Margaret of Thibodaux: A Novel

by Jo Taylor

Self-focused and emotional 14-year-old Margaret can't imagine her deceased mama being erased from their home for good―or how her daddy could replace her with another woman. It will take coming to terms with her own humility and accountability as surprising truths come to light, and as unexpected events show her that life, and what she holds dear, can change in an instant.

It is 1974, the last carefree, sultry Louisiana summer before high school begins when Margaret Thibodeaux’s world her daddy asks hometown doctor Muriel to marry him. It's been six years since her mama mysteriously died, and Margaret is convinced that the closer Muriel gets, the less she'll receive bedside visits from her mother—and the more she will fade from their lives.

Set on rejecting Muriel’s kindnesses, Margaret grapples with everyone’s delight over the engagement, including her two best friends, Honey and Robert, who think Muriel is nothing short of an angel. But when Margaret visits her mama’s grave for the first time and finds a poem left there—not in her daddy’s handwriting—the mystery of her mother’s death escalates. It isn't until she befriends the local recluse, Jezebel, who has spiritual gifts akin to her own, that Margaret begins to unravel her assumptions, reconcile her grief, and discover a shocking revelation about her mama from across the veil.

At once humorous and heartbreaking, Margaret of Thibodaux is a captivating Southern story of longing and self-discovery, told from the perspective of a feisty and determined yet vulnerable teenage girl as she learns that love and nurturing can come in the most unexpected packages.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 18, 2025

About the author

Jo Taylor is an obstreperous, retired ER Nurse who is likely an obstreperous writer too. She grew up with three stepmothers (not at the same time). She's lived on a boat and traced her genealogy back to the year 310 (maybe, probably, you know how genealogy is). She's been married for 33 years and all her hero characters are based on her husband, a hero in real life. Her first book, Postcards: Collected of Poems and Short Stories came out in July 2024. Margaret of Thibodaux is her first novel.

Reviews

[Shannon Babin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Road Clothes Press for this ARC copy in exchange for leaving my review

After her mother dies, Margaret feels her presence, smells her perfume, and hears her singing. Her father doesn't believe her, but her friends do. Margaret struggles with moving on and letting go of her mother. Flash forward five years. Margaret's dad is set to marry Ms. Muriel which Margaret is firmly against. Everyone loves Ms. Muriel, but Margaret has hardened her heart against her. If only she can find a way to talk to her dead mother to see if her mother approves.

When I first saw the title, I knew it was set in Louisiana, therefore, I had to read it. I was not disappointed. This was a sweet, coming-of-age story set in south Louisiana in the early 1970s. It reminded me of my own childhood growing up in the Bayou state--lazy summers running the streets and hanging out with friends and neighbors.. I liked Margaret although she seemed a little immature for a 13-year old. I loved her friendship with Robert and Honey--one who was super cautious and the other who encouraged her recklessly. Some parts seemed a little slow or drug out, but overall I enjoyed watching Margaret grow and mature. I even learned a few things about vodou, which combines Catholicism with West African religious practices. The story contains themes of marriage, death and the supernatural, friendship and love,

[Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have received a free ARC from the publisher and this review is my honest opinion.

The book starts the day of Margaret’s mother’s funeral. Margaret hears conflicting ideas of how and why her mother died at church and around town but no one explains them to Margaret. this is a book of her growing up and accepting her mother’s death.
I felt this was more of a young adult book, but as an adult I enjoyed it.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the child narrator in this novel. This is a book about a young girl who has had a great deal of grief thrown into her life at a very young age, and she is struggling to deal with it. Additionally, her life is changing in big ways, and she is struggling to make sense of her emotions. Fortunately, she is surrounded by lots of support, but she often fails to see it (or accept it). Lots of sadness in this one, but also lots of hope. I enjoyed this read.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Margaret of Thibodaux" is everything I enjoy in Southern fiction: a sultry summer setting, beautiful writing and memorable characters. This novel of loss, love, friendship, lessons and forgiveness has earned a well deserved a spot on my favorites shelf that I'll revisit for years to come. 


**Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.**

[Cindy Stavropoulos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every friendship needs a “talking tree”! This book comes full circle as a young girl heals from grief after the speculation of her mother’s death. Then, her friend passes away. As she tries to wrap her head around her father moving on with another woman and all the wedding plans, she hears voices…..her Mother’s voice. Her visit to the Voodoo lady, becomes a surprising friendship after years of fear about this scary woman’s craft. I loved all of it. It was heartfelt and easy to read.

[Savannah Prescott · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a precious book! Margaret of Thinodaux reminded me of “Because of Winn-Dixie,” with its cozy and small town feel, but also the emotional story that it holds!
This book was a breath of fresh air that brought tears to my eyes!

[Angie Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Set in 1970s Louisiana, the author does an amazing job of capturing the heart and soul of the culture. The descriptions are rich and vivid, pulling you right into the world.

Margaret is such a strong character and she really gives her father and his new fiancée a run for their money. She’s totally resistant to their relationship and struggles with the idea that her mother might be replaced. It’s a tough, emotional journey for her, but there’s a sweet little twist that gives her a change of heart and makes you root for her growth.

The book touches on some heavy topics, especially death and loss, but what I really loved was how the author balanced that heartbreak with a sense of hope. It’s about accepting change, dealing with grief, and finding strength in unexpected places. Plus, there are so many moments of wisdom throughout the story that hit home and offer real advice you can apply to your own life. It’s definitely one of those books that makes you think, while also making you appreciate the beauty of life, even in the hard times.

