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A review by novellearts
The Secrets of Blackthorn House by Marie McWilliams
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
4.5/5 stars rounded up.
I have a huge weakness for gothic, haunted houses and this completely delivered. This was such an atmospheric and unsettling story. I particularly loved the moments where our main character, Evelyn, was first starting to experience the ghosts within Blackthorn House. Her fear and curiosity were handled extremely well.
I really loved the dynamics between the women in this book. I thought the writing was beautiful as were the descriptions. I liked how the reader very quickly is able to get a taste of the type of person that Peter, Evelyn's wife, is going to be. This is a book that has some sensitive content yet it isn't overdone, in my opinion. That being said, you can either check the bottom of this review for some of the content warnings that I tagged or check the back pages of this book for the author's included CWs.
This was a medium to slow paced book but it didn't feel boring to me at any point. While the ending was a bit predictable to me, it was so satisfying that I found myself not minding. This is definitely going to be a book that I purchase once we reach the publication date. This was my first book that I've read by Marie McWilliams and I will definitely read more by her in the future.
Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7545105478
Fable Review: https://fable.co/review/049d434d-01aa-4ccd-a2a0-3338fc90c944/share
I have a huge weakness for gothic, haunted houses and this completely delivered. This was such an atmospheric and unsettling story. I particularly loved the moments where our main character, Evelyn, was first starting to experience the ghosts within Blackthorn House. Her fear and curiosity were handled extremely well.
I really loved the dynamics between the women in this book. I thought the writing was beautiful as were the descriptions. I liked how the reader very quickly is able to get a taste of the type of person that Peter, Evelyn's wife, is going to be. This is a book that has some sensitive content yet it isn't overdone, in my opinion. That being said, you can either check the bottom of this review for some of the content warnings that I tagged or check the back pages of this book for the author's included CWs.
This was a medium to slow paced book but it didn't feel boring to me at any point. While the ending was a bit predictable to me, it was so satisfying that I found myself not minding. This is definitely going to be a book that I purchase once we reach the publication date. This was my first book that I've read by Marie McWilliams and I will definitely read more by her in the future.
Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7545105478
Fable Review: https://fable.co/review/049d434d-01aa-4ccd-a2a0-3338fc90c944/share
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Suicide