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Catheryne Z. (Plano, TX)
Gothic Suspense
Thank you to Bookbrowse for this ARC from NetGalley. I love Chanel Cleeton's previous books and am excited to get to read and review her newest book. She creates an atmosphere of suspense and intrigue. This gothic historical mystery revolved around a mansion in South Florida and 2 couples that lived there. Robert had the mansion built for his wife, Anna in the 1920s. Another couple lived in the mansion in the 1940s. The story is told between the two women alternating chapters. Overall, I loved the gothic atmosphere and the development of the dual storylines as they unfolded the secrets and mysteries of Marbrisa, the Miami mansion.
Kristen H. (New Bern, NC)
Hauntingly Good
I absolutely loved this book! Well written by the author. I enjoyed how the book went between decades. A good book for book clubs. The characters were well developed and the twist at the end was perfect!
Annette
Fantastic Atmospheric Gothic Mystery
I saw this and immediately hoped to read it because I read one other book by Chanel Cleeton and loved it so much. She is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.
This did not disappoint. It was intriguing and so fascinating that I couldn't stop reading it, and I'm still thinking of it even now, a little while after having finished reading it. It's stuck with me and kept me thinking even after finishing it. This is another book that has given me a book hangover.
This has everything: atmosphere, the gothic feel, mystery, death, secrets, romance, and reminds me of many classics and favorites. It has vibes and similarities to Jane Eyre, Rebecca, and Wuthering Heights, which especially reminded me of Rebecca in parts and Wuthering Heights in others.
I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys gothic mysteries and classics like Rebecca and Wuthering Heights.
Linda M. (Ocala, FL)
Big House - Big Problems
If you are searching for a Gothic novel that will transport you to another time and place, this is it. The House on Biscayne Bay by Chanel Cleeton has it all; a large, foreboding house (complete with parapet and secret passages), strange unexplained deaths, an inscrutable housekeeper, a mysterious husband and maybe even a ghost or two. The setting is Miami, Florida during the time period between the two world wars when people were flocking to Florida to make their fortunes in real estate and land development often by means less than legitimate. An undercurrent of tension and intrigue permeate the novel demanding that you keep the nightlight on and quickly turn the pages. If you like the Gothic Horror genre, this book is for you.
Wanda T. (Wilmington, DE)
The House on Biscayne Bay by Chanel Cleeton
This story grabbed me from the beginning! Two women, two lives 20 some years apart and house are the main focus in this book. Throw in some intrigue, murders, affairs, opulence, mystery along with some revelations and this book has it all!
The author takes you to Miami in the early 1900's and gives you a glimpse of the area as it was being built. Cleeton then takes you to the 1940's with a new owner of the grand home, Marbrisa. Eventually the two stories collide and take you on a roller coaster of surprises.
Mary Jane D. (Arlington Heights, IL)
Easy Mystery Read
I liked The House on Biscaine Bay very much. It was an easy and quick read during a busy holiday season for me and I found myself making time to find out what happens next - or what was revealed next.
The story was easy to follow despite two time periods and had limited characters to keep tract of. The characters were well developed and believable. The setting of the big house and grounds was well
described and I especially liked the peacocks.
The details of the deaths came in a timely manner and the book held my interest and kept me speculating. The ending had a good twist and was a surprise.
I would recommend this book for mystery lovers who like an easy read and uncomplicated story.
Debra F. (Cudjoe Key, FL)
Is it the House?
When Anna Barnes moves to Miami with her husband in the early 1920s, she is not thrilled, even though her husband has built her a gorgeous home there. What is wrong with this house?
Set in two time zones, exploring long ago secrets, a murder, a re-building & another murder...well this kept me turning the pages well into the night. I have never read anything by this author but will
be sure to pick up her earlier works. Gothic & haunting, I'm hoping for a sequel!
Cindy C.
Full of twists and turns all the way to the end
The story grabbed me almost from the start and held my attention to the end. I liked the female characters and the story they had to tell. The dual timeline was easy to switch between. It is interesting that the house is almost the most prominent character in the book. I also liked the way the author chose to end the book. It is a book I would definitely recommend for all readers and I would like to read more books by this author.