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The Cassandra Curse
An art exhibit. A midnight stroll along the Brooklyn Promenade. Footsteps behind you. Then brutal pain and darkness.
Most portrait painters see just your face. Certain artists see far more. In Sallie Bissell’s riveting The Cassandra Curse, Augusta Delaney discovers her artwork can reveal more than just her subject’s physical appearance. With a newfound ability to see into the depths of a person’s soul, she is thrust into a dangerous world of secrets, lust, and murder. Searching for answers about her twin brother Jules, who vanished the night of the attack, Augusta becomes increasingly haunted by the eerie message whispered to her by their assailants. Could those sinister words be connected to Jules’ disappearance? With the help of her uncanny artistic abilities and a determination to find her missing brother, Augusta navigates a treacherous labyrinth of deception and danger.
Delving into the enigmatic human psyche, Bissell masterfully takes readers on a heart-pounding journey through the dark alleys of New York and into the twisted minds of her characters. A gripping tale of mystery, intrigue, and suspense, The Cassandra Curse will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
Most portrait painters see just your face. Certain artists see far more. In Sallie Bissell’s riveting The Cassandra Curse, Augusta Delaney discovers her artwork can reveal more than just her subject’s physical appearance. With a newfound ability to see into the depths of a person’s soul, she is thrust into a dangerous world of secrets, lust, and murder. Searching for answers about her twin brother Jules, who vanished the night of the attack, Augusta becomes increasingly haunted by the eerie message whispered to her by their assailants. Could those sinister words be connected to Jules’ disappearance? With the help of her uncanny artistic abilities and a determination to find her missing brother, Augusta navigates a treacherous labyrinth of deception and danger.
Delving into the enigmatic human psyche, Bissell masterfully takes readers on a heart-pounding journey through the dark alleys of New York and into the twisted minds of her characters. A gripping tale of mystery, intrigue, and suspense, The Cassandra Curse will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 18, 2023
1 person is currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 30, 2023
Loved this standalone by the author of the Mary Crow mystery series. Worth the wait! Highly recommended.
July 2, 2023
Sallie Bissell’s The Cassandra Curse introduces readers to Augusta Delaney, a portrait painter whose artistic prowess surpasses capturing mere physical appearances. Her ability to peer into the depths of a person’s soul through her art catapults her into a perilous world laden with concealed truths, insatiable desires, and heinous acts of murder. Augusta’s unwavering determination to unearth the whereabouts of her missing twin brother, Jules, entangled with the enigmatic whispers of their attackers, propels her on a harrowing odyssey through the intricate labyrinth of deception and imminent danger.
Bissell’s storytelling acumen shines as she deftly weaves a tale that propels readers on an exhilarating expedition through the dimly lit byways of New York City, delving profoundly into the convoluted psyches of her characters. With a masterful blend of mystery, intrigue, and suspense, the narrative dances on the precipice, compelling readers to remain perched at the edge of their seats, ensnared within its grip, unwilling to relinquish its hold. The author’s skillful manipulation of pace, intermingling moments of introspection, and pulse-pounding action, maintains an exquisite equilibrium that sustains the suspense throughout the journey. At the heart of the narrative lies Augusta Delaney, a resolute and formidable protagonist, propelled by her love for her missing brother and her extraordinary artistic gifts. Bissell meticulously sculpts Augusta’s character, endowing her with strength and unwavering resolve, transforming her into a beacon of tenacity in the face of adversity. With vivid imagery, the author breathes life into the settings, engrossing readers in a vivid tapestry of sights, sounds, and emotions. Bissell’s unparalleled ability to construct tension, carefully tending to its crescendo while deftly preserving its potency, submerges readers entirely within Augusta’s world.
The Cassandra Curse is a suspense-laden masterpiece that captivates readers from its inception until its climactic conclusion. Sallie Bissell’s exceptional storytelling prowess is on full display as she unveils a gripping tale of mystery, intrigue, and deceit. The book’s enthralling exploration of the human psyche and its unrelenting narrative momentum makes this an indispensable addition to the libraries of aficionados of mysteries, thrillers, and narratives that plumb the depths of the human mind. Embark upon this riveting journey, for it promises to seize your imagination.
Bissell’s storytelling acumen shines as she deftly weaves a tale that propels readers on an exhilarating expedition through the dimly lit byways of New York City, delving profoundly into the convoluted psyches of her characters. With a masterful blend of mystery, intrigue, and suspense, the narrative dances on the precipice, compelling readers to remain perched at the edge of their seats, ensnared within its grip, unwilling to relinquish its hold. The author’s skillful manipulation of pace, intermingling moments of introspection, and pulse-pounding action, maintains an exquisite equilibrium that sustains the suspense throughout the journey. At the heart of the narrative lies Augusta Delaney, a resolute and formidable protagonist, propelled by her love for her missing brother and her extraordinary artistic gifts. Bissell meticulously sculpts Augusta’s character, endowing her with strength and unwavering resolve, transforming her into a beacon of tenacity in the face of adversity. With vivid imagery, the author breathes life into the settings, engrossing readers in a vivid tapestry of sights, sounds, and emotions. Bissell’s unparalleled ability to construct tension, carefully tending to its crescendo while deftly preserving its potency, submerges readers entirely within Augusta’s world.
The Cassandra Curse is a suspense-laden masterpiece that captivates readers from its inception until its climactic conclusion. Sallie Bissell’s exceptional storytelling prowess is on full display as she unveils a gripping tale of mystery, intrigue, and deceit. The book’s enthralling exploration of the human psyche and its unrelenting narrative momentum makes this an indispensable addition to the libraries of aficionados of mysteries, thrillers, and narratives that plumb the depths of the human mind. Embark upon this riveting journey, for it promises to seize your imagination.
August 4, 2023
4.5/5 stars, rounded up. A clever, well-written book full of mystery, intrigue, and beauty.
This book was really enjoyable and interesting and clearly well-edited. I originally picked this up because I encountered a patient who was reading it at the hospital, and asked more about the book and found it intriguing. The characters have a lot of depth and I really enjoyed reading about them and exploring them. The ending felt a little dissatisfying but I'm not sure why that is and I think it was just subjective. This is not really a genre that I typically read, so perhaps that's why. I do appreciate that the story ended and the plot wrapped up nicely.
I hugely appreciated the somewhat more realistic recovery from a severe head injury that is portrayed here, with her eventual recovery being seen as miraculous by healthcare providers. A lot of books have people just wake up with no deficits after a severe head injury and no explanation for this kind of wizardy that really does not happen physiologically. This patient had to undergo months of therapy as one would expect to relearn how to live, and had lasting problems from her head injury. The book gives a lot of Stranger Things type vibes with how the story turns out, so if you enjoyed Stranger Things and are looking for something a tad more adult, this book will probably be right up your alley. There's definitely room for a sequel which I think I would also enjoy.
This book was really enjoyable and interesting and clearly well-edited. I originally picked this up because I encountered a patient who was reading it at the hospital, and asked more about the book and found it intriguing. The characters have a lot of depth and I really enjoyed reading about them and exploring them. The ending felt a little dissatisfying but I'm not sure why that is and I think it was just subjective. This is not really a genre that I typically read, so perhaps that's why. I do appreciate that the story ended and the plot wrapped up nicely.
I hugely appreciated the somewhat more realistic recovery from a severe head injury that is portrayed here, with her eventual recovery being seen as miraculous by healthcare providers. A lot of books have people just wake up with no deficits after a severe head injury and no explanation for this kind of wizardy that really does not happen physiologically. This patient had to undergo months of therapy as one would expect to relearn how to live, and had lasting problems from her head injury. The book gives a lot of Stranger Things type vibes with how the story turns out, so if you enjoyed Stranger Things and are looking for something a tad more adult, this book will probably be right up your alley. There's definitely room for a sequel which I think I would also enjoy.
June 19, 2023
The Cassandra Curse
I thoroughly enjoyed the Mary Crow series by Sallie Bissell and wasn’t sure how I would feel about a different character and locale. It didn’t take long to get caught up in the story and connect with the protagonist, however. The author has a way of drawing you in and making even a story like this somewhat believable . I would like to know what happened with Gus and Cal.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Mary Crow series by Sallie Bissell and wasn’t sure how I would feel about a different character and locale. It didn’t take long to get caught up in the story and connect with the protagonist, however. The author has a way of drawing you in and making even a story like this somewhat believable . I would like to know what happened with Gus and Cal.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews