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Barbara H. (Richmond, IN)
Shadows on the Moor
I read far too late three evenings in a row. The book is fascinating. It promises supernatural happenings, familial misbehavior, and murder. The setting itself, the North Yorkshire Moors, is compelling. After all, I know the mysterious moors well from Wuthering Heights. I know they are stark and strangely beautiful, and strange things happen on them. So I am truly fascinated. Plus Rebecca seems to be the book that puts our heroine to sleep each night, suggesting a relationship between Beneath the Shadows and Rebecca. Sure enough there is. An imperious lady of the manor becomes a friend of the heroine Grace. The lady has four daughters and an estranged son, who also proves to be more than a friend to Grace. This is a fun and intriguing read that concludes all at once, and its resolution bring out all sorts of family secrets.
Patricia M. (Davidson, North Carolina)
Outstanding debut novel
This book is beautifully written. The characters are very well developed and believable. An intriguing story of moors, mist and mystery. Keeps you guessing until the very end. For a debut novel is a gem.
Randi E. (Walnut Creek, CA)
Atmospheric/spooky story
This book represents my favorite kind of mystery.....set in England, on the moors...Moody, Gothic, with some spooky/supernatural undertones. Sara Foster is a very good storyteller. The mystery slowly builds to an exciting yet believable conclusion, one that was not obvious.
Doreen L. (Windsor, CT)
The Past Casts Menacing Shadows
“They should be home.” Upon reading the opening sentence, my heart clutched with anxiety. Who hasn't experienced concern when a loved one is late arriving home? A few pages later Grace, the main character, sees a dark shape on her doorstep. She pulls open the door and stops in shock. Her infant daughter's pram is the sole object in sight. She checks the inside, and, Millie is softly sleeping. But where is Adam, Grace’s husband?
A year later Grace and Millie return to Hawthorn Cottage ostensibly to sort it out, but Grace is determined to find out what happened to Adam. The story unfolds from that point on, introducing numerous characters (almost too many to keep track). The author uses a number of eerie devices to prick our fears, for example, a grandfather clock that stops and starts of its own accord, piercing screeches in the night, a cellar door that slams shut without human intervention, and a creepy, dark attic to name a few.
The first third of the book is the strongest part of the novel and shows the author’s skill using language to evoke atmosphere: “Grace turned and trailed through the cottage, flicking at wall switches, shaking the shadows from their slumbers and driving them out.” Here’s another example, “All around her the shadows of the room languidly stretched themselves out, resettling as the darkness grew.” I especially like the author’s use of Grace’s finding old photographs and objects packed away in the attic and cellar to flashback to earlier times – “The past flew into the present.” Moreover, the description of the moors and the sense of isolation are conveyed to perfection.
In the meantime, I have a few quibbles. Although the literary devices the author uses to generate fear in the reader are successful in the beginning, there are too many throughout the story, and, I began to feel “played.” Second, many of the chapters end with a cliffhanger. It got to the point where this became a bit formulaic. However, these minor issues should not dissuade the reader to pick up book. It certainly kept me guessing what would happen next.
Karen B. (Pittsburgh, PA)
Yorkshire Mystery Extremely Satisfying Read
Felt that the opening chapter of Sara Foster's debut mystery could have been much more successful in drawing the reader into the story of the disappearance of Grace's husband. Felt she could've done so if she had included some scenes of them together before jumping 1 year into the future in the second chapter. Otherwise, I very much enjoyed her novel. Loved that the ending came as a complete surprise. I would definitely recommend this to others.
Carol J. (Isle, MN)
Mystery on the Moors
I very much enjoyed the plot of this debut novel. Was not as predictable as many mysteries. The characters and setting were intriguing. The author transported me to this small town in England and did make me feel one with the main character. Would very much recommend the book to others. Looking forward to Sara Foster's next novel.
Diane S.
Beneath the shadows
Richly atmospheric, gothic undertones, the setting of the desolation of Yorkshire moors all set the tone for this mystery by Foster. When I first started reading it I didn't know if I was reading a ghost story or a regular mystery that needed solving. There are plenty of ghosts and haunting mentioned for sure and really either of the scenarios would have played out and been very believable. Secrets from the past, the slow unveiling of clues, and very interesting and well rounded characters kept me reading late into the night. And let me tell you reading this at night when the house was so quiet really ratcheted up the creepiness factor. Looking forward to seeing what this author writes next.
Lesley M. (Mesa, AZ)
Beneath the Shadows: A Mystery Set in the Moors
I enjoyed this book because I like a good scare and the author, Sara Foster, was able to do this by creating an eerie setting that was described as cold, remote, and spooky with a plot and set of characters that were wrapped in a mystery. The book kept my attention, throughout, but the ending was a little too neatly sewn up. It was a pleasure read, but not one that would lead to a hearty book discussion. Foster is a great descriptive writer, though, and I would like to read other books by her; maybe something in the horror genre.
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