Isadore's Secret

Sin, Murder, and Confession in a Northern Michigan Town

By: Mardi Link

Narrated by: Anne Jacques

A gripping account of the mysterious disappearance of a young nun in a northern Michigan town and the national controversy that followed when she turned up dead and buried in the basement of the church.

Says New York Times best-selling true crime author Gregg Olsen: "An astonishing story told with beautiful, lyrical prose that never overshadows the facts. Mardi Link's achievement with Isadore's Secret is nothing short of stellar." This true story was the basis for the Broadway play, The Runner Stumbles, and the movie of the same name. In 1907, a Felician nun disappeared from her rural convent. When her bones were found buried in the dirt-floored basement of the remote, Gothic church she served, it caused a national sensation. Who killed her? The handsome priest? The jealous housekeeper? And, what other secret was uncovered along with her bones?

©2009 Mardi Link (P)2016 Mardi Jo Link

Who really killed the nun

I Enjoyed the audible, Isadore’s secret, in general! Maybe I missed it but I am left with not knowing who really killed the pregnant nun! Was it the priest who was part of that delemma or was it Stella the jealous and envious housekeeper? Who had the most to lose?

Better than most

Had to give this 5stars , even though I became bored with some of the repetition of characters stories.It's so much better than a lot of true crime. The writing is straightforward and clear. One is introduced to the time and place as well as the people of the area, without drawn out descriptions.My credit was well spent on this one.Very interesting story.

Im a Michiganer

What made the experience of listening to Isadore's Secret the most enjoyable?

That it was true crime in my native state.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Isadora of course

What does Anne Jacques bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

At first I wasn't to sure I wanted to listen to the book because it seemed slow but once it drew me in I could tell her voice was right for the story.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When the nuns encircled Isadora's bones, very moving for me and I am not Catholic but I am a Christian. I found their love towards their sister very moving and Godly.

OK but skips in the beginning

It was OK but should have moved the story along alot quicker. Why did the clergyman Edward move so much after and before Isadore. I did fall asleep a few times but I don't think that was explained, but was certainly was discussed enough. Its OK I just shouldn't have gotten a book about religion.

Excellent story and hard to put down!

Loved it and both the writing and narrator were superb. Compelling and poignant story. Wonderful!

Interesting story

Interesting story but a bit difficult to follow. I caught myself zoning a little too often with this one but I was able to get the gist of what was going on. Still a good story line as most true stories are.

6 hours in and I didn't finish it...

Its not that its bad but I just keep drifting off...for some reason this story is not holding my attention. The reader is sort of monotone. I think this same story could have been told in a much shorter book. I may try to finish it someday

Like a Christie cozy in an English village & true

like a Christie cozy but it's true. well crafted mystery, we'll told, and interesting to the end.

Do Not Judge A "Book" By Its Crap Cover

Beautifully written and researched. If it was done any other way this story might of dull.

I mean it's about old timey Catholics, but the way the author weaves in personal letter and descriptions frames each participation in a fascinating light.

She even managed to make the details about Catholic laws and rituals interesting.

On par with Starvation Heights

Adores secret

This book has a lot of twists and turns. I liked the story a good read