I thought the Hode’s Hill series would be a little out of my usual reading pattern, but with its mix of mystery and suspense, plus a goodly dollop of the supernatural, it soon had me hooked.
Here is my review of the first instalment, CUSP OF NIGHT.
I’ve just finished the second, and started the third. That says a lot about how much I’m enjoying them. I checked, but only three in the series so far. Pity. Just saying…
Blurb
The truth hides in dark places . . .
Recently settled in Hode’s Hill, Pennsylvania, Maya Sinclair is enthralled by the town’s folklore, especially the legend about a centuries-old monster. A devil-like creature with uncanny abilities responsible for several horrific murders, the Fiend has evolved into the stuff of urban myth. But the past lives again when Maya witnesses an assault during the annual “Fiend Fest.” The victim is developer Leland Hode, patriarch of the town’s most powerful family, and he was attacked by someone dressed like the Fiend.
Compelled to discover who is behind the attack and why, Maya uncovers a shortlist of enemies of the Hode clan. The mystery deepens when she finds the journal of a late nineteenth-century spiritualist who once lived in Maya’s house—a woman whose ghost may still linger. Known as the Blue Lady of Hode’s Hill due to a genetic condition, Lucinda Glass vanished without a trace and was believed to be one of the Fiend’s tragic victims. The disappearance of a young couple, combined with more sightings of the monster, trigger Maya to join forces with Leland’s son Collin. But the closer she gets to the truth, the closer she comes to a hidden world of twisted secrets, insanity, and evil that refuses to die . . .
My review
Cusp of Night by Mae ClairMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Opening with a grisly murder in the 19th century, first victim of the serial killer dubbed ‘the Fiend’, this entrancing tale then skips to the present day to introduce us to Maya Sinclair, a young woman seeking a fresh start following a traumatic accident that left her dead for over 2 minutes before being revived. Her first social engagement in her new town of Hode’s Hill finds her at the annual Fiend Festival, which takes an unsettling turn when she discovers a man who has been attacked by a gruesome-looking figure.
The two tales are told alongside each other, the historical one jumping back to start at the beginning with the origin and rise of the renowned medium, Lucinda Glass, and the strange events that unfold in Maya’s life when it transpires her new home was where Lucinda apparently met her end. And Lucinda isn’t quite finished with life yet…
This is the first of Clair’s books for me, but it won’t be the last. Her writing is exquisitely detailed, bringing fresh visuals to every scene. Her characters are so well drawn you feel you could walk up to them in the street and hold a conversation with them. The intertwining stories keep that edge-of-the-seat need to continue reading, even when you know you should really get on with your working day, and the conclusion is satisfying and complete.
I was a little reluctant to read this at the beginning because of the horror tag I’d seen attached to it, but nothing was too horrific or frightening, merely suspenseful, and I’m very glad I gave into my friends’ encouragement. I have already purchased and begun book #2 in the series.
Highly recommended for fans of suspense and mystery, with a fairly hefty dose of ghosts/paranormal thrown in.
View all my reviews
Connect with the author at https://maeclair.net/
And now I’m off to continue reading.
deborahjay 
I’ve read this series, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Nice selection for this time of year.
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Time of year hadn’t occurred to me, but you’re right, it is!
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Great review, Deborah Jay. Congratulations to Mae.
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Thanks for dropping in to take a look John.
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😁
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I enjoyed the entire series. But I love everything Mae writes. Nice review.
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I’m now looking forward to reading more of Mae’s books.
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What a wonderful review, Deborah. Mae is an extraordinary writer. Cusp of Night is on my Kindle waiting for a read! 😊
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I can agree with you, Gwen, and I guarantee you’ll enjoy Cusp of Night when you do read it.
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I adored this series. Thanks for sharing this great review, Deborah 🙂
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I’m so glad I finally took the plunge into this series. I’m thoroughly enjoying them all.
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So hard to name a favorite book in this series. Or a favorite book of Mae’s period. I agree with you; I wish this saga went on indefinitely. I loved it.
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I’m hoping there will be another one. Please?
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Right?
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Wonderful review! You wrote–“Her writing is exquisitely detailed, bringing fresh visuals to every scene…” Absolutely agree.
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😀
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Wow! What a wonderful surprise to find your review today, Deborah. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts about Cusp of Night on your blog. I’m THRILLED that you enjoyed it so much and have already purchased, and are reading the second book. I’m doing a Snoopy dance hearing all that, LOL!.
I hope you enjoy the remainder of the series as much as Cusp. Thank you again for making my day with that fantastic review!
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Lol, I polished off book 2 in a matter of days and am already half way through #3!
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oh my word, I’m stunned! And deliriously happy, LOL!
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😀
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I love Mae Clair’s entire Hode’s Hill series, Debby! So glad you’ve discovered how addictive it is. And creepy, and spooky, and mysterious, and all those other shivery adjectives. Great review! And congratulations, Mae. Looks like you’ve got a new fan! 🙂
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She sure does, and thanks Marcia, you were one of those that convinced me to step outside my comfort zone and give them a go.
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So glad you did, Debby! I’ll take partial credit for that any day! 😀
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😀
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Sounds a riveting read. Thanks for sharing with us. Congrats to Mae! Hugs xo ❤
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It is, they all are. I’m about to wrap up #3, I love it when I find a series I can’t stop reading!
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A reader’s dream! Congrats to Mae! xx
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Fabulous review to share, Deborah! I love this series. Bravo to Mae! 🙂
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Thanks Natalie, I love to review what I read, especially when its good!
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Great review, Deborah. I loved this whole series. Mae does a great job with these thrillers.
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I am also loving the series, so glad I dived in after all!
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[…] Here is my review of book #2, END OF DAY, and if you missed my review of book #1, CUSP OF NIGHT, you can catch it HERE. […]
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