The Unravelling

by Polly Crosby

Tartelin has been employed by Marianne Stourbridge to hunt for butterflies, but she quickly uncovers something far more intriguing. The island and Marianne share a remarkable past, and what happened all those years ago has left its scars.

The island has a strange effect on Tartelin, too, finally allowing her to confront her own, painful, memories. As she does, Marianne’s story begins to unravel around her, revealing an extraordinary tale of two girls, an obsession with pearls, and a truth beyond imagination.

Atmospheric and deeply emotional, The Unravelling is a captivating novel about the secrets we can only discover when we dare to look beneath the surface.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Audiobook, Historical, Book Club, Adult

336 pages, Hardcover

First published December 7, 2021

About the author

Polly Crosby grew up on the Suffolk coast, and now lives with her husband and son in the heart of Norfolk.

In 2018, Polly won Curtis Brown Creative’s Yesterday Scholarship, enabling her to write her debut novel, The Illustrated Child. Later the same year, she was awarded runner-up in the Bridport Prize’s Peggy Chapman Andrews Award for a First Novel, and she received the Annabel Abbs Creative Writing Scholarship for the prestigious MA at the University of East Anglia.

Polly's first book for Young Adults, This Tale is Forbidden, came out in January. Her next historical mystery, The House of Fever, is out in August.

Reviews

[Gloria (Ms. G's Bookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️5 Stars⭐️
I absolutely loved The Women of Pearl Island by Polly Crosby! The story was mysterious and intriguing throughout and I couldn’t put it down. The author is a skilful story teller, but don’t let the gorgeous cover make you think this is a happy story about butterflies because it’s far from it.

The writing is beautiful and has a slightly dark atmospheric feel to it, it was the perfect read for me!

The story is set on a tiny island called Dohhalund which had belonged to Marianne Stoubridge’s family for hundreds of years. There is a deserted military base at one end of the island and Dogger Bank House, Marianne’s residence at the other. The island is now mostly deserted.

Marianne is a stern old lady, she’s reclusive, wheelchair bound and carries a secret from her past that has left its mark on her. She has employed a young woman named Tartelin to hunt for butterflies so she can continue her research on the species.

I don’t want to give any more away….. so I’ve kept my review short.

Compelling characters that are likeable, dual timelines and a plot that keeps you on edge and a story to savour. Super interesting and haunting , highly recommended.

Now I must now check out Polly Crosby’s previous novel The Book of Hidden Wonders to read!

Publication date September 29 2021
(Note: This is called The Unravelling in the UK)

Thank you to Harper Collins Australia & Harlequin Australia for a copy of the book to read and review.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book, I loved the cover and the blurb, but sadly I couldn’t connect with the characters, the description of the island of Dohhalund over the years was fabulous the changing landscape was all done really well as we meet Marianne and Tartelin as they form a bond to find answers.

Marianne grew up on this island that had been in her mother’s family for hundreds of years but life started to change around 1928 when Marianne was fifteen everything that had been their bread and butter, herring fishing, pearls and silk making was slowly ending, then the war arrived and the army moved in testing bombs and in 1955 something terrible happened that changed everything for Marianne.

It is now 2018 and Marianne has moved back to her island but now she needs help and hires young Tartelin to be her eyes and legs to get around the island so as she can check the insects to see the changes that have happened, but as they spend more time together Marianne opens up about the terrible family secrets and the things that happened, Tartelin is already grieving her mother but Marianne’s life and need to know helps Tartelin to grow more confident and grow to love the island as much as Marianne does.

This is a beautifully written story and it is sure to appeal to many readers and it has some fabulous reviews but it just didn’t hit the spot with me, but the descriptions of the changing landscapes was so well done over the years, Dohhalund sounds like a lovely island that had many things happen to it.

My thanks to the publisher Harlequin AU for my copy to read and review.

[Brooke - Brooke's Reading Life · Rating 3 out of 5]

*www.onewomansbbr.wordpress.com
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The Women of Pearl Island by Polly Crosby. (2021).

**Thank you to Harlequin Australia for sending me a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review; published 29 September 2021**

When Tartelin accepts a job with the reclusive Marianne, she finds herself on a wild island with a mysterious history. She is tasked with hunting butterflies for Marianne's research. But she quickly uncovers something far more intriguing than the curious creatures on the island. Because the island and Marianne share a remarkable history, and what happened all those years ago has left scars and terrible secrets. As Tartelin pieces together Marianne's connection to the island, she must confront her own reasons for being there. Can the two women finally face up to the painful memories that bind them to the past?

I was intrigued by the synopsis of this novel and I'm not going to lie, I was also very much drawn to the stunning cover. This story included dual timelines, with Marianne being a feature in both. In the more recent timeline we have Tartelin as the main focus. I think to begin with Marianne appears a bit unlikable with her behaviour being a bit blunt and off-putting, but as the reader learns more about her history she becomes more approachable. I must admit I was surprised when I realised Tartelin was only roughly 20 years old; I thought she was older as she seemed so world weary at times. The book ended up in a direction I wasn't expecting at all, and I did think the descriptions of the island and its inhabitants were quite beautiful. However I also thought the pacing was a bit slow moving and I had quite a few unanswered questions at the end.
Overall: I would recommend this book for those readers that enjoy dual timeline fiction and appreciate an unusual mystery in a story.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was actually a very good book. I think for me, this was a case of expectations and reality not really matching up.

A young woman, Tartelin, answers a much older woman, Marianne’s ad for a personal assistant. In the process, she finds herself traveling to a small island off the coast of England to meet with her. This island was commandeered by the British govt. during WWII and we have an inkling from the beginning that our older MC has a deep backstory and is fairly flawed as a result.

I loved this book for about the first half. Polly Crosby writes beautifully, and all of the natural aspects of the island were really played up, as Marianne is studying butterflies, and as she is housebound, she needs an asst. to collect specimens, etc.

Of course both MCs experience a fair amount of growth, both from their interactions with each other as well as from folks on the island. For me though this took a turn which brought in quite a bit of darkness that maybe I should have expected, but didn’t, and it really wasn’t suiting my mood at all by the end. Also the audio performance was a bit…monotonal? Is that even a word?

I would probably at least take a look at anything this author wrote, but if you’re a reader who judges a book by its cover, I’d recommend not doing so with this one. This isn’t a light and happy read.

[Amanda - Mrs B's Book Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com

2.5 stars

The author of the bestselling novel The Book of Wonders presents a new tale filled with imagination, speculation and deep emotion. An alluring dual timeline narrative, The Women of Pearl Island is a surreal and redolent tale, that will spark the interest of the right type of reader for this novel.

The Women of Pearl Island follows two main characters who are both tied to the mysterious island of Dohhalund, which is situated off the coast of East Anglia in the United Kingdom. We meet Tartelin Brown, a woman who decides to take up a position at this untamed island kingdom with Marianne Stourbridge, a hermit of sorts. As she settles into her new role, Tartelin delves into the murky history of this wild place. One of the tasks that Tartelin is issued with is to search for butterflies that inhabit this island. But there are secrets to be uncovered about the butterflies that inhabit the island that captivates the curious Tartelin. As this story gentle unfurls, Marianne’s long history with the island is revealed and a shocking hidden truth is finally aired. Tartelin is part of this puzzle, working to piece fragments of the island’s past together in order to help Marianne move on from her haunting past.

Polly Crosby is not a new name to me and I’m guilty of having her previous novel sitting on my shelves unread for over a year now. I do hope to give The Book of Hidden Wonders a whirl sometime soon. Crosby’s latest release has also been gathering dust on my review shelves for a few months now and the school holiday break afforded me some vital time to catch up on some novels that I have been wanting to read for some time now. With such a majestic cover and an intriguing premise, I was really looking forward to escaping into Polly Crosby’s latest fictional world.

I absolutely fell in love with the beautiful cover of The Women of Pearl Island. I think it has to be one of my favourite cover designs of the year. I think I attached a lot of hope to this book and I did expect to love it a lot more than I actually did. It features a dual timeline narrative, with one storyline set in World War II, which is a favourite time period for me personally. The Women of Pearl Island also features a very atmospheric setting. It acquired a lot of early ticks of approval for me. However, not long after beginning the novel I noted its slow pace, meandering narrative with little progression or excitement. I struggled to connect with the characters who were quite curt and unlikeable. My mind drifted away from Polly Crosby’s idyllic Dohhalund island. There was some evocative and vivid prose attached to the location, but it wasn’t enough to carry to novel forward. Those who like dreamy, mystical and fantasy like locations will possibly enjoy this one more than I did.

I was left with some lingering questions and almost a level of misunderstanding when I closed off The Women of Pearl Island, so it was an unsatisfactory read for me. There are other glowing reviews for Polly Crosby’s second novel floating around so please do check them out if this book sparks some interest.

*I wish to thank Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of disappointing. With such a beautiful cover I had high expectations for this dual timeline historical mystery. I'm usually all about these types of books but I honestly found the story dragged. Parts were interesting but they couldn't make up for the overall slow-paced uninteresting plot. Just okay on audio, this might have been one that was better consumed in print. Recommended for fans of books like The scent keeper.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve never read one of Polly Crosby’s books before THE WOMEN OF PEARL ISLAND, but I know for sure, this won’t be my last one! She hooked me from the very first page and never let me go! Polly sure knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat while reading and I love when an author does that to me. THE WOMEN OF PEARL ISLAND is the story of two women who couldn’t be more different from each other. Marianne is a recluse, in a wheel chair, and is very set in her ways. Tartelin is hired to hunt for butterflies for her research. If you are in a reading slump, THE WOMEN OF PEARL ISLAND will pull you right out! It is not a cute, love filled kind of book! It’s crazy and messed up and that is exactly why I loved it! My emotions were all over the place and I’m sure yours will be too.

The twists and turns just keep coming. So much so, that you won’t be able to put THE WOMEN OF PEARL ISLAND until the very end. My emotions were on one heck of a roller coaster ride while reading and as soon as I was finished, I immediately checked on Goodreads for more of her books! THE WOMEN OF PEARL ISLAND is a book which tugs at your heart and soul in the most comforting way. It’s one to experience wholeheartedly and then to save it to read later many more times. THE WOMEN OF PEARL ISLAND takes place on a tiny island called Dohhalund. It has belonged to Marianne Stoubridge’s family for hundreds of years. There is also an abandoned military base at the end of the island and Dogger Bank House, Marianne’s residence on the other end. The island is now pretty much deserted. I look forward to reading Ms. Crosby’s previous books that I haven’t gotten to yet as well as her future ones.

Overall, THE WOMEN OF PEARL ISLAND is a book I can say nothing but fantastic things about. There is so much heart in Polly’s writing that I was left with a huge smile on my face and my heart, very happy. All of the characters are very interesting and believable, so much so that I felt as if I’ve known them for a long time. There is so much going on in this story, but Polly does a wonderful job of weaving all the pieces together. All of the characters will have you feeling sad and then smiling on the same page. Once you finish devouring this story, you are going to want to tell everyone you know about this awesome book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Park Row through Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.

[Catalina · Rating 2 out of 5]

A slow paced book that's also predictable? No thank you. It took me over 1 week to read this and I cannot stop myself from feeling disappointed: so much effort with no reward.

The ingredients of the story draw me in: an almost abandoned island; unusual animals that may be the proof of secret military operations, an old women that's closely guarding unspeakable secrets and a young girl full of grief and in need of human affection. But the story that's delivered is sadly underwhelming. The natural world mystery is not such a mystery after all; and not to mention that it's also an overused cliche. The relationship between the 2 main characters is underdeveloped. The supposed affection that develops between them is not very evident, as most of the book Marianne is very cold toward Tartelin. The secrets that are revealed are forced out by Tartelin demanding her employer bare her soul - something that really grated, to be honest, as Tartelin has no right to ask such personal things of her employer and comes across as a bit of a entitled young adult. The only evident bit of emotion is to be found in the last 10 pages of the book and even then nothing to really touch the reader. Marianne's story is somewhat enjoyable despite its predictability. I've liked the descriptions and details of life on an island and the class differences alluded at throughout the story. The writing is lovely, but in this instance is just not enough to make up for the unsatisfying story.

