I would like to thank NetGalley for allowing me to read the eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really like the idea of adding recipes into a book that have to do with the storyline, I think its brilliant. It's one of the things that drew me to check this book out. However I believe this book was not for me. This is on me for not understanding Withered Petals would contain content regarding the Holocaust. I also think the genre is not quite horror but it fits better in war fiction.

Eleven year old Valerie moves with her eighteen year old brother Tobias and their mother to an old Jewish home in a small town in Germany. Unbeknownst to them the house has some mystery to it, as it has a past involving World War 2 and previous housed a Jewish family that was lost in the war. One of the points of views in this book is that of a ghost and we see him grow to learn that he is dead and how he feels about the living. It reveals a very sad and dark part of the story, that is truly heartbreaking to read.

Trigger Warnings I Gathered: holocaust, world war 2, antisemitism, infidelity, pedophilia, drug abuse, alcohol abuse

Unfortunately I am unable to give a decent review as I DNF'ed at 39%.

I held out till 39% ever hopeful they the horror part of the story would appear, as advertised. But it was more mystery, historical mystery at that.

A haunting and chilling story that touches on some of the darker parts of our history with powerful messages for our humanity as a whole. It is a fast paced, emotional narrative of a family drama. The darker themes are delicately handled, and the elements of mystery slowly morph to horror as the story progresses. There is a very interesting blend of historical fiction with a ghost story which I found very compelling. If you like deeper, thought-provoking stories, with elements of the supernatural, this one is worth exploring.

Withered Petals by Glenn Fall was listed as a horror story and that was my reason for requesting it from NetGalley. Unfortunately, for me, I really found no horror in this book, it was more a mild mystery. I never really connected with any of the characters in the book because the story told you very little about each one, but not enough to form a bond with them.

Eventhough I had mentioned things I did not care for in this book, it was not an unreadable book and probably one that many mystery readers would enjoy

I enjoyed this book. It’s funny how it was able to stick with me. I started reading this book Back in Oct, got away from reading for quite some time yet I still had this book with me when I picked it back up to finish it.

This was a fast read. I thought the book was okay. It was interesting to see that Gabriel experienced "growth". I actually didn't like him at first. Honestly I don't think I liked him at all. I could understand his feelings and his need, but he just wasn't likeable. It was a classic story of children being somewhat neglected while going through a tramatic situation. Though it wasn't my favorite book I would recommend it, but perhaps to a teen.