What do you think?
Rate this book
The Mortician's Wife
Five miles from the new age Mt. Shasta City, the sleepy Northern California town of Dunsmuir plays host to a nightmarish house – the Old Mortuary – where the mortician's wife spent four decades alone, and some say insane, sleeping in an alcove off one bedroom where she believed the evil spirits of the house could not get to her, harboring terrible secrets.
With the steady flow of dead bodies through the basement and the murderous events upstairs, this is the story of how the Old Mortuary of Dunsmuir became one of the most haunted houses in America as a result of the personality and misdeeds of one man, Horace Carpenter, whose eternal soul most certainly does not rest in peace, as many will attest, and probably never will.
“I have spent the night in supposedly some of the most haunted buildings in America. I have met people who could fairly be described as evil incarnate. I have been to the Old Mortuary in Dunsmuir. It is gorgeous but I wouldn't spend a single night there.” Kathleen McKenna, author of horror novels 'The Wedding Gift' and 'Family Matters'.
With the steady flow of dead bodies through the basement and the murderous events upstairs, this is the story of how the Old Mortuary of Dunsmuir became one of the most haunted houses in America as a result of the personality and misdeeds of one man, Horace Carpenter, whose eternal soul most certainly does not rest in peace, as many will attest, and probably never will.
“I have spent the night in supposedly some of the most haunted buildings in America. I have met people who could fairly be described as evil incarnate. I have been to the Old Mortuary in Dunsmuir. It is gorgeous but I wouldn't spend a single night there.” Kathleen McKenna, author of horror novels 'The Wedding Gift' and 'Family Matters'.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 18, 2011
24 people are currently reading
652 people want to read
About the author
Maralee Lowder
18 books8 followersMaralee Lowder is a writer of many genres - romance, historicals, humorous, and metaphysical fiction. While living in Dunsmuir, California, she heard stories of the haunted old mortuary on Sacramento Street, down by the railroad tracks. The writer part of her brain could not dismiss the stories she was hearing. Was the old building truly haunted? And if it was, who was haunting it - and why? She learned that yes, it is haunted, even to this day. The Mortician's Wife was inspired by the old building - and the current haunts.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
December 13, 2012
The best way to describe this book would probably be gothic lite. And, of course, gothic is to be expected from the title alone. If Lifetime television made gothic movies, this would be it. The horror in this story was only one of human kind, the watch out who you marry kind. Not a particulalry original story, but for what it was it was well done with very likeable main female characters and the relationship between them. The writing was good, strong compelling narration (few spelling mistakes here and there, but nothing terrible), made for a quick and easy read, nice way to pass a few hours.
January 1, 2019
It was Halloween night and Emily wanted to go trick or treating with her friends. Her mother finally gave in, and let her go. She told Emily, not to go near the old mortuary. Bobby Shaw was with the group of kids, he was about two years older than the rest of them. Bobby was known for getting in to all types of trouble. Bobby led the group to the old mortuary, to see the witch who lived there. One of the kids pick up a rock and throws it through the window. Everybody took off, except Emily. These green type of gas, comes right towards Emily. This stuff has a horrible smell. Emily, see the old lady, putting up a board to block the window. Without sating a word, Emily tells the old lady that she did not break her window. The old lady nods back and tells her, I know that you didn't break it. Right then and there, an instant connection took place, without a word being spoken. A few years after that, Emily was walking home from school and she passed by the old mortuary. Emily hears this wonderful music coming from the building Now every day, Emily walks by the mortuary, so she can hear the music. One day, Emily get the courage to go knock on the door. The old lady let Emily in, and that where everything changes. The old lady is not a witch but a very lonely person name Ada. Ada agrees to teach Emily how to play the organ and they become very good friends. Everything is fine, until Emily's mother gets a divorce and they have to move away. Emily is going to miss the good times, that she had with her friend. They wrote letters back and forth but that stopped after awhile. Emily's father has passed away, and leave her his house in Dunsmuir. Emily decides to move back there and make it her permanent residence. Emily was now a nurse, who was looking for a job. She wonder if her friend was still a live. It had been almost ten years since Emily had seen Ada. Emily was sure that she must have passed away. To Emily's surprise, Ada was still alive. Ada had visiting nurses coming in but they would not stay very long. She would drive them away. Jim Matthews, the local MD, suggest that maybe Emily could take care of Ada. Ada was against it in the begging but final gave in. In turns out, that all Ada wanted to do, is tell her story to Emily. Ada lived a terrible life, with a husband who did not care about her. Ada also told Emily, why she has to stay in the mortuary. The characters in this story, were well developed. This makes the story even stronger. The is the first book in a trilogy. I plan on checking out the other two books, in this series. The funny thing is, there is an old mortuary, in Dunsmuir, California, that is for sale.
