The story begins in 1868 London when an art curator secures a box from an estate sale and unbeknownst to him the sealed box had originated in TransylvThe story begins in 1868 London when an art curator secures a box from an estate sale and unbeknownst to him the sealed box had originated in Transylvania. The box was never to be opened since it was said a mysterious evil resided within but since these people don't believe in legends or folklore, although sometimes being true, of course they opened the box which only held small bones. They never noticed the dark, shadowy, cold mist swirling around the room yet they did feel a pervading sense of malevolence weaving between their bodies.
Vampyr's are legends and spooky stories to be told as entertainment at fancy dinners and parties but soon this one vampyr will find a new home in London if it can keep it's rare tastes secretive until it finds others of it's kind to join it so they can become a new society, because there are plenty of necessary, abundant meals for their acquired taste to be had in this overly, populated city.
I enjoyed this atmospheric book so much and I can't wait to find similar books that have such a unique twist on a well known vampire topic. This book was so well-written and edited which made it even more pleasurable to read. I loved the historic element of nineteenth century London capturing their style of speaking, the way they dressed, their modes of travel through the city, the shops, the inequality of the wealthy and the poor was depicted so wonderfully that I felt as if the story was really taking place all around me.
I thought that all the characters were richly developed and I found myself really caring or despising them. I just love when books make me feel emotions I wasn't expecting especially from a horror novel. I can't recommend this book highly enough, a true favorite read of the year for myself and I know that other horror fans will be impressed as well. I'm looking forward to reading more books from 'Richard Gadz' in the future!
I have given a rating of 5 RAVENOUS VAMPYR ...more
Out of the blue Liv receives a cryptic note in the mail from her best friend in high school who she hasn't had contact with since after their graduatiOut of the blue Liv receives a cryptic note in the mail from her best friend in high school who she hasn't had contact with since after their graduation ten years ago with the words "I Need Help". Immediately, Liv leaves Boston and goes back to their New England town to find Sam and help her with whatever problem she is so fearful of that she felt Liv was the only person she could turn to. As soon as Liv arrives back home she discovers that Sam has been listed as a missing person yet most people especially her two roommates seem unconcerned.
Liv vows to herself that she will do everything possible to find Sam and find out who she was afraid of and why would she run away especially without telling her own mother or (secret) boyfriend what was going on. The two roommates happen to be the girls who Sam couldn't stand in high school and warned Liv to stay away from them back then. They called themselves the " Sisterhood" and never interacted with any other classmates or boys during that time. They were quite beautiful and still are but cold and distant yet alluring as well. The young women have done very well for themselves yet Liv knows that they are harboring secrets about Sam and are trying to weave Liv into their little clique while Liv thinks she will go along with their plans since this is the only way to find out what really happened to Sam.
They invite Liv to stay with them until Sam returns while Liv feels an impending darkness and gloom in the home's shadows and she hears unsettling noises and voices in the night while unintentionally she gets carried away under the hypnotic spell of the women and only realizes she went too far pretending she believed in their way of life until it finally was too late and now Liv's life and lives of everyone she loves is in mortal danger and now there isn't anyone she knows who could help her out of this unbelievable situation where she has completely lost herself.
This was a fun, subdued and dark gothic/mystery/horror story revolving around a missing woman and witchcraft hiding in the background and finally coming out full force in the last third of the book. The beginning of the story was so enthralling and drew me in but then started moving somewhat slowly while the book kept going back and forth from the present to the past which I enjoyed but it lost some of the suspense for myself. When the story started delving into the supernatural it became a lot of spooky fun and I couldn't wait to find out how Liv would handle the events which took place. I enjoyed all the characters and some of their back stories although I thought Liv was too naive and impulsive in many of her actions and I wished she had shown more restraint and thoughtfulness in carrying out her plans to find Sam. All in all it was a good book with an eerie aura throughout the story which I loved and would definitely recommend this book to all readers who enjoy dark blended witchcraft blended with the growing pains of young women into adulthood!
I want to thank the publisher "Random House Publishing - Ballantine" for the opportunity to read this digital copy and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 3 1/2 DARK AND BEWITCHING ...more
On a small, Scottish isolated island called Eynhallow resides a small community of only twenty hardworking people (including children) taking place atOn a small, Scottish isolated island called Eynhallow resides a small community of only twenty hardworking people (including children) taking place at the end of the 18th century. Agnes Tulloch is one of those residents who accepts her lot in life and loves her three children more than anything but most of the time she feels cheated with life itself. The wind is brutal day in day out and the storms come out of nowhere leaving their too small cottage which is in ill repair damp, leaky and cold most days and the tedious, hard work is a never ending cycle.
One day a mysterious stranger arrives on the isle and stirs up gossip about why anyone would want to come live on Eynhallow especially in the old vacant cottage rumored to be haunted for many, many years. Superstitions and folklore are abundant during those times so the residents are somewhat fearful as well as curious about why an aristocrat would want to move to their lonely isle. Meanwhile, Mr. Tulloch hires poor Agnes out as a housekeeper and in those days the wives must always abide by their husbands wishes.
The dark, brooding stranger is rude, arrogant and unfriendly as well but he is interesting and accepts Agnes in a way that she has always been denied and they quickly become friendly and enjoy one another's company although Agnes wonders why the man named Victor Frankenstein is so unhappy and why he won't reveal to her the type of work that he performs in the room he keeps locked day and night. Someone has been threatening and harming Victor and he won't tell Agnes who or why this person is after him until the day she comes across this dangerous and terrifying person and is fearful for own her life as well as Victor's and she will then make a decision that will change everything she had ever known or believed for the worse when she suddenly finds herself trapped in a living nightmare that she can never wake up from or find an escape back to her old life.
This was the most amazing, horror book that I will remember for a very long time! The beautiful, atmospheric writing and storytelling were so mesmerizing that I didn't want the story to end. The book begins slow and steady giving lovely and thoughtful detailed descriptions of the island and the colorful lives of the characters. Some may say this was a retelling but I considered this book an original and brilliant piece of work. The last thirty percent of the story had my pulse racing and I was holding my breath but I never expected to feel an ache in my heart by the time I was finished reading. This book was very dark, dismal, raw, unexpected, entertaining and realistically told with it's atmospheric and historical edge that will appeal to almost every single, horror reader.
I must add this was not a long book yet it captured all the substance and quality content of a novel that was three hundred pages or more but without all the silly filler words and phrases that can be so unnecessary and annoying in many books. You won't find any excessive drama although one may wish the story could have lasted longer because Agnes's story will stay with you for a long time as well as some of the other characters. Eerily sinister and the horror will creep up on you slowly and steadily and when it finally hits it may be shock to your psyche as it was to me.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough and wish I could give it more than 5 stars and I am most definitely looking forward to reading more of Tim McGregor's other books since I have been so enchanted by this author's writing! I hope that my hearfelt words will encourage other readers to pick this book up and begin a wondrous and horrific journey to the desolate island of EYNHALLOW which is actually still in existence.
I want to thank the publisher "RDS Publishing" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this tale of madness and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 5 COMPLETELY CAPTIVATING AND MESMERIZING ...more
June Farrow has always lived a simple existence while growing up on her family's flower farm which is known for it's beautiful exotic flowers only fouJune Farrow has always lived a simple existence while growing up on her family's flower farm which is known for it's beautiful exotic flowers only found on Farrow land to the unique herbs and healing tinctures which tourists can't seem to get enough of when the seasons are right. June was raised by her loving grandmother (Gram) when her own mother disappeared when she was a little girl and June has never stopped wanting to solve her missing mother's mysterious life and why she didn't want to raise her own child. June knows the women in her family were cursed with an unknown inevitable mental illness occurring at any time in the Farrow women's lives so she knows she can never have a husband or children since the curse will pass on to her own female children and she refuses to even consider taking a risk. So June's future is doomed to be a lonely one indeed, although she's always been fine with that knowledgeable decision until Gram became gravely ill.
June then began having hallucinations, hearing whispers and her name being called out by strange voices plus seeing a red door appearing in different locations out in the fields so June knows her time is coming. When Gram passes away though, it hits June much harder than she anticipated and feels her world completely turned upside down with a million questions but no one there to help her understand what is happening to her. June's need to find out about her mother's disappearance and feeling the pull of going through the red door (if that is even an option) plus missing Gram has rattled her life completely. Is June going crazy like the stories she had heard about her own mother or is there much more to this Farrow women curse than she could ever possibly understand.
This was an unexpected, beautiful story of quiet mystery, lost loves and a dual, mystical timeline full of secrets, lies and danger. Andrienne Young has written such an atmospheric and amazing story that was impossible to put down. I just needed to keep reading since I could never predict where this story would lead since I was truly mesmerized by the breathtaking writing! The beauty of the descriptive scenery and the heartfelt characters involved with the dual storylines evoked emotions that I wasn't prepared for nor could I predict the unexpected twists of so many characters who were a mainstay in June's life while June will always be an unforgettable character for myself!
I highly recommend this stunning novel and I will look forward to reading more books written by this very talented author.
I want to thank the publisher "Random House Publishing" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 4 1/2 STUNNING AND MESMERIZING ...more
Lovely young Rosa works in the town library with her father in the 1800's where she is trying to save enough money to travel to America one day to stuLovely young Rosa works in the town library with her father in the 1800's where she is trying to save enough money to travel to America one day to study to become a secretary in New York. This has been a lifelong dream for Rosa since her parents consider it foolishness while they try to find a suitable husband to marry their daughter. An ambitious and single young woman is quite frowned upon in those times but Rosa hope to teach more people to read while she tries to accomplish her goals and therefore refuses to be married off.
Mysterious James has just arrived from Transylvania to take care of family business while trying unsuccessfully to find a cure for his mother's terminal illness where most of the townspeople believe she and James are vampires due to their being afflicted from sunlight and the legends about Transylvania that have always plagued the family. The people in the village of North Yorkshire are mostly uneducated with the true ways if the world and fall back on their history of old legends and folklore so they are very unkind and unruly around James who has always been a loner so he knows how to handle himself in most situations until the day he meets the lovely Rosa!
This was a lovely, gothic mystery and romance dealing with Dracula legends and the fear of small towns overcome by their superstition. The story was very well-written and suspenseful at times and I had no idea this was Christian mystery although I feel it is suitable for everyone. The characters were fun and amazing with their personalities relating to those difficult times in history. How difficult to be an independent woman with dreams while being chastised for wanting to be different than the usual cookie cutter mold that was expected of young ladies during that period. I'm definitely glad as a woman to have been born in this century where we can make our own choices of how we wish to live our lives. The author "Michelle Griep" did a superb job with her research of the folklore and history of that era. The book was atmospheric, mystical, entertaining as well as humorous in spots.
There was also an unexpected and seriously fun shout-out and introduction to Bram Stoker as well which I really enjoyed and appreciated. This book was truly an unexpected delight to read. I would gladly read another book written by this author. I must say that the book was more romantic than a scary vampire story which could be disappointing to some if they had other expectations but for myself this book was a wonderful, historical, romantic and suspenseful treat which I highly recommend to all readers!
I want to thank the publisher "Barbour Publishing" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this book a rating of 4 1/2 STUNNING AND SUPERSTITIOUS ...more
An unexpected journey into the past while trying to save a couple of lives could possibly have dire consequences for so many who exist in the present An unexpected journey into the past while trying to save a couple of lives could possibly have dire consequences for so many who exist in the present time frame since any changes that mysterious Constance makes could alter the future that Pendergast has carefully maintained for Constance who is quite an enigma for any who have had the pleasure or displeasure to have had an encounter with her. Professor Pendergast has been devastated since Constance left him and adamantly told him not to follow her but he fears her life is in serious danger from the most evil of men (Dr. Leng). So Pendergast takes Detective D'Agosta into his confidence and tells him they will be taking a trip like no other because they are going to travel back in time to the year 1880 and there is is very good chance that none of them will make it back to their present lives.
What an incredibly good book this was. The storytelling and characters are so intelligent and believable that I felt as if I was walking inside their reality. This book would make a fabulous movie due to all the wonderful, descriptive telling of the scenes taking place in the 1800's from their style of clothing to the way they spoke in New York city during that time including all the sights, sounds and smells of things we could never imagine having to deal with today. Some events sound fun and interesting but there are so many other things that we take for granted today. I could never imagine having to deal with so many indignities, never mind that women are second class citizens with men still ruling the world . (Ugh!). I love the research that Preston & Child utilizes in writing their books since a novel that could seem silly and outlandish becomes a masterpiece with world building and detailed, descriptive nuances to each character's form of speech and also their physical mannerisms. This book was entertaining, thrilling, mysterious, intriguing and non-stop serious fun while still being very dark and dangerous. The only problem I had with this terrific book was the ending, a CLIFFHANGER! I just wish I knew that before reading the book. Yes, I would still have read it but I wouldn't have been left with anger and frustration. The next book is still being written so I can't wait to find out when it will be published because I will be impatiently waiting just like so many other fans who are also waiting. I read this as a stand-alone and it was wonderful but I would suggest reading the previous book first to give more background on the characters.
I want to thank the publisher "Grand Central Publishing" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this terrific book a rating of 4 1/2 INTRIGUING AND MYSTIFYING ...more
Anni Halla and all of her relatives have been summoned to their old home called Metsan Valo whose meaning is "Forest Light" on Lake Superior for the fAnni Halla and all of her relatives have been summoned to their old home called Metsan Valo whose meaning is "Forest Light" on Lake Superior for the funeral and a family reunion of sorts for the reading of the will from their beloved grandmother (Mummo), who had unexpectedly passed away. Anni recalls so many memories of her Mummo telling old Nordic stories of the eerie, enchanted forest surrounding Metsan Valo with the magical little people (Vaki) and talking animals also whispering brooks and all living things that lived within these woods. Some tales would tell of the trickery, spells and mischievous encounters of some of the little folk while other stories told of the magical powers that the Vaki possessed over the land, wind and waters belonging to Metsan Valo. Anni knew these were all old Finnish folklore passed down through the generations but It always seemed Mummo truly believed in these tales and wanted Anni and her family to be aware and respect her feelings and to always be respectful of the woodland and their inhabitants. From the first night Anni arrives she has mixed feelings about her childhood home and begins to experience whispers and shadows and feelings of something ominous in their midst yet she refuses to believe in something otherworldly behind the strange occurrences that begin to multiply and create tension and arguments among the family Anni has always felt happiness and security whenever she stayed at Metsan Valo from her earliest memories as a child and throughout the years so why now is she uncomfortable and feeling fearful with a sense of foreboding when all she ever felt before was love and warmth. When another tragedy strikes the family, Anni knows she must delve into the history of Metsan Valo and explore the hidden secrets of the island to ensure the safety of her family because someone or something malevolent is trying to use fear as a message to make Anni leave Metsan Valo.
I truly enjoyed this eerie and mysterious story that was so uniquely different. There was always an air of spookiness and mystical drama throughout which had me turning the pages very quickly. Wendy Webb was an excellent storyteller and I was hanging onto every word of the history of Metsan Valo and the enchanted forest. Lovely descriptions of the scenery of the forest and the nearby small town on the island had me wanting to know more about all who chose to live on this beautiful island. I can only describe this book as a magical story treat for adults and a great fun to learn some of the Nordic folklore that was researched by this author and spun into a creative and enchanting story of her own. This was my first book by Wendy Webb but it certainly won't be my last!
I highly recommend this novel to any reader who wants to escape and live in a fantasy world for a few hours. I want to thank the publisher "Lake Union Publishing" and Netgalley for the. opportunity to read this wonderful story and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this whimsical book a rating of 4 ENCHANTING ...more
This story takes place in the year 1985 Dominic Sheldrake and his wife Lesley have a five year old son (Toby) of superior intellect but has suffered nThis story takes place in the year 1985 Dominic Sheldrake and his wife Lesley have a five year old son (Toby) of superior intellect but has suffered nocturnal seizures from almost his birth. They have tried everything to help Toby with his condition but nothing has worked until Tony's pediatrician recommends a center called "Safe To Sleep" where other children with his same disorder are being successfully helped. Lesley wants to enroll Toby immediately since his doctor also has her infant son enrolled as well. Dominic has reservations because he wants to research the center more but Lesley has already made the commitment without discussing it with him and this becomes a huge point of contention between the couple. As time goes on, Toby seems to be doing better yet he tells these frightening stories and draws pictures which scare other children about what he sees when he's asleep. Dom becomes nervous and somewhat paranoid because some of these stories are nightmarish reminders of some horrific things he was witnessed and became involved in when he was only thirteen years old at a supposedly Christian school and no-one believed what he claimed to see and hear except his two friends at the time with whom he stays in touch. He wants to take Toby out of the center but Lesley fights him tooth and nail saying Dom doesn't want the best for their son. Lesley thinks there is something mentally wrong with her husband and wants a separation. (What the heck is wrong with this woman). Dominic keeps digging and finds out who the pediatrician really is along with her devil of a father and there is something very wrong and creepy about her infant son Toph (Christopher). The more Dominic digs and the subtofuge he discovers may not leave much time if any to bring his son back from the developing evil that is taking place within the sinister yet small group that have control over the minds of many children along with his wife who appears to have fallen under their spell. Strange and eerie sights and sounds begin to take hold of Dom every day so he now must rely on his friends Bobby (Roberta), a journalist and Jim, a police officer to help save the young children, especially his son before it's too late because pervading evil is residing in their small town and it wants to devour everything and everyone in ITS GRASP.
I really enjoyed this slow-burn horror story which starts out nice and easy with a loving family who are well liked and respected in their community while slowly and eerily building with the feeling of horror just slightly out of sight and reach. The word and world building was very special in creating a sense of creepiness and impending doom within my imagination. The women in this story were completely unlike able for me, I found many very dispicable and obnoxious in their mannerisms. Lesley (I couldn't stand her), she was a terrible mate (imo), she seemed to undermine everything Dominic would say or do especially concerning Toby and she was completely unsupportive and lacked any affection even when he was injured and completely vulnerable. She took advantage of the situation and kept Toby in the program against all of Dom's pleas and then, even contacted a lawyer about divorce! (What a wacko and a cold fish.) It seemed all the women were this way. Lesley was a mess in every way to me and I don't know why he wanted to keep this farce of a marriage together. Lesley seemed to hold all the power and didn't seem to love Dominic (imo, again). So, I guess this made the story all the more intriguing to have all these unlikeable, irritating and strong characters that didn't seem to care about anyone's opinions or feelings except their own. With all that said, the story was atmospheric, psychological eerie, intense, creepy and imaginative. All the spookiness simmers below the surface waiting for your own imagination to take hold of the horrors that lie underneath. This was a 2nd book in a trilogy which I didn't realize at first yet definitely can be read as a stand-alone and I plan to read the first book and can't wait to read the third book in this series. There isn't any fast action until the last 20% of the book and then you won't want to out the book down even for a second. If you enjoy slow-burn horror or just a good horror story without all the bloody gore and slashing that is written in other stories then please, Pick Up This Book!
Warning: There is a character who does exude racism at times so this could be found offensive to some readers but it is only from one character and sadly this was a true fact of life for many people to express themselves openly back in (1985).
I want to thank the writer "Ramsey Campbell", the publisher "Flame Tree Press" and Netgalley for the plot to read this wonderful novel and any thoughts and opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this book a rating of 4 SINISTER AND INTRIGUING ...more
One night Leigh Harker awakens to the feeling of something being wrong. Was she having a bad dream and that woke her from her deep sleep or did she heOne night Leigh Harker awakens to the feeling of something being wrong. Was she having a bad dream and that woke her from her deep sleep or did she hear a noise outside? She lies very still waiting and listening to see if she can understand what woke her up because she has always felt safe in her comfortable and secure home for fifteen years and she has never been afraid of being alone or hearing strange sounds that go "bump in the night", since it is a very old house and that tends to happen. Tonight, however feels different, unsettling somehow and she snuggles deeper within her warm quilt when the hairs on the back of her neck and arms rise up along with goosebumps making her shiver. Slowly Leigh peers towards the opening in her doorway, she holds her breath as she hears footsteps in her hallway just outside of her bedroom, she now sees a large dark shadow stopping right at her door. She wants to reach for her phone but remembers she left it downstairs in the kitchen. Praying this is a nightmare and at any moment she will wake up, but then, suddenly she remembers, as the terror seeps into every bone, muscle and pore in her body, that she always keeps the door completely closed when she goes to bed so that can only mean someone or something is in her house and it's lurking and watching Leigh at this very moment and as her heart is pounding so hard in her chest she truly believes she may die of fright and prays that will happen, rather than come face to face with whatever is Now slowly coming through her bedroom door with what must only have malevolent intentions and Leigh's scream stays frozen her throat as she lays paralyzed with fear!
Well, this story had such a creepy and spooky beginning that there wasn't any way I was putting this book down anytime soon. Darcy Coates writing has a wonderful way of inducing the feeling of chills and creepiness while I was reading her book. What fun it is when I felt some shivers with her deliciously, descriptive and imaginative style that made the story come to life. I just loved the characters especially Leigh who was so vulnerable and likeable. I wasn't sure what was going on for awhile and then the story took some wicked twists where everything came together and made sense by the end of the book. All my questions were answered and then given some extras. Many times throughout the book it would take some really spooky turns and that made the book much more intriguing and mysterious since I really didn't understand what was happening at the time except it was really scary seeing Leigh suffer through a horrific haunting she had no control over. I thought there was some genius and creative moments showing what Leigh was experiencing and the eerie tension that was created was just brilliantly clever at times. This book was a delightful surprise and an unexpected emotional journey following Leigh Harker's Haunting! I have now become a real fan of Darcy Coates and hope to read many more of her books and I highly recommend this one to all readers who love spooky stories that are beautifully written.
I want to thank the publisher "Poisoned Pen Press" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this terrific story and any thoughts and opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this ATMOSPHERIC book a rating of 4 1/2 FEAR INDUCING ...more
Jax's phone continuously rings all night but she refuses to answer when she knows her sister Lexie is in one of her manic states because she went off Jax's phone continuously rings all night but she refuses to answer when she knows her sister Lexie is in one of her manic states because she went off her meds again. Nothing could have prepared her for the news the next day that Lexie had drowned in her pool. Guilt ridden and heart heavy Jax flies immediately out to her grandmother's house which now belongs to Lexie where both girls spent every summer growing up and swimming in the same pool that that has now taken Lexie's life. How could that be? Lexie was an excellent swimmer, a fish in water actually. How could she be gone? Memories come back to Jax about someone else drowning in that pool. This can't happen again, can it?
In 1929 Ethel Monroe's husband whisked her away for a long weekend in Vermont to a new and luxury hotel built over and around a natural spring. Rumor has it the springs have healing abilities and if you make a true wish from your heart that wish will be granted but at what price. Ethel knows these are only stories so what could it hurt if she made a wish. Can wishes really come true at the springs?
