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The Skeleton Tree
Is Wendy's dream house about to turn into her worst nightmare?
From the moment Wendy Thornton first laid eyes on number 37, The Ashes, she knew she had to have it. It may seem neglected on the outside, but Wendy is convinced it's her perfect family home. It just needs to be loved. It needs her.
When Wendy receives an unexpected sum of money from her aunt's will, her dream of buying The Ashes becomes a reality. But as Wendy moves in with her young family and starts uncovering its past, she soon learns that The Ashes is hiding a number of dark secrets.
Is Wendy's dream house about to become her worst nightmare? As she is drawn further into The Ashes' dark history, Wendy's own life starts to unravel in the most spectacular and devastating way . . .
From the moment Wendy Thornton first laid eyes on number 37, The Ashes, she knew she had to have it. It may seem neglected on the outside, but Wendy is convinced it's her perfect family home. It just needs to be loved. It needs her.
When Wendy receives an unexpected sum of money from her aunt's will, her dream of buying The Ashes becomes a reality. But as Wendy moves in with her young family and starts uncovering its past, she soon learns that The Ashes is hiding a number of dark secrets.
Is Wendy's dream house about to become her worst nightmare? As she is drawn further into The Ashes' dark history, Wendy's own life starts to unravel in the most spectacular and devastating way . . .
- GenresHorrorParanormalFiction
224 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 20, 2022
Years ago I read the true adventure, paddle to the amazon. It was a great book, but I really grew tired of the father and son fighting. In time the son left his father and the trip and went home, and I did not blame him 1 bit. It kind of ruin the book but Not so much that I didn't give it 5 stars. This book to, while not a true adventure, was ruined for me by the constant bickering between 2 boys who were marooned on what they thought was an island. While I found that I could not put the book down, I also found that I could not give it more than 3 stars.
I was attracted to the title of this book, and it was very interesting when the author said that there are actually skeleton trees in Alaska that were made by the native People. It isn't that they made the trees, but that they buried their dead in them.
Still, this book was quite an
adventure, and I believe it's for young adults.
What did I like best about the book? The raven.
I was attracted to the title of this book, and it was very interesting when the author said that there are actually skeleton trees in Alaska that were made by the native People. It isn't that they made the trees, but that they buried their dead in them.
Still, this book was quite an
adventure, and I believe it's for young adults.
What did I like best about the book? The raven.
August 3, 2021
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I’ve never before given a half-star rating. This novella gets the honour of being the first-ever because it’s the worst fucking story I’ve ever read. I’m sorry, but I have to just say it like ripping off a Band-aid.
It’s not even that the writing voice is bad because it’s not, but the plot and the characters can get fucked. I can’t even believe I gave three hours of my life reading about a fucking idiot being obsessed with a house that wasn’t even haunted!
I spent 90% of my time thinking Bitch, turn on HGTV like the rest of us and pay attention to your family!
Seriously, Wendy sucks so much ass. I hated her. And her daughter Tara, I hope she gets hit by a fucking train.
There could have been a good story here, but for some reason, the author spends all of it on Wendy’s POV worrying, obsessing and generally being the most annoying person in the world as she talks about things incessantly but never does anything.
Because seriously, almost nothing happens in this story. Nothing mysterious, nothing spooky. There’s no tension, no suspense, no mystery. The missing girl and the possible serial killer construction guy are forgotten afterthoughts, overshadowed by Wendy and her heart-eyes for a crappy old house.
There was no point in any of this. I guess we’re here to watch a woman’s descent into self-inflicted isolation, but I hated it very much, thank you.
Set it on fire, collect the insurance.
The vibe for this one:
½ | half a star, rounded up
Book source: The publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review
I’ve never before given a half-star rating. This novella gets the honour of being the first-ever because it’s the worst fucking story I’ve ever read. I’m sorry, but I have to just say it like ripping off a Band-aid.
It’s not even that the writing voice is bad because it’s not, but the plot and the characters can get fucked. I can’t even believe I gave three hours of my life reading about a fucking idiot being obsessed with a house that wasn’t even haunted!
I spent 90% of my time thinking Bitch, turn on HGTV like the rest of us and pay attention to your family!
Seriously, Wendy sucks so much ass. I hated her. And her daughter Tara, I hope she gets hit by a fucking train.
There could have been a good story here, but for some reason, the author spends all of it on Wendy’s POV worrying, obsessing and generally being the most annoying person in the world as she talks about things incessantly but never does anything.
Because seriously, almost nothing happens in this story. Nothing mysterious, nothing spooky. There’s no tension, no suspense, no mystery. The missing girl and the possible serial killer construction guy are forgotten afterthoughts, overshadowed by Wendy and her heart-eyes for a crappy old house.
There was no point in any of this. I guess we’re here to watch a woman’s descent into self-inflicted isolation, but I hated it very much, thank you.
Set it on fire, collect the insurance.
The vibe for this one:
½ | half a star, rounded up
Book source: The publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review
March 24, 2021
I’m absolutely delighted to be the first one to review this book, because I really liked it and I can only hope my words will persuade more people to check it out. And to think, I didn’t even expect much out of it. Never heard of the author. Selected it almost strictly by the cover and let’s face it, that’s a great cover and lo and behold the book turned out to be just as good. Way to match the cover appeal.
There’s a quality to it, a very specific British darkness that lives in the everyday ordinary lives, a slow building dread, a slow boiling pot of normalcy that hits a certain degree and goes ballistic. It involves seemingly nice people who aren’t really all that nice and normal scenery that isn’t really all that normal. In my mind, this is a style most closely associated with the late great Ruth Rendell. Unlikable characters doing increasingly terrible things to each other. And, as it often the case with these things, it all starts with an obsession…
The Ashes is a grand old dilapidated place at the end of a quiet street. For sale, but expensive, requiring much work to bring it back to shape, and prohibitive in its innate spookiness, it doesn’t have much of a curb appeal, but for Wendy, it’s a dream come true. She immediately becomes enchanted with it, something neither her spouse nor her three kid share, and when a happy chain of events leads her to have the means to purchase and renovate it, she does.
Soon enough The Ashes is alive once again…and maybe entirely touch so. Are there voices in the night? Creaks in the attic? After all, what old place doesn’t have a murderous secret or two.
Wendy is determined to know all there is to know about her beloved Ashes, but in following her obsession she ends up driving away all she previously held so dear…
Each chapter is prefaced with something like a diary entry chronicling living with a grave and deadly secret, but only at the end do you really find out the details, so there’s a nice plot twist there. But the rest of the novel is more of a drama, family drama, with some slight supernatural aspects and some mystery elements.
It’s well crafted, albeit leisurely paced. For me, it read so slowly I suspected the page count to be off, but in a very enjoyable way. I liked the descriptions, The Ashes alone takes up the first 10% easily. The pacing really worked here, though, it’s that kind of a story, Just like the Britishness really worked. Just like setting it back some decades worked, providing certain more traditional family dynamics, which are necessary to the story. It’s bleak, of course, but it’s such a well rendered bleakness.
Wendy’s love for The Ashes, like some of the best love stories, is a tragic affair, but it’s such a strangely compelling one. I enjoyed reading it. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
There’s a quality to it, a very specific British darkness that lives in the everyday ordinary lives, a slow building dread, a slow boiling pot of normalcy that hits a certain degree and goes ballistic. It involves seemingly nice people who aren’t really all that nice and normal scenery that isn’t really all that normal. In my mind, this is a style most closely associated with the late great Ruth Rendell. Unlikable characters doing increasingly terrible things to each other. And, as it often the case with these things, it all starts with an obsession…
The Ashes is a grand old dilapidated place at the end of a quiet street. For sale, but expensive, requiring much work to bring it back to shape, and prohibitive in its innate spookiness, it doesn’t have much of a curb appeal, but for Wendy, it’s a dream come true. She immediately becomes enchanted with it, something neither her spouse nor her three kid share, and when a happy chain of events leads her to have the means to purchase and renovate it, she does.
