Mona Awad’s books can best be described as a lit fic wtf, and I say that in the best possible way because her books always have a clear and p4.5 stars
Mona Awad’s books can best be described as a lit fic wtf, and I say that in the best possible way because her books always have a clear and powerful message. They’re also always deliciously devious and so much fun! I don’t know too much about Awad’s journey as an author, but I first read her books with her chaotic novel, BUNNY. It’s so much fun and bizarre and a total blast! Her books aren’t for everyone, but I was excited to pick up her upcoming novel, ROUGE.
ROUGE takes on the beauty industry in this Eyes Wide Shut meets Snow White (I also got Death Becomes Her vibes slightly too) with the protagonist Mirabelle (nicknamed Belle) and her mother Noelle. Living in Montreal, Belle’s relationship with her mother is estranged to say the least, but when she dies, Belle flies over to her mother’s apartment in San Diego to prepare funeral arrangements. There, she is embraced by this exclusive spa called La Maison de Méduse, which is apparently where her beauty obsessed mother would regularly spend her time. There, she learns more about her mother’s obsession with mirrors and her appearance, and how dangerous the path her mother led before her demise.
ROUGE touches on unrealistic beauty standards, race, mother/daughter dynamics, and the mental stability of those who place superficial aesthetics above all else. This book is dark, wildly entertaining, and thought-provoking. ROUGE is the perfect infusion of horror, dark comedy, and social commentary. I loved this one so much and it’s definitely Awad’s best. I battled with giving it a 5 star or a 4 star, which led me to the only 4.5 star read I’ve had all year. I still am struggling with whether this rating is right or not, but readers will definitely be polarized on this one. I cannot WAIT to see this as a movie, because the imagery that Awad uses through the setting (you’ll know what I mean when it gets to the jellyfish) is absolutely remarkable. I’ll be tuning into Mona Awad’s next story. STARS: 4.5, PUB: 9/12
Merged review:
4.5 stars
Mona Awad’s books can best be described as a lit fic wtf, and I say that in the best possible way because her books always have a clear and powerful message. They’re also always deliciously devious and so much fun! I don’t know too much about Awad’s journey as an author, but I first read her books with her chaotic novel, BUNNY. It’s so much fun and bizarre and a total blast! Her books aren’t for everyone, but I was excited to pick up her upcoming novel, ROUGE.
ROUGE takes on the beauty industry in this Eyes Wide Shut meets Snow White (I also got Death Becomes Her vibes slightly too) with the protagonist Mirabelle (nicknamed Belle) and her mother Noelle. Living in Montreal, Belle’s relationship with her mother is estranged to say the least, but when she dies, Belle flies over to her mother’s apartment in San Diego to prepare funeral arrangements. There, she is embraced by this exclusive spa called La Maison de Méduse, which is apparently where her beauty obsessed mother would regularly spend her time. There, she learns more about her mother’s obsession with mirrors and her appearance, and how dangerous the path her mother led before her demise.
ROUGE touches on unrealistic beauty standards, race, mother/daughter dynamics, and the mental stability of those who place superficial aesthetics above all else. This book is dark, wildly entertaining, and thought-provoking. ROUGE is the perfect infusion of horror, dark comedy, and social commentary. I loved this one so much and it’s definitely Awad’s best. I battled with giving it a 5 star or a 4 star, which led me to the only 4.5 star read I’ve had all year. I still am struggling with whether this rating is right or not, but readers will definitely be polarized on this one. I cannot WAIT to see this as a movie, because the imagery that Awad uses through the setting (you’ll know what I mean when it gets to the jellyfish) is absolutely remarkable. I’ll be tuning into Mona Awad’s next story. STARS: 4.5, PUB: 9/12
Merged review:
4.5 stars
Mona Awad’s books can best be described as a lit fic wtf, and I say that in the best possible way because her books always have a clear and powerful message. They’re also always deliciously devious and so much fun! I don’t know too much about Awad’s journey as an author, but I first read her books with her chaotic novel, BUNNY. It’s so much fun and bizarre and a total blast! Her books aren’t for everyone, but I was excited to pick up her upcoming novel, ROUGE.
ROUGE takes on the beauty industry in this Eyes Wide Shut meets Snow White (I also got Death Becomes Her vibes slightly too) with the protagonist Mirabelle (nicknamed Belle) and her mother Noelle. Living in Montreal, Belle’s relationship with her mother is estranged to say the least, but when she dies, Belle flies over to her mother’s apartment in San Diego to prepare funeral arrangements. There, she is embraced by this exclusive spa called La Maison de Méduse, which is apparently where her beauty obsessed mother would regularly spend her time. There, she learns more about her mother’s obsession with mirrors and her appearance, and how dangerous the path her mother led before her demise.
ROUGE touches on unrealistic beauty standards, race, mother/daughter dynamics, and the mental stability of those who place superficial aesthetics above all else. This book is dark, wildly entertaining, and thought-provoking. ROUGE is the perfect infusion of horror, dark comedy, and social commentary. I loved this one so much and it’s definitely Awad’s best. I battled with giving it a 5 star or a 4 star, which led me to the only 4.5 star read I’ve had all year. I still am struggling with whether this rating is right or not, but readers will definitely be polarized on this one. I cannot WAIT to see this as a movie, because the imagery that Awad uses through the setting (you’ll know what I mean when it gets to the jellyfish) is absolutely remarkable. I’ll be tuning into Mona Awad’s next story. STARS: 4.5, PUB: 9/12...more
Well, I guess I found my least favorite Riley Sager novel. Riley Sager is an auto-read author for me and he will continue to be, but THE ONLY ONE LEFTWell, I guess I found my least favorite Riley Sager novel. Riley Sager is an auto-read author for me and he will continue to be, but THE ONLY ONE LEFT didn't hit the mark for me. I appreciated Sager's pivot to a gothic atmospheric mystery, but the plot really just didn't connect with me. When Kit McDeere is assigned to be infamous Lenora Hope's caretaker at her hillside estate, Hope's End, she is extremely nervous. After being suspended from her job due to controversy (to say the least) at her job, she's given one last chance taking care of Lenora. Lenora is notorious for being accused of murdering her parents decades earlier and the entire town gossips about her. When Kit arrives at the dilapidated Hope's End, Lenora decides she wants to come clean about her upbringing and put all the rumors to bed before it's too late. However, as Lenora begins to detail her life events leading up to the murder, Kit begins to question what's real and what's not. Kit's living in a rumored murderer's estate and she'll need to protect herself at all costs.
I really thought the plot here made no sense. Like the story evolves from Kit arriving to this old woman being like "let me tell you my story" and she starts telling nuggets of information as the book progresses, but people don't do that in real life. If you want to clear your reputation or come clean, wouldn't someone just immediately tell you their truth once they feel like they can trust you? Prolonging this mystery just felt like a waste of time, honestly. I wasn't invested in any character and the ending felt a bit ridiculous and rushed after dealing with 180 pages of slowly moving topics. It took me over a week to read this book, and that is unheard of when it comes to me with thrillers. I would say this is more gothic mystery/suspense over thriller, but ultimately it just felt disjointed.
RANKINGS: 1. Lock Every Door 2. Final Girls 3. Survive the Night 4. Home Before Dark 5. The Last Time I Lied 6. The House Across the Lake 7. The Only One Left...more
Silvia Moreno-Garcia is an auto-read author of mine since her blockbuster novel, Mexican Gothic, but she’s been in the industry much earlier than thatSilvia Moreno-Garcia is an auto-read author of mine since her blockbuster novel, Mexican Gothic, but she’s been in the industry much earlier than that. I’ve devoured every book of hers that I can and when I heard the synopsis of her upcoming novel, SILVER NITRATE, I just knew that I wanted to read it asap! Thank you @delreybooks for this gifted copy! The story takes place in 1990s Mexico City, with two main protagonists—Monsterrat and Tristán—who work in film industry. Monsterrat works in film production in a company filled with men who deem her unqualified and Tristán is a washed up soap star with beauty and talent but a checkered past and bad reputation. When the duo meet cult horror director Abel Urueta who asks them to help finish his film that was cut short due to Nazi occultist magic shutting down production. They are skeptical of Abel’s stories but jump at the chance to revive their careers. That is, until they both start seeing a dark sinister presence growing within them and their surroundings. There’s a mystery with this film and maybe more than just perceived magic is involved. SILVER NITRATE is incredibly slow. Like the author’s slowest book ever—which is why I’m not giving it 5 stars. That being said, this storyline is ingeniously plotted and the characters are incredibly developed. It’ll take you awhile to get into this story, but if you’re a fan of the author’s previous works, this book is for you. I loved the research done in this book about Nazi occultism, which is something I never knew ACTUALLY existed. Go into this book with an open mind and enjoy the ride....more
If there's one thing about Rachel Hawkins that I will say, it's that her books are always SO intriguing and her covers are absolutely gorgeous. The ViIf there's one thing about Rachel Hawkins that I will say, it's that her books are always SO intriguing and her covers are absolutely gorgeous. The Villa is no exception, given that it's not out until 2023 and I'm already done reading an advanced copy of it. The Villa differs so much from the author's previous thrillers, as this is less of a popcorn thriller and more of a gothic, atmospheric thriller. Think The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware.
The story focuses on a few different timeframes and also has a story within a story narrative. Emily and Chess are childhood best friends that have grown apart, but when Chess decides to rekindle their friendship on a writing retreat to Italy, Emily decides to join her at Villa Aestas. Both former friends are now authors, so this beautiful rental will be the perfect escape to clear their minds and allow them to work on their writing and their friendship. However, Villa Aestas has a very dark past that slowly begins to unravel.
This book is inspired by the Manson Murders, Fleetwood Mac, and the birthplace of Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein. Random, right? With the two timelines (both current and in the 1970s), we learn about the villa and the home is a character of its own. The story is very immersive and atmospheric, moreso than Hawkins' previous works and I almost felt that the tone could've been written by a different author. Kudos to the author for pivoting with The Villa, but the ending knocked a star off my final rating. I will continue to read anything by Rachel Hawkins because her thrillers are so entertaining. I'm excited to see how the ending and pacing of this book will resonate with readers! ...more
Isabel Cañas' debut gothic supernatural suspense novel, The Hacienda is a dark, suspense-driven tale that will cement this author in a growing in Isabel Cañas' debut gothic supernatural suspense novel, The Hacienda is a dark, suspense-driven tale that will cement this author in a growing in popularity genre. This book is being labeled Mexican Gothic meets Rebecca, but I would say its more of a mix between Rebecca and The Haunting of Hill House with a historical Mexico twist.
The Hacienda takes place during Mexico's war for independence, and we are focused on main protagonist Beatriz and her recent marriage to Don Rodolfo Solórzano. After Beatriz moves into Rodolfo's estate, Hacienda San Isidro, whispers begin to ooze through the walls. What happened to Rodolfo's prior wife and what lies behind the history of Hacienda San Isidro? Beatriz's life begins to get a little more complicated after Rodolfo leaves for work in the capital, leaving her alone with a new circle of people that distrust her. When Beatriz begins to suspect that things aren't quite what they seem, she is ridiculed by Rodolfo's sister, Juana, and the Church. It isn't until she enlists the help of a young priest, Padre Andrés, where she begins to realize that Hacienda San Isidro's forces may be more sinister than she expected.
