Launch of The First Widow by local author and businessman Rob Starr

Event hosted by Sam Thomas, of County Business Clubs Sussex and Different Hats podcast.

Well-known Brighton & Hove based businessman and entrepreneur Rob Starr officially launched his first thriller at Ironworks Studios in Brighton during a live interview with podcast host Sam Thomas. The launch was attended by over 100 guests, including friends Daley Thompson CBE, Momma Cherri, other respected local business people and family and friends. Guests enjoyed a live stage podcast interview about the book and the inspiration behind the characters, as well as book signings.

Rob Starr, author of The First Widow, said: “Wow! I’m not sure what I was expecting from The First Widow book launch, but this certainly blew me away.

“Spending the evening speaking with my close friend Sam Thomas about my career so far and this new career I’m now bringing to life. It was topped off by being surrounded by my closest friends, my incredibly supportive family and the brilliant Sussex business community.

“Signing copies of The First Widow was really the cherry on top! Now it’s time to start work on writing book three and bring book two into the world…”

Momma Cherri, celebrity chef, said: “I was thrilled to attend Ironworks Studios, for the live podcast with Rob Starr event. Rob has written a new ‘can’t put down’, page-turning thriller, The First Widow. Rob Starr is known to many as a devoted family man, a businessman, an athlete, the founder of the Starr Trust charity, helping to remove roadblocks for disadvantaged young people. Now the world will recognise and respect him as a blossoming blockbuster author. Watch this space…Kiara Fox is going to leave all other investigators in the dust when it comes to fighting crime and solving the case in front of her.”

About Rob Starr

Rob Starr owns and runs SEICO Insurance & Mortgages which has offices in Brighton, London and South Africa. His first book What The Tide Brings Back was published on 4th January 2022.

In 2008, he lost his father to cancer and set up a charity in his honour. His business covers all the running costs of the charity and, as such, his small team raises what they can from local events and gives it away as grants to young people who simply need a chance to be the best that they can be and need someone to believe in them. So far, they have raised and given away over a million pounds to over 4,000 young people. Rob is chairman and the lead at the charity – www.starrtrust.org.

Away from insurance, charities and writing, Rob loves a challenge. In 2012 he swam the English Channel. In 2013 he cycled up Le Mont Ventoux. Between 2014-2020 he did 21 Olympic Triathlons. In 2021 he completed two half Ironman Triathlons as well as his first full Ironman.  And in 2022 he completed his 52×52 challenge. This is 52 Olympic Triathlons in 52 consecutive weeks.

About The First Widow

Over a hundred husbands dead, one prisoner, one fraud investigator and countless secrets. The most horrifying case of Kiara Fox’s career…

Kiara Fox leads a seemingly ordinary life as a highly respected fraud investigator for SEICO Insurance. With a loving husband and twin daughters, her world seems perfect. But when a case involving a wealthy man named Martin Power lands on her desk, she senses something off. Despite her husband, work colleagues and friends urging her to approve the claim and move on, Kiara can’t shake the feeling that something sinister is at play.

Forced to pay the claim, Kiara soon discovers that Martin Power’s folder has vanished. In a shocking twist, she finds the missing folder hidden within another investigator’s files—Michael Hall from the Bristol office. It’s identical to her own case, sparking her determination to uncover the truth.

As innocent people begin to die, she realises there’s more behind this than first meets the eye. She finds herself up against the widows, a ruthless group of women murdering their husbands for life insurance payouts. Torn between protecting her own family and uncovering the masterminds behind the widows, Kiara faces an impossible choice.

Can Kiara stop the widows before more innocent lives are lost?