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The Mortician's Wife
In 1912, as the new wife of the local mortician, Beatrice is settling in at the funeral parlor, but soon after, the death of a young boy sweeps a cold chill into the warmth of her new home as well as her marriage.
In 2022, fledgling author Maddy Barton isn’t surprised to discover someone was murdered in her 1912 era home. The old mansion has been giving her bad vibes ever since she moved in. But after learning who the victim was, she is determined to figure out what happened so she can put the unsettled spirit at ease.
Maddy’s husband isn’t terribly supportive of her efforts, and many of the people in the small town of Pine Grove, Minnesota have ideas—and secrets—of their own, but she’s determined to solve the gothic crime the only way she knows how—to write about it.
In 2022, fledgling author Maddy Barton isn’t surprised to discover someone was murdered in her 1912 era home. The old mansion has been giving her bad vibes ever since she moved in. But after learning who the victim was, she is determined to figure out what happened so she can put the unsettled spirit at ease.
Maddy’s husband isn’t terribly supportive of her efforts, and many of the people in the small town of Pine Grove, Minnesota have ideas—and secrets—of their own, but she’s determined to solve the gothic crime the only way she knows how—to write about it.
- GenresMystery
260 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 19, 2023
About the author
Jody Wenner
22 books80 followersJody Wenner is a Midwestern author with several independently and traditionally published novels. Shorter stories and articles can be found in the pages of Mystery Magazine Weekly, Punk Noir, Urban Pigs Press, Pistol Jim Press, The Keepthings, and Thriller101. When not writing, reading, or editing, you can find her walking her dog or obsessively knitting. Visit her at www.jodywenner.com
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 15 reviews
March 16, 2023
Thanks to both The Wild Rose Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The Mortician's Wife.
Expected Publication Date: Jun 19, 2023
In 1912, as the new wife of the local mortician, Beatrice is settling in nicely at the large home/funeral parlor in Pine Grove, Minnesota. A hundred years later, fledgling author Maddy Barton and her husband move into the same house, which is now a huge fixer-upper. As Maddy slowly meets her neighbors, she finds that many of the people in Pine Grove seem to have as many ideas as they do secrets about the house!
The premise of The Mortician's Wife was intriguing! Each of the chapters in the book flipped back and forth between 1912 and 2022. I loved Beatrice, the young wife who first lived in the house/mortuary. She seemed to have a huge heart and appeared to be wise beyond her years. I found myself less enchanted by Maddy, the 2022 wife. She wanted her first book to be about the original owners of the house but I felt she bounced around a bit too much as she chased clues and ideas.
Still, The Mortician's Wife was a good book, with an ending I didn't see coming!!
Expected Publication Date: Jun 19, 2023
In 1912, as the new wife of the local mortician, Beatrice is settling in nicely at the large home/funeral parlor in Pine Grove, Minnesota. A hundred years later, fledgling author Maddy Barton and her husband move into the same house, which is now a huge fixer-upper. As Maddy slowly meets her neighbors, she finds that many of the people in Pine Grove seem to have as many ideas as they do secrets about the house!
The premise of The Mortician's Wife was intriguing! Each of the chapters in the book flipped back and forth between 1912 and 2022. I loved Beatrice, the young wife who first lived in the house/mortuary. She seemed to have a huge heart and appeared to be wise beyond her years. I found myself less enchanted by Maddy, the 2022 wife. She wanted her first book to be about the original owners of the house but I felt she bounced around a bit too much as she chased clues and ideas.
Still, The Mortician's Wife was a good book, with an ending I didn't see coming!!
December 3, 2023
saved by the end…3.5 stars
This book was 2 stars at best for about 75% of the read. It’s slow and so crowded with tangents and backstory as to be a little maddening. I wish I could give it that extra 0.5 star though. Seriously, the author wrote what had to be 3 pgs about Maddie choosing a bed. But toward the end it picks up and blends the past and present together ok. It’s predictable but I liked Maddie and Tim came around at the end.
