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The Red Bird Sings
West Virginia, 1897. When young Zona Heaster Shue dies only a few months after her wedding, her mother Mary Jane becomes convinced that Zona was murdered - and by none other than her husband, Trout, the handsome blacksmith beloved in their small Southern town.
But when Trout is put on trial, no one believes he could have done it, apart from Mary Jane and Zona's best friend Lucy, who was always suspicious of Trout. As the trial raises to fever pitch and the men of Greenbrier County stand aligned against them, Mary Jane and Lucy must decide whether to reveal Zona's greatest secret in the service of justice. But it's Zona herself, from beyond the grave, who still has one last revelation to make.
The Red Bird Sings is to be read with your heart in your mouth and chills down your spine to the final, haunting page. It also explores important questions which we are still asking to this day. Who is listened to and who is ignored? Why are women so often not believed? And what does justice truly mean?
'Written with a compelling, lyrical intensity, The Red Bird Sings is a historical drama whose characters are full of a a suppressed fury, and haunted by a need for justice. A deeply felt and accomplished debut' Anne Enright
'Keeps you turning pages right until the end. Loved it' Julie Owen Moylan, author of That Green Eyed Girl
'Truly superb... Compelling and lyrical in equal measure' Victoria MacKenzie, author of For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy On My Little Pain
'Beautifully crafted ... wholly convincing in its historical detail and tone' Sarah Gilmartin, author of Dinner Party
But when Trout is put on trial, no one believes he could have done it, apart from Mary Jane and Zona's best friend Lucy, who was always suspicious of Trout. As the trial raises to fever pitch and the men of Greenbrier County stand aligned against them, Mary Jane and Lucy must decide whether to reveal Zona's greatest secret in the service of justice. But it's Zona herself, from beyond the grave, who still has one last revelation to make.
The Red Bird Sings is to be read with your heart in your mouth and chills down your spine to the final, haunting page. It also explores important questions which we are still asking to this day. Who is listened to and who is ignored? Why are women so often not believed? And what does justice truly mean?
'Written with a compelling, lyrical intensity, The Red Bird Sings is a historical drama whose characters are full of a a suppressed fury, and haunted by a need for justice. A deeply felt and accomplished debut' Anne Enright
'Keeps you turning pages right until the end. Loved it' Julie Owen Moylan, author of That Green Eyed Girl
'Truly superb... Compelling and lyrical in equal measure' Victoria MacKenzie, author of For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy On My Little Pain
'Beautifully crafted ... wholly convincing in its historical detail and tone' Sarah Gilmartin, author of Dinner Party
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 6, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
March 28, 2023
Dublin-based writer Aoife Fitzpatrick’s promising debut novel’s apparently inspired by an actual court case. Set in West Virginia in the 1890s it centres on the sudden death of Zona recently wed to local blacksmith Trout. Zona has a troubled past, forced to give up Elizabeth, her baby, after being abandoned by her lover. So she’s completely smitten by the mature, incredibly attentive Trout. But her best friend Lucy, an unashamedly “new woman” and aspiring journalist - complete with bicycle and armed with a typewriter - is less sure about Zona’s decision and Trout’s intentions. Then, just three months after the wedding, Zona’s found dead. Fitzpatrick’s story follows Lucy and Zona’s mother Mary Jane as they try to make sense of Zona’s sudden death, as they delve deeper they begin to suspect murder. Although Lucy favours conventional means of investigation while Mary Jane’s obsession with spiritualism involves her in attempts to commune with Zona’s spirit.
Fitzpatrick’s well-researched piece develops into an unusual examination of coercive control and domestic violence at a time when wives were often considered their husbands’ property. Her narrative shifts between characters and points of view with a focus on Lucy and Mary Jane. Their accounts are interspersed with court transcripts, and letters from Zona meant for her lost daughter. Although there were numerous elements that interested me, this wasn’t totally to my taste, I found the different perspectives a little distracting, and I’d have preferred more emphasis on character and on setting. I also found Fitzpatrick’s writing style difficult to engage with. However, an earlier draft of the novel An Arrangement in Grey and Black won the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize and I imagine this finished version would be a more than decent read for fans of this kind of historical fiction.
Thanks to Netgalley and to publisher Virago for an ARC
Rating: 2.5
Fitzpatrick’s well-researched piece develops into an unusual examination of coercive control and domestic violence at a time when wives were often considered their husbands’ property. Her narrative shifts between characters and points of view with a focus on Lucy and Mary Jane. Their accounts are interspersed with court transcripts, and letters from Zona meant for her lost daughter. Although there were numerous elements that interested me, this wasn’t totally to my taste, I found the different perspectives a little distracting, and I’d have preferred more emphasis on character and on setting. I also found Fitzpatrick’s writing style difficult to engage with. However, an earlier draft of the novel An Arrangement in Grey and Black won the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize and I imagine this finished version would be a more than decent read for fans of this kind of historical fiction.
