REVIEW
Wow! Another spellbinding story by Callie Langridge! I adore the Mandeville series and each one is greater than the one before. It is easy to get lost in the atmospheric setting, unusual events and dramatic lives of these unique characters. It is all a perfect paranormal package that immediately pulls you in to the time travel magic of Hill House. This third instalment is exceptionally written, creatively imagined and exquisitely memorable. It flows like a winding river through some fascinating dream-like territory. The Mandeville Shadow is aptly set in the week before and during Halloween so no mystery or ghoulish event is spared.
I loved seeing ‘old friends’ and ‘family’ members from the previous Mandeville books. And it was a pleasure to meet Kate, an intriguing new character. She is a lovely person, hard-working and kind. Being the newcomer, her life is showcased and we, of course, wonder what special part she will play in the Mandeville saga. We learn quickly she has a unique gift that she doesn’t quite understand. It has been visible since she was a child. Her family hailed it as a party trick but it definitely is not that! When she touches certain items, she can sense and see their history. This is quite unsettling for her as she never knows when these visions will strike. This gift will become an important ingredient in the story’s buffet of twisty drama.
As we learned before (if you have read the previous two), Hill House chooses who it wishes to utilise and interact with and it is often someone who has had a deep loss. Kate has just lost her job and father in the same day, followed by her family home. As a result, her mother can no longer pay the mortgage. Kate is riddled with grief and guilt for she was unable to be with her father in his last moments. She did not know he was so ill as he kept his sickness hidden. She was very close to him, took his advice and sought his approval. Her talent was actually in dressmaking but she took up a position at the Steel Works to fulfill her father’s wishes.
Once Kate’s mother moves in with her brother after the house is sold, she has no idea where she will live or work. After visiting her father’s grave at the church, she takes a detour into the shadowy woods. Unfortunately, she gets lost and with darkness not far off, she tries hard to get her bearings. After wandering in various directions, she sees a couple of unusual trees and then bumps into Bertie, the caretaker of Mandeville Estate. He offers his help out of this confusing location. She begins to share about herself as she feels very comfortable with him. When he tells her about an available housemaid position, she cannot believe her luck. After applying for it, she is hired on the spot. It is an answer to her dilemma as room and board are part of the deal. She now has a place to live and an income. Once meeting the other staff, she settles in and many strange things begin to happen.
I loved how Callie explores and utilises the history of Halloween and its roots in Ireland in the plot. This deepens the mystery but also quietly educates those who may not know of its origins and how it has been added upon. The ‘evil enemy’ in this series has grown in his sinister activity. During the time when the veil between worlds is at its thinnest, some negative things begin to bleed through. I won’t say more but we get quite a frightening picture of what has been happening since the previous book.
Tommy’s safety remains central in this novel. From the start, he has always been an intriguing character. He is older now and in university but returns home extremely unwell. What is causing these bizarre episodes that come and go? As the plot unfolds, strange events occur that call upon Kate’s gift. And the story builds to a galloping climax with plenty of action. It’s a wild ride before all is explained in a satisfying resolution.
I enjoyed The Mandeville Shadow immensely and could not put it down until I had read the last word! Amazing writing with never a lull or dull moment. A must read of 2023! I highly recommend this enchanting novel and give it 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for my review copy.
