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Michael
Boccacino
William
Morrow Paperbacks
July 24, 2012/ ISBN-13:978-0062122612
Contemporary Fiction
AMAZON
Reviewed by Beth E McKenzie
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This
is one creepy book, and I read every word.
To what lengths would a mother go to
make sure her children are well cared for, and how much
farther does she have to reach after she is dead? That
is the question facing governess Charlotte Markham when
she and the children are led to Lily Darrow, the children's
mother, in the House of Darkling. The boys, James and
Paul, are thrilled to see their mother again and have
no trouble believing the same spell that allows them
to see their mother must be kept secret from their father.
Charlotte is not so sure and pledges to remain vigilant
to protect her charges.
Through
their visits with Mrs. Darrow, Charlotte and the boys
stumble into the equivalent of a gang turf war and lethal
drug trade with even more sinister consequences for the
townsfolk of Blackfield than the human equivalent. One
of the rival leaders, Mr. Whatley, is Lily’s master,
and she has made a dark bargain in order to provide safe
passage for the children and Charlotte. This safety steadily
erodes while Darkling is overcome by events.
This story has all the components of
a ghostly gothic horror. There is a manor, a brooding
Lord, a hidden family mystery, warnings to leave well-enough
alone, otherworldly encounters, and the governess-heroine
risking everything to learn the secret and gain the
desires of her heart. The surprise is how those desires
are satisfied! I particularly enjoyed the vivid descriptions
of the creatures of the afterlife, which are neither
dead nor alive, and the callous interaction with the
human visitors. It reminded me of a party I attended
that features a boa constrictor; most everybody wanted
to pet it just to say they had, except for the one special
guest who really does love snakes. Creepy.
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