Comments (101)

What did you think about this title?
1 to 25 of 101 items
Sep 21, 2023PetraL rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
In the style of classic gothic novels like Rebecca and Jane Eyre. Preferred reading the classics.
Dec 30, 2022Spillie rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
An intriguing tale that transforms into the ultimate ghost story. Well plotted with interesting twists but I felt the novel would benefit from some editing, to speed up the pace. This book is the perfect choice for readers of British…
Sep 30, 2022Sakidog1 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
At first the size of this book was somewhat daunting, but I found every bit of this “tale within a tale” fascinating. It was pure reading satisfaction, incorporating creepiness, intrigue, a convoluted story, and well fleshed-out…
Sep 27, 2022Hkelsey rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Loved this book and did not see the twist! I really enjoyed the writing and the dual story line
Sep 24, 2022Anne1120 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Wonderful read with good character development and an engaging storyline.
Sep 24, 2022missywarner rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
So good. So spooky. So strange!
Jul 08, 2022
A great listen if you are an audiobook person! For fans of the Brontes and the gothic. A twisty and satisfying read!
Jul 06, 2022DBRL_IdaF rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I'm glad I finally got around to reading this. I brought it with me on vacation, and I kept sneaking back into the pages when I was supposed to be enjoying other activities with the family. A mesmerizing gothic story with a clever and…
May 31, 2022VioletBoler rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I just loved this book, could not put it down. Made me think of Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights. I will keep this book on my shelf along with The Red Tent. Some books I donate but not these two.
Dec 13, 2021Franz20KEM rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Not at all into books that scare me, let alone those with weird children featured, and yet, I really enjoyed this novel - as the writer allowed us to catch our breath on a number of occasions and there were subplots to ease the tension.
Sep 05, 2021Kidbean rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I enjoyed the story and the writing style. It had a good rhythm.
May 05, 2021abi_lou rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
The Thirteenth Tale is thrilling – the perfect mix of gothic mysteries and contemporary fiction. It was one of those stories that drags you in, and no matter what is happening around you, you don’t want to put it down. (Interestingly…
Mar 04, 2021WPL_Erin rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
A really interesting story about an author and the stories she writes about her life.
Feb 04, 2021sandyhenn rated this title 1.5 out of 5 stars
I don't understand all the good comments I've heard about this book. Too 'gothic' for my tastes
Aug 18, 2020
If Daphne DuMauriere and Emily Bronte had ever collaborated on a book it might well have been "The Thirteenth Tale". I loved this book -- great Gothic detail, intriguing mystery, character study of the pathology of a particular pair of…
May 08, 2020
After receiving a letter from an acclaimed and reticent writer, Vida Winter, Margaret Lea, an amateur biographer, is asked to write down Winter’s biography. After reading Winter’s stories, Margaret is immersed and agrees to travel to…
Apr 16, 2020IndyPL_CatherineS rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
An amazing modern version of the classic Gothic mystery genre. It is perfectly creepy. The English countryside setting is perfect for the tale that unfolds. Set aside a day and a half to devour this one.
Jan 28, 2020andkel rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Reading the first chapter of this book, I thought, I am not going to get through this book. It has some flowery language to it and a slow start. I like a good story, give me a good plot. After the first chapter, the story starts to…
Jan 25, 2020
S.H. : Once Upon a River, by Diane Setterfield (This has the air of a fairy tale but with realistic people. I've never read a book that feels quite like this one. Her other book, The Thirteenth Tale, is another of my favorite mysteries. …
Nov 12, 2019LMDella rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Setterfield skillfully weaves the tale in a way that maintains the suspense and intrigue until the end, which (in my opinion) far too many authors don't do well. A marvelous debut novel! (Of course it…
Aug 22, 2019sjpl_rebekah rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This book has a slow start, but stick with it. It's a twisted tale set in a Gothic mansion that's shrouded in mystery. The ending of this book surprised me in a way few books have in my lifetime.
Jul 07, 2019EljayJohnson rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
A wonderful novel for a lover of books and words. It only missed being a 4-star rating for me because I think it could have used a little editing in the middle. Margaret is a semi-professional biographer who is selected by Vida Winter,…
Apr 06, 2019AnnabelleLee27 rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
A gothic-style tale of suspense with many literary references and numerous twists and turns. Themes include family secrets/scandal, passion, murder, ghosts, and the connection between twins (the best part!). An entertaining and quick read.
Mar 25, 2019Charlea1 rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
Not a bad book if you have nothing else to do. But the book is kind of like a Dan Brown Etc all wrapped into one.
Feb 20, 2019kmobuckeye rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
The first 70ish pages were blah, but then I read the next 300 and some pages in one night it got so good!