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Hode's Hill #2
End of Day
The past is never truly buried…
Generations of Jillian Cley’s family have been tasked with a strange duty—tending the burial plot of Gabriel Vane, whose body was the first to be interred in the Hode’s Hill cemetery. Jillian faithfully continues the long-standing tradition—until one October night, Vane’s body is stolen from its resting place. Is it a Halloween prank? Or something more sinister?
As the descendants of those buried in the church yard begin to experience bizarre “accidents,” Jillian tries to uncover the cause. Deeply empathic, she does not make friends easily, or lightly. But to fend off the terror taking over her town, she must join forces with artist Dante DeLuca, whose sensitivity to the spirit world has been both a blessing and a curse. The two soon realize Jillian’s murky family history is entwined with a tragic legacy tracing back to the founding of Hode’s Hill. To set matters right, an ancient wrong must be avenged…or Jillian, Dante, and everyone in town will forever be at the mercy of a vengeful spirit.
Generations of Jillian Cley’s family have been tasked with a strange duty—tending the burial plot of Gabriel Vane, whose body was the first to be interred in the Hode’s Hill cemetery. Jillian faithfully continues the long-standing tradition—until one October night, Vane’s body is stolen from its resting place. Is it a Halloween prank? Or something more sinister?
As the descendants of those buried in the church yard begin to experience bizarre “accidents,” Jillian tries to uncover the cause. Deeply empathic, she does not make friends easily, or lightly. But to fend off the terror taking over her town, she must join forces with artist Dante DeLuca, whose sensitivity to the spirit world has been both a blessing and a curse. The two soon realize Jillian’s murky family history is entwined with a tragic legacy tracing back to the founding of Hode’s Hill. To set matters right, an ancient wrong must be avenged…or Jillian, Dante, and everyone in town will forever be at the mercy of a vengeful spirit.
231 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2018
About the author
Mae Clair
19 books553 followersA member of the International Thriller Writers, Mae Clair is also a founding member and contributor to the award-winning writing blog, Story Empire. Her preferred genre is mystery/suspense, though she flavors her plots with elements of urban legend and folklore.
Mae is married to to her high school sweetheart, lives in Pennsylvania and is passionate about cryptozoology, old photographs, a good Maine lobster tail, and cats. Sign-up for her newsletter at https://maeclair.com/newsletter
You an also discover more about Mae on her website and blog at MaeClair.com
Finally, follow Mae on BookBub for more bookish recommendations and reviews: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/mae-c...
Mae is married to to her high school sweetheart, lives in Pennsylvania and is passionate about cryptozoology, old photographs, a good Maine lobster tail, and cats. Sign-up for her newsletter at https://maeclair.com/newsletter
You an also discover more about Mae on her website and blog at MaeClair.com
Finally, follow Mae on BookBub for more bookish recommendations and reviews: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/mae-c...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 29, 2020
End of Day is the second book in the Hode's Hill series by Mae Clair. I've previously read the first one, which can be read as a stand-alone book. Although many of the same characters are included, the primary story is different and contained within each book. You might learn something in a later book which would've been better not to know in the first book, but that's the only true risk. This series is a suspense thriller with elements from the mystery, fantasy, and science-fiction genres.
A cemetery is where someone goes when they die. The first person in a new cemetery is responsible for preventing evil from lurking further and reaching future buried inhabitants. What if the person who was intended to be buried first is no longer the first one to be buried? What if the line between human and beast is blurred ever so slightly? What if you found out who else you're related to and how that DNA might just change your future? Jillian Cley has been tasked with protecting the town's cemetery, but she never new exactly why... until the truth comes out. It's scary and intriguing, easily capturing reader attention and providing the perfect balance in a story.
I enjoy books with multiple time frames. We flip back and forth to discover what happened to Gabriel Vane, the first body buried in the cemetery. We learn about the killing of Jillian's brother-in-law and the near catatonic state it left Jillian's sister in. In modern times, we know Gabriel's bones have been purposely dug up. Dante returns to hold a seance, and the members of the After Life that he conjures are not as nice as the one's from last time. In the past, Gabriel chased a wild beast to protect the town and win his beloved's heart. Something went wrong though... and now... generations later, the family he wanted to belong to has tentacles everywhere... some good, but some not so good. Who can you trust?
Clair has an elegant and visual writing style. I happily read along, wondering where everything would intersect, eager to trace the genealogy of a few characters. I reflected back to the first book where some of the characters we met had secrets, realizing the whole town doesn't know what happened... nor do some of their family members. Balancing the curiosity and the morbid, this story shakes up the traditional mystery with excellent peaks and valleys to keep us glued to the pages. We suspect love could blossom. We know a murder will be solved. We worry another one will occur.
I highly recommend Mae Clair's books. I've read two in this series and will be reading the third next month. It was released at the end of 2019, and I've secured a copy. I can't wait to see what else this author has in store.
A cemetery is where someone goes when they die. The first person in a new cemetery is responsible for preventing evil from lurking further and reaching future buried inhabitants. What if the person who was intended to be buried first is no longer the first one to be buried? What if the line between human and beast is blurred ever so slightly? What if you found out who else you're related to and how that DNA might just change your future? Jillian Cley has been tasked with protecting the town's cemetery, but she never new exactly why... until the truth comes out. It's scary and intriguing, easily capturing reader attention and providing the perfect balance in a story.
I enjoy books with multiple time frames. We flip back and forth to discover what happened to Gabriel Vane, the first body buried in the cemetery. We learn about the killing of Jillian's brother-in-law and the near catatonic state it left Jillian's sister in. In modern times, we know Gabriel's bones have been purposely dug up. Dante returns to hold a seance, and the members of the After Life that he conjures are not as nice as the one's from last time. In the past, Gabriel chased a wild beast to protect the town and win his beloved's heart. Something went wrong though... and now... generations later, the family he wanted to belong to has tentacles everywhere... some good, but some not so good. Who can you trust?
Clair has an elegant and visual writing style. I happily read along, wondering where everything would intersect, eager to trace the genealogy of a few characters. I reflected back to the first book where some of the characters we met had secrets, realizing the whole town doesn't know what happened... nor do some of their family members. Balancing the curiosity and the morbid, this story shakes up the traditional mystery with excellent peaks and valleys to keep us glued to the pages. We suspect love could blossom. We know a murder will be solved. We worry another one will occur.
I highly recommend Mae Clair's books. I've read two in this series and will be reading the third next month. It was released at the end of 2019, and I've secured a copy. I can't wait to see what else this author has in store.
November 23, 2018
They said the first body to be interred in the Hode’s Hill cemetery would become the town’s protector against evil. Gabriel Vane’s burial was anything but being laid to rest peacefully and now, over two hundred years later, his grave has been desecrated, his remains stolen. Descendants of those involved in his death are now experiencing strange accidents and two “gifted” people must join forces to attempt to uncover the lies that have been hidden for centuries and truly put Gabriel’s soul to rest.
Superstition, greed and deceit shroud the mystery behind an innocent man’s death and Mae Clair will unearth Hode’s Hill’s ugly secrets in END OF DAY, but does she end the curse? Find out as past and present evils collide in this outstanding and intriguing tale as the paranormal and human worlds cross the veil of “beyond.”
Mae Clair NEVER lets me down with her rich and mesmerizing writing that brings another world to life as she weaves another masterful tale of fantasy with the perfect blend of light and darkness in her characters and each and every page!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Lyrical Underground!
Series: Hode's Hill - Book 2
Publisher: Lyrical Underground (January 15, 2019)
Publication Date: January 15, 2019
Genre: Supernatural Suspense
Page Count: 250
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Superstition, greed and deceit shroud the mystery behind an innocent man’s death and Mae Clair will unearth Hode’s Hill’s ugly secrets in END OF DAY, but does she end the curse? Find out as past and present evils collide in this outstanding and intriguing tale as the paranormal and human worlds cross the veil of “beyond.”
Mae Clair NEVER lets me down with her rich and mesmerizing writing that brings another world to life as she weaves another masterful tale of fantasy with the perfect blend of light and darkness in her characters and each and every page!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Lyrical Underground!
Series: Hode's Hill - Book 2
Publisher: Lyrical Underground (January 15, 2019)
Publication Date: January 15, 2019
Genre: Supernatural Suspense
Page Count: 250
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
January 10, 2019
End of Day by Mae Clair is Book Ii of the Hode’s Hill series. It is told from two points of view, jumping from the past to the present, keeping the mystery from both perspectives alive throughout the story.
Gabriel Vane, an emerald, and…death.
Gabriel’s death…it is so terrifyingly horrific that it gave me the shivers and had the hair on my arms and the back of my neck standing up. Mae Clair does a wonderful job of showing, not telling, as the words bring the scene to life and I couldn’t help but picture it in my mind’s eye.
Jillian Cley is an empath and that explains why she is a loner. She works for herself, designing websites. She has Maya, her one and only friend, and Blizzard, her therapy dog. I love having critters added to stories, especially dogs. It adds a ittle something extra that I like to see authors do.
Her family is responsible for the upkeep of the grave of Gabriel Vane at Hickory Chapel Cemetery. The grave has been disturbed, but they cannot allow him to die…again, the Third Death.
Elliot, her neighbor and newfound friend is going to become super important to her and she to him.
Sherree had never gotten over Boyd, her boyfriend who was murdered and she never quit looking for the secrets locked in Madison’s head. Since Gabriel Vane’s bones had been disinterred, people are dropping like flies. No two deaths are the same, no pattern. she finds a friend in Dante. She doesn’t need to convince him of anything, he already knows.
Monsters are real in Mae Clair’s world. We will definitely see them raise their ugly heads.
For whom does the bell toll? If you hear it, it tolls for you…or someone close to you.
There is a subtle hint of malice throughout the entire book. I have a feeling of doom. When will it happen? How will it happen? Who will survive the meeting?
There is an introduction to Book III, but I am not going there. It will make me agonize over the wait.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of End of Day by Mae Clair.
See more at fundinmental
Gabriel Vane, an emerald, and…death.
Gabriel’s death…it is so terrifyingly horrific that it gave me the shivers and had the hair on my arms and the back of my neck standing up. Mae Clair does a wonderful job of showing, not telling, as the words bring the scene to life and I couldn’t help but picture it in my mind’s eye.
Jillian Cley is an empath and that explains why she is a loner. She works for herself, designing websites. She has Maya, her one and only friend, and Blizzard, her therapy dog. I love having critters added to stories, especially dogs. It adds a ittle something extra that I like to see authors do.
Her family is responsible for the upkeep of the grave of Gabriel Vane at Hickory Chapel Cemetery. The grave has been disturbed, but they cannot allow him to die…again, the Third Death.
Elliot, her neighbor and newfound friend is going to become super important to her and she to him.
Sherree had never gotten over Boyd, her boyfriend who was murdered and she never quit looking for the secrets locked in Madison’s head. Since Gabriel Vane’s bones had been disinterred, people are dropping like flies. No two deaths are the same, no pattern. she finds a friend in Dante. She doesn’t need to convince him of anything, he already knows.
Monsters are real in Mae Clair’s world. We will definitely see them raise their ugly heads.
For whom does the bell toll? If you hear it, it tolls for you…or someone close to you.
There is a subtle hint of malice throughout the entire book. I have a feeling of doom. When will it happen? How will it happen? Who will survive the meeting?
There is an introduction to Book III, but I am not going there. It will make me agonize over the wait.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of End of Day by Mae Clair.
See more at fundinmental
October 31, 2018
Mae Clair has made a sinister tale that takes place in Hode's Hill. This is the 2nd in this series of which both are excellent. Seances, Monsters, Grave Robbers, Historians, all paired with an amazing story of paranormal flavor. Clair is a skilled author of CAN NOT PUT DOWN novels. "A copy of this book was provided by Kensington Books via Netgalley. Comments here are my honest opinion."
March 12, 2019
Beware of powers that push the boundaries of time!
In this second installment to the Hode Hill mysteries, we learn of a horrific crime committed over two centuries ago that still holds a town in its fearsome grip today.
Jillian Cley follows a long line of ancestors whose duty it is to tend the burial plot of Hode’s Hill Cemetery’s first ‘victim‘, Gabriel Vane. But when Gabriel’s remains are stolen just days before All Hallows Eve, it unleashes a string of macabre accidents all tied to the town’s early descendants.
Coincidence? Or is something, or someone wreaking havoc on Hode’s Hill citizens?
Jillian must use her empathic powers as she joins forces with Dante DeLuca to end a curse centuries old.
Ms. Clair does a stellar job building tension and atmosphere as she guides the reader between events of the past and the consequences to be faced when greed uncovers murder and brings mayhem to the town.
The book is filled with expressive passages that let the reader immerse themselves in the world Clair has so perfectly created.
Here are a couple of my favorites:
Gabriel Vane wiped sweat from his face and zigzagged deeper into the woods. A sliver of moon shadowed him, ghost-white behind the frantic scuttle of spider clouds.
The old hickory tree overshadowing the grave rattled its branches with a sound like bones clacking together.
I give End of Day 5+ lovely kisses- a must read mystery!
In this second installment to the Hode Hill mysteries, we learn of a horrific crime committed over two centuries ago that still holds a town in its fearsome grip today.
