As promised, my review of Hode’s Hill #3, EVENTIDE.
The speed with which I devoured this series says it all.
Blurb
The darkness is coming . . .
The old house near Hode’s Hill, Pennsylvania is a place for Madison Hewitt to start over—to put the trauma of her husband’s murder, and her subsequent breakdown, behind her. She isn’t bothered by a burial plot on the property, or the mysterious, sealed cistern in the basement. Not at first. Even the presence of cold spots and strange odors could be fabrications of her still troubled mind. But how to explain her slashed tires, or the ominous messages that grow ever more threatening?
Convinced the answer lies in the past, Madison delves into the history of the home’s original owners, only to discover the origin of a powerful evil. An entity that may be connected to a series of gruesome attacks that have left police baffled. No matter where she turns—past or present—terror lingers just a step away, spurred on by a twisted obsession that can only be satisfied through death…
My review
Eventide by Mae ClairMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
In this third instalment of the Hode’s Hill novels, we are once again treated to an engrossing dual timeline story.
In the 1800s, Hollande enters the Stewart house as companion to the matriarch, Sylvia, hired by Nathaniel, who hopes another woman in the house might brighten his mother’s introverted and prickly personality. Sylvia strongly resents Hollande’s presence, and warns her against becoming close to Nathaniel, which naturally drives the two young people together.
The present-day story follows Madison, who we were introduced to in book #2, ‘End of Day’. Eager to reclaim her independence after recovering from her mental breakdown, Madison buys the old Stewart house. Some unpleasant and very real threats suggest perhaps she’s being stalked by one of her dead husband’s drug-dealing associates, but then more inexplicable and unsettling events take over, quickly revealing that the house is haunted by several ghosts.
And back in Hode’s Hill, a seemingly random murder of shockingly gruesome style has the police trying to identify a killer that appears to have been more animal than human.
As with the other books, the intertwining threads draw the reader on, revealing each story little by tantalizingly little, so you just have to keep turning the pages. I figured out the truth about the Stewart boys early on, but the final reveal about their end was a genuine shock.
Fabulously written with excellent pacing, the tension, particularly during the murderer’s attacks, was truly edge of the seat stuff, and the final reveal after the ghosts had been dealt with caught me out completely. Looking back, all the clues were there and I berated myself for not seeing it, but congratulations to the author for weaving the story so tightly together I never saw it coming.
This is a highly accomplished piece of writing, with Clair’s signature evocative descriptions and fully rounded characters. It is engrossing, suspenseful, and at times shocking, while also being heart-warming and highly satisfying in the way it wraps up. Once more, I cannot recommend this series highly enough – just not for those of a delicate constitution!
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deborahjay 
Excellent review, Deborah. I share your enthusiasm for Mae’s talent. She is an exceptional writer. I can’t wait to read this installment of the series. 💜
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Enjoy! I know you will 😀
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I loved this entire series. Mae Clair is a go-to author for me.
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Yes, she’s become that for me too after reading this series.
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Mae never disappoints. The whole series was remarkable.
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I’m going to delve into some of her others now.
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I loved this series. Great review.
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Thanks Joan, reviews are easy when you really enjoy a book!
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Great review, Deborah. Congratulations to Mae.
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Thanks John 😀
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I loved this series. Excellent review. Thanks for sharing, Deborah 🙂
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Thanks for dropping in to read it, Harmony 😀
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I agree with your review, Deborah. What an excellent book. Fast-moving plot, intricately developed. Nothing not to like.
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😀
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Congrats on finishing. I really liked the whole series. 🙂
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😀
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Once again, I’m blown away by your stunning review. Wow! I am so flattered and so honored you thought so highly of my work and this series. Thank you again for sharing with your readers. I’m doing a Snoopy dance of happy, LOL.
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Pleased I could make your day!
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