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Burntown
The major new novel from New York Times bestselling suspense writer Jennifer McMahon.
Eva grew up watching her father, Miles, invent strange and wonderful things in the small workshop behind their house on the river that runs through their old mill town. But the most important invention of all was the one that Miles claimed came from the mind of Thomas Edison himself--a machine that allowed one to speak with loved ones long passed. Smuggled out of Edison's laboratory, the blueprints were passed down to Miles, and he's been using them to protect Eva, her mother, Lily, and her brother, Errol, ever since.
Then, one night when a storm is raging and the river is threatening to flood, the machine whirrs to life on its own. Danger, it says. You're in terrible danger. The next thing Eva knows is waking up on the side of the river and seeing her mother's grim face. Eva's father and brother are dead, their house has been washed away and an evil man is searching for them both. They need to hide.
Eva changes her name to Necco--a candy she always loved--and tries to put everything in her past behind her as she adapts to her new life off the grid. But when her boyfriend is murdered and her mother disappears, she knows that the past is starting to catch up to her.
What really happened the night of the flood? As Necco searches for the truth, her journey unites her with two women who are on desperate quests of their own. And as the trio follows the clues to solving the mystery of Necco's past, they discover that sometimes it's the smallest towns that hold the strangest secrets.
Eva grew up watching her father, Miles, invent strange and wonderful things in the small workshop behind their house on the river that runs through their old mill town. But the most important invention of all was the one that Miles claimed came from the mind of Thomas Edison himself--a machine that allowed one to speak with loved ones long passed. Smuggled out of Edison's laboratory, the blueprints were passed down to Miles, and he's been using them to protect Eva, her mother, Lily, and her brother, Errol, ever since.
Then, one night when a storm is raging and the river is threatening to flood, the machine whirrs to life on its own. Danger, it says. You're in terrible danger. The next thing Eva knows is waking up on the side of the river and seeing her mother's grim face. Eva's father and brother are dead, their house has been washed away and an evil man is searching for them both. They need to hide.
Eva changes her name to Necco--a candy she always loved--and tries to put everything in her past behind her as she adapts to her new life off the grid. But when her boyfriend is murdered and her mother disappears, she knows that the past is starting to catch up to her.
What really happened the night of the flood? As Necco searches for the truth, her journey unites her with two women who are on desperate quests of their own. And as the trio follows the clues to solving the mystery of Necco's past, they discover that sometimes it's the smallest towns that hold the strangest secrets.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published April 25, 2017
402 people are currently reading
10394 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer McMahon
20 books11.4k followers I'm the author of nine suspense novels, including Promise Not to Telll, The Winter People, and my newest, The Drowning Kind. I live in central Vermont with my partner and daughter, in an old Victorian that some neighbors call The Addams Family house.
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February 27, 2017
So take your pick.
Burntown by Jennifer McMahon seems to have it all: Fantasy, Supernatural, Mystery and Thriller tied up tight and ready to roll.
It's June of 1975 and ten year old Miles Sandeski witnesses his own mother's murder as she lays peacefully in a lawn chair. A bizarro figure of a man dressed in a chicken suit approaches her from behind and does the deed. Miles promises to find her murderer. His father's drowning shortly afterwards is claimed to be a suicide.
Years pass and Miles has a family of his own living in an old farmhouse on a dead-end road. Miles becomes a professor at Two Rivers College. He has in his possession some stolen plans of Thomas Edison. He eventually builds a machine that has the capability to speak with the dead. Miles is desperate to hear his mother reveal the name of her murderer and divulge the identity of the "Chicken Man".
But a terrible rainstorm and a threatening flood causes Miles to switch his plans. As the flood waters inch their way up to the house and shed, he instructs his son, Errol, to destroy the machine. Miles tells his daughter, Eva, to run to safety with her mother, Lily.
Eva wakes with a gash in the back of her head and Lily tells her that both Miles and Errol have drown. Eva has no memory of the incident and the two are on their own living in an abandoned mill and eventually under a bridge called Burntown.
It's at this juncture that you will meet a cast of off-the-wall characters including Fire Eaters with mystical talents and a dangerous figure called Snake Eyes. The first half of the storyline has you locked in tight. Then McMahon opens the spicket wide during the second half and you feel the nudge of not taking this all so serious. Yep, there's murder and mayhem, but the circus does come to town in the end.
I kicked this up to a 4-star for the wild imaginings that take place here. This is certainly not on the same level as The Winter People in which McMahon writes beautifully of a family living on the edge of existence. Burntown is a tree growing from an entirely different acorn. A good read, but not my favorite of McMahon's previous books.
I received a copy of Burntown through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Doubleday Books and to Jennifer McMahon for the opportunity.
Burntown by Jennifer McMahon seems to have it all: Fantasy, Supernatural, Mystery and Thriller tied up tight and ready to roll.
It's June of 1975 and ten year old Miles Sandeski witnesses his own mother's murder as she lays peacefully in a lawn chair. A bizarro figure of a man dressed in a chicken suit approaches her from behind and does the deed. Miles promises to find her murderer. His father's drowning shortly afterwards is claimed to be a suicide.
Years pass and Miles has a family of his own living in an old farmhouse on a dead-end road. Miles becomes a professor at Two Rivers College. He has in his possession some stolen plans of Thomas Edison. He eventually builds a machine that has the capability to speak with the dead. Miles is desperate to hear his mother reveal the name of her murderer and divulge the identity of the "Chicken Man".
But a terrible rainstorm and a threatening flood causes Miles to switch his plans. As the flood waters inch their way up to the house and shed, he instructs his son, Errol, to destroy the machine. Miles tells his daughter, Eva, to run to safety with her mother, Lily.
Eva wakes with a gash in the back of her head and Lily tells her that both Miles and Errol have drown. Eva has no memory of the incident and the two are on their own living in an abandoned mill and eventually under a bridge called Burntown.
It's at this juncture that you will meet a cast of off-the-wall characters including Fire Eaters with mystical talents and a dangerous figure called Snake Eyes. The first half of the storyline has you locked in tight. Then McMahon opens the spicket wide during the second half and you feel the nudge of not taking this all so serious. Yep, there's murder and mayhem, but the circus does come to town in the end.
I kicked this up to a 4-star for the wild imaginings that take place here. This is certainly not on the same level as The Winter People in which McMahon writes beautifully of a family living on the edge of existence. Burntown is a tree growing from an entirely different acorn. A good read, but not my favorite of McMahon's previous books.
I received a copy of Burntown through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Doubleday Books and to Jennifer McMahon for the opportunity.
April 13, 2017
3.5 I always have a sense of anticipation when I start reading a new book by this author. One never quite knows what one will get, she manages to defy genre definitions by throwing in a little of this and a little of that. There are murders, a flood, a machine that is said to allow one to communicate with the dead, a man in a chicken mask and other really out there elements. The characters are vastly strange and should not work together but somehow they do, or so I thought. Loved the obese circus lady, Hannah the young girl who is way out of her element, the fire ladies who snort devil's dust that enables them to have visions and of course Necco, who once had a different name and has already lost so much. There is even a hero, the imagined strongman of the circus lady.
So while this plot is definitely out there I found it strangely entertaining. The ending was a little too pat but I did enjoy the journey. Regardless of one's reception of this book it is hard to deny that this author has one amazing imagination.
