Title: The Widow
Author: John Grisham
Publisher: Doubleday / Penguin Random House
Genre: Fiction, Legal Thriller / Crime Fiction
Year of Publication: 2025
Date of Publication: October 21, 2025
Pages: 416
ISBN-10: 0385548982
ISBN-13: 978-0385548984
Audiobook Narrator: Michael Beck
Summary of The Widow by John Grisham
Simon Latch is a struggling small-town lawyer barely making ends meet in rural Virginia. His marriage is faltering and his finances are not looking good when Eleanor “Netty” Barnett, an elderly widow, walks into his office. She claims her late husband left her a hidden fortune (including an extremely valuable and large portfolio made up of Walmart and Coke shares). According to Netty, no one else knows about the fortune, and Simon who is struggling to keep his law practice and his family expenses a float, sees a rare opportunity to take control of her assets. However, after Netty is hospitalized following a car accident, things quickly take a different turn and Simon is accused of her murder. Simon finds himself in a position where he knows the circumstantial evidence against him is strong and he must prove his innocence by investigating to find out the truth and the real killer.
Main Plot & Characters
- Simon Latch – He is a small-town lawyer in rural Virginia whose life takes a dramatic turn after meeting a wealthy widow.
- Eleanor “Netty” Barnett (Mrs. Barnett) – She is the elderly widow who hires Simon claiming to have hidden wealth. Netty is 85 years old and was married twice, first to a man named Vince Barnett and later to Harry Korsak.
- Wally Thackerman – He is a fellow lawyer in town who wrote a Will for Eleanor before she hired Simon.
- Paula Latch – She is Simon’s soon-to-be ex-wife.
- Matilda “Tillie” Clark – She is Simon’s secretary.
- Yolanda (Landy) – Simon’s ex-girlfriend from when he was in law school. She now works for the FBI.
- Clyde Korsak and Jerry Korsak – They are Eleanor’s step sons. They are Harry Korsak’s children from a previous marriage.
- Teddy Hammer – He is the lawyer for Clyde and Jerry Korsak.
- Chub – He runs a local pub / sports bar that Simon likes to visit and is the biggest bookie in the area.
- Spade – He is a local character tied into Simon’s life.
- Loretta Goodwin – She was the charge nurse on duty when Netty was admitted in the hospital, Blue Ridge Memorial.
- Detective Roger Barr – He works for Braxton Police Department and was in charge of the investigation into Netty’s death.
- Raymond Lassiter – He is the best criminal lawyer in town.
- Cora Cook – She is the city’s Commonwealth attorney and chief prosecutor in Simon’s trial.
- Casey Noland – The newest member of Raymond Lassiter’s law firm. He is Raymond’s associate.
- Judge Shyam – The Judge in Simon’s trial.
- Zander – She is a hacker Simon connects with. Spade introduced her to Simon.
- Cooley – He is Zander’s boyfriend. Cooley is also a hacker and is doing time in prison.
- Bill and Oscar Kofie – They work at the Blue Ridge Memorial as X-rays technicians.
- Alan Teel – He was a junior partner in a law firm but he left the firm a few years earlier.
- Iris Kane – She is a reporter.
Writing Style
It took us a while to pick this book up and we are so glad we finally got around to it. Half way through the book we were like, the way Netty is acting is starting to feel and remind us of Dionne from Con Mum. If you haven’t seen Con Mum, you should check it out. A lot about this book felt so real and relatable, from the frustration associated with expenses for the kids’ different sports, to what it feels like as a lawyer running your own small practice, or running any small business in general.
Grisham tells the story from Simon’s perspective and so you get a look into a day in his life, family, legal work and struggles, and habits.
Although the book is not officially divided inot two parts, it does feel like there is a “before Netty’s death”, and “after Netty’s death”, and both parts were excellent!
It’s a Grisham book, so no surprise that the legal drama and the courtroom intrigue were extremely well executed but even more enjoyable was the whodunnit mystery that was introduced.
Final Thoughts on The Widow
The Widow is a legal thriller that gives readers courtroom drama with an engaging mystery. What begins as a story about a struggling lawyer trying to keep his life together quickly turns into a very intense investigation and a fight to clear his name. You quickly get the sense that Simon Latch is not a perfect character, and in many ways that really makes this story work. His financial struggles, family problems, and questionable decisions make him feel very human and believable.
One of the strengths of the novel is how the mystery unfolds. As Simon works to prove his innocence, new pieces of information slowly come to light. Each discovery raises more questions and as a reader you may find yourself trying to figure out who is truly responsible for Netty Barnett’s death. The legal strategy, courtroom exchanges, and investigation really kept us engaged throughout.
Overall, The Widow delivers exactly what many readers enjoy about a John Grisham novel. It gives us strong legal drama, compelling characters, and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the end. If you enjoy courtroom thrillers with a strong investigative element, this book is definitely worth adding to your reading list.
Rating
Characters ★★★★⯪ (4.5/5)
Plot ★★★★⯪ (4.5/5)
Writing ★★★★⯪ (4.5/5)
Book Cover ★★★★⯪ (4.5/5) Audiobook (Narration only) ★★★★★ (5/5)
Overall ★★★★⯪ (4.5/5)
What are your thoughts on The Widow? Have you read it yet? Let us know in the comments!
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