When newlywed Chrissie Marchant moves into Baron Grove, her husband Joe's home, it becomes apparent that he may not be completely over the death of his first wife. A large picture of Emily Marchant still hangs in the living room, the house is still decorated just as it was when she died and Joe refuses to change anything. After a few unsettling experiences are accompanied by Emily's signature scent of vanilla, Chrissie realizes that maybe Joe's first wife hasn't moved on either.
I'm a huge fan of Catherine Cavendish. This is the sixth book I've read by her and she never disappoints. The Second Wife is a creepy and atmospheric ghost story.
The characters are well-developed. Chrissie is a relatable protagonist and her reasons for not wanting to leave after her ghostly encounters are understandable (her sister lives on the other side of the world and Joe is all she has) and make the story more believable, keeping me from constantly wondering why she didn't just leave every time something freaky happened to her. I hated Joe and didn't understand what Chrissie saw in him...I guess he's a rich and handsome doctor, but keeping a shrine to your dead wife after you remarry is weird and creepy.
At 110 pages, this is a quick read and can easily be read in one sitting. The novella gets to the spooky scenes by the second chapter and never lets up the suspense until the satisfying conclusion. Highly recommended for fans of gothic horror, ghost stories, or anyone looking for a chilling read.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4/5