Thanks to Netgalley and to publisher Virago for an ARC
Rating: 2.5
March 28, 2023
West Virgina, 1897. when young Zona Heaster Shue dies only a few months after her wedding, her mother Mary Jane becomes convinced that Zona was murdered - and by none other than her husband, Trout, the handsome blacksmith beloved in their small Southern town. But when Trout is put on trial, no one believes he could have done it, apart from Mary Jane and Zona's best friend, Lucy, who was always suspicious of Trout. As the trial raises to fever pitch, and the men of Greenbrier County stand aligned against them, Mary Jane and Lucy must decide whether to reveal Zona's secret in the service of justice. But it's Zona herself, from beyond the grave, who still has one last revelation to make.
This story is based on true events. It starts off slowly, but the pace soon picks up. It's beautifully written and the words just flow from the pages. The mystery behind Zona's death is told from different timeframes and from two people's perspectives. The tension mounts as the trial begins, and new evidence threatening to ruin expectations, it's hard to believe this is a debut novel. I never saw the big twist in the courtroom coming.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #LittleBrownBookGroupUK #Virago and the author #AoifeFitzpatrick for my ARC of #TheRedBirdSings in exchange for an honest review.
This story is based on true events. It starts off slowly, but the pace soon picks up. It's beautifully written and the words just flow from the pages. The mystery behind Zona's death is told from different timeframes and from two people's perspectives. The tension mounts as the trial begins, and new evidence threatening to ruin expectations, it's hard to believe this is a debut novel. I never saw the big twist in the courtroom coming.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #LittleBrownBookGroupUK #Virago and the author #AoifeFitzpatrick for my ARC of #TheRedBirdSings in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2023
I found this book difficult to engage with and confusing to follow. The beginning was slow and the characters did not feel fully drawn. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.
March 20, 2023
4.5 stars: I'm only knocking off the half point because the start was quite slow and until I was a third in did I get totally invested in this book. After that I was so hooked that I sat (quite literally) on the edge of my seat until I finished it.
The whole book is about the death of Zona Heaster, a woman with a dubious past that involves the adoption of a child born "out of wedlock". She then finds love with Edward (Trout) Shue but this ends in tragedy when Zona's body is found at the bottom of the stairs of her home. After a strange burial suspicion finally lands on Trout and the history of Zona's life is interspersed with the account of the trial by Zona's best friend, Lucy Frye.
As I said it is a slow start but once the trial began I was absolutely riveted. I had to stop myself from going to the end just to find out what happened because I was getting far too emotional. Set as it is at the end of the 19th century there are plenty of references as to the expected (and accepted) behaviour of women that had me (unsurprisingly) seething.
I'd have to give my wholehearted agreement to the judges of the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize. This is a worthy winner. I hope to read more by Aoife Fitzpatrick in the future.
The whole book is about the death of Zona Heaster, a woman with a dubious past that involves the adoption of a child born "out of wedlock". She then finds love with Edward (Trout) Shue but this ends in tragedy when Zona's body is found at the bottom of the stairs of her home. After a strange burial suspicion finally lands on Trout and the history of Zona's life is interspersed with the account of the trial by Zona's best friend, Lucy Frye.
As I said it is a slow start but once the trial began I was absolutely riveted. I had to stop myself from going to the end just to find out what happened because I was getting far too emotional. Set as it is at the end of the 19th century there are plenty of references as to the expected (and accepted) behaviour of women that had me (unsurprisingly) seething.
I'd have to give my wholehearted agreement to the judges of the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize. This is a worthy winner. I hope to read more by Aoife Fitzpatrick in the future.
May 4, 2023
I received a copy of this book from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Inspired by true events, The Red Bird Sings follows Mary-Jane and Lucy in West Virginia, 1987, as their daughter and friend Zona dies, apparently from the hands of her new husband. Determined to prove the man guilty, Lucy gathers evidence to avenge her best friend while Mary-Jane is convinced her daughter is speaking to her beyond the grave.
This book is well written and I think the historical setting is really good. I liked how we got to know Zona a little bit and received glimpses of her real spirit and character before her marriage to Edward Shue, and death. Mary-Jane as a character is probably one of the biggest and loudest in the books due to her eccentricities and her ferociousness in her love for her daughter but Lucy was definitely the stand-out character for me due to her determined nature and her clever way of making things right.
I enjoyed reading this and I think this is an excellent debut novel. I will definitely be reading anything else Aoife Fitzpatrick writes as she definitely has a talent, especially considering she is an Irish author writing an American setting. It felt very authentic to me. However, this story was fine for me. I enjoyed it, it was very good but it wasn't a stand out novel to me, or one I'd be rushing to recommend. And I think it's just a me thing, and not a big problem with the story itself.
Inspired by true events, The Red Bird Sings follows Mary-Jane and Lucy in West Virginia, 1987, as their daughter and friend Zona dies, apparently from the hands of her new husband. Determined to prove the man guilty, Lucy gathers evidence to avenge her best friend while Mary-Jane is convinced her daughter is speaking to her beyond the grave.
