Unraveling Isobel

by Eileen Cook

"Thrilling and creepy, super sexy, and so very hilarious." --Lisa McMann, bestselling author of the Wake trilogy

Isobel’s life is falling apart. Her mom just married some guy she met on the internet only three months before, and is moving them to his sprawling, gothic mansion off the coast of nowhere. Goodbye, best friend. Goodbye, social life. Hello, icky new stepfather, crunchy granola town, and unbelievably good-looking, officially off-limits stepbrother.

But on her first night in her new home, Isobel starts to fear that it isn’t only her life that’s unraveling—her sanity might be giving way too. Because either Isobel is losing her mind, just like her artist father did before her, or she’s seeing ghosts. Either way, Isobel’s fast on her way to being the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons.

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Mystery, Ghosts, Contemporary, Fantasy

304 pages, Hardcover

First published July 19, 2013

About the author

Eileen Cook spent most of her teen years wishing she were someone else or somewhere else, which is great training for a writer.

You can read more about Eileen, her books, and the things that strike her as funny at www.eileencook.com. Eileen lives in Vancouver with her two dogs and no longer wishes to be anyone or anywhere else.

Reviews

[Jasprit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unraveling Isobel was a surprisingly good read, this book had received quite a lot of mixed reviews so I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into, but I ended up thoroughly enjoying it.

Isobel is forced to move during her senior year to Nairne Island because of her mum marrying Dick, a guy who she met over the internet and had been dating for only three months. Isobel’s not too wrapped with her mum’s decision, she has to leave her best friend Anita behind, move into a spookily big estate with a step dad she doesn’t like, her mum and Dick acting lovey-dovey all the time, which can be quite sickening and a step-brother whose quite hot!

After moving into the estate strange things start to happen, Isobel ends up picking a bedroom which was meant to be locked and which belonged to her step brother Nate’s dead sister Evelyn (Nate’s sister and mum died in a mysterious boating accident.), ocean water mysteriously turns up in her room, Evelyn’s teddy Mr. Zebra seems to be magically moving itself around her room and she’s sure that she can see Evelyn!

I can’t remember the last time I read a seriously good creepy book, probably when I was a lot younger and loved reading my Goosebumps collection. The last book I read which was creepy was Choker, but it was also overly-clichéd. However Unraveling Isobel was totally different to Choker and I think that’s why I enjoyed it so much, there was something happening all the time; ghostly related or with the popular girl at school Nicole (who I so wanted to punch) showing Isobel up or trying to get her mitts into Nate. I found each time I tried to guess what was going to happen or who the culprit was I couldn’t have been more wrong. And it was so difficult to tell whether what was happening was down to supernatural happenings or somebody was behind it all. This book really kept me on my toes. Like I would never have guessed that Mandy the librarian that Isobel had been talking to was a ghost or that Dick was behind everything, I had my suspicions but he was seriously one twisted psycho, he had Isobel’s mum wrapped around his finger, seriously these two needed some serious slaps! First their love-sick teenager act, and then Isobel’s mum being so loved up with Dick that she always took his side over her daughter Isobel’s. She was maddening! And Dick and his fake jolliness, how could he stoop so low and try to convince Isobel’s mum that Isobel had a mental illness, what an evil man!. And the humour in this book I loved it! Isobel’s quick remarks and wittiness were hilarious.

Unraveling Isobel for me was one of those little gems of a book; isn’t really hyped up, written by a relatively unknown author (to me) and that keeps you thoroughly entertained.

[Giselle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Humoristic and creepy - what a great mix! Unraveling Isobel takes an eerie plot with a sarcastic protagonist and balances it all together for an overall enjoyable read.

She's sarcastic and she's feisty. Isobel is a fun protagonist who easily made me laugh with her quirky personality, but she's also smart. Finally a character who has guts to face things head on. Her interactions with Nathaniel were a joy to read as well. It was a situation that both had me cringing and longing. It's definitely an unusual relationship, but it's wonderful and real. As for Isobel's mother, she is very hard to grasp. I didn't like how she took her new husband's side (that she's known for three months) over her daughter's. I didn't like her attitude throughout the ordeal at all.

We're talking ghosts and intimidating step-fathers here. So the plot is fairly creepy with a lot of mystery, and the ghostly scenes were a lot of fun. However, the story didn't feel especially unique. Throughout the whole book I felt like I had heard it before. I knew what the big twists were long before they were revealed. The premise itself - ghost seeking closure, long time family curse, evil stepfather; it was all very familiar. So even though I enjoyed it in the moment, it wasn't particularly memorable. Maybe I have watched too many movies or read too many books *blasphemy*. Nonetheless, I still had a good time reading the story: It was plenty entertaining. The humor made it so it never had a dull moment and the intrigue kept me turning the pages eagerly.

Do you like to be spooked? Do you like to laugh? If so then I certainly recommend you give this one a try!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5
What a fantastic story. Unraveling Isobel was so much different than I had expected. Sure, the blurb was interesting enough, but the story and dialect was so much more.

Isobel is moving with her mother, her new step-father and step-brother to Naime, an island off the coast. She has very few nice things to say since her mother dragged her away to some desolate island her senior year with a hot step-brother and a new step-father her mother has only known for 3 months. Yeah, I'd be pissed off too. You would think the "crazy" would run in her mother's side of the family.

Isobel isn't exactly feeling like gummybears and rainbows around her new step-father. The more he pushes "family" the more she despises him and the fact that her mother is totally oblivious to the fake charm he puts off.

The Wickham family has an "estate" on the island and this place seems huge. But there are stories on this island about a curse and murders. Seems that there is more to Morrigan (the estate) than Isobel realized.

Weird things begin to happen and there is a murder mystery Isobel must figure out. Her step-father, Dick (Richard), is making her life miserable and the only person who believes her is Nate, her step-brother.

There is so much more to this story. You have your classic bitch from school who is out to ruin you, the sexy guy (Nate, woo hoo), a murder mystery, SWOON worthy moments and so much more.

From the beginning I knew I would like this book. There's something to say about a writer who can make you laugh within the first few pages. Isobel is an awesome character. I admire a character who has the kahuna's to face scary situations. Nate, the sexy step-brother, was intriguing. I loved the chemistry between Nate and Isobel.

This is one book that don't think I would have normally picked up to read and I am so glad I did.

[oliviasbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I were a fan of young adult psycho-thrillers "Unraveling Isobel" would surely represent a jackpot:

High School Senior Isobel, who has just moved with her girly and gullible mom from Seattle to a small island, because her mother decided to marry recently widowed mansion owner Dick, pardon Richard, after a mere three months long internet-based aquaintance, narrates the Northanger-Abbey-touched story with much spunk and verve and an altogether cheeky, slightly angry (understandable) and very funny voice. Stepbrother and potential love-interest Nathaniel ads a deliciously creamy layer to the Far-away-from-my-best-friend-help-I-am-recruited-as-a-cheerleader-by-the-queen-bee/bitch drama (Really, he is cute enough to eat), and ghostly apparitions at night throw some wholesome thrill in the mix.

But to me Isobel's helplessness and insecurity, when her new set of "parents" starts to accuse her of being mentally ill - like her father, whom her money-and-fame-crazed mom quickly shoved out, when he couldn't hand her the perfect future she had wished for - without caring or listening a tiny, little bit, plus the slowly crawling, yet ungrappable danger of the mansion Morrigan and its former and recent inhabitants were definitely too "thrilling" and too severe for me to enjoy. Though I should not leave the fact unmentioned that neglectful and blatantly selfish parents in children's and young adult fiction always give me, personally, the boiling blisters I'd like to turn Isobel's mom into minced meat. For other readers the psychotic thrill might be only lukewarm and the mom-caused reader's rage young adult standard fare.

Should you happen to like your young adult romances paired with haunted mansions, crime, manipulation and looming possibilites of craziness, "Unraveling Isobel" might become your next favorite.

[Fafa's Book Corner]

Mini review:

DNF

I have been interested in this book for some time now. I enjoy ghost stories and it sounded right up my alley. Unfortunately it wasn't for me.

The writing style is quirky and funny. Isobel was a sensible character with a good head on her shoulders. The story held promise. But Isobel's mother really bothered me. The woman lacks common sense. I have never heard of anybody marrying someone they've only known for 3 months. On top of that her new husbands wife and daughter passed away 7 months ago. Wouldn't that seem a little strange to someone? Oh and Isobel's mother decides to change her personality for her new husband.

Her mother really annoys me (even know as I'm currently typing this review). Almost for plot convenience? Anyways it's not for me. Maybe you'll enjoy it more.

[Adele · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book on a whim while picking up books from the library and I’m not quite sure if I should be happy that I did..

Unraveling Isobel is a fast paced story. And when I mean fast, I mean fast. I’ve read this book faster than normal. There’s just something about this book that had me turning page after page, reading impossibly fast. The writing in this novel is authentic. I actually felt like Isobel was telling me this story of how she managed to put a madman in police custody. And of course her plan didn’t really go to her plan…but there was the outcome that she wanted.

I was quickly sucked into the Isobel’s world. And I liked her right away. I mean, she made lists, and complained about her step-dad. Both of those things don’t appeal to many, I should know. With Isobel though, in her own, sarcastic way, its somehow different that all the other characters who act like that. Isobel is more her own person than any other I know. She takes control of situations that she know she could handle. And with what happens in the book, there aren’t many times she could stand up for herself. Isobel is resilient.

If there is one thing that I learned while reading Isobel’s story, it’s that she is so resilient. She overcame two antagonists in this story. I don’t think many characters get that chance in regular novels, let alone, a standalone. Isobel was the new kid to the block and she stood up for herself when she felt it was appropriate. She didn’t let her antagonists bring her down. She took what she could and when the time came, and she felt ready, she showed them their own medicine.

Even though she has her difficulties in this story, above all I think what’s important is that she believed in herself. She did what she felt was right.

Another thing that I like about Unraveling Isobel is that there are ghosts in this story. This is like a ghost story, but the story isn’t all the creepy or all that gory compared to other books. The second reason why I like this book is because in the story there are characters who have mental illness and disabilities. And through that, ultimately it leads to Isobel talking about this subject in a really mature way.

This ultimately brought people forward with their own issues, or brought up that they knew someone with a mental illness.

One thing that I didn’t like about this book is that once the step-siblings got over their situation, they kind of became a couple. Ew. There wasn’t any sex though. Which in my case, I am super happy about.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastic read Unraveling Isobel is, the serious topic of mental illness is addressed but there is also a spooky ghostly mystery and it has great snarky humour all rolled into one delicious package.

Isobel's mum marries Richard after only dating him for a matter of weeks, Richard's wife and seriously disabled daughter died in suspicious circumstances only a few short months ago leaving Richard, or Dick as Isobel enjoys calling him, and his teenage son Nate living in their sprawling if a little rundown estate. As Isobel and her mum move in strange and spooky things start to happen around Isobel.

Like Isobel, as the reader I wasn't exactly sure if the spooky things were actually caused by the ghost of Nate's sister trying desperately to tell them a message or if Dick and her mum were actually right that Isobel is suffering from the same kind of mental illness her real dad actually has. Is it easier to believe in ghosts or face the harsh reality that her Dad's mental illness is actually genetic?

For all their was the serious topic of mental illness and the ghostly part of the story Unraveling Isobel cleverly manages to still stay light, funny and enjoyable with the high school outcast versus the popular but mean cheerleader element to it as well as the chemistry between Isobel and Nate. It all blended perfectly into a really fantastic read.