I really enjoyed this book everyone! It's immersive, atmospheric, and so suspenseful. I really am enjoying this type of genre lately and I hope we see more of this supernatural gothic suspense in historical Latin American settings. This book is dense, and will not be for everybody, but once I got into the swing of things, I really couldn't put it down. If you enjoy slow building suspense, this is YOUR book! I cannot wait to see what this author has next up in store for us readers. ...more
Fantasy. Horror. Action. Coming of age. Mystery. How can a book literally be such a genre-bending whirlwind of a story?! First and foremost, this bookFantasy. Horror. Action. Coming of age. Mystery. How can a book literally be such a genre-bending whirlwind of a story?! First and foremost, this book is not for everybody and I don't think the author was meaning to write a story for everybody.
The story focuses on two friends—Andrew and Eddie. Best friends for years with an inexplicable bond, until Eddie moved away to start his graduate program. Andrew eventually decides to uproot his life and go join him, but before that could happen, Eddie commits suicide. In his apparent death, Eddie leaves Andrew his inheritance, a house, and a mystery surrounding what happened. As Andrew tries to uncover the truth, he begins to form suspicions around Eddie's circle of friends and their unique behaviors. Andrew dives into a world of betrayal, fast cars, sex, and hard drugs—a world Andrew wasn't prepared for. Has Andrew really accepted what it means for Eddie to be dead?
This story is full of unlikable characters and dark slow burn suspense. Again, this haunting book may not be for everybody. The story dives deep into the emotions of grief and loss, the feelings of denial, and the pain of losing someone you weren't ready to let go of just yet. The story is queer at its core, but it is mainly a secondary plot point to the themes I mentioned previously. If you're unsure about the horror elements of this novel, don't be deterred as it's not gruesomely scary, but more of a gothic suspense. I can't wait to see what comes out of Lee Mandelo's future stories. ...more
The Woman in the Mirror really catches you off guard in the best way possible!
This gothic historical fiction novel alternates between England in tThe Woman in the Mirror really catches you off guard in the best way possible!
This gothic historical fiction novel alternates between England in the late 1940s, post-World War II; and the current day between New York and England. However, the majority of the story takes place at this massive, beautiful, England countryside estate in Cornwall, England called Winterbourne Hall. In 1947, Alice Miller takes a job as governess (basically a nanny) at Winterbourne Hall for the de Gray family. This family is rather small—Captain Jonathan de Gray and his two children Edmund and Constance. However, Jonathan's children are a full time job which includes teaching and day care. As Alice continues to educate and thrive with the children, she begins to notice peculiarities around the mansion that she can't seem to shake. As Alice begins to try and uncover the truth behind the de Gray family and their estate, she starts realizing that maybe she should've left things alone.
In the present day, art gallery dealer Rachel Wright receives an official notice—she is the direct descendant of the de Gray family and has been given Winterbourne Hall as part of an estate agreement. Rachel decides to venture to England and find out more information about her long lost family, as she was adopted as a child and never got to know more information. Once Rachel gets the Winterbourne Hall, she starts finding answers that will completely change her life. Was she better off in New York?
I can't divulge anymore information than that, sorry everybody! You will find out why the title is named the way it is, and what develops as you venture into the story. The Woman in the Mirror is a stunning and masterfully written gothic suspense novel. If you enjoyed The Death of Mrs. Westaway or The Broken Girls, you'd definitely be interested in picking up this supernatural tale. It truly is a one-of-a-kind story that I didn't expect to enjoy as much as I did. It's a bit of a slow burn, otherwise this would've been a full five stars for me. Once you get to the thick of it, the book will be hard to put down—you just want to know what happens. I really think this book will resonate well with fans, and also create a lot of Rebecca James fans—just like it did with me....more
This will be quick—Ninth House is atmospheric, dark, and very gripping. However, it is also dense and extremely slow building. It's almost painfulThis will be quick—Ninth House is atmospheric, dark, and very gripping. However, it is also dense and extremely slow building. It's almost painful to try and navigate while you're reading. The payoff at the end wasn't worth it for me. If you love fantasy novels and magic, and would like to read a dark and twisted tale behind it, I would recommend considering this book. It is the first of a series, so I understand that there needed to be a lot of exposition in this book. It just didn't work right with me. ...more
Simone St. James has done it again, folks! After reading her memorizing book, The Broken Girls last year, I was more than excited to find out that sheSimone St. James has done it again, folks! After reading her memorizing book, The Broken Girls last year, I was more than excited to find out that she has another book coming out next year—the ominous and enticing The Sun Down Motel! Ms. St. James obviously has a fool-proof strategy when it comes to dark, gothic noir mystery novels because this book was so fun to read. It follows in the same vein of The Broken Girls, but located in Upstate New York, and it's much, much darker. I definitely got American Horror Story vibes while reading this book, and I really loved how the author wasn't afraid to dive into malevolence. The two protagonists, Viv and Carly, are both structured perfectly and I really felt connected to their stories. Upstate New York is the perfect setting for spooky and the mysterious, and I really believe that this book will blow everyone's expectations out of the water. I'm excited to see what everyone thinks about this title come publication day. I'm curious to see what Simone St. James has in store for us next....more
The Invited is my first read by suspense author Jennifer McMahon, and I'm intrigued to learn more about her after finishing this title.
Helen and The Invited is my first read by suspense author Jennifer McMahon, and I'm intrigued to learn more about her after finishing this title.
Helen and Nate have decided to move out of suburban Connecticut and venture to rural Vermont, in order to create their dream home. It'll be a beautiful estate, on over forty acres of land, and they'll begin a farm of their own. A simpler life, and they'll be happy together. However, the couple's happiness is deterred once they find out that the land was previously owned by Hattie Breckenridge. Hattie was murdered after accusations of her practicing witchcraft grew within the town, and her daughter Jane mysteriously disappeared. Apparently, Hattie had treasure hidden on the property before she was killed, and neighbors have been searching for this treasure for years. One scavenger, Olive, is neighbors to Helen and Nate, and her presence is causing a nuisance for them. Helen starts noticing odd occurrences on the property, but why are they happening? Will their purchase of this property haunt them forever?
I went into reading The Invited thinking that it is a horror story. Folks, it is not. It's a gothic ghost story, infused with a light mystery. Please don't go into this thinking that you'll be hiding under your blanket, because you'll be disappointed. The writing in The Invited is spectacular—like honestly captivating at times. You'll begin to feel like you're part of the story while you're reading—aw, Olive! I feel for you boo; Helen, don't listen to know-it-all Nate anymore!—which is why I am so invested in reading more from this author. It's very rare that I end up clinging onto the characters so tightly in a mystery setting.
The plotline in The Invited is interesting, but very reminiscent of Wendy Webb's Daughters of the Lake, so if you enjoyed that ghost story, I definitely think you'll enjoy The Invited. While both novels didn't grip me immensely, Jennifer McMahon's ghost story definitely is a stronger, better written tale, with characters that stick....more
Little Darlings is one of the most intoxicating, and addicting folklore thrillers that I've ever read.
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Little Darlings is a family-dramLittle Darlings is one of the most intoxicating, and addicting folklore thrillers that I've ever read.
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Little Darlings is a family-drama that weaves gothic thrills and suspense in such a miraculous way. The story commences with the delivery of Lauren Tranter's twin boys, Riley and Morgan. Lauren and her husband Patrick appear to be a picture perfect couple, but they have their own dramas that are deeply hidden within the boundaries of their home. After the two boys are born, Lauren is shaken, but ecstatic over her beautiful children. As she goes through the healing process, Lauren is staying at the hospital's maternity ward until the three of them are ready to go home. However, her stay at the hospital is overshadowed by darkness. One night, Lauren wakes up hearing a woman rambling about her own children. After Lauren tries to calm the woman down, she is thrown into the mix of chaos—this woman wants to exchange her children for Lauren's and Lauren has to escape. After Lauren contacts the police over this disturbance, she is shunned as being emotionally unstable.
Lauren, Patrick, and their two boys return home while Lauren's paranoia over this woman grows. Patrick is less than enthusiastic with his assistance with Riley and Morgan, adding more stress to Lauren's day-to-day life. Lauren starts to let her guard down—and in fact decides to go to the park—but it ends in disaster. Lauren believes that her babies were swapped by this woman, but nobody believes her. The babies look exactly like Riley and Morgan, how could they be swapped? Lauren's theatrics continue, and she's immediately shut down. If nobody believes Lauren's claims, then she must take matters in her own hands.
I actually believe that the synopsis for Little Darlings gives too much of the story, and maybe you should consider going into this novel blind. The way that this story starts to unravel is so dynamic, original, and ghostly—I was shaken to the core by how it played out. I thoroughly enjoyed the red herrings, the subplot storylines, and honestly, all the main characters. I loved several characters, and would love to see this story spin off with future stories with them (wink wink Melanie Golding). I loved to hate several characters, and didn't mind how the author portrayed them. Every single person in this story is valuable, and memorable in their own rite.
For those who may be turned off by its sci-fi flair that people are buzzing about, don't worry because it doesn't dive too deep into the world of unbelievable. There wasn't a time throughout the story where I had to second guess the story with any of it's supposed supernatural elements. You'll be able to follow the story, and believe what you're reading without judgment. At least, for me, I had no issue following along, and feeling deeply engrossed in it's plot.
I'm just hearing now that Little Darlings is Melanie Golding's debut novel, and that is unbelievable! What a spectacular debut Ms. Golding, you should be very proud. Little Darlings is my pick for this Spring's Biggest Blockbuster. It was a pleasure reading this story, and I urge you to put this on your TBR list now. ...more
It's getting harder and harder to capture my attention when it comes to horror novels. The Lingering is thoroughly original, but it takes3.5 stars
It's getting harder and harder to capture my attention when it comes to horror novels. The Lingering is thoroughly original, but it takes awhile for the build up to actually capture you. I battled between 3 and 4 stars for this title, so my opinion may change as I write this review. Ali and Jack Gardiner have decided to give up their livelihoods and move to the Rosalind House. The Rosalind House is a spiritual commune, run by a group of parishioners who have decided that today's society is too hectic for them, and they want a more simple future. The local villagers have commented that the Rosalind House has a dark past—it was owned by those practicing magic, and then became an insane asylum during the 1950s.
Jack and Ali slowly get acclimated to the Rosalind House and their inhabitants, but start witnessing strange and disturbing instances during their stay that they can't check off as mere coincidences. As Jack and Ali start investigating the occurrences at the Rosalind House, the basis for their decision to move there starts unraveling. Sometimes the most scary thing to find out, is the past that someone's left behind.
At 250 pages, The Lingering is a quick read that will deliver you an original paranormal tale. If you can take the slower pacing, then I highly recommend picking it up. There were moments that I felt frustrated, but as the story progressed, I started noticing that my interest in the plot was growing again. While I felt that the author could've dived in deeper with the paranormal, I still enjoyed how the novel was progressing in it's own rite. Once we get to the final conflict, my interest was at an all time high—I needed to know what was going to happen!
The Lingering is the type of book that you should go in knowing nothing about it. The mysterious cover should give you all the information that you need to get started. Did you enjoy this story? Let's talk about it!...more
I fell in love with Kirk's writing last summer with her release of In The Vines. In fact, In The Vines was Shannon Kirk is the queen of W.T.F.
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I fell in love with Kirk's writing last summer with her release of In The Vines. In fact, In The Vines was one of my top 10 novels for 2018! So when I heard the fabulous Shannon Kirk was coming out with a new novel for this summer, I knew I needed to drop everything and read it. Kirk's upcoming horror novel Gretchen continues to follow in In The Vines's footsteps as she ventures further into the gothic suspense genre. Both In The Vines and Gretchen have similar Ruth Ware vibes, so if you are enjoying Ware's latest novels, then you'll definitely enjoy Kirk's writing.
Although the story is titled Gretchen, it really focuses on fifteen year old Lucy and her mother. Lucy and her mother are basically nomads hiding from their past. Lucy's mom refuses to let her get too close to people—she has to wear color contacts, she has to lie about her family life, and she can't use the internet without supervision. Lucy's mom is terrified of her daughter's father finding them due to his immense power and corruption. In fact, they have lived in eleven states since as long as Lucy can remember.
Lucy and her mom finally settle in rural New Hampshire, hoping that the isolation of this small town will be the destination that they can finally call their mainstay home. They find a perfect cottage owned by a single father and his daughter Gretchen. They live on the ranch as well with another property nearby, and have a full listing ready for Lucy and her mother to move into. As Lucy and her mother settle into their new digs, they start getting to know their new landlord and his daughter. Gretchen is around the same age as Lucy, and is desperate for friends. Not having anyone besides her mother in her life, Lucy accepts Gretchen's intensity as genuine interest and forges a friendship with her. As the two get to know each other, Lucy begins to question her new friend's behavior. Gretchen is a very domineering friend, and she has a peculiar obsession with puzzles. (I won't go into that obsession further in this review, but let me tell ya, OH BOY.) The longer Gretchen and Lucy maintain a friendship, the more information she finds out about her own life. As Lucy begins to uncover the past about her dark family secrets, Gretchen begins to be force to be reckoned with.
Gretchen is literally the most insane book I've ever read. Shannon Kirk dives deep into the darkness with this story, and I can't get the book out of my head! The pacing is very similar to In The Vines, so if you enjoyed how that story was told, you'll definitely be ready for Gretchen. The book goes deeper in its characterizations than Kirk's last novel, and it sets the right formula for the reader to fully be immersed into these characters' lives. As you read the story, you will believe that you know how this story will play out, but listen, you really, really don't!
There were multiple moments throughout the book where I was genuinely shocked at how the story was progressing, and I legit yelled, "What the &$%#!?" multiple times (in a good way). Gretchen has multiple story arcs that develop throughout the novel, and it allowed for each character to really play a role in the plot, which made for a really enjoyable horror novel. I wonder how fans will enjoy this story, and how they would categorize this book. I would say this is more of a horror novel than a thriller, but it really is in a league of it's own. Gretchen will be out July 23, and I want to thank Shannon Kirk for providing me an advanced copy in exchange for a review. I can't wait to see what you all think of it, and I can't wait for you to meet Gretchen!...more
Daughters of the Lake is a gothic, historical fiction mystery blended with your typical ghost story. Kate Granger has been having dreams, or nightDaughters of the Lake is a gothic, historical fiction mystery blended with your typical ghost story. Kate Granger has been having dreams, or nightmares, about a woman, her child, and her family life, but just tunes it out as fiction. That is, until the woman and her baby are washed up along the shore by their house. Kate is in shock, disbelief even, because it shows that her dreams are in fact premonitions. Kate has been going through a lot lately, with her divorce proceedings about to start, and now the police force believes that Kate is more involved in this murder than she's letting them believe.
While the police and Kate try to investigate how this woman and her child died, generations of mystery and deceit hidden deep in the roots of her family begin to unravel. Kate needs to tap into this woman's life and find out how this woman's life ended in tragedy. It's only until she notices a family photo of hers that she can pinpoint who the woman is—dated over 100 years ago.
Daughters of the Lake reminded me of Michael J. Malone's House of Spines, so if you enjoyed that novel, you'll definitely like this story. It's a ghost story, fused with love, tragedy, and mystery. It's a slow burn at it's core, so you will only start uncovering the mystery of this story when you reach the halfway mark. I've read a lot of mysteries in the past year, so I sadly was able to figure out what happened rather quickly, however the writing and mystery is vastly original. In fact, Wendy Webb masterfully immerses you into this atmospheric tale. If you are looking for a slower paced whodunnit that won't keep you up at night, I'd recommend Daughters of the Lake....more
While, The Boy at the Keyhole promises a psychological horror showdown, it falls flat on its delivery. It's the early 1960s, and nine year old SamWhile, The Boy at the Keyhole promises a psychological horror showdown, it falls flat on its delivery. It's the early 1960s, and nine year old Samuel lives in this beautiful spacious estate in England, where he is being taken care of by his housekeeper Ruth. Samuel's father had passed away, leaving the family in financial disarray. Samuel's mother has ventured to America in pursuit of work so the family can get stable again—before the family loses their house. In the mean time, Ruth is Samuel's primary caregiver, while also the house guardian. Samuel's mother has been gone for months now, only providing sporadic postcards to update the duo on her adventures in the United States.
Samuel is desperate for his mother's return—Ruth runs the house with an iron fist, and he really doesn't want her authoritative behavior instilled on him any longer. After speaking with his best friend Joseph, he begins to believe that his mother is never coming home. Samuel even begins to believe that Ruth had something in his mother's disappearance. He begins covering his tracks, while trying to find out more clues about his mother, Ruth, and their relationship. As Samuel's investigation progresses, he and Ruth begin a game of cat-and-mouse. Ruth's frustration with Samuel deepens, as she tries to prevent Samuel from continuing his investigation. It's a battle of minds, and even though Samuel is young—he is not going to let this person destroy what he has left.
The Boy at the Keyhole just didn't work for me, but I think it'll polarize readers in general. It's definitely one of those books that you'll either really enjoy, or possibly dislike. I do think you should pick this book up if you're interested in a horror/mystery, and can handle a slow burn. Samuel and Ruth's battle begins early on, but the story really doesn't move fast enough for me. Each chapter afterwards just felt repetitive and drawn out. The Boy at the Keyhole isn't even 300 pages, but could've been even shorter. While the writing was strong (writing from the perspective of a nine year old isn't easy), I just didn't connect to the story at all.
Thank you Handover Press for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. The Boy at the Keyhole will be released September 4, 2018....more
Sharon Bolton's latest release, The Craftsman is her best yet. I am so ready for you all to get hooked by her newest tale—witchcraftALL THE STARS!
Sharon Bolton's latest release, The Craftsman is her best yet. I am so ready for you all to get hooked by her newest tale—witchcraft, serial killers, children being buried alive—WHAT?! The story starts off in 1999, where serial killer Larry Glassbrook is being laid to rest. After spending 30 years in prison for the murder of three local teenagers back in 1969, Larry's notoriety has not weathered since his arrest. The small town Sabden has never been the same since Larry's havoc with the townsfolk began, but after Larry is buried, the town is put through turmoil once again. Florence Lovelady, the police investigator who was responsible for Larry's arrest, has returned to the town and has been noticing a copycat criminal appearing out of nowhere. This new culprit is repeating the steps that Larry took with his victims, but has now aimed the direction at Florence. Florence is in danger, but who's the person wanting her gone?
I can't stress enough how fully developed the story is in The Craftsman. Bolton's use of witchcraft is masterfully portrayed in the story, without turning to the side of ridiculousness—it's authentic, real, and emotionally driven. The story alternates between 1999 and 1969, so the mystery appears to have subsided because we think we know what happens, but there's a larger force at play here and it'll leave you stunned. While the story does develop into a witchcraft-induced mystery, the bigger theme of family and guardianship will ultimately immerse you into a world you may not know anything about.
The Craftsman is one of my favorite reads that I've read this year, and definitely Bolton's best. If you have ever enjoyed anything that Sharon Bolton's written in the past, you would be a fool to not pick up this story. Thank you Minotaur Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. The Craftsman will be released on October 16, 2018—just in time for Halloween....more
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