Official Review: The Widow Makes Three by Robert Wyrick

briellejee · Post by **briellejee** » 17 Mar 2019, 21:44

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Widow Makes Three" by Robert Wyrick.]

3 out of 4 stars

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We all know that directors and actors often create dramatic stories. However, Robert Wyrick's The Widow Makes Three shows that lawyers, witnesses, and defendants could stage a drama that is as much as entertaining— and sometimes, even more so. This thrilling novel takes the reader for a ride inside the most powerful four-walled space: the courtroom.

Sharron J. Miller, the county's District Attorney with a streak of eighty-eight successful convicted trials, is facing her biggest case yet. The court assigns her to a murder case that happened on a Sunday morning involving two doctors: Dr. Micheal Smith, the deceased, and Dr. Al Warren, the guilty defendant. The pieces of evidence found on the crime scene are pointing directly to Dr. Warren— which is a little too obvious and too perfect, even for Miller. However, the defendant, Dr. Warren, admits profusely that he did not kill his associate, that all the evidence were planted to frame him. As the courtroom spins in the hands of the lawyers and witnesses, there is still no certainty of who and what to believe; even though the truth is already staring everyone right in the face.

The book started with a diary entry from Miller, introducing herself and her initial thoughts about the case. The author started every chapter with a diary entry from Miller, except for the ones with the flashbacks, and then proceeded to tell the story from a third perspective. Moreover, Miller's thoughts, written in italics, can be found in between some paragraphs to provide a transition. It was a bit confusing for me at first; I had to reread because it felt like I was missing something. I wasn't able to fully grasp the book's pattern until the later pages. I think it would have been a bit easier if the author used the first person perspective. Furthermore, there were times where the conversations between the characters seemed to be written longer than necessary and way too formal. These were the aspects of the book that I didn't like.

However, I enjoyed how most of the chapters were written in a storytelling manner. Initially, it was a little tedious since it was like reading from an observer's notes. As I read along, the writing style made me want to go on. It was as if the author's words were like bread crumbs laid out for me to follow, making me wonder where this ends. I admit that it took me long enough to get used to it; but once I did, it was easy to appreciate and admire the author's work.

Additionally, the plot was brilliant. I couldn't make heads nor tails out of the case; I was also as confused as the lawyers in the story. I liked how everything was unpredictable. I honestly didn't know what was coming as I read along. Another remarkable aspect was the courtroom sessions. The author provided specific parts that dealt with the crucial evidence, the weapon, and the verdict. It felt like I was inside of the courtroom watching the case unfold. It was exhilarating reading the lawyers thunder away at witnesses and stealing the spotlight from each other.

The errors were numerous. Most of them were missing commas; some were grammatical errors like using "jealously" in the wrong context. This book is in dire need of a good editor.

It wasn't an impeccable legal thriller like the works of Grisham's, but The Widow Makes Three got hold of my curiosity right from the start. Overall, it was unique and entertaining. With all the errors and the parts that need polishing, I'd give it a 3 out of 4 stars rating. All loose ends were tied up flawlessly in the end. The ending was perfectly executed; I couldn't ask for a more exceptionally written revelation of the suspect.

If you’re a fan of courtroom dramas and legal thrillers, then this book is definitely for you. If you're new to the genre, then this could be a little confusing since some courtroom terms like "sustained" and "overruled" were not explained in the book. I would not recommend it to the younger audience since it contains profanities and nudity, though not too much.

Lastly, I give you one of my favorite lines in the book:

"At some point in our life, we all wish for fate to provide a service we cannot do for ourselves."

******
The Widow Makes Three
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IamShing · Post by **IamShing** » 21 Mar 2019, 07:37

Interesting.. The courtroom is one of the most intellectectual setting an author could create. I like that drama add a little spice to it..

Post by **kandscreeley** » 21 Mar 2019, 08:15

I love the unpredictable nature of the case; something you truly can't guess at is hard to find in a book of this style any more. Just for that reason, I'd probably have to read this courtroom drama! Thanks so much.

aolayide · Post by **aolayide** » 21 Mar 2019, 12:04

Courtroom drama

I like legal drama. I just don't read them in books because sometimes, they are quite boring. Regardless, this book promises to have potential, I guess I might like it.
Thank you for the brilliant review.

spencermack · Post by **spencermack** » 21 Mar 2019, 12:26

Sounds like an interesting story, too bad about the mistakes!

labibliofile · Post by **labibliofile** » 22 Mar 2019, 23:03

Courtroom drama is something I'd love to read, especially if written well! Thank you for the recommendation and review!

briellejee · Post by **briellejee** » 24 Mar 2019, 09:44

IamShing wrote: ↑21 Mar 2019, 07:37 Interesting.. The courtroom is one of the most intellectectual setting an author could create. I like that drama add a little spice to it..

Hope you'll find the book interesting! Thanks for stopping by!

briellejee · Post by **briellejee** » 24 Mar 2019, 09:54

kandscreeley wrote: ↑21 Mar 2019, 08:15 I love the unpredictable nature of the case; something you truly can't guess at is hard to find in a book of this style any more. Just for that reason, I'd probably have to read this courtroom drama! Thanks so much.

Same here! I was so sure that it was that person but then the ending was just shocking and daaamn good! I hope you'll find it enjoyable! Thanks for stopping by!

briellejee · Post by **briellejee** » 24 Mar 2019, 10:03

aolayide wrote: ↑21 Mar 2019, 12:04 Courtroom drama I like legal drama. I just don't read them in books because sometimes, they are quite boring. Regardless, this book promises to have potential, I guess I might like it.
Thank you for the brilliant review.

Yeah not all can cook up a nice legal drama in books. I'm picky with legal books and only read Grisham's but this one is good! I hope you'll try to sneak peek. But then in my review, starting it was tedious but getting the hang of it made it easier to read until the end. Thanks for the kind words and for stopping by!

briellejee · Post by **briellejee** » 24 Mar 2019, 10:11

spencermack wrote: ↑21 Mar 2019, 12:26 Sounds like an interesting story, too bad about the mistakes!

Yeah, it was! The mistakes we're really distracting and frustrating sometimes. Thanks for stopping by!

briellejee · Post by **briellejee** » 24 Mar 2019, 10:19

labibliofile wrote: ↑22 Mar 2019, 23:03 Courtroom drama is something I'd love to read, especially if written well! Thank you for the recommendation and review!

Glad to help out! Just a little warning though, the writing style is hard to get used to at first. But i really hope you'll enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by!

nooregano · Post by **nooregano** » 29 Mar 2019, 06:13

I'm always in awe of authors who can create nuanced and unpredictable plots and still tie them up in the end. This sounds like a great book!

unamilagra · Post by **unamilagra** » 29 Mar 2019, 14:30

Sounds like a great story that keeps you guessing from beginning to end! Hopefully the author takes your advice and polishes the book a little bit more to improve the readability.