Description

Book Synopsis

The groundbreaking thriller from the Queen of Crime Drama, Lynda La Plante, and the basis for Steve McQueen's critically acclaimed motion picture. WIDOWS is a fast-paced heist thriller with an all-female cast you won't forget.
_________________

Facing life alone, they turned to crime together

A security van heist goes disastrously wrong and three women are left widowed.

When Dolly Rawlins discovers her gang boss husband's plans for the failed hijack, an idea starts to form . . .

Could she and the other wives finish the job their husbands started?

As the women rehearse the raid, it becomes clear that someone else must have been involved.

But only three bodies were found in the wreckage.

Who was the fourth man?

And where is he now?

'The perfect summer read' My Weekly



Trade Review
This tale of female empowerment, evolution, and enrichment...provides more than enough thrills and plot twists to satisfy any crime novel enthusiast * Library Journal *
Packed with high-tension, fast-paced action, an unforgettable cast of characters, plenty of twists and turns, and La Plante's dark and satirical brand of northern humour, this is crime fiction and excitingly visual storytelling at its best...just when you think you have the dénouement sussed, La Plante delivers a brilliant coup-de-grace in the shape of a gobsmacking twist in the tail. With nostalgia for older readers, and a voyage of discovery for the younger generation, Widows is an exciting summer crime read with a feisty feminist flavour! * Lancashire Evening Post *
With the benefit of hindsight, La Plante was ahead of her time. The idea of a group of women, housewives, living very ordinary lives becoming a heist team was wholly original. Widows has strong social themes about grief (Dolly ironing her dead husband's shirts) and how life goes on after the death of loved ones. Basically showing how women are every bit as determined, fierce and clever as men... Maybe this novel attracted a lot of non-crime readers to the form long before the psychodrama became popular. La Plante wasn't the first crime writing woman to champion the cause of real women in the genre but she gave it a shot in the arm * Nudge Books *
This is classic Lynda La Plante. Widows is simply stunning. There is no one like Dolly Rawlins. Highly recommended * Northern Crime *
A terrific story and a cracking good read * Love Books Read Books *
Quality reading that is exceptionally well told * Woman's Way *

The perfect summer read

* My Weekly *
A great book -- Alex Heminsley * BBC Radio 2 *
La Plante writes characters that you can believe in and want to root for and these women are no different. Each one is flawed and vulnerable, as they struggle to come to terms with their new lives without their men. At the heart of the story are themes of survival and friendship and how loss can bring very different people together. A real page-turner stuffed with gasp-out-loud surprises * The Pool *
La Plante's terrific characters and serpentine plotting still deliver a gripping read * Irish Independent *
It's good, dark fun: a feminist noir love child of Thelma and Louise and The Godfather * Kirkus *

Widows: Now a major Netflix film

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£7.99

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Order before 4pm today for delivery by Sat 20 Dec 2025.

A Paperback / softback by Lynda La Plante

15 in stock


    View other formats and editions of Widows: Now a major Netflix film by Lynda La Plante

    Publisher: Zaffre
    Publication Date: 14/06/2018
    ISBN13: 9781785763328, 978-1785763328
    ISBN10: 1785763326

    Description

    Book Synopsis

    The groundbreaking thriller from the Queen of Crime Drama, Lynda La Plante, and the basis for Steve McQueen's critically acclaimed motion picture. WIDOWS is a fast-paced heist thriller with an all-female cast you won't forget.
    _________________

    Facing life alone, they turned to crime together

    A security van heist goes disastrously wrong and three women are left widowed.

    When Dolly Rawlins discovers her gang boss husband's plans for the failed hijack, an idea starts to form . . .

    Could she and the other wives finish the job their husbands started?

    As the women rehearse the raid, it becomes clear that someone else must have been involved.

    But only three bodies were found in the wreckage.

    Who was the fourth man?

    And where is he now?

    'The perfect summer read' My Weekly



    Trade Review
    This tale of female empowerment, evolution, and enrichment...provides more than enough thrills and plot twists to satisfy any crime novel enthusiast * Library Journal *
    Packed with high-tension, fast-paced action, an unforgettable cast of characters, plenty of twists and turns, and La Plante's dark and satirical brand of northern humour, this is crime fiction and excitingly visual storytelling at its best...just when you think you have the dénouement sussed, La Plante delivers a brilliant coup-de-grace in the shape of a gobsmacking twist in the tail. With nostalgia for older readers, and a voyage of discovery for the younger generation, Widows is an exciting summer crime read with a feisty feminist flavour! * Lancashire Evening Post *
    With the benefit of hindsight, La Plante was ahead of her time. The idea of a group of women, housewives, living very ordinary lives becoming a heist team was wholly original. Widows has strong social themes about grief (Dolly ironing her dead husband's shirts) and how life goes on after the death of loved ones. Basically showing how women are every bit as determined, fierce and clever as men... Maybe this novel attracted a lot of non-crime readers to the form long before the psychodrama became popular. La Plante wasn't the first crime writing woman to champion the cause of real women in the genre but she gave it a shot in the arm * Nudge Books *
    This is classic Lynda La Plante. Widows is simply stunning. There is no one like Dolly Rawlins. Highly recommended * Northern Crime *
    A terrific story and a cracking good read * Love Books Read Books *
    Quality reading that is exceptionally well told * Woman's Way *

    The perfect summer read

    * My Weekly *
    A great book -- Alex Heminsley * BBC Radio 2 *
    La Plante writes characters that you can believe in and want to root for and these women are no different. Each one is flawed and vulnerable, as they struggle to come to terms with their new lives without their men. At the heart of the story are themes of survival and friendship and how loss can bring very different people together. A real page-turner stuffed with gasp-out-loud surprises * The Pool *
    La Plante's terrific characters and serpentine plotting still deliver a gripping read * Irish Independent *
    It's good, dark fun: a feminist noir love child of Thelma and Louise and The Godfather * Kirkus *

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