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sarahweyand's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
It's a rare thing for me to experience real fear while reading a book. Most of the time there's a sense of distance between myself and the events I'm reading (it's not like a book is going to jumpscare me the way a movie might). It turns out all I need to be absolutely terrified while reading is a well-written, horrific man in the 50s. The visceral feelings of claustrophobia and entrapment that plagued me while reading was something I've never gotten form a book before. While there are , of course, some horror supernatural elements to this story, the misogyny and abuse and feelings of helplessness experienced by our protagonist were so real and so possible it made me almost ill (complimentary!).
I liked our characters and the relationships between them (and I loved to hate/fear the bad ones). I thought the plot was interesting and the execution was well-done. I also liked the ending, even if I feel it didn't really macth with the rest of the story.
TLDR; keep an eye on Paulette Kennedy, because this was a real winner.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Self harm, Death, and Sexism
Minor: Child abuse
loganreadshorror's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Toxic relationship, Murder, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Child abuse, and Misogyny
Moderate: Alcoholism, Car accident, and Abortion
Minor: Infidelity, Vomit, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
elenamariethirteen's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Murder, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma, and Domestic abuse
reading_and_roaming20's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
THE DEVIL AND MRS. DAVENPORT is such an interesting combination of genres. Who knew that 50s historical gothic paranormal mystery would work so well? It’s not too dark and it’s not too creepy but it will scratch a horror itch with spirits from the other side while also hooking you with Mrs. Davenport herself.
The story follows Loretta as she grapples with her abusive, controlling husband (in a time where that was totally a-ok with society) and newfound psychic abilities. When a local girl is murdered, Loretta becomes entangled in the mystery by way of visions and visitations from the girl’s spirit. The character development is fantastic and I absolutely adored watching Loretta grow into the confident woman her husband was gaslighting and berating her into thinking she could never be.
I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who is into any one of the genres that are tied together to create this story. I definitely plan to check out other works from PAULETTE KENNEDY after loving this one so, so much! (I rounded down to 4 stars but it’ll be a 4.5 on StoryGraph.)
CW NOTE :: There are scenes containing a multitude of abuses, so this is just a heads up to consider CWs on @the.storygraph before reading.
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Car accident, Emotional abuse, Body shaming, and Death of parent
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Self harm, and Infidelity
Minor: Alcoholism
velsbooknook's review
5.0
The story follows Loretta, a young mom in the 1950's. Living an isolated and uneventful life, with her two children and husband, until a local girl gets murdered and Loretta starts to gets visions from beyond.
This book was a mix of historical fiction, mystery and horror. I was captivated from the beginning and I can't remember a time I was that invested in a story and its characters.
The book shows the social norms and especially misogyny in the 1950's very well and it's making Loretta's life living hell. I think she was such a well rounded character and I was rooting for her and her dreams from the first minute. My heart shattered later in the book and I don't want to think about people, outside this fictional world, going through the horrors Loretta had to face.
I loved the side characters and even though this book has some very dark moments there are also equally beautiful scenes between the characters.
The Devil and Mrs. Davenport is not an easy read but if you feel ok after reading content warnings I highly recommend picking this one up. I would love to write more about this amazing novel but I also don't want to spoil the story for you, so I'll stop here. I will be thinking about this book for a long time.
Thank you to Paulette Kennedy, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual assault, Car accident, Cancer, Murder, Child death, Alcoholism, Sexual violence, Violence, Self harm, Abortion, Misogyny, and Domestic abuse
anothergirlanotherbook's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual assault, Addiction, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Alcoholism
dclazygirl's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Self harm, and Murder
Minor: Racism, Bullying, Homophobia, and Child abuse