Maryann McFadden

Author

Letter from James Titus Attorney

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Possible Spoiler if you haven’t read the book yet

 

A letter from James Titus to then President Mooney at Centenary College, December 1932. What strikes me here is the sentence about regret and errors that Titus mentions in the verses on the calendar he is referencing. Keep in mind this is nearly 50 years after Tillie’s murder and his conviction. In particular, his own thought that “If life could be lived backward and one could begin with the knowledge and experience of years, it might be possible to do better.” If you’ve read THE CEMETERY KEEPER’S WIFE already, you will understand Titus’s regret. I have been told by a local that once Titus returned from prison, he slept in the cellar of his house on Sharp Street for the rest of his days. I am struck by his beautiful handwriting.

 

Video Trailer for THE CEMETERY KEEPER’S WIFE

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“Based on a true story, McFadden’s research is meticulous as she weaves the murder of Tillie Smith with the blistering fictional story of Rachel, a newlywed who is determined to solve the crime which echoes the denial and secrets that surround her marriage to the cemetery keeper. This is an original novel, one readers will savor.”

ADRIANA TRIGIANI, New York Times bestselling author of Big Stone Gap and Brava Valentine

“A riveting emotional ride of 2 women a century apart, coming together finding peace, one in death, one in life. This is historical fiction at its best.”

STEPHANIE SUPINSKI, Branch Manager, Palmer Library, Easton PA

“A heartbreaking story of shame, secrets, and the quest for love and redemption. McFadden relays a forgotten tragedy, which once held Victorian America in thrall, through the eyes of Rachel Miller, the cemetery keeper’s wife.  With passion and a keen sense of detail, McFadden, whose real life coincidences mirror Rachel’s, is the perfect person to tell this story.”

MARY ALICE MONROE,  New York Times bestselling author of The Beach House and The Butterfly’s Daughter

“Book clubs will savor the rich details of life in the 1800’s and the ripped from the headlines current story of Rachel.

J. FRANK BURLESON, Park Road Books

Facebook Live from Union Cemetery

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This Sunday April 8th, at around 7 pm, I will be filming live from Union Cemetery in Hackettstown at the monument to Tillie Smith. This is the anniversary of her murder on the night of April 8th, 1886. I will speak about my life long obsession and journey into discovering who Tillie Smith really was and why I was compelled to bring her to life in THE CEMETERY KEEPER’S WIFE. I hope you’ll tune in.

Like my Facebook Author’s Page and join us at 7 pm, Sunday, April 8, for our Facebook Live broadcast.