Widows

Having seen the "Prime Suspect" series, I was quite taken with Lynda La Plante's writing, and after seeing the latest incarnation of "Widows," I thought this would be a great go-to book for more of the same. However, I was seriously disappointed. First, the writing was extremely shallow; there was not a single one of the characters with enough substance for me to care about. Second, La Plante would frequently shift her characters' points of view, even within the same paragraph, making the narrative confusing. Third, La Plante clearly never met a comma she deemed important, and so I'd have to read sentences sometimes two or three times before I could parse them out. And last, but absolutely not least, the author violated the first rule of fiction writing - show, don't tell. She didn't show me anything, instead explaining everyone's purpose, motive, thoughts, and feelings; clearly, imagination didn't factor into her equation. By all means see the movie (or either of the two miniseries), but don't waste your time on a book that only wastes your time.

This book was written in the 80s by an English author. The use of English slang and spelling is used throughout. Some of the slang I have not heard before so I may have interpreted the meaning incorrectly. Still a fun read. I have not seen the movie yet...and I will... but I get the impression from the trailers that the humor may have been omitted. Too bad.

I started the book when the movie came out. What a great duo, different but with very poignant shared scenes. The book is hard to put down with a lot of fantastic characters, fun plot twists,a look at female relationships and a bit of a feminist joy ride. My friend wanted the women to be more heroic and vengeful, but I love how realistic and complex they are. Looking forward to reading more of her books.

I couldn't put this book down...it held my attention to the very end. The widows were all very different in their background and exciting personalities. I hope the movie is as exciting and fast pace as the book. I can't wait to read the 2nd book coming in February.

I loved this book. It was fun to take this ride with a group of women. I admit, it took a bit to get used to the English slang, but it was an easy flowing read. I still haven't seen the movie, but look forward to it (even though they moved it to Chicago and updated it a bit). I would definitely recommend this one.

Kind of a slow start. Once you get about a third of the way, your hooked. These are strong female characters. Dolly is the leader, Shirley and Bella next, Linda is the most argumentative. Oddly, they make a great team. The highs and lows are about equal, with some sharp turns thrown in. I'll probably have to read the sequel.

Unique story, very suspensful, but...I did not like brashness of the characters with all the in-fighting, violence, and cursing. I'm not a prude, but, I felt that there was too much dialog and chit chat that made the story too long. I won't read the sequel, even though I'm interested in finding out the conclusion. I just can't read through it.

The film was very, very loosely based on the book. But both were excellent, kudos toLynda La Plante and Gillian Flynn. Both writers did an excellent job.

I watched the series on television many years ago and didn't know a book of the same had been released. Well, I'm finally catching up. This novel, a tie in with the film I'll go and see soon, is excellent. It captures each character just as I remember them and only on reading did I remember how much I'd forgotton. The tension builds throughout. I'd forgotten about the ending though; hopefully this will lead to further books and films for the others in this series that followed. Lynda La Plante is one of those authors where you know the book will be excellent before you consider whether to buy any of her novels or not. Just go ahead and read them.

A million stars to Lynda La Plante for creating a fantastic robbery. Lynda La Plante is one of my top favourite authors. I was glued to every word. For once I really enjoyed reading about a robbery. Harry Rawlins was the mastermind behind all robberies. DI Resnick wanted Harry Rawlins in prison for life, but now Harry Rawlins in dead along with two other men in a robbery that went disastrously wrong Resnick is still working on the case as a fourth man was involved, but DI Resnick will do what ever it takes to find the fourth man that got away.Dolly Rawlins want the other widows to do a raid. She knows all the plans as her late husband planned all his robberies. Facing life alone, they turned to crime together. Can Dolly and the other widows pull of a robbery and escape with lots of cash?expect lots of action and exciting twists. This is a must read for crime fans.

Having watched Steve McQueen's fantastic, updated version of this I was keen to read the book, and I was not disappointed.Set in the early 80’s, we track the aftermath of a disastrous security van heist that leaves three women widowed. Dolly Rawlins is the wife of former crime boss Harry, one of the victims of the failed robbery, and she sets about figuring out how she could finish the job he started. She is joined by the two other widows – the fourth man on the job escaped so they need another hand.Dolly recruits, funds and leads a team – they find an extra person and set about working their way through the planning of the raid, and the aftermath. Her team consist of an aspiring beauty queen, a hard drinking maneater and a stripper, a thoroughly odd bunch that would rarely cross paths in any other circumstance. All the while they are haunted by DCI Resnick, a man Harry set up years before who is obsessed with bringing him to justice, even if he is dead. However, Resnick’s colleagues are less convinced, and although a good cop, the stain of the false accusation Harry laid at his door has never left him and he has been overlooked for promotion, making him bitter and mean.As we meander through gritty eighties London, we encounter a pair of brothers who want to take over Harry’s territory, and will stop at nothing to get hold of the infamous ‘ledgers’ that Harry used to plan his jobs and keep tabs on his friends and enemies alike. We follow Resnick, his reluctant team and his sycophantic boss as he gradually gets closer, and we watch Dolly turn her team of misfits into a well-oiled team.Can they pull off the job? Will the crime bosses interfere, or with Resnick get revenge on the wife of the man who ruined his career?This is a cracking read. It is well paced, and the characters are well drawn, and we learn a little about all of them – Linda the drunk has hidden strengths. Shirley the beauty queen is desperate for validation and Bella the stripper is a rock. Dolly the hard-nosed leader has her weaknesses. Sometimes you even feel for the rough and ready Resnick. Some of the language is not PC, but it is of its time and if you can live with that you will enjoy the story.

I wonder why most of Lynda Laplante's female characters are so antipathetic. Widows are no exception. I liked the plot, but I did not like the characters. As a TV series it night have been good, but as a book? not really. I did not care much about the characters, except Bella who was the best of the lot. Otherwise, too many cliches.The story was OK but I will not buy the sequel.The Talisman was much better.

Try reading the book at the same time as listening to the mp3! Not only does it bring the book to life.....the mp3 is read by none other than Ann Mitchell herself who despite her huge CV will always be known for her portrayal of Dolly Rawlins.