The Widower's Two-Step
by Rick Riordan
Bantam 2013
Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade
Reading level 5.9 (5th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+
Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Retailer links may be affiliate links.
Genre
Themes
- justice vs. revenge
- loyalty
- grief
- corruption
- truth-seeking
- ambition
- Texas culture
- perseverance
About this book
Tres Navarre is just hours away from earning his P.I. license when a simple surveillance job on a country musician takes a deadly turn. After witnessing a fiddle player’s murder, Tres is drawn into the cutthroat Texas music scene where missing tapes, hidden motives, and dangerous secrets collide. Fast-paced and witty, this crime novel blends sharp humor with taut suspense. Best for mature high school readers and adults who enjoy smart private-eye mysteries with a strong sense of place.
Setting: San Antonio and the Texas music scene, late 1990s
Readers also enjoyed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Widower's Two-Step right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for The Widower's Two-Step. The reading level is AR 5.9, which is typical for 5th grade. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 14+ (9th–12th grade). Themes include justice vs. revenge, loyalty, grief.
How long does it take to read The Widower's Two-Step?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, The Widower's Two-Step takes around 12h to finish. The book has 120,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does The Widower's Two-Step have an AR quiz?
Yes — The Widower's Two-Step has an AR quiz available, worth 17 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is The Widower's Two-Step?
The Widower's Two-Step has an AR reading level of 5.9, which places it at a 5th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.