Ava, a food writer is looking for a peaceful place in Maine to test recipes and write as she grapples with an event that took place in Boston. She ends up renting a very large, old house built by a handsome sea captain who drowned many years ago. Is the house haunted? Maybe. Perhaps there are other things in play. Ava drinks too much and might be imagining things. I found this book fairly intriguing, but not dynamic.

Ava flees from Boston to Maine after she is involved in a murder. She moves into a rental that she comes to find is haunted by a dead old sea captain. As she grows closer to him and begins developing feelings she discovers that every women who has ever moved into the house has been murdered. Now she must decide if she should leave or if she can trust her feelings.

The house was beautiful so why has no one bought it. Ava is a food author. When she sees the kitchen she falls in love with it. She can test her recipes. And she has taste testers. Two workers are working on the house. And then she meets the permanent resident. Capt. Brodie. He is ghost but has many human abilities. After his first visit Ava can’t wait. For his return. He promises to protect her and does but why is she leaving? Is she the only one who left?

While I don’t usually try to read this genre, I enjoyed Tess Gerritsen’s other books & decided to give it a try. There are several parts that are consist with the Rizzoli & Isles series & her medical thrillers. The characters are well developed & lifelike. The pace of the story comes to a crescendo at the perfect moment for maximum impact. While I enjoyed the writing & the characters, I couldn’t seem to connect to the story like I have the rest of her books. I feel this is due to the genre & my reaction to it, not anything in Ms. Gerritsen’s writing. I feel that if you enjoy gothic romantic thrillers, you will love this book.

This book is a pretty straightforward haunted house story right from the beginning, and it doesn't feel as smart as other books, such as Sarah Waters's The Little Stranger or Ruth Ware's Turn of the Key. I was about to give up on it half-way through because the phantom lover sequences were, honestly, a little silly, and the relationship with a "real man" felt pretty flat. The last third redeems the novel somewhat as a mystery about the house and some unsolved murders in town take center stage and the plot gains momentum.

This book just didn't do anything for me. I enjoyed the premise, a hideout for an author in a beautiful, if haunted, mansion on the coast of Maine, but too many "fifty-shades of gray" between the ghost and Ava, unbelievable attraction from a local doctor, and on and on. I was disappointed, as I like Tess as an author, but this one was too predictable and annoying! Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for my copy of the book.

OK, this book was not what I was expecting. But to be honest, I had no preconceptions as I did not read the blurb about it and had not read anything previously from this author. Based on the cover alone, I assumed it was a thriller (which it was), however it was also a ghost/entity story and a murder mystery with some BDSM thrown in for good measure (nothing too graphic). Needless to say I was a bit surprised.

While the writing/story was fine, I didn’t really connect with any of the characters. Ava was even a bit annoying, and while I think the author wanted me to feel sympathy for her, I did not. I was also able to guess the outcome fairly easily. Not really my cup of tea.

Thanks to #NetGalley , #RandomHouse and #BallantineBooks for providing the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.

This is a great ghost story! I couldn't put the book down - just had to keep racing through to see what was going to happen next. Although of couse it's unbelievable. I couldn't decide if the main character, Ava, was imagining things in an alcohol-induced stupor or if the things that were happening to her were real.

I didn't expect supernatural/paranormal from Tess Gerritsen, so I was surprised, but it is well done! This ghost story should have an "R" rating though, so be forewarned. The suspense is well-paced and the plot moves quickly. I totally enjoyed this read.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine through Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Well this book was definitely different than the Rizoli and Isles series I’ve come to know Tess from. It’s a little tough to describe. The supernatural aspect is throughout and reminded me of The Amityville Horror. Then there’s the usual small town romance, but also some Fifty Shades of Grey kink thrown in for good measure as well. Of course there’s suspense and mystery to solve a murder and small town secrets too. It was a fairly quick read and I actually enjoyed it immensely even though it wasn’t really what I was expecting. It became quite the page turner, very well written, and a pleasure to read.

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this Advanced Reader Copy to review.

This book was both a wonderful read and a disappointment all in one. I loved the aspect of the ghost story, particularly after the ghost hunter was brought in. Trying to figure out if the ghost was a ghost or a demon made it an even more fun read. Not getting the answer to that question was a disappointment.

Finding out the doctor was the killer came as a total surprise, and while that's usually a good thing, it was a little disappointing here. I felt like there were some gaping holes left open in that part of the story. The ending in that aspect also felt a bit rushed and abrupt.

I really would have liked to have seen more of the ghost story, particularly some flashbacks to the other women who'd been in the house. The author introduced a letter from a girl in the Captain's era, whose mother didn't allow her to go to dinner at his house. She said it was because of the things that happened there, but we never got more. Yes, we can certainly use our imaginations, but I wanted more of that story.

It's not a bad book, but I think it could have been even better.

The Shape of Night, Tess Gerritsen’s new standalone novel, is nothing like her Rizzoli & Isles series. Fans of Jane and Maura may – or may not – love this paranormal chiller.

Ava is a food writer who needs peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of Boston to finish researching and writing her new cookbook. When Brodie’s Watch, a late-1800s mansion in the small town on the Maine coast becomes available for rent, Ava feels that she has found the ideal spot. She can cook and write. She can also escape and try to heal from a horrible mistake in her recent past that has left her feeling estranged from her sister.

What she discovers is a creaky, creepy, mouse-ridden old house that is in the process of being renovated. While it is a delight for her super-sized Maine Coon cat Hannibal, Ava thinks she may hightail it back to Boston. But she feels “accepted” by the house, and she soon becomes intrigued by the presence of another, shall I say, “occupant.”

This is where the book gets dicey for me. I have no problem believing in ghosts. I really don’t. But this specter is beyond imagining. Is he real? Or is he a product of Ava’s guilty conscience and her unfulfilled needs?

Between the nighttime apparitions and the cooking scenes, there is plenty here to electrify your senses and get your juices flowing. Ava is an emotional and psychological mess, and she is prime picking for a malevolent spirit, and perhaps for a live human predator as well. As the history of the house unfolds, it becomes more and more apparent that Ava has gotten herself into a dangerous situation. The question becomes, where does the danger come from? Who is the threat?

There is enough here that I was able to remain engaged throughout, but I didn’t love this book. I’d prefer to stick with Rizzoli and Isles, thanks. But I commend Ms Gerritsen for branching out to try something totally different. I imagine this was quite fun for her to write.

Thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and the author for this ARC copy of The Shape of Night. My opinions are my own.

Although I enjoyed The Shape of Night by Tess Gerritsen, I feel there was a lot of potential that was left unused. When I first started reading the book, it reminded me of a TV series I grew up watching – The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (also a book). The ghost in the TV version was far more “G” rated than the ghost in this book, but than those were different times and many taboos were not made public, but kept secret.

The book contained elements that I have enjoyed reading such as mystery, murder, suspense, romance, and sexual dominance. Overall the book was very vanilla, in both the murder mystery aspect and the sexual aspect, as well as the hint of romance. This is where I felt lots of potential was left un-examined. From the history provided throughout the book on the Captain and the house, so much more could have been written on who, what and why the women living in the house stayed over the years. Each woman had a story to tell, that could have added to the overall mystery, suspense and gothic atmosphere of the book. Hidden journals could have been found during the renovations of the house over the many years bringing their stories to the forefront, and also shedding light on if Captain Brodie really was into BDSM or just a sexually dominate person.

As for the “current day” crimes they seemed almost insignificant, or an afterthought; there to add some depth and confusion to the overall story (are these crimes related to the older crimes that happened in the house?).

The character development was a bit thin, with the reader gaining knowledge into just a few of the key characters; there was enough provided for the reader to form opinions of the characters though. The book definitely had lots of angst, guilt, and questioning of sanity (which would be expected if one thinks they see ghosts).

Overall this was a three star out of five star read for me, as I was hoping for a far more suspenseful, and edgy book, based on the direction the author was moving into.

I wish to thank the author, Tess Gerritsen; the publisher, Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine and NetGalley for the advanced reader’s copy, in exchange for an honest review.

I requested this book for two reasons:
1. I've always wanted to read a Tess Garritsen book
2. The characters last name is the same as mine AND spelled like I spell my name

I have never read a paranormal book so I still do not know what to think. I have to say it was pretty awkward at times but I also had to see how the craziness ended.

Ava is running from herself more than anything I feel like. She's not perfect and has done something that hurts her sister Lucy. She finds what she needs in the house she rents. She starts to write again and meets the town Dr. At the same time. Double Win! When she finds out all the women who have lived here has died she starts asking questions. Is the house haunted as the history says or is their a killer under everyone's nose?

Thank you enthralled for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have loved all of the Tess Gerritsen books that I have read, but this one was a little different. I had no clue what this book was about when I started reading it and figured it was some kind of medical thriller... this book is not a medical thriller. It took me a little bit to really get into the book because this book wasn't matching what my mind knew about Tess Gerritsen's books. Once i finally stopped thinking about it, the book got so much better for me. I enjoyed this book, but it didn't grab me from the beginning. But once I finished the book, I really thought the premise of the story was a good one. Regardless of what I think of this book, I really do enjoy reading Tess Gerritsen books... maybe I'll find some of her earlier romance thrillers to read next!

I am a huge fan of Tess Gerritsen and her Rizzoli & Isles series and I eagerly grabbed up this book without even reading a synopsis. Lesson learned...Read the synopsis first, I blame myself. If I had realized this was a romantic suspense with a bit 50 shades of Gray mixed in and not at all anything to do with Rizzoli & Isles, I wouldn't have requested it. Those that love romantic suspense, paranormal mysteries, etc will most likely enjoy this book. It is just not my cup of tea, especially when our main character has sex with a ghost. A bit S & M with descriptive sex scenes.

I will give this 3 stars as I take some blame. I eagerly await Ms. Gerritsen's next Rizzoli & Isles book, one that I am sure to love.

A big thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

This is my first time reading a book by Tess Gerritsen, and it was a different genre than I am use to. The story is basically a ghost thriller. Ava Collette, a food writer, takes off to Maine to write a new book on New England food. Well that is what she tells everybody. She's really hiding from some terrible ordeal that has happened on New Years Eve, but the frustrating part is you are guessing to figure out what it is, because it doesn't go into detail until almost midway through the book. The house Ava is renting for the summer months is an old house built by a sea captain ,Jeremiah Brodie. According to the town, Captain Brodie haunts the house. As Ava tries to deal with whatever is haunting her from New Years, the ghost visits her and she is wanting him in a romantic way.

The Shape of Night is a ghost story and a murder mystery. The plot has some satisfying twists. I would prefer to give this a 3.5 rating.
I read a digital advanced readers copy through NetGalley.

Thanks to my library I discovered Tess Gerritsen’s Rizzoli & Isles murder mystery thriller series long before it became a popular TV series, so I was excited to see a new title by her.

The Shape of Night delivered a suspenseful thriller with a touch of murder, a dash of romance, and a twist of the paranormal.

I’ve seen this classified as a paranormal romance, but I think it will disappoint those looking for the romantic aspect. Instead, go into this expecting a suspense thriller. The tale is atmospheric with paranormal elements with and a side of dark romance.

Full review will post at Caffeinated Reviewer on October 3rd. It will be cross-promoted on all social media, Goodreads and Amazon. Link provided.

I received a digital galley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Ballantine Books / Random House Publishing and Netgalley for the chance to read and review!

In THE SHAPE OF NIGHT by Tess Gerritsen Ava Collette is fleeing from a tragedy back home, renting Brodie's Watch for the summer, an old house on the coast of Maine. A food writer, Ava hopes the isolation will give her time to test recipes and push past her writers block to get her cookbook about New England Cuisine completed. Initially the seems cold and austere, but soon it seems the perfect location for her.

It doesn't take long before she starts to notice that something isn't entirely right with the house. From late night noises to full apparitions, it is soon clear that the house is haunted. Seeking out answers, Ava begins to gather information on the house she is inhabiting. The house has more than one skeleton in its closet with a string of accidental and unexplained deaths and Ava's experiences are beginning to take its toll on her.

I have been a fan of Tess Gerritsen for a long time, enjoying many of her past thrillers, so I was very excited to get approved for her newest book on Netgalley. From the synopsis it definitely felt like a great read going into fall and knowing that the main character was a food writer had me even more intrigued!

This book is very well written and delivers a lot of spooky atmosphere in the writing. The mystery about the house was very interesting for me as Ava hears from the locals about past accidents and delves more into doing research about the house's past. I enjoyed the discussions of local cuisine she's working on for her cookbook as well!

My reservations about the book center on Ava. She is running from a serious mistake in her past (one that I guessed fairly accurately very early on, though it isn't really revealed until late in the story). She feels that she deserves punishment, but instead of owning up to what she has done she is led into a situation that feels very Fifty Shades of Gray with a supernatural/ghost twist and this just made this into a book that was not a good fit for me.

This book had a lot going for it even if it wasn't all great for me. I definitely remain a fan of Tess Gerritsen and will be reading more from her in the future!

This review will be posted as follows (links to be provided once posts go live):

Blog - dgreads.home.blog on 9/25/2019 with a link posted simultaneously to Twitter (@dg90247)

Goodreads - this review will be posted on 9/25/2019

Instagram - an abbreviated version will also be posted to Instagram on 9/25/2019 with a publication day reminder shared in stories on 10/1/2019

Amazon & Barnes&Noble reviews will be posted upon publication.

In this mystery/thriller, The Shape of Night by Tess Gerritsen, Ava, a food writer looking for some solace and a quiet place to continue writing her new cookbook, finds more than just solace. She finds in Brodie's Watch, ghosts, not just a vision or a hint, but actually a the ghost of Brodie a sea captain who was lost at see, Ava is staying in his house. Amazingly, Ava not only sees Brodie but interacts with him. Is she going insane or is she comfortable with this ghost? She is also running from a deep dark secret which involves her sister, she feels such shame and guilt about this she starts to question what she believes is true. Very intriguing and kept me totally involved with the story! Thank you #NetGalley #TheShapeof Night #BallentineBooks