For me there was only one thing I would have liked to have seen, I guess I wanted a bit more about the reconnection between Isobel and her Dad. I felt this part of the story was sensitively handled, Isobel had to learn not to be ashamed of her Dad's illness as well as facing her own fears about the possibility that it could be genetic. I think the "I love happy endings" part of me would have liked to have seen Isobel actually meeting up with her Dad but I guess her letter to him was the start of that journey.

Unraveling Isobel was entertaining, spooky but with a serious message and I enjoyed every minute of it. Go buy it on January the 3rd you will love it.

[Bailey (IB Book Blogging) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since I first laid eyes on this book, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it! The cover is adorable and the title fits perfectly. The synopsis grabbed me from the start! Hunky new step-brother and ghosts? I'm in! I am happy to say that after completing the novel, I was pleased. It has just the right amount of drama, romance, and mystery to keep the reader engaged but not overwhelmed. And the best part is that it is a stand alone! Yay for a nicely wrapped up ending!


Isobel has her fair share of problems coming into the story. Her dad has Schizophrenia, her mom married some guy she just met off the Internet, and she is forced to leave her only home and high school during her senior year. Talk about a horrible situation. And when she starts hearing noises and seeing the ghost of a haunted looking girl, she fears that she has inherited her father's Schizophrenia. Even worse is that she seems to be falling for her step-brother Nate, which is a total no-no.


I felt beyond awful for Isobel. Her step-dad Richard, or as she likes to call him, Dick, is a total creeper. I don't know how she handled living in a house with him. I would have gone insane! And the fact that her motheris so immature and selfish made me so upset! Isobel has such a tough life, but I love how she didn't let it get to her too much. And did I mention how annoying her step-dad was? Props to Isobel for not doing anything drastic to him! I would have had a hard time holding back.


Isobel's relationship with Nate is so sweet. At first, Nate is very cold and aloof, but Isobel is slowly able to pull back the layers and see that Nate is pretty amazing. I just loved every scene they had together. Their moments with each other range from hilarious to down-right steamy! Cook knows how to write a good romance.


UNRAVELING ISOBEL is a great paranormal contemporary novel that YA readers will enjoy. I can't wait for more from Cook!

[A Canadian Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I haven’t been in the mood to write a review in the past few days, I’ll be doing a pros and cons list for Eileen Cook’s Unraveling Isobel.

Pros:
- The book is guaranteed to make you laugh!
- It’s a standalone novel, which means things are wrapped up neatly and there are no cliffhanger endings.
- Isobel has a great sense of humour and is easy to like.
- Nate, the love interest, is someone who does his own thing and doesn’t just follow the crowd.
- Since Isobel’s father is a schizophrenic, Cook does a good job of making the reader wonder whether Isobel is having delusions or whether something more sinister is going on.

Cons:
- The secondary characters could have more depth.
- While the romance was sweet, it didn’t seem to take Isobel and her stepbrother very long to get together; and once they hooked up, the two never really thought about the strangeness of their relationship.
- Even though Isobel sees a psychologist to come to terms with her dad’s condition and acknowledges how common mental disorders are, I thought the topic of schizophrenia was handled a little too lightly. As a result, it kind of felt more like a plot device to me.

A good choice to pick up if you want a fun contemporary with a bit of paranormal and mystery!

[Paradoxical · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just couldn't get into this book. There's nothing different about Unraveling Isobel. That's okay, I don't need different. I do need a compelling story (or at least one that doesn't make me skim over pages in boredom) and characters that don't aggravate me. Unfortunately that didn't happen here, where I pretty much just read the book and paused every few pages to say, "Yeah, yeah, your life is unfair and you're upset. Boo hoo."

I just can't commiserate with the main character, Isobel. I just don't care that she's going through typical teenage angst about moving and how her mother is controlling her life. Or how powerless she is, and how hard it is to start over in a new place. Which, yeah, I get. I would probably even feel sorry for her if she didn't keep mentioning how unfair her life is every other page or so. Self pity holds no interest for me, sorry.

The romance was lackluster at best (why does the male lead like the main character? No clue). I just didn't feel any chemistry and it was all rather yawn inducing. Which seems to be the refrain for this book.

The plot plodded along almost achingly slow. When I thought of a summary of everything that happened, I could sum it up in about five sentences. Isobel's mother marries a jerk of a guy, moves them into jerk-face's house, and she suddenly has a hot new stepbrother. Cue sexual tension (or lack of). Isobel runs into the popular crowd and tries desperately to fit in, even if she has no real interest in said popular crowd. Isobel's real father was declared crazy a while ago and now Isobel is afraid that she's crazy as well because strange, ghostly things have been happening in the house where jerk-face's dead daughter seems to be haunting.

That's what happens over the course of 75% of the book. Oh, and I can't forget about Isobel bemoaning the unfairness of her life. Gah. The only somewhat interesting parts, the ghost bits, aren't too frequent and most of the book is swallowed up by Isobel's crap life. At least the ending picked up a bit, but... okay, I'm sorry, Isobel's plan at the end was idiotic.

Obviously this book did not mesh well with me. It was stereotypical. It was unforgivably dull. I couldn't stand Isobel whining any more. 1 star.

[Mingwei · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just when Isobel thought she was going to have the best senior year with her best friend, all of a sudden, her mom decides to marry someone from the internet, someone who she's only known for 3 months. So she has to say goodbye to her old life in Seattle and instead hello to the ports of Nairne Island. Richard Wickham or otherwise known as "Dick" is the widowed mansion owner who managed not only to turn Isobel's life upside down, but it seems like he is purposely trying to wreck it. As if there wasn't enough drama already, Isobel has to deal with her new step-brother Nathaniel, and the people from school. When she starts hearing rumours about the mansion that she is currently living in, she begins to suspect that there is more to Richard Wickham than she thought.

