Published by Minotaur Books Genres: Contempory, Gothic, Historical Fiction, Mystery, suspense, thriller
Format: ARC, eBook
Gothic, Atmospheric, creepy tale which takes place during dual timelines in an English Castle. A family haunted by the past, a woman in the present searching for answers about her past…oh how beautifully they collide!!!
Winterbourne Hall has always stood high on the bluffs overlooking the Ocean, hasn’t it? Well, for at least two centuries it did, but before that…….
In 1947, Alice Miller accepted a job as a governess of Captain Jonathan de Grey’s twin children. Alice is immediately taken with the two children. She views them as absolute darlings and embraces them and throws herself into teaching them and proving for their care. Naturally, she is interested in learning more about the twin’s deceased mother and their intriguing yet distant father. She doesn’t understand the housekeeper’s warnings about the children. Soon, things begin to change. The twins are no longer as loving and in fact, they become quite the opposite. Then there are things she notices about painting in her room, something isn’t quite right. She no longer feels welcome in her new home…. but she also doesn’t want to leave – not now – she is in love – she…….(sorry, I’m not saying anything else about Alice).
In the present day in NYC, Rebecca Wright is enjoying success as an art gallery curator. She just had a successful showing and her future looks bright. Then one day she receives a letter informing her that she is the descendant of the de Greys and heir to Winterbourne. Intrigued and wanting answers about her biological family, she decides to go to England. She always knew she was adopted and loved her parents but a part of her always wanted to know about why and who placed her for adoption. Will Winterbourne Hall provide her with the answers she always sought?
I love Gothic tales and Rebecca James got it right with this one. This was a pleasure from the very first page. Fans of Gothic tales will not be disappointed. It begins with a witch and ends with…. read it to find out. I loved how dark and atmospheric this book was without being over the top. There was just enough of those elements to keep the tale feeling dark and chilling without being scary. What is it that lurks in the dark corners, whispering, prodding and wishing harm to the women who find happiness there?
Will either woman ever find happiness? Will Rachel finally learn the truth about her origins? Is the home cursed?
The dual timelines worked beautifully for me. I did enjoy the past storyline much more than the present; however, the present one was enjoyable – it just didn’t feel as dark or atmospheric as the past storyline. Toward the end, I wondered if this book was going off the rails, but James managed to bring it all together and I enjoyed how the book ended. I found this book to be well thought out, perfected paced, and enjoyed how everything came together.
Gothic tale fans – this is the book for you!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.