Read time – 3 minutes
Book Blurb:
Journalist Cat Conway heads to a luxury wellness summit expecting fluff, but lands in another murder mystery, this time involving influencers, secrets, and her own mother. With The Quill & Packet on the brink of collapse and a killer on the loose, Cat must juggle scandals, protests, and family drama to uncover the truth before someone else silences her for good.
Let’s talk about the book:
“Isolated lines created when paragraphs begin on the last line of the page are known as “Orphans.” They have no past but they do have a future and they need not trouble the typographer. The stub ends left when paragraphs end on the first line of a page are called Widows. They have a past but not a future, and they look foreshortened and forlorn.”
– Robert Bringhurst, The Elements of Typographic Style
This quote, which appears at the start of the book, is a perfect metaphor for the heart of Widows and Orphans: a story about legacy, loss, resilience, and rewriting the narrative.
Having reviewed the first book in the series, Bury the Lead, I was excited to return to Port Ellis. This sequel, Widows and Orphans, raises the stakes and deepens the emotional core.
Widows and Orphans, the second installment of the Quill & Packet mystery series, is a sharp step up from the first. The plot is tighter, the mystery more layered, and the stakes, both personal and professional, are deeply felt. The story cleverly folds in current issues like influencer culture, media ethics, and the politics of public opinion, all while grounding us in the warm, chaotic newsroom of Port Ellis.
Maryne Young picks up much better in this one, and the connection to all of the characters in the audiobook is instant. I especially loved how Cat’s relationships deepened with all of her family members, and with the staff at the Quill & Packet. The connection she is building with Amir is handled with subtlety and warmth, adding emotional depth without overwhelming the plot.
While the mystery kept me hooked, it’s the characters and their connections that lingered. Kate Hilton & Elizabeth Renzetti have brought more soul to this sequel. They reveal that a mystery isn’t just about who did it. It’s also about who we are to each other when everything’s on the line.
Would I recommend it?
Yes, definitely. The mystery, the characters, the relationships, and the vibe of the story should definitely not be missed.
What are your thoughts?
What about you? Do you enjoy mysteries with a mix of media satire and family drama? Have you read Widows and Orphans or the first Quill & Packet book (Bury the Lead)? I’d love to hear your take on Cat, the mystery, or your favorite cozy mystery series. Drop in a comment below.
Where can you find the book?
Purchase Widows and Orphans (The Quill & Packet Mystery) by Kate Hilton & Elizabeth Renzetti on Kobo
View Widows and Orphans (The Quill & Packet Mystery) by Kate Hilton & Elizabeth Renzetti on Goodreads
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