The Widow's House by Carol Goodman is a modern gothic novel that follows the story of Clare and Jess Martin as they move to the Hudson River valley to rejuvenate their marriage and careers. Taking on a caretaker's job at the eerie Riven House, they uncover dark secrets and encounter strange occurrences, leading Clare to question her sanity and reality. As the tension builds and past tragedies resurface, the couple's relationship and Clare's perception are put to the test, culminating in a suspenseful and atmospheric tale of ghosts, mysteries, and psychological suspense.

Characters:

The characters are complex, with Clare as an unreliable narrator and Jess being selfish, contributing to the story's tension.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is atmospheric and gothic, featuring an engaging narrative style and a focus on character depth.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around a couple's return to a hometown for a fresh start, only to encounter mysterious happenings and a haunted past.

Setting:

The story is set in a gothic mansion located in the Hudson River Valley, creating a moody and eerie backdrop.

Pacing:

The pacing keeps readers engaged with a balance of suspense and occasional slower moments.

Notes:

Jess and Clare Martin are struggling writers living in New York.

They decided to move back to the Hudson River Valley for inspiration.

They became caretakers of Riven House, their former college professor's estate.

Clare starts hearing a baby crying at night and sees shadowy figures.

The house has a dark and haunted past, rumored to destroy its inhabitants.

The story is told from Clare's perspective, making her an unreliable narrator.

The novel contains Gothic elements and surprises that keep readers guessing.

Clare is investigating a local history connected to the house.

The narrative builds tension through Clare's psychological state.

The book explores themes of marriage, ambition, and mental health.

Goodman skillfully blends ghostly elements with real-world issues.

The story evokes a sense of place in the Hudson Valley's eerie atmosphere.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of mental health issues, haunted environments, references to ghosts, and past traumas.

From The Publisher:

WINNER OF THE 2018 MARY HIGGINS CLARK AWARD

This chilling novel from the bestselling, award-winning author of The Lake of Dead Languages blends the gothic allure of Daphne DuMaurier's Rebecca and the crazed undertones of Charlotte Perkins Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper withthe twisty, contemporary edge of A.S.A. Harrison's The Silent Wife-a harrowing tale of psychological suspense set in New York's Hudson Valley.

When Jess and Clare Martin move from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, to their former college town in the Hudson River valley, they are hoping for rejuvenation-of their marriage, their savings, and Jess's writing career.

They take a caretaker's job at Riven House, a crumbling estate and the home of their old college writing professor. While Clare once had dreams of being a writer, those plans fell by the wayside when Jess made a big, splashy literary debut in their twenties. It's been years, now, since his first novel. The advance has long been spent. Clare's hope is that the pastoral beauty and nostalgia of the Hudson Valley will offer some inspiration.

But their new life isn't all quaint town libraries and fragrant apple orchards. There is a haunting pall that hangs over Riven House like a funeral veil. Something is just not right. Soon, Clare begins to hear babies crying at night, see strange figures in fog at the edge of their property. Diving into the history of the area, she realizes that Riven House has a dark and anguished past. And whatever this thing is-this menacing force that destroys the inhabitants of the estate-it seems to be after Clare next…

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The Widow's House

Carol Goodman