Mining coal was a long , dark dangerous job. Without rules and regulations about the safety of the mines it was even worse. A lot of men, fathers husbands, brothers, friends lost there lives working there. This story ties in the lives of the miners and the women, widows left behind. Lily is married to the Sheriff, Sheriff Ross. After her husband is shot and killed she becomes acting Sheriff. While going through her husbands papers, she comes across the name of another women, Malverna. Curious, she sets out to discover just exactly who this women is. She finds out that Malverna is also a widow. Her husband died in the mines, just like Lily's father had. Malverna has taken the mantle from her husband and is trying to get all the miners together in Hope's of Unionization. This will help the miners with safety and better wages. Luther the mine owner is totally against this. He has brought in Pinkertons, which in this case are hired thugs, to put a stop to any miners uprising.
More secrets are to be discovered by both women. Will they let their desire for vengeance overtake their concerns for the benefit of the mining town?
Excellent read. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

The Widows by Jess Montgomery is a wonderful piece of historical fiction, set in 1920s Ohio coal country. Lily Ross, the wife of the town sheriff, is shocked to learn of her husband's mysterious death. She is devastated to lose her loving husband and the father of their two children (and one on the way). After his funeral, she comes in contact with coal miner widow Marvena Whitcomb, who is desperate to figure out what has happened to her daughter. Both Marvena and Lily learn that Lily's husband Daniel was not the man they knew him to be, and the mystery into his death is extremely complex.

This book was such a great read and Jess Montgomery is a wonderful storyteller. I loved the mystery, the details plucked from true life, and the amazing depiction of a difficult time in this country's history. Highly recommended!

5 out of 5 stars for The Widows by Jess Montgomery.

I started this book and couldn't really get into it which is too bad, because I've read several books that take place in coal country and usually liked them. I don't know whether it was the writing or the characters didn't grab me. I'll probably try again later, but I now have 4 other prepubs to check out.

The Widow's is a wonderful historical fiction abouta 1920's coal mining town in Ohio. The story is told be 2 different women avenging the death of the man they loved. This is a gripping novel and I could not put it down.

I always enjoy books that are inspired by actual events and The Widows by Jess Montgomery is no exception. The character Lily Ross is based on Ohio’s first female sheriff. Lily has just buried her husband Daniel when she meets Marvena, a poor coal miner’s daughter who may have been Daniel’s first love. Lily is appointed the town’s sheriff and Marvena is secretly trying to unionize the mine labor. These are two very strong-willed women with different goals that lead them to each other for support.
It’s the 1920’s. The town depends on coal mining, where the 1% gets filthy rich and the rest die trying. Lily’s in-laws are deep into the greed of the industry, and Marvena and Lily begin to suspect there’s more to Daniel’s murder than an escaped convict.
Montgomery writes with beautiful lyrics that bring the country, the wildlife, the people and their meager sustenance to vivid life. This is a truly enjoyable and captivating read.
(I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for making it available.)

I enjoyed this book. It is the story of two women living in a coal mining town called Kinship, Ohio in the 1920s. The women are brought together by the murder of Kinship's sheriff, who is married to one of the women and grew up as best friends with the other. The sheriff's widow, Lily takes over his position, and begins to investigate his death, which she quickly comes to understand could not have happened the way she was told it occurred.

The other woman, Marvena, lost her husband in an accident, which she believes was payback for his work towards unionizing the miners. She is dedicated to continuing this cause, and is threatened by the mining company management and the Pinkertons hired by the mining company to "keep the peace."

The story is a nicely told historical mystery. It explores the interactions between the townspeople who have enough money for a decent life, and the poorer residents, who earn a meager living by mining or bootlegging moonshine. It also presents what I will call "industrialists"--the mine owners and the manufacturer of a patent medicine made with illicitly seized moonshine--and their horrible behavior towards and treatment of their employees and the residents of Kinship.

I was an American Studies major in college, and continued studying American history after graduation, and I am familiar with stories about the growth of unions in response to the horrible treatment suffered at the hands of mine owners, factory owners, etc. I think this prior knowledge is what led me to feeling less than completely satisfied with this novel.