August 20, 2018
The story begins when Emily is a little girl and gets her first glimpse of Ada on a long ago Halloween night. Emily is out trick or treating away from parental supervision for the first time. Everyone knows to stay away from the creepy old mortuary and the crazy old witch lady Ada, but lonely Emily finds a kinship with her and for a brief time they become friends. Years later they reconnect when Emily is a grown woman and Ada is now in her 90s with deteriorating health and needs someone to help her with her daily needs. Gradually, Ada tells Emily her life story and how she came to be living above the mortuary and why she refuses to leave. It is a heartbreaking tale that ends a bit abruptly since it is the first in a series.
I received a complimentary copy for review.
I received a complimentary copy for review.
March 18, 2013
This book had the potential to be 5 stars. I could not put it down. It had a great story line even though I kept wondering when it was going to get "scary". The ending was so disappointing though that I felt like I had been robbed. I have heard there is a sequel coming out any day and I will definitely read it. This book is worth reading but the end was very disappointing.
September 5, 2018
This is the strangest book I have ever read, but I could not put it down.
The story started on Halloween when 9 year old Emily is allowed to go out with her school friends to get candy. it is the first time her mother lets her do it. There is an old old building in town that was the old mortuary where an old lady lives and everyone calls her a witch! The kids every Halloween try to break windows, this time they get Emily to do it and they all scatter.
A few years after Emily is walking home from school and hears the most beautiful music coming from the mansion. She stops for a while to see what happens. The music is so beautiful that Emily decides to go home everyday that way in order to hear the music.
She finally gets up enough nerve to go up to the house and knock on the door. That is when everything changes. She finds out that the lady, Ada is not a witch, but a very lovely lonely lady.
She teaches Emily how to play the organ and everyday they have a tea party before Emily leaves.
Everything is great until Emily's mother gets a divorce and they have to move away. Emily has a hard time saying Goodbye to Ada.
She does get one chance to see Ada after she gets older and drives her own car to see her father and she stops to see Ada. They are both so happy they do not want the time to end.
Emily's Dad suddenly dies from a heart attack and leaves Emily with everything he has. Including the house they all lived in. She has trained as a nurse and wants to look for a job in her old town.
As it turns out Ada needs someone to help her, Emily takes the job and Ada decides to tell her her life story! That's when the book gets scary. You will not want to put the book down.
This author tells the story like it was her story. She is so good, I cannot wait for the other books to come out.
Outstanding story told by an outstanding author!
The story started on Halloween when 9 year old Emily is allowed to go out with her school friends to get candy. it is the first time her mother lets her do it. There is an old old building in town that was the old mortuary where an old lady lives and everyone calls her a witch! The kids every Halloween try to break windows, this time they get Emily to do it and they all scatter.
A few years after Emily is walking home from school and hears the most beautiful music coming from the mansion. She stops for a while to see what happens. The music is so beautiful that Emily decides to go home everyday that way in order to hear the music.
She finally gets up enough nerve to go up to the house and knock on the door. That is when everything changes. She finds out that the lady, Ada is not a witch, but a very lovely lonely lady.
She teaches Emily how to play the organ and everyday they have a tea party before Emily leaves.
Everything is great until Emily's mother gets a divorce and they have to move away. Emily has a hard time saying Goodbye to Ada.
She does get one chance to see Ada after she gets older and drives her own car to see her father and she stops to see Ada. They are both so happy they do not want the time to end.
Emily's Dad suddenly dies from a heart attack and leaves Emily with everything he has. Including the house they all lived in. She has trained as a nurse and wants to look for a job in her old town.
As it turns out Ada needs someone to help her, Emily takes the job and Ada decides to tell her her life story! That's when the book gets scary. You will not want to put the book down.
This author tells the story like it was her story. She is so good, I cannot wait for the other books to come out.
Outstanding story told by an outstanding author!
October 31, 2013
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/book-tou...
The Mortician’s Wife is a haunting tale about abuse, evil and love, and how hatred can destroy even the most caring of people. The setting is a real, existing house in Dunsmuir, North California, that is reportedly haunted. The narrator, Emily, has grown up not too far away from the house, and has always been intrigued by the strange woman living within its walls. When a Halloween prank goes wrong, and she notices the old woman standing behind a window, she grows more and more obsessed with the house and its inhabitant. When she hears music coming from inside, she takes that as a sign.
Turns out the old woman, Ada, has been as intrigued by Emily as is the case the other way around. For years, the two of them hang out together, playing the piano. But then Emily’s parents divorce, and she moves away. When she returns, years later, she’s relieved to find out Ada is still alive. She signs up to help the old woman, and Ada accepts. The friendship between the two of them is stronger than ever, and Ada decides to share her life story with the younger girl. A story filled with hatred, abuse and betrayal, and something dark that still lurks in the corner of her home.
I first thought this was going to be genuine horror, but it isn’t. It’s more like a gothic story, with evil creeping up on you when you least expect it. The cruelty of mankind is the most prominent evil-factor here. Ada’s story is deeply unsettling, but it’s also fascinating, and I had to keep reading, I couldn’t stop until I figured out what happened.
The relationship between Ada and Emily was rather amazing. It touched me deeply, and reminded me of my nextdoor neighbor. She was an old lady when I was a kid, and we got along great. She had all these amazing stories. I still miss her sometimes, and Ada reminded me of her, except that Ada’s life story is a lot sadder.
The book is the first in a series. The second book will be about the evil living in the funeral home, and it promises to be a lot scarier. In that way, this book kind of reads like a prequel. Either way, I didn’t mind, because it was an enjoyable, if not sometimes depressing, read. The writing was great, the pacing was okay, and I really liked the characters.
The Mortician’s Wife is a haunting tale about abuse, evil and love, and how hatred can destroy even the most caring of people. The setting is a real, existing house in Dunsmuir, North California, that is reportedly haunted. The narrator, Emily, has grown up not too far away from the house, and has always been intrigued by the strange woman living within its walls. When a Halloween prank goes wrong, and she notices the old woman standing behind a window, she grows more and more obsessed with the house and its inhabitant. When she hears music coming from inside, she takes that as a sign.
Turns out the old woman, Ada, has been as intrigued by Emily as is the case the other way around. For years, the two of them hang out together, playing the piano. But then Emily’s parents divorce, and she moves away. When she returns, years later, she’s relieved to find out Ada is still alive. She signs up to help the old woman, and Ada accepts. The friendship between the two of them is stronger than ever, and Ada decides to share her life story with the younger girl. A story filled with hatred, abuse and betrayal, and something dark that still lurks in the corner of her home.
I first thought this was going to be genuine horror, but it isn’t. It’s more like a gothic story, with evil creeping up on you when you least expect it. The cruelty of mankind is the most prominent evil-factor here. Ada’s story is deeply unsettling, but it’s also fascinating, and I had to keep reading, I couldn’t stop until I figured out what happened.
The relationship between Ada and Emily was rather amazing. It touched me deeply, and reminded me of my nextdoor neighbor. She was an old lady when I was a kid, and we got along great. She had all these amazing stories. I still miss her sometimes, and Ada reminded me of her, except that Ada’s life story is a lot sadder.
The book is the first in a series. The second book will be about the evil living in the funeral home, and it promises to be a lot scarier. In that way, this book kind of reads like a prequel. Either way, I didn’t mind, because it was an enjoyable, if not sometimes depressing, read. The writing was great, the pacing was okay, and I really liked the characters.
November 13, 2012
I was very happy with the book...until the end. *sigh* I was so disappointed with the end.
February 25, 2013
Excellent story! Quite a page turner.
December 17, 2018
The Mortician's Wife was a book that held my attention and made me want more. The mortuary is a mystery and draw for kids to vandalize on Halloween. Young Emily when she is 9 is witness to this for the first time. However, she does not run away with her friends but stays and sees the mortician's wife peek out from a window and also sees what she can only describe as evil come out of the house through the broken window and then go back in as if it had never happened. Emily's curiosity led her to return to the house at a later date and start up a friendship with the mortician's wife until she moved away. Years later, she returns when her father dies and starts to work for her old friend. The mortician's wife begins to tell the story of her life to Emily and this unfolding day after day is mesmerizing.
I only gave the book 4 stars because at the beginning there was mention that Emily had power to read other people's minds but this was never developed. Once Emily returned to her home town, it was never mentioned again. In addition, the book ended very abruptly. That was somewhat disappointing. However, there is a sequel to the book so maybe more will be revealed within those pages.
This advanced reader copy was provided to me by NetGalley for my honest review. This advanced copy had many typos and grammatical errors. Hopefully these will be cleaned up in future editions.
I only gave the book 4 stars because at the beginning there was mention that Emily had power to read other people's minds but this was never developed. Once Emily returned to her home town, it was never mentioned again. In addition, the book ended very abruptly. That was somewhat disappointing. However, there is a sequel to the book so maybe more will be revealed within those pages.
This advanced reader copy was provided to me by NetGalley for my honest review. This advanced copy had many typos and grammatical errors. Hopefully these will be cleaned up in future editions.
April 27, 2021
This book had a turn around Eight times. 1.) Emily tells us her growing up back story, which gave us a little light into some form of psychic abilities. 2.) But then her parents divorce. She moves to Sacramento, goes to nursing school and informs us that her mother is remarrying. 3.) She makes trips every now and then to see her dad up north until, she gets word of his passing. 4.) She gives up her life, and career in Sacramento to move back to her hometown, settling on her inheritance. (no other word about her mom or grandparents). 5.) We then join in on her adventures and tales with an old childhood friend whom Emily looked up to...Ada. 6.) Ada's life story - what a tale!!! I mean this poor lady really went through everything and stayed strong. 7.) Emily falls in love with a childhood friend. 8.) Story turns again, and even though I would have been fine with the way it ended, I have now got to go out and hunt down the other two books in this series. A super easy, flowing read. It kept me interested and wanting to know more. I'm hoping with the other two books I get answers to what Book #1 was missing.
August 1, 2018
Wow! I am familiar with Maralee Lowder’s writing as I have r as several other books such as The Mortician’s revenge. While I would say that this would not normally be a book I would read just by looking at the cover, I am so glad that I did. Mrs. Lowder has a great ability to tell stories. Her imagination comes through and allows the reader to join her. I would say that ther ar a few things that are too hard to believe but those are few and far between and should not affect your ability to understand the story. You do not need to read any others in the series to be able to understand this one as the writer gives enough detail throughout the book so that you will be able to follow along.
Thank you to netgalley and the author/publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my honest review.
5 stars out of 5
Thank you to netgalley and the author/publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my honest review.
5 stars out of 5
September 10, 2018
Creepiness Quotient Off the Charts
I really liked this book!
Covering a span of many years, the tale feels timeless. The writer furnishes the huge, old building, dominated by the funeral parlor, with fine wood and rich carpets, but it’s a place where dark secrets have accumulated like graveyard dust. No one should live there.
The first of four books about the dark legacy of an old woman gifted to the first person to be kind to her in so many years, I can only imagine what the next three books have in store. This one is complete as a first act, but the story does continue.
The author's writing style evokes older, classic mystery and ghost stories. Like the best of them, there’s plenty of horror to be found in the events of a more mundane nature without relying overly much on the supernatural. Not much at all.
I really liked this book!
Covering a span of many years, the tale feels timeless. The writer furnishes the huge, old building, dominated by the funeral parlor, with fine wood and rich carpets, but it’s a place where dark secrets have accumulated like graveyard dust. No one should live there.
The first of four books about the dark legacy of an old woman gifted to the first person to be kind to her in so many years, I can only imagine what the next three books have in store. This one is complete as a first act, but the story does continue.
The author's writing style evokes older, classic mystery and ghost stories. Like the best of them, there’s plenty of horror to be found in the events of a more mundane nature without relying overly much on the supernatural. Not much at all.
June 13, 2017
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
This was a type of book that I don't normally read. This book was about evil, abuse, retribution, and absolution. The characters were well defined and portrayed. The events that the protagonist kept finding her self in can be related to some situations for present day females. The resolution of those problems were logical progressions by the author, also the ending of the book. One can also say that the book had a dark feel to it.
