Published by Dreamscape Media, Poisoned Pen Press Genres: Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Supernatural
Format: ARC, Audiobook, eBook
Love, marriage, pregnancy, motherhood, and a family curse….
Essie is a happily married woman who is working on completing her law degree. She and her husband, Sanjay are both shocked when she learns that she is pregnant with their first child. The morning sickness is relentless and Essie doesn’t feel in control of her body. Plus, Sanjay has started spending more time in his office in the attic, leaving Essie alone, listening to the house whispering to her.
This book is told through two timelines. In the past timelines readers meet Isabelle and Ana. Two women who are in love with each other but are married to men. With two timelines, I usually enjoy one more than the other. I found myself being very invested in the timeline in the past. I knew that there was going to be a connection to it and the present. I was fully invested in Ana and Isabelle’s tale of longing, love, and being separated. I felt for them and enjoyed their letters.
I had both the book and audiobook version of this book. I enjoyed the narration of the audiobook. The narrators did a great job bringing the characters to life. This was a hard book for me to rate. I found it to be gripping and interesting but as other reviewers have mentioned, it is very repetitive.
I did enjoy the mounting tension and dread in the book. I found that to be nicely done. My big beef is the repetition, and I wanted more creepiness, more scary moments. With hearing whispers and seeing dark smoke/images, I was hoping for a more sinister or creepy feeling read. I didn’t find this to be scary or horrific because the characters didn’t come off as being frightened by what was happening.
Then ending while it made sense, didn’t pack the punch I was waiting for. It seemed to happen too easily, in my opinion.
I do feel that the author pulled off the two timelines nicely especially the timeline in the past.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, Dreamscape Media 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.