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The Darkness Surrounds Us
“An early-autumn treat fit for late-night devouring.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A taut gothic mystery with an intriguing twist.” —Susanna Calkins, award-winning author of the Lucy Campion Mysteries and the Speakeasy Murders
A Ghostly Window Into the Past
Nurse Nellie Lester can’t escape death. Fleeing Chicago at the height of the 1918 Spanish flu, she takes a nursing job at a decrepit mansion on a desolate Michigan island. She’s convinced the island holds the secret to her mother’s murky past. The only problem? Her dead mother seems to have followed her there. Nightly she’s haunted by a ghostly presence that appears in her bedroom. But is it her mother or something more sinister?
When the frozen body of the prior nurse is unearthed, Nellie suspects her family’s history and the nurse’s uncanny death are connected to a mysterious group that disappeared from the island twenty-four years earlier.
As winter closes in, past and present collide resurrecting a lurid killer, hell-bent on keeping the island’s secrets. Will Nellie uncover her mother’s shocking past before the killer enacts his final revenge?
“Lukasik blends all the elements needed for a dark suspense a forbidding mansion, ghostly presences, secret passages, a hostile housekeeper, a temperamental employer, and residents unwilling to talk to outsiders. For fans of Rebecca, The Woman in White, and The Death of Mrs. Westaway.” —Library Journal
“A taut gothic mystery with an intriguing twist.” —Susanna Calkins, award-winning author of the Lucy Campion Mysteries and the Speakeasy Murders
A Ghostly Window Into the Past
Nurse Nellie Lester can’t escape death. Fleeing Chicago at the height of the 1918 Spanish flu, she takes a nursing job at a decrepit mansion on a desolate Michigan island. She’s convinced the island holds the secret to her mother’s murky past. The only problem? Her dead mother seems to have followed her there. Nightly she’s haunted by a ghostly presence that appears in her bedroom. But is it her mother or something more sinister?
When the frozen body of the prior nurse is unearthed, Nellie suspects her family’s history and the nurse’s uncanny death are connected to a mysterious group that disappeared from the island twenty-four years earlier.
As winter closes in, past and present collide resurrecting a lurid killer, hell-bent on keeping the island’s secrets. Will Nellie uncover her mother’s shocking past before the killer enacts his final revenge?
“Lukasik blends all the elements needed for a dark suspense a forbidding mansion, ghostly presences, secret passages, a hostile housekeeper, a temperamental employer, and residents unwilling to talk to outsiders. For fans of Rebecca, The Woman in White, and The Death of Mrs. Westaway.” —Library Journal
514 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 5, 2023
13 people are currently reading
9572 people want to read
About the author
Gail Lukasik
9 books143 followersGail Lukasik's latest book, What They Never Told Us: True Stories of Family Secrets and Hidden Identities Revealed, tells the stories of ordinary people who made extraordinary discoveries about their parentage and/or race and ethnicity. It's the followup book to her best-selling memoir, White Like Her: My Family's Story of Race and Racial Passing.
Severance Magazine gave What They Never Told Us a glowing review. Click the link to read: https://severancemag.com
Her fifth mystery novel, and first gothic historical mystery, The Darkness Surrounds Us, was praised Publishers Weekly, who said of the book: "Lukasik delivers a gripping ghost story of pandemics past in this well-crafted gothic mystery. With unpredictable plotting and superior atmospherics, this is an early-autumn treat fit for late-night devouring."
Gail's memoir, White Like Her: My Family's Story of Race and Racial Passing, captured national attention leading to her appearance in the documentary History of Memory, which won the X Award at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival. https://garage.ext.hp.com/us/en/moder...
Gail was inspired to write White Like Her after her appearance on PBS's Genealogy Roadshow where her mother's life changing secret was revealed.
The Washington Post named White Like Her as one of the most inspiring stories of 2017.
She was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and was a dancer with the Cleveland Civic Ballet Company.
Severance Magazine gave What They Never Told Us a glowing review. Click the link to read: https://severancemag.com
Her fifth mystery novel, and first gothic historical mystery, The Darkness Surrounds Us, was praised Publishers Weekly, who said of the book: "Lukasik delivers a gripping ghost story of pandemics past in this well-crafted gothic mystery. With unpredictable plotting and superior atmospherics, this is an early-autumn treat fit for late-night devouring."
Gail's memoir, White Like Her: My Family's Story of Race and Racial Passing, captured national attention leading to her appearance in the documentary History of Memory, which won the X Award at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival. https://garage.ext.hp.com/us/en/moder...
Gail was inspired to write White Like Her after her appearance on PBS's Genealogy Roadshow where her mother's life changing secret was revealed.
The Washington Post named White Like Her as one of the most inspiring stories of 2017.
She was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and was a dancer with the Cleveland Civic Ballet Company.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
September 16, 2023
If you enjoy small-g gothic novels, you're in for a treat with Gail Lukasik's The Darkness Surrounds Us. Set during the WWI flu pandemic, The Darkness Surrounds Us tells the story of a young nurse, Nellie Lester, whose mother dies alone at home while Nellie stays late at work to comfort a dying patient. Nellie is guilt-stricken by the choice she made and overwhelmed by the constant death on the flu wards. When she discovers an unexplained photograph of her toddler self, her mother, and an unknown man and then sees an advertisement for a position for a private nurse on the very island where the photo was taken, Nellie decides to take the job in order to uncover family history he mother hid from her.
The Darkness Surrounds Us has the classic sorts of creepy elements that make reading gothics a pleasure
• an isolated, forbidding setting
• a home filled with tensions
• hostile and/or threatening servants
• an outsider with unclear motivations
• a new mother who appears to be going mad
• locals who don't want to talk about the past, especially the odd religious community that once lived on the island
• a creepy bedroom that locks from the outside where our heroine is expected to sleep
• a garden maze
I don't count any of the items on this list as spoilers because they're exactly the sorts of elements readers look for in gothics. The reading pleasure comes from seeing how Lukasik uses these elements, the way the novel's characters respond to them, and the pace and urgency with which they become crucial to the narrative.
If you like gothics—and bonus if you like WWI-era fiction—you'll enjoy The Darkness Surrounds Us. I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss; the opinions are my own.
