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When Marion Garver arrives at the Thorne mansion, her presence sets into motion a downward spiral of one of the most prominent families in Virginia. While her dear father lay dying, Marion's mother informs her that their desperate situation calls for an even more desperate measure. Her mother tells her she must assume a fake last name and accept a governess position with the Thorne’s, a mysterious family whose patriarch, Gabriel, is known around town for his taste in fine tobacco and his ferocious temper. Everyone suspects Gabriel may be responsible for his young wife’s death years before. After delving further into the dark history of the family, Marion not only believes the suspicions but begins to unearth secrets of her why her mother made her assume a fake last name, what happened between her family and the Thorne’s years before, and even the true identity of Thorne’s eldest son, Loren. Armed with these disturbing truths, Marion must decide where to turn. Should she stay with the Thorne’s and risk her own life in order to save her family? Or should she escape the twisting trap that binds her at the Thorne estate and return home, leaving behind the promise of a new love and guaranteeing her family’s destruction? Her final decision is one that echoes with tragedy; a decision that will haunt them all forever.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2011
20 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Angela Darling
23 books20 followersAngela Darling is a novelist who lives in the Seattle area. Dubbed “The Queen of the Macabre,” her novels are richly infused with history, romance and dark gothic horror. Her biggest writing influences include Edgar Allan Poe, V.C. Andrews, Shirley Jackson and JRR Tolkien.
She has been writing for over 30 years, completing her first full-length novel, “War” when she was just 15 years old.
She has been writing for over 30 years, completing her first full-length novel, “War” when she was just 15 years old.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 22, 2012
I should start this review by stating that I really think that Angela Darling possesses talent and has extreme potential in transforming into a stellar author.
The book is about a woman named Marion who assumes another identity when she takes a job as governess to ultimate patriarch, Gabriel Thorne's young daughter. Throw in a family mystery, two handsome adult sons of Gabriel, a bloody first chapter and you honestly have a great novel in concept alone. There were chapters which were simply page-turners as Marion moved about the creepy mansion with a limited amount of time or would run into mysterious characters. Loren's character, one of the brothers who faces constant rejection from his father, was developed extremely well and I felt an inordinate amount of sympathy for the poor guy.
Where it comes short is that at times, there were areas that were relatively contrived and honestly a little juvenile. For example, our heroine just happens to fall into the arms of one of the brothers. We've seen it in movies and in sitcoms, but can many of us profess to have experienced such a stereotypical event in our younger days filled with romantically awkward follies? The relationship between Marion and Cade also seemed unrealistic as they hadn't really interacted. In addition, the resolution with Marion's brother also fell short. I felt pretty robbed by the end of the book when it is discovered what became of Graeme. Had the parents known?!?
Lastly, there were quite a few editorial mistakes - none were too severe but one. For the majority of the book, there's an emphasis placed on the fact that Cade's eyes are green. Well, not just green but Mediterranean green. Somehow towards the final chapters, his eyes are suddenly blue. Normally I wouldn't really have noticed; however, the author had made a point earlier in the novel to make it clear to us how green those eyes of his were. Nothing a good editor couldn't have fixed.
The author just released a prequel to the book which revolves around Gabriel, Admittedly, I am hesitant to read it as it seems unnecessary. I got my resolution with Gabriel - how he came to be so disconnected, so angered by his wife, the hatred he suddently felt towards his once beloved son. I'm also turned off by the title as it seems too...whimsical and juvenile.
Angela Darling can undoubtedly tell a story. The woman has extraordinary talent to spin a wonderful and engaging tale. Would I read another of her books? With the exception of the prequel, of course. With some editing and a good sound board, she could truly become a tremendous author.
The book is about a woman named Marion who assumes another identity when she takes a job as governess to ultimate patriarch, Gabriel Thorne's young daughter. Throw in a family mystery, two handsome adult sons of Gabriel, a bloody first chapter and you honestly have a great novel in concept alone. There were chapters which were simply page-turners as Marion moved about the creepy mansion with a limited amount of time or would run into mysterious characters. Loren's character, one of the brothers who faces constant rejection from his father, was developed extremely well and I felt an inordinate amount of sympathy for the poor guy.
Where it comes short is that at times, there were areas that were relatively contrived and honestly a little juvenile. For example, our heroine just happens to fall into the arms of one of the brothers. We've seen it in movies and in sitcoms, but can many of us profess to have experienced such a stereotypical event in our younger days filled with romantically awkward follies? The relationship between Marion and Cade also seemed unrealistic as they hadn't really interacted. In addition, the resolution with Marion's brother also fell short. I felt pretty robbed by the end of the book when it is discovered what became of Graeme. Had the parents known?!?
Lastly, there were quite a few editorial mistakes - none were too severe but one. For the majority of the book, there's an emphasis placed on the fact that Cade's eyes are green. Well, not just green but Mediterranean green. Somehow towards the final chapters, his eyes are suddenly blue. Normally I wouldn't really have noticed; however, the author had made a point earlier in the novel to make it clear to us how green those eyes of his were. Nothing a good editor couldn't have fixed.
The author just released a prequel to the book which revolves around Gabriel, Admittedly, I am hesitant to read it as it seems unnecessary. I got my resolution with Gabriel - how he came to be so disconnected, so angered by his wife, the hatred he suddently felt towards his once beloved son. I'm also turned off by the title as it seems too...whimsical and juvenile.
Angela Darling can undoubtedly tell a story. The woman has extraordinary talent to spin a wonderful and engaging tale. Would I read another of her books? With the exception of the prequel, of course. With some editing and a good sound board, she could truly become a tremendous author.
January 5, 2012
You can read my review by clicking on the link below:
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Want to read
February 16, 2012Free on kindle today 2/16/12
March 23, 2012
I think I might just have to read the next book in the saga !
April 6, 2017
If your into terrible endings, please read this
Very interesting story, great characters, BUT...HORRIBLE ENDING. I felt like after all of the mystery and suspense...getting into this long drawn out tale...it was over in in an instant. Not to mention the ending was AWFUL! Very disappointing
Very interesting story, great characters, BUT...HORRIBLE ENDING. I felt like after all of the mystery and suspense...getting into this long drawn out tale...it was over in in an instant. Not to mention the ending was AWFUL! Very disappointing
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews