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duffjam's review against another edition
5.0
This book was SO GOOD. Not only with the storyline and the twists but I loved the writing and the characters. This author is definitely becoming one of my favourites, 10/10 this book was. I didn’t want it to end
d0nnaw0ng's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I enjoyed this book, but I didn't love it. This is my second book of hers. I enjoyed The Sun Down Motel more. This one was going at a reasonable pace, and I was intrigued to read more to find out what happens next. However, I wasn't as invested into it til about halfway in.
I was surprised about Margaret's real identity. I didn't think much about Margaret Eden until the chapter before when Katie met Joseph, and then it all fell into place. I didn't think that Fiona would have met other friends of Katie till they showed up in her hospital room. I did wish it was more suspenseful and spooky, but it was enough to get me in the mood to read more spooky books!
I am also glad that they all had closure at the end of it; Fiona with her sister's death, why Mary Hand kept lurking around Idelwood and Sonia's death.
I will read her other books!
I was surprised about Margaret's real identity. I didn't think much about Margaret Eden until the chapter before when Katie met Joseph, and then it all fell into place. I didn't think that Fiona would have met other friends of Katie till they showed up in her hospital room. I did wish it was more suspenseful and spooky, but it was enough to get me in the mood to read more spooky books!
I am also glad that they all had closure at the end of it; Fiona with her sister's death, why Mary Hand kept lurking around Idelwood and Sonia's death.
I will read her other books!
ladypelletier's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
cihi3290's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
bethanylauren's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
bbrassfield's review against another edition
4.0
Ghost stories are probably my first horror love as a reader, going back to Peter Straub's Ghost Story, which I read when it was new and still very young. This compelling ghost story by Simone St James has some elements in common with Straub's novel. The plotting here is quite good as the story moves back and forth between 1950 and 2014. There is loads of atmosphere and the small Vermont town and old private school make for excellent ghost story venues. Most importantly, the ghost is real! I love novels where the ghost is real! The author writes a pretty great ghost story that ends up encompassing much more than just the first ghost to appear and most of the plot twists are fairly hard to guess far in advance. The characters from 2014 are all dealing with their own ghosts, real or imagined, and it's fun to follow the trail of evidence and investigation since one of the leads is a journalist digging up the past in order to put to rest her own ghosts. The connections come together at the end for a satisfying finish.
bookly68's review against another edition
5.0
A fantastic creepy gothic mystery with romance romance!! I had a hard time putting it down, and when I did I couldn’t stop thinking about it. This is my second Simone St. James book, and her writing is ah-mazing!! Highly recommended!!!