The Cresswell Plot

by Eliza Wass

[Terri M. LeBlanc]

The Cresswell Plot drew me in right from the start. The story is atmospheric and mysterious. Born into a family full of secrets, hidden by their father’s intense homegrown faith and lack of trust in the general public, Castella, known as Castley, reminded me of myself as a teenager. She has this innate desire to know more, and break free from the ties that bind her to all that she has ever known.

However, Castley is strongly bonded with her siblings and spends most of the book walking that fine line that many of us have had to walk in our lives—honoring our families and honoring ourselves. My heart ached for Castley and her brothers and sisters. Looking in from the outside, I could see what those outside the family saw when looking that them. I wanted to help them, but as Wass draws you into the story, you start to understand why, perhaps, it isn’t as easy to leave if you are living on the inside. When the big family secret is revealed, I was as shocked as Castley’s siblings to learn the truth. I was so wrapped up in their struggle that the reveal knocked me upside the head in an expected fashion.

I would definitely recommend The Cresswell Plot by Eliza Wass. Wass is able to create a world that is fascinating, mystical and heart breaking. The truth behind the grit and grime shines bright in an unexpected way in this debut novel.


This review was originally posted on Second Run Reviews