Thirteen Steps to the Cellar. They were steep; they were narrow—but was a fall down them enough to have caused the twenty-seven deep lacerations to her aunt’s head? Callie Harris travels from her home in Alabama to her aunt’s former mansion in Maine to unravel the haunting forty-year-old mystery of Dr. Laverne Harris Doss’ brutal death. Why wasn’t a murder weapon found? Was her uncle justly … uncle justly convicted of the killing? Was his mistress involved? Or was the murderer the bearded stranger rumored to have arrived by train that night?
In the charming town of Richmond, located on the banks of Maine’s historic Kennebec River, Callie uncovers the community’s darkest secrets—a botched police investigation, a betrayed widow’s lie, a dead woman’s blackmail, and a wealthy philanthropist’s shame. The web of intrigue extends far beyond her suspicions and its connection to her personal story pierces Callie to her core.
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This is a debut novel!!! Holy cow! I’m so obsessed with this novel, I am having a hard time writing this review because I’m just so excited. Suspense, romance, drama, even humor. And the twists! Whew! What a ride, 13 Steps to the Cellar was!
Teresa Matthews’ writing is fabulous. She’s written a large cast of characters and not one of them is weak. Every character in this story has a purpose and is fleshed out. I love when that is the case. This is a very character driven novel and those are my favorite kinds!
The plot is very suspenseful and the twists blew me away. I loved every minute of this book. I read it in a day because I just couldn’t put it down. Highly recommended!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of a blog tour with RABT Book Tours. All opinions are my own.*
Find this review and more on my blog: https://www.jessicabelmont.wordpress.com
5 STARS
What an intriguing debut novel from Teresa Mathews! The story was compelling and kept me hooked. The sequence of events and how the past and present intertwine was well written. I enjoyed how there was a budding of a new romantic relationship, despite the uncommon circumstances and drama occurring around them. It is a truly amazing the secrets many keep to protect themselves and others, even knowing that it is wrong.
I highly recommend this book and I didn’t discover who committed the murder until the end! 13 Steps to the Cellar will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!
A complex, suspenseful plot with tension so thick that it felt palpable. Wonderful characters with depth and substance. I was immediately drawn in and held captive from beginning to end.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
#13StepstotheCellar #NetGalley
New author Teresa Mathews’ first book is a total home run!!!
This book is filled with such intrigue, mystery, suspense, and adventure that keeps your heart racing as you try to solve this brain-twisting whodunit puzzle!!!
This book is truly riveting!!! It lures you in with secrets, lies, and betrayal, but then a murder happens while a cold case murder is being investigated and then you’re hooked and fully immersed into the story – but that’s not all as a dash of conspiracy, blackmail, affairs, and so much more are tossed in!!! Don’t make any plans, because if you’re like me for the next few hours you will not be able to put this book down!!!
This book has a creative story line, fantastic writing style with meticulous and vivid scenes, well-developed characters, is fast paced, and keeps you completely entertained through the last page.
This book featured many main and supporting characters. It wasn’t overwhelming keeping everyone straight, but there were a few times here and there I had to flip back and go who are they again?, etc. I really liked Callie!! She was easy to connect with. She was realistic, kind, and likable. It wasn’t hard to get emotionally invested and hope that she is able to find the answers to her aunt’s death, get closure, and solve the new murder.
I loved the characters and the small-town vibe!! I was completely wrapped up with the character’s story lines!!
I really enjoyed the small-town setting of Richmond and how the town itself is almost like a character and an underlying theme as well throughout the book.
There is so much going on in this book there literally is no time to catch your breath as we go from scene to scene and plot point to plot point! This book completely grabs hold of you and it is impossible to walk away until you’ve turned the last page!!
The author’s writing is strong and eloquently detailed. She really provided so much detail in her writing that it was easy to picture – especially the adorable small town of Richmond and the beautiful picturesque and historic Kennebec River. I have never been to Maine before and didn’t know much about the area before reading this book, but now it is definitely on my bucket list!
I was truly impressed with the amount of in-depth research the author provided in this book. It is clear she was well-versed and familiar with Maine and Alabama. I really liked that she included real historical facts and real venues. It made the story feel more genuine and authentic.
I also enjoyed the style of writing and that there were several, but short chapters. It really helped keep the story on point, provide smooth scene transitions, and allow for the overall story line to flow.
There are some predictable scenes. However, there are quite a few unexpected twists and turns and misdirection’s that you won’t see coming! I am quite a mystery buff and it is rare that I don’t solve the crime before the ending, but I’ll be honest even this book threw me for a loop!!!
And wow – what an ending!!! I’m still in shock and re-playing it lol!!!
At this time, this book is not part of a book series and can be read as a standalone. However, without saying too much I think there could be a possibility that the author could follow this book up with a sequel.
For me, this book absolutely worked!!! It hit everything I look for and need when I am reading and reviewing a book!!! And that’s really high praise for someone just starting out in the business, but this book and author truly earned every ounce of that acclamation!!!
All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend it! I think all mystery and suspense readers will like this book too! So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading – you won’t be disappointed!
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**
Well, this was a good book, hard to put down, easy to read BUT…the ending didn’t end. Well, it did end but then, it didn’t, at least not to me. I think it was because I wanted to know more about the characters and their lives. I am in great hopes there will be a sequel. I bet some people would tell you exactly the opposite and they thought it ended just fine.
The setting is in a small town in Maine, obviously not too far from Ogunquit or Kennebunkport from the descriptions. It is, in fact, on the Kennebunk river. The book’s main characters involve Matt, a builder and architect and his mother Rachel. Also there is Callie who is visiting Maine to try and find what really happened to her aunt who was murdered long ago. I say this about “main characters” and yet there were a lot of characters in this story. Sometimes this can be very confusing, but Teresa Mathews handled all of these characters so well, they were never confusing to me. Actually this is the first time in a long time where a “village” of people has been involved and yet I never seemed to mix up who was married to whom; not even which ones were best friends. I have a soft spot or two in my heart for a few other characters but won’t confuse you by mentioning them all here.
The setting and scenes are so well described I was almost sitting looking out at the river from Rachel’s house. In fact, I even had my feet up on the front porch rail reading this book. Well, maybe all of this is a little exaggerated, but I felt like it and I think that’s a pretty fine description of a good book.
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
For a first novel, author Teresa Mathews writes an amazing haunting, suspenseful, scary and such an entertaining read, but be advised, this one will keep you up at night! I had a hard time putting this book down! As Callie Harris tries to uncover the mystery of her aunts death many years before, her journey was a not so easy one.
I love a good clean suspense, and 13 Steps to the Cellar is just that. And the writing of this first time author is amazing. With the wonderful unique character and their development as the story unfolds kept me totally engrossed in this story. There are so many twists and turns in the awesome murder mystery that it will keep you guessing. Just when you think you have it all figured out, something else comes up and you are back to square one! There are so many things to say about this story, but I’ll not ruin it for you. If you enjoy a good clean murder mystery, suspense, this would be a great one for you to read. I’m looking forward to more from this author.
A copy of this book was given to me by the author or publisher. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions here in this review are totally mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Callie Harris visits Alabama after her father’s funeral to try and make sense of her family history. Unravelling a forty-year-old murder, that has violent repercussion today, Callie has to confront secrets, lies and a bungled police investigation. Understanding her Aunt’s murder and the truth of her Uncle’s guilt, will have unforeseeable complications for the future. A combination murder mystery, small town life and the meaning of family are all part of this gentle intriguing saga. With thanks to NetGalley and the author for a preview copy for review purposes. With interesting characters as an enjoyable read a three-and-a-half-star rating.