Book Summary
In a quest for a simpler life, Helen and Nate have abandoned the comforts of suburbia to take up residence on forty-four acres of rural land where they will begin the ultimate, aspirational do-it-yourself project: building the house of their dreams. When they discover that this beautiful property has a dark and violent past, Helen, a former history teacher, becomes consumed by the local legend of Hattie Breckenridge, a woman who lived and died there a century ago. With her passion for artifacts, Helen finds special materials to incorporate into the house–a beam from an old schoolroom, bricks from a mill, a mantel from a farmhouse–objects that draw her deeper into the story of Hattie and her descendants, three generations of Breckenridge women, each of whom died suspiciously. As the building project progresses, the house will become a place of menace and unfinished business: a new home, now haunted, that beckons its owners and their neighbors toward unimaginable danger.
Author Intro
Jennifer McMahon
Jennifer McMahon is a renowned American author whose work primarily falls into the genre of contemporary gothic, mystery, and suspense. Born in 1968 in the suburbs of Connecticut, McMahon’s love for writing and storytelling emerged from a young age. She is best known for her ability to create stories that are suspenseful, atmospheric, and often supernatural, all while exploring the depths of human relationships and emotions. Her novels, including the bestselling “The Winter People” and “Promise Not to Tell,” showcase her knack for blending the ordinary with the extraordinary, often set against the eerie backdrop of her home state, Vermont.
Book Reviews
Jennifer McMahon’s “The Invited” is a masterful blend of mystery, suspense, and the supernatural. The author excellently explores the thin line between the living and the dead, intertwining a contemporary narrative with the tragic tale of a supposed witch from the past. The atmosphere is suitably eerie, the characterization is excellent, and the plot is well-paced and full of suspense. This book is a riveting tale that reminds readers of the enduring power of history and the consequences of inviting the past into the present.
“The Invited” is an engrossing tale of haunted pasts, disappearing women, and chilling secrets. Jennifer McMahon superbly weaves together two narrative threads, creating a plot that is as intricate as it is captivating. The suspense builds gradually, leading to a satisfying and unexpected conclusion. The supernatural elements are subtle and add to the overall eerie atmosphere without overpowering the central narrative. A riveting read for anyone who enjoys a good ghost story intertwined with a real-life mystery.
In “The Invited,” Jennifer McMahon displays her remarkable talent for crafting chilling, suspenseful stories. Helen and Nate’s journey from city life to rural living, punctuated by unsettling and unexplainable occurrences, is a gripping narrative that keeps readers on their toes. The characters are well developed, and the atmospheric setting adds to the overall tension and mystery. The storyline involving Olive offers an additional layer of intrigue. McMahon’s nuanced exploration of the supernatural and its impact on everyday life makes this a standout novel in the mystery and suspense genre.
McMahon’s “The Invited” is an impressive take on the haunted house trope. The characters of Helen and Nate are compelling, their reactions to the strange events unfolding around them believable and relatable. The historical subplot involving Hattie Breckenridge adds depth to the story and ties in nicelywith the present-day narrative. The descriptions are atmospheric, and the plot is deftly woven, leading to a climax that is both unexpected and satisfying. The addition of Olive’s storyline adds an extra layer of mystery, enhancing the overall complexity of the plot. A commendable read for those who appreciate a well-crafted, atmospheric mystery.