*Book from NetGalley with many thanks to the publisher!

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to say I struggled with this one. I was really looking forward to reading it as it sounded like a great book. But it just didn't draw me in, it left me felling as if I would never finish reading it as it just dragged on and on.

The overall concept of the story was good, the characters were good but I always felt that Tarteline was much younger than she actually was (I think this was just the way she was written). The story dragged and although the descriptiveness was good I got bored with it after a while.

Disappointed with the slowness and lack of excitement.

The Women of Pearl Island
Polly Crosby
HarperCollins Publishers Limited

[Desiree Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strange. Beautiful. Moody. Slow to start. A panoply of differences - webbed hands, a scale-like cheek, a wheelchair, Asperger's. An odd climax and conclusion. A young woman who finds peace after grief. An elderly one who struggles with a lifetime of guilt. Not sure what the point of it all is, but an enjoyable read nonetheless.

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had The Women of Pearl Island on my shelf for over 2 years and now that I've read it, I regret waiting so long. This is a different read, an ending I couldn't possibly have seen coming. A story that is a time slip, taking place in two time periods, 2018 and 1955. Set on a secluded island off the British coast, there are secrets, lots of secrets. You really feel locked in while reading this as it's so hard to put down. A young woman is hired as a personal assistant to an elderly woman who's lived on this secluded island all of her life. There were family members at one time, now she lives with memories of the past and butterflies.
As we slide back and forth in the time periods the book takes on a surreal and mystical quality during the old lady's musings when the past comes to life. The atmosphere changes as the book progresses but there is a foreboding feeling hovering over the book. The cover will fool you into thinking the book is one way, but the inside is different than you could imagine.
The author is very talented, and the presentation is excellent. You can vividly imagine the two time periods. A compelling read that will have more searching for more by this author.

Pub Date 07 Dec 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Unravelling is such a great read, it has the haunting atmospheric feel that the synopsis mentions. The story is based on a small island, Dohhalund and only one house is inhabited, Dogger House. This island and house have been in the ownership of the Stourbridge family for generations. Marianne is the current resident, she has employed Tartelin to help her with her work documenting the changes don't the island and of the butterflies.

Once a community of herring workers worked here, and the family also used to collect the pearls from the oysters. They then moved into the silk business. It is the silk that occupied a young Marianne's time as she cared for the silkworms.

The story alternates between timelines and tells the life of a young Marianne and the people in her life at the time. What happened years ago and why was the island taken over by the military in 1955. This is something that nags a Tartelin's conscience. As does the mystery of why a wheelchair-bound Marianne has returned after all these years.

This is really a stunning story that almost has an ethereal feel to it, the memories and events of the past just sit out of sight of Tartelin and she must indeed unravel the mysteries of the previous decades. Marianne is not forthcoming with information, but there are hints and clues. Marianne is not the only one to return to the island, there are visitors such as birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

This is one of those stories that I was able to completely lose myself in. The story and the characters flitted back, forth and around like the butterflies. There is a gentle ebb and flow to the story which is reminiscent of the tide as one thing is solved for another to take its place.

As Tartelin discovers more about the island and of Marianne she starts to see changes in herself, she is taking more risks and is coming into her own. For me, she was very much like a butterfly as it transforms.

This is a gorgeously written story, atmospheric and hauntingly beautiful. Captivating and totally immersive. It is one for those that like delving into mysteries of the past, to discover more about a family and to discover the secrets.

This is a book I would definitely recommend.

[Ranjini Shankar · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one took a while to build up and grab my interest. It was only in the last quarter that anything is revealed but even that didn’t feel very satisfactory.

The Women of Pearl Island is a very atmospheric read and the descriptions really make you feel like you’re on a desolate island. It has a dual timeline with one starting in present day following Tartelin who has accepted a job on a remote island as an assistant to an eccentric elderly lady, Marianne. The second POV is from Marianne in the past and her life on the island.

Once the reveals started happening I was hooked but there was just no pay off. In a strange way the two POVs and timelines never really came together and the most interesting bits (Nan’s departure, her departure, her actual success in silk making, her mother’s death, what happened to her legs) we really don’t get any descriptions of. Instead we get select anecdotes of incidents that aren’t as relevant and then complete gloss over seemingly important stories. Marianne’s character development is poorly constructed with her refusing to explain anything and then giving in right away for no real reason. It was a very strangely plotted book with mixed messages.

[De Dunne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully imaginative story, the characters are mysterious and complex and mostly likeable. Polly Crosby has created an immersive and thought provoking world that keeps you turning the pages. She describes the setting so beautifully it feels like it’s own character. I felt like I was right there on the island, I could smell it, I could feel it, its eeriness and tension was palpable. The different timelines unravel at a lovely and thoughtful pace. There is sadness and loss that definitely stirs many emotions but ultimately there is a sense of hope. The story’s conclusion did not disappoint. No spoilers here! I definitely recommend this book and will be looking at other titles published by Polly Crosby.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE WOMEN OF PEARL ISLAND is the story of three women who couldn’t be more different from each other. Marianne is a recluse, in a wheel chair, and is very set in her ways. Nan is a young woman from her past, that is definitely affecting her present. Tartelin is hired to hunt for butterflies for her research and assist her with personal needs. She is drawn to the island and the water. The story is set on Dohhalund, a remote island off the British Coast and has been owned by Marianne's family for generations. She lived on the island for years and only recently returned after the British Government decommissioned it after commandeering it during WWII. Marianne has secrets and memories that keep her going, but what is she doing with the butterflies Tartelin catches and why?

This is a beautifully written, lyrical story. Tartelin's discovery of the island was interesting and intriguing. There were a few other people on the island that helped with that discover, as well as adding to the gothic atmosphere. The older woman who lived in a small hut was very interesting and had my curiosity going, the young man, Jacob, adds companionship as well as teaching her about the island, especially some of the dangers. The relationship between Tartelin and Marianne is complicated. They are employee and employer, but there is also a closeness that develops living in the same house, working together and being alone. Gradually Marianne opens up and begins to share some of her memories and secrets. The story is told in two timelines, with the past being told by Marianne. We learn about silkworms and silk, the herring industry and pearls all wrapped up in a wonderful story. There is a lot happening in this story, but Polly Crosby does a wonderful job of weaving all the pieces together. As the secrets are revealed, I found myself smiling and weepy at the same time. This is a story to experience and I recommend it to those who enjoy a beautifully written book with family, secrets, self-discovery and forgiveness. I did a read/listen with this one. I listened in the car while driving, but in the evening, I read the book to immerse myself in the words. The audiobook was wonderfully narrated by Katherine Press. She is a new narrator to me, but I will definitely look for more books she has performed. Her voice was expressive and lyrical adding to the atmosphere and my enjoyment of this story. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.

[Lucy · Rating 1 out of 5]

i am so confused

[✨ Aaron Jeffery ✨]

DNF page 85
This year my goal is to try and DNF a more books rather than struggle through them. Unfortunately the writing in this one didn’t work for me and I was super bored.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A phantom island between England and Holland, where sordid memories mix with an abundance of salty air, which thrilled and surprised me alongside Polly's poetic language.
Right from the start I felt an undeniable dark force behind the narrative, and thoroughly enjoyed the journey of discovery into what that darkness was and the depth of emotions it would forever leave behind.

4 solid stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this quite an odd and dull narrative. I struggled to connect with it and thought the story rather prolonged and complicated.

Marianne’s research dominates the narrative, switching between the 1920s and present day. However, I couldn’t really understand her processes as she hunts butterflies and examines them. There is a fair bit of jargon in the story and I thought this made the narrative denser than it needed to be. Her new assistant, Tartelin, is expected to help with this research but, Tartelin starts to find out that there is more to Marianne’s past than her employer lets on.

