Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Can't Wait Wednesday (99)



Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight highly anticipated books.  It is based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme which used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.






FROM GOODREADS:  Lakin, West Virginia, 1930.  
Following the suicide attempt and consigned to a segregated insane asylum, attorney James P.D. Gardner finds himself under the care of Dr. James Boozer,  Fresh out of medical school, Dr. Boozer is eager to try the new talking cure for insanity, and encourages his elderly patient to reminisce about his experiences as the first black attorney to practice law in nineteenth-century West Virginia. Gardner's most memorable case was one in which he helped to defend a white man on trial for the murder of his young bride - a case that the prosecution based on the testimony of a ghost.

Greebrier, West Virgina, 1897.  Beautiful, willful Zone Heaster has always lived in the mountains of West Virginia,  Despite her mother's misgivings, Zona marries Erasmus Trout Shue, the handsome blacksmith who has recently come to Greenbrier County.  After weeks of silence from the newlyweds, riders come to the Heaster's place to tell them that Zona has died from a fall, attributed to a recent illness.  Mary Jane is determined to get justice for her daughter.  A month after the funeral, she informs the county prosecutor that Zona's ghost appeared to her, saying that she had been murdered.  An autopsy, ordered by the reluctant prosecutor, confirms her claim.

The Greenbrier Ghost is renowned in American folklore, but Sharyn McCrumb is the first author to look beneath the legend to unearth the facts.  Using a century of genealogical material and other historical documents, McCrumb reveals new information about the story and brings to life the personalities in the trial: the prosecutor, a former Confederate cavalryman; the defense attorney, a pro-Union bridgeburner, who nevertheless had owned slaves; and the mother of the murdered woman, who doggedly sticks to her ghost story - all seen through the eyes of a young black lawyer on the cusp of a new century, with his own tragedies yet to come.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  I've been to both of these locations and growing up and living in West Virginia, I've heard a few takes of the Greenbrier Ghost.  I stumbled in this one a few months ago and I think it will be a really interesting read.

WHAT BOOK CAN'T YOU WAIT FOR THIS WEEK???


29 comments:

  1. Oh wow, this is based on a true story? How intriguing! Here's mine: http://editingeverything.com/blog/2017/03/22/waiting-oncant-wait-wednesday-aminas-voice/#comment-110938

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm not familiar with the Greenbrier Ghost but this does sound like such an intriguing read. I may have to check it out so thanks for spotlighting it this week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No problem. I love tales including local history.

      Delete
  3. I love ghost stories and especially if they're "based on" true stories! I love to go to those locations too and see what I might experience. Great pick!
    Check out what I'm waiting on this Wednesday

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My hometown has quite a few ghosts attached to it also. I love stuff like this.

      Delete
  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This book is new to me, and it sounds interesting :) I hope you enjoy this one! Happy reading :D

    Brittany @ Brittany's Book Rambles

    ReplyDelete
  6. Well, normally I would say that this is very creepy, but actually, I agree with you that it sounds VERY interesting! The combination of elements here are what makes it so fascinating. Besides, of course, there's the whole thing about the testimony of a GHOST, no less! As you know, I'm a HUGE fan of the paranormal, so yes, Barb, I do think this is an AWESOME pick!! And what a great coincidence that you live in the area, and have grown up hearing stories about this unusual case!

    I KNOW you'll enjoy this one! So will I, when I get to it! Thanks for sharing!! <3 :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love stories that use myth and historical events, so this sounds like it could be really good. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're quite welcome. I'm really looking forward to this one.

      Delete
  8. Oooh this sounds fascinating! I love a good historical mystery and dual timelines are always fun to read about. Hope you enjoy it when you get your hands on it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just finished a book with dual timelines and enjoyed it as well - The Jekyll Revelation.

      Delete
  9. The cover definitely seems like it fits the story. Thanks for linking up again!

    Tressa @ Wishful Endings

    ReplyDelete
  10. Testimony based on a ghost? This definitely sounds interesting. Hope you enjoy!

    Renee ~ My CWW

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, I can't wait to see how that plays into things.

      Delete
  11. This one is new to me but it sounds really interesting. I hope you enjoy it once you get a chance to read it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Replies
    1. I just popped over. You have a great pic this week as well. I really should read a Claudia Grey book.

      Delete
  13. The cover doesn't do much for me, but the description sounds good. It's so cool too that there's a connection to the area where you grew up.

    ~Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm torn on the cover. It's OK but not spectacular. Hope what is inside it is much better.

      Delete
  14. I see why you are excited about this one. While you're waiting, I came across a book today that made me think of you. It's free right now but don't know how long that will last. And not sure if you've already read it. Called Mastiffs, Mystery, and Murder? Here's the link for Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XK1Q9NT

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Laura, I went and grabbed it last night before bed!

      Delete
  15. This does sound interesting! I can't wait to read your review. I've never read this author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me either and I probably never would have but this really caught my attention because of the subject and location.

      Delete
  16. I had never heard of The Greenbrier Ghost! the fact that it the performed the autopsy is crazy! lol The cover is super creepy. I can't wait for your review.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm really excited to get my hands on this one!

      Delete