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A review by mybookscape
Black Lake Manor by Guy Morpuss
adventurous
challenging
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
My review in one word: WOW!
Let's start with the blurb shall we before I give you my thoughts...
'A locked room. A brutal murder. And a killer who can unwind time...
In the former mining town of Black Lake, there is an old story about a shipwreck with only one survivor. His descendants have a unique ability: once in their lives - and only once - they can unwind the events of the previous 6 hours.
More than 200 years later, part-time police constable Ella Manning is attending a party at Black Lake Manor, the cliff-top mansion belonging to the local billionaire. When a raging storm sweeps in from the Pacific, she and several other guests find themselves trapped.
When their host is brutally murdered in his study the next morning, the door locked from the inside, they turn to her to solve the crime...'
There's more to the blurb but I feel it hints at info in the book and I don't want to use too many characters up so that I can't write my review 🤣
This book was so good, it's not like anything I've ever read before and was a great mix of crime and fantasy. I really enjoyed the concept of the book and how it was set in the past, 1805, and the future, 2045. The novel is very much a whodunnit with a twist and one that certainly keeps you guessing - I was hooked right from the start!
Guy Morpuss' use of description is fantastic, especially when it came to the caves, I was claustrophobic just reading about it, and his character development is excellent. I honestly think this book would make a great film!
Black Lake Manor is due out on the 8th September so make sure you get those pre-orders in because this isn't one to be missed!
Let's start with the blurb shall we before I give you my thoughts...
'A locked room. A brutal murder. And a killer who can unwind time...
In the former mining town of Black Lake, there is an old story about a shipwreck with only one survivor. His descendants have a unique ability: once in their lives - and only once - they can unwind the events of the previous 6 hours.
More than 200 years later, part-time police constable Ella Manning is attending a party at Black Lake Manor, the cliff-top mansion belonging to the local billionaire. When a raging storm sweeps in from the Pacific, she and several other guests find themselves trapped.
When their host is brutally murdered in his study the next morning, the door locked from the inside, they turn to her to solve the crime...'
There's more to the blurb but I feel it hints at info in the book and I don't want to use too many characters up so that I can't write my review 🤣
This book was so good, it's not like anything I've ever read before and was a great mix of crime and fantasy. I really enjoyed the concept of the book and how it was set in the past, 1805, and the future, 2045. The novel is very much a whodunnit with a twist and one that certainly keeps you guessing - I was hooked right from the start!
Guy Morpuss' use of description is fantastic, especially when it came to the caves, I was claustrophobic just reading about it, and his character development is excellent. I honestly think this book would make a great film!
Black Lake Manor is due out on the 8th September so make sure you get those pre-orders in because this isn't one to be missed!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Animal death