Official Review: The Widow Makes Three by Robert Wyrick
Posted: 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
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like briellejee's review? Post a comment saying so!
3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
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
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like briellejee's review? Post a comment saying so!
