| Written by: Diane Setterfield | | | | George, having passed away years ago, has left |
| Washington Square Press | | | | a wealthy estate to his heirs, but as the servants |
| 406 pages | | | | hint at, Charlie and Isabelle have a touch of |
| $15.00 | | | | 'madness.' After Isabelle is committed to an |
| 5 Stars | | | | asylum, the local doctor hires a governess to |
| Diane Setterfield weaves a gothic tale that is | | | | teach the girls. The governess, Hester, discovers |
| eerie, fascinating, and utterly compelling. World | | | | the girls have a touch of 'madness' as well, but |
| famous author, Vida Winter seeks out an | | | | feels that Emmeline, with the proper |
| amateur biographer, Margaret Lea to finally tell her | | | | encouragement can be productive in society. |
| true life story to the world. Vida has never told | | | | Hester feels there is little hope for Adeline who is |
| the truth about her life to anyone, but now that | | | | rough, high-strung, and practically turns into a |
| she's facing death's call, it's Margaret she selects | | | | vegetable when Hester and the doctor separate |
| to tell her last story - her thirteenth tale. Initially, | | | | the twins to see what will happen. |
| Margaret is apprehensive, but Vida spins a | | | | While Margaret listens to Vida tell her twilight |
| tantalizing web of incitements that Margaret can't | | | | story, she's struggling to cope with her own |
| deny. | | | | demons. Margaret herself was a twin and |
| Margaret goes to Vida's estate in early winter to | | | | unfortunately she lost her sister shortly after |
| start her project. Vida is close to eighty years old | | | | childbirth. Compounding Margaret's struggles, she |
| - a strong determined woman whose name is | | | | meets a man, Aurelius, at the old, decaying |
| really Adeline March. She tells Margaret all good | | | | Angelfield manor who has an unusual connection |
| stories have a beginning, middle and an end. She | | | | to the estate. As December marches on, |
| starts her last tale recounting the sordid history | | | | Margaret discovers there are numerous dark |
| of the Angelfield family. While rich, they live | | | | twists and unexpected turns to Vida's story. The |
| eccentrically. George's wife dies in childbirth leaving | | | | end of the thirteenth tale will stun the reader just |
| him a son, Charles, and an infant daughter, | | | | as it did Margaret. |
| Isabelle. As Isabelle grows up, Charles develops | | | | Setterfield's story is one that will hold the reader's |
| unhealthy behavior patterns towards his sister. As | | | | rapt attention throughout. The writing is crisp with |
| a teenager, Isabelle runs off with a suitor, but | | | | dark overtones. Reminiscent of V.C. Andrew's |
| returns within months - her suitor dead and she, | | | | original Dollanger series, the surprises that await |
| the proud mother of twin girls, Emmeline and | | | | the reader will keep them on the edge of their |
| Adeline. | | | | seat. |