ARC from Doubleday
Publishes April 25, 2017
ARC
So while this plot is definitely out there I found it strangely entertaining. The ending was a little too pat but I did enjoy the journey. Regardless of one's reception of this book it is hard to deny that this author has one amazing imagination.
ARC from Doubleday
Publishes April 25, 2017
ARC
January 17, 2018
4.5 stars
Ten-year-old Miles Sandeski witnesses his Mother being Murdered by a man wearing a chicken mask. Attempting to save his Mother, Miles shoots her killer with his bow and arrow. His father is arrested for her Murder and subsequently commits suicide while in prison. Miles has always stood by his story that his father did not kill his Mother, but a man in a chicken suit did.
Eva Sandeski loved watching her father build in his workshop. He built wonderful things with hidden compartments where he would leave little trinkets for her to find. His most important "invention" (really Thomas Edison's) is a device that allows a person to talk to the dead. The blueprints were left to Miles by his father who had them handed down to him.
One night a terrible storm rages and the river near the Sandeski family home begins to rise. As the family begins to prepare to avoid being flooded, the machine turns on and Miles' Mother's voice is heard telling them there was "danger" and "He's here". The next thing Eva remembers she is lying on the riverbank and her Mother tells her that her Father and brother are both dead, they no longer have a home and they need to hide because they are still in danger.
Eva and her Mother are "rescued" by an interesting group of women known as the "fire eaters" Eva's Mother soon becomes one of them and they change their names. Eva decides to change her name to Necco after the candy she loved as a child. Necco/Eva finds herself alone after her Mother's suicide and begins living in an abandoned car with her boyfriend Hermes. Then one day she wakes up to find her boyfriend has been murdered and she is considered a suspect.
She is not the only character in this book. There is sweet lovable Pru who dreams of having her own circus. Mr. Marcelle, who has always been kind to Pru, is the "strong man" of her dreams. He makes deliveries to the school where Pru works, but he also works as a private investigator. He has been hired to find a missing person and will not stop until he has answers. Then there is Theo a lonely high school student who gets into a bad situation, after experiencing love for the first time. Theo is the catalyst for Pru and Necco/Eva meeting the three of them form a bond and band together to try and figure out what happened to Theo's missing money, who killed Necco/Eva's boyfriend, who is the chicken man, and what really happened the night that Eva's father and brother died.
Whew! This book is full of secrets, but they are all tied together. I am not even sure how to classify this book. Is it a mystery? Yes! Is it a thriller? Yes! Are there some supernatural elements? Yes! Basically, this book has something for everyone. While reading this book, I kept thinking how this also felt like it had the vibe of an Alice Hoffman book. By that I mean, the mixing of paranormal with fiction, with mystery, with romance. I think this takes a special skill to pull off and McMahon did it beautifully. The way she wove her story really worked.
This book was oddly compelling, and I read (devoured) this book! There were lots of characters in this book and eventually all of their stories connect in the end. While reading the book, I kept wondering about her "brother". While reading, I scratched my head thinking thought Eva was an only child" then "hmmmm why isn't her brother mentioned in any news articles?" but that is answered in the book. Again, everything really does tie together in the end (I know I have been saying that a lot in this review but it is true!!!).
In short, I really enjoyed this book! I also loved "The Winter People" by McMahon. These books are entirely different, but both were such a pleasure to read. This book is different but wonderfully so. It is almost like a circus. One needs to suspend some disbelief while reading this. It's worth it, by the way. I can't say that there is anything about his book that I did not like. I really enjoyed how the story unraveled. Things are not always as they seem and those who loves us, sometimes lie to us to keep us safe. Small towns harbor and hold secrets - until eventually the dam breaks and they come pouring out.
I received this book from Doubleday and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
Ten-year-old Miles Sandeski witnesses his Mother being Murdered by a man wearing a chicken mask. Attempting to save his Mother, Miles shoots her killer with his bow and arrow. His father is arrested for her Murder and subsequently commits suicide while in prison. Miles has always stood by his story that his father did not kill his Mother, but a man in a chicken suit did.
Eva Sandeski loved watching her father build in his workshop. He built wonderful things with hidden compartments where he would leave little trinkets for her to find. His most important "invention" (really Thomas Edison's) is a device that allows a person to talk to the dead. The blueprints were left to Miles by his father who had them handed down to him.
One night a terrible storm rages and the river near the Sandeski family home begins to rise. As the family begins to prepare to avoid being flooded, the machine turns on and Miles' Mother's voice is heard telling them there was "danger" and "He's here". The next thing Eva remembers she is lying on the riverbank and her Mother tells her that her Father and brother are both dead, they no longer have a home and they need to hide because they are still in danger.
Eva and her Mother are "rescued" by an interesting group of women known as the "fire eaters" Eva's Mother soon becomes one of them and they change their names. Eva decides to change her name to Necco after the candy she loved as a child. Necco/Eva finds herself alone after her Mother's suicide and begins living in an abandoned car with her boyfriend Hermes. Then one day she wakes up to find her boyfriend has been murdered and she is considered a suspect.
She is not the only character in this book. There is sweet lovable Pru who dreams of having her own circus. Mr. Marcelle, who has always been kind to Pru, is the "strong man" of her dreams. He makes deliveries to the school where Pru works, but he also works as a private investigator. He has been hired to find a missing person and will not stop until he has answers. Then there is Theo a lonely high school student who gets into a bad situation, after experiencing love for the first time. Theo is the catalyst for Pru and Necco/Eva meeting the three of them form a bond and band together to try and figure out what happened to Theo's missing money, who killed Necco/Eva's boyfriend, who is the chicken man, and what really happened the night that Eva's father and brother died.
Whew! This book is full of secrets, but they are all tied together. I am not even sure how to classify this book. Is it a mystery? Yes! Is it a thriller? Yes! Are there some supernatural elements? Yes! Basically, this book has something for everyone. While reading this book, I kept thinking how this also felt like it had the vibe of an Alice Hoffman book. By that I mean, the mixing of paranormal with fiction, with mystery, with romance. I think this takes a special skill to pull off and McMahon did it beautifully. The way she wove her story really worked.
This book was oddly compelling, and I read (devoured) this book! There were lots of characters in this book and eventually all of their stories connect in the end. While reading the book, I kept wondering about her "brother". While reading, I scratched my head thinking thought Eva was an only child" then "hmmmm why isn't her brother mentioned in any news articles?" but that is answered in the book. Again, everything really does tie together in the end (I know I have been saying that a lot in this review but it is true!!!).
In short, I really enjoyed this book! I also loved "The Winter People" by McMahon. These books are entirely different, but both were such a pleasure to read. This book is different but wonderfully so. It is almost like a circus. One needs to suspend some disbelief while reading this. It's worth it, by the way. I can't say that there is anything about his book that I did not like. I really enjoyed how the story unraveled. Things are not always as they seem and those who loves us, sometimes lie to us to keep us safe. Small towns harbor and hold secrets - until eventually the dam breaks and they come pouring out.
I received this book from Doubleday and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
October 21, 2017
You never know what you’re in for when you crack open a Jennifer McMahon book, but one thing is always for sure - you will be scared.
I am a fan of this author, and this is her most outrageous plot to date - I was put off from this book for awhile due to its synopsis (it sounded like even a bit too much for me) but I’m so glad I finally gave it a chance. She manages to take the supernatural and blend it with reality in a way that seems like this could actually happen. And she manages to scare you in a way that no one else can. It’s not overt violence and “scary” situations (though there is some violence in this one), but an underlying sense of creepiness at every turn.
