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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
This gothic in the traditional style walks a fine line between homage and parody. The purple prose is somewhat more suited to the 1940s flashbacks but sounds silly in the modern timeline. I also felt skipping a generation was a mistake since almost nothing is learned about the modern character's long-lost birth mother. Still, there are some genuinely creepy moments and nice atmosphere in my favorite crumbling English manor house setting.
I had so hoped for more gothic weirdness than I got here. The lives of the people in Winterborne, from the de Greys to their staff and nannies, are isolated and fraught with mysterious deaths, something that American Rachel doesn't know when she inherits the deserted house. Compelled to find her roots (she was adopted), she travels to England and the ends of Cornwall to explore the house and consider selling it, but then.. well... love with a local and weird events in the house start to happen. All this parallels the story of Alice, the last nanny in the de Grey household, and the things that happen to her that landed her in an insane asylum. And then there's the overbearing American boyfriend/booty call who tries to help Rachel. Of course all the threads come together in unsurprising place. As I said, the gothic overtones were more undertones and the rest was more rich family saga.
eARC provided by publisher.
eARC provided by publisher.
I haven’t been gripped by a contemporary in a VERY long time. This is far from a perfect book. It is clear the author was influenced by many gothic classics, and it felt as though she tried to incorporate all of the tropes. Every single one of them. Despite the ambitiousness, slightly confusing time period and the unabashed references to du Maurier’s Rebecca, the latter happens to be my favourite book which is why I read this one in the first place. So I’d be lying if I said I didn’t absolutely love. It. All.
I loved this gothic and creepy story. It's atmospheric and enthralling, one those book you cannot put down and makes you turn pages like a maniac.
The author is an excellent storyteller and she did a great jobs in balancing the different elements and the dual storyline. The characters are well developed and interesting.
It was an excellent read, strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
The author is an excellent storyteller and she did a great jobs in balancing the different elements and the dual storyline. The characters are well developed and interesting.
It was an excellent read, strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
YES! This is the book I wanted when I picked up Ruth Ware's Turn of the Key. The Woman in the Mirror is so much deeper and richer. It's haunting and spooky and keeps you guessing as to what's real and what's not. I love the alternating time lines between modern times and post-WWII. The story reminded me in tone of one of my favorite books of last year, Wakenhyrst. If you're looking for a haunting story to help you escape from the real madness out there this is the right book for you. I nearly read it straight through last night. It has some of the pulpy elements the a Ware novel would but has well-developed characters and leaves you with no loose ends! Finally a thriller worth 5 stars in my opinion!
Thank you to St Martin's Press and Netgalley for letting me review an ARC of this novel, in exchange for an honest opinion.
Thank you to St Martin's Press and Netgalley for letting me review an ARC of this novel, in exchange for an honest opinion.
A huge thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.
The multiple POVs in this tale of suspense and secrets are compelling and unforgettable. I was inexorably drawn into a world shrouded in mystery and punctuated by loss and betrayal.
Alice and Rachel's parallel stories incorporate classic Gothic elements- the foreboding mansion, the windswept coast, the governess in search of a place to belong. The elements are seamlessly woven together to create an atmosphere of decadence and decay that will enthrall readers.
4.5 Stars.
The multiple POVs in this tale of suspense and secrets are compelling and unforgettable. I was inexorably drawn into a world shrouded in mystery and punctuated by loss and betrayal.
Alice and Rachel's parallel stories incorporate classic Gothic elements- the foreboding mansion, the windswept coast, the governess in search of a place to belong. The elements are seamlessly woven together to create an atmosphere of decadence and decay that will enthrall readers.
4.5 Stars.
I have not read a good authentic Gothic story in a long time. It starts in the late 1800's to present day spanning several generations of a family. In this castle-like estate on the English coastline lurks a dark sinister mystery, a spectral presence looming about casting it's shadow and eeriness. Very good. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it.
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
You get as far from Winterbourne as you can," he warns. "Get far away from him and the de Greys. Because if you don't, you'll be next."
3.5⭐
Here are some aspects that I enjoyed about this gothic thriller:
It was a very atmospheric read and I loved the setting of Winterbourne, an old large estate on a bluff overlooking the English countryside and the sea.
I like how it has dual storylines with shared connections. Present day Rachel, an art gallery curator from New York who unexpectedly inherits then visits Winterbourne to learn about her family history. Alice Miller, hired as governess to the children at Winterbourne in the 1940s, becomes quickly infatuated with the estate and it's occupants, although odd and disturbing events continue to happen.
Gothic story elements such as a changing painting, unknown appearances of scratches on the body, mysterious sightings of a woman, doors that lock on their own, mysterious behavior of the children, swift/unexplainable changes in thinking and desires, and of course the morphed reflection in the mirror.
Although I enjoyed the atmosphere and story elements, I felt like something was missing. This book was not a 'page-turner' and I lacked a connection with the events and characters. It did not give me any strong feelings. I also expected this book to be more spooky since it was advised to "read it with the lights on". I will say, the epilogue spookiness was on point....just wish the rest of the book had that factor too!
3.5⭐
Here are some aspects that I enjoyed about this gothic thriller:
It was a very atmospheric read and I loved the setting of Winterbourne, an old large estate on a bluff overlooking the English countryside and the sea.
I like how it has dual storylines with shared connections. Present day Rachel, an art gallery curator from New York who unexpectedly inherits then visits Winterbourne to learn about her family history. Alice Miller, hired as governess to the children at Winterbourne in the 1940s, becomes quickly infatuated with the estate and it's occupants, although odd and disturbing events continue to happen.
Gothic story elements such as a changing painting, unknown appearances of scratches on the body, mysterious sightings of a woman, doors that lock on their own, mysterious behavior of the children, swift/unexplainable changes in thinking and desires, and of course the morphed reflection in the mirror.
Although I enjoyed the atmosphere and story elements, I felt like something was missing. This book was not a 'page-turner' and I lacked a connection with the events and characters. It did not give me any strong feelings. I also expected this book to be more spooky since it was advised to "read it with the lights on". I will say, the epilogue spookiness was on point....just wish the rest of the book had that factor too!
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes