DNF at 10%. I love that Greer Macallister has tried to bring to life such an intriguing woman, but the execution of the story fell flat. In trying to create a faux-memoir, the book feels disjointed and detached, failing at scene-setting and doing more than telling me things instead of showing them.

I'm afraid this one just wasn't for me. First of all, the timeline just seemed off. I had to keep being reminded she was writing about the late 19th century because every scene seemed straight out of the 1920s. With that in mind, Amy's life seemed pretty implausible, even with all her money. Also, there seemed to be a lot of odd events. The encounter with the man in Hawaii seemed to come out of left field, and then it was over; it seemed so random. I just couldn't get into Amy, and I had to DNF this one when I was halfway through.

'I think it is folly to allow a single chance for pleasure slip past you'

In the 1880s, Aimee Crocker inherited $10 million upon her father's death (the approx equivalent of over $200 million today), and with that security, Aimee was able to live a life of absolute independence and pleasure, 'They were outraged by the notion of a woman determined to make her own choices. They labeled me an adventuress, a hussy, a known menace'. However, money her money didn't seem to be able to buy her true love - or at least for very long. Despite being a firm believer in spiritualism, regularly partaking in tarot readings, and visiting fortune-tellers, Aimee simply couldn't find the answers to resolve her romantic quandry. This didn't stop her from ever trying, 'Rings didn't make husbands. In a way, I had fused with so many other men, some sexual and romantic, some one or the other, some with a different bend entirely'. When you live to an old age, the body count starts piling up!

There is no doubt that Aimee Crocker was an eccentric, who lived her life to the fullest and didn't give two hoots what anyone thought. Her travels, her lifestyle, and her love life coagulate into the fantastical. I’m not sure, however, that, as scintillating as the title is, focusing on her love life was the best angle to take though. Knowing, at the outset, that all her relationships are ultimately doomed, results in parts of the story feeling like a ‘rinse and repeat’. Whereas, other, just as fascinating and outrageous aspects of her life seem glanced over.

Overall, this is still a good read, and any historical fiction fan should give it a try and see what they make of Aimee Crocker and her many men!

Reviewed on Goodreads. 3.5 stars. Interesting story about a woman who has multiple husbands and travels the world in a time that women weren't really encouraged to do either. This book is based on a real person, which I can't tell if I like or not. The real parts of her life were definitely worth writing about (so many crazy things!) but it also limits the author. I felt like the book didn't pick up until at least halfway through, if even then. Maybe around 75% I figured out a conflict/plotline other than just walking through her life and that she was writing it TO someone. Some parts of the writing included unnecessary details. Overall it was a fine historical fiction but I won't be recommending it to friends who like to read.

Thank you to @netgalley and @Sourcebooks for this ARC. Amy (Aimee) Crocker, at the age of 10, became an immediate millionaire and heiress when her father passed away. That same night she sees a "women in white" and continues to see her over the next several years before someone passes away. She soon begins to rebel at an early age and weds the man that wins her hand in a poker game at the age of 17. Now that she believes in the clairvoyants, she sees one that tells her that she will marry 13 times and the 13th husband will bury her. This one piece of "fortune" haunts her through life. Based on a real person, Amy (Aimee), was dubbed the Queen of Bohemia and was marked a woman of the world who broke all the rules. What a life! #ThirteenthHusband #GreerMacallister #Sourcebooks #Landmark #Aug2024

Greer Macallister’s “The Thirteenth Husband” is a riveting exploration of Aimee Crocker, a real-life heiress whose life was a whirlwind of public scandal, private pain, and unparalleled independence in the 1880s. Crocker, who inherited a vast fortune at a young age, defied societal norms with her adventurous and flamboyant lifestyle, traversing four continents and marrying multiple times. The narrative opens with Aimee’s father’s sudden death, leaving her a ten-million-dollar inheritance that fuels her lavish adventures and tumultuous love life. Her desperate quest for romantic love, influenced by her parents’ business-like marriage, leads her to multiple divorces, which were scandalously publicized during her time. Macallister skillfully explores the societal pressures and personal desires that shaped Aimee’s decisions, making her a fascinating figure of resilience and defiance.

