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The Chatter
Running from a dark past, Elise Is haunted by the voices in her head. But now she has a fresh start, as a governess for the Moreau family at Howe’s End. She’s no longer hungry and no longer alone. Everything is perfect. But perfection never lasts... Murder, love and demons. Can Elise’s mind take it?
400 pages, Paperback
Published June 16, 2021
3 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 25, 2023
I loved this dark, creepy story! Reminiscent of the most lurid Ruth Rendell/Barbara Vine's books, The Chatter tells a familiar tale of a young governess with a troubled past who falls in love with the kind master of the estate. But what happened to cause the previous governess's death, and what other secrets does this house hold? This book is not for the faint of heart, but a treat for the rest of us!
June 16, 2021
An eerie, stylish period piece
If you want a stylish, eerie psychological thriller with many a twist and turn, then this is the book for.you. The author's portrayal of a young woman struggling with her own internal demons whilst battling external forces of evil makes for an unsettling but fulfilling read.
If you want a stylish, eerie psychological thriller with many a twist and turn, then this is the book for.you. The author's portrayal of a young woman struggling with her own internal demons whilst battling external forces of evil makes for an unsettling but fulfilling read.
May 14, 2022
Gothic romance
A reimagined Jane Eyre set in the US, where Rochester is a battered husband, Adele is his child with his wife (in this case, a son), and Jane hears voices.
I loved the elements of domestic abuse and mental illness, but unfortunately they were not handled with any depth because this is a gothic novel, where everything is intense and melodramatic and tragedy is the focus.
The story is engaging, with lots of potential regarding the setting and characters but unfortunately the modern language and lack of mores for the time period kept pulling me out of the novel.
The writing is smooth, creating a pleasant reading experience, but I found the voices of the various point of view characters to be very similar.
There are some dark scenes which are suitably melodramatic, and I enjoyed them. There is an element of mystery which was also entertaining.
Unfortunately I am the wrong audience for this book as it is primarily a romance, and they are a tough sell for me. From the cover, description, and other reviews I thought this book was a historical psychological thriller, but it is very firmly a gothic romance with the romantic relationship the driving force of the story. I think the romance was handled competently and it will be very popular with fans of this genre, but unfortunately was not for me.
A reimagined Jane Eyre set in the US, where Rochester is a battered husband, Adele is his child with his wife (in this case, a son), and Jane hears voices.
I loved the elements of domestic abuse and mental illness, but unfortunately they were not handled with any depth because this is a gothic novel, where everything is intense and melodramatic and tragedy is the focus.
The story is engaging, with lots of potential regarding the setting and characters but unfortunately the modern language and lack of mores for the time period kept pulling me out of the novel.
The writing is smooth, creating a pleasant reading experience, but I found the voices of the various point of view characters to be very similar.
There are some dark scenes which are suitably melodramatic, and I enjoyed them. There is an element of mystery which was also entertaining.
Unfortunately I am the wrong audience for this book as it is primarily a romance, and they are a tough sell for me. From the cover, description, and other reviews I thought this book was a historical psychological thriller, but it is very firmly a gothic romance with the romantic relationship the driving force of the story. I think the romance was handled competently and it will be very popular with fans of this genre, but unfortunately was not for me.
August 26, 2022
Fantastic!!!!
I adored this story!! 😍😍 I read it in three days, and I’m in the middle of packing up my house and getting ready to move! 😬😬 Time I should’ve spent doing any one of a thousand things, I found myself reading. 😳😳 The book had me up late at night, too; I so badly needed to know what would happen next! 😕😕
The story reminded me on some level of Jane Eyre. I’ve watched the movie several times and enjoyed it very much. But something is missing that keeps it from being perfect. The Chatter provides the missing piece! It has an incredible creepy feel and made the hairs rise on the back of my neck several times. 😰😰 If you enjoy historical fiction, romance, and suspense, this book is for you!! Enjoy! 💕💓❤
I adored this story!! 😍😍 I read it in three days, and I’m in the middle of packing up my house and getting ready to move! 😬😬 Time I should’ve spent doing any one of a thousand things, I found myself reading. 😳😳 The book had me up late at night, too; I so badly needed to know what would happen next! 😕😕
The story reminded me on some level of Jane Eyre. I’ve watched the movie several times and enjoyed it very much. But something is missing that keeps it from being perfect. The Chatter provides the missing piece! It has an incredible creepy feel and made the hairs rise on the back of my neck several times. 😰😰 If you enjoy historical fiction, romance, and suspense, this book is for you!! Enjoy! 💕💓❤
November 3, 2022
T.R. Hamby’s The Chatter is a picture of genteel life at the end of the Victorian period set in New England. It’s also a dark, gothic romance and a first-rate psychological thriller. The Chatter is a tale full of expectations and surprises. We’re sure we know what will happen next—until it doesn’t.
The characters are memorable, if sometimes stereotypical of the era and the genre. But they’re sometimes not whom they seem. Elise Gage, a new governess to the Moreau family, appears to be a typical young woman who understands her station but aspires to more. Elise is also a young woman with a painful past that relentlessly haunts her. Victor Moreau is the titular head of the manor, but we learn early on that his wife, Anastasie, is the one who stirs the pot. The Marchands are house guests, and Elaine Marchand proves to be a valuable friend and confidant of Elise.
The scenes come to life with plenty of detail—even down to the details of the gowns and the elaborate meals. Hamby puts us squarely in the middle of the life and times of the new aristocracy in America at the turn of the Nineteenth Century. The setting may be genteel, but the details are sometimes horrific. Some of the word choices may be too modern for this context, but for the most part, the dialogue and descriptions ring true.
The Chatter may well remind readers of Jane Eyre, but Hamby’s rendering of the nanny-to-lady-of-the-manner story includes some unique elements. Elise’s horrific past is never far from her present as she teeters on the brink of insanity. Anastasie is pure evil.
Hamby tells us the story by rotating Elise’s point of view with that of Victor’s, with a couple of chapters through the perspective of Elaine, and one unforgettable chapter that takes us deep into the crazed mind of Anastasie. The revolving points of view give readers a chance to get inside the key characters in a way that might not be possible otherwise.
The Chatter’s basic plot has been explored before—most notably by Charlotte Bronte and Daphne DuMaurier—but in Hamby’s deft hands the story takes on a greater depth and provides a climax that readers won’t soon forget.
The Chatter isn’t perfect. Not many novels are. But Hamby provides all the tension and excitement you can handle. It’s a good read that will keep you enthralled to the very end.
The characters are memorable, if sometimes stereotypical of the era and the genre. But they’re sometimes not whom they seem. Elise Gage, a new governess to the Moreau family, appears to be a typical young woman who understands her station but aspires to more. Elise is also a young woman with a painful past that relentlessly haunts her. Victor Moreau is the titular head of the manor, but we learn early on that his wife, Anastasie, is the one who stirs the pot. The Marchands are house guests, and Elaine Marchand proves to be a valuable friend and confidant of Elise.
The scenes come to life with plenty of detail—even down to the details of the gowns and the elaborate meals. Hamby puts us squarely in the middle of the life and times of the new aristocracy in America at the turn of the Nineteenth Century. The setting may be genteel, but the details are sometimes horrific. Some of the word choices may be too modern for this context, but for the most part, the dialogue and descriptions ring true.
The Chatter may well remind readers of Jane Eyre, but Hamby’s rendering of the nanny-to-lady-of-the-manner story includes some unique elements. Elise’s horrific past is never far from her present as she teeters on the brink of insanity. Anastasie is pure evil.
Hamby tells us the story by rotating Elise’s point of view with that of Victor’s, with a couple of chapters through the perspective of Elaine, and one unforgettable chapter that takes us deep into the crazed mind of Anastasie. The revolving points of view give readers a chance to get inside the key characters in a way that might not be possible otherwise.
The Chatter’s basic plot has been explored before—most notably by Charlotte Bronte and Daphne DuMaurier—but in Hamby’s deft hands the story takes on a greater depth and provides a climax that readers won’t soon forget.
The Chatter isn’t perfect. Not many novels are. But Hamby provides all the tension and excitement you can handle. It’s a good read that will keep you enthralled to the very end.
June 25, 2022
Absolutely chilling from start to finish! This psychological thriller twists its way into your mind in a veritable clash of good versus evil. At the heart is a disturbed young woman, haunted and embattled, plagued by her perceived sins and perpetual damnation, yet good in her heart and soul. She finds herself targeted both by her own inner demons and the very real, absolute psychopath of a mistress who runs the home where she is the governess of a young, innocent child. Even as her situation--and station--changes, she is plagued, targeted, and terrified. THE CHATTER horrifies in the best way possible.
June 21, 2021
They say the cover says it all, but for me, it was the title. I was intrigued by the title of the book -- Chatter. Elsie Gage was surrounded by voices that her mind had to aptly comprehend. With each page I kept wondering will she be successful? Action, drama, and suspense moved the plot rather fast. And T.R. Hamby’s power of words engulfed my poetic mind till the end! This book is gripping and hard to put down. I highly recommend it.
July 9, 2021
Murder Extrodinaire
Ms. Hamby has allowed us a wonderful murder book with part Agatha Christie and believe it or not, part Vincent Price movie. As you are reading, you develop such a wonderful relationship with the characters it feels like you are there. Wonderful book.
Ms. Hamby has allowed us a wonderful murder book with part Agatha Christie and believe it or not, part Vincent Price movie. As you are reading, you develop such a wonderful relationship with the characters it feels like you are there. Wonderful book.
October 19, 2022
I am typically a hardcore horror/fantasy reader but I really enjoyed this book! A little slow at the start, but picks up fast. The thriller aspects were awesome, and the second half of it i literally couldn’t stop reading. Definitely recommend
January 23, 2021
This book is dark and very interesting. The story is well done and it has me rooting for the main character.
February 6, 2021
Loved reading the book. Great twists and turns. The book pulled me in and kept me wanting more. A really must read.
June 20, 2021
Love this book
A dark but gripping tale. I couldn’t put it down. Love how this author writes, fast paced yet very descriptive
A dark but gripping tale. I couldn’t put it down. Love how this author writes, fast paced yet very descriptive
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews