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A Stranger From the Storm
The year is 1900. The port city of Odessa on the Black Sea is being terrorized by a brutal killer called the Specter. With five people already dead, the murderer promises more.
One family, the Karadopoulinas, run a boarding house. Sisters Tasia and Eleni feel certain the killer is a scarred, shambling Londoner who took lodging with them one night during a thunderstorm. Furtive and threatening, Henry Humble, stalks Odessa’s labyrinth of interlocking courtyards and foggy docks at night, armed with weapons and skeleton keys.
As the body count rises, so do the questions...
Who is the mysterious figure haunting the catacombs below the streets of Odessa?
Why won’t Eleni’s police constable sweetheart investigate?
Who will be the next to die?
A Victorian-style murder mystery with elements of horror, adventure, and Hitchcockian black humor. "A Stranger From the Storm" by William Burton McCormick is a novella published by Mannison Press, LLC.
One family, the Karadopoulinas, run a boarding house. Sisters Tasia and Eleni feel certain the killer is a scarred, shambling Londoner who took lodging with them one night during a thunderstorm. Furtive and threatening, Henry Humble, stalks Odessa’s labyrinth of interlocking courtyards and foggy docks at night, armed with weapons and skeleton keys.
As the body count rises, so do the questions...
Who is the mysterious figure haunting the catacombs below the streets of Odessa?
Why won’t Eleni’s police constable sweetheart investigate?
Who will be the next to die?
A Victorian-style murder mystery with elements of horror, adventure, and Hitchcockian black humor. "A Stranger From the Storm" by William Burton McCormick is a novella published by Mannison Press, LLC.
- GenresFiction
110 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2021
7 people want to read
About the author
William Burton McCormick
38 books35 followersWilliam Burton McCormick was born in Maryland and grew up in Nevada. He has lived in seven countries including Latvia and Russia where he researched and wrote his first novel Lenin’s Harem.
William graduated from Brown University with degrees in Ancient Studies and Computer Science and earned an MA in Novel Writing from the University of Manchester. He has won awards in the production of computer games and educational software, co-owned a company to reduce junk e-mail, and worked as an executive recruiter in the Washington D.C. area. He also studied at Lomonosov Moscow State University.
William’s short fiction has appeared in "The Saturday Evening Post", "Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine", “Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine", "Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine" and included in the "CWA Anthology of Short Stories: Mystery Tour" (Orenda Books). He is a four-time Derringer Finalist
William is a member of Mystery Writers of America, the Crime Writers' Association, International Thriller Writers, and the Historical Novel Society. He was elected a Hawthornden Writing Fellow in 2013.
William graduated from Brown University with degrees in Ancient Studies and Computer Science and earned an MA in Novel Writing from the University of Manchester. He has won awards in the production of computer games and educational software, co-owned a company to reduce junk e-mail, and worked as an executive recruiter in the Washington D.C. area. He also studied at Lomonosov Moscow State University.
William’s short fiction has appeared in "The Saturday Evening Post", "Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine", “Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine", "Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine" and included in the "CWA Anthology of Short Stories: Mystery Tour" (Orenda Books). He is a four-time Derringer Finalist
William is a member of Mystery Writers of America, the Crime Writers' Association, International Thriller Writers, and the Historical Novel Society. He was elected a Hawthornden Writing Fellow in 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 6, 2024
How Do You Recognize a Serial Killer?...
A STRANGER FROM THE STORM
by William Burton McCormick
No spoilers. 3 1/2 stars. It's the year 1900, and the seaport town of Odessa in Ukraine is besieged by a killer...
He was only after children...
Teenage twins Tasia and Elani have the door to their home, a boarding house, open while waiting for their mother to come home from work...
Looking out into the dark and stormy night, they see a soaked stranger whistling a tune as he limped up the street toward them...
His arrival announced by deep rumbling thunder off the Black Sea...
Strangers calling so late at night with mother away working worried the twins, especially with a serial killer known as The
Specter prowling their town...
The stranger was tall and dressed in a dark overcoat...
He introduced himself as Henry Humble, a Londoner, and he had seen their sign in the window advertising rooms to let...
The girls allowed the man to pick any room; there were no other lodgers...
Their new tenant was out all night... every night... and the child killing continued. How do you recognize a serial killer?...
This was a fairly good story that could be read in one sitting. The reason for the rating is too many loose ends. Characters were left dangling, and some murders were left unsolved.
This story was similar to THE LODGER by Marie Belloc Lownde (first published in 1911).
A STRANGER FROM THE STORM
by William Burton McCormick
No spoilers. 3 1/2 stars. It's the year 1900, and the seaport town of Odessa in Ukraine is besieged by a killer...
He was only after children...
Teenage twins Tasia and Elani have the door to their home, a boarding house, open while waiting for their mother to come home from work...
Looking out into the dark and stormy night, they see a soaked stranger whistling a tune as he limped up the street toward them...
His arrival announced by deep rumbling thunder off the Black Sea...
Strangers calling so late at night with mother away working worried the twins, especially with a serial killer known as The
Specter prowling their town...
The stranger was tall and dressed in a dark overcoat...
He introduced himself as Henry Humble, a Londoner, and he had seen their sign in the window advertising rooms to let...
The girls allowed the man to pick any room; there were no other lodgers...
Their new tenant was out all night... every night... and the child killing continued. How do you recognize a serial killer?...
This was a fairly good story that could be read in one sitting. The reason for the rating is too many loose ends. Characters were left dangling, and some murders were left unsolved.
This story was similar to THE LODGER by Marie Belloc Lownde (first published in 1911).
November 2, 2021
I was first introduced to the writing of William Burton McCormick when I read and reviewed the CWA Anthology of Short Stories: Mystery Tour back in 2017, to which William contributed a story. Therefore I was delighted when he offered me the opportunity to read his latest book, A Stranger from the Storm.
Odessa proves an ideal setting for a historical mystery with its dark streets and network of tunnels that lie beneath the city. Sisters, Eleni and Tasia, make engaging central characters. Eleni is impetuous and something of a risk-taker whilst Tasia is thoughtful and more inclined to think things through before acting, although that doesn’t stop both of them getting into some scrapes. I enjoyed the light-hearted banter between the sisters. For example, this exchange when a telegram arrives addressed to their mysterious guest. ‘”Don’t you dare open that envelope, Eleni.” She opened the envelope. “Eleni, don’t you dare read that telegram!” She read it.’
There are some chilling and dramatic scenes as the sisters close in on the murderer – those tunnels again – but there are also moments of humour. For instance, when the search for an item they are convinced is hidden in a particular place proves unproductive, Tasia remarks “I hate red herrings” and Eleni replies, “I prefer boiled cod”.
Talking of red herrings, there are plenty dotted throughout the book and the author also creates a number of false trails in an attempt to outwit the reader. If you work out the person behind the murders before the final reveal you must definitely have been taking notes.
A Stranger from the Storm is a perfect one sitting read, preferably on a dark winte night when you’re in the mood for a chilling tale. Do check the doors and windows are locked first however – oh, and you might want to look under that rug.
Odessa proves an ideal setting for a historical mystery with its dark streets and network of tunnels that lie beneath the city. Sisters, Eleni and Tasia, make engaging central characters. Eleni is impetuous and something of a risk-taker whilst Tasia is thoughtful and more inclined to think things through before acting, although that doesn’t stop both of them getting into some scrapes. I enjoyed the light-hearted banter between the sisters. For example, this exchange when a telegram arrives addressed to their mysterious guest. ‘”Don’t you dare open that envelope, Eleni.” She opened the envelope. “Eleni, don’t you dare read that telegram!” She read it.’
There are some chilling and dramatic scenes as the sisters close in on the murderer – those tunnels again – but there are also moments of humour. For instance, when the search for an item they are convinced is hidden in a particular place proves unproductive, Tasia remarks “I hate red herrings” and Eleni replies, “I prefer boiled cod”.
Talking of red herrings, there are plenty dotted throughout the book and the author also creates a number of false trails in an attempt to outwit the reader. If you work out the person behind the murders before the final reveal you must definitely have been taking notes.
A Stranger from the Storm is a perfect one sitting read, preferably on a dark winte night when you’re in the mood for a chilling tale. Do check the doors and windows are locked first however – oh, and you might want to look under that rug.
November 1, 2021
A true nomad of a writer, William Burton McCormick has lived in several European countries such as Ukraine, Latvia, Russia and the United Kingdom for the sole purpose of collecting the necessary impressions and images that embroider his writing. McCormick is a member of the highly esteemed Crime Writers Association as well as the Mystery Writers of America and his work includes numerous novels, novellas and short stories published in reputable crime fiction magazines such as Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, Black Mask and more. His writing style exhibits influences from the classic gothic horror tales and the accurate representation of long gone eras deems him a singular talent who grasps the importance of a strong sense of place and time.
A Stranger from the Storm is McCormick's latest novella that is going to be published on November 4th by the indie publisher Mannison Press. It is an imposing horror story also featuring elements from other genres and the final result is a short, dense read that grounds the reader and offers him pure entertainment and excitement. The story is set in Odessa, one of the biggest cities in Ukraine, and the year is 1900, the beginning of the twentieth century. The town is terrorized by the atrocious deeds of a child killer, nicknamed The Specter, and the citizens live under constant fear as the perpetrator is still at large. The author chooses to present two teenage girls as the main protagonists, thus depicting the story through the eyes of children who are not entirely grown up yet and their actions are often characterized by immaturity and hastiness.
Tasia and Eleni Karadopoulina are two twins living in the Greek Quarter of Odessa and run a boarding house along with their mother who is struggling to make ends meet. When a mysterious tenant, Henry Humble, arrives, a man bearing a disgusting scar in his face, the two sisters will begin to speculate about his character and soon they find themselves watching him closely as he may even be the notorious Specter, the man wreaking havoc in the streets since the last few months. With the help of Eleni's boyfriend, a young police officer named Spiro, they will put Henry Humble under strict surveillance in order to learn his secrets. As the plot moves forward, Eleni and Tasia will delve into an adventure in which they will only have each other to hold on to.
The book's main perk is its mesmerizing atmosphere that grabs the reader by the throat from the first few pages when Humble makes his entrance as the titular Stranger from the Storm. His abrupt, borderline rude, behavior makes him instantly despisable to both the two sisters and his weird habits puts him under the microscope of Eleni, Tasia, and Spiro who team up in order to get to the bottom of their obnoxious tenant's case. The descriptions of the city of Odessa are brief, nevertheless haunting and provide the best backdrop for the eerie story to unfold. The author certainly did his research regarding the everyday reality of living in this city at that time and its image is painted with brushes of dark colors, perfectly fitting the text's overall mood.
It is a rather quick read and you can easily devour it in just one sitting as I did and it was really something to read a different kind of novella, counting on its clear prose, well-rounded characters, and skillful description of a city lost in time. McCormick is certainly an author to look out for and he has also recently published an international thriller, The KGB Banker. which has won critical acclaim and is out since September 10th. I want to thank him from the bottom of my heart for contacting me and giving me the opportunity to write an honest review of this title. I will have to make sure to add his name in my favorite authors list and I can't wait to relish more of his work. A Stranger from the Storm is the book that you want to read in a gloomy winter's night with a glass of scotch nearby. Try it and you won't regret it.
A Stranger from the Storm is McCormick's latest novella that is going to be published on November 4th by the indie publisher Mannison Press. It is an imposing horror story also featuring elements from other genres and the final result is a short, dense read that grounds the reader and offers him pure entertainment and excitement. The story is set in Odessa, one of the biggest cities in Ukraine, and the year is 1900, the beginning of the twentieth century. The town is terrorized by the atrocious deeds of a child killer, nicknamed The Specter, and the citizens live under constant fear as the perpetrator is still at large. The author chooses to present two teenage girls as the main protagonists, thus depicting the story through the eyes of children who are not entirely grown up yet and their actions are often characterized by immaturity and hastiness.
Tasia and Eleni Karadopoulina are two twins living in the Greek Quarter of Odessa and run a boarding house along with their mother who is struggling to make ends meet. When a mysterious tenant, Henry Humble, arrives, a man bearing a disgusting scar in his face, the two sisters will begin to speculate about his character and soon they find themselves watching him closely as he may even be the notorious Specter, the man wreaking havoc in the streets since the last few months. With the help of Eleni's boyfriend, a young police officer named Spiro, they will put Henry Humble under strict surveillance in order to learn his secrets. As the plot moves forward, Eleni and Tasia will delve into an adventure in which they will only have each other to hold on to.
The book's main perk is its mesmerizing atmosphere that grabs the reader by the throat from the first few pages when Humble makes his entrance as the titular Stranger from the Storm. His abrupt, borderline rude, behavior makes him instantly despisable to both the two sisters and his weird habits puts him under the microscope of Eleni, Tasia, and Spiro who team up in order to get to the bottom of their obnoxious tenant's case. The descriptions of the city of Odessa are brief, nevertheless haunting and provide the best backdrop for the eerie story to unfold. The author certainly did his research regarding the everyday reality of living in this city at that time and its image is painted with brushes of dark colors, perfectly fitting the text's overall mood.
It is a rather quick read and you can easily devour it in just one sitting as I did and it was really something to read a different kind of novella, counting on its clear prose, well-rounded characters, and skillful description of a city lost in time. McCormick is certainly an author to look out for and he has also recently published an international thriller, The KGB Banker. which has won critical acclaim and is out since September 10th. I want to thank him from the bottom of my heart for contacting me and giving me the opportunity to write an honest review of this title. I will have to make sure to add his name in my favorite authors list and I can't wait to relish more of his work. A Stranger from the Storm is the book that you want to read in a gloomy winter's night with a glass of scotch nearby. Try it and you won't regret it.
October 13, 2021
I don’t read a lot of historical fiction to include historical mysteries. So candidly, A Stranger From the Storm is not a book I’d likely have picked up to read on my own, even though the summary piqued my curiosity mildly. But I accepted the book as it was offered to me along with McCormick’s KGB Banker, and I’m so pleased I agreed to read it. This novella allowed me an entirely different view of McCormick’s writing, which I found intriguing and showed me that he is not only a skillful storyteller but also a versatile writer.
On July 9, 1900, shortly before midnight, twin fifteen-year-old sisters Tasi and Eleni are at home alone on a stormy night waiting for their mother, Maia Karadopoulina, to return home to the boarding house they live in and that Maia operates. Suddenly, they encounter a most peculiar man, an Englishman named Mr. Humble, in this fast-moving historical mystery novella from William Burton McCormick (KGB Banker), set in Odessa*, the third-largest city in Imperial Russia and the country’s second most important port, after St. Petersburg, at the time.
* Odesa is the modern preferred transliteration from Ukrainian.
Humble inquires about lodging for at least a fortnight (two weeks), and the Karadopoulina girls allow him into the parlor to await the arrival of their mother. She alone makes all the decisions on letting the rooms. When Maia gets home and before she learns of Mr. Humble’s presence, she tells her daughters there has been another murder in the Slavic quarter. A fiend prowling the quarter has claimed his sixth victim, all little children. In letters penned to the local newspapers, someone claiming to be the murderer uses the moniker the “Specter.”
Once Tasia remembers to tell her mother they have a prospective lodger, Maia speaks to Humble. She agrees to rent him a bottom-floor room, they settle on the price, and Mr. Humble takes up residence.
As time passes, a series of strange events cause Tasi and Eleni to increasingly suspect that their odd, eccentric lodger may well be the murderer, perhaps the Specter himself. Then something happens that makes them certain of it. So, they begin to investigate. What could go wrong? Quite a lot, actually.
While my first William Burton McCormick book, KGB Banker, both impressed and entertained me, this one is quite a different type of story, but one I found just as enjoyable to read. A novella, A Stranger From the Storm, is a quick read simply because of its length, considerably fewer pages than that of a full novel. But the fast-paced plot makes it seem an even speedier read.
McCormick does an admirable job of capturing and holding the reader’s interest from the opening chapter. The story unfolds from the points of view of the two fifteen-year-old sisters, Anastasia “Tasi” and Eleni Karadopoulina. The setting, Odessa on the Black Sea in 1900, when the city was still an important part of the Russian Empire and before the start of the revolution in 1905, was fresh and intriguing. McCormick capably gives readers a feel for what living in the city might have been like during that period. In addition, I felt the prose perfectly mirrored the period.
Something I found captivating about the two main characters, Tasi and Eleni, is that the deeper I got into the book, the more I forgot they were only fifteen-year-old girls as they seemed far older. That feeling was not at all inconsistent with the period setting of the book. No offense to contemporary teenagers intended, but fifteen-year-olds in 1900 bore little resemblance to today’s teenagers. From a very young age, parents and society imposed far more responsibility on children in those times than is now the case in our age of helicopter parenting. Thankfully, I’m not old enough to have grown up in that period. Still, even the children of my generation grew up with far greater responsibilities and consequently possessed considerably more maturity and life experience as teenagers than those of today. That’s what parents and society expected and required of us. It saddens me that so many parents today give so few responsibilities to their children and expect so little in the way of maturity from them. In my opinion, they do their children a grave injustice by hindering their children’s growth as individuals on the difficult journey towards adulthood. I mention this only to offer an example of who well McCormick did the job of providing us an authentic historical feel to the book and depth of characterization.
What I liked best about this book was the imaginative plot and the unexpected but welcome bits of comic relief that I, for one, find far too infrequently in mystery tales. The comedy adds both interest and texture to the story. There were also plenty of unexpected twists along the way to keep the pages turning.
While I don’t read much historical mystery fiction, I am a lifelong fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories. I also enjoy reading some of the better modern Sherlock Holmes retellings that have grown popular since the expiration of the copyright on Doyle’s iconic detective character. So, I think it fair to say I’m capable of recognizing quality historical fiction and put The Stranger From the Storm firmly in that category.
For those who enjoy reading historical mysteries with a Victorian-era vibe, The Stranger From the Storm is a well-told story that is an entertaining read that you’re sure to enjoy.
The Stranger From the Storm was published by Mannison Press, LLC, and the book is available from November 4, 2021.
I received an advance copy of the book used for this review, representing my honest and unbiased opinions.
On July 9, 1900, shortly before midnight, twin fifteen-year-old sisters Tasi and Eleni are at home alone on a stormy night waiting for their mother, Maia Karadopoulina, to return home to the boarding house they live in and that Maia operates. Suddenly, they encounter a most peculiar man, an Englishman named Mr. Humble, in this fast-moving historical mystery novella from William Burton McCormick (KGB Banker), set in Odessa*, the third-largest city in Imperial Russia and the country’s second most important port, after St. Petersburg, at the time.
* Odesa is the modern preferred transliteration from Ukrainian.
Humble inquires about lodging for at least a fortnight (two weeks), and the Karadopoulina girls allow him into the parlor to await the arrival of their mother. She alone makes all the decisions on letting the rooms. When Maia gets home and before she learns of Mr. Humble’s presence, she tells her daughters there has been another murder in the Slavic quarter. A fiend prowling the quarter has claimed his sixth victim, all little children. In letters penned to the local newspapers, someone claiming to be the murderer uses the moniker the “Specter.”
Once Tasia remembers to tell her mother they have a prospective lodger, Maia speaks to Humble. She agrees to rent him a bottom-floor room, they settle on the price, and Mr. Humble takes up residence.
As time passes, a series of strange events cause Tasi and Eleni to increasingly suspect that their odd, eccentric lodger may well be the murderer, perhaps the Specter himself. Then something happens that makes them certain of it. So, they begin to investigate. What could go wrong? Quite a lot, actually.
While my first William Burton McCormick book, KGB Banker, both impressed and entertained me, this one is quite a different type of story, but one I found just as enjoyable to read. A novella, A Stranger From the Storm, is a quick read simply because of its length, considerably fewer pages than that of a full novel. But the fast-paced plot makes it seem an even speedier read.
McCormick does an admirable job of capturing and holding the reader’s interest from the opening chapter. The story unfolds from the points of view of the two fifteen-year-old sisters, Anastasia “Tasi” and Eleni Karadopoulina. The setting, Odessa on the Black Sea in 1900, when the city was still an important part of the Russian Empire and before the start of the revolution in 1905, was fresh and intriguing. McCormick capably gives readers a feel for what living in the city might have been like during that period. In addition, I felt the prose perfectly mirrored the period.
Something I found captivating about the two main characters, Tasi and Eleni, is that the deeper I got into the book, the more I forgot they were only fifteen-year-old girls as they seemed far older. That feeling was not at all inconsistent with the period setting of the book. No offense to contemporary teenagers intended, but fifteen-year-olds in 1900 bore little resemblance to today’s teenagers. From a very young age, parents and society imposed far more responsibility on children in those times than is now the case in our age of helicopter parenting. Thankfully, I’m not old enough to have grown up in that period. Still, even the children of my generation grew up with far greater responsibilities and consequently possessed considerably more maturity and life experience as teenagers than those of today. That’s what parents and society expected and required of us. It saddens me that so many parents today give so few responsibilities to their children and expect so little in the way of maturity from them. In my opinion, they do their children a grave injustice by hindering their children’s growth as individuals on the difficult journey towards adulthood. I mention this only to offer an example of who well McCormick did the job of providing us an authentic historical feel to the book and depth of characterization.
What I liked best about this book was the imaginative plot and the unexpected but welcome bits of comic relief that I, for one, find far too infrequently in mystery tales. The comedy adds both interest and texture to the story. There were also plenty of unexpected twists along the way to keep the pages turning.
While I don’t read much historical mystery fiction, I am a lifelong fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories. I also enjoy reading some of the better modern Sherlock Holmes retellings that have grown popular since the expiration of the copyright on Doyle’s iconic detective character. So, I think it fair to say I’m capable of recognizing quality historical fiction and put The Stranger From the Storm firmly in that category.
For those who enjoy reading historical mysteries with a Victorian-era vibe, The Stranger From the Storm is a well-told story that is an entertaining read that you’re sure to enjoy.
The Stranger From the Storm was published by Mannison Press, LLC, and the book is available from November 4, 2021.
I received an advance copy of the book used for this review, representing my honest and unbiased opinions.
November 24, 2021
This was an enjoyable short read. The author did an excellent job at creating interesting and relatable characters, and weaving their stories together in a meaningful way. There was plenty of suspense and some twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. I did notice a few typos and errors, so the book could use a good editing. Overall, I enjoyed this read and recommend it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 26, 2021
A quick Gothic toned novella set in the 1900's. In a place called Odessa a barbarous killer is terrorizing the port city set on the Black Sea. He has been dubbed The Spector and has already killed 5 children including the child of a prominent family. The murderer communicates through the newspaper and is already promising more deaths.
Mrs. Karadopoulinas and her twin daughters, Eleni and Tasia, run a boarding house. When the story opens it is storming hard and the sisters are at home alone when around midnight a man comes to the door asking for a room. They allow him in despite their mother not being home yet. He's an odd man, an Englishman with scars on his face that make him seem sinister. Henry Humble he identifies himself as and without much word he takes a room and settles in. He's an eccentric and stays out most nights, all night. The sisters start to suspect that he is The Spector. They begin to investigate, after all, if they're right then they could catch a killer. What could go wrong? Well, you'll have to read it to find out!
Being a novella, it was a quick read. The story is fast paced, yet there is much packed into it. So much that I wanted more. I love stories set in the Victorian Era and I felt the author did a good job of taking me to that time period. The descriptions of the area, including the tunnels they get lost in were vivid and came alive in my mind. The books description states this story is "a Victorian-style murder mystery with elements of horror, adventure, and Hitchcockian black humor". This of course grabbed my attention a lifelong Holmes and Hitchcock fan and I was not disappointed!
Mrs. Karadopoulinas and her twin daughters, Eleni and Tasia, run a boarding house. When the story opens it is storming hard and the sisters are at home alone when around midnight a man comes to the door asking for a room. They allow him in despite their mother not being home yet. He's an odd man, an Englishman with scars on his face that make him seem sinister. Henry Humble he identifies himself as and without much word he takes a room and settles in. He's an eccentric and stays out most nights, all night. The sisters start to suspect that he is The Spector. They begin to investigate, after all, if they're right then they could catch a killer. What could go wrong? Well, you'll have to read it to find out!
Being a novella, it was a quick read. The story is fast paced, yet there is much packed into it. So much that I wanted more. I love stories set in the Victorian Era and I felt the author did a good job of taking me to that time period. The descriptions of the area, including the tunnels they get lost in were vivid and came alive in my mind. The books description states this story is "a Victorian-style murder mystery with elements of horror, adventure, and Hitchcockian black humor". This of course grabbed my attention a lifelong Holmes and Hitchcock fan and I was not disappointed!
December 7, 2021
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A gripping thriller that keep you on the edge.Two sisters with an opposite personality make the story interesting. A lodger appear mysteriously at their lodger in a violent stormy night. The lodger appearance arose the suspicions to both sisters and knowing a horrific murder happen that night make them curious of who is that mysterious lodger.
This is a fast paced read, and got lots of twist and turns. The characters is so well written, and the element of mystery is kept wrapped until the end.I truly enjoyed this book because it does remind me of a classic mystery/spy novel that I love to read quite long time ago.
A gripping thriller that keep you on the edge.Two sisters with an opposite personality make the story interesting. A lodger appear mysteriously at their lodger in a violent stormy night. The lodger appearance arose the suspicions to both sisters and knowing a horrific murder happen that night make them curious of who is that mysterious lodger.
This is a fast paced read, and got lots of twist and turns. The characters is so well written, and the element of mystery is kept wrapped until the end.I truly enjoyed this book because it does remind me of a classic mystery/spy novel that I love to read quite long time ago.
October 26, 2021
A Stranger from the Storm is a new novel by William Burton McCormick. The story begins in 1900 with two sisters home alone seeing a man across the street in a rain storm walking back and forth. When he sees the room for rent sign, he comes inside. The sisters are concerned by the ugly scare on his face. With 6 children murdered over the summer, have they let a murderer into their house? This begins an intense story that is a little bit dark. The author wrote a very good mystery/thriller. I liked how he paced the story and unfolded the clues that kept me turning pages to read what happened next. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
November 11, 2021
I received an ARC free from BookSirens and this is my voluntary honest review.
* A intreging, suspenseful read.
* A fast paced, quick, enjoyable read!
* Wow! It really grabs your attention quickly! A grab the edge of your seat, glued in place read! You really can't put it down!
* Scary twist and turns! Watch out! Your hooked! Be prepared for, Surprises, dark humor, and laughs.
I love this style of writing! Brilliant! Clever! Wow!
You don't want to miss this one! Enjoy!
* A intreging, suspenseful read.
* A fast paced, quick, enjoyable read!
* Wow! It really grabs your attention quickly! A grab the edge of your seat, glued in place read! You really can't put it down!
* Scary twist and turns! Watch out! Your hooked! Be prepared for, Surprises, dark humor, and laughs.
I love this style of writing! Brilliant! Clever! Wow!
You don't want to miss this one! Enjoy!
December 1, 2021
If short stories are a snack and five-hundred-plus-page novels a groaning twelve-course meal, novellas are a leisurely lunch. Sometimes, lunch hits the spot. I wish more writers wrote novellas. William Burton McCormick’s novella, A Stranger from the Storm, is a great read, a satisfying, tasty lunch, if you will. A thriller set in 1900 Odessa, it will frighten you, then make you laugh out loud while keeping you guessing to the very end.
December 13, 2021
Wonderful novella that transports the reader back to Odessa, Ukraine in 1900. Descriptions bring the interesting multi-cultural city to life. Also well-paced intrigue and suspense throughout. Every clue made me more curious what was going on. The characters were each unique and well-developed. I especially liked the sisters Tasia and Eleni. Highly recommended!
November 8, 2021
A great read
Two sisters, a strange lodger and a killer stalking and murdering children—the ingredients for a thrill ride of a read. The characters are vividly drawn the setting feels real,I finished it in 2 days.
Two sisters, a strange lodger and a killer stalking and murdering children—the ingredients for a thrill ride of a read. The characters are vividly drawn the setting feels real,I finished it in 2 days.
December 4, 2021
Absolutely breathtaking!
McCormick has written one of the most suspenseful books I've ever come across. The setting is Odessa, now in Ukraine, in 1900. It is the perfect setting for a story such as this. If only there were more such stories!
McCormick has written one of the most suspenseful books I've ever come across. The setting is Odessa, now in Ukraine, in 1900. It is the perfect setting for a story such as this. If only there were more such stories!
October 26, 2021
A fun read! A murder mystery, yes, but filled with twists and turns, surprises, dark humor and laughs! I really enjoyed it.
October 29, 2021
I enjoyed that. What can I say? I finished it in a day. That's a sign that I liked the book.
The sisters were both strong in their own ways. The story, fast-paced. I rarely read and enjoy historical fiction, glad I read this.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The sisters were both strong in their own ways. The story, fast-paced. I rarely read and enjoy historical fiction, glad I read this.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 20, 2021
A Stranger from the Storm is a novella, that is easy and quick to read. It is unusual in its setting. I haven't read many books set in Eastern Europe and none set in Odessa in 1900, so that was an enjoyable first. The American author clearly knows his way around Europe.
The plot centres around twins Eleni and Anastasia who live and work in their impoverished widowed, mother's boarding house. One night during a terrible storm a strange and mysterious man comes to stay. At the same time there is an ongoing spate of child murders in the city. Are the two connected? Eleni and Anastasia get drawn in to the sinister riddle.
False trails and red herrings abound and the plot takes a left turn mid way. The main characters all change to a greater or lesser extent throughout the book, which is far more interesting than a plethora of stable straight line characters
There is a wicked sense of humour in this enjoyable slightly macabre tale which contrast nicely along side the mist shrouded docks and impending sense of threat hanging in the air.
There is a slight whiff of Fritz Lang's "M" with Peter Lorre, Conan Doyle's Victorian era stories, Edgar Allan Poe's "Murders in the Rue Morgue" and most intriguingly the Coen brothers Fargo
A Beautifully balanced slightly creepy unusual tale in an unusual setting in an unusual era.
The plot centres around twins Eleni and Anastasia who live and work in their impoverished widowed, mother's boarding house. One night during a terrible storm a strange and mysterious man comes to stay. At the same time there is an ongoing spate of child murders in the city. Are the two connected? Eleni and Anastasia get drawn in to the sinister riddle.
False trails and red herrings abound and the plot takes a left turn mid way. The main characters all change to a greater or lesser extent throughout the book, which is far more interesting than a plethora of stable straight line characters
There is a wicked sense of humour in this enjoyable slightly macabre tale which contrast nicely along side the mist shrouded docks and impending sense of threat hanging in the air.
There is a slight whiff of Fritz Lang's "M" with Peter Lorre, Conan Doyle's Victorian era stories, Edgar Allan Poe's "Murders in the Rue Morgue" and most intriguingly the Coen brothers Fargo
A Beautifully balanced slightly creepy unusual tale in an unusual setting in an unusual era.
December 3, 2021
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was great! Loved the historic elements of the story. The rich descriptions with Gothic undertones. The mystery of the murders lent an overall eerie tone to the work. Additionally, a majority of the characters were nicely developed but... . I did not realize it was only a novella and the story would be better served as a full novel. I thought there were some gaps in the characterization of the relationships between the mother and the girls. Overall though it was a worthy read.
This was great! Loved the historic elements of the story. The rich descriptions with Gothic undertones. The mystery of the murders lent an overall eerie tone to the work. Additionally, a majority of the characters were nicely developed but... . I did not realize it was only a novella and the story would be better served as a full novel. I thought there were some gaps in the characterization of the relationships between the mother and the girls. Overall though it was a worthy read.
March 12, 2022
I really liked the two sisters, Tasia and Eleni, I thought that there dynamic throughout the book really made it something special. Especially seeing that they went though everything together and had only each other to confide in as they unravelled the mystery that thrust itself upon them. The other characters were also well written and interesting and I really liked the reveal of the serial killer as I was convinced of who it was and then was proved wrong!
Given that this book was short a lot happened! There was a well written, fully fledged mystery that kept me hooked until all of the twists at the very end and then eager to see if the story is going to continue. It was fast paced and I liked all of the reveals at the end as they were suprising but made sense given everything else that happened. It was a brilliant mystery story that also fit well into it's setting.
