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teri_b's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
At the beginning of this book the ingredients of a Hokey Pokey cocktail are offered. And even though I am not much into spirits, that the main ingredient of the cocktail is absinthe tells me that this is probably rather strong stuff.
In addition, the dedication places this book in the horror genre.
And then we enter into the unfolding story that takes place in 1929 in The Regent Hotel in Birmingham when weather conspires and travel stops and free movement is suspended for the time this snow storm/rain lasts.
We meet Nora as she books into The Regent, which is an invented hotel according to the author's note at the end of the book, and Nora comes with the mission to spy on another hotel guest.
From the beginning it there is the hint that we most likely deal with an unreliable narrator even though Nora can mimic anything and anyone she encounters to perfection, and yet, perception itself can be treacherous, when we enter into the maze that human mind can be.
From Nora's check in at the hotel the story unfolds with an opera singer involved, snowstorm, murder and strange apparitions in hotel rooms. The story turns from creepy to scary to horror to fairy talesque, then, eventually comes to a conclusion of its own.
This book definitely is a ride. It comes with a combination of psychoanalysis, fairy tales and murder mixed together with longing, ownership and a wish to dominate, that at times really makes you feel that you just downed another Hokey Pokey.
The end is not really surprising, but it holds this note of positivity, of change having taken place that might make this book just worthwhile to read and ponder for a moment or two.
I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in return of an honest review.
In addition, the dedication places this book in the horror genre.
And then we enter into the unfolding story that takes place in 1929 in The Regent Hotel in Birmingham when weather conspires and travel stops and free movement is suspended for the time this snow storm/rain lasts.
We meet Nora as she books into The Regent, which is an invented hotel according to the author's note at the end of the book, and Nora comes with the mission to spy on another hotel guest.
From the beginning it there is the hint that we most likely deal with an unreliable narrator even though Nora can mimic anything and anyone she encounters to perfection, and yet, perception itself can be treacherous, when we enter into the maze that human mind can be.
From Nora's check in at the hotel the story unfolds with an opera singer involved, snowstorm, murder and strange apparitions in hotel rooms. The story turns from creepy to scary to horror to fairy talesque, then, eventually comes to a conclusion of its own.
This book definitely is a ride. It comes with a combination of psychoanalysis, fairy tales and murder mixed together with longing, ownership and a wish to dominate, that at times really makes you feel that you just downed another Hokey Pokey.
The end is not really surprising, but it holds this note of positivity, of change having taken place that might make this book just worthwhile to read and ponder for a moment or two.
I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in return of an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Body horror
anntharai's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
This feels like a book you keep a secret because if you reccomend it to the wrong person and they read it, they might never look at you the same way.
In saying that, it was a fantastic read and the narrator of the audiobook Charlie Sanderson was genuinely fantastic.
In saying that, it was a fantastic read and the narrator of the audiobook Charlie Sanderson was genuinely fantastic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Confinement, Animal death, Blood, Infidelity, Body horror, Mental illness, Murder, Violence, Sexual content, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Alcohol, Medical content, and Stalking
Minor: Incest and Sexual assault
gus_reads's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I honestly don't know how to talk about this book without spoiling anything, but let me say: what a ride. I was pleasantly surprised... and disturbed. Before starting it, I expected a typical closed-space murder mistery with a slightly creepy touch. Then, when I started reading it, I thought it would probably end up being a novel like "The seven deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle" (which I really liked). And indeed it was similar to Evelyn Hardcastle, but way more disturbing (in the best of ways) and less complicated. Reading Evelyn Hardcastle and keeping up with all the characters and changes. In this book, however, there's a good balance between mistery, details and action. When I had read only like 50 pages I felt like I had already read like 200. The book is fast paced, with just the right amount of descriptions and details. You won't like the main character as a person: from moment one you will suspect her intentions, doubt her point of view and question her morals. That's what makes her so interesting as a character and a narrator. The psychology of all the main characters is very well developed, but in Nora's case that's specially true because the whole book's purpose is to make the reader know her. In the end, you want her to success, whatever she chooses to do, because you understand her. The plot is intriguing, and makes you want to keep reading from the first chapter because you need to know what's going on. The author makes you feel that there's something off, something hidden, something you are missing. To me, that's the most important quality in a thriller(ish?) book: the ability to keep you intrigued and interested. And this book definitely does that. But it also adds a touch of horror, or maybe gothic fantasy? I don't know why genre to classify this in. I really liked it. I wouldn't recommend it to everyone, but if you liked "The seven deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle" or "The Shining" movie (I have not read the book, shame on me) you will probably enjoy this one. PLUS, it's quite short (<300 pages), so even if you don't like it as much as I did, it will be an entertaining short read. Finally, when you read the author's note, you can see how thorough the documentation process for the novel was. I specially liked the insight on female psychoanalysts. I will definitely check other books by this author. Thanks so much to NetGalley for the eARC!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Violence, and Death
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