I found the older timeframe to be even slower than present day. Readers following Marianne on the island as a young teenager, watching her father work the island and connect with the landscape. Marianne’s character is not particularly pleasant in the present, let alone the past, and I don’t think this helped with my understanding of the plot development. There is a lot of work with butterflies and moths but I think I felt more freaked out than admiration for the intricacies of the work involved.

In the present, Tartelin’s move to this remote island is an act to help her grief for her recently passed mother. I liked how parallels are established between Marianne and Tartelin, showing that perhaps this employment was destined to occur. As more is revealed about what happened on the island, I thought the story became more interesting but, I think this was still swamped with details I struggled to understand.

Although I vaguely understood most of the story, I thought it was more abstract and mysterious than it needed to be. I liked the implied references to magic but felt the writer could have been more transparent with where the story was headed. As it was, I felt more alienated as a reader and was keen to reach the end.

With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Mimi Prendergast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Considering this book was written during lockdown, Polly Crosby has an incredibly vivid imagination which she has managed to transfer impeccably onto paper! I loved it.

I really appreciated the inclusion of the map of the island for context. Polly mentions her obsession with Orford Ness in her acknowledgement so I may just have to visit. The isolation on the island is similar to the isolation we all experienced during Lockdown. The writing is completely immersive which also reflects how we felt when we were confined to our homes for long periods of time, with nothing to do except let our imaginations run riot.

I liked the way the chapters move between the lives of the two girls in what is ultimately a story of love and friendship. I found it slow to start out but once the twists and turns began to emerge I was captivated.

A beautiful read. Looking forward to reading the next Polly Crosby novel!

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Polly Crosby provides a superbly visual narrative that captures your interest right from the start. From the very beginning, I had that foreboding feeling that something odd and sinister was going on. The descriptions of the island and the butterflies reminded me just how fragile our environment is but yet how strong the ability to survive through change can be. I felt that all the characters stayed true right to the end and that the conclusions for each were appropriate. Also enjoyed each character’s growth and the lasting friendships that developed between the unlikeliest pairs.

[Alyson Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book: The Women of Pearl Island
Author: Polly Crosby
Rating: 3 Out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank the publisher, Park Row, for sending me an ARC.

So, this is another classic example of how a book had just enough to keep me going-even when I really thought about putting it down. In this one, we follow two women who have been brought together by chance. Tartelin has answered an ad for a personal assistant on a very secluded island. She thinks that this will be the chance to start over and give her time to grieve after her mother’s passing. When she arrives, she quickly learns that there is more to the island and to her employer, Marianne, than what meets the eye. This island has been untouched by time-that was until the army arrived in the late 1950s and started doing test. After this, everything has changed or, at least, according to Marianne. From here, the story starts. Then, we through a little hint about their maybe being mermaids existing on the island. I would say that it was this sense of the unknown that kept me going.

We switch back and forth between Tartelin’s point of view and Marianne. The story also flips back and forth between time periods. In each time period, we are given just enough information that makes us want to keep reading. We are given just enough clues that make you want to see the book through to the end. I think that this was a great move on Polly’s part. At least, it worked with keeping me reading and wanting to know what was going to happen. It was just these little things that gave me hope for the book. I had to keep going…I had to find out what was going to happen next.

With all of that being said, I could only give this one a three star rating. While I did see the book clear through to the end, there was just something about it that made me really think about putting it down. I think a lot of it has to do with this disconnect that I had with the main characters. I really didn’t care for them. I felt like they were supposed to pull at my heart, but they didn’t. We were supposed to feel their strength, pain, and joys, but, yet, I felt none of that. I also didn’t care for the romance that developed either. Everything about the characters felt so unrelatable and I don’t know. I just had a really hard time building any kind of attachment to them. I think that what I was most attached to with this book was the plot and that little bit of clues that made me keep going.

The writing was beautiful and very detailed. It felt like you were actually on the island with the characters and going throughout the day with them. Still, like with the characters, I sensed a little bit of disconnect. There were parts and details that I just didn’t care about and found myself skimming. There were also parts that I found myself fully invested and engaged in.

I just felt like that throughout this whole book there was just enough to keep me going, but also missing just enough that I really did almost put this one down.

This book comes out on December 7, 2021.

[Anne-Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following the recent death of her mother, Tartelin applies for a position as assistant to Marianne Stourbridge on the remote island of Dohhalund in the North Sea. Marianne is intimidating, esconced in her crumbling mansion on the edge of a crumbling cliff, with her collection of dead butterflies. Part of Tartelin's job is to catch and kill butterflies for Marianne. But the island is dangerous, Marianne warns her. Feral dogs roam, there's an abandoned military base, the cliffs are eroding, there's no electricity.

Unexpectedly, Tartelin finds other people living in the island - the young man Jacob and his dog, and an old woman who perhaps was once a 'mermaid' - a herring girl - when the island was a bustling business managed by Marianne's father.

But there are things not quite right on the island. A white swallow, a white peacock, a long-dead silk moth, a black-headed creature dipping in and out of the waves that might be a seal or might not.

I loved this atmospheric and absorbing book, which is part mystery, part character study. The characters leap off the page and the island is beautifully described. There's a subtle sense of underlying menace that kept me gripped even though, on the surface, the plot unfolds relatively slowly. And perhaps that's the theme, what lies beneath the surface, the swirling currents we cannot see, or choose not to.

I have a copy of Polly Crosby's first novel, The Illustrated Child, in my 'to be read' pile and after reading The Unravelling, will be moving it much closer to the top.

Thanks to the publisher for sending me an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Hayley (Shelflyfe) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to HQ for approving me to read an arc of ᴛʜᴇ 𝐔𝐍𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 by Polly Crosby on Netgalley. I've seen some physical proofs for this novel on social media and they are STUNNING, and the image here is the final cover art 💙🦋
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𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐢𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐭 𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐈 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐚𝐦.
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I absolutely loved The Unravelling, and there is something really special about Crosby's beautiful and immersive storytelling. She is able to craft stunning landscapes and imagery that are so vibrant, and you almost feel as though you could reach out and touch them.
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞, 𝐮𝐧𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐰 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐧.
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The main protagonist, Tartelin, is hired by Marianne Stourbridge to catch butterflies on her island of Dohhalund. It certainly seems like a timely appointment for Tartelin, who has recently lost her mother, and is struggling with her own grief.
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐢𝐫. 𝐁𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐭, 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥. 𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐟 𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐢𝐟 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞-𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐭. 𝐀 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐦𝐞, 𝐚 𝐰𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞.
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Marianne is an interesting character. Her story and the traumas of her past are slowly revealed to Tartelin, and the reader, as Tartelin processes her own grief during her time on the Island.
Marianne's timeline moves back and forth, between her past as a young girl and grown woman, to her present as a slightly cantankerous old woman, who is searching for something that Tartelin has to coax out of her.
I won't give any spoilers here, but I do have to say that there were moments from Marianne's youth where she irritated me with her pomposity. Referring to other people as 'the help' and being obsessed with pearls and frivolities, I did want to give her a good shake!
What unfolds in her life though is more than anyone should have to deal with.
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𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 ... 𝐈’𝐦 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐬, 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥, 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭. 𝐌𝐲 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 . 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧.
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The island itself felt like a character within the book. It's rich and beautiful landscapes, the animals that thrive within it's boundaries, and the hold it has over several of the characters, all give it a personality of it's own.
Mirroring Marianne, it has unobtainable secrets, and the intertwined truths between her and the island are eventually uncovered.
It's interesting that Crosby wrote this story during the covid-19 pandemic, as the story is mostly confined to the island of Dohhalund and Marianne's home (Dogger Bank House).
It does feel like a very insular story in some ways, confined as it is to the narrow scope of the island, but surrounded on all sides by the great vastness of the sea.
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐚 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐮𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬. 𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐈 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐈 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐰. 𝐇𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐨 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐮𝐬.
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Dogger Bank House, also has a unique personality throughout the story. With such unique and intriguing features, like a copper bath with various taps - some that bring in fresh water, and one that brings in seawater - it is the bridge that transcends time and enables the story to weave together.
As truths are revealed and secrets are uncovered, the facade crumbles away, and life is errovocably changed for everyone involved.
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𝐀𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐨𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦, 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐠 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫. 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞, 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐝-𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐤𝐲. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐧𝐞, 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞-𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰 𝐬𝐚𝐭, 𝐬𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐠𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲-𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥, 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡.
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Exploring themes of family, change, time and grief, The Unravelling is an emotional story, beautifully told and imagined by Crosby.
The setting and whimsical beauty of the story has an almost dream-like, fairytale quality to it, with peacocks, pearls and butterflies woven throughout, and the gap between humans, animals, and the sea appearing closer than ever before.
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(Continued in comments)

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poetic Prose But Intensely SLOW Story. This is one of those tales where the actual words and descriptions are so incredibly beautiful - and yet the plot moves along about as fast as a snail in cryostasis. Basically somewhat similar to The Great Gatsby, but with a more poetic front end and where Gatsby has an action packed back end, this one manages to finally hint at some mysteries around the middle of the book that will compel you to finish it. Then, it even manages to pack a *bit* of action into the final 15% or so of the text, as one final calamity strikes - the first calamity of the book to happen within the "current" time period. For those who dislike dual perspectives/ dual timelines, know up front that this book has those - and that I would argue that you should read it anyway, because here they completely work together to show the mysteries more fully. Ultimately a satisfying read with an ending that some will love and others will hate, the only reason this book got dinged a star was because the front half in particular was *so* slow. Very much recommended.

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 / 5

Polly Crosby has written such a haunting and eerie story through the lens of the natural world.

Twenty-year-old Tartelin takes a position to assist Miss Stourbridge, a stern older woman living on a remote island. Miss Stourbridge’s family had lived on Dohhalund Island for generations until the military requisitioned it during WWII. Now Miss Stourbridge captures and dissects butterflies and moths on the island, but as Tartelin aids her, she wonders what Miss Stourbridge is hoping to find among the wings and scales of these creatures.

The story is unhurried, and there is not a strong central plot. As the narrative jumps between Tartelin in the present day and Miss Stourbridge in her youth, we slowly learn of these women’s lives, their grief, and the deep secrets of the island. I loved the atmospheric prose; it’s as if the island was a character all on its own.

Thank you to @parkrowbooks and @harpercollins for a spot on tour and a gifted digital copy.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haunting, atmospheric and emotional dual timeline historical mystery, centred on young Tartelin Brown in the present day, interspersed with flashbacks to Marianne Stourbridge's life as she grows up on a mysterious isolated island between the 1920s and 1950s.

Hiding from her grief and loneliness, the idea of being cut off from society appeals to Tartelin as she begins working for elderly but determined Marianne to study her island's butterfly population, although Tartelin doesn't appreciate just how isolated and wild the island is until she arrives.

Marianne is set in her ways and reluctant to open up to Tartelin. Gradually the secrets of the women and the island are revealed as Tartelin helps Marianne to come to terms with the past and Tartelin comes to terms with her future.

A poignant and evocative exploration of grief, self-discovery and family secrets.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This haunting and atmospheric novel was is compelling and emotional read. Set on the remote island of Dohhalund where just a single house is inhabited by an elderly woman, Marianne, Tartelin takes a job as an aide in the collection of butterflies for study. With a story that is split between now and Marianne’s youth on the island, we are drawn into a stunning narrative which ebbs and flows like the tide and where mysteries of family and nature are affected forever by secrets and decisions within the family and beyond.

Ethereal and mysterious, and with a satisfying twist, this book was wonderful with an emotional end. I didn’t want it to end. Highly recommended.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clean read. A little sow but beautifully written descriptive words. My only complaint is the unrealistic time line. Spans from 1927 to 2018 with the main character being 106 years old. With dates given my mind was distracted calculating ages 😂. Major dates given are 1928, 1955 and 2018. Would have been better suited as 1928, 1948, 2008.
Other than that the story was nice, it picked up in the second half. It has nothing to do with WW2.

[Vanessa Gelowitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story and some very strong women