We have chapters told from several points of view which definitely enhances the overall storyline. Getting different perspectives on what is happening from multiple characters only adds to the character development.
This was the perfect book to read during Halloween-time. It has a certain Twin Peaks vibe about it. There are fire eaters, the Great Flood, a man in a chicken mask and Thomas Edison secret inventions. If that doesn’t pique your interest, then I don’t know what will!;)
I am a fan of this author, and this is her most outrageous plot to date - I was put off from this book for awhile due to its synopsis (it sounded like even a bit too much for me) but I’m so glad I finally gave it a chance. She manages to take the supernatural and blend it with reality in a way that seems like this could actually happen. And she manages to scare you in a way that no one else can. It’s not overt violence and “scary” situations (though there is some violence in this one), but an underlying sense of creepiness at every turn.
We have chapters told from several points of view which definitely enhances the overall storyline. Getting different perspectives on what is happening from multiple characters only adds to the character development.
This was the perfect book to read during Halloween-time. It has a certain Twin Peaks vibe about it. There are fire eaters, the Great Flood, a man in a chicken mask and Thomas Edison secret inventions. If that doesn’t pique your interest, then I don’t know what will!;)
May 15, 2017
Oh man, I'm disheartened to give this review. 2.5 stars from me here. Let me start by giving you my history with Jennifer McMahon. Back in the day, like way back when, I read, Promise Not to Tell and Don't Breathe a Word. I loved both of them. So I'm a fan--those were 'thrilling mysteries'--original and interesting.
Then I read The Winter People and I LOVED that book. My favorite from McMahon to date--thrilling enough to almost be horror--it was that scary at times.
But then came The Night Sister. *side eye emoji* that book was not great. The writing was all over the map and super repetitive to me and it annoyed me a great deal. I felt irritated and bored at the same time.
Now we have Burntown and I hate to admit this but I had the same problems with this book that I had with Night Sister. Let me try to describe it: It's as though there is a really good idea here for the plot. McMahon knows in her writer brain where this is going and how the story is going to end. She alone, knows the twists and the turns but how she gets there and how she takes us on this journey to the end is not executed well at all.
This book had all the potential in the world in the beginning. So much mystery and engaging characters--there was even this spooky, paranormal element that I enjoyed and was seriously hoping that was going to get full blown and develop.
I invested in the characters, Necco, Theo, Pru...but you know what? I stopped caring for the characters and what happened to them, they didn't 'emote' to me. Example: Something really terrible happens to someone close to our main protagonist, Necco and she barely reacts to it, other than running away to a secret hideout and taking care of herself first. It didn't feel real.
The mysterious happenings become confusing and discombobulated. The flashbacks become unreliable. The paranormal element takes a back burner. Nothing felt real--especially the threat. The danger, it wasn't grounded.
The plot unraveled and I wasn't anticipating the big reveals anymore. The whole thing lost so much steam for me that by the end, I was already over it and waiting for the finish.
Such a bummer for me, really.
A thriller? Not even close. I'm REALLY, really tired of books calling themselves thrillers when they're not, they're just stories. When I buy a thriller, I want to be thrilled. Lol. Read The Winter People, that was a thriller. Skip Burntown.
Then I read The Winter People and I LOVED that book. My favorite from McMahon to date--thrilling enough to almost be horror--it was that scary at times.
But then came The Night Sister. *side eye emoji* that book was not great. The writing was all over the map and super repetitive to me and it annoyed me a great deal. I felt irritated and bored at the same time.
Now we have Burntown and I hate to admit this but I had the same problems with this book that I had with Night Sister. Let me try to describe it: It's as though there is a really good idea here for the plot. McMahon knows in her writer brain where this is going and how the story is going to end. She alone, knows the twists and the turns but how she gets there and how she takes us on this journey to the end is not executed well at all.
This book had all the potential in the world in the beginning. So much mystery and engaging characters--there was even this spooky, paranormal element that I enjoyed and was seriously hoping that was going to get full blown and develop.
I invested in the characters, Necco, Theo, Pru...but you know what? I stopped caring for the characters and what happened to them, they didn't 'emote' to me. Example: Something really terrible happens to someone close to our main protagonist, Necco and she barely reacts to it, other than running away to a secret hideout and taking care of herself first. It didn't feel real.
The mysterious happenings become confusing and discombobulated. The flashbacks become unreliable. The paranormal element takes a back burner. Nothing felt real--especially the threat. The danger, it wasn't grounded.
The plot unraveled and I wasn't anticipating the big reveals anymore. The whole thing lost so much steam for me that by the end, I was already over it and waiting for the finish.
Such a bummer for me, really.
A thriller? Not even close. I'm REALLY, really tired of books calling themselves thrillers when they're not, they're just stories. When I buy a thriller, I want to be thrilled. Lol. Read The Winter People, that was a thriller. Skip Burntown.
March 20, 2017
This is a very odd book and I'm not sure what to make of it. It defies easy description. Should it be considered mystery, fantasy, paranormal with a bit of mysticism? And it's unlike McMahon’s past books, which would be considered traditional mysteries.
The book begins with Miles witnessing his mother’s murder. Later, as an adult, he goes on to develop an invention that can talk to the dead. Shortly thereafter, he's killed in a flood. His daughter survives but is living as a homeless person. Then there's an unrelated high school girl who gets caught up in a drug ring. Got all that? And that's just the first quarter of the book.
It's an interesting read in its own way. It took a while before it grabbed me. The second half was definitely faster paced than the first. And it's a book that requires you to suspend your normal belief system.
My thanks to netgalley and Doubleday for an advance copy of this novel.
The book begins with Miles witnessing his mother’s murder. Later, as an adult, he goes on to develop an invention that can talk to the dead. Shortly thereafter, he's killed in a flood. His daughter survives but is living as a homeless person. Then there's an unrelated high school girl who gets caught up in a drug ring. Got all that? And that's just the first quarter of the book.
It's an interesting read in its own way. It took a while before it grabbed me. The second half was definitely faster paced than the first. And it's a book that requires you to suspend your normal belief system.
My thanks to netgalley and Doubleday for an advance copy of this novel.
May 1, 2017
In the beginning a little boy witnesses a gruesome murder. He inherits stolen plans for an extraordinary machine, and years later he’s able to bring the invention to life, but there are dire consequences. (Coolest machine ever! I wanted more of it.) Now his teenage daughter, known as Necco in the strange place called Burntown, is on the run from a killer intent on wiping out her family. Luckily Necco falls in with an eclectic group of outsiders, and together they set out to solve the mystery of her family’s past.
I enjoy Jennifer McMahon’s books, and her latest, BURNTOWN, did not disappoint! The writing in this novel has a mysterious and lyrical quality (Alice Hoffman-ish?) which I loved. This book had many elements – suspense, mystery, the supernatural, and a coming of age story – that all came together for a unique and exciting read.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoy Jennifer McMahon’s books, and her latest, BURNTOWN, did not disappoint! The writing in this novel has a mysterious and lyrical quality (Alice Hoffman-ish?) which I loved. This book had many elements – suspense, mystery, the supernatural, and a coming of age story – that all came together for a unique and exciting read.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 8, 2017
Hiding from his Mother behind the rock garden, ten year old Miles Sandeski watches her intently with his trusty bow and arrow by his side. She is relaxing on a lounge chair in a white cotton dress smoking a cigarette, a habit she promised to quit one day. Miles sees someone approaching her, a man wearing a rubber chicken mask. His Mother knows him and is soon laughing at something he has said, not seeing the blade held in his hand. The ‘Chicken Man’ is out for vengeance and will not cease his personal mission until each member of this family is dead. Author Jennifer McMahon has written an imaginative, mystical, vivid tale with many whimsical and endearing characters. Burn Town is recommended to all readers who enjoy a thoughtful, original, and very descriptive story.
