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Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award winner Jennifer K. Breedlove brings coastal Maine to life in Murder Will Out, a lighter, modern gothic mystery that's as atmospheric as it is heart-warming.
Little North Island, off the coast of Maine, is so beautiful it could be a postcard. Organist Willow Stone cherishes her memories of childhood summers spent on the island with her godmother Sue... even though her visits ended abruptly, and she hasn't seen or heard from her godmother in over fifteen years. Until a letter from Sue—and word of Sue’s death—brings Willow back to the picturesque island.
The islanders rarely mention Sue without also bringing up Cameron House, and the controversy around Sue’s unexpected inheritance of the sprawling mansion. When Willow overhears someone threatening the next heir to the property, she starts to question whether Sue’s death was really an accident, and can’t help but wonder whether someone on this sleepy island is willing to stop at nothing—even murder—to claim Cameron House for their own.
Through Willow’s eyes, as well as those of others on the island, a mystery unfolds that keeps drawing Willow back to Cameron House and the very real ghosts that walk its corridors.
The setting is perfect, set off the coast of Maine. Maine holds fond memories for me as a child, so it was delightful to have a book set in that location. In the story, Willow Stone cherishes memories of spending time with her grandmother in Maine, though she never understood why those visits abruptly ended.
It is now 15 years later Willow learns that Sue has passed away. Quite naturally, Willow head to Maine. She may not have appreciated it as a child, but a mansion there on the little island that was once her haven has a dark history. It is also laden with secrets that just might play into the fact that perhaps Sue’s death was not an accident as she had been told. Willow wants answers, and she connects with a few of the town’s members in her quest.
The premise of this debut story was intriguing, and the atmosphere was captivating. I particularly enjoyed the incorporation of the Chaucer quote in Murder Will Out. However, both the book and its characters fell short of my expectations. Although the audiobook narration was well done, I struggled to connect with Willow. Additionally, the gothic elements of the story felt somewhat forced. As a fan of gothic mysteries, I’ve been able to avoid those with a paranormal twist, but this book managed to surprise me. For readers who enjoy paranormal stories with a light gothic twist, this might be a perfect fit.
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