The Mulberry Tree

By: Jude Deveraux

Narrated by: Karen Ziemba

For nearly 20 years, quiet, unassuming, and overweight, Lillian did anything and everything to please her husband, the illustrious self-made billionaire James Manville. Since the tender age of 17, she had obeyed this powerful older man's every command and in return she received a life beyond her wildest dreams. Elaborate mansions. Trips around the world. The finest jewels and the most luxurious fashions.

But when Jimmie dies suddenly in a plane crash, Lillian's pampered life comes to an abrupt halt. She learns that Jimmie has bequeathed all of his riches to his devious siblings, Atlanta and Ray. All, that is, except an old farmhouse in small-town Calburn, Virginia. Although Lillian is devastated by Jimmie's death and apparent betrayal, she soon discovers a well of secrets connected to Jimmie's past that originate in Calburn and to a long-ago tragedy concerning a group of boys hailed as the "Golden Six". Uncovering those secrets, Lillian thinks, will help her to better understand the man she loved and mysteriously lost.

What Lillian doesn't foresee is how her unexpected circumstances quickly transform her. She loses weight, changes her name to avoid further harassment from the press, and, with the help of Matthew Longacre, a kind, handsome local man, begins to renovate the farmhouse and establish friendships with Calburn's quirky townspeople. In time she develops her own thriving business and an inner strength she never knew existed. But, though Lillian's new life seems as strong as the mulberry tree firmly planted outside her farmhouse, there remain secrets and lies that threaten to uproot the past she cherished and the future she will fight to protect.

©2002 Deveraux, Inc. (P)2002 Simon & Schuster Inc. AUDIOWORKS is an imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Deveraux's touch is gold, and her protagonist combines innocent appeal with wry experience in a way that readers will surely find irresistible." (Publishers Weekly)

Mystery, Intrigue and Food!

As usual Jude does not disappoint. This book was filled with Mystery, Romance, Murder and a precious little farm.

Although the book (unabridged) is much, much better, filled with more details and background on the characters, this was a nice listen to the tedious work day.

I couldn't take my earphones off.

Jude Deveraux has done it again, this book is one of my favorites. I felt this book was "relatable". The triaumph of overcoming public ridicule and not quite knowing why things happened to her. Yet she is still able to find happiness and truth.

abridged version is lacking!

What would have made The Mulberry Tree better?

I've learned my lesson. Don't buy abridged versions of books, esp. Deveraux, since all her books are so great! Loved every one of her audio books - except - the abridged versions.
Save your credits and buy any one of her non-abridged works - you won't be sorry!