This is the third gothic suspense/ghost novel that I have read by Wendy Webb after THE TALE OF HALCYON CRANE and THE VANISHING. I enjoyed both of these novels and was hoping for another good ghost story.
THE END OF TEMPERANCE DARE takes place in a retreat called Cliffside Manor located on the shores of Lake Superior. The building was formerly a tuberculosis sanatorium that had been converted to a retreat for artists and writers after TB was no longer a threat. Eleanor Harper becomes the director of the retreat after Penelope Dare decides to retire. But when Eleanor takes over the job, Penelope suddenly commits suicide leaving Eleanor in the midst of a mystery that may put her and the newest group of artists at risk. Ever since she arrived there, she has felt a feeling of dread. She hears coughing in corners, laughter and children's footsteps (even though there are no children there), visions of other people, knocks and noises. And she met an old man who told her that death resides at Cliffside. So what is really going on? Is Cliffside haunted?
I enjoyed this novel and its creepy setting up to a point. But then there were some major reveals and twists at the end that were just a little too much over the top. The story kind of devolved from a ghost story into a possession/horror story. There are some interesting characters in the story including a housekeeper named Harriet that seems to know more about whats happening at the retreat than she wants to reveal. This novel also had a romantic side with Eleanor seeming to fall for the local doctor as well as one of the guest artists. Only a mild recommendation overall.
THE END OF TEMPERANCE DARE takes place in a retreat called Cliffside Manor located on the shores of Lake Superior. The building was formerly a tuberculosis sanatorium that had been converted to a retreat for artists and writers after TB was no longer a threat. Eleanor Harper becomes the director of the retreat after Penelope Dare decides to retire. But when Eleanor takes over the job, Penelope suddenly commits suicide leaving Eleanor in the midst of a mystery that may put her and the newest group of artists at risk. Ever since she arrived there, she has felt a feeling of dread. She hears coughing in corners, laughter and children's footsteps (even though there are no children there), visions of other people, knocks and noises. And she met an old man who told her that death resides at Cliffside. So what is really going on? Is Cliffside haunted?
I enjoyed this novel and its creepy setting up to a point. But then there were some major reveals and twists at the end that were just a little too much over the top. The story kind of devolved from a ghost story into a possession/horror story. There are some interesting characters in the story including a housekeeper named Harriet that seems to know more about whats happening at the retreat than she wants to reveal. This novel also had a romantic side with Eleanor seeming to fall for the local doctor as well as one of the guest artists. Only a mild recommendation overall.
