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Devils of the Briar #1
A Twisted Ladder
Psychologist Madeleine LeBlanc has spent her whole career trying to determine the cause of her father's schizophrenia. She always felt that she could unravel its origins and cure the man who left her and her brother, Marc, to practically raise themselves on the Louisiana Bayou. But when Marc takes his own life on a fishing boat in the middle of Bayou Black, Madeleine embarks on a journey into her family history---to a time when the antebellum era was crumbling, and the line between servant and master was starting to fade. And the more she pries the more she reveals her family’s dark past, rife with conjured demons and river magic gone awry. Madeleine’s only hope to save herself is to face the ghosts of the past, the dangers of the present, and the twisted ladder that links them all together.
540 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2009
10 people are currently reading
594 people want to read
About the author
Rhodi Hawk
12 books36 followersRhodi Hawk has been fascinated by storytelling since her earliest memory, when her grandmother read to her from Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens. Rhodi has been reading or writing ever since, and began her career as a transcription linguist in US Army intelligence. She later made a living as a technical writer during the Internet boom, working on her first novel in the early mornings and at night.
Rhodi Hawk won the International Thriller Writers Scholarship for her first work of fiction, A Twisted Ladder.
Rhodi Hawk won the International Thriller Writers Scholarship for her first work of fiction, A Twisted Ladder.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
November 2, 2009
What a disappointment. How this first-time author conned her publisher into a trade paper, I'll never understand. This was a mass market thriller wrapped up in pretty packaging. Hawk attends the Dan Brown School of Dramatic Arc Chapter Construction, flip-flopping two concurrent stories from the 20's and present-day, not according to any parallel narrative, but apparently according to the author's whim. The basic premise showed promise, but when I reached the ridiculous sex scenes, I couldn't give the central plot any more credence.
Here's a line that will haunt this poor new author for the rest of her career. (It appears in the midst of the clunkiest, ugliest sex I've ever endured on the page. Apparently this line is the author's way of saying, "He's about to cum."
..."His face was sweet anticipant."
Really, that line saw print. Even spellcheck warns me this is wrong, and my libido has real issues with it, as well.
Supposedly this dude with sweet anticipant on his face is a neurosurgeon, which Hawk must feel gives the plot a certain intellectual relevance, though the only expertise this guy contributes is to name off a few glands in the brain lifted from a googled anatomy chart.
I've also figured out that first-time authors that put their 6-paragraph list of acknowledgements at the beginning of the book may be code for "Sorry this book kind of sucks, and I'm going to share the blame with these folks."
Here's a line that will haunt this poor new author for the rest of her career. (It appears in the midst of the clunkiest, ugliest sex I've ever endured on the page. Apparently this line is the author's way of saying, "He's about to cum."
..."His face was sweet anticipant."
Really, that line saw print. Even spellcheck warns me this is wrong, and my libido has real issues with it, as well.
Supposedly this dude with sweet anticipant on his face is a neurosurgeon, which Hawk must feel gives the plot a certain intellectual relevance, though the only expertise this guy contributes is to name off a few glands in the brain lifted from a googled anatomy chart.
I've also figured out that first-time authors that put their 6-paragraph list of acknowledgements at the beginning of the book may be code for "Sorry this book kind of sucks, and I'm going to share the blame with these folks."
December 5, 2012
What would you do if you have the power of persuasion? No - I'm not talking about using your feminine wiles to get what you want from your man. I'm talking about power of suggestion. Literally, telling someone to do your will. Imagine the possibilities. Or in this book's case, imagine how many people you could kill.
Set in Louisiana, A Twisted Ladder tells a story of generations of voodoo and madness. LeBlanc's family has a history spanning decades of manipulation, murder and mysticism. It will puzzle you, will make you doubt exactly when a person's ability becomes lunacy as shown in pretty much most of the Madeleine's relatives and even from Madeleine, herself.
It will take you deep into the swamps, tangled in all its deep mysteries and legacies of gore. It will give you a seemingly simple explanation to the mystique of the human mind while incorporating the spiritual essence the region is much more known for.
This was such an interesting change from my usual fare; creepy, and as the title suggests, twisted. But not in the way most of us relates to the word. It's twisted in a way that author intertwined everyone's stories into one dark serving of psychological goodness.
Rhodi Hawk was like that wicked relative you know who'd enticed you to come inside a room only to leave you there alone scared shitless in the darkness.
Set in Louisiana, A Twisted Ladder tells a story of generations of voodoo and madness. LeBlanc's family has a history spanning decades of manipulation, murder and mysticism. It will puzzle you, will make you doubt exactly when a person's ability becomes lunacy as shown in pretty much most of the Madeleine's relatives and even from Madeleine, herself.
It will take you deep into the swamps, tangled in all its deep mysteries and legacies of gore. It will give you a seemingly simple explanation to the mystique of the human mind while incorporating the spiritual essence the region is much more known for.
This was such an interesting change from my usual fare; creepy, and as the title suggests, twisted. But not in the way most of us relates to the word. It's twisted in a way that author intertwined everyone's stories into one dark serving of psychological goodness.
Rhodi Hawk was like that wicked relative you know who'd enticed you to come inside a room only to leave you there alone scared shitless in the darkness.
October 29, 2014
I enjoyed reading this book.
October 23, 2009
This book was absolutely horrible. I'm not sure what the worst part was; the terrible character development, the sloppy flip-flopping between the 1920's and the current time, or the absolutely ridiculous plotline.
The sex scenes in this book were just down-right gross. They added absolutely nothing to the plot, and went on far longer than was necessary.
The fact that Madeline's friends accepted so easily that she was being "mind-controlled" and had the ability to do the same was beyond stupid. They barely questioned her at all.
I realize that this was Rhodi Hawk's first book, and it read like one. Frequent descriptions of things that did nothing to further the plot or set the scene, awkward dialouge and plotlines that didn't blend together made this a difficult book to get through. I kept waiting for it to get better, and it only got worse.
The sex scenes in this book were just down-right gross. They added absolutely nothing to the plot, and went on far longer than was necessary.
The fact that Madeline's friends accepted so easily that she was being "mind-controlled" and had the ability to do the same was beyond stupid. They barely questioned her at all.
I realize that this was Rhodi Hawk's first book, and it read like one. Frequent descriptions of things that did nothing to further the plot or set the scene, awkward dialouge and plotlines that didn't blend together made this a difficult book to get through. I kept waiting for it to get better, and it only got worse.
August 19, 2014
Loved it. A Twisted Ladderhas been called a southern Gothic tale, and although I must admit to not knowing exactly what a southern Gothic tale is, this story had just about everything I like in a story--characters I cared about, a plot that kept me guessing, and a sense of underlying evil poking its head into ordinary people's lives. I won't go into the plot or storyline as you can get that from the Goodreads of Amazon page, but I will say that if you don't mind spending some with an author who isn't afraid to write a lengthy book (527 pages mass market) and who takes her time in letting the story unfold and draw you in, then I highly recommend A Twisted Ladder.
January 6, 2024
I enjoyed A Twisted Ladder, and unlike some reviewers, I didn't find the flashbacks annoying in the least. They could have been better connected with the modern-day storyline, but they gave the reader some background into the family history of characters Chloe, Madeleine, and Daddy Blank.
That said, this book was pretty dense and sometimes a bit repetitive and drawn-out; it could have easily been 100 pages shorter without losing much in the way of substance.
That said, this book was pretty dense and sometimes a bit repetitive and drawn-out; it could have easily been 100 pages shorter without losing much in the way of substance.
November 25, 2009
What a great psychological read! I was drawn to this novel because of the short introduction on the back cover and I’m very happy that I picked it up.
I loved the back-story of family history running parallel with the narrative of current events. There were mysteries within the protagonist’s relatives lives that made this a very interesting story. I was held at attention from the beginning as events unfolded.
The realities of character development in each of us that is affected by genes was totally believable and something that I have thought of many times. I understand what this author represented and feel that she was right on with describing the neurological connections with schizophrenia as well as character changes and control that can be learned to keep oneself balanced emotionally.