Jillian Cley follows a long line of ancestors whose duty it is to tend the burial plot of Hode’s Hill Cemetery’s first ‘victim‘, Gabriel Vane. But when Gabriel’s remains are stolen just days before All Hallows Eve, it unleashes a string of macabre accidents all tied to the town’s early descendants.
Coincidence? Or is something, or someone wreaking havoc on Hode’s Hill citizens?
Jillian must use her empathic powers as she joins forces with Dante DeLuca to end a curse centuries old.
Ms. Clair does a stellar job building tension and atmosphere as she guides the reader between events of the past and the consequences to be faced when greed uncovers murder and brings mayhem to the town.
The book is filled with expressive passages that let the reader immerse themselves in the world Clair has so perfectly created.
Here are a couple of my favorites:
Gabriel Vane wiped sweat from his face and zigzagged deeper into the woods. A sliver of moon shadowed him, ghost-white behind the frantic scuttle of spider clouds.
The old hickory tree overshadowing the grave rattled its branches with a sound like bones clacking together.
I give End of Day 5+ lovely kisses- a must read mystery!
November 25, 2018
Mae Clair is on my “must read” list, and END OF DAY is an excellent example of why. She has an unparalleled ability to grab a reader’s attention with the very first word and keep it until the last. In this case, we’re back in Hode’s Hill. And by “back” I mean BACK. This is another dual timeline story (a device I find fascinating and engaging) and both present day and historical events are handled masterfully.
END OF DAY introduces us to new characters and allows us to visit familiar ones—and get to know them even better. Her portrayals are realistic and nuanced; these are not one-dimensional clichés but rather well-developed, multi-faceted individuals. The heroes are people any reader would love to meet in real life, and the antagonists are ruthless and frightening.
Clair is a talented wordsmith who sets a scene artfully. Her descriptions draw a reader in as much as the characters do, with the setting becoming a character itself. While nothing is too gory or horrific, there is a definite sense of eerie foreboding that increases with the tension of the story and culminates in a dramatic climax a reader won’t soon forget.
Clair has (once again) taken supernatural lore and made it believable, weaving legend through emotional character arcs, fascinating plots, and brilliantly-crafted description to create another remarkable story. And I can’t wait for the next one.
END OF DAY introduces us to new characters and allows us to visit familiar ones—and get to know them even better. Her portrayals are realistic and nuanced; these are not one-dimensional clichés but rather well-developed, multi-faceted individuals. The heroes are people any reader would love to meet in real life, and the antagonists are ruthless and frightening.
Clair is a talented wordsmith who sets a scene artfully. Her descriptions draw a reader in as much as the characters do, with the setting becoming a character itself. While nothing is too gory or horrific, there is a definite sense of eerie foreboding that increases with the tension of the story and culminates in a dramatic climax a reader won’t soon forget.
Clair has (once again) taken supernatural lore and made it believable, weaving legend through emotional character arcs, fascinating plots, and brilliantly-crafted description to create another remarkable story. And I can’t wait for the next one.
February 6, 2019
This may have been book 2 of the Hode's Hill series but I would consider it a standalone novel. Lots of suspense and mystery. I loved the paranormal aspect to the story.
We learn the story of the Hode's Hill church and cemetery through 2 periods of time. The contents fluctuate between present day and historical time. That made things even more intriguing.
I felt a connection between Jillian and it being the case of the first man buried alive in the cemetery. Her family was to always care for that grave or death would come to the village. It was a very interesting book and I plan on reading more from this new to me author!
* I was provided an ARC to read from the publisher and NetGalley. It was my decision to read and review this book.
We learn the story of the Hode's Hill church and cemetery through 2 periods of time. The contents fluctuate between present day and historical time. That made things even more intriguing.
I felt a connection between Jillian and it being the case of the first man buried alive in the cemetery. Her family was to always care for that grave or death would come to the village. It was a very interesting book and I plan on reading more from this new to me author!
* I was provided an ARC to read from the publisher and NetGalley. It was my decision to read and review this book.
March 5, 2019
Mae Clair has returned to the weird little town of Hode's Hill, where things aren't always as they seem, and where the terrible sins of the past continue to impact the present, often in undesirable ways. Once again, Clair has used her excellent writing skills to pull readers into this mystery within a mystery. She layers chills upon heartbreak upon budding romance, and the result is a seamless story that works beautifully, and reminds us that what we think we know of our own history just might not be the entire truth.
If you love eerie, paranormal tales filled with well-developed characters and a touch of romance, I highly recommend this book. It's every bit as good as, if not better than, Book 1, Cusp of Night. I can't wait for the next one!
If you love eerie, paranormal tales filled with well-developed characters and a touch of romance, I highly recommend this book. It's every bit as good as, if not better than, Book 1, Cusp of Night. I can't wait for the next one!
November 19, 2018
In End of Day, the second book in author Mae Clair’s masterful Hode’s Hill series, we meet Jillian Cley, a woman with an unusual gift as well as an unusual duty. For generations her family has been tasked with and has watched over a certain man, in a certain grave, in a certain cemetery. A task accomplished with relative ease—until now.
As Halloween approaches, someone sneaks into the cemetery and desecrates this hallowed grave. In a further unconscionable act, that someone steals the bones of the man who had lain undisturbed for a couple of centuries. Whose grave is it? Why would anyone do such a terrible thing? Did someone do it on a dare or is something far more ominous at work?
This is the mystery Jillian must uncover before an ancient curse is unleashed on the town with far more vengeance that what has already occurred. With time running out she enlists the help of Dante DeLuca, a spiritual medium that has experience in communicating with souls of who have passed on to the other side.
Once again Mae Clair takes us on a grand adventure where she blends the past with the present in a book filled with mystery, suspense, and compassion. For no one should ever have to die a third death, especially not Gabriel Vane.
This is a book that will keep you spellbound from beginning to end. I highly recommend it to all those who love mystery and suspense!
I received an ARC copy for my honest review
As Halloween approaches, someone sneaks into the cemetery and desecrates this hallowed grave. In a further unconscionable act, that someone steals the bones of the man who had lain undisturbed for a couple of centuries. Whose grave is it? Why would anyone do such a terrible thing? Did someone do it on a dare or is something far more ominous at work?
This is the mystery Jillian must uncover before an ancient curse is unleashed on the town with far more vengeance that what has already occurred. With time running out she enlists the help of Dante DeLuca, a spiritual medium that has experience in communicating with souls of who have passed on to the other side.
Once again Mae Clair takes us on a grand adventure where she blends the past with the present in a book filled with mystery, suspense, and compassion. For no one should ever have to die a third death, especially not Gabriel Vane.
This is a book that will keep you spellbound from beginning to end. I highly recommend it to all those who love mystery and suspense!
I received an ARC copy for my honest review
February 16, 2019
GNab Mae Clair brings us an excellent compelling story that bridges time between autumn of 1799 and the present time, peopled with interesting protagonists and an excellent dog, ghosts and goblins and monsters most fierce. A very small town, Hode's Hill, Pennsylvania is compact and isolated and most folks idea of an ideal place to live. We have the same core families that were prevalent in the Cusp of Night and hopefully they will remain throughout the series. I am hooked. Thank you Netgalley, for exposing me to Mae Clair. I can enthusiastically recommend this author to friends and family. She is one author very difficult to put down.
I received a free electronic copy of this second Hode's Hill novel from Netgalley, Mae Clair, and Lyrical Underground in exchange for an honest review. Only pages in, I was hooked and had to purchase Cusp of Night, number 1 in the series. This is a story to see you through a couple or three bitter winter days or a day at the beach.
Pub date Jan 15, 2019
Lyrical Underground
I received a free electronic copy of this second Hode's Hill novel from Netgalley, Mae Clair, and Lyrical Underground in exchange for an honest review. Only pages in, I was hooked and had to purchase Cusp of Night, number 1 in the series. This is a story to see you through a couple or three bitter winter days or a day at the beach.
Pub date Jan 15, 2019
Lyrical Underground
March 20, 2021
Mae Clair has an incredible ability to draw readers in and keep their attention. I’ve read several of her books, and like the others, End of Day kept my interest until the end.
The first of her Hode’s Hill Series, Cusp of Night, was the first book I had read with parallel storylines. Mae takes you back in time to tell the story of Gabriel Vane. His life is closely intertwined with modern day character, Jillian Cley, whom we meet briefly in Cusp of Night.
Jillian has a unique gift, and her family has been guarding Gabriel’s grave for hundreds of years. But when modern-day grave robbers unearth his remains, they unleash more than they bargained for. She enlists the help of Dante DeLuca to expose a long-buried secret to save the town of Hode’s Hill.
Clair’s vivid descriptions, her tales of supernatural folklore, and spine-tingling suspense make this book hard to put down.
I eagerly look forward to the third book of this series.
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The first of her Hode’s Hill Series, Cusp of Night, was the first book I had read with parallel storylines. Mae takes you back in time to tell the story of Gabriel Vane. His life is closely intertwined with modern day character, Jillian Cley, whom we meet briefly in Cusp of Night.
Jillian has a unique gift, and her family has been guarding Gabriel’s grave for hundreds of years. But when modern-day grave robbers unearth his remains, they unleash more than they bargained for. She enlists the help of Dante DeLuca to expose a long-buried secret to save the town of Hode’s Hill.
Clair’s vivid descriptions, her tales of supernatural folklore, and spine-tingling suspense make this book hard to put down.
I eagerly look forward to the third book of this series.
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 24, 2019
Another gem! Review to follow.
December 30, 2018
Although there are some repeat characters from Cusp of Night, this installment in the series centers around Jillian Cley, her family history, and the troubles currently plaguing both Jillian and her sister, Madison. Jillian and her faithful therapy dog Blizzard take frequent walks together with one of the destinations being the Hode’s Hill Cemetery. Generations of her family have been tasked with watching over Gabriel Vane’s grave and ensuring that he is not forgotten. But when Jillian and the rest of the town learn that his body has been stolen, a sequence of events begins that is all at once terrifying yet motivating to Jillian and others to discover the truth about Gabriel Vane’s life and how it impacts current Hode’s Hill residents in the present.
Teaming up with Jillian to learn more about the town’s past is artist Dante DeLuca from Cusp of Night Hode’s Hill book 1) who is known for his sensitivity to the spirit world. Dante’s cousin Tessa lives next door to Jillian with her twelve-year-old son Elliott, who is a major part of this story. Elliott was truly one of my favorite characters with his intelligence, curiosity, and most of all, his desire to make friends. At one moment childlike, and then seemingly wise beyond his years, Elliott was a wonderfully complex character that enriched an already wonderful novel.
I must admit that I wasn’t crazy about Jillian for about the first half of the novel. She was unique and well-developed, but I found myself impatiently waiting for her to start coming out of her shell. As things begin to change with Madison and Jillian grew more trusting and open to friendship with both Dante and Tessa, I happily started seeing more spark to her character. But I also had to stop and remind myself that this slow revealing of characters is typical of Mae Clair, as well as, something that I love about her writing. Her writing focuses more on the events of the story, the mystery, and suspense early in the novel. As the characters learn more about their pasts and its connection to their current lives, more of their inner thoughts and feelings are slowly revealed. It’s like slowly opening a gift to build the excitement and anticipation.
I’ve touched a little on the plot of End of Day, and unfortunately, that’s about all I can reveal without spoilers. However, I can happily say that this novel is a must-read that us the perfect blend of mystery and supernatural elements. Mae Clair is one of my favorite authors and truthfully, the one that uncovered my love for this genre of reading. Her imagery is incredible, the characters are complex, and she never disappoints with her endless twists, turns, and surprises.
I highly recommend End of Day not only to fans of this genre but those that haven’t yet left the comfort zone of their preferred genre but are wanting something new and different to read. This novel can certainly be read as a stand-alone, but I strongly recommend reading Cusp of Night first to familiarize yourself with the current and former residents of Hode’s Hill. Once again, Mae Clair has left me in awe of her imagination and talent for sharing it with the rest of the world!
*Many thanks to Lyrical Underground and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Teaming up with Jillian to learn more about the town’s past is artist Dante DeLuca from Cusp of Night Hode’s Hill book 1) who is known for his sensitivity to the spirit world. Dante’s cousin Tessa lives next door to Jillian with her twelve-year-old son Elliott, who is a major part of this story. Elliott was truly one of my favorite characters with his intelligence, curiosity, and most of all, his desire to make friends. At one moment childlike, and then seemingly wise beyond his years, Elliott was a wonderfully complex character that enriched an already wonderful novel.
I must admit that I wasn’t crazy about Jillian for about the first half of the novel. She was unique and well-developed, but I found myself impatiently waiting for her to start coming out of her shell. As things begin to change with Madison and Jillian grew more trusting and open to friendship with both Dante and Tessa, I happily started seeing more spark to her character. But I also had to stop and remind myself that this slow revealing of characters is typical of Mae Clair, as well as, something that I love about her writing. Her writing focuses more on the events of the story, the mystery, and suspense early in the novel. As the characters learn more about their pasts and its connection to their current lives, more of their inner thoughts and feelings are slowly revealed. It’s like slowly opening a gift to build the excitement and anticipation.
I’ve touched a little on the plot of End of Day, and unfortunately, that’s about all I can reveal without spoilers. However, I can happily say that this novel is a must-read that us the perfect blend of mystery and supernatural elements. Mae Clair is one of my favorite authors and truthfully, the one that uncovered my love for this genre of reading. Her imagery is incredible, the characters are complex, and she never disappoints with her endless twists, turns, and surprises.
I highly recommend End of Day not only to fans of this genre but those that haven’t yet left the comfort zone of their preferred genre but are wanting something new and different to read. This novel can certainly be read as a stand-alone, but I strongly recommend reading Cusp of Night first to familiarize yourself with the current and former residents of Hode’s Hill. Once again, Mae Clair has left me in awe of her imagination and talent for sharing it with the rest of the world!
*Many thanks to Lyrical Underground and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
January 23, 2019
Having read and loved "Cusp of Night" I've been waiting for the second book of the Hode Hill series. I enjoyed this book as much, if not more than the first one. The budding relationship between Jillian, a reclusive empath, and Dante, the wealthy artist who does seances, was the perfect fit. Several stories were going on and told from two different timelines. It was an ideal balance between now and then. Learning about Gabriel in 1799 and how it affects Jillian and the town now, made it hard to put the book down. As sweet as some of the relationships were, many parts were terrifying. Ms. Clair gave the reader a close-up look at human fear, greed, and cruelty. This beautifully-written paranormal thriller has it all including a powerful emerald, deadly church bells, murder, therapy dogs, grave robbing, monsters, relationships, love, and truth. I highly recommend this book and author!
February 17, 2019
I adored Cusp of Night, the first in the Hode’s Hill series. End of Day surpasses it by a long shot. The author stays with her dual timelines, and it really works for this series. The tragic story of Gabriel Vane and how his demise affects the present story is wonderful. Like all of Clair’s stories, the character interactions are wonderful too. All of them are fully fleshed out, and their points of view are unique. Boys are presented like boys, budding romance is presented as kind of awkward, as it is in real life. We aren’t supposed to like the bad guys, but I enjoyed Clive. He reminded me of Lenny from Of Mice And Men. If you’re looking for a supernatural tale with a few monsters, some hair-raising scenes, and characters that are believable give this one a try.
January 24, 2019
All I can say is "Oh, wow!" I've been waiting and waiting for this book, and it was even better than I expected it to be! The story was wonderful. The characters were wonderful. And the reason behind everything was...you guessed it, WONDERFUL. I kept wondering why the plague hit Hode's Hill. And I never saw the neat twist coming. I liked every single character so much! Well, everyone but the villains. And even then, Clive tugged at my heart. The conclusion of Warren and Clive's story was so perfect, it choked me up. I loved this book so much! I can't wait for book 3 to come out.
February 24, 2019
If you want suspense and paranormal, End of Day is the book for you. It tells the story of the Hode’s Hill cemetery from two different time periods. It’s scary, has relatable characters, and the antagonists are just…awesome. Supernatural beings? Thugs? Grave robbers? Yes, please! I did not realize this is the second book in a series, but it can definitely be a standalone. Mae Clair’s vivid descriptions created one of the best suspense/supernatural folklores I’ve read in a while.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Group or this eARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Group or this eARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
December 29, 2018
I'd not read Mae Clair before so I did not know what to expect of this but it was darn intriguing. Jillian is both guardian of the bones of Gabriel Vane and the woman who will untangle the complicated history of Hode's Hill. She's a bit of an odd duck but an interesting character. She teams up with Dante Deluca, a medium, to solve the mysteries. There's a dual time line here which adds to the creepiness. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Suspend belief and give this a try.
December 16, 2019
This is the second book in the Hode's Hill trilogy but this book could have been read as a standalone. There were a few cross-over characters, but the main characters were ones that weren't really central to the first book in the series. I was disappointed that the main characters from the first book played such a small part in the second. I would have liked a bit more follow up from them. This one seemed to also have a bit more violence than the first book and that put me off a bit. But Ms. Clair's combination of paranormal, historical fiction, and mystery was once again enjoyable.
March 11, 2020
I’m excited to share the second book in the series, “End of Day” by Mae Clair. It also is a paranormal suspense novel written with a dual timeline alternating between the year 1799 and the present. And yes… I’m raving about this book, as well!
In 1799, the village of Hode’s Hill and the surrounding community are ravaged by a beast who systematically starts killing off all the livestock.
The situation is so dire that the young Gabriel Vane, a hardworking farmer who has fallen in love with his best friend’s sister, decides that if he is to marry Dinah, he must hunt this creature to make the town safe. He also hopes to increase his chance of marriage with Dinah by undertaking this brave deed. Once Gabriel states his intentions, a few other men accompany him on his quest to hunt down and kill the beast.
Under Mae Clair’s expert guidance, we slip into the present where we reconnect with Jillian, a character from book one, who is an Empath, trying to deal with the intense feelings of everyone she comes across.
To make matters worse, Jillian’s sister, Maddy, witnessed the brutal murder of her husband Boyd. Maddy’s institutionalized as the horror of her ordeal has left her stuck in the memory of that horrible experience. Jillian will do anything to help her sister.
As Gabriel’s story twists into the present, it’s revealed that Jillian and her family have guarded Gabriel’s grave for years. When a pair of grave robbers dig up his remains, they do not understand what they have unleashed upon the people of Hode’s Hill.
Desperate, Jillian turns to the psychic, Dante DeLuca, another character from book one, to help her uncover the horrible secrets of the past.
“End of Day” coaxed me along with breadcrumb facts that deepened my connection to the mystery. The author weaves each character’s narrative into the plot with descriptions so real that I imagined myself standing with a thumping heartbeat in several scenes! It takes skill to write scenes that invoke a sense of foreboding in a reader, and Mae Clair’s gift blares across the page.
“End of Day,” is full of mystery and suspense. It will leave you on the edge of your chair (or bed) reading into the wee hours of the night (I did).
It’s hard for me to say this, because I loved book one, “Cusp of Night,” but this book was as good or better than the first book in the series. This book could stand on its own, but reading the first book gave me an understanding of the characters and the connective tissue of the town of Hode’s Hill that glues all these mysteries together. I’ve already started the third book, called, “Even Tide,” but that discussion is for another day. If you love paranormal fiction, you’ve got to read this series!
In 1799, the village of Hode’s Hill and the surrounding community are ravaged by a beast who systematically starts killing off all the livestock.
The situation is so dire that the young Gabriel Vane, a hardworking farmer who has fallen in love with his best friend’s sister, decides that if he is to marry Dinah, he must hunt this creature to make the town safe. He also hopes to increase his chance of marriage with Dinah by undertaking this brave deed. Once Gabriel states his intentions, a few other men accompany him on his quest to hunt down and kill the beast.
Under Mae Clair’s expert guidance, we slip into the present where we reconnect with Jillian, a character from book one, who is an Empath, trying to deal with the intense feelings of everyone she comes across.
