I highly recommend “The Cemetery Keeper’s Wife” by Maryann McFadden to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and mystery. McFadden’s writing draws the reader directly into the plot and I wanted to scream at Tillie so she wouldn’t trust others.
She doesn’t want sympathy for her characters, but wants to show determination and self-growth. From the very first I was captured by the passion and direct narrative of the author. While following Tillie’s story, readers find someone who only wants to make her life better regardless of poverty, disregard for education, jealousy and shame.
Just as we see today, those who are not guilty spend years in prison. I loved how she talks about cover-ups and charging anyone with the crime so as to not tarnish the town’s name or its leadership. This is the author’s fourth book, and she expertly provides just enough mystery and tension, yet at the same time her presentation of what each character experiences is heartbreaking. She presents the right number of characters so as not to overwhelm readers. McFadden does an excellent job of seamlessly going between Tillie’s story, and the turmoil Rachel is experiencing. Each woman tries to make their lives better in any small way they can. As Rachel continues to investigate she finds that although their circumstances were different, each was abused, and used by men. Something about Tillie Smith draws Rachel to investigate more about her death in fact, she becomes obsessed. While exploring the grounds of the cemetery Rachel is enamored by the striking and beautiful headstone of Tillie Smith, a kitchen maid who died over 130 years ago. After a traumatic event at the age of eighteen Rachel is having a hard time healing which has impacted all her relationships with men. “The Cemetery Keeper’s Wife” by Maryann McFadden will bring out every emotion from readers as they follow Rachel Miller who marries Adam, a seventh generation cemetery keeper, after knowing him for only twelve weeks. Reviewed by Carol Hoyer for Reader Views (6/18)
0 kommentar(er)
