Title: The Widows of Braxton County
Author: Jess McConkey
Publication Year: 2013 Publisher: William Morrow
Edition: eGalley
Source: Edelweiss
Date Completed: Sept - 2013
Rating: 4/5
The Widows of Braxton County tells the story of two women, Hannah
and Kate who marry into the same messed up family a century apart. The
husbands of both women, Jacob and Joe Krause, die in a similar fashion, by a knife to their backs.
Kate's story takes place in the present day, in Braxton County, Iowa, when she marries Joe Krause. Kate couldn't be happier, she sees Joe is a good man and she feels that she has finally found happiness. Kate's own parents died when she was young and her
grandmother constantly reminded her of the sacrifices she made by
raising her. After the wedding she moves into the farm house that has been in Joe's
family for over a hundred years. Kate's new husband has neglected to tell her that his abrasive mother
Trudy, will be living with them. When Kate voices her displeasure, Joe reassures Kate that it's only
temporary, but she is not so sure. Trudy isn't fond of Kate and at times
is down right mean to her.
Bit by bit, details about Hannah's story and her
marriage to Jacob over a hundred years earlier are revealed. Like Kate, Hannah never
felt like she has a place within the family, and a century long family
feud was fueled after Hannah's husband Jacob was murdered.
The story alternates between Kate's story and Hannah's
story a century earlier. I enjoyed this one a lot. The author does a
great job with the mystery element, making the reader want to read just a
few more pages until all is revealed.. At times I felt like the story had
almost a Gothic feel to it and even a quick reminder of Rebecca.
Readers who enjoy stories about family relationships and long
buried secrets will probably enjoy this one as much as I did.
I love books with family secrets!
ReplyDeleteI've been curious about this one...and now I am convinced I would enjoy it. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSo many books now do that back and forth in time thing. I guess I can see that it would be fun to write!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a book I would enjoy - family secrets and alternating POVs!
ReplyDeleteI read this one and really enjoyed it. It definitely had a gothic feel to it.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this one as well. I listened to the audio and it was great.
ReplyDeleteThis one sounds right up my alley! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI like the sound of this story. The gothic feel, family relationships and long buried secrets definitely entices me. Another book for my tbr!
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