This is a book that I will read over and enjoy because of the depth in medical issues related to the mentally disturbed and the reality of suffering with alter egos or aborigines. Her father was suffering with many issues and when the protagonist started uncovering what happened to previous generations, it not only helped her understand him but gave her something to overcome things that were beginning with her. Although it was too late to help her brother who killed himself in the beginning, there was much to learn so that she could master skills in managing her own mind.
A very exciting read that kept me going from the beginning and I recommend it to all those who like a family mystery coupled with suspense. There was torment from demons and some astral projection which was seemed believable fitting in the location of the south. A great novel!
I loved the back-story of family history running parallel with the narrative of current events. There were mysteries within the protagonist’s relatives lives that made this a very interesting story. I was held at attention from the beginning as events unfolded.
The realities of character development in each of us that is affected by genes was totally believable and something that I have thought of many times. I understand what this author represented and feel that she was right on with describing the neurological connections with schizophrenia as well as character changes and control that can be learned to keep oneself balanced emotionally.
This is a book that I will read over and enjoy because of the depth in medical issues related to the mentally disturbed and the reality of suffering with alter egos or aborigines. Her father was suffering with many issues and when the protagonist started uncovering what happened to previous generations, it not only helped her understand him but gave her something to overcome things that were beginning with her. Although it was too late to help her brother who killed himself in the beginning, there was much to learn so that she could master skills in managing her own mind.
A very exciting read that kept me going from the beginning and I recommend it to all those who like a family mystery coupled with suspense. There was torment from demons and some astral projection which was seemed believable fitting in the location of the south. A great novel!
January 5, 2013
Today's review is on A Twisted Ladder by Rhodi Hawk
Ah, New Orleans. The food, the music, and the beautiful plantations. The ghosts, the demons, and of course, the voodoo. It's all there, and it's all here in A Twisted Ladder, along with love, murder, and adultery. Captivating from the first chapter, I stayed up until 3am reading!
What better way to start this fantastic debut than with a brother plotting the murder of his very own sister? That's exactly what Marc has in mind when he calls Madeleine. He has to protect her from what is happening to him before she too is affected. After all, it affects everyone in the family, and there's no escape.
Madeleine LeBlanc is a Psychologist who has pretty much devoted her life to the study of cognitive schizophrenia, the disease that afflicts her father and quite possibly her brother Marc, which resulted in his suicide.
Marc's home is filled with dirt, grime, and papers. Papers that lead Madeleine on a journey through her family's past, and the terrible secrets that lay there. And at the center of the secrets is her astranged great-grandmother Chloe.
Now over 100 years-old, Chloe possesses some sort of magical ability. An ability that she has passed down through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. But while Chloe wants to strengthen this ability, Madeline wants only to understand it and more importantly control it, realizing that schizophrenia wasn't what plagued her family. It's always been the river-demons.
Madeline never really thought about happily-ever-after when she thought about her own life. With Daddy Blank gone most of the time, she and Marc had pretty much raised themselves. But when she falls in love with neurologist Ethan Manderleigh that all changes. But will he stay with her through all of the craziness that her life has become?
A childhood friend has his eyes set on Madeline, and though she doesn't know it yet, he has become a serial killer. She finds out that her brother had a child and kept it a secret from everyone, especially Chloe.
Flashbacks to the past keep the story interesting, though does leave some questions unanswered. Hopefully they'll be answered in the second book, The Tangled Bridge. I can't wait to see what happens next.
4 of 5 stars
Available at Amazon
Ah, New Orleans. The food, the music, and the beautiful plantations. The ghosts, the demons, and of course, the voodoo. It's all there, and it's all here in A Twisted Ladder, along with love, murder, and adultery. Captivating from the first chapter, I stayed up until 3am reading!
What better way to start this fantastic debut than with a brother plotting the murder of his very own sister? That's exactly what Marc has in mind when he calls Madeleine. He has to protect her from what is happening to him before she too is affected. After all, it affects everyone in the family, and there's no escape.
Madeleine LeBlanc is a Psychologist who has pretty much devoted her life to the study of cognitive schizophrenia, the disease that afflicts her father and quite possibly her brother Marc, which resulted in his suicide.
Marc's home is filled with dirt, grime, and papers. Papers that lead Madeleine on a journey through her family's past, and the terrible secrets that lay there. And at the center of the secrets is her astranged great-grandmother Chloe.
Now over 100 years-old, Chloe possesses some sort of magical ability. An ability that she has passed down through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. But while Chloe wants to strengthen this ability, Madeline wants only to understand it and more importantly control it, realizing that schizophrenia wasn't what plagued her family. It's always been the river-demons.
Madeline never really thought about happily-ever-after when she thought about her own life. With Daddy Blank gone most of the time, she and Marc had pretty much raised themselves. But when she falls in love with neurologist Ethan Manderleigh that all changes. But will he stay with her through all of the craziness that her life has become?
A childhood friend has his eyes set on Madeline, and though she doesn't know it yet, he has become a serial killer. She finds out that her brother had a child and kept it a secret from everyone, especially Chloe.
Flashbacks to the past keep the story interesting, though does leave some questions unanswered. Hopefully they'll be answered in the second book, The Tangled Bridge. I can't wait to see what happens next.
4 of 5 stars
Available at Amazon
June 5, 2016
It is easy to see why Hawk's debut novel won the International Thriller Writer's Scholarship (2007) for A Twisted Ladder. The story follows two timelines, linked by one of the central characters, a Creole named Chloe who knows a bit of River magic/VooDoo, but never really claims to be a witch or priestess. In the early portion of the 20th century, Chloe begins as a servant in the house of Rémi and his wife, but she soon gains power, removing the obstacles in Rémi's life and making use of the sugar cane plantation as she sees fit.
Meanwhile, in the 21st century, Chloe is found by her great-grandaughter, psychologist Madeline LeBlanc while she is trying to discover the cause of her brother's suicide and the madness that begins to envelop her own mind. She currently uses her own father as a test subject for a particular and rare form of schizophrenia, but now she and her boyfriend, Ethan, attempt to battle the river devil that has overtaken Madeline, as well as her childhood friend Zenon who is now a serial killer. Her perilous journey reveals more secrets than she cares to discover and places her in danger of being convicted for the crimes in addition to going insane.
Meanwhile, in the 21st century, Chloe is found by her great-grandaughter, psychologist Madeline LeBlanc while she is trying to discover the cause of her brother's suicide and the madness that begins to envelop her own mind. She currently uses her own father as a test subject for a particular and rare form of schizophrenia, but now she and her boyfriend, Ethan, attempt to battle the river devil that has overtaken Madeline, as well as her childhood friend Zenon who is now a serial killer. Her perilous journey reveals more secrets than she cares to discover and places her in danger of being convicted for the crimes in addition to going insane.
February 26, 2013
I really liked this book. It has a sense of menace right from the very beginning, and it's dark and heavy, which reminded me a lot of Anne Rice's books. So many twisting plot elements that I'd feel exhausted after one chapter and want to take a nap - which is why it took me so long to finish this book. I also agree that it takes awhile to get into this book, so if you give up after 50 pages, it's not going to make much sense, because it has a slow build and the author takes her sweet time tying things together, but I did find the characters interesting enough to keep trudging along, and eventually I felt rewarded for my effort. This really is a great, dark, twisted story. At first I loved the narrative about the past and hated the people in the present day part of the story, but as time went on, I warmed to Madeline (not much to Ethan, but I didn't hate him at the end like I had at the beginning, so that's progress I guess).
Yes there are sex scenes in this book, but there's only three of them, so it's not as excessive as some people have complained, and really, they're not that bad. I agree with some of the reviewers on other websites who have said that the sex scenes are painfully unerotic, but I expected the sex scenes with Ethan to be that way, since he's the kind of guy who thinks it's good to come on to a woman with the line "I want to create creatures with you" (no, I am not making that up, he actually said this). The sex scenes with Chloe (set in the past) are kind of...detached, I guess is the best word, and also unerotic, but that's because I don't honestly think Chloe really gave a crap about the men she was having sex with. For her, sex was a means to an end, and in the beginning, the men seem to think they are using her, when in reality, she's using them (she uses everybody around her). I think it fits with the plot of the story and what Chloe was trying to accomplish with her life, so it works for me, though it's kind of icky to watch so many people be manipulated this way. The ending is a kick, too.
I wondered at first if there would be more books, making this a series, or if I'm just going to have to sit with that ending in my head? Either way, this was a good read, and I'm excited to learn that there's a sequel out there, called "A Tangled Bridge," so I can keep reading Madeline's saga.
Yes there are sex scenes in this book, but there's only three of them, so it's not as excessive as some people have complained, and really, they're not that bad. I agree with some of the reviewers on other websites who have said that the sex scenes are painfully unerotic, but I expected the sex scenes with Ethan to be that way, since he's the kind of guy who thinks it's good to come on to a woman with the line "I want to create creatures with you" (no, I am not making that up, he actually said this). The sex scenes with Chloe (set in the past) are kind of...detached, I guess is the best word, and also unerotic, but that's because I don't honestly think Chloe really gave a crap about the men she was having sex with. For her, sex was a means to an end, and in the beginning, the men seem to think they are using her, when in reality, she's using them (she uses everybody around her). I think it fits with the plot of the story and what Chloe was trying to accomplish with her life, so it works for me, though it's kind of icky to watch so many people be manipulated this way. The ending is a kick, too.
I wondered at first if there would be more books, making this a series, or if I'm just going to have to sit with that ending in my head? Either way, this was a good read, and I'm excited to learn that there's a sequel out there, called "A Tangled Bridge," so I can keep reading Madeline's saga.
November 8, 2012
World Building: Fabulously dark and luscious Louisiana Bayous setting with a world of river magic and twisted minds who can do some really cool tricks, I loved this world with a passion and it spoke to my love of dark, creepy-like beauty.
Characters: Well built, strong and charismatic, the bad guys included. I loved Daddy Blank, Madeleine was really cool, and others were very intriguing - Chloe, Zenon. Can't say I was a fan of Ethan, but that's a matter of personal taste. With such tough competition, it would have been near impossible for him to come off as charismatic. They all have a literary feel.
Plot: A beautiful mix of mystery, some paranormal, some romance, a definite thriller and a gothic beauty. I love genre-benders, so to speak, and the story in this book was rich and eventful without becoming too agitated or swallowing up the characters.
Writing: Third person narrative with two story lines. There's the current day story line that includes Madeleine, Daddy Blank, Ethan and co, and there's the '20-s story line that includes Chloe, Rene and their children. While I know some people have the parallel stories pet peeve, I don't, and I enjoyed the way the two stories intertwined and gave each other new perspectives.
Curb Appeal: Very strong, beautiful dark cover, intriguing blurb.
This is a book for adults, themes and circumstances fit for that age group. There are some hot on one scenes, not very graphic (in my opinion) but adult nonetheless and not closed-door style.
All in all, this was a beautiful and consistent read, rich, dark and delicious. I say give it a shot if you like your reads with a pinch of dark.
Butterfly-o-Meter Books
Characters: Well built, strong and charismatic, the bad guys included. I loved Daddy Blank, Madeleine was really cool, and others were very intriguing - Chloe, Zenon. Can't say I was a fan of Ethan, but that's a matter of personal taste. With such tough competition, it would have been near impossible for him to come off as charismatic. They all have a literary feel.
Plot: A beautiful mix of mystery, some paranormal, some romance, a definite thriller and a gothic beauty. I love genre-benders, so to speak, and the story in this book was rich and eventful without becoming too agitated or swallowing up the characters.
Writing: Third person narrative with two story lines. There's the current day story line that includes Madeleine, Daddy Blank, Ethan and co, and there's the '20-s story line that includes Chloe, Rene and their children. While I know some people have the parallel stories pet peeve, I don't, and I enjoyed the way the two stories intertwined and gave each other new perspectives.
Curb Appeal: Very strong, beautiful dark cover, intriguing blurb.
This is a book for adults, themes and circumstances fit for that age group. There are some hot on one scenes, not very graphic (in my opinion) but adult nonetheless and not closed-door style.
All in all, this was a beautiful and consistent read, rich, dark and delicious. I say give it a shot if you like your reads with a pinch of dark.
Butterfly-o-Meter Books
November 15, 2012
Madeleine LeBlanc had become a psychologist to understand and treat her father and brother’s special kind of schizophrenia. Of course she’s worried it’s genetic and she may suffer from it one day, too. What she doesn’t realize is their illness is no such thing and the truth has its roots back in the early 1900’s and deep in Madeleine’s family tree. When Madeleine finds she has more family around than she knew and learns of her deadly legacy, she’s afraid she has gone off the deep end herself. Yet the river magic and the river devils are all too real and don’t like when you ignore their call. Can Madeleine figure out the truth and a way to control the river devil which has entwined itself in her life?
Set in the early 1900s and late 2000s, ‘A Twisted Ladder’ is filled with New Orleans and Creole culture, river magic, and those special beings known as river devils. Murder, suicide, magic, and mental illness all converge into a psychologically spooky tale of what is hidden in the blood. As the story unfolds, the chapters are split between Madeleine’s ancestors in the early 1900s and her life today. The terror runs deep through the brambles as a serial killer emerges from Madeleine’s own childhood. The characters are all very well developed and the author has shown tremendous depth of research into the setting, culture, and magic of New Orleans. The science of mental illness and psychology is also very well described. Truly terrifying and suspenseful, ‘A Twisted Ladder’ is definitely a nail-biter!
Series: A Twisted Ladder (1), The Tangled Bridge (2)
Set in the early 1900s and late 2000s, ‘A Twisted Ladder’ is filled with New Orleans and Creole culture, river magic, and those special beings known as river devils. Murder, suicide, magic, and mental illness all converge into a psychologically spooky tale of what is hidden in the blood. As the story unfolds, the chapters are split between Madeleine’s ancestors in the early 1900s and her life today. The terror runs deep through the brambles as a serial killer emerges from Madeleine’s own childhood. The characters are all very well developed and the author has shown tremendous depth of research into the setting, culture, and magic of New Orleans. The science of mental illness and psychology is also very well described. Truly terrifying and suspenseful, ‘A Twisted Ladder’ is definitely a nail-biter!
Series: A Twisted Ladder (1), The Tangled Bridge (2)
April 20, 2010
I think I am on the fence about this book. I want to say I like it because I was intriqued by it but it left me with too many questions at the end to say it was awesome. Not good questions that make you look to see if there is a sequel but rather question making you think you missed something or that the author forgot about some characters.
Ok, here comes the *spoiler* because I just can't figure out how to be vague....
Like what he heck happened to the rest of Chloe's children?! You know that Marc, Maddy and Zenon are the grandchildren of Marie-Rose (Chloe's youngest) but what happened to Patrice and the twin boys (Chloe's other 3 kids)? Didn't they grow up and have families. There are all these flashbacks to when they are kids and you never find out what happens to them. Heck, last you heard Marie-Rose barley made it out of the briar.
Oh, and there were two story lines, flashes from present day to the 1920s and though the families linked the two stories never quite did as I was expecting.
It felt like there where loose ends but not with the intent of writting a sequel to tie them up, though I may have to look that up and see anyway.
Ok, here comes the *spoiler* because I just can't figure out how to be vague....
Like what he heck happened to the rest of Chloe's children?! You know that Marc, Maddy and Zenon are the grandchildren of Marie-Rose (Chloe's youngest) but what happened to Patrice and the twin boys (Chloe's other 3 kids)? Didn't they grow up and have families. There are all these flashbacks to when they are kids and you never find out what happens to them. Heck, last you heard Marie-Rose barley made it out of the briar.
Oh, and there were two story lines, flashes from present day to the 1920s and though the families linked the two stories never quite did as I was expecting.
It felt like there where loose ends but not with the intent of writting a sequel to tie them up, though I may have to look that up and see anyway.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2012
Hawk’s debut novel makes a strong entrance into a sort of cross-genre market. She blends - and without making it remotely choppy, or discombobulated - historical fiction with contemporary, a murderous serial killer with a hint of the fantastical in the mind-controlling, personal hauntings and Southern-style magic. There’s a hint of the horror genre here as well with some genuinely frightening imagery and some moments of extreme suspense. But it’s nothing that will induce nightmares. There are also a few rather graphic sex scenes, but they are handled well. For a debut novel - and one that covers such a variety of genres - Hawk writes with a lot of polish. Her Louisiana Bayou setting provides the perfect backdrop for this fascinating and enjoyable blend - in fact, the book itself would not be the same set in any other locale. And it will please readers to know that the ominous ending doesn’t mark the end of Madeleine’s story - a sequel (The Tangled Bridge) is planned to be out in the fall of 2012. I know I am definitely looking forward to it!
March 4, 2012
There is much I like about Rhodi Hawk's ambitious debut novel. The sense of place--New Orleans and the surrounding Louisiana bayou country--is strong and delicious. The characters she creates are vibrant, original, and real, and the story takes place both in the present and in the early part of the 20th century.
It's a long book which leads the reader through all sorts of dark corners, both literal and of the human psyche. But like several such books that I can think of, the long and well-crafted build-up leads to a rather disappointing ending, in my opinion. I resent investing so much in terms of both time and interest, only to have it end, not with a bang, but with a whimper, and not only that, but nothing is resolved in the end.
If the end had been worthy of the rest of the book, I would have given it five stars. But it simply isn't. She should have done better by her readers.
It's a long book which leads the reader through all sorts of dark corners, both literal and of the human psyche. But like several such books that I can think of, the long and well-crafted build-up leads to a rather disappointing ending, in my opinion. I resent investing so much in terms of both time and interest, only to have it end, not with a bang, but with a whimper, and not only that, but nothing is resolved in the end.
If the end had been worthy of the rest of the book, I would have given it five stars. But it simply isn't. She should have done better by her readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2017
If James Lee Burke, John Farris, and Flannery O’Connor could somehow collaborate on a novel, they might come up with A Twisted Ladder. Yes, it’s that good. Rhodi Hawk, aware of her roots but stretching the envelope to the limit, has reshaped Southern Gothic and made it her own. Alternately lyrical and disturbing, majestic and profoundly creepy, A Twisted Ladder sings with an unabashed love of the South even while lifting its rocks to reveal the rot and darkness lurking beneath. Murder, rape, incest, hot sex, cold revenge, and a terrible family secret. What more could you want?
September 25, 2019
I've read Southern Gothic novels, interesting thrillers, love stories, epic multi-generational narratives, and eerie tales about devils and invisible children that only one person can see. After reading Rhodi Hawk's A Twisted Ladder, I can say I've read a book that is all of those wrapped into one and sprinkled with a few extras.
You can read Gabino's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
You can read Gabino's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
October 12, 2009
This started out so promising. However, halfway through (and that's a long way in a 500+ page book) it just went down hill for me. My first glimpse of weak writing was the dialoque between MAdeline and Ethan.Cheesy! Also Ethan was a neurologist who frequently used poor grammar. I guess it was supposed to be cute but I hated it. Also, I got sick if Maddies "friend" Severin. I did like the setting and Remy's story. He was my favorite character. I could have taken all the creepiness and weirdness if there had beena point to it all.However, it was weird and pointless. Yuck!
January 12, 2011
An awesome Southern Gothic story of horror, voodoo, insanity and weird river devils. The book takes place in New Orleans. Dr. Madeline Leblanc a psychologist, trying to understand her father Daddy Blank's schizophrenia and her brother Marc's sudden suicide uncovers all kinds of strange family secrets. Rhodi Hawk takes the reader from present day 21st Century to flashbacks of 20th Century lifestyle to uncover these secrets and it keeps the reader hooked to the very last page and wanting to read more. I'm waiting for the sequel.
October 16, 2011
This was a very unique and interesting book! I've not read another story like this. Very original...
