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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Coram House has a great premise: in 1968, a boy vanishes from a Vermont orphanage, and fifty years later, a struggling true-crime writer attempts to uncover the truth. Add in a body in the lake, creepy nuns, and a fictional story based on actual horrifying history? I was in. At least, I wanted to be.
The story is atmospheric and unsettling in all the right ways. When it's good, it's great — especially the courtroom transcripts, which were a surprising highlight. But overall, the pacing dragged. I didn't really connect with any of the characters, including Alex, our main character, and that made the slow burn feel more like a slog at times.
Still, the real-life inspiration behind the story gave me chills, and I respect what Seybolt was trying to do. I'll check out more from the author in the future.
If you're a fan of cold-case mysteries, layered narratives, and slow-building dread, Coram House is for you!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced reader's copy; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The story is atmospheric and unsettling in all the right ways. When it's good, it's great — especially the courtroom transcripts, which were a surprising highlight. But overall, the pacing dragged. I didn't really connect with any of the characters, including Alex, our main character, and that made the slow burn feel more like a slog at times.
Still, the real-life inspiration behind the story gave me chills, and I respect what Seybolt was trying to do. I'll check out more from the author in the future.
If you're a fan of cold-case mysteries, layered narratives, and slow-building dread, Coram House is for you!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced reader's copy; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was such a captivating experience from beginning to end. The way it weaved together the present and the past created an atmosphere that felt vivid and haunting all at once. I found myself completely immersed in the setting, almost like I was living within the story’s world.
There was a strong sense of eeriness and sadness throughout, but it never felt overwhelming—rather, it added depth and emotional weight to the narrative. The writing itself was beautifully done, with a style that drew me in and made me want to savor every word.
What really stood out were the interviews scattered throughout the book. They were so well-crafted and engaging that I felt like I was part of the conversation, uncovering secrets bit by bit. Honestly, I could have read the entire book just through those interviews—they were that compelling.
Overall, this book left a lasting impression on me. It wasn’t just a story; it was an experience that stayed with me long after I finished reading.
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes