sanrodsara's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
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
3.5
natale's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
mes91's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.5
Just what I wanted it to be a gothic creepy mystery in a spooky mansion with a ghost thrown in. A really quick read, definitely recommend.
noveldeelights's review
4.0
In case you are not aware, Rhiannon Ward is an alias for author Sarah Ward. Some of you may be familiar with her absolutely brilliant crime fiction series featuring DC Connie Childs. If you’re not, you know what to do. Anyway, that was all I needed to know when I heard about The Quickening. It marks a bit of a departure from the DC Childs series but fear not, there is still a crime to solve!
The year is 1925. Louisa Drew travels to Clewer Hall in Sussex, where she is to photograph the house and its contents for auction. Clewer Hall hosted an infamous séance years before and Louisa learns that that evening will be recreated during her stay. But why? Slowly but surely, Louisa unravels the secrets of Clewer Hall and its residents.
So, let’s see. A mansion? Secrets and skeletons in closets? A possible haunting? What more could you possibly ask for? I immediately got excited and couldn’t wait to get stuck into this story. It quickly becomes apparent that The Quickening is more than just a murder mystery. By placing the story in this particular time period, Rhiannon Ward is able to shine a spotlight on the tough times many families went through even after the First World War had ended. Many lost fathers, husbands and sons. And so séances and the, highly remotely, possibility of reconnecting with loved lost ones was a hugely popular thing. Of course, many took this as an opportunity to earn some easy money. Is Ada, the medium at Clewer Hall, a charlatan too?
The women who had to take care of themselves during the war were suddenly meant to go back to their spot in the kitchen. This is true for Louisa as well. She is on her second marriage and despite the financial struggle they find themselves in, her husband would prefer her not to work at all. Will defying him get her into trouble? And why is everyone at Clewer Hall seemingly so fascinated by the fact that Louisa is pregnant?
A healthy dose of historical fiction with a dash of a ghost story and a pinch of a murder mystery turns into an intriguing and captivating gothic tale. Personally I felt there was a bit of a dip in the second half of the novel but I still enjoyed it immensely. The Quickening is captivating, compelling, claustrophobic and has a constant sense of impending doom. Rhiannon Ward’s writing is wonderfully descriptive and immersive, making me feel I was right there in the chilling mansion. As for the mysteries, I thought I had everything figured out, basking in my smugness throughout, and was proven utterly wrong. I do so love it when that happens. Thoroughly enjoyed this one and I hope there will be more of Rhiannon Ward in this genre!
The year is 1925. Louisa Drew travels to Clewer Hall in Sussex, where she is to photograph the house and its contents for auction. Clewer Hall hosted an infamous séance years before and Louisa learns that that evening will be recreated during her stay. But why? Slowly but surely, Louisa unravels the secrets of Clewer Hall and its residents.
So, let’s see. A mansion? Secrets and skeletons in closets? A possible haunting? What more could you possibly ask for? I immediately got excited and couldn’t wait to get stuck into this story. It quickly becomes apparent that The Quickening is more than just a murder mystery. By placing the story in this particular time period, Rhiannon Ward is able to shine a spotlight on the tough times many families went through even after the First World War had ended. Many lost fathers, husbands and sons. And so séances and the, highly remotely, possibility of reconnecting with loved lost ones was a hugely popular thing. Of course, many took this as an opportunity to earn some easy money. Is Ada, the medium at Clewer Hall, a charlatan too?
The women who had to take care of themselves during the war were suddenly meant to go back to their spot in the kitchen. This is true for Louisa as well. She is on her second marriage and despite the financial struggle they find themselves in, her husband would prefer her not to work at all. Will defying him get her into trouble? And why is everyone at Clewer Hall seemingly so fascinated by the fact that Louisa is pregnant?
A healthy dose of historical fiction with a dash of a ghost story and a pinch of a murder mystery turns into an intriguing and captivating gothic tale. Personally I felt there was a bit of a dip in the second half of the novel but I still enjoyed it immensely. The Quickening is captivating, compelling, claustrophobic and has a constant sense of impending doom. Rhiannon Ward’s writing is wonderfully descriptive and immersive, making me feel I was right there in the chilling mansion. As for the mysteries, I thought I had everything figured out, basking in my smugness throughout, and was proven utterly wrong. I do so love it when that happens. Thoroughly enjoyed this one and I hope there will be more of Rhiannon Ward in this genre!
lilyharper's review
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
fearnleyfiction's review
4.0
This is not my normal sort of read, however, I really enjoyed it. Normally anything gothic or with a hint of ghosts is not my thing.
This story was written so well and gripped you and drew you in. There was such a clear description of the house, the people and also the grounds. I really wanted this story to carry on and on. I am glad the story ended how it did. Given a full all round story.
I cannot wait to read more around this sort of genre.
This story was written so well and gripped you and drew you in. There was such a clear description of the house, the people and also the grounds. I really wanted this story to carry on and on. I am glad the story ended how it did. Given a full all round story.
I cannot wait to read more around this sort of genre.
novellenovels's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
booklandish's review
4.0
A claustrophobic isolated mansion. A cold month of January. A mysterious séance. A trove of family secrets. A series of intrigues unpeeling one after the other...
At the turn of the nineteenth century, Louisa is hired to take pictures of an antique collection but she will find much more to discover than what the camera can capture.
I was completely wrapped up is this cold atmosphere and really enjoyed the whodunnit element of the plot. The struggles that the characters face capture perfectly the societal expectations of the time. And I really appreciated the focus on the craft of photography.
Guest starring Sir Arthur Connan Doyle and featuring elements of spiritualism and supernatural clues made for a compelling plot.
I thouroughly recommend this winter read, however, there are some elements that tied up in a way I'm not sure I understood. So if anyone wants to chat about that, hit me up!
At the turn of the nineteenth century, Louisa is hired to take pictures of an antique collection but she will find much more to discover than what the camera can capture.
I was completely wrapped up is this cold atmosphere and really enjoyed the whodunnit element of the plot. The struggles that the characters face capture perfectly the societal expectations of the time. And I really appreciated the focus on the craft of photography.
Guest starring Sir Arthur Connan Doyle and featuring elements of spiritualism and supernatural clues made for a compelling plot.
I thouroughly recommend this winter read, however, there are some elements that tied up in a way I'm not sure I understood. So if anyone wants to chat about that, hit me up!
ashak's review
4.0
Secrets, seances get this thriller rolling.
A gothic thriller set in the 1920s with a contemporary echo.
Photographer Louisa takes up an assignment at the Clewer Hall only to find out that the more she found out the murkier things were.
Read my complete review here:
http://onerightword.blogspot.com/2021/03/the-quickening-rhiannon-ward.html
A gothic thriller set in the 1920s with a contemporary echo.
Photographer Louisa takes up an assignment at the Clewer Hall only to find out that the more she found out the murkier things were.
Read my complete review here:
http://onerightword.blogspot.com/2021/03/the-quickening-rhiannon-ward.html
relliot's review
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5