This book is well written and I think the historical setting is really good. I liked how we got to know Zona a little bit and received glimpses of her real spirit and character before her marriage to Edward Shue, and death. Mary-Jane as a character is probably one of the biggest and loudest in the books due to her eccentricities and her ferociousness in her love for her daughter but Lucy was definitely the stand-out character for me due to her determined nature and her clever way of making things right.
I enjoyed reading this and I think this is an excellent debut novel. I will definitely be reading anything else Aoife Fitzpatrick writes as she definitely has a talent, especially considering she is an Irish author writing an American setting. It felt very authentic to me. However, this story was fine for me. I enjoyed it, it was very good but it wasn't a stand out novel to me, or one I'd be rushing to recommend. And I think it's just a me thing, and not a big problem with the story itself.
March 9, 2024
Unfortunately The Red Bird Sings has been a bit of a chore to read!
After a promising opening, with a very emotional letter from Zone to her little girl, it descended into a rather confusing(at times!) introduction to a very unlikable cast of characters, constantly at each other throats, not much love lost between members of the same family kind of scenario and then suddenly a murder in the family.... Needless to say that Zona's death causes the family to implode, supernatural elements are being introduced, and everyone scrambles to prove he did it! And then you have the feminist undertones: Lucy's attempts at being a real journalist without being taken seriously, all that talk about corsets etc etc ...
In my view this novel wanted to be too many things at once without doing any of them well. I did enjoy some bits like Zona's letters to her child, Lucy's articles about the trial and there where moments and I found myself thinking how gorgeous the writing was. But great writing doesn't always make for a great book ...
Despite not enjoying this novel, I do think Fitzpatrick is a promising writer, so I am curios to see where she will go next!
*Book from NetGalley with many thanks to the publisher!
After a promising opening, with a very emotional letter from Zone to her little girl, it descended into a rather confusing(at times!) introduction to a very unlikable cast of characters, constantly at each other throats, not much love lost between members of the same family kind of scenario and then suddenly a murder in the family.... Needless to say that Zona's death causes the family to implode, supernatural elements are being introduced, and everyone scrambles to prove he did it! And then you have the feminist undertones: Lucy's attempts at being a real journalist without being taken seriously, all that talk about corsets etc etc ...
In my view this novel wanted to be too many things at once without doing any of them well. I did enjoy some bits like Zona's letters to her child, Lucy's articles about the trial and there where moments and I found myself thinking how gorgeous the writing was. But great writing doesn't always make for a great book ...
Despite not enjoying this novel, I do think Fitzpatrick is a promising writer, so I am curios to see where she will go next!
*Book from NetGalley with many thanks to the publisher!
December 28, 2022
The Red Bird Sings by Aoife Fitzpatrick is based on the true story of the 1897 trial of Trout Shue for the murder of his young wife in West Virginia.
Ms Fitzpatrick’s writing skills are clear in this her debut book, and while this reader struggles with the difficulty in separating fact from fiction in this type of story, The Red Bird Sings is a solid, well-organised and entertaining work.
While Zona and her friend Lucy come across as Anne of Green Gables types in the background section, as the tension intensifies during the trial, Lucy’s character, in her bravery and selflessness comes to the fore. The balance within the character of blackhearted Shue, a cold, arrogant, depressive, with equal numbers of supporters and opponents, and a clever courtroom twist builds to a dramatic conclusion.
This is a clever telling of a true story veiled in mystery and hearsay.
With thanks to Netgalley UK and Little, Brown Book Group UK
Ms Fitzpatrick’s writing skills are clear in this her debut book, and while this reader struggles with the difficulty in separating fact from fiction in this type of story, The Red Bird Sings is a solid, well-organised and entertaining work.
While Zona and her friend Lucy come across as Anne of Green Gables types in the background section, as the tension intensifies during the trial, Lucy’s character, in her bravery and selflessness comes to the fore. The balance within the character of blackhearted Shue, a cold, arrogant, depressive, with equal numbers of supporters and opponents, and a clever courtroom twist builds to a dramatic conclusion.
This is a clever telling of a true story veiled in mystery and hearsay.
With thanks to Netgalley UK and Little, Brown Book Group UK
April 7, 2023
This was a compelling historic court-room drama based on true events. The plot had interesting twists and turns and there was thought-provoking discussion about domestic violence and how women were treated at the time.
However, I struggled with the writing style a little which let the book down for me. The prose felt a little muddy and scattered and the alternate narratives between two characters, which is normally a style I enjoy, in this case felt confused.
But, overall an enjoyable gripping read.
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.
However, I struggled with the writing style a little which let the book down for me. The prose felt a little muddy and scattered and the alternate narratives between two characters, which is normally a style I enjoy, in this case felt confused.
But, overall an enjoyable gripping read.
This honest review is given with thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.
April 26, 2023
THE RED BIRD SINGS, by Aoife Fitzpatrick was a Goldsboro members' pick. While not a genre I normally turn to, this Historical Fiction (with a Gothic edge), is the second "surprise" book that I have recently read and enjoyed from them.
