The Widow by Fiona Barton left me reeling. Set in England, in a quiet suburb, a young toddler mysteriously goes missing from the outside garden at her house. Her disappearance sends shockwaves through the community as her story garners media attention and young Bella becomes the beloved young girl that captivates the newsstands.
In the middle of the media frenzy we meet Jean and Glen. Glen, a down on his luck delivery driver, is charged and tried with Bella's disappearance. During the trial we watch as the picture of a suburban couple just trying to get by unravels and Glen's unsavory habits and predilections are thrust into the spotlight. Jean, the portrait of an unsuspecting, blindsided, supportive spouse stands by his side. Glen is acquitted, but the drama doesn't stop there.
What really happened? Where is Bella? Did Glen take Bella? Did Jean know Glen's secrets?
Enter Bob Sparkes and Kate Waters. Years after Bella vanished from the garden, Glen finds himself the victim of a fatal accident, having tripped on the curb in front of an oncoming bus. Kate Waters, a take-no-prisoners reporter, lands on Jean's doorstep offering the opportunity for the widow to finally tell the real story. The whole story. Bob Sparkes, the still-haunted lead detective on the case of Bella's disappearance, sees this as his chance to finally learn the fate of the young girl who stole the country's heart.
But what does Jean have to say? And what is she hiding?
With enough twists and turns to give me heart palpitations, this book was an exciting read. I couldn't put it down until I knew what happened (I feel you Det. Sparkes!)! Barton humanizes her characters and makes them more relatable with each chapter. She paints a picture that bring readers right to the edge of the emotion she portrays, a raw and powerful authorship. If you're considering adding this selection to your bookshelf, it has my vote.