I decided to read this book because Anna recommended it to me, she said it was a must-read and that it was filled with mystery and suspense throughout the entire book.

I finished reading this book because I really wanted to know if the rumours were true and also if Isobel was actually going crazy or was someone purposely trying to destroy her life. I have to say though, the ending was not what I expected at all and that's what made me love this book even more.

I would recommend this book to Joyce because I think she would really enjoy it. It keeps you guessing throughout the entire book, there are many twists and turns, and at the end, the outcome may not be what you thought.

[Shanyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I should pay more attention to the blurbs of books, honestly. Lisa McMann calls Unraveling Isobel creepy? How could I not listen to that?

I went into this book assuming it was generally about Isobel and her possible mental illness, not knowing that I was going to be so scared that I would only read this in the daytime. Yes, the summary does mention ghosts, but there are different ways for ghosts to be written about. Here's a warning: Eileen Cook knows how to scare the pants off of you. Or that's true if you're a wuss like me, at least. There's a reason I don't read much in the thriller genre.

Overall, minus the feeling scared bits, I did enjoy Unraveling Isobel. I enjoyed Cook's writing style, and the plot kept moving along at a nice pace. It's a mix of thriller and mystery, so as you work your way through the book as a reader you get to work out clues and coincidences with Isobel. Some are easy to figure out and some are not, so even the most sleuth-y will be entertained (plus, it's slightly harder to be a detective when things like possible ghosts/mental illness are involved).

I fully intend on picking up Cook's first novel now, as I know I enjoy her writing style. I also intend on paying more attention to obvious references to creepy in the future. (Or everyone could make it easier on me and make the titles very obvious. Like Anna Dressed in Blood.)

[Judith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Isobel's life starts to unravel after her Mom marries a man she met Online....and continues after "the family" moves to Step Dad's "estate" on some godforskaen island off the coast of Washington state. Add a hunky, but Untouchable step brother..and you have the makings for some serious Teen Angst (with a side of Paranormal, after the dead step sister begins visiting, and raising questions about the deaths of her and her mother)

All of which would be unbearable, and probably unreadable...except for Isobel's edgy sarcasm and native Good Sense...and an honest fear of Mental Illness/Instability. Her natural father , the schizophrenic artist, is both a source of fear and regret...a heavy burden for any seventeen year old to bear..

That being said, I see this as a story, not so much of Isobel unraveling, as the fabric of her life being shredded by forces, and people, beyond her control..That she survives with her sense of humor intact can be chalked up to moxie...and her keen eye for people...who to trust..who to ignore.

The best Coming-of-Age stories don't preach...they let the character live their lives and work things out for themselves...mistakes and all. This is one of the best I've read in quite a while....I hope there are many Isobels out there.

3 Stars

****This was from Simon & Schuster Galley Grab****

[Giselle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A finished unsolicited copy was provided by the publisher for review.

Isobel is quite a witty character. She likes doing things her own way, no matter who or what stands in her way. Her relationship with her mom sounded as dysfunctional as anyone's is. Although, her mom was scared her own daughter could be as crazy as her ex husband seemed real. Her concern for her daughter was real.

Can Nathinel get any more sexy? His favorite place in his estate is the library. I like characters who like to read. I also admired that Nate did not care if he was popular or not. He proceeded to go about his business and ignore Nicole and her cheerleading squad.

Overall this was a great intense mystery filled with paranormal activity, sprinkled with a bit of romance and the cliche high school bullies. I quite enjoyed it. What wasn't explained was how Isobel could see and talk to the ghosts and why no one else could.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Edit: I just read this book for the second time. I was hoping that my rating would increase but alas. Whilst I do appreciate Isobel's sense of humor, everything else felt flat.

I dont know, I think it could have been better. The book focuses more on Isobel's crush on her step brother than on the ghost haunting her home. I was more intrigued by the whole haunted mansion thingy, missing girls and mysterious deaths surrounding the home than by the silly high school drama or high crush. But thats just me.

[~Tina~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5stars

This book was okay. I usually like supernatural stories but I was easily annoyed by this book for some reason. I think it was the mother who cared more about her new husband then her daughters feelings or the whole 'mean girl' blah blah and of course there was the deranged step father.
Still, I liked Nate and I like Isobel and the history and mystery of it all.
Didn't love it, but it had it's moments.

(Arc provided by S & S galleygrab)

[Donna (Jaevenstar) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! So this book grabbed me from the first page and held my attention to the very end. It is an awesome ghost story that kept me guessing until the very end! I love Eileen's gift for writing in such a way that kept me second guessing throughout the whole story. Loved it!

[Luu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tenía que leerlo por la sinopsis y aunque me entretuvo, la verdad es salvo algunas cosas no tiene nada de fantasmas y algunos personajes me dejaron confusa por sus actitudes. Aunque era obvio quien era el malo de la historia e.e Ese final fue cualquier cosa D: yo quería más loooove.

[Aparajitabasu · Rating 5 out of 5]

You are looking to read a light paranormal psycho-thriller....read-on read-on.....and on that thought I present before you all my views of Unraveling Isobel by Eileen Cook .

Here is the summary of the book:

Isobel’s life is falling apart. Her mom just married some guy she met on the internet only three months before, and is moving them to his sprawling, gothic mansion off the coast of nowhere. Goodbye, best friend. Goodbye, social life. Hello, icky new stepfather, crunchy granola town, and unbelievably good-looking, officially off-limits stepbrother. But on her first night in her new home, Isobel starts to fear that it isn’t only her life that’s unraveling—her sanity might be giving way too. Because either Isobel is losing her mind, just like her artist father did before her, or she’s seeing ghosts. Either way, Isobel’s fast on her way to being the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons.


A great cover, a great and fitting synopsis that gripped me from the beginning, ghosts, haunted houses, peculiar murders and the best of all hunky step brother...ohhh tingling with excitement. The protagonist Isobel is like every other teenager today. She is also not without her problems, her dad has Schizophrenia, her mom married some guy she just met off the Internet, and she is forced to leave her only home and high school during her senior year. If you are thinking that is horrible...well rather on for what is worst. When she moves in with her step family (step-dad and that hunky step-brother) in a haunted house and starts seeing ghosts of a haunted looking girl she fears she has inherited Schizophrenia from her father. But what is worst.....she seems to have fallen for her hot and hunky step-brother Nathaniel aka Nate, who seems to want to do nothing about it at all. Can the situation get any worse?

All these ghostly sightings has Isobel thinking that there must be something wrong with her step-dad Richard (whom she calls Dick) Wickham's family or himself because well he is a creeper but also due to all the strange deaths that surround the family and that haunted house were they live. Isobel is determined to figure it all out, because she knows something is going on in this house. It doesn't all add up. Isobel's new step-dad is catching on and starts telling her and her mother that she needs help. So Isobel does all she can to solve this mystery as fast as she can before it is too late.

Aptly named 'Unraveling Isobel' - the book does that in a great way by peeling away layer over layer about her character at each step without it all being a hassle. Isobel is a typical teenager and like every other teenager she goes through a phase where she questions herself, typically when she starts seeing those ghosts and tries to deny but she knows in her subconscious mind that denying wont do any good and that those really are ghosts. She is an amazing artists, and she is a fighter.

Her mother on the other hand is an idiot. She goes off and marries a guy she met on the internet after only three months, she moves to some place she doesn't know when she perfectly knows that Isobel is absolutely not willing to move where she is from. There should be some compromise, and it should be something that should be discussed. Then she starts believing her new husband whom she only met three months before over her own daughter who she knows much better than that Dick. Such hypocrisy. Then comes that new husband....what to say about him - he is a Dick, and he is creeper. Also he seems like he can manipulate people to his will (Isobel's mom to be exact) and is a attention seeker. He doesn't care for any other human being but himself and this house (haunted house).

Last but not the least is that hot and hunky step-brother Nate. He is sweet, caring and the perfect boyfriend material. He seems to be the perfect fit for Isobel. Although at first it seems like he hates her and Isobel also tries to deny her feeling for him but gradually they open up to one another and things start to head up between them but they are not blood related so its good enough(conditions and situations apply). Nate is also a good listener and later becomes Isobel's only confident in that haunted house.

As far as the writing is considered - that is very well done, the plot literally flows through the pages and not a break in any of it all. It starts out slow and gradually gains momentum and will make you want to read through till the end in one go. There is humor, reality, paranormality, seriousness, a murder mystery that needs to be solved, a burgeoning romance and an every day teenage high school life expertly woven through these pages.
I am so getting a copy of it when it releases in January next year.

"Thrilling, creepy, sexy and a light read that will make you want to finish it all in one sitting"

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really shocked with how good this book was. I had seen it around, but hadn't really thought anything of it until I got it in the mail from Simon Pulse.

Isobel is a teenager whose mother just married some guy she met on the internet three months ago. Isobel and her mother pack up and move to this guy's old mansion on some island. Isobel is told she can pick any bedroom she wants. And she happens to pick the bedroom of her dead step-sister. The first night she is there, she sees a ghost. I think in her mind she really knows who it was. But she begins to tell herself that it wasn't really there. It must have been the wind and her curtains or something. From then on, weird things keep happening in this house. Isobel is determined to figure it all out, because she knows something is going on in this house. It doesn't all add up. Isobel's new step-dad is catching on and starts telling her and her mother that she needs help. Isobel's mother starts to believe it and considers having Isobel committed. A date is set for Isobel to leave, and she realizes that she needs to solve this mystery fast if she wants to avoid being committed.

I really liked the characters in this story. Isobel is a typical teenager. Who would like moving away from your whole life to a place where you know you won't fit in and will be living with people you barely know!? I didn't like that she started questioning herself about seeing the ghost, but I think deep down she knew that she really did see a ghost. She just didn't want to admit it. However, she knew the alternative was that she was going crazy, which she knew was absolutely not true. She is a fighter. She says things how they are. And she is determined.

Isobel's mother is an idiot. First of all, she marries some guy she met on the internet after knowing him for only 3 months. Second of all, she moves to some place she doesn't know when he is absolutely not willing to move where she is from. There should be some compromise, and it should be something that should be discussed. Like maybe everyone should decide what the best place would be for everybody, but this new guy gets everything he wants I guess. And finally, she begins believing her new husband over her own daughter! She has known her daughter since she was born, and this guy for 3 months! She should have seen that her daughter wasn't going crazy. The things that were happening weren't even things that would get a person committed. So she was listening to her new husband too much.

Isobel's new stepbrother is sweet, caring, and perfect boyfriend material. At first, Isobel fights her feelings for him. Then they start making out and saying it is ok because they aren't blood related. Okay, I can understand that....but assuming their parents stayed together, there is no way a relationship would last. Now, if they knew that their parents were going to split, then maybe I could see something going on. It was just a little too weird for me. Her stepbrother really listens to her though. He supports her and although sometimes he may think she is a little crazy, he works it all out with her.

Isobel's stepfather is a terrible person, and he knew exactly what he was doing with all of his actions. He doesn't care for any other human being but himself. He becomes a huge character at the end of this book, and I can't say much about him without giving the ending away. Read the book and you will believe me about how terrible he is!

I liked the setting of this book. It's on an island. The house is a creepy old mansion from the 1800s that had one wing that was pretty much falling apart. There was a library, ballroom, several bedrooms, etc. It sounded gorgeous! I would love to fix up something like that!

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, I don't think that the cover matches the feel of the book. The cover, to me, says "Hi! I'm a happy and quirky book!" No, Unraveling Isobel, you are not a happy, quirky book. You are a psychological thriller (of sorts) meets contemporary meets mystery meets horror with a slightly depressing story line. I mean, Isobel, the main character is pretty darn snarky and pretty darn hilarious, but I don't think this should encompass the whole book. Anyway...

From the first page, I was immediately drawn into Isobel's world. I felt her pain when she experienced a huge life change: her mom marries a man she met online and has only known for three months. Isobel is forced to leave behind her old school and friends and move to a small island with an even smaller population. Plus, she has to deal with her new creepy step-father "Dick" and a step-brother who apparently doesn't want Isobel there either. I didn't have a problem with the romance of Nate and Isobel even though they are step-siblings. This is probably because they didn't grow up together, so it's not like their love is too taboo. If they had grown up together and then started to fall in love that is when I would have probably thrown up in my mouth a bit, but since they didn't, I found them to be adorable together. Unraveling Isobel can bring the creepy and there were a couple of times I got goosebumps while reading certain scenes. I also enjoyed the book's view on mental illness. Mental illness isn't something discussed much in YA fiction (though a lot of this year's book releases look to change that, I've noticed) and I think the book sheds some light on a topic not normally dealt with in teen literature.

Now onto what I didn't like. There's a point in the book where Isobel's mom and Dick believe that they need to send Isobel away for treatment of schizophrenia. 1) She has yet to be diagnosed with it and 2) I don't think Isobel ever does anything bad enough to warrant this. It actually takes a lot to be put into 24 hour psychiatric care. This decision (and a supposed doctor's agreement with never having met her) seems too easy for me. The pacing is a bit here and there and I feel like there is a lot of build up to a so-so ending. Actually, it ended exactly how I thought it was going to, BUT there's a nice little bow that wraps it all up if you've been reading too many books with open/cliffhanger endings, like me.

All in all, it was an okay read for me. It's not a story that will stay with me, but I enjoyed it while I was reading it. Ultimately, I think Unraveling Isobel is more of a paperback buy.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on my blog, Ramblings of a Daydreamer. You can find it, and many more reviews at the blog.

Unraveling Isobel has a little bit of everything - romance, humour, mystery, and a dash of creep factor. Everything in Isobel’s life is changing and she has absolutely no say. Add to that the fact that she’s worried some of the strange things happening around may be happening in her mind, and you have a story that’s both engaging and entertaining.

I liked Isobel a lot. I thought she was a very real, relatable character. She was sarcastic and feisty, but also had a vulnerable side to her, especially when it came to her mental health. One thing I really loved about her was her thought process. It was so honest. I felt like she thought things that other authors might be afraid to have their characters think. Sometimes I was a bit shocked, but I liked that she didn’t hold back - it made her seem so real, and I found it easy to connect with her.

I adored Nate. He hadn’t had the easiest life, and he was basically an outcast at school because of the drama with his family, but he was still so sweet, and I loved how he cared about Isobel. Part of me thought I should find it weird that Isobel and Nate were step-siblings and were developing feelings for each other, but I really didn’t care. I loved the dynamics of their relationship, and I rooted for them through the entire book.

Isobel’s mom and step-dad drove me crazy! I love when an author writes characters I love to hate, because to me it shows that they’ve done their job - drawing emotion from the reader and making them feel - good or bad. Isobel’s mom seemed so weak and selfish - she didn’t appear to be a stupid person, but when it came to Dick, Isobel’s new step-dad, she was definitely stupid and blind. I just wanted to shake her. She cared more about her own happiness than her daughter’s, and her maternal instincts were seriously lacking. Dick was just a dick. The fact that even Nate, his own son, didn’t have anything good to say about him and would believe he was capable of doing bad things spoke volumes.

As for the story itself, I thought it was a great concept that was well executed. The characters, the humour, the suspense, and the intrigue kept me interested all the way through. There haven’t been many books recently that have caught and held my attention the way Unraveling Isobel did. I found it hard to put down because I wanted to know what was going to happen next.

Eerie, funny, quirky, and sexy, Unraveling Isobel will definitely be making my list of 2012 favourites!

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

The teenaged Isobel isn't happy to be moving to the island of Nairne. Nor is she pleased with her stepfather, the result of a short online romance with her mother--or Nate, the gorgeous stepbrother that comes with him. The new house is too old, too creepy, and perhaps too haunted. With romance and thrills in tow, Isobel begins to delve into what happened to Nate's deceased mother and sister...

The Good

This was really, really cute. If you want a YA mystery with a touch of romance/creepy crawlies, "Unraveling Isobel" is for you. The entire story is laced with this sort of Nancy Drew feel without the cheese. Although I'll admit to predicting the ending fairly early, there were a few unexpected twists here and there and the whole thing is so fun that I didn't particularly care if it was predictable.

Isobel is a realistic teenager. Which, guess what, means that she isn't always right, she is at times self-centered, and oh, yes, she does end up getting herself into a lot of trouble. But I also found her endearing and relatable because she's flawed. Nate, her love interest/stepbrother is less well-developed, but still kind of dreamy in his own way. (Eileen Cook can write some makeout scenes; I wish there had been more.)

Another thing I have to commend Cook for is her inclusion of the bias society has against people with mental illness. As someone with mental illness myself, I have to applaud the way she called out a lot of her characters for their stereotyping and judgment. It was borderline preachy at times, but I felt that that was necessary.

The Bad

Yes, the entire thing is, as previously mentioned, fairly predictable. If you want tons of shockers, this isn't the book for you.

There were also some pacing/believability issues. The climax of the book is kind of--really--unbelievable and several things happened throughout the novel that I just couldn't buy. Similarly, Isobel's dismissal of cheerleaders bugged me--the entire demonization of cheerleaders was typical and unnecessary.

The Ugly

I can't think of anything ugly in particular. But I have to say that you shouldn't expect a lot of sense-making here. This is pure teen mystery. Don't expect the author to be double-checking for plot holes, because I'm pretty sure that there were a few.

The Verdict

Fun, as long as you turn your brain off for a little while and let yourself absorb the candy.

[Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

What a fun, creepy, sarcastic, entertaining read! I was really surprised by how much I liked this book, and I think a lot of that had to do with the story's protagonist Isobel.

Isobel is one of those characters who's so easy to like and she's someone that faces everything head on. Plus she's a strong, stubborn, snarky character who provides the right amount of humor to this story's at times creepy plot line. Then there's Nathaniel, I won't give away too much about him as the relationship that both he and Isobel have is a bit unusual, but it's well written. I really enjoyed getting to know him, and I loved the scenes he shares with Isobel. Even though there were moments while reading this story I thought "I've read this one before" I'm glad I kept reading, because their relationship is unique, and it's one that I was intrigued with especially given the situation they're in.

The setting itself isn't just creepy, it's haunted. Unlike a few ghost stories I've read lately, this ghost is one I couldn't help but like. Her story is beyond heartbreaking, and one that ties into the story's twisted plot line. Despite being able to predict most everything that happens in the story, I did enjoy it. There's a lot of great elements that Eileen throws into the story that kept me wanting to read more. Her story is entertaining and she uses the right amount of creepiness, romance and humor to keep me engaged with it.

I will say the step-father still takes the cake for creepiness. He had my skin crawling and he's one of those guys I couldn't help by think "I'd never let you marry my mom or live in the same house with you", type of guys. I was so infuriated with how Isobel's mother treated her daughter and was so quick to marry a man she barely even knew. What's worse was all the typical signs the step father showed through out the story for the type of guy he was (turned out to be), and yet the mother continued to side with him and ignore her daughter. I couldn't get over the way she treated Isobel. Luckily Isobel remains as stubborn and strong as ever and gets through all she has to deal with, with her wit and Nathaniel there to help her.

If you're looking for a book with an entertaining story line that has the right amount of creepiness, humor and a touch of romance than I'd recommend picking up Unraveling Isobel.

[Amina Nakhuda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast, thrilling, and exciting are words that can describe Unraveling Isabel, by Eileen Cook. This book was a really fun and fast paced read for me. One of the things I really liked, was how the author used indirect characterization. Isobel's personality really shined by her actions, and how she thought of things. Throughout the whole book, each character had a very strong voice, which made the book a lot better. Another thing I liked, was how there was a mix of genres. A bit of suspense, mystery, and romance all thrown in. One thing that surprised me, was how the mood in the book didn't change much. It was mostly suspenseful or excited throughout the book.
The one thing that kind of confused me, was the time period. It was pretty clear that the book was modern. But then the author talked about how she lived in a huge mansion, with a ballroom, and tons of rooms. So throughout the book, even though I knew the story was in modern time, I got kind of confused. Overall, the book was a great hit for me, even though it had some minor flaws.
Unraveling Isobel was about the struggles of a teenage girl (Isobel) who is forced to move her senior year, to a completely different place, leaving her friends and town behind. She struggles with fitting in her new family,and school. Her step brother is a moody guy, who barely talks to her, and her step dad is nice, but something seems to be off about him. Isobel hears many rumors about her step dads past family, who have died in a boating accident. She finds it her responsibility to find out, what really happened.
Even though Unraveling Isobel was a good book, there were some problems that I had. First, the book was a bit stereo type. For an example, the dumb blonde and her group act like their friends with Isobel, but then they embarrass her in front of the whole school. It always kind of annoys me, when everything is so typical. Which leads to another problem. That is, you can basically guess the book. Even though, I couldn't guess what happened in the end, per parts were pretty obvious.
Over all, I think Unraveling Isobel was a great book, full of humor, fun, and mystery. If anybody likes Mystery, or paranormal, this book would be a great reccomendation.

[Laci · Rating 4 out of 5]

A couple weeks ago I had the honor to go to NCTE in Chicago. I was so happy that I was able to attend the conference. Some great authors were speaking there, and they were also having signings at the publisher booths. While I was there I was able to meet some great people and they will always have a special place in my heart. During this time I remember going and meeting some people at the Simon and Schuster booth. While I was in their booth, I saw this book and I picked it up and read the back and I was instantly sold. I wanted to read this book so bad. I wasn't able to get a copy there, so when I received this book from the publisher to review for the blog I was jumping for joy....literally.

You meet a girl named Isobel. And I first want to tell you how much I love this name and how they spell it. I love names that are different. :) Well Isobel's life just got turned upside down. See her mom just recently remarried to this really creepy guy. And this makes her very unhappy. But that is not the only reason she is unhappy. See her mom not only remarried to this guy, but now she has to move away from everything that she has called home in her life. She has to make new friends and start all over. And to make matters worse, her stepbrother is extremely good looking and she can't stop thinking about him.

When she moves she moves into this estate....yes an estate not a house. While she is there she starts to see things that normally people wouldn't see. She starts to get messages from the sister of her stepbrother that died a few months back. She really doesn't know why she is trying to contact her but she is. She decides that she is going to stop being scared of it and embrace it to try to help.


I will be the first to tell you how much I loved this book. I am a sucker for the paranormal books and this was defiantly a book I enjoy. It was amazing. If you are looking for kissing, a good swoon, and a awesome ghost all tied into one, this is defiantly the book for you!

[Willa · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first saw Unraveling Isobel, I fell in love with the cover, because you understand that Isobel is an artist, but nothing more, yet you are immediately drawn it. I wanted to know what the vines were representing, and why they were wrapping around her limbs, which was answered in the novel.

The storyline was never boring, and I was constantly on the edge on my seat, waiting for the next clue towards the mystery of what happened to Nathaniel’s mother and sister. The mystery of that night haunted Isobel, but in a way that purely unique, because she never knew them. She only knew that they were kind and caring to Nathaniel, which was all she cared about.

Eileen Cook did a fantastic job building a story with a conflicted character who is faced with a difficult situation, and she made plently of mistakes along the way – Isobel is far from perfect, but I cared about her all the same. The choices she made were important to the storyline, especially the ones concerning Nathaniel and her relationship.

Nathaniel was a complex character himself, and at first I really didn’t like him. I didn’t like his reactions to Isobel’s kind gestures, and after she gave up being nice, he came around, and once he did, I fell in love with this guy. The whole step-brother thing was a bit twisted, but they weren’t technically related, so their situation was the issue.

The setting of Unraveling Isobel was beautifully described – I could picture it in my head with barely any description, especially the house. I pictured the library dusty and damp, but still warm and welcoming to Isobel and Nathaniel when they first hung out together. The way Eileen Cook described the town made you feel the cold vibes that Isobel got from the residents, so I could feel the way she felt walking through school on the first day.

Unraveling Isobel was fantastic. The storyline gripped you from page one, and didn’t let you go until you were gasping for air at the end. Eileen Cook has astounded readers again!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a simply fun book that contains all the elements of an enjoyable read. Let's go through them:

Likeable protagonist. She could be anybody. She isn't any "type" of person. She also isn't a blank slate. She has a personality but can't be pigeon-holed.

Possible love interest: Three dimensional. Not Mr. Popular. Not Mr. I'm-So-Bad. His name is Nathanial because it sounds so proper. So Isobel calls him "Nate." Just to be contrary.

Dialogue: Told first person from Isobel's perspective, it is snarky, clever, and ever so witty. This is my favorite type of humor. Her internal dialogue cracks. Me. Up. Very funny.

Genre: Mystery/Contemporary YA/Paranormal but I promise there are no vampires or werewolves.

How it all meshes: Excellent. What Isobel has is a seriously creepy stepfather with issues, an estranged father since his psychotic break and her mother's prodding of estrangement, possible ghost sightings, the Mean Girls group interested in her hot stepbrother, hot stepbrother which makes things a little on the weird side if they are, indeed, attracted to one another, mother who doesn't seem terribly supportive of her only child's needs, and the child may be going crazy like her dad OR she may be seeing ghosts. Neither sounds preferable.

Long-term message: There actually is one, even if it is somewhat peripheral. Isobel eventually confronts the fact that her father is mentally ill and he does not have the plague. This is addressed in a very appropriate manner and well articulated.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. There are a couple of "f" bombs but swearing and dialogue are not extreme or distracting. The writing is clever which I always love. Humor is snarky which I understand. Story is creepy but not disgustingly so. Just enough to maybe want to sleep with a nightlight.

[Kelly Hager · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am quickly running out of Eileen Cook books. This cannot be allowed to stand. (Note: I do still have Unpredictable and Do or Di, plus she's apparently written three middle grade books that I can turn to when the withdrawal really hits.)

Isobel's mom has just remarried, meaning that they are moving to this giant estate in an island on the middle of nowhere. That would suck enough, but it's just before her senior year, which obviously makes it even worse. (Who wants to start over with one year left? And who wants to spend the best year of high school away from their friends?) So you can imagine her delight when she learns that the house may be haunted. (Her stepdad's wife and daughter died a year ago; the daughter may be haunting Isobel's room.) Of course, it could also be all in her head...but given that mental illness runs in her family, that's not really better news.

I LOVE Eileen Cook's books! They're consistently clever and laugh-out-loud funny (quality is important) but each is so different that you also can't accuse her of having a formula.

In this one, I especially loved the tension of ghost vs. crazy. Generally, I'd prefer almost anything to "ghost," unless it's a sweet, benign spirit (but I watch a lot of horror movies, so I'd expect something like Insidious) but when there's the very real possibility that you've inherited your dad's mental illness? Really not a bright side.

(Also, her stepbrother Nathaniel is pretty awesome, so there's that.)

If What Would Emma Do? is The Crucible, this one is very similar to Rebecca. Can I also say how much I love this trend of YA novels echoing classic novels? I think this is far preferable to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

Highly recommended. (As are all her books.)

[Sonny · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Thoughts

Creeptastic. Humorous. Unraveling Isobel was thrilling and well-paced. And the characters Isobel and Nathaniel were real and likeable.

I immediately fell in love with Isobel. She is her own person. She is also a snarky and slightly crazy. I. Loved. Her. There was a punch to the story, and Isobel was the one with the fist.

Nathaniel made me swoon. With his good looks and intelligent depth, my knees weakened the moment he apologized to Isobel for being a jerk. I have an amazing soft spot for hard ass, softies.

Isobel and Nathaniel were electric together. I enjoyed the fact that they weren’t “meant to be”, but made their own relationship, craziness and all. They made a bond over being the outcasts. It also helped a lot that they lived in the same house.

I normally don’t read creepy books. I am that girl who jumps into bed for fear of the goblins under the bed. You never know when one will grab your ankle! While reading this book, I found myself freaking out about shadows, noises, and suddenly, the goblins under the bed were joined by ghosts trekking down the hallway. Now, I know I have an overactive imagination, and I don’t do well with creepy, but this book seriously hit it on the head with the eeby-jeeby factor. Along with the creep, there were many twists and turns. I never knew what would happen next. And when I thought I knew, it would be something totally different. It was a great pace and twists that kept my interest.

Unraveling Isobel was fantastically creepy and often times hilarious. The love story is also adorable. A truly fun, and dark read.