The story revolves around a newly married woman who dies, and her family (with her best friend) certain that her husband murdered her. In this time, nobody thinks an upstanding man's word is less than fact, and women were often ignored (simply "emotional"). When the victim's ghost tries to communicate to her mother, she knows she needs to try to bring about justice, despite the odds against her.
A captivating read, rich in detail and seeped with history.
Recommended.
The story revolves around a newly married woman who dies, and her family (with her best friend) certain that her husband murdered her. In this time, nobody thinks an upstanding man's word is less than fact, and women were often ignored (simply "emotional"). When the victim's ghost tries to communicate to her mother, she knows she needs to try to bring about justice, despite the odds against her.
A captivating read, rich in detail and seeped with history.
Recommended.
April 7, 2023
I was in another slump until I picked up this wonderfully amazing gothic true crime debut.
The Red Bird Sings recounts the story of Zona Heaster Shue, The Greenbriar Ghost, who only three months into her marriage to Trout Shue is found dead at the bottom of her stairs. Buried under the impression of "everlasting faint", Zona reappears to her mother Mary Jane and tells her that Trout murdered her. When Mary Jane tells the county prosecuter, he doesn't believe her, but discrepancies in death certificate by the local doctor give John Preston cause to exhume Zona's body and what they find is more than they bargained for.
Aoife Fitzpatrick's writing of Lucy Frye and Mary Jane Heaster was just beautiful. The language was fleshed out to the point that I felt I wasn't reading a debut novel. It flowed beautifully and left me wanting more at each chapter. The mixture of third person account, letters and a fictional journalistic recounting of the trial made for a fresher feeling.
Any reader can tell how much Fitzpatrick researched the case of The Greenbriar Ghost, and other historical elements. The attitudes of men and women during the trial really reflect the setting of the novel. It just all works so well together, the language, the historical accuracy, the attitudes.
Women didn't have a voice in 1897, some women still don't. And the title, there is a scene in the novel of a lost cardinal singing. But it reflects more on the unheard voices of women suffering at the hands of men, the suppression of their souls whilst trying to live a life they are expected to. No one would suspect the upstanding blacksmith, Trout Shue of brutally choking Zona, but the way her ghost goes full "you're going to hear me sing" at the trial was so stark. Zona's case is a reflection of what still happens today.
The Red Bird Sings recounts the story of Zona Heaster Shue, The Greenbriar Ghost, who only three months into her marriage to Trout Shue is found dead at the bottom of her stairs. Buried under the impression of "everlasting faint", Zona reappears to her mother Mary Jane and tells her that Trout murdered her. When Mary Jane tells the county prosecuter, he doesn't believe her, but discrepancies in death certificate by the local doctor give John Preston cause to exhume Zona's body and what they find is more than they bargained for.
Aoife Fitzpatrick's writing of Lucy Frye and Mary Jane Heaster was just beautiful. The language was fleshed out to the point that I felt I wasn't reading a debut novel. It flowed beautifully and left me wanting more at each chapter. The mixture of third person account, letters and a fictional journalistic recounting of the trial made for a fresher feeling.
Any reader can tell how much Fitzpatrick researched the case of The Greenbriar Ghost, and other historical elements. The attitudes of men and women during the trial really reflect the setting of the novel. It just all works so well together, the language, the historical accuracy, the attitudes.
Women didn't have a voice in 1897, some women still don't. And the title, there is a scene in the novel of a lost cardinal singing. But it reflects more on the unheard voices of women suffering at the hands of men, the suppression of their souls whilst trying to live a life they are expected to. No one would suspect the upstanding blacksmith, Trout Shue of brutally choking Zona, but the way her ghost goes full "you're going to hear me sing" at the trial was so stark. Zona's case is a reflection of what still happens today.
April 5, 2024
Simple yet profound. Sometimes you need a book that has a straightforward narrative from start to finish with no embellishments, but is well written, with great characters and that is what you get in Red Bird. The quest for justice for Zona Heaster in the courtroom in rural West Virginia was totally giving me To Kill a Mockingbird vibes, bringing a tear to me eye and a few choice angry words. A thoroughly emotional, yet enjoyable read.
August 4, 2023
A dark, atmospheric novel, well written.
I was quite surprised when I finished it and did a bit of Googling to find that all the facts were true!
I was quite surprised when I finished it and did a bit of Googling to find that all the facts were true!
April 15, 2023
This was such an atmospheric, original book and I found it a captivating read. I loved the fact it was based on real events in West Virginia from 1897.
Zona Heaster dies a few months after marrying Trout, the handsome blacksmith. Following her death Zona's mother Mary has a vision and as a result both Mary and her best friend Lucy believe that her death was not accidental. What follows is a court case where Trout is accused of murdering his new wife.
I enjoyed the different elements of the story which were told through court proceedings, letters as well as the narration from Zona's mother and her best friend.
Although the story starts quite slowly, the book really reaches a crescendo in the final chapters and I couldn't put it down. It was hard to predict the end result of the court case. I really enjoyed the ending!
I would recommend this to historical fiction fans who like a gothic twist with some hints of the supernatural. This is a fantastic debut.
Zona Heaster dies a few months after marrying Trout, the handsome blacksmith. Following her death Zona's mother Mary has a vision and as a result both Mary and her best friend Lucy believe that her death was not accidental. What follows is a court case where Trout is accused of murdering his new wife.
I enjoyed the different elements of the story which were told through court proceedings, letters as well as the narration from Zona's mother and her best friend.
Although the story starts quite slowly, the book really reaches a crescendo in the final chapters and I couldn't put it down. It was hard to predict the end result of the court case. I really enjoyed the ending!
I would recommend this to historical fiction fans who like a gothic twist with some hints of the supernatural. This is a fantastic debut.
March 31, 2023
Set in Virginia in 1897 this novel tells the story of newly married Zola who is found murdered in her home. Her husband Trout , the local blacksmith is arrested for the murder and taken to trial. Told through narrative, letters and court records this story explores what happened and how no-one seems to be quite who they seem to be. A story of patriarchy and how reputation can so easily be destroyed. A story of mother and daughter relationships and above all loyalty and friendship. I really enjoyed this novel and will be looking for more from this author. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this novel in return for an honest review.
September 23, 2023
Every sentence in this book is simply beautiful. This is a lesson in what good writing is.
April 7, 2023
I was in another slump until I picked up this wonderfully amazing gothic true crime debut.
The Red Bird Sings recounts the story of Zona Heaster Shue, The Greenbriar Ghost, who only three months into her marriage to Trout Shue is found dead at the bottom of her stairs. Buried under the impression of "everlasting faint", Zona reappears to her mother Mary Jane and tells her that Trout murdered her. When Mary Jane tells the county prosecuter, he doesn't believe her, but discrepancies in death certificate by the local doctor give John Preston cause to exhume Zona's body and what they find is more than they bargained for.
Aoife Fitzpatrick's writing of Lucy Frye and Mary Jane Heaster was just beautiful. The language was fleshed out to the point that I felt I wasn't reading a debut novel. It flowed beautifully and left me wanting more at each chapter. The mixture of third person account, letters and a fictional journalistic recounting of the trial made for a fresher feeling.
Any reader can tell how much Fitzpatrick researched the case of The Greenbriar Ghost, and other historical elements. The attitudes of men and women during the trial really reflect the setting of the novel. It just all works so well together, the language, the historical accuracy, the attitudes.
Women didn't have a voice in 1897, some women still don't. And the title, there is a scene in the novel of a lost cardinal singing. But it reflects more on the unheard voices of women suffering at the hands of men, the suppression of their souls whilst trying to live a life they are expected to. No one would suspect the upstanding blacksmith, Trout Shue of brutally choking Zona, but the way her ghost goes full "you're going to hear me sing" at the trial was so stark. Zona's case is a reflection of what still happens today.
The Red Bird Sings recounts the story of Zona Heaster Shue, The Greenbriar Ghost, who only three months into her marriage to Trout Shue is found dead at the bottom of her stairs. Buried under the impression of "everlasting faint", Zona reappears to her mother Mary Jane and tells her that Trout murdered her. When Mary Jane tells the county prosecuter, he doesn't believe her, but discrepancies in death certificate by the local doctor give John Preston cause to exhume Zona's body and what they find is more than they bargained for.
Aoife Fitzpatrick's writing of Lucy Frye and Mary Jane Heaster was just beautiful. The language was fleshed out to the point that I felt I wasn't reading a debut novel. It flowed beautifully and left me wanting more at each chapter. The mixture of third person account, letters and a fictional journalistic recounting of the trial made for a fresher feeling.
Any reader can tell how much Fitzpatrick researched the case of The Greenbriar Ghost, and other historical elements. The attitudes of men and women during the trial really reflect the setting of the novel. It just all works so well together, the language, the historical accuracy, the attitudes.
Women didn't have a voice in 1897, some women still don't. And the title, there is a scene in the novel of a lost cardinal singing. But it reflects more on the unheard voices of women suffering at the hands of men, the suppression of their souls whilst trying to live a life they are expected to. No one would suspect the upstanding blacksmith, Trout Shue of brutally choking Zona, but the way her ghost goes full "you're going to hear me sing" at the trial was so stark. Zona's case is a reflection of what still happens today.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2023
I loved this book! The Red Bird Sings follows an American court trial in 1897, and is loosely based on a real court hearing of the time. The trial is to determine whether Trout Shue is guilty of murdering his new bride, Zona, and the court proceedings are covered throughout by wannabe female reporter and best friend of the victim, Lucy Frye. This book has so much: feisty feminist characters ahead of their time, ghosts, historical drama, justice, beautiful writing. For fans of Where the Crawdads Sing and To Kill a Mockingbird, this novel is lyrical and charming. I liked the stubbornly persistent heroine of Lucy and also the idea of the fakely charming and persuasive Trout. The writing style was genuinely delightful. Zona is based on a real woman of the same name who really was murdered in 1897 in Greenbrier County, so this novel owes a lot to real historical accounts, but I think the questions the author raises in her fictional telling of this story are really interesting and relevant today.
My thanks to #NetGalley and Virago for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
My thanks to #NetGalley and Virago for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 26, 2023
The Red Bird Sings is about a real life murder comitted in 1897.
When Zona Shue dies only a few months after marrying Trout Shue, her mother and best friend believe that she has been murdered by none other than her husband. Trout Shue is a beloved member of the community and noonne else believes that he is capable of murder.
This book highlights an issue that is still as prevalent in todays society as it was then, women are not believed when crimes are comitted against them. The jurors at the trial are all men and the judge is a man and it seems to be implied at the beginning that they are on the side of Trout rather than Zona.
I found the book to be quite slow paced but enjoyable. I will certainly be looking out for more books by this author.
Thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
When Zona Shue dies only a few months after marrying Trout Shue, her mother and best friend believe that she has been murdered by none other than her husband. Trout Shue is a beloved member of the community and noonne else believes that he is capable of murder.
This book highlights an issue that is still as prevalent in todays society as it was then, women are not believed when crimes are comitted against them. The jurors at the trial are all men and the judge is a man and it seems to be implied at the beginning that they are on the side of Trout rather than Zona.
I found the book to be quite slow paced but enjoyable. I will certainly be looking out for more books by this author.
Thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
May 8, 2023
I love the cover and the reason for the title – you will have to read this compelling novel to find out why! – and oh, that I could have read the book in one sitting! Based on real events, the author adds atmosphere, empathy, intrigue and guile, plus her imagination, to a compelling read. Aoife Fitzpatrick’s prose is a delight to read: elegant, engaging and lyrical. She envelops the reader in a time and tide (happily) mostly not seen nowadays, capturing the determination of a mother to find justice, which should never be underestimated. In tandem, the events invite the reader to consider the issues described in the cover material: Who is listened to and who is ignored? Why are women so often not believed? And what does justice truly mean?
I shall look forward to more volumes from this author – a new addition to the many marvellous Irish writers – but hope the proofreading will be a little more thorough. A repeated paragraph was distracting, as were some of the typos (hence four stars) but overall, I truly enjoyed the journey
I shall look forward to more volumes from this author – a new addition to the many marvellous Irish writers – but hope the proofreading will be a little more thorough. A repeated paragraph was distracting, as were some of the typos (hence four stars) but overall, I truly enjoyed the journey
April 15, 2023
This plot was really intriguing about the death / murder of Zona Heaster. However it had a really slow start and I struggled to stay interested. It started to pick up a little after 30% and I really liked the alternating chapters between Mary Jane (Zona's mother) and Lucy (her friend) as they try to get justice for her death. I liked the plot but found it too slow to really enjoy.
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy and I leave this review voluntarily *
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy and I leave this review voluntarily *
October 28, 2023
This one is based on a true trial, in which a mother claimed to be possessed by the spirit of her murdered daughter to reveal the truth about her murder by her husband's hands.
It also deals heavily with the role of women in society and family during the 1890s, drawing parallels to issues that are still relevant today.
I wasn't a huge fan of the writing style or the characters, so I give it 3 stars. It doesn't offend but doesn't stick out positively either.
It also deals heavily with the role of women in society and family during the 1890s, drawing parallels to issues that are still relevant today.
I wasn't a huge fan of the writing style or the characters, so I give it 3 stars. It doesn't offend but doesn't stick out positively either.
February 26, 2024
West Virginia, 1897, and something unsettling is in the air which will alter the lives of those who once knew nothing of such atrocities….
Young newlywed Zona Heaster Shue is found dead at the bottom of the stairs in her house, which to the unassuming would call it nothing more than a tragic accident which could happen to the best of us, the poor soul snuffed out like the flame by your bedside.
However, cast your eye closer and you’ll soon see things are never so straight forward as Zona’s mother, Mary Jane, is convinced Zona did not leave this world as many assume and she believes her precious daughter was murdered by none other than her husband, Trout, the handsome blacksmith beloved by all in their small town yet she will have a battle on her hands if she is to convince others of such things.
When Trout is put on trial, not one soul could ever believe such a man could have done it, that is apart from Mary Jane and Zona’s best friend, Lucy, for they both know something is amiss, and as time ticks on and the trial raises to fever pitch and the men of Greenbrier County stand against them, Mary Jane and Lucy must decide if revealing Zona’s greatest secret will rebalance the scales of justice, or leave her very name and character tarnished forever.
When one option remains open to them, everyone will witness the true power of a mother’s love.
But it is Zona herself, from beyond the grave, who still has one last revelation which must be heard and Mary Jane will ensure than her short existence won’t merely be forgotten or mocked. She will have her time.
A heady blend of scandal, murder mystery, and courtroom drama, The Red Bird Sings is both beautiful and heartbreaking.
Young newlywed Zona Heaster Shue is found dead at the bottom of the stairs in her house, which to the unassuming would call it nothing more than a tragic accident which could happen to the best of us, the poor soul snuffed out like the flame by your bedside.
However, cast your eye closer and you’ll soon see things are never so straight forward as Zona’s mother, Mary Jane, is convinced Zona did not leave this world as many assume and she believes her precious daughter was murdered by none other than her husband, Trout, the handsome blacksmith beloved by all in their small town yet she will have a battle on her hands if she is to convince others of such things.
When Trout is put on trial, not one soul could ever believe such a man could have done it, that is apart from Mary Jane and Zona’s best friend, Lucy, for they both know something is amiss, and as time ticks on and the trial raises to fever pitch and the men of Greenbrier County stand against them, Mary Jane and Lucy must decide if revealing Zona’s greatest secret will rebalance the scales of justice, or leave her very name and character tarnished forever.
When one option remains open to them, everyone will witness the true power of a mother’s love.
But it is Zona herself, from beyond the grave, who still has one last revelation which must be heard and Mary Jane will ensure than her short existence won’t merely be forgotten or mocked. She will have her time.
A heady blend of scandal, murder mystery, and courtroom drama, The Red Bird Sings is both beautiful and heartbreaking.
December 17, 2023
This reminded me of Where The Crawdads Sing in all its courtroom glory.
I really really enjoyed this and the message Fitzpatrick was trying to get across to readers.
It was ultimately a new concept also to anything I've read before.
I want to read more of what Fitzpatrick can offer going forward!
I really really enjoyed this and the message Fitzpatrick was trying to get across to readers.
It was ultimately a new concept also to anything I've read before.
I want to read more of what Fitzpatrick can offer going forward!
March 4, 2024
A compelling story, based on a real case, about a young woman who dies in mysterious circumstances a few months after her wedding. Her mother and best friend suspect she was murdered by her husband, and the story is primarily about the struggle they have to make their voices heard, as women, when everything is dominated by men, including the legal process. It also recounts the young woman's life before her marriage, and the family relationships, in which the women's stories are constantly belittled and ignored. It builds to a climactic scene in the courtroom, which is gripping.
April 5, 2023
The Red Bird Sings by Aoife Fitzpatrick will publish with Virago on April 6th and has been described by The Times as ‘a sparkling, unusual novel that demands you turn the pages’.
There are two very impressive facts about this incredible book. One, is that it is written by an Irish writer. I would have immediately assumed, had I not known, that the author was American. The second fact is that this is a debut. Aoife Fitzpatrick has vividly brought her words alive, as they dance off the pages and transport us all to a small town in West Virginia in the late 1800s.
Zona Heaster Shue married quite impulsively leaving everyone a little stunned, in particular her best friend Lucy Frye. Her new husband, Edward ‘Trout’ Shue, was a blow-in, a blacksmith who had sauntered into town and settled in with the local community. As a blacksmith, Trout garnered much praise from many of his neighbours but Lucy never quite took to him. From the beginning she developed a strong distrust for his mannerisms and ways. There was something uneasy about how he treated Zona and Lucy was determined to get to the bottom of it. But in her attempts she failed as Zona slowly turned away from her, and from everyone else. Zona became quite institutionalised in her home over a very short period of time, and one day everything changed, when Zona was discovered dead at the bottom of her stairs.
Trout’s reaction was hysterical. He locked the doors immediately keeping everyone out. So distraught, the only person he briefly let in to get a mere glance at the body was the local doctor, who speedily agreed that the cause of death was ‘everlasting faint’. Lucy was at the scene and immediately felt something was off about the whole scenario. Lucy was convinced that Trout was guilty of Zona’s death but proving it was going to be difficult.
Lucy Frye had a desire to be a reporter but she kept getting refusals for her submissions, for reasons more related to her gender than the quality of her output. Lucy was more aligned to the edgier side of journalism and had no interest in stories with a more feminine angle. Lucy, a long-time friend of the Heasters, started her own private investigation into Zona’s death. She began to join the dots as she moved through the facts but it was Mary Jane Heaster, Zona’s mother, who put the cat among the pigeons when she claimed to have seen Zona in a vision and, like Lucy, was now adamant that Trout was guilty of murder.
The Red Bird Sings is the story of Lucy Frye and Mary Jane Heaster as they begin to unravel the truth. Mary Jane was always considered a little barmy by the locals and her visions were unsettling to many. Even her husband was embarrassed. No man in a position of justice would take her seriously, discounting her accusations as mere fabrications of a woman distraught with guilt. But Lucy and Mary Jane did eventually get their way and the trial of Edward ‘Trout’ Shue got under way in Greenbrier County, West Virginia in 1897.
The story of what happened next is truly extraordinary and went down in the annals of history as a unique and well documented case.
"A roadside marker along Route 60 still commemorates the case. It reads:
Interred in nearby cemetery is Zona Heaster Shue. Her death in 1897 was presumed natural until her spirit appeared to her mother to describe how she was killed by her husband Edward. Autopsy on the exhumed body verified the apparition’s account. Edward, found guilty of murder, was sentenced to the state prison. Only known case in which testimony from ghost helped convict a murderer." ( Ref American Hauntings)
The Red Bird Sings has been described as ‘a first novel of rare and dazzling brilliance…intricately researched and masterfully playing with the tropes of the Southern Gothic’ and this is all so true. Aoife Fitzpatrick has obviously scrutinised this case very closely bringing the period very much alive for the reader. There is a credibility attached to every carefully chosen word, an authenticity to every single description, with nothing spared in this stunningly expressive portrayal of a family ripped apart and of a mother’s love to protect her child, even from beyond the grave.
The Red Bird Sings is a masterful debut, an eloquent and dramatic tale, with its roots in a true story that is still as incredible now as it was over 100 years ago. A very compelling novel, this is not one to be missed!
There are two very impressive facts about this incredible book. One, is that it is written by an Irish writer. I would have immediately assumed, had I not known, that the author was American. The second fact is that this is a debut. Aoife Fitzpatrick has vividly brought her words alive, as they dance off the pages and transport us all to a small town in West Virginia in the late 1800s.
Zona Heaster Shue married quite impulsively leaving everyone a little stunned, in particular her best friend Lucy Frye. Her new husband, Edward ‘Trout’ Shue, was a blow-in, a blacksmith who had sauntered into town and settled in with the local community. As a blacksmith, Trout garnered much praise from many of his neighbours but Lucy never quite took to him. From the beginning she developed a strong distrust for his mannerisms and ways. There was something uneasy about how he treated Zona and Lucy was determined to get to the bottom of it. But in her attempts she failed as Zona slowly turned away from her, and from everyone else. Zona became quite institutionalised in her home over a very short period of time, and one day everything changed, when Zona was discovered dead at the bottom of her stairs.
Trout’s reaction was hysterical. He locked the doors immediately keeping everyone out. So distraught, the only person he briefly let in to get a mere glance at the body was the local doctor, who speedily agreed that the cause of death was ‘everlasting faint’. Lucy was at the scene and immediately felt something was off about the whole scenario. Lucy was convinced that Trout was guilty of Zona’s death but proving it was going to be difficult.
Lucy Frye had a desire to be a reporter but she kept getting refusals for her submissions, for reasons more related to her gender than the quality of her output. Lucy was more aligned to the edgier side of journalism and had no interest in stories with a more feminine angle. Lucy, a long-time friend of the Heasters, started her own private investigation into Zona’s death. She began to join the dots as she moved through the facts but it was Mary Jane Heaster, Zona’s mother, who put the cat among the pigeons when she claimed to have seen Zona in a vision and, like Lucy, was now adamant that Trout was guilty of murder.
The Red Bird Sings is the story of Lucy Frye and Mary Jane Heaster as they begin to unravel the truth. Mary Jane was always considered a little barmy by the locals and her visions were unsettling to many. Even her husband was embarrassed. No man in a position of justice would take her seriously, discounting her accusations as mere fabrications of a woman distraught with guilt. But Lucy and Mary Jane did eventually get their way and the trial of Edward ‘Trout’ Shue got under way in Greenbrier County, West Virginia in 1897.
The story of what happened next is truly extraordinary and went down in the annals of history as a unique and well documented case.
"A roadside marker along Route 60 still commemorates the case. It reads:
Interred in nearby cemetery is Zona Heaster Shue. Her death in 1897 was presumed natural until her spirit appeared to her mother to describe how she was killed by her husband Edward. Autopsy on the exhumed body verified the apparition’s account. Edward, found guilty of murder, was sentenced to the state prison. Only known case in which testimony from ghost helped convict a murderer." ( Ref American Hauntings)
The Red Bird Sings has been described as ‘a first novel of rare and dazzling brilliance…intricately researched and masterfully playing with the tropes of the Southern Gothic’ and this is all so true. Aoife Fitzpatrick has obviously scrutinised this case very closely bringing the period very much alive for the reader. There is a credibility attached to every carefully chosen word, an authenticity to every single description, with nothing spared in this stunningly expressive portrayal of a family ripped apart and of a mother’s love to protect her child, even from beyond the grave.
The Red Bird Sings is a masterful debut, an eloquent and dramatic tale, with its roots in a true story that is still as incredible now as it was over 100 years ago. A very compelling novel, this is not one to be missed!
March 23, 2024
I liked the way this book collaged together regular chapters with news reports, court reportage and letters. The story, set in the 19th century, is tinged with the gothic, and had echoes of the docudrama film 'Wisconsin Death Trip'.
May 23, 2023
Compelling and totally irresistible a read. Couldn’t put it down, even after midnight. I gravitate towards the thought provoking novels based on real historical accounts where women are at the focus and how they are treated by the adopted norm and its rules. It brings in the debate over what is right and what is accepted, and if we are to pursue justice, what does that mean for those involved. And this didn’t disappoint. All three main characters were passionately well written and strong. I also loved the style of prose and the use of letters etc kept the story fresh and real.
Cant wait to read more of Aoife Fitzpatrick. Many thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity of reading this title.
Cant wait to read more of Aoife Fitzpatrick. Many thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity of reading this title.
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