Written by William E. Spear
Published by The Three Fifty-seven
30 March 2024
His altar was the grave.
In a few days, The Three Fifty-seven will start its new series titled THE GHOSTLY GROOM. It is inspired by, and interpreted from, Washington Irving’s THE SPECTRE BRIDEGROOM published in 1819.
Those familiar with the original text will recall the female lead: the unnamed daughter, and only child, of Baron Von Landshort from the Katzenellenbogen family in Odenwald of Upper Germany. She is described as a young women of prodigious talents and beauty. On the evening before her arranged marriage to young Count Von Altenburg of nearby Wurtzburg, her soon-to-be-husband arrives, announces he is dead, and rides off on his horse.
Such was romance in 1819.
In THE GHOSTLY GROOM, the female lead is Lenore Katzenellen, the 45-year-old founder and president of a financial analysis firm in Odenwald, New Jersey. She is engaged to Geoffrey Ochre who lives forty-five minutes upstate in Wurtzburg.
In the midst of the final preparations, she is called to a nearby hospital. A critically wounded, heavily bandaged man believed to be her fiancé is lying unconscious. The man’s billfold and cel phone are confirmed as Geoffrey’s. He starts ranting he is a dead man and must go to his grave then passes out. With everyone in the hallway discussing what to do, he disappears.
Over the course of five episodes, and to the discomfort of her father, family, and friends, Lenore pursues the mystery. Readers of Irving’s original work may think they know the outcome. Those from The Three Fifty-seven advise otherwise.
We look forward to telling Lenore’s story throughout April and invite you to return for THE GHOSTLY GROOM.
WESJr
Clay Track Press 