A review by schnaucl
In the Shadow of Spindrift House by Mira Grant

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I really loved the first half to two thirds of this book.   The first chapter in particular which talked about Spindrift House in omniscient third person POV was lovely.  The prose was lyrical and the cadence absolutely perfect for a tale told around a campfire.  That first chapter made me want to try and find a copy of the physical book to own, which I fully intend to do.

I also loved the Answer Squad.  I could feel how much they loved each other, how close they were, and what their shared history was like. It made me wish I had friends like that (minus the tragic backstory).  I would have loved to read more about their crime solving years.    I could also feel Harlowe's anxiety about growing apart and things changing.

Of course, it is a horror story, so it couldn't last.   I could feel it coming and dreaded it.  

Although I mourned Addison's death, I did like the scene on the widow's walk where she confirms Harlowe isn't really Harlowe anymore because Harlowe looks at her with love and the person in front of her isn't.  And then she strikes.

But I generally found the ending underwhelming, though I'm having a hard time articulating why.
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