To make matters worse, Jillian’s sister, Maddy, witnessed the brutal murder of her husband Boyd. Maddy’s institutionalized as the horror of her ordeal has left her stuck in the memory of that horrible experience. Jillian will do anything to help her sister.
As Gabriel’s story twists into the present, it’s revealed that Jillian and her family have guarded Gabriel’s grave for years. When a pair of grave robbers dig up his remains, they do not understand what they have unleashed upon the people of Hode’s Hill.
Desperate, Jillian turns to the psychic, Dante DeLuca, another character from book one, to help her uncover the horrible secrets of the past.
“End of Day” coaxed me along with breadcrumb facts that deepened my connection to the mystery. The author weaves each character’s narrative into the plot with descriptions so real that I imagined myself standing with a thumping heartbeat in several scenes! It takes skill to write scenes that invoke a sense of foreboding in a reader, and Mae Clair’s gift blares across the page.
“End of Day,” is full of mystery and suspense. It will leave you on the edge of your chair (or bed) reading into the wee hours of the night (I did).
It’s hard for me to say this, because I loved book one, “Cusp of Night,” but this book was as good or better than the first book in the series. This book could stand on its own, but reading the first book gave me an understanding of the characters and the connective tissue of the town of Hode’s Hill that glues all these mysteries together. I’ve already started the third book, called, “Even Tide,” but that discussion is for another day. If you love paranormal fiction, you’ve got to read this series!
September 5, 2019
This is the second book in the Hode's Hill series of books by Mae Clair. I read and thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the series so I had high expectations for this new book. These were certainly met in End of Day which I enjoyed even more than the first book.
End of Day is a fairly dark and compelling reading, told on two timelines separated by over two hundred years. Gabriel Vane is an orphan, who is becoming a successful farmer in his small community, through hard work and determination. He has fallen in love with his best friend, Jasper's sister, Dinah, and is hoping to win her hand in marriage. In order to increase his chances of a successful outcome to his courtship of Dinah, he undertakes to seek out and kill a savage beast that is stalking their community and killing livestock. The beast has struck terror into the hearts of the villagers and people living in the surrounding area. Following Gabriel's brave gesture, Jasper and another unmarried farmer in their community, Hiram, volunteer to accompany him on his quest.
In the present day, we are reintroduced to Jillian, a minor character from book one, who has strong empathetic abilities. Her sister, Maddy, shares her gift and, after witnessing the brutal murder of her husband, Boyd, has withdrawn from the world and is living in a care home as she is unable to look after herself. Boyd's murdered has never been found and Jillian spends a great deal of time, visiting her sister in the hope that she will emerge from her catatonic state. I really liked the character of Jillian and enjoyed her portrayal as a strong woman who is able to overcome her own fears and take the steps necessary to prevent her home town and its inhabitants from succumbing to catastrophe. I also liked the role played by Jillian's care dog, it is always nice to have a relationship between a human and a dog in a story.
Dante DeLuca also plays a much bigger role in this book than in book one. I wasn't that keen on his character previously but grew very fond of him while reading End of Day. A lot more information about his father's death and the last haunted years of his life comes out and it provides more background and texture to Dante's character. His psychic abilities and experience with seances come to the fore once more. I enjoyed the development of Dante's character and the subtle hints at a future romance between him and Jillian. Dante had a psychic experience as a young boy which ended with one of his best friends being killed in a car accident. This incident is inextricable tied to the turbulent set of circumstances that he, Jillian and his young nephew, Elliott, find themselves involved in.
End of Hill is exciting and fast paced with lots of mystery and mystic. The supernatural element is dark and frightening but these parts are written tastefully and are not unduly graphic. I recommend End of Day to lovers of supernatural and action paced stories with interesting and believable characters. You do not need to have read book one in order to enjoy book one, but it adds to your appreciation of the character development if you do.
End of Day is a fairly dark and compelling reading, told on two timelines separated by over two hundred years. Gabriel Vane is an orphan, who is becoming a successful farmer in his small community, through hard work and determination. He has fallen in love with his best friend, Jasper's sister, Dinah, and is hoping to win her hand in marriage. In order to increase his chances of a successful outcome to his courtship of Dinah, he undertakes to seek out and kill a savage beast that is stalking their community and killing livestock. The beast has struck terror into the hearts of the villagers and people living in the surrounding area. Following Gabriel's brave gesture, Jasper and another unmarried farmer in their community, Hiram, volunteer to accompany him on his quest.
In the present day, we are reintroduced to Jillian, a minor character from book one, who has strong empathetic abilities. Her sister, Maddy, shares her gift and, after witnessing the brutal murder of her husband, Boyd, has withdrawn from the world and is living in a care home as she is unable to look after herself. Boyd's murdered has never been found and Jillian spends a great deal of time, visiting her sister in the hope that she will emerge from her catatonic state. I really liked the character of Jillian and enjoyed her portrayal as a strong woman who is able to overcome her own fears and take the steps necessary to prevent her home town and its inhabitants from succumbing to catastrophe. I also liked the role played by Jillian's care dog, it is always nice to have a relationship between a human and a dog in a story.
Dante DeLuca also plays a much bigger role in this book than in book one. I wasn't that keen on his character previously but grew very fond of him while reading End of Day. A lot more information about his father's death and the last haunted years of his life comes out and it provides more background and texture to Dante's character. His psychic abilities and experience with seances come to the fore once more. I enjoyed the development of Dante's character and the subtle hints at a future romance between him and Jillian. Dante had a psychic experience as a young boy which ended with one of his best friends being killed in a car accident. This incident is inextricable tied to the turbulent set of circumstances that he, Jillian and his young nephew, Elliott, find themselves involved in.
End of Hill is exciting and fast paced with lots of mystery and mystic. The supernatural element is dark and frightening but these parts are written tastefully and are not unduly graphic. I recommend End of Day to lovers of supernatural and action paced stories with interesting and believable characters. You do not need to have read book one in order to enjoy book one, but it adds to your appreciation of the character development if you do.
September 23, 2019
I've been a Mae Clair fan for some time now, and Book 2 of her Hode's Hill series has been on my TBR pile for quite a while. I'm so glad I waited until I wasn't rushed to read it, as I was able to take my time and thoroughly enjoy Ms. Clair's latest offering.
To my mind, End of Day has a distinctly darker flavour than other Clair books - something I personally loved - and it delivers the usual tense, tightly-paced story and excellent writing I've come to expect from Clair. An example of Clair's exquisite way with words is; "The chapel was small, newly built, the smell of sawdust as heavy as the twin augers of anger and fear boring through the heart of every man in the gathering." (from "End of Day (A Hode's Hill Novel Book 2)" by Mae Clair)
While I sometimes struggle with "sequel" books that are set in the same environment but are about different main characters, I warmed quickly enough to Clair's newest heroine - Jillian Cley - and became rather enamoured with her secondary main character (and repeat player), Dante DeLuca. DeLuca's character has a whiff of anti-hero about him that I adore, and I was thrilled to see him take on a larger role this book around.
All that said, like in Book 1 of the Hode's Hill series - Cusp of Night - to me, it was in the flashback sequences of End of Day where Clair's talent really shines. She has a knack for instantly sucking the reader into the distant past and is able to truly 'sell' a scene through description, dialect, and dialogue. I simply adore Clair's historical chapters, and found myself wanting to flick ahead to find out just how Gabriel and Atticus' stories unfolded. But isn't that the mark of good writing?
In summary - End of Day is an excellent read and one well-worth your time. Helps to have read the first book (Cusp of Night) first, but probably not strictly necessary.
To my mind, End of Day has a distinctly darker flavour than other Clair books - something I personally loved - and it delivers the usual tense, tightly-paced story and excellent writing I've come to expect from Clair. An example of Clair's exquisite way with words is; "The chapel was small, newly built, the smell of sawdust as heavy as the twin augers of anger and fear boring through the heart of every man in the gathering." (from "End of Day (A Hode's Hill Novel Book 2)" by Mae Clair)
While I sometimes struggle with "sequel" books that are set in the same environment but are about different main characters, I warmed quickly enough to Clair's newest heroine - Jillian Cley - and became rather enamoured with her secondary main character (and repeat player), Dante DeLuca. DeLuca's character has a whiff of anti-hero about him that I adore, and I was thrilled to see him take on a larger role this book around.
All that said, like in Book 1 of the Hode's Hill series - Cusp of Night - to me, it was in the flashback sequences of End of Day where Clair's talent really shines. She has a knack for instantly sucking the reader into the distant past and is able to truly 'sell' a scene through description, dialect, and dialogue. I simply adore Clair's historical chapters, and found myself wanting to flick ahead to find out just how Gabriel and Atticus' stories unfolded. But isn't that the mark of good writing?
In summary - End of Day is an excellent read and one well-worth your time. Helps to have read the first book (Cusp of Night) first, but probably not strictly necessary.
April 11, 2019
I enjoyed the first book in the Hode’s Hill series, Cusp of Night, and liked this one even better. Though characters from the first book are present in the periphery of the story, Clair switches the main focus to Dante and Jillian for this second book. Reading the first novel in the series is helpful for some of the details, but End of Day can easily stand alone. The story is straight forward and wraps up tightly in the end.
The book is a nice blend of paranormal, thriller, and mystery genres. Clair intersperses the present-day story with glimpses into the past (1799) and the grisly murder of Gabriel Vane. It’s the desecration of Vane’s grave that kicks off the book’s paranormal activity including a string of deaths. Two parties attempt to obtain an emerald taken from the grave, one committed to returning it along with Gabriel’s bones, while the other plans to use the gem’s magic for personal enrichment and power. A secondary plot related to a brutal murder runs parallel and in time the two intersect.
I found the action believable, the characters genuine, and their relationships authentic. I was particularly riveted by Gabriel’s story – tragic, full of emotion, and beautifully written. Secondary characters are also well-drawn with distinct personalities. End of Day is an engaging read and highly recommended.
The book is a nice blend of paranormal, thriller, and mystery genres. Clair intersperses the present-day story with glimpses into the past (1799) and the grisly murder of Gabriel Vane. It’s the desecration of Vane’s grave that kicks off the book’s paranormal activity including a string of deaths. Two parties attempt to obtain an emerald taken from the grave, one committed to returning it along with Gabriel’s bones, while the other plans to use the gem’s magic for personal enrichment and power. A secondary plot related to a brutal murder runs parallel and in time the two intersect.
I found the action believable, the characters genuine, and their relationships authentic. I was particularly riveted by Gabriel’s story – tragic, full of emotion, and beautifully written. Secondary characters are also well-drawn with distinct personalities. End of Day is an engaging read and highly recommended.
August 28, 2019
The past is never truly buried. Nor can history be changed, no matter how much you might want it remembered differently.
End of Day is the second book of the Hodes Hill Series but works well as a standalone novel. The main characters differ from those in book 1, but a common character thread runs throughout, giving the MCs from book 1 a more minor role in book 2 and bringing previously low-key characters to the fore in book 2.
The narrative switches back and forth between historical time and present day and is easy to follow. The story opens with a bang and keeps going at a good pace. It has a great first line: 'They were coming.' Which grabbed me right off the bat. The story has an excellent historical feel, and the writer clearly knows her stuff. On the whole, apart from overuse of sentences beginning with 'ing' ending words, the writing is clean with few errors and flows well. Another line that I loved was; 'Elation displaced anger, sweeping the vinegar of fear from the chapel.' The author comes up a few lines that stand out like this.
The plot and suspense are well laid out, and I didn't guess the origin of the plague or answer the other questions until the author revealed them.
This is a great supernatural mystery/thriller which I greatly enjoyed. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
End of Day is the second book of the Hodes Hill Series but works well as a standalone novel. The main characters differ from those in book 1, but a common character thread runs throughout, giving the MCs from book 1 a more minor role in book 2 and bringing previously low-key characters to the fore in book 2.
The narrative switches back and forth between historical time and present day and is easy to follow. The story opens with a bang and keeps going at a good pace. It has a great first line: 'They were coming.' Which grabbed me right off the bat. The story has an excellent historical feel, and the writer clearly knows her stuff. On the whole, apart from overuse of sentences beginning with 'ing' ending words, the writing is clean with few errors and flows well. Another line that I loved was; 'Elation displaced anger, sweeping the vinegar of fear from the chapel.' The author comes up a few lines that stand out like this.
The plot and suspense are well laid out, and I didn't guess the origin of the plague or answer the other questions until the author revealed them.
This is a great supernatural mystery/thriller which I greatly enjoyed. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
April 27, 2019
I have loved every Mae Clair book that I've read and this one is no exception! The way she intertwines the past and present to build the entire story is fantastic! When the empathic Jillian Cley crosses paths with Dante DeLuca who communicates with spirits in the other world, things are bound to get interesting. And they do. Jillian struggles to control her sensitivities and has a service dog, a Husky, who helps to ground her. There are a lot of characters in this story. But, I never had trouble keeping up with who was who and the role each played, even as the author switched back and forth between present day and the late seventeen-hundreds. As the reason for the curse is revealed, the plot gets thickened with a grave-robber and the release of monsters who had been held in the infamous Hodes Hill cemetery. There are nail-biting scenes and I couldn't put the book down. I had many late nights until I finished it. Suspenseful, engaging, compelling, other-worldly, and gripping are words I'd use to describe this story. My hat is off to this author for successfully writing in two different time periods effectively! This is a GREAT read if you love suspense, paranormal happenings, and relatable characters! I highly recommend it!
October 15, 2019
I loved the first book in this series (and have the third one pre-ordered) and was so excited to read End of Day, I made it my choice for book club.
This is the perfect book to curl up with on a cold, dreary night. Some scenes will send chills up your spine and have you glancing over your shoulder to make sure no one's there. With book club members, it spawned spirited conversations ranging from genetics (an odd choice, I know) to our beliefs in ghosts and mediums. For this horror fan, it was a highly enjoyable meeting.
As with the first book in the series, I especially enjoyed the alternating timelines and how Gabriel's fate was gradually explained. I remembered Dante from the previous book, and looked forward to learning more about him. He's now one of my favorite characters in the series, and his scenes with Elliott in the role of a substitute father figure warmed my heart. Jillian's tragic circumstances immediately pulled me in, and I count her therapy dog, Blizzard, as one of the best bookish furry friends I've read.
End of Day is a compelling blend of paranormal, thriller, and mystery, and although part of a series, can easily be read as a standalone. I highly recommend this well-written, atmospheric read.
This is the perfect book to curl up with on a cold, dreary night. Some scenes will send chills up your spine and have you glancing over your shoulder to make sure no one's there. With book club members, it spawned spirited conversations ranging from genetics (an odd choice, I know) to our beliefs in ghosts and mediums. For this horror fan, it was a highly enjoyable meeting.
As with the first book in the series, I especially enjoyed the alternating timelines and how Gabriel's fate was gradually explained. I remembered Dante from the previous book, and looked forward to learning more about him. He's now one of my favorite characters in the series, and his scenes with Elliott in the role of a substitute father figure warmed my heart. Jillian's tragic circumstances immediately pulled me in, and I count her therapy dog, Blizzard, as one of the best bookish furry friends I've read.
End of Day is a compelling blend of paranormal, thriller, and mystery, and although part of a series, can easily be read as a standalone. I highly recommend this well-written, atmospheric read.
November 1, 2020
Generations of Jillian’s family have been tasked with tending the grave of Gabriel Vane. Legend has it that as first to be buried in the Hode’s Hill cemetery, Gabriel guards the burial ground from evil. Jillian takes her role very seriously, but is also dealing with the fallout of her brother-in-law’s murder, which has left her sister, Madison, in a catatonic state.
And then someone robs the grave, removing Gabriel’s bones, and all hell lets loose…
In this, the second of the Hode’s Hill novels, we delve further into the life of minor characters from book #1. Jillian is a complex character with empathic abilities. We saw a little of her in ‘Cusp of Night’, along with her devoted Husky, Blizzard, and learn that the dog is a therapy animal that helps keep Jillian grounded when her ability goes into overdrive.
Back also are Dante, and police detective, David, along with several new characters who end up facing more supernatural mayhem, when a spate of fatal accidents befalls residents of the area – residents who all have family buried in the graveyard Gabriel should be protecting.
Like book #1, a slowly revealed historical story unwinds alongside current events. These interlocking stories draw you along, eager to know exactly how Gabriel ended up dying at such a young age, and how the removal of his bones can be escalated to a matter of import to the local police force. After all, grave robbing isn’t really an urgent matter, or so the fact-led detectives believe.
I read this book even faster than book #1. There isn’t much I can add to my comments on Clair’s excellent writing, other than to say this time around I didn’t NOTICE the writing, which for me is the highest accolade I can bestow on an author.
If you haven’t tried this series yet, I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys a good mystery well laced with the supernatural and a little bit of gruesome!
And then someone robs the grave, removing Gabriel’s bones, and all hell lets loose…
In this, the second of the Hode’s Hill novels, we delve further into the life of minor characters from book #1. Jillian is a complex character with empathic abilities. We saw a little of her in ‘Cusp of Night’, along with her devoted Husky, Blizzard, and learn that the dog is a therapy animal that helps keep Jillian grounded when her ability goes into overdrive.
Back also are Dante, and police detective, David, along with several new characters who end up facing more supernatural mayhem, when a spate of fatal accidents befalls residents of the area – residents who all have family buried in the graveyard Gabriel should be protecting.
Like book #1, a slowly revealed historical story unwinds alongside current events. These interlocking stories draw you along, eager to know exactly how Gabriel ended up dying at such a young age, and how the removal of his bones can be escalated to a matter of import to the local police force. After all, grave robbing isn’t really an urgent matter, or so the fact-led detectives believe.
I read this book even faster than book #1. There isn’t much I can add to my comments on Clair’s excellent writing, other than to say this time around I didn’t NOTICE the writing, which for me is the highest accolade I can bestow on an author.
If you haven’t tried this series yet, I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys a good mystery well laced with the supernatural and a little bit of gruesome!
April 15, 2021
Author Mae Clair demonstrates rare skill in this second book of the Hode’s Hill series. Particularly noteworthy is the ease with which she travels between the late 1700s and the present. The seamless intertwining of the storylines is, at times, breathtaking.
End of Day not only grabs at the heart, it opens doors to alternative ways of seeing. Readers face questions and possibilities, at times unsettling, at times reassuring. The story is a mystery that is full of contrasts -- of time, of characters, of reality itself. And interwoven throughout is the supernatural – sometimes heart-stopping, sometimes calming, but always well-captured through Clair’s able hands.
I'm left wondering about my ancestors and the secrets buried through time. I suspect other readers might feel the same. Bravo author Clair. This was an amazing journey!
End of Day not only grabs at the heart, it opens doors to alternative ways of seeing. Readers face questions and possibilities, at times unsettling, at times reassuring. The story is a mystery that is full of contrasts -- of time, of characters, of reality itself. And interwoven throughout is the supernatural – sometimes heart-stopping, sometimes calming, but always well-captured through Clair’s able hands.
I'm left wondering about my ancestors and the secrets buried through time. I suspect other readers might feel the same. Bravo author Clair. This was an amazing journey!
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August 27, 2020This book is the second of the 'Hodes Hill' series, and as such shares some of the characters from its predecessor, but it is nonetheless a stand-alone story and in many ways quite differently constructed. You are transported back to a time when superstition and greed were less well disguised, perhaps, then returned to watch as those descended from sinners are compelled to face their history in the present day. Reading back on the author's introduction to the book and the reviews here, there is nothing that can be added without 'spoilers', except to warn you - be prepared for a very fast-paced and thrilling climax!
February 9, 2020
I really liked this entry in the Hode's Hill series. The parallel stories were interesting and each had characters that were well written and engaging. I liked the paranormal twists and parts of the story were quite scary. Hode's Hill is an interesting place and each story has both new characters and familiar faces from previous books. I'm hoping the author has plans for more books as it seems this town has many, many secrets. I'm looking forward to reading more books in the series.
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