Kate Moretti

A haunting ghost story...finally got around to reading one of my previous KindleFirst books (I can't remember from which month anymore). It tells the tale of Hannah Maloney, who goes back to her childhood home in Brackenhill in upstate NY when she gets news that her aunt passed away. She's held lots of secrets from when she lived there, and revisits the mysterious disappearance of her sister, Julia.

The book moves between the present and the past, when Hannah and her sisters were navigating teenage life, and does a good job weaving together the past and present. Great job building up to the climax! I definitely wanted to know what was going to happen next, and I wanted to learn more about the characters in the present, past, and of course, the old castle and what secrets it hid.

The story is told in third person from Hannah's POV.

4 stars because while I enjoyed the story, I couldn't relate much to Hannah as a character, and she made some choices that I disagree with (i.e. her and Wyatt). Otherwise, I loved the setting and the descriptions of small-town upstate NY.… (más)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this great read!

This suspense novel covers so many things ~ bullying in school, possible improper teacher/student relationships, the effects on a town when the main employer shuts down, blackmail...and the dynamics of it all are woven around the fact that a troubled teenager is missing.

Told from four different POVs, this book will keep you guessing about whom to trust and the domino effect on their lives from each wrong decision made.… (más)

This is definitely a book you will remember!
It had me racing to the end, forming my own opinions on who and what to believe and to finally get the the last piece of the puzzle and the answers to what actually did happen.
It definitely stands out from other books in this genre, the plot is quite unique, a bit slow in places but seeing it through the different characters roles was very well thought out and sucks you into their lives!
It is a "Did he or didn't he?" and you can't help but finding yourself choosing sides! It made me think like one of them, what really is the truth??
What happened when the birds fell from the sky?
The story focuses around Alicia, Nate, Lucia, and Bridget and it is these people that you instantly get a feel for each of them as you would like they were your new neighbours!
Lucia is a troubled teenager that gets branded as a witch by the clique at school, but there is more going on in the school than anyone realises until it is to late.
High schools can be a treacherous places and kids can be so cruel, everyone will be able to relate to that in one way or another.
Nate, one of the teacher at the school is accused of having an affair with student Lucia and from there lives are changed forever.
As with any small town, and if you live in one yourself you will defiantly understand, everyone has their own opinion.
Nothing much ever happens in the small town of Mount Oanoke so this is a massive scandal and gossip is ripe..
But are the rumours true?
Do you believe Nate or Lucia?
Then things go from bad to worse, Lucia has gone missing so now the story turns to not just Did Nate have an affair with this troubled teenager, but has he done something far worse to her?
I honestly didn't know who to believe, sometimes there is some truth in rumours, but which ones?
I have finished the book so i can now go to bed satisfied but still a bit of doubt.
You will have to finish the book and decide for yourselves!
I definitely recommend this book, i know that is a huge cliche but it is an honest one.
I hope you enjoy it as much as i did… (más)