The Widow

It's about a child gone missing and is told in alternating viewpoints; Jean, the Widow, who is also the wife of the prime suspect, the detective on the case, the mother of the missing child and a reporter in relentless pursuit of the big story. Each character is well developed and adds a unique perspective to the overall plot. Two characters really stood out for me; Jean who has a voice that is real and touching, one that will keep you reading just to find out what happens to her. She is in the middle of a high profile crime, her husband is accused of kidnapping the missing child and the press is unrelenting.

My other favorite is Kate, the reporter, she highlights how the media plays into situations like this and will make you think twice about how they operate. Two caveats - the topic is tough, it deals with child pornography and the comparison to THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN or GONE GIRL is a bit misleading. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the book for what it was; a well written s uspenseful mystery. And I should mention this is a debut novel for Fiona Barton - nicely done!

THE YELLOW HOUSE delves into the passion and politics of Northern Ireland at the beginning of the 20th Century. Eileen O'Neill's family is torn apart by religious intolerance and secrets from the past. Determined to reclaim her ancestral home and reunite her family, Eileen begins working at the local mill, saving her money and holding fast to her dream. As war is declared on a local and global scale, Eileen cannot separate the politics from the very personal impact the conflict has had on her own life.

She is soon torn between two men, each drawing her to one extreme. One is a charismatic and passionate political activist determined to win Irish independence from Great Britain at any cost, who appeals to her warrior's soul. The other is the wealthy and handsome black sheep of the pacifist family who owns the mill where she works, and whose persistent attention becomes impossible for her to ignore.

1. Discuss the structure of the book and why the author chose to write the story in this way. What is the effect of alternating between the perspectives of the Widow, the Reporter, the Detective and the Mother? How did this narrative structure impact your reading of the novel and your opinions about the various characters and events?

2. Discuss the character of Jean. What were your initial impressions of her? Do you think the image she presented was sincere? Why or why not? Did your opinions about her change as the novel unfolded. If so, how?

3. What do you think finally pushed Jean into telling her story? Do you think she wanted to tell her story all along? If so, what held her back?

4. What did you think of Kate's investigative methods? How does her presence in the story affect how it unfolds? Do you think the media help or hinder the police during crime investigations? Give some examples from the book to illustrate your points.

5. Discuss Jean and Glen-separately and together as a couple. How would you describe the quality of their relationship? Did your feelings about Jean change as you learned more about her and her marriage to Glen?

6. Bella's disappearance captivated the public's attention. Why do you think people were so interested in this crime and the people involved? Do you think society's morbid fascination with this crime helped or hurt the investigation? How do you think our fascination with these types of crimes affects real-life investigations?

7. Jean harbors a lot of anger toward Bella's mother, Dawn Elliott, and repeatedly accuses her of being a "bad mother" throughout the book. It's one of the rare instances where Jean gets worked up and outwardly emotional. Why do you think her reaction to Dawn is so strong? After learning about more about Dawn, do you agree with Jean?

8. Do you think Jean was as ignorant about her husband's actions as she claimed to be? Why do you think that she stood by him through the investigation and trial? If you were in her shoes, what would you have done? What might you have done differently?

9. Discuss the role that addiction and obsession play in the novel. How are the characters defined by their addictions and obsessions, and how do they drive their actions?

10. Do you think the unorthodox method of investigation-posing undercover in an Internet chat room to befriend and expose their suspect-employed by Detective Sparkes and his team was justified? Do you think they should have tried to find a link in another way? Or do you think that the ends justify the means in some cases?

11. This novel poses some difficult questions about moral choices, as the lines between guilt and innocence are repeatedly blurred. Do you think Jean is justified in doing any of the things she does throughout the book? If so, which ones?

12. Jean is not always completely truthful. How reliable is she as a narrator? Identify moments where you trusted her and moments where you doubted her. What techniques does the author use to make Jean seem both reliable and unreliable at various points in the novel?

13. Discuss the story's ending. Were you surprised by Jean's revelations? Did you think that the ending would turn out the way that it did? If not, what didn't you see coming?

14. What do you think will happen to the Widow, the Reporter, the Detective and the Mother? How do you think the revelations at the end will impact each of their lives?

15. What was your emotional reaction to The Widow? Would you call it a page-turner, and, if so, how does the author ratchet up the suspense? Discuss specific moments that were jarring for you as a reader and how the author kept you on edge.