Despite having a ridiculously young heroine and a manwhore incestuous hero, I found myself completely enamored with this book. It is an absolute masterpiece that perfectly intertwines the elements of gothic and romance. The story unfolds in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat, with the mystery gradually being solved. As the plot progresses, the main characters, the heroine and the hero, begin to discover the true depth of their feelings for each other. It is truly a beautiful and heartwarming journey. The author's writing style is captivating, painting a vivid picture of the gothic setting and the complex emotions of the characters. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good gothic romance. It is a must-read!

Ok, perhaps I have been overly hasty in formulating my opinion of this book. But seriously, I just had the urge to slap this heroine!

She has just finished listening to her sister-in-law describe how their recently deceased, shared brother-in-law Rodric, attempted to rape her. And this leads our heroine to start pondering how much more appealing Rodric is to her than her own husband. Is she too stupid to live (TSTL)?

On the other hand, I must give the author credit. Because I suppose this is precisely the reaction I would anticipate from a naive, sheltered, and immature 17-year-old. So at least her character is genuine.

It's a complex situation where the heroine's thoughts and actions are both frustrating and understandable given her age and life experiences.

The author has managed to create a character who elicits strong emotions from the reader, which is a testament to her writing skills.

Despite my initial annoyance with the heroine, I am still curious to see how her character will develop and what choices she will make in the future.

Maybe she will grow and learn from her experiences, or perhaps she will continue to make poor decisions. Only time will tell.

Overall, this book has its flaws, but it also has its redeeming qualities. It's a story that makes you think and feel, and that's what good literature is all about.

This is a good historical gothic novel.

The heroine, however, is a bit dated. She is overly weepy, which might not appeal to today's modern reader.

Nevertheless, the author has done many things right. One of the strengths is the deft way in which the stakes are raised at each turn. This keeps the reader on the edge of their seat and adds to the overall tension and excitement of the story.

There is also a whodunit element that keeps the reader guessing. I found myself unable to anticipate a solution, as there were at least six possible suspects.

However, there is one aspect that could be improved. There is a little too much reliance on the trope of hiding behind draperies to overhear conversations. While this can be an effective device, it becomes a bit repetitive after a while. It would have been nice if the author had varied this a little more to add some freshness to the story.

Overall, though, I was entertained by the novel. It had its flaws, but it also had enough strengths to keep me engaged from start to finish.

And yet, I'll no doubt forget everything about it by tomorrow evening, which is a testament to the fact that while it was enjoyable, it didn't leave a lasting impression.

Gothic architecture is a remarkable and distinct style that emerged in the Middle Ages.

Characterized by its pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses, it creates a sense of verticality and grandeur.

The use of these elements allowed for taller and more spacious interiors, filled with an abundance of light.

Gothic cathedrals, in particular, are masterpieces of this style, with their elaborate facades, intricate sculptures, and stained glass windows.

The pointed arches not only added to the aesthetic appeal but also provided structural stability.

The ribbed vaults distributed the weight of the roof more evenly, enabling the construction of larger and more impressive spaces.

The flying buttresses, on the other hand, supported the walls from the outside, allowing for thinner walls and more extensive use of windows.

Overall, Gothic architecture is a testament to the ingenuity and artistic vision of the medieval builders, leaving a lasting impact on the world of architecture.

A twist can bring a whole new dimension to a story or situation. It has the power to surprise and engage the audience, making them sit up and take notice. Whether it's a sudden turn of events in a movie, a shocking revelation in a novel, or an unexpected outcome in real life, a twist can leave us feeling amazed and sometimes even a little bit stunned.

For example, imagine a mystery novel where the reader is led to believe that the butler is the culprit. As the story unfolds, all the clues seem to point in his direction. But then, in a sudden twist, it is revealed that the butler was actually covering up for the real murderer, who was someone completely unexpected. This twist not only changes the entire course of the story but also makes the reader reevaluate everything they thought they knew.

Twists can also add depth and complexity to a character. In a coming-of-age story, a character may experience a twist that forces them to confront their true selves and make difficult choices. This can lead to personal growth and a new understanding of the world around them.

In conclusion, a twist is a powerful tool that can enhance the impact of a story or situation. It keeps us on our toes and makes us question our assumptions. So the next time you encounter a twist, embrace it and see where it takes you.

Predictable? Yeah, that's what it was.

But you know what? I was actively seeking a cozy Gothic romance to lose myself in, and in that regard, it fit the bill.

It might not be my all-time favorite by Howatch, but it was still decent.

The story had its moments, with a certain charm that drew me in despite its predictability.

The Gothic elements added an air of mystery and spookiness, which was quite enjoyable.

While it didn't reach the heights of some of her other works that I absolutely adore, it was still a worthy read for those who love the genre.

It provided a nice escape for a while, and sometimes that's all you need from a book.

Overall, I'd say it was an okay read, not great but not terrible either.

I'm sure there are others out there who will find more to love about it than I did.

A great gothic read!

It's the perfect companion for a rainy day, as it matches the gloomy setting of Haraldsdyke mansion among the marshes.

The story of Marianne Fleury is a gripping and eerie one. She is an orphan who has to marry Axel Brandson, a strange and rich man. After marrying him, Axel explains his family situation, where his father and stepbrother recently died. However, once Marianne joins the family, her suspicions about the murder grow stronger and stronger. She becomes convinced that the murderer is not dead and could very well be living among them in the mansion!

Marianne is a great character and narrator. She is modern, intelligent, and likable, and it is refreshing to follow her journey into marriage and her attempts to uncover the secrets of Haraldsdyke. The ending is wrapped up nicely enough to give this book a 5-star rating.

Overall, this is a great gothic novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

I don't really read much of this genre, but this one is truly outstanding.

The perspective it offers is remarkable. The lack of communication among the characters, combined with the surreal atmosphere of the marshes, creates a captivating and unique blend.

The writing style is simply excellent. It draws the reader in and keeps them engaged from start to finish.

The author has done a great job of building the setting and developing the characters, making it easy for the reader to immerse themselves in the story.

Even though I don't typically gravitate towards this genre, this book has definitely changed my perception and I would highly recommend it to others.

It's a great read that offers something different and is sure to leave a lasting impression.

This book serves as conclusive evidence that random selections from your sister's collection can turn out to be thoroughly enjoyable reads.

I found myself completely immersed in the characters and their captivating development. The engaging mystery and the endearing, yet rather silly, antics of a polite yet extremely young bride added an extra layer of charm.

The characters were brought to life in a vivid manner, and they deviated from the pristine portrayals one might expect from a Jane Austen work. Strangely enough, this departure made them even more believable and relatable.

Overall, I have to say that I adored this book. It is a literary gem that I would highly recommend to anyone, with the exception of young children. It offers a unique and entertaining reading experience that is sure to delight readers of all ages, provided they have reached a certain level of maturity to fully appreciate its nuances.

A solid mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat, with a hint of romance delicately woven in. The story is so engaging that you find yourself completely immersed, trying to solve the mystery along the way. What makes it even more exciting is that I didn't suspect the person who actually committed the crime. It's always a pleasant surprise when the culprit turns out to be someone unexpected. The combination of mystery and romance adds an extra layer of depth to the story, making it a truly enjoyable read. You can't help but root for the characters and hope for a happy ending. Whether you're a fan of mystery or romance, this story has something for everyone.

Excellent! I never in a million years guessed who the murderer was. The story was extremely suspenseful from start to finish. It had me on the edge of my seat, constantly trying to figure out the mystery. I found it so hard to put down that I ended up reading it in one sitting. The author did an amazing job of keeping the reader engaged and guessing. The plot twists and turns were brilliant, and I was completely caught off guard by the final reveal. Absolutely loved it! It was one of the best mystery novels I've read in a long time. I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good thriller.

I put my name down for this book, under the impression that it was a thrilling murder mystery. However, as I delved into its pages, I realized that while it did have elements of a mystery, it was more of a period romance novel.

Nonetheless, I decided to view it as a quick holiday read. It was rather predictable, with the plot unfolding in a way that I could easily anticipate. There wasn't much more to say about it really.

The characters were somewhat one-dimensional, and the story lacked the depth and complexity that I had hoped for. Despite its flaws, it did manage to pass the time during my holiday, but it wasn't a book that I would recommend to others.

In conclusion, while it wasn't the murder mystery I was expecting, it served its purpose as a light and easy read for a holiday.