Review: An Enjoyable Inspirational Gothic
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 09 2, 2010
There've been times when nothing has satisfied my book penchant like a good, old fashioned gothic. I felt the return of that same enjoyment recently while reading Tina Pinson's inspirational gothic "In the Manor of the Ghost" (Desert Breeze Publishing, 2010).Inspirational gothic? Yep; it's another new frontier for inspirational fiction (similar to regency romance) and Ms. Pinson explores it deftly in this book.In this story, Kaitlin Dupree is a young woman acquainted with tragedy and loss who finds herself marrying the mysterious Mr. Clayborne as a matter of expedience and compassion for his troubled young son. Of course, true to classic gothic style, the new bride of the manor finds Devlin Clayborne to be a man with secrets in his past, and he is surrounded in his mansion by strange people and even stranger goings-on.In a sort of reversed fashion, there's a certain Jane Eyre-esque element to the story as well.But unlike most traditional gothics, Ms. Pinson's novel also deals with elements of faith, repentence, forgiveness, and compassion spurred on by the promptings of the Holy Spirit in an individual's life.There was a unique setting to the book. While most gothics traditionally take place in locations such as the English countryside, southern bayous, or in old Bostonian homes, the Ghost's manor is located in 1800s Minnesota near the twin cities. At first I had a hard time accepting that setting, but Tina does a fine job of helping me suspend my disbelief, just as every fiction writer must.Sometimes the prose felt a little bit flowery too, but that also ended up lending to the ambience of mystery and danger she infused into the story. It had a strong, drawing-in effect.Overall, In the Manor of the Ghost is a pleasant read that drew me in with full-bodied characters and mysteries to solve on several levels. Who is the mysterious ghost? What horrible memories rack the mind of the young child who refuses to speak? Why is his father, the dark and handsome Devlin so tormented? And will the lovely young Kaitlyn be able to overcome the sad memories of her own past and the prejudices of those around her, and be able to love a man who seems determined to push her away?The answers lurk in the manor of the ghost -- waiting to be drawn out.