Edith and the Mysterious Stranger

A Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho

By: Linda Weaver Clarke

Narrated by: Carolyn Kashner

In this inspirational historical romance, Edith is a nurse and has gone home to assist her cousin who is “with child.” Edith has wonderful qualities but never gives a man a second chance because her expectations are so high. However, all that changes when a mysterious stranger starts writing to her. For the first time, she gets to know a man's inner soul before making any harsh judgments.

Whoever he is, this man is a mystery and the best thing that has ever happened to her. The question that puzzles her is whether or not he's as wonderful in person as he is in his letters.

©2008 Linda Weaver Clarke (P)2018 Linda Weaver Clarke

Loved the secret admirer

Who wouldn’t like letters from a mysterious secret admirer? And reading a story about one was almost as good! Loved that storyline and how stories with other couples on various stages of their love story were woven in. Great performance by a pro reader who can even sing when needed!

Good story, liked the characters

I really enjoyed the story. I felt like the characters were neighbors, and I really enjoyed the plot line too. I listened to it fairly quickly wondering what would happen next. I was mostly surprised by who the “stranger” was, but wished some of the story lines would of continued a bit more in depth. I did not feel like this story was overly Christian, (talked about God a lot), but it was clean and sweet and I did like that a lot. Overall I’d recommend it!

Learning to Love Through Letters in 1904 Idaho

Edith and the Mysterious Stranger is an excellent clean western romance set in in 1904. It is the second story in the Family Saga in Bear Lake, Idaho by Linda Weaver Clarke. Picking up about 7 years after the first story ends, we find Melinda who is 4 months pregnant with her second child and who is experiencing severe complications carrying the child. Melinda’s cousin Edith who is a nurse comes back to Idaho to help Melinda with her troubled pregnancy.

With Edith home for six months, Melinda, her rancher husband Gilbert, and Edith’s mother decide to play match maker. As an educated woman the natural choice appears to be the new school teacher, but he seems to insult Edith and women in general at almost every turn. There is also a local farmer and sometimes ranch-hand, Joseph, whose quiet reserve and steadfastness grows on Edith. Then one day Edith receives a letter from a mysterious stranger and she begins a six-month “courtship” through these letters.

My favorite part of the story is how Edith falls in love slowly through letters. The stranger makes Edith question her actions toward men and how she’s never really given men much of a chance. Then, on Halloween the mysterious stranger makes a quick appearance and he kisses her senseless. I was thinking about that scene for the rest of the book!

Carolyn Kashner narrated this audiobook and she did a fantastic job. She varied her voices for both male and female characters and inflected just the right amount of emotion in all the right places. I really enjoyed listening to this story and look forward to other audiobooks in this series!

Clean sweet romance

I loved the story of the letters and what it can show us about first impressions, and how it's best to look deeper into someone's soul. Too often people are swayed by the "instant connection,' mistaking it for love instead of physical attraction. I also really liked the bond Melinda and Edith shared. There are numerous little life-lessons in this story, which would make this a great read for young people. I want to read more saga about this family.

Don't miss author notes at the end

Edith and the Mysterious Stranger
: Linda Weaver Clarke

Melinda is "with child," her first child was born six years earlier and she has miscarried several times since. The current pregnancy is difficult. Her cousin Edith is

a nurse, and comes home to visit her parents. She will also take care of her cousin until after the birth.

Edith wants the perfect man. A man that is educated, is romantic, has a good income, music and poetry are a plus. Her mother tries to match make for her and it doesn't

go well. Edith just won't give a man a second chance. Melinda and her husband Gilbert make a bet that they can find her the right man. The two candidates are trying to

let her know they are interested, but Edith finds fault in both. When she starts getting letters from a strange man, the excitement begins.

There is action, adventure, romance and more. A fun historical fiction listen.




The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed. Carolyn Kashner was enjoyable to hear perform.



I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.