Soon enough The Ashes is alive once again…and maybe entirely touch so. Are there voices in the night? Creaks in the attic? After all, what old place doesn’t have a murderous secret or two.
Wendy is determined to know all there is to know about her beloved Ashes, but in following her obsession she ends up driving away all she previously held so dear…
Each chapter is prefaced with something like a diary entry chronicling living with a grave and deadly secret, but only at the end do you really find out the details, so there’s a nice plot twist there. But the rest of the novel is more of a drama, family drama, with some slight supernatural aspects and some mystery elements.
It’s well crafted, albeit leisurely paced. For me, it read so slowly I suspected the page count to be off, but in a very enjoyable way. I liked the descriptions, The Ashes alone takes up the first 10% easily. The pacing really worked here, though, it’s that kind of a story, Just like the Britishness really worked. Just like setting it back some decades worked, providing certain more traditional family dynamics, which are necessary to the story. It’s bleak, of course, but it’s such a well rendered bleakness.
Wendy’s love for The Ashes, like some of the best love stories, is a tragic affair, but it’s such a strangely compelling one. I enjoyed reading it. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
May 31, 2021
I love suspenseful stories that take the every-day and turn it into something extraordinary and disturbing. Wendy Thornton dreamed of an old house that she couldn't afford. She dreamed of renovating it for her family, making it their own. Then miraculously she was suddenly able to afford the home that was out of their price range.... That's when the dream started to become a nightmare.
This book wasn't what I expected. I thought it was going to be the story of a creepy house. Instead, it was more about a bad marriage, family dysfunction, broken dreams, obsession, hidden secrets.... Pretty heavy stuff. The story dragged a bit in places, but I stayed right with it...I wanted to know what happened to the characters. I have to say that most of the main cast are totally self-absorbed and unlikeable. But that's kind of the point, really.
I didn't see the end coming. That fact impressed me the most.
I enjoyed this book, even though it was not at all what I expected. It's the first book by Diane Janes that I've read. I'm definitely going to read more of her writing. I like her style. This story surprised me...and I look forward to reading more!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Severn House. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
This book wasn't what I expected. I thought it was going to be the story of a creepy house. Instead, it was more about a bad marriage, family dysfunction, broken dreams, obsession, hidden secrets.... Pretty heavy stuff. The story dragged a bit in places, but I stayed right with it...I wanted to know what happened to the characters. I have to say that most of the main cast are totally self-absorbed and unlikeable. But that's kind of the point, really.
I didn't see the end coming. That fact impressed me the most.
I enjoyed this book, even though it was not at all what I expected. It's the first book by Diane Janes that I've read. I'm definitely going to read more of her writing. I like her style. This story surprised me...and I look forward to reading more!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Severn House. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
April 2, 2021
Wendy Thornton has dreamed of living in the The Ashes, an old and in desperate need of a renovation house. The house itself has a troubling history and many have avoided it due to it's age and the unexplained things that happened within the house, but not Wendy. When she and her family come into an unexpected inheritance it allows her to fulfill her dream and she gets to be the owner of The Ashes, but her time in this mysterious and creepy house isn't at all what she had hoped it would be.
This story is a slow burn that takes its time with unraveling the mystery of The Ashes and what you go through when you live within its walls. Wendy discovers that this house is much more than just an antique, and as she delves into the history of the previous owners and learns about events that seemed to surround this house you get more of an idea of why people kept their distance from The Ashes. I adored the writing in its simplicity and the way that Diana Janes was able to constantly keep you on edge about what was going to happen to Wendy and her family while they lived in the house. I loved the journal entry chapter beginnings that I didn't quite understand until near the end and then had to go back and read them again to really get the impact of what was being said. Fantastic addition!
The Skeleton Tree had a nice balance of showing the dynamic between Wendy and her family and how since moving into The Ashes it changed them and having Wendy discovering that the house has had this influence on previous families too. It makes you question what lies beyond the walls and floor boards of this seeming innocent house - but with a name of The Ashes, how could it be anything other than sinister?
The novel is set in the 70s and 80s and really delves into the topics of abuse and sexism as a woman in marriage, and how that can affect a person for much longer than they think it does. The Ashes is meant to be the villain of the story, but sometimes its the people who are sleeping next to you. Diane Janes delivers well on displaying Wendy and her husbands domestic issues and the heaviness to it all.
The pace of the book was fine for the length. I did find it dragged for a little bit, as this books is more of a human and personal drama rather than an action heavy novel. The ending was bittersweet, but ultimately made sense for the whole of the story.
Overall, it's an interesting and compelling story about a woman's struggle with her distant family and a love affair with a house that is hiding secrets that should remain concealed, but as what always happens with these things...nothing stays hidden forever.
I would recommend this book if you're not into super scary stuff, but still want a little spookiness in the background. It's more of a drama with a touch of mystery and intrigue. This book is for you!
Thanks to Netgalley for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinion!
This story is a slow burn that takes its time with unraveling the mystery of The Ashes and what you go through when you live within its walls. Wendy discovers that this house is much more than just an antique, and as she delves into the history of the previous owners and learns about events that seemed to surround this house you get more of an idea of why people kept their distance from The Ashes. I adored the writing in its simplicity and the way that Diana Janes was able to constantly keep you on edge about what was going to happen to Wendy and her family while they lived in the house. I loved the journal entry chapter beginnings that I didn't quite understand until near the end and then had to go back and read them again to really get the impact of what was being said. Fantastic addition!
The Skeleton Tree had a nice balance of showing the dynamic between Wendy and her family and how since moving into The Ashes it changed them and having Wendy discovering that the house has had this influence on previous families too. It makes you question what lies beyond the walls and floor boards of this seeming innocent house - but with a name of The Ashes, how could it be anything other than sinister?
The novel is set in the 70s and 80s and really delves into the topics of abuse and sexism as a woman in marriage, and how that can affect a person for much longer than they think it does. The Ashes is meant to be the villain of the story, but sometimes its the people who are sleeping next to you. Diane Janes delivers well on displaying Wendy and her husbands domestic issues and the heaviness to it all.
The pace of the book was fine for the length. I did find it dragged for a little bit, as this books is more of a human and personal drama rather than an action heavy novel. The ending was bittersweet, but ultimately made sense for the whole of the story.
Overall, it's an interesting and compelling story about a woman's struggle with her distant family and a love affair with a house that is hiding secrets that should remain concealed, but as what always happens with these things...nothing stays hidden forever.
I would recommend this book if you're not into super scary stuff, but still want a little spookiness in the background. It's more of a drama with a touch of mystery and intrigue. This book is for you!
Thanks to Netgalley for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinion!
April 14, 2021
A tale of ordinary family life with undertones of something sinister lurking in the background.
Set in the 1980's Wendy inherits some cash and is able to achieve her dream of buying an old derelict house with its overgrown garden. What is the history of the old house and its past occupants? How does this history affect Wendy and her family?
Stories of missing girls, ghosts and a mysterious narrator who has committed murder. What is going on? I was hooked and the suspense builds to a conclusion which I had not anticipated.
I'm a big fan of Diane Janes and highly recommend her books, especially this one.
Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for my ARC.
Set in the 1980's Wendy inherits some cash and is able to achieve her dream of buying an old derelict house with its overgrown garden. What is the history of the old house and its past occupants? How does this history affect Wendy and her family?
Stories of missing girls, ghosts and a mysterious narrator who has committed murder. What is going on? I was hooked and the suspense builds to a conclusion which I had not anticipated.
I'm a big fan of Diane Janes and highly recommend her books, especially this one.
Thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for my ARC.
March 26, 2021
Release Date: Expected 1st June 2021
Genre: Mystery | Thriller | Domestic Horror
Wendy always loved the Ashes. The big, old house at the end of the street had fallen into disrepair but she always thought it was beautiful. She had dreamed of living there since she first saw it - and fate has intervened. She's getting a large inheritance from her aunt, the other potential buyers dropped out - and it looks like she can finally get the home of her dreams and create a wonderful life for her family.
Her first night in her new home was marked with blood - just a small stain on the floor, an accident with a glass. But nothing compared to what could happen next - as Wendy delves into the history of the house, she finds that death and despair has followed the former residents and she could be next.