This was a type of book that I don't normally read. This book was about evil, abuse, retribution, and absolution. The characters were well defined and portrayed. The events that the protagonist kept finding her self in can be related to some situations for present day females. The resolution of those problems were logical progressions by the author, also the ending of the book. One can also say that the book had a dark feel to it.
August 11, 2018
The Mortician's Wife by Maralee Lowder is the touching and terrifying story of Ada, an old woman who lives alone in a mansion in the small town of Newkirk, a little California mountain town which also houses an undertaker's premises. Emily Hawkins is a child in the same town who comes into contact with Ada for the first time during Halloween.
Many years later, Ada shares her terrifying life story with Emily (who is now a registered nurse), a tragedy of spousal abuse and how she finally escaped from this tyranny. She has created the right atmosphere with much dread, fear and sorrow.
The tale has vivid descriptions, a touch of surrealism, dramatic scenes and a breathtaking sequence of surprising events, but ends with a cliff-hanger to lure readers to buy the next and next and...
Coming to more minus points, Emily is said to be able to read others' thoughts, but this facet is hardly developed. There is a plethora of errors: Missing quotation marks, wrong quotation marks, apostrophe instead of opening quotation marks, spelling mistakes like complement instead of compliment, sooth instead of soothe, loath instead of loathe, confusing sentences and many more.
I cannot be louder about this book by Lowder; maybe the editor gave up the ghost.
Many years later, Ada shares her terrifying life story with Emily (who is now a registered nurse), a tragedy of spousal abuse and how she finally escaped from this tyranny. She has created the right atmosphere with much dread, fear and sorrow.
The tale has vivid descriptions, a touch of surrealism, dramatic scenes and a breathtaking sequence of surprising events, but ends with a cliff-hanger to lure readers to buy the next and next and...
Coming to more minus points, Emily is said to be able to read others' thoughts, but this facet is hardly developed. There is a plethora of errors: Missing quotation marks, wrong quotation marks, apostrophe instead of opening quotation marks, spelling mistakes like complement instead of compliment, sooth instead of soothe, loath instead of loathe, confusing sentences and many more.
I cannot be louder about this book by Lowder; maybe the editor gave up the ghost.
August 8, 2018
It started so ordinarily that I couldn't possibly imagine how the story would go to where it should. It was a great read and I enjoyed the story, the development of it and the glimpses of the old girl's character.
I liked the way everything was revealed and the style of the story. Honestly I even liked the abrupt end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I liked the way everything was revealed and the style of the story. Honestly I even liked the abrupt end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 28, 2018
I really enjoyed this book, when I first started it I actually thought I had downloaded the wrong book, as it didn’t start as the back cover suggested it would. But a great read I couldn’t put it down, my eyes closing on their own last night was the only reason I stopped reading. Now to wait/ find the next book.
August 11, 2018
She was married but her husband would not take her to his bed. She hopes to get him to love her like she loves him. Things quickly to down hill as he abused her it gets worse when her father faces ruin. She must do something it. What will she do? Will there be a happy ending? Read to find out
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 26, 2019
Crazy story
Unexpected twists and turns. Not at all what I thought it would be like. But it kept my attention til the very end. I read it in a very short time. I look forward to reading another book by this author as this was my first.
Unexpected twists and turns. Not at all what I thought it would be like. But it kept my attention til the very end. I read it in a very short time. I look forward to reading another book by this author as this was my first.
October 10, 2022
Surprisingly good
I was thinking it would be morbid or scary but it was kinda like Fried green tomatoes. An elderly woman telling her story. You know this stuff happened and you felt good justice was done.
I was thinking it would be morbid or scary but it was kinda like Fried green tomatoes. An elderly woman telling her story. You know this stuff happened and you felt good justice was done.
October 31, 2013
As a young child, Emily is fascinated with the old mortuary. One Halloween night after some of her friends have thrown rocks at the building and broken a window she experiences something that can only be described as evil.
Shortly after, Emily befriends the “crazy old lady” living in the mortuary, Ada Hawkins. Ada gives Emily a gift of sorts: a love of music and a desire to help the elderly when she grows up. Emily is forced to move away from Ada when her parents get divorced and their relationship becomes a distant memory.