This book was 2 stars at best for about 75% of the read. It’s slow and so crowded with tangents and backstory as to be a little maddening. I wish I could give it that extra 0.5 star though. Seriously, the author wrote what had to be 3 pgs about Maddie choosing a bed. But toward the end it picks up and blends the past and present together ok. It’s predictable but I liked Maddie and Tim came around at the end.
June 19, 2023
When the business of dying leads to murder.
About the Book: In 1912, as the new wife of the local mortician, Beatrice is settling in at the funeral parlor, but soon after, the death of a young boy sweeps a cold chill into the warmth of her new home as well as her marriage.
In 2022, fledgling author Maddy Barton isn’t surprised to discover someone was murdered in her 1912 era home. The old mansion has been giving her bad vibes ever since she moved in. But after learning who the victim was, she is determined to figure out what happened so she can put the unsettled spirit at ease. Maddy’s husband isn’t terribly supportive of her efforts, and many of the people in the small town of Pine Grove, Minnesota have ideas—and secrets—of their own, but she’s determined to solve the gothic crime the only way she knows how—to write about it.
Our Review: Author Jody Wenner ‘sets the scene’ by introducing Maddy, a young, married woman who is juggling several burdens at the same time: renovating an old home single-handedly, reviving a flagging career, and coping with a devastating personal loss. As she works to take things one day at a time, the new home starts giving off weird vibes which not only don’t cease, but ramp up to sometimes dangerous levels. Suspicious of something along a felony line, Maddy does what she does best: research the home’s history.
Flashing back to 1912, we meet Beatrice, a hero in her own time, who struggles for justice and the rights of the poor and disadvantaged. With jealousy, envy and misogyny as constant barriers, Beatrice refuses to give up—and the reader is treated to a gothic mystery, set in the perfect location: a funeral home. One of Author Wenner’s many skills is the ability to build suspense. We wonder what she has in store next.
On a scale of 1-5 The Mortician’s Wife merits a 7.
Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews
About the Book: In 1912, as the new wife of the local mortician, Beatrice is settling in at the funeral parlor, but soon after, the death of a young boy sweeps a cold chill into the warmth of her new home as well as her marriage.
In 2022, fledgling author Maddy Barton isn’t surprised to discover someone was murdered in her 1912 era home. The old mansion has been giving her bad vibes ever since she moved in. But after learning who the victim was, she is determined to figure out what happened so she can put the unsettled spirit at ease. Maddy’s husband isn’t terribly supportive of her efforts, and many of the people in the small town of Pine Grove, Minnesota have ideas—and secrets—of their own, but she’s determined to solve the gothic crime the only way she knows how—to write about it.
Our Review: Author Jody Wenner ‘sets the scene’ by introducing Maddy, a young, married woman who is juggling several burdens at the same time: renovating an old home single-handedly, reviving a flagging career, and coping with a devastating personal loss. As she works to take things one day at a time, the new home starts giving off weird vibes which not only don’t cease, but ramp up to sometimes dangerous levels. Suspicious of something along a felony line, Maddy does what she does best: research the home’s history.
Flashing back to 1912, we meet Beatrice, a hero in her own time, who struggles for justice and the rights of the poor and disadvantaged. With jealousy, envy and misogyny as constant barriers, Beatrice refuses to give up—and the reader is treated to a gothic mystery, set in the perfect location: a funeral home. One of Author Wenner’s many skills is the ability to build suspense. We wonder what she has in store next.
On a scale of 1-5 The Mortician’s Wife merits a 7.
Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews
October 22, 2025
The Morticians Wife
By: Jodi Wenner
4 Stars
1912- Beatrice is dealing with her new place as wife to the local mortician. Soon, she finds herself involved in her husbands business, which at times, clashes with her fathers lumber business. This leads to strife and troubles in her new life. Soon, a family will be expected.
2022- Maddy feels the loss of her sister greatly. A new house, marriage, and new job for her husband, should help to heal her. Give her time to heal and write. Soon, business trips leave her alone in a house that is so old, Maddy isn't sure the history of the house, but intends to find out. Strange happenings open her mind to all kinds of questions about the previous occupants. Working on her writing, the house, and her grief lead Maddy on a journey that will change her forever.
Two women, one house, 100 or so years seperating them. This was a very interesting and rather quick read. It was easy to get swept up in the lives of these two women. Living lives so different, yet similar in so many ways. Eerie ways. This was a book that told not one, but two, powerful and haunting, stories. They meld together brilliantly, bringing tragedy, drama, and spookiness. It was a very well written book that was both descriptive and mysterious from start to finish.
*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*
Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Review
By: Jodi Wenner
4 Stars
1912- Beatrice is dealing with her new place as wife to the local mortician. Soon, she finds herself involved in her husbands business, which at times, clashes with her fathers lumber business. This leads to strife and troubles in her new life. Soon, a family will be expected.
2022- Maddy feels the loss of her sister greatly. A new house, marriage, and new job for her husband, should help to heal her. Give her time to heal and write. Soon, business trips leave her alone in a house that is so old, Maddy isn't sure the history of the house, but intends to find out. Strange happenings open her mind to all kinds of questions about the previous occupants. Working on her writing, the house, and her grief lead Maddy on a journey that will change her forever.
Two women, one house, 100 or so years seperating them. This was a very interesting and rather quick read. It was easy to get swept up in the lives of these two women. Living lives so different, yet similar in so many ways. Eerie ways. This was a book that told not one, but two, powerful and haunting, stories. They meld together brilliantly, bringing tragedy, drama, and spookiness. It was a very well written book that was both descriptive and mysterious from start to finish.
*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*
Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Review
July 20, 2023
My love for the Victorian Era naturally draws me to book titles like “The Mortician’s Wife.” And once I read the synopsis, I thought it was right up my alley. But Jody Wenner’s novel left me wanting a more in-depth storyline, characters and detailed setting.
The story in starts in 1912, and Wenner introduces Beatrice Westmoreland, whose husband owns a funeral parlor at the beginning of the industry. As expected, I was drawn to her lifestyle and story because of the time period and liked Wenner’s shift in wording to make it seem more akin to that time period.
When the story shifts to Maddy Barton in modern times, it’s a blatant change in writing style, but not in a good way, especially when it comes to the dialogue between her and her husband Tim. The relationship between the two was so stale, awkward at times and questionable to the point where I was expecting him to be a villain in the end. But he wasn’t. Maddy and Tim move into the house that used to be Beatrice’s funeral parlor after moving across the country for a job opportunity. While Tim travels for his architecture career, Maddy puts together the house and works on writing her first novel. After stumbling across letters written by Beatrice, Maddy founds the inspiration for her aspiring novel.
Wenner goes back and forth narrating the lives of the two women and their struggles; Maddy thinks the house is haunted and there are rumors about a murder that took place in her house. Beatrice and her husband are struggling to keep their business afloat while her brother-in-law raises her suspicions with his odd behavior. While the characters had potential, they came across as one-sided and underdeveloped.
A couple of twists made the story more engaging, but they weren’t satisfying enough to keep an interesting narrative. Although there were some things I wish Wenner had done differently, “The Mortician’s Wife” would be well suited to someone wanting to dabble in Victorian Era stories with a dual timeline.
The story in starts in 1912, and Wenner introduces Beatrice Westmoreland, whose husband owns a funeral parlor at the beginning of the industry. As expected, I was drawn to her lifestyle and story because of the time period and liked Wenner’s shift in wording to make it seem more akin to that time period.
When the story shifts to Maddy Barton in modern times, it’s a blatant change in writing style, but not in a good way, especially when it comes to the dialogue between her and her husband Tim. The relationship between the two was so stale, awkward at times and questionable to the point where I was expecting him to be a villain in the end. But he wasn’t. Maddy and Tim move into the house that used to be Beatrice’s funeral parlor after moving across the country for a job opportunity. While Tim travels for his architecture career, Maddy puts together the house and works on writing her first novel. After stumbling across letters written by Beatrice, Maddy founds the inspiration for her aspiring novel.
Wenner goes back and forth narrating the lives of the two women and their struggles; Maddy thinks the house is haunted and there are rumors about a murder that took place in her house. Beatrice and her husband are struggling to keep their business afloat while her brother-in-law raises her suspicions with his odd behavior. While the characters had potential, they came across as one-sided and underdeveloped.
A couple of twists made the story more engaging, but they weren’t satisfying enough to keep an interesting narrative. Although there were some things I wish Wenner had done differently, “The Mortician’s Wife” would be well suited to someone wanting to dabble in Victorian Era stories with a dual timeline.
June 10, 2024
I highly recommend The Mortician’s Wife. It is beautifully written, and a must read for book clubs because of the different themes that are addressed in the story. Upfront the book is a mystery that draws the parallels between two women. One is Beatrice Westmorland from 1912 and the other is Maddy Barton in 2022. Both women are newlywed, separated from their families that they grew up with and suffering from a personal loss they are trying to overcome. The book moves easily from one woman to other drawing their similarities and differences without losing the readers.
Maddy and her husband moved into a home that was once Beatrice and her husband Charles’ home. The home in 1912 was used as a mortuary and frequently held funerals in the home. Maddy, trying to overcome her personal problems, finds a hidden cache of letters and is drawn into Beatrice’s life. She realizes not only is there a mystery to solve but there’s also a pathway to help her heal and move forward in her own life through discovering the mystery Beatrice left behind.
Maddy and her husband moved into a home that was once Beatrice and her husband Charles’ home. The home in 1912 was used as a mortuary and frequently held funerals in the home. Maddy, trying to overcome her personal problems, finds a hidden cache of letters and is drawn into Beatrice’s life. She realizes not only is there a mystery to solve but there’s also a pathway to help her heal and move forward in her own life through discovering the mystery Beatrice left behind.
June 24, 2023
The Mortician’s Wife is a compelling read centered around juxtapositions: two marriages, two eras and two very different women. In fact, there are really only two things connecting Maddy and Bea, their residence and their passion, writing.
Modern day Maddy learns about Bea through the letters she penned to her sister. And while discovering the other woman’s past, she learns more about herself by drawing from the long-deceased woman’s life and letting it inspire her to face her fears and live more authentically in her own life.
The characters in this book felt true to life and were dealing with real insecurities and issues that appear in marriages where partners have very different personalities. But the best thing about this novel is how it tackles serious subject matter and yet still manages to give off an air of hope (not to mention the fact that it’s all wrapped up in a murder mystery)!
Modern day Maddy learns about Bea through the letters she penned to her sister. And while discovering the other woman’s past, she learns more about herself by drawing from the long-deceased woman’s life and letting it inspire her to face her fears and live more authentically in her own life.
The characters in this book felt true to life and were dealing with real insecurities and issues that appear in marriages where partners have very different personalities. But the best thing about this novel is how it tackles serious subject matter and yet still manages to give off an air of hope (not to mention the fact that it’s all wrapped up in a murder mystery)!
March 29, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
This was a decent thriller read. Told from two different time periods, 1912 and 2022, and two points of view.
Definitely recommend this one for others to check out and read. Very unique book with the different timelines and a decent thriller.
This was a decent thriller read. Told from two different time periods, 1912 and 2022, and two points of view.
Definitely recommend this one for others to check out and read. Very unique book with the different timelines and a decent thriller.
June 21, 2023
Perfect beach read. Fantastic characters with incredible depth. You truly feel like you’ve known these people your whole life.
July 1, 2023
Well-written with dual timelines and points of view with an ending I didn’t see coming!
September 1, 2023
I love a book with dual timeline/PoVs and I love all things creepy and victorian! This story did not disappoint! So happy to have been lucky enough to read an ARC copy.
April 28, 2024
Great book.
April 10, 2023
I'm a huge fan of dual timelines and this book did not disappoint! It flips between 1912 and 2022 following Beatrice, the mortician's wife, and Maddy, the young writer who moves into the same house 110 years later. The plot was engaging and the characters were well developed. I really enjoyed the twists and turns, and the ending was quite satisfying.
August 25, 2023
A cozy read beginning to end
I love a good mystery. I read this in one sitting because I couldn't put it down and had to know how it ended. kudos!
I love a good mystery. I read this in one sitting because I couldn't put it down and had to know how it ended. kudos!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 15 reviews