The Widow Of Pale Harbour
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3.7 • 3 Ratings
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- £3.49
Publisher Description
‘[This] romance-cum-murder mystery moves at a brisk pace.’ The Sunday Times
‘A perfect blend of gothic mystery, drama and romance.’ Cressida McLaughlin
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A town gripped by fear. A woman accused of murder. Who can save Pale Harbour from itself?
1846. Desperate to escape the ghosts of his past, Gabriel Stone takes a position as a minister in the remote Pale Harbour, but not all is as it seems in the sleepy town.
As soon as Gabriel steps foot in town, he can’t escape the rumours about the mysterious Sophy Carver, a young widow who lives in the eerie Castle Carver: whispers that she killed her husband, mutterings that she might even be a witch.
But as strange, unsettling events escalate into murder, Gabriel finds himself falling under Sophy’s spell. As clues start to point to Sophy as the next victim, Gabriel realises he must find answers before anyone else turns up dead.
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Everyone is spellbound by Hester Fox!
‘This debut recalls Georgette Heyer, with extra spookiness’
The Times
‘a story that tingles with danger, dark mystery, hints of the supernatural, and a sultry, simmering romance. Ideal reading for fans of thrills and chills…’
Lancashire Evening Post
‘Beautifully written… The Witch of Willow Hall will cast a spell over every reader’
Lisa Hall, author of Between You and Me
‘Steeped in Gothic eeriness it’s spine-tingling and very atmospheric.’
Nicola Cornick, author of The Woman in the Lake
‘With its sense of creeping menace… this compelling story had me gripped from the first page… ’
Linda Finlay, author of The Flower Seller
‘Creepy, tense, heartbreaking and beautifully, achingly romantic.’
Cressida McLaughlin
‘I could NOT put this thing down!’
‘The ULTIMATE page turner!’
‘What a story! It absolutely captivated me’
‘Historical fiction with a side of romance and major helping of creepiness, this debut novel hits the mark!’
‘The book pulls you in from the beginning with many twists and turns. I didn't want to put it down, and could not wait to see what was going to happen next.’
About the author
Hester Fox comes to writing from a background in the museum field as a collections maintenance technician.
This job has taken her from historic houses to fine art museums.
She is a keen painter and has a master’s degree in historical archaeology, as well as a background in Medieval studies and art history. Hester lives outside of Boston with her husband and two cats.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Fox's passable sophomore effort (after 2018's The Witch of Willow Hall) sits squarely in the gothic romance genre. In 1845, Gabriel Stone moves to Pale Harbor, Maine, in order to take the vacant position of minister. He's still grieving the death of his wife, who died in childbirth a year prior, when he meets the mysterious and wealthy widow Sophronia Carver, who never leaves her home. The townsfolk believe she murdered her husband, and children claim she's a witch. As Sophy and Gabriel become closer, strange events with similarities to Edgar Allan Poe stories threaten their burgeoning relationship and the wellbeing of the town. The inclusion of Poe elements elevates the typical "mysterious threats" plot, and Sophy is a strong gothic heroine. However, she's diminished by the bland Gabriel, who falls for her a little too quickly considering his supposedly all-consuming grief. Fans of gothic romances will find this one capable but not exceptional.