Definitely recommend this if you're into Southern stories with a lot of heart! 💖

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[S. B^Field · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I'm not the model reader for this novel, preferring instead a different flavor to my fictions, I grew enamored with its spunky energy and the utter refusal to indulge in self-pity, self-destruction, grievance, or vice. Contemporary literature seems marked by the tendency to WALLOW, and thankfully, Margaret of Thibodaux does absolutely none of that. It may veer slightly into sentimentality, neatly tied narrative bows, and just plain 1974 child-innocence, but it's balanced by the frank and straightforward style of what is, essentially, a strange story: the discovery, exploration, and control of psychic powers.

Hunkering down closely to the perspective of a paranormally sensitive teenage girl, the eponymous Margaret, the novel does not stray far in time and space, taking place within a year's time frame. This gives it a leisurely pace that matches with the setting: summer in Louisiana, where it's hot and humid and there's nothing much for three teenagers to do in a small town but climb trees, draw, play Ouija, and make nitroglycerin. We follow Honey, Robert, and Margaret on their adventures in troublemaking and in their debates about communicating with the spirits. 

My vibe when reading this: I felt as if I was by the side of the stream of a sunny day with all the time in the world. The story breezes by, in a good way. It feels rich, in that sense of "life-around-the edges-of-a-novel" kinda way, where you intuitively grasp the truth of the whole town by only being shown one slice of it. 

Margret's mom has died, but she is still able to communicate in some way with her. And this tension, communicating with spirits, is the spine of the book, and it's where all the other conflicts and subplots branch out from. The story benefits from this contained ambition, with the novel never trying to overtly get beyond Margert's perspective, because it knows that's not what it needs. It is a book full of smart, confident choices from a writer with a clear idea of what they want to do. How many of those do you read?

[Susan Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars due to editing/proofreading

I really enjoyed this story for many reasons. The ambiance of the deep south and Louisiana felt authentic. As someone who has lost my mother, been a somewhat unwilling stepdaughter, and been a stepmother to both sons and daughters, I can relate, although I'm no angel, like Muriel is. I loved the writing and characters. This is a feel good, happy ending story, which may be more exception than rule in this fraught world of ours, but it's what I gravitate to because of that. The four stars were only because near the end about six pages repeated. I'm a perfectionist for grammar, editing and proofreading, but I very much enjoyed this story anyway.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully lyrical

Somehow, it is a historical paranormal young adult coming of age that doesn't really feel like any of that. Margaret learns about grief, death, and herself in a setting as lush as the south.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

NICE debut

Sweet and tender but not maudlin. Margaret and all involved have simple but precise character sketches that make you instantly slip into Thibodaux as if you'd
always lived there. I really enjoyed.

[Molly Waidhofer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for bookclub! Well written, just not totally my cup of tea.

[Nancy Donati · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an easy read, but truly pulled some heart strings in the end and I loved it

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could have given this book 6 stars, I would have. I listened to it on Audible.

[dianne procopio · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must Read

This was an excellent book. Thought provoking and deeply moving.
A story of loss mixed with laughter, love and and a few tears.

[Jeanette Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

truly southern

Enjoy this heartfelt read about a story of friends and their support through loss, maturation, community and connection. Very enjoyable.

[Kris Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

so well written for a southern writer,,,,

I loved this story ! I lived this story! Excellent,,
I don’t leave posts but this book required an excellent post!

[Mary Aplin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you!

What a lovely touching story. I couldn't put it down! So many wonderful characters. A story filled with grace. Thank you!

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an arc copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest opinion of it. I grew up in the 70's so I was able to relate to the story. I did enjoy the book and all the ups and downs Margaret went through with her life as a teenager and with her friends. I really didn't enjoy the visits to Jezebel 's house and the way that she spoke and skimmed over these parts. Overall, I enjoyed it.

[L. O'Donnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, emotional, touching story

The emotional journey of Margaret, a teenager coping with the death of her mother several years prior, is beautifully written. She’s desperate to stay in touch with her mother’s memory, especially after her father announces he’s remarrying. But no one understands Margaret—not her father or her friends— when she says she still sees, hears, and feels her mother’s presence.

Kleenex alert: quite a few places evoked tears. The setting envelops you in 1970s Louisiana, and I loved how much the characters drew me in. A lovely story I can’t recommend too much.

[Carole O'Neill · Rating 5 out of 5]

14-year-old Margaret is not going to let her father erase the memory of her deceased mother by bringing another woman (certainly not a stepmother) into their home. Her best friend, Honey tries to convince her there’s nothing to worry about. The new woman is a doctor after all, loved by the entire town. But for the past six years her mother has appeared at her feet and lulled her to sleep with her favorite lullaby. Margaret is convinced that couldn’t possibly continue if another woman occupies the master bedroom.

Jo Taylor masters this coming-of-age story which takes place in Louisiana during the summer of 1974. You can almost feel the heat of the bayou as Margaret and her friends solve the problems of the world on the swings at the water’s edge.

The local town medium is the one person Margaret feels can help her contact her mother to make sure their routine won’t change. But no medium, or talk with friends, or even pleading with her father can assure her things will be fine. It isn’t until she finds a poem at her mother’s grave that she begins on a path to a solution she can live with.

This is a story you’ll want to put on your TBR list.

[Jennifer Holloway Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the first half of the book before Margaret met Jezebel. I think after that point it just became an educational lesson on the paranormal. It was forceful and totally took over the narrative in a negative way. I felt this book should definitely be young adult due to the elementary level of the plotline and the predictability. I am a fan of southern fiction and really feel that this author has a unique voice. I would like to see what else she can do. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

[Ann Droy · Rating 3 out of 5]

just ok

I accidentally paid 9.99 for this book. I usually read free books on Libby. I wasn’t really impressed. I picked it because it was set in Louisiana. I wouldn’t recommend it or pay for it.

[Lisa Hemrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

not what I expected but good

I expected something darker, but it wasn’t. Definitely an inspiring, heart-warming read. Stick with it if you don’t like where it seems to be heading.