The Haunting of Maddie Prue, by Alfred Silver - This book is a literary mystery with historical and mystic overtones. The central character, Maddie Prue, is an eternal figure, a Druid sorceress in one lifetime, a raunchy Celtic songstress in another. Her spirit haunts one man, Henry Ryon, who appears to live cursed lives over and over until he discovers the secret of Maddie Prue's terrible death. This haunting, lyrical mystery of lovers trapped in time is filled with fascinating historical detail. It takes us to 19th century England and a group of the idle rich who use the mad songstress as part of their armchair pursuit of the occult, then catapults the reader into 20th century America and a record industry devoted to plundering talent. Not since The French Lieutenant's Woman has a novel so beautifully and richly described the eternal sorrow of lost love.
Alfred Silver is an internationally acclaimed author of historical novels for Ballantine Books in New York, scripts for the CBC Radio One Mystery Project series Clean Sweep , and plays for Manitoba Theatre Centre and Mermaid Theatre in Halifax. His book Lord of the Plains was described by Kirkus Reviews as "abiding and earthy humour... a big, blustery, and satisfying piece of historical fiction..." and Ottawa Citizen called his novel Red River Story "a rich tapestry with hints of Greek tragedy."
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