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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Coram House is a fabulous debut novel! I had so many theories and none of them were right. This is a fast paced read with lots of twists and turns that kept me on my toes. Atmospheric and thrilling, with the heartbreaking tale of St. Joseph’s Catholic Orphanage adding a true crime aspect.
mysterious
medium-paced
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Debut novel? Wow. Please write more, Bailey Seybolt!
We chose this novel for our bookstore’s May book club discussion, and I predict the crowd will LOVE “Coram House” for its sensory descriptions, thorough character development, and intricate, fast-moving plot lines.
A few chapters from the end, I announced to my husband that I had it all figured out. A few chapters more and I yelled, “WHAT?!” Multiple things can at the same time be true!
I’ll be recommending this book to readers who enjoy engrossing drama, a sense of “being there,” and the challenge of solving a complex, multi-layered mystery.
We chose this novel for our bookstore’s May book club discussion, and I predict the crowd will LOVE “Coram House” for its sensory descriptions, thorough character development, and intricate, fast-moving plot lines.
A few chapters from the end, I announced to my husband that I had it all figured out. A few chapters more and I yelled, “WHAT?!” Multiple things can at the same time be true!
I’ll be recommending this book to readers who enjoy engrossing drama, a sense of “being there,” and the challenge of solving a complex, multi-layered mystery.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really liked this one. The premise is the ghost writing worked well to set up the MC to investigate without straining credulity (as thrillers sometimes do) or defaulting to the detective model. I also thought the writing was pretty good, with some of the passages around grief being especially poignant, and characters well developed. Looking forward to more from this debut author.
Thanks to netgalley for the ARC!
Thanks to netgalley for the ARC!
Really great for a debut! The mystery is great and even though I predicted who the killer was before the ending, I was still extremely invested in the journey. The protagonist is relatable and the way the author writes grief well. I also appreciated the transcripts of depositions between chapters. The biggest theme and question the author asks and wrestles with is analyzing the difference between justice and retribution. And can justice be served in all situations?
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
There’s something about old orphanages as a story setting that really amps up the atmosphere. History teaches us that horrible conditions and awful abuses occurred at some, which lends to the eerie emotions that are evoked, even when reading fiction. Unsettling, mysterious, tainted….haunted?! Coupled with the fact that they are now a thing of the past, my curiosity always runs rampant on this topic.
Coram House feeds into the lore perfectly. The mystery of a missing boy is central to the story, and the subsequent investigation into the cold case, as well as a recent murder, creates a chilling thriller that I really enjoyed. Even though the novels are unrelated, the overall vibes of this book reminded me of The Broken Girls by Simone St. James. The elements of darkness and the bitterness of winter add to the swell of suspense. A creepy, stunning debut!
Coram House feeds into the lore perfectly. The mystery of a missing boy is central to the story, and the subsequent investigation into the cold case, as well as a recent murder, creates a chilling thriller that I really enjoyed. Even though the novels are unrelated, the overall vibes of this book reminded me of The Broken Girls by Simone St. James. The elements of darkness and the bitterness of winter add to the swell of suspense. A creepy, stunning debut!
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes