Thank you @prhaudio for the free #gifted copy of this audiobook.  

 

We meet Adelaide fleeing a burning house with the remains of her mother and father inside.  Not looking back, she sets out for the rough lands of Montana where she hopes to start a new life.  But... she’s not exactly going alone.  

Lone Women is fiercely feminist in nature with a unique blend of genres, touching on elements from both westerns and horror.  

 

This unique premise- unmarried women homesteading in the rough wilderness of 1914 Montana- adeptly set the stage for resilient female characters to show their strength.  These lone women, most especially Adelaide, showed great prowess as they stood on their own with no need of help from a man.  

 

The Montana setting proved a haunting backdrop rife with tension.  From the first sight of the desolate landscape, creepiness permeated, and suspense felt palpable.  

 

Though the story had much going for it- great bones, so to speak- overall, I found the execution to be a bit lacking.  At times, it felt as though important details were missing.  Whole chapters nearly inexplicable. And yet in other instances, particularly towards the end, the details overwhelmed and created a chaotic and unwieldy scene.  

 

Even as such, the examination of societal expectations along with the exploration of the burden of secrets created thought provoking messaging.  Maybe... monsters are a thing of our own creation. 

 

🎧 Joniece Abbott-Pratt’s narration was a perfect fit for Lone Women. She brought a fullness to Adelaide, easily encapsulating her hopes, fears, and struggles. And at the same time, the urgency within her depiction added depth to the storyline and accentuating the eeriness.