In the neon-drenched backdrop of 1985 Providence, four women find themselves thrust into a dangerous world of secrets, lies, and organized crime after their husbands—the four partners of a prominent, mob-affiliated law firm—die in a mysterious plane crash. Young Rich Widows, the collaborative brainchild of authors Kimberly Belle, Layne Fargo, Cate Holahan, and Vanessa Lillie, delivers a stylish, campy thriller that’s equal parts The First Wives Club and Married to the Mob, with a healthy dose of Desperate Housewives thrown in for good measure.
The novel introduces us to a quartet of distinctly different women united by tragedy:
- Justine: A former model turned devoted mom struggling to find her identity beyond motherhood
- Camille: The sexy Southern second wife with questionable motives and a taste for expensive things
- Krystle: The firm matriarch determined to preserve her husband’s legacy for her sons
- Meredith: A confident stripper secretly involved with the firm’s only female partner
What begins as a seemingly tragic accident quickly spirals into a complex web of mob debts, environmental cover-ups, and murder, forcing these women to form an unlikely alliance to protect themselves and their families. In the process, they discover strengths they never knew they had and forge friendships that defy their initial judgments of one another.
Four Authors, Four Perspectives: A Unique Collaborative Approach
It’s immediately clear that Young Rich Widows benefited from its unique writing process. Each author took responsibility for one character, writing chapters from that widow’s perspective and editing the others’ contributions. This approach lends authenticity to each voice while maintaining a cohesive narrative—no small feat for a multi-authored work.
The result is a novel where each protagonist feels fully realized, with distinct personalities, flaws, and growth arcs. Justine’s journey from insecure housewife to confident avenger is particularly satisfying, while Meredith’s hard-edged pragmatism provides a grounding counterpoint to Camille’s sometimes over-the-top Southern belle persona. Krystle, with her mob-adjacent background and fierce maternal instincts, often serves as the glue holding the unlikely quartet together.
The Glorious Excess of the 1980s
The novel gleefully embraces its 1980s setting, from the fashion (so many shoulder pads and perms!) to the music (George Michael and Prince feature prominently) to the politics of the era. The authors skillfully use these cultural touchstones not merely as window dressing but as integral elements that inform the characters’ worldviews and decisions.
Particularly effective is how the book explores the limited options available to women in the mid-80s, especially those suddenly widowed and forced to navigate male-dominated spaces.
The era’s emerging environmental consciousness also forms a crucial plot element, with the EPA’s still-developing regulatory frameworks playing into the central conspiracy. It’s a clever use of historical context that adds depth to what might otherwise be a straightforward revenge thriller.
Strengths: Friendship, Feminine Power, and Fabulously Fun Dialogue
The novel’s greatest strength lies in its portrayal of female friendship forged through crisis. What begins as mutual suspicion and outright hostility gradually transforms into genuine connection, as each woman recognizes the unique strengths the others bring to their collective problem.
The dialogue crackles with wit and attitude, especially during the increasingly frantic group scenes as the women unravel the conspiracy:
“Well, this is giving me some ideas, wild thing.” He tugs on her coat. “I want the whole show.”
“Hey, big man.” Camille sidles up next to him and opens her coat. “I wore this for you,” she purrs at the doorman in her pink lingerie. “Heard you’re a tough judge of character.”
The authors excel at balancing tension with humor, allowing moments of levity even in the darkest situations. A catfight in the back of a limousine or Krystle’s colorful Italian expletives provide welcome comic relief without undermining the legitimate dangers the women face.
Room for Improvement: Pacing and Plausibility
Where the novel occasionally falters is in its pacing. The first third establishes the characters and their relationships thoroughly, but the central mystery takes time to coalesce. Once the plot kicks into high gear, however, revelations and dangers pile up at a sometimes dizzying rate, particularly in the climactic confrontation with the shadowy assassin known as “the Tiger.”
Some plot developments require a considerable suspension of disbelief. The widows transform from ordinary (if privileged) women to near-superheroes capable of outsmarting professional killers and mobsters with remarkable speed. While this adds to the novel’s campy appeal, it occasionally stretches credibility.
The environmental pollution subplot, while interesting, sometimes feels like it belongs in a different novel altogether. The integration of this storyline with the mob debt and personal vendettas isn’t always seamless, though it does provide a satisfying motivation for the ultimate villain.
The Promise of “Desperate Deadly Widows”
The sequel, Desperate Deadly Widows, promises to continue the adventures of these newly empowered women. As hinted in the excerpt included with Young Rich Widows, Camille has parlayed her experiences into a side business catching cheating husbands, while the others have found their own niches in their transformed lives. The brief glimpse suggests that the widows will face new dangers while continuing to leverage their unique talents and deepening friendship.
The teaser suggests the sequel will maintain the original’s blend of thriller elements and female empowerment while raising the stakes even higher. With the foundations of these characters firmly established, the authors have given themselves room to push into even more outrageous territory.
Final Verdict: A Stylish, Satisfying Thriller with Heart
Young Rich Widows delivers exactly what its premise promises: a stylish, entertaining thriller featuring complex women who discover their own power while building meaningful connections with one another. It’s an unabashed celebration of female resilience and friendship, wrapped in the neon-bright trappings of Reagan-era excess.
The novel works best when it leans into the campier aspects of its premise—the mob boss with a pack of pet wolves, the strip club with a heart of gold, the comically evil assassin. These elements, combined with the genuine emotional resonance of the widows’ evolving relationships, create a reading experience that’s both satisfying and fun.
If you enjoy authors like Liane Moriarty (Big Little Lies), Lisa Jewell (Then She Was Gone), or Taylor Jenkins Reid (Atmosphere), but wish their domestic dramas had more mob hits and car chases, Young Rich Widows will be right up your alley. It’s the literary equivalent of a perfectly mixed cocktail: sweet, tart, and with just enough bite to leave you wanting more.
Reasons to Read:
- Distinct, fully realized female protagonists with compelling individual arcs
- Snappy, often hilarious dialogue that captures each character’s voice
- A vividly realized 1980s setting that enhances rather than distracts
- Satisfying blend of thriller, mystery, and female friendship narrative
Keep in Mind:
- Requires occasional suspension of disbelief
- Uneven pacing, particularly in the early chapters
- Some subplots feel less integrated than others
Young Rich Widows is a testament to what can happen when talented authors pool their strengths in service of a deliciously outrageous premise. Like its heroines, the novel is more than the sum of its parts—flashy and fun on the surface, with unexpected depths and genuine heart underneath all the 80s glitz. The promised sequel, Desperate Deadly Widows, has big shoulder pads to fill, but based on this strong first outing, these authors (and their resilient protagonists) are more than up to the challenge.