** Thank you to Goodreads Giveaway and Author Jennifer McMahon for my free copy won recently.**
July 23, 2017
3.5 stars rounded up
i love a title that has multiple meanings
burntown starts so slow and as a reader i felt like i was trying to start a fire rubbing 2 sticks together as i read the first quarter, then it starts to spark and sizzle and after the halfway mark it starts to roar a big ole fire of a novel
however although the writing was strong throughout relative to macmahon's other books i didnt like this one as much and so cant strongly recommend it unless you are big fan of author and want to read something vastly different from the winter people and night sister
i love a title that has multiple meanings
burntown starts so slow and as a reader i felt like i was trying to start a fire rubbing 2 sticks together as i read the first quarter, then it starts to spark and sizzle and after the halfway mark it starts to roar a big ole fire of a novel
however although the writing was strong throughout relative to macmahon's other books i didnt like this one as much and so cant strongly recommend it unless you are big fan of author and want to read something vastly different from the winter people and night sister
July 3, 2023
It's an odd, weirdly entertaining story with a touch of the supernatural. In 1975, while hiding in the bushes during a game of Robin Hood, Miles Sandeski saw a man wearing of all things...a chicken mask, cut his mother’s throat in their backyard. Years go by...now we meet grown up Miles. Miles has no family. His father, who was accused of the murder, hung himself.... but now Miles has a family of his own...Lily, who was his childhood sweetheart, and their daughter, Eva. Soon the family extends to Errol, who was an unexplained addition, that they treat as their son. Miles has a secret that his father told to him that involved some plans, that had been stolen from Thomas Edison, for a machine that had the ability to allow communication with the dead. Miles keeps the plans hidden, and he builds the machine. As you can imagine, tragedy soon strikes. A flood washes away their home, leaving Miles and Errol dead and Lily and Eva...who is now known as Necco...living as vagrants. They go to a homeless camp where Lily joins a mystical group of women. Soon she, too, dies, and Necco is now living in an abandoned car with her boyfriend, Hermes. Then everything goes awry...again...and Necco is now being pursued by an evil man that her mother had called “Snake Eyes” or “Chicken Man”. What a cast of oddball characters we now have!!! A girl fleeing a drug dealer, a fat woman, a ghost from her past...all combined into one hodgepodge of one very, very strange tale. It's less of a mystery or a thriller as it is advertised...but instead I would call it the "stepchild" of a Stephen King horror story and a Grimms fairy tale about a journey into a city where no one in their right mind would want to stay, or to even want to go to start with.. If you have ever read any of Jennifer McMahone's work, you know that this is fairly normal (??), fare from her. She writes some really chill producing. very worthwhile stories. Just don't go in expecting everything to be explained completely or to make total sense.
February 19, 2017
I read The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon last year and I loved and I was thrilled for the chance to read this book.
Burntown, in my opinion, did not have the same intense storyline as The Winter People had. What I loved about the Winter People were the dual-timeline and the paranormal aspect of the story. It was thrilling and fascinating to read. Burntown lacked that and the story about Eve (Necco) just never got that intense. At first, it felt like what Necco went through was some sort of apocalyptic event. It was fascinating, but then it kind of fizzled out and I kept on wanting the story to pick up speed again and get interesting again. What made me stick with the story was the machine that made you speak to the dead, I was curious about it and I was also curious about whom killed Milo's mother. Did the killing of Milo's mother have something to do with what happened to Necco's family?
For me was this book not especially memorable. It's not so long ago that I read it, but I found it was hard to write a review for the book since the story just didn't intrigue me so much. However, I did find it got better when Necco started to search for answers together with two very unlikely allies. I would say that the first part of the book before they got together and help each other was not as interesting as when they started to search for answers.
For me was Burntown just not as good as The Winter People. That doesn't mean that this book was not good, it just didn't live up to my expectations I guess.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through Edelweiss for an honest review!
Burntown, in my opinion, did not have the same intense storyline as The Winter People had. What I loved about the Winter People were the dual-timeline and the paranormal aspect of the story. It was thrilling and fascinating to read. Burntown lacked that and the story about Eve (Necco) just never got that intense. At first, it felt like what Necco went through was some sort of apocalyptic event. It was fascinating, but then it kind of fizzled out and I kept on wanting the story to pick up speed again and get interesting again. What made me stick with the story was the machine that made you speak to the dead, I was curious about it and I was also curious about whom killed Milo's mother. Did the killing of Milo's mother have something to do with what happened to Necco's family?
For me was this book not especially memorable. It's not so long ago that I read it, but I found it was hard to write a review for the book since the story just didn't intrigue me so much. However, I did find it got better when Necco started to search for answers together with two very unlikely allies. I would say that the first part of the book before they got together and help each other was not as interesting as when they started to search for answers.
For me was Burntown just not as good as The Winter People. That doesn't mean that this book was not good, it just didn't live up to my expectations I guess.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through Edelweiss for an honest review!
June 8, 2017
Jennifer McMahon's latest book is a murder mystery laced with supernatural elements. Miles Sandeski was 10 years old when he witnessed his mother's brutal murder by a masked man. His father was suspected of the crime and was later found drowned, a presumed suicide.
One of the things Miles inherited from his father were the plans to a strange invention--something that Thomas Edison had drawn up, plans which were stolen by an ancestor of the Sandeskis. Many years later, Miles succeeds in assembling a machine from the plans and opens a door to another realm with disastrous results.
There is a night that marks a 'Before' and an 'After' in his family's lives and the events of that night send his wife and daughter into hiding. Can his young daughter discover the truth before it is too late?
My rating is actually somewhere between 3 and 4 stars for this one. I've read only one other of McMahon's books, The Winter People, which I thought was much more suspenseful and eerie. But I liked this mystery enough that it has awakened an interest in me to read her others.
The mystery was pretty decent, although I spotted one of the plot twists early on and was curious about what was going on with that small bump in the storyline. I personally didn't care for the use of hallucinatory drugs as a means for self-revelation in the story. Can't we be goddesses without drugs?
Thanks to the Doubleday Keep Turning Pages group for a hardcover copy of this book through their giveaway!
One of the things Miles inherited from his father were the plans to a strange invention--something that Thomas Edison had drawn up, plans which were stolen by an ancestor of the Sandeskis. Many years later, Miles succeeds in assembling a machine from the plans and opens a door to another realm with disastrous results.
There is a night that marks a 'Before' and an 'After' in his family's lives and the events of that night send his wife and daughter into hiding. Can his young daughter discover the truth before it is too late?
My rating is actually somewhere between 3 and 4 stars for this one. I've read only one other of McMahon's books, The Winter People, which I thought was much more suspenseful and eerie. But I liked this mystery enough that it has awakened an interest in me to read her others.
The mystery was pretty decent, although I spotted one of the plot twists early on and was curious about what was going on with that small bump in the storyline. I personally didn't care for the use of hallucinatory drugs as a means for self-revelation in the story. Can't we be goddesses without drugs?