The Darkness Surrounds Us has the classic sorts of creepy elements that make reading gothics a pleasure
• an isolated, forbidding setting
• a home filled with tensions
• hostile and/or threatening servants
• an outsider with unclear motivations
• a new mother who appears to be going mad
• locals who don't want to talk about the past, especially the odd religious community that once lived on the island
• a creepy bedroom that locks from the outside where our heroine is expected to sleep
• a garden maze
I don't count any of the items on this list as spoilers because they're exactly the sorts of elements readers look for in gothics. The reading pleasure comes from seeing how Lukasik uses these elements, the way the novel's characters respond to them, and the pace and urgency with which they become crucial to the narrative.
If you like gothics—and bonus if you like WWI-era fiction—you'll enjoy The Darkness Surrounds Us. I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss; the opinions are my own.
September 20, 2023
I love a good Gothic set novel. This story was a classically eerie Gothic read.
Nellie Lester is a nurse at a Chicago hospital during the height of the Spanish flu. Her mother has recently passed away and the heaviness of the deaths in her ward are weighing on her. Having no other family and needing to get away from the near-constant deaths. A job to be a midwife for a wealthy woman on a mysterious island in Michigan has opened up and she decides to take it.
When she arrives on the island, she is informed that the previous midwife has gone missing. Nellie has an agenda for taking the job. Her mother left some things behind that indicated she used to live on this island, including an old photograph of what looks like Nellie, her mother, and a man she believes to be her father. Nellie was always told that her father died before she was born. She is determined to find out who her father was and what happened to him. Intertwined with trying to find out who her mother really was and who her father was, we have the mystery of what happened to the previous nurse, Irene.
I really enjoyed this story. Overall, a really good mystery. There were a few things that I thought could have been left out or expanded on. The villain for instance was mysterious and his real reason for murdering Nellies dad was never really explained. I really liked the fact that the religious group Nellie's parents belonged to, was a real cult. I recommend this book to anyone who loves Gothic mysteries. I received this book free from Booksirens for an honest review.
Nellie Lester is a nurse at a Chicago hospital during the height of the Spanish flu. Her mother has recently passed away and the heaviness of the deaths in her ward are weighing on her. Having no other family and needing to get away from the near-constant deaths. A job to be a midwife for a wealthy woman on a mysterious island in Michigan has opened up and she decides to take it.
When she arrives on the island, she is informed that the previous midwife has gone missing. Nellie has an agenda for taking the job. Her mother left some things behind that indicated she used to live on this island, including an old photograph of what looks like Nellie, her mother, and a man she believes to be her father. Nellie was always told that her father died before she was born. She is determined to find out who her father was and what happened to him. Intertwined with trying to find out who her mother really was and who her father was, we have the mystery of what happened to the previous nurse, Irene.
I really enjoyed this story. Overall, a really good mystery. There were a few things that I thought could have been left out or expanded on. The villain for instance was mysterious and his real reason for murdering Nellies dad was never really explained. I really liked the fact that the religious group Nellie's parents belonged to, was a real cult. I recommend this book to anyone who loves Gothic mysteries. I received this book free from Booksirens for an honest review.
October 21, 2024
Overall, not a bad book. I quite enjoyed it for the most part and really the only issue I had was the slow pacing in the middle of the story. I just wish the plot had kept moving at a steadier stream, and maybe offered a bit more to the plot rather than more, "mood settings."
I loved the era this book was set in, and also the setting itself. I am a big fan of secluded small-town island types of books, so it checked a box there. As for the characters, I thought they were all a very interesting bunch, and all seemed possible suspects which really made this book interesting. Though I did feel like once their personality was set, the characters did not have any real change after that. Only our main character really had any character development.
As for the mystery itself, it was very well done. I really was trying to guess who it was, but the author did a great job of making the clues discreet and mysterious. I really was not 100% sure who it was until it was revealed.
But overall I did really enjoy this book, and managed to read through it pretty fast even when it felt like it was taking awhile.
I loved the era this book was set in, and also the setting itself. I am a big fan of secluded small-town island types of books, so it checked a box there. As for the characters, I thought they were all a very interesting bunch, and all seemed possible suspects which really made this book interesting. Though I did feel like once their personality was set, the characters did not have any real change after that. Only our main character really had any character development.
As for the mystery itself, it was very well done. I really was trying to guess who it was, but the author did a great job of making the clues discreet and mysterious. I really was not 100% sure who it was until it was revealed.
But overall I did really enjoy this book, and managed to read through it pretty fast even when it felt like it was taking awhile.
February 19, 2024
OMG, I haven't reviewed a book for a long time, but this book needed a review. I know it's gothic horror/suspense, so it will be a little overwrought and overly dramatic. But it's like the author was given a list, a long, long, long list, of adjectives. And she has to use each one at least once. So when she got through the first draft and still had about half the list left, she went back and just assigned adjectives to nouns as long as they were pretty close in nature. Just about every noun gets an adjective. Does the night have to be a "cold, snowy night"? Especially since the previous sentence talked about the snow. Once it started to annoy me, I couldn't stop hearing it. By 2/3 of the way through, I wished I could just read a summation to know how the story ends without having to go through the rest of the book. Because the story was good! Hence the two stars. But I kept being on the verge of just turning it off and saying, well, I'll just never know, but then thought, no, I can stick with it. Again, the story was good! It's like she was trying to draw out the clues and build the suspense but she thinks repetition and all the side characters being vaguely threatening without actually telling the main character anything, equals suspense. I wanted to like it, and I didn't DNF! But barely.
October 4, 2023
This is an atmospheric mystery set on a remote island in Michigan during the Spanish Flu Epidemic.
The main character, Nellie Lester, has come to find answers about her family and is using her position as a nurse in what once was a grand household as her cover.
The house, its occupants, and the community as a whole all give off a menacing vibe. When the body of the last nurse turns up, Nellie is doing more than finding out about her past..she is trying to survive.
The book has all of the elements that kept me guessing. It has a potential paranormal picture, eccentric characters, and an island that has a history of housing a religious sect.
The main character, Nellie, is often described in the read as plain in appearance. She does a nice job digging around to find some surprising answers.
This is a great read to enjoy during spooky season as well as any cold winter night when you want to feel just a little creeped out.
The main character, Nellie Lester, has come to find answers about her family and is using her position as a nurse in what once was a grand household as her cover.
The house, its occupants, and the community as a whole all give off a menacing vibe. When the body of the last nurse turns up, Nellie is doing more than finding out about her past..she is trying to survive.
The book has all of the elements that kept me guessing. It has a potential paranormal picture, eccentric characters, and an island that has a history of housing a religious sect.
The main character, Nellie, is often described in the read as plain in appearance. She does a nice job digging around to find some surprising answers.
This is a great read to enjoy during spooky season as well as any cold winter night when you want to feel just a little creeped out.
September 23, 2023
I really enjoy Gothic ghost stories and this one had all the right elements for me. The mysterious island location, ghostly sightings, and a creepy mansion with hidden passageways created a dark moody setting perfect for the haunting storyline. Nellie is an interesting character with an intriguing past waiting to be discovered. A mother's love lasts forever and romantic love can be found in the strangest of places and situations. Both can thrive in the darkest of times despite overwhelming odds and tragedy and bring the conclusion of this thrilling historical fiction novel to a very satisfying end.
I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 10, 2023
TITLE: THE DARKNESS SURROUNDS US
AUTHOR: Gail K Lukasik
PUB DATE: 09.05.2023 Now Available
As soon as the weather started to cool down I. Southern California, all I was in the mood for reading was gothic mysteries and ghostly reads. I started with September House and wanted more and luckily Gail Lukasik’s book came in the mail in just the perfect time!
THOUGHTS:
In THE DARKNESS SURROUNDS US, we follow protagonist nurse Nellie Lester in 1918 in Chicago at the height of the Spanish Flu and a recent death of her mother. Trying to escape all that, she takes a position for a wealthy woman in a desolate island in Michigan, hoping to escape all the deaths that has burdened her. But upon arrival, she discovers something sinister about the disappearance of the previous nurse, and a potential ties to her family finding an old photograph.
I just love gothic mysteries like this - I just devoured this one - love a nurse main character, an eerie claustrophobic setting, the unsettling atmospheric read, and lots of potential suspects. I really enjoyed it!
AUTHOR: Gail K Lukasik
PUB DATE: 09.05.2023 Now Available
As soon as the weather started to cool down I. Southern California, all I was in the mood for reading was gothic mysteries and ghostly reads. I started with September House and wanted more and luckily Gail Lukasik’s book came in the mail in just the perfect time!
THOUGHTS:
In THE DARKNESS SURROUNDS US, we follow protagonist nurse Nellie Lester in 1918 in Chicago at the height of the Spanish Flu and a recent death of her mother. Trying to escape all that, she takes a position for a wealthy woman in a desolate island in Michigan, hoping to escape all the deaths that has burdened her. But upon arrival, she discovers something sinister about the disappearance of the previous nurse, and a potential ties to her family finding an old photograph.
I just love gothic mysteries like this - I just devoured this one - love a nurse main character, an eerie claustrophobic setting, the unsettling atmospheric read, and lots of potential suspects. I really enjoyed it!
December 2, 2023
This was an ok mystery. Glad I stuck with it till the end, which was riveting. Set in a rural Minnesota Island while the Flu Pandemic of 1918 rages in neabybChicago, Nellie Lister decides to escape the contagion wards for a job as private nurse at Ravenwood Manor for William Thiery and his pegnanat wife Catherine. Nellie is motivated by a phot of her mother and father and her childhood self with a cryptic message that is linked to Ravenwood.
Some plodding story telling, but it does improve as it progresses, and this was a decent mystery.
Some plodding story telling, but it does improve as it progresses, and this was a decent mystery.
August 18, 2023
Thank you booksirens for the early read. I really enjoyed this one. It didn’t have a slow spot in it. The characters had history and of course all were dysfunctional. My favorite to keep things interesting. Nellie’s story was sad and curious all the same. Her choices weren’t always made rationally and love that she discussed this with herself and didn’t listen. Made me chuckle. I did not like the Thierys of course I know were weren’t supposed to like them lol. Catherine young and trying too hard. Not one person was as welcoming as Bernie. She came with warnings too.
I liked the premise of story and the time line. It was easy to read and quick. I am a fan. I will have to pick up more books from this author.
I liked the premise of story and the time line. It was easy to read and quick. I am a fan. I will have to pick up more books from this author.
September 16, 2023
The Darkness Surrounds Us had all the elements of a lush, gothic mystery, with hints of a supernatural mystery, a mysterious group of people on the island who disappeared, an old decrepit mansion, and a secret about Nellie's past. With all of these elements, all of the things I love in a gothic mystery, what was it about this story that did not quite work?
First of all, let me start with the lush descriptions of the mansion and the world as they were definitely the strength of this novel. Taking place in winter, it was easy for the author to take advantage of so many natural elements to ensnare our heroine in many an adventure so I am glad to see this happen, everything from getting lost in the forest, to almost freezing to death, and so on. I would have been disappointed otherwise. The descriptions of the mansion itself were quite good, but for the life of me, I couldn't understand why a nurse of a newborn child would be placed in the attic and not next door. That doesn't happen during this time period as the nurse needs to be available twenty-four-seven in case of emergencies, not stuck away in an attic. And unfortunately, I just couldn't let that go and it became more bothersome as the story progressed.
The plot itself contained all your usual tropes: the wary housekeeper, the unhappy groundskeeper, the secretive lord of the mansion, the unbalanced mistress, the missing previous nurse, the secretive villagers, and I could just go on and on. It's not that I don't like those tropes, but if you are going to use them, you really need to up your ante and do something special so you stand out from all the other books that has been written using them. And while the author tried, with the mysterious disappearance of a group of people and the implication of Nellie's mother and father being involved, I don't think it worked as intended. For me, it was predictable, easy to figure out, and Nellie's personality destroyed any tension that was being built up every...single...time. And because the plot was meandering in nature, the author tried to pull it together with mysterious happenings and characters that were acting strangely or with ill-will towards Nellie instead, it just seemed contrived and ruined the flow of the narrative. And while it wasn't hard to figure out the villain, there was little description given about the motives surrounding this person or what made this person do the things they did. I don't have to like the villains, but just having them do horrible things isn't the only thing that makes them a villain, sometimes you get creeped out because of their motivations, their desires, the heart and soul of a person.
And Nellie. Personally, I just couldn't root for this character. I found her abrasive and annoying, not paying attention to warnings and hints. She was told flat out the villagers don't like strangers and those who seek to find information about the past, but she constantly interrupted with personal questions about her mother, using little subterfuge. I just wanted to kick her at times, especially with some of the choices she made in whom to trust. Gosh, she was silly. And some of the other characters had the development of a wooden shoe, so much that a week later I can't even remember their names.
The Darkness Surrounds Us did have a nice mystery at its core, but the plot meandered quite a bit and the characters were one-dimensional in nature and could have been developed much more to show their motivations and their desires. I did enjoy the setting and thought the descriptions of the eerie woods and the creepy house were quite good, but there were too many anomalies from this time period that just didn't work. That being said, there were enough good things in this book that I really hope the author writes another gothic historical mystery as I would definitely read another.
First of all, let me start with the lush descriptions of the mansion and the world as they were definitely the strength of this novel. Taking place in winter, it was easy for the author to take advantage of so many natural elements to ensnare our heroine in many an adventure so I am glad to see this happen, everything from getting lost in the forest, to almost freezing to death, and so on. I would have been disappointed otherwise. The descriptions of the mansion itself were quite good, but for the life of me, I couldn't understand why a nurse of a newborn child would be placed in the attic and not next door. That doesn't happen during this time period as the nurse needs to be available twenty-four-seven in case of emergencies, not stuck away in an attic. And unfortunately, I just couldn't let that go and it became more bothersome as the story progressed.
The plot itself contained all your usual tropes: the wary housekeeper, the unhappy groundskeeper, the secretive lord of the mansion, the unbalanced mistress, the missing previous nurse, the secretive villagers, and I could just go on and on. It's not that I don't like those tropes, but if you are going to use them, you really need to up your ante and do something special so you stand out from all the other books that has been written using them. And while the author tried, with the mysterious disappearance of a group of people and the implication of Nellie's mother and father being involved, I don't think it worked as intended. For me, it was predictable, easy to figure out, and Nellie's personality destroyed any tension that was being built up every...single...time. And because the plot was meandering in nature, the author tried to pull it together with mysterious happenings and characters that were acting strangely or with ill-will towards Nellie instead, it just seemed contrived and ruined the flow of the narrative. And while it wasn't hard to figure out the villain, there was little description given about the motives surrounding this person or what made this person do the things they did. I don't have to like the villains, but just having them do horrible things isn't the only thing that makes them a villain, sometimes you get creeped out because of their motivations, their desires, the heart and soul of a person.
And Nellie. Personally, I just couldn't root for this character. I found her abrasive and annoying, not paying attention to warnings and hints. She was told flat out the villagers don't like strangers and those who seek to find information about the past, but she constantly interrupted with personal questions about her mother, using little subterfuge. I just wanted to kick her at times, especially with some of the choices she made in whom to trust. Gosh, she was silly. And some of the other characters had the development of a wooden shoe, so much that a week later I can't even remember their names.
The Darkness Surrounds Us did have a nice mystery at its core, but the plot meandered quite a bit and the characters were one-dimensional in nature and could have been developed much more to show their motivations and their desires. I did enjoy the setting and thought the descriptions of the eerie woods and the creepy house were quite good, but there were too many anomalies from this time period that just didn't work. That being said, there were enough good things in this book that I really hope the author writes another gothic historical mystery as I would definitely read another.
November 24, 2023
Thank you to my partners, Suzy Approved Book Tours and Cam Cat Books, and the author. I appreciate the gifted paperback ARC, and I am leaving this review voluntarily!
1. 𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝑪𝒂𝒏 𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕? - As Nellie begins her new job, everyone she encounters is seemingly untrustworthy. Even as she begins to confide in some of them, I was leery of her doing so!
2. 𝑨 𝑪𝒖𝒍𝒕 - One of my favorite tropes is a good cult story. In this eerie tale, we discover a long-ago cult that resided on the island that Nellie goes to. While most of the current residents are unaware of the past, it is the undercurrent of everything.
3. 𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒔 - As with any great mystery, Nellie has to uncover the secrets that her mother had hinted at in the past. In order to find the truth about her father, she puts herself in many perilous situations which kept me on the edge of my seat.
4. 𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝑰𝒔 𝑰𝒕? - We know that one person on the island holds the truth because he lived there when everything happened. We get to be the sleuth alongside Nellie as she unearths the clues. I was not able to deduce the identity until it was revealed!
5. 𝑯𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 - This seems to be such a foreign concept to the characters in this story. However, as the truths unfold, there seem to be glimmers of hope for happiness. It is almost like a blanket lifts as Nellie’s truth comes out.
1. 𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝑪𝒂𝒏 𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕? - As Nellie begins her new job, everyone she encounters is seemingly untrustworthy. Even as she begins to confide in some of them, I was leery of her doing so!
2. 𝑨 𝑪𝒖𝒍𝒕 - One of my favorite tropes is a good cult story. In this eerie tale, we discover a long-ago cult that resided on the island that Nellie goes to. While most of the current residents are unaware of the past, it is the undercurrent of everything.
3. 𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒔 - As with any great mystery, Nellie has to uncover the secrets that her mother had hinted at in the past. In order to find the truth about her father, she puts herself in many perilous situations which kept me on the edge of my seat.
4. 𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝑰𝒔 𝑰𝒕? - We know that one person on the island holds the truth because he lived there when everything happened. We get to be the sleuth alongside Nellie as she unearths the clues. I was not able to deduce the identity until it was revealed!
5. 𝑯𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 - This seems to be such a foreign concept to the characters in this story. However, as the truths unfold, there seem to be glimmers of hope for happiness. It is almost like a blanket lifts as Nellie’s truth comes out.
May 2, 2025
trigger warning
When her mother dies, a nurse decides to leave Chicago and take a posting on a secluded island. The lady of the manor is heavily pregnant, and since medical care is such an issue there, they would like to have staff on hand to deal with eventual issues.
It is the island her dad supposedly disappeared on, and she is looking for answers.
I have a soft spot for stories where a young woman goes out to a secluded manor to raise children, be a nurse, or whatever else might need doing. Where she has to prove to the old staff she is not there to relax, but to work. That she is capable and determined to work for her keep. And then, oh no! Secrets!