As Wendy slowly discovers the history of the house it becomes her obsession, much to the distain of her second husband and children. This obsession strips apart the shiny surface of her life bit by bit, showing the tension just waiting to come to the surface.
Terrifying house aside, this book showed the horrifying reality of marriage and sexism in the 1970's and just how different things were those fifty years ago. Wendys first husband left her suddenly and their daughter Tara when their relationship turned dangerously toxic and her second husband seems great on the surface to Wendy and their two new children but just like houses, things aren't always what they appear.
The first part of this book expertly built up the tension around Wendys seemingly haunted family home then to switch to focusing on the domestic issues which were terrifying in their own way but it made me lose the chills as we progressed further down the story.
Nothing happened aside from a few questionably spooky moments until the last few pages where everything spirals suddenly and dramatically out of nowhere to a conclusion that was both obvious and somehow shocking at the same time.
A slow-burner about ordinary people living their ordinary lives that slowly twisted and convoluted like the brances of a tree.
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to Diane James and Canongate books for an ARC in return for an honest review.
June 6, 2021
Wendy fell in love with the Ashes since the very first time she laid eyes on the building, and fate really wanted her to be in possession of the place. Now, things are happening, things that maybe already happened before, so… Is Wendy’s dream house about to turn into her worst nightmare?
When I started reading Diane Janes’ The Skeleton Tree, I was expecting a twist in the haunted house literature. I was not sure whether there would be supernatural elements or not, but I knew there was something with the house’s history and the choosing of that specific name, The Ashes, that would bring me a creepy, tense journey alongside Wendy, Bruce, and the rest of the family.
At first, I was really intrigued by what was happening. The story was really slow paced but I did not mind, because I, as Wendy herself, was hypnotized by the house and all the secrets that were lurking inside. If I am honest, was not really interested in some of the other stories going on at the same time, but I thought that, in the end, they would all end up fitting in the puzzle. Sadly, most of them dragged and dragged and never really reached a satisfactory solution. Apart from that, all the shouting and bickering between Wendy and Bruce reached a point where it just felt repetitive and did not add to the story at all. Towards the middle, middle-end of the book, the pace seemed to peak up slow but steadily, but again, it was difficult to keep invested due to all the domestic drama. I really did not know I was in for something like that. (My mistake, not the book’s).
The sensation I had when finishing the story was that of having read something that was definitely not what I was looking for but that would appeal to a wide variety of readers who look for some day-to-day story with just a tiny bit of creepy in the background.
***I received a free review copy from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback***
When I started reading Diane Janes’ The Skeleton Tree, I was expecting a twist in the haunted house literature. I was not sure whether there would be supernatural elements or not, but I knew there was something with the house’s history and the choosing of that specific name, The Ashes, that would bring me a creepy, tense journey alongside Wendy, Bruce, and the rest of the family.
At first, I was really intrigued by what was happening. The story was really slow paced but I did not mind, because I, as Wendy herself, was hypnotized by the house and all the secrets that were lurking inside. If I am honest, was not really interested in some of the other stories going on at the same time, but I thought that, in the end, they would all end up fitting in the puzzle. Sadly, most of them dragged and dragged and never really reached a satisfactory solution. Apart from that, all the shouting and bickering between Wendy and Bruce reached a point where it just felt repetitive and did not add to the story at all. Towards the middle, middle-end of the book, the pace seemed to peak up slow but steadily, but again, it was difficult to keep invested due to all the domestic drama. I really did not know I was in for something like that. (My mistake, not the book’s).
The sensation I had when finishing the story was that of having read something that was definitely not what I was looking for but that would appeal to a wide variety of readers who look for some day-to-day story with just a tiny bit of creepy in the background.
***I received a free review copy from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback***
August 7, 2021
This was one of the most uncomfortable books I have read in a long time, and I mean that in a great way. When the story starts, Wendy has found her dream home. When she receives money after her Aunt’s death she decides to buy the home, without much support from her family.
The Ashes (the name of the house) has a long history and Wendy starts digging into it, and uncovers many secrets. At first everything appears to be normal, but things start quickly going wrong. There is a major strain that develops within her marriage, and her oldest daughter is interested in learning about her biological father after he left them when she was just a toddler.
Wendy’s husband get’s a huge promotion,, that takes back to his hometown. Wendy defies her husband and decides at least for the meantime to stay at the Ashes to sell it and continue to uncover it’s secrets.
I do not want to give anything additional away, as the author does an outstanding job peeling back all the layers until it culminates to an ending you will never see coming. This is a perfect read to save for the fall closer to Halloween, as it has all the creepiness one would expect from this type of story, but it is such a satisfying read.
Thank you NetGalley and Severn House Publishers for an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Ashes (the name of the house) has a long history and Wendy starts digging into it, and uncovers many secrets. At first everything appears to be normal, but things start quickly going wrong. There is a major strain that develops within her marriage, and her oldest daughter is interested in learning about her biological father after he left them when she was just a toddler.
Wendy’s husband get’s a huge promotion,, that takes back to his hometown. Wendy defies her husband and decides at least for the meantime to stay at the Ashes to sell it and continue to uncover it’s secrets.
I do not want to give anything additional away, as the author does an outstanding job peeling back all the layers until it culminates to an ending you will never see coming. This is a perfect read to save for the fall closer to Halloween, as it has all the creepiness one would expect from this type of story, but it is such a satisfying read.
Thank you NetGalley and Severn House Publishers for an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2021
This was mercifully short (216 pages) It had been hailed with words/phrases like ‘mind-blowing twists’ , tricky plot, brave heroes, dastardly villains (all this from the back of the book) - Utter rubbish.
If I’m clutching at straws there was a simmering tension in the whole novel but that’s only because as a reader you keep expecting something to happen....a few things do but in better hands this could have been creepy, chilling, nerve inducing and thrilling.
I expected this to be like a British ‘Amytiville Horror’ but it wasn’t. It was a slow starter, with mostly unlikeable characters and at best, the last 20/30 pages hold your attention-ish.
I do not recommend this and I would avoid this author if I were you. Not even average.
If I’m clutching at straws there was a simmering tension in the whole novel but that’s only because as a reader you keep expecting something to happen....a few things do but in better hands this could have been creepy, chilling, nerve inducing and thrilling.
I expected this to be like a British ‘Amytiville Horror’ but it wasn’t. It was a slow starter, with mostly unlikeable characters and at best, the last 20/30 pages hold your attention-ish.
I do not recommend this and I would avoid this author if I were you. Not even average.
April 4, 2021
This book takes time to really get the mystery going. Wendy Thornton has the opportunity to buy the house she has loved forever. Settling into the house has been harder than she ever imagined.
I enjoyed the fact the author added a diary entry at the beginning of each chapter.
#SkeletonTreeThe #NetGalley
I enjoyed the fact the author added a diary entry at the beginning of each chapter.
#SkeletonTreeThe #NetGalley
May 3, 2021
I just could not get into this book for the life of me. The book was very boring to me and overly detailed BUT boring details that didn't even add to the story, making it drag on and making me want to read it even less. This is the 1st book that was a DNF for me, PASS on this one.
May 21, 2021
Even if the blurb sounded interesting and some parts are gripping I found the pace to slow and the book didn't keep my attention.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
September 9, 2021
I’m bailing. I’m 61 pages in and it’s not going any where. I’m bored with it, and I normally feel the urge to finish every book I start even if it’s slow, but I just can’t with this one.
Cool cover though. Wish the book would’ve been more interesting.
Cool cover though. Wish the book would’ve been more interesting.
June 22, 2026
I am surprised this book got such bad reviews as I read a lot and I enjoyed it. I did perhaps expect more horror but I found it engaging enough. Wendy is infuriating and her husband is an arse but overall I thought it was a good read with a good twist at the end
January 14, 2023
I loved the big twist at the end and the overall writing but that was about it. The execution made this just an average read.
April 7, 2023
This was a slow slow burn, and not in a good way. However, I'll give it 3 stars because I audibly gasped at the ending.
