ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sidney Sheldon is one of the world’s most prolific writers with over eighteen bestselling novels to his credit. He has authored over two hundred television scripts, six Broadway plays, and more than twenty-five films. The Naked Face was his first novel. Sheldon also won the 1948 Oscar for his comedy The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer.
Matilda Emily Mary “Tilly” Bagshawe is a British author. She is popular for her works in the legacy of Sidney Sheldon. She has written eight books in the genre, all of which were bestsellers. Apart from them, Bagshawe has also penned over ten novels across a wide range of genres.
SYNOPSIS
Sidney Sheldon’s The Silent Widow is a gripping murder mystery with a lot of unexpected twists, suspense, and glamour, all in classic Sidney-Sheldon style. Nikki Roberts is the central character of the novel. Roberts is a top psychiatrist in LA. She lost her husband to a car accident and is trying to pick up the pieces in her life. Then, within a year of the tragedy, one of her patients and her assistant are murdered. The L.A.P.D are hell-bent on proving Nikki the culprit in both the cases, even when she herself becomes the target of a hit-and-run accident.
Nikki decides to hire Derek Williams, a local PI to help her solve the case. Derek is the same person in charge of the decade-old missing au-pair case. While helping Nikki, Derek uncovers her husband’s involvement with a Russian woman. He comes face-to-face with a name that has haunted him all these years.
Does Derek become the next target of the killer for helping Nikki unearth the hidden names? Can Nikki save herself in time and prove her innocence?
WHAT WE LIKED ABOUT SIDNEY SHELDON’S THE SILENT WIDOW
It is a typical Sidney Sheldon novel with all his trademark ingredients. Tilly Bagshawe has successfully carried forward Sheldon’s legacy with one more thriller that keeps the readers intrigued. The plot is laced with intense suspense that allures the readers and makes them want to frantically flip the pages to the very end.
The tightly-wrapped plot leads the readers to an unanticipated climax, spanning from Mexico City to the underbelly of Los Angeles. The fast-paced storytelling keeps the readers on tenterhooks throughout. Each scene is depicted with such clarity that the readers can visualize them as if the drama were unfolding right before their eyes. The edgy characters with their flawed mindsets further add to the intensity of the plot. Readers can easily connect with the well-written characters and fall in love with their realistic demeanor.
WHAT WE DID NOT LIKE ABOUT SIDNEY SHELDON’S THE SILENT WIDOW
The presence of way too many characters complicates the plot somewhat. The beginning is a tad slow and uninteresting. However, as one proceeds further, the story picks up the pace and becomes interesting. The murder in the prologue is vividly described and is bound to stay with the readers for a long, long time.
CONCLUSION
Sidney Sheldon’s The Silent Window merits a 3-star score from Ameya. This gripping novel by Tilly Bagshawe is a must-read for lovers of murder mysteries and suspense thrillers. The intriguing tale of murder, drugs, and deceit keeps the readers guessing right to the very end. In fact, it is hard not to be blown away by the unpredictable climax. That said, if reading gory details of torture and murder is not your cup of tea, this is one novel you probably will not mind missing.
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