relatable that they jump off the page and into your heart.

These are the kinds of stories I live for! Ones that you can’t help but place yourself within only to question your own preconceived responses to quite a lot of gut-wrenching scenarios. But far from being thrown in for shock value, this discomfort enables the author to skillfully and tenderly walk with the reader to coax out very real and intentional feelings. While incredibly heartbreaking at times, the story offers a sense of hope and redemption throughout that leads to a touching and satisfying feeling of closure.

Discovering the truth for Lars about his children provides purpose for Jenna in the wake of her tragic circumstances, while also crafting an immensely thrilling mystery. Many chapters would end on cliffhanging revelations causing the pages to fly by as I desperately hurried to find out the facts. Additionally, without spoiling anything, I was also blown away by the author’s ability to create a truly fascinating inner voice for Jenna, which simultaneously showed how very much alive she was and could be despite how numb she had become while also providing some much needed comic relief to what would otherwise be a somber story.

Overall, this is a gem that has a little something for any reader to enjoy and highly recommended! I can’t wait to dive into Maxwell’s backlist as I anxiously wait for her next book!