The title, “The Thirteenth Husband,” initially seems misleading, but the book cleverly explains the significance of the number thirteen in Aimee’s life. The story delves into the prediction made by a Spanish fortune teller that her thirteenth husband would be her undoing, adding a mystical element to her already extraordinary life. Aimee’s encounters with high society, exotic places, and mystical arts are vividly portrayed, showcasing her interactions with German princes, Spanish toreadors, and Hawaiian royalty. The presence of the mysterious Woman in White, who appears before every tragedy in Aimee’s life, adds a haunting dimension to the narrative.

Macallister’s portrayal of Aimee Crocker is both empathetic and critical, highlighting her strength and the societal constraints she navigated. The book’s pacing is dynamic, though it occasionally slows as Aimee’s adventures begin to feel repetitive. However, the engaging beginning and ending, coupled with the mystical aspects of Aimee’s story, keep the reader hooked. In conclusion, “The Thirteenth Husband” is a captivating blend of fact and fiction, offering a rich tapestry of a woman’s bold defiance of societal norms. It’s a must-read for those intrigued by historical figures who lived life unapologetically on their terms.

This is definitely a book where the truth was stranger than fiction. An interesting story to begin with but it felt rushed at the end to be sure to get all things from the prophecy into the story. It took me a bit of perseverance to get to the end.

I received a copy from Book Club Girl but the thoughts and opinions in my review are entirely my own.

Aimee Crocker was fortunate that she came from money and unfortunate to be part of the society that cared what you did with that money. As a member of society Aimee was watched and judged her whole life. A fortune teller told her that she would have 13 husbands and she did in her own way. In order to travel and love freely whom ever she chose, Aimee married for convenience and love while taking on lovers all over the world. Some relationships ended badly, some ended peacefully and some were losses she never recovered from. Based on a true unconventional socialite in the late 1800's this is one story that while you might not always like Aimee you will never forget her. Told in Greer Macallister's original and fast paced style this is historical fiction that will appeal to those of us who love a female rebel who makes tongues wag. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

Based on real-life heiress Aimee Crocker, this historical novel follows her life as se sets her own course in the restrictive early 1900s. Seeking spiritual guidance and self-understanding, Aimee travels the world while tormented by visions of a Woman in White, which often preclude a death in her path. Entertaining, but a bit far a field in some points with little backing in history.

Macallister's book is a compelling historical thriller that intricately weaves mystery, romance, and drama. Set against a richly depicted historical backdrop, the novel offers a gripping tale of love, loss, and resilience.

Macallister crafts her protagonist, Gwendolyn, with remarkable depth. Her strength, vulnerability, and complexity make her a captivating character whose motivations and emotions drive the narrative forward.

I enjoyed this book and found it an easy read. The characters were easy to follow. I requested this book a while ago and just now got to read it so I had forgotten the summary and so did not realize until reading the very last section of the book that this book is based off of a real character- with some elaborations and non-fiction, a lot of it is in fact based of real events which I found very cool. Upon completing the book I looked up Aimee to learn even more about her.

Aimee goes through a million lifetimes between her travel, husbands and heartships. She mostly endures but you can see it wears on her. In the end you can tell she's at peace and has done everything she's put her mind to.

I did find a similarity to the women in white and the story line of The Haunting of Hill House with Eleanor (Nell's) character. Both ended up being themselves that kept appearing ghostlike throughout their lives!

I'd like to thank NetGalley and SourceBooks for provinging this ARC. Opinions are all my own.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This is another excellent historical fiction about an inimitable woman by award-winning author Greer Macallister. In Aimee Crocker (1864-1941), a real 19th century American railroad heiress, the author found herself a ready-made protagonist whose dramatic real life story just begged to be told. She told it herself, in fact, in her own 1936 autobiography. Most of the biographical details, the author assures us, have been respected. Certainly the historical context and the way that women, even the privileged, were expected to fit it, is true to fact. The result is a captivating novel that traces one woman’s unusual experience over a near half-century during which every woman’s life changed drastically with the major historical shifts taking place. Nonetheless, even in 1941, when she died, most women did not have lives half as liberated as hers had been. She was simply a trailblazer, and the author shows us how and why.

