Book Review: Self-Made Widow

The Self-Made Widow by Fabian Nicieza is a cozy mystery. A death in suburban NJ, just a normal death, but does it leave a slightly too happy widow? On the case is mother of five, Andrea Stern. She is willing to make enemies of her friends, The Cellulitists, in order to get the tea. Her partner, Kenny Lee, is desperate to fast track his career in TV, and publishing and this murder is just the thing. This book is the second following this duo, a fun romp through trials, tribulations, gossip (especially the suburban variety), and a peek into the salacious seeking life of a TV talk show wannabe. It is enjoyable for a slow weekend read or a weekday escape.

The plot is well constructed and the characters believable. The author is obviously familiar with East Windsor, NJ and creates plausible situations in the landscape. I did wonder how the mother of five can manage time to be a super sleuth. I also found myself incredulous that the police are so interested in what an amateur detective has to say. There is not much depth to this book although it does touch upon how some of the husband-wife relationships are poisoned by hidden secrets and economic inequality. Another theme is thwarted dreams – Andrea became a suburban housewife and mother; Kenny wants to maintain the fame that is just at his fingertips. I must confess that I don’t always need a murder mystery to have deeper themes.

Overall, I stayed interested in how all the characters interact. I was definitely titillated by the secrets (like peeking through a lit window): what is going on in Andrea’s marriage; was there indeed a murder – how and why’ who all is having affairs?. Both these characters and the need to solve the mystery kept me turning pages. For those interested in a light murder mystery this would be a decent choice.

If this title sounds intriguing, you can pick up a copy locally from Artefaktual in Philippi, WV!