If you are anything like me, as fall draws near you begin to feel an urge to curl up in your favorite chair with a soft blanket and an eerie new read. The Widow of Pale Harbor may be just that book for you! Think: historic Maine, witches, and events echoing the tales of Edgar Allen Poe. What’s not to like about that for a new fall release?
In the mid-1800s, a handsome gentleman by the name of Gabriel Stone leaves his hometown after losing his wife in childbirth. He aims to start over as a minister in Pale Harbor in order to honor the memory of his wife. There he meets Sophronia Carver – a young widow who, despite her charisma and beauty, holds the reputation of being a witch and a murderer. In fact, the locals by and large believe that she is to blame for the death of her husband. And her tendency to isolate in her enormous, castle-like home does little to help improve the public perception. As a series of increasingly odd, frightening, and ultimately deadly events begin to occur, the town blames Sophronia. However, as Gabriel grows closer to this alluring outcast, he becomes determined to find the truth and clear her name, despite her murky past.
The Widow of Pale Harbor is a delightful, fast-paced read. The perfect selection for fans of historical fiction who also enjoy a hint of romance. It is also a great choice if you are looking to try out something a little different to get you in the mood for the fall season. Incorporating aspects of mystery and gothic horror, Fox has devised a lively plot filled with engaging characters that fit the mold for this genre. Gabriel serves well in the role of male protagonist who is strong, yet sensitive. Sophronia is compelling as a mysterious widow turned fierce heroine. The writing is clean, crisp, and simple, driving the story always forward and creating a classic atmosphere of intrigue. Then, to add just one more chilling touch, Fox alludes to the notorious Edgar Allen Poe, as each unsettling event that occurs throughout the novel mirrors one of Poe’s ominous tales. Overall, this was an entertaining and enjoyable read.
Hester Fox has a background in museum work and archaeology, in addition to her current work as a full-time writer and mother. The Widow of Pale Harbor is her second novel. Per her website, “Most weekends you can find Hester exploring one of the many historic cemeteries in the area, browsing bookshops, or enjoying a seasonal latte while writing at a café.”
The Widow of Pale Harbor is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers as of September 17th. Thanks to Harlequin Books/Grayson House for the gifted copy of this book to review for The Nerd Daily. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are completely my own.
Will you be picking up The Widow of Pale Harbor? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
A town gripped by fear. A woman accused of witchcraft. Who can save Pale Harbor from itself?
Maine, 1846. Gabriel Stone is desperate to escape the ghosts that haunt him in Massachusetts after his wife’s death, so he moves to Maine, taking a position as a minister in the remote village of Pale Harbor.
But not all is as it seems in the sleepy town. Strange, unsettling things have been happening, and the townspeople claim that only one person can be responsible: Sophronia Carver, a reclusive widow who lives with a spinster maid in the eerie Castle Carver. Sophronia must be a witch, and she almost certainly killed her husband.
As the incidents escalate, one thing becomes clear: they are the work of a twisted person inspired by the wildly popular stories of Mr. Edgar Allan Poe. And Gabriel must find answers, or Pale Harbor will suffer a fate worthy of Poe’s darkest tales.