The writing was brilliant and I had such a great time reading it! If you are into historical fiction and mysterys this one is well worth the read!
Given that this book was short a lot happened! There was a well written, fully fledged mystery that kept me hooked until all of the twists at the very end and then eager to see if the story is going to continue. It was fast paced and I liked all of the reveals at the end as they were suprising but made sense given everything else that happened. It was a brilliant mystery story that also fit well into it's setting.
The writing was brilliant and I had such a great time reading it! If you are into historical fiction and mysterys this one is well worth the read!
January 31, 2022
I found this difficult to review, even though it is easy to read. "A Stranger from the Storm" is a mystery, and it is a crime thriller of sorts and it is historical. Furthermore it is possible to learn a little geography from reading it. It is somewhat different from other books that I have read before. The "detectives" are two teenage girls, twins, and there are only a few adults who actually have anything like a main part. And, if that isn't enough, it is set in Odessa, on the shores of the Black Sea. Most of the action in the later part of the story takes place in tunnels under the city.
You would expect that with such young protagonists it would be a story of some innocence in feeling. It is actually rather a dark themed story, and becomes blacker in the later part, the details of which you need to read for yourself. The conversation between Tasia and Eleni on the last page would make anyone's blood run cold.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
You would expect that with such young protagonists it would be a story of some innocence in feeling. It is actually rather a dark themed story, and becomes blacker in the later part, the details of which you need to read for yourself. The conversation between Tasia and Eleni on the last page would make anyone's blood run cold.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 16, 2022
this is okay.
i literally just finished reading this. everything just happened so quick within those last 15 minutes that i was reading this. it had such chaotic energy.
did i like this??? sure. it was fine. i didn't hate it but i also didn't super love it.
i really enjoyed the characters the most. eleni and tasia's duo was fun to read. i loved reading them play off of each other. maybe it's a twin thing. henry humble i also really liked as a character. he felt super creepy to me. mr teledis also was a convincing antagonist. spiro and the mother were also fine. everyone just felt very animated to me. they all feel like big and bold characters. which is great because i don't have to analyse them because their personalities scream at me from the pages.
the plot was okay as well. it was easy enough to follow. i wasn't as invested in it as i would've liked because i was more interested in what the characters were actually doing. lol. the story sort of follows eleni and tasia as they help their mother run her inn. one night, a stranger from the storm arrives and the twins find him super sketchy. they follow him around and discover hints that he might be the Specter, the mass child murderer in Odessa. as the twins were fishing through his belongings, they un-alive him and dismember him (my favourite scene by the way). they dump his body in the catacombs. they find their way back home through the tunnels because there's this creepy old fart in the sewers stalking on of the girls. they find out the piano teacher's the bad guy. a chase ensues. the stalker dies. the teacher dies. eleni dies... or does she??? she doesn't. they get away with murder and they live happily ever after. we love it. easy.
the thing i didn't like about this book was that it was set in the 1900's but i didn't really feel like it was??? i don't know how to explain it but when i've read books that were set in the 1900's, i feel it in the way that the characters talk and interact with each other and their surroundings. it's not all about like saying it's in this time period and telling me that they live in like a rickety inn and they walk on cobblestone pavements or whatever... if they banter like they're in the 21st century or something??? idk. it just takes me away from the immersion. maybe it's just nitpicky and none of this matters.
i also just thought that the villian's motives would be more believable. i don't know what i'm saying. i liked mr teledis as the villian. he feels like a good villian. this nicholas kid embarrassed him by being a little shit but... killing so many kids just to cover up the fact the you only really genuinely wanted to kill one child is a bit much.
i usually have a lot of notes... but i don't know if it's worth putting them all in my spoiler-y section below because there's not a lot. this book was pretty light to read. it went by so quick. but for consistency, i'll just plop them here. just no one open it. it's a lot me saying "lol". just continue reading til the end. these are my kindle notes copied and pasted here so it's garbage because there's no context.
nice.
i would recommend it. it's not bad. maybe the kiddos would like it.
disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. :)
i literally just finished reading this. everything just happened so quick within those last 15 minutes that i was reading this. it had such chaotic energy.
did i like this??? sure. it was fine. i didn't hate it but i also didn't super love it.
i really enjoyed the characters the most. eleni and tasia's duo was fun to read. i loved reading them play off of each other. maybe it's a twin thing. henry humble i also really liked as a character. he felt super creepy to me. mr teledis also was a convincing antagonist. spiro and the mother were also fine. everyone just felt very animated to me. they all feel like big and bold characters. which is great because i don't have to analyse them because their personalities scream at me from the pages.
the plot was okay as well. it was easy enough to follow. i wasn't as invested in it as i would've liked because i was more interested in what the characters were actually doing. lol. the story sort of follows eleni and tasia as they help their mother run her inn. one night, a stranger from the storm arrives and the twins find him super sketchy. they follow him around and discover hints that he might be the Specter, the mass child murderer in Odessa. as the twins were fishing through his belongings, they un-alive him and dismember him (my favourite scene by the way). they dump his body in the catacombs. they find their way back home through the tunnels because there's this creepy old fart in the sewers stalking on of the girls. they find out the piano teacher's the bad guy. a chase ensues. the stalker dies. the teacher dies. eleni dies... or does she??? she doesn't. they get away with murder and they live happily ever after. we love it. easy.
the thing i didn't like about this book was that it was set in the 1900's but i didn't really feel like it was??? i don't know how to explain it but when i've read books that were set in the 1900's, i feel it in the way that the characters talk and interact with each other and their surroundings. it's not all about like saying it's in this time period and telling me that they live in like a rickety inn and they walk on cobblestone pavements or whatever... if they banter like they're in the 21st century or something??? idk. it just takes me away from the immersion. maybe it's just nitpicky and none of this matters.
i also just thought that the villian's motives would be more believable. i don't know what i'm saying. i liked mr teledis as the villian. he feels like a good villian. this nicholas kid embarrassed him by being a little shit but... killing so many kids just to cover up the fact the you only really genuinely wanted to kill one child is a bit much.
i usually have a lot of notes... but i don't know if it's worth putting them all in my spoiler-y section below because there's not a lot. this book was pretty light to read. it went by so quick. but for consistency, i'll just plop them here. just no one open it. it's a lot me saying "lol". just continue reading til the end. these are my kindle notes copied and pasted here so it's garbage because there's no context.
nice.
i would recommend it. it's not bad. maybe the kiddos would like it.
disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. :)
January 11, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A suspenseful, historical mystery/thriller/horror novella. A very quick, fun, and enjoyable read. With its eerie atmosphere beginning on a stormy night, a serial killer of young children on the loose, and the cast of shady characters and possible suspects, the tone was instantly set. I loved the two main characters, twin sisters, Tasia and Elena, and their vast differences but close bond. I found them to be hysterical as they were trying to navigate the trouble that they found themselves in. I don’t know if I was supposed to find certain parts funny or not, but I had a couple laugh-out-loud moments at the things that they said. This was my first time reading anything from the author, William Burton McCormick, but would definitely love to explore more of his work. He crafted a compelling, well-paced story and clearly knows a lot of the region that the book is set in—Odessa—and its rich folklore. The imagery of the catacombs was very vivid, with its labyrinth-like mazes under the city of Odessa.
I did predict most of the twists in this book and realized who the Specter really was during a particular interaction earlier in the book. This didn’t affect the enjoyment of my reading experience, though. Despite some red herrings, I do think that the plot would have been improved by making some clues and scenes less easy and obvious to figure out and not making some of the characters so instantly suspicious and unlikable. It would have been nice for the character development to build to this more gradually along with the plot. At times, the dialogue felt slightly forced, unnatural, and trying too hard. I was able to quickly get back into the story, though, and wasn’t too distracted by this.
The author did a great job with cliffhangers and kept me anxious to turn the page and find out what would happen next. I love horror stories like this one that really set a spooky atmosphere and ominous tone from the very beginning. Tasia noticed a stranger, the silhouette of a man, pacing to and fro on the other side of the street, on a stormy night with lightning overhead. The visitor seeing them, approaches their door asking to stay in their room for rent. With their mother not home, and having seen the stranger’s scarred face, “hideous facsimile of a small,” the girls are left alone in the house with their strange visitor. What ensues is one suspicious occurrence and interaction after the other with the sisters flung down the rabbit hole into the mystery and danger of the notorious serial killer, the Specter, on the loose. With the Specter still killing young children close to their home, no stranger is safe.
A suspenseful, historical mystery/thriller/horror novella. A very quick, fun, and enjoyable read. With its eerie atmosphere beginning on a stormy night, a serial killer of young children on the loose, and the cast of shady characters and possible suspects, the tone was instantly set. I loved the two main characters, twin sisters, Tasia and Elena, and their vast differences but close bond. I found them to be hysterical as they were trying to navigate the trouble that they found themselves in. I don’t know if I was supposed to find certain parts funny or not, but I had a couple laugh-out-loud moments at the things that they said. This was my first time reading anything from the author, William Burton McCormick, but would definitely love to explore more of his work. He crafted a compelling, well-paced story and clearly knows a lot of the region that the book is set in—Odessa—and its rich folklore. The imagery of the catacombs was very vivid, with its labyrinth-like mazes under the city of Odessa.
I did predict most of the twists in this book and realized who the Specter really was during a particular interaction earlier in the book. This didn’t affect the enjoyment of my reading experience, though. Despite some red herrings, I do think that the plot would have been improved by making some clues and scenes less easy and obvious to figure out and not making some of the characters so instantly suspicious and unlikable. It would have been nice for the character development to build to this more gradually along with the plot. At times, the dialogue felt slightly forced, unnatural, and trying too hard. I was able to quickly get back into the story, though, and wasn’t too distracted by this.
The author did a great job with cliffhangers and kept me anxious to turn the page and find out what would happen next. I love horror stories like this one that really set a spooky atmosphere and ominous tone from the very beginning. Tasia noticed a stranger, the silhouette of a man, pacing to and fro on the other side of the street, on a stormy night with lightning overhead. The visitor seeing them, approaches their door asking to stay in their room for rent. With their mother not home, and having seen the stranger’s scarred face, “hideous facsimile of a small,” the girls are left alone in the house with their strange visitor. What ensues is one suspicious occurrence and interaction after the other with the sisters flung down the rabbit hole into the mystery and danger of the notorious serial killer, the Specter, on the loose. With the Specter still killing young children close to their home, no stranger is safe.
December 13, 2021
What to say about this novella? First off, I enjoyed reading it. It was worth the short amount of time it took. The writing was clear, concise & engaging. Even the plot was interesting with many twists and turns. However, at first I kept saying in my head that the story was ridiculous. It should be put in the YA genre. Understandably, novellas by their very nature are short. But the author tried to shove so much into the story that nothing had a chance to gain traction. The main premise, that someone was murdering children, was not explained or explored in any detail. The heroines, being 2 Greek, turn-of-the-century 17 year old twin girls might (and I say might because their upbringing and knowledge of the world would have been greatly reduced considering their country, ethnicity and time period) have worked if the plot had been molded and played out a bit differently. Honestly, I don't expect every book I read to be completely plausible or true to life but this one was out of this world. The heroines might even have fit better in a different time period. The time period of 1900 really had little to no impact on the story except to say that people were still making bricks and using rooming houses. The author is a great writer but I highly suggest that he (a) clear out elements of the plot to make it more succinct and plausible in such a short story (b) do more explanatory language and dialogue and character development to make it a fuller, longer novel so as to be able to due justice to any of the plot lines or (c) save some of his ideas for different stories and don't shove everything together with only a thin string attaching everything and everyone. I do appreciate the chance to have read it and the author is a good writer.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 21, 2022
On a dark and stormy night twins Helena and Tazzie are sitting in their mothers boarding house looking out at the storm and awaiting a return. This is when they see a strange man across the street and it’s not a good time for strangers they have been murders in the area. They get even more nervous when they notice the stranger constantly looking over at their boarding house and eventually coming over and asking for a rum. Even stranger he knows the exact room he wants to rent. As the days go by then notice more and more strange activity he even asked them to break into a local office to retrieve his satchel and after they retrieve it because it didn’t have what he wanted inside of it he refused to pay them. Helena gets more and more curious about this strange tenant so she convinces her twin sister to follow him. Is he the one who’s killing local man? Why is he so secretive? Would the twins get caught following him? This was a great read., I thought it would read like a cozy mystery but it read like a straight up great mystery. I love that it was set in a European country which I think was Greece… IDK? I have a bad memory… Anyway! I loved it I can’t say enough about it I wasn’t expecting the ending and can only hope I am alerted when the second book comes out. Just for those cynical mystery lovers this is not predictable at all! I loved it and highly recommend it! I was given this book by book sirens but I’m leaving this review totally voluntarily. Please forgive any grammatical or punctuational errors as I am blind and dictate most of my review but I’ll opinion are my own.
