Helpful Score: 2
This book was an okay read but by no means was it scary or creepy. Thought I would really love this one being that I like to read about witches and ghosts but this one fell flat in that area. That part of the story wasn't very convincing and really only a backdrop to what was going on. The story kept a good pace which is the only reason I was able to finish. That and I liked the character Olive. The ending was less than spectacular but doable. All in all it was a mediocre read so don't expect too much.
A very enjoyable haunted house tale that gets it's foundation from a family curse--until I got to the ending where it all kinda falls flat. A disappointment, really, since it has all the components that appeal to me: hauntings, psychic abilities, family trees and their mystery members. It even has buried treasure! For me, the story was all about Hattie and her tragic end (and those of her descendants); everyone else was secondary. Still, those other characters are interesting; young motherless Olive and her grieving father; city folks Helen and Nate who decide to build their own home in the country and inadvertently stir up Hattie's spirit. There are a few unanswered questions left hanging by the end, however. For the most part, it's such a riveting read, but the ending simply doesn't do it justice. 3.5 stars.
I loved this creepy, spooky ghost story set in the Vermont woods where Hattie was hanged for being a witch in 1924.
Fast forward 100 years, Helen and Nate, a city couple buys 44 acres in the forest they start building their dream house from scratch. They dismiss the rumor that the bog that sits on their property and is haunted by Hattie.
I was infatuated with each character, enjoyed reading the history of the land and was especially moved as Helen researched Hattie's descendants. The plot was scary at times, deliciously chilling with an ending I was not expecting.
I certainly recommend this quirky book.
Fast forward 100 years, Helen and Nate, a city couple buys 44 acres in the forest they start building their dream house from scratch. They dismiss the rumor that the bog that sits on their property and is haunted by Hattie.
I was infatuated with each character, enjoyed reading the history of the land and was especially moved as Helen researched Hattie's descendants. The plot was scary at times, deliciously chilling with an ending I was not expecting.
I certainly recommend this quirky book.
Helen and Nate have a nice, settled life as teachers at a private school in Connecticut. But they also have aspirations for a simpler life. So using their savings and an inheritance, they buy 40+ acres in the tiny village of Hartsboro, Vermont and decide to build their own dream house themselves. Helen, a history teacher, wants a house and land with history--and she gets her wish when she discovers the story of Hattie Breckenridge, a woman who apparently lived (and died) on their property over a hundred years ago. Marked by the villagers as a witch, Hattie was killed, leaving behind her young daughter, Jane. Helen becomes fascinated with Hattie's past and begins trying to find out what happened to her--and her family members. But a series of more and more weird events start happening once they move in. Is it just the people of Hartsboro, who don't like outsiders? Or is it Hattie? And are Helen and Nate in danger?
I just love Jennifer McMahon's books and she's someone whom I will read anything they write. This was such a good book that drew me from the very beginning. I started it while on vacation in Vermont, so I was really excited that it happened to take place in Vermont--a place I'd never been until this year. McMahon's descriptive language makes it so easy to visualize her (often eerie) settings, as well as her characters.
Along with Helen and Nate, our slightly hippyish couple, we have Olive, a teenage girl from Hartsboro, and her dad and aunt, plus various Hartsboro townsfolk. Olive was a very compelling character; she's been abandoned by her mother and is teased and bullied terribly by her schoolmates, since the town all believes her mom ran off with another man. Her bereft father isn't much help, leaving her to raise herself or rely on her aunt. She has one friend, Mike, who is a good guy, but annoys our feisty heroine with his wimpy-ness. It's hard not to fall for Olive, believe me. Even Helen will grow on you, too. And no matter what, they are so easy to picture.
The novel is told from a variety of points of view, but mainly Olive and Helen. We learn a lot about each of them. As I said, it drew me in from the beginning and kept me reading. As with most of McMahon's books, it's layered with that creepy, mysterious edge. In many ways, it's a proper ghost story. But she always manages to write it so that instead of rolling your eyes, you feel a little creeped out, or find yourself looking over your shoulder at night. Hattie herself plays a really strong role in this book, and I liked how well the story set up the idea of how much people (and small towns) fear what they don't know.
"What people don't understand, they destroy."
It's funny, I could guess where a lot of this book was leading, yet it in no way diminished my enjoyment of it. I could see how that might annoy some, but it didn't bother me in the least. I was completely immersed in the characters, the eerie ghost story, and trying to piece together all the plot pieces. Hattie's story--and that of her descendants--is fascinating. There was just something about this book that I loved: that intangible piece that makes you a part of the story, keeps you flipping the pages, and makes you feel both sad and amazed when you finish the book. 4.5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Doubleday, and Edelweiss in return for an unbiased review (thank you!).
I just love Jennifer McMahon's books and she's someone whom I will read anything they write. This was such a good book that drew me from the very beginning. I started it while on vacation in Vermont, so I was really excited that it happened to take place in Vermont--a place I'd never been until this year. McMahon's descriptive language makes it so easy to visualize her (often eerie) settings, as well as her characters.
Along with Helen and Nate, our slightly hippyish couple, we have Olive, a teenage girl from Hartsboro, and her dad and aunt, plus various Hartsboro townsfolk. Olive was a very compelling character; she's been abandoned by her mother and is teased and bullied terribly by her schoolmates, since the town all believes her mom ran off with another man. Her bereft father isn't much help, leaving her to raise herself or rely on her aunt. She has one friend, Mike, who is a good guy, but annoys our feisty heroine with his wimpy-ness. It's hard not to fall for Olive, believe me. Even Helen will grow on you, too. And no matter what, they are so easy to picture.
The novel is told from a variety of points of view, but mainly Olive and Helen. We learn a lot about each of them. As I said, it drew me in from the beginning and kept me reading. As with most of McMahon's books, it's layered with that creepy, mysterious edge. In many ways, it's a proper ghost story. But she always manages to write it so that instead of rolling your eyes, you feel a little creeped out, or find yourself looking over your shoulder at night. Hattie herself plays a really strong role in this book, and I liked how well the story set up the idea of how much people (and small towns) fear what they don't know.
"What people don't understand, they destroy."
It's funny, I could guess where a lot of this book was leading, yet it in no way diminished my enjoyment of it. I could see how that might annoy some, but it didn't bother me in the least. I was completely immersed in the characters, the eerie ghost story, and trying to piece together all the plot pieces. Hattie's story--and that of her descendants--is fascinating. There was just something about this book that I loved: that intangible piece that makes you a part of the story, keeps you flipping the pages, and makes you feel both sad and amazed when you finish the book. 4.5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Doubleday, and Edelweiss in return for an unbiased review (thank you!).
Helen and Nate acquired 44 acres in rural Vermont and decide to build a home of their dreams. They soon find out that the land was owned by Hattie Breckenridge who was hung as witch in the early 1900's. Their dream house is now a ghost house and the past is not resting well. The story starts out a slowly and picks up in the 2nd half with a very surprising conclusion. Olive is a local teenager whose mother has disappeared. She is also helping them to build the house. The book is well written, very atmospheric and chilling but not creepily overdone. There are several points of view as the past and present come together in the end. The themes in the novel are witches, ghosts, spirits, curses and treasure near the bog. I have read all of McMahon's books and have enjoyed them all. I would highly recommend this one to those who love paranormal ghost stories. I would like to thank Doubleday and NetGalley for a free copy for an honest review. This book is also called The Invited.
