‘The Mourner’s Cradle: A Widow’s Journey’ by Tommy B. Smith – Book Review

The Mourner’s Cradle: A Widow’s Journey by Tommy B. Smith is the latest novel released by Crystal Lake Publishing. If you aren’t familiar with Crystal Lake Publishing, you need to rectify that immediately. They put out some of the best horror novels out there. We’ve had a chance to review quite a few of them, including Quiet Places by Jasper Bark, Tales From the Lake: Vol 4: The Anthology and Where Nightmares Come From: The Art of Storytelling in the Horror Genre (The Dream Weaver series Book 1). Spoiler alert! We haven’t been disappointed yet! The synopsis for The Mourner’s Cradle intrigued me, and I knew I wanted to read it. How does this book fair? Read on to find out!

Book Synopsis: 

Damon Sharpe had, in part, found victory, he believed, in his battle to unearth a truth obscured by time. By autumn, he was dead, leaving his wife, Anne, a house of unfulfilled wishes, remnants, and the key to the enigma of his obsession, the Mourner’s Cradle.

A journey through grief and peril delivers Anne Sharpe from her home in St. Charles to the faraway skeletons of a long-dead civilization where she will find the desperate answers she seeks… or die trying.

This horror novel is perfect for fans of…

The Silent Corner by Dean Koontz
The Fisherman by John Langan
The Grieving Stones by Gary McMahon
Daphne du Maurier
Thomas Ligotti
Shirley Jackson
Dan Simmons

My Thoughts: 

This book is one of the best books I’ve read lately. You may be asking, “What’s so great about it?” I’m glad you asked. This book is non-stop action. It grabs your attention at the beginning and does not let go. This is a character-driven story. Whether it is the protagonist or antagonist, both jump out from the page, right into your mind. The characters are written well and you find yourself relating to each one and understanding why they do what they do. Anne Sharpe is one of my favorite leads in a novel, hands down. That’s saying something, considering how many books I’ve read. She is smart, independent and, for lack of a better word, a total badass. She does have a softer side to her as well, but she does not  put up with much nonsense. I loved that her character was so versatile and, as a woman, I can really appreciate a strong female lead. I also loved her husband’s friend, Ruben, who went with Anne to Peru and cared for her on her journey. The villain, Keller, is pure evil in the best way possible. He reminds me of Bond villain. Smart, relentless and just foul.

Smith was deftly able to weave grief and the grieving process into the action of The Mourner’s Cradle: A Widow’s Journey with ease. The story touches upon the many emotions of sorrow and how it changes you as a person. Anne blossoms during the events of the book. She started as a woman who hadn’t worked outside the home for years due to terrible treatment from a previous employer. Damon had taken it upon himself to defend her and punch her boss in the face. Both the treatment of her by her boss and the reaction of her husband were definitely a sign of the times. Which brings me to the setting of this story. Fantastic! It is set in 1979. I always enjoy tales set in different time periods. Tommy B. Smith kept the story consistent, including many details that remind you that it’s 1979.

The tension was spot on as well. I was glued to the page as Anne and Ruben climbed to the Mourner’s Cradle, like I was right there with them on their journey. The story is a combination of action and mystery, but doesn’t forget the heart and emotions. Of course, the book doesn’t lack on blood and terror. It had a little of everything which made the story just that much better.

This book did not disappoint! Be sure to check The Mourner’s Cradle: A Widow’s Journey now! It is available for purchase at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. I am definitely looking forward to more from Tommy B. Smith and Crystal Lake Publishing. Don’t forget to check out other Crystal Lake titles while you are there!