“Masterful, bone-chilling fiction…one intense thriller. A Thousand Yesteryears will keep you guessing, gasping and turning the pages for more.” —New York Times bestselling author Kevin O’BrienBehind a legend lies the truth… returns to Point Pleasant to settle her deceased aunt’s estate. Though much has changed about the once thriving river community, the ghost of tragedy still weighs heavily on the town, as do rumors and sightings of the Mothman, a local legend. When Eve uncovers startling information about her aunt’s death, that legend is in danger of becoming all too real . . .
Caden Flynn is one of the few lucky survivors of the bridge collapse but blames himself for coercing his younger sister out that night. He’s carried that guilt for fifteen years, unaware of darker currents haunting the town. It isn’t long before Eve’s arrival unravels an old secret—one that places her and Caden in the crosshairs of a deadly killer . . .
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A Thousand Yesteryears by Mae Clair is a superb blend of relationships, mystery and suspense. Mae sprinkles a magic powder of mothman to embellish this entrancing story that holds dark secrets and emotional upheavals, with the shadow of Silver Bridge looming large over the lives of Eve and Caden. The story is focused, arousing curiosity, as surprises tumble out of aunt Rosie’s closet – why she didn’t marry? What did she hide in her house that is so important for somebody? Why did she deny medical treatment? What was she trying to tell her niece? Clair holds a firm grip over the incidents and connects them brilliantly. What I liked the most is that not a word is wasted in unnecessary description.
Characters are well crafted and live up to their roles – aunt Rosie and Maggie make their presence felt even in absentia, Caden wins your heart as he shares his long-buried pain with Eve and Katie’s resilience in the face of all the misfortunes is admirable. Even the villain is perfectly portrayed to evoke hatred for him. The title – A Thousand Yesteryears conceals another mystery! I have never believed in myths yet this book charmed me! Such is the style of the author! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
At the death of her aunt, Eve Parrish returns to Point Pleasant to sell off the family hotel. Not only is the town known for sightings of a fantastical creature, the mothman, it’s also the location of a bridge collapse that, fifteen years ago, claimed the life of Eve’s father and friend. That tragedy still hangs over the town, and Eve has no plans to stay.
But her old crush Caden Flynn still lives in town, a man haunted by the events of the collapse that took his sister’s life. The truth about what happened that day begins to unravel when the home of Eve’s aunt is vandalized, and she begins receiving threatening notes. Someone wants her gone, even if he needs to kill her.
The story is a high-paced paranormal thriller with vivid worldbuilding and a touch of romance. The plot holds together well with all pieces falling into place. The characters are emotionally rich and thoroughly credible, not only the main characters but those on the periphery. I was intrigued by the mothman and its mysterious relationship to the events. Excellent fun and highly recommended. I’m eager to read more of the series.
This was the second book I have read of author Mae Clair, and it did not disappoint. Her lyrical writing style, coupled with well-thought-out and carefully researched plot details, kept me engaged from beginning to end. Clair builds suspense incrementally with descriptive phrases that leave a reader in awe of their perfection. The writing alone is reason enough to read this book. But, if you enjoy a complex mystery or a romance born from the ashes of a tragedy, you will love this book. I certainly did.
“A Thousand Yesteryears (Point Pleasant)” is an amazingly well-written paranormal thriller. After Eva Parrish leaves her hometown with her family, (after a tragic incident) she returns after her aunt dies. She finds herself not only dealing with the estate, but with someone who doesn’t want her there. The past still haunts Eva, and the rest of the town. Eva is thrust into a mystery that spans over two decades. She is helped by an unlikely friend, and a family from her childhood. Ms. Clair not only focuses the story on the Mothman legend of Point Pleasant, but give her readers, a mystery, romance, murder, and redemption. I loved, not only the characters, but the depth, and surprise that went along with the main story. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series, and have preordered the third book. It only took one book to become a fan of this author. I highly recommend this book–if you love mystery with a paranormal twist.
A Thousand Yesteryears is the first book in the Point Pleasant series, but somehow I read books two and three before it. Guess that answers your question about reading them in order. Each can serve as a standalone but share many of the same characters.
I’ve read several novels by this author, and she has such a talent for creating characters you love or hate. These are no exception. You want Eve to grapple with her tragic past, put it behind her, and settle her deceased aunt’s estate – and maybe even take over the hotel left to her and stay in town. You want Caden to realize he’s not responsible for the death of his sister and shed the blame he carries about that night. You also have a deep desire for the killer who ended the lives of their friends and family to get what’s coming to them because these characters feel like your own family.
Of all the subgenres of suspense, supernatural suspense is my favorite. I’m always a fan of the otherworldly, and basing a series on the Mothman and setting the story in the town where he was reportedly seen intrigues me even more. Is he a good guy or a bad guy? He makes appearances in this novel, so you’ll have to decide for yourself.
Small towns, long held secrets, sweet romances, dark mysteries, and strong characterization make this series a must read and will enthrall supernatural suspense fans. The Mothman is just a bonus.
I’ve read several books by this author, and A Thousand Yesteryears sealed my fate on reading more. I think this is the best thing she’s ever written.
A thriving town experiences a disaster that sets it on the path to becoming a ghost town. There is nobody in Point Pleasant who wasn’t touched by the disaster in some way.
Point Pleasant is an interesting place, aside from the disaster it is the site of an old WWII ammo dump. This area, known as the TNT, is also home to a cryptid known as the Mothman.
Weave in some incredibly believable characters, all dealing with their own grief dating back to the disaster, and this book becomes a fantastic story. I was concerned how the author would sew up so many events, including a few personal relationships, into a concise tale. I should have had more faith.
The conclusion isn’t just satisfying, it exceeded my expectations. Buy A Thousand Yesteryears, you won’t regret it.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. If there were an option, I would give it more than five stars.