307 pages

4 and 1 / 2 stars

Researcher Phineas “Phin” Fox, his girlfriend Arabella and her cousin Toby are back in this latest adventure from Sarah Rayne.

Quentin Rivers has inherited an isolated home called The Tabor in Norfolk. His sister, Zillah, was promised the home. She is decidedly unhappy. Quentin is a creepy man who wants Zillah all to himself.

When Quentin asks Phin and Arabella to look into the mysterious history of the house, and especially a dance called the Cwellan Daunsen they and Toby take to the road.

What follows is a twisted tale of murder, insanity, secrets and seduction.

This book is very well written in Ms. Rayne’s usual manner. It is creepy and horrible in spots. There is steady action with periods of high tension. I like her books for the adventure. Phin and his friends are always into something interesting. Usually, there is an element of eerie-ness about her stories. Borderline horror? I like that Phin and the slightly scatterbrained Arabella are progressing in their relationship. And poor Toby. He keeps falling in love with the wrong women. It is almost amusing.

I want to thank Canongate Books/Severn House and NetGalley for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.