Kindle Price: $2.50

Save $13.99 (85%)

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs

Follow the author

Cynthia Fridsma
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Black Widow (The Nightbird series) Kindle Edition

by Cynthia Fridsma (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 5 ratings
See all formats and editions
On the 13th of April 2013, the Boston Marathon goes from a happy event to one filled with horror and carnage as two bombs explode within a mere twelve seconds of each other. The events are horrible enough on their own, but as an investigation commences, it is discovered that the bombing is not just the work of terrorists. A wicked vampire plans to work with the terrorists to use a biological bomb to stoke the flames of fear in the heart of Boston and to bring down the whole nation as well. Do Jack and Catherine have it in them to take down the terrorists and a vampire set on unleashing a reign of terror on Boston?
Previous page
  1. Part of series
    The Nightbird series
  2. Print length
    370 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    May 6, 2016
  6. File size
    2482 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
Next page
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card
Next 5 for you in this series See full series
Total Price: $13.50
By clicking on the above button, you agree to Amazon's Kindle Store Terms of Use

Editorial Reviews

Review

Reviewed By Sefina Hawke
The Black Widow (Bombs Cause a Panic in Boston) by Cynthia Fridsma was a very well-written book with an attention-grabbing cover that pulled me to it the moment I saw it. As someone who was not personally impacted by the events that took place during the 2013 Boston Marathon, I found the book to be quite haunting to read (in a good way). However, I found that it was best that I did not read the book right before bed or I would be left dreaming about the events.

I liked the paranormal twist of the Black Widow and the way the author kept me guessing about the Black Widow until the very end. I found that Jack's job at the Anti Terrorism Unit (ATU) reminded me of the 24 TV series' Jack Bauer, but I found that I liked Jack in this book better, especially with the addition of Catherine's supernatural perspective. Overall, I found the book to be a great read, but the realism the author gave to the events leads me to caution anyone with personal experience of the 2013 Boston events to take care when reading it. - Readers' Favorite

From the Author

During the annual Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013, two homemade pressure-cooker bombs detonated near the finish line of the race, killing three people and injuring several hundred others, including seventeen who lost limbs.

Three days later, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released images of two suspects. Following the suspects' identification, they killed an MIT policeman, kidnapped a man in his car, and had a shootout with the police in nearby Watertown, during which two officers were severely injured (one of whom died a year later). Tamerlan was shot several times, and his brother Dzhokhar ran him over while escaping in the stolen car; Tamerlan died soon after.

An unprecedented manhunt for Dzhokhar ensued on April 19, with thousands of law enforcement officers searching a 20-block area of Watertown; residents of Watertown and surrounding communities were asked to stay indoors, and the transportation system and most businesses and public places closed. Around 6:00 p.m., a Watertown resident discovered Dzhokhar hiding in a boat in his backyard. Dzhokhar was shot and wounded by police before being taken into custody (source: Boston Marathon bombing - Wikipedia)

It filled my heart with horror when I watched the news broadcast about the bombings in Boston. It was back then that I decided to work on a story involving the Boston Marathon bombings in May 2013, and hopefully make people aware of the horror and insanity of terrorism.


The two terrorists, responsible for the bombings were later identified as Chechen Kyrgyzstani-American brothers Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and Tamerlan Tsarnaev. In The Black Widow, I renamed the two terrorists Vladimir Azarov and Nikolay Azarov. The reason for this was because my editor suggested their names are hard to pronounce for most Americans.

After four revisions on my part, I contacted junior editor Amanda. Together with Amanda, I worked on the project from June2014 until April 2015. I was about to publish The Black Widow when my mother suddenly passed away on May 12.

Heartbroken, I put my project on hold until July. Before the publication of The Black Widow, I contacted my proofreader, Tami Adams, and sent her the first three chapters of my book.

On August 6, Tami warned me about the poor quality of the editing process. Tami's reply was a lifesaver--otherwise, I'd have published an amateurish version of The Black Widow in 2015.

Instead of going back to my junior editor for a final draft, I decided to hire a professional. I contacted Danielle Seybold on august 6. Danielle turned out to be a great help and finally, on May 14, 2016,I published The Black Widow.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01FB6YZSA
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ CynthiaFridsma.COM; 3rd edition (May 6, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 6, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2482 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 370 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 5 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Cynthia Fridsma

Cynthia Fridsma

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

As far back as she can remember, Cynthia has been listening to exciting stories told by her mother. She grew up reading books from Edgar Allan Poe, H. P. Lovecraft, and Philip K. Dick, among others.

It was Cynthia’s mother who inspired her to start telling—and writing—her own stories.

Ms. Fridsma’s writing career started after a handicap in 2014—she has a tremor in her right hand, numbness in the fingers, and pain in her wrist. She had to give up her other creative outlets, such as photography, computer programming, and gave up on juggling, so focused on what she could do rather than what she couldn’t do.

Besides writing, she sometimes plays guitar—in Jimi Hendrix style.

Cynthia lives with her husband and pet bunny Max in Amsterdam.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
5 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Ravi Bedi
4.0 out of 5 stars Black Widow is not for the weakhearts
Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2016
The Black Widow is not a story for the weak hearted. There are horrific terror attacks, biological bombs, and brutal murders at every step of the way. The story is told from multiple POVs, which is fine if you can keep track of all the characters tumbling out of the closet at regular intervals. It does become difficult at times because too much is going on at every given time.
Then there are zombies, blood-sucking vampires, ATU/FBI…and a whole lot of gruesome murders. Terrorism combined with blood-sucking monsters send goose pimples crawling on your neck all the time. The author has clearly painted horrific pictures while skillfully negotiating away from revealing all about the mysterious widow aptly described as ‘Black Widow’. For those interested in this genre will find enough to keep talking for days. The narrative is par for the course, but it will haunt me for many days. Readers are warned not to read at night, unless you enjoy nightmares of the worst kind.
The language was rich, and the descriptions couldn’t have been better, though frightening at times. I wish the author the very best.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Martin Scanlan
4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Beach Or Train Novel
Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2016
This is an interesting read. Kind of like watching a season of 24, but with vampires thrown in. The plot is a little convoluted, and there are a shade too many characters for my taste, but it hangs together well and holds the interest, especially if you're already a fan of ant-terrorist thrillers, vampires, or both, which as it happens I am. And it does all come together in the end. Also, I should mention this is apparently part of a series, the second novel, I think, and I haven't read the first one yet, so that may have contributed to my confusion. You should probably start at the series beginning,

Not a book I will be re-reading every year or so, but then the only book I do that with is Orwell's 1984, so Ms. Fridsma is in good company.
Helpful
 Report
Craig gillan
3.0 out of 5 stars probably great book if that's your
Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2016
Struggled a bit with this book as I thought if was crime/thriller type of story but it involved vampires and stuff, probably great book if that's your thing
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Mattie
4.0 out of 5 stars TERROISM & VAMPIRES!!!
Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2016
Cynthia Fridsma has put a wonderful paranormal spin in this novel. It deals with the world of terrorism & vampires. What a combination. Her writing style is smooth & she has a knack of keeping you interested in getting to the next chapter. It is a crime/ thriller with a hint of paranormal. Not everyone can do this but Cynthia Fridsma can & does. I highly recommend this book. Thank you, Cynthia for the opportunity to read an ARC for review.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Report an issue

Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report