from description: A post-mortem photographer unearths dark secrets of the past that may hold the key to his future, in this captivating debut novel in the gothic tradition of Wuthering Heights and The Thirteenth Tale.
The book has elements from some of the best Gothic tales and a vibe of Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher.
Waldherr skillfully develops a wonderfully creepy atmosphere. The author is certainly familiar with the plots and styles of the best known Gothic novels, but the characters don't feel as authentic.
Read in January; blog review scheduled for 3/27/19.
NetGalley/Atria Books
Historical Fiction/Gothic. April 9, 2019. Print length: 320 pages.
Perfect Crime by Helen Fields is #5 in the DI Luc Callenach series. I'd read the first two before reading this one, but not books 3 and 4, so there have been advances that I wasn't aware of concerning DCI Ava Turner and Luc's relationship.
When a young man is talked out of suicide, but a week later is body is found and the initial reaction is that he finally succeeded Ava has some questions. As other strange (and grotesque) deaths occur, the connection between them appears to be that at some point they considered or attempted suicide.
There is also a storyline connected to Luc's past.
What I like: the characters--Ava is my favorite. I also like the development of secondary characters throughout the series and the original premises and investigative process in the books I've read.
Dislike: I'm not really fond of the bizarre and/or freakish murders, but I will still try to catch up with books 3 and 4.
Read in January; blog review scheduled 3/27/19.
NetGalley/Avon Books
Detective Fiction. April 18, 2019. Print length: 400 pages.
Both of these books sound good to me! :)
ReplyDeleteAlthough not quite satisfied by The Lost Memory of Dreams, the style and atmosphere were were remarkably Gothic. :)
DeleteI like the sound of The Lost History of Dreams because I love books with that eerie Gothic vibe. Too bad the characters aren't quite as well-drawn. But I still want to read it. :)
ReplyDeleteI can't resist the Gothic genre, either!
DeleteI am a sucker for a Gothic novel too! I loved The 13th Tale so The Lost History of Dreams is tempting!
ReplyDeleteI didn't like it nearly as well as The 13th Tale, which remains on my favorites list, but TLHD does have great eerie ambiance. :)
DeleteI like the sound of both of these! I'm like you, I don't like freakish murder scenes because I'm thinking really? But as long as I can get onboard with the characters and the overall story then I'm in!
ReplyDeleteI do wish some authors would concentrate more on the mystery and less on gory details, but I do like the characters in Helen Fields' series. The mysteries are interesting, but I don't need graphic detail.
DeleteGosh the cover for The Lost History of dreams is just so atmospheric.
ReplyDeleteYep, good cover and intriguing premise, but in the end, it wasn't for me.
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