Nicole Willson

I don't usually read Gothic horror stories, but this one turned out to be so good. This book is one of a kind!

"Tidepool looked like the kind of place where people went to die, not to live. "

Tidepool is a small village that some rich people wanted to turn into a resort. We follow Sorrow; a woman came to this town to find her brother, Henry, who vanished after a business trip to this town. While Sorrow was searching for Henry, she felt something weird. The locals kept assuring her that they had no idea what happened to her brother. Creepy! Even when she tried to leave town, she couldn't!

I loved the author's voice. The writing was beautiful. The book was easy to read, and the plot was engaging. A bit predictable but fun to read.

I loved Sorrow; she is a strong, independent woman who chose a different path than what her father drew for her. She didn't want to get married. Instead, she wanted to be a journalist. And I loved her for that!

I enjoyed the unexpected twist at the end, and it tied all the loose ends up very well.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, and I recommend it to everyone who likes horror stories.… (més)

Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book that I got through NetGalley to review.

Thoughts: This was a well done historical thriller/mystery with heavy Lovecraft influence. It was an easy enough read and kept me engaged the whole time. I did think that it went on just a bit too long at the end, but it did tie all the loose ends up well.

The story focuses on Sorrow Hamilton who goes to the town of Tidepool searching for her missing brother. What she finds there stretches the bounds of sanity and what she knows of the world.

The story itself ends up being fairly predictable if you have read Lovecraft types of horror before. It's all about what dwells in the deep and the effect on sanity it has on the humans around it. I did enjoy the idea of a priesthood that protects humanity and loved that this priesthood had to constantly commit evil deeds for a greater good (it made for an ironic moral balance).

This was well written and easy to read. I never had any issue with staying engaged in the story. I do feel like it could have taken things a bit deeper and further and that would have made it more intriguing and less predictable.

My Summary (4/5): Overall I enjoyed this and would recommend it if you enjoy these dark types of “eldritch horrors of the deep” types of stories. This was well written and engaging. I do think it was a bit predictable and that the ending went on for too long. However, I really enjoyed some of the ideas presented in this story as well. I definitely plan on checking out Willson’s future books.… (més)