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Nell West/Michael Flint #6
The Bell Tower
“The haunted-house theme is one of the most venerable in the genre, and Rayne has given it new life in this series, drawing again and again on the secrets contained within structures built originally to keep us safe”
Booklist Starred Review
A 400-year-old crime continues to menace the present in this spine-chilling tale of supernatural suspense.
When Nell West starts extending her Oxford antiques shop, she is not expecting to uncover strange fragments of its fragments that include a frightened message scribbled on old plasterwork, dated 1850 and referring to someone called Thaisa.
She also uncovers a mysterious link with a village on the Dorset coast – a village with an ancient bell tower and dark memories of a piece of music known locally as Thaisa’s Song. The sea is gradually encroaching on the derelict tower, but the old Glaum Bell still hangs in the lonely bell chamber and although it was silenced after an act of appalling brutality during the reign of Henry VIII, local people whisper that its chime is still occasionally heard.
As Nell and Michael Flint discover, the tower is mysteriously entangled with the story of Thaisa and a 400-year-old tragedy that has echoed down the centuries.
Booklist Starred Review
A 400-year-old crime continues to menace the present in this spine-chilling tale of supernatural suspense.
When Nell West starts extending her Oxford antiques shop, she is not expecting to uncover strange fragments of its fragments that include a frightened message scribbled on old plasterwork, dated 1850 and referring to someone called Thaisa.
She also uncovers a mysterious link with a village on the Dorset coast – a village with an ancient bell tower and dark memories of a piece of music known locally as Thaisa’s Song. The sea is gradually encroaching on the derelict tower, but the old Glaum Bell still hangs in the lonely bell chamber and although it was silenced after an act of appalling brutality during the reign of Henry VIII, local people whisper that its chime is still occasionally heard.
As Nell and Michael Flint discover, the tower is mysteriously entangled with the story of Thaisa and a 400-year-old tragedy that has echoed down the centuries.
240 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2016
10 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Rayne
47 books308 followersAka Frances Gordon, Bridget Wood
After a convent education, which included writing plays for the Lower Third to perform, Sarah Rayne embarked on a variety of jobs, but - probably inevitably - returned again and again to writing. Her first novel appeared in 1982, and since then her books have also been published in America, Holland and Germany.
The daughter of an Irish comedy actor, she was for many years active in amateur theatre, and lists among her hobbies, theatre, history, music, and old houses - much of her inspiration comes from old buildings and their histories and atmospheres. To these interests, she adds ghosts and ghost stories, and - having grown up in the Sixties - good conversation around a well-stocked dinner table.
After a convent education, which included writing plays for the Lower Third to perform, Sarah Rayne embarked on a variety of jobs, but - probably inevitably - returned again and again to writing. Her first novel appeared in 1982, and since then her books have also been published in America, Holland and Germany.
The daughter of an Irish comedy actor, she was for many years active in amateur theatre, and lists among her hobbies, theatre, history, music, and old houses - much of her inspiration comes from old buildings and their histories and atmospheres. To these interests, she adds ghosts and ghost stories, and - having grown up in the Sixties - good conversation around a well-stocked dinner table.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
October 31, 2015
I've heard of Sarah Rayne before but never read any of her books. It seemed like a perfect opportunity to give one of them a try. What I found was a quite enjoyable mix of contemporary and historical British fiction, with a touch of the supernatural and suspense and a vast amount of "recovered" manuscripts from the 16th and 19th centuries, used to forward the plot. I enjoyed this dip into the past, the time of the dissolution of the monasteries, which figures into the history of the titular Bell Tower which is almost a character itself. The contemporary characters, Nell and Michael, live in Oxford and become swept up in the events of the past due to two events, purchasing a new property in Oxford and attending in a Revels anniversary in a small town, Rede Abbas.
If you enjoy such a mix of genres, with this mix of the current and historic and some artfully (as it seemed to me) recreated "historic documents," then this may well be a book for you. It is definitely a very enjoyable break from some of the more heavy reading I have been involved with lately.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
If you enjoy such a mix of genres, with this mix of the current and historic and some artfully (as it seemed to me) recreated "historic documents," then this may well be a book for you. It is definitely a very enjoyable break from some of the more heavy reading I have been involved with lately.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
September 22, 2020
Sarah Rayne's Nell West and Michael Flint series have all been very engaging and interesting Gothic thrillers. The Bell Tower which is book 6 in the series can be read as stand alone but for some character developments which can be understood only if the books are read in order.
There are 3 parts to the story, the present with Nell and Michael, 2nd part in the 1500's with Thaisa and Father Seamus Flannery and the 3rd part in the 1800's with Brother Andrew and Theodora. All 3 segments of the story had enough mystery with a bit of supernatural element adding to the whole Gothic and spooky thrill. Sarah Rayne has followed a similar pattern as her previous books, there's no actual unraveling of the clues by Nell or Michael, everything can be read in detail from the varied historical accounts or diaries/journals that have been preserved, but none of the journal entries has any distinguishing difference in eras so everything feels like a jumbled mess. I wish there was at least a minuscule difference between Thaisa's and Andrew's journals. The character of Maeve was bit confusing and her reasoning felt out of sorts.
I am sad this wonderful series has come to an end but I dearly loved Michael and Nell and even Wilberforce whose antics were really fun to read.
There are 3 parts to the story, the present with Nell and Michael, 2nd part in the 1500's with Thaisa and Father Seamus Flannery and the 3rd part in the 1800's with Brother Andrew and Theodora. All 3 segments of the story had enough mystery with a bit of supernatural element adding to the whole Gothic and spooky thrill. Sarah Rayne has followed a similar pattern as her previous books, there's no actual unraveling of the clues by Nell or Michael, everything can be read in detail from the varied historical accounts or diaries/journals that have been preserved, but none of the journal entries has any distinguishing difference in eras so everything feels like a jumbled mess. I wish there was at least a minuscule difference between Thaisa's and Andrew's journals. The character of Maeve was bit confusing and her reasoning felt out of sorts.
I am sad this wonderful series has come to an end but I dearly loved Michael and Nell and even Wilberforce whose antics were really fun to read.
November 1, 2015
Never read the author before, but this seemed like a fairly appropriate read for October 31st and fairly appropriate it was. Turns out it's part of a series, it's actually #6 in a series, although it read ok as a standalone. Small English town with its secrets going back centuries, not a new theme, but there again England has so much history and so much of either is, or can easily be made, spooky. Even a sing will do. Thing is...the book reads very much like horror lite or cozy horror, it's British so it can't help being quaint to a certain extent, but here it seems to be primarily the genuine atmosphere as in let's have a cuppa while waiting for the police to arrive to the murder scene. There was also too many story lines, diaries and diaries within diaries, all done in the same font to distract the eye and the same style to distract the mind, despite being set 100s of years apart and written by different individuals, genders, ages, etc. Strong setting and the writing is competent, the author's had plenty of experience, and if someone likes their scares mostly (with a few genuinely unsettling exceptions) mild, this would be just the thing. Perfectly decent, perfectly nice, far from great, but entertains sufficiently and reads quickly. Thanks Netgalley.
March 13, 2026
This book ended beautifully. Catalepsy is a fascinating but also deeply unfortunate situation. Nowadays there must be some sort of treatment for this disorder, but back in the day people with catalepsy ended up being buried alive which often ended in genuine death. Like Mya Gosling of Good Tickle Brain said, "Don't rush to dispose; it might just be repose." How many prematurely buried people actually used those bells? Anyway, this was a very good book.
November 11, 2015
Nell West is doubling the size of her Oxford antique shop, and there are some odd lights and sounds at night. Then some plaster removal reveals writing on a wall, and a diary is found under the floor boards.
Meanwhile, in tiny Rede Abbas, they are reviving the Revels that date back to at least Tudor times. They hope to include a song called “Thaisa’s Song”, but cannot find a score for it. Maeve Eynon, owner of Cliff House which lies near the old abbey, which has mostly fallen into the sea, advises them to not even think about using the song if they find it, as bad things happen whenever it is heard. She’s just the local hermit, though, so no one pays any attention to her opinion.
Nell and her partner, Michael, make plans to meet at the Revels, which Nell’s daughter, Beth, is attending with her school class. Things go awry, though, when Nell goes for a walk on her own and meets Maeve by the old bell tower. In the meantime, people are working at translating the book beneath the floor, and some old papers in Rede Abbas have been discovered and brought to the attention of the librarian; these things explain the evil goings on at the abbey, the bell tower- which is submerged most of the way at high tide- and Cliff House.
As all the bits and pieces are finally put together, it turns out to be a sad story of murder, people having sex with folks they weren’t supposed to have sex with, a genetic disorder, and people getting a little bit crazy living alone with the past. There is a small supernatural element, but it’s very minor next to doings of the living. The tale runs from the 16th century to the 21st, and includes agents of Henry VIII on their quest to shut down Catholic religious houses and take any wealth they had, landowners who think they can do what they want with the people who lived on their land (which, in fact, they could back then), attempted murder, and that odd song.
I was disappointed. The story was fractured by jumping around through three points in time without a clear indication of which time period it was in. Much of the story was told through diaries, and it was sometimes hard to tell who and when the writer was. Having Nell and Michael be in both the Oxford building and at Rede Abbas is quite a coincidence. Some things are never explained- like where Thaisa’s song originally came from and why the bell was frightening to people. And I never felt a sense of creepiness or horror; bad things happened, but it was all kind of… cozy? It didn’t do what I feel horror should do.
Meanwhile, in tiny Rede Abbas, they are reviving the Revels that date back to at least Tudor times. They hope to include a song called “Thaisa’s Song”, but cannot find a score for it. Maeve Eynon, owner of Cliff House which lies near the old abbey, which has mostly fallen into the sea, advises them to not even think about using the song if they find it, as bad things happen whenever it is heard. She’s just the local hermit, though, so no one pays any attention to her opinion.
Nell and her partner, Michael, make plans to meet at the Revels, which Nell’s daughter, Beth, is attending with her school class. Things go awry, though, when Nell goes for a walk on her own and meets Maeve by the old bell tower. In the meantime, people are working at translating the book beneath the floor, and some old papers in Rede Abbas have been discovered and brought to the attention of the librarian; these things explain the evil goings on at the abbey, the bell tower- which is submerged most of the way at high tide- and Cliff House.
