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The Shape of Night
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A woman trying to outrun her past is drawn to a quiet coastal town in Maine–and to a string of unsolved murders–in this haunting tale of romantic suspense from New York Times bestselling author Tess Gerritsen.
Ava Collette is punishing herself for an unspeakable tragedy. So she flees Boston and rents an old home named Brodie’s Watch on a remote coastal peninsula of Maine, ...more
Ava Collette is punishing herself for an unspeakable tragedy. So she flees Boston and rents an old home named Brodie’s Watch on a remote coastal peninsula of Maine, ...more
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Ava Collette, a cookbook author, has rented a home in a coastal town in Maine in order to get some distance from her past and her life in Boston. She tells everyone that she needs the space and quiet in order to focus on her book about New England Cuisine. The old beautiful house she has rented is named Brodie's Watch which was named after its owner Brodie who was a sea captain who was lost at sea.
Soon after moving in, she learns that another woman had rented the home before her but left ...more
Soon after moving in, she learns that another woman had rented the home before her but left ...more
I'm not really sure how to review this book, while quick and easy to read, it wasn't really what I was expecting. We have Ava who, in the wake of a personal tragedy, leaves Boston to take a rental for the summer in coastal Maine, where she's determined to finish the book she is writing. She is able to get the rental on a huge oceanfront mansion cheaply, as it has a checkered past, and is said to be haunted.
Ava tries to get on with her life, and though making progress with her book, she is ...more
Ava tries to get on with her life, and though making progress with her book, she is ...more
The Shape of Night by Tess Gerritsen is a 2019 Ballantine Publication.
A creepy paranormal mystery with a Gothic undertone? Count me in!
An isolated old mansion, a fragile house guest, an unsolved mystery, a few erotic encounters and an unusual ghost/entity in residence, and you have all the makings of a spellbinding paranormal thriller!!
Ava Collette, a food writer, has rented ‘Brodie’s Watch’, an old mansion located on a small peninsula of Maine. Having fled Boston after a tragedy that has ...more
A creepy paranormal mystery with a Gothic undertone? Count me in!
An isolated old mansion, a fragile house guest, an unsolved mystery, a few erotic encounters and an unusual ghost/entity in residence, and you have all the makings of a spellbinding paranormal thriller!!
Ava Collette, a food writer, has rented ‘Brodie’s Watch’, an old mansion located on a small peninsula of Maine. Having fled Boston after a tragedy that has ...more
I enjoyed Gerritsen’s prior series, Rizzoli and Isles, so I was willing to give this standalone a try. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that paranormal, gothic mysteries are not my normal cup of tea but I need to step outside my favorites every now and then.
Ava is a food writer, looking to work on her cookbook. She rents an almost renovated mansion in Maine to have the peace and quiet she needs. She’s also running away from her prior life in Boston. We are only given small illusions as to how ...more
Ava is a food writer, looking to work on her cookbook. She rents an almost renovated mansion in Maine to have the peace and quiet she needs. She’s also running away from her prior life in Boston. We are only given small illusions as to how ...more
Oct 17, 2019
Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice*
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
crime,
mystery,
paranormal,
5-star,
netgalley-arc,
family-drama,
suspense,
2019,
contemporary-fiction
EXCERPT: Even now I still dream about Brodie's Watch, and the nightmare is always the same. I am standing in the gravel driveway and the house looms before me like a ghost ship adrift in the fog. Around my feet mist curls and slithers and it coats my skin in icy rime. I hear waves rolling in from the sea and crashing against the cliffs, and overhead, seagulls scream a warning to stay far, far away. I know that Death waits behind that front door, yet I do not retreat because the house is calling
...more
I love Tess Gerritsen’s Rizzoli & Isles series so was looking forward to read this, especially when it sounded like a foray into a very different type of novel - a gothic paranormal mystery. Unfortunately it didn’t quite work for me. I’m not sure whether it was the handsome ghost who was into BDSM, the too good to be true town doctor who instantly falls for the main character or the mysterious deaths of a number of women or just that the whole did not fit well together.
The main character, ...more
The main character, ...more
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. Ava Collette is a food writer who rents a house in a small coastal Maine town. She has promised her publisher a book of historic recipes. She decides getting away from her home in Boston will help her write. She experiments by making a dish from each recipe. There are 2 carpenters repairing the house who happily become guinea pigs. They are in heaven because all her cooking is delicious.
But then the ghost of the original owner comes to her. There are some disturbing ...more
But then the ghost of the original owner comes to her. There are some disturbing ...more
After reading a number of Rizzoli & Isles novels by Tess Gerritsen, I was drawn to her latest piece, a standalone, to see if it held as much excitement for me. Definitely full of mystery, this book will leave those who have loved the aforementioned series with many questions and potential concerns if this is the new path Gerritsen is set to take. Ava Collette has decided to leave the busy life she led in Boston, settling in a small Maine town. With many secrets in the rear view mirror, Ava
...more
Oct 02, 2019
Brenda
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
arc,
5000-2019,
net-galley,
crime,
suspense,
2019-release,
mystery,
read-on-kindle,
own-read,
paranormal
Tess Gerritsen is an author that’s an automatic go to for me – without knowing anything about it, I’ll read it. But I’m seriously wondering if The Shape of Night was written by someone else, it’s that different from anything the author has written before. A one hundred and fifty year old ghost; a woman living in said ghost’s house; that same woman drinking herself to oblivion almost every night; and there’s more…
Ava rented Brodie’s Watch in Maine for the summer so she could complete the ...more
Ava rented Brodie’s Watch in Maine for the summer so she could complete the ...more
In a departure from her usual books, Tess Gerritsen has written a gothic paranormal stand-alone mystery. Having loved gothic books, I was eager to read this one, and it did not disappoint!
Ava is a food writer in Boston who is writing a cookbook on traditional New England cooking. She rents a house in a small town on the coast of Maine, where she can write her book and escape a tragedy in her life and find healing from her feelings of shame and guilt.
She finds the house dark, creepy, and ...more
Ava is a food writer in Boston who is writing a cookbook on traditional New England cooking. She rents a house in a small town on the coast of Maine, where she can write her book and escape a tragedy in her life and find healing from her feelings of shame and guilt.
She finds the house dark, creepy, and ...more
Captivating And Suspenseful!
Ava Collette is a national food writer working on a new book about some of New England best- loved recipes and her book is way behind schedule. So Ava rented an oceanfront house (sight unseen) in a historic town (Tucker's Cove) in Maine thinking she might be inspired by by the nostalgia of the area and the ambience of the sea. Ava's only companion is her Maine coon cat (26 pounds) who goes everywhere with her. Shortly after she moves in, Ava feels as if she is being ...more
Ava Collette is a national food writer working on a new book about some of New England best- loved recipes and her book is way behind schedule. So Ava rented an oceanfront house (sight unseen) in a historic town (Tucker's Cove) in Maine thinking she might be inspired by by the nostalgia of the area and the ambience of the sea. Ava's only companion is her Maine coon cat (26 pounds) who goes everywhere with her. Shortly after she moves in, Ava feels as if she is being ...more
The Shape of Night , Tess Gerritsen’s new standalone novel, is nothing like her Rizzoli & Isles series. Fans of Jane and Maura may – or may not – love this paranormal chiller.
Ava is a food writer who needs peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of Boston to finish researching and writing her new cookbook. When Brodie’s Watch, a late-1800s mansion in the small town on the Maine coast becomes available for rent, Ava feels that she has found the ideal spot. She can cook and write. She ...more
Ava Collett is a chef who writes cookbooks. Shes also feeling guilty about something she has done. She decides to get away from it all for a short while and rents Brodie's Watch, a very old house with a sea view in Maine. The house had originally been built by sea captain, Jeremiah Brodie, but it's now being restored to its former glory. Its ot long before Ava sees a ghost, the ghost of Jeremiah Brodie. He tells Ava he wishes her no harm. Ava starts to look forward to Jeremiah's visits. But then
...more
This is a great ghost story! I couldn't put the book down - just had to keep racing through to see what was going to happen next. Although of couse it's unbelievable. I couldn't decide if the main character, Ava, was imagining things in an alcohol-induced stupor or if the things that were happening to her were real.
I didn't expect supernatural/paranormal from Tess Gerritsen, so I was surprised, but it is well done! This ghost story should have an "R" rating though, so be forewarned. The suspense ...more
I didn't expect supernatural/paranormal from Tess Gerritsen, so I was surprised, but it is well done! This ghost story should have an "R" rating though, so be forewarned. The suspense ...more
Ava rents a old house in Maine to spend some time writing her new book.
From the start she feels that she is not alone in the house and that she is being watched. At night she can hear noises and she can see shadows. She begins to wonder if its her imagination or if there is someone else in the house.
A ghost story full of suspense that had me hooked from the beginning.
This is the first Tess Gerritsen book that I have read and I will be looking out for more of her books.
Thank you to NetGalley and ...more
From the start she feels that she is not alone in the house and that she is being watched. At night she can hear noises and she can see shadows. She begins to wonder if its her imagination or if there is someone else in the house.
A ghost story full of suspense that had me hooked from the beginning.
This is the first Tess Gerritsen book that I have read and I will be looking out for more of her books.
Thank you to NetGalley and ...more
Loved this gothic twist on a classic thriller set up.
In a departure from her usual books, Tess Gerritsen has written a gothic paranormal stand-alone mystery. Having loved gothic books, I was eager to read this one, and it did not disappoint!
Ava is a food writer in Boston who is writing a cookbook on traditional New England cooking. She rents a house in a small town on the coast of Maine, where she can write her book and escape a tragedy in her life and find healing from her feelings of shame and guilt.
She finds the house dark, creepy, and ...more
Ava is a food writer in Boston who is writing a cookbook on traditional New England cooking. She rents a house in a small town on the coast of Maine, where she can write her book and escape a tragedy in her life and find healing from her feelings of shame and guilt.
She finds the house dark, creepy, and ...more
The Shape of Night is a gothic paranormal mystery from the author of Rizzoli & Isles series. When I picked up this book, I did not expect it to be quite so creepy and erotic at the same time. I was pleasantly surprised.
The main heroine Ava leaves Boston and moves into an old house on the coast of Maine to write her cookbook and to escape some traumatic events of her past. The house appears to be haunted by the original owner, Captain Brodie, who died more than a hundred years ago. Also, ...more
The main heroine Ava leaves Boston and moves into an old house on the coast of Maine to write her cookbook and to escape some traumatic events of her past. The house appears to be haunted by the original owner, Captain Brodie, who died more than a hundred years ago. Also, ...more
Sep 24, 2019
Chris C - A Midlife Wife
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
adult-romance,
crime,
thriller,
erotica,
suspense,
reviews,
best-of-2019,
dark,
fiction,
paranormal-romance
Wow. Crazy and spooky story!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I just love it when a book blows me away. I’ve had several instances this month that a book completely surprised me. The Shape of Night is one of those books.
This is a story within a story. You know she is escaping from something, you just don’t know what or why, but we get glimpses along the way.
You know the house is more than what it seems. The town thinks it’s haunted and it very well may be. But there’s also secrets about this house. Things ...more
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I just love it when a book blows me away. I’ve had several instances this month that a book completely surprised me. The Shape of Night is one of those books.
This is a story within a story. You know she is escaping from something, you just don’t know what or why, but we get glimpses along the way.
You know the house is more than what it seems. The town thinks it’s haunted and it very well may be. But there’s also secrets about this house. Things ...more
My very first Gerritsen read but definitely not my last. Boy was I really impressed with this one!! I needed something that was vintage haunted house since I read it at the end of October and this it pretty much every single one of my requirements to be an excellent read. The only thing it lacked was a little bit more spook towards the end, then it would have undoubtedly been a five-star read for me! as it stands this is a very high four-star read and I would recommend anyone into creepy
...more
A brooding 150-year old house on the sea named Brodie’s Watch has secrets within its’ walls. It appears to draw in young, single women, the latest being Ava Collette, renting the house to get a fresh perspective and overcome writer’s block. She is harboring her own secrets. The haunting backdrop is a perfect setting for this dark, disturbing and unputdownable book.
The prologue sets this book up as something with the potential to be deliciously creepy so I was eager to continue reading. I absolutely fell in love with Tess’ Rizzoli & Isles series (both book and TV versions) but have only read one of her standalone books prior to this one, Playing with Fire.
I read a couple of early reviews prior to beginning this book that mentioned (view spoiler). I thought, ‘Nah, it’s Tess. She wouldn’t go there, surely.’ Yeah, so I was ...more
I read a couple of early reviews prior to beginning this book that mentioned (view spoiler). I thought, ‘Nah, it’s Tess. She wouldn’t go there, surely.’ Yeah, so I was ...more
Nov 16, 2019
Book of Secrets°ღ
marked it as its-me-not-you-dnf
Well, it had a pretty good start with a 19th century house on a cliff, a heroine trying to escape a bad personal situation, a restless ghost, and the promise of a Maine murder mystery. At about 40% it went in a direction that I'm simply not interested in. No thanks on a 50 Shades redo. Maybe if the mystery had been built up more to hook me I would have continued, but as it was I decided to call it quits. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Oct 26, 2019
Linda Strong
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
netgalley-2019,
read-in-2019
3.5 Stars
Do you believe in ghosts? Ava Colletter does ... she's actually seen Captain Jeremiah Brodie who's been haunting Brody's Watch for more than a century. She's touched him, been touched by him, and talked with him. He looks and feels as real as anyone who is still among the living. He welcomes her with open arms.
Ava has rented this mansion for the summer i order to write her next cookbook. And fleeing from a disaster, this is the perfect solution. Or is it?
Before too long, Ava is ...more
Do you believe in ghosts? Ava Colletter does ... she's actually seen Captain Jeremiah Brodie who's been haunting Brody's Watch for more than a century. She's touched him, been touched by him, and talked with him. He looks and feels as real as anyone who is still among the living. He welcomes her with open arms.
Ava has rented this mansion for the summer i order to write her next cookbook. And fleeing from a disaster, this is the perfect solution. Or is it?
Before too long, Ava is ...more
Here’s the genius of the brilliant Tess Gerritsen, in a few words she can make a rose blossom and you’ll swear you can catch the scent. Her words have almost a musical quality so when she adds a ghost into the mix even the most doubting sceptic believes it.
In this book we have a woman who had led a bit of a wild life but seems to have fled to a coastal town in Maine to write a cookbook. The semi isolation makes sense for the creative genius. And maybe the unusual sightings can be blamed on the ...more
In this book we have a woman who had led a bit of a wild life but seems to have fled to a coastal town in Maine to write a cookbook. The semi isolation makes sense for the creative genius. And maybe the unusual sightings can be blamed on the ...more
I thoroughly enjoyed the Rizzoli and Isles series and generally like Tess Gerritsen books so was keen to read this new novel.
On starting the book I had mixed feelings, I was looking forward to reading one of my favourite authors books but not sure of the genre, romantic ghost story. The more I read the more I enjoyed it but still not 100% sure what to rate it.
The main character Ava leaves Boston for an old house on the coast of Maine to try to write a cookbook. She is also trying to escape from ...more
On starting the book I had mixed feelings, I was looking forward to reading one of my favourite authors books but not sure of the genre, romantic ghost story. The more I read the more I enjoyed it but still not 100% sure what to rate it.
The main character Ava leaves Boston for an old house on the coast of Maine to try to write a cookbook. She is also trying to escape from ...more
Ava Collette is a writer working on a cookbook, she has rented out a property in Maine as she is escaping from her past and a terrible tragedy that has left her feeling guilty.
The property is called Brodie’s Watch, it was owned by captain Jeremiah Brodie who died when his ship sank 100 years ago. The last person to rent the house mysteriously packed up and left in a hurry, leaving several personal possessions behind.
Ava is not impressed at the house, she finds it dark and imposing but it feels ...more
The property is called Brodie’s Watch, it was owned by captain Jeremiah Brodie who died when his ship sank 100 years ago. The last person to rent the house mysteriously packed up and left in a hurry, leaving several personal possessions behind.
Ava is not impressed at the house, she finds it dark and imposing but it feels ...more
October New Book Release Read
October/November Group Read 2019
Tess Gerritsen is one of my favorite authors.
This book is a romance suspense, that I did not expect. It’s far from her Rizzoli & Isles trademark.
The first person is Ava Collette, a Boston Food Book author, she goes to the quiet small town, Tucker Cove, Maine, to finish her new cookbook on “New England Recipes”.
She rents a historical house, built by the now dead, Capt. Brodie. This seacoast “Watch-House” was built in 1861. Ava ...more
October/November Group Read 2019
Tess Gerritsen is one of my favorite authors.
This book is a romance suspense, that I did not expect. It’s far from her Rizzoli & Isles trademark.
The first person is Ava Collette, a Boston Food Book author, she goes to the quiet small town, Tucker Cove, Maine, to finish her new cookbook on “New England Recipes”.
She rents a historical house, built by the now dead, Capt. Brodie. This seacoast “Watch-House” was built in 1861. Ava ...more
Having enjoyed many of Tess Gerritsen’s novels in the past, I was looking forward to this new offering. This psychological horror theme is a change from the medically based suspense thrillers of yesteryear.
In the first half the plot seemed to be “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir” meets “50 Shades of Gray”. Then the character who had disappeared (prior to the beginning of the book) turned up murdered so that added a murder and suspense element to the plot. And OH! Of course, we had the current requisite “ ...more
In the first half the plot seemed to be “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir” meets “50 Shades of Gray”. Then the character who had disappeared (prior to the beginning of the book) turned up murdered so that added a murder and suspense element to the plot. And OH! Of course, we had the current requisite “ ...more
This story was just not what I was expecting. I’ve read Tess Gerritsen in the past and remembered her novels as thrilling. This “ghost story” was far from it - the pace was very slow and I just wanted to get to the end. Unfortunately I do not recommend this one. There is some light BDSM to be aware of.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tess Gerritsen Fans: * The Shape of Night (Group Read - October/November 2019) | 7 | 14 | Nov 03, 2019 03:22AM | |
| Goodreads Librari...: Please correct page count | 2 | 12 | Oct 29, 2019 12:23AM |
Readers also enjoyed
Internationally bestselling author Tess Gerritsen took an unusual route to a writing career. A graduate of Stanford University, Tess went on to medical school at the University of California, San Francisco, where she was awarded her M.D.
While on maternity leave from her work as a physician, she began to write fiction. In 1987, her first novel was published. Call After Midnight, a romantic ...more
While on maternity leave from her work as a physician, she began to write fiction. In 1987, her first novel was published. Call After Midnight, a romantic ...more
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