1875 in Greenbriar, West Virginia, Zona Heaster quickly falls for the new blacksmith in town, Trout Shue.  The relationship doesn't please Zona's mother, Mary Jane, especially when she learns of Trout's reckless past.  However, Zona seems happy and it is far past the time when a mother should let her daughter go, so Mary Jane relents. As soon as the couple is married, Trout's true colors show and  Mary Jane finds out that Zona has died just a few months after.  Zona's official cause of death is listed as an accidental fall, but Mary Jane is convinced of foul play.  After Zona's ghost comes back to Mary Jane, she begins an official inquest into her daughter's death. 
In 1930, attorney P.D. Gardener is committed to the asylum for the Colored Insane after a failed suicide attempt.  His doctor is trying out a new kind of therapy involving talking and P.D. reminisces about a unique case of defending a white man for murder where the testimony of his deceased wife was used against him. 
Part historical fiction, party murder mystery and part ghost story, The Unquiet Grave is based upon the real murder trial of Zona Heaster Shue.  I was pulled in the most by P.D.'s character and his confinement within the asylum as well as his rise to be a Black attorney in West Virginia.  P.D. gave insight into the time period as well as context for how people acted and what they believed.  Though we didn't know Zona's character for long, her spirit and tenacity was apparent. Zona didn't always make the best decisions in life, but seemed to do better in death by inciting her mother's interest.  The point of view switches between P.D. in 1930 and Mary Jane in 1875, both telling the story, in a rather roundabout way, of how Zona came to be murdered and how her killer was finally convicted.  The writing is very thorough and did seem to get a little bogged down in the details for me at times, but I was impressed by the amount of historical fact that was put in.  I love that Zona's ghost continued to be a character and made sure that her death was not forgotten as well as having a testimony in her own murder trial.  Overall, a unique telling of a historic true crime story. 


This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

Didn't realize before requesting that this was part of a series. Probably won't be reading the entire series and I'm not one who will start in the middle of one.

McCrumb cannot write a bad book. I look forward to reading her next Ballad Novel, and I hope Nora Bonesteel pops in more often!!

It was a good read, I am a fan of historical fiction. This was the first book by this author that I have read, I enjoyed it and would read more of her books.

Enjoyed the research information at the end of the book, more than the historical fiction story. Murderer and spouse were too unlikeable, shallow. I read all Ms. McCrumbs books, but this one was not for me. ( I live in the Appalachian mountains and currently reading Silas House)

A typical McCrumb. Interesting story based on an actual .legend/case. Mccrumb has done a lot of reasearch and it shows. Recommend to McCrumb readers and those who like historical mysteries.

This was to me a gripping book. It is actually based on a true story. The case was called the case of the Greenbrier Ghost. This story is told by Attorney James P. D. Gardner. James is in an asylum in Lakin, West Virginia in 1930 after a suicide attempt. Dr. Booker is his physician and as part of his treatment he gets James to open up about his past. James tells him the story of Zona Heaster. Te book does tend to jump around a good bit, not just from past to present but from places and events. It is a very good

good though for the most part kept my interest. some of the past parts that had nothing to do with the tale I did skim over though.

The true story part is about the life and death of Zona Heaster in 1897. Zona has been murdered or so her family believes. She was a small town girl from Greenbrier, West Virginia, who meets newcomer Erasmus Trout Shue. He is a handsome blacksmith. Zona falls in love immediately and just as quickly marries him. And just as quickly as she meets and marries she is also dead. Her family is told Zona fell during an illness. Her family does not believe this at all.

Her mother is determined to get justice for Zona. One night Zona's ghost comes to her mother and tells her who killed her. Her mother Mary Jane goes to the county prosecutor and demands they look into the case. They exhume Zona's body and do an autopsy and decide it is a case of murder. The book follows the events leading up to the trial and the trial itself.

I received this book from the Author or Publisher via Netgalley.com to read and review.

I had a really hard time getting into this book. The beginning grabbed me and I was very interested in Mary Jane & Zona’s story. But once the story focus shifted to James and Dr. Boozer, I started losing interest. I had a very hard time staying focused and invested in the story and there was just too many details and recollections from James that just did not seem relevant to the story at all.

I really enjoyed the character of Mary Jane and I really loved how this was based on a true story. However, with the middle section of the book being such a drag, I really struggled to get through it. All in all, I thought the book just fell flat and was fairly boring.

It cannot be denied that the author has put in a lot of work to research every aspect of this case and present it from all sides. We read from Mary Jane's perspective as she struggles to find justice for her daughter, even as her own husband refuses to help. We read from Gardner's perspective as he recounts the investigation and his own impression of his client. While the case itself was interesting, I think that the writing was not executed as well as I might have liked. The beginning was very intriguing and had me hooked. However, the story started to drag on towards the middle until about the 90% mark of the book. I think this may have been because of the perspective of Mr. Gardner. Most of the information mentioned in that section was not very useful and could have been omitted. Maybe it would have been interesting to someone who wanted to know more about the historical scene at that point in time but for me, I just wanted to get into the crux of the matter, which was Zona's case. The trial itself was interesting and the different facts that were brought up were also presented well. Overall, this was a novel that had a premise that I really enjoyed but was perhaps not executed as well as it could have been. I would give this a 2/5 stars.

While the story is an intriguing one, it just didn't hold my attention. I struggled to get through it. But I give the author credit for bringing this folk tale back to life and for obviously doing extensive research on the subject.

It was already plain to me that Mr. Shue was the spitting image of trouble, and that my girl would likely come to regret becoming wife number three.

Expertly researched and richly crafted, The Unquiet Grave by Sharyn McCrumb imagines the story behind The Greenbriar Ghost—one of the American South’s most chilling and perplexing murder trials.

Captivated by the handsome charm of Mr. Edward “Trout” Shue, Zona Heaster is quick to fall in love and hasty to marry. Her mother is suspicious of her daughter’s new husband, as any small town woman would be of a man new to town with no known local history. To make matters worse Mr. Shue’s unusual behavior at the wedding sends up red-flags of a different kind. As smitten newlyweds, Zona and Trout set off to start their life nearer to where he works as a blacksmith, practically forbidding Zona’s family from visiting.

When word reaches Mrs. Heaster that her daughter has taken ill, she doesn’t hesitate to set out for a visit with little notice. Upon seeing Zona, Mrs. Heaster’s suspicions are reignited: her daughter is pale and frail—a stark contrast from the bold, love-struck girl that left just weeks before. With little choice in the matter, Mrs. Heaster returns home all the while fretting over Zona’s well-being and with good reason.

“Mrs. Shue is dead, sir. She was found at the foot of the stairs this afternoon. We reckon she must have fallen.” I turned away then, because they were probably expecting tears, but they wouldn’t see any from me. All I felt was a cold rage somewhere beneath my ribs. Jacob put his had on my shoulder, but I jerked away. “The devil had killed her!” I didn’t mean for them to hear me say that but they did.

The suddenness of Zona’s passing and the peculiar behavior of Mr. Shue at the funeral lead Mrs. Heaster to believe her death was no accident. Full of spite and vengeance she vows to unearth the truth behind Zona’s death and her husband’s role in it. She prays a fervent prayer for a sign to lead her to the truth and her request is quickly answered in the form of her daughter’s ghost. Armed with this sighting and the evidence presented by the deceased, Mrs. Heaster enlists the help of her brother-in-law to secure a lawyer in the case of Zona’s murder.

Over thirty years later, we become acquainted with Mr. James Gardner, a Black man currently residing in an asylum following a botched suicide attempt. As part of his therapy he begins to tell the story of his life as a lawyer—where he got his start as an assistant to a prominent, though reckless, white attorney during none other than the very trail of Mr. Edward Shue in the murder of his wife. Through his speech we experience the court proceedings and the detail that cements this haunting story into historical account: the testimony provided by Zona Shue’s ghost.

Despite the heat of the day James Gardner felt a stab of cold beneath his ribs. “But, Dr. Rucker, suppose the jury believes is.” Rucked gave him a pitying smile. “Give them some credit, James. The jurors may be indifferently educated fellows, but they’re not fools. They won’t fall for superstitious nonsense…”

McCrumb has rendered a gripping retelling of the events surrounding the death of a young bride during the end of the 19th century and the eerie circumstances that lead to the allegations posed against her husband. The Unquiet Grave is a well-crafted period ghost story that speculates on the power of superstition and belief.

2.5 stars

This book started off strong, slowly dragged in the middle and then finished with a bang. Unfortunately, the dragging middle part was from about the 40% mark to the 97% mark. I really started to lose interest around the halfway mark and had to force myself to keep reading. Had this not been a Traveling Sister Read, I probably would not have finished it.

