The Widow of Pale Harbour

by Hester Fox

'[This] romance-cum-murder mystery moves at a brisk pace.' The Sunday Times 'A perfect blend of gothic mystery, drama and romance.' Cressida McLaughlin

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A town gripped by fear. A woman accused of murder. Who can save Pale Harbour from itself?

1846. Desperate to escape the ghosts of his past, Gabriel Stone takes a position as a minister in the remote Pale Harbour, but not all is as it seems in the sleepy town.

As soon as Gabriel steps foot in town, he can't escape the rumours about the mysterious Sophy Carver, a young widow who lives in the eerie Castle Carver: whispers that she killed her husband, mutterings that she might even be a witch.

But as strange, unsettling events escalate into murder, Gabriel finds himself falling under Sophy's spell. As clues start to point to Sophy as the next victim, Gabriel realises he must find answers before anyone else turns up dead.

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Everyone is spellbound by Hester Fox!

'This debut recalls Georgette Heyer, with extra spookiness'
The Times

'a story that tingles with danger, dark mystery, hints of the supernatural, and a sultry, simmering romance. Ideal reading for fans of thrills and chills...'
Lancashire Evening Post

'Beautifully written... The Witch of Willow Hall will cast a spell over every reader'
Lisa Hall, author of Between You and Me

'Steeped in Gothic eeriness it's spine-tingling and very atmospheric.'
Nicola Cornick, author of The Woman in the Lake

'With its sense of creeping menace... this compelling story had me gripped from the first page... '
Linda Finlay, author of The Flower Seller

'Creepy, tense, heartbreaking and beautifully, achingly romantic.'
Cressida McLaughlin

'I could NOT put this thing down!'

'The ULTIMATE page turner!'

'What a story! It absolutely captivated me'

'Historical fiction with a side of romance and major helping of creepiness, this debut novel hits the mark!'

'The book pulls you in from the beginning with many twists and turns. I didn't want to put it down, and could not wait to see what was going to happen next.'

• ISBN10: 1489290362
• ISBN13: 9781489290366
• Publish Date: 1 October 2019 (first published 17 September 2019)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: AU
• Imprint: HQ Fiction
• Format: eBook (EPUB)
• Pages: 284
• Language: English

Reviews

[zooloo1983]

What happens when you mix two flawed and heartbroken people and a town shrouded in mystery and fog? You get this book The Widow of Pale Harbour.

Set in 1846, a time where you have horse-drawn carriages, women suspected of witchcraft and no social media. What is not to love! The way notes had to be delivered by young lads running the streets, a taxi was a horse-drawn carriage or you walked! All adds to the isolation of Castle Carver, the home of Mrs Sophronia Carver, the widow in question. Never leaving the house due to the intense hatred the townspeople have for her, the fear of the witchcraft is great and all fingers are pointed her way.

In sweeps Gabriel Stone, the new minister for Pale Harbour, everyone wanting to woo him and to warn him away from Mrs Carver. All this does is to add to the intrigue of her, but is she casting a spell on him?

I guessed who the “culprit” was early on due to a phrase in the book which I then remembered later on and it would be easy to sweep it under the carpet but for a change, I wouldn’t let the feeling go and it paid off. I did not guess completely the whys, well this was a bit more complicated and a little sad.

I loved the setting of Pale Harbour, the fog rolling in the harbour, the cold dreary nights rolling in and a spot of murder to boot. This really did add a chill and atmosphere surrounding the story, who is murdering the townsfolk? Who is leaving ravens and guarded messages to Mrs Carver? Does someone truly want her dead?

I loved Sophronia, she seemed so fragile and sweet whilst living every day in her own prison of Castle Carver, with no one for company apart from her loyal servant Helen, a lonely solitude life made my heartbreak for her. Until Gabriel entered her life and something in her is awakened. The same can be said for Gabriel, suffering a broken heart too, moving to Pale Harbour to carry out his promise to be a minister but it is not what is true in his heart.

I was completely swept away with The Widow of Pale Harbour and I really want to read Hester’s first novel. I was captivated by Fox’s writing, I was enthralled by the story and I loved the links between the murders and mysteries with the legend that is Edgar Allen Poe. Could it be any more creepy?! I loved that everything happened at a much slower pace than I am used to, everything took time to be uncovered, friendships blossomed and pure devotion and love shone through. I really did adore this book and I really do recommend this to everyone!