Review: Intricate plotting with a twist at the end
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 21, 2012
This was a treat. One of the things that will draw you into this story is the eloguently crafted prose of the early chapters. It is rare that an author goes to this amount of trouble with wordsmithing.The first part of the story centers around the disappearance and presumed murder of two young lovers early in the last century. Then flash forward seventy-five years into the future where two young people remodeling a famous family photographic portrait studio, discover that it is haunted by these two and a malignant spirit believed to be their murderer. A mystery then unfolds as Evan (the suitor to Shelley) tries to prevent her obession with the studio and apparant possession by Caraliza, from harming her. In this effort Evan is savagely attacked and almost killed trying to save Shelley. Romance, sexual attraction and possession, and ultimately shame, are all interwoven as this tale unfolds.The research that went into descrbing photography of a 100 or so years ago is evident and lends a lot of authenticity to the period writing.One of the things that makes this story so compelling is its intricate plotting. It has many layers as Evan and Shelley grapple with the haunted studio, Evans injuries and the reaction of their families, and everyone's concern for Shelley as she becomes more and more drawn into the spirits haunting the studio.The writing is a little uneven. The first part where the romance between Yuesep and Caraliza is developing reminds me of Caleb Carr and the prose is beautiful and lyrical. Deeper into the story some of the verbiage is a little disjointed and suffers by comparision to the first chapters.None-the-less. This is an unusual book of romance, intrigue, haunting and possession. It will draw you in with excellent characterization and plotting. An easy five star story.