You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.

Reviews

The Thin Place by C.D. Major

lezzomatic's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

The Thin Place is an incredibly captivating story of family secrets. CD Major uses multiple narrators to tell a harrowing tale of a manor home and the bridge nearby that has claimed the lives of upwards of 500 since 1950.

This novel was spellbinding and I could not put it down once I started reading. A clever balance of horror and mystery, this book will surely hold you captive as you learn the secrets of Overtoun.

amandasnoseinabook's review

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

pizzaghost's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

A dog
Spoilerdies

A baby
Spoilerdies

TW:
SpoilerSo so many. Animal cruelty, miscarriage, baby death, child abuse, Munchausen by proxy, suicide, and more.


If you picked up this title hoping to really dig deep into the concept of thin places (and with a title like The Thin Place, this would be understandable) you'll be disappointed. The only ghosts here are the ghosts of the past.

And yet this story was gripping from cover to cover. The entangled lives and the mysterious house and bridge at the center of it all -- how would this story unfold? What's happening with Ava's baby and why is her mother so distant? What in the world is inspiring countless dogs to leap off the bridge to their deaths? The Thin Place is a satisfying family thriller with an impenetrable mystery at its core.

Amazingly, Overtoun bridge is real! You can actually go there and feel the thinness. Most of the history in this book is invented, but the house looks as described and yes, dogs really do jump. Theories about the cause range from animal nests to fae influence, and despite the investigations, the answer may remain forever unknowable.

sandraleivesley's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

This is my first book by C D Major and I loved it. I had never heard of Thin Places before, but thanks to this book I now know that they are places where the boundary between heaven and earth is especially thin. It's a ghostly gothic thriller with an incredibly spooky, creepy setting. Overtoun House and it's grounds are said to be a thin place. The author describes the setting brilliantly and I could feel a chill in my bones as I listened.

The story is told on two timelines and each story was absolutely compelling and made me want just one more chapter ..... then another and another! It's a slow burn novel with a plot that slowly unravels building tension. It does deal with some difficult subjects such as child cruelty and dog 'suicides' and I was fascinated to kisten to the authors note at the end saying that Overtoun House, and the bridge are real places in Scotland, and dogs really have jumped to their deaths from the bridge. I know I wouldn't want to go there with my dogs!

lavanda4's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

What a ride this book is! The epitome of the ideal thriller with just enough dark chill, legend and mystery without graphic gore. Scotland positively drips with atmosphere and I could picture myself there at Overtoun Estate. The story is told by three perspectives and the focus is mainly on the goings on at a bridge, the estate and a flat in Glasgow. Jumping dogs and obsessions add to the atmosphere as do minor characters.

Ava, a journalist and pregnant with her first child, is drawn to Overtoun Estate to investigate a local legend and her own disturbing fascination. But the more she learns the more obsessed she becomes. She cannot let go and her priorities become skewed, very noticeable to those around her. She's not particularly likeable but one needn't like or relate to characters to enjoy a good read.

The stories of Marion and Constance are so riveting I was very eager to read more and more. Talk about secrets galore and loads of twists and turns! The strategic melding of the three perspectives is brilliantly done. And the ending! I absolutely loved it. The writing itself is great and the mysteries well planned out with a few helpings of genius.

Readers of General Fiction, Women's Fiction and Mysteries should read this absorbing book. Though chilling, it's not scary.

My sincere thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley! Much appreciated.

smilesgiggle's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Creepy house.
Family secrets.
Sibling rivalry.
A struggling marriage.
An obsessive journalist.
Ava is twelve weeks pregnant - the scan showing a healthy fetus. Excited to share her news, Ava visits her mum - sure their close relationship will cause not only joy for her mum but also inspire her mum to share her own childhood, any family illnesses, etc.
Instead they have an argument - their relationship torn. Her sister, Pippa, has no information to share.
Then Ava learns of a bridge - renown for an alarming large number of dogs jumping off and dying. What is it about this bridge that draws dogs? And Ava? Something about the house, the grounds pulls Ava. Her cameraman refers to it as a Thin Place - the divide between reality and the afterlife can be felt, so tiny as though you can fall through.
A slow build mystery - held my attention and spooky.

ksm's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

aem0208's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

The Thin Place is a story told by three perspectives. Ava is a journalist with an obsessive personality. Although pregnant with her first child she becomes wrapped up in investigating the haunting tales of a local bridge and nearby estate in Glasgow. Ava digs deeper and deeper into the hauntings of the grounds and just what horrible events happened there previously. At the height of her obsession I found myself no longer able to like or even relate to her character.
The chapters with Marion and Constance were the most intriguing. I was hooked on their perspectives and eager to learn just what had happened in their lives. Although an interesting read, I had guessed a main part of the plot/ending by the midpoint. This is disappointing in a mystery/thriller novel.

Thanks to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

lostinthepages20's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

jasminesbookcase's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I liked this book but I didn’t love it. I liked the story line and how the writer used different POV throughout the book.
I was wanting so much more creepiness to keep me gripped. When I saw the title I was expecting more scene setting and having a more eerie feeling.
The characters were ok, however Ava really annoyed me and her behaviour just baffled me. But it was nice to read about characters from the past, I wish there was a little more on them.
One part I did love is at the end the writer gives you some facts on what this book is actually based on which I found really interesting.
I’d say there are some trigger points in this and some parts I found quite sad to read about.
Overall I still would recommend this book purely because it is based on some true events.

Thank you to Netgally for a copy of this book!