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A review by sophee_568
Mosaic by Catherine McCarthy
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Robin Griffiths receives a letter from one Jonathan Hargreaves, the Chairman of Bilbury Parish Council, offering her the job of restoring a stained-glass window on a thirteenth-century church. At first glance, Robin is suspicious - who sends a letter when they could easily mail or phone, but her curiosity and child-like wonder get the best of her. While driving through Bilbury looking for Coppersgate Woods, where the church is situated, Robin's thoughts are plagued by paranoia. Her unease resolves once she meets the unassuming Mr. Hargreaves. He looks like someone's grandpa, not like a deceitful scammer. As Robin gets acquainted with the church in the following week, she battles her inner doubts and fears over whether the job is real or a cover-up for something. Soon she becomes enamored with the stained glass window she needs to repair. The window seems to have portrayed St. Sannan, the saint the church was named after. The more Robin works on the window, the more bizarre the whole figure in the window seems. And why does she feel a constant presence in the church? Why is the crow watching her and attempting to communicate? Odd events start piling up as Robin gets closer to unraveling the truth about the old decrepit church.
Mosaic is a clever little novel. The premise is interesting in itself, but the execution is marvelous. McCarthy told a meticulous story of a troubled woman treading into uncharted territory. Her character work on Robin is incredible. Robin feels like an actual person. The way the author incorporated Robin's childhood trauma into the narrative by having Robin internalize her father's nagging criticism works so well. We notice how the more time she spends in the church, the more prominently her anxiety and paranoia surface. But it may not be an entirely bad thing. With every move she makes, her father's voice rings in her head, condemning her. Robin tries her best to play devil's advocate with her thoughts, but in the end, she must face her past.
McCarthy's writing is descriptive and atmospheric, and it lures you into the story. While reading, I saw every moment of the story so vividly in my mind's eye. I could picture what the church and the backyard looked like, how Robin tirelessly worked on the window, and how the crow followed Robin's every move. The descriptions of Robin working on the window were an equally engrossing part of the narrative, just the creepy scenes. McCarthy sprinkled little details throughout the story, which allowed the story to culminate shockingly. The more I thought about the whole story, the more I realized how clever it all is.
I did not rate the book five stars because I wanted more backstory on the deity. We only get its name and brief description. I think the author built this story on a deity another author already invented and used, which is not a bad thing per se, but I wanted her to explore it. I wondered why St. Sannan's church was home to the deity and what it wanted from people. But the principles of cosmic horror prevent the story from providing any answers. Still, the author could have maneuvered more lore into the story. Also, the ending is odd, and I am uncertain if it works in the story's favor.
Thank you to BookSirens for the review copy!
Mosaic is a clever little novel. The premise is interesting in itself, but the execution is marvelous. McCarthy told a meticulous story of a troubled woman treading into uncharted territory. Her character work on Robin is incredible. Robin feels like an actual person. The way the author incorporated Robin's childhood trauma into the narrative by having Robin internalize her father's nagging criticism works so well. We notice how the more time she spends in the church, the more prominently her anxiety and paranoia surface. But it may not be an entirely bad thing. With every move she makes, her father's voice rings in her head, condemning her. Robin tries her best to play devil's advocate with her thoughts, but in the end, she must face her past.
McCarthy's writing is descriptive and atmospheric, and it lures you into the story. While reading, I saw every moment of the story so vividly in my mind's eye. I could picture what the church and the backyard looked like, how Robin tirelessly worked on the window, and how the crow followed Robin's every move. The descriptions of Robin working on the window were an equally engrossing part of the narrative, just the creepy scenes. McCarthy sprinkled little details throughout the story, which allowed the story to culminate shockingly. The more I thought about the whole story, the more I realized how clever it all is.
I did not rate the book five stars because I wanted more backstory on the deity. We only get its name and brief description. I think the author built this story on a deity another author already invented and used, which is not a bad thing per se, but I wanted her to explore it. I wondered why St. Sannan's church was home to the deity and what it wanted from people. But the principles of cosmic horror prevent the story from providing any answers. Still, the author could have maneuvered more lore into the story. Also, the ending is odd, and I am uncertain if it works in the story's favor.
Thank you to BookSirens for the review copy!