Helpful Score: 7
I stumbled upon this author, not knowing much about her style or her books. Just picked up one of hers one day because I liked the cover. I don't remember much about that book, only that I liked it and decided to get more on PBS. This recent one-although took me longer to finish than most other books, was amazing. Mystery, Romance, History...all of it. I admit I have overlooked this author, but I plans to check out more of her work. If you are a first time reader of Carol Goodman-this book should have you wanting more. Amazing!
Helpful Score: 1
I had a hard time putting this book down. It incorporates some fantasy elements into a modern drama/mystery, which kept me guessing until the end. I plan to read more from this author.
Helpful Score: 1
I don't usually read mystery or thriller (this was very mild, I wouldn't really consider it a thriller) type books, but I was really surprised at the the twist at the end.....good job.
Helpful Score: 1
Gothic Mystery! Iris goes back to the remote Hotel where she grew up to write and search for her Mothera lost manuscript,but finds instead a haunting mystery.
Helpful Score: 1
Carol Goodman has quickly become one of my favorite authors. This is a wonderful novel ... terrific characterization, very involving ... most recommended!
Helpful Score: 1
Loved this book by the Carol Goodman, "Lake of Dead Languages," and "The Drowning Tree". Mystery and suspense rolled into one great book.
Helpful Score: 1
Haunting, intriguing and a thoroughly enjoyable story.
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed this book very much. A good mystery, strange death, missing jewels, secret manuscript, eerie legends plus interesting people and places.
Helpful Score: 1
Iris goes back to the remote Hotel Equinox in the Catskills, where she grew up, to write her mother's biography and search for her missing manuscript. And there she unravels a haunting mystery.
Helpful Score: 1
This was hard to put down. The mystery unravels little by little in each chapter with Iris discovering a little more about her mother and what happened to her.
Helpful Score: 1
A compelling story about the roles stories play in our lives. A great read!
Helpful Score: 1
Very fast, intriguing read. I only wish that I could read the mother's stories, too!
Helpful Score: 1
I read this book after reading her previous novel, The Lake of Dead Languages. I found this one even more of a page turner, good complex mystery story with some mythical elements mixed in.
Helpful Score: 1
This was my second book by Goodman and I found it as engrossing as the first. It was hard to put down and I hid away to finish it.
This is a great book. It's intelligent, is well written and beautiful. I love Carol Goodman and look forward to more from her.
Carol Goodman is making a name for herself in the mystery/fiction/romance genre. Like all of her other books, this one takes place in a school. There are many layers of mystery among students, teachers and teachers who are former students. The story moves back and forth between present and past events. The setting, the winter season and the lure of the water contribute to the atmosphere.
Engrossing story, good mystery; a satisfying read; good for book discussion group
The story of a woman who grew up in a luxury hotel in the Catskills whose mother died under dubious circumstances. She unravels the mystery in this enthalling novel. Well written, great character development.
My husband, daughter, and I all enjoyed this mystery set in the Catskills in NY.
it's no surprise that i couldn't put this book down.
the characters were lively, the plot interesting (one of those books you finally put down between chapters and find yourself still wondering what's going on, what's going to happen...). not my favorite of her books, but that's either because; a- nothing could beat 'lake of dead languages' (which i HIGHLY recommend you read) or possibly, b- i've read too many of her books in too short a time and have grown bored with something in them.
the characters were lively, the plot interesting (one of those books you finally put down between chapters and find yourself still wondering what's going on, what's going to happen...). not my favorite of her books, but that's either because; a- nothing could beat 'lake of dead languages' (which i HIGHLY recommend you read) or possibly, b- i've read too many of her books in too short a time and have grown bored with something in them.
This book did not enthrall me at all. REading other reviews, it seems that a lot of people think Goodman's other books are better. If so, it's too bad I read this one first, as I'm not sure if I will give anything else by her a try or not.
Some of the reviews of this book (on the cover and in publication stuff) call this book a "thriller." That is most certainly is not - whoever uses that description does not know the difference between a thriller and a mystery. This is a mystery....but for me, one that I cared less and less about as time went on. It started out okay, but it was hard to care much about any of the characters (including the protaganist) except for Aidan. After about 200 pages, to be honest I really didn't care at all about the "mystery," what happened to Iris' mother or any of the other plot lines. Everything moved SO slowly and painfully that honestly, I had to force myself to even finish this book.
Some of the reviews of this book (on the cover and in publication stuff) call this book a "thriller." That is most certainly is not - whoever uses that description does not know the difference between a thriller and a mystery. This is a mystery....but for me, one that I cared less and less about as time went on. It started out okay, but it was hard to care much about any of the characters (including the protaganist) except for Aidan. After about 200 pages, to be honest I really didn't care at all about the "mystery," what happened to Iris' mother or any of the other plot lines. Everything moved SO slowly and painfully that honestly, I had to force myself to even finish this book.
Iris Greenfeder is driven to write a novel based on her mother's life and a mysterious Irish folk tale that her mother used to tell as a bedtime story. Iris returns to the resort hotel where she grew up in order to learn more about her mother. As she begins to investigate the circumstances surrounding her mother's life and death, "accidents" begin to happen that don't appear to be "accidents".
A great book!!! Awesome mystery story weaving the past, the present, and a haunting Irish folk tale of the "selkies".
A great book!!! Awesome mystery story weaving the past, the present, and a haunting Irish folk tale of the "selkies".
Amazing in depth read. Love the way the story is so woven into the characters and how all of their lives are connected yet they don't truly understand how.
Secrets, lies and love are the main ingredients for the story.
I enjoy her writing style and the flow of the words and story.
Secrets, lies and love are the main ingredients for the story.
I enjoy her writing style and the flow of the words and story.
