The Invited

Nate and Helen decided to change their lives. They resigned from their teaching jobs and moved to rural Vermont where they began building the home of their dreams. They purchased the forty-four acres of land from a man who was extremely motivated to sell. So happy to have a good deal, in a beautiful setting, they soon learned that their land was once owned by a suspected witch, Hattie Breckenridge. A woman who the town chased down and hung for being a witch. Rumors about the land are all around town. People also had tales about sightings of Hattie. Undeterred, Helen and Nate continue to build their home. When Helen purchases materials for her home, not only do strange things begin to happen but she begins to have sightings. Intrigued by the history of the land and tales of Hattie Breckenridge, Helen decides to learn all she can about Hattie and her descendants.

Olive, a local teenager, is looking for answers about her Mother’s disappearance. She is also obsessed with finding lost items in the bog. To right a wrong she agrees to help Helen and Nate build their house.

As the trio continue to build Helen and Nate’s dream home, it becomes evident that the past is not ready to rest, that items can act as conduits, and that Hattie and her descendants need help.

The Invited beings with a thrilling scene which got my attention right away. When the tension of that scene is over, things slow down as the story in the present day is being told. I found the first half of the book to be on the slower side as McMahon built her story, introduced her characters and set up the book for the second half. Speaking of the second half, things picked up and became interesting as there are more sightings and the back stories of Hattie’s descendants are told.

I can’t say that this was my favorite McMahon book. (My favorite being The Winter People) but this book was atmospheric and the bog was eerie. This book was not spooky, scary or even creepy. So more people may be able to enjoy this book. It wont keep anyone up at night, checking under their beds or looking in their closets, but it was enjoyable. It was also well written, and things came together nicely in the second half of the book. Witches, ghosts, Vermont, bogs, deer, lost items, found items, strange noises and wild life all play a part in this paranormal tale/mystery.

Thank you to Doubleday Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.