Thanks to the Doubleday Keep Turning Pages group for a hardcover copy of this book through their giveaway!
July 3, 2017
As a child, Miles watched in horror as his mother was murdered before his very eyes. Despite that awful event, Miles grew up into a well-respected professor, as well as an inventor. He married his wife, Lily, and they had a family, daughter Eva and son Errol. Miles loves to tinker in his workshop while Eva watches and assists. Miles best invention, however? A machine built off plans supposedly from Thomas Edison and handed down to Miles: it allows you to speak with your deceased loved ones. But Miles' hard-fought happy adult life ends when a terrible storm hits his family home: at the same time, the machine turns itself on, warning them of danger. Shortly after, Eva awakes and is told by Lily that Miles and Errol are dead. Their home has been lost in the "Great Flood," and they can never return. Eva reinvents herself as Necco, and she and her mother find a new life among the homeless of Burntown. But then Necco's mother dies and a series of events shows that Necco is in grave danger. What exactly happened the night of the Great Flood? And will Necco ever be safe again?
The premise of this book probably sounds absurd, but please, don't let it deter you. I've read a handful of McMahon's books over time now and liked them all, but I really, really enjoyed this book. Many of her books have a blend of paranormal, fantasy, etc., and this one was no exception, expertly weaving in fantasy and supernatural flavors into a surprisingly riveting mystery.
The novel starts off a bit convoluted--there are a lot of narrators--and you have to suspend your disbelief at times for the plot to work, but it's really worth it. Necco is a wonderful character, and she's surrounded by this intriguing group of people, including Pru, a cafeteria lady/circus fanatic; Theo, a high school student finding her way; and Mr. Marcelle, a delivery man who helps out his private investigator brother. McMahon seamlessly weaves together these characters--and many more--into a mesmerizing tale that is part ghost story, part mystery, part love story. I honestly couldn't put this book down: I stayed up late to finish it.
This novel isn't your usual mystery or your usual supernatural tale, but it's certainly worth reading if you like one or both genres. There's a sweetness to it, as well as a completely compelling plot that will pull you in immediately.
You can read my review of McMahon's novel, THE NIGHT SISTER, here.
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The premise of this book probably sounds absurd, but please, don't let it deter you. I've read a handful of McMahon's books over time now and liked them all, but I really, really enjoyed this book. Many of her books have a blend of paranormal, fantasy, etc., and this one was no exception, expertly weaving in fantasy and supernatural flavors into a surprisingly riveting mystery.
The novel starts off a bit convoluted--there are a lot of narrators--and you have to suspend your disbelief at times for the plot to work, but it's really worth it. Necco is a wonderful character, and she's surrounded by this intriguing group of people, including Pru, a cafeteria lady/circus fanatic; Theo, a high school student finding her way; and Mr. Marcelle, a delivery man who helps out his private investigator brother. McMahon seamlessly weaves together these characters--and many more--into a mesmerizing tale that is part ghost story, part mystery, part love story. I honestly couldn't put this book down: I stayed up late to finish it.
This novel isn't your usual mystery or your usual supernatural tale, but it's certainly worth reading if you like one or both genres. There's a sweetness to it, as well as a completely compelling plot that will pull you in immediately.
You can read my review of McMahon's novel, THE NIGHT SISTER, here.
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April 24, 2017
3.5 stars
I have been a Jennifer McMahon fan for quite awhile now. Her books tend to defy genre by including a bit of everything in them. This one is no exception. It starts with a murder, and later as an adult, the witness to the murder invents a machine (based on Thomas Edison's plans) to talk to the dead.
None of McMahon's books are scary but most of them have a strong "creep factor". This one is missing that and is more of a straight up mystery with a little magical realism on the side. I still enjoyed this and I think if you are a fan of the author's you will too. If you've never read her before this is probably not the best place to start. My two favorites are Dismantled and The Winter People.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy.
I have been a Jennifer McMahon fan for quite awhile now. Her books tend to defy genre by including a bit of everything in them. This one is no exception. It starts with a murder, and later as an adult, the witness to the murder invents a machine (based on Thomas Edison's plans) to talk to the dead.
None of McMahon's books are scary but most of them have a strong "creep factor". This one is missing that and is more of a straight up mystery with a little magical realism on the side. I still enjoyed this and I think if you are a fan of the author's you will too. If you've never read her before this is probably not the best place to start. My two favorites are Dismantled and The Winter People.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy.
March 31, 2017
Well , this book has everything, Mystery, Suspense and good background characters that add meaning to the narrative. I want to thank the folks at Netgalley for giving me an ARC of this book. In this book you will find contemporary issues (drugs, lgbt ) and a bit of the supernatural that defies logic, you will also get believable characters and all of this mixes in a good way and it produces a book worth reading . A family that seems to be cursed by a machine that lets you speak to the dead , the plans of which were drawn by Thomas Edison himself. But can this machine truly do what it promises and if it does , would you want to talk to the dead ? And what would they say, all of this is explored in this book, I highly recommend this book to anyone that is looking for another mystery to read , or to any fan of the author that has read her previous works...believe me the wait will be worth it!
April 17, 2017
3 stars--I liked the book.
I've read all of Jennifer McMahon's books, and you never know what to expect from her. I appreciate the boldness of her plots--they get crazy, and I love it.
This one combines supernatural elements with suspense. I thought the strength of the book was the characters--especially the relationship formed between the three main characters. Another strength was the sensitive, realistic portrayal of homelessness and mental illness.
The weakness, in my mind, was not enough supernatural elements. The crazy, cool invention is barely used, which disappointed me.
I received this review copy from the publisher on NetGalley. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review; I appreciate it!
I've read all of Jennifer McMahon's books, and you never know what to expect from her. I appreciate the boldness of her plots--they get crazy, and I love it.
This one combines supernatural elements with suspense. I thought the strength of the book was the characters--especially the relationship formed between the three main characters. Another strength was the sensitive, realistic portrayal of homelessness and mental illness.
The weakness, in my mind, was not enough supernatural elements. The crazy, cool invention is barely used, which disappointed me.
I received this review copy from the publisher on NetGalley. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review; I appreciate it!
March 27, 2017
Mesmerizing! But since the book seriously flirts with the paranormal - which I didn't realize going in - I'm both surprised that I liked it at all and astounded that I absolutely loved it. The fact is, if this one doesn't make the best-seller list, I'll consider it a travesty.
Most chapters are named for various characters, a technique that usually doesn't work well for me, mostly because at my age I tend to forget who's who rather easily. It didn't matter a whit here, though - testimony, I think, to the author's ability to make each character unique and memorable as well as leave written breadcrumbs, if you will, that make the whole thing easy to follow. Early on, a 10-year-old boy named Miles Sandeski watches as his mother is murdered - a crime for which his father is charged. Miles knows better, but he's so young, and the story he tells so absurd, that no one believes him.
His father had, however, told his young son of plans he'd hidden for an ultra-dangerous secret machine that was never built - thought to have been stolen from the workshop of Thomas Edison. Miles found the plans and managed to heed his late father's warning until he was a grown man - a teacher, musician, inventor, husband to wife Lily and father of two children: A son Errol and younger daughter Eva.
The inventor in Miles takes over his better judgment, and he builds the machine in the family's shed in back of their house on the river. Then one day, the unthinkable happens: Miles drowns in a flash flood, leaving Eva and her mother homeless. Eva, who nearly drowned herself, never really believes her mother's claim that the machine is responsible for her father's death.
Everything from that day forward is considered "After the Flood," and because Eva's mother insists someone known as "Snake Eyes" is out to kill them, she and Eva take to the shadowy streets below the bridges of thriving Ashford, Vermont. Now called Necco (after her favorite candy as a child), Eva and Lily live in an underworld populated by "fire eaters," or women who live off the grid at the river's edge and are known for inhaling herbs called the "devil's snuff."
Then suddenly, Lily dies - an apparent suicide - forcing Necco to survive on the streets any way she can. Along the way she finds a boyfriend; just as he is about to reveal what could be clues to her past, he's murdered in the junk car in which they've been living. Now alone, she meets Theo, a talented high school senior who owes a potload of money to a man willing to kill to get it back, and Pru, a seriously overweight lady who serves up food in a school cafeteria by day and puts a whole new spin on night life.
As these intriguing but incongruous characters come together in a tenuous, I'll-scratch-your-back-if-you-scratch-mine sort of relationship, so do details of Eva's life Before the Flood. Several twists and turns later, Eva (and readers) finally learn what really happened. All I can say without giving away too much is this: If you start this book, get cozy for at least the last hour or so - from then on, you won't be able to put it down.
Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read an advance review copy.
Most chapters are named for various characters, a technique that usually doesn't work well for me, mostly because at my age I tend to forget who's who rather easily. It didn't matter a whit here, though - testimony, I think, to the author's ability to make each character unique and memorable as well as leave written breadcrumbs, if you will, that make the whole thing easy to follow. Early on, a 10-year-old boy named Miles Sandeski watches as his mother is murdered - a crime for which his father is charged. Miles knows better, but he's so young, and the story he tells so absurd, that no one believes him.
His father had, however, told his young son of plans he'd hidden for an ultra-dangerous secret machine that was never built - thought to have been stolen from the workshop of Thomas Edison. Miles found the plans and managed to heed his late father's warning until he was a grown man - a teacher, musician, inventor, husband to wife Lily and father of two children: A son Errol and younger daughter Eva.
The inventor in Miles takes over his better judgment, and he builds the machine in the family's shed in back of their house on the river. Then one day, the unthinkable happens: Miles drowns in a flash flood, leaving Eva and her mother homeless. Eva, who nearly drowned herself, never really believes her mother's claim that the machine is responsible for her father's death.
Everything from that day forward is considered "After the Flood," and because Eva's mother insists someone known as "Snake Eyes" is out to kill them, she and Eva take to the shadowy streets below the bridges of thriving Ashford, Vermont. Now called Necco (after her favorite candy as a child), Eva and Lily live in an underworld populated by "fire eaters," or women who live off the grid at the river's edge and are known for inhaling herbs called the "devil's snuff."
Then suddenly, Lily dies - an apparent suicide - forcing Necco to survive on the streets any way she can. Along the way she finds a boyfriend; just as he is about to reveal what could be clues to her past, he's murdered in the junk car in which they've been living. Now alone, she meets Theo, a talented high school senior who owes a potload of money to a man willing to kill to get it back, and Pru, a seriously overweight lady who serves up food in a school cafeteria by day and puts a whole new spin on night life.
As these intriguing but incongruous characters come together in a tenuous, I'll-scratch-your-back-if-you-scratch-mine sort of relationship, so do details of Eva's life Before the Flood. Several twists and turns later, Eva (and readers) finally learn what really happened. All I can say without giving away too much is this: If you start this book, get cozy for at least the last hour or so - from then on, you won't be able to put it down.
Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read an advance review copy.
June 11, 2017
3.25 stars
Thank you to Turning Pages and Doubleday for the chance to read and review this book.
This book was not what I expected it to be. I think it's most redeeming aspect was the way that McMahon tied it all up at the end. There were parts of this book that I struggled to get through. It felt like a wild goose chase from time to time, thinking there was nothing that could possibly happen that could redeem the story. Not quite magical, or true, realism, not quite a good mystery, not really teenage angst, probably more fantasy than anything. This book fell short of my expectations.
A magical machine, a flood, a living carnival act, and life on the streets is what our protagonist faced. Thinking she knew who she was, she became involved with a senators son, a drug dealer and the lunch lady from the school across the street. Chased from her home in an abandoned car Necco - the name she took while on the run - began to understand that things were not as black and white as she thought.
Thank you to Turning Pages and Doubleday for the chance to read and review this book.
This book was not what I expected it to be. I think it's most redeeming aspect was the way that McMahon tied it all up at the end. There were parts of this book that I struggled to get through. It felt like a wild goose chase from time to time, thinking there was nothing that could possibly happen that could redeem the story. Not quite magical, or true, realism, not quite a good mystery, not really teenage angst, probably more fantasy than anything. This book fell short of my expectations.
A magical machine, a flood, a living carnival act, and life on the streets is what our protagonist faced. Thinking she knew who she was, she became involved with a senators son, a drug dealer and the lunch lady from the school across the street. Chased from her home in an abandoned car Necco - the name she took while on the run - began to understand that things were not as black and white as she thought.
March 29, 2024
I liked the storyline for this one. There was a bit of magical realism in it which threw me off a little, but it made sense. I finished feeling ok about it. It was good, but not great for me.
October 4, 2020
All the creepy vibes and twists that I love.
January 6, 2021
7.5 out of 10
ревью на русском/review in russian
Yet again! Creepy, fast-paced, with a bunch of interesting characters. This time the author chose to add to thriller and mystery a hint of magical realism. And the concept is pretty intriguing!
Yes, creepy. Yes, the pacing is fast. Yes, the details are good. And I liked how Mc Mahon introduces her characters. At first, it's just a random POV then *bum* it's one o the key people. But. Yes, "but". The motivation of the criminal is pathetic and just whaaaat. I understand that this is what happens in real life, but against the background of general surrealism, the explanation seems alien. As if cut out of another book.
Still, it's only my taste, so don't be discouraged from reading the book!)
My Reviews for Other McMahon's Books:
Dismantled
The Invited
The Winter People
The Night Sister
The One I Left Behind
Island of Lost Girls
Don't Breathe a Word
Promise Not to Tell
Dismantled
The Invited
The Winter People
The Night Sister
The One I Left Behind
Island of Lost Girls
Don't Breathe a Word
Promise Not to Tell
March 4, 2017
I recently described Jennifer McMahon novels as the Boxed Macaroni & Cheese of thrillers. They may not be all that impressive or all that good, but you just ate the whole thing.
I had higher hopes for her after THE WINTER PEOPLE, which I thought was by far her best effort, but BURNTOWN let me down. A lot. It starts off awfully impressive, with a solid opener and a decent follow up but all that is really just Preface. And the actual story only got worse with each chapter.
There is a lot of magical realism that often appears out of nowhere and will probably disorient or bug some readers. And the best character here (teenage lesbian Theo, who has fallen in love with a drug dealer who's betrayed her) is mostly ignored and overlooked and generally not given much to do. This *might* just be the book that breaks me of my McMahon streak. But I can't say I can promise that.
I had higher hopes for her after THE WINTER PEOPLE, which I thought was by far her best effort, but BURNTOWN let me down. A lot. It starts off awfully impressive, with a solid opener and a decent follow up but all that is really just Preface. And the actual story only got worse with each chapter.
There is a lot of magical realism that often appears out of nowhere and will probably disorient or bug some readers. And the best character here (teenage lesbian Theo, who has fallen in love with a drug dealer who's betrayed her) is mostly ignored and overlooked and generally not given much to do. This *might* just be the book that breaks me of my McMahon streak. But I can't say I can promise that.
April 18, 2017
Wow! I read this in two days. Could not tear my eyes away...
I am a huge, devoted fan of Jennifer McMahon, and I was not disappointed by her latest novel. There is suspense, murder, mystery... even a bit of supernatural ...and I loved how the story pulled me in and I really cared about Necco, Theo, and Pru, and what was going to happen to them. A very satisfying ending.
Thank you, Netgalley, for this arc.
I am a huge, devoted fan of Jennifer McMahon, and I was not disappointed by her latest novel. There is suspense, murder, mystery... even a bit of supernatural ...and I loved how the story pulled me in and I really cared about Necco, Theo, and Pru, and what was going to happen to them. A very satisfying ending.
Thank you, Netgalley, for this arc.
July 19, 2022
Unnecessarily convoluted story about murder and a machine that lets someone talk to the dead, with two teenage girls who don't behave or talk like teenagers.
September 14, 2017
Burntown is the first book I've read by Jennifer McMahon...and I was rather underwhelmed. I think at first I was slightly ambivalent because I loved Theo and the premise was decent, but I didn't like the rest of the characters. Even Theo, after the closet scene, lacked any real depth of character other than a wingman to someone else. And there lies my issue with most of the characters in the book, they exist in a world of convenience. People appear without any explanation as to how they got there and they essentially "disappear" when there is no use longer a use for them.
Necco is a girl who from the age of 14 on had lived through numerous traumas and dealt with it just by not thinking about it. She continues to respond to tragedy with a "if I close my eyes I'm invisible" attitude that doesn't make any sense and doesn't make her at all relatable. Her mantra, that she's "Fire Girl" although repeatedly frequently is based off of one small scene in the book that hardly holds its weight. Necco's mother goes from being somewhat of a carefree spirit to a total whackjob and there is no reasonable explanation for the depth of the leap.
Pru and her circus fantasy starts out as quaint, if tipping the delusional scale, but it soon overwhelms the plot line beyond any believable amount of fantasizing. That her character ends up anywhere other than a mental hospital is hard to swallow. There is a huge gap in Errol's entire existence that isn't addressed in the beginning of the book (he just appears at the age of 8 even though only one child -who is now 3- was ever mentioned), and is poorly explained at the end of the book. It's like a puppet show where characters are dropped in, pulled up, and dropped back down when there's too much empty space on stage.
I think this book had endless potential, it just got lost in the cheesy muck of Pru's pretend circus and a parade of characters we have no attachment to. I didn't care if Necco died from the beginning and even Theo by the end of the book had lost any attraction. The writing was decent and sometimes even good, but very repetitive and although the very things I think would improve the book would have made it longer, I'm glad this one was relatively short.
I received an e-ARC of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Necco is a girl who from the age of 14 on had lived through numerous traumas and dealt with it just by not thinking about it. She continues to respond to tragedy with a "if I close my eyes I'm invisible" attitude that doesn't make any sense and doesn't make her at all relatable. Her mantra, that she's "Fire Girl" although repeatedly frequently is based off of one small scene in the book that hardly holds its weight. Necco's mother goes from being somewhat of a carefree spirit to a total whackjob and there is no reasonable explanation for the depth of the leap.
Pru and her circus fantasy starts out as quaint, if tipping the delusional scale, but it soon overwhelms the plot line beyond any believable amount of fantasizing. That her character ends up anywhere other than a mental hospital is hard to swallow. There is a huge gap in Errol's entire existence that isn't addressed in the beginning of the book (he just appears at the age of 8 even though only one child -who is now 3- was ever mentioned), and is poorly explained at the end of the book. It's like a puppet show where characters are dropped in, pulled up, and dropped back down when there's too much empty space on stage.
I think this book had endless potential, it just got lost in the cheesy muck of Pru's pretend circus and a parade of characters we have no attachment to. I didn't care if Necco died from the beginning and even Theo by the end of the book had lost any attraction. The writing was decent and sometimes even good, but very repetitive and although the very things I think would improve the book would have made it longer, I'm glad this one was relatively short.
I received an e-ARC of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 12, 2018
Jennifer McMahon is easily one of my favorites in the ever so populated world of suspense fiction. In fact a few years ago she actually boldly ventured into the supernatural realm (seems like usually the journey’s done in reverse, from scary to thrillers since that’s where the money’s at) and done very well again. It’s lovely to have a reliable author put out a book a year to look forward to. She doesn’t disappoint and her latest doesn’t either. It’s tremendously entertaining and, while as I surmised from the cover and the title this is more or less a return to thriller form, there are still some supernatural elements. There’s a phone that allows to talk to the dead. And, of course, a bunch of murders, directly and indirectly related to it. There are family secrets and really twisted entanglements and so much going on. And yet, to be honest, kinda expected more. I mean the premise is just so audacious, the mind goes to all the places the story might have traveled to. And all the mysticism of the Fire Eaters…what was that about? And the characters were so young (late teens), it sort of reminded the readers that McMahon started off as a YA author. So basically, objectively this wasn’t perfect, slightly too young, slightly too eager to overwhelm itself, somewhat convoluted if strict logic is to be applied, however, subjectively I loved it and in the end that’s really all that matters. McMahon can tell a story in a way that completely draws you in and I so enjoy spending time with her books. She creates such likeable engaging characters and her suspense writing is superb, she really has you guessing nearly the entire time. And, even though this was relatively upbeat and whimsical for the genre, it still maintained the appropriate dark psychological undertones. There was even a moral and no, not too heavy handed one, and I did appreciate the thematic undercurrent of personal mythologies and everyone living their own legend based on nature, nurture, circumstance and all that and how easy it is to get trapped in that. It went perfectly well with the story. For fictional reading, and particularly when it comes to murder mystery thrillers, this is all a reader can really wish for, something so compelling and immersive and fun as to make the outside world irrelevant for a while, especially on such a dreary day.
March 30, 2017
Release Date: April 25, 2017
Genre: Thriller and Suspense
Jennifer McMahon has been one of my favorite authors for a few years now. This is simply because her books are completely original, they stand out from other books in the genre, and they are extremely interesting in terms of plot line and characters. Unfortunately, Burntown fell a bit short for me. Normally, her books incorporate not only a mystery but quite a bit of paranormal aspects as well. However, this one only dove into the paranormal a tiny bit (so little that it could have bee non existent and it wouldn't have really changed the story). I was rather surprised with this to be honest. Within the blurb you are lead to believe that the plot-line will follow a machine that allows people to talk to the dead, but again, this is hardly prominent within the story. Had there been more of this, the story would have been a hit for me.
Now, I really hate critiquing stories because I know how hard authors work for their stories. So I apologize if this review isn't the best. But this won't deter me from read future books by the author because I truly love her work. Also, just because this novel didn't fit me doesn't mean that other readers won't love it. After all, it is written fantastically and does hold a great amount of mystery and intrigue within the story. I promise, you will not be able to guess who is behind the mystery until it reveals itself.
Overall, this is a decent book, just not my favorite. Fans of the author and those who enjoy mysteries and thrillers may really enjoy this one. So make up your own mind and don't let my review (0r others) deter you from picking up a new novel.
Genre: Thriller and Suspense
Jennifer McMahon has been one of my favorite authors for a few years now. This is simply because her books are completely original, they stand out from other books in the genre, and they are extremely interesting in terms of plot line and characters. Unfortunately, Burntown fell a bit short for me. Normally, her books incorporate not only a mystery but quite a bit of paranormal aspects as well. However, this one only dove into the paranormal a tiny bit (so little that it could have bee non existent and it wouldn't have really changed the story). I was rather surprised with this to be honest. Within the blurb you are lead to believe that the plot-line will follow a machine that allows people to talk to the dead, but again, this is hardly prominent within the story. Had there been more of this, the story would have been a hit for me.
Now, I really hate critiquing stories because I know how hard authors work for their stories. So I apologize if this review isn't the best. But this won't deter me from read future books by the author because I truly love her work. Also, just because this novel didn't fit me doesn't mean that other readers won't love it. After all, it is written fantastically and does hold a great amount of mystery and intrigue within the story. I promise, you will not be able to guess who is behind the mystery until it reveals itself.
Overall, this is a decent book, just not my favorite. Fans of the author and those who enjoy mysteries and thrillers may really enjoy this one. So make up your own mind and don't let my review (0r others) deter you from picking up a new novel.
May 23, 2017
Was a fast, good read, but I liked The Winter People and The Night Sister
better.
better.
May 31, 2017
From the author of Winter People and The Night Sister, comes yet another multi-generational, intricately woven thriller/murder mystery with subtle supernatural undertones and remarkably rich cast of characters. Burntown is different from Jennifer's two previous novels, in both the atmosphere and overall tone of the book (it's less creepy, but somehow more unsettling and emotionally affecting). I'd definitely say it's less Stephen King, and more Dean Koontz, if you know what I mean. And let me tell you, guys, Jennifer has been on my auto-buy list for a while now, and every time I pick up her new book, I am reminded exactly why that is. She's just so good at twisty, edge-of-the-seat thrillers that have a beating heart at the core of it all. And while Burntown isn't my favorite of her books (I'd say Winter People takes the podium there), it is definitely a well-plotted, fast- paced page-turner that is very much worth your while.
At first, the vibe I got from this book was more sinister and reminiscent of Frequency (the 2000's movie), but as the story unraveled, and new characters were introduced, I realized this was more of a deftly plotted murder mystery, than a ghastly, bone-chilling thriller. And that's not a bad thing at all, as I found myself really hooked on the story line, trying to guess ahead and solve the puzzle (which wasn't easy at all, let me tell you that).
I must admit that I felt rather teased by the fantasy/supernatural aspect of the plot. I was hoping that part would be explored further (as in, the special phone would play a bigger part). The way the plot unraveled left me craving more. Initially, I assumed the lost (or stolen, if you will) Edison's secret invention that allows you to communicate with the dead would be at the core of the story, and we would eventually get to see it in action again, in some super creeptastic, hair-raising scene. Well, that didn't happen. Aside from the two brief scene-setters that took place in the past and were the catalysts to the events centering Eva in the present, the supernatural aspect came down to the Fire Breathers and their ability to see beyond the veil after using the Snuff.
That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed putting pieces of the puzzle together and figuring out who-dunit. Some parts of the story were a bit predictable, while others left me genuinely surprised and pleased. I must also add, that I really connected with the characters in this story, especially Eva and Theo. I appreciated how diverse the cast was, too. I loved Pru and her little circus full of dreams and magic. And I loved the (very, very subtle and barely present, yet thoroughly satisfying) romance between Pru and Fred. It was a nice little cherry to top off the captivating read.
At first, the vibe I got from this book was more sinister and reminiscent of Frequency (the 2000's movie), but as the story unraveled, and new characters were introduced, I realized this was more of a deftly plotted murder mystery, than a ghastly, bone-chilling thriller. And that's not a bad thing at all, as I found myself really hooked on the story line, trying to guess ahead and solve the puzzle (which wasn't easy at all, let me tell you that).
I must admit that I felt rather teased by the fantasy/supernatural aspect of the plot. I was hoping that part would be explored further (as in, the special phone would play a bigger part). The way the plot unraveled left me craving more. Initially, I assumed the lost (or stolen, if you will) Edison's secret invention that allows you to communicate with the dead would be at the core of the story, and we would eventually get to see it in action again, in some super creeptastic, hair-raising scene. Well, that didn't happen. Aside from the two brief scene-setters that took place in the past and were the catalysts to the events centering Eva in the present, the supernatural aspect came down to the Fire Breathers and their ability to see beyond the veil after using the Snuff.
That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed putting pieces of the puzzle together and figuring out who-dunit. Some parts of the story were a bit predictable, while others left me genuinely surprised and pleased. I must also add, that I really connected with the characters in this story, especially Eva and Theo. I appreciated how diverse the cast was, too. I loved Pru and her little circus full of dreams and magic. And I loved the (very, very subtle and barely present, yet thoroughly satisfying) romance between Pru and Fred. It was a nice little cherry to top off the captivating read.
March 25, 2017
When I first saw this book offered on Net Galley, I didn't even read the description. I saw the name Jennifer McMahon and bam, I hit request. I have read several of this author's books and I have never been disappointed. While I can say this one was certainly different than others that I have read, it did not disappoint.
There was most certainly a lot of action going on in this book. At first, while the author was putting out the puzzle pieces it was a little slow. You can't just throw out the pieces, you have to make sure that they are all right side up. Then you have to put all the straight edges in a certain pile. Then you can start putting the puzzle together.
That's when this book started taking off. And boy, did it take off. The knapsack, the knitting needles, the money, snake eyes, wow I'm getting goose pimples thinking about it. I do have to say, the circus part, that was strange when I first started reading it. It was still strange after I figured it out, but I guess it would take someone strange to get into the car with these girls.
And, while first starting to read this, I thought that I had read it so fast that I had missed something with the flood. That is one thing about e-books, it's harder to go back and find something. However, I did discover that, no, I did not miss something. The book was Necco talking.
With all this being said, I hope that this little hints are just enough to intrigue, not give out spoilers. Because, this is an awesome read from an awesome author who has never failed to disappoint me. Like I said, I just saw the name and said "yes"!
Huge thanks to Doubleday Books for approving my request and to Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest unbiased review.
There was most certainly a lot of action going on in this book. At first, while the author was putting out the puzzle pieces it was a little slow. You can't just throw out the pieces, you have to make sure that they are all right side up. Then you have to put all the straight edges in a certain pile. Then you can start putting the puzzle together.
That's when this book started taking off. And boy, did it take off. The knapsack, the knitting needles, the money, snake eyes, wow I'm getting goose pimples thinking about it. I do have to say, the circus part, that was strange when I first started reading it. It was still strange after I figured it out, but I guess it would take someone strange to get into the car with these girls.
And, while first starting to read this, I thought that I had read it so fast that I had missed something with the flood. That is one thing about e-books, it's harder to go back and find something. However, I did discover that, no, I did not miss something. The book was Necco talking.
With all this being said, I hope that this little hints are just enough to intrigue, not give out spoilers. Because, this is an awesome read from an awesome author who has never failed to disappoint me. Like I said, I just saw the name and said "yes"!
Huge thanks to Doubleday Books for approving my request and to Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest unbiased review.
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