Title: The Unquiet Grave
Author: Sharyn McCrumb
First published September 12, 2017
369 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 3.75
Overview
Sharyn McCrumb takes readers on a journey to 1930s West Virginia where attorney James P.D. Gardner finds himself in a segregated insane asylum after a suicide attempt. Under the care of Dr. James Boozer, Gardner reminisces about his most memorable case defending a white man accused of murdering his young bride based on the testimony of a ghost.
McCrumb delves into the true story of the Greenbrier Ghost, using genealogical material and historical documents to bring to life the personalities in the trial. Through the eyes of a young black lawyer, readers will witness the complexities of the trial and the characters involved.
With her masterful research and mesmerizing storytelling, McCrumb secures her place among the finest Southern writers.
About the Author
Sharyn McCrumb is a highly acclaimed writer from the American South, known for her “Ballad” novels set in the Appalachian region. Her works, including The Ballad of Tom Dooley, The Ballad of Frankie Silver, and The Songcatcher, have all been New York Times bestsellers.
Ghost Riders, which received the Wilma Dykeman Award for Literature from the East Tennessee Historical Society and the national Audie Award for Best Recorded Books, is another one of her well-known works. Her latest book, The Unquiet Grave, is a thoroughly researched novel about the Greenbrier Ghost of West Virginia, and it will be published by Atria, a division of Simon & Schuster, in September.
McCrumb’s literary achievements have earned her several prestigious awards, such as being named a Virginia Woman of History by the Library of Virginia and a Woman of the Arts by the national Daughters of the American Revolution. She was also the recipient of the Mary Hobson Prize for Arts & Letters in 2014.
Her books have been recognized as Notable Books by the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times.
Apart from writing, McCrumb has also shared her expertise with aspiring writers at universities, libraries, and other organizations across the United States. She even taught a writers workshop in Paris and served as a writer-in-residence at King University in Tennessee and at the Chautauqua Institute in western New York.
Editoral Review
Sharyn McCrumb’s latest novel, The Unquiet Grave, is a haunting and mesmerizing tale set in the mountains of Virginia. Known for her ability to seamlessly blend folklore, history, and mystery into her stories, McCrumb once again delivers a mesmerizing narrative with her latest work.
The Unquiet Grave tells the tale of James P. D.
Gardner, a Confederate soldier believed to have been falsely accused and hanged for murder after the Civil War. Gardner’s story is recounted through the perspectives of several characters, including his true love, Annabelle, and a modern-day forensic anthropologist tasked with identifying the skeletal remains discovered in the mountains decades later.
McCrumb’s writing is rich and vivid, evoking a strong sense of place and time. Her descriptions of the mountain landscape and its people are both lyrical and accurate, capturing the essence of a culture that is both unique and enduring.
The author’s use of multiple narrators allows for a deep exploration into the motivations and desires of each character, showcasing their complexities and flaws. The reader is left feeling deeply invested in each character’s plight, rooting for their survival and redemption.
The Unquiet Grave is not just a gripping work of fiction, but also a powerful look at history and the enduring effects of war on individuals and communities. McCrumb’s research is impeccable, shining a light on the darker corners of American history and illuminating the ways in which past traumas continue to shape our society today.
Despite its strengths, the novel does have some weaknesses. The pacing can be slow at times, as the story shifts between past and present and between different characters’ perspectives.
Additionally, while the use of multiple narrators is effective, it can also be confusing and disorienting at times. Still, these flaws pale in comparison to the book’s overall power and beauty.
Anyone who loves deeply layered, character-driven works will find much to admire in The Unquiet Grave. It is a haunting and unforgettable tale that showcases Sharyn McCrumb’s remarkable talents as a storyteller and historian.
Overall, The Unquiet Grave is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, mystery, and folklore. It is a work that transcends genre, offering insights into the human condition that are both timeless and deeply relevant to our current moment.
For these reasons, it earns a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