For transparency, when I read the second half of this novel I was in the phase of a migraine attack where my brain is so overwhelmed it registers everything as funny. The flaws of this book, and oh there are so many, entertained me. A lot. The star rating reflects my enjoyment that day, not neccessarily the quality of what I've read.
One thing did not became funny though: The protagonist was unneccesarily mean to the one dog, constantly referring to them as a curr and using negative adjectives. Listen, that's a working dog in a logging camp! Not meant to look pretty in a manor! Not meant to walk up to strangers and demand pets!
We're simply stuck in the protagonist's head and that can have downfalls. Like not having a second opinion on four-legged friends.
So. Anyway.
I mentioned mistakes. The prostagonist is a nurse who just comes off working the contagion ward. I am not sure if we get a clear mention of the year this is set, but the contagious illness in question is the Spanish Flu/ influenza epidemic. There is a bit of trauma involved and she kinda looks forward to only caring for one, and later two patients: Mother and child. Hopefully only needing to recover from birth, and not catching any nasty infections.
If we have a protagonist working in the medical field, you'd assume the author doing some research in the area and making sure to depict matters accordingly. I did not get the feeling the author really did that. This story is set in winter, there is lots of snow. The protagonist constantly creeps about, does not sleep well, marches off - sometimes underdressed - into the snow and all that happens is that she gets a bit cold and likes hot beverages. No lingering fatigue after stressing the body out in this manner, no frostbite. Not even chapped lips, cheeks and hands. No discussion about the clothes that were fine for winter in Chicago, in the big city, not being enough for an area not full of buildings that retain heat and make it a bit warmer.
Our protagonist is also very impulsive and not the smartest cookie in the tin, which, fine I guess. She
This book is kinda exactly what I wanted. Four stars for that.
Make sure this is what you're here for before committing, though. And maybe check warnings.
Arc was provided by the publisher, but it's been a while.
When her mother dies, a nurse decides to leave Chicago and take a posting on a secluded island. The lady of the manor is heavily pregnant, and since medical care is such an issue there, they would like to have staff on hand to deal with eventual issues.
It is the island her dad supposedly disappeared on, and she is looking for answers.
I have a soft spot for stories where a young woman goes out to a secluded manor to raise children, be a nurse, or whatever else might need doing. Where she has to prove to the old staff she is not there to relax, but to work. That she is capable and determined to work for her keep. And then, oh no! Secrets!
For transparency, when I read the second half of this novel I was in the phase of a migraine attack where my brain is so overwhelmed it registers everything as funny. The flaws of this book, and oh there are so many, entertained me. A lot. The star rating reflects my enjoyment that day, not neccessarily the quality of what I've read.
One thing did not became funny though: The protagonist was unneccesarily mean to the one dog, constantly referring to them as a curr and using negative adjectives. Listen, that's a working dog in a logging camp! Not meant to look pretty in a manor! Not meant to walk up to strangers and demand pets!
We're simply stuck in the protagonist's head and that can have downfalls. Like not having a second opinion on four-legged friends.
So. Anyway.
I mentioned mistakes. The prostagonist is a nurse who just comes off working the contagion ward. I am not sure if we get a clear mention of the year this is set, but the contagious illness in question is the Spanish Flu/ influenza epidemic. There is a bit of trauma involved and she kinda looks forward to only caring for one, and later two patients: Mother and child. Hopefully only needing to recover from birth, and not catching any nasty infections.
If we have a protagonist working in the medical field, you'd assume the author doing some research in the area and making sure to depict matters accordingly. I did not get the feeling the author really did that. This story is set in winter, there is lots of snow. The protagonist constantly creeps about, does not sleep well, marches off - sometimes underdressed - into the snow and all that happens is that she gets a bit cold and likes hot beverages. No lingering fatigue after stressing the body out in this manner, no frostbite. Not even chapped lips, cheeks and hands. No discussion about the clothes that were fine for winter in Chicago, in the big city, not being enough for an area not full of buildings that retain heat and make it a bit warmer.
Our protagonist is also very impulsive and not the smartest cookie in the tin, which, fine I guess. She
This book is kinda exactly what I wanted. Four stars for that.
Make sure this is what you're here for before committing, though. And maybe check warnings.
Arc was provided by the publisher, but it's been a while.
November 26, 2024
The cover is what caught my attention. It reminds me of the Penny Dreadful series – especially with the Victorian clothing against the whiteness of the snow. I wasn’t sure of the blurb as I don’t usually read books set in the early 1900’s as I find them a bit dull. But with this, although it is set in 1918, it reads like it is in the Victorian era, I had to keep reminding myself that it wasn’t.
Nellie is our only POV and she annoyed me early on because she is full of questions, there are tons of them and the questions get asked in rapid succession without giving the reader the time to be interested enough to ask them ourselves. Thankfully, this does tone down the further through the book you get. Nellie as a main character has absolutely no sense of self-preservation, the previous nurse was murdered, the islanders are shady and some openly hostile, your employers are erratic and menacing and you spout off openly that you think they murdered someone and covered it up. All the while being trapped on an island with them. The only thing that saves her is plot armour – if she was a side character she’d have been killed near the beginning for sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong. Nellie comes across sometimes as an unreliable narrator, not enough that you can positively say that she is, but enough that you’re never quite sure of her and what she’s experiencing.
The atmosphere that this builds is haunting and the plot could have benefited from leaning more into that gothic aspect. It has everything it needs to achieve it. An island cut off from the mainland for the whole winter, a small town with a dark history, a brooding manor house, menacing and suspicious characters everywhere with secrets to hide, a religious cult that disappeared. But for me it never quite realised its potential. The story is a slow burn of tension building and then all at once its over in two pages! After all that build up I wanted my big payoff and I was short changed!
Nellie is our only POV and she annoyed me early on because she is full of questions, there are tons of them and the questions get asked in rapid succession without giving the reader the time to be interested enough to ask them ourselves. Thankfully, this does tone down the further through the book you get. Nellie as a main character has absolutely no sense of self-preservation, the previous nurse was murdered, the islanders are shady and some openly hostile, your employers are erratic and menacing and you spout off openly that you think they murdered someone and covered it up. All the while being trapped on an island with them. The only thing that saves her is plot armour – if she was a side character she’d have been killed near the beginning for sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong. Nellie comes across sometimes as an unreliable narrator, not enough that you can positively say that she is, but enough that you’re never quite sure of her and what she’s experiencing.
The atmosphere that this builds is haunting and the plot could have benefited from leaning more into that gothic aspect. It has everything it needs to achieve it. An island cut off from the mainland for the whole winter, a small town with a dark history, a brooding manor house, menacing and suspicious characters everywhere with secrets to hide, a religious cult that disappeared. But for me it never quite realised its potential. The story is a slow burn of tension building and then all at once its over in two pages! After all that build up I wanted my big payoff and I was short changed!
August 30, 2023
I really wanted to like this book.
I was drawn in by the blurb’s promise of supernatural twists, a decrepit mansion, and a mysterious group of people on a remote island. But by the end, I felt kind of let down.
There were some redeeming aspects of the story. The mystery was tightly wound, and did indeed stump me until the very end.
There were also instances of lovely description for both the setting and the characters that kept me fully grounded in the story. It was so well done, in fact, that even in the heat of the summer I could feel the icy winter winds as I read.
I only wish this attention to detail had been applied to the plot and characters.
The plot had a meandering nature that was hard for me to follow. I know it’s typical to have one or more secondary plots, but the B plot in this story took over. It seemed strange that Nellie, who took this job to discover more about her mother, tossed her original plan aside so easily to investigate a death seemingly unrelated to her own goal. It makes sense in the end, but I really questioned it as I read.
For me, it was hard to root for Nellie. She continually made strange decisions in the face of so much suspicion and uncertainty. The remaining cast felt kind of wooden to me as well, only turning dynamic when it was convenient for the plot. The villain’s motive was never explained either, so the ending felt rushed and incomplete (vague for spoilers).
And while there was a whisper of supernatural phenomena in this story, it wasn’t nearly as pronounced as I had hoped. Overall, THE DARKNESS SURROUNDS US is historical fiction, light on the supernatural, heavy on the mystery.
I was given the opportunity to read an advance review copy of THE DARKNESS SURROUNDS US for free, My review is honest and given freely.
I was drawn in by the blurb’s promise of supernatural twists, a decrepit mansion, and a mysterious group of people on a remote island. But by the end, I felt kind of let down.
There were some redeeming aspects of the story. The mystery was tightly wound, and did indeed stump me until the very end.
There were also instances of lovely description for both the setting and the characters that kept me fully grounded in the story. It was so well done, in fact, that even in the heat of the summer I could feel the icy winter winds as I read.
I only wish this attention to detail had been applied to the plot and characters.
The plot had a meandering nature that was hard for me to follow. I know it’s typical to have one or more secondary plots, but the B plot in this story took over. It seemed strange that Nellie, who took this job to discover more about her mother, tossed her original plan aside so easily to investigate a death seemingly unrelated to her own goal. It makes sense in the end, but I really questioned it as I read.
For me, it was hard to root for Nellie. She continually made strange decisions in the face of so much suspicion and uncertainty. The remaining cast felt kind of wooden to me as well, only turning dynamic when it was convenient for the plot. The villain’s motive was never explained either, so the ending felt rushed and incomplete (vague for spoilers).
And while there was a whisper of supernatural phenomena in this story, it wasn’t nearly as pronounced as I had hoped. Overall, THE DARKNESS SURROUNDS US is historical fiction, light on the supernatural, heavy on the mystery.
I was given the opportunity to read an advance review copy of THE DARKNESS SURROUNDS US for free, My review is honest and given freely.
October 21, 2023
Couldn't Stop Reading This One
Nellie Lester chooses life over death when she leaves Chicago. The trained nurse flees Chicago's Spanish flu death wards. An opportunity to bring a new life into the world brings her to Ravenwood Manor on an island. The wealthy manor owner's first baby is due soon. But Nellie has another reason for moving there. Based on two keepsakes, she suspects that her family has a history there.
The setting is outstanding, cold, dismal, snowy. Authentic period details make it real, right down to the caretaker's horrible stew and the desolation of an island not navigable in the winter. Suspense and romance with "Doc" Theo, who has no medical training, builds as the novel progresses. Will Nellie learn her family's secrets before the island freezes? Nellie, a strong female protagonist not afraid to take risks, desperately wants to solve the mystery of who her father was. But she's surrounded by other dark mysteries in the mansion. The house and the "cursed" island also surround her with characters like Mrs. Bucheim, Catherine, William, and Matthew whose personalities run hot and cold--mostly cold.
This is such a smooth read, skillfully put together. I read it in three days while I should've been working on other things. I kept stealing moments to read, which the sign of an outstanding book. The ending is satisfying, and I'll read other books by this author. Highly recommended.
Nellie Lester chooses life over death when she leaves Chicago. The trained nurse flees Chicago's Spanish flu death wards. An opportunity to bring a new life into the world brings her to Ravenwood Manor on an island. The wealthy manor owner's first baby is due soon. But Nellie has another reason for moving there. Based on two keepsakes, she suspects that her family has a history there.
The setting is outstanding, cold, dismal, snowy. Authentic period details make it real, right down to the caretaker's horrible stew and the desolation of an island not navigable in the winter. Suspense and romance with "Doc" Theo, who has no medical training, builds as the novel progresses. Will Nellie learn her family's secrets before the island freezes? Nellie, a strong female protagonist not afraid to take risks, desperately wants to solve the mystery of who her father was. But she's surrounded by other dark mysteries in the mansion. The house and the "cursed" island also surround her with characters like Mrs. Bucheim, Catherine, William, and Matthew whose personalities run hot and cold--mostly cold.
This is such a smooth read, skillfully put together. I read it in three days while I should've been working on other things. I kept stealing moments to read, which the sign of an outstanding book. The ending is satisfying, and I'll read other books by this author. Highly recommended.
September 12, 2023
As a nurse during the Spanish Flu epidemic working in Chicago, Nellie Lester wants a change of scenery. Her mother recently passed and she doesn't know who her father is. She finds a picture amongst her mother's things that appears to be a picture of her parents and Nellie, but her name is Anna in the picture. A job opportunity arises at an island in Michigan where Nellie thinks the picture was taken. Nellie is to care for the pregnant wife of the manor on the island but becomes uneasy when she realizes that the islanders are not so friendly, she feels unwelcome at the manor, and the island has an overall sense of uneasiness. Nellie is determined to solve the mystery of her parents if they lived on the island and the secrets of why they were there. The Darkness Surrounds Us is an eerie tale that will keep you guessing especially as you meet the people that live on the island. Nellie continues to persevere in her quest to find out what happened to her parents, even when faced with a clear message to go back to Chicago. The Darkness Surrounds Us is a chilling mystery that is told in such a descriptive manner that the island and its dark secrets come to life.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 22, 2023
In the midst of the Spanish flu's deadly grip, “The Darkness Surrounds Us,” offers a gothic saga of unveiled secrets and murder. Nellie, haunted by her past, seeks solace and answers in a desolate and forsaken town. She secures a position as a nurse and companion at Ravenwood, where mysteries and spirits lurk.
When a lifeless body surfaces shortly after her arrival, it casts shadows of doubt and fear within Nellie. The author masterfully weaves a sinister ambiance, shrouding the town, its inhabitants, and Ravenwood in eerie mystique, hinting at the paranormal. Everyone, it appears, has a secret. But who or what is willing to kill to keep their secret hidden. Tension swells throughout as Nellie's history and her ties to Ravenwood slowly unravel, compelling readers to turn each page in anticipation.
This is my first Gail Lukasik novel, and it certainly will not be my last. I found her storytelling compelling and the series of cause-and-effect situations left me wondering if the answers Nellie was looking for was worth the cost and would bring her any closure.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
When a lifeless body surfaces shortly after her arrival, it casts shadows of doubt and fear within Nellie. The author masterfully weaves a sinister ambiance, shrouding the town, its inhabitants, and Ravenwood in eerie mystique, hinting at the paranormal. Everyone, it appears, has a secret. But who or what is willing to kill to keep their secret hidden. Tension swells throughout as Nellie's history and her ties to Ravenwood slowly unravel, compelling readers to turn each page in anticipation.
This is my first Gail Lukasik novel, and it certainly will not be my last. I found her storytelling compelling and the series of cause-and-effect situations left me wondering if the answers Nellie was looking for was worth the cost and would bring her any closure.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 4, 2023
Wow...just, wow! This book did the unusual task of being set in the past (post-WWI) but feeling so relatable and modern. Main character, Nellie Lester, is a nurse seeking an escape from the Influenza wards of Chicago by setting off for a secluded Michigan island. Once there, she is meant to be midwife whose purpose will be to assist in the birth of a woman who lives in the old manor. But, as with all great mysteries, there's more to the story.
When a body is found - belonging to the manor's previous nurse - Nellie tries to unearth the cause of her (what she believes to be) murder. In addition to that, Nellie herself has a secret about her past that ties in with the island's many mysteries. The only question is will she be able to link everything together before she ends up like the other nurse?
My goodness! Easily one of my favorite books of the year, this story had a bit of everything - creepy, atmospheric vibes, thrilling cliffhangers, well-researched historical elements, some mystical realism, social commentary, and even a smidge of romance. I really loved this book - it was as close to perfect as I could imagine!
When a body is found - belonging to the manor's previous nurse - Nellie tries to unearth the cause of her (what she believes to be) murder. In addition to that, Nellie herself has a secret about her past that ties in with the island's many mysteries. The only question is will she be able to link everything together before she ends up like the other nurse?
My goodness! Easily one of my favorite books of the year, this story had a bit of everything - creepy, atmospheric vibes, thrilling cliffhangers, well-researched historical elements, some mystical realism, social commentary, and even a smidge of romance. I really loved this book - it was as close to perfect as I could imagine!
October 9, 2023
I received an advanced review copy of this book and I am leaving a review voluntarily. First off, I love reading a gothic horror story. The atmosphere tends to be eerie and unsettling, and the characters morose and suspicious. On that front, this book delivers. The plot was also solid and thick with suspense, and filled with typical Victorian characters-aloof men, snarky household workers, untrustworthy companions, and handsome but mild men. That being said, Nellie was a hard character to have sympathy for. From the get-go, she was flighty, impulsive, irresponsible, and became the queen of terrible choices-making you want to smack her. It’s a wonder anyone would help or talk to her in any capacity. I did, however, appreciated her doggedness and refusal to quit searching for answers that elusive townsfolk would not give her, and her refusal to be treated as less-than-equal to men-even if she kept proving them right. Overall, it was ok and it will definitely scratch the gothic horror itch.
September 6, 2024
This was not a good gothic novel, not a good mystery either. If I got a dollar for every time the main character said satee I would have more than twenty dollars and that's too much for furniture counts. The heroine is a moron, Omg she is a moron. There were so many moments in the book, where she accused everyone and their momma of being a murderer or cultist. She is the definition of bumbling and moronic. She is a blabbermouth, and blabs to anyone that would listen about her theories: the shady but good-looking doctor, the barmaid, the post office guy, half the Island even some random in-laws of her mistress. The girl would not win at a poker game, she would tell everyone and even show her cards. Just why? This dumb girl has no sense of self-preservation. She goes to places that she shouldn't be, drinks things she shouldn't and if she had died during any of those situations, she deserved it for being so dumb. And suddenly there's this backstory for her mom that was awkward and clunky. The writing is awkward and goofy as fuck, what goofy ass story.
September 15, 2023
The Darkness Surrounds Us by Gail Lukasik is an incredibly fascinating gothic mystery that I really enjoyed.
The story is set during the height of the 1918 Spanish Flu. Nurse Nellie Lester has left Chicago to work in a mansion on an isolated island in Michigan. She is really looking to discover the answers to her mother's secret past.
Oh, the exciting gothic thrilling part is when her mother's ghost followers her. Is it really the ghost or something else? I WON'T tell!
The body of the prior nurse is discovered, and thing take a thrilling turn.
I LOVED This book OMG! Trying so hard not to give anything away. This story is so well written.
A gothic, thriller with so many twists. The research done was excellent on this time period and the Spanish Flu of 1918.
Perfectly paced with well-developed characters, this is a MUST read!
The story is set during the height of the 1918 Spanish Flu. Nurse Nellie Lester has left Chicago to work in a mansion on an isolated island in Michigan. She is really looking to discover the answers to her mother's secret past.
Oh, the exciting gothic thrilling part is when her mother's ghost followers her. Is it really the ghost or something else? I WON'T tell!
The body of the prior nurse is discovered, and thing take a thrilling turn.
