Tag: Gothic Lit

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse

Converted sanatorium urned into five star hotel—-stop right there while I clear my reading calendar! I was completely sold on this intense and atmospheric debut from the opening description. Then it was picked as a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick and that right there was enough to get me even more excited about this novel!

It has been getting a ton of advanced praise and so much buzz on social media but when I started reading it, it was easy to see that all the buzz was absolutely worth it! I loved the atmosphere of this book and it was exactly what I was hoping that it would be, something dark, twisty, and chilling.

I normally don’t like minimalist or super cold Norwegian/Scandinavian type thrillers but this novel has so much to recommend itself and it’s not to be missed. I also included some videos about the resort and the author talking about the book as well so keep reading to check both of those out and if you are looking for your next thriller, this is it!

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Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: The Vanishing at Loxby Manor by Abigail Wilson

by The Lit Bitch3 Comments on Review: The Vanishing at Loxby Manor by Abigail Wilson

The very first novel that I remember loving was The Silk Vendetta by Victoria Holt. I was eleven or twelve and no doubt missed all the adult nuances of the story, but what I didn’t miss was the Gothic atmosphere of the novel. I went through a lengthy Victoria Holt period in my early teens and then again as an adult. I am always looking for books that capture what I loved about Victoria Holt…..creepy, atmospheric historical fiction with a romantic element.

This book sounded like exactly that—and it was! I have never grown out of my Gothic Lit phase and reading books like this, I am reminded just how much I love Gothic novels with romance. Many authors have tried to strike a similar balance like Victoria Holt, but not many authors have succeeded. I can think of only a few authors who I would consider similar to Victoria Holt but Abigail Wilson is now one such author!

I adored this book even if there were some things that I thought could have been more nuanced or flushed out, over all this novel had me transfixed and in suspense until the very end. I have been looking forward to this one for quite some time and was thrilled with all the atmosphere this one delivered!

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Books, Reading

Special Feature: The Perfect Guests by Emma Rous

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A couple of years ago, Emma Rous’s debut novel, The Au Pair, was my first read of 2019. I thought it was a wonderful novel and showed such promise for a new writer. It was a five star book for me and I couldn’t wait to see what she came up with for her next book!

Well this is the next book, The Perfect Guests. It is out now and early reviewers are enjoying this one just as much as the first book! The Perfect Guests promises twists, thrills, Gothic atmosphere, and family secrets. I can hardly wait to read this one. Not only is Rous a marvelous writer but you all know how much I love Gothic novels!

So this one is at the top of my TBR as well. While I couldn’t ft it on my January review calendar, I will certainly have a review up and coming later this winter/early spring! But for now, you can pick up a copy fo yourself and dive into this moody, atmospheric, and thrilling novel now!

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Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: The Death of Mrs Westaway by Ruth Ware (Audible Edition)

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: The Death of Mrs Westaway by Ruth Ware (Audible Edition)

Ruth Ware has been on my radar for quite some time, especially this book. I wanted to read it last year for October but then got on to something else.

I have wanted to pick it up several times this year but I have heard such mixed reviews that I just wasn’t sure which book to pick as my first Ruth Ware experience.

Finally, after much debate, I just decided to go for it and read this book as my first Ruth Ware book since I loved the premise of the summary. It was an interesting read for me and not quite what I was expecting but yet at the same time, exactly what I was expecting if that make sense.

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Special Feature: Reviving The Hawthorn Sisters by Emily Carpenter

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Emily Carpenter has written quite a few books and has a healthy following of dedicated fans around the mystery genre. I have yet to read one of her books but this author has been on my radar for quite some time.

This book might be her best yet judging from what early reviews have said and truth be told, this one sounds full of Gothic goodness and suspense that I rearranged my review schedule to fit in a review a little later on this fall!

Today thought, I am sharing all the info with you guys so that you too can pick up a copy and add it to your TBR. Fans of mysteries and rich Gothic atmosphere will want this one on their radar for sure!

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