Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing this ARC.
As the author, I don't feel comfortable leaving a review on my own work, but I am delighted it was made available here. I'm leaving a star rating because it's expected on NetGalley. I hope readers enjoyed this story as much as I did writing it!

If you’re reading a novel that’s thick with atmosphere, rife with lore, fraught with tension, and chock full of characters you adore or despise, there’s a good chance you’re reading a novel by Mae Clair. This novel, CUSP OF NIGHT, ticks all of the boxes. And then some.

Maya Sinclair is a perfect heroine. She’s flawed, but in a likable way, and is the perfect vehicle to carry the contemporary timeline in this novel. I loved learning the history of the town—and the histories of spiritualism and freak genetic disorders—through her perspective. Her cohort in this story is Collin Hode. He’s an enigmatic town figure, a perfect blend of stoic, rational, honorable, and open-minded. His character arc kept me on the edge of my seat. And now I have a book crush on him. I really hope we see more of him in later novels in this series. The other town characters are just as vibrant—some I despise, others I love. The cast is rich and varied and more than capable of carrying the plot.

The historical timeline is equally riveting. I learned so much history in such a short space, and I did so without noticing because I was utterly enthralled. The characters in the past are as compelling and interesting as those in the present timeline.

And speaking of two timelines, Clair merged them beautifully. The threads combined in a perfect yet unexpected way. I was on the edge of my seat throughout, and the climax was swift and satisfying.

Clair has a way with language that’s unparalleled, and she uses her sizeable talents to depict worlds that are so vivid, the settings become characters in their own right. I didn’t ‘read’ about these places. I was there. It was literally like I was walking through my hometown. And I loved it.

This story offers something for everyone—mystery, romance, suspense, history, paranormal entities, medical anomalies—all tied up in an expertly-crafted bow. This is one book you don’t want to miss.

It’s not often that I find an author whose work I enjoy so much that I will automatically buy each new release. Such is the case with Mae Clair. When I learned she was starting the Hode’s Hill Series, I eagerly looked forward to reading the first book. Cusp of Night did not disappoint.

Clair weaves two parallel storylines—one from the past, another from the present—into one compelling story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. She blends mystery and suspense with history and the paranormal with a little romance thrown in.

I highly recommend Cusp of Night. As you might have guessed, I’ve already preordered the second book of the series.

Maya Sinclair is recovering from a nearly fatal car accident. She was dead for more than two minutes, but resuscitated by medical staff. She remembers flitting images, or at least the feeling, of being in the Aether. It was like a holding ground for spirits who would be returning to earth. Maya goes to Hode Hill, PA to spend time with a friend and recover from her physical and mental ordeal. She gets sucked into local lore and gossip almost immediately. The Hode family has run things in Hode Hill for generations, much to the annoyance of some. A secretive research facility on the outskirts of town is tied to at least one death. And, every year the town has a festival formed around local folklore about The Fiend, a murderous, supernatural devil-like creature that murdered several Hode Hill residents in the 1890s. Maya discovers the history revolves around Lucinda Glass, a medium with blue-toned skin, who was killed by The Fiend. When sightings of the monster begin anew in Hode Hill and ghosts haunt the brownstone she's renting, Maya starts delving deeper into the Hode Hill legends.

OMG -- I love this book! I am a sucker for creepy, supernatural horror, and this story just sucked me right in. I couldn't stop reading! The story switches point of view, alternating between Maya in the present day and Lucinda Glass more than 100 years ago. Usually I'm not much of a fan of POV jumps, but for this story it worked perfectly. I am happy to discover this is the first book of a series. The second book, End of Day, is coming out in January 2019! This is the kind of horror that I love to read -- Halloween-y type creepy stories and not gore fests. The monster does attack people in this story, but there are no graphic descriptions of severed limbs or spurting blood. I am happy to discover that another series, Point Pleasant, centered around the Mothman legend. I think I have found the first series I'm going to start reading for Halloween prep this year! I can get myself into the mood of the fall season early this year! Woot! I will most definitely be reading more by this author.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

The truth may hide in dark places, but Maya WILL go there!

Mae Clair is one of my go to authors and she did not disappoint in this riveting supernatural thriller that takes us from the present to the past and back again.

More missing people and more monster sightings has Maya Sinclair determined to find answers to the mystery. She teams up with Collin Leland and he takes her places she never would have went on her own.

The danger is very real, but that will never stop Maya from seeking the answers and doing what is necessary to stop the monster.

I love when urban legends come to life on the pages and the mystery keeps me guessing. Where the dark and unknown keep me on the edge of my seat, wondering…WHY? WHO? It is not always apparent in Mae Clair’s novels who is the bad ‘guy’ and who is the good ‘guy’. In Cusp of Night, there is plenty of blame to go around and plenty of emotion wrung from me as I read along, sometimes shocked, sometimes disgusted, and sometimes down right pissed off.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Cusp of Night by Mae Clair.

Wow, this was fantastic! Having already been a huge fan of Mae, I admit I went into this with tremendous expectations, all of which were exceeded. However, I must admit that in the beginning, I did get a little confused about who was who regarding the names of various family members and their roles in the community - but my confusion did not last long. As typical with Mae Clair, after introductions were made and a small bit of backstory was provided, a roller-coaster ride of mystery, suspense, paranormal activity, questions, doubts, and revelations began. Blended within this story are legends of a blue-skinned and enormous monster, a blue-skinned fraud of a medium, the death of a newborn, missing people, murdered people, ghosts, creepy rocking chairs, and so much more. I assure you that after reading this, you will dread the idea of seeing the time 2:22 on a clock, especially if it's a cold night!

I instantly liked and connected with main character Maya, although I quickly determined that she should have a side-job as a private investigator/detective along with her librarian position. Collin Hode had me guessing initially, but I soon came to adore him also, especially when I felt like the friendship between him and Maya was strengthening. But, as typical with Mae Clair, romance is the least of her worries in her novels and instead, she focuses on slowly unwrapping a package for her readers that is full of questions, surprises, moments where you think you have it all figured out, but then brings on another twist. 

Cusp of Night is a unique mystery/suspense/paranormal novel in that it has a set of main characters in present day, as well as, main characters from the late 1800's to the early 1900's. However, don't worry about any confusion because these different characters from different time periods simply increase the depth of this story. All of the unique elements and stories within the story are relevant and not overly embellished, but instead, they are unique, addictive, and creepy. If you are already familiar with Mae's masterful storytelling, then I assure you that Cusp of Night will not disappoint. If you have not yet had the pleasure of being sucked into one of Mae's novels, then you are missing out! I simply cannot find enough words of praise for this novel, this new series, and Mae Clair as an author. 

**Many thanks to Mae Clair, NetGalley, and the publisher for providing a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

A good read. Started to feel a little drawn out in some places. Wrapped up nicely at the end. I would probably read more books by this author.

The Fiend is as much a part of the lore of Hode’s Hill, Pennsylvania as the Hode family is, itself. Newcomer Maya Sinclair becomes caught up in the mystery of the serial killer who terrorized the town in the late nineteenth century, but she never thought she would witness its evil return. The past has come back with a vengeance as Leland Hode is viciously assaulted by the Fiend and Maya comes on the gruesome scene on her walk home alone, late at night. Has the Fiend returned? Has it ever left? Monstrous in size, powerful and deadly, terror reigns once again and Maya will discover that perhaps it is more than mere coincidence that she moved to Hode’s Hill.

Every powerful family has their enemies, and the Hodes are no exception, but as Maya digs deeper into the past, she uncovers the mystery of the Blue Lady, a powerful and sought-after spiritualist, believed to be the first tragic victim of the Fiend. Who was the Blue Lady with the heartbreaking life and dark secrets? Was she a monster or a woman plagued by an affliction that left her open and starving for any attention she could find? She once lived in Maya’s house and the answers may lie in the walls that witnessed so much…if only walls could talk…

Mae Clair takes us on a twisted journey through time and back in her latest mesmerizing read, CUSP OF NIGHT. The feel of the 1890’s comes to life, with its dark secrets, heinous betrayals and the jarring inner pain of a woman used for the very differences that forced her to grow up labeled a freak and a monster. What drives Maya to unearth the past with such obsessive fervor? Has Maya’s own past created a connection beyond the veil of death? One man is determined to help her, and together they will learn the nightmare called the Fiend is very much alive…was it ever dead?

Absolutely one of Mae Clair’s best paranormal mysteries to date! I could feel the change in eras, the emotions, I found my own monsters in so many of these characters and had to ask myself, who were the real victims? Deviously dark, this tale unfolds like a coiled snake ready to strike at any time and through it all, the webs that are woven grow into a barbed tapestry of suspense.

Too many riveting, entangled events to dismiss, you may find yourself dreaming of waking at 2:22 am a little cold and no longer alone…Fabulous reading intrigue from an author who knows her craft!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Kensington Books/Lyrical Underground! My review is voluntary.

Series: Hode's Hill - Book 1
Publisher: Lyrical Underground (June 12, 2018)
Publication Date: June 12, 2018
Genre: Mystery | Thriller | Suspense
Number of Pages: 250
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News: http://tometender.blogspot.com

4 and 1 / 2 stars

This book switches back and forth between the late 1890’s and the present. In the 1890’s it tells the story of Lucinda “Lucy” Glass, a spiritualist and who is a woman with an unfortunate affliction and Maya Sinclair who in the present day is a reference librarian.

In 1900 Charlotte Hode was on her way to see her spiritualist, Lucinda Glass, also known as The Blue Lady. It was very dark and foggy. When she got to Ms. Glass’ home she discovered she was ill. Returning home, she is attacked and killed. The flashbacks tell the story of Lucinda.

Maya Sinclair a recent settler of Hode’s Hill, Pennsylvania attends her first fiend Festival. Many people dress up like what they imagine the Fiend must have looked like and compete in a contest to see who makes the best Fiend. The Fiend dates from the early twentieth century and murdered several people in horrifying ways while dressed in a truly scary costume.

Later following the festival in the present day, Leland Hode is attacked in an alley by a huge creature. Maya happens upon him and sees the creature. He is unconscious in the hospital. More people are attacked. Fear spreads through the town.

Collin Hode, son of the wealthy patriarch Leland is positive that his father is hiding something. Maya’s home is being visited by strange occurrences. Beset by paranormal-like happening in the house, Maya asks Collin to stay over. The occurrences always begin at 2:22 am. When Collin witnesses what’s going on, he and Maya team up to discover just what is happening in the little town. When Collin and Maya find Lucinda glass’ journal behind a hole in the wall they made to trace the odd noises and such, Maya is fascinated.

When they get together to compare notes, Collin drops a bombshell into the conversation. It all makes sense now. Why Lucinda wants Maya to “find him.” Why the murders and attacks have been taking place. They need to speak to Detective David Gregg and tell him the truth.

In an exciting and revealing conclusion, all is revealed. What a good story!

I liked Collin and Maya and their friends. This book has plenty of twists to get the reader’s mind going. It was brilliant. The characters were well-drawn. Although the book has a touch of the paranormal, I very much enjoyed that it wasn’t overdone. It is well written and plotted. It reads seamlessly and in a linear fashion. Lucinda’s life is fascinating, as is the Hode family history. Maya and Collin make a very good pair – and not too bad as amateur detectives. I would like to see more of them in the future. It has just the right amount of drama and tension. There was sufficient background information given on all the major players, especially Maya, Collin and poor tortured Lucinda, but it did not intrude on the story at all. It added to the richness of it.

I want to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books/Lyrical Underground for forwarding to me a copy of this absolutely wonderful and exciting book for me to read, enjoy and review.