Hello, Readers,
Our High Country Mystery novel, Crying Woman Bridge, was at least partially
inspired by tales of La Llorona. La
Llorona , or The Weeping Woman, is a legend that has been around a while in Mexico and the Southwestern
states.
Books and movies have been made of the ghostly crying woman weeping for her child or children that she has murdered for some personal gain. In fact, a new 2019 film, THE CURSE OF LA LLORONA was just released which centers around the legend. And I remember viewing an earlier one one on Netflix as well.
Books and movies have been made of the ghostly crying woman weeping for her child or children that she has murdered for some personal gain. In fact, a new 2019 film, THE CURSE OF LA LLORONA was just released which centers around the legend. And I remember viewing an earlier one one on Netflix as well.
The La Lllorona Legend
“Ah, mis hijos…” Is it a woman’s voice wailing for her lost
children, or only the wind?
Many versions of the La Llorona story exist. Part of the folklore of Mexico and the Southwest, its origin is impossible to trace.
The basic story is that a poor but beautiful village woman attracts the eye of a wealthy man. The rich lover doesn't know she has children. She drowns the children to be with her lover, but the lover then rejects her. Feeling the anguish of remorse and grief, she drowns herself and her restless spirit forever searches for her lost children.
In other versions of the story, she is a woman who neglects her children by going to parties in town. While she is away, the children wander off to the river and drown. She is often portrayed as a malevolent ghost that caused misfortune.
Check this site for the most well-known version of the La Llorona Legend.
Similar Legends
Many versions of the La Llorona story exist. Part of the folklore of Mexico and the Southwest, its origin is impossible to trace.
The basic story is that a poor but beautiful village woman attracts the eye of a wealthy man. The rich lover doesn't know she has children. She drowns the children to be with her lover, but the lover then rejects her. Feeling the anguish of remorse and grief, she drowns herself and her restless spirit forever searches for her lost children.
In other versions of the story, she is a woman who neglects her children by going to parties in town. While she is away, the children wander off to the river and drown. She is often portrayed as a malevolent ghost that caused misfortune.
Check this site for the most well-known version of the La Llorona Legend.
In the Midwest there are legends of haunted bridges and
spirits who, like La Llorona are weeping for their lost child or children. Theorosa's Bridge, on the outskirts of Valley Center, Kansas, has such a story. The bridge is believed to be haunted by a young woman crying for her lost child. In some versions of the tale she is the mother of an infant who was stolen from a wagon train by a band or raiding Indians. In others, she is a young woman who drowns her illegitimate baby to hide her shame. Like the La Llorona legend, her ghost haunts the bridge, searching forever for her lost child.
La Llorona Comes to Wyoming
La Llorona Comes to Wyoming
We combined these two legends and brought a tale similar to La Llorona to Wyoming in the form of Mirabella. Mirabella is a pioneer woman who, according to our story’s legend, threw her illegitimate baby from the bridge. Filled with remorse, she haunts the area and tries to steal children from unsuspecting mothers.
“When I was in high school, the kids always gathered here to party. But they were spooked by the place, too.” McQuede leaned back in the car seat, recalling, “In the old days, it was called Mirabella’s bridge.”
“That’s because,” Dawson explained, “according to local legend, a young pioneer woman named Mirabella got jilted by her lover and threw her baby over the bridge.”
“All I know is that at night it is rumored you can still hear her wails.”
“Foolish superstition,” Dawson said.
McQuede attempted to suppress amusement over his friend’s sudden seriousness. “It’s a fact, for sure,” McQuede persisted, trying to keep the teasing out of his voice, “if you say her name three times, she will appear and bad things will follow.”
“Yes,” Dawson echoed, “Three calls and woe to you.”
“Did you ever try it?”
“Not brave enough.” Midway across the bridge, Dawson stopped the car. “But you are. I dare you, McQuede. Call her name three times, and let’s see what happens.”
Dawson pressed the buttons that controlled the front side windows, and they slid open with an eerie, mechanical sound that mingled with the noise of rushing water. A gust of wind from the canyon stirred their clothing and hair. Instead of waiting for McQuede, Dawson called out in a voice loud and clear, “Mirabella! Mirabella! Mira—we’re going to be late,” he broke off suddenly, without finishing. He promptly checked his watch. “Too late for this nonsense.”
Dawson, for the first time silent, stepped harder on the gas as they followed the twisting road. McQuede’s friend always became too involved in these legends, so much so, that they often became fixed in his mind as solid fact instead of mostly fiction. McQuede, noting the anxiety that had crept into the professor’s manner, couldn’t help smiling.
Click this link to order CRYING WOMAN BRIDGE from Amazon
We have recently received the news that CRYING WOMAN BRIDGE has been accepted by BOOKS IN MOTION to be recorded in audio. Audible readers will soon be able to listen t o this new release with expert narration.
CRYING WOMAN BRIDGE is also available through Amazon on Kindle, Kindleunlimted, and in paperback.
