The Widower by D.L. Fisher
Release: September 18, 2025
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Joffe Books
Source: Amazon
Find it at: Amazon , GoodReads
Just when I thought I’d got my life back together, a handsome stranger moves in across the street. He says he lost his wife six months ago. He says he’s here for a fresh start. But I think he might be a killer.
Three months ago, a serial killer tore through our perfect little community. But he’s dead now, and I’m doing my best to pretend everything’s normal — pot roasts, Pilates, and that my stepson TJ didn’t upend our lives the minute he arrived.
That was before the new neighbor moved in.
Damian Mankiewicz is a goodlooking, friendly, charming widower. But there’s something off about him. The box in his hallway marked Do Not Open. The house he bought — the one where a girl was found murdered. And the way he always seems to be watching.
When a local teenager goes missing, the whispers start all over again. About TJ. About me. About what really happened here.
I’ve already been through hell once. I’m not doing it again. If the widower is hiding something, I’ll find out — before someone else disappears for good.
The bestselling sequel to The Stepson, which can be read as a standalone.
About the Author:
D. L. Fisher is an Amazon top 60 bestselling author of domestic thrillers, including My Missing Boy, The Perfect Nanny, and The Stepson. Originally from New York, she currently resides in North Carolina with her husband, five kids, and her adorably naughty beagle. When she’s not writing, you can usually find her at travel baseball and softball games or in a variety of yoga poses. For information on upcoming releases, follow D. L. Fisher on Instagram @dlfisherthrillers.
The Widower Review:
The Widower by D.L. Fisher has an intriguing premise, blending mystery and domestic drama within a seemingly quiet neighborhood. I especially liked the supporting cast — Bennett, TJ, Damien, and Lydia — who each added a layer of mystery and depth that kept me engaged. The setting also stood out; the close-knit community gave off a nostalgic, almost cinematic vibe, reminding me of shows like Knots Landing or Desperate Housewives. It really did feel like I was peeking into the secrets of an otherwise perfect cul-de-sac.
The pacing starts off a little slow, with the first half heavy on backstory and setup, and Marnie’s obsession with Damien, but it picks up considerably in the second half. Once things start moving, there’s quite a lot of drama, secrets, and shocks to keep readers turning the pages.
That said, the book wasn’t an easy one to fully connect with. It opens with a lot of detail about a serial killer and his ties to various residents, which made me feel somewhat lost at first (as though I was reading a sequel). After finishing the book, I later learned this story follows the author’s previous book “The Stepson” — something I wish had been noted on the book cover, as reading that first might have provided better context.
Another challenge was the characters themselves. I found it difficult to root for anyone — I couldn’t warm up to Carrie, and Marnie’s overbearing nature made their dynamic hard to enjoy. Moreover, while the ending delivers a few good twists, it ultimately felt too chaotic, with so many revelations happening at once that I was left more dizzy than shocked.
Overall, The Widower has atmosphere and intrigue, but uneven pacing and unrelatable characters kept it from fully landing for me.
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