TLC Book Tours Book Review: Charlotte Markham & The House Of Darkling

Author: Michael Boccacino
Title: Charlote Markham and the House Of Darkling
Publisher: William Morrow
Publish Date: July 24, 2012
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: TLC Book Tours and the publisher
Book Blurb: When the nanny to the young Darrow boys is found murdered on the outskirts of Blackfield, Charlotte Markham, the recently hired governess, steps in to take over their care. During an outing in the forest, they find themselves crossing over into The Ending, the place for the Things That Cannot Die, where Lily Darrow, the late mistress of Everton, has been waiting. She invites them into the ominous House of Darkling, a wondrous, dangerous place filled with enchantment, mystery and strange creatures that appear to be, but are not quite, human. However, everything comes with a price, and as Charlotte begins to understand the unspeakable bargain Mrs. Darrow has made for a second chance at motherhood, she uncovers a connection to the sinister occurrences in Blackfield and enters into a deadly game with the master of Darkling, one whose outcome will determine not just the fate of the Darrows, but of the world itself. Charlotte Markham and the House of Darkling is a Victorian gothic tale about family ties, the realm beyond the living, and the price you pay to save those you love.
Review: If you like Gothic fiction, things that go bump in the night or otherwise strange stories, you definitely want to grab this book.

I have to say, I wished this book were published closer to Halloween, because it it so perfect for autumn reading. At first it coasts on fairly normally as you get to know Charlotte and her young charges, as well as the household at Everton.  It isn't until the nanny is killed in an unspeakable manner that you start to get the notion that there's something not quite right there.

Then one of the boys has a dream and Charlotte takes them for a walk in the forest and there they find Lily Darrow. Did I mention, she's dead?

To get a good idea what this novel is like, think Neil Gaiman and Tim Burton with a touch of Bronte. From the very first page I could envision this as a movie. I want it to be a movie. I want Danny Elfman to do the film score...I want Johnny Depp to star in it!

I want to reread this in October so the full creepiness of the story can sink in.

This book was so many kinds of awesome.

Rating: 5 flowers

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