The Cemetery Keeper's Wife

by Maryann McFadden

What happens when the line between the past and the present begins to blur… Rachel Miller is on the cusp of a new life when she moves to Union Cemetery after marrying Adam, the 7th generation cemetery keeper. Though she’s known him only twelve weeks, his tender love seems like a miracle of fate after her years alone. On her first walk through the lush and silent grounds of her new home, Rachel discovers a stunning monument to Tillie Smith, who died in 1886. Reading the words carved into the stone, “She Died in Defence of Her Honor,” Rachel is overcome by a powerful memory buried deep in her past. A series of uncanny coincidences linked to Tillie Smith follows, setting Rachel on a journey that grows into an Why did the murder of a poor kitchen maid at the local seminary become a national sensation? Why were people in town trying to keep her from finding the truth? But most disturbing of all, why was Tillie reawakening a past Rachel chose to bury long ago. A past that could threaten her marriage. The Cemetery Keeper’s Wife poignantly blends fact and fiction as two women scarred by shame, and separated by more than a century, reach across time to rewrite history.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Historical, Book Club, Mystery Thriller, Adult Fiction

362 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 8, 2018

About the author

In 2007 Maryann McFadden "won the literary lottery" according to writing blogs when her previously self-published novel, THE RICHEST SEASON, sold at auction to Hyperion Books. It became a Target Breakout Novel and an Indie Next Pick by the American Booksellers Association. Her next 2 novels, CAPE COD LIGHT (previously titled SO HAPPY TOGETHER) and THE BOOK LOVER are also Indie Next Picks. THE BOOK LOVER is inspired by her own journey in the world of books. Her 4th novel, THE CEMETERY KEEPER'S WIFE, is a historical novel set in her NJ hometown and has become a book club sensation. It is a novel she believes she was destined to write. Maryann's books have been translated into multiple languages and her unusual publishing journey has inspired many aspiring authors. You can reach her at maryannmcfadden.com

Maryann is also a speaker and writing coach, and loves to chat with book clubs! Contact her at maryann@maryannmcfadden.com

Reviews

[Celia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-researched book about a real-life event: the brutal death of Matilda (Tillie) Smith on April 8, 1886.

Maryann McFadden grew up in New Jersey, site of the murder, and was forever impacted by the sight of the huge monument to Ms. Smith in Hackettstown's Union Cemetery. It held the simple epitaph: “She died in defense of her honor.” Maryann knew she had to tell this story.

The story starts in 2014 where we meet Rachel Adams, newly married to Adam, who is the Cemetery Keeper of the same cemetery in which Tillie is buried. Rachel is drawn to Tillie's story and feels there is more to it than meets the eye. She goes on a quest to find the truth, despite the strong misgivings of her husband and his aunt and grandmother.

The story intertwines from there where we learn more about Rachel AND about Tillie.

I did enjoy reading the book and learning about this historical event. I did feel the plot suffered though, with the weaker story of Rachel and Adam. My personal preference, too, would have been to emphasize Tillie in the title rather than Rachel.

I still recommend it to historical fiction lovers. The inclusion of an 'alter-ego' to Tillie was good, just not up to my 'high' (perhaps unrealistic) standards.

Will give 3.75 stars rounded up to 4 for the book as I was touched by Maryann McFadden's need to tell this story.

A picture of Tillie's monument can be found at this site:

http://weirdnj.com/wp-content/uploads...

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not until I as completely done with this book did I realize this book is a recreation of happened to a teenage servant in the late 1800's. I really enjoyed this book, a lot! Reading this brought out so many emotions in me! It takes place in two time periods, modern times and the late 1800's. Adam is a seventh generation cemetery keeper and he is newly married. His wife, Rachel had a traumatic experience 18 years ago when she was 18. She has not been able to heal from this and carries her scars with her to this day. It has affected all of her romantic relationships but she desperately wants this relationship to work out she is newly married and in love with her husband. She sees a monument in the cemetery to Tillie Smith it says, "She died defending her honor" . She feels a kinship to Tillie even though the tragedy happened 130 years ago. Rachel develops and interest/obsession with Tillie and seeks out all the info she can find out about the young woman and her last moments, looking at old news clips and digging up the trial news. I became invested in reading about Tillie's life as she worked at bettering herself by learning to read and moving up in station fraternizing with society girls. Reading the details of her last day of Tillie's life I was holding my breath knowing what was coming and wanting to yell at her and tell her to arrive home just 10 minutes earlier so she wouldn't be locked outside and have the tragedy happen. Oh poor Tillie. My heart weeps for you. Dealing with Tillie's situation helps Rachel heal from her own tragedy and justice is served. Amazing book and would love to read more by this author!
Pub Date 08 May 2018
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book by Three Women Press through NetGalley. Thank you. All expressed opinions are my own.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

November 1883/March 2014. Hackettstown, NJ. Maryann McFadden’s The Cemetery Keeper’s Wife is set in an area I know in NJ. Centenary College is located in Hackettstown, NJ, but when my friends attended this school, it was Centenary Junior College, an all girls two year college. Now, Centenary College is a four year coed college. The author uses dual timelines to link a newlywed wife, 35 years old, with a young woman who truly worked at Centenary Collegiate Institute in 1885, Tillie Smith. This story has hope, secrets, tragedy, and redemption, and this story mixes fact and fiction. I was drawn into this story upon discovering the fact part took place not far from where I live in NJ and seeing places I knew such as Budd Lake mentioned by the author’s prose, but the true facts of this story amazed me. I did not know this story, but I intended to learn all about it. It is similar to the fact when my husband and I were married, we bought a house in a town in NJ where his ancestor, a general in the Revolutionary Army and Washington’s second-in-command, was caught by the British, and was a POW for over a year. Who would have thought? This book is well-written with characters who are true to life. Fact and fiction result in an engrossing read. Well done! 4.5 stars.

[Maranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a memorial book of the murder of Tillie Smith on April 8 1886! McFadden takes a journey reveling the similarities of modern day Rachel Miller with the life struggles of Tillie Smith. Pages immortalize these two women's struggles to overcome events that set in stone their destiny. Loved the portrayal of the peacefulness of the cemetery that Rachel's husband Adam takes care of. In depth characters make this book a must read. The Past does control our future but can also lead to healing in the Present. " A copy of this book was provided by Three Women Press via Netgalley with no requirements for a review. Comments here are my honest opinion."

[Ghost of the Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

****Spoiler Alert****


I have to admit to not knowing very well how to approach a review of this one...maybe i should start by saying, it certainly wasn't what i expected!
This was borrowed from the library totally on account of the tittle - books that take place,even if partially only, in a cemetery ...call me morbid, but yes please!
However i ended up confronting some ghosts of my own while reading the real life based story of Tillie Smith and her brutal end - and btw, i had no idea this was a real life story!
Rachel, our main character, is freshly married and clearly hiding a ton of skeletons in the closet when she arrives at her new husbands home/workplace - a cemetery that his family has been keeper of for 7 generations.
Once there Rachel is drawn to a particular mausoleum and the girl whom it honors, thus starting a journey of her own that will see her finally make peace with the past and allow to be truly happy.
i was totally unaware of Tillie, and i have to admit that in here she is the main interest and the parts of the story concerning her, her life, time and death are the best thing in the book.
the writer clearly took an interest and cares about her, you can see that the research is well done and the way she picks up known history/facts and then weaves in her own interpretation of Tillie is, at least to me, perfectly plausible and believable.
Rachel is however a different story....i dont really know ho to evaluate her, because even if she and her trauma are fiction, life has shown me that survivors of abuse react very differently, and respond very differently in the way that they handle the trauma and try to pick up the pieces of their life.
Society has grown a lot since Tillie's times but there is still an underlying stigma glued to women who are sexually abused that is proven dam hard to break once and for all.
So, dear reader, even if at times you might not know how to handle Rachel, please allow her time and give her space...in the process of showing you Tillie's story, she will also reveal her own and come to realize she, like all survivors of abuse, DID NOTHING WRONG ...and that its ok to move on and allow yourself to be happy.

Happy Readings!

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read all of Maryann's novels and find her stories engaging and always relatable. Her first work of historic fiction, The Cemetery Keeper's Wife connects the story of Tillie Smith - a young woman who was raped and murdered in Hackettstown, NJ, more than 100 a century ago with that of Rachel Miller who is struggling to heal from her own tragedy. The two women's lives couldn't have been more different yet they both found themselves at the mercy of the men in their worlds. Rachel's need for Adam's love, support and reassurance felt stereotypical at times but perhaps that is because we still live in a society that defines happiness as something found in the arms of someone else. And that the author is a romantic soul! While Rachel's experience was terrible, it is Tillie Smith's tragic life that is captivating - perhaps because even though the mystery surrounding her death is solved in this novel, there is so much more to this story.

[Kellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I went to Centenary College (now University) and was always curious about Tillie. My friends and I would go to the front parlors late at night and see if we could see her ghost. We would go and visit her grave. She is a legend.

This was a very well written story and very thought out. I recommend this to anyone, but especially to anyone who went or goes to Centenary and knows about Tillie.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What appeals to me about The Cemetery Keeper's Wife is the writing style. McFadden weaves a story so well that the reader is unaware that she is being hurled back and forth. Seamless and smooth, the novel beautifully describes Tillie's plight as a young "potato peeler" given a chance - so she dreams - of lifting herself from the depths of poverty and ignorance. When tragedy strikes, and the media storms the small rural town outside of New York City in Hackettstown, New Jersey, what's missing is community compassion. Is it a crime of cover-up, mistaken identity or blatant lying? McFadden writes with a strong stroke. She does not linger on sentimentality or play cute for the sake of drama. This is her fourth novel and it shows. Her characters are well-rounded and do not interfere with the trajectory of another's story. She builds enough tension to keep the reader interested without being outlandish. In other words, she is one of the most clear-visioned fiction writers out there today. As she moves back and forth in time, she does so without abruptness. After we realize what's happening, we glide easily with her as the story changes to Rachel's voice. . . and Tilllie becomes the catalyst for Rachel's personal renewal. I don't want to include spoilers here, so order the book and you'll see how enchanted you will be with this historical fiction's exquisite storytelling.

[Ginger · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite part of this book was the familiarity. I grew up within walking distance of Waterloo Village and spent alot of time there as a child. I currently live close to Hackettstown and shop there all the time. One day my husband decided to pull into the cemetery and we saw the monument to Tillie Smith and wondered what the story was. We consulted with Google and learned the background behind the monument. A few months later I saw a fellow reader post a review of this book and that prompted me to order a copy. It was cool to read and learn the story of Tillie Smith. The writing in this book was just ok IMO. I enjoyed the story from the past, but not the current-day story line.

[Joie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I didn't care for the main characters, Tillie's story was fascinating.

[Maureen Weir · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cemetery Keeper's Wife held my attention from start to finish. Many issues were interwoven throughout the book: poverty, educational disparity, violent crime,sexual assault, women's issues, alcoholism, marital communication, in-law interaction, self-righteousness in religion, jealousy and shame.

Just the right number of characters are introduced so that the reader is not overwhelmed with keeping them in mind, but comes to know what each is about.Set in and around Hackettstown, NJ, the book captures the present day feeling of the area and contrasts that with what the town must have been like in the late 1800s. A chapter that reverts to history is introduced with the date so as not to disorient the reader.

This novel has an element of mystery that includes subtle communication from the afterlife, a legendary ghost, and a "whodunnit" challenge, resolved toward the end of the book with a plausible explanation.

I WILL introduce this book to my book club. I KNOW they will love it, and the discussion will be lively. Most of us live within 10 minutes of the places described in the book, which will be a bonus point of interest for our club. Maryann McFadden is also a well-respected realtor in our marketplace, and with two realtors in our book club , we are excited about her success as an author!

[Gareth Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

McFadden has created an amazingly engaging story about two women separated by a century, but united by the pain of sexual assault. Her sense of setting in both era’s is perfect, and her story telling superb.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all of Maryann's books and have loved them all but The Cemetery Keeper's Wife was her best yet!! Absolutely AMAZING!! Growing up in Hackettstown I've always wondered about the Tillie Smith and her story. McFadden did a phenomenal job in telling the story mixing up fact and fiction. By far the best book I've read in a long time. I could picture every detail as I read from living in Hackettstown and the descriptions of Tillie's life were as if I were living her life. I cannot wait for her next book!!!

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping

I could not put this book down. Ms. McFadden is a superb writer that captures her readers' attention. The plot is concise and well thought out transitioning between the past and present with ease. It is both suspenseful and heartwarming. McFadden's style of writing is descriptive but not laborious. I am only disappointed I finished the book so quickly.

[Rmaguire2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read. Just the kind of book you like to have pull you
Along. I like the connection to history.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Kathi Rosner-Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!! Knowing the history and locality in this story only added to the intrigue of this story. So well written, easily flips from 1885/6 to 2014 to tell the tales of two amazing women. If you love historical fiction this is a must read!!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book, wonderfully written

A book that I just could not put down. You can tell that Maryann, the author, put a lot of time in research for this beautifully written book.

[Ruthann (happycamper) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book. The story is well written and the transition between past and present was flawless. I could picture Tillie and her life. The story of Rachel is filled with relevant issues of today and told with caring passion. All of Maryann's books are good but I think this is the best and can't wait for ger next one.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nearly 130 years after Tillie was raped and murdered, newlywed Rachel (herself a rape victim 20 years earlier) investigates the story. Did James Titus really kill Tillie? And, will Rachel's marriage to Adam survive her intense obsession with finding the truth?

Based on the real life rape and murder of Matilda "Tillie" Smith in 1886, the story alternated between the past and 2014. A rape victim herself 20 years earlier, Rachel felt an urgency to find out more about Tillie and in turn, her investigation also spurred her own healing. The writing style was immersive but I wish more information had been included about Adam's job as a "keeper of the souls." Even though there were a couple things that just didn't sit right with me because they seemed improbable, the writing style was good, the two storylines were interesting, and the conclusion was satisfying especially in light of the recent #MeToo movement.

Location: Hackettstown, New Jersey

I received a copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway. All opinions are my own.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following the trend of many new books, the main character is first introduced to us through her husband’s occupation in the title. Instead of the focus being on this smart auctioneer/historian, we are introduced to her as the wife of the Cemetary Keeper. In the beginning, she is just barely that, as they have just been married. She has a secret and so does he. Instead of starting out this new path with a clean slate the author has decided that they should stumble through things trying to hide who they are and yet create a new life together. There seems to be a theme of new beginnings overshadowed by the darkness of hidden secrets of the past. Rachel, our main character, is drawn to a monument that the entire town seems bent on not talking about. Set in New Jersey, this small town full of secrets would not be out of place in the Deep South. Full of secrets and people insisting that “you should let things alone” it is no wonder that our lead is drawn into the history that combines the town’s past, her own, and perhaps even threatens the future she is so carefully trying to create.

Based on a true story, this is an excellent start for author Maryann McFadden to dip her toes into historical fiction. There is less time spent in the historical aspect and more time in the contemporary. While the search for the details of the case seems to be a bit too easy, I can understand how the fiction part of this can lend itself to an easier time. It would be a falt book if Rachel had to stop her search due to a fire or a flooded basement as many historians or genealogy researchers have had to do. This book brings up a lot of things that readers may find hard to read about but giving a voice to many college freshmen who find themselves victims during their first year is refreshing. It is nice to see that the women are seen as victims instead of fallen women. The push for mental health help is also refreshing in historical fiction where often the best path to relief is to seek revenge.

Even though it touches on several sensitive subjects, I would recommend this to readers who love contemporary fiction and are interested in historical fiction. There is very little that readers will need to know ahead of time, and the author does a great job of not only working explanations into the storyline but also showing much of the details.

*This eBook was provided by Three Women Press and NetGalley in exchange for honest feedback*

[Lady Alexandrine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Clearly this book wasn't for me. I didn't connect with any of the characters. On an intellectual level I know I should be sympathetic, but on an emotional level their struggles left me completely cold.

At the beginning, the story of Matilda "Tillie" Smith intrigued me. Tillie was a hardworking, poor girl, who was mysteriously murdered in 1886. On her tombstone the local community engraved the following words: “She Died in Defence of Her Honor”, which seemed unusual. I wanted to know her story, but after having read hundreds of pages about it I realise that the case of Tillie's murder would make a great article or a short story. The whole novel dedicated to this topic wasn't able to hold my interest.

In the end, I decided to give this book two stars, because it was well-researched, but I didn't enjoy the story. I think the book would be much better if the author concentrated only on Tillie's murder and lives of her contemporaries. There were too many pages dedicated to Rachel, who after decades undercovers Tillie's story, and her husband Adam. These parts seemed redundant, especially the dialogues between Rachel and Adam, that felt somehow artificial and forced. I wasn't interested in their marital problems. Overall, the premise of this book was intriguing, but the execution felt lacking.

I received "The Cemetery Keeper's Wife" from the publisher via NetGalley. I would like to thank the author and the publisher for providing me with the advance reader copy of the book.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Was there really a sort of destiny at work here?"
This novel is based on true events of a murder in 1886 of a young woman working at Centenary College, and it alternates to present day when The Cemetery Keeper's Wife gets involved. The chapter's go from the character of Tillie to the character of Rachel and are very well written.
Tillie's brutal murder was thought to be solved years ago, but when Rachel marries a man who has the job as a Cemetery Keeper in Hackettstown, NJ and sees this beautiful large headstone at the tallest part of the cemetery, Rachel feels she has a connection and must pursue and find answers Tillie's life and death.
There are also many interesting coincidences between two women who lived over a hundred years apart.
I truly enjoyed this book and for anyone who loves an unsolved murder mystery, or lives in Warren County, NJ , you will definitely enjoy this book!

[CoCoBug · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely little semi-ghost story that goes back in time between the late 1800's and the present. The setting, the house and cemetery, and the entire storyline in the 1800's is absolutely lovely.

I didn't care for the dialogue in the present, and the main character (whose name I have forgotten in the two weeks since I've read the book) is sort of annoying and dramatic. I liked what the author was trying to do with the parallels between the sexual assaults and the timely accusations of assault against running politicians, but it was the character herself I didn't care for. The dialogue between husband and wife is stilted and forced, and reads like a machine.

This story shines with tale of the house girl, and within the cemetery's boundaries, which we don't see nearly enough.

A quick and interesting read, but without any real meat to the story.

[Helen Manoli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written book could not put it down the characters were developed dlowly which made the book more interesting could not have forseen the ending.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well done!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have to give this book more of a 4.5 as opposed to a 4. The book itself has an eerie title, one that most would shy away from. However, upon reading the synopsis of the book, I knew that this was one that I would be interested in reading. I was impressed with how well the author had researched the events surrounding the murder and trial of Tillie Smith. I had not known about this particular incident, which happened in 1886; something that surprised and shocked me. I loved how the author presented a dual timeline, in which she went from Rachel (the cemetery keeper's wife), and her obsession with finding the truth to avenge the true murderer, and Tillie, a poor working-class girl who is trying to make a life for herself by working in the kitchen of the town's seminary. A variety of events occur in Rachel's life, which have set the scene for her present-day life with her husband, Adam (the cemetery keeper). I loved how the author tied the events of Rachel's past into Tillie's murder, keeping me on my toes as Rachel continued digging for evidence into Tillie's life. Although there were some parts in which I was angry to read of how Tillie was being treated, I loved how the author made the reader feel as if they were experiencing the event first-hand. Such a well-written and comprehensive book, one that will keep you gripping the arms of your seats, while giving you courage to continue on, and see what unfolds next!

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I noticed this book right away in my local library. It was placed on display along with the new books and the title definitely caught my eye. I spend a lot of time in cemeteries taking photos and just leisurely walking around. Many times I've found interesting stones or something written on them that makes me want to do a bit of research on the people to find out what their life may have been like. So I can relate to Rachel in that regard. I love a mystery!
There are two reasons I gave this 4-stars. I wanted to give it 5 but just couldn't.
I had a hard time "getting into" this book but stuck with it since the setting was based around a cemetery. After a while I couldn't put it down. I must admit that I would've liked to have read a bit more about Tillie's life and her story throughout the book. There seemed to be a lot of redundant writing of Rachel's story. I did like how it was tied in with Rachel being able to relate to Tillie.
The only thing that would've made this book a lot better for me would be knowing that it was based on a real-life murder before I actually began reading it. You don't find out that Tillie was actually a real person and actually is buried in Union cemetery until the acknowledgements at the end of the book.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why this book hasn't been read by more people is something of a puzzle for me. I enjoyed this book very much. It's based on the true story of Tillie Smith from the 1880's. She was brutally raped and murdered at the age of 19.
The story switches back and froth from Tillie's time to present day time. Rachel, also a victim of rape, stumbles across Tillie's story and immediately feels a connection to Tillie. Rachel is compelled to discover what truly happened to Tillie, so she can set Tillie's soul free. In doing so, Rachel is also able to find some closure to her own tragic past.
In addition to the mystery, there is also a romance between Rachel and her new husband, Adam. The reader cannot help but feel compassion for Rachel as she tries to build a life with a man she loves, while the violence that she experienced is still effecting her every day.
Fans of Kate Morton will love this story as the reader is drawn into the mystery of what happened to Tillie on that long ago, cold April night.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was especially interested in this book since I work where it’s set, and the story of Tillie is a well known historical mystery. The author’s use of parallel plots and timelines adds to the tension and drama inherent in Tillie’s story, making the characters realistic and likable.

Mcfadden does more than keep the reader’s interest as she slowly builds to the inevitable conclusion, creating both curiosity and empathy along the way. Her writing brings to life late nineteenth century NJ quite vividly; everything from travel hardships to clothing worn is thoroughly and beautifully described. You really feel like you’re right there with both Tillie and the narrator as each recount their personal stories.

Although Tillie’s murder is “officially” solved, the author’s intriguing research throws enough doubt into the picture to allow for an alternative solution to the crime. I, for one, choose to believe what might have happened, did happen. And that’s a good story, for me.