Judith Freeman

Freeman spins an excellent detective story surmising what marriage was like to Cissy, his wife of 30 years, and who was 18 woman 18 years older than he. This turns out to be even more remarkable when the reader learns early that Chandler burned nearly all of their correspondence together. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Chandler's life was that he lived in more than thirty apartments and houses during his adult years in Los Angeles, where he spent virtually all those years. Freeman show more visits every one of them, and correlates what Chandler was writing at each address. Chandler drank himself to death after Cissy died, so the end of this fascinating biography is a heart-breaking love story. show less

Red Water by Judith Freeman is a work of historical fiction that examines the Mormon faith as three of the wives of John D. Lee recall their husband and their lives. John D. Lee was executed for his role in the 1857 Mountain Meadow Massacre, an incident where a wagon train of emigrants from Arkansas were murdered by Mormans and Indians.

Along with learning bout the faith, the descriptions of the scenery of Utah plays a large part. Both incredibly beautiful yet merciless, building a life in show more these surroundings was very difficult. Women were expected to be obedient in all ways and lived strictly under the thumb of their husband. In this case Lee at one time had over 17 wives, but by the time he was executed he was down to three.

Emma tells of how she became a Mormon, and came to America in 1855. She met and married the charismatic John Lee in 1858 and he brought her west to Utah. Life was difficult and her faith faded as she learned of the massacre. John Lee took Ann as his wife when she was only thirteen, she believes that her husband is guilty, and she wanders off to go travelling. Rachel was one of John Lee’s early wives, and believed in his innocence. She is the wife that accompanied him to prison and the execution ground.

Red Water was an educational and interesting story, but since we didn’t get any testimony from Lee himself, I felt it was rather incomplete. The massacre although pivotal to the storyline, is only referenced through rumors and gossip. I found Red Water to be a good blend of history and fiction. show less

I love Raymond Chandler. Really I do and I loved the concept of this book of trying to find the man, and the key to the most important relationship in his life, between him and his wife Cissy, by tracing where they lived. This was interesting because Chandler burned all their letters after she died, leaving biographers no insight into what must have been the most important relationship in his life. I was primed to like this book and so, frankly, it sort of pisses me off that I don't. Some show more parts work, when she can go to a building that still exists and talks about it, but most is her rambling on about 'Ray' as though she knows him. Annoying! show less

An interesting and entertaining approach to a biography. It leaves a few questions open such as the contention between his secretary and Ms Greene. Certainly enriched my understanding of Chandler.