Mary Jacob’s story recounted in new novel, Murder on the Thames
Article content
Don’t panic about what to buy that impossible-to-buy person (or persons) on your Christmas list. I have the perfect solution. And you’re welcome!
No. 1 on this list is a fascinating, innovative and creative novel by Sheila Gibbs (also known as Ghost Girl). It’s called Murder On The Thames – The Mystery of Mary Jacobs.
Now the story of Mary Jacobs is a well-known murder/ghost story that, I confess, I have almost single-handedly made an oft-recounted legend. It is usually shared near Halloween, mixed in with basic facts, conjecture and a certain amount of unsolved mystery. It came to me via my grandmother, who was raised and lived her entire life in the close proximity of the Thames River, near where Mary Jacobs met her demise.
My grandmother (a wonderful storyteller) recounted to her eager grandson every year the tragic story of Mary Jacobs. As the calendar once again closed in upon the frightening/wonderful celebration of Halloween, the graphic details regarding Mary’s demise grew in description in my grandmother’s retelling.
For many years afterwards, I believed that story was just that – a story told to keep me off the River Road Dover on Halloween night. However, as I grew older, I began to wonder if anything my grandmother recounted about the story of Mary Jacobs and the surrounding circumstances had any elements of truth to it.
As a sort of tribute to my grandmother, I began to research the story and what I found was that the basic story my grandmother told me was absolutely true and, in addition, there was much more.
So one dark and stormy night, as lightning filled the sky and thunder roared (as I recall), we sat huddled around a beach fire and told Sheila and assorted friends the possible true story of Mary Jacobs.
I had no idea Sheila would take the story to heart as she did, but after many years had passed, and perhaps feeling a bit bored because of COVID, she decided to elaborate on the story. It started out as a short story, then it became a sort of novella, and then it became a full-fledged novel of more than 300 pages.
She describes her story in this manner: “Most of all it is a fictional exploration of the story behind the ghost story of Mary Jacob and a theory on why she died and who actually killed her. It is really the age-old story of star-crossed lovers who are meant for one another but cannot find a way to be together and whose story ends in tragedy. The unsettled border of the time (1840s) provide a dramatic backdrop against which to set the story of the two ill-fated lovers and there are some supernatural elements that add atmosphere to the drama.”
What I really like about Sheila’s novel is that it allows the reader to meet real people from the Chatham–Kent area and, in this fashion, we learn, in a very painless manner, a bit about our local history. Historical characters from real life, such as Claude Cartier, William and Walter Eberts, the Countess of Portsmouth, Jacques Baby and Colonel Prince, seamlessly enter and exit her story, adding to the authenticity of what she writes, as does the episodes from out local history that she vividly brings to life.
I am really very enthusiastic about this book and I assure you it is a creative, well-researched, engaging and utterly fascinating read! But don’t take my word for it. Come to her book launch at the Chatham Public Library (120 Queen St.) on Thursday, Dec. 2, between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. and get your own copy.
After that copies will be available at Book Brothers (25 King St. East) or by phoning Sheila at 519-351-2958. The price is only $25, so get at least two copies for the many people on your list that are just impossible to buy for! You know you they are!
No Christmas list will be worth anything unless this book makes your must-have list! I just wish that my grandmother was still alive to read Sheila’s book and recount her much improved story to her great-grandson!
The Gilberts are award-winning historians with a passion for telling the stories of C-K’s fascinating past.
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.