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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Violence, Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault
Struggling crime writer, Alex Kelley, is risking everything to investigates two murders, decades apart. Set in Burlington, Vermont on the shores of Lake Champlain, Alex is presents the documents for a long closed case of a murder at a local orphanage. As she searches to find the truth for the book, she is not sure she can trust herself or those around her.
This is a twisty atmospheric tale that I binged in a single day! I love the setting and the twist, some I predicted, some not so much, including one that caught me completely off guard. There was one small plot line that I either missed closure or was never closed, but did not detract for the story. A great quick read.
This is a twisty atmospheric tale that I binged in a single day! I love the setting and the twist, some I predicted, some not so much, including one that caught me completely off guard. There was one small plot line that I either missed closure or was never closed, but did not detract for the story. A great quick read.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If you love:
Creepy mysteries, sinister nuns, missing children, true crime, ghost writer turned detective, remote town vibes, is everyone a suspect, cover ups, morally grey, debut novels, then this is the read for you.
This slow burn mystery will suck you in. True crime writer, Alex, accepts a commission to ghost write a story about an old orphanage being redeveloped as luxury condos, and a cover up of abuse by the church. Alex becomes obsessed with a young boy called Tommy who some children said was deliberately drowned in the lake near the orphanage, but the stories are confusing and no records exist of Tommy. Should Alex just write the facts she's been presented with or start her own investigation? Does anyone care about Tommy?
Creepy mysteries, sinister nuns, missing children, true crime, ghost writer turned detective, remote town vibes, is everyone a suspect, cover ups, morally grey, debut novels, then this is the read for you.
This slow burn mystery will suck you in. True crime writer, Alex, accepts a commission to ghost write a story about an old orphanage being redeveloped as luxury condos, and a cover up of abuse by the church. Alex becomes obsessed with a young boy called Tommy who some children said was deliberately drowned in the lake near the orphanage, but the stories are confusing and no records exist of Tommy. Should Alex just write the facts she's been presented with or start her own investigation? Does anyone care about Tommy?
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
No
Meh. The base story-the history of the house was interesting, but I wasn’t invested. Almost DNF early, but got better midway. Influenced by real events, and I think that’s what peeked my interest.
dark
emotional
tense
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Coram House was the book selection for my local book club in May, and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. The real-life horrors of a Vermont orphanage inspire this slow-burn mystery, intertwining past and present crimes in a layered, true crime style.
What I enjoyed:
✨Deep dive into St. Joseph Orphanage's dark past (yes, I googled everything after reading). Seybolt clearly did her research, and it shows.
✨Creepy, atmospheric Vermont setting: Having been to Burlington several times—including wandering the cemetery near St. Joseph Orphanage—I loved how grounded the setting felt. And agree the pho is amazing in Burlington.
✨Twists: Fading memories and misdirection play a big role—and like Alex, I fell for a few red herrings. I absolutely did not guess the killer.
✨Incredible narration: Cassandra Campbell nails it. She adds a layer of cautious uncertainty to Alex as she investigates the crimes. and the full cast adds to that true-crime feel.
If you're into dark, atmospheric mysteries with a strong historical storyline, add this impressive debut to your reading list!