Horror Inside and Out

The historical elements of the treatment if women and effects of poverty in this era contribute greatly to the rising sense of horror in this book. The supernatural elements added to the serial killer concept are the icing on the cake!

The cover art is wonderfully ominous!

First in a historical Gothic romance series, OWL MANOR THE DAWNING also contains some strong doses of feminism, depth psychology, and unexpected characters, situations, events. I grew up devouring Gothic suspense--yes, a genre to itself--not only the mainstream writers, such as Dorothy Eden, Phyllis A. Whitney, Victoria Holt, and the Queen, Daphne du Maurier, as well as the paperback Gothic romantic suspense of the 1960's and 1970's. So when I encountered OWL MANOR THE DAWNING, I felt at home, but also thought "Gothic was never like this,, in that Zita Harrison digs deeper and ranges farther. I think she may write with the spirit of Shirley Jackson peering over her shoulder.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

This book reminded me of the H.H. Holmes story that happened in or around 1889 set in Chicago. Some believed he may even be Jack the Ripper. Not sure it has been proven yet since he died before some of the killings ended in London but H.H. Holmes was soon dug up from his grave because he was thought to have buried an empty casket so he could continue on as Jack the Ripper.

But this story is just like H.H Holmes and Jack the Ripper, where prostitutes are being murdered off and of course lets not forget the Manor. Just like H.H. Holmes that owned his own castle which is knows at the murder castle and brought in the women and murdered them.

I wanted to pick this up because any story that leans toward Jack the Ripper or H.H. Holmes always makes a good story to me.

Thankyou to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial and the author, Zita Harrison, for the opportunity to read a digital copy of Owl Manor in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I enjoyed reading this gothic horror story. I found it a good, quick read with realistic and relatable characters. I was drawn to this book initially but the premise of the book really drew me in. The author certainly delivers what was promised. I, for one, can't wait for more.
Well worth a read.

Owl Manor - the Dawning (Owl Manor Trilogy Book 1) Kindle Edition
by Zita Harrison
I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley and am leaving a fair and honest review.

Owl Manor is in the tradition of many Gothic Noir novels, reminiscient of Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre and many Du Maurier.

Ms Harrison dumped many of the tropes, like the Mad Woman in the Attic for a Mad Man in the Study. She also spread the storytelling through many POV's and there were a few time jumps. Once you get this under your belt and you settle into the story, the creeping feel of dread begins.

There are 4 narrators:
Eva, a thoroughly modern woman stuck in the 1860's
Mr. Gilbert, a man brought to Denver (where most of our story takes place) by the prospect of gold only to be brought low
Mr Bradstone, Mr Gilbert and Eva's employer. His narration is done by the conceit of letters to a dead father
Joseph, a no-good alcoholic and gambling addict who blames the rest of society for his ills.

Like all female written Gothics, it is more about the independence of women dressed in a tale of murder and deceit. Ms. Harrison tells the story with beautiful writing that includes dark imagery and hints of the supernatural.

A story about the choices women make, that society allows them to make as well as a story about the darkness that lingers in men.

4 stars out of 5

https://www.amazon.com/Owl-Manor-Dawning-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B07H9JDFMN

WOW a page turner that is well written and just wow. The characters are believable and I found myself caring for them. I felt I had been transported back in time. Owl Manor is a must read! I cannot wait for book 2 but no worries book 1 can be read as a stand alone. Wish I could give it 10 stars.

I received an copy of this novel on Net Galley.

Owl Manor- the Dawning by Zita Harrison is an independently published modern Gothic set in the 1800's that is dripping with atmosphere. It builds a sense a dread through people as well as supernatural elements. The main character Eva is a forward thinking woman who ends up with a life she never expected. When she starts working at owl manor she is meets the owner who is a very strange mysterious man. You will not even believe his back story. This story is wonderful in so many ways including: setting, atmosphere, mood, and characters. There are 2 more novels coming in this series. The next one will be Owl Manor- Abigail. I recommend this series to those that enjoy dark, suspenseful, Gothic novels.

This book is horror, historical fiction about Eva, a young woman who is moving with the family at Owl Manor. I can't say I liked all the characters the same as I liked Eva but I enjoyed the story very much.
Thank you Netgalley for this nice book.

This is a fantastic story that involves Gothic and historical genre. H
The killer is slaying women of the night and of course these types of women do not have a place in that side of society so many feel that the killer is doing them a favor.
It has been a while since I have been encaputured by a Gothic novel but this one truly did.. I absolutely loved it!!! I will be recommending it to everyone I know.

I love gothic horror novels so Owl Manor by Zita Harrison was a must read for me.

The story is set in the 1850s and 60s when option for women were few, get married, raise children, keep house. That’s about it. Eva wants more, she is more than disappointed with how her life turned out to be. She is married with a child. And to top that her husband moves the family to a different city. After a misfortune with her husband, Eva has to agree to work at Owl Manor. As she starts working there she starts to have visions about a woman and see owls. The descriptions about those instances are very vivid and creepy. So is the whole setting. I loved every word of them.

The owls have a very significant meaning, their stone counterparts adorn Owl Manor’s every surface. Owl Manor is owned by Rafe Bradstone, a very rich mine owner. He has some very serious mother issues. I can’t say I liked him that much but he is an interesting character and I wanted to find out everything about him. In a way his character is the best in the book, the most developed.

At the same there is a serial killer on the prowl, killing ladies of the night in horrible ways. The whole town of Denver lives in fear of their lives.

Excellent storytelling. I had to keep reading even of it meant that I stay up way past my bedtime.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher and Zita Harrison for giving me an opportunity to read this riveting story.

Impressive Storyteller!

This is a wonderful gothic horror novel. The writing is beautifully done and takes you back to another time, where you feel you are living in another world and witnessing the events that take place within this unusual story.

The story follows high spirited and beautiful Eva who was raised by her well off aunt and uncle who also have daughters, yet Eva was loved as one of their own. Eva marries very young and has a child, but she is dissatisfied at the way her life has turned out.
The other main character is Rafe Bradstone who had an unfortunate and abusive childhood and has many scars and wounds that still fester with the cruelty of his upbringing.
There is a serial killer of prostitutes reigning fear and terror in Denver but the town hasn't any clues of who this monster could be.
Owl Manor will appear with an air of grandeur and foreboding in it's majestic yet dark beauty and many, many stone owls adorn this mansion inside and outside. You must read this book youself, to find out the why the owls have become the name of Owl Manor.

I was mesmerized by the storytelling and beautiful writing that Zita Harrison has created in this book. I haven't read a gothic novel in many years and this book captured all the eerie and dark emotions with slow building suspense that was exceptionally gratifying.

I can't say enough good things about this book. This is a must read if anyone is interested in gothic books or just a terrific dark story that is so well-written.

I want to thank Netgally and Booksgosocial for allowing me to read this digital ebook in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.

I highly recommend this book and given a rating of 4 1/2 Dark 🌟🌟🌟🌟✴ Stars!!

I confess that the description put me off a little. I am not a fan of romance novels but I do love a good historical fiction.

Eva is a young woman with a strong will and bright mind who feels there must be something more to life than the drudgery of settling into marriage and bearing children that she doesn't really want, with a man who turns out to be less than what she had hoped for. Not having many opportunities in the 1850s she is swept by circumstance to live in squalor and poverty while her husband pursues his dream of striking gold.

There's a serial killer on the loose, whose hatred of his mother drives him to murder prostitutes, believing the world is a better place without these unclean women. Money and privilege conceal his heinous acts and seem to keep him above suspicion from everyone...except the owls. When he crosses paths with Eva, her strong will may be her salvation or her demise.