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Belle Âme Chronicles #1
Down The River
The Washingtons are the artistic, hippie family that everyone knows and side-eyes. Holed up in their own private compound, affectionately christened “Belle Âme”, the Washingtons keep to themselves unless it is time for one of patriarch Nathalian's stage performances.
But their hand in a murder one-year-prior weighs heavily on the minds of Nathalian and his wife, Blythe. The fragile mental state of Nathalian’s younger brother, Edwin, and the constant chaos brewing around their teenaged daughters only exacerbates their nerves. And with the two-year anniversary of the disappearance of Blythe’s cousin Georgia on the horizon, the Washingtons feel their lives devolving into chaos.
When signs point to Georgia’s return, Blythe and Nathalian team up to uncover the truth. But can they do so without also revealing their darkest secrets and tainting the one thing that they care about most: their marriage?
But their hand in a murder one-year-prior weighs heavily on the minds of Nathalian and his wife, Blythe. The fragile mental state of Nathalian’s younger brother, Edwin, and the constant chaos brewing around their teenaged daughters only exacerbates their nerves. And with the two-year anniversary of the disappearance of Blythe’s cousin Georgia on the horizon, the Washingtons feel their lives devolving into chaos.
When signs point to Georgia’s return, Blythe and Nathalian team up to uncover the truth. But can they do so without also revealing their darkest secrets and tainting the one thing that they care about most: their marriage?
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2019
10 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Angela Nicole Chu
59 books38 followersAngela Nicole Chu is a thirtysomething ENFP-A type from Louisville, KY. A writer since the age of four, Chu is an accomplished journalist, novelist, and vlogger, and she has been featured in numerous publications over the years.
While her early writings originated in comedy, they somehow drifted into suspense and horror as she advanced through her 20s. She blames her mother for raising her on Dateline Mysteries.
When she is not writing, Chu enjoys hiking, cosplaying, fitness, and scheming up new shenanigans. Chu currently resides in Louisville, KY with her husband and son, their three cats, and their two puppies.
You can keep up with Chu’s latest news by visiting her website: http://theangiechu.net/. You can also keep up with her podcasts, reviews, and vlogs series "Betterish", airing on YouTube!
While her early writings originated in comedy, they somehow drifted into suspense and horror as she advanced through her 20s. She blames her mother for raising her on Dateline Mysteries.
When she is not writing, Chu enjoys hiking, cosplaying, fitness, and scheming up new shenanigans. Chu currently resides in Louisville, KY with her husband and son, their three cats, and their two puppies.
You can keep up with Chu’s latest news by visiting her website: http://theangiechu.net/. You can also keep up with her podcasts, reviews, and vlogs series "Betterish", airing on YouTube!
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 10, 2018
I didn't really expect this book to turn into a Pretty Little Liars-type situation, but I am here for it.
I will admit that I did find it a little hard to get into Down the River at first. The series has a modern setting - there are plenty of modern technology and pop culture references - but the way in which the story is written made it seem a little old fashioned at first. And, I admit, at first it was a little difficult to distinguish the adults from the teenagers, because it kinda reads like the adults act younger than they are. BUT I stuck through the beginning and, as it turns out, I'm pretty glad I did.
Sometimes I find mysteries to be kinda repetitive of one another, but the mystery plot-line behind Down the River was very refreshing and didn't have your predictable "twists" like your typical mystery/detective novels. The plot twists it DOES have are genuinely surprising, and I especially like how each family member had their own little backstories/surprising plot-lines. I have high hopes that the few things that felt sort of unanswered (such as the surprise that Edwin and Moira receive toward the latter part of the book) resolve themselves in future books, and each individual plot-line is unique in and of themselves - there was never one that I felt bored reading, and it's my belief that they're all equally as interesting. Though, I do feel a sort of particular attachment to Edwin and his story. I came to like all of the characters (even the villain, though in a different way, of course), but he's definitely the character that shines above the rest for me. It's just... hard to not feel bad for him, to be honest. My boy needs closure.
Now, backtracking a bit, I say that the plot lowkey reminds me of Pretty Little Liars because of the notes that the Washingtons start receiving, but I feel that, for the most part, the similarities end there. This book has a mystery of its own kind and, as I sort of briefly mentioned above, the family dynamic makes it all the more interesting. It's the type of mystery that leaves you turning page after page - once I got past the beginning and the initial introduction of the characters, that's all I could do. It's definitely one of the most solid mysteries I've read in a long time, and the book has an atmosphere all of its own. There was a point where I got concerned for a moment - there is a character with a pretty major physical disability, and for a brief time it almost sounded like they were going to be the "bad guy," out of all the other able-bodied people - but, again, the plot dipped and took a turn that was even more surprising than the "false culprit" thing.
I really, really want to dip into each of the individual characters some more, as I did Edwin - ESPECIALLY the twins - but, as much as I'm itching to, I'm going to hold myself back. I don't want to spill *all* of the secrets lying beneath the surface of the Washington family, but I will say this: the book is worth reading almost for the individual secrets alone. Every author should have unique characters, of course, that's half of what makes a book GOOD, but I feel like each of the characters was especially diverse. Edwin is my favorite, as we've already established, but each of the sisters - Sevii, Ramona, and Jaxyn - each have their own little worlds that I absolutely adore. Heck, the author could almost write a novella or two based on the three sisters alone, they're that good. Especially Sevii and Ramona.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to any mystery lover. It starts out a little slow, I think, but it ends up dark, with several twists, and has EXTREMELY interesting characters - everything a good mystery should be. It's thunderstorming outside right now, has been all day, and I spent all day wrapped up in the world of the Washingtons. Definitely worth it.
I will admit that I did find it a little hard to get into Down the River at first. The series has a modern setting - there are plenty of modern technology and pop culture references - but the way in which the story is written made it seem a little old fashioned at first. And, I admit, at first it was a little difficult to distinguish the adults from the teenagers, because it kinda reads like the adults act younger than they are. BUT I stuck through the beginning and, as it turns out, I'm pretty glad I did.
Sometimes I find mysteries to be kinda repetitive of one another, but the mystery plot-line behind Down the River was very refreshing and didn't have your predictable "twists" like your typical mystery/detective novels. The plot twists it DOES have are genuinely surprising, and I especially like how each family member had their own little backstories/surprising plot-lines. I have high hopes that the few things that felt sort of unanswered (such as the surprise that Edwin and Moira receive toward the latter part of the book) resolve themselves in future books, and each individual plot-line is unique in and of themselves - there was never one that I felt bored reading, and it's my belief that they're all equally as interesting. Though, I do feel a sort of particular attachment to Edwin and his story. I came to like all of the characters (even the villain, though in a different way, of course), but he's definitely the character that shines above the rest for me. It's just... hard to not feel bad for him, to be honest. My boy needs closure.
Now, backtracking a bit, I say that the plot lowkey reminds me of Pretty Little Liars because of the notes that the Washingtons start receiving, but I feel that, for the most part, the similarities end there. This book has a mystery of its own kind and, as I sort of briefly mentioned above, the family dynamic makes it all the more interesting. It's the type of mystery that leaves you turning page after page - once I got past the beginning and the initial introduction of the characters, that's all I could do. It's definitely one of the most solid mysteries I've read in a long time, and the book has an atmosphere all of its own. There was a point where I got concerned for a moment - there is a character with a pretty major physical disability, and for a brief time it almost sounded like they were going to be the "bad guy," out of all the other able-bodied people - but, again, the plot dipped and took a turn that was even more surprising than the "false culprit" thing.
I really, really want to dip into each of the individual characters some more, as I did Edwin - ESPECIALLY the twins - but, as much as I'm itching to, I'm going to hold myself back. I don't want to spill *all* of the secrets lying beneath the surface of the Washington family, but I will say this: the book is worth reading almost for the individual secrets alone. Every author should have unique characters, of course, that's half of what makes a book GOOD, but I feel like each of the characters was especially diverse. Edwin is my favorite, as we've already established, but each of the sisters - Sevii, Ramona, and Jaxyn - each have their own little worlds that I absolutely adore. Heck, the author could almost write a novella or two based on the three sisters alone, they're that good. Especially Sevii and Ramona.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to any mystery lover. It starts out a little slow, I think, but it ends up dark, with several twists, and has EXTREMELY interesting characters - everything a good mystery should be. It's thunderstorming outside right now, has been all day, and I spent all day wrapped up in the world of the Washingtons. Definitely worth it.
December 13, 2022
Oh yeah, I liked this. It’s a little creepy, a little dramatic, and a whole lot of entertaining.
The Washingtons are a private family who live at Belle Âme, their own private compound. From the outside, they are artistic and quiet, only ever expanding out for their stage performances. On the inside, however, parents Nathalian and Blythe harbor a dark secret. One year prior, the pair, along with Nathalian’s brother, Edwin, committed murder. The deed is never forgotten and now with the anniversary coming up, things they’ve tried so hard to keep hidden are coming to the surface.
This was a great read! I was quickly pulled into the plot and I was surprised at how strongly I felt for some of the characters in just a few chapters (both loving them or wanting to smack them across the face). I thought the author did a pretty good job spreading out the drama – the beginning felt a little bit slow, but I was wrapped up with the family issues so I didn’t mind too much. By halfway through I was devouring the book and the surprise twists only pulled me in deeper. The ending is very much a cliff-hanger and I really, really want to know what happens next! Second book please!
Thank you Voracious Readers and Angela Chu for my copy! I received an ARC copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Washingtons are a private family who live at Belle Âme, their own private compound. From the outside, they are artistic and quiet, only ever expanding out for their stage performances. On the inside, however, parents Nathalian and Blythe harbor a dark secret. One year prior, the pair, along with Nathalian’s brother, Edwin, committed murder. The deed is never forgotten and now with the anniversary coming up, things they’ve tried so hard to keep hidden are coming to the surface.
This was a great read! I was quickly pulled into the plot and I was surprised at how strongly I felt for some of the characters in just a few chapters (both loving them or wanting to smack them across the face). I thought the author did a pretty good job spreading out the drama – the beginning felt a little bit slow, but I was wrapped up with the family issues so I didn’t mind too much. By halfway through I was devouring the book and the surprise twists only pulled me in deeper. The ending is very much a cliff-hanger and I really, really want to know what happens next! Second book please!
Thank you Voracious Readers and Angela Chu for my copy! I received an ARC copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 21, 2018
Meet the Washington, Blythe and Nathalian, a modern hippie couple, living secluded in their private domain named « Belle-Âme ». Their three daughters live with them, and are home schooled by their parents. Their life seems perfect, but some events from the past will surface again!
I loved the settings in this book. The whole action happens in the private domain of the Washington. This really helps to create a claustrophobic atmosphere. Almost all the characters are also living in « Belle-Âme ». And then there is the story. Angela Nicole Chu has created an enthralling story, where our seemingly perfect family is slowly falling into a trap. Along the way, the reader gets some clues, and I believed I had “solved the case” … but that was before a final unexpected twist!
Since the book is focused on a few characters and the place of action is limited, the author manages to introduce us to all the different characters so that we are not only readers but we are with them all the way, we know them, their psychology and their issues.
On a final note, be sure to read the teaser for the sequel at the end of the book.
I did, and I can tell you, I can’t wait to read that sequel !
I loved the settings in this book. The whole action happens in the private domain of the Washington. This really helps to create a claustrophobic atmosphere. Almost all the characters are also living in « Belle-Âme ». And then there is the story. Angela Nicole Chu has created an enthralling story, where our seemingly perfect family is slowly falling into a trap. Along the way, the reader gets some clues, and I believed I had “solved the case” … but that was before a final unexpected twist!
Since the book is focused on a few characters and the place of action is limited, the author manages to introduce us to all the different characters so that we are not only readers but we are with them all the way, we know them, their psychology and their issues.
On a final note, be sure to read the teaser for the sequel at the end of the book.
I did, and I can tell you, I can’t wait to read that sequel !
January 6, 2019
Everything is going well for the characters....until it's not
Down the River is the an interesting romp about the lives of the Washingtons, who are fleshed out characters with their own quirks and motivations. The first half of the story delves into each of them little by little until the reader has a good idea about what makes each of them tick.
Edwin, for me personally, is the most relatable character out of the bunch. He's dealt with some bad stuff, but keeps the subject at bay. He might act out, but he has a reason for his actions, as do all of the characters. They are each well defined as their own person, and work cohesively as a cast and as family.
At the midway point, the story goes from 0-60. The book then ends on the most satisfying note, while setting up for the next installment. As soon as I was finished with the book, I immediately wanted to start it over from the beginning just so I could go back and watch all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place with the perspective that I now have after reading to the end.
I can't wait to read the next installment. In the meantime... I'll be revisiting Belle Ame.
Down the River is the an interesting romp about the lives of the Washingtons, who are fleshed out characters with their own quirks and motivations. The first half of the story delves into each of them little by little until the reader has a good idea about what makes each of them tick.
Edwin, for me personally, is the most relatable character out of the bunch. He's dealt with some bad stuff, but keeps the subject at bay. He might act out, but he has a reason for his actions, as do all of the characters. They are each well defined as their own person, and work cohesively as a cast and as family.
At the midway point, the story goes from 0-60. The book then ends on the most satisfying note, while setting up for the next installment. As soon as I was finished with the book, I immediately wanted to start it over from the beginning just so I could go back and watch all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place with the perspective that I now have after reading to the end.
I can't wait to read the next installment. In the meantime... I'll be revisiting Belle Ame.
May 22, 2019
I stumbled upon this book when the author was selling them at a convention. I was skeptical since its a new series, but I greatly enjoyed it. I'd say it's like an R-rated Pretty Little Liars with less fodder and more intensity. And the ending--which you WON'T see coming--is also very satisfying...unlike PLL. I'm happy this is a series. I'll be reading the other books.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews