The Widow

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. At the start of the novel, how did you view Simon Latch? Did you find him to be a sympathetic character, a frustrating one, or something else entirely? How did your feelings about him evolve as he went from a greedy schemer to a wrongly convicted man?

2. The legal thriller genre often features ambitious lawyers, like those in Grisham’s The Firm (1991). How does Simon, a burnt-out and disillusioned lawyer, compare to other protagonists you might have encountered in this genre? Do you think his mid-career crisis makes his ethical collapse more believable or compelling?

3. The revelation that Netty Barnett’s fortune was a complete fabrication is a major turning point. How did this twist affect your experience of the story? Did you see it coming, and how did it change your perspective on Simon’s motivations and Netty’s character?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Simon feels trapped by career burnout and financial pressures, which leads him down a disastrous path. Think about a time when you’ve felt intense pressure, either professionally or personally. How did you navigate that situation, and what do you think separates a justifiable compromise from a decision that crosses a moral line?

2. The novel shows how quickly a public narrative can form, like the “greedy lawyer” story that convicts Simon in the court of public opinion before he even enters a courtroom. Have you ever witnessed a situation where a simplified story took hold, regardless of the full truth? How does this aspect of the book connect to our modern world of social media and 24-hour news cycles?

3. Matilda’s long-standing loyalty to Simon fractures after he deliberately lies to her about drafting Netty’s new will. Have you ever faced the consequences of breaking trust in a professional relationship? How difficult is it to repair that kind of damage once it’s done?

4. Simon’s relationship with his children is already strained by his secrets and the divorce, and it’s put under immense stress by his trial and conviction. In what ways does parenthood, or other familial responsibilities, motivate or complicate your own actions or decision-making?

5. The desire for a single big win to solve all his problems is a powerful driver for Simon, both in his gambling and his pursuit of Netty’s estate. Why do you think this kind of “quick fix” thinking can be so tempting for people facing complex challenges? Have you ever fallen for this kind of temptation? What was the result?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The entire plot is set in motion by the real temporary repeal of the US federal estate tax in 2010. How does grounding the story in this specific economic loophole make the characters’ motivations feel more urgent or plausible? What does the novel’s focus on inheritance law suggest about our society’s relationship with wealth?

2. The Widow explores how the legal system and the media can feed off each other to create a narrative that leads to a wrongful conviction. Where do you see parallels today in how high-profile legal cases are portrayed in the news? How might public pressure influence the pursuit of justice?

3. A key subplot involves a hospital and a law firm covering up a serial killer’s crimes to avoid liability and protect their profits. What does this part of the story suggest about the tension between corporate ethics and public safety?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. What is the significance of Simon’s secret apartment, which he calls “The Closet”? How does this physical space function as a symbol for his psychological state, his isolation, and his pattern of deception?

2. Netty’s will is a central symbol in the story. How does its meaning evolve from a simple legal document to a representation of greed, and finally, to the cornerstone of the prosecution’s case against Simon?

3. Grisham tells the story almost exclusively from Simon’s point of view. How does this close third-person perspective shape your understanding of his moral compromises?

4. The legal thriller genre often features a morally compromised protagonist, as seen in works like Scott Turow’s Presumed Innocent (1987). In what ways does Simon Latch fit this archetype, and where does he diverge from it? Do you see him as a good man who makes bad choices, or something more complex?

5. Is Netty Barnett best understood as a villain, a victim, or a tragic figure? How does her elaborate, decade-long deception complicate your ability to sympathize with her?

6. Simon’s compulsive gambling is a recurring motif. How does Grisham use Simon’s sports betting to mirror and reinforce the high-stakes gamble he takes with Netty’s fabricated estate and, ultimately, his own life?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine you are Alan Teel, the lawyer who quit his firm after they covered up Oscar Kofie’s initial crimes. What might you write in a journal entry on the night after you give Simon the thumb drive with the secret investigation file?

2. If you were to design a new book cover for The Widow, what imagery or symbols would you use to capture its central themes? Would you focus on the fabricated fortune, the flawed justice system, or Simon’s personal collapse, and how would you represent that visually?

3. Put yourself in the shoes of Raymond Lassiter right after the guilty verdict. With Simon free for 84 days, you decide to hire a private investigator. What are the first three instructions you give them to start the search for the real killer?