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Mary Rose
Mary Rose Moreland and Simon Blake are the perfect couple: successful young professionals in Philadelphia, attractive, madly in love, and ready to start a life together. When they travel to England for Simon to ask her parents’ permission to marry Mary Rose, he learns an unsettling secret: Mary Rose disappeared when she was a little girl while the family was vacationing on a remote Scottish island. She reappeared mysteriously thirty-three days later in the exact same spot without a scratch on her and no memory of what had happened.
After Simon hears about this disturbing episode in Mary Rose’s childhood, he becomes obsessed with finding out what happened. He proceeds to launch his own investigation and arranges during their honeymoon for them to visit the island where she disappeared. But as Mary Rose’s behavior gets stranger after their engagement, the need for Simon to unlock the truth about her past grows even more urgent. What he uncovers is beyond his most terrifying fears.
Mary Rose is author Geoffrey Girard’s chilling and modern take on a classic ghost story originally written by J. M. Barrie. And for years, master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock attempted to adapt Mary Rose into a film but was never successful. With this novel, Girard taps into the nightmarish fears that inspired both Barrie and Hitchcock, while also bringing the story to the present day with his own unique voice.
After Simon hears about this disturbing episode in Mary Rose’s childhood, he becomes obsessed with finding out what happened. He proceeds to launch his own investigation and arranges during their honeymoon for them to visit the island where she disappeared. But as Mary Rose’s behavior gets stranger after their engagement, the need for Simon to unlock the truth about her past grows even more urgent. What he uncovers is beyond his most terrifying fears.
Mary Rose is author Geoffrey Girard’s chilling and modern take on a classic ghost story originally written by J. M. Barrie. And for years, master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock attempted to adapt Mary Rose into a film but was never successful. With this novel, Girard taps into the nightmarish fears that inspired both Barrie and Hitchcock, while also bringing the story to the present day with his own unique voice.
Audio CD
First published October 17, 2017
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About the author
Geoffrey Girard
24 books184 followersGeoffrey Girard writes thrillers, historicals, and dark speculative fiction. Simon and Schuster published two Girard novels simultaneously in 2013: CAIN'S BLOOD, a techno thriller, and PROJECT CAIN, a companion novel for teen/YA readers which was nominated for a Bram Stoker award for "Superior Achievement in a Young Adult Novel."
Girard's short fiction has appeared in several best-selling anthologies and magazines, including Writers of the Future (a 2003 winner), Prime Codex, Aoife's Kiss, The Willows, Murky Depths, Apex Horror & Science Fiction Digest, and the Stoker-nominated Dark Faith anthology.
Born in Germany and shaped in New Jersey, Geoffrey currently lives in Ohio and is the English Department Chair at a private boys' high school. He has a BA in English literature from Washington College and an MA in creative writing from Miami University.
Girard's short fiction has appeared in several best-selling anthologies and magazines, including Writers of the Future (a 2003 winner), Prime Codex, Aoife's Kiss, The Willows, Murky Depths, Apex Horror & Science Fiction Digest, and the Stoker-nominated Dark Faith anthology.
Born in Germany and shaped in New Jersey, Geoffrey currently lives in Ohio and is the English Department Chair at a private boys' high school. He has a BA in English literature from Washington College and an MA in creative writing from Miami University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
November 15, 2017
3.5 stars
I wasn’t sure what to think about this book when I first saw the synopsis, I couldn’t tell whether it was going to be a horror or something else. It turned out to be something else.
Going into this book I was impressed with the writing and the building of characters. Both elements really helped set the mysterious, brooding tone that this book portrays.
I began the book enjoying Simon’s character but eventually, like a lot of over-bearing husband characters, he got on my nerves. I understand the books whole thing was about protecting Mary Rose but the way he crawled around on all fours for her got really irritating. I understand this was done to add a layer to the story, however, I didn’t enjoy that aspect of it. I much prefer books that aren’t all loved up and mushy. I think my annoyance with the characters in this ruined a certain aspect of the book and made it less enjoyable for me overall.
I really liked the story for this one, however. A twenty year old mystery of how a young girl when missing on a mysterious and creepy Scottish island is definitely the sort of book I like. The tension and paranoia built throughout the story is superb and you’re really stuck wondering is Mary Rose dead? Is Mary Rose a portal to some sort of dark magic? Is the island really filled with paranormal things? It’s a great book that keeps you guessing all the way through.
This book does give all it secrets up at once, which normally isn’t my kind of mystery book, but it worked in this one. I know many people are disappointed by the ending but I thought it was equally shocking as it was poignant. Reading the afterthought bit about the original story of Mary Rose and Hitchcock’s ideas for a movie of it really helped me understand and appreciate how the novel ended.
I would recommend this novel for readers who have a slightly different taste in mysteries than me. If you like themes such as love and loss, then you will really get on with this one. I personally thought it was going to be more spooky and less emotional, but I still enjoyed the bulk of it.
Thanks to Netgalley, Adaptive Books and Sunshine Sachs for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
I wasn’t sure what to think about this book when I first saw the synopsis, I couldn’t tell whether it was going to be a horror or something else. It turned out to be something else.
Going into this book I was impressed with the writing and the building of characters. Both elements really helped set the mysterious, brooding tone that this book portrays.
I began the book enjoying Simon’s character but eventually, like a lot of over-bearing husband characters, he got on my nerves. I understand the books whole thing was about protecting Mary Rose but the way he crawled around on all fours for her got really irritating. I understand this was done to add a layer to the story, however, I didn’t enjoy that aspect of it. I much prefer books that aren’t all loved up and mushy. I think my annoyance with the characters in this ruined a certain aspect of the book and made it less enjoyable for me overall.
I really liked the story for this one, however. A twenty year old mystery of how a young girl when missing on a mysterious and creepy Scottish island is definitely the sort of book I like. The tension and paranoia built throughout the story is superb and you’re really stuck wondering is Mary Rose dead? Is Mary Rose a portal to some sort of dark magic? Is the island really filled with paranormal things? It’s a great book that keeps you guessing all the way through.
This book does give all it secrets up at once, which normally isn’t my kind of mystery book, but it worked in this one. I know many people are disappointed by the ending but I thought it was equally shocking as it was poignant. Reading the afterthought bit about the original story of Mary Rose and Hitchcock’s ideas for a movie of it really helped me understand and appreciate how the novel ended.
I would recommend this novel for readers who have a slightly different taste in mysteries than me. If you like themes such as love and loss, then you will really get on with this one. I personally thought it was going to be more spooky and less emotional, but I still enjoyed the bulk of it.
Thanks to Netgalley, Adaptive Books and Sunshine Sachs for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
June 29, 2018
This was... fine? I guess? I would not recommend listening to the audiobook. The narrator infuses it with a lot of melodrama and bad accents, and hearing the name 'Mary Rose' spoken aloud approximately eighty-five million times is grating. I don't know. I just felt impatient listening to this. For the fact that about 95% of it was character development, none of the characters were particularly well developed. The 5% of actual story was fine, just not enough to really hold my interest. I'd like to read the JM Barrie play at some point though.
October 17, 2017
If you love old style horror movies or novels you have to read this book.
When a six year old Mary Rose goes missing during an island jaunt with her father, all hell breaks loose. Was she abducted or was there something more sinister and otherworldly at work? The answers aren't any more clear when she reappears more than a month later seemingly in perfect health, remembering nothing of her ordeal.
Fast forward to the present. She and Simon, her betrothed, travel to England to meet the parents. But what they find only leads him deeper down the rabbit hole that comprises the past of the woman he wants to marry.
This book is a page turner. From the first spooky encounter on an island that seems to be a character all its own, to the race against time to solve the mystery of what happened to Mary Rose, Simon is a man on a mission to save his bride from the past and a future that looks increasingly fraught with danger.
I loved this book and can't wait to read more from this talented author. Fans of Rosemary's Baby, The Legend of Hell House, The Haunting of Hill House and other old style horror films and stories will fall in love with this tale, that was nearly made into a movie by none other than Hitchcock himself. Kudos to Mr. Girard for bringing this story to life.
When a six year old Mary Rose goes missing during an island jaunt with her father, all hell breaks loose. Was she abducted or was there something more sinister and otherworldly at work? The answers aren't any more clear when she reappears more than a month later seemingly in perfect health, remembering nothing of her ordeal.
Fast forward to the present. She and Simon, her betrothed, travel to England to meet the parents. But what they find only leads him deeper down the rabbit hole that comprises the past of the woman he wants to marry.
This book is a page turner. From the first spooky encounter on an island that seems to be a character all its own, to the race against time to solve the mystery of what happened to Mary Rose, Simon is a man on a mission to save his bride from the past and a future that looks increasingly fraught with danger.
I loved this book and can't wait to read more from this talented author. Fans of Rosemary's Baby, The Legend of Hell House, The Haunting of Hill House and other old style horror films and stories will fall in love with this tale, that was nearly made into a movie by none other than Hitchcock himself. Kudos to Mr. Girard for bringing this story to life.
April 22, 2018
When I found out the backstory of this book, originally a play by J.M. Barrie, which Alfred Hitchcock had so desperately wanted to adapt to the big screen, I couldn't wait to read it; and this modern novelized version of this story by Geoffrey Girard, definitely lived up to my expectations. It is a spellbinding mixture of suspense, fantasy and romance. This retelling of the popular story teases at sci-fi, but never completely gives itself over to the genre, which was a relief to me because I find thrillers, such as this, more compelling if rooted in reality.
Geoffrey Girard proves himself to be an exceptionally gifted and masterful storyteller, leading the reader though this addictive tale, which centers on an enigmatic, young British woman and her fiance, a prominent, Philadelphia-based attorney. Something bizarre happened to Mary Rose Moreland twenty years earlier when she was a six-year-old child who disappeared during an excursion to a mysterious island off the coast of Scotland. After most had given up hope of finding her, she suddenly reappeared 33 days later, on the same spot where she had last been seen with no memory of her time lost. Fast forward 20 years and Mary Rose's fiance Simon Blake is just learning of the incident from her parents, and realizing this must be the source of the strange behavior and emotional disturbance she sometimes exhibits.
Following his initial reluctance to open this Pandora's Box, Simon eventually makes it his mission to uncover the truth of what happened to Mary Rose while she was missing.This island, beautiful though it may be is an eerie, deserted place, believed by many to be haunted and is frequently the setting for occult rituals, but Mary Rose continues to be inexplicably drawn to it despite the PTSD she has suffered since disappearing there all those years ago. While honeymooning near this island, the couple discover a shocking labyrinth of secrets and lies that inspires true terror. The reader is quickly drawn into this chilling yarn filled with twists and turns and held captive until the last page.
Geoffrey Girard proves himself to be an exceptionally gifted and masterful storyteller, leading the reader though this addictive tale, which centers on an enigmatic, young British woman and her fiance, a prominent, Philadelphia-based attorney. Something bizarre happened to Mary Rose Moreland twenty years earlier when she was a six-year-old child who disappeared during an excursion to a mysterious island off the coast of Scotland. After most had given up hope of finding her, she suddenly reappeared 33 days later, on the same spot where she had last been seen with no memory of her time lost. Fast forward 20 years and Mary Rose's fiance Simon Blake is just learning of the incident from her parents, and realizing this must be the source of the strange behavior and emotional disturbance she sometimes exhibits.
Following his initial reluctance to open this Pandora's Box, Simon eventually makes it his mission to uncover the truth of what happened to Mary Rose while she was missing.This island, beautiful though it may be is an eerie, deserted place, believed by many to be haunted and is frequently the setting for occult rituals, but Mary Rose continues to be inexplicably drawn to it despite the PTSD she has suffered since disappearing there all those years ago. While honeymooning near this island, the couple discover a shocking labyrinth of secrets and lies that inspires true terror. The reader is quickly drawn into this chilling yarn filled with twists and turns and held captive until the last page.
February 18, 2018
I read the ending twice; I don’t understand it.
October 17, 2017
Meet Mary Rose. She's heading back home to England with her boyfriend, Simon, so he can meet her parents and ask for permission to marry their daughter. He knows about her sullen moments and her tendencies to withdraw into herself at times. Upon their arrival, it becomes worse. Soon he finds out she disappeared while vacationing in Scotland for 33 days as a child and came back with no memory. He becomes obsessed in trying to find out what happened so that they can move forward with their lives but the entire island in Scotland where this happened won't speak about it.
Interestingly, this is marketed as a "modern take on a classic ghost story". For a majority of the book, I could not understand why. There were paranormal and occult type vibes that you could feel, but the ghost element lost me. Until the end. Then I understood. I love it when it all comes together in that A-HA moment! We see this story unfold between both Simon and Mary Rose's points of view. He, as a lawyer, obsessively reads into everything that is going on around him and probes continuously about what could have happened on that island. We see his frustration with the other characters who don't seem to want to help, and with her parents who just want him to help her without ever talking to her about her disappearance. I mean, why bring back painful memories, right? Through her eyes we see that whatever happened is especially bothering her the more and more she's back at home in England and especially so on her trips to the Scottish island.
While I absolutely loved how it all came together and that eerie, creepy feeling that a good ghost story can give you, there were just a few things that just didn't quite make sense which is why I'm torn on my ranking for this book. I am certainly ok with suspending reality - especially in a story that caters to the paranormal/Hitchcockian type feel... but there's just one thing that I can't get past and so I'll leave it at this so as not to spoil anything for anyone. Feel free to message me if you'd like to know what ;)
Overall a book that kept me turning the pages to see exactly what DID happen to Mary Rose - I really needed to know! And the creepy vibe that came with this story is perfect for this time of year.
Huge thank you to Adaptive Books for this copy in return for my honest review. 3.5 stars!
Interestingly, this is marketed as a "modern take on a classic ghost story". For a majority of the book, I could not understand why. There were paranormal and occult type vibes that you could feel, but the ghost element lost me. Until the end. Then I understood. I love it when it all comes together in that A-HA moment! We see this story unfold between both Simon and Mary Rose's points of view. He, as a lawyer, obsessively reads into everything that is going on around him and probes continuously about what could have happened on that island. We see his frustration with the other characters who don't seem to want to help, and with her parents who just want him to help her without ever talking to her about her disappearance. I mean, why bring back painful memories, right? Through her eyes we see that whatever happened is especially bothering her the more and more she's back at home in England and especially so on her trips to the Scottish island.
While I absolutely loved how it all came together and that eerie, creepy feeling that a good ghost story can give you, there were just a few things that just didn't quite make sense which is why I'm torn on my ranking for this book. I am certainly ok with suspending reality - especially in a story that caters to the paranormal/Hitchcockian type feel... but there's just one thing that I can't get past and so I'll leave it at this so as not to spoil anything for anyone. Feel free to message me if you'd like to know what ;)
Overall a book that kept me turning the pages to see exactly what DID happen to Mary Rose - I really needed to know! And the creepy vibe that came with this story is perfect for this time of year.
Huge thank you to Adaptive Books for this copy in return for my honest review. 3.5 stars!
January 18, 2020
Girard kept the classic style of the romantic ghost story very well with modern nods. You want to keep reading although his writing style wasn't as fluid as I prefer, but I realize that is preference. I kept feeling like I could see this better on screen than as a book, and low & behold it's shared, Hitchcock wanted to make this a film. Awesome essay at the back of the book regarding this. All in all an easy read, but shame on the editor for not catching some misspelled words and a few punctuation errors. Great story with inspiration from Barrie's play. It has a Brigadoon feel which I like.
November 27, 2017
The nitty-gritty: A stylish and atmospheric tale, part ghost story, part psychological thriller, that sneaks up on you slowly.
Girard’s version of Mary Rose is based on a 1920 play written J.M. Barrie (the author of the beloved book Peter Pan ), and before I read this book, I had never heard of the play before. According to Mr. Girard’s informative Afterword, Hitchcock was obsessed with making Mary Rose into a movie, but after various setbacks, it never happened. (The Afterword itself is a well-researched piece that not only talks about the ill-fated movie, but delves into the seedy side of Hitchcock himself, and the themes that dominate his films. I highly recommend you don’t skip it!) With these interesting tidbits of information, I was very curious to read this book, and I’m happy to say I enjoyed it immensely. Mary Rose has a Gothic creepiness that makes it a perfect read for this time of year, full of beautifully written but unsettling imagery. My usual daily reading time is at night in bed before I fall asleep, and I have to admit I had to put the book down more than once during these reading sessions, simply because I was too scared to continue. Mary Rose is a slow burn mystery, and it takes most of the book to reveal that mystery to the reader, but this slow pacing was perfect for the story. Girard forces the reader to linger over the darkest parts, making the reading experience one of creeping terror, even when you don’t have any idea what’s happening.
Simon Blake works for a high profile law firm in Philadelphia, but the main love of his life is girlfriend Mary Rose Morland. Simon and Mary Rose plan on getting engaged, but Simon wants to travel to England to formally ask Mary Rose’s father for permission to marry his daughter. When they arrive, Simon realizes he has his work cut out for him. Mrs. Morland gives him a chilly reception, and despite Mr. Morland’s friendly demeanor, their house is austere and unwelcoming. The family is clearly hiding something from Simon, and during one conversation, they reveal that Mary Rose went missing when she was little for thirty-three days, only to appear suddenly unharmed, in the same exact spot from where she disappeared. This strange mystery has never been solved, and Mary Rose has no memories at all of the event.
During their visit, Mary Rose begs Simon to take her to Scotland to visit “The Little Island That Likes to be Visited,” off the coast of a small village named Mhoire’s Point, the location of her long-ago disappearance. But is she finally remembering what happened to her? Or is she simply recalling the wonderful times she had there as a child? Simon is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, despite the fact that no one wants to talk about it. As strange occurrences pile up, and Mary Rose’s behavior becomes more and more erratic, Simon delves deeper into the secret life of the island, braving rumors of devil worship and more, in order to save Mary Rose from her past.
This is the first adult book I’ve read by Geoffrey Girard (the other two I’ve read were both young adult), and it’s by far the most maturely written. He seems to be completely at ease with this writing style, with atmospheric and almost poetic descriptions conjuring a dark and rainy Scottish landscape. But don’t let the word “poetic” scare you away. He never goes over the top with his descriptions, but gives us just enough to set the tone, leaving the reader unsettled and wary of the dark.
If you’re looking for a story with an unreliable narrator, because let’s face it, those are the most fun stories! Then look no further. Mary Rose is a mystery from the get go, and it isn’t until almost the end that I finally understood why she was so strange. At first I had a hard time trying to figure out why Simon loved her so much. She’s a mess. She obviously has some mental issues stemming from her disappearance years ago, and her relationship with her parents doesn’t help the situation at all. Mary Rose tends to utter cryptic phrases that don't make sense, her mood changes from chapter to chapter, and her desire to visit the island worries everyone in the family. I had to give Simon props for sticking with her, I’m not sure I would have!
We finally get some shocking answers at the end of the story—Simon’s sleuthing does eventually pay off—but whether or not those answers point toward something paranormal or not is for the reader to decide. Girard also gives us a fantastic twist that will make you rethink what you’ve read so far, and if you’re like me, you may look back on the first parts of the story with new eyes. The last chapter is devastatingly sad and eerie at the same time. I got goosebumps reading those last paragraphs!
So was this a ghost story? Or was Mary Rose simply traumatized by her experience as a child? It’s hard to say for sure. I think every reader will interpret it in their own way. As for me, I loved the reading experience, and I still find myself thinking about the story days later. For readers who aren’t afraid of a slower paced tale, the payoff is definitely worth the wait.
Big thanks to the author for providing a copy for review.
Mary Rose is available now exclusively at Barnes & Noble until April 2018! This review originally appeared on Books, Bones & Buffy
The creepy mirror was full-size and seemed unnaturally enormous hanging on the wall that way and reflecting only darkness. Framed in antique scrollwork, the glass within was pitch-black, and there was no image beyond the impression of hundreds of dark clouds clumped together in a bleak, lifeless night sky.
Girard’s version of Mary Rose is based on a 1920 play written J.M. Barrie (the author of the beloved book Peter Pan ), and before I read this book, I had never heard of the play before. According to Mr. Girard’s informative Afterword, Hitchcock was obsessed with making Mary Rose into a movie, but after various setbacks, it never happened. (The Afterword itself is a well-researched piece that not only talks about the ill-fated movie, but delves into the seedy side of Hitchcock himself, and the themes that dominate his films. I highly recommend you don’t skip it!) With these interesting tidbits of information, I was very curious to read this book, and I’m happy to say I enjoyed it immensely. Mary Rose has a Gothic creepiness that makes it a perfect read for this time of year, full of beautifully written but unsettling imagery. My usual daily reading time is at night in bed before I fall asleep, and I have to admit I had to put the book down more than once during these reading sessions, simply because I was too scared to continue. Mary Rose is a slow burn mystery, and it takes most of the book to reveal that mystery to the reader, but this slow pacing was perfect for the story. Girard forces the reader to linger over the darkest parts, making the reading experience one of creeping terror, even when you don’t have any idea what’s happening.
Simon Blake works for a high profile law firm in Philadelphia, but the main love of his life is girlfriend Mary Rose Morland. Simon and Mary Rose plan on getting engaged, but Simon wants to travel to England to formally ask Mary Rose’s father for permission to marry his daughter. When they arrive, Simon realizes he has his work cut out for him. Mrs. Morland gives him a chilly reception, and despite Mr. Morland’s friendly demeanor, their house is austere and unwelcoming. The family is clearly hiding something from Simon, and during one conversation, they reveal that Mary Rose went missing when she was little for thirty-three days, only to appear suddenly unharmed, in the same exact spot from where she disappeared. This strange mystery has never been solved, and Mary Rose has no memories at all of the event.
During their visit, Mary Rose begs Simon to take her to Scotland to visit “The Little Island That Likes to be Visited,” off the coast of a small village named Mhoire’s Point, the location of her long-ago disappearance. But is she finally remembering what happened to her? Or is she simply recalling the wonderful times she had there as a child? Simon is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, despite the fact that no one wants to talk about it. As strange occurrences pile up, and Mary Rose’s behavior becomes more and more erratic, Simon delves deeper into the secret life of the island, braving rumors of devil worship and more, in order to save Mary Rose from her past.
This is the first adult book I’ve read by Geoffrey Girard (the other two I’ve read were both young adult), and it’s by far the most maturely written. He seems to be completely at ease with this writing style, with atmospheric and almost poetic descriptions conjuring a dark and rainy Scottish landscape. But don’t let the word “poetic” scare you away. He never goes over the top with his descriptions, but gives us just enough to set the tone, leaving the reader unsettled and wary of the dark.
If you’re looking for a story with an unreliable narrator, because let’s face it, those are the most fun stories! Then look no further. Mary Rose is a mystery from the get go, and it isn’t until almost the end that I finally understood why she was so strange. At first I had a hard time trying to figure out why Simon loved her so much. She’s a mess. She obviously has some mental issues stemming from her disappearance years ago, and her relationship with her parents doesn’t help the situation at all. Mary Rose tends to utter cryptic phrases that don't make sense, her mood changes from chapter to chapter, and her desire to visit the island worries everyone in the family. I had to give Simon props for sticking with her, I’m not sure I would have!
We finally get some shocking answers at the end of the story—Simon’s sleuthing does eventually pay off—but whether or not those answers point toward something paranormal or not is for the reader to decide. Girard also gives us a fantastic twist that will make you rethink what you’ve read so far, and if you’re like me, you may look back on the first parts of the story with new eyes. The last chapter is devastatingly sad and eerie at the same time. I got goosebumps reading those last paragraphs!
So was this a ghost story? Or was Mary Rose simply traumatized by her experience as a child? It’s hard to say for sure. I think every reader will interpret it in their own way. As for me, I loved the reading experience, and I still find myself thinking about the story days later. For readers who aren’t afraid of a slower paced tale, the payoff is definitely worth the wait.
Big thanks to the author for providing a copy for review.
Mary Rose is available now exclusively at Barnes & Noble until April 2018! This review originally appeared on Books, Bones & Buffy
July 22, 2018
If the dead were to come back, what would you do with them? -- Alfred Hitchcock
This quote is in the opening pages of Mary Rose, and sets the mood for the story. I like spooky ghost-ish paranormal (not vampires, werewolves, etc) so this book was completely my style. Knowing that it tickled Hitchcock's fancy made it even more appealing. (Though I wish I hadn't read the Afterword....too much info about Hitchcock's tendency to be a dirty old man. Gross.)
The story moves pretty slowly and focuses more on the literary technique of building suspense rather than being a true page-turning thriller. It's beautifully written, very reminiscent of classically eerie stories like those from Poe and Lovecraft.
Some repetitive elements were annoying...such as the name "Mary Rose" and the way people were inexplicably drawn to her. She was very childish, which was part of the plot, but her antics were tiresome.
This book reminded me of The Ghost Notebooks by Ben Dolnick and The New Neighbors by Simon Lelic.
This quote is in the opening pages of Mary Rose, and sets the mood for the story. I like spooky ghost-ish paranormal (not vampires, werewolves, etc) so this book was completely my style. Knowing that it tickled Hitchcock's fancy made it even more appealing. (Though I wish I hadn't read the Afterword....too much info about Hitchcock's tendency to be a dirty old man. Gross.)
The story moves pretty slowly and focuses more on the literary technique of building suspense rather than being a true page-turning thriller. It's beautifully written, very reminiscent of classically eerie stories like those from Poe and Lovecraft.
Some repetitive elements were annoying...such as the name "Mary Rose" and the way people were inexplicably drawn to her. She was very childish, which was part of the plot, but her antics were tiresome.
This book reminded me of The Ghost Notebooks by Ben Dolnick and The New Neighbors by Simon Lelic.
October 31, 2017
3.5 Stars
I'm at a loss right now about how to review 'Mary Rose'. There were definite pros and cons for me, but my mind is still reeling and trying to process everything that happened and/or possibly happened. That probably doesn't make sense, but if you'll read the book I think you'd get it. I'm just going to break it down so I can keep my thoughts straight.
Pros:
Plot: The plot was incredible. I found it complex and layered and it had so much happening that it still makes my mind spin. But that's part of what I loved about it. I guess you could categorize this novel as mystery, suspense, and/or horror - but it's honestly an unique blend of all three. I don't do spoilers in my reviews, so I can't go into the plot and all of my questions without giving anything away. Which makes this extra hard. I'm just going to say that there were several twists and turns you don't see coming and completely blindside you. You'll think that you have an idea of what's happening or the truth of the past - but you don't. Trust me. There were several story lines that wove together into the overall plot of the novel in a way that captured my imagination and my heart. I never thought I'd also describe a horror novel as having a romantic aspect, but this one definitely does and makes up a big part of the story (in my opinion).
Characters: The characters were well rounded and fascinating - especially Mary Rose and Simon. Obviously the story focuses on Mary Rose (hence the name) and we get to know her pretty well throughout the book. Not as much as I would have liked though. (See my comment below on writing style.) She was layered and had a lot going on, and I really wish we got to connect with her on a deeper level. I loved watching Simon and Mary Rose's relationship change and grow over the length of the novel. The secondary characters - namely Mary Rose's parents - were decently complex with their own flaws and issues that are exposed throughout the book.
Cons:
Writing Style: This is always a huge point for me and one I almost always touch on in my reviews. My preferred style is the first person because of the deep connection with the narrator. The author wrote the story from the third person, alternating between Simon and Mary Rose. I liked getting to see things from each of their perspectives, but I couldn't connect with either of them as much as I wanted. I truly believe that if I could've identified more with Mary Rose - or even Simon - I would have had a different and probably better experience. I understand why the author chose to write the book this way and it does make sense with the story, it's just my own personal preference.
Pace: There were times throughout the story that seemed to drag on without anything happening. These periods made my mind start to wander and took me out of the world the author created. It felt like it took too long for things to actually happen during the story - and when it did, it was just a snippet of something. Until the last third to quarter of the novel, when things finally took off full speed and everything came out. It doesn't seem like this makes sense, and it might not to other readers, but that was my take on the pacing.
Overall, this was an original and fresh novel that mixed together several genres to create something new. I really enjoyed most of the book, but there were issues that made my experience less than I hoped. I do recommend it for fans of horror, mystery, suspense, thrillers, and paranormal.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I'm at a loss right now about how to review 'Mary Rose'. There were definite pros and cons for me, but my mind is still reeling and trying to process everything that happened and/or possibly happened. That probably doesn't make sense, but if you'll read the book I think you'd get it. I'm just going to break it down so I can keep my thoughts straight.
Pros:
Plot: The plot was incredible. I found it complex and layered and it had so much happening that it still makes my mind spin. But that's part of what I loved about it. I guess you could categorize this novel as mystery, suspense, and/or horror - but it's honestly an unique blend of all three. I don't do spoilers in my reviews, so I can't go into the plot and all of my questions without giving anything away. Which makes this extra hard. I'm just going to say that there were several twists and turns you don't see coming and completely blindside you. You'll think that you have an idea of what's happening or the truth of the past - but you don't. Trust me. There were several story lines that wove together into the overall plot of the novel in a way that captured my imagination and my heart. I never thought I'd also describe a horror novel as having a romantic aspect, but this one definitely does and makes up a big part of the story (in my opinion).
Characters: The characters were well rounded and fascinating - especially Mary Rose and Simon. Obviously the story focuses on Mary Rose (hence the name) and we get to know her pretty well throughout the book. Not as much as I would have liked though. (See my comment below on writing style.) She was layered and had a lot going on, and I really wish we got to connect with her on a deeper level. I loved watching Simon and Mary Rose's relationship change and grow over the length of the novel. The secondary characters - namely Mary Rose's parents - were decently complex with their own flaws and issues that are exposed throughout the book.
Cons:
Writing Style: This is always a huge point for me and one I almost always touch on in my reviews. My preferred style is the first person because of the deep connection with the narrator. The author wrote the story from the third person, alternating between Simon and Mary Rose. I liked getting to see things from each of their perspectives, but I couldn't connect with either of them as much as I wanted. I truly believe that if I could've identified more with Mary Rose - or even Simon - I would have had a different and probably better experience. I understand why the author chose to write the book this way and it does make sense with the story, it's just my own personal preference.
Pace: There were times throughout the story that seemed to drag on without anything happening. These periods made my mind start to wander and took me out of the world the author created. It felt like it took too long for things to actually happen during the story - and when it did, it was just a snippet of something. Until the last third to quarter of the novel, when things finally took off full speed and everything came out. It doesn't seem like this makes sense, and it might not to other readers, but that was my take on the pacing.
Overall, this was an original and fresh novel that mixed together several genres to create something new. I really enjoyed most of the book, but there were issues that made my experience less than I hoped. I do recommend it for fans of horror, mystery, suspense, thrillers, and paranormal.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
June 2, 2018
Until I started reading this book, I did not realize that it was originally a three act play written by J.M. Barrie in 1920. also found it interesting {in the afterword} that Alfred Hitchcock tried for years to turn this into a movie. Geoffrey Girard turn Mary Rose into a current time book. Mary Rose and Simon want to get married. they are in their 20s and 30s. Simon wants to ask Mary Rose's parents permission to marry their daughter. They travel to England to see her parents. Simon is told very upsetting news about Mary Rose when she was six years old. She is on a small island with her father when she disappears. She is missing for 33 days when she reappears on the same spot she disappeared from. She seems unscathed and no memory of what happened to her. Simon decides he is going to do research on what happened to her, who took her? what happened to her that makes her act so mysterious at times. Very interesting possible ghost story of what became of little Mary Rose. A pretty good read. makes me interested in reading the play.
September 4, 2022
Felt this book couldn't decide whether to be a ghost story or a kidnapping mystery. It was longer than it needed to be.
October 29, 2017
Obsession: the state of being obsessed with someone or something...
A little girl goes missing while on vacation in Scotland with her parents. A month later she reappears with no memory of the time she was gone. Decades later, Mary Rose is happy, successful and engaged. When Mary Rose and her fiance Simon travel to England to meet her parents, the uncertainty that shrouded her disappearance all those years ago will be uncovered and the lives of everyone involved will never be the same.
In fact, Mary and her parents really haven't been the same since the day she vanished. But why? Questions once again arise as Simon peels back one dark and dangerous layer of the mystery at a time. The truth though, well that's far more twisted than Mary Rose, Simon or her parents could ever have imagined.
I was drawn to this book by the cover initially. It's amazing and encompasses the story without words. The writing, the plot, storyline and characters kept me not only engaged, but engrossed throughout. Mary Rose was a conundrum, especially when you try to relate the little girl to the woman she grows into. This is the issue Simon has after meeting her parents and learning about the past. His obsession with solving the decades old mystery set in motion a sequence of events that are slightly terrifying and very dangerous.
I liked that the story was well paced, not a constant frenzied energy of one thing after another. The reality behind the mystery was something I didn't see coming and I enjoyed that as well. If you're a fan of ghost stories, Alfred Hitchcock-esque plots or books that keep you guessing until the very last page... you'll love this one.
A little girl goes missing while on vacation in Scotland with her parents. A month later she reappears with no memory of the time she was gone. Decades later, Mary Rose is happy, successful and engaged. When Mary Rose and her fiance Simon travel to England to meet her parents, the uncertainty that shrouded her disappearance all those years ago will be uncovered and the lives of everyone involved will never be the same.
In fact, Mary and her parents really haven't been the same since the day she vanished. But why? Questions once again arise as Simon peels back one dark and dangerous layer of the mystery at a time. The truth though, well that's far more twisted than Mary Rose, Simon or her parents could ever have imagined.
I was drawn to this book by the cover initially. It's amazing and encompasses the story without words. The writing, the plot, storyline and characters kept me not only engaged, but engrossed throughout. Mary Rose was a conundrum, especially when you try to relate the little girl to the woman she grows into. This is the issue Simon has after meeting her parents and learning about the past. His obsession with solving the decades old mystery set in motion a sequence of events that are slightly terrifying and very dangerous.
I liked that the story was well paced, not a constant frenzied energy of one thing after another. The reality behind the mystery was something I didn't see coming and I enjoyed that as well. If you're a fan of ghost stories, Alfred Hitchcock-esque plots or books that keep you guessing until the very last page... you'll love this one.
July 29, 2018
I found this book far too cluttered although he's a good writer Girard added so much exteraneous contemporary American lifestyle to it in order to 'throw us off the track', it distracted. The blurbs on the back said this was a terrifying ghost story, I didn't really find it so. The protagonist kept breaking the first rule of horror movies in that he constantly opened the door everyone kept telling him not to. Simon certainly was in love but if I was engaged to a woman who hid behind the living room curtains I'd have said Bye Bye long ago. I will have to read the J.M. Barrie story it's based on.
August 5, 2020
Mary Rose by Geoffrey Girard is a gothic tale of a young girl who, at the age of 6, disappeared for 33 days, only to reappear in the exact same place with no memory of where she had been. As her fiancé turned husband searches for the source of her increasingly bizarre behavior and artwork, we are drawn into a tale that is never quite a love story nor a ghost story, but rather a blending of the two that while skillfully told, ends with questions left unanswered. Perhaps that was the point to add to the mystery of the tale.
In the 1960’s, Alfred Hitchcock attempted to bring the story to the silver screen. He never succeeded, but a Scottish script was written and the play was a success in Britain in the 1920’s.
In the 1960’s, Alfred Hitchcock attempted to bring the story to the silver screen. He never succeeded, but a Scottish script was written and the play was a success in Britain in the 1920’s.
March 12, 2021
I wanted to stop reading so many times during this book, but kept giving it more chances. Besides, I hate leaving a book unread. I finally got interested in chapter 18.
I wanted to love it... but just couldn't.
I wanted to love it... but just couldn't.
November 1, 2018
This was a real page-turner!
November 16, 2017
I am such a sucker for a horror read as soon as October hits. I want to grab a cozy blanket, cuddle up in my sweats and scare myself silly. With this in mind, I began to compile my October lineup, and my picks for #cjsreads, one of which was Mary Rose by Geoffrey Girard. Going into this novel, I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but I was intrigued by the description of this novel being “a chilling and modern take on a classic ghost story”. I was also intrigued when I found out that the premise for the story was actually written by J.M Barrie for a film adaptation by Alfred Hitchcock; not sure what went down with that but I figured there was nothing more chilling than films by Hitchcock, so, if he deemed this story worthy of film, then I needed to check it out!
The general premise brings us Mary Rose and Simon, a couple of working professionals, who are about to be engaged. They travel to England to ask for Mary Rose’s hand and Simon’s plans are slightly derailed when he finds out that Mary Rose disappeared when she was a little girl and then randomly reappeared thirty-three days later with no memory of her time away or knowledge of where she was. Not only does this give Simon the heeby-jeebies, but he becomes obsessed with trying to solve the puzzle of where she could have been and what could have happened.
Would I call this a traditional ghost story? Not really. Did I find some moments creepy? Absolutely! Told in alternating perspectives of Simon and Mary Rose, both characters have the opportunity to show the reader their growing paranoia and fright. I think my favourite character was Mary Rose. She is quirky, to say the least, and when she was acting strangely, I was compelled to continue reading to see what her actual deal was. Would she end up being possessed? Was she actually dead? Perhaps she was a figment of Simon’s imagination? I had no idea what the actual end game would be, so, Girard definitely had me hooked in that regard. I also felt like the general setting of the story added another chilling layer to the tone.
If I am being honest, I was a little underwhelmed at the ending of the story and I felt like maybe something HUGE was missed within the pages; in reality, I feel like maybe it would have been better received on screen, which makes sense when thinking of how this story started out.
I feel like this novel had several components, which would make a chilling tale perfect for Halloween, and, although I didn’t love the full execution of the novel, I did appreciate the general tone and feel.
The general premise brings us Mary Rose and Simon, a couple of working professionals, who are about to be engaged. They travel to England to ask for Mary Rose’s hand and Simon’s plans are slightly derailed when he finds out that Mary Rose disappeared when she was a little girl and then randomly reappeared thirty-three days later with no memory of her time away or knowledge of where she was. Not only does this give Simon the heeby-jeebies, but he becomes obsessed with trying to solve the puzzle of where she could have been and what could have happened.
Would I call this a traditional ghost story? Not really. Did I find some moments creepy? Absolutely! Told in alternating perspectives of Simon and Mary Rose, both characters have the opportunity to show the reader their growing paranoia and fright. I think my favourite character was Mary Rose. She is quirky, to say the least, and when she was acting strangely, I was compelled to continue reading to see what her actual deal was. Would she end up being possessed? Was she actually dead? Perhaps she was a figment of Simon’s imagination? I had no idea what the actual end game would be, so, Girard definitely had me hooked in that regard. I also felt like the general setting of the story added another chilling layer to the tone.
If I am being honest, I was a little underwhelmed at the ending of the story and I felt like maybe something HUGE was missed within the pages; in reality, I feel like maybe it would have been better received on screen, which makes sense when thinking of how this story started out.
I feel like this novel had several components, which would make a chilling tale perfect for Halloween, and, although I didn’t love the full execution of the novel, I did appreciate the general tone and feel.
May 18, 2022
Creepy as hell. Too many unanswered questions at the end for me, but I guess that’s part of the whole allure of this story. Not planning any trips to any uninhabited islands any time soon though!
October 16, 2017
3.75 STARS
I suppose this novel is being billed a a ghost story. I wouldn't say that. There is some touch of the supernatural, for sure. There are definitely creepy moments that gave me the chills. But Mary Rose is not a ghost, not anything I can pinpoint.
Mary Rose is a 26 year old English woman who is about to be wed to American lawyer Simon Blake. Upon a visit to her home country, Simon is told a family secret. Though it might be his and Mary Rose's undoing, he is determined to get to the bottom of what happened to her 20 years ago, on a foreboding and desolate island in Scotland.
I read this book very quickly, mostly because there were so many questions surrounding Mary Rose and her past. She's a quirky woman to say the least, but everyone around her seems to love her in spite of her weird ways. For his part, Simon does seem to truly be in love with Mary Rose. He's an attorney, someone who knows that answers are to be found if you look hard enough. And that's what the plot of this book is, really--Simon looking for answers in Mary Rose's past to learn more about why she is experiencing such nightmarish events in her present.
The story is told in alternating chapters from both Simon and Mary Rose's points of view. I liked this because it shows that things are happening to both of them, things they cannot explain, but it also shows how each one reacts to the other.
This book has an overall dark and creepy tone, and it's a great read for this time of year. I turned the pages well past midnight in my hurry to find out the truth behind Mary Rose and her island. Just as you think you have the real answers, something else happens and you're lost again. I do think the ending left a lot of questions, in comparison to the other, logically explained events. It's a bit ambiguous so if you don't like stories without concrete finales, be aware of that.
I suppose this novel is being billed a a ghost story. I wouldn't say that. There is some touch of the supernatural, for sure. There are definitely creepy moments that gave me the chills. But Mary Rose is not a ghost, not anything I can pinpoint.
Mary Rose is a 26 year old English woman who is about to be wed to American lawyer Simon Blake. Upon a visit to her home country, Simon is told a family secret. Though it might be his and Mary Rose's undoing, he is determined to get to the bottom of what happened to her 20 years ago, on a foreboding and desolate island in Scotland.
I read this book very quickly, mostly because there were so many questions surrounding Mary Rose and her past. She's a quirky woman to say the least, but everyone around her seems to love her in spite of her weird ways. For his part, Simon does seem to truly be in love with Mary Rose. He's an attorney, someone who knows that answers are to be found if you look hard enough. And that's what the plot of this book is, really--Simon looking for answers in Mary Rose's past to learn more about why she is experiencing such nightmarish events in her present.
The story is told in alternating chapters from both Simon and Mary Rose's points of view. I liked this because it shows that things are happening to both of them, things they cannot explain, but it also shows how each one reacts to the other.
This book has an overall dark and creepy tone, and it's a great read for this time of year. I turned the pages well past midnight in my hurry to find out the truth behind Mary Rose and her island. Just as you think you have the real answers, something else happens and you're lost again. I do think the ending left a lot of questions, in comparison to the other, logically explained events. It's a bit ambiguous so if you don't like stories without concrete finales, be aware of that.
October 17, 2017
Thanks to Adaptive Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
October is the perfect month for horror books! So when I saw the synopsis for Geoffrey Girard's MARY ROSE, I was intrigued and I always love a good ghost story.
Mary Rose and her boyfriend Simon are a happy and successful young couple living in Philadelphia. They decide to travel back to Mary Rose's home in England, so that Simon can meet her parents and ask for their permission to marry her. When they arrive, Simon learns some troubling details about her past. Mary Rose disappeared for 33 days, and when she returned (in the same spot she disappeared from), she had no memory of what happened to her.
Simon becomes obsessed with trying to find out to Mary Rose. He launches his own investigation into the small town in Scotland where it happened. He believes that if he can figure out what happened, then they'll be able to move on with their lives. He hits a roadblock when no one in the town will talk to him about it.
This is told through both Mary Rose and Simon's perspectives. She's clearly getting more bothered and unsettled the longer they stay in England, and then when they travel to Scotland. Simon is purely focused on finding out what really happened to the woman he loves. With people opposing him wherever he turns, he just digs deeper. Will he be able to find out what really happened to her in those 33 days? I felt that the ending tied everything together very well without being unrealistic. It is definitely a ghost story, but that doesn't become too apparent until towards the end of the book.
Overall, this was a great and creepy read. Perfect choice for October! It had the elements you want in a ghost story without feeling too overdone (if that makes sense). I enjoyed the characters and I couldn't stop reading until I knew what happened to Mary Rose.
I give this 4/5 stars!
October is the perfect month for horror books! So when I saw the synopsis for Geoffrey Girard's MARY ROSE, I was intrigued and I always love a good ghost story.
Mary Rose and her boyfriend Simon are a happy and successful young couple living in Philadelphia. They decide to travel back to Mary Rose's home in England, so that Simon can meet her parents and ask for their permission to marry her. When they arrive, Simon learns some troubling details about her past. Mary Rose disappeared for 33 days, and when she returned (in the same spot she disappeared from), she had no memory of what happened to her.
Simon becomes obsessed with trying to find out to Mary Rose. He launches his own investigation into the small town in Scotland where it happened. He believes that if he can figure out what happened, then they'll be able to move on with their lives. He hits a roadblock when no one in the town will talk to him about it.
This is told through both Mary Rose and Simon's perspectives. She's clearly getting more bothered and unsettled the longer they stay in England, and then when they travel to Scotland. Simon is purely focused on finding out what really happened to the woman he loves. With people opposing him wherever he turns, he just digs deeper. Will he be able to find out what really happened to her in those 33 days? I felt that the ending tied everything together very well without being unrealistic. It is definitely a ghost story, but that doesn't become too apparent until towards the end of the book.
Overall, this was a great and creepy read. Perfect choice for October! It had the elements you want in a ghost story without feeling too overdone (if that makes sense). I enjoyed the characters and I couldn't stop reading until I knew what happened to Mary Rose.
I give this 4/5 stars!
March 17, 2019
When you see a book with your name on the cover you buy it right?.... well my name is María Rossy, in English it would be more like Mary Rosie, it was pure coincidence to found this book, my name is not very common so it had to be mine!!
Mary Rose Moreland and Simon Blake are in love, and soon to be married. They travel to England for Simon to ask her parents’ permission to marry Mary Rose, but he learns a secret: her future wife disappeared when she was six years old, while she and her father were on a Scottish island. Thirty-three days later she mysteriously reappeared in the exact same spot with no memory of what had happened.
To be honest it took me a little more than normal to finish this book, because I literal had goosebumps from the very first page. Because of my work I can only read a few hours every night before bedtime, and when I read the book the first two nights I got a chill down my spine, I’m not afraid of thrillers and suspense, books or movies, but if it is a paranormal theme, I’m such a coward, so when I got to the part where Mary Rose has a nightmare with a door, I stopped reading it at night, to finish the weekend in daylight, I swear that the week before starting this book I had the same horrible nightmare, so reading that in a book that has my name was so creepy.
Despite how frightened I was I enjoyed it so much, and I thought this would make a very nice movie……. as it turns out this book is based on a 1920 play of the same name written by J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan's writer. And that later Alfred Hitchcock wanted to adapt it to a film but could never make it.
At the end of the book there is some information of Hitchcock's attempts to make the film and the differences between the successful play of J.M. Barrie and the screenplay.
Mary Rose Moreland and Simon Blake are in love, and soon to be married. They travel to England for Simon to ask her parents’ permission to marry Mary Rose, but he learns a secret: her future wife disappeared when she was six years old, while she and her father were on a Scottish island. Thirty-three days later she mysteriously reappeared in the exact same spot with no memory of what had happened.
To be honest it took me a little more than normal to finish this book, because I literal had goosebumps from the very first page. Because of my work I can only read a few hours every night before bedtime, and when I read the book the first two nights I got a chill down my spine, I’m not afraid of thrillers and suspense, books or movies, but if it is a paranormal theme, I’m such a coward, so when I got to the part where Mary Rose has a nightmare with a door, I stopped reading it at night, to finish the weekend in daylight, I swear that the week before starting this book I had the same horrible nightmare, so reading that in a book that has my name was so creepy.
Despite how frightened I was I enjoyed it so much, and I thought this would make a very nice movie……. as it turns out this book is based on a 1920 play of the same name written by J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan's writer. And that later Alfred Hitchcock wanted to adapt it to a film but could never make it.
At the end of the book there is some information of Hitchcock's attempts to make the film and the differences between the successful play of J.M. Barrie and the screenplay.
November 3, 2017
I received a copy of Mary Rose from the publisher via the Jean Book Nerd Book Tour. This is an honest review. I was not compensated for this review. What follows is my experience.
I'm a big horror fan. Not the blood and guts horror, though there is a place for that in my heart, but the good psychological horror. I like watching a movie or reading a book and experiencing something mental and emotional. The visceral emotions that come from a psychological horror just adds that much more to being human.
Mary Rose is that slow burn psychological horror where you aren't exactly sure what's going on, but you are pulled in. Written in two different viewpoints, you see the story unfold in Simon and Mary Rose's own eyes. One side seems the more logical and the other the emotional and crazy backlash of the events that started it all.
The writing is well done and pulls you into a dark world that leaves you questioning what happened to Mary all the way to the point of the big reveal. I loved the childlike way Mary Rose is seen through Simon's eyes and how Mary Rose is conflicted by her own actions.
In all, you will be pulled when you start reading and you will want to know what happens all the way to the end.
I'm a big horror fan. Not the blood and guts horror, though there is a place for that in my heart, but the good psychological horror. I like watching a movie or reading a book and experiencing something mental and emotional. The visceral emotions that come from a psychological horror just adds that much more to being human.
Mary Rose is that slow burn psychological horror where you aren't exactly sure what's going on, but you are pulled in. Written in two different viewpoints, you see the story unfold in Simon and Mary Rose's own eyes. One side seems the more logical and the other the emotional and crazy backlash of the events that started it all.
The writing is well done and pulls you into a dark world that leaves you questioning what happened to Mary all the way to the point of the big reveal. I loved the childlike way Mary Rose is seen through Simon's eyes and how Mary Rose is conflicted by her own actions.
In all, you will be pulled when you start reading and you will want to know what happens all the way to the end.
November 3, 2017
I received a copy of Mary Rose from the publisher via the Jean Book Nerd Book Tour. This is an honest review. I was not compensated for this review. What follows is my experience.
I'm a big horror fan. Not the blood and guts horror, though there is a place for that in my heart, but the good psychological horror. I like watching a movie or reading a book and experiencing something mental and emotional. The visceral emotions that come from a psychological horror just adds that much more to being human.
Mary Rose is that slow burn psychological horror where you aren't exactly sure what's going on, but you are pulled in. Written in two different viewpoints, you see the story unfold in Simon and Mary Rose's own eyes. One side seems the more logical and the other the emotional and crazy backlash of the events that started it all.
The writing is well done and pulls you into a dark world that leaves you questioning what happened to Mary all the way to the point of the big reveal. I loved the childlike way Mary Rose is seen through Simon's eyes and how Mary Rose is conflicted by her own actions.
In all, you will be pulled when you start reading and you will want to know what happens all the way to the end.
I'm a big horror fan. Not the blood and guts horror, though there is a place for that in my heart, but the good psychological horror. I like watching a movie or reading a book and experiencing something mental and emotional. The visceral emotions that come from a psychological horror just adds that much more to being human.
Mary Rose is that slow burn psychological horror where you aren't exactly sure what's going on, but you are pulled in. Written in two different viewpoints, you see the story unfold in Simon and Mary Rose's own eyes. One side seems the more logical and the other the emotional and crazy backlash of the events that started it all.
The writing is well done and pulls you into a dark world that leaves you questioning what happened to Mary all the way to the point of the big reveal. I loved the childlike way Mary Rose is seen through Simon's eyes and how Mary Rose is conflicted by her own actions.
In all, you will be pulled when you start reading and you will want to know what happens all the way to the end.
April 10, 2018
I'm giving this book a 3 star review because even after some time I'm still not sure how I feel about it. I'm a big fan of ghost stories, and so it caught my attention, and it held it for a long time. The story, the mystery, is one of those that leaves you wanting to know more at the end of each page, and makes it hard to put the book down for a second.
However, the writing was awful. In my opinion at least. The style is inconsistent, as if the author were trying to decide whether he wanted to be formal or colloquial, and in an attempt to make British characters sound "British", he puts together sentences that make no sense and sound weird or too wordy for a 21st century setting. And yet, he drops way too many pronouns to be congruent with this extremely flourished writing - nobody drops their "the's" as much as all these characters do.
This type of unpolished writing spoiled the whole experience for me, and even if the story gripped me, I found myself being pulled from the story by forced dialogue and unlikely phrasing.
All in all... a good read. I don't know. Was it a good read?
However, the writing was awful. In my opinion at least. The style is inconsistent, as if the author were trying to decide whether he wanted to be formal or colloquial, and in an attempt to make British characters sound "British", he puts together sentences that make no sense and sound weird or too wordy for a 21st century setting. And yet, he drops way too many pronouns to be congruent with this extremely flourished writing - nobody drops their "the's" as much as all these characters do.
This type of unpolished writing spoiled the whole experience for me, and even if the story gripped me, I found myself being pulled from the story by forced dialogue and unlikely phrasing.
All in all... a good read. I don't know. Was it a good read?
August 27, 2018
I wasn’t connected to any character. There wasn’t a way to be emotionally invested in anyone. I kept waiting for the plot to get going, it took way too long. There were characters and scenarios introduced that weren’t followed up on. I did finish it, hoping it might turn out ok. The ending was disappointing.
Maybe it was different because I listened to it
Maybe it was different because I listened to it
September 1, 2020
Tl;dr: was a quick read...very okay but the characterization was very shallow and descriptions got repetitive.
I actually had to start this book twice, which very rarely happens with me. But initially (some months ago), I had picked this book up immediately after finishing another, and the dialogue in the first few chapters was just so jarringly wooden in comparison that I had to stop reading it immediately. So that wasn't the best first impression and a star off right from the get-go.
Picked it up again last night after not having read a fiction book in a few months (so benchmarks weren't quite as fresh in my mind) and was able to get through the beginning and into the meat of the book. It was actually quite a quick read--the writing, once standards are adjusted, isn't so terrible that you can't get through the book--so I was able to finish it in one sitting. But it ultimately wasn't the experience I was hoping for.
(Vague-ish spoilers below...like a 1 on a scale of 1-5)
I understand that it's a modern day adaptation of an early twentieth century play by Barrie, centering around a girl that doesn't really grow up (mentally for sure...and physically too I think?). But this novel falls short on a few points:
First, and more nitpicky, the "modern day adaptation" part is kinda half-hearted. I think Simon (the main protagonist and Mary Rose's SO) mentions a cell phone twice in my memory in the entire book. A lot of his "investigation" is boots-on-the-ground when he could just look it all up on the internet--I would think a high-powered young lawyer from Philadelphia would prefer to do the latter? But after a bit I was like fine, let's pretend that it's set in the 90s or something before internet became ubiquitous (though Simon does have a video call at one point so at least he knows about that technology).
Secondly, the descriptions are SO REPETITIVE. Everything reminds Simon/Mary Rose of the waves on the sandy shore in Scotland. Every description of Mary Rose is that she's pale and has dark hair. (I still don't know what she looks like aside from that.) Every bad smell is "rotten" or "repugnant." I get that there's motifs but the same things don't have to be described with the same words so many times! It was especially noticeable when it came to Mary Rose, because...wait for it...
Lastly and most importantly (since she was a central character), Mary Rose was completely one-dimensional. Aside from being slender, pale, dark-haired, and British, she had no defined characteristics. Simon told us over and over how intelligent and sweet and funny and charming and beautiful she was, but she showed none of these things, even in the chapters from her POV (where you would think you would get an inkling of her inner monologue and personality). The only thing I got out of her chapters was that she saw things, did things, was scared of things, and said she loved Simon a lot. You may say that it's because the original play had Mary Rose as an emotionally stunted child-like woman, but this Mary Rose didn't even have enough personality to be judged to be "emotionally stunted." This one was just a boring cardboard cutout of a mid-twenties-year-old woman except sometimes she was crazy.
It was especially unbearable how Simon kept bringing up her "special quality" that affects all men to make them want to "protect her," but I found no evidence in any of her descriptions that would support that. I guess this is the "trust me she's really great" tell-not-show approach to characterization.
(I mean, Simon wasn't that much better. Characterization was not a strong point of this book.)
So I obviously had my problems with the book. However, it did have a coherent plot that brought all the pieces together in the end and the pacing wasn't the worst (though it could definitely have been shorter as well) so, still 2 stars! :D
I actually had to start this book twice, which very rarely happens with me. But initially (some months ago), I had picked this book up immediately after finishing another, and the dialogue in the first few chapters was just so jarringly wooden in comparison that I had to stop reading it immediately. So that wasn't the best first impression and a star off right from the get-go.
Picked it up again last night after not having read a fiction book in a few months (so benchmarks weren't quite as fresh in my mind) and was able to get through the beginning and into the meat of the book. It was actually quite a quick read--the writing, once standards are adjusted, isn't so terrible that you can't get through the book--so I was able to finish it in one sitting. But it ultimately wasn't the experience I was hoping for.
(Vague-ish spoilers below...like a 1 on a scale of 1-5)
I understand that it's a modern day adaptation of an early twentieth century play by Barrie, centering around a girl that doesn't really grow up (mentally for sure...and physically too I think?). But this novel falls short on a few points:
First, and more nitpicky, the "modern day adaptation" part is kinda half-hearted. I think Simon (the main protagonist and Mary Rose's SO) mentions a cell phone twice in my memory in the entire book. A lot of his "investigation" is boots-on-the-ground when he could just look it all up on the internet--I would think a high-powered young lawyer from Philadelphia would prefer to do the latter? But after a bit I was like fine, let's pretend that it's set in the 90s or something before internet became ubiquitous (though Simon does have a video call at one point so at least he knows about that technology).
Secondly, the descriptions are SO REPETITIVE. Everything reminds Simon/Mary Rose of the waves on the sandy shore in Scotland. Every description of Mary Rose is that she's pale and has dark hair. (I still don't know what she looks like aside from that.) Every bad smell is "rotten" or "repugnant." I get that there's motifs but the same things don't have to be described with the same words so many times! It was especially noticeable when it came to Mary Rose, because...wait for it...
Lastly and most importantly (since she was a central character), Mary Rose was completely one-dimensional. Aside from being slender, pale, dark-haired, and British, she had no defined characteristics. Simon told us over and over how intelligent and sweet and funny and charming and beautiful she was, but she showed none of these things, even in the chapters from her POV (where you would think you would get an inkling of her inner monologue and personality). The only thing I got out of her chapters was that she saw things, did things, was scared of things, and said she loved Simon a lot. You may say that it's because the original play had Mary Rose as an emotionally stunted child-like woman, but this Mary Rose didn't even have enough personality to be judged to be "emotionally stunted." This one was just a boring cardboard cutout of a mid-twenties-year-old woman except sometimes she was crazy.
It was especially unbearable how Simon kept bringing up her "special quality" that affects all men to make them want to "protect her," but I found no evidence in any of her descriptions that would support that. I guess this is the "trust me she's really great" tell-not-show approach to characterization.
(I mean, Simon wasn't that much better. Characterization was not a strong point of this book.)
So I obviously had my problems with the book. However, it did have a coherent plot that brought all the pieces together in the end and the pacing wasn't the worst (though it could definitely have been shorter as well) so, still 2 stars! :D
June 15, 2018
I'm a huge fan of adult fiction but Mary Rose was my first "ghost story" and while all the reviews I'm reading suggest this book should file under "classic ghost stories" I'd have to disagree. The best parts of this book were the last 150 pages. It took, what seems like, forevveerrrrr to get to the point. I normally enjoy first person narration, which this book doesn't have, so the character development for me was a snooze fest. Without giving the plot away, I still don't understand why Mary Rose is such a difficult human being. It seemed like everything she did was to upset her husband who only wanted the best for her. It's almost as if we were supposed to feel bad for Mary Rose but I ended up feeling bad for her husband because he had to deal with her. I could have done without the ghost element of the story. It didn't make a difference to me especially in the end when the plot finally decides to pick up pace. I found myself daydreaming a lot while reading this. It was hard to keep my attention but I must give credit to the author because the writing style was A+. I wouldn't recommend this book though.
November 3, 2017
*This ARC was received in exchange for an honest review*
This is the story of young couple from Philadelphia Mary Rose Moreland and Simon Blake, Simon has asked Mary Rose to marry him but he also wants to traditionally ask the parents for her hand also. So they both take a trip to England. But when they arrive at the parents home, Mary Rose’s behaviour changes and secrets start to come out.
One secret that has been kept from Mary Rose is that o a small Scottish Island, twenty years ago, she disappeared for 33 days, and all searches were made to try and find her, on the 33rd day she suddenly reappeared in the same spot as if nothing had happened.
Simon decides to investigate this as Mary Rose’s episodes are becoming more frequent and he doesn’t know what else to do. What will he find, will he like what he discovers and will this end his relationship with Mary Rose for ever or not.
This was a gripping tale by Geoffrey Girard and really took you into the suspense and ghostly nature of the whole story.
This is the story of young couple from Philadelphia Mary Rose Moreland and Simon Blake, Simon has asked Mary Rose to marry him but he also wants to traditionally ask the parents for her hand also. So they both take a trip to England. But when they arrive at the parents home, Mary Rose’s behaviour changes and secrets start to come out.
One secret that has been kept from Mary Rose is that o a small Scottish Island, twenty years ago, she disappeared for 33 days, and all searches were made to try and find her, on the 33rd day she suddenly reappeared in the same spot as if nothing had happened.
Simon decides to investigate this as Mary Rose’s episodes are becoming more frequent and he doesn’t know what else to do. What will he find, will he like what he discovers and will this end his relationship with Mary Rose for ever or not.
This was a gripping tale by Geoffrey Girard and really took you into the suspense and ghostly nature of the whole story.
February 12, 2020
Maybe 3.5 stars.
Odd. Creepy. Suspenseful. Chilling.
Simon Blake is madly in love with Mary Rose Morland, even with her quirks, her odd behaviors, the times she seems to space out and forget what she was doing. When her parents fill him in on her childhood, including her month-long disappearance, Simon becomes obsessed with discovering the truth. How could she have disappeared for so long and no one ever determined what happened? Mary Rose seems oblivious to is all and has absolutely no memory of it, except the odd paintings she has done since her return. His quest to discover the truth may lead him, Mary Rose and her parents to places none of them expected.
I must say I enjoyed the author's writing style, his descriptions, the way he fleshed out this book. But I had a difficult time caring much for the characters. Simon is an odd fellow, obsessed with Mary Rose almost because of her odd behaviors, with hints of controlling behaviors himself. Still, overall a pretty good read.
Odd. Creepy. Suspenseful. Chilling.
Simon Blake is madly in love with Mary Rose Morland, even with her quirks, her odd behaviors, the times she seems to space out and forget what she was doing. When her parents fill him in on her childhood, including her month-long disappearance, Simon becomes obsessed with discovering the truth. How could she have disappeared for so long and no one ever determined what happened? Mary Rose seems oblivious to is all and has absolutely no memory of it, except the odd paintings she has done since her return. His quest to discover the truth may lead him, Mary Rose and her parents to places none of them expected.
I must say I enjoyed the author's writing style, his descriptions, the way he fleshed out this book. But I had a difficult time caring much for the characters. Simon is an odd fellow, obsessed with Mary Rose almost because of her odd behaviors, with hints of controlling behaviors himself. Still, overall a pretty good read.
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