Arcadia Falls by Carol Goodman follows the story of Meg Rosenthal, a recent widow who moves to an elite private college in upstate New York with her teenage daughter, Sally. Meg takes up a teaching position at the school, which was once an artists' retreat run by Vera Beecher and Lily Eberhardt. As Meg delves into the history of the school and uncovers Lily's journal, she becomes entangled in a web of dark secrets and mysterious deaths. The novel alternates between the present-day narrative and entries from Lily's diary, creating a captivating blend of past and present. Goodman weaves a tale of Gothic intrigue, pagan rituals, and supernatural elements, all set against the backdrop of a secluded and atmospheric location.
The narrative unfolds with rich descriptions, atmospheric settings, and a cast of intriguing characters, including the headmistress Ivy St. Clare, the sheriff Cullum, and various artists and teachers. As Meg navigates the secrets of Arcadia Falls and grapples with her own personal struggles, the story builds towards a climax that reveals hidden truths and unexpected twists. Goodman's writing style combines elements of mystery, folklore, and art, drawing readers into a world filled with dark possibilities and literary depth.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings may include themes of death, grief, and some mild violence related to the mystery.
Has Romance?
There is a medium level of romance, particularly between the protagonist Meg and the character Cullum.
From The Publisher:
Financial straits and a desire for a fresh start take recently widowed Meg Rosenthal and her aloof teenage daughter, Sally, to Arcadia Falls, a tucked-away hamlet in upstate New York where Meg has accepted a teaching position at a boarding school. The creaky, neglected cottage they'll be calling home feels like an ill omen, but Meg is determined to make the best of it. Then a shocking crisis strikes: During Arcadia's First Night bonfire, one of Meg's folklore students plunges to her death in a campus gorge. Sheriff Callum Reade finds the presumed accident suspicious, but then, he is a man with a dark past himself. Meg is unnerved by Reade's interest in the girl's death, and as long-buried secrets emerge, she must face down her own demons and the danger threatening to envelop Sally. As the past clings tight to the present, the shadows, as if in a terrifying fairy tale, grow longer and deadlier.
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Arcadia Falls?
About the Author:
Carol Goodman is the author of The Lake of Dead Languages, The Seduction of Water, The Drowning Tree, The Ghost Orchid, The Sonnet Lover, and The Night Villa. The Seduction of Water won the Hammett Prize, and others of her novels have been nominated for…
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