The New York Times bestselling author of Promise Not to Tell returns with a simmering literary thriller about ghostly secrets, dark choices, and the unbreakable bond between mothers and daughters . . . sometimes too unbreakable. West Hall, Vermont, has always been a town of strange disappearances and old legends. The most mysterious is that of Sara Harrison Shea, who, in 1908, was found dead … Harrison Shea, who, in 1908, was found dead in the field behind her house just months after the tragic death of her daughter, Gertie. Now, in present day, nineteen-year-old Ruthie lives in Sara’s farmhouse with her mother, Alice, and her younger sister, Fawn. Alice has always insisted that they live off the grid, a decision that suddenly proves perilous when Ruthie wakes up one morning to find that Alice has vanished without a trace. Searching for clues, she is startled to find a copy of Sara Harrison Shea’s diary hidden beneath the floorboards of her mother’s bedroom. As Ruthie gets sucked deeper into the mystery of Sara’s fate, she discovers that she’s not the only person who’s desperately looking for someone that they’ve lost. But she may be the only one who can stop history from repeating itself.
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This was the first book I encountered by McMahon. I have been booked on her haunting thrillers since. This book does not slow down from cover to cover. Fast passed but no forced it is an enjoyable read for a cold evening.
I was thoroughly creeped out by this book! I loved how it went back and forth between the past and current stories. I think the ending may have moved a little fast for my tastes, especially when Ruthie just suddenly abandons her desires to go to college out of town to take care of Gertie. I do wish maybe a little more insight was given to how exactly Auntie survived. Auntie’s explanation just seems like it was just….there…maybe a little to easy? All in all though an excellent story and absolutely worth the read!
I have not read the book, but the movie was great , so I would love to read the book
It has the ability to keep you. Guessing, good theme, and plot I have not been able to get information about where I could get the book for Kindle. Movies are good,but the book is usually better. It was one that kept your attention with guessing what would happen next.
This was an interesting story. We read it for our Book Club as a segue into Halloween. Let me tell you, it is a bit unnerving at times. In the beginning I found it a little difficult keeping all the characters sorted out and what time period they were in as I was reading; since the chapters will go back and forth between the late 1800’s / early 1900’s and present day. Once I got past the 4th chapter it was much easier to gauge where and when it was happening. This is a very well written story and I like the authors writing style. This was told as a narrative. I would recommend this to anyone that likes an eerie type of story that gets the wheels turning in your head.
Engaging from the first moment to the last…. A thoroughly GREAT Read! I will search for more from this author!
Creepy, suspenseful, and tragic. Great read for October.
Well written and very creepy.