Author: B. R. Myers
Genre: Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Romance
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Book Release Date: 2024
Pages: 348
Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: Two brides band together to unravel the secrets at the heart of a crumbling island manor in this delicious love letter to gothic fiction from the award-winning author of A Dreadful Splendor.
'Til death do us part…
November 1816: Restless but naive Emeline Fitzpatrick is desperate to escape her stifling life in foggy Halifax. Her guardian is lining up repugnant suitors, but Emeline has her eyes set on a lieutenant in the British Navy. She just needs to persuade him to propose, or her one chance at happiness will be gone forever.
But when Emeline’s hopes end in scandal, she finds herself with only one suitor left: the wealthy and enigmatic Captain Graves. Having already lost two wives to tragic circumstances, the widower is seeking a new companion in his cloistered seaside manor, Faraday House. Or at least that is what Emeline has been told, because when she arrives, she is horrified to discover that the second Mrs. Graves, Georgina, is still alive—though fading fast.
Emeline is only certain of two things: something ghastly is afoot at Faraday House, and no one is going to save her. She will have to rely on her own courage, her burgeoning bond with Georgina, and the aid of a handsome reverend with a mysterious past to shed light on a ghostly truth.
My Review: Emeline is in love with a British naval officer. However, her guardian wants Emeline to marry and has a long list of suitors for her. When Emeline starts a scandal, only one suitor is left, the wealthy Captain Graves. His first wife has died and his second wife is on her deathbed. Emeline decides to go to Captain Graves' estate, Faraday House, and await his second wife’s death to marry Captain Graves. When she arrives at Faraday House, Emeline notices that something sinister is going on and that is in danger.
I didn’t like Emeline as a character. She was not only naive but foolish. She does not have enough sense to recognize the bad people that are around her. Emeline is also very reckless. She makes many stupid decisions that did not make any sense. I did not approve of her actions and thinking. Therefore, I did not find her to be a competent and strong protagonist. Instead, she is mostly a damsel in distress and is manipulated by others. Emeline also doesn’t do much investigating. Instead, everything nearly falls into her lap. Thus, Emeline was a very frustrating character.
Overall, this novel is about friendship, love, and freedom. I found all of the characters to be very flat. They had the potential to be well-developed but they were not. The plot was very predictable and slow-moving until the end. The romance was not developed. The Third Wife of Faraday House had potential but was not executed well. I did like the atmospheric setting in the novel and the supernatural elements. The Third Wife of Faraday House may appeal to readers of gothic fiction. I recommend this book for fans of The House on Biscayne Bay, The Widow of Pale Harbor, and Eleanor and the Iron King!
Overall, 2 ½ out of 5 stars
Comments
Post a Comment