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kittybarcs's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
javierfp82's review against another edition
4.0
Review published in: https://diagnosisbookaholic.blogspot.com/2021/03/the-thin-place.html
I've never been much of a fan of gothic stories but the last few months I've read some really good ones and my opinion is starting to change. The thin place is a great example of a modern mystery with gothic vibes.
A thin place is the celtic term for places where the gap between heaven and earth is closer. Overtoun House and Bridge are supposed to be in one of these places. It is said that more than 500 dogs have leaped to their deaths from the bridge. After doing a story there, reporter Ava Brent feels weirdly drawn to the place and becomes pretty obsessed trying to find the truth behind the house's tragic past.
The story spans three different time frames, 1929, 1949 and the present, so there's three different POVs. Although it was not stated till the end it was not difficult to see how all the three lines would tie together, so I was not surprised by the twists.
My favorite timeline was Constance's. Although her voice sounded a little older than her years, her situation gave me chills and I'll remember that image of her looking from the window for a long time to come.
I found Ava pretty annoying and her sudden obsession with Overtoun, to the point of neglecting her own health and her family, was a bit hard to understand at first.
The atmosphere was fantastic. It was so eerie, and the menacing presence of the house was really well done. Every time Ava visited the house I got an unsettling feeling in my stomach.
I was surprised to find out on the author's note that Overtoun House and Bridge are real places, so once I finished it I immediately had to go and googled them.
Compelling gothic mystery that it's at the same time a story of mothers and daughters.
Thanks to CD Major, NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I've never been much of a fan of gothic stories but the last few months I've read some really good ones and my opinion is starting to change. The thin place is a great example of a modern mystery with gothic vibes.
A thin place is the celtic term for places where the gap between heaven and earth is closer. Overtoun House and Bridge are supposed to be in one of these places. It is said that more than 500 dogs have leaped to their deaths from the bridge. After doing a story there, reporter Ava Brent feels weirdly drawn to the place and becomes pretty obsessed trying to find the truth behind the house's tragic past.
The story spans three different time frames, 1929, 1949 and the present, so there's three different POVs. Although it was not stated till the end it was not difficult to see how all the three lines would tie together, so I was not surprised by the twists.
My favorite timeline was Constance's. Although her voice sounded a little older than her years, her situation gave me chills and I'll remember that image of her looking from the window for a long time to come.
I found Ava pretty annoying and her sudden obsession with Overtoun, to the point of neglecting her own health and her family, was a bit hard to understand at first.
The atmosphere was fantastic. It was so eerie, and the menacing presence of the house was really well done. Every time Ava visited the house I got an unsettling feeling in my stomach.
I was surprised to find out on the author's note that Overtoun House and Bridge are real places, so once I finished it I immediately had to go and googled them.
Compelling gothic mystery that it's at the same time a story of mothers and daughters.
Thanks to CD Major, NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
mreadsbooksnfics's review against another edition
3.0
Decent thriller. I was able to finish in just a few days. I liked it, but I did not love it. I thought it was a tad predictable, but I was entertained. This was one of those books I liked while reading, but I did not remember when it was over. Still, it is a pretty well done book and this author is worth the time to check out
kaykay_'s review against another edition
1.0
i had such a hard time getting through this book i basically skimmed the last 50% of it just so i knew what happened.
pixiekp's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Miscarriage
librariangeorgia's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Suicide, and Medical content
cassiecat's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I really enjoyed this book.
A new author to me. I chose this book as a part of the Netgalley reading challenge, the topic was a book with a plain cover. I don’t think the cover wouldn’t make me curious about the book.
Tv reporter/Journalist Ava Brent is pregnant and wanting information about her mother’s family especially their medical history. Her mother refuses to discuss her childhood or family so Ava begins to delve. She remembers a place called Dumbarton from her childhood so decided to investigate the dark mystery surrounding Overtoun Estate as a way of getting closer to the area of her past on the pretext of work.
A thin place is a Celtic term to describe a place where the gap is least between Heaven and Earth. I can see the relevance of the title now, although had no prior knowledge of the term.
What is the link between Ava and Marion in 1929, and Constance in 1949?
I instantly liked the difference in writing style between the modern and the historical sections.
Constance is a character that I felt for, she really tugged on my heartstrings.
Marion appears very naive, she hardly knows Hamish. Her only ambition being to escape the drudgery of her home. I can’t help wondering in the early part of her story that she has undoubtedly jumped out of the proverbial frying pan and into the fire.
Ava is obsessed by the house and bridge even though it scares her with its chillingly dark atmosphere. Her relationships are being affected by her obsession. I must admit I got irritated with Ava about her behaviour towards her family and husband, and with her distraction and obsession bordering on possession.