Despite the title, Aimee Crocker, first married at 17, did not collect a baker’s dozen of husbands, though I got the distinct impression that would not have challenged her too much. She seems to have been fully capable of doing so. The reason for the title comes to light as the story unwinds. She did, nonetheless, marry more than most women of her time, and since.

The story is a first-person account, and from the opening paragraph, ‘Aimee’ makes it clear that this will not be a poor little rich girl’ story. Money, she acknowledges, can buy freedom and happiness, and she is not remotely contrite about using her considerable wealth to get what she wanted: ‘it was the only power I could count on.’ All too true, especially for women like her who came of age in times when women had no other reliable source of power besides father and husbands—unlike many, these were not always of use when needed. Of course, to onlookers, especially the scandal-seeking press, she was an adventuress (not a compliment), a ´hussy’, a known menace,’ and, worst of all the very ´Queen of Bohemia’ and not just an ordinary disgraceful bohemian.

Although she seems impervious, and certainly strives to come across that way in the author’s portray of her, the Aimee we see here is not invulnerable. She is the opposite, plagued all her life by the kind of attention that is sometimes ego-supporting and other times soul-destroying. She searches always for love, and is invariably disappointed. She wants to be true to herself but even money can’t buy the truth and loyalty of others. She is not only constant prey to the tabloids,’ she is haunted by seemingly metaphysical forces.

For the most part, Aimee Crocker, in this telling, just keeps rollicking on. That’s admirable enough. Read the book to find out whether, in ´buying’ herself a certain life with certain people, she was ultimately any happier than those without such privileges.

The Thirteenth Husband absolutely captivated me right from the very beginning.

Narrated by Aimee Crocker herself, this felt like reading her actual memoir. Greer Macallister did a fantastic job of maintaining that style throughout the entire book. And it was absolutely fascinating to read about Aimee Crocker's life from her perspective.

Of course, this is historical fiction, so some liberties are taken, but much of what is in this story are her actual exploits. The husband's, lovers, and a world traveled, love, tragic loss, and betrayal. Crocker lived a life full of adventure unabashedly. But, of course, it wasn't always a fulfilling and happy life.

Amy was a fascinating person, and I believe a feminist in her own way. Perhaps not marching for the vote, but fighting against the hypocrisy and different rules that applied to men and women during her time. She liked to travel and didn't mind traveling by herself, despite whether that would be seen as proper or not. She insisted on a divorce from marriages she was no longer happy in, even though that cast her out of high society. She lived an open life and bestowed the same thoughtfulness to others, trying not to judge.

She was also very spiritual and mystical, plagued throughout her life by the women in white who always seemed to foretell tragedy, Crocker constantly sought out mystics and psychics for guidance and answers.

This book is described as The Seven Husband's of Evelyn Hugo meets The Haunting of Hill House. Now, I've never read either, but they are both on my shelf. I will say this, I did watch the Netflix adaptation of The Haunting of Hill House, and I definitely agree that the Thirteenth Husband gives off strong Haunting of Hill House vibes Especially towards the ending of this book. Which was absolutely phenomenal. I won't say much not to give anything away, but the ending was quite perfect.

This has catapulted to my top read this year, and I can not recommend more highly for fans or historical fiction that don't mind a little haunting and mysticism.

interesting vibes and cool historical (ish) fiction that does remind me a lot of Evelyn Hugo in style and vibe. tysm for the arc

This was a very interesting read. I enjoyed the premise and the idea of the story but I did have to push myself through it. Some parts felt slow and dragging. Overall it was very interesting and even more so because it was based on a true story.

Most people have never heard of Amy Crocker or perhaps Amiée Crocker Ashe Gillig Gouraud Miskinoff Galitzine. Who has a running list of husbands like this? It’s pretty bizarre to think about what happens in this almost true story.

Amy was blessed with wealth after her father passed when she was young allowing her to have beautiful homes and travel internationally with the finest hotels and restaurants. She enjoyed society events, parties and fascinating men.

Yet, it came with a price making her mother and sister tremble with her manner of living. It caught the attention of news reporters who wrote about her outlandish lifestyle and adventures. What was surprised me is that it took place in the late 1800s to early 1900s when women had few rights. Amy Crocker was able to live the life she wanted with her feminist, liberal views … to a point.

It was fascinating to read about a relatively unknown historical woman who tried to tune into her future with her dreams and tarot card readers. You can just picture each relationship from the well-researched descriptions. While it’s entertaining, it could also be exhausting. Who gets married that many times? It’s definitely thought provoking. At the end there are Author Notes that can’t be missed along with a Reading Group Guide.

My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of August 6, 2024.

I was so excited to read this book because The Arctic Fury is one of my favorite books. For me, this story wasn't as interesting. I don't know if it was the high society situation or the character behaviors, but it was just an ok read and I found myself a bit disappointed. I will continue to read her books, but this was just an ok read for me. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

With The Thirteenth Husband, we're plunged into the world of Aimee Crocker, a 19th century American heiress who follows the road less traveled - through love and loss, <gasp> divorces, and her own spiritual path, including the occult.

Macallister, who’s also a master of world-building in her separate fantasy series (The Five Queendoms), effortlessly paints the picture of the rigid environment and scenes women of the time were given to exist in, while not avoiding the consequences that occurred from making unpopular choices at the time.

Without giving away spoilers, just know that Macallister takes you through the full range of emotions through Crockers’ tale; while leaving you wondering what messages you’ve received in your own life from your own intuition.

Well-written, without being too wordy, Macallister shows us again that the most fascinating stories are almost always true. This stand-alone book marries historical fiction with grit and just a touch of darkness.

“The Thirteenth Husband” is a historical fiction book by Greer Macallister. This book tells the story (in autobiographical form) of Aimee (nee Amy) Crocker. Ms. Crocker lived an amazingly thrilling life. Ms. Crocker - related to *that* Crocker family of “The Big Four” railroad (her father was a lawyer for the Big Four) - had money and a proper upbringing (if one wanted a proper upbringing in the late-1800s). She rebelled against that upbringing and decided to travel about the world to places unusual for a woman (some places she visited married, some unmarried) including Hawaii, India, China, and Japan. She got tattoos (scandalous!) and admitted to enjoying spending money for pleasure. She married five husbands - all of whom were in their 20s. She was regarded as the Queen of Bohemia in the 1910s for her rather liberated views about many things. I knew some of this before reading “The Thirteenth Husband,” so I was rather excited to read this book (having never been able to get my hands on Ms. Crocker’s biography/travel book). For such an interesting person, where her story calls (if not screams) for amazing stories and adventures, this book felt rather … flat. Yes, the things Ms. Crocker was known for at the time are there - but this book made it seem as if the adventures were there - done and dusted - with an appearance from the mysterious “woman in white” off and on. Yes, Ms. Crocker did have an interest in the occult but at times in this book it seemed more for drama than interest. However, I do love the cover of this book and that’s what immediately attracted me to this book - it being about Aimee sealed it. I think if you don’t know much about Ms. Crocker and know a little about the time period in which she lived, this book may be of great interest to you. This was an interesting book … just not presented in the way I thought it would be.

The Thirteenth Husband
by Greer Macallister
Pub Date: August 6, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion
.Tearing through millions of dollars, four continents, and a hearty collection of husbands, real-life heiress Aimee Crocker blazed an unbelievable trail of public scandal, private tragedy, and the kind of strong independent woman the 1880s had never seen. Her life was stranger than fiction and brighter than the stars, and she whirled through her days as if she was being chased by something larger than herself. Greer Macallister brilliantly takes us into her world and spins a tale that you won't soon forget.
The only strong trait about her that I can conclude from her life was her having guts to divorce during her time, and with her status it was heavily publicized. She was constantly in the spotlight which one might argue that she actually might have enjoyed it despite the criticism.

For those who enjoy reading about high lives of others this might be an enjoyable and entertaining read. In this regard, it is written well.

My problem with this story is that it’s one of those stories that leaves me questioning what was the point of telling the story of such frivolous person. What’s the point of shedding more light on her? She got enough attention during her lifetime. I don’t see substance or truly a strong character of someone who did something amazing with her life.