Scan barcode
100pagesaday's review against another edition
5.0
Long after the Salem Witch Trials in 1692, another seemingly familiar tragedy has struck the town. In 1989, three young women were brutally murdered at the alleged site of the original hangings. The women were attempting to consecrate the ground in remembrance of their ancestors, the women that were hanged. The murdered women were dubbed the Goddesses and had seemingly bewitched the town, especially the men. There were two survivors, five year old Callie Cahill, whose mother was among the murdered and historian Rose Whelan who had brought the women together and looked after them. After the murders, Callie was taken in by a group of nuns in another town and Rose was left mentally unstable, a suspect in a crime she could never commit. Presently, Salem's police chief John Rafferty would love to solve the 25 year old cold case, but has never had a reason to open it up. However, when the now homeless Rose is wrapped up in another death, John wants to clear her name for good. Rose ends up on the news and, much to Callie's surprise, she learns Rose is alive. Callie races back to Salem to help the woman she once called her aunt. When Callie arrives, the suppressed memories begin floating back and she suspects that there is more than just foul play, and perhaps some magic may be involved.
This was a very intriguing murder mystery with just enough elements of the paranormal woven through to keep me guessing and enough history brought in to keep my interest. I do really wish I had known that this was the second book in a series, but I didn't feel like I was missing anything. One of the really interesting aspects for me was Rose's banshee. I enjoyed learning about the different stories of banshee mythology as well as having the belief that the banshee could actually be responsible for the crimes. The author did a wonderful job of playing the natural and supernatural and bringing them together. I also really liked the idea that no witches existed in 1692, but what happened to the women caused many witches to exist now. There were several mysteries at play in the story: who murdered the Goddesses? How were the Goddesses connected to the hanged women? and where was the missing Goddess? The mysteries were all woven together well and I did not feel overwhelmed. I really had no idea which element was responsible for what and I truly had no idea who was responsible for the murders till very near the end. Callie and Rose were amazing characters. Although Rose has a mental illness, I never felt like her character was belittled or demeaned, and Callie's faith in Rose was heartwarming. Callie, who could have been easily taken advantage of was continuously strong and confident in herself and grew in her abilities. Overall, this is a complex modern-day murder mystery that artfully weaves in history and aspects of the paranormal that makes this book hard to put down.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
This was a very intriguing murder mystery with just enough elements of the paranormal woven through to keep me guessing and enough history brought in to keep my interest. I do really wish I had known that this was the second book in a series, but I didn't feel like I was missing anything. One of the really interesting aspects for me was Rose's banshee. I enjoyed learning about the different stories of banshee mythology as well as having the belief that the banshee could actually be responsible for the crimes. The author did a wonderful job of playing the natural and supernatural and bringing them together. I also really liked the idea that no witches existed in 1692, but what happened to the women caused many witches to exist now. There were several mysteries at play in the story: who murdered the Goddesses? How were the Goddesses connected to the hanged women? and where was the missing Goddess? The mysteries were all woven together well and I did not feel overwhelmed. I really had no idea which element was responsible for what and I truly had no idea who was responsible for the murders till very near the end. Callie and Rose were amazing characters. Although Rose has a mental illness, I never felt like her character was belittled or demeaned, and Callie's faith in Rose was heartwarming. Callie, who could have been easily taken advantage of was continuously strong and confident in herself and grew in her abilities. Overall, this is a complex modern-day murder mystery that artfully weaves in history and aspects of the paranormal that makes this book hard to put down.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
jkkb332's review against another edition
5.0
Really, really enjoyed this one. I absolutely did NOT figure out the ending (even though I cared enough to try to). There were so many twists and turns in this book, not to mention some extremely subtle red herrings, and just enough info was revealed that I had clues to play around with. The magic in this book is also fairly subtle, and often surreal. I like it that way but I can see how it might frustrate people who prefer concrete explanation for how things happen. I loved the sound healing aspects - what a gift to have! It makes me want to get a singing bowl session myself, I'm sure my chakras could use some alignment. Callie herself is a good main character. She's flawed but likeable, and has pretty consistent motives and reactions. Actually, all of the main characters could be described that way, in their own unique ways. Because they ARE unique characters - none of them feel ripped out of other books or like walking clichés. They're all fully developed, complex people with complex histories and realistic personalities.
My only single complaint is that there were two dramatic parts of the book where Barry stopped a chapter in the middle of a tense scene happening in present tense, with the following chapter describing the event after it had happened. I don't want to be told what happened after the fact, and especially not when I was literally in the middle of experiencing it with the characters already.
Ultimately, though, that is a very minor gripe with what is a very good book.
My only single complaint is that there were two dramatic parts of the book where Barry stopped a chapter in the middle of a tense scene happening in present tense, with the following chapter describing the event after it had happened. I don't want to be told what happened after the fact, and especially not when I was literally in the middle of experiencing it with the characters already.
Ultimately, though, that is a very minor gripe with what is a very good book.
hippiechick56's review against another edition
2.0
It started out interesting but lost the path in the middle and finished ok.
tobyyy's review against another edition
5.0
Goodness, I love Brunonia Barry’s books! The plot is definitely slower than some, a for-sure slow burn, but her writing is beautiful, her characters come alive on the pages, and the setting (Salem) is clearly one that is close to her heart.
This was a perfect read for October, too. Not quite a full blown #SpookyRead, but close enough for me to feel the witchy vibes, especially in the first part of the book.
Beautiful. Sad. Atmospheric. Lovely. Alive.
Definitely recommend for readers who enjoy slow-burn plots and meticulously crafted characters. And a locale that also comes alive.
This was a perfect read for October, too. Not quite a full blown #SpookyRead, but close enough for me to feel the witchy vibes, especially in the first part of the book.
Beautiful. Sad. Atmospheric. Lovely. Alive.
Definitely recommend for readers who enjoy slow-burn plots and meticulously crafted characters. And a locale that also comes alive.
bekahhh_bostick's review against another edition
2.0
The fact that it took me 200 pages to get into it made me so disappointed. It could cut at least 150-200 pages to make it not drag on so long. I also felt like it was rushed at the end because they’d already hit the 400 page mark- they tried to wrap it up too quickly. The history was interesting but it made the book drag on so long. Overall, I was so excited to read this but it was just entirely too disappointing
greenvillemelissa's review against another edition
4.0
Book #112 Read in 2016
The Fifth Petal by Brunonia Barry
This book was a great read for Halloween time, set in Salem and dealing with witches. Characters from Barry's book The Lace Reader make an appearance. A murder happened years ago where four women were killed. Rose was a suspect then. Present day, Rose is taken into custody for killing a teenage boy. Did she? There is more to this story than meets the idea....history of Salem townspeople past and present comes into play. Written well, this book is a good read. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
The Fifth Petal by Brunonia Barry
This book was a great read for Halloween time, set in Salem and dealing with witches. Characters from Barry's book The Lace Reader make an appearance. A murder happened years ago where four women were killed. Rose was a suspect then. Present day, Rose is taken into custody for killing a teenage boy. Did she? There is more to this story than meets the idea....history of Salem townspeople past and present comes into play. Written well, this book is a good read. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
celsius273's review against another edition
I did not realize that this was book 2 until about half way through. However, I don't think this fact actually contributes to my DNF. It was not confusing at all despite not having read the first book.
The problem was (is?) that it was boring. I mean it has an okay concepts with real witches and everything, but I can't tell what direction it's going and the mystery aspect isn't even mixed in really nicely IMO. Nothing really to loathe so it's not a 1 star, but it's just not holding my attention at all.
The problem was (is?) that it was boring. I mean it has an okay concepts with real witches and everything, but I can't tell what direction it's going and the mystery aspect isn't even mixed in really nicely IMO. Nothing really to loathe so it's not a 1 star, but it's just not holding my attention at all.
emelbee's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 - 3 stars. I listened to it, which may account for the low score. Listening to "X said" "Y said" constantly got really annoying. It was also a slow lead to the climax. I'm not sure I'll read any of the others in the 'series.'
marshaskrypuch's review against another edition
1.0
A novel cluttered with so many sub-threads that it's hard to settle in. This sounded like a thriller but it's more like crime-porn, where murder is just a vehicle for titillation. Not my kind of book.
Thank you, netgalley, for the e-review copy.
Thank you, netgalley, for the e-review copy.
electablue's review against another edition
2.0
I read about 35% of this, but just couldn't finish it. It seemed way too long and wordy and it had been so long ago that I read Lace Reader that I had a hard time connecting to the characters and caring about any of them. I may re-read the Lace Reader and try it again later, but there are just too many other books that I am excited about reading to continue now.