Monday, September 16, 2019

Review: The Widow of Pale Harbor by Hester Fox

Title: The Widow of Pale Harbor
Author: Hester Fox
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Historical/Fantasy
Published By: Graydon House (September 17, 2019)
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
My Rating: 4 Stars!


Book Description:
A town gripped by fear. A woman accused of witchcraft. Who can save Pale Harbor from itself?

Maine, 1846. Gabriel Stone is desperate to escape the ghosts that haunt him in Massachusetts after his wife’s death, so he moves to Maine, taking a position as a minister in the remote village of Pale Harbor.

But not all is as it seems in the sleepy town. Strange, unsettling things have been happening, and the townspeople claim that only one person can be responsible: Sophronia Carver, a reclusive widow who lives with a spinster maid in the eerie Castle Carver. Sophronia must be a witch, and she almost certainly killed her husband.


As the incidents escalate, one thing becomes clear: they are the work of a twisted person inspired by the wildly popular stories of Mr. Edgar Allan Poe. And Gabriel must find answers, or Pale Harbor will suffer a fate worthy of Poe’s darkest tales.









Hester Fox wowed me last year with her debut so it was easy to pick up her next book The Widow of Pale Harbor. And while I did love her sophomore book with all it's mystery and intrigue it didn't quite have the paranormal aspect that I was hoping it would. Having said that though, it was still such a fun and atmospheric read and I couldn't help but eagerly turn the pages to know more about Sophy and the town and all that was transpiring.

With references to Poe and darkness and death abound, I truly did enjoy this read and think that fans of Fox's debut, will feel the same and have just as much love for this one as they did the other. 





*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

24 comments:

  1. Sounds good Graydon House is fast becoming a fave publisher, well its part of Harlequin and you know I think they make the world go round :( Great review I want it!

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    1. I agree Debbie, they are becoming mine as well!

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  2. That sounds interesting. Witchcraft at that time was not good.

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    1. Nope not at all and I love these type of books, so much fun, especially this time of year!

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  3. This sounds like a good Halloween read, but it's too bad it didn't quite hit the spot for you.

    I hope your next read from this author will be better!

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    1. I hope so as well, still it was a fun read for this time of year. ;)

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  4. Yay! I am glad you enjoyed this one. Great review!

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    1. Thanks so much! And for some reason, your blog won't pull up for me anymore?

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  5. While this didn't wow you as much as the first it looks atmospheric and perfect for fall.

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    1. It actually was such a great book for fall! Anything with witches, really is.

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  6. I wish this had wowed you, but I still like the sound of the creepy atmospheric setting, those are always great reads for fall.

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    1. It was still very atmospheric and I do think you would like it.

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  7. It's the first time I hear about this one but it looks well done

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  8. I love the sound of this story! Atmospheric and the references to Poe and darkness sound like this would make a great Halloween read! Wonderful Review Ali :)

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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    1. It really is perfect for this time of year! I hope you decide to try it. :D

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  9. I don't think I've ever heard of this author before. I like the cover! And I'm glad this one worked so well for you!
    Genesis | Whispering Chapters

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    1. Thanks, me too and glad I could introduce you to her!

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  10. Going into this one I would have expected it to be heavy on the paranormal, so that's a bummer. Would you say it felt more like magical realism instead?

    Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬

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    1. Yes definitely more magical realism than paranormal.

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  11. Sounds so interesting.
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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