Title: Arcadia Falls
Author: Carol Goodman
ISBN: 9780345497536
Pages: 368
Release Date: March 9, 2010
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Genre: Mystery, Contemporary Fiction
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Summary:
Devastated after her husband’s death, Meg Rosenthal moves with her daughter to the small town of Arcadia Falls in upstate New York. Money is tight, and Meg is lucky enough to have found a position teaching at a boarding school there, with free tuition for her daughter Sally. What Meg doesn’t expect, though, is that a tragedy at the school will set off a search for the answer to a mystery that dates from the school’s founding, and Meg will find herself in the middle of it.
Review:
I absolutely adore Carol Goodman’s novels. I’ve read all of them (reviews of The Drowning Tree and The Night Villa) so I was literally breathless with anticipation when I heard about her new book Arcadia Falls. I was really excited that it returned to the locale of upstate New York, where Goodman’s first books were set. While her later books are still very good, she has a way of capturing the remote atmosphere in New York that make her books impossible to put down.
I thoroughly enjoyed Arcadia Falls. Goodman writing style is incredibly atmospheric and evokes an almost gothic sense when reading the book. While it’s less creepy than some of her other novels, the entire novel has an almost claustrophobic nature. Everything centers on the school, and it seems like everyone there is consumed by the mystery of what happened between Lily in Vera that resulted in Lily’s death.
The mystery itself is well-written and engaging. I admit that I did figure out some parts of it before they were revealed in the book, but the entire thing is so complicated that by the end the reader might need some sort of graphic representation of what really happened. That’s not to say it’s too difficult to figure out or anything like that – Goodman clearly has a mind for creating complex mysteries and it shows in Arcadia Falls.
If you’re a fan of atmospheric mysteries, I can’t recommend Carol Goodman’s novels highly enough. There’s a very good reason she’s one of my favorite authors. She has this ability to draw me into a story and keep me there until she chooses to let me go that is so appealing. I absolutely love getting lost in her novels, and Arcadia Falls is no exception to that steadfast rule
13 comments:
I'm actually picking this one up right now. I received in via LT's Early Review program and can't wait to devour it. I'm unfamiliar with the author, so I'm glad to hear she's a fave of yours!
I'm wondering why I've never experience Goodman's writing. This sounds wonderful!
I've seen this all over the place recently. I just love the cover.
I will have to find this one soon!
I have several of Ms. Goodman's books and do you know I've never read any of them? I know I would probably enjoy them. I'll be on the lookout for this one and maybe make a start on her backlist. Thanks for sharing!
At atmospheric mystery is a sure way to capture my heart. Now I'm going to have to try this author. I can't argue with that kind of glowing endorsement!
I've never read Carol Goodman, but this book sounds wonderful. I love atmospheric mysteries, and I live in upstate New York. Now I have to decide if I want to start with this one or one of her other books. Thanks!
Oooh! Sounds like a good, moody read, and Goodman is an author totally new to me. I'll be putting this one on my wishlist!
I just finished this book a couple of weeks ago and thought it was a wonderful read as well. Very dark and atmospheric. I am glad that you enjoyed it, and judging from your comments in this post, I need to be reading more of Goodman's work! Great review!
I've never read anything by Goodman, but I think I need to! This book sounds fantastic!
I have this in audio -- can't wait to listen.
I've never heard of this author before! I love atmospheric, gothic feeling mysteries so I'm adding Arcadia Falls to my tbr list!
I'm pretty sure that I have a copy of this winging its way to me, so I'm glad you loved it (Nicole did too, I think).
I don't know why she isn't a more popular writer. She is sooo good!
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