While this one didn't quite click with me, I can see where many will love it. It has a Gothic and paranormal vibe, ghostly lights and voices, family drama, greed, and more. When Willow Stone arrives back in a small town off the coast of Maine, she doesn't quite know what to expect. It's been years since she visited due to her family suddenly leaving and never returning. You meet the ghostly souls of Cameron House early on before Willow's arrival, however. A nice, spooky but intriguing vibe. Are there really ghosts there or is it the murderer's guilty conscience? It made me want to know more about the house and its inhabitants, living or dead. Willow meets some odd residents almost as soon as she arrives including Geralt, the likely inheritor of Cameron House. The less than welcoming tone when Willow shows up to play the organ for her grandmother's friend Sue's funeral should have been a big hint to her that all was not well, however. In other words, lots going on that newcomers couldn't quite grasp.
Part of my ho-hum reaction to the book was probably my initial, well, not dislike, but I wasn't really liking Willow, either. I found myself wanting to know more about the ghosts that her. She did grow on me a bit as the book went along but I never felt quite connected. That said, that may be on me as much as the book. Sometimes it's the right book but the wrong time, you know. In any case, people start dying and Willow is pulled into trying to sort things out herself as the police aren't convinced any foul play was involved. And, oh, did I mention that Cameron House is hiding a host of secrets itself?
Bottom line, while not a hit with me, a 3.5 rounded to 4 stars, it was still a pleasant read with mostly interesting characters and, oh, yes, a dog. I can't forget Finn, the corgi, probably why I requested this to review in the first place. Grin. I never really settled on whodunit until the reveal, I have to admit, but the clue were all there, so you can have fun seeing if you can figure it out faster than both Willow and me. Just remember, things aren't always as they seem. Thanks StMartin'sPress - #MinotaurBooks for the early look at Willow's return home and all that it involved. Ghosts and murder. What a combo, huh?
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