The atmosphere of the book is very creepy, and unsettling. The slow pace gives time for you to absorb the atmosphere.
This book bought out different emotions in me, anxiety, fear, anger, sadness.
I worked out early on what was happening with Constance, as the clues are not hidden, although there were plenty of revelations to surprise me.
A new author to me. I chose this book as a part of the Netgalley reading challenge, the topic was a book with a plain cover. I don’t think the cover wouldn’t make me curious about the book.
Tv reporter/Journalist Ava Brent is pregnant and wanting information about her mother’s family especially their medical history. Her mother refuses to discuss her childhood or family so Ava begins to delve. She remembers a place called Dumbarton from her childhood so decided to investigate the dark mystery surrounding Overtoun Estate as a way of getting closer to the area of her past on the pretext of work.
A thin place is a Celtic term to describe a place where the gap is least between Heaven and Earth. I can see the relevance of the title now, although had no prior knowledge of the term.
What is the link between Ava and Marion in 1929, and Constance in 1949?
I instantly liked the difference in writing style between the modern and the historical sections.
Constance is a character that I felt for, she really tugged on my heartstrings.
Marion appears very naive, she hardly knows Hamish. Her only ambition being to escape the drudgery of her home. I can’t help wondering in the early part of her story that she has undoubtedly jumped out of the proverbial frying pan and into the fire.
Ava is obsessed by the house and bridge even though it scares her with its chillingly dark atmosphere. Her relationships are being affected by her obsession. I must admit I got irritated with Ava about her behaviour towards her family and husband, and with her distraction and obsession bordering on possession.
The atmosphere of the book is very creepy, and unsettling. The slow pace gives time for you to absorb the atmosphere.
This book bought out different emotions in me, anxiety, fear, anger, sadness.
I worked out early on what was happening with Constance, as the clues are not hidden, although there were plenty of revelations to surprise me.
booklady72's review against another edition
4.0
This was a spooky story which was told in the points of view of three women from different timeframes. I found it easy to read, it had some good characters and the tension built up for me as I was reading.
It was a good storyline, although I found it to be predictable as I’d worked out who was who long before it was revealed properly, but this didn’t stop me from enjoying the book at all.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
It was a good storyline, although I found it to be predictable as I’d worked out who was who long before it was revealed properly, but this didn’t stop me from enjoying the book at all.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
anjthereader's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Thin Place centered around the dark history of the foreboding Scottish estate, Overtoun. It follows the story of three women from different times whose lives will somehow intersect.
The story starts with Ava, a television journalist, who decided to investigate a bridge near the Overtoun estate where many dogs have jumped to their death. She soon obsessed to uncover Overtoun's dark history, putting a strain on her relationship with her family, partner, and her job.
We're also introduced to two other women — Marion and Constance. Marion, in 1929, she married the lord of the manor. It tells her story of courtship and marriage plagued by loneliness, misery, and tragedy. Constance, a sickly young girl who lived in the manor in 1949 with a devoted mother.
~*~*~*~
A compelling and gripping thriller with its gothic and creepy atmosphere. The Thin Place is slow paced with realistic and well-written characters. Ava is not a likeable character. She makes a lot of bad decisions. I found myself drawn to Marion and Constance. Both of their stories are heartbreaking and sometimes uncomfortable to read. A book filled with intrigue and secrets, some were predictable. The slow build up of tension was so satisfying!
Overall, The Thin Place is a captivating read with a perfect mixed of mystery and suspense.
The Thin Place centered around the dark history of the foreboding Scottish estate, Overtoun. It follows the story of three women from different times whose lives will somehow intersect.
The story starts with Ava, a television journalist, who decided to investigate a bridge near the Overtoun estate where many dogs have jumped to their death. She soon obsessed to uncover Overtoun's dark history, putting a strain on her relationship with her family, partner, and her job.
We're also introduced to two other women — Marion and Constance. Marion, in 1929, she married the lord of the manor. It tells her story of courtship and marriage plagued by loneliness, misery, and tragedy. Constance, a sickly young girl who lived in the manor in 1949 with a devoted mother.
~*~*~*~
A compelling and gripping thriller with its gothic and creepy atmosphere. The Thin Place is slow paced with realistic and well-written characters. Ava is not a likeable character. She makes a lot of bad decisions. I found myself drawn to Marion and Constance. Both of their stories are heartbreaking and sometimes uncomfortable to read. A book filled with intrigue and secrets, some were predictable. The slow build up of tension was so satisfying!
Overall, The Thin Place is a captivating read with a perfect mixed of mystery and suspense.