As all the bits and pieces are finally put together, it turns out to be a sad story of murder, people having sex with folks they weren’t supposed to have sex with, a genetic disorder, and people getting a little bit crazy living alone with the past. There is a small supernatural element, but it’s very minor next to doings of the living. The tale runs from the 16th century to the 21st, and includes agents of Henry VIII on their quest to shut down Catholic religious houses and take any wealth they had, landowners who think they can do what they want with the people who lived on their land (which, in fact, they could back then), attempted murder, and that odd song.
I was disappointed. The story was fractured by jumping around through three points in time without a clear indication of which time period it was in. Much of the story was told through diaries, and it was sometimes hard to tell who and when the writer was. Having Nell and Michael be in both the Oxford building and at Rede Abbas is quite a coincidence. Some things are never explained- like where Thaisa’s song originally came from and why the bell was frightening to people. And I never felt a sense of creepiness or horror; bad things happened, but it was all kind of… cozy? It didn’t do what I feel horror should do.
January 20, 2020
Rayne's stand-alone novels are marvelous: atmospheric and creepy as hell. Also, historically interesting. This series is different from those in multiple ways, not least of which is that they manage to maintain a creep factor but also somehow they're cozy. There's the romance and developing relationship, there's the cute kid, there's the adventures of Wilberforce. Thankfully no recipes, but yes, they are cozy horror, which is not a thing I ever considered before. I only know of one other author who has done such a thing: Deborah Grabien's Haunted Ballad series is similar in mood and charm. I love those, too.
Anyway, a good book to have on hand as I continue to fight this ongoing plague or whatever it is. Comforting and cozy are good for me. Now I'm going to take Moomin Midwinter to bed with me, because I need more cozy charm. Stupid germs.
Library copy
Anyway, a good book to have on hand as I continue to fight this ongoing plague or whatever it is. Comforting and cozy are good for me. Now I'm going to take Moomin Midwinter to bed with me, because I need more cozy charm. Stupid germs.
Library copy
January 9, 2016
I love haunted houses, ghosts, and Gothic settings, so this book had a strong initial appeal for me. Unfortunately, the story felt like too much of a jumbled mess. I couldn't find any footing, and never felt any connection to the characters.
My immediate problem early on with this book, and one that did not resolve itself, was that I didn't know who any of these people were. There is a complete lack of character development throughout. Basic things, like general ages and characters' relationships to one another, are often not even hinted at. For instance, throughout most of the book, the closest I could come to figuring out the age of Nell's daughter, Beth, was somewhere between 8 and 18. She was celebrating a birthday, but which birthday? Random names would pop up and I'd have no idea who the people were or why they mattered.
In fairness, I did not know this was part of a series when I initially chose it to read. So maybe there is a lot of character development in earlier books, and the author simply chooses to rely on readers to know her characters. If that's the case, then this absolutely does not work as a stand-alone.
Then we have the content, which is either several vaguely connected plots or one jumbled plot that bounces around throughout hundreds of years. I'm not sure which was the intent here. The story is disconnected and, for me, felt like riding a carousel in quicksand. I was dizzy, drowning in individual grains of fragmented story pieces, and, ultimately, just wanted off the ride.
The story is told using a variety of methods, including journals Nell stumbles upon and "reads", and an immense amount of e-mails from people I didn't know to other people I didn't know. The journal entries are from long ago, having to do with the Bell Tower and Thaisa’s Song. I actually found this to be the most compelling part of the story. I wish the author had chosen to simply write this as a historical novel, with that as the only plot. The e-mails bored me. I didn't care about the people sending and receiving, because I didn't know them at all. There was nothing compelling about them, and I felt the information could have been conveyed in a more interesting way, keeping in line with the present story and Nell's character.
To further complicate the main, modern day plot, the e-mails, and the journals, we have another aspect of this wide-reaching story, featuring someone named Maeve, who simply appears, and we're left to figure out what century she's from, who she is, and why her part in all this is significant to Nell's story. To sum up my feelings in one word: Discombobulated.
There is the thread of a great story here. The execution just did not work for me.
*I was given an advanced ebook copy by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.*
My immediate problem early on with this book, and one that did not resolve itself, was that I didn't know who any of these people were. There is a complete lack of character development throughout. Basic things, like general ages and characters' relationships to one another, are often not even hinted at. For instance, throughout most of the book, the closest I could come to figuring out the age of Nell's daughter, Beth, was somewhere between 8 and 18. She was celebrating a birthday, but which birthday? Random names would pop up and I'd have no idea who the people were or why they mattered.
In fairness, I did not know this was part of a series when I initially chose it to read. So maybe there is a lot of character development in earlier books, and the author simply chooses to rely on readers to know her characters. If that's the case, then this absolutely does not work as a stand-alone.
Then we have the content, which is either several vaguely connected plots or one jumbled plot that bounces around throughout hundreds of years. I'm not sure which was the intent here. The story is disconnected and, for me, felt like riding a carousel in quicksand. I was dizzy, drowning in individual grains of fragmented story pieces, and, ultimately, just wanted off the ride.
The story is told using a variety of methods, including journals Nell stumbles upon and "reads", and an immense amount of e-mails from people I didn't know to other people I didn't know. The journal entries are from long ago, having to do with the Bell Tower and Thaisa’s Song. I actually found this to be the most compelling part of the story. I wish the author had chosen to simply write this as a historical novel, with that as the only plot. The e-mails bored me. I didn't care about the people sending and receiving, because I didn't know them at all. There was nothing compelling about them, and I felt the information could have been conveyed in a more interesting way, keeping in line with the present story and Nell's character.
To further complicate the main, modern day plot, the e-mails, and the journals, we have another aspect of this wide-reaching story, featuring someone named Maeve, who simply appears, and we're left to figure out what century she's from, who she is, and why her part in all this is significant to Nell's story. To sum up my feelings in one word: Discombobulated.
There is the thread of a great story here. The execution just did not work for me.
*I was given an advanced ebook copy by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.*
November 27, 2015
Nell West has finally managed to sort out extending her shop and workmen are busy renovating the place. After some plaster has been stripped off she finds a chilling message scribbled on the wall in 1850. She uncovers a link with a village in Dorset, a mysterious piece of music called Thaisia's song and a derelict bell tower with a silenced bell which is occasionally heard to ring by the villagers.
All these ingredients make a chilling story in the hands of this excellent author and it is a story definitely not to be read when you're in the house on your own late at night. I have read and enjoyed several of Sarah Rayne's books featuring Michael Flint, Wilberforce the cat, Nell West and her daughter Beth. This one is equally enjoyable and will raise the hairs on the back of your neck.
If you enjoy stories with s supernatural element and with interesting characters then this book and this series may be for you. The books are well written and well plotted and the historical details are always interesting. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review.
All these ingredients make a chilling story in the hands of this excellent author and it is a story definitely not to be read when you're in the house on your own late at night. I have read and enjoyed several of Sarah Rayne's books featuring Michael Flint, Wilberforce the cat, Nell West and her daughter Beth. This one is equally enjoyable and will raise the hairs on the back of your neck.
If you enjoy stories with s supernatural element and with interesting characters then this book and this series may be for you. The books are well written and well plotted and the historical details are always interesting. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review.
May 15, 2017
This novel continues as entry #6 in the Nell West series and we catch up with Nell and Michael a little after the events of “Deadlight Hall”. In this story, Nell returns as the primary character with Michael returning to the secondary research investigation role. I really enjoyed the author's ability to switch back and forth making two strong protagonists, that’s strengths differ and keep the series fresh and alive. Returning to Nell’s perspective as a primary character gave this story a new refreshing take and also allowed Nell as a character to really develop more. It was also interesting that Nell’s daughter Beth featured a bit more in this story and is a little more grown up in this book. Great use of character progression.
In this story, Nell has bought the shop next door and is working on and extension. When some old plaster is removed Nell finds a hidden message on the wall referring to someone called Thaisa. This leads Neil on a chain of discovery where she uncovers a link with a village in Dorset (where her daughter is holidaying this summer), a mysterious piece of music called Thaisia's song and a derelict bell tower with a silenced bell. The story is told from a variety of historical sources and also from the view of an old woman living the life of a recluse. She is desperate to protect her family’s secrets at all costs.
As with all Sarah Rayne books, her plotting is brilliant, she lays many, many, threads for the reader to follow and then brilliantly weaves them all together. It did take me a little longer than normal to get into this book. I think there was a little less mystery than others in this series and this was quite a dark storyline. I do like that Rayne still experiments in her writing and tries out many characters’ viewpoints.
I think Rayne has done a great job of developing Michael and Nell’s personal relationship too. For returning readers it is handled very well and the progression can be seen, but it’s also not distracting and confusing for first-time readers. For those that haven’t discovered the Nell West collection, I would suggest these novels are quite similarly written to Phil Rickman’s work; old story exposed, great characters and slightly eerie. The books are well written and well plotted and the historical details are always interesting.
Please leave a like if you think my review/feedback of the item was helpful to you. Alternatively, please contact me if you want me to clarify something in my review.
In this story, Nell has bought the shop next door and is working on and extension. When some old plaster is removed Nell finds a hidden message on the wall referring to someone called Thaisa. This leads Neil on a chain of discovery where she uncovers a link with a village in Dorset (where her daughter is holidaying this summer), a mysterious piece of music called Thaisia's song and a derelict bell tower with a silenced bell. The story is told from a variety of historical sources and also from the view of an old woman living the life of a recluse. She is desperate to protect her family’s secrets at all costs.
As with all Sarah Rayne books, her plotting is brilliant, she lays many, many, threads for the reader to follow and then brilliantly weaves them all together. It did take me a little longer than normal to get into this book. I think there was a little less mystery than others in this series and this was quite a dark storyline. I do like that Rayne still experiments in her writing and tries out many characters’ viewpoints.
I think Rayne has done a great job of developing Michael and Nell’s personal relationship too. For returning readers it is handled very well and the progression can be seen, but it’s also not distracting and confusing for first-time readers. For those that haven’t discovered the Nell West collection, I would suggest these novels are quite similarly written to Phil Rickman’s work; old story exposed, great characters and slightly eerie. The books are well written and well plotted and the historical details are always interesting.
Please leave a like if you think my review/feedback of the item was helpful to you. Alternatively, please contact me if you want me to clarify something in my review.
July 1, 2023
"This is the place to which I should have fled all those months ago. Because there are places in the world - soul places, I have heard them called - which the mind recognizes and to which the body and the soul are irresistibly called."
The Bell Tower is the 6th installment of the Flint and West haunted house series by Sarah Rayne. While deeply embedded in the modern world, the historical elements and the believability of the ghosts is unlike others of the genre. I read this book in a day. I couldn't put it down. Even in those moments where the story poked me in emotional wounds, and made me cry, I couldn't stop reading. Highly recommended for those who are looking for gentle, classic ghost stories.
