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The Widow  By  cover art

The Widow

By: Kaira Rouda
Narrated by: Donna Postel, George Newbern, Nancy Wu
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Publisher's summary

A husband with secrets. A wife with no limits. A riveting novel of marriage, privilege, and lies by Kaira Rouda, the USA Today bestselling author of The Next Wife.

Jody Asher had a plan. Her charismatic husband, Martin, would be a political icon. She, the charming wife, would fuel his success. For fifteen congressional terms, they were the golden couple on the Hill. Life was good. Until he wasn’t.

Martin’s secret affair with a young staffer doesn’t bother Jody personally. But professionally? It’s a legacy killer. Soon a reporter gets word of this scandal in the making, and Martin’s indiscretions threaten to ruin everything Jody has accomplished.

When Martin suddenly dies, it’s a chance to change the narrative—but the reporter won’t let go of his lead. As the balance of power shifts in the Asher house and on the Hill, it’s time for Jody to take control. And there’s nothing the ruthless widow won’t do to secure the future she’s entitled to. Even if she has a secret of her own.

©2022 Kaira Sturdivant Rouda. (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“A deliciously diabolical take on marriage, politics, and the lies that bind.”Library Journal

“[A] wild mix of intrigue, secrets, and corruption.”Publishers Weekly

“What happens when ‘the woman behind the man’ has a dark secret of her own? Slick and rocket-paced, The Widow by Kaira Rouda is a top-notch political thriller. With hairpin twists and turns, insider knowledge, glamorous settings, and a whole cast of untrustworthy characters, Rouda expertly ratchets the tension, keeping her readers breathlessly turning the pages. And the deliciously devious Jody Asher is as cold and calculating as she is riveting. A captivating read!”—Lisa Unger, New York Times bestselling author of Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six

What listeners say about The Widow

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  • Overall
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    4 out of 5 stars

Good story but…

Not a happy read but grips a person from beginning to end!
I would recommend this.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not my favorite

Interesting premise, but I hated the characters. No redeeming qualities at all.
I don’t know a lot about politics, but I can totally imagine this book encompasses some of what it’s like to be in the thick of it.

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  • Overall
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It was a ok book

I enjoyed it but wasn't something I would read again.I will still read her books.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

BORING!!

Monotone voices put you to sleep. How boring!!
The ways of politicians just disgust one 😢

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Good story.

This is not a book I would usually get, but somehow this one caught my attention, and I am glad it did.

It was an interesting story.

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Loved the story!

A very funny tongue in cheek story about DC and the cast of characters who live and work there. I was very engaged in the story and really enjoyed the humour in the story! A light hearted, engaging, humourous read.

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    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting political novel

Not as much “who done it” as I like, but definitely lots of intrigue. Sadly, much of the political corruption that is the heart of this story is probably happening over and over in Washington, in our State’s Legislatures, and in local governments all across this nation. It would be a blessing if we could truly drain the swamp, enforce term limits, and end lobbying.

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Fantastic book

I loved the constant suspenseful nature of who was going to turn out on top

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

It was just okay

Yes the narrator takes a quick breath in before every sentence. Why? Maybe to read longer in one breath? I have no idea. But it was so hard not to ignore. The story got really boring. I kept checking to see how much longer until it ends. No mystery. No thriller. Nothing. Just a political story…… I’m disappointed!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Scary Politically

Good book but scary when you think about “is this happening” now in the US?

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