June 28, 2022
Brilliant fun – a historical mystery with plenty of atmosphere
This is a very enjoyable historical tale that whisks the reader away to early 1900’s Odessa. Immediately the atmosphere drew me in as William Burton McCormick sets the scene during a storm and we meet two mischievous but very likeable twin sisters ‘Eleni’ and ‘Tasia’. A much-needed new guest arrives at their family boarding house where they suspect he may have something to do with a string of recent murders committed by someone only known as ‘The Specter’.
The behaviour of this new arrival arouses the sister’s suspicions and in a city with a known killer they begin to pry. Their results and antics which follow are both fun and chilling – their dialogue interaction with each other in particular is very well done and touches on so many elements of humour, perhaps a coping mechanism for the chilling events going on.
Of course like most mysteries the big reveal tends to make or break the story and after a few twists the ending was indeed unexpected and satisfying. With historic elements and fun witty dialogue that carries an intriguing story, this one is definitely for you if you enjoy those things – I certainly did!
This is a very enjoyable historical tale that whisks the reader away to early 1900’s Odessa. Immediately the atmosphere drew me in as William Burton McCormick sets the scene during a storm and we meet two mischievous but very likeable twin sisters ‘Eleni’ and ‘Tasia’. A much-needed new guest arrives at their family boarding house where they suspect he may have something to do with a string of recent murders committed by someone only known as ‘The Specter’.
The behaviour of this new arrival arouses the sister’s suspicions and in a city with a known killer they begin to pry. Their results and antics which follow are both fun and chilling – their dialogue interaction with each other in particular is very well done and touches on so many elements of humour, perhaps a coping mechanism for the chilling events going on.
Of course like most mysteries the big reveal tends to make or break the story and after a few twists the ending was indeed unexpected and satisfying. With historic elements and fun witty dialogue that carries an intriguing story, this one is definitely for you if you enjoy those things – I certainly did!
November 4, 2021
A Stranger from the Storm is a Gothic-style novella set in Odessa in 1900 about two sisters, Eleni and Tasia, who are suspicious of a mystery lodger who comes to stay at the boarding house their mother manages.
A savage killer terrorizes the port city of Odessa, which is located on the Black Sea. He’s been dubbed The Specter, and he’s already murdered five children, including a prominent family’s youngster. The murderer contacts the public through the newspaper and has already threatened to kill more people.
When the narrative begins, it is raining heavily outside, and the sisters are alone at home when a stranger knocks on the door around midnight, asking for a room. Despite the fact that their mother is not yet home, they let him in. He’s an unusual man, an Englishman with doomy-looking scars on his face. He introduces himself as Henry Humble, and without saying anything, he picks a room and settles in. He’s an oddball who stays out all night most nights. The sisters begin to believe he is The Specter. They begin their exploration, believing that if they are correct, they may be able to apprehend a murderer.
I liked the two curious girls, who are endearing characters with well-drawn relations to one other and others. The novella’s tension gradually increases to the point that it’s impossible to put down and leads to a surprising climax.
There were strong humorous lines here and here that made me laugh in all this mysterious tension.
The Stranger From the Storm is a well-told novella that is an engaging read that you’re likely to appreciate if you enjoy historical mysteries with a Victorian-era-like vibe.
A savage killer terrorizes the port city of Odessa, which is located on the Black Sea. He’s been dubbed The Specter, and he’s already murdered five children, including a prominent family’s youngster. The murderer contacts the public through the newspaper and has already threatened to kill more people.
When the narrative begins, it is raining heavily outside, and the sisters are alone at home when a stranger knocks on the door around midnight, asking for a room. Despite the fact that their mother is not yet home, they let him in. He’s an unusual man, an Englishman with doomy-looking scars on his face. He introduces himself as Henry Humble, and without saying anything, he picks a room and settles in. He’s an oddball who stays out all night most nights. The sisters begin to believe he is The Specter. They begin their exploration, believing that if they are correct, they may be able to apprehend a murderer.
I liked the two curious girls, who are endearing characters with well-drawn relations to one other and others. The novella’s tension gradually increases to the point that it’s impossible to put down and leads to a surprising climax.
There were strong humorous lines here and here that made me laugh in all this mysterious tension.
The Stranger From the Storm is a well-told novella that is an engaging read that you’re likely to appreciate if you enjoy historical mysteries with a Victorian-era-like vibe.
October 19, 2021
A Gothic-style novella set in Odessa in 1900, Strangers in the Storm follows two sisters who are suspicious of a mysterious lodger who comes to stay at the rooming house their mother runs so they start to track his comings and goings. I enjoyed the two nosy girls, who are charming characters, well drawn in their relationship to one another and others. The tension in the novella steadily builds to the point where the book is unputdownable and leads to a twisty ending that I didn’t see coming. A quick, very enjoyable read.
April 14, 2022
I received the e-arc of this book from Booksirens in exchange for an honest review.
3,5 stars rounded up to 4. I quite liked this novella. It was atmospheric and the author really captures the time period and the city of Odessa in the beginning of the 20th century. The mystery was interesting but I have to admit the reveal was not shocking. I liked the fast pacing but maybe this was a novella, I really could not feel much for the characters.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and I would like to read a full length novel from this author.
3,5 stars rounded up to 4. I quite liked this novella. It was atmospheric and the author really captures the time period and the city of Odessa in the beginning of the 20th century. The mystery was interesting but I have to admit the reveal was not shocking. I liked the fast pacing but maybe this was a novella, I really could not feel much for the characters.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and I would like to read a full length novel from this author.
June 10, 2022
Not sure how to review this horror novella.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily, so I am going to be as honest as I can be without spoilers.
The setting in Odessa in 1900 is well done. The main protagonists are teenage sisters who seek the child murderer.
Without giving a spoiler another killing and the last dialogue about a saw gave me a shiver and a certain discomforting feeling.
Then I suppose horror is meant to do that….
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily, so I am going to be as honest as I can be without spoilers.
The setting in Odessa in 1900 is well done. The main protagonists are teenage sisters who seek the child murderer.
Without giving a spoiler another killing and the last dialogue about a saw gave me a shiver and a certain discomforting feeling.
Then I suppose horror is meant to do that….
November 11, 2022
I enjoyed the story and especially the last sentence. It is an easy read. I think it a book for YA; it's a story about two teenagers. It is not the horror of all horrors, but there are pretty creepy parts. The fact what they did to Mr. Humble and got away with it… The man in the tunnels… The music teacher with that secret in his house…
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 1, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I don't usually read what I consider might be YA stories, but this was an easy and refreshing read, taking place in an interesting location well described. I met the author at a signing at our local library. I think the sisters, twins, could easily develop into a 'noir' series. They were quite likable and believable.
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