The imagery of New Orleans from 1800/1900s and today combined with the depiction of plantation life combined with explanations of mental illness and (something I won't give away because it is somewhat of a spoiler) were just fascinating. It made for a very good read! If you haven't checked it out, you should!
and now, about 12 hours later, I am revising my rating (from 3 to 4 stars) & review because the more I think about this book today, the more I like it! It is a great story!
The imagery of New Orleans from 1800/1900s and today combined with the depiction of plantation life combined with explanations of mental illness and (something I won't give away because it is somewhat of a spoiler) were just fascinating. It made for a very good read! If you haven't checked it out, you should!
and now, about 12 hours later, I am revising my rating (from 3 to 4 stars) & review because the more I think about this book today, the more I like it! It is a great story!
February 6, 2016
The story of Madeleine, a psychologist, who wants to help people like her father who have schizophrenia. Abandoned by him various times through childhood, she seeks to understand why. Her brother Marc commits suicide and soon she is entangled in her family's past trying to understand what it is that haunts them. Interesting thoughts on the mind in this book. Also, the author does an excellent job with setting description of the mangrove swamps and bayou. It felt like I was right there with Madeleine.
October 26, 2009
Oh my goodness...I can think of a handful of you guys who love this book - at first I was attracted to it due to its gothic qualities but then you add the local touch - characters traveling to Vacherie to get medical treatment!...it's worth the read, I think - still trying not to compare the author to Anne Rice...it's close, though.
FINALLY FINISHED IT - and yes, I would recommend it, particularly to those who love the 'Louisiana' novel complete with spookiness and inexplicable events.
FINALLY FINISHED IT - and yes, I would recommend it, particularly to those who love the 'Louisiana' novel complete with spookiness and inexplicable events.
February 8, 2011
Very slow read. I find it hard to keep interested. Good story line. Bounces back and forth in time from early 1900s Creole/post-slavery to present time. 2/3 through the book and i'm still waiting for something to happen.
thank god! it's finally over. had a hard time trudging through this one. nothing like i was expecting based on the back cover description. the story line bounced all over and never really congealed. save your time on this one.
thank god! it's finally over. had a hard time trudging through this one. nothing like i was expecting based on the back cover description. the story line bounced all over and never really congealed. save your time on this one.
March 22, 2011
As psychologist 'Madeline LeBlanc' strives to find answers to the demons that plague her family, she must also look back some 80 years earlier to determine whether its origins are rooted in the "black magic" of the Louisiana bayous or mired in the depths of true madness--or perhaps a dealy mixture of both. In the midst of this familial self-examination, she must explain to the police why she keeps finding dead bodies and how it is that she actually knows who killed them.
November 17, 2009
I honestly had no idea where this book was going and that doesn't happen too often. I enjoyed the back and forth between the two time periods though I did find the fact that you didn't necessarily learn anything a bit frustrating. No true answers are provided which I hope is intentional and not a fault of imagination on the author's part. All in all I enjoyed the ride.
September 12, 2010
Southern Creole Gothic at it's best! Hawk's 1st effort is an exciting story of voodoo, genes and a psychological thriller. The Le Blanc family is loaded with possessed loonies, including Madeleine, the psychologist, turned murder suspect, who overcomes all her demons to pursue the real story of her father's and families deep, dark secrets! A real page turner.
November 16, 2010
I liked this book. There wasn't very many parts where I felt like burning the book, which to me means it was a fairly good book. It was slightly creepy in that, "Am I going to start seeing people?" kind of way, but I mostly liked the book because I like the psychological aspect of it, not really the plot. Pretty good though anyway.
April 28, 2010
A face paced book that jumps from the early 1900's to present day with the best of both worlds and characters that transend time. It plays with a little bit of black magic and the perils of of schizophenia. It kept me wanting to read all 500 plus pages as quickly as possible.
June 20, 2018
A beautiful blend of supernatural mystery/suspense, local flavor, and history. I ordered the next book when I was about halfway through this one. The sex scenes are a little clunky, but there aren't very many of them, and the rest of the writing flows well, making it an enjoyable read.
December 31, 2009
Started out slow, then got interesting, then totally nose dived. Cannot believe I finished it. Voodoo, river devils, gris-gris. Horrible.
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