This is a curious tale of two parallel lives with a curious connection. In 1910, a small rural town in Michigan is rocked by a series of murders, including two sisters. Their deaths are investigated by a spiritualist, her self-taught healer daughter, Perliett, a mysterious newcomer, and a series of townsfolk, including the town doctor, who doesn't think too highly of the two women, especially the latter who has undertaken to offer medical services to the community. All must work together, however, to solve the mystery of the deaths of the two sisters, one of whom was Perliett's friend, before the killer can strike again.
In the same small town, a century later, where it seems everyone is still related, intermarried or connected somehow, Molly and her husband return to his hometown after suffering tragedy, purchasing a dilapidated farmhouse in which are buried generations of secrets.
It seems that Molly also has a gift, inherited from her ancestors: she can see and sense the presence of the departed, and her new house is haunted, in more ways than one. With friends and neighbors in tow, Molly and company must solve the mystery of what happened there before she, too, falls victim to a mysterious killer.
This is a good example of where the parallel-story scheme actually works fairly well. They are two different rather than interwoven tales, which mirror each other until the very end, when all is revealed. It's a fairly well-though-out story which has some genuinely terrifying moments, even if it's a bit slow at the outset.
It's also a complex tale, with multiple elements drawn from life, which lends a great realism to it that many other fictional novels of this type greatly lack. The characters are people you know, or, maybe, even have been: for example, the main character struggles with depression and a seriously strained relationship with her husband after suffering a series of miscarriages, because the two partners dealt with the loss differently.
It's also one of the more philosophical fictional stories I've read in a long while, even discussing the biblical views of attempting to communicate with the dead, and the differences in opinion on the subject, delving fairly deeply into conversations on the nature of death, the soul and the afterlife, so it's not just all fluff. It seems that it's in some ways autobiographical, and even according to the author's afterword, is drawn from elements in her own life, which definitely shows in the way the characters are portrayed.
This is one of the books I just picked up at the library in passing, and I'm glad I did. It's definitely one of the better suspense novels I've read of late, and highly recommended for those who like that particular genre.
In the same small town, a century later, where it seems everyone is still related, intermarried or connected somehow, Molly and her husband return to his hometown after suffering tragedy, purchasing a dilapidated farmhouse in which are buried generations of secrets.
It seems that Molly also has a gift, inherited from her ancestors: she can see and sense the presence of the departed, and her new house is haunted, in more ways than one. With friends and neighbors in tow, Molly and company must solve the mystery of what happened there before she, too, falls victim to a mysterious killer.
This is a good example of where the parallel-story scheme actually works fairly well. They are two different rather than interwoven tales, which mirror each other until the very end, when all is revealed. It's a fairly well-though-out story which has some genuinely terrifying moments, even if it's a bit slow at the outset.
It's also a complex tale, with multiple elements drawn from life, which lends a great realism to it that many other fictional novels of this type greatly lack. The characters are people you know, or, maybe, even have been: for example, the main character struggles with depression and a seriously strained relationship with her husband after suffering a series of miscarriages, because the two partners dealt with the loss differently.
It's also one of the more philosophical fictional stories I've read in a long while, even discussing the biblical views of attempting to communicate with the dead, and the differences in opinion on the subject, delving fairly deeply into conversations on the nature of death, the soul and the afterlife, so it's not just all fluff. It seems that it's in some ways autobiographical, and even according to the author's afterword, is drawn from elements in her own life, which definitely shows in the way the characters are portrayed.
This is one of the books I just picked up at the library in passing, and I'm glad I did. It's definitely one of the better suspense novels I've read of late, and highly recommended for those who like that particular genre.
The cover and description of The Premonition at Withers Farm promised a perfect novel for Halloween season, and author Jaime Jo Wright crafted a story that is both spooky and has substance.
While published as Christian fiction, it would be enjoyed by readers who are looking for an atmospheric novel without gore and other horror elements. Ms. Wright is a trailblazer in creating a "creepy suspense" subgenre within a genre that isn't known for this type of story. In her trademark style, this is a dual timeline plot set in Michigan.
The 1910 storyline centers around Perliett VanHilton, a young woman who considers herself a healer, quietly questions the authenticity of the seances her mother conducts in their home, and mourns her father. When two sisters are murdered, everyone in their quiet community is on edge. And then a disturbing discovery is found on Perliett's porch, pulling her even deeper into the mysteries deaths. Will she be the next to die?
In the current timeline, Molly Wasziak is the main character, and her life is nothing like she imagined it would be. She and her high-school-sweetheart husband are very distant in their marriage, they have experienced several heartbreaking miscarriages, and they just bought an old farmhouse that has mismarked gravestones as part of its foundation. When Molly begins seeing and sensing unexplained things, she fears she is losing her fragile grip on reality.
I rarely award books five stars, but this one deserves it. I was deeply invested in this reading experience to the point of avoiding having my back to dark hallways due to a deep feeling of unease. I appreciated how well the two timelines were connected, and the creepy nursery rhyme "Who killed Cock Robin?" was woven perfectly into the novel. Molly's losses were addressed tenderly yet realistically; the topic could be triggering to some readers.
Many thanks to Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for the review copy of this delightfully creepy read.
While published as Christian fiction, it would be enjoyed by readers who are looking for an atmospheric novel without gore and other horror elements. Ms. Wright is a trailblazer in creating a "creepy suspense" subgenre within a genre that isn't known for this type of story. In her trademark style, this is a dual timeline plot set in Michigan.
The 1910 storyline centers around Perliett VanHilton, a young woman who considers herself a healer, quietly questions the authenticity of the seances her mother conducts in their home, and mourns her father. When two sisters are murdered, everyone in their quiet community is on edge. And then a disturbing discovery is found on Perliett's porch, pulling her even deeper into the mysteries deaths. Will she be the next to die?
In the current timeline, Molly Wasziak is the main character, and her life is nothing like she imagined it would be. She and her high-school-sweetheart husband are very distant in their marriage, they have experienced several heartbreaking miscarriages, and they just bought an old farmhouse that has mismarked gravestones as part of its foundation. When Molly begins seeing and sensing unexplained things, she fears she is losing her fragile grip on reality.
I rarely award books five stars, but this one deserves it. I was deeply invested in this reading experience to the point of avoiding having my back to dark hallways due to a deep feeling of unease. I appreciated how well the two timelines were connected, and the creepy nursery rhyme "Who killed Cock Robin?" was woven perfectly into the novel. Molly's losses were addressed tenderly yet realistically; the topic could be triggering to some readers.
Many thanks to Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for the review copy of this delightfully creepy read.
The Premonition at Withers Farm by Jaime Jo Wright is a dual timeline novel. The book moves between 1910 and the present day. It is supposed to be a spooky, mysterious novel with dark overtones (it is at times and other times I thought it was overdone). The author created a dark atmosphere with the neglected farmhouse with gravestones used for part of the foundation. I struggled to get through the story. The writing style did not make the book easy to read (I found it awkward). I also did not like the characters (you know you do not like the characters when you hope the killer will get them). I did make it through the book to the end (chocolate was required). In 1910, a woman claims she can communicate with the dead and see spirits. In the present day, Molly begins to see things as well. The way it is written, you wonder if they are telling the truth or is there a more logical explanation. The mysteries can be solved before the end (one is a cinch to figure out). There is romance as well (just what you want in a spooky story). Molly and her husband, Trent have grown apart since her miscarriages. Trent is ready to move on, but Molly is still grieving. The two need to find a way back to each other (why not get back together while creepy and scary things are happening to you). As you can tell, The Premonition at Withers Farm was not for me. I suggest you download a sample to judge for yourself. The Premonition at Withers Farm is an eerie tale with a ramshackle farmhouse, a creepy cornfield, AWOL women, scary seances, a dead woman in a ditch, and a gravestone foundation.
