The Undertaker's Widow

Phillip Margolin's "Undertaker's Widow", was a terrific read. It was a bit different from his other books I've read. This one didn't have the numerous characters found in his other stories, although there were quite a few. The book started out as if it was character-driven rather than plot driven and I was beginning to wonder where it was going until all of a sudden--in that special writing mode of Margolin's--it all started coming together in a tricky plot that is characteristic of his works in spellbinding action. Like his other books, I didn't want to put this one down until I finished. This man does have great talent for spinning some intriguing tales.

I really enjoyed this book. It never got boring where I had to skip through several pages or too descriptive. His writing style was just right. It held my interest till the end. A great mystery. While one area of the book was predictable, the ending was not. I am going to read his other books, hope they're as good as this one was.

. . . the court scenes were too long. We listened to the Audio version of The Undertaker's Widdow, and we didn't miss a beat.

Margolin definitely has another bestseller here with all the twists in the plot. The situation is a judge faced with some of the most difficult choices in his life at one of the times in his life when his marriage is also in danger of failing. Some of the plot elements are evident to the reader (like the fact that someone is being set up as a "patsy") but the story itself grips the reader so hard that it's hard to put it down until you've read the conclusion. The characters are portrayed realistically--the reader feels empathy for the judge as well as Senator Crease, the undertaker's widow. Judge Quinn has to decide whether to live by Lincoln's credo which he has hanging on the walls of his chamber or to try to save his reputation and his position using any means necessary. Margolin is Grisham without the political commentary and with a lot of pathos.

When I first read Gone,But Not Forgotten I knew I had to add Phillip Margolin to my must read list. The Undertaker's Widow was a joy to read. The plot kept you guessing untill the very end. And the ending wiil suprise you. One of the best book that I read this year!