General Fiction (Adult) | Historical Fiction | Mystery & Thrillers
Fourth Estate
Jan 18 2024
4.5/5
Netgalley
June, 1878. The body of a boy is pulled from the depths of the River Thames, suspected to be the beloved missing child of the widely admired Liberal MP Ralph Gethin.
Four months earlier. Harriet is a young maid newly employed at Finton Hall. Fleeing the drudgery of an unwanted engagement in the small village where she grew up, Harriet is entranced by the grand country hall; she is entranced too by her glamorous mistress Clara Gethin, whose unearthly singing voice floats through the house. But Clara, though captivating, is erratic. The master of the house is a much-lauded politician, but he is strangely absent. And some of their beautiful belongings seem to tell terrible stories.
Unable to ignore her growing unease, Harriet sets out to discover their secrets. When she uncovers a shocking truth, a chain of events is set in motion that could cost Harriet everything, even her freedom…
The Beholders: A Disappointing Encounter **Hester Musson’s “The Beholders” unfortunately fell short of expectations.
The novel, while promising an intriguing premise, ultimately failed to deliver a compelling narrative.The story, which revolves around a group of individuals with unique abilities, lacks the depth and nuance one would anticipate from a book exploring such a fascinating concept. The characters, despite possessing intriguing powers, remain underdeveloped and their motivations feel unconvincing.
The narrative itself suffers from a lack of engaging plot points and a predictable trajectory. The pacing feels sluggish, and the writing style, though adequate, lacks the spark needed to truly captivate the reader. While the author attempts to introduce suspense and intrigue, these elements fail to materialize into genuinely thrilling moments. The ending, particularly, feels rushed and anticlimactic, leaving the reader with a sense of dissatisfaction rather than fulfillment.
While “The Beholders” might appeal to readers seeking a quick, light read, it falls far short of becoming a truly memorable or impactful work.
The lack of character development, compelling plot, and engaging writing leaves the novel feeling ultimately unremarkable. It is a missed opportunity to explore the rich potential of its unique concept, leaving the reader with a sense of disappointment rather than fulfillment.
