Ms. Cox has crafted a truly captivating narrative, showcasing the resilience and compassion of Eliza Hamilton during a tumultuous period. Eliza's unwavering love for her husband and her determination to provide for and safeguard her children are truly commendable. In the aftermath of her husband's tragic demise, Eliza's strength, which she had cultivated since her childhood, shines through. This strength enables her to endure the loss of a son, navigate the treacherous path of clearing her son's name in a murder accusation, and even uncover her husband's innocence in a previous scandal. Throughout the story, we catch glimpses of Eliza's efforts to assist women and children, a testament to her selflessness and empathy. Despite Alexander Hamilton's flaws and transgressions, Eliza remained devoted to him, choosing to see beyond his shortcomings. The tale also highlights the invaluable connections Eliza forges with other widowed lacemakers, who possess knowledge of their husbands' secrets and have access to the inner workings of New York's high-society families. These women willingly join forces with Eliza to prove her son's innocence and protect her own life, as well as the lives of those aiding her, as the body count rises.

I loved the title. I loved the subject but I couldn't get deep with it. I thought there would be more depth to the characters. I love historical books but again, I want to KNOW the characters.

This book was interesting and a story I hadn't heard before. Keeps the reader's attention without being a scary mystery.

Like the narrator. Pace was slow but made sense for the time frame. Just couldn’t keep my attention after a while because of it being drawn out.

Stars: 4.5

Narrator: Nicol Zanzarella

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The combination of writing, story, main and supporting characters, as well as Zanzarella was the perfect recipe.

Eliza is the woman I want in my mind when I read period books. No names, and there are only a couple that fit, are coming to me right now; most authors write whiny women. Hip Hip Hooray for Cox -- Eliza is a great character. With that said, the other ladies are perfect as well. Everyone had a role and each played it beautifully. This is a book I would love to see as a series. The author has written solid characters with multiple interests; there doesn't have to be a murder in every one. I like the role that the lace played. I teared up a couple times.

As far as narration, I felt like the book was being read to me with few voice changes, and loved it. It didn't feel performed. Zanzarella was the perfect choice. In my head, she is what I think I sound like when I read aloud -- calming and caring.

I would gift this to everyone. This is for teens going into adult books, adults. and elderly. It would make a worry-insult free audio book gift as well (nursing home). The language is classy.

Thank you HighBridge Audio for accepting my request to read and review The Lace. Widow on NetGalley.

This was good! It was not quite what I was expecting, but it kept me captivated the whole time. The character development was spot on and the plot was very original.

A fast-paced mystery that picks up right after the duel of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. I found myself immediately immersed in the story line as Eliza Hamilton seeks out to find the truth of the mystery deaths that are occurring and to clear her husband and son. Mollie Ann Cox portrays Eliza Hamilton to be a strong-willed and formidable character, who doesn't let society's rules stop her in finding out the truth with her group of acquaintances. Not only did I enjoy Eliza's character, but I also enjoyed Alice and Jo. I also enjoyed the historical details that were found throughout the story. The narration of the story was a perfect fit and kept me in the story the whole time! The pace of the audio and the voices were perfect! Thank you to NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for an advanced audio copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Eliza Hamilton, the lace widow, has 8 children and a lot of debt. She goes to work selling finely made lace.

Also, her 18y/o son, Alexander Jr. Is under suspicion for a murder. She works desperately to clear his name.

I really enjoyed this novel!

Many thanks to Net Galley and HighBridge Audio for an audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love books that combine history with fiction and I've always been fascinated by the whole Alexander Hamilton situation. I absolutely love that his wife was not going to take the issues surrounding her family lying down and did what she needed to do to protect them! This was my 1st book by Molline Ann Cox but I can't wait to read more. I hope that this becomes a series, I would love to read more of Eliza Hamilton's antics!

#TheLaceWidow
#NetGalley

THE LACE WIDOW
𝙼𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚎 𝙰𝚗𝚗 𝙲𝚘𝚡
12/12/24

🪡 𝚂𝚢𝚗𝚘𝚙𝚜𝚒𝚜:
New York City, 1804. Eleven days ago Alexander Hamilton met his fate in a duel with Aaron Burr, making Eliza Schuyler Hamilton a widow. Eliza’s oldest surviving son, Alexander Jr. has been seen fighting with a man who has now been found dead. But, not just any man, a witness to the duel. Suspicions arise.

Eliza is desperate to find a way to clear Alexander’s name so she searches through Alexander’s desk and papers for any clue she can find. Instead she finds evidence of a plot to steal money from the government when Alexander was Secretary of State. He was accused of this himself and he and his family barely survived the slander.

As each witness to the duel slowly starts disappearing, Eliza realizes she may be the next target. But, Alexander left them with no money and she needs to clear both Alexander’s names. Will she be able to raise the funds to restore the dignity to the Hamilton name? Can she outsmart the killer?

📜𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:

I was immediately drawn to this book because, like so many others, I was bitten by the Hamilton bug almost 8 years ago. So when I saw this was a story from Eliza’s perspective I knew I had to read it and I was not disappointed. This was filled with lots of great historical facts (great authors note!) but it also has just the right amount of fictional twists and characters that seem so realistic. If I didn’t know better I could believe this was all factually based. The side characters, especially Alice, are truly delightful. I’d love an entire book about Alice!

I did a tandem read with the print and audio versions and the audio kept me fully invested. Nicol Zanzarella has such a captivating voice. Between the story itself and the narration I was so transfixed I reorganized my pantry!

🖤𝚁𝙸𝚈𝙻:
-Historic events
-Mystery and intrigue
-Strong FMC
-Hamilton ⭐️

🗝️Thank you @molliebryan @crookedlandbooks and @highbridgeaudio for the early review copies.
These thoughts are my own.
#supportindieauthors

I flip flopped between liking the book to disliking the book. The author tried very hard to address issues of the era by make the main character have modern ideal such as anti-slavery and women's rights. I appreciate it was addressed, but there are times it was jarring and clunky. I like the portrayal of a group of independent women who make their own money and do not rely on men. However, I found the it confusing when the author would say or do things that didn't match the story or the greater narrative. I also didn't like the concept that was pushed by the main character that greatness is something someone is born with rather than the growth mindset that people can learn and grow. Once again, there are modern ideas sprinkled in there, but then very antiquated and contradictory statements from main characters. This book is ok at best for me.

I love historical fiction and mystery and I was blessed with both in this book. A good read with the author doing intensive research to write this book. The characters are well-developed, believable, and engaging. There were enough twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end. I would highly recommend this book! Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.

Apparently this is a debut novel for author Mollie Ann Cox, The Lace Widow.

It revolves around the life of Eliza Hamilton, (wife of Alexander Hamilton) just following the death of her husband after a dueling match. We find her in mourning, and trying to keep up with life and all of her children.
And just then her son is accused of killing a man.

As a mother, I know that your children are your life… so, what would you do to prove your son’s innocence? How far would you go? Could you possibly break any laws??

Read this one to find out what she did!

Beautifully written and described as we visit NYC and Harlem and surrounding areas…
Once again, women are not recognized. We are living in the early 1800’s!

Told thru Eliza and her small circle of friends/women who are helping her even though it may end up endangering their own lives!
And what a terrific little circle of friends it turns out to be!!

Oh, and did I mention that women are totally looked down upon? If you have a mind and a mouth, well you must be feeling ill !! 😮😬

Thanks to #NetGalley and #HighBridgeAudio for an ARC of this audiobook. Release date is 12/12.

3 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me, rounded up to 4.

#TheLaceWidow by #MollieAnnCox. Beautifully read by #NicolZanzarella.

Follow me for upcoming reviews and previews on FB @ #BookReviewsWithElaine or in IG @ #BookReviews_with_emsr

Happy Reading! 📚📖

This is a historical fiction book about Eliza Hamilton trying to clear the name of her son Alexander Junior when he was accused of murdering one of the witnesses at his fathers dual that just happened a month before the book starts end it goes in to them having money issues and him needing his school fees paid and so Eliza start selling her lace. I found this a good read and I love reading a book where I notice names of people that owe worth mentioning from history and although the Author did have a few historical discrepancies like Eliza saying she argued with Alexander before he left for the dual and that isn’t true because he stayed in the apartment above his office with his oldest boys who went to school in the city and he left Eliza a note that ended with the Best of wives the Best of women I don’t know why authors and historians like to keep playing on this narrative that she woke before he left for the dual because that never happened having said that which is a minor part of the book and has no place in the plot it just irritates me this was still a good book and I think as long as you don’t have historical facts mapped in your head one you will enjoy. I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

I really enjoyed this atmospheric mystery! I need more stories from this time period, with characters such as these.

I love the strong character of eliza even as a teenager
She learned a lot from the local tribe
Dancing was her passion
She shielded her daughters from the view of their good father when people wanted to ask about him
Eliza worried about her son over-drinking and having a temper like his father.
Christian values that Eliza wanted to instill in their children but failed.

The Lace Widow by Mollie Ann Cox and audiobook Narrated by Nicol Zanzarella is a great history fiction that was quite entertaining.

I enjoyed the author’s use of making Eliza Hamilton the main character and to place her in a murder mystery. Being famous, but also now an ametheur sleuth, gave her plenty of material, real and fictional, to craft a nice mystery.

Eliza is forced to investigate the mysterious deaths of two men who were associated with the infamous duel that led to her husband’s death. Her son has been implicated in one of the questionable deaths and it is Eliza’s job to find the culprit, help release her son from imprisonment, and try to begin to pick up the pieces after losing her husband so suddenly.


4/5 stars

Thank you NG and Highbridge Audio for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 12/12/23.