I wished for more nuance in the interaction between these characters--was EVERYONE involved with managing and owning the mine evil? Why? What led them to be that way? This felt more like the stereotypes I would expect from a television script instead of a novel, which allows more time and space to explore complex emotions and interactions.

That said, this was a well-written story, and I enjoyed reading it. I just wished it had a bit more nuance, so that I wasn't left with the feeling that I knew how this story would end before reading it.

I received an advanced reading copy from the publisher via NetGalley. Thanks!

From the moment I started reading it I knew it was very well written.

The story of the sheriff's wife and how she took over after his murder and her insistence on finding the secret and the person behind his murder.

Well written characters. Very well described details, enjoyed how the buildings and the daily tasks were written, and then the details of the mining and the investigation.


It was engaging, but for some reason I also found it exhausting at times. Which led me to leave it on the desk for different periods of time.

This historical fiction crosses over into the mystery genre as well. Two female protagonists in coal country in the early 1900's take center stage. While this one took a bit to get off the ground for me, ultimately, the pace progressed and I enjoyed this story.

The Widows is based on a true event where a widow of a sheriff took over in his stead upon his death. While the surrounding story is all fictionalized, the true event is based on the first woman sheriff in Ohio. The fictitious story offers up an engaging tale of mystery as two women in the late sheriff's life meet and search for justice to avenge his senseless murder.

So beautifully written, I enjoyed getting back to this book every time. Jess Montgomery writes about heartbreak and desperation in a powerful way, as dark as the coal in the mines, and the hearts of those who drive the men into the shafts.

I found the book The Widows by Jess Montgomery captivating from the very first chapter. The setting takes place during the 1920’s in a town of coal miners where politics and unionization take a big part of the plot.

Lily and Marvena are the two main characters. Lily becomes a widow after her husband, Sheriff Daniel Ross is killed while transporting a prisoner. This event rattles the whole town into what becomes a full-blown mystery. Lily, who is now the standing Sheriff is determined to find justice since she believes it was a planned murder against her husband. After his death, Lily meets Marvena, a woman that knows Sheriff Daniel Ross too, but how? Was this an affair? What other secrets was Daniel hiding from his wife, Lily?

I found the author’s storytelling to be very well-paced. I also felt attached to Lily and Marvena in different ways and was committed to finding out what happened to them while reading the book. The descriptions of the setting and the experiences of the town and miners made me feel like I was being transported back into a colonial time and I didn’t want to leave. This book was wonderful and I highly recommend it to others.

Thank you Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur books for this e-book advanced copy.

Could only read a few chapters. Seemed muddled and not cohesive, Too confusing. I'm sure others will like it

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of The Widows (from NetGalley). All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It only took me a few chapters to become fully engaged.
Two, beautifully developed female main characters demonstrated admirable determination. Several unexpected events, and some tragedies specific to the mining community and time period drew me in--while creating authenticity. Thank you to NetGalley and Jess Montgomery for the ARC.

Revenge keeps the pain of the wound seeping blood into the forever.

Lily Ross bends wearily as she sets things right in the Rossville jail. Strapped with a derringer at her ankle, Lily eyes the prisoner in the cell facing her. The appalachian foothills in 1925 in this small Ohio town provide a panoramic view of the Devil's Backbone and the coal mines that give dangerous employment to the men of the community. Lily's own father was killed in a mine blast in the Widowmaker due to a build-up of methane gas.

Lily tends to her duties as the jail mistress. It's just within sight of their small home where her two young children sleep contently under the watchful eye of Hildy. Her husband, Sheriff Daniel Ross, left to pick up another prisoner. He promises to be back in time for her famous buttermilk pie.

As the hours pass, Lily waits alert to any footsteps on the stairs. But the footsteps on the steps aren't going to belong to Daniel. His Uncle Elias stands in the doorway with sorry written in the form of blood on his hands and his shirt. Daniel has been shot to death on the county road. It appears that the prisoner wrestled his gun and the tragedy occurs.

Within hours of the funeral, Lily is approached by Daniel's deputy to take over the job of sheriff until the elections can take place. And here is where Jess Montgomery steadies your hands as you clench this book tightly. The character of Lily Ross will take on the owners of the local mines, the Bureau of Mine Safety, and the community that wishes to look the other way. Lily will lock eyes with Marvena, a mine widow, who seems to know Daniel on a different level. She, too, knows that Daniel's death reeks of murder.

Montgomery presents a storyline so character driven and so polished in its detail that you feel like you are in surround-sound. The era is one of sacrifice and hard living in which tomorrow is never fully promised. At the core is an adept layering of threads filled with rawness and reality. And two women, Lily and Marvena, will settle scores and take on inhuman challenges presented to them. Jess Montgomery keeps the pulse of this story pumping and you will savor each and every moment.

I received a copy of The Widows through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to St. Martin's Press and to Jess Montgomery for the opportunity.

This was a captivating historical fiction story set in the 1920s about the lives of coals miners and their efforts in organizing unions. It centered on two strong dedicated women who fought for justice and truth. Lily became Ohio’s first woman sheriff after her husband Daniel was murdered in the line of duty. Marvena, who lost her common law husband due to unsafe mining conditions, took over his fight and became the voice for unionization.
This was a fascinating read that will capture your interest from the very first page. Highly recommended!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for this read in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

This was a first time read for me by Jess Montgomery that was a well-written novel.
"The Widows" is set in 1920’s Ohio, in a small town that depends on its living from a mining company. Lily Ross is the Sheriff’s wife of Bronwyn County who serves as the jail mistress, and who enjoys working with her husband. Her husband’s connections with the owner of the local mine, her bother-in-law enables her to understand the mechanics that go on within the mining community.

Unfortunately, her husband is killed transporting a prisoner and she must deal with her loss and with raising her two young children. She also uncovers the secret life her husband lived and is bent on finding his killer. The other woman, Marvena Whitcomb is strong-willed and loses her common law husband, who was the local union organizer in the mines trying to save others. Her quest is to find out what has happened to her daughter.

This novel was a very nice piece of historical fiction from a woman’s point of view dealing with a mining community dominated by men and tears down stereotypes put on women of the time. It has its twists and turns surrounding the greed of people involved in the coal mining industry in the 1920s and did not disappoint. It began strong and held this reader’s attention until the end.

I think the author did a very good job with researching the history of her story bringing forth as story inspired by true events. I loved the strong convictions and courage held by these two women as they learned to understand and trust each other. Truly a wonderful book.

4.5 Stars

I've been thinking about how to best write about this book by first time author Jess Montgomery. First time author! Wow, Ms. Montgomery writes like an experienced novelist as she effectively creates a place, characters and narrative tension. She has written what I consider to be a truly excellent debut novel.

The Widows are Lily and Marvena, each of whom has children, has lost a husband and is trying not to lose her way. Life in Bronwyn County, Ohio for them and those they love, following WWI is full of hardship. Coal is king and a harsh master. Poverty and company scrip rule many lives.

In this world, Marvena and her common law husband John have worked to organize the miners. This is a freighted and difficult task given the strong arm tactics of the mine owners. Pinkertons are brought in to quell resistance. Other outsiders try to dominate illegal moonshine businesses.

On the surface, Lily's life looks better. She is married to Sheriff Daniel Ross, a former boxer and half brother to the mine owner. However, early in the novel, Daniel is killed. The circumstances surrounding his death are a central mystery in the novel.

Both Marvena and Lily have relationship history with Daniel. Each realizes that she did not fully know him. As they come to know one another, Lily and Marvena come to also know themselves.

Peopled with many additional characters that come vividly to life, this novel is engaging, realistic and compelling. Put it on your TBR pile for January when it will be released. I recommend this one very highly.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author and St. Martin's Minotaur for this fantastic read!

RELEASE DATE: January 8, 2019

RATING: 4 - Definitely a book worth reading…

GENRE: Historical Fiction, Women’s Fiction

AUDIENCE: Fans of Tawny O’Dell and Lee Martin should truly enjoy reading this book.

SERIES: Standalone

REVIEW: "The Widows" is set in 1920’s Ohio, in a small town that caters to the mining company that is its bread and butter. Lily Ross enjoys relative comfort as the Sheriff’s wife of the small county of Bronwyn County. She serves as jail mistress, and enjoys working alongside her husband, Daniel. Her family has deep roots in the area, and her husband’s connections with the owner of the local mine give her a strong understanding of local politics. Early in the story, her husband is killed transporting a prisoner. Dealing with her loss means taking care of her two children and facing an uncertain future. It also means learning of secrets Daniel kept from her, and understanding the tenuous balance of power between miners and mine management.

Rarely is the history of coal mines and unionization addressed from the view of the women who supported their husbands and community. “The Widows” was a solidly written story of loss, need, violence, and progress. Author Jess Montgomery researched the history so thoroughly she could have been a reporter from the 1920’s, transported to our times to deliver this fabulous book.

“The Widows” opened strong and stayed interesting throughout. In the first several chapters, I was taken aback by the sheer number of characters. It’s a weakness of mine that I prefer books to not be muddled by too many characters. However, the author weaves each character into the story beautifully, so confusion was not a hindrance.

Although I started the review by describing Lily, Marvena Whitcomb plays a large role in this story and is the alternating focus in each chapter. Marvena is a strong but tried woman, common law married to a local union organizer who recently lost his life in the mines trying to save others. As Lily and Marvena learn to understand and trust each other, readers will empathize with both characters and the man who brought them together.
“The Widows” is a truly enjoyable story of the mine towns of yesteryear, and two women who worked together to avenge the death of the man they both loved.

*Tremendous thanks to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur and Netgalley for an ARC.

Story told by two different women, the chapters alternate from the two perspectives. The two don't know much about each other, but both loved the same man, and he was different with each woman. Personally I was glad to have it spelled out just what the relationship with each was. The beginning of the book introduces us to many different characters, a little confusing but clears up quickly as you get into the rhythm of the story. Lots of history from the late 1920s about coal mines, miners and union organizers. 
It's easy to picture the story, the author's descriptions flow easily and don't interfere in the telling. Good murder mystery, very strong women, great history lesson in a fictional town.

“The Widows” by Jess Montgomery takes place in Kinship Ohio in 1924, a time of prohibition, speakeasies, the start of the United Mine Workers union, the company store. This story takes place in southeastern Ohio near the West Virginia border.

Sheriff Daniel Ross is killed transporting a prisoner. Lily Ross, his wife, is determined to find the killer and avenge his death. On the day of the funeral, a woman comes to the house, not knowing that Daniel is dead. Marvena Whitcomb comes looking for information about her missing daughter. Lily senses that there is more to this story. She is asked by the town council to resume her husband’s place as sheriff until election time. She searches for Marvena and finds that there is a connection between her and her dead husband. The two women join forces, Marvena to encourage unionization of the mine and Lily to find out the truth about the murder of her husband.

There are sinister happenings going on between the coal miners, the owners, the bootleggers, and the syndicates. This is a page-turner and very interesting in light of the times and the dangers of those times. I highly recommend this book as an insight as to what might have transpired pre-union. It is based on the true story of Ohio’s first female sheriff and what she might have encountered.

In the beginning of the twentieth century, two women are united through grief and the determination to uncover the truth. Lily Ross’s husband Daniel, the town sheriff has been killed in a prisoner transfer. Marevna Whitcomb, unaware of Daniels’s death, knock on Lily’s door, looking for Daniel’s help in finding her lost daughter. While at first Lily is determined to avenge her husband’s murder, together, she and Marvena discover that Daniel had many secrets and was not the man he appeared to be. I loved this story, in part because it was inspired by the real story of Ohio’s first female sheriff, bust also because Montgomery is a hell of a writer