What I enjoyed about the novel was finding out that this was based on “the true story of one of the strangest murder trials in American history – the case of the Greenbrier Ghost”. I always enjoy reading historical fiction where I learn about a piece of history I knew little or nothing about. While I liked the educational piece of this book, I just couldn’t connect with the 1930 storyline. It seemed to have a surplus of unnecessary details that were boring, distracting and repetitive. I completely lost interest during these chapters to the point that I was skimming paragraphs.

I loved Mary Jane who was the main character in the 1897 storyline. She was a loveable, hard-working and dedicated mother who I deeply sympathized with. However, as much as I loved her character, it didn’t make up for the rest of the redundant story.

It was a wonderful experience to read this along with my Traveling Sisters Brenda, Norma, Susanne and Diane! There were varying opinions throughout our group which lead to some interesting discussion.

A big thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Sharyn McCrumb for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I read The Unquiet Grave with three of my Traveling Sisters and this one had us situated in different coulees in the end with our enjoyment and rating for this book.

We all did have similar thoughts on The Unquiet Grave however it did affect our overall enjoyment of the story a little differently. We all really enjoyed the Appalachian ghost story with the turn of the century real murder case and appreciated all the research put into this story explained by Sharyn McCrumb in the Author’s Note.

The story starts off slow as Sharyn McCrumb develops the characters and the setting and we really got to know the characters and their surroundings, catching some of us right from the start but not grabbing us all. We all enjoyed Mary Jane’s story as we learn of Zona’s death and her suspicions as to the circumstances of her death. We could really feel Mary Jane’s grief and anger. We all found her to be a strong character and liked her resilience, persistence and her determination for justice. Her confidence really shined through in this story.

Where in the story we differ for our enjoyment was with the storyline involving lawyer, James Gardner as he recalls his backstory to Dr. Boozer. We all found the story to be dull and very slow and for some of us, it was really hard to get through it as it really dragged down the story for them. For me, I just wanted to get to Mary Jane’s story and the trial and James’ backstories distracted me from the suspense of the trial.

The Unquiet Grave made for a very good discussion and it was interesting to see how parts of the story affected our level of enjoyment and ratings for this one. We varied from 2.5 to 4 stars with everyone having a different rating. For me I recommend.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Atria Books and Sharyn McCrumb for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book.

All of our Traveling Sisters Reviews can be found on our sister blog:
http://www.twogirlslostinacouleereading.wordpress.com

THE UNQUIET GRAVE by SHARYN MCCRUMB was an interesting, very informative, and a well-researched tale that was based on the true story of one of the strangest murder trials in American history, of an 1897 folklore legend of the Greenbrier Ghost.  I absolutely love these types of stories especially if there is a ghost involved but somewhere in the middle this book lost my attention and I had a hard time finishing it. This book definitely wasn’t as exciting as I thought it was going to be but that ending was pretty exciting though and I am so glad that I persevered and finished it.

SHARYN MCCRUMB delivers a well-written, detailed, and atmospheric tale here with well-developed characters that was told in two different timelines from the 1897 murder case of Zona Heaster and memories and recollections by James Gardner from 1930.  I was really drawn into the 1897’s storyline and enjoyed what I was learning about this case and loved Mary Jane’s character who was the the mother to Zona and the main character from this time period.  The 1930’s timeline is what I didn’t enjoy as much as I thought there was just way too much detail with the memories and recollections that was shared to us by James Gardner and this is where my attention started to wane.

I do think though since THE UNQUIET GRAVE was based on a true story and the amount of research that was done by SHARYN MCCRUMB to bring this story to life deserves to be noted here and after finishing this novel and reading the Author’s Note just makes me appreciate this novel so much more.

Would recommend to anyone that likes a historical fiction story with folklore, a murder trial, and a good ghost story within the storyline that is based on truth.  

Date of Publication:   September 12, 2017

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Atria Books and Sharyn McCrumb for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review!!

I love historical fiction....especially when there's a bit of a ghost story to compliment it...and this is a good one.

Based on the true story of one of the strangest murder trials in American history....Sharyn McCrumb tells the tale of an 1897 legend....the Greenbrier Ghost.

It's 1930 when while incarcerated in West Virginia's asylum for the colored insane that 63 year old country lawyer James P. D. Gardner recounts his connection to an old murder case defending a white man.

In addition to learning about the sudden and mysterious death of a young newlywed....and her mother's vow to seek justice, we also visit the Civil War to learn about the evil exploits of his Attorney/Doctor mentor who actually defended the perpetrator of the crime....as well as find out about Gardner's own troubles.

Informative and engrossing all the way to the big reveal! (Smile)

(Am glad I didn't read the book summary on this one.)

Many thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Unquiet Grave by Sharyn McCrumb tells the unique history in which the words of a ghost help convict a murderer. The book alternates between the two completely different perspectives of a heartbroken mother and a defense attorney. The atmosphere and the unique history are the memorable aspects of this book. Once again, I marvel at the ability of fiction to introduce me to a history I may never otherwise have learned.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2017/10/the-unquiet-grave.html

Reviewed for NetGalley.

Sharyn McCrumb returns with a haunting tale based upon actual true life events. It is about the murder of a young wife and the subsequent trial of the accused, her husband. What makes the tale fascinating is the convicting testimony came from the victim's mother who gave evidence that her daughter's ghost led her to discover the death was actually a murder. This resulted in the exhumation of the corpse and the subsequent charges and trial.

Set in the late 1800's, the novel explores the victim, accused, and family. In addition, time is spent on the backgrounds of the prosecutor and defence lawyers. Known as the case of the Greenbriar Ghost, the author has researched the case in great detail, drawing on photos, maps, and legal certificates of those involved. Another historical fact is that the defence lawyer was the first black attorney in Virginia.

The first half of the book is fast paced and gripping. A bit of momentum is lost in the second half as the conversation between the defence lawyer and his psychiatric doctor in the mental institution revealing details of the case dragged a bit.

Nevertheless, the story and characters kept me enthralled to the end. A nice mix of mystery and folk tale! Definitely recommended.

Favorite Quote: ‘Death is quick but retribution moves at a snail’s place.’

Reviewed by Tori

The Unquiet Grave by Sharyn McCrumb is an thought provoking tale of murder, revenge, the supernatural; all based on the true story of the Greenbrier Ghost, a piece of American Folklore. Through dual points of views and tenses, we are introduced to James P. D.Gardner and Mary Jane Heaster and shown the depths of a mother’s love and the extraordinary lengths she will go to for justice.

Our story begins in a segregated insane asylum in the 1930s. An older black gentleman, James P. D. Gardner, has been committed for attempting suicide and the attending physician feels that discussing the past is what holds the key to the problems of the present. James decides to tell the Dr about the time he was asked to co-chair a murder trial in West Virginia with a white union sympathizing defense attorney whose past was far more scandalous than the accused, a white Confederate veteran prosecutor, and where a ghost was the only witness to the crime. From there, we switch to Mary Jane Heaster as she leads us up to the trial. Gardner then resumes his tale, describing the events of the trial and his actions defending the accused with Mary Jane interjecting as needed.

Elva Zona Heaster was a wild child from the day she was born. Beautiful and headstrong, she refused to bow down to the dictates of parents or society and did as she pleased regardless of the outcome. While visiting family in Greenbrier County, she meets Erasmus (Edward) Trout Shue, an older handsome drifter who had recently moved there and worked as a blacksmith. Zona falls head over heels and against her mother’s advice, marries Edward. After weeks of silence, Mary Jane and her oldest son ride to the Shue’s home to check on Zona. Mary Jane eventually heads home, fearful for Zona. When riders come to the Heaster farm a few months later to inform them that Zona has died from a fall down the stairs, Mary Jane is convinced Edward killed Zona. Mary Jane goes to the local prosecutor and demands Edward be arrested for murder. She claims Zona’s ghost has come to her, showing her proof of Edward’s lies. She convinces the prosecutor to order an exhumation of the body. The examination shows foul play, Edward is arrested, and a trial date set.

When I first picked this up, I read it fell under McCrumb’s Appalachian Ballad series though I didn’t see the connection. I did enjoy the story though it is definitely drier then what I’m used to from her. Hints of McCrumb’s trademark sly humor in her formattable characters and descriptive narrative help liven it up and force it along when it faltered. I had never heard of the Greenbrier Ghost before this but found McCrumb’s weaving of legend, fact, and fiction interesting, especially her use of the mother and the defense attorney to personalize the story.

Though the story starts out ponderous, your curiously is gradually peaked with its haunting prose and straightforward telling. McCrumb’s research and meticulous attention to detail are showcased as she uses her skills and alternating points of view to paint us a picture of life in the rural South among the working class; drawing attention to the domestic violence and the social, economic, gender and race inequalities that existed. Heavily character driven, Heaster Gardner are the driving forces of the story, both compelling characters whose refusal to sugar coat their circumstances only adds to their appeal. Both are non-apologetic of what they are, accepting their place in life as simply a fact. Yet, there is intelligence, fortitude, and a quiet strength in them both, evidenced by their relentless pursuit of their goals.

The ending is predictable of course but McCrumb adds her own twists to the story, leaving readers to question some of the ethical and moral dilemmas presented. An in-depth epilogue offers more answers and questions as McCrumb lays the story and those involved to rest.

I do wish Gardner’s personal story had integrated better with the main storyline. As it was, I felt as though I was reading two distinctly different stories with no true common denominator. I also found the history lesson given on the civil war and the parts the defense attorney and the prosecutor played in it overly verbose and cumbersome. The point of that escaped me. Regardless, fans of Sharyn McCrumb and American Folklore are sure to enjoy her take on this popular piece of southern history.

Grade: C+

Sharyn McCrumb's 'The Unquiet Grave' a ghost story for our time

Editor's note: This review originally appeared in Mountain Times (Boone, NC) in print and at the link http://www.wataugademocrat.com/mountaintimes/in-review-sharyn-mccrumb-s-newest-the-unquiet-grave-a/article_3ac5d753-9fbf-5e8b-adb5-8e5375c1fed5.html

Although talk therapy is common enough today, during the 19th century its value was still the topic of much psychiatric debate, a debate that fuels the narrative of Sharyn McCrumb’s new novel, “The Unquiet Grave” (Atria Books).

“There is a new idea going around in medical circles that talking might be a useful tool in treating mental patients,” says Dr. James Boozer to his patient, James P.D. Gardner, a black attorney in 1930 committed to a segregated insane asylum in West Virginia for attempted suicide. “I don’t know that I entirely agree with the theory … but you are an educated man, not prone to violence and I thought we might have a go at it. Surely you’d prefer such a treatment to the traditional alternatives.”

And so, with those alternatives consisting of actions such as an ice water bath and even more radical attempts to shock sanity from insanity, Gardner agrees during a cold winters-long series of interviews to share the remarkable story of how a young black lawyer in the 19th century defended a white man on trial for murder — and was defeated by a ghost.

While a reader could wish for more of the interaction between Gardner and Boozer, McCrumb’s newest offering is no descent into madness. “The Unquiet Grave” is a ghost story of sorts, a retelling of the well-known legend of the Greenbrier Ghost — the alleged spirit of a beautiful and willful young woman in Greenbrier County, W.Va., who died in 1897. Although a doctor initially declared that Zona Heaster Shue died of natural causes, a visit by Shue’s ghost to her mother reveals the true cause of death.

Or does it? Either way, such is her mother’s belief that her daughter was murdered that she convinces the district attorney to charge Shue’s husband with the crime.

So enters Gardner — who we later learn took the loss of his client’s case as a foregone outcome and has little to do with his present commitment; that is the result of his own wife’s death — and other well-drawn characters from the depths of a legend that McCrumb does a fine job sorting out.

Such is the author’s way that it is not likely she would have attempted the retelling had she not had something new to offer — her Ballad novels and esoteric works of NASCAR and racing fiction bear this out.

Here it is not only her signature ability to fill in details, replete with bullseye accuracy of setting and voice, but to provide an addition to the original telling borne from McCrumb’s years of studying 19th-century England. The story of Suffolk's Maria Marten's “Murder in the Red Barn” might just be a precedent for Shue’s story. But, would Shue’s mother, “a poor, ill-educated woman living on a remote mountain farm in Appalachia, have known about that earlier incident that happened an ocean away,” McCrumb asks in her author’s note.

That’s a good question, and because history belongs not only to the victor, but to those who write the victor’s story, McCrumb gets to answer it herself — leading to a satisfying surprise at the end of the novel.

Touching on mental illness, race and superstition, “The Unquiet Grave” is not only an informative read, but one that never loses sight of its story — a chilly retelling of an Appalachian legend finely resurrected under McCrumb’s pen.

I found this a really fascinating read with lots of little details that helped to provide authenticity along the way. The novel is split between two narratives - that of Mary Jane as she tells the story of her daughter and her husband in the late 1800s and then that of Dr James Boozer as he attempts the 'talking cure' on one of his patients in 1930. Both points of view are really well drawn, giving each narrator a truly unique voice. The plot is quite simple in structure and progresses nicely, giving the reader enough time to really live with the characters without feeling a lack of pace or similarly, being moved along too quickly. I found the relationship between Boozer and Gardener beautifully understated and full of warmth and mutual respect. The reader is given a real sense of the difference thirty years can make in history and overall, I thought this was an accomplished novel.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.