The Ballad of Tom Dooley

A Ballad Novel, Book 9

By: Sharyn McCrumb

Narrated by: Shannon McManus, Eric G. Dove

The Kingston Trio’s folk song “Tom Dooley” tells the story of the murder of Laura Foster, a simple country girl involved with returning Confederate soldier Tom Dula. But Tom was also engaged in a passionate affair with his childhood sweetheart, the beautiful - and married - Ann Melton. One May morning in 1866, Laura Foster stole her father’s horse and left home, telling a neighbor that she was eloping to Tennessee. Three months later, her body was found in a shallow grave only a few hundred yards from where she was last seen. The sensational elements in the case attracted national attention: a man and his married lover accused of murdering the other woman; the former governor of North Carolina, spearheading the defense; and a noble gesture from the condemned man on the eve of his execution, saving the woman he really loved.

With the help of Wilkes County historians and researchers, author Sharyn McCrumb visited the actual sites, studied the legal evidence, and concluded that the traditional story did not make sense. Consulting the maps, the trial transcripts, and the census records, she uncovered a missing piece of the story that will shock those who think they already know what happened.

What seemed at first to be a sordid tale of adultery and betrayal has been transformed by new discoveries into an Appalachian Wuthering Heights. The fictional retelling of the historical account became an astonishing revelation of the real motives and the real culprit in the murder of Laura Foster.

©2011 Sharyn McCrumb (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Sharyn McCrumb puts you in the locale

What did you love best about The Ballad of Tom Dooley?

What an interesting plot! There are mean people all over the place from every time period and this points it out!

The Story of My County

Would you consider the audio edition of The Ballad of Tom Dooley to be better than the print version?

I have a reading comprehension problem. I prefer to read aloud to another person or have a person and I go back and forth with reading aloud. It doesn't help that I never much cared for the story of Tom Dula and Laura Foster even though I live in the county this legend is from.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character is Pauline Foster. She is so magnificently nefarious. She has manipulated everyone and no one seems to notice. She has the simple wish to just watch Anne crash and burn.

Which scene was your favorite?

I don't have a favorite scene, but I do enjoy many of the lines of Pauline Foster. Her wickedness shines though everything. She has the power and has the ability to hide it and make the situations worse. She portrays this through her worst of lines. She knew what she was doing and didn't seem have any remorse to watch her kin fall flat.

Sharyn McCrumb

Loved the authentic country feel that Sharyn is so adept at building in her ballads.

Excellent ballad, interesting, captivating, albeit slightly depressing

I really enjoyed both of the narrators acting. They easily had me convinced that they were living in 1866 & were the characters whose voices they portrayed. My only complaint is, the story was slightly repetitive in some parts.I suppose that is in keeping with a true ballad. Which is why I Gave it 5 stars.The story was captivating & the female characters had all the charms of a modern day soap opera. I loved it. Kept my attention & even kept me guessing. I am becoming a big fan of McCrumb's novels & writings. Her attention to detail & history is excellent. Her characters are damaged yet fascinating to watch.

Repeated passages

The story was good…the writing was good…but someone really needed to pay attention. Passages were repeated several times in different places. The narrators were great and I loved the subject and plot. Too bad the pleasure was dampened by the carelessness.