Why were the four partners of a Rhode Island law firm on a private plane to begin with when it tragically crashed near New York City? They were supposed to be at a meeting near the firm and afterward, they were to attend their firm's Christmas party. They never made it and there is much that doesn't add up.
Set in Rhode Island in 1985, four talented authors have crafted the cleverly told story of what happens to the widows left behind. In YOUNG RICH WIDOWS, a novel by Kimberly Belle, Cate Holahan, Layne Fargo, and Vanessa Lillie, each author has created the character of one of the widows, and their stories are seamlessly combined. Comedy is combined with drama and it works perfectly! The widows are a varied group: a former model with a young son: a stunning second wife; a stripper who is the partner of the only female partner and perhaps the most delightful of them all is the widow of the founding partner. While these women are not friends, they soon learn it becomes a matter of life and death (probably theirs) that they work together to find out what their husbands were really up to. They find themselves in precarious situations but they are always well dressed and when comfort is needed they can offer a shoulder pad to lean on. There is unexpected violence, but this is when they shine. The dialogue is often priceless and as for the secondary characters, they are a unique group.
While the novel deals with serious issues, it also delves into the complexities of female relationships, especially under dire circumstances. For those readers who loved the music of the 80s, the story's playlist doesn't disappoint. I encourage reading the A Conversation with the Authors & Widows section at the end of the book. It is well worth reading. I really enjoyed reading this unique book and I am hoping for a sequel. Highly recommended.