“THE WIDOW” by Kaira Rouda

“The real power in Washington belongs to the people behind the scenes.
The people with money and real influence.
The people who have a clear long-term mission.”

From my husband, I have learned about mid-term elections in the U.S.A.
From the writer Kaira Rouda and her latest novel, “THE WIDOW,” I have learned what it means to be the wife of a House Representative-elect.

For me, the most satisfying learning was the latter, not only because of the wife’s perspectives on politics but also for her financial’s wants as a vehicle behind the politics.

“Behind every successful man is a ruthless wife who made it all happen, or so they say.”

Even though the wife pushes her husband to bring more money, the husband is not so innocent when he sells his votes to the highest bidder. And this time, China is involved in American politics through lobbyists.

“I suppose I learned that lesson early.
I couldn’t count on my mom, and she was all I had.
So I taught myself just about everything as a kid, without a lot of praise.
I guess I was in training for this spouse role from a young age.
I even taught myself to love, because my mom was incapable of it.”

“I don’t trust anyone. Never have.
I learned that at a young age.
The minute you trust someone, they’ll let you down. It’s the way of the world.
I prefer to pretend to trust while verifying everything. Verifying everything requires perfecting certain incognito sleuthing abilities, of course.
That’s how I’ve honed my lock-picking skills. I had a lot to verify through the years, with my daughter, my husband, certain friends.
You’d be surprised what you find out, the truth you uncover, when you snoop around on the ones you love.”

Kindle, 2022