have mixed emotions about this book. I thought that the first half of the book was spooky but, slow. It created a great atmosphere of tension for Caro going back to her childhood home and the incidents that she endured while staying there. I like the excepts of the childhood stories. But, this story didn’t grip me until the very last few chapters of the book which had a surprising end.
I thank Avon books and NetGalley for a copy of this book without knowing the title and what it was about.

How can you resist a book that is a secret til Halloween! I loves this book, was totally absorbed in the story and it was written with such beautiful detail. Thank you so much Avon and Netgalley... your secret is safe with me!

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book. The secrecy surrounding this book intrigued me....unfortunately I found it to be very slow moving and I had a tough time really sinking my teeth into it. It wasn’t bad....it wasn’t great. It was an ok read.

I loved the book for the first quarter or so - I felt like the author did a great job setting the stage, and making the book atmospheric. I was intrigued about the odd occurrences that were happening at the house Caro was staying at, and was looking forward to getting some answers.

That said, after the first 25%, I felt like things got really slow. There were pages spent describing a small detail of the house or town, and I found myself struggling to pay attention to those sections - I wanted the story to progress, and I felt like at times it was at a complete standstill.

I had a hunch about how the book would end from pretty early on, but was hopeful that it wouldn't be that obvious, and that I'd be wrong, however I ended up being right about almost everything. Without giving any spoilers, I will say that I really enjoyed the final pages of the book though. Does Caro *really* get her happily ever after?

All in all, this one was a 2.5 star read for me. The premise was intriguing, and the atmosphere of a creepy old house in a small town in the middle of winter was a perfect setting for the story, however the story moved a little too slowly for me, and was pretty predictable. This might work better for fans of slow moving mysteries who aren't avid readers of the mystery/thriller genre because it will likely be less predictable for someone who doesn't read hundreds of thrillers a year.

I read this novel with no knowledge of either the book or the author but what a great surprise. Loved the book and I found it completely absorbing. This psychological thriller was given to me to read with the condition that I don't review until Halloween, so I will post a full review then.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Avon Books UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to love this book so bad, but I just didn't. It was so slow in the beginning I couldn't even get past that to enjoy the rest of the story. I think that had it had a better beginning, this book would really be a hit, but where it's at now is just too slow to get readers, who enjoy fast paced thrillers, enthralled enough to enjoy.
Will let the members of Chapter Chatter Pub know about its release and use in a daily challenge.

This book unfortunately just wasn't for me. I found it so slow, and had to force myself to get through it. The idea is neat, but the story wasn't interesting enough (for me) to be as slow paced as it was.

Due to the secrecy surrounding this arc on NetGalley, I won't be too specific here, as the publisher has asked not to give too much away until Halloween. However, I enjoyed the plot, which was interesting and mysterious - enough to merit finishing anyway. However, it was predictable and as an avid thriller/mystery reader, I need a good plot twist. The writing style was great and was easy to read and had an air of suspense. I would agree that it comes in as a gothic mystery.

Overall, 3 stars - enjoyable but not unique.

*Thanks to the publisher, the author and NetGalley for my e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

3.5 stars. I want to honor the publisher's request not to give away too much info on this book until Halloween, 2018. What I will say is that I liked the author's writing style. It felt comfortable and familiar to me, although I can't quite put my finger on why. The setting plays a huge role in this story, and I thought the author did a great job making me feel like I was in the super creepy house with the main character, Caro. I have seen other reviews describing the story as "gothic" and I would agree.

I will also say that I saw most of the twists coming from pretty far away. However, a few of them did surprise me. The book takes place in England, so some of the phrases and slang took me a minute to understand. Overall though I thought that the story worked well, and I loved the deliciously ambiguous ending. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes gothic mysteries and psychological thrillers.

*Thanks to the publisher, the author and NetGalley for my e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

I had to give this book a go, because I cannot resist a mystery. The fragility of memory is a prominent theme throughout this book and really kept me turning the pages. I enjoyed this book!

This book started a little slow, I was not sure what was going on, but it was intriguing enough that I kept going... and I did not stop until it was done.

Caro returns to her childhood home and is met with an icy reception from the town. Haunted by the terrifying story her stepmother would tell her, about "two little girls and the terrible things they do" Caro begins looking into her past, unraveling the secrets her stepmother kept from her.

I really enjoyed this book. It was the perfect mix of intrigue and creepy.
I kept trying to stay one step ahead, to try and figure out what was going on and I can say I was genuinely shocked at the end of the book.
I really liked the authors writing style, and I thought it was written using a great imagination.

Do you trust your memories? Should you? Carol always had limited memories of her childhood. But her stepmother’s death changes her life in so many ways. Carol is a a poor illustrator sho decides to move back into the family home to take refuge from her life and to sort out the possessions of her stepmother. This is truly a story about a wicked stepsister and a cruel life.

This was not my usual type of book, but was so intrigued by all the secrecy, I had to give it a go.
It was a bit dark for me, and there were some really creepy bits - all in all it was ok. There will be no spoilers from me!

Im not
into spooky reads. But I thought id give this a go. Unfortunately it wasn’t to my taste,
Thank you to both Avon Book UK and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest unbiased review.

Children's book illustrator Caroline, heads back to her childhood home after the sudden death of her estranged stepmother. Long buried secrets and traumas are slowly revealed as Caroline isolates herself and her perception deteriorates.

SPOILERS

! During this novel I experienced nearly every emotion from happiness to complete and utter fear. Throughout I was as confused as Caro, it really kept me guessing right up till the end- and wow what a twist! The only thing I got right was that pretty early on I knew Craig wasn't right, there was something I couldn't put my finger on. Definitely worthy of a 5 star review.

This was more like a Gothic horror for me than a thriller , that wouldn't normally be the genre I would request but I actually really enjoyed this , a little unnerving at times and I'm glad I wasn't home alone . I would certainly recommend , bit not to the faint hearted . Loved how the fairy tales incorporated into the story .

Not bad at all. Not great, but definitely held my interest. Sometimes it's okay to read a book that's only three stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for this early copy.

I had no idea what this book would be about, following my review neither will you..... I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed it especially the creepy ending!

3.5 stars

Caro returns to her childhood home after the death of her stepmother, Elizabeth. Recently separated from a boyfriend, she decides to take on the task of clearing out the house as she waits for the estate to clear probate, as it will give her a place to stay, and a fresh start. After all, as an illustrator, she can work from anywhere, and she has just been commissioned to provide pictures for a new book of fairytales, “The Pear Drum and Other Dark Tales from the Nursery.”

But the neighbors do not welcome her back.

In fact, their hostile behavior forces her to ask the question...why did Elizabeth hate her so much?

As she begins to sort through her stepmother’s possessions, strange things begin to happen. Could the house be haunted? Or is she being haunted by bad memories of things that occurred there while she was a young girl?

A noise draws her up to the attic where she finds Elizabeth’s “Pear Drum”. Why does the musical instrument terrify her? Why is there so much of her childhood that she cannot remember? And can it really be coincidental that the book of fairytales she is illustrating contains the same story of a Pear Drum that her stepmother used to scare her with when she was misbehaving?

“HAVE YOU BEEN BAD ENOUGH, CARO?”

The beginning of this unique story drew me in immediately, but I figured out the antagonist, pretty quickly and was so frustrated by the decisions our protagonist made at the end, that I was left disillusioned.

But, the author won the Bath Novel award 2017, for this novel, so chances are I might find myself in the minority on this one, and other readers just might love the ending.

I would like to thank Netgalley, Avon books, UK, and Sophie Draper for the ARC provided in exchange for my candid review. This book will be available on Nov. 29th, 2018.