The 19th Wife

The 19th Wife is a 2008 novel by David Ebershoff. Inspired by the life of Ann Eliza Young, the novel intertwines a historical narrative with a modern-day murder mystery. A television movie adaptation aired on Lifetime on September 13, 2010, starring Matt Czuchry, Patricia Wettig, and Chyler Leigh.

The 19th Wife
AuthorDavid Ebershoff
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreNovel
PublisherRandom House
Publication date
2008
Media typePrint (hardback & paperback)
Pages525
ISBN1-4000-6397-3
Preceded byPasadena 

Plot summary

Jordan Scott has been expelled from his fundamentalist sect in modern-day southern Utah, but returns to determine whether his mother killed his father. His mother is the 19th wife of his father. Interspersed with this murder mystery is a historical narrative about Ann Eliza Young, the 19th wife of Brigham Young, which takes place in the late 1800s.

Character list

  • Jordan Scott is the son of BeckyLyn Scott who is accused of killing Jordan's father. Jordan has been excommunicated from his religious sect. He is a young homosexual man who works in the Los Angeles area in construction.
  • BeckyLyn Scott is accused of killing her husband. She is his 19th wife.
  • Queenie is Jordan Scott's half-sister. He is excommunicated when he is caught holding hands with her. She remains in the community and helps Jordan investigate their father's murder.


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