When Emily’s father passes away, she moves back to her home town and by chance is offered a job to be a nurse/companion to the now very elderly and frail Ada. As their relationship blossoms once more, Ada decides that Emily is the person she needs to tell her life story to, a story filled with tragedy and horror.
Ada’s tale of the abuses she suffers at the hands of her husband, Horace, and his ultimate act of pure evil are horrific. You can’t help but feel sorry for Ada and angry at the circumstances that forced her to remain in that marriage. She was, like many women of her time, trapped by societal conventions and had no outlet or assistance.
The writing overall was well done and the story compelling. I found myself turning the pages as quickly as possible to discover what the “evil” mentioned in the synopsis was. My biggest complaint with this novel (one that is a common theme) is the very abrupt ending. The way the sentence ends you assume there is more to the story but there isn’t. I would add a note saying “to be continued” or some indication there is a follow up book if that is the case. If it isn’t, it definitely needs a new ending.
3.5 out of 5 stars.
I received a copy of this novel for the purposes of my review
Shortly after, Emily befriends the “crazy old lady” living in the mortuary, Ada Hawkins. Ada gives Emily a gift of sorts: a love of music and a desire to help the elderly when she grows up. Emily is forced to move away from Ada when her parents get divorced and their relationship becomes a distant memory.
When Emily’s father passes away, she moves back to her home town and by chance is offered a job to be a nurse/companion to the now very elderly and frail Ada. As their relationship blossoms once more, Ada decides that Emily is the person she needs to tell her life story to, a story filled with tragedy and horror.
Ada’s tale of the abuses she suffers at the hands of her husband, Horace, and his ultimate act of pure evil are horrific. You can’t help but feel sorry for Ada and angry at the circumstances that forced her to remain in that marriage. She was, like many women of her time, trapped by societal conventions and had no outlet or assistance.
The writing overall was well done and the story compelling. I found myself turning the pages as quickly as possible to discover what the “evil” mentioned in the synopsis was. My biggest complaint with this novel (one that is a common theme) is the very abrupt ending. The way the sentence ends you assume there is more to the story but there isn’t. I would add a note saying “to be continued” or some indication there is a follow up book if that is the case. If it isn’t, it definitely needs a new ending.
3.5 out of 5 stars.
I received a copy of this novel for the purposes of my review
January 14, 2013
Though I’m not sure what to make of the synopsis nor the reviews I still find myself wanting to check this book out. Funeral homes in themselves are quite fascinating, aren’t they?
Even though her mother had forbid her to walk on that particular street, Emily secretly visits an old woman who lives alone in a no-longer-used-as-such mortuary. They become fast friends but much to Emily’s chagrin, her parents divorce and Emily moves with her mother to her grandparents’ in Sacramento.
As the years progress, Emily’s life progresses to where she moves back to her home town and becomes Ada’s personal caretaker. Emily again befriends the recluse.
Ada’s secret and life story unfold as she tells it over time to Emily during multiple visits. Though she had been a victim for many years, I could understand Ada’s responses especially with the understanding that society and life was very different during the time. I found myself in more than one instance predicting correctly what was going to be divulged.
It’s easy to imagine there being a possible sequel to this, if there isn’t already.
I found the story frustrating for a good part of it in that over 20% was about Emily but later understood this to build up to where she becomes the woman’s caretaker. Thankfully it got better.
Even though her mother had forbid her to walk on that particular street, Emily secretly visits an old woman who lives alone in a no-longer-used-as-such mortuary. They become fast friends but much to Emily’s chagrin, her parents divorce and Emily moves with her mother to her grandparents’ in Sacramento.
As the years progress, Emily’s life progresses to where she moves back to her home town and becomes Ada’s personal caretaker. Emily again befriends the recluse.
Ada’s secret and life story unfold as she tells it over time to Emily during multiple visits. Though she had been a victim for many years, I could understand Ada’s responses especially with the understanding that society and life was very different during the time. I found myself in more than one instance predicting correctly what was going to be divulged.
It’s easy to imagine there being a possible sequel to this, if there isn’t already.
I found the story frustrating for a good part of it in that over 20% was about Emily but later understood this to build up to where she becomes the woman’s caretaker. Thankfully it got better.
