WHO BURIED SARAH

September 27, 2023

WHO BURIED SARAH

by Eden Monroe

GENRE: Historical fiction

Sarah, the only child of Rev. and Mrs. Cranston Estey, was betrothed to Connor McLagen of the affluent McLagen family. The McLagens were socially revered, although there were rumours of nefarious underpinnings to their substantial wealth, and the God-fearing Esteys were not in favour of the marriage.

Three days before the June 1927 wedding, Sarah disappeared. Her note said she’d changed her mind and decided to leave town.

A week later she was found, buried in a rose garden, the gruesome and sensational discovery knocking New Brunswick prohibition wars out of the headlines.

There were many with secrets to keep…

Read an Excerpt:

Maude stared at him. “Did this to herself? How can you say such a thing?”

“When she ran off she just as well did this to herself is what I mean. I obviously don’t think she buried herself you nitwit!”

She had never felt such rage toward the man standing in front of her. “Don’t you ever for a moment consider stepping down off your pedestal? The almighty Reverend Estey who beats his wife and hates his child.”

“Sarah is just like her mother! No good! And you, my good wife, are nothing but a fool! A … a … yoke around my neck!”

“And I repeat, you’re a disgrace!”

He took an ominous step forward, one forefinger inches from her face. “Not another word, Maude. We have this to get through and we will maintain our dignity as we do. I’m sure you can’t imagine the firestorm that’s been stirred up. When everything has been got through I want you to leave this house and never come back. I will simply say the grief was too much for you.”

“I guess it’s not too much for you though is it, Cranston?” she asked dangerously. “And you can work out whatever story you want to, I will gladly leave this house and it will probably be before everything has been got through.”

About the Author:

Eden Monroe writes about real life, real issues and struggles, and triumphing against all odds. A proud east coast Canadian, she enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, and a good book.

Q & A With the Author

What was your inspiration for writing this book?

I wanted to make this was a mystery with a bit of a twist, and when I decided to set my story during the 1920’s, I felt I wanted to have it told in the tiny hamlet of Gondola Point on the beautiful Kennebecasis River in southern New Brunswick, Canada. The village of Rothesay is just next door. Once I picked that setting I was really inspired to begin because my mother’s formative years were spent in that area, and my father also lived as a teenager in Gondola Point. In fact he met my mother selling strawberries door to door. The old port city of Saint John, New Brunswick is also included in salute to the Prohibition element of the story. And lastly I include The Belgian Congo in Who Buried Sarah because I had a great aunt who served as a missionary there, and a great uncle who is still resting in a small cemetery in “The Congo” as Auntie often referred to it. My inspiration for the story itself was simply, what if….

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

I absolutely loved the interaction between my characters, the feisty dialogue, especially between the stiff-necked preacher Cranston Estey and his timid, long-suffering wife, Maude. I was delighted that Maude experienced enough personal growth to finally give him some of his own medicine – and she did. Maude became my favourite character because of the stand she found the strength to take against her abusive husband; to tell him she was leaving him. Not an easy thing to do in that day and age.

I also enjoyed writing about old-money Rothesay and about the magnificently historic city of Saint John, New Brunswick. Since I am a descriptive writer, the place settings were to me the equivalent of a sumptuous smorgasbord, although I never over-indulge. I loved the build to the surprising conclusion. I’m smiling as I write this and remembering how much fun the whole thing was.

Do you have any other books you are working on that you can tell us about?

I just finished the third book of a trilogy entitled The Martel Sisters. This book is called Sunrise Interrupted and features Alexandra Martel; Sudden Turn, book one, had Ginger Martel, and Naomi Martel’s was Barlowe Pride, book two.

Sunrise Interrupted, book three, will be released in April of 2024. What a time I had with veterinarian Beau Remington in this book. Hired by the production company to be present on set when animals are used in the film Retribution, he is thrilled to meet rising star Alexandra Martel. Fait accompli? Oh no, hardly. Superstar James Langford wants to marry her and she’s unknowingly being stalked by a man just waiting to make his move.

Next I’ll be working on The McClures, a trilogy set in beautiful New Brunswick during the 1800’s. It will feature a family of immigrants from the United States. Theirs was a flight to save their lives, but rough waters still lie ahead. Three sons, two murders and one grandson.

Can you tell us about what you have planned for the future?

The future is wide open for me now because I am alone for the first time in twenty-two years. Suffering through the death of a spouse changes you, there’s a part of you gone that you can probably never get back. You never get over loss, you learn to live with it. Michael died suddenly, and the sharp edges are just beginning to go off my grief. However my sense of adventure is still intact and I intend to make good use of it. I love to travel and I will likely never lose that wanderlust. One thing I’d love to do is take a train trip across Canada. That would be so much fun, and just think of the story ideas it would inspire. There will also be lots of storytelling ahead.

Anything more you would like to say to your readers and fans?

I can’t even begin to explain how much I love having my readers and fans along on this journey. Why would I ever want to write if I didn’t think anyone was going to share that experience with me? There would be no purpose because I write for you. I’m so grateful for the support you continue to give me, it means everything. Thank you.