4.5 Stars!

I was so pleased to receive this ARC from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was even happier when I started the book and found myself engrossed in a beautiful but eye opening tale set in my favorite place - New Orleans. The author did a fantastic job with the setting and it felt very authentically New Orleans, almost as if I was there with Effie strolling along the streets that I love. New Orleans has such a romance about, modern yet steeped in history and tradition, and this book does as well. Set during the Reconstruction Era, Effie, a former slave and current embalmer, has returned to New Orleans in search of her past as well as a new beginning. She begins her new life content in who and where she is until a chance encounter with an outspoken and handsome stranger sets her on a path that changes everything she thought she knew.A story of heritage and heartbreak, there is an underlying sense of sadness/morose that is so necessary to accurately portray Effie and all of the uncertainty and upheaval of the time. Honestly I loved this book, the only reason docked the rating was because the ending felt ever so slightly rushed. Otherwise, excellent book!

This was a great historical fiction book about an African American named Effie who used to be a slave, but got an education and went back to the south after the end of the civil war. I enjoyed it and would recommend it.

I would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for providing me a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

The Undertaker’s Assistant deals with the harsh realities of life for an African American woman in New Orleans in the late 1800s. We meet Effie who we learn is an intelligent young black woman working as an assistant to an undertaker. She is a former slave but who was saved and trained to perform embalming by a Northern soldier. I am a fan of historical fiction and understand that often details become important in creating the past. However, this book dragged for me. The first half, especially, was slow and difficult to get through. While I came to like Effie, it took a long time to care for her or the other characters. I also found much of the storyline to be predictable. I was really hoping to love this book, but instead, I find myself just glad it’s over. I appreciate the opportunity to read this free, advance copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

The book The Undertaker’s Assistant is about Effie a black woman born into slavery. Escaping that life as a child she is taken in by an army surgeon and wife during the War and taught to read and right.

Given the opportunity to leave as a free woman she travels to New Orleans where she works as an embalmer with a local funeral director.

The characters are well-written and Effie’s journey is described so well you feel as if you are there along side her experiencing everything she is experiencing.

One thing I found helpful was the suggested question guide it allowed me to really understand the book.

I was provided this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book for anyone who loves reading historical novels. 📕👍🏼

I GIVE IT A 5 STAR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Undertaker's Assistant is a great historical story that captures your emotions. The writing is fantastic and I loved the characters.

She was born a slave, but she escaped to the North where she was taken in by a doctor and his wife. Now with the Civil War over, Effie Jones has returned to the south, putting her education to good use as she becomes an embalmer with a local funeral director. Slavery may no longer exist, but racial tensions run high in the new south. A fascinating look at life immediately after the War for a young black woman of education