Linda Hamilton (3)

In this supernatural gothic tale, Hazel Russon, a young woman living in 19th century Utah, is coerced into a polygamous marriage with a man who has more red flags than a Soviet military parade.

Author Linda Hamilton knows her Gothic tropes—pious heroine, sinister man, dark secrets, creepy house, uncanny phenomena—and executes them well. Hazel is both sympathetic and intelligent, and it was easy to get swept up in her story.

My only real complaint about the book is that I didn't feel the show more supernatural element was particularly strong. It's present and important to the story, but I felt it got lost behind the more mundane horrors Hazel and her sister wives had to endure.

I don't see The Fourth Wife ever becoming a classic of its genre, but it is a marvelous way to while away an afternoon.

Received via NetGalley. show less

In the 19th Century, Mormons were permitted to engage in polygamy. When Hazel believes that the love of her life, Elijah, has abandoned her, she agrees to become the fourth wife of Jacob. Seems simple enough, except Hazel begins having dreams of Elijah accompanied by nightmares about her new life. Jacob claims these women as his property and subjects them to his will. There is also a mystery of what happened to the missing wife, ghostly experiences, and how the sister wives must work show more together to break the spell.
Presented as Gothic Mormon, this tale is creepy while highlighting the abuses and terrors of wives living under this marriage rule. Based on history and tales from the author's own family, it is a compelling tale of feminism against the horrors of abuse. show less

Well! This will make your spidey sense tingle!

Commanded to become the fourth wife of a man she’s never met, Hazel is relieved that Jacob Manwaring is attentive and handsome. However, she is shocked to discover that instead of living separately as is custom, all of Jacob’s wives and children live in the same house—a large, dilapidated manor that inexplicably fills Hazel with dread.

Hazel is just trying to do what the Lord and her community expects of her. She gives up the man she truly show more loves and she marries Jacob. But, it doesn’t take her long to realize something in this house is not right. It is like the house “knows” everything going on inside.

There are a lot of moving parts to this tale. I enjoyed the Mormon folklore and the creepy house. This really melded the story together…And this ending!! However, I just felt something was missing. I wanted more.

This is narrated by Morgan Hallett. I do not think I have listened to her before. There are a lot of voices and creepiness. She did a good job.

Need a creepy tale with a kick…THIS IS IT! This publishes March 31! Grab your copy today.

This is 3.5 stars rounded up

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest opinion. show less

I recieved an audio copy of this ARC thanks to NetGalley and RBmedia. All opinions are my own.

I love these kinds of horror stories, where you're not quite sure if the villain is the ghost or the man until the end. While this wasn't the most surprising ending, I thought it wrapped up well, and I enjoyed the journey and all the struggles of the different wives.