Letters to Mary

by Marge Burke

Mary Crouch and her two young children are as much casualties of the Civil War as the soldiers themselves. Mary is afraid of losing her Daniel, afraid of all the dangers she must face with her children, and of failing at the work it will take to keep their lives going. What her trials prove is that Mary is as courageous as Daniel.

Mary struggles to keep her focus, longing for words of love and encouragement but receiving empty words on the pages of Daniel’s letters. Daniel’s journey takes him to southern battlefields; Mary’s journey is one of determination and faith, and finding answers from very unexpected sources.

456 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2014

Reviews

[Linda Ciletti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This character-driven historical fiction novel takes place during the civil war and was crafted around actual letters written by soldier Daniel Crouch to his beloved wife, Mary. Mary expresses her feelings in her letters and craves professions of love from Daniel to encourage her in her daily struggles to hold onto the farm and care for their children. Daniel struggles just to stay alive, and the practicality and cold reality of his situation spills over into his letters to Mary. Both are on a separate path divided by war. Both pray their paths will meet again. If you like historical fiction, especially around the time of the civil war, you will find Letters to Mary a worthy read.

[Diane Large · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting historical novel based on actual letters written to Mary from her husband Daniel during the civil war. While Daniel is off to fight the war, Mary struggles to maintain their farm and raise their two children. Since I am from northeast Ohio, I could relate to the area and towns of Conneaut, Girard, and Erie.

[Lucinda Vinoski · Rating 3 out of 5]

The actual letters from this CW soldier and his description of his life on the battlefield and the hardships of war and the corresponding letters from his wife Mary as she struggles to keep all going on the homefront make this a poignant story. In its reading, I was transported back in time.