I enjoyed Ms. Priest’s steampunk books, Boneshaker and The Clockwork Century series, so when I stumbled upon this novella, I thought I’d give it a try. It’s definitely not a steampunk story, but rather a tragic and bittersweet ghost story set in a small town in Tennessee. And not just any small town, but one of those that struggle for existence so far off the interstate, you wonder why anyone still lives there other than to hide or keep something hidden.
Ellen “Kate” Thrush, mid-forties, has always wondered what happened to her long-lost aunt, Ellen, when she disappeared decades ago. Her aunt’s lover and Kate’s former college professor, Judith, have spent years gathering material on what could have possibly happened to her. Between the two of them, they believe Ellen may have been the decaying body found in a Blackgum tree decades ago in Cinderwich, Tennessee. Together, the two women set off to find the truth, and perhaps closure.
Most of the townspeople are wary of them, though a few are helpful. Many simply do not care, or are bored, as they are not the first to search for a lost loved one in their community. In fact, tourists searching for answers and solving the mystery of the “woman in the Blackgum tree” is what keeps the town afloat.
It’s a tight little story, but my favorite part is the relationship between the two women. Though they have a connection through Ellen, Kate never met her aunt since she died before she was born. Yet, there’s a connection between the two as they share a name. Judith and Kate are not best friends yet share a mutual desire to find out what happened to Ellen. Written from Kate’s point of view, we feel her sense of foreboding which is overridden by her curiosity. The descriptions are just rich enough for us to feel what it’s like in a town which seems to be fading away. My only quibble is Kate’s reaction when she faces something supernatural. At first, she’s dubious, which makes sense, but when evidence mounts up, I find her acceptance too easy. You’d think at one point, she’d freak out just a little.
It is important to note that virtually all of the characters, including supporting, are women. Because that’s what the story is about—the community of women. They protect not only themselves, but their immediate community and society as whole. Each of them is the real hero of the story.
Creative Team: Cherie Priest (writer)
Publisher: Apex Book Company
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