The Bell Tower is the 6th installment of the Flint and West haunted house series by Sarah Rayne. While deeply embedded in the modern world, the historical elements and the believability of the ghosts is unlike others of the genre. I read this book in a day. I couldn't put it down. Even in those moments where the story poked me in emotional wounds, and made me cry, I couldn't stop reading. Highly recommended for those who are looking for gentle, classic ghost stories.
July 4, 2019
I quite enjoyed reading this book, however it all gets rather depressing towards the end. I was hoping for a spooky book but this one leaves you feeling a sense of despair rather than spooked. There are parts in it that are creepy and made me jump and it was a good enough to keep me reading but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. The writing style also feels quite disjointed at times. So overall, not great but not terrible either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2017
So great to visit with Michael, Nell, Beth, and even Wilberforce in the sixth installment of this series! These books are meticulously researched, incredibly atmospheric, and reliably spooky. I'll keep reading the books in this series as long as Sarah Rayne keeps writing them!
June 25, 2018
it appears this is the last book in the series, which is sad for me as I love these characters so much. but I like the ending.
the histories Rayne is able to write, create & weave always excite me. I couldn't put this one down!
the histories Rayne is able to write, create & weave always excite me. I couldn't put this one down!
March 25, 2018
Interesting read - i found this author as recommended from Good reads and I couldn’t put it down. Interesting and a bit weird.
January 28, 2020
Action switches between Oxford and the Dorset coast. Past and present interwoven by diaries and a mysterious song. The lives of past monks on the coast are examined.
September 20, 2022
The historic pieces were the well written parts. The rest felt like a vehicle to tell that story.
February 17, 2023
Really good book, read this really quickly as it was interesting
September 18, 2017
I couldn't engage with this book, perhaps because I had not read others in the series and didn't know the characters. I know that part of my disappointment stemmed from the fact that much of the book is written as correspondence between the characters, and those letters are presented in a type size only about 75% the size of the rest of the text.
November 22, 2015
I definitely enjoyed reading this story but it is a bit complicated. It was all connected to Quires Court which Nell and Michael are having renovated from two shops into one large antiques shop and apartment in Oxford and a bell tower and monastery in the village of Rebe Abbas in Dorset. This story is told from a document from 1538, on to a rewriting of documents made in 1850, then to the extremely restrictive life lived by a woman trying to hide a family secret, and then having everything tied up in modern times. If you don't keep track carefully, you might find yourself getting lost along the storyline. You might also find yourself wondering which Thaisa and which Theodora you are reading about since the names are passed down through generations. When you come right down to it, most of this story took place in the past and only connected up with Nell, Beth, and Michael by a very circuitous route.
This is the second novel I've read by Sarah Rayne and I did enjoy it, but this isn't so much a haunted house mystery as a haunted history of the characters involved in the 1538 segment of the book, then moving forward. The modern times revolve around a clause found in the new least signed for the enlarged premises of the antiques shop at Quires Court which mentions monks asserting their right to hold St. Benedicts Revels. After doing some research it was found that a modern version of the revels is going to be held as the Rebe Abbas Revels in Rebe Abbas, Dorset which will be attended by one of Beth's classes so Nell and Michael decide to go enjoy the weekend also. Before leaving Oxford Nell finds unsettling words carved into the stone wall when renovators remove the plaster. Her curiosity is piqued for who Theodora was and why she scratched the plea regarding Thaisa's fate into the stone in October 1850. The connections to Thaisa's song continue in Rebe Abbas with Nell West unwittingly disturbing the uneasy life of one of the residents.
As I said, this isn't as much a haunted house mystery as it is just haunted history. The story is told to a great extent through found documents which were written by Benedictine monks in different time periods with slightly disconcerting skips forward into emails between members of the committees who are in charge of the Rebe Abbas Revels. A quick read, but one where you need to pay attention to know which part of history you find yourself in at the moment.
I received an e-ARC of this novel through NetGalley.
This is the second novel I've read by Sarah Rayne and I did enjoy it, but this isn't so much a haunted house mystery as a haunted history of the characters involved in the 1538 segment of the book, then moving forward. The modern times revolve around a clause found in the new least signed for the enlarged premises of the antiques shop at Quires Court which mentions monks asserting their right to hold St. Benedicts Revels. After doing some research it was found that a modern version of the revels is going to be held as the Rebe Abbas Revels in Rebe Abbas, Dorset which will be attended by one of Beth's classes so Nell and Michael decide to go enjoy the weekend also. Before leaving Oxford Nell finds unsettling words carved into the stone wall when renovators remove the plaster. Her curiosity is piqued for who Theodora was and why she scratched the plea regarding Thaisa's fate into the stone in October 1850. The connections to Thaisa's song continue in Rebe Abbas with Nell West unwittingly disturbing the uneasy life of one of the residents.
As I said, this isn't as much a haunted house mystery as it is just haunted history. The story is told to a great extent through found documents which were written by Benedictine monks in different time periods with slightly disconcerting skips forward into emails between members of the committees who are in charge of the Rebe Abbas Revels. A quick read, but one where you need to pay attention to know which part of history you find yourself in at the moment.
I received an e-ARC of this novel through NetGalley.
March 4, 2022
Well, if this is indeed the final book in the series, at least it ended well. This one was more of an historical thriller than a ghost story but there were a few chills. I loved the history and the fact that the intellectual monk was named Brother Egbert and the fact that she quoted Shakespeare a fair number of times, mostly Macbeth, and that she also quoted Dorothy L. Sayers from The Nine Tailors. All in all, this series hasn't been mind-blowing, but it has been fun light reading with characters I liked and just enough eerie to keep me happy.
September 8, 2019
I may have accidentally finished the entire book in pretty much one sitting.
Now, admittedly, that's not terribly uncommon for me, but still, this was a lot of fun to read once I got into it.
I enjoyed the alternating viewpoints and the jumping back and forth in time. I was not expecting quite so much of this, and at one point when the viewpoint was on a character who was reading a diary of someone who was reading a diary, I did have to step back and go "woah," but it worked just fine and I didn't have any trouble keeping track of what was going on, though occasionally figuring out who knew what was trickier.
That's part of the fun of the book, though, personally. We, as readers, are much more aware of the history of things than the characters individually are, simply because we get to be in the heads (and reading over the shoulders) of all the characters. Each character has a piece of a very old puzzle, and putting them together was a lot of fun.
The characters themselves are interesting. I certainly didn't agree with all of their choices (we are not necessarily talking about good people all the time, here, and there is some weird stuff going on), but I was enthralled enough to overlook that. They were acting generally rationally given the information they had, and sometimes that's hard to pull off.
There were some twists I did not see coming, and I made a few wrong guesses along the way, which I always appreciate. Mysteries should not be totally obvious.
And this is a mystery, for all that "haunted house" seems to summon "horror". This is more Barbara Michaels-style than Stephen King, and I love that.
This appears to be the start of a series, which excites me, especially since there was a bit less "haunted house" in this one than I was hoping. I'll definitely be picking up the next ones, and I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes.
This book was provided to me for free via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Now, admittedly, that's not terribly uncommon for me, but still, this was a lot of fun to read once I got into it.
I enjoyed the alternating viewpoints and the jumping back and forth in time. I was not expecting quite so much of this, and at one point when the viewpoint was on a character who was reading a diary of someone who was reading a diary, I did have to step back and go "woah," but it worked just fine and I didn't have any trouble keeping track of what was going on, though occasionally figuring out who knew what was trickier.
That's part of the fun of the book, though, personally. We, as readers, are much more aware of the history of things than the characters individually are, simply because we get to be in the heads (and reading over the shoulders) of all the characters. Each character has a piece of a very old puzzle, and putting them together was a lot of fun.
The characters themselves are interesting. I certainly didn't agree with all of their choices (we are not necessarily talking about good people all the time, here, and there is some weird stuff going on), but I was enthralled enough to overlook that. They were acting generally rationally given the information they had, and sometimes that's hard to pull off.
There were some twists I did not see coming, and I made a few wrong guesses along the way, which I always appreciate. Mysteries should not be totally obvious.
And this is a mystery, for all that "haunted house" seems to summon "horror". This is more Barbara Michaels-style than Stephen King, and I love that.
This appears to be the start of a series, which excites me, especially since there was a bit less "haunted house" in this one than I was hoping. I'll definitely be picking up the next ones, and I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes.
This book was provided to me for free via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 23, 2015
"Pray for me, for it will mean the dead bell has sounded and I have suffered Thaisa's Fate"
Nell, an Antiques dealer buys a new shop, known in the 15th century as Glaums acre. ...how little did Nell know that is holds a mystery still to this day.
Glaums Acre was once owned by the monastery Rede Abbas, and is still intertwined, leading Nell and her family on a hunt for the truth.
During The Benedict's Revel, held by the monks each year, the hunt is on for Thaisa Song, long lost for Hundreds of years, little does everyone know, the song holds only death for its listener's.
Nell finds old transcripts about the life of a Brother Andrew, you finds transcripts about Thaisa, and we learn the of the terrible fate that connects them all.
The same fate that now may effect Nell and her family.
Bodies discovered that look like they were buried alive, a mysterious song, that should not be discovered, and A Bell that seems to look like it comes to life.
To me this book was just okay, it had the potential to be so much better. Some parts just didn't quite connect, especially towards the end.
I did enjoy the mystery and clues in the historical letter, but just didn't like the modern day parts so much. Some of the modern letters didn't really add much to the story. I think a few little adjustment and the book would have been so much better.
Nell, an Antiques dealer buys a new shop, known in the 15th century as Glaums acre. ...how little did Nell know that is holds a mystery still to this day.
Glaums Acre was once owned by the monastery Rede Abbas, and is still intertwined, leading Nell and her family on a hunt for the truth.
During The Benedict's Revel, held by the monks each year, the hunt is on for Thaisa Song, long lost for Hundreds of years, little does everyone know, the song holds only death for its listener's.
Nell finds old transcripts about the life of a Brother Andrew, you finds transcripts about Thaisa, and we learn the of the terrible fate that connects them all.
The same fate that now may effect Nell and her family.
Bodies discovered that look like they were buried alive, a mysterious song, that should not be discovered, and A Bell that seems to look like it comes to life.
To me this book was just okay, it had the potential to be so much better. Some parts just didn't quite connect, especially towards the end.
I did enjoy the mystery and clues in the historical letter, but just didn't like the modern day parts so much. Some of the modern letters didn't really add much to the story. I think a few little adjustment and the book would have been so much better.
February 1, 2016
Things That Go Bump In The Night
Subjectively I can only give this two stars. This isn't a genre I dislike, it's a genre I loathe. Ghosts and supernatural stories spook me on a number of levels. I am uncomfortable reading them.
However, my dear readers, as a reviewer, this is an excellent opportunity for me to summon every gram of objectivity I possess!
This is the work of an experienced, confident writer, an author comfortable in her own skin. The narrative flows easily. The characters are defined and plot friendly. You warm to Nell right from the start. The historical accounts and journals are fascinating, more fact than fiction I think but they read as if they are from genuine documents. Very clever. The plot is tight and well-constructed. A palpable atmosphere is created throughout. If this genre is your bag, I think you will enjoy this story. And if you do you will be pleased to know that the protagonists feature in five other ghost stories by this writer. Ms Rayne, also writes supernatural thrillers under the name Frances Gordon.
So, objectively, I'll give this four stars. It might have made five but for some of the dialogue. Some of the exchanges between mother and daughter didn't quite work, they sounded contrived as did exchanges with some of the other characters.
I note that Sarah Rayne has also written some psychological thrillers. Given the competence with which this book is written I may just seek them out.
Whizz
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
Subjectively I can only give this two stars. This isn't a genre I dislike, it's a genre I loathe. Ghosts and supernatural stories spook me on a number of levels. I am uncomfortable reading them.
However, my dear readers, as a reviewer, this is an excellent opportunity for me to summon every gram of objectivity I possess!
This is the work of an experienced, confident writer, an author comfortable in her own skin. The narrative flows easily. The characters are defined and plot friendly. You warm to Nell right from the start. The historical accounts and journals are fascinating, more fact than fiction I think but they read as if they are from genuine documents. Very clever. The plot is tight and well-constructed. A palpable atmosphere is created throughout. If this genre is your bag, I think you will enjoy this story. And if you do you will be pleased to know that the protagonists feature in five other ghost stories by this writer. Ms Rayne, also writes supernatural thrillers under the name Frances Gordon.
So, objectively, I'll give this four stars. It might have made five but for some of the dialogue. Some of the exchanges between mother and daughter didn't quite work, they sounded contrived as did exchanges with some of the other characters.
I note that Sarah Rayne has also written some psychological thrillers. Given the competence with which this book is written I may just seek them out.
Whizz
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
October 13, 2015
Was looking forward to this book, but was left a little disappointed after reading it. Normally the haunted house series is full of eerie buildings and spooky characters which makes a scary, jumpy read. But the Bell Tower was a let down.
It was great to return to the characters of Nell and michael again and the book started off with an interesting premise but after a few chapters it started to get a little slow and hard work. The only parts of the book I enjoyed was the bits about Nell and Michael renovating the shop and other snipers of their life. Other than that the man story about the monks and the Bell Tower was a bit dull and boring. Don't get me wrong the writing was top notch as always and was one of the reason why I kept reading the book. I just wish the story was much stronger.
The Bell Tower just wasn't up there with the other books in the series. It needed more spookiness and more darker. This series I expect to be scared and not able to read the book at night time. But this one I tried to finished soon or I knew I would have given up.
I really hope that the next book in the series picks up and Sarah Rayne finds a story that is full of dark spooky characters and buildings. If not perhaps they will have to end up changing the series name to The Dull House series.
It was great to return to the characters of Nell and michael again and the book started off with an interesting premise but after a few chapters it started to get a little slow and hard work. The only parts of the book I enjoyed was the bits about Nell and Michael renovating the shop and other snipers of their life. Other than that the man story about the monks and the Bell Tower was a bit dull and boring. Don't get me wrong the writing was top notch as always and was one of the reason why I kept reading the book. I just wish the story was much stronger.
The Bell Tower just wasn't up there with the other books in the series. It needed more spookiness and more darker. This series I expect to be scared and not able to read the book at night time. But this one I tried to finished soon or I knew I would have given up.
I really hope that the next book in the series picks up and Sarah Rayne finds a story that is full of dark spooky characters and buildings. If not perhaps they will have to end up changing the series name to The Dull House series.
January 25, 2016
The Bell Tower is an amazing novel. I was entranced from the very start, and could easily understand why Nell West and Michael Flint became engrossed in the history of Thaisa's song and the tragedies that plagued Thaisa's descendants over the intervening centuries.
Thaisa's song is a lament, a dark dirge whose origins lie forgotten. Whenever the song is played or sung, death and despair follow. The tragic history is revealed through journals discovered by the characters and accounts of the monks of Rede Abbas.
Part of what makes The Bell Tower so fascinating is that the truth is discovered in bits and pieces. Thaisa, Andrew and Theodora live through their accounts. When coupled with the supernatural elements, it makes for an unforgettable tale. Even Maeve Eynon is a sympathetic, despite her madness. Wherein lies the power of Thaisa's song? Is it truly responsible for the deaths that follow in its wake? Read The Bell Tower to discover the truth.
5/5
Although The Bell Tower is classified as horror, it is not a horror novel per se. It is more a novel of gothic suspense, magnificent and haunting. The Bell Tower is available for preorder and will be released February 1, 2016.
I received a copy of The Bell Tower from Severn House and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
Thaisa's song is a lament, a dark dirge whose origins lie forgotten. Whenever the song is played or sung, death and despair follow. The tragic history is revealed through journals discovered by the characters and accounts of the monks of Rede Abbas.
Part of what makes The Bell Tower so fascinating is that the truth is discovered in bits and pieces. Thaisa, Andrew and Theodora live through their accounts. When coupled with the supernatural elements, it makes for an unforgettable tale. Even Maeve Eynon is a sympathetic, despite her madness. Wherein lies the power of Thaisa's song? Is it truly responsible for the deaths that follow in its wake? Read The Bell Tower to discover the truth.
5/5
Although The Bell Tower is classified as horror, it is not a horror novel per se. It is more a novel of gothic suspense, magnificent and haunting. The Bell Tower is available for preorder and will be released February 1, 2016.
I received a copy of The Bell Tower from Severn House and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
January 30, 2025
Very scary but i also loved the historical narrative, tragic romance, connection.
December 1, 2016
I always love it when I discover a new author that I really enjoy reading.
"The Bell Tower" is the first book by Sarah Rayne that I have read, but it won't be the last.
Nell West and Michael Flint are attending a recreation of a medieval revel at a small Dorset town that is dominated by a crumbing bell tower on the cliff by the sea. The organisers of the revel are trying to track down a mysterious ancient song known to have been sung, whilst a supposedly dotty old lady is insisting that they stop.
"The Bell Tower" is pretty much a 21st century gothic novel. All the elements are there. Ancient curses, a doomed family, star crossed lovers, burials alive...all tied together in a taut, sharp package that zips along dragging the reader helpless in its wake.
Sarah Rayne is a brilliant writer. The atmosphere of the book flows from eerie and chilly, to the warmth and bounce of everyday life. I thought I'd made a mistake beginning this in the evening, I honestly thought there would be nightmares, as in places the book is so genuinely creepy that the hair on the back of my neck was standing up! But Sarah tied everything up in a wonderful ending that relieved the tension of the book, without being cheesy.
Highly recommended.
"The Bell Tower" is the first book by Sarah Rayne that I have read, but it won't be the last.
Nell West and Michael Flint are attending a recreation of a medieval revel at a small Dorset town that is dominated by a crumbing bell tower on the cliff by the sea. The organisers of the revel are trying to track down a mysterious ancient song known to have been sung, whilst a supposedly dotty old lady is insisting that they stop.
"The Bell Tower" is pretty much a 21st century gothic novel. All the elements are there. Ancient curses, a doomed family, star crossed lovers, burials alive...all tied together in a taut, sharp package that zips along dragging the reader helpless in its wake.
Sarah Rayne is a brilliant writer. The atmosphere of the book flows from eerie and chilly, to the warmth and bounce of everyday life. I thought I'd made a mistake beginning this in the evening, I honestly thought there would be nightmares, as in places the book is so genuinely creepy that the hair on the back of my neck was standing up! But Sarah tied everything up in a wonderful ending that relieved the tension of the book, without being cheesy.
Highly recommended.
January 31, 2016
Nell is expanding her thriving antique shop. During renovations, she finds clues to a frightening past. She also discovers a link to a mysterious monastery on the coast that has fallen into the ocean. All that remains is the menacing ancient bell tower. It had been disabled years ago, but, when she goes to investigate it, she hears mysterious music and discovers more creepy truths.
This is a good, old-fashioned scary story. The history that our characters discover about both the antique store and the bell tower is both interesting and chilling. Although I did not become attached to the characters of this book, they, nonetheless, carry the story well. The perfect mixture of historical fiction, complete with the horror of Cromwell raiding monasteries and trying to ‘purify’ the church; modern day realism; the supernatural; and the intense suspense proves to be a winning combination. This book would make a great movie!
December 4, 2016
Multiple generations find refuge and terror in a few different buildings in this novel. No one character has all the pieces. So the reader understands the motives and back story for the characters, but it isn't common knowledge for everyone. There is some digging done to get to the truth, but primarily there are several events that happen to cause all of this history to be revealed. Every bit is not tied up in a pretty package, but we are given enough information that we can fill in the blanks ourselves.
I loved the history, the gothic twist to the events, and the characters. I loved the scientific explination for part of the events. It didn't take away from the overall gothic crerpiness of the novel. The characters weren't very round, but they didn't have to be. This was more about uncovering events than about internal struggles.
Fabulous novel. Not pretentious or coincidental. Just good story telling.
I loved the history, the gothic twist to the events, and the characters. I loved the scientific explination for part of the events. It didn't take away from the overall gothic crerpiness of the novel. The characters weren't very round, but they didn't have to be. This was more about uncovering events than about internal struggles.
Fabulous novel. Not pretentious or coincidental. Just good story telling.
July 5, 2016
3.5 and a fairly riveting - and satisfyingly spooky - story, but I have some quibbles. While I didn't have too many problems with the multiple storylines, they still seem unnecessarily complicated, and then there are things that strain belief, such as someone waiting to be killed by a rising tide writing dozens of pages - probably closer to 100 than 50 - in longhand to tell his story, as well as weird little things (although I may have missed the explanations - the search function unfortunately doesn't work on my library ebooks and I didn't feel like hunting through it) such as how this monastery survived not only the Dissolution but the Commonwealth as well and how a monk named Seamus Flannery ended up in 16th century Dorset.
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