April 28, 2023
If you want to check out my thoughts about this book, I uploaded a vlog on my channel where I read and review it: https://youtu.be/2eGV_xWXim4
May 24, 2025
A gripping book. centred around one house and its occupants. very good.
December 18, 2021
Note that I only read the first part of this book before I bailed, because I just could not get into it. Personally, I found the premise of moving into a scary old house to be clichéd and done to death.
The novel starts out with an annoyingly Gothic tour of the decrepit old house, replete with flowery detailed descriptions, and over-wrought metaphors about every nook and cranny. The sad old house magically "speaks" to Wendy only, beckoning her to move in and love it, etc...etc.. very Regency Romance style. I didn't actually get far enough into the book to discover whether chandeliers will start swinging, or the eyes in old portrait paintings will follow us around the room.
Does Norman Bate's mother live in the attic? Now I'll never know. :(
Unlike most people here, I found the cover a bit silly and lurid. Just my opinion, but "Is her dream house about to turn into her worst nightmare"? put me off immediately. Oooh... blood-red cover=spooky. A black silhouette of a menacing tree entrapping a ghostly house=more spookiness.. Spookiness Unlimited, all round.
Call me psychic, but I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that Wendy pushing the family to buy this ramshackle old house probably wasn't the best of ideas, and won't improve her track record of husbands. I wish her and her family luck in their new dream/nightmare home, but methinks they need to fasten their seat-belts for a rocky ride. A ride I'm taking a pass on, personally.
I LOVED Diane Jane's series with The Magic Chair Murder, The Poisoned Chalice Murder, and The Missing Diamond Murder. I got very caught up with the lives of the protagonists, and have been left hanging for further developments because Ms Janes writes other books. I think once an author sets up an ongoing story-line, they should concentrate on either continuing it, or bringing it to a conclusion, rather than just letting it dangle. Also I love her investigative series of Poisoned Partridge/Croydon Arsenic books; exhaustive research, but fascinating.
I'm definitely NOT giving up on Diane Janes, but I'm putting this book firmly aside.
The novel starts out with an annoyingly Gothic tour of the decrepit old house, replete with flowery detailed descriptions, and over-wrought metaphors about every nook and cranny. The sad old house magically "speaks" to Wendy only, beckoning her to move in and love it, etc...etc.. very Regency Romance style. I didn't actually get far enough into the book to discover whether chandeliers will start swinging, or the eyes in old portrait paintings will follow us around the room.
Does Norman Bate's mother live in the attic? Now I'll never know. :(
Unlike most people here, I found the cover a bit silly and lurid. Just my opinion, but "Is her dream house about to turn into her worst nightmare"? put me off immediately. Oooh... blood-red cover=spooky. A black silhouette of a menacing tree entrapping a ghostly house=more spookiness.. Spookiness Unlimited, all round.
Call me psychic, but I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that Wendy pushing the family to buy this ramshackle old house probably wasn't the best of ideas, and won't improve her track record of husbands. I wish her and her family luck in their new dream/nightmare home, but methinks they need to fasten their seat-belts for a rocky ride. A ride I'm taking a pass on, personally.
I LOVED Diane Jane's series with The Magic Chair Murder, The Poisoned Chalice Murder, and The Missing Diamond Murder. I got very caught up with the lives of the protagonists, and have been left hanging for further developments because Ms Janes writes other books. I think once an author sets up an ongoing story-line, they should concentrate on either continuing it, or bringing it to a conclusion, rather than just letting it dangle. Also I love her investigative series of Poisoned Partridge/Croydon Arsenic books; exhaustive research, but fascinating.
I'm definitely NOT giving up on Diane Janes, but I'm putting this book firmly aside.
September 22, 2021
[Disclaimer: e-ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
An interesting story - I really enjoyed how it showed someone being obsessed with the past will become doomed to repeat it.
However, I found the main character frustrating and incredibly selfish.
An interesting story - I really enjoyed how it showed someone being obsessed with the past will become doomed to repeat it.
However, I found the main character frustrating and incredibly selfish.
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