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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
“In a House of Ghosts, the Living Await, Their Certain Fate”
As the First World War enters its most brutal phase, back home in England everyone is seeking answers to the darkness that has seeped into their lives. At Blackwater Abbey, a spiritualist gathering is commencing in order to try and contact relatives that are lost in conflict. When a storm descends on the island the guests find themselves trapped. Soon one of their numbers will die.
This is a real “whodunnit” book! It reminded me very much of a murder mystery weekend with an added factor of the afterlife or in between life. It is a real page turner and for the last half of the book I was convinced that I knew who was responsible. How wrong was i?!
I was very lucky to be sent this book from readers first before it was published. It was a real page turner and beautifully written. The detail on the hardcover is wonderful and there is no dust sheet so you can see the beauty of it throughout your read.
As the First World War enters its most brutal phase, back home in England everyone is seeking answers to the darkness that has seeped into their lives. At Blackwater Abbey, a spiritualist gathering is commencing in order to try and contact relatives that are lost in conflict. When a storm descends on the island the guests find themselves trapped. Soon one of their numbers will die.
This is a real “whodunnit” book! It reminded me very much of a murder mystery weekend with an added factor of the afterlife or in between life. It is a real page turner and for the last half of the book I was convinced that I knew who was responsible. How wrong was i?!
I was very lucky to be sent this book from readers first before it was published. It was a real page turner and beautifully written. The detail on the hardcover is wonderful and there is no dust sheet so you can see the beauty of it throughout your read.
Very good very intriguing... some bits were a bit off but otherwise a really good book.
So disappointed that such an interesting plot was let down by amateurish writing and a cheesy love plot. Donovan was insufferable.
2.5
This isn’t at all what I was expecting.
The story had its creepy moments but it was so bogged down in repetition and tedium that the overall effect was rather spoilt. It was one of those rare times where I was bored while reading.
In addition, it was a bit too “military” for my interests and thoroughly lacked any spookiness.
The ending was rather weak and rushed after how glacial the pace had been in the first 400 pages.
I think a few solid rounds with an editor would have improved this book a bit. I can’t say that I’d recommend it, though. If you do proceed, be wary that the title is a misnomer.
This isn’t at all what I was expecting.
The story had its creepy moments but it was so bogged down in repetition and tedium that the overall effect was rather spoilt. It was one of those rare times where I was bored while reading.
In addition, it was a bit too “military” for my interests and thoroughly lacked any spookiness.
The ending was rather weak and rushed after how glacial the pace had been in the first 400 pages.
I think a few solid rounds with an editor would have improved this book a bit. I can’t say that I’d recommend it, though. If you do proceed, be wary that the title is a misnomer.
Listened to the audiobook version. Absolutely perfect for Halloween season- early 20th century Great Britain, ghosts, an isolated estate on a stormy island, seances. What more could be asked for in a book for spooky season? Not “high literature” but nonetheless well written with an entertaining cast of characters. Would highly recommend on an autumn night.
A good bait and switch - lure me in with ghosts, then use the ghosts as glorified set dressing for a slightly silly but very fun spy-caper-meets-murder-mystery which plays with all the usual tropes, but is so propulsive and engaging that you fall in love with it. This was perfect for late nights over Christmas and I would love a sequel about Kate and Donovan.
Would have loved to have ghosts more directly involved in the plot, though.
Would have loved to have ghosts more directly involved in the plot, though.
informative
mysterious
medium-paced