The Widow of Saunders Creek: A Review

Most Christian fiction, especially romantic, novels shy away from the topic of ghosts, but in The Widow of Saunders Creek, Bateman explores the supernatural that just can’t be explained.   Hoping to connect to her husband’s past, widow Corrie moves back to her husband’s family farm in the Ozarks where she finds she is not alone in the house. Rumors of ghosts and strange occurrences in the house leave Corrie wondering if her war hero husband has come back to her.  Will she find the answers she desperately needs or will she find herself involved in something she can’t control?

I loved Corrie from the first page. Her grief was honest and heart-wrenching. Bateman did a fantastic job portraying a woman who loved her husband so much she’s desperate to reconnect with him, even if it’s just with his ghost. The unique small town cast of characters added depth to the plot and growth to Corrie. Eli was a perfect balance for her with his deep and steadfast faith.

I didn’t know how I would like the ghost/demon aspect of the story. I thought it might be a little corny…like someone was pulling pranks or something. I was pleasantly surprised at how realistic it was. As a Christian, I believe there are spirits out there, and Bateman handled it in what I believe to be a biblically sound way while still keeping the story entertaining. I loved how she brought in the superstitious culture of the Ozarks and the family’s past into the ghost story, which gave more credibility to Corrie’s experiences.

The only thing I didn’t like was how soon the story takes place after Jarrod’s death.  I think it had to be that soon because Corrie needed to be in despair over her loss, but the book could have spanned a longer time to make it more realistic that this woman who loved so deeply would be ready to move on.

Fans of Christian fiction will love this book. Its unique spin on a romance novel makes it one I will want to reread.

I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

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