Quiet Dell by Jayne Anne Phillips is a story based on truth. It weaves fact with fiction to tell us the story of a con man who preyed on widows back in the 1930’s. His history and arrest all came to light after the multiple murder of a woman and her children. Quiet Dell is a moving and emotional story that highlights a devastating tragedy.
Asta Eicher is a young woman when her husband dies suddenly and she is left with three young children to care for. Eventually her financial situation becomes dire and she makes the decision to look for a husband. She puts an ad into a matchmaking publication and begins to receive very promising letters from a man who calls himself Cornelius Pierson. He promises her everything but most importantly he promises to care for her and her children. She agrees to meet with him and go away for a week. At the end of that week Asta and her children are dead.
At this point Emily Thornhill enters the picture. She is one of the few women journalists working for the Chicago Press. She becomes obsessed with the case and finding out exactly what happened to the Eicher family. The majority of the novel focuses on the trial and also a romance that develops between Emily and a banker that had been close to the Eicher family.
For the most part I enjoyed the novel. I was fascinated with the Eicher case as I had never heard of it before or the serial killer Harry Powers. I was most drawn to the parts that related to the case. I liked Emily as a character but I found the romance that was included in the storyline with her and the banker something that wasn’t needed. I would have preferred her focus being entirely on the Eicher case.
I listened to the audio version of Quiet Dell which is narrated by Tandy Cronyn. I have never listened to her before but I wouldn’t hesitate to again. She has a quiet, soothing voice that lent very well to the serious subject matter addressed in this novel. So while there were some aspects of the story I wasn’t fond of the audio production itself is very well done and Tandy Cronyn definitely brought the power and emotion of this novel to life.
Buy at: Simon & Schuster, Audible, and iTunes
Source: Review copy provided by the publisher. No compensation was received for this review and all opinions are my own.
i’ve never heard about this case. It looks like a good audiobook choice. I heve to listen to Life After Life first but this sounds interesting too
Alex, I had never heard of this case before either which is why it was interesting to me. I have Life After Life to listen to soon. I sure hope it’s a good audio!
I like stories that begin with fact (event, person, etc.) and go on from there… sounds like a good audio!
JoAnn, yes stories that deal with facts are usually good to me too. It must be that reality factor in them. Knowing it actually happened makes it more intriguing.
I’m always looking for audiobooks with good narration. This is the first time I’ve heard of this case. I’d like to listen to it and find out what happened to Asta and her kids.
Vicki, this was the first I had heard of the case too which is unusual since I always have an ear out for serial murders, etc. I liked the narrator. She had an easy voice to listen to and so often the narrator really makes the book.
This actually sounds kind of interesting! I love the idea of mixing fact and fiction to make up a book. I definitely am willing to give this one a try!
Sam, as you know I love historical fiction. I find it a great way to learn something while getting to enjoy a good book.
This sounds really interesting Dar. Thanks for blogging about it – new to me.
Hope you have been doing well.
Diane, it was pretty interesting. I loved reading about the facts of the murder case.
Things have been ok here. Busy and of course it’s flu season which hit our house but otherwise good.
I don’t know why I’mso surprised that there was a serial killer praying on widows in the 1930s. I guess I just think life was more wholesome then. This story sounds riveting and I’m very glad Jayne Anne Phillips decided to tell it. I’m confused by the inclusion of the journalist’s romance with the banker. Maybe I’ll understand better once I read the book!
Thank you for posting about this fascinating audio book, Dar :o)