Sujoya(theoverbookedbibliophile)'s Reviews > The Cruel Dark
The Cruel Dark
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Sujoya(theoverbookedbibliophile)'s review
bookshelves: netgalley-alc, netgalley-arc, immersion-read
Jul 11, 2024
bookshelves: netgalley-alc, netgalley-arc, immersion-read
3.75⭐️
1928, Boston: Twenty-six-year-old Millicent Foxboro quits her job at a bookshop in Boston to accept a position to assist widowed Professor Callum Hughes in his research, a position that would require her to move to his estate in Willowfield. Millicent lives with a big gap in her memories. She remembers her traumatic childhood and the tragic episode that destroyed her own family but is unable to recall the events of the years preceding her being admitted to the hospital. With this new assignment, she hopes to earn enough money to turn her life around. But after a somewhat cold reception and the strange behavior of the staff, Millicent begins to suspect that Willowfield and her new employer harbor deep secrets, the eerie occurrences and the journal of her employer’s late wife only adding to her fear and unease. Is the estate haunted or is she being targeted? Who would want to harm her and why?
Though the premise or the major plot points won’t strike you as anything you haven’t read before, as a whole I did find The Cruel Dark by Bea Northwick to be an engaging read. The intriguing premise, the atmospheric setting, well-developed characters and the Gothic elements paired with a few surprising revelations (among the more predictable ones) kept me interested in the plot as it progressed. the narrative, which flows well, is presented from Millicent's first-person POV. I loved the sections on Celtic mythology and appreciated how the same was incorporated into the narrative. The ending was exciting and overall satisfying, though I was left with a few questions. Overall, this was a well-written, absorbing novel. Fans of Gothic romance (with a healthy dose of spice) and mystery would definitely enjoy this one.
This is definitely a promising debut and I look forward to reading more from this author.
I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by Madison Mitts and Theodore Zephyr, which made for an engaging immersion reading experience.
Many thanks to Northwick Books for the digital review copy Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The novel was published on Oct 31, 2023 and the audiobook was released on Apr 22, 2024
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
1928, Boston: Twenty-six-year-old Millicent Foxboro quits her job at a bookshop in Boston to accept a position to assist widowed Professor Callum Hughes in his research, a position that would require her to move to his estate in Willowfield. Millicent lives with a big gap in her memories. She remembers her traumatic childhood and the tragic episode that destroyed her own family but is unable to recall the events of the years preceding her being admitted to the hospital. With this new assignment, she hopes to earn enough money to turn her life around. But after a somewhat cold reception and the strange behavior of the staff, Millicent begins to suspect that Willowfield and her new employer harbor deep secrets, the eerie occurrences and the journal of her employer’s late wife only adding to her fear and unease. Is the estate haunted or is she being targeted? Who would want to harm her and why?
Though the premise or the major plot points won’t strike you as anything you haven’t read before, as a whole I did find The Cruel Dark by Bea Northwick to be an engaging read. The intriguing premise, the atmospheric setting, well-developed characters and the Gothic elements paired with a few surprising revelations (among the more predictable ones) kept me interested in the plot as it progressed. the narrative, which flows well, is presented from Millicent's first-person POV. I loved the sections on Celtic mythology and appreciated how the same was incorporated into the narrative. The ending was exciting and overall satisfying, though I was left with a few questions. Overall, this was a well-written, absorbing novel. Fans of Gothic romance (with a healthy dose of spice) and mystery would definitely enjoy this one.
This is definitely a promising debut and I look forward to reading more from this author.
I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by Madison Mitts and Theodore Zephyr, which made for an engaging immersion reading experience.
Many thanks to Northwick Books for the digital review copy Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The novel was published on Oct 31, 2023 and the audiobook was released on Apr 22, 2024
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
July 10, 2024
–
Finished Reading
July 11, 2024
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Jayme
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Jul 19, 2024 05:50PM
I love pairing Audiobooks and written copies! Great review!
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Great review, Sujoya! This one sounds really interesting. I don't read a lot of romance but I do love a good Gothic novel ...
Jayme wrote: "I love pairing Audiobooks and written copies! Great review!"
Immersion reading is the best! Thank you, Jayme!💛
Immersion reading is the best! Thank you, Jayme!💛
Jamie wrote: "Great review, Sujoya! This one sounds really interesting. I don't read a lot of romance but I do love a good Gothic novel ..."
Many thanks, Jamie!💙 I'm not into romance novels either but the Gothic element drew my attention to this one. Overall, it was a good read!
Many thanks, Jamie!💙 I'm not into romance novels either but the Gothic element drew my attention to this one. Overall, it was a good read!
Rosh wrote: "Sounds quite good for a debut. Glad you mostly liked it. Great review, Sujoya!"
Definitely a promising debut! Thank you, Rosh!🧡
Definitely a promising debut! Thank you, Rosh!🧡
Srivalli wrote: "This sounds interesting! I like Celtic mythology. Will check this one. Superb review!"
It is a good read but please note that the mythology aspect isn't too strong. Thank you, Srivalli!😊
It is a good read but please note that the mythology aspect isn't too strong. Thank you, Srivalli!😊
Christy wrote: "Great review Sujoya. Sounds like another great series."
Thank you, Christy! 😊 The book does have an accompanying novella but I don't think this would be developed into a series. It's a good read though!
Thank you, Christy! 😊 The book does have an accompanying novella but I don't think this would be developed into a series. It's a good read though!
Super review, Sujoya. This does not sound like the book for me, but I'm sure many will discover a new read through your post. 😎