Book Review: The Widow of Saunders Creek

The Widow of Saunders Creek is another book by Tracey Bateman, author of The Color of the Soul and Freedom of the Soul.

       Corrie Saunders is mourning the loss of her Army husband, Jarrod.  She has left her life of privilege to return to the home Jarrod inherited in the Missouri Ozarks.  She hopes by moving back Jarrod will come back to her.  Events around the house suggest that may he has.

Jarrod’s cousin, Eli, is a man of God, helping with the house restoration.  He is at odds with his mystically-oriented family members.

A battle between good and evil ensue for not only the house, but possibly even Corrie’s soul.

This is a heavy subject, dealing with the paranormal and afterlife, yet Tracey Bateman did a wonderful job and weaved a masterful story. She tells a realistic story, that masterfully explores both sides of the paranormal belief.

Throughout the novel, she foreshadows events, and by the time you reach the end of the book you cannot put the book down.  As events unfold you are completely enthralled in the lives of Corrie, Jarrod and the other characters.

In addition to Corrie and Jarrod’s story, there are also a few minor characters that add spice and intrigue to the story.

Once again my only complaint with a Tracey Bateman novel is that it came to an end.  I longed to learn more of not only what happened to Corrie and Jarrod, but also to the minor characters I’d grown to care so much for.

Many of the mountain folk that immigrated from Celtic countries, had these superstitions and traditions.  These are beliefs that were passed down from generation to generation.  Bateman did a masterful job from researching her subject to weaving it all together and telling a compelling story.

This a story that can really help someone that is struggling with the paranormal.  I am unaware of any other novels that deal with this issue from a Christian perspective.