Blog Tour: ‘Letters From The Dead’ Review

November 23, 2020January 28, 2021 SophieeHaynesLeave a comment

Today is my day of the blog tour for ‘Letters From The Dead’!

I really enjoyed this book! I’ve been in a reading slump recently and this was the perfect book to get me out of it!

Set in Edwardian England this novel follows Thomas Bexley, an ex ‘special investigator’ for the police. Bexley has become a drunkard and recluse, haunted by terrible visions of the dead. But when news of a spate of extraordinary kidnappings by the mysterious ‘wraith’ reaches him, Thomas is shocked to learn that his dear friend and former mentor, Professor Elijah Hawthorn, is the lead suspect.

Discovering a plea for help from Hawthorn claiming to have unearthed a gruesome conspiracy at the heart of the Metropolitan Police, Thomas embarks on a journey to prove Hawthorn’s innocence.

But wherever Thomas goes, he is followed by the dead, and as the mystery of Hawthorn’s disappearance deepens, so too does Thomas’ apparent insanity. How can Thomas be certain of the truth when he can’t trust anybody around him, not even himself…?

This historical crime novel will keep you on your toes with its many twists and turns! Written in the first person from Bexley’s perspective, it provides a brilliant unreliable narration that evokes suspense as the reader discovers clues and leads alongside him. I’m not usually a big fan of crime novels but this one is like no other! The supernatural elements of the creepy and downright terrifying ghosts create an enthralling novel with a claustrophobic atmosphere.

I particularly loved the old, abandoned Manor House that stands isolated on a small Scottish island. The setting is very Gothic and the apparitions reminded me of those in the film ‘Crimson Peak’, as they are twisted and gruesome spirits powered by wrath and revenge. The grand hall of the house features a large wall covered in bird taxidermy and Hurcom’s descriptive language made this scene incredibly eerie.

The storyline itself is very gripping and cleverly written. Every time I thought I knew who the wraith was, another insight would be revealed and I would be clueless once again

Thomas is a flawed hero who is racked with addiction & seems to ignore Dorothy’s input on several occasions, however he is still likeable and his genuine desire for truth and justice makes for an accomplished character.
I loved Dorothy and my only complaint would be that I wanted more of her!

I highly recommend this novel to any fan of crime thrillers or Gothic tales!

I give this spine-chilling book ⭐️ 3.5/5 ⭐️

Thank you Orion Books for my copy & for including me in this tour!

Letters From The Dead will be available in hardback on the 26th November 2020.

Author’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/SamHurcom

Blog Tour · Book Reviews · books · Reviews

Blog Tour: We Wait Review

October 28, 2020 SophieeHaynesLeave a comment

“We’re in the dark beyond your door”

We Wait is a beautifully written Gothic tale by Megan Taylor. First published in 2019, it follows the story of Maddie, a fifteen-year-old girl who is sent away to her family’s country estate over summer, alongside her best friend Ellie. Her aunt Natalie is the current occupant of the Crawley manor, as she is burdened with the task of nursing her elderly mother, Marcia. Sounds like the beginning of a classic ghost story right?

Although it is definitely a Gothic text, with its tone and atmosphere, I was delighted to discover that this book is so much more than a simple ghost story. It begins with the girls’ car journey through the woods as they approach the old house, creating an eerie atmosphere that runs throughout the book. However, what makes the narrative stand out against traditional Gothic texts, is that it takes place during the height of summer. The sticky, oppressive atmosphere is a beautiful contrast to the dark eerie lake and woods, where fingers appear to touch your skin and ghostly apparitions can be seen to weave through the trees.

There are many elements of this story that reminded me of The Haunting of Hill House. The protagonist is a meek young girl who appears to be in love with her confident best friend. Like her namesake in Hill House, Ellie is frightened of the house at the start of the book but gradually begins to thrive within its grounds. In one particular scene, she seems to come out of her shell and starts to actually enjoy herself. It is also interesting to note that it is only Ellie who sees the mysterious girl that wanders through the woods, making one wonder if the spectre is merely a reflection of Ellie’s repressed sexuality or a warning sign?

Mirroring is a key theme of the book and something I found highly effective. About 1/3 way through the book the narrative shifts to Marica and Hugo’s perspective in 1986, when Hugo and Natalie’s cousin Jess, comes to stay for the summer. The two girls seem to be ‘suspiciously’ close and Marcia is convinced that Jess is corrupting her daughter. What I loved about this section was how Ellie and Maddie’s love affair mirrors that of Natalie and Jess. At Crawley House, history repeats itself.

Of course, when I first realised that this book depicted queer relationships I was over the moon! The representation is not fetishized or sensationalized but is tasteful and really touching in some places. Ellie’s growing feelings towards her best friend are brilliantly portrayed and I’m sure that many queer people, like myself, will identify with her adolescent confusion.

But not only are there two narratives, lesbian love affairs and family drama, the book is also filled with a haunting presence. Italicized speech from an unknown source, is laced through the narrative claiming things like: “During the day, we wait, but in the night, we whisper”. I found this to be an effective way of creating an impending sense of dread and keeps the reader on their toes. Who are these ghostly voices?

What I enjoyed most about this book was the Gothic feeling of uncertainty that the reader experiences, as one is never sure if something is a product of a character’s overactive imagination or a supernatural presence. Either way, the trepidation still creeps in – this book certainly delivers on impending terror!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am happy that I was introduced to Taylor’s writing, which is enriched with beautiful imagery and descriptions. I felt totally transported to the Crawley house and its grounds! I loved the paranormal elements that haunt the characters as well as the multiple narrative perspectives and the enthralling storyline. This book is full of twists and turns and will remain with you even after its closed.

I give We Wait ⭐3.5/5⭐

Thank you Eyrie Press for sending me a copy!