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.*
I am glad you enjoyed this one as well.
ReplyDeleteGlad you did too!
DeleteSounds 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!
ReplyDeleteI agree Debbie, they are becoming mine as well!
DeleteThat sounds interesting. Witchcraft at that time was not good.
ReplyDeleteNope not at all and I love these type of books, so much fun, especially this time of year!
DeleteThis sounds like a good Halloween read, but it's too bad it didn't quite hit the spot for you.
ReplyDeleteI hope your next read from this author will be better!
I hope so as well, still it was a fun read for this time of year. ;)
DeleteYay! I am glad you enjoyed this one. Great review!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! And for some reason, your blog won't pull up for me anymore?
DeleteWhile this didn't wow you as much as the first it looks atmospheric and perfect for fall.
ReplyDeleteIt actually was such a great book for fall! Anything with witches, really is.
DeleteI wish this had wowed you, but I still like the sound of the creepy atmospheric setting, those are always great reads for fall.
ReplyDeleteIt was still very atmospheric and I do think you would like it.
DeleteIt's the first time I hear about this one but it looks well done
ReplyDeleteIt was done well!
DeleteI 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 :)
ReplyDeleteLindy@ A Bookish Escape
It really is perfect for this time of year! I hope you decide to try it. :D
DeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteGenesis | Whispering Chapters
Thanks, me too and glad I could introduce you to her!
DeleteGoing 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?
ReplyDeleteLindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬
Yes definitely more magical realism than paranormal.
DeleteSounds so interesting.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
It really was!
Delete