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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!!!
a_chickletz's review against another edition
3.0
I originally tried reading this book a year or so ago. Maybe my head wasn't in the right place for it - then again, I did read an ARC so maybe the pacing was changed. I found it cheap and I enjoyed the author's other book, so read it and actually enjoyed it this time around.
It was a good mystery story merged with supernatural bits. Some of the supernatural bits felt a little odd / awkward in the story.
I think when it comes to the ghostly presence of 'Mary' it kind of took me out of the story and, idk, I don't think her presence should have been all visible. It should have been more or less teasing throughout the book and we are not sure what we're seeing or if the ghost is really there.
Still, I'm glad I gave this book another chance.
It was a good mystery story merged with supernatural bits. Some of the supernatural bits felt a little odd / awkward in the story.
I think when it comes to the ghostly presence of 'Mary' it kind of took me out of the story and, idk, I don't think her presence should have been all visible. It should have been more or less teasing throughout the book and we are not sure what we're seeing or if the ghost is really there.
Still, I'm glad I gave this book another chance.
samantha_h's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
smilesgiggle's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent book - a great novel detailing girls set aside by their families, forgotten. A woman still searching for answers twenty years after her sister's murder.
justdanreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ajlovesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Another great book by Simone St James!!! It was hard to put this one down!