Widow's Tears

By: Susan Wittig Albert

Narrated by: Julia Gibson, Morgan Hallett

Best-selling author Susan Wittig Albert is especially beloved for creating herbalist and ex-lawyer China Bayles, hailed by Publishers Weekly as “in a class with lady sleuths V.I. Warshawski and Stephanie Plum.” In Widow’s Tears, China has urgent business to discuss with Ruby, a friend gifted with extrasensory perception. Meeting Ruby at a supposedly haunted house, China soon uncovers a mystery that may be linked to a deadly robbery that very night.

©2013 Susan Wittig Albert (P)2013 Recorded Books

Great story!

Although this would make a fine "stand alone" story, the pleasure is so much greater if China and Ruby are your old friends, as they are mine. I've missed them and eagerly await each new release. If you're looking for a cozy mystery series to "make friends with", I highly recommend China Bayles.

The mystery of the old Victorian home out in the middle of the woods with the strange happenings is both intriguing and heartbreaking.

Like China, I'm not a great fan of "other worldliness", but the book is written in such a way that Ruby's gift seems absolutely normal for her. The history of the 1900 Galveston hurricane was fascinating to me and I love the way the author wove actual historical facts about this disaster in with the mystery. It has led to my doing more reading on the subject.

(Note: I gave the performance only 4 stars as I did not care for Ms. Hallet's reading. I'm sure that's simply personal preference. I'm used to Ms. Gibson's "Ruby" and it was difficult for me to hear Ruby with a different voice.) JB

What's not to love?

Where does Widow's Tears rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of my all time favourite audio books. As a Canadian I didn't know about the Galveston Hurricane until reading this book. If you're a history and ghost story buff - this book is absolutely fantastic.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Two mysteries in one. The modern day mystery of the haunted house, intertwined with the telling of a tragic and frightening story of the hurricane made for a gripping story start to finish.

Which character – as performed by Julia Gibson and Morgan Hallett – was your favorite?

Morgan Hallett's somewhat subdued delivery was perfect for the time period.

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

Ruby's conclusions about her own life were a lovely ending to the story.

Any additional comments?

Having China's logical mind as a foil to Ruby's otherworldly intuitive spirit always works well as a story telling device in these books but especially in this case because Ruby is so hesitant to get involved and China is brought face to face with spooky happenings she cannot logic away.

History and a Ghost Story Combined

Would you consider the audio edition of Widow's Tears to be better than the print version?

I think I enjoyed listening to the book more than I would have if I read it. The voices add intrigue and suspense.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes. I loved the ghost story. I also enjoyed the story of the Galveston Hurricane although it was tragic. The story line in Pecan Springs was interesting too.

Which character – as performed by Julia Gibson and Morgan Hallett – was your favorite?

I do like China but in this book, it is Ruby's story. Ruby was my favorite. I l also liked Claire, Ruby's friend and Rachel who is the centerpiece of the historical story. Even Ruby's disagreeable sister Ramona was a good character.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The ghost in your house may be here to stay.

Any additional comments?

I liked all the China Bayles mysteries but this is definitely one of my favorites.

I wanted more of this story!

Ms. Albert's descriptions of the Galveston hurricane still haunt me! The rumblings of the 3 story mansion in Galveston, foretelling the destruction to come was terrifying! I felt the floorboards under my own feet quaking with dread! This was a very fine telling of a story of shock and heroism in the face of a natural disaster. I want another one of these!

Wonderful mystery interwoven into historical event

The several story lines in this book keep you guessing. The historical event adds substance to the story and makes the mystery much more complex. I prefer one narrator but that is my preference in any book. I have a difficult time tuning into new voices for former characters.

don't start here

I hope you do not start with this book in the series. Definately not my favorite, maybe because I already know the stories of that hurricane and do not like ghost stories ( really don't) The rest of the series is great.

Over Exaggerated storyline and poor narration.

As someone who grew up near Galveston and had frequent visits there, it was apparent that the description by the author was embellished. I asked an older friend, almost 80 years old, "have you ever seen Galveston with white beaches and blue-green water"? Never.
The narration was often painful. Not sure where Ruby's accent came from , but it is not a Texas accent. Actually , there are numerous distinct accents in Texas , depending on which area you are from - but not Ruby's accent. There were a handful of things that were mispronounced as well.
It was apparent at times that the author interjected her personal beliefs into the story through her characters' dialog. Didn't add to the story at all. I prefer neutral.
There was a comment made by a character that was a bit "cringe-worthy"; in reference to someone that had "lost her marbles" . To someone who has lost a loved one who suffered from the horrible side effects of Alzheimer's - this wasn't a funny description and insensitive.
The story of Rachel was good; and if you've read about the 1900 storm , you can visualize the absolute horror- and especially if you know the layout of Galveston.
Rachel's story is the only think that kept me motivated to finish the book.

I prefer more of China Bayles in her town

I like the original series where the focus is on the here and now and not so much other worldly.

Long winded ghost story

This was my least favorite China Bayles mystery of all of them. It was redundant and boring. The stereotypical accent for the Ruby character was annoying.