Martha R

Black Widows, a novel, written by Cate Quinn is set in modern day Utah where polygamy is practiced to some extent with or without the LDS church's sanction. The reader is introduced to three wives of their newly dead husband as first wife Rachel, second wife, Tina, and third wife, Emily. All three become suspects in Blake Nelson's murder which took place at their obscure family compound miles outside of Salt Lake City. The story develops using TV-like police show tactics, e.g., Cagney and Lacey, without attorney representation, involving the three women and a few interesting police type folks of small town caliber. The existential elements of cult behavior, remote landscape and the titillating vision of polygamous marriage carries the story's drama. Reliving and revealing each woman's background enhances the motive of each for murder. Through escapades and flash backs the true depth of womanhood is revealed and even the murderer. The book is overwritten in several places and is in need of a hundred page cut.