I LOVED This book OMG! Trying so hard not to give anything away. This story is so well written.
A gothic, thriller with so many twists. The research done was excellent on this time period and the Spanish Flu of 1918.
Perfectly paced with well-developed characters, this is a MUST read!
August 16, 2023
I loved this book, and was drawn into the story immediately by the author’s writing style. The main character was interesting and I felt like I had to know how the story would connect and end. Never heard of this author before, so glad to have read this story. She can really turn a phrase - not a spoiler as it is the opening of the prologue - “We are running through the snow. The moon lost among the trees. Black and skeletal, their branches lash my face. But it’s the dog I fear the most.” How could one ever not continue the story and find out more about why/where/who is running? Looking forward to finding some more of this author’s works as she kept me turning pages long after I should have stopped! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 15, 2023
Nellie Lester travels to a remote village on a island called Harmony. She becomes a private nurse to a couple but her real reason for traveling there was to find out who her father is and what happened to him. She believes her late mother wasn't exactly telling the truth. The story has many events that take the reader by surprise and deepen the mystery to keep the reader turning the pages. Some people are not what they seem to be which is all revealed and wrapped up by the end of the novel. I would recommend this author if readers like gothic horror type mysteries and would read other novels by her as well.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 18, 2023
It was such a perfect time to read this as fall begins to start. This book had such good tension and exposition, accompanied by some grand prose that really helped immerse you in the WW1 era. All of it's elements, the ghostly vibe, the island, the mysterious death - feed into the subtle horror and intrigue.
The pacing felt continuous and good to me, it didn't waiver or go too fast and the thriller aspect of the book largely benefitted from that. I loved Nellie and felt she was relatable and a deeply tragic character. The villain was not as fleshed out as he should've been. I would've appreciated a grander reveal but Nellie and the rest of the twists and turns more than made up for it.
Thank you to booksirens for the ARC
The pacing felt continuous and good to me, it didn't waiver or go too fast and the thriller aspect of the book largely benefitted from that. I loved Nellie and felt she was relatable and a deeply tragic character. The villain was not as fleshed out as he should've been. I would've appreciated a grander reveal but Nellie and the rest of the twists and turns more than made up for it.
Thank you to booksirens for the ARC
December 10, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. I love the gothic eerie stories set in creepy mansions back in time.
I was a bit worried that the premise was similar; Nell goes back to the town/house where here and her mom lived after finding a mysterious picture after her mom's death She needs to find how the mysterious man is in the picture and who she really was. It's fun because Nell's job is too help deliver the baby of a high maintenance lonely wife and the woman in Nell's job was murdered before she arrived.
The story was good enough-and moved at a decent pace. Nell discovers her parents were involved in a fanatical religious group-which was interesting. Nell also solves the mystery of her dad's murder after finding her mom's diary. Again, sounds familiar but author did a good job making it different enough.
Enjoyable and fun.
I was a bit worried that the premise was similar; Nell goes back to the town/house where here and her mom lived after finding a mysterious picture after her mom's death She needs to find how the mysterious man is in the picture and who she really was. It's fun because Nell's job is too help deliver the baby of a high maintenance lonely wife and the woman in Nell's job was murdered before she arrived.
The story was good enough-and moved at a decent pace. Nell discovers her parents were involved in a fanatical religious group-which was interesting. Nell also solves the mystery of her dad's murder after finding her mom's diary. Again, sounds familiar but author did a good job making it different enough.
Enjoyable and fun.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2024
Funny, novels like this are read in my mind with Eve Arden's voice lately. Hopefully there will be someone who reads this that gets the reference!
I enjoyed this book. I really liked the setting and the place where the story happens. I enjoyed the characters very much and didn't see who Nellie was looking for until she really put two and two together. It wasn't necessarily a big twist but I don't think people see it coming. The one part of the story that was weak for me was her being a private nurse. It seems she spent 99% of her time working on her mystery and 1% on what she was being paid for. For me, this is the weak part of the story. Even with that, it is a 5 star read for me and I would recommend.
I enjoyed this book. I really liked the setting and the place where the story happens. I enjoyed the characters very much and didn't see who Nellie was looking for until she really put two and two together. It wasn't necessarily a big twist but I don't think people see it coming. The one part of the story that was weak for me was her being a private nurse. It seems she spent 99% of her time working on her mystery and 1% on what she was being paid for. For me, this is the weak part of the story. Even with that, it is a 5 star read for me and I would recommend.
September 3, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this eerie gothic novel.
During the height of the Spanish Flu in Chicago, nurse Nellie Lester has had her share of grief between losing her mother as well as her patients.
Nellie decides to take a job in Michigan but the island is a mysterious place. When the previous nurse is found dead Nellie starts to investigate but she is unaware of the horrid truths that await her.
What I Liked:
Nellie’s determination, logic, bravery, abilities.
The way in which the story maintains it’s ominous atmosphere.
The twists are unexpected and will keep the read guessing.
The story didn’t lag anywhere.
What Could Have Been Improved:
Expansion on the theme of racial injustice throughout the book.
Less focus on the death of Irene and more focus on the discovery of her mother’s past.
I truly recommend this book for anyone interested in a spooky, gothic read. Just in time for the Fall season so add it to your tbr list.
Ty BookSirens for the eARC
September 5, 2023
This was my first introduction to Gail Lukasik’s writing, and I’m so glad I signed up for this ARC! No one will understand this unless you’ve played the game, but this book gave me that “I’m in danger” feel that creeping around the centers of worship for Zachary Comstock’s cult did. Gothic mysteries are wonderful, and while I wasn’t sure about this one for a minute, I was quickly sucked in and held tight until the very end. There are some parts that I’m still not 100% sure I understand the purpose of, but overall, a thrilling murder mystery with corrupt religious underpinnings that I adore. Check it out!
September 19, 2023
The author writes in a style I'm not used to so I can see why some may have a hard time getting into the book. However, the mystery of who the killer was did surprise me. But I think that the author wanted the second surprise to be greater then it was in the reveal due in part to the writing style. Don't get me wrong, I liked the book. The mystery grabbed me and kept me. I read this in less then two days. The story is engaging, but it could use more description of the time. Plus the romance is glossed over and patched in there. Not legit to me. Especially since she was suspicious of everyone.
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