Rachel, Emily and Tina live with their husband Blake Nelson on an isolated property in Utah. The three wives come from very different backgrounds but all live together in their Mormon marriage.

When Blake is found dead with suspicious injuries after he had gone  out fishing, the police suspect the three wives. Which one hated him the most? It soon becomes apparent that there is tension between the wives and that they do not trust one another and are quite happy to point the finger.

This is such a great story. I loved the differences between the women and how they came to be Blake’s wives. 

I was so desperate to find out who killed Blake that I ended up reading late into the night!! I kept changing my mind at who the culprit was.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

Blake Nelson is dead. Well, isn’t it obvious that his wife killed him? The question is … which one? You see, Blake was a Mormom – or a member of the Church of the Latter Day Saints. Apparently there is differentiation between the two though, as there is a division between those who believe in remaining in marriages that are monogamous and those who choose polygamy. Blake was clearly on the side that opted for polygamy as he had three wives at the time of his death. So … whodunit?

There’s his first wife, Rachel who comes across as the perfect wife: pure, dutiful and the perfect choice as a first wife to take the sister-wives to follow under her wing. Hmmm … that’s not quite how it turns out. Wife number two is Tina who Blake has brought into the ‘family’ from rehab. She’s an ex-drug addict and prostitute who hasn’t quite lost that sass and attitude that she needed to get by on the streets. Wife number three is timid, shy Emily who’s been lured away from her strict Catholic upbringing. But is she really as unassuming as she seems. She has quite a tenuous relationship with the truth.

The story unfolds in alternating chapters, each told in first person from each of the wives’ POV. In this clever way, we quickly get to know their personalities rather well. And just as quickly, the lies and secrets start to unravel, thick and fast. It’s soon evident that the ‘family’ that Blake Nelson had envisioned on his remote farmhouse plot, was not really the cohesive unit he’d dreamed of. These three women are certainly not the epitomy of God-fearing sister-wives that the Church Blake apparently holds in such high regard, would encourage one to seek out as life-partners!

Cate Quinn has very cleverly created an intricately woven narrative that will draw readers in and have them wondering what actually happened to Blake on that day when he went out fishing and never returned. Did he really know these women that he’d brought into his home, to make up his home? Did he honestly expect such vastly different people from hugely diverse backgrounds to co-habit happily within the laws and constraints of his Church? It’s a fascinating look at character comparisons and behaviours. And of course, it’s a very interesting birds-eye view into a world that I’m sure many of us are unfamiliar with: The Church of the Latter Day Saints. I rate it 4 stars.

A fascinating story illustrating the impact that religious beliefs can have, on those lower down in the hierarchy. Very sad life for most of the participants but reassuring in relation to the changes that can occur once the control is taken away.. Great conclusion with a twist in the tail.

This was a great read. Blake Nelson has been found dead, and his wife is suspected. BUT... Blake is a fundamentalist Mormon who practises polygamy. His three don't get on - but could one of them have killed him? Or is there more to this. Can it involve the "Homestead" from first wife Rachel's cult past? This was so disturbing, to think that this kind of lifestyle could still be happening in the modern world. Where women's wills are bowed to men. It was like a horror scene where you don't want to watch but can't look away. It is written in short chapters from the point of view of each of the wives, and very easy to follow and get a feel for each of the women. The police come over as human and understanding . A compulsive read. #netgalley #blackwidows

Oh wow! The Black Widows blows your mind and how! Your heart keeps beating loudly at every page you turn.

The author through the voices of Rachael Emily and Tina tells you the lives of three widows who lost their husband to a murder. I have to commend the author’s storytelling not just through one but three voices which remain consistent throughout the book and you see the voices evolve with every chapter

The author also explores themes of religions, the way the story builds around the condition of women with every new prophet taking birth at every nook and corner

There is chilly mist on the entire narrative of the book which keeps you waiting with bated breath to find out who the killer is.

You will keep running in circles and pin pointing the three widows and still wouldn’t be able to figure out which one it is.

The author sets the story in the laws of Utah,Las Vegas and the small communities that exists in this part of United States.

The pasts of the three widows will keep you engaged and you will find out yourself getting angry,sad and the fact it’s written so meticulously that you just can’t stop reading about the widows.

Don’t miss out on this one. Cate Quinn has really written about topics in the garb of a thriller which makes it even more creepy and gives you goosebumps

I really enjoyed this book. It had all the makings of a great thriller: deceitful characters, twists and turns, and short, action-packed chapters. To say I was engrossed was an understatement. I flew through this book eager to know the ending, but here's what I enjoyed along the way.

The characters. Rachel, Emily, and Tina are so different from each other. Safe to say, these differences make for some very interesting conflicts, but also some great character development as they are forced together to discover who exactly killed Blake. Likewise, each character brings a different element to the story. Through Rachel, we investigate the aftermath of growing up in a cult. Tina explores a life of vice and the journey towards living a better life, while with Emily, we see the effect of a negative mother-daughter relationship and the impact that has on a person's mental health. 

Dark Widows also explores Mormonism tied with polygamy. However, do take note of the author's disclaimer at the beginning of the book: this is not a criticism or mockery of the religion. It is simply a fictional story that touches on Mormonism and the different ways people choose to live. Personally, I think these themes, especially polygamy, were treated rather respectfully instead of for pure entertainment value.

Besides the interesting themes and the surprise developments, this is genuinely a well-crafted story. Not a word was wasted and every single action slotted in to create a great story. It has me excited to see what Cate Quinn comes up with next!

Phew. I need a minute. 
This was a dark, dark book. I had no idea which way it would turn by the end. Lots of twists, cleverly dropped at the end of each chapter to keep the reader engaged, and lots of grim secrets to discover. By the end of the book, it's hard for the reader to really work out what the biggest twist was, there were so many!
Add to that a whodunit, and I am SOLD! I changed my mind so many times I got dizzy! 
I loved each chapter being from a different character, the three wives were SO different, and I loved them all for different reasons. Although I think I loved Tina's humour the most, she was SASSY!
I have always held a little fascination for Mormons, and cults, and this book was fascinating. Lots of research had clearly been done to further intensify the tension and drama. 
This is a new author for me, but definitely one to look out for.

A dead husband, three wives, who killed him? Told with empathy and a detailed understanding into a different style of living. A gripping tale with twists and turns around every corner. You won't be disappointed.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. A very different story with great characters, not all likeable, and well written would recommend this book.

Sorry to say I did not enjoy this book.It started off okay one man with three wives interesting but apparently its  allowed with Mormons. the husband is murderd which one did it.I found it a drawn out and boring in finding out who did it .

Unusual storyline about a man in a plural marriage. When he is killed all three wives come under suspicion. The story is told in short chapters from the point of view of the wives and we learn their back stories. 
Interesting read with unusual characters

I didn’t enjoy this book at all.  I’m sorry, I don’t like to give negative reviews but this is one of the worst books I’ve read in a long time.  I’m sure a lot of people will think it is wonderful, but I wasn’t interested in the story and I found it slow and boring.  No way could I call it ‘a gripping murder mystery with a killer hook’.  It seemed to go on … and on … and on.  Sorry, this author is not for me, and the number of errors is unforgivable.

THIS. IS. INCREDIBLE.

Blake Nelson goes out fishing one day and doesn’t return, the suspects are his wives. Blake, Rachel, Emily and Tina, are part of a polygamous Mormon marriage.

The characters each narrate and I love the unreliable narrator aspect of this book. It’s simply a masterclass in writing a great thriller, with suspense and keeping my curiosity peaked at all times.

A must read.

This was definitely not what I thought it would be but in a good way.
Blake has three wives and lives with them in rural Utah.
His wives are very different from each other. Rachel , traditional wife, terrible cook with a past. No 2 wife is Tina, who has been to rehab, worked on Las Vegas strip and been in trouble with the police. The third wife is Emily, very naive, estranged from her Catholic family.
They all rub together and against each other until Blake is found dead.
The story is told from the wives POV which really helps the reader delve below the surface and discover what they think and have done in the past and present.
All three wives are under suspicion of killing Blake and from then on they have to  quickly learn who to trust - not just the wives but the police.
Really well written characters which adds to the enjoyment and a surprising ending. ( for me at least. )
4 Stars ⭐️  Recommended reading for anyone who wants something different and well written.
Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for a fair review.

Over the course of 100+ brief chapters, I found myself intrigued to quickly turn the pages to find out how each of the three wives told their version of the same events.

This enjoyable story shows how three very different wives interacted with their husband in the past. We are directed, by the writer, to investigate which of the wives may be guilty of murder after mostly terrible treatment from the same man.

Rachel, the first wife, together with Tina and Emily, the later wives, each bring a different background to their joint husband and it is these differences that initially keep the wives apart, but as we learn later, and this is not a spoiler, this also brings the wives together.

The ladies battle for and against their religion as it treats them as outcasts, but clearly want to remain involved with all of the religious activities. During this enjoyable read I felt I learned a lot about the town, the state, the religion and the dialect used by locals, which made the whole story feel personal and extremely effective.
The back stories from all three ladies were significantly unalike, but helped bring distinctive aspects to the marriage and as a reader, I was hoping consistently that they would make different decisions ,but it is the conflict within this story that makes it so engaging.

The ending of this story is most satisfying and will provide twists and turns for the majority of  readers who do not guess whodunit. While I received a free copy of this book, this has not affected my review and I hope to read more by this writer in the near future.

I struggled to put this book down, a very emotional mystery and a real who done it.  Kept me guessing until the end.  I look forward to reading more by this author.

This is a real page turner. I couldn't put it down. When a local Mormon man ostracized by his church and friends due to his insistence on a polygamous lifestyle is found dead the spotlight turns onto his three wives. Did one of them do it? Did all three plan it? Three women all with a very different back story who end up in the same place all trying to figure out who exactly is the enemy.
The tropes of Mormonism and Cults have been widely used in literature and there is salacious value in the wilder stories that have come out over the years. This book brings nothing new in the way of seeing these cliches but they are well handled and nothing steps beyond the realm of what we know has been historically recorded in as much as the life and times of Warren Jeffs etc.. One character is clearly based upon Jeffs!
I enjoyed the way that the book was fast paced and each chapter switched to the viewpoint of a different wife.
Overall a great read, good twist at the end, it kept me hooked until the final page.

A dark, gripping and well written story that kept on the edge till the end.
It's fast paced, full of twists and turns, and sometimes a bit disturbing.
You get to know these women, their fears and their stories.
The mystery part is twisted and the solution came as a surprise.
The author is an excellent storyteller and I couldn't put it down.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Dark, Well Plotted, Original Suspense....
Dark, well plotted and original suspense from Cate Quinn. A gradual, tense slow burn with an opportunity to explore characters and depths before the twists, turns and the, perhaps unexpected, denouement. Serious themes abound and cause for much thought. Intriguing reading.

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher.  This is my own honest voluntary review.