PamG's Reviews > The House on Biscayne Bay

Chanel Cleeton’s historical fiction novel, The House on Biscayne Bay, has multiple mysteries with two timelines. The first timeline is 1918 featuring Anna Barnes and the second is set in 1941 and features Carmen Acosta. Both are set at Marbrisa, an estate on Biscayne Bay in Miami, Florida

In the first timeline, Robert and Anna Barnes build Marbrisa, a glamorous estate. Robert wants the house to be his legacy. This is a time when wealthy industrialists like Robert are streaming into Florida where land and labor is cheaper than in New England. The house is Robert’s surprise birthday gift to Anna, who hates its garishness. The only thing she takes an interest in is the garden area.

In the second timeline, Carmen travels to Marbrisa to Marbrisa, the home of her estranged older sister, Carolina, and her husband, Asher Wyatt. The sisters’ parents died in an accident, and Asher is to manage Carmen’s inheritance until she is 21. The house has gained notoriety and many people won’t work on the estate.

The author has a descriptive way of writing that brought Marbrisa to life. I could easily envision the estate and its glamour. The story goes back and forth between Anna’s and Carmen’s points of view. While there are plenty of mysteries and secrets, the pacing was slow. Despite a couple of surprises at the end and compelling characters, the novel has a slow-burn plot throughout most of the story. Themes include death, family, legacies, fear, respect, trust, jealousy, secrets, and much more.

Overall, this was an entertaining read with great world-building highlighting the glamor of the times.

Berkley Publishing Group and Chanel Cleeton provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be April 2, 2024.
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My 3.35 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.