February 7, 2013
This is based on a real house in Dunsmuir, Northern California, a house which appears to be genuinely haunted.
This first book in the series is more of a tale of abuse and murder than of horror, but it sets the scene as to how the vile spirit that ends up inhabiting the house got that way.
The sequel, 'The Mortician's Revenge' will be released in February / March 2013 and is a genuine horror story.
Back to 'The Mortician's Wife', it is a beautiful powerful and moving book about love, loss, death - and how we cope with it - in Ada's case by locking herself away from the world, rumored to be a witch, for 40 years.
So view it more as a literary work than as a horror story, and as a wonderfully read either way.
This first book in the series is more of a tale of abuse and murder than of horror, but it sets the scene as to how the vile spirit that ends up inhabiting the house got that way.
The sequel, 'The Mortician's Revenge' will be released in February / March 2013 and is a genuine horror story.
Back to 'The Mortician's Wife', it is a beautiful powerful and moving book about love, loss, death - and how we cope with it - in Ada's case by locking herself away from the world, rumored to be a witch, for 40 years.
So view it more as a literary work than as a horror story, and as a wonderfully read either way.
January 27, 2013
This is as much of a horror story as a paranormal. There is obviously something evil and haunting in the old mortality. But it is really the story about the evilness of one man and what his wife goes though and how she deals with him and makes it though a horrible situation and environment.
The story was well written and interesting to read. Its hard to put it down, you have to kinow what happens next as Ada is telling her story. Even once Ada's story is concluded and you are at the end of the book you keep trying to turn the page to find out what happens next. That is a sure sign of a good book and writer and I am looking forward to her next book.
March 18, 2013
I expected this to be your typical haunted house horror story...but once I got into it, I found it was more of an intense memoir of long-buried secrets of violence and murder. There was a slight supernatural element to it...which I really don't think was necessary. I really enjoyed the slow progression of finding out about Ada's past and how she came to be as she is now, and I think it might have been a better book if the focus had stayed on that only without trying to throw in the supernatural.
March 27, 2013
Very well-written tale of an unlikely friendship. The majority of the story gets 4 stars. The ending gets 2. I was expecting a lot of ghost story and the whole novel only alluded to some sort of paranormal goings-on. And then it just ended. A little research shows that the author is planning to release a sequel (more like a planned continuation) sometime soon. I'll probably read the second book, since the writing was really good and the story really sucked me in.
June 13, 2013
Again, I was fooled by the title. So not what I thought it was going to be. It was even better!! I was completely engaged in the narrative of the wife's story. It made me sad, mad and glad all at the same time. The author did an amazing job in connecting her readers to her characters. This was a thoroughly delightful read and I will be looking to see if there is a follow up to this book because the ending left me wanting more. I highly recommend giving this a read!!
February 15, 2014
Not at all what I expected! I was expecting a "ghost story" and kept waiting for scary stuff to happen. Even reading the prolog - they said the house really exists and is truly haunted. The actual story is about Ada and her nightmare of a husband and the life they lived together "till death do them part". Also about love and friendship. I'm a bit disappointed with the very last page until I found out there is a sequel coming.
June 30, 2013
This story was slow moving at first and dragged. When it did pick up it was very enthralling although not at all what I had expected. Parts of Ada's tale are heart-wrenching while other parts are downright enraging. However, the ending needs a rewrite. I'm giving this 3 stars because I can't give 2 and a half.
February 19, 2013
The description of the book is INCREDIBLY misleading. It's more one widows account of how her husband beat her and how she got revenge. There are no literal ghosts, nothing spooky, nothing creepy or scary. I mean domestic violence is sad and it's a serious issue, but other than the horror inflicted on her by her "husband" this book wasn't very "horrific" at all.
March 24, 2013
Emily is an awesome character, and she makes you want to know her!
The writer develops these incredible characters and just brings them to life so that you feel you know Emily and Ada and treasure them as real peop;e. Such an unusual storyline that it keeps you on your toes wondering what is going to happen next, and how soon! Great reading!
The writer develops these incredible characters and just brings them to life so that you feel you know Emily and Ada and treasure them as real peop;e. Such an unusual storyline that it keeps you on your toes wondering what is going to happen next, and how soon! Great reading!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews