What do you think?
Rate this book
You Let Me In
You Let Me In delivers a stunning tale from debut author Camilla Bruce, combining the sinister domestic atmosphere of Gillian Flynn's Sharp Objects with the otherworldly thrills of Neil Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane .
Cassandra Tipp is dead...or is she?
After all, the notorious recluse and eccentric bestselling novelist has always been prone to flights of fancy―everyone in town remembers the shocking events leading up to Cassie's infamous trial (she may have been acquitted, but the insanity defense only stretches so far).
Cassandra Tipp has left behind no body―just her massive fortune, and one final manuscript.
Then again, there are enough bodies in her past―her husband Tommy Tipp, whose mysterious disembowelment has never been solved, and a few years later, the shocking murder-suicide of her father and brother.
Cassandra Tipp will tell you a story―but it will come with a terrible price. What really happened, out there in the woods―and who has Cassie been protecting all along? Read on, if you dare...
Cassandra Tipp is dead...or is she?
After all, the notorious recluse and eccentric bestselling novelist has always been prone to flights of fancy―everyone in town remembers the shocking events leading up to Cassie's infamous trial (she may have been acquitted, but the insanity defense only stretches so far).
Cassandra Tipp has left behind no body―just her massive fortune, and one final manuscript.
Then again, there are enough bodies in her past―her husband Tommy Tipp, whose mysterious disembowelment has never been solved, and a few years later, the shocking murder-suicide of her father and brother.
Cassandra Tipp will tell you a story―but it will come with a terrible price. What really happened, out there in the woods―and who has Cassie been protecting all along? Read on, if you dare...
256 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2020
457 people are currently reading
18598 people want to read
About the author
Camilla Bruce
11 books869 followersCamilla Bruce was born in central Norway and grew up in an old forest, next to an Iron Age burial mound. She has a master's degree in comparative literature, and have co-run a small press that published dark fairy tales. Camilla currently lives in Trondheim with her son and cat.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,365 reviews
Read
December 15, 2019This book is an exquisite rarity: a faerie book that is at the same time marvellously visual and imaginative, but works equally well as a study of human trauma; a love story (of sorts); a family drama; a wholly engaging mystery. I found it in my ARCS-to-read pile (which this year has been sadly neglected) and started it with no great expectation, although by the end of the third page I was not only hooked, but beginning to think that this might be the best book I'd read all year. Anyone who knows me knows how often I find myself disappointed by the payoff of a novel. This one maintained the tension right till the end - another rarity -never veering into over-exposition or self-indulgence. And the faeries are both nicely original and authentically folkloric: creepy, pagan, detailed, entrancing. I loved it, and I sense that I'll be following this author's future work with excitement and admiration. She's been places. She knows things. Follow her; you'll know them, too.
March 5, 2020
Recipe for You Let Me In: take the dark, folkloric themes of
Pine
or Lanny; mix with the lyrical, romantic style of The Summer That Melted Everything; add a relationship with the same disturbing overtones as those of My Dark Vanessa; combine with the weird atmosphere of two or three short stories by Kelly Link and Elizabeth Hand; and you have something unnerving, strange, yet rich and rather beautiful.
It opens with an article describing the disappearance of Cassandra Tipp, a 74-year-old romance novelist. Cassie was reclusive, but somewhat notorious: she was accused (and cleared) of her husband Tommy's murder 40 years earlier; her therapist wrote a famous book about the case; her father and brother died in a suspected murder-suicide some years later. The narrative continues as a lengthy document Cassie has written for her named heirs, her niece and nephew Penelope and Janus. They must read this manuscript in order to obtain the password that will allow them to claim her estate.
In the manuscript, Cassie spins a fantastic story – a literal fairytale. She claims that, since the age of five, she has been acquainted with a faerie community, and in particular a close companion whom she calls Pepper-Man. This creature has been a constant throughout her life, and according to Cassie, his influence explains her difficult childhood, Tommy's murder, the deaths in her family – everything. It's up to Penelope and Janus (and the reader) to decide whether this outlandish story could possibly be true, or whether Cassie has constructed an elaborate lie. Cassie's therapist believed the latter; that she invented these characters to make sense of childhood abuse, and was so deeply traumatised she was never able to let go of the fantasy. But, then, there are things about Tommy's death that make no logical sense. And Cassie certainly makes a persuasive case.
You Let Me In weaves a brilliant, bewitching spell. At the very beginning, I found the style a little sugary; I wasn't convinced by the tone of the opening article; basically, I wasn't instantly sold. It was when Cassie began talking about the faeries that I found myself transfixed, and from then on, I didn't want to put the book down. The slightly florid prose really comes into its own when applied to tales of wood spirits flying through the night, enchanted stories delivered in jars, a man made from twigs and honey.
Cassie's account of Pepper-Man is horrible and gorgeous, sickening and seductive. Theirs is a symbiotic relationship, yet one formed so early in Cassie's life that she has no hope of escaping. Here, again, it reminded me very much of My Dark Vanessa, its strength lying in how easy it is to be convinced by the narrator's version of the story. Do you hope Pepper-Man is real because you believe in their otherworldly bond, or because you desperately want Cassie not to have been abused? Or both; again, they are inextricable.
This book is, I think, being undersold by its title (makes sense once you've read it, but at first glance seems more suited to a domestic thriller) and blurb (doesn't quite capture the richness of the story). The pre-release reviews on Goodreads are also a mess for the most part, which makes me think it's being promoted to the wrong audience. I hope it finds its perfect readers, as it found its way to me. It was thanks to Kirsty Logan's review that I did, and I have to echo her sentiment: when I'd finished it, I wanted to read it again.
I received an advance review copy of You Let Me In from the publisher through NetGalley.
TinyLetter
It opens with an article describing the disappearance of Cassandra Tipp, a 74-year-old romance novelist. Cassie was reclusive, but somewhat notorious: she was accused (and cleared) of her husband Tommy's murder 40 years earlier; her therapist wrote a famous book about the case; her father and brother died in a suspected murder-suicide some years later. The narrative continues as a lengthy document Cassie has written for her named heirs, her niece and nephew Penelope and Janus. They must read this manuscript in order to obtain the password that will allow them to claim her estate.
In the manuscript, Cassie spins a fantastic story – a literal fairytale. She claims that, since the age of five, she has been acquainted with a faerie community, and in particular a close companion whom she calls Pepper-Man. This creature has been a constant throughout her life, and according to Cassie, his influence explains her difficult childhood, Tommy's murder, the deaths in her family – everything. It's up to Penelope and Janus (and the reader) to decide whether this outlandish story could possibly be true, or whether Cassie has constructed an elaborate lie. Cassie's therapist believed the latter; that she invented these characters to make sense of childhood abuse, and was so deeply traumatised she was never able to let go of the fantasy. But, then, there are things about Tommy's death that make no logical sense. And Cassie certainly makes a persuasive case.
You Let Me In weaves a brilliant, bewitching spell. At the very beginning, I found the style a little sugary; I wasn't convinced by the tone of the opening article; basically, I wasn't instantly sold. It was when Cassie began talking about the faeries that I found myself transfixed, and from then on, I didn't want to put the book down. The slightly florid prose really comes into its own when applied to tales of wood spirits flying through the night, enchanted stories delivered in jars, a man made from twigs and honey.
Cassie's account of Pepper-Man is horrible and gorgeous, sickening and seductive. Theirs is a symbiotic relationship, yet one formed so early in Cassie's life that she has no hope of escaping. Here, again, it reminded me very much of My Dark Vanessa, its strength lying in how easy it is to be convinced by the narrator's version of the story. Do you hope Pepper-Man is real because you believe in their otherworldly bond, or because you desperately want Cassie not to have been abused? Or both; again, they are inextricable.
This book is, I think, being undersold by its title (makes sense once you've read it, but at first glance seems more suited to a domestic thriller) and blurb (doesn't quite capture the richness of the story). The pre-release reviews on Goodreads are also a mess for the most part, which makes me think it's being promoted to the wrong audience. I hope it finds its perfect readers, as it found its way to me. It was thanks to Kirsty Logan's review that I did, and I have to echo her sentiment: when I'd finished it, I wanted to read it again.
I received an advance review copy of You Let Me In from the publisher through NetGalley.
TinyLetter
May 16, 2020
If you're into scary fairies, mental health drama, and murder mysteries, this book is for you. I read it for the super scary fairies, and I was not disappointed. They are very scary.
From the very start, we're given a puzzle that I didn't especially find interesting. "are fairies real? did the fairies do it or did Cassie do it?" I think it's a more interesting book if the fairies are real, but then again, I read a lot of fantasy. Hopefully those lingering questions will give the book some crossover appeal.
Even though I live in Denmark, I always forget the extreme family focus of a lot of Scandinavian lit. That's also the case here, but I found the family focus to be a little stifling for the story, even in places where it IS the story. Related, I always wanted the scary fairies to be a little more up to no good on their own and to have more machinations beyond Cassie and her family drama.
But overall, what I loved of how this book really nails the horror show of what it might be like if you see fairies but nobody believes you. Horrific to imagine, but fun to read.
From the very start, we're given a puzzle that I didn't especially find interesting. "are fairies real? did the fairies do it or did Cassie do it?" I think it's a more interesting book if the fairies are real, but then again, I read a lot of fantasy. Hopefully those lingering questions will give the book some crossover appeal.
Even though I live in Denmark, I always forget the extreme family focus of a lot of Scandinavian lit. That's also the case here, but I found the family focus to be a little stifling for the story, even in places where it IS the story. Related, I always wanted the scary fairies to be a little more up to no good on their own and to have more machinations beyond Cassie and her family drama.
But overall, what I loved of how this book really nails the horror show of what it might be like if you see fairies but nobody believes you. Horrific to imagine, but fun to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
December 6, 2019Not enjoying this one ... so I'm abandoning at 15%
Bye bye Mr. Pepper-Man...
March 23, 2020
The title and cover for his novel didn't prepare me at all for what was inside and I'm still not sure exactly what I read. It's written as a letter from Cassandra Tipp, a 74 year old successful romance writer who has disappeared, addressed to her niece and nephew. She had a tumultuous life to say the least, accused of murdering her husband and later losing her father and brother in a murder-suicide. She also suffered from trauma as a child and underwent therapy for years, becoming the subject of a bestselling book written by her therapist which resulted in estrangement from her family. In her letter to her niece and nephew she tells them about the influence of the faerie world on her life and the reader is left to decide if this is this real or if she has created an alternative history to explain her childhood trauma and subsequent mental illness.
Norwegian author Camilla Bruce takes us into a dark and creepy fantasy world. The faerie world is fully realised and the relationship between Cassandra and her faerie lover is entrancing but disturbing. It took me a little while to engage with the book but the further I read, the more I wanted to know about Cassandra and her world. Many will love this tale and many won't, but however you feel it will keep you on the edge wondering what really happened to Cassandra Tipp.
With thanks to Tor Books and Netgalley for a digital copy to read
Norwegian author Camilla Bruce takes us into a dark and creepy fantasy world. The faerie world is fully realised and the relationship between Cassandra and her faerie lover is entrancing but disturbing. It took me a little while to engage with the book but the further I read, the more I wanted to know about Cassandra and her world. Many will love this tale and many won't, but however you feel it will keep you on the edge wondering what really happened to Cassandra Tipp.
With thanks to Tor Books and Netgalley for a digital copy to read
January 1, 2020
the fuck did i just read
for real
wtf
if you're a fan of traditionally written fairies, you might enjoy this more than i did
it was just... so weird
i feel confused and uncomfortable
idk man
for real
wtf
if you're a fan of traditionally written fairies, you might enjoy this more than i did
it was just... so weird
i feel confused and uncomfortable
idk man
February 12, 2020
What a crazy and weird novel! I don't really know what to make of this, but I enjoyed every minute of this book. This book is about evil fairies and family drama. I dare you to try reading YOU LET ME IN; I hope you get sucked in as I did! Happy reading!
December 4, 2019
3.5 stars
Review to come.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
Review to come.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
March 3, 2020
‘Fiction is sometimes better than reality, don’t you think?’Romance novelist Cassandra Tipp has been missing for a year and as per her Last Will and Testament, her considerable estate is to be shared by her niece and nephew. The only catch is, in order to make the claim, they need to go to Cassandra’s home and find the password hidden somewhere in the manuscript she left for them.
You’re standing in my study, holding this story in your hands - the last one I’ll ever tell.In doing so they will learn about Cassandra’s life, from her early childhood onwards, and the versions of the truth that continue to haunt their family.
‘Maybe the past came back to haunt her. She has a history here’The feedback on this book seems fairly divisive so far. You’ve got the ‘I loved this book!’ people on one side and the ‘What the hell did I just read?!’ people on the other. As I’ve come to expect, I’m a bit of an anomaly. My initial response to this book was ‘What the hell did I just read?! That was so good!’
It’s been over three weeks since I finished reading and I’ve spent plenty of time since then trying to figure out a way of talking about it without wandering into spoiler territory. I also haven’t been able to get Cassandra’s story out of my head.
