K. L. Cerra

I had a lot of mixed feelings about this novel. Some things I really liked...others bothered me. The overall plot was actually compelling. I love gothic horror, and from the book's cover description, it sounded promising. It wasn't long though before I found that I didn't really like any of the characters, and the up and down pace of the story was really frustrating. I just couldn't become immersed in the story almost from the beginning. The idea for the storyline had good bones for the birth of a really creepy psychological thriller...but the follow-through just didn't seem to be happening. There was too much focus on the on again off again romance between Holly and Maura, and some questionable methods that Holly used to investigate her brother’s death. The story didn't explore these enough to add anything to or advance the plot much. The discussion of how much Holly didn't trust Maura, but still gets sexually involved with her became repetitive. I’m always on board for a good gothic horror novel with some romance thrown in the mix.... but this one just doesn't hit that mark very well. The romance is obviously entirely wrong and should never have gone beyond the attraction stage since Holly believes that Maura was involved with her brother’s death. "I think you might have something to do with my brother's death..., but in the meantime...let's go to bed". I don't think so! As I said there was lots of "mixed feelings about the story on my end. I think this author has a great deal of talent and this is a first novel for her...so I'm hoping that she will release another. I would be more than willing to give her another try.… (mehr)