Author: Norah Olson
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Katherine Tegen Books (July 26, 2016)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Mystery
My Rating: 3 Stars
Book Description:
16 -year-old Gretchen takes photographs to understand the world around her, a passion her mother Mona fostered and encouraged when she was still around. Since her mom disappeared years ago, Gretchen and her dad have lived on their own in New York City, haunted by Mona’s absence.
When Gretchen’s great aunt Esther calls unexpectedly to tell her that she has inherited the pre-Civil War mansion on her mother’s side of the family in upstate New York, Gretchen understands nothing except that her aunt needs her help. But what she finds there is beyond her imagination. The house is crumbling apart, filled with stacks of papers and journals from decades, even centuries past, and it’s crawling with rodents. It’s also full of secrets and a legacy of racism and violence so reprehensible that the ghosts of the past are exacting revenge on the living.
Somehow the mystery of Mona’s disappearance and the atrocities that happened on the land during the Civil War are inextricably intertwined, and it’s up to Gretchen to figure out how…before even more lives are lost.
I was in the mood for something different, fun, and hopefully spooky with just the right amount of paranormal woo hoo and mystery to keep me turning the pages and be on edge.
With a slight creepy undertone and mystery galore, this really was a good read that was different from the norm. A read to take you away for a few hours and give you something with just enough of the creepy factor to keep you on edge and just enough of that mystery that lovers like me crave to keep you entertained and wanting more.
A good read for fans of the genre and those that want to try it for the first time.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*
That does sounds different and a bit creepy. But I'd love to inherit an old mansion with rodents. I'd be like, come here my little friends while I set bowls of food out for them. But then I'm strange like that. lol
ReplyDeleteIt was a bit creepy at times. ;)
DeleteIt was nice, but I agree a bit too
ReplyDeleteIt was good just not super creepy or exactly what I was expecting. ;)
DeleteCreepy! There's something about reading these type of books in the bright sunlight. The incongruity of it amps the creep factor more. Lol. Is that weird?
ReplyDeleteNope not at all and I agree!
DeleteOOh what a spooky cover and premise. Thanks Kindlemom
ReplyDeleteI do love the cover and synopsis for sure.
DeleteThis sounds different for sure and a great way to try out this author. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't very long so it is a good way to get a feel for their writing Tyler.
DeleteSounds like it was just what you were in the mood for Ali! I do love a good mystery:)
ReplyDeleteI do too and it was good. ;)
DeleteLove that cover! Glad it fit for what you were looking for!
ReplyDeleteI really like the cover as well.
DeleteI've been in the mood for something like this lately, so it definitely looks like one that I can get lost in for a few hours. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed this, Ali! It's coming up on my list as well and I was really trying to find some enthusiams for it. You helped. Wonderful review.
ReplyDeleteThanks Maja and I do hope you like it. It isn't perfect but it was fun nonetheless.
DeleteThis sounds like one I would like. Perfect Fall reading!
ReplyDeleteIt would be great for fall.
DeleteThanks for your review.
ReplyDeleteThanks for checking it out. :D
DeleteGreat review! I do always like something that will spook me so may have to give this a try ♥
ReplyDeleteHope you like it!
DeleteI love your review but three stars makes me nervous...only because when I rate something three it means it was so so for me. It sounds really good though
ReplyDeleteThe rating was more for the fact that it wasn't as creepy or mysterious as I wanted it to be but it was still good, just not blow you away good.
DeleteDoesn't sound too bad! I do really like "spooky" stories more these days than when I was younger.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't bad just not quite what I was hoping it would be. ;)
DeleteThat;s all we need to know. Thanks!
ReplyDelete:D
DeleteDifferent is good :P
ReplyDeleteIt definitely isn't bad. ;)
DeleteOh very curious about this one now. I haven't heard of it but love that cover and your review. Yea, I do think I can handle that level of creepy. :D
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't too bad so I bet you would be okay with it. ;)
DeleteYou always find the most interesting books. I love how creepy the cover looks.
ReplyDeleteLOL I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing and I do blame Christy for a lot of it. :P
DeleteIt sounds pretty good? Sometimes for me a YA mystery is a bit easy to solve so they don't always do it for me. At least in my experience-and not that I have that much! So what do I know? :)But I do like that it's creepy!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. I usually feel that way as well about them.
DeleteI love a little spook and woo hoo during the summer to take my mond of the 105 degrees outside, lol! This sounds like a great escape.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a wonderful weekend, Ali :)
It is good for that for sure. ;)
DeleteI alway love to see you excited over a book, Ali! <3 It's always so fun to see you fan girl! <3 I'm so glad you liked this one and once I looked at the cover, I knew I had to read it. It seems like its' the perfect amount of spookiness and creepiness!
ReplyDeleteLOL thanks Keionda! I really hope you like it. ;)
DeleteThose YA - mystery aren't usually what I like, because they can be so obvious at times, but this sounds like a fun and fast read. Glad you actually enjoyed it ^^
ReplyDelete"Book Addict"
They can be for sure but for some reason they always have the best descriptions and draw me in.
DeleteI'm glad you could enjoy this one :).
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
DeleteThis sounds like an interesting book! But I am not sure If I am going to read but I am happy that you enjoyed this.
ReplyDeletexx
www.sakuranko.com
Thanks Sakuranko! :D
DeleteSounds like a good one, but not a great one. Maybe a good one to borrow from the library! :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a good one to borrow. ;)
DeleteWhat Gretchen unfolds is a mystery and may just help her find her mother. This is a great read that I read in two days.
ReplyDeleteMariz
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Glad you read and liked it.
Deletecreepy and mysterious, I am all over it.
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely both. ;)
DeleteSounds interesting. I don't know about YA though. My last two YAs weren't great for me. Maybe someday. I love that cover though. Great review.
ReplyDeleteMelanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads
Some are definitely better than others. ;)
DeleteI do enjoy some good paranormal woo hoo. :)
ReplyDeleteWho doesn't? :P
DeleteOoooooh, not one I would normally read, but consider me intrigued!! Such a pretty cover too! :)
ReplyDeleteI do really like the cover.
DeleteThe cover looks really cool! I'm glad you enjoyed this one :)
ReplyDeleteIt does have a fantastic cover. ;)
Delete