This isn't a bad novel. It's readable and salacious with plot twists and jumps in time...the problem is, that if you've read The Thirteenth Tale (which was published first) you can basically predict the entire story because they are basically the same book. I'm not saying this was done intentionally, it's just that the similarities are strong.
My case [SPOILER]: A young woman investigates the past of an elderly woman only to discover a history of unknown/unclear identity. Said young woman travels to a lonely town in England to investigate a mysterious house and legacy. Young woman discovers that an elderly woman once had a sibling that died tragically. Young woman discovers that elderly woman is the descendant of a wealthy aristocrat and a poorer woman. Somehow this all ties into one of the character's ability to tell and create stories. Siblings are involved. Incest is involved. Death at an early age, soon after one of the characters becomes a mother is involved. Did I mention the secret garden/area that is supposed to be off-limits? I didn't? Well, that's the same don't-go-there plot twist too.
Like The Thirteenth Tale, this is a good stab at modern gothic romance...it's just that it's pretty much the same stab. If you can ignore that - read on. I just couldn't, and it kind of annoyed me the whole way through the novel.
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