Books matching: mysterious village

100 result(s)

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Showing 1 - 10 of 100 
  1. #1

    The Village of Eight Graves - Detective Kosuke Kindaichi by Seishi Yokomizo
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    'The Village of Eight Graves' by Seishi Yokomizo is a detective novel featuring Tatsuya Terada, who discovers his dark family history and a potential inheritance in a remote mountain village with a sinister past. As a series of poisonings and murders unfold, suspicion falls on Tatsuya, leading to the involvement of the brilliant yet unassuming detective Kosuke Kindaichi. The story is set in a small village with a dark history, intertwining personal backstories of the villagers to create a compelling and atmospheric plot filled with twists, secret passages, mysterious caves, gruesome murders, and a treasure hunt, reminiscent of classic Japanese detective novels.


    (Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Detective Kosuke Kindaichi )

  2. #2

    A Quiet Life in the Country - A Lady Hardcastle Mystery by T.E. Kinsey
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    Lady Hardcastle, a widow in her forties, has bought a house in the country and retired there with her lady's maid, Florence Armstrong, in 1908. The two women quickly find themselves investigating not one, but two murders, as well as the theft of a valuable emerald from a neighboring gentry family. With a lively and interesting plot, the story keeps readers guessing without cheating, and the characters are well worth spending time with. The writing style is excellent, providing a real feel for village life in the English countryside at the turn of the last century.

    The driver of the faintly dilapidated cart handed me Lady Hardcastle’s Gladstone while she fished in her purse for her customarily generous tip. With an astonished ‘Thank you, m’lady’, he flicked his ...

  3. #3

    Still Life - Chief Inspector Armand Gamache by Louise Penny
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    "Still Life" by Louise Penny is the first in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series, set in the small Canadian town of Three Pines. The story revolves around the murder of a beloved local artist, Jane Neal, which Inspector Gamache and his team from the Sûreté du Québec are called to investigate. As the mystery unfolds, the reader gets to know the eccentric residents of Three Pines and the intricate relationships between them. The writing style is described as a mix of cozy mystery and literary fiction, with well-developed characters and a captivating plot that keeps readers engaged until the end.

    Miss Jane Neal met her maker in the early morning mist of Thanksgiving Sunday. It was pretty much a surprise all round. Miss Neal’s was not a natural death, unless you’re of the belief everything happ...

  4. #4

    The Lost Village by Camilla Sten
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    The Lost Village by Camilla Sten is a modern Gothic novel that explores the mystery of an abandoned village in rural Sweden where the entire population disappeared, leaving behind only a dead woman and a newborn infant. The story unfolds through two interwoven timelines, one set in the present day following a young filmmaker and her crew as they investigate the village for a documentary, and the other set in 1959 detailing the events leading up to the disappearance. The book delves into themes of female isolation, psychological issues, and atmospheric horror, creating a chilling and suspenseful narrative that keeps readers engaged.

    As I sit up and bat the sleep out of my eyes, I see Tone reach out and turn off the radio. The crackling immediately disappears, replaced by the dull hum of the engine and the pent-up silence of the v...

  5. #5

    Harvest Home by Thomas Tryon
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    Harvest Home by Thomas Tryon is a slow-burning gothic horror story set in the rural village of Cornwall Coombe, where ancient fertility cult rituals and sinister traditions lurk beneath the surface. The novel follows the Constantine family's move to the village, where they encounter eerie superstitions and unsettling mysteries surrounding the corn crop and the secretive Harvest Home ceremony. As the family delves deeper into the village's traditions, they uncover dark secrets that challenge their perceptions of the idyllic small town life they initially sought.

    I awakened that morning to birdsong. It was only the little yellow bird who lives in the locust tree outside our bedroom window, but I could have wrung his neck, for it was not yet six and I had a han...

  6. #6

    The Ancestor by Danielle Trussoni
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    'The Ancestor' by Danielle Trussoni follows the story of Alberta Monte, who discovers she is the last heir of a noble family from Italy and inherits a castle in the Alps. As she delves into her family's history, she uncovers dark secrets, myths, and legends surrounding her ancestors, leading to a journey of self-discovery and protection of her inheritance. The book is described as a creepy, gothic tale with a modern setting that keeps readers guessing until the end, blending elements of horror, folklore, genetics, and family duty.

    Alberta's transformation, the atmospheric setting in Italy, the unraveling of family secrets, and the unexpected twists in the plot make 'The Ancestor' a compelling read that takes readers on a unique journey through mystery, danger, and the complexities of ancestry and heritage. The book combines elements of science with a deep dive into genetics, portraying an immersive landscape and folklore that adds depth to the narrative, culminating in a surprising and transporting story that keeps readers engaged till the very end.

    To discover you are the heir to a noble title in the twenty-first century is like winning a fortune in the lottery, the Mega Millions or a Powerball jackpot, only to find your prize will be paid out i...

  7. #7

    Greymist Fair by Francesca Zappia
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    Greymist Fair is a mysterious village shrouded in magic and danger, where a body is discovered outside the village, signaling imminent change. The story unfolds through different character perspectives, each section contributing to the main plot while offering a new perspective on the unfolding mystery. The narrative is atmospheric, immersive, and non-linear, weaving together elements of fairy tales with a unique storytelling approach that keeps readers engaged and intrigued.


  8. #8
    Pines
    Book 1 in the series:Wayward Pines

    Pines - Wayward Pines by Blake Crouch
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    'Pines' by Blake Crouch follows the story of Secret Service Agent Ethan Burke, who finds himself in the mysterious town of Wayward Pines, Idaho, after a car accident. As Ethan tries to investigate the disappearance of two fellow agents, he realizes that things in the town are not what they seem. With a mix of thriller, suspense, and a touch of sci-fi, the book keeps readers on edge as Ethan uncovers the dark secrets of the town and struggles to find a way out. The writing style is described as fast-paced, suspenseful, and cinematic, with vivid descriptions that immerse readers into the eerie atmosphere of the story.

    He came to lying on his back with sunlight pouring down into his face and the murmur of running water close by. There was a brilliant ache in his optic nerve, and a steady, painless throbbing at the b...

  9. #9

    The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Millennium by Stieg Larsson
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    'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson is an engrossing mystery thriller set in Sweden, following the investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist and the young genius hacker Lisbeth Salander as they team up to solve a decades-old murder mystery. The story unfolds with intricate twists and turns, uncovering vile family secrets and introducing a cast of strong, believable characters. The plot builds over time, making for an excellent and well-written read with fascinating characters and an interesting storyline that keeps readers guessing.

    The narrative delves into themes of financial intrigue, murder, and love, balancing multiple genres skillfully. Despite some graphic scenes of violence and rape, the book manages to keep readers engaged with its complicated plot and well-drawn characters, particularly the enigmatic Lisbeth Salander. Larsson's writing style, though at times clunky due to translation, effectively captures the essence of the mystery, making it a compelling and suspenseful read for those who enjoy intricate thrillers.

    The trial was irretrievably over; everything that could be said had been said, but he had never doubted that he would lose. The written verdict was handed down at 10:00 on Friday morning, and all that...

  10. #10

    Curfew by Phil Rickman
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    'Curfew' by Phil Rickman is a supernatural horror novel set in the sleepy border town of Crybbe, where ancient mysteries and eerie folklore come to life. The story follows the arrival of new age travelers in Crybbe, who unknowingly disrupt the town's defenses against an evil presence. As the plot unfolds, the book delves into the dark history of the town, blending elements of mystery, thriller, and supernatural horror. Rickman's writing style expertly weaves together multiple narratives, building suspense and introducing quirky yet engaging characters that add depth to the story.

    SOMETIME – and please, God, make it soon – they were going to have to sell this place. And on evenings like this, when the sky sagged and the bricks of the houses across the street were the colour of ...

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