Review: The Thirteenth Husband by Greer Macallister
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The Thirteenth Husband by Greer Macallister brings the larger-than-life Aimee Crocker to vivid existence, a woman I’d never heard of before but now won’t soon forget.
Crocker’s wild, adventurous life seems like something out of a tall tale – yet much of it is rooted in fact. Think of her as a blend of an eccentric heiress and a scandalous socialite from the late 19th century, with the kind of money and privilege that allowed her to break all the rules society expected her to follow.
Key Takeaways: The Thirteenth Husband by Greer Macallister
What It’s About
Aimee Crocker is an heiress born with privilege and restless curiosity. After her father’s death, she inherits a fortune – but also a burden. As she grows up, she shuttles between glamour and scandal: finishing school in Germany, elegant circles in Manhattan, exotic escapes around the globe, and a string of marriages, each more daring than the last.
Haunted from a young age by a ghostly figure known as the Woman in White – who appears before every tragedy – Aimee lives a life that defies convention. She flouts expectations, embraces spiritualism, pursues adventure, and refuses to let her fortune dictate her identity. The Thirteenth Husband follows her through moments of triumph and loss, of public flashbulbs and private shadows, exploring how far a woman can go when she lives by her own rules, and what it costs her to do so.
My Review Rating – 4 out of 5 stars.
While some moments feel more embellished than authentic, the overall story is entertaining and compelling. For me, this one lands at 4 out of 5 stars.
Review of The Thirteenth Husband
The Thirteenth Husband by Greer Macallister is a fascinating mix of history and fiction that brings the wild life of heiress Aimee Crocker to the page. With its blend of scandal, adventure, and a touch of the supernatural, the novel paints a vivid portrait of a woman determined to live by her own rules – no matter the cost.
What I Liked About The Thirteenth Husband
The Setting
The Thirteenth Husband beautifully transports readers to the late 19th century, immersing us in the world of Aimee Crocker. From lavish, globe-trotting adventures to the eerie, spiritual experiences Aimee seeks out, the setting plays a crucial role in shaping her unique life story. The novel gives us a glimpse into high society’s wealth and indulgence while also showing the darker, mysterious corners that Aimee was drawn to.
The Characters
Aimee Crocker is the star of the show, and what a character she is. Bold, rebellious, and unapologetic, Aimee defies societal norms at every turn. Her choices, whether it’s getting tattooed or embracing spiritualism, make her endlessly fascinating. Greer Macallister did a fantastic job of breathing life into this historical figure, blending her real-life eccentricities with the fictional elements of the story.
The Plot/Storylines
The novel takes us on a whirlwind journey through Aimee’s many marriages, affairs, and spiritual encounters. The intrigue is heightened by a ghostly presence that haunts Aimee’s dreams, guiding her through some of life’s most harrowing events. The plot is packed with sensational moments—like a deadly honeymoon train crash and a custody battle—that keep readers turning the pages. Macallister’s mix of historical fact and fiction is seamless and keeps you invested in Aimee’s next move.
What I Didn’t Like About The Thirteenth Husband
While I loved Aimee’s character and the historical backdrop, the story itself sometimes felt disjointed. By the time I got three-quarters of the way through, the book began to feel like a series of unrelated anecdotes rather than a cohesive narrative.
This loss of momentum made it harder to stay fully engaged toward the end, as the chapters became more episodic. Despite these pacing issues, Aimee’s adventurous spirit and the intriguing blend of history and mysticism kept me reading until the last page.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Thirteenth Husband
Is The Thirteenth Husband based on a true story?
Yes, it’s inspired by the real-life heiress Aimee Crocker, whose unconventional life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries provides the foundation for the novel.
How much of the book is fact vs. fiction?
While many of Aimee’s adventures – marriages, world travels, brushes with the occult – are drawn from history, the novel also embellishes details and adds fictionalized elements to create a compelling narrative.
What genre is The Thirteenth Husband?
It’s a blend of historical fiction and biographical fiction, with touches of romance, scandal, and gothic atmosphere.
Does the book have supernatural elements?
Yes, the story incorporates a ghostly figure that appears to guide Aimee’s fate, weaving a touch of the supernatural into an otherwise historical setting.
Who would enjoy this book?
Readers who love strong, rebellious women in history, historical fiction with a dramatic edge, or novels that explore the blurred line between truth and storytelling.
Conclusion
Overall, The Thirteenth Husband is an engaging historical fiction read about a woman who defied convention at every turn.
Though the pacing slowed for me toward the end, Aimee’s audacity and the intriguing mix of history and the supernatural make this a story worth diving into. Not to mention the fact that my curiosity about just who all the husbands were (especially the 13th?) kept me turning the pages faster than I anticipated would be the case.