Wow! What have I just read? This story was so hauntingly eerie where I was just mesmerized by the atmospheric writing. I could not stop myself from reading page after page into the night needing to know what would happen next. The book is told between two storylines that mesh together perfectly. At some point I'd be so caught up in the surrealistic writing that I wasn't sure if certain events were taking place or just belonging to an overworked imagination. This story was so much more than a mystery/thriller yet too beautiful to be considered horror yet at times it was very creepy along with the feelings of dread that some horror books can skillfully bring into play. I was undecided between 4 - 4 1/2 stars until the shocking and mind-boggling conclusion and there was no doubt that this was a five star book. Again, Wow! I had to re-read the last chapter to make sure I was completely understanding what I had just read. Incredibly fantastic and achingly beautiful!
I want to thank first the author "Jennifer McMahon", the publisher "Gallery Books" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this Incredible story and any thoughts and opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I highly, highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a dark, subtle horror yet filled with brooding suspense and mystery then this book is for you and I have given a rating of 5 Surreal And Captivating ...more
Colleen is madly in love and also five months pregnant and is moving in with Michael who wants to take cA Modern Mystery Based On An Old Cult Classic
Colleen is madly in love and also five months pregnant and is moving in with Michael who wants to take care of her and make her life easier. Michael was Colleen's former employer and he has been separated from his wife for about five months around the same time Colleen got pregnant. (Interesting?). Unbeknownst to Colleen, her new home is a secluded gothic styled mansion (Raven Manor) and immediately she feels the vibes that she is not welcome and the whole household seems to revolve around the mysterious former lady of the house, Joanna. Colleen fears that Michael may be waiting for Joanna to return to Raven Manor when only days after moving in a body is discovered yards away from their home and for Colleen her world will never be the same again
This was a fast and easy read with suspicion and cold characters throughout the story. The last chapter was a devious and unexpected way to end the story which I did appreciate. Unfortunately for me, I thought all the characters were very shallow and unlikable and the book was based on "Rebecca" so I was really looking for that dark and atmospheric storytelling and it just seemed to fall flat rate in that area. There was quite a bit of mystery and questionable motives of all the characters so that did keep the book moving very quickly but I just couldn't connect with any of the personalities involved. Many other reviewers gave high ratings for this book so I do recommend it so you may read it and base your own opinions about the story.
I want to thank the publisher "Random House Publishing and Ballentine Books" and Netgalley for granting my wish and awarding this copy to me and all opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given this book a rating of 2 1/2 Shallow ❇❇⭐ Stars!! ....more
Atmospheric, Erie And Very Creepy! Patrick's aunt Thelma was a renown painter for her mysterious and dark paintings of the woods that often held certaAtmospheric, Erie And Very Creepy! Patrick's aunt Thelma was a renown painter for her mysterious and dark paintings of the woods that often held certain secretive visuals for the viewer to interpret and now she has died under questionable circumstances. Patrick had a close relationship with her and now his fifteen year old son (Roy) who is an avid reader and has found one of her journals and has many questions about her paintings and her life. The twosome decide to go on an adventure to visit some of the places that Thelma had last painted to find clues of what she wanted to convey in her latest works that is, until Roy meets his new girlfriend Bella who is also somewhat of a mysterious young girl and is very, very interested in Thelma's paintings and journal. There are many surprises around this trio and the darkness will descend without any of them truly realizing what is happening around themselves and hopefully it won't be too late for the light to prevail.
This was a very good atmospheric horror story told with a slow burn and vivid descriptions of scenery and landscapes that gave a eerie and haunting feeling to me. I had a hard time initially getting into the book due to heavy English phrasing but after 20 percent into reading, I fell in love with the writing and found it absolutely perfect for this storytelling. I will never feel quite the same when I enter the woods again without wondering what may be really lurking within.
I highly recommend this book for tried and true horror fans because it is one that should be not be missed. I want to thank the publisher "Flame Tree Press" and Netgalley for give allowing the opportunity to read this wonderfully creepy book!
I have given this story a rating of 4 Creepy and Surreal ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Stars!!...more
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