And things weren’t quite as they seemed.I’ve gone back and forth countless times, trying to decide one way or another what I truly believe and while that would usually frustrate me, here it has only added to my appreciation of the story. You could see it purely as the ramblings of an elderly woman with a history of unresolved trauma and inadequately treated mental illness. That’s what Dr. Martin, Cassandra’s psychiatrist, would say. And he did. In fact, he wrote an entire book about her.
Or you could believe in Pepper-Man’s existence and know in your heart that what Cassandra says is true.
I’m still not entirely sure exactly which parts of the story I attribute to mental illness and/or trauma and which I believe Pepper-Man is responsible for, but because this is a story I think I can get away with what I still consider cheating. I believe both to be true. How on earth can I hold that position?
I think there were certain traumatic events in Cassandra’s childhood that contributed to genuine mental illness. Whether she would have been mentally ill without these experiences, I cannot say for sure but I suspect she would have been, to a certain extent. I believe that these traumatic experiences caused her to need coping mechanisms and one of these was the creation of Pepper-Man. Now, this is where reality and book world diverge a little: in my heart I want to believe that Pepper-Man truly existed, that somehow this young girl’s trauma physically manifested a protector. An unconventional protector, sure, but a protector nonetheless.
‘Can’t both stories be true?’ I asked. ‘Why is it that only because one thing is true, the other thing is not? Why do we always have to decide?’I’m definitely interested in learning what other readers believe and if the author ever answers this question in an interview and you don’t think I know of its existence, please, please send me the link.
I wanted someone to know, you see. To know my truth, now that I am gone.I’m not usually a ‘Have you considered adding more pink?’ kind of person but definitely feel like an opportunity was missed when the covers were designed for this book. Cassandra, the main character, is an author whose books all feature pink covers so it would have been perfect if this book’s cover had been a creepy Pepper-Man design in various shades of pink. Usually when I buy a book I make sure I choose my favourite cover image, even if it costs more. Unfortunately I don’t have a favourite here.
How everything and none of it happened.
‘She would have us believe she’s off with the faeries’While you probably need to know upfront that this is a strange story and it may not be for you, I don’t want you to not attempt it at all. If you’re intrigued and want a sneak peek, you can currently download a digital preview of the first 34 pages here.
Content warnings include mention of .
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bantam Press, an imprint of Transworld Publishers, Penguin Random House UK, for the opportunity to read this book.
March 12, 2025
One of the best "fairy" horror books ever written in the genre. I entirely forgot to add a review for this book as I wasn't as active here when I read it. But it's a must read. It's creepy as they come and so well written! It's also the plot I think most about when I hear the house settling at night and feel the sudden need to turn the light on. From what I have read, all of Ms. Bruce's books are extremely well written, but this is definitely my favorite thus far.
February 13, 2020
I have been procrastinating writing this review because I'm uncertain how to articulate the experience of reading this strange book. Reading it felt somewhat like wading through a humid, foggy forest; there was beauty and a sense of timelessness, and yet the story weighed heavily on me too, as I constantly questioned whether I was reading about a supernatural experience or trauma-induced mental instability.
Ever since she was a young girl, Cassandra could see fairies; one in particular, whom she has christened "Pepper-Man" due to his distinctive pepper smell, has been with Cassandra for as long as she can remember, and he has been feeding off her. Literally, mind you; this is not some metaphorical life energy situation; Pepper-Man literally sinks his teeth into Cassandra's flesh and consumes her blood. As he does so, he slowly grows more human, as fairies in this world take on the characteristics of whatever it is they're feeding off of, whether that be humans, trees, or animals. The adults in Cassandra's life believe she has a particularly badly behaved imaginary friend, but this gets harder to reconcile as Cassandra gets older and continues to see Pepper-Man. Most choose to believe that Cassandra is mentally ill, and in fact the psychologist her parents send her to strongly believes that Cassandra is having delusions as a reaction to severe childhood trauma and abuse.
What is the truth? Is Cassandra mentally ill or are fairies real? Well, the story posits that perhaps both options are true, or that one truth does not necessarily negate the other. Perhaps Cassandra was abused, but that doesn't mean fairies aren't real. The narrative constantly teases the reader with hints of what the truth may be, but stops just short of confirming one way or another, leading you to inhabit a nebulous, liminal space in which perhaps both truths are somehow a reality. It makes you question the meaning of reality itself; if Cassandra truly believes fairies are real, if they have continued to affect her life in such a significant way, what does it matter that others can't see them? What does it even mean for them to be "real"? They are real to her, and whether they are a manifestation of mental illness or not doesn't really matter anymore. This sense of being unmoored is greatly increased by the ambiguous setting; there are so few clues that indicate when or where this story is taking place.
Cassandra never seems to concerned with digging into her past to look for potential trauma that may be causing her to have delusions; she is perfectly content with her fairy friends, her only friends, who have also gifted her with the stories she publishes, brewed in fairy "tea." Incidentally, this is my favorite depiction of fairies that I've ever read. They are incredibly sinister. They are also not necessarily otherworldly creatures; here, they are humans who have died and come back to life in weird, twisted ways, and they long for a taste of humanity. Not to trivialize the toxic nature of Cassandra's parasitic (symbiotic?) relationship with Pepper-Man, but if you like villain romances, this is it. Pepper-Man is such an intriguingly ambiguous character; he needs Cassandra to exist, he feeds off her to the point where she is constantly sickly and deficient in vitamins, and even the book argues that he has groomed her since she was a child, but he...loves her? Maybe? Things become even stranger and more compelling when their relationship turns sexual, and it is never quite clear precisely when that happens, though the book hints that it starts when Cassandra is fourteen. Though Pepper-Man is seductive, he's also very bizarre and creepy, and the book knows this, even as it refrains from taking a clear side.
The book's lovely prose complements the bewitching tale of sinister fairies and amorphous realities. When I first started reading I was a bit hesitant at the second-person perspective, since Cassandra is speaking directly to her niece and nephew, but as she began to weave her tale of fairies, I was hooked, and from there I couldn't put the book down. I was drawn in to this strange, morbid fairy tale with its languid prose; there were so many scenes where I had to pause and re-read just to take in the scene and the words. There is so much richness in the way this book is written; it makes for a heady, captivating experience; by the end one feels almost like a mosquito gorged on blood: satisfied yet slightly nauseated.
Ever since she was a young girl, Cassandra could see fairies; one in particular, whom she has christened "Pepper-Man" due to his distinctive pepper smell, has been with Cassandra for as long as she can remember, and he has been feeding off her. Literally, mind you; this is not some metaphorical life energy situation; Pepper-Man literally sinks his teeth into Cassandra's flesh and consumes her blood. As he does so, he slowly grows more human, as fairies in this world take on the characteristics of whatever it is they're feeding off of, whether that be humans, trees, or animals. The adults in Cassandra's life believe she has a particularly badly behaved imaginary friend, but this gets harder to reconcile as Cassandra gets older and continues to see Pepper-Man. Most choose to believe that Cassandra is mentally ill, and in fact the psychologist her parents send her to strongly believes that Cassandra is having delusions as a reaction to severe childhood trauma and abuse.
What is the truth? Is Cassandra mentally ill or are fairies real? Well, the story posits that perhaps both options are true, or that one truth does not necessarily negate the other. Perhaps Cassandra was abused, but that doesn't mean fairies aren't real. The narrative constantly teases the reader with hints of what the truth may be, but stops just short of confirming one way or another, leading you to inhabit a nebulous, liminal space in which perhaps both truths are somehow a reality. It makes you question the meaning of reality itself; if Cassandra truly believes fairies are real, if they have continued to affect her life in such a significant way, what does it matter that others can't see them? What does it even mean for them to be "real"? They are real to her, and whether they are a manifestation of mental illness or not doesn't really matter anymore. This sense of being unmoored is greatly increased by the ambiguous setting; there are so few clues that indicate when or where this story is taking place.
Cassandra never seems to concerned with digging into her past to look for potential trauma that may be causing her to have delusions; she is perfectly content with her fairy friends, her only friends, who have also gifted her with the stories she publishes, brewed in fairy "tea." Incidentally, this is my favorite depiction of fairies that I've ever read. They are incredibly sinister. They are also not necessarily otherworldly creatures; here, they are humans who have died and come back to life in weird, twisted ways, and they long for a taste of humanity. Not to trivialize the toxic nature of Cassandra's parasitic (symbiotic?) relationship with Pepper-Man, but if you like villain romances, this is it. Pepper-Man is such an intriguingly ambiguous character; he needs Cassandra to exist, he feeds off her to the point where she is constantly sickly and deficient in vitamins, and even the book argues that he has groomed her since she was a child, but he...loves her? Maybe? Things become even stranger and more compelling when their relationship turns sexual, and it is never quite clear precisely when that happens, though the book hints that it starts when Cassandra is fourteen. Though Pepper-Man is seductive, he's also very bizarre and creepy, and the book knows this, even as it refrains from taking a clear side.
The book's lovely prose complements the bewitching tale of sinister fairies and amorphous realities. When I first started reading I was a bit hesitant at the second-person perspective, since Cassandra is speaking directly to her niece and nephew, but as she began to weave her tale of fairies, I was hooked, and from there I couldn't put the book down. I was drawn in to this strange, morbid fairy tale with its languid prose; there were so many scenes where I had to pause and re-read just to take in the scene and the words. There is so much richness in the way this book is written; it makes for a heady, captivating experience; by the end one feels almost like a mosquito gorged on blood: satisfied yet slightly nauseated.
May 13, 2020
4.5 Stars, rounded down..
What an original, peculiar, creepy debut! Going into this novel I had very low expectations, based off of some of my very reliable Goodreads friends' reviews. Despite my reservations when I saw this at my local bookstore I had to grab it and give it a shot. The first bit was a little rough and didn't catch me automatically, but the further I got into the story that was sucked into the wonderful, yet dark and sometimes even sinister world the fairies. I loved it. I expect this book is going to be very polarizing, people are either going to love it or hate it, but you can definitely count me In with the group that loved it! The only thing keeping this from a strong five star rating was perhaps the ending. I felt like there wasn't an answer I was so desperately craving, at least not a very clear-cut one. I've made my own conclusions as to what happened, as I imagined was Bruce's intent! This book is going to stick with me for a while, hopefully until Bruce's next release because I can't wait!!!
What an original, peculiar, creepy debut! Going into this novel I had very low expectations, based off of some of my very reliable Goodreads friends' reviews. Despite my reservations when I saw this at my local bookstore I had to grab it and give it a shot. The first bit was a little rough and didn't catch me automatically, but the further I got into the story that was sucked into the wonderful, yet dark and sometimes even sinister world the fairies. I loved it. I expect this book is going to be very polarizing, people are either going to love it or hate it, but you can definitely count me In with the group that loved it! The only thing keeping this from a strong five star rating was perhaps the ending. I felt like there wasn't an answer I was so desperately craving, at least not a very clear-cut one. I've made my own conclusions as to what happened, as I imagined was Bruce's intent! This book is going to stick with me for a while, hopefully until Bruce's next release because I can't wait!!!
March 9, 2023
You Let Me In was so different than expected that I almost DNF'd in the first couple of chapters.
I'm so glad I didn't.
The story turned out to be a beautiful and tragic fairytale that I can't get out of my mind. This is my first Camilla Bruce novel but I'm running out to grab another ASAP. Her writing was effortlessly engaging and lovely.
I'm so glad I didn't.
The story turned out to be a beautiful and tragic fairytale that I can't get out of my mind. This is my first Camilla Bruce novel but I'm running out to grab another ASAP. Her writing was effortlessly engaging and lovely.
July 28, 2020
Um...
Okay.
I’m sorry… what?
What did I just read?
I was very interested in this book based on the description but the story is just so… confusing?
I don’t even know what to say.
Reclusive novelist Cassandra Tipp disappeared exactly one year ago. Now her niece and nephew are sent to her home to retrieve a password which they will give to her lawyer to inherit her estate.
What they find is one final story from their eccentric aunt—her life story—which they may choose to believe… or not.
What the book description failed to mention is that Cassandra has been (or believes she has been) tormented since childhood by a blood-sucking fairy who impregnates her as a teen and then casts a spell to take on human form and marry her. A trail of bodies follows with Cassandra as a suspect each time.
I mean, how much more do I say without this being too spoiler-y?
I love ambiguous stories but this one just didn’t do it for me. I didn’t feel like I got to know any of the characters and even though Cassandra is narrating, her true beliefs/emotions remained frustratingly concealed from readers.
Really it comes down to this: Was she abused as a child? Did she create the elaborate story to cope or repress the trauma? Or is it possible that her fantastical tale is the truth?
The problem is that I honestly don’t care. No relationship is developed between any characters, I never gained any necessary insight into Cassandra’s thoughts or actions, and I cannot take an evil fairy named Pepper Man seriously.
Thanks to Tor Books and Edelweiss for providing me with a DRC in exchange for my honest review. You Let Me In is scheduled for release on April 21, 2020.
For more reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
Okay.
I’m sorry… what?
What did I just read?
I was very interested in this book based on the description but the story is just so… confusing?
I don’t even know what to say.
Reclusive novelist Cassandra Tipp disappeared exactly one year ago. Now her niece and nephew are sent to her home to retrieve a password which they will give to her lawyer to inherit her estate.
What they find is one final story from their eccentric aunt—her life story—which they may choose to believe… or not.
What the book description failed to mention is that Cassandra has been (or believes she has been) tormented since childhood by a blood-sucking fairy who impregnates her as a teen and then casts a spell to take on human form and marry her. A trail of bodies follows with Cassandra as a suspect each time.
I mean, how much more do I say without this being too spoiler-y?
I love ambiguous stories but this one just didn’t do it for me. I didn’t feel like I got to know any of the characters and even though Cassandra is narrating, her true beliefs/emotions remained frustratingly concealed from readers.
Really it comes down to this: Was she abused as a child? Did she create the elaborate story to cope or repress the trauma? Or is it possible that her fantastical tale is the truth?
The problem is that I honestly don’t care. No relationship is developed between any characters, I never gained any necessary insight into Cassandra’s thoughts or actions, and I cannot take an evil fairy named Pepper Man seriously.
Thanks to Tor Books and Edelweiss for providing me with a DRC in exchange for my honest review. You Let Me In is scheduled for release on April 21, 2020.
For more reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2020
A glorious, pitch-black fairy tale of a book. Lush, strange and defiant. As soon as I finished it, I went straight back to the start and read it again.
April 21, 2020
Cassandra Tipp has disappeared. Did she just pick up and leave? Is she dead? Has she been murdered? Did she commit suicide?
From the time of her childhood, she has always been different. She has a friend .. no one else can see him. He's old, ragged, she calls him Pepper-Man because that's what he smells like. He brings her gifts of rotten flowers, dead twigs .. maybe something worse.
She has a family history of death. Her husband was found disemboweled years ago. Cassandra was though to have killed him ... but she mounted a insanity defense with the help of her psychiatrist, who is now also dead.
A few years later there is a murder-suicide ... her father and her brother. Was she responsible?
Cassandra has left a note and a manuscript. She has a niece and nephew and it is written that they inherit her entire estate ... but first they need to read her story.
Mental Illness? Imaginary Friends? Supernatural Lovers? You will need to read her side of what happened all those years. Is Cassandra an abused child the result of a traumatic childhood, the victim of her cold mother and distant father? The spurned wife of a womanizing adulterer?
When all is said and done, you will need to make a choice. Believe ... and be safe. Don't believe ... and be damned.
This debut novel is something is something like I've never read before. Told in Cassandra's voice, there are enough twists and turns that made my skin crawl. After awhile, I began to doubt what I was thinking. Are all her memories true .. or are they representative of something else ... something deeper, darker?
Many thanks to the author / Macmillan-Tor/Forge / Netgalley for the digital copy of this fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
April 2, 2020
Super weird, definitely meant to disturb, and not afraid of killing any expectations you had about faeries. Welcome to You Let Me In.
Concept: ★★★★ 1/2
Writing style: ★★★★
Pacing: ★★★★★
Content warnings: Yes, a lot of them, please see end of review.
You Let Me In comes out on April 21.
First off, I'd like to make a disclaimer that I'm about to praise this novel, but it in no way means that I am praising the subject matter. There are dark themes in this, and if you are concerned about warnings please see the end of this review.
You Let Me In follows the story (or stories?) of Cassandra Tipp's life. Tipp was a reclusive writer with a troubled upbringing and a tragic life, and it's time for her to tell her story. She's ready to share her truth...but you might not be able to believe it.
It's literally so hard to decide what to share and what not to share about this novel. I went in with very little—just what's in the description. I think in order to enjoy this for what it is, you should go in with little information.
One of the main themes at play in You Let Me In is the concept of memory and trauma. Did these events happen as Cassandra said they did? Is it possible for two conflicting stories to both exist? What is the "real" story? Is there a "real" story?
Now, you might be wondering, this was published by TOR...the fantasy publisher. Memory and trauma don't sound fantastical. What's up with that?
According to Cassandra, the "Pepper Man" is her closest companion. A "faerie," the Pepper Man lives next to Cassandra, lives off of Cassandra, and ultimately entwines her life with his and takes her on adventures under the mound. Faeries in this are not handsome, not romantic, and NOT something mysterious in the woods. These faeries are the undead/unmade. I don't know if I agree with the designation of "faerie" in this, but it IS very otherworldly. (In a way, I think readers who enjoyed Never Contented Things will like this too. Similar executions on unsettling faeries meant to horrify.)
My favorite aspect of this novel was its extremely masterful pacing and sense of truth. Novels often claim that they "leave the truth up to the reader." In my experience, they rarely deliver. There's always a more fleshed out "truth" to believe. In You Let Me In, this debut actually delivers on a double-edged sword of truth. What really happened? It's up to you. I know what belief I took out of this, but you and I might disagree. It speaks to the author's skill that we can have such opposing takeaways.
One of the main sticking points (as I see it, anyway) for You Let Me In revolves around its placement in the discussion of speculative fiction at this point in time. It's getting harder and harder for speculative dark fiction to deliver on an engaging, well-crafted, and memorable narratives. On the one hand, it seems like we're just getting more twisted and triggering narratives to deliver on this promise. On the other, some of the recent entries into the genre are dark and yet amazing (see Follow Me to Ground, which I also loved.) While this one's themes are dark and its content very upsetting to people with different expectations, I found it extremely singular and one-of-a-kind. Does it fall on the side of "too much" because of that? I don't know. I struggled with my opinions. I definitely loved what it was doing in realm of writing and story development, but I really struggled to enjoy the content due to its extremely dark themes.
Bottom line: read this if you like the genre, but definitely go in with eyes wide open regarding warnings and expectations.
Thank you to TOR for an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.
Content warnings:
Blog | Instagram
Concept: ★★★★ 1/2
Writing style: ★★★★
Pacing: ★★★★★
Content warnings: Yes, a lot of them, please see end of review.
You Let Me In comes out on April 21.
First off, I'd like to make a disclaimer that I'm about to praise this novel, but it in no way means that I am praising the subject matter. There are dark themes in this, and if you are concerned about warnings please see the end of this review.
You Let Me In follows the story (or stories?) of Cassandra Tipp's life. Tipp was a reclusive writer with a troubled upbringing and a tragic life, and it's time for her to tell her story. She's ready to share her truth...but you might not be able to believe it.
It's literally so hard to decide what to share and what not to share about this novel. I went in with very little—just what's in the description. I think in order to enjoy this for what it is, you should go in with little information.
One of the main themes at play in You Let Me In is the concept of memory and trauma. Did these events happen as Cassandra said they did? Is it possible for two conflicting stories to both exist? What is the "real" story? Is there a "real" story?
Now, you might be wondering, this was published by TOR...the fantasy publisher. Memory and trauma don't sound fantastical. What's up with that?
According to Cassandra, the "Pepper Man" is her closest companion. A "faerie," the Pepper Man lives next to Cassandra, lives off of Cassandra, and ultimately entwines her life with his and takes her on adventures under the mound. Faeries in this are not handsome, not romantic, and NOT something mysterious in the woods. These faeries are the undead/unmade. I don't know if I agree with the designation of "faerie" in this, but it IS very otherworldly. (In a way, I think readers who enjoyed Never Contented Things will like this too. Similar executions on unsettling faeries meant to horrify.)
My favorite aspect of this novel was its extremely masterful pacing and sense of truth. Novels often claim that they "leave the truth up to the reader." In my experience, they rarely deliver. There's always a more fleshed out "truth" to believe. In You Let Me In, this debut actually delivers on a double-edged sword of truth. What really happened? It's up to you. I know what belief I took out of this, but you and I might disagree. It speaks to the author's skill that we can have such opposing takeaways.
One of the main sticking points (as I see it, anyway) for You Let Me In revolves around its placement in the discussion of speculative fiction at this point in time. It's getting harder and harder for speculative dark fiction to deliver on an engaging, well-crafted, and memorable narratives. On the one hand, it seems like we're just getting more twisted and triggering narratives to deliver on this promise. On the other, some of the recent entries into the genre are dark and yet amazing (see Follow Me to Ground, which I also loved.) While this one's themes are dark and its content very upsetting to people with different expectations, I found it extremely singular and one-of-a-kind. Does it fall on the side of "too much" because of that? I don't know. I struggled with my opinions. I definitely loved what it was doing in realm of writing and story development, but I really struggled to enjoy the content due to its extremely dark themes.
Bottom line: read this if you like the genre, but definitely go in with eyes wide open regarding warnings and expectations.
Thank you to TOR for an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.
Content warnings:
Blog | Instagram
December 3, 2020
At first glance at the cover, I expected this to be a bog standard psychological thriller, how wrong I was! A strange, compelling tale of a little girl Cassandra and her disturbing relationship with a mysterious entity she calls Pepper Man. As Cassandra grows up we begin to wonder if Pepper Man is the vampiric faerie she would have us believe or is he perhaps someone monstrous closer to home? Cleverly written, little clues are scattered that begin to make sense as the story continues and the fact that the reader has no idea when or where this is set, adds an even more fairytale-like quality. I enjoyed how different this was and look forward to more from Camilla Bruce. Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC.
September 9, 2024
This was a really propulsive short novel, at once examining the effects of childhood trauma and the world of a dark fairytale. At a certain point, I couldn't flip through the pages fast enough, even though the author doesn't really make a secret of what actually lies at the heart of this story. Or, maybe not. Truth schmuth, to quote one character. This is an impressive debut, and I will look into reading more by the author.
September 9, 2023
This book is so beautifully written. I loved the fairy tale aspect of it and thought it was great. I was just hoping for it to be a bit scarier or have more literal horror elements. Other than that I would definitely recommend!
December 12, 2019
I honestly didn’t know what to expect from this book. Or, to be more accurate, I had an idea of what it might be and then it went and blew my expectations right out of the water. Because the initial appearance screams thriller, doesn’t it. One of those ever so popular female driven female authored thrillers dominating the genre these days. You have a women’s face on the cover, there’s that title that makes you go…well, Let Me In and Let The Right One in were taken and there are only so many titles to go around. There are the inevitable (and in this case widely inaccurate) descriptions comparisons. And the official plot summary itself presupposes a suspense thriller with some murders thrown in for good measure. But, giant Kardashian butt of a but, this isn’t that sort of thing. Surprise, surprise. The author boldly goes and does something completely different. And, frankly, pretty awesome. I mean, yeah, sure, major kudos just for defying the genre stereotypes and clichés, but also props for delivering a genuinely good story. And not just that…a genuinely good story about fairies. Yeah, fairies. Not that cute whimsical beings of ephemeral charm, but something infinitely darker and creepier dwells in the forest here. Cassandra Tipp is befriended by one as a child, The Pepper Man (a peculiar sort of deviant who speaks in contraction free riddles, but is in his own way loving and devoted), and thus a disturbing abusive lifelong loving friendship begins. The fairies are vampirical by nature, long dead or undead creatures that require regular feedings of blood in order to function. In return they offer company, gifts and strange forest delights. And whether you believe in them or not will define how you read this book. Because the book is in fact a last will and testament manuscript companion provided by Cassandra Tipp, a reclusive author who disappears leaving behind a fortune accumulated by writing romance novels, addressed to her niece and nephew. If they read the story, they’ll know how to claim the money. So they read. And so do we. And what a strange story it is. Not the first to represent the creatures of the forest and dark and scary, there’s Keith Donohue for one (apparently not famous enough for an official description comparison but much more accurate all the same), but still well done. The best thing about this being the ambiguity of it all. The cleverest thing of all is that this book can be read as two completely different stories that’ll give you completely different versions of events. While it isn’t a classic suspense thriller, there’s plenty of a sort of slow boiling suspense, it is plenty thrilling and there are murders to solve. It’s just that you’re never quite sure of the nature of reality in the narrative. Casssandra, Cassie, isn’t quite the prototypical unreliable narrator, but she’s something like that. If she is living in a delusion, it’s an all encompassing profound reality shaping one. If she isn’t…well, then there’s one more thing to fear in the woods. Either way she is a victim and her life is undeniably tragic, but you’re just never quite sure as to why. I absolutely love the way the author leaves that up to her audience to decide, her commitment to straddling both planes of existence complete until the very end and what a whammy of an ending it is. Natural or supernatural, this was a very entertaining atmospheric read. All in all very nicely done, not to mention most auspicious for a debut. It’s such a pleasure for a seasoned thriller reader to be genuinely surprised by a book. So many thanks for that to the publishers, who have previously rejected all my Netgalley requests with frustrating consistency. And, of course, thanks to Netgalley. Recommended.
March 3, 2022
5 stars--this dark, devastating book really worked for me. (Content warnings for a lot of things, but especially child abuse and mental illness). I love the line this book straddles between the supernatural and the depressingly mundane. Is this the story of a child preyed upon by a faery? Or a depiction of a family destroyed by abuse and trauma? Or both? And which is worse? Unique faery mythology and a plot I absolutely gulped down.
February 27, 2020
In brief - I really am not sure whether it was quite good or quite bad... Three star I think though maybe only just. A marmite book perhaps.
In full
I enjoyed the start of this book. We have (or rather don't have!) Cassie Trip, an eccentric and ageing author who has not been seen for a year. Her nephew and niece are carrying out her final instructions by visiting her house. They find a manuscript from Cassie with instructions that they are to read it to claim their inheritance. It is Cassie's life story and her executors read this as we do. I thought it had a good feel to it.
While a number of people appear in the book there really are only two characters of any real importance. Cassie herself and Pepper Man so named because there is apparently a slight smell of pepper when he is around. Is this a matter of "strange/imaginary childhood friends" or something much darker?... I'm guessing her nephew and niece did not expect the story that we are given. I certainly did not. We do know that Cassie had problems and fell out with her family for various reasons - what is her explanation of this.
The blurb for this book says more than once that it is an "extraordinary" book. It also states that it is dark and disturbing. I agree with these words. However, looking a little deeper, I found this simply didn't gel together into the powerful story that I was expecting from this synopsis. The book certainly shows a very vivid imagination though. As I said earlier the start got my attention and I was looking forward to the journey. It was quite an interesting read however it was never compelling for me.
The supernatural aspect is there with tones of legend and faerie stories. However I found it hard to escape the feeling that this was simply to do with a youngster who blamed bad things on their imaginary friend who was real honestly... It is hard not to give things away at this point and I really would prefer people to discover what happens for themselves. However I do think this is a book that will divide people. Without question some will find it great but I think it may be that a proportion of people for whom it does not work. Maybe I simply never "got it" as far as this book is concerned however I can't honestly say it worked for me.
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
In full
I enjoyed the start of this book. We have (or rather don't have!) Cassie Trip, an eccentric and ageing author who has not been seen for a year. Her nephew and niece are carrying out her final instructions by visiting her house. They find a manuscript from Cassie with instructions that they are to read it to claim their inheritance. It is Cassie's life story and her executors read this as we do. I thought it had a good feel to it.
While a number of people appear in the book there really are only two characters of any real importance. Cassie herself and Pepper Man so named because there is apparently a slight smell of pepper when he is around. Is this a matter of "strange/imaginary childhood friends" or something much darker?... I'm guessing her nephew and niece did not expect the story that we are given. I certainly did not. We do know that Cassie had problems and fell out with her family for various reasons - what is her explanation of this.
The blurb for this book says more than once that it is an "extraordinary" book. It also states that it is dark and disturbing. I agree with these words. However, looking a little deeper, I found this simply didn't gel together into the powerful story that I was expecting from this synopsis. The book certainly shows a very vivid imagination though. As I said earlier the start got my attention and I was looking forward to the journey. It was quite an interesting read however it was never compelling for me.
The supernatural aspect is there with tones of legend and faerie stories. However I found it hard to escape the feeling that this was simply to do with a youngster who blamed bad things on their imaginary friend who was real honestly... It is hard not to give things away at this point and I really would prefer people to discover what happens for themselves. However I do think this is a book that will divide people. Without question some will find it great but I think it may be that a proportion of people for whom it does not work. Maybe I simply never "got it" as far as this book is concerned however I can't honestly say it worked for me.
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Read
March 23, 2020DNF - this is my first DNF in a long time!
This book cover was so eerie looking! And the description was just as alluring. But this book wasn’t my cup of tea...I don’t care for Fantasy. As soon as the author started discussing faeries, I was done.
Thank you to Edelweiss, Tor Books and Camilla Bruce for this digital ARC, although I wasn’t able to read and review!
This book cover was so eerie looking! And the description was just as alluring. But this book wasn’t my cup of tea...I don’t care for Fantasy. As soon as the author started discussing faeries, I was done.
Thank you to Edelweiss, Tor Books and Camilla Bruce for this digital ARC, although I wasn’t able to read and review!
March 15, 2021
Raro y confuso.
January 8, 2021
3.5 stars, this really was weird and not at all what I was expecting. I didn't think I would end up liking it that much at about half way through but it was unique and creepy and strange and I quite liked the ending. Definitely not going to be for everyone though.
February 12, 2021
Wooooow! This book has blown my mind, seriously. Disturbing and twisted. I couldn't stop reading. After finishing it I needed some time to process and I kept thinking over and over about ... everything!
It took me by surprise, because at first I thought the story was more like a thriller, but no, not at all.
This is definitely the most dark-disturbing-twisted book I've read this 2019. I loved it!
I won't try to explain the plot, because I don't want to give any spoilers. I can only say that if you enjoyed reading Gillian Flynn's novels, you should definitely give it a try.
Thanks to Macmillan-Tor/Forge and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
April 20, 2020
So, I went into this expecting a domestic-type murder mystery and...this is not that. The synopsis is so very misleading.
Cassie is an interesting character. Is she suffering from mental illness? Is what she’s saying true? Even as I think about the story while typing this up, I truly have no idea. Her family seems horrible, I don’t know what to think about Pepper-Man, and I’m not sure there were any redeemable characters here.
Plot wise, it started out as a hot mess. I had no idea wtf was happening and it took me more than half of the book to actually get invested. And even though the ending chapter was absolute perfection, there’s something keeping me from rating it higher.
Overall, I loved the maybe, maybe not part of this story and that’s basically what kept me reading.
**Huge thanks to Tor Books for providing the arc free of charge**
Cassie is an interesting character. Is she suffering from mental illness? Is what she’s saying true? Even as I think about the story while typing this up, I truly have no idea. Her family seems horrible, I don’t know what to think about Pepper-Man, and I’m not sure there were any redeemable characters here.
Plot wise, it started out as a hot mess. I had no idea wtf was happening and it took me more than half of the book to actually get invested. And even though the ending chapter was absolute perfection, there’s something keeping me from rating it higher.
Overall, I loved the maybe, maybe not part of this story and that’s basically what kept me reading.
**Huge thanks to Tor Books for providing the arc free of charge**
April 11, 2020
This was the weirdest story I’ve ever read in my life.
May 11, 2020
4.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2020/05/11/...
Wow, what did I just read!? Talk about being bowled over, considering I’d been on the fence on this book for a while due to the strangeness of its description. Admittedly, I only picked up You Let Me In because it had been languishing in my review pile and I needed a quick fantasy read for Wyrd & Wonder, but I ended up loving it to bits. Guess it just goes to show, you never know until you try.
But first, if you’re considering this book, my advice is not to put too much stock in its synopsis, which severely undersells what it’s actually about. This is no mere crime drama or murder mystery, for its true nature defies genre labels and encompasses so much more. At the heart of this tale is Cassandra Tripp, a 74-year-old romance author known for her steamy novels and the fact she was the main suspect at the murder trial of her husband almost forty years ago. Although she was acquitted, many questions related to the case were never solved, and now Cassandra is missing, leading police to believe that her disappearance may be linked to her dubious past. As more than a year has passed since she vanished without a trace, however, the authorities have reason to believe she is dead, thus putting in motion the procedures stipulated in her will regarding her sizeable estate.
In life, Cassandra was an eccentric prone to flights of fancy, so it was no surprise to anyone, least of all to her niece Penelope and nephew Janus, that her last wishes were filled with bizarre conditions. As her sole beneficiaries, they were each given the same instructions: to go to their aunt’s house in the woods, find a manuscript in her study and discover within a password that they can use to claim their inheritance—that is, should they decide they still it after reading the manuscript, which turns out to be a wildly uncanny and oftentimes chilling account of Cassandra’s life growing up among a group of faeries only she could see, as well as the truth of what really happened to her husband.
As you’ve probably guessed, You Let Me In is this manuscript, a tell-all style memoir told from Cassandra’s point of view, revealing a troubled childhood and a long history with mental illness—or at least, that’s what her parents and the doctors said were the causes of her odd behaviors and anti-social tendencies. But to Cassandra, her faeries were very real, and it all began with the Pepper-Man, who is nothing like a child’s typical imaginary friend. A monstrous creature, he started visiting Cassandra when she was just a girl, and as you’ll soon see from this dark tale, he’s had a hand in almost everything bad that has happened to her since, even if no one believes her.
Although the niece and nephew are just peripheral pieces in this novel, I think it helps that the author really puts you in their shoes from the start, so that as the reader you feel fully invested in knowing the outcome of the story. After all, a lot of money is on the line, and the opportunity to finally learn everything there is to know about your crazy aunt is just too tempting to resist. But after a while, Cassandra’s voice emerges as a powerful force on its own, and then of course, the tragedies, shock, and horror take over in providing a strong hook. Let’s just say calling this one a twisted fairy tale is an understatement, for I guarantee it will mess with your mind in more ways than it’s ever been messed with before.
One reason for this is the unique way this narrative unfolds, and here I really have to hand it to Camilla Bruce for taking on this challenging mode of storytelling and pulling it off with flying colors. It relies on the unreliable narrator device to some extent, resulting in multiple versions of events, leaving it up to you to decide what to believe. The intrigue and mystery behind this aspect of the novel was what appealed to me the most and kept me glued the pages. That said, I can see how the unconventional style might turn some readers off, and I suspect the fact that we’re stuck in Cassandra’s head the whole time will also make some folks uncomfortable. It isn’t always a happy or nice place to be, and whether it’s due to some past trauma or just the way her brain is wired, sometimes her reactions or attitudes will come across frustratingly dispassionate or just plain off. Finally, this book also deals with some sensitive topics and difficult subject matters some readers might struggle with, so I advise discretion.
If this book sounds like something you would enjoy though, go ahead and check it out. I for one am glad I gave it a try, and I’ll be keeping an eye out for more by Camilla Bruce, because if this is what she has for us for her debut, she clearly has a promising writing career in front of her.
Wow, what did I just read!? Talk about being bowled over, considering I’d been on the fence on this book for a while due to the strangeness of its description. Admittedly, I only picked up You Let Me In because it had been languishing in my review pile and I needed a quick fantasy read for Wyrd & Wonder, but I ended up loving it to bits. Guess it just goes to show, you never know until you try.
But first, if you’re considering this book, my advice is not to put too much stock in its synopsis, which severely undersells what it’s actually about. This is no mere crime drama or murder mystery, for its true nature defies genre labels and encompasses so much more. At the heart of this tale is Cassandra Tripp, a 74-year-old romance author known for her steamy novels and the fact she was the main suspect at the murder trial of her husband almost forty years ago. Although she was acquitted, many questions related to the case were never solved, and now Cassandra is missing, leading police to believe that her disappearance may be linked to her dubious past. As more than a year has passed since she vanished without a trace, however, the authorities have reason to believe she is dead, thus putting in motion the procedures stipulated in her will regarding her sizeable estate.
In life, Cassandra was an eccentric prone to flights of fancy, so it was no surprise to anyone, least of all to her niece Penelope and nephew Janus, that her last wishes were filled with bizarre conditions. As her sole beneficiaries, they were each given the same instructions: to go to their aunt’s house in the woods, find a manuscript in her study and discover within a password that they can use to claim their inheritance—that is, should they decide they still it after reading the manuscript, which turns out to be a wildly uncanny and oftentimes chilling account of Cassandra’s life growing up among a group of faeries only she could see, as well as the truth of what really happened to her husband.
As you’ve probably guessed, You Let Me In is this manuscript, a tell-all style memoir told from Cassandra’s point of view, revealing a troubled childhood and a long history with mental illness—or at least, that’s what her parents and the doctors said were the causes of her odd behaviors and anti-social tendencies. But to Cassandra, her faeries were very real, and it all began with the Pepper-Man, who is nothing like a child’s typical imaginary friend. A monstrous creature, he started visiting Cassandra when she was just a girl, and as you’ll soon see from this dark tale, he’s had a hand in almost everything bad that has happened to her since, even if no one believes her.
Although the niece and nephew are just peripheral pieces in this novel, I think it helps that the author really puts you in their shoes from the start, so that as the reader you feel fully invested in knowing the outcome of the story. After all, a lot of money is on the line, and the opportunity to finally learn everything there is to know about your crazy aunt is just too tempting to resist. But after a while, Cassandra’s voice emerges as a powerful force on its own, and then of course, the tragedies, shock, and horror take over in providing a strong hook. Let’s just say calling this one a twisted fairy tale is an understatement, for I guarantee it will mess with your mind in more ways than it’s ever been messed with before.
One reason for this is the unique way this narrative unfolds, and here I really have to hand it to Camilla Bruce for taking on this challenging mode of storytelling and pulling it off with flying colors. It relies on the unreliable narrator device to some extent, resulting in multiple versions of events, leaving it up to you to decide what to believe. The intrigue and mystery behind this aspect of the novel was what appealed to me the most and kept me glued the pages. That said, I can see how the unconventional style might turn some readers off, and I suspect the fact that we’re stuck in Cassandra’s head the whole time will also make some folks uncomfortable. It isn’t always a happy or nice place to be, and whether it’s due to some past trauma or just the way her brain is wired, sometimes her reactions or attitudes will come across frustratingly dispassionate or just plain off. Finally, this book also deals with some sensitive topics and difficult subject matters some readers might struggle with, so I advise discretion.
If this book sounds like something you would enjoy though, go ahead and check it out. I for one am glad I gave it a try, and I’ll be keeping an eye out for more by Camilla Bruce, because if this is what she has for us for her debut, she clearly has a promising writing career in front of her.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,365 reviews