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books_of_daria's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
theamyleblanc's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting read. I liked the interplay of religion and science; the struggle it created throughout the book was very enjoyable. And the mystery of it kept me reading.
What I disliked was that the language and verbiage didn't match the time period. There was something anachronistic about it and it would kick me out of the story a bit.
Did I enjoy reading this one? Yes. Will I read the sequel? Probably not.
What I disliked was that the language and verbiage didn't match the time period. There was something anachronistic about it and it would kick me out of the story a bit.
Did I enjoy reading this one? Yes. Will I read the sequel? Probably not.
charlie_allin's review
4.0
Love this book, truly gripping I have rated 4 only because there are parts I could predict and I like to be surprised however that does not stop it being a fantastic book
parrotheadpress's review
2.0
This book had the potential to be a 3 or even 4-star book for me. But, instead, it landed a measly 2. Maybe a 2.5 on days I'm feeling generous. I enjoyed Bea's character and the story for the most part, but Masteron did something unforgivable in his tale: Masteron let his heroine be raped.
There were maybe 40 pages left in the book when Bea is attacked and raped. Masterton abuses Beatrice simply for the fact that he could. She's held down by one man, who can't speak but "whoops" as she's violated. Bea escapes a physical assault earlier in the book, but there was no one to save her this time. The level of detail was disgusting and ruined the book. Not only did Masteron use a ridiculous amount of narrative for this scene, but he also made the repulsive decision to imply that Bea enjoyed her rape. She's bruised, she's bleeding but there was moisture, which her rapist comments on, saying she's protesting the assault but must love it — FYI, this isn't one of your sex books or Penthouse, Mr. Masterton. The author allowed her to be defiled at the book's end after working to create a strong character. It didn't enrich the story. In fact, it didn't even affect the story. Instead, it simply ruined what had been a pretty good book up until that point. It was just smut and a cheap gimmick from the author. I had planned to continue the series, but I won't be reading any more of Masterton's books.
There were maybe 40 pages left in the book when Bea is attacked and raped. Masterton abuses Beatrice simply for the fact that he could. She's held down by one man, who can't speak but "whoops" as she's violated. Bea escapes a physical assault earlier in the book, but there was no one to save her this time. The level of detail was disgusting and ruined the book. Not only did Masteron use a ridiculous amount of narrative for this scene, but he also made the repulsive decision to imply that Bea enjoyed her rape. She's bruised, she's bleeding but there was moisture, which her rapist comments on, saying she's protesting the assault but must love it — FYI, this isn't one of your sex books or Penthouse, Mr. Masterton. The author allowed her to be defiled at the book's end after working to create a strong character. It didn't enrich the story. In fact, it didn't even affect the story. Instead, it simply ruined what had been a pretty good book up until that point. It was just smut and a cheap gimmick from the author. I had planned to continue the series, but I won't be reading any more of Masterton's books.
balthazarlawson's review against another edition
3.0
Beatrice Bannister was the daughter of an apothecary in 18th century London. When her parents dies she goes to live with her cousin in Birmingham until she married and moved to Sutton in New Hampshire in America. There her life seems ideal until the village is beset by the apparent doings of an evil demon.
The only problem with this book was that it was apparent what was going on in Sutton from the beginning. The only question was who was the real driving force behind the events. Rather predictable. However, I still enjoyed the story even it did seem to be stretched out a bit too long.
The only problem with this book was that it was apparent what was going on in Sutton from the beginning. The only question was who was the real driving force behind the events. Rather predictable. However, I still enjoyed the story even it did seem to be stretched out a bit too long.
jmatkinson1's review
3.0
18th century New Hampshire and in the idyllic settlement of Sutton the world seems to have turned upside down. Pigs, cows and fish seem poisoned after a visitation from diabolical forces but then people are affected. A mysterious stranger appears and claims to be an intermediary for a demon who wants to repossess parts of the country, the demon will only be appeased if tracts of land are signed over and then the victims will be left alone. Preacher's wife Beatrice Scarlet does not believe that Satan has appeared in the area, she thinks the attacks have a more human explanation, but her husband is a devout believer.
At the heart of this book is a really interesting story, a fairly original mystery, the problem is that this story is spoilt by a disjointed narrative. One of the keys to a good historical novel is the sense of time and place, in this book the places are very well realised from London to New Hampshire. Unfortunately there is little sense of time, I worked out that the setting was either the 17th or 18th century but that didn't seem important to the writer. The first quarter of the book seemed slow and not a huge connect to the main narrative, yes it was important to know that Beatrice had grown up being trained as an apothecary and her parents had died but why the extensive story about the corpses. the detour to Birmingham introduced a character who reappears later but why the sudden jump to the events in New Hampshire. It was almost as though the story was twice as long as that published and a serious but crude editing process had taken place. Finally I found the rape gratuitous and pointless.
At the heart of this book is a really interesting story, a fairly original mystery, the problem is that this story is spoilt by a disjointed narrative. One of the keys to a good historical novel is the sense of time and place, in this book the places are very well realised from London to New Hampshire. Unfortunately there is little sense of time, I worked out that the setting was either the 17th or 18th century but that didn't seem important to the writer. The first quarter of the book seemed slow and not a huge connect to the main narrative, yes it was important to know that Beatrice had grown up being trained as an apothecary and her parents had died but why the extensive story about the corpses. the detour to Birmingham introduced a character who reappears later but why the sudden jump to the events in New Hampshire. It was almost as though the story was twice as long as that published and a serious but crude editing process had taken place. Finally I found the rape gratuitous and pointless.
mickeyzbookz's review
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Very graphic tropes !
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual violence
melbsreads's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Trigger warnings: murder, graphic rape, graphic death, graphic descriptions of dead bodies, death of a parent, death of a child, fire, animal death, mentions of domestic violence, poisoning, child abduction, home invasion.
Oh boy. This was SUCH a mixed bag for me. I had a vague sense that I knew the name Graham Masterson before I started reading this, but it wasn't until I reached the end of the book that I realised he wrote THE most fucked up and gross book I have ever read in my life (White Bones). So, uh, that was a fun realisation.
I was a little surprised when this started out set in the UK. The first 20-25% of the book covers Beatrice's youth, particularly after the death of her parents. And, like, I understand that it's relevant to the story later on. But when I was sold on reading this because it's a murder mystery set in 1700s New Hampshire and then instead you present me with the story of a teenage girl struggling to adjust to life with her cousin after her parents die? Meh.
Anyway, once the murder mystery side of things got started? I really enjoyed this. Beatrice was a fantastic protagonist and I loved seeing her scientific approach to investigating when everyone around her is so tied up in a faith based approach to what's happening.
But.
I maintain that it was WILDLY unnecessary to havean EXTREMELY graphic and detailed rape scene on the page with Beatrice as the victim. Like, we already know the villain is a villain. He's murdered multiple people. He's killed multiple animals. He's killed Beatrice's husband. He's kidnapped her toddler son. We don't NEED a scene where he invades her house, has his man servant hold her down, and rapes her vaginally and anally. And we DEFINITELY didn't need the book to end with her realising that she's pregnant and that she's not sure if it's her husband's or her rapist's. It added absolutely nothing to the story and it honestly put me off reading anything by Masterson ever again after the experience I had with this and with White Bones.
So the mystery side of it? I enjoyed it. There were twists and turns and Beatrice's unique skills definitely came in handy. But then the way the last 20% played out? No. Absolutely not. Stop it.
Oh boy. This was SUCH a mixed bag for me. I had a vague sense that I knew the name Graham Masterson before I started reading this, but it wasn't until I reached the end of the book that I realised he wrote THE most fucked up and gross book I have ever read in my life (White Bones). So, uh, that was a fun realisation.
I was a little surprised when this started out set in the UK. The first 20-25% of the book covers Beatrice's youth, particularly after the death of her parents. And, like, I understand that it's relevant to the story later on. But when I was sold on reading this because it's a murder mystery set in 1700s New Hampshire and then instead you present me with the story of a teenage girl struggling to adjust to life with her cousin after her parents die? Meh.
Anyway, once the murder mystery side of things got started? I really enjoyed this. Beatrice was a fantastic protagonist and I loved seeing her scientific approach to investigating when everyone around her is so tied up in a faith based approach to what's happening.
But.
I maintain that it was WILDLY unnecessary to have
So the mystery side of it? I enjoyed it. There were twists and turns and Beatrice's unique skills definitely came in handy. But then the way the last 20% played out? No. Absolutely not. Stop it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape