Magnolia House by Kathryn Trattner Published by Magic and Myth Media LLC on July 15, 2023
Genres: Ghost Thriller, Gothic Fiction
Pages: 374
Format: eBook
Source: Author, Booksirens
Buy on Amazon/Bookshop.org
Magnolia House is waiting.
Emma Taylor left home as soon as she turned eighteen and swore she'd never go back. But when her mother unexpectedly dies, she learns that she's inherited the home she's tried so hard to escape.
Unable to resist the pull of the small Louisiana town she grew up in, Emma returns to a place full of unpleasant memories and suspicious people. As far as she's concerned Vivian Taylor was a monster. But neighbors and friends were charmed by and loved her. It's Emma they don't trust.
As Emma sorts through the remnants of her mother's life she uncovers long hidden secrets with deep roots. In the night the house is full of strange sounds and a watchful presence. Magnolia House has not been abandoned. Vivian is still there.
To further complicate things Emma meets Jake, a man even more distrusted by the town than herself, and discovers his dark history is interwoven with Vivian's secrets.
To put the past at rest Emma will have to expose the truth about her mother and break ties with Magnolia House once and for all.
My Thoughts
Kathryn Tanner is a scene master, and her setting pops into her pages. The talent is in the living house itself, in Magnolia House, and one of its manifestations is the magnolia-covered plantation house in the center of the book that is a character. Tanner submerges the readers in Back of Beyond, Louisiana’s Gothic ambiance, delivering a haunting, nervously-paced narrative. Within Magnolia House, Tanner has crafted an unnerving Southern Gothic story skillfully portraying the setting. I was completely absorbed in this book and didn’t want it to finish. It is a truly captivating read that shouldn’t be missed.
Thank you to the author and Booksirens for allowing me to read and review this book.
About Kathryn Trattner
Kathryn Trattner is an award-winning author who has loved fairy tales, folk stories, and mythology all her life. Her hands-down favorites have always been East of the Sun, West of the Moon and the myth of Persephone and Hades. When not writing or reading, she’s traveling as much as possible and taking thousands of photos that probably won’t get edited later. She lives in Oklahoma with her wonderful husband, two very busy children, one of the friendliest dogs ever, and three cats who think they’re in charge.
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