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latad_books's review against another edition
4.0
Kept reading late into the night. Did think that Alex got off too easily for lying as much as he did.
bzzlarabzz's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a while to relax into this one. I think the clear tributes to Rebecca were distracting. Rebecca is one of my very favorite books and there's just no way to live up to its standard in my eyes. But the unrelenting gothic-ness of this story won me over. I eventually became rapt within its dramatic tale of war, an independent young woman, a missing husband, a (mostly) self-made and severe lady, a haunted country manor, and a tangled family history, all near a provincial town filled with resentful residents. It's no Rebecca, but it's pretty dang good.
lefthandedbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
It's 3:30 am at my part of the world right now. Am wide awake because I couldn't possibly put this book down and sleep. Finished it in one sitting. Yes, it was that good
otterspacecraft7's review against another edition
4.0
I think this is my favorite Simone St James book so far! While similar with some themes in the Other Side of Midnight, it was still enjoyable as it’s own unique thing.
klvaeni's review against another edition
5.0
Honestly, I could just keep reading her books forever. Which is a bummer because I now have read them all. I just love them. I love the mystery, I love the atmosphere, I love the whiff (or more!) of ghosts, I love the romance, I love the ladies, I love the Britishness...I just love it. I love who I am when I read these books.
casualcostumer's review against another edition
3.0
It was SO GOOD until the "familiar stranger" showed up. The first half was, as I described in my comments, "deliciously gothic". But the second half was like a completely different book - mystery/romance. I much preferred the first half, and I give it 5 stars. The second half gets 2 stars.
sdecoste's review against another edition
3.0
Jo Manders lost her RAF pilot husband Alex during the war. Although his body was never recovered, she has spent the past three years trying to survive and support her mother who is institutionalized. Forced to take a job as companion to Alex's demanding Aunt Dottie, the two travel the continent, collecting art, and then return to Dottie's country home, Wych Elm House. The locals say it's haunted after Dottie's daughter commits suicide and another body is found in the surrounding woods. And much to my dismay, there is a ghost in the story. I'm not very fond of ghost stories. I wish this story of murder and spies had been told on its own merits.
charlottelynn's review against another edition
4.0
There is nothing that endears a book to me quicker than a strong woman as the lead characters. This describes Jo Manders. At first she may not appear as such but she is. She proves it in her everyday existence. The way she takes the loss of her husband, Alex, to heart and then manages to keep herself alive and well is amazing. It is not a great life, it is not an easy life, but it is a life. She has so much to keep herself busy with. There is a death to solve, a family history to explore, and so much more.
I enjoy the era that this book took place in. The era around World War II is my absolute favorite. The changes that happen during this time amaze me. The motor cars, the grand houses, and the changes within cultures never manage to turn me away from reading a good book.
I found it interesting how Dottie, Alex’s aunt, is so in charge. She not only runs the family but she is an art dealer. She meets interesting people, makes deals, and keeps the money coming into the family. She also takes Jo under her wing. Dottie is not always nice to Jo, usually she is downright mean to her. Yet she does manage to keep Jo safe, healthy, and with shelter.
The middle of the book is the best, the ending is even better. Lost Among the Living is a book that starts great and just gets better and better as the story goes on. I recommend checking out as soon as possible.
I enjoy the era that this book took place in. The era around World War II is my absolute favorite. The changes that happen during this time amaze me. The motor cars, the grand houses, and the changes within cultures never manage to turn me away from reading a good book.
I found it interesting how Dottie, Alex’s aunt, is so in charge. She not only runs the family but she is an art dealer. She meets interesting people, makes deals, and keeps the money coming into the family. She also takes Jo under her wing. Dottie is not always nice to Jo, usually she is downright mean to her. Yet she does manage to keep Jo safe, healthy, and with shelter.
The middle of the book is the best, the ending is even better. Lost Among the Living is a book that starts great and just gets better and better as the story goes on. I recommend checking out as soon as possible.
jenneb_readingjournal's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I thought this book could use a bit more editing, as the pace tended to slow at times