What Happened at the Abbey by Isobel Blackthorn

 

Ingrid Barker’s life has taken a horrible turn. Having grown up in comfort and love, her life is now filled with horror, hate and torture. The only way to gain freedom for herself and her daughter Susan, is to escape the clutches of her husband and run far, far away. Run towards familiarity by returning to a place close to where she grew up – The Scottish Highlands. Alas, Ingrid just steps right out of the frying pan and into the fire.

What Happened at the Abbey by Isobel Blackthorn is a gripping gothic tale full of sinister suspense, deadly drama and mystery, mystery, mystery.

Posing as a widow, Ingrid seeks refuge by applying to work as a housekeeper in the McCleod family home – Strathbairn. A house so sinister that you would never catch me entering it in this century, forget in the 19^th century. Isolated, set amongst a stark landscape, surrounded by decrepit ruins, howling winds and the ever mysterious bog with its swirling mists that call out to you on moonlit nights. Shuderrrrrr!!! That’s spooky enough, but wait, the McCleod family may just be spookier. I quite thought they gave the Addams family a run for their money.

Ingrid steps straight into the mystery of Strathbairn on her very first day there, when she stumbles across letters from a previous housekeeper talking about a grave injustice being done.  An injustice that hints at murder and abuse. As Ingrid sets out to figure the mystery of the letter, she uncovers a plethora of secrets, from ghostly apparitions to murder, occultism and mayhem.

Is Ingrid able to survive this mysterious house and its inhabitants?

Does she fulfil her desire to be free?

Blackthorn’s writing style is truly what makes this a page-turning read. She manages to combine horror and drama so effortlessly that it feels like Edgar Allen Poe and Bridgerton combined. What truly strikes out for me was the way, amidst all the horror and murder, she tackles the issue of domestic abuse (both physical and psychological). In Ingrid, Blackthorn has created a character who though meek at times, is absolutely fearless when it comes to protecting her daughter.

 

So glad I got this RC. It is a book that I couldn’t put down just like Blackthorn’s earlier books. I can’t wait for the next. Hope you liked my fair and honest review.

Happy Reading🙂