Colleen’s #Book #Reviews – “The House on Candlewick Lane,” by Author, Amy M. Reade

Book Reviews 35 comments

    • Title: The House on Candlewick Lane, A Malice Novel
    • Amazon Author Page: Amy M. Reade
    • File Size: 1272 KB
    • Print Length: 263 Pages
    • Publisher: Lyrical Underground
    • Publication Date: February 7, 2017
    • Sold By: Amazon Digital Services LLC
    • Language: English
    • ASIN:  B01FBZXR3K
    • ISBN-10: 1516100174
    • ISBN-13: 978-1516100170
    • Formats: Paperback and Kindle
    • Goodreads
    • Genres: Women’s Fiction, Thriller & Suspense, Crime, Kidnapping, Gothic Mystery

IN THE AUTHOR’S WORDS:

It is every parent’s worst nightmare. Greer Dobbins’ daughter has been kidnapped—and spirited across the Atlantic to a hiding place in Scotland. Greer will do anything to find her, but the streets of Edinburgh hide a thousand secrets—including some she’d rather not face.

Art historian Dr. Greer Dobbins thought her ex-husband, Neill, had his gambling addiction under control. But in fact, he was spiraling deeper and deeper into debt. When a group of shady lenders threatens to harm the divorced couple’s five-year-old daughter if he doesn’t pay up, a desperate Neill abducts the girl and flees to his native Scotland. Though the trail seems cold, Greer refuses to give up and embarks on a frantic search through the medieval alleys of Edinburgh—a city as beguiling as it is dangerous. But as the nightmare thickens with cryptic messages and a mysterious attack, Greer herself will become a target, along with everyone she holds dear.

MY RECOMMENDATION:

One morning, Greer Dobbins gets the kind of phone call that every parent dreads. Her five-year-old daughter, Ellie, didn’t show up in class after riding the bus to school. In a panic, Greer pieces together the evidence she finds in her house that her ex-husband Neill, has kidnapped the child and fled back to their homeland of Scotland.

Her passport is missing, but between the police and Federal authorities, she manages to catch a flight to Edinburgh, with the hopes of recovering her child. On the plane, Greer meets a man named James, who shares her love for art history. She tells him everything, and they exchange numbers with the hope they will meet again in a professional capacity.

Greer is from Scotland, so she has plenty of support from her mother, sister, Sylvie, and her sister’s boyfriend. Scotland Yard is involved in the search for Ellie and little by little, Greer reveals a terrible past while married to her ex-husband. Neill’s gambling addiction is what ended their marriage, and once back in Scotland, Greer discovers that this is the reason he has kidnapped their daughter. The story builds on the tension until the end, spinning a satisfactory gothic tale.

I loved the rich descriptions of Edinburgh. You definitely feel like you are walking the streets next to Greer, searching for Ellie. You can feel the rain and the cold, and a couple times, I swear I could smell the scents of the local cuisine.

Greer’s character is flawed, although I suspect this was caused by the abuse she suffered at the hand of her ex-husband. At times she seems almost clinical, lacking in emotions. Much of her pain is internalized, and she portrays the damsel in distress perfectly. It is through the love of James that Greer finally tries to reconcile her past.

As in most gothic novels, the actual house on Candlewick Lane is creepy and filled with dark passages and rooms. You feel the evil emanate from the structure and from the people who live there. Numerous times I cringed at the abuse Greer was forced to endure. The ending was a total surprise and one I didn’t see coming.

MY RATING:

Character Believability: 4
Flow and Pace: 4
Reader Engagement: 5
Reader Enrichment: 5
Reader Enjoyment: 5
Overall Rate:  4.5 out of 5 Fairies

4.5 fairies


Author, Amy M. Reade

About the Author:

USA Today Bestselling author Amy M. Reade writes women’s contemporary and gothic fiction. Her books have been compared to authors such as Daphne du Maurier, Phyllis Whitney, and Victoria Holt. Amy’s standalone novels feature vivid descriptions of exotic and fascinating locations, such as the Thousand Islands region of New York State, Charleston, South Carolina, and the Big Island of Hawaii. Most recently, she has been working on The Malice series, set in the United Kingdom.

A former attorney, Amy found that writing was her true calling. She loves cooking, reading, and travel. You can visit her website, http://www.amymreade.com, where, in addition to information about her books and appearances, you will find a contact form, suggested playlists to go along with her novels, and notes and recommendations on wines.

Author contacts:

Please visit my blog here

I am on Facebook here

I am on Twitter here

I am on Pinterest here

I am on Instagram here

I am on Goodreads here

My Amazon author page is here 

To sign up for Amy’s newsletter, please visit http://shoutout.wix.com/so/9L2G-s5N#/main

Sending LoveThanks for stopping by. ❤


35 comments

  7. Colleen, I must thank you for taking the time to read and review my book. I know how busy you must be and I am honored. I am thrilled that you enjoyed the book. I’m sorry I didn’t see this until today–I have been in the throes of a page proof crisis on my next book and I didn’t get a chance to be online yesterday. It was quite a treat to see my Twitter feed lighting up today with mentions of this post from many of your wonderful readers. Thank you again, my friend.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I love your gothic mysteries. Those were the first “adult” books I read as a teen. Barbara Cartland, Mary Shelley, ect. It’s the old buildings and the locations that always get me. I enjoy your contemporary style. Best wishes on your next novel in the series. I can’t wait to read it. ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  9. As a fan of gothic literature, I am always on the lookout for new ones to sink my teeth into. I am going to check this book out. Now, let me return the favor and give you a recommendation. Check out the Phantom Ship by Frederick Marryat. It’s an obscure 19th century work.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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