The River Ghost
1883. Catherine Danaher, a postulate with the Sisters of Mercy in Pittsburgh, receives disturbing news. Her sister Brigid, whom she hasn’t seen in over ten years, has died and Brigid’s wealthy husband wants her to come to New Mexico Territory to act as governess for his two children. Catherine doesn’t want to leave her young charges at St. Paul’s Orphanage. Her Mother Superior tells her that her sister’s children need her more. Catherine boards a train and travels to a town called Santa Fe. Things there are strange to her, the Spanish language, the customs. She discovers her sister died under peculiar circumstances, and her disagreeable brother-in-law seems oddly unperturbed. The Mexican housekeeper may know more than she’s saying. And Catherine’s young nephew and niece, are reserved, distant. But there’s something else, something terrifying, something that cries out in the night. And Catherine must face it alone.
Scary revisit to the legend of La Llorona, the “Weeping Woman”Rocky Gibbons, Roundup MagazineA scary revisit to the legend of La Llorona, the unfortunate “Weeping Woman” of the Southwest. It’s 1883, and Catherine Danaher, a postulant with the Sisters of Mercy in Pittsburgh, is summoned by her wealthy brother-in-law to Santa Fe in New Mexico Territory to care for her recently deceased sister’s children. It’s culture shock at its finest, and also strange are the circumstances under which Catherine’s sister died. When Catherine hears terrifying cries in the night and sees a wraith dressed in black by the river, she begins to doubt her sanity, but aided by the kindly housekeeper, handyman and the local archbishop, she feels she can overcome adversity. Will her faith be enough to protect her niece and nephew from harm? This award-winning author has a way with words, but I recommend reading them in the bright light of day.
The tale is inspired by a local New Mexico legend that persists even today and features a number of historical Santa Fe residents. ... Catherine’s first-person account is quick-paced and portrays her as an inquisitive, protective, and courageous female protagonist. Suspense builds chapter by chapter... A great read for fans of a historical mystery rooted in Santa Fe supernatural lore.
Read full review at: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/the-river-ghost/
I love stories about our country in the late 19th century. This book was well planned and well thought out. Attention to detail and life in those times was superb. Following this lady on her trip from Pittsburg, PA. to Santa Fe NM because of a death in the family was riveting. When the river ghost shows up in the story, be prepared for goose bumps. I certainly got them. I did not want to put the book down. Five out of five stars
Yet another fantastic reading by Tom Clagett. I always enjoy how Tom entwines local geography in his books. As a resident of Santa Fe, I can visualize the characters and places, as I read. Waiting anxiously for his next masterpiece. Five out of five stars
- The details provided in the descriptionsMargaret, Amazon reviewer
A great read and hard to put down once started. I love the author’s style of writing. The intrigue of the story line drew me right in and with the detailed descriptions he always provides, I could find myself right alongside the main character. Highly recommended!! Five out of five stars
- Beware of the riverJack Churchill, Amazon review
This book is difficult to put down as page after page draws you deeper into the plot. I have read several of Tom Clagett's books and The River Ghost is one of his best. A nun drawn to old New Mexico enters into a world far unknown by her. She finds it interesting to be caught up in a wide variety of events which lead to a very surprising ending. Great read Tom! Five out of five stars
Thomas Clagett’s Gothic Western populates the authentic New Mexico Territory setting with a mix of historical and fictional characters who bring the legend of La Llorona, the Weeping Woman, to life and ultimately to death…. The author gifts fans of both genres exactly what they crave, a Gothic novel with a mysterious and dangerous supernatural force and a Western with a pounding heartbeat. The River Ghost is highly recommended for devotees of both genres. Five out of five stars.
The author provides an excellent narrative of Catherine's experience with the culture, customs and legends of a land foreign to her eastern upbringing. After reading this novel, you may suffer some anxiety, or even genuine fear, near any riverbank in the dark of night. An excellent read. Five out of five stars
- A gripping supernatural tale of greed, murder, and justiceJane Little Botkin, multiple award-winning author
"Southwest history and oral legend merge into a gripping supernatural tale of greed, murder, and justice in this fresh rendition of an infamous apparition.”
- It will haunt you long after the flame goes outC. Courtney Joyner, award-wining author, screenwriter and film historian
"Thomas Clagett weaves a spell of atmosphere and language that brings the reader to the dark shadows of imagination. By combining period adventure with the supernatural, Clagett’s haunting imagery evokes the best of Henry James and Nathaniel Hawthorne, while creating characters and a world that is completely, and distinctly, his own. ‘The River Ghost’ is a work to be read by candlelight - and it will haunt you long after the flame goes out.”
Tom has always had a love of the West, of film and of writing. Born and raised in San Diego, California, he attended the University of Southern California. He spent more than twenty years in Hollywood working as an assistant film editor, as well as freelance writing. Devoting himself to writing historical fiction full-time, he and his wife Marilyn moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where they adopted their cat, Cody, whom they are home schooling with great success.
