Hold My Hand

Serena Mackesy is a writer I enjoy very much but who doesn't have the audience that, in my opinion, she deserves. Her first couple of books were superior chicklit, but this one's a solidly written modern-day ghost story, twinned with an only-too-familiar contemporary tale of an abused wife and daughter seeking escape from their violent past. They find sanctuary working in a manor house on the moors of Cornwall, but discover that even this comes with its own dangers. There are flaws: the author paints altogether too rosy a picture of Cornish village life (I've been there, and it's not nearly as cosy and friendly as it's drawn here); the conclusion is a little sudden and unsatisfactory – there's no real explanation as to why the ghost show more finally leaves; and the house itself is called 'Rospetroc', which I was unable to read other than as 'retrospect' – but that last one is my problem, not yours. Recommended. Hey, I bought it in hardcover, what more can I tell you?! show less

It was the answer to their prayers: a cash-in-hand residential job in the country, in a place where no one would know them. To Bridget Sweeny and her daughter it meant a fresh start, with new names and hope for the future. But Rospetroc House, the manor house Bridget has agreed to caretake, has its own secrets: a history of high staff turnover and a reputation in the village, and it's not long before she begins to feel uneasy. Rising star Serena Mackesy's new novel tells intertwining tales of Lily, a nine-year-old East End child evacuated during the Great War and left in the unwelcoming arms of the dysfunctional Blakemore family, and of Bridget Sweeny and little Yasmin, who have their own urgent reasons for leaving London. The lives of show more the three connect across the decades in a chilling tale of murder and revenge on Bodmin Moor.

My Thoughts:

I borrowed this book from my local library. I have seen it on the shelf several times and really fancied it. The cover mainly drew me along with the description.

I was expecting perhaps something similar to ‘Rebecca’ what with the rambling old house, set in Cornwall. Bridget is on the run from her abusive husband and goes to work at ‘Rospetroc’ as a housemaid. Yasmin her daughter befriends the ghost of Lily, an evacuated child.

So we have the rambling old house, a resident ghost and a dual story which do combine together at the end. So why do I feel that this book didn’t quite hit the mark. Like another review on here I felt things were not finished or explanied. I did enjoy the book very much but did feel that it just needed that final kick. I could imagine this book making a very good scary film such as the like of ‘Stir of Echoes’ or’The Sixth Sense’ The book I didn’t feel was creepy enough for what the content and it did need a little more atmosphere.

An easy read with enough to hold the readers interest till the very end but sadly perhaps need a few more creepy moments as I felt I should have been reading a ghost story. This I felt was the problem with this book, it’s identity. Still a worthy read and deserves 4 Stars. show less

I remember enjoying The Temp by Serena Mackesy when it first came out, but wasn't keen on her follow up, Virtue. With Hold My Hand, she seems to have gone in a new direction and one which works very well.

Bridget runs away from a violent relationship, taking her six year old daughter Yasmin with her. They end up living at Rospetroc, a mansion in Cornwall now used for holiday lets, where Bridget takes a job as the housekeeper. Strange things happen in the house though, and coupled with Bridget's fear about her ex finding her, it is quite a difficult experience for her.

Bridget's story is intertwined with that of Lily Ricketts, a nine year old girl who is evacuated to Rospetroc during the war, and is treated abysmally by Mrs Blakemore, the show more owner of the house. Lily is grubby and foul-mouthed, and Mrs Blakemore and her family loathe her, making Lily's time there very unhappy.

This is a very easy book to read, and it has a great storyline. My only criticism is that sometimes the dialogue appears a little clumsy, but this doesn't detract from a very good read, and I found myself hurtling towards the end to see what happened. An excellent and accomplished book. show less

I enjoyed this book, although I'm not sure how it's related to Rebecca (other than the creepy, isolated house). Still, a good read with a satisfying conclusion.

Meh. Interesting concept, perhaps a bit too skimpy on details when fleshing it out. A ramshackle British County House with ghosties, a single mom running from her deranged ex, a Londonite moved to the country - just put a bunch of cliches together, and you've got it. Surprisingly, the house doesn't burn down in the end, and there's no maniac in the attic.
And they all lived happily ever after. Except Lily.

Traurig, spannend, mysteriös.