I was excited to get an advanced copy of this one since I’ve been on a big Gothic kick lately. I enjoyed Fox’s debut novel The Witch of Willow Hall. Her second novel, The Widow of Pale Harbor, had excellent atmosphere and an intriguing plot, but was a miss in terms of characters. I hoped that Fox’s latest book would swing things back in the other direction. Unfortunately, The Orphan of Cemetery Hill was also a flop for me.

Tabby’s character didn’t live up to my expectations. I wanted deeper character development and something more special done with her psychic powers. And I never liked Eli at all. I hate cheaters. And he was just too easy with a lie or a smile. So the romance part of the story was a total bust.

The setup of the plot started off promising. A medium and resurrection men sounded like a great base for a Gothic tale. But then there was an odd part where the story forked in two directions. Without going into spoilers, one storyline was put on hold for months just to allow the other storyline time to crawl along. It made absolutely no sense. And it also removed any sense of urgency from the story. I can’t get behind a sense of urgency when most of the characters sat at a stalemate for months just to allow for an unbelievable twist in the other storyline. It completely deflated my enjoyment of the end of the story.

On top of that, this one did not feel as atmospheric either. Maybe that was because all the little annoyances prevented me from becoming absorbed in the story.

Unfortunately, after two books in a row not fitting my tastes, it is time for Fox and I to part ways. I still think she has talent as a writer, but these books aren’t what I’m looking for.

Sadly I could not get into this book. I tried sever times but the way the theme was presented made it had to get into. I would not not object To trying the author again.

I enjoyed Hester Fox's first book The Witch of Willow Hall, more. The characters in this book were ok, but I didnt feel very invested in their story. I really enjoyed the concept, the spiritualism nods, the cemetery setting. The transitions felt a little jerky, I didnt think the story moved as smoothly as it could have. I enjoy Hester Fox's writing, and will read the next book she writes with excitement.

WHY DID I LISTEN TO THE ORPHAN OF CEMETERY HILL BY HESTER FOX?
Previously, I had listened to The Witch Of Willow Hall, Hester Fox’s debut and just fell for its spooky gothic vibes. The Orphan Of Cemetery Hill seemed to also promise vibes that would be spooky and gothic. I just knew I had to give this book a try – whether via audiobook or physical book.

WHAT’S THE STORY HERE?
The Orphan Of Cemetery Hill is about Tabby. Tabby is a young woman who can speak to the recently deceased. The book takes place in 1844 Boston. Tabby has got quite the back story. You see, she was orphaned along with her sister Alice. They were placed into the care of their Aunt Bellafonte. Only, their aunt took advantage of Tabby’s gift, trying to profit by using it at seances. So, the girls run away. Tabby and Alice end up separated, with Tabby believing that Alice is dead. At this point, Tabby is now living with her adopted father Eli, a Black man who is caretaker of a Boston cemetery. Tabby assists him with caretaking for the cemetery.

Unfortunately, there has been an outbreak of grave robbing in Boston. Tabby ends up getting caught up by the people doing this — the Resurrection Men – who are absolutely dangerous. Meanwhile, she meets a young man whose father has just died and she’s able to deliver a message from his father – who is kind of a dick. As it turns out though, the young man already has a fiance. But then, the fiance dies. And he is caught up being charged with her murder. The plot is tangled, intricate web, and it even spans overseas to England.

WHAT DID I THINK OF THE ORPHAN OF CEMETERY HILL?
I was really caught up in the different machinations within The Orphan Of Cemetery Hill. Hester Fox writes another book that just appeals to my spooky side. I would say this is the perfect book to get some autumn vibes – even though this review is posting in February. Tabby and Alice are such compelling characters. I especially enjoyed seeing how Tabby pieced everything together eventually. Also, I appreciated how this book ended and wrapped up.

HOW’S THE NARRATION?
The audiobook is narrated by Lauren Ezzo and is 9 hours and 5 minutes. Honestly, Ezzo’s narration is take or leave for me. Some of her narrations I like and some I just do not gel with at all. Luckily, The Orphan Of Cemetery Hill by Hester Fox is one that I absolutely did like. It helps that this book was able to be sped up a little without sounding weird.

The Orphan of Cemetery Hill by Hester Fox is an intriguing mystery. I love the characters. Especially, Tabby and Caleb. Tabby is the type of protagonist that draws in readers, like myself. Her story is shrouded in mystery which bubbles over as dark things begin to happen. These events tied up nicely. They created a puzzle among another puzzle where answers may just be found. So many years in-between and I was curious as to what exactly happened all those years ago. The present dragged out the past. A past that has not yet been forgotten. The writing style was done well. I found myself thoroughly entertained from the beginning. Even with the beginning having started out a bit slower than I liked. Overall, this was a great paranormal/historical women's fiction read.

The Orphan of Cemetery Hill was a nice dose of fresh gothic romance that I needed during fall of 2020.  In my opinion, this isn't Fox's strongest yet but it was still enjoyable. I really liked Tabby, our main character but I wasn't a fan of the hero. It's like we are supposed to figure out a way to like him despite how unlikeable of a character her was. Fox nailed the atmosphere and transporting us back to New England of the 1800s but the pacing was a bit off and the mystery elements could have been a bit stronger.

I loved this book! As someone who loved Neil Gaiman’s Graveyard Book, I was happy to find another story of a child living in a cemetery, despite how dark that may sound.

This was a delightfully gothic read that swept me away, much like her last novel, The Witch of Willow Hall. I love Boston and it was lovely to be able to escape into it for a while when reading this novel.  As with The Witch, this novel has a bit of a ghostly vibe but it isn't too ghoulish for those that don't enjoy that sort of thing.  

I do feel like the world could have been built up a bit more and the story more fleshed out.  I'd have loved to read more about Tabby's time at the cemetery before we meet back up with her.  

Overall it was a solid read and was hard to put down!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for an eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I previously read The Witch of Willow Hall and found it to be pretty low stakes, mildly spooky with decent vibes. Unfortunately, The Orphan of Cemetery Hill missed the mark for me. The story follows Tabby, a young orphan who can speak with the dead, and a series of grave robbings and murders. 

My issue with the story is not the plot (that was semi-interesting, if predictable), but the characters and the pacing. We know more about Tabby and her gift from the book description than is actually told on the page. There is very little background/world building here, and the reader is plopped directly into the story. The main "love interest" is quite unlikable, it made it hard to root for him, and seemed unlikely that Tabby would confide in such a person. I felt like he was supposed to be a cheeky type of guy, but he came off as spoiled, entitled, and his character arc wasn't believable. There is also a 6 month time jump at one point where we know very little about what happened to each character. 

This was a quick and easy read with a simple mystery. I read this in a few hours, but it really lacked an immersive world with dynamic characters. 2.5/3 stars, because it was enjoyable, but not the best. 

Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Give me a Hester Fox book anyday, I love the way she writes. Her work reminds me of Jane Austen for modern day. I love the depth she gives to each character and almost spooky aspect too. I will always recommend and read her work

I’ve read several books by this author and this one is my favorite so far, Great read! Thank you publisher and netgalley for this arc in exchange of an honest review.

This one was very interesting.  I enjoyed the gothic feel of the story and it kind of reminded me of The Haunting of Hill House in some aspects.  The touch of paranormal aspects worked well and I can not wait for more!

My Highly Caffeinated Thought: A gothic tale bringing together the supernatural, the mystery of a murdered girl, the secrets behind countless grave robberies, and first love in one eerily addictive read.

THE ORPHAN OF CEMETERY HILL is the third book I have read by Hester Fox. With each time I enter the world the author carefully constructs, I am immediately drawn in. The characters are diverse and situations they are thrust into usually take a winding path filled with duplicity and mystery. This time is no different.

What I love about Fox’s writing and storytelling is her ability to bring the setting and era to life. Her characters are direct reflections of the cities and the time they are living. By doing this, she adds an atmospheric quality which truly enhances the tale. However, this is not to say her characters aren’t equally engaging. All the people we meet in this story have depth as uncover the truth behind each of them.

In this book, Fox gives us just about everything you could want. There is a love story, a murder to solve, a secret society, and a girl who can speak to the dead, all set in 1844. I mean…seriously…what else could you possibly want? As always, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will anxiously be awaiting the next.

Death, suspense, the occult, danger.... all of these together made this a fun read.  I could easily see this being a Netflix Series  and I would absolutely watch it.  The pace was perfect the writing and characters drew you in.  I would read more from this Author, and look forward to doing so.

This story has a gothic feel to it without having the typical markers of a gothic romance.  It has a good historical background, you will learn what life in 1840's Boston was like.  Hester Fox has written her back story in a detailed, realistic, stylish manner that sets this book apart from others.  As a medium with the ability to speak with the dead, Tabby tries desperately to keep her gift hidden to avoid the wanton greed and abuse she suffered as a child.  As an orphan, she fled with her sister but has not seen her in many years.  Tabby's home in a Boston cemetery gives her the opportunity to use her gift for good, not evil.  It's a very unique take on this story line.  An often used story line with many twists that keep it interesting and mysterious.  The story will take Tabby through some momentous life events until she finds her own peace.

I liked the gothic mystery feel to this one and the atmosphere was good. It wasn't really that creepy or spooky, though, and I was definitely expecting to feel a little spooked based on the (beautiful) cover. I loved the setting: 1844 Boston, London, and Edinburgh. Overall, I would say that this is a good choice for fall reading lists, but I wouldn't really recommend it for Halloween-specific reading lists.

Sidenote: I had never heard of "Resurrection Men" before, but the concept was intriguing so I did some outside research. The Resurrection Men were a real thing that happened!! Fascinating.



I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you, Harlequin/Graydon House!

I enjoyed Hester Fox’s The Witch of Willow Hall and am always up for some atmospheric, spooky historical fiction, so I was grateful to receive an arc of this novel. 

Tabby has a unique gift - she can see and speak to the dead. As a child, when trying to escape an aunt and uncle who exploit that gift, she is separated from her sister and ends up taking refuge in a cemetery. It is there that she stumbles upon a boy, beaten up, who she helps and later cannot get out of her mind. When the kindly caretaker takes her in, she leaves that life behind and starts fresh, albeit with a very large guard over her heart, and tells no one about her ability. 

This novel is ripe with action, danger, ghosts,  and a touch of romance. Tabby defies what is expected of her and boldly searches for justice for those she loves, even if it means putting herself at risk. There are brief discussions of slavery and race (it is set in 1840s Boston), gender roles, and f/f relationships. 

I wish there had a bit more gothic spookiness to it, but it overall was a fast paced, fun read perfect for the fall season.

4.5 stars 

I read Hester Fox’s debut novel a couple of years ago and I was immediately drawn her to story telling style and characters. I adored her first book and the second book was even better. So to say that I was excited for this one is an understatement.

I am such a fan of her Gothic story telling and how quickly I can read her books, while they might not be as spooky as some other books I have read this Halloween season, this one was still a spooky treat for fans of Gothic novels. Also this one is set in Boston which is such a great spooky city and perfect for a novel like this.

And let me just say, that cover is to die for and I absolutely love it. I think it is my favorite so far. Fox has written three books that all feature some of my favorite Gothic elements but they are not a series so new readers have no worries that what they are picking up to read is not part of a series, they are all standalones!

Summary
The dead won’t bother you if you don’t give them permission.

Boston, 1844.

Tabby has a peculiar gift: she can communicate with the recently departed. It makes her special, but it also makes her dangerous.

As an orphaned child, she fled with her sister, Alice, from their charlatan aunt Bellefonte, who wanted only to exploit Tabby’s gift so she could profit from the recent craze for seances.

Now a young woman and tragically separated from Alice, Tabby works with her adopted father, Eli, the kind caretaker of a large Boston cemetery. When a series of macabre grave robberies begins to plague the city, Tabby is ensnared in a deadly plot by the perpetrators, known only as the “Resurrection Men.”

In the end, Tabby’s gift will either save both her and the cemetery—or bring about her own destruction. (summary from Goodreads)

Review
I grew up on Victoria Holt novels and I am only 40. Victoria Holt was the first ‘grown up book’ I read and I was so hooked on all the Gothic elements. For years I have been searching for authors that recreate that Victoria Holt vibe for me and Hester Fox is it. I mean even if the story isn’t life altering, the atmosphere and Gothic goodness hooks me every time and I can’t help but fall in love with the story.

I still think that my favorite by Fox has been The Widow of Pale Harbor, this one comes in a close second. It’s been fun to see how her writing has evolved and grown since the first book. She has been a solid writer but I can tell that she has matured in this one and I loved the plot for that. I loved the resurrection men aspect of this book and I loved how subtly Fox incorporated mystery, the supernatural, and history in this one.

This one had all the things that I love in a spook Halloweenie read this time of year—seances, ghosts, atmosphere, and a little bit of romance—it was a total package for me and I read it in like 2 days but could easily have read it in one sitting. I would say that this book had all the supernatural elements but it wasn’t so much that I would consider this one a horror novel. If you are looking for a spooky read this season that isn’t full of blood and guts, then this one should be on your radar.

I am looking forward to more books by Fox, she is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine and one that I would gladly put on autobuy! I ended up giving this one 4.5 stars, it was a wonderful read that could be read any time of the year but reading it in October makes it extra special with a pumpkin on top!

Book Info and Rating
Paperback, 384 pages

Published September 15th 2020 by Graydon House

ISBN152580457X (ISBN13: 9781525804571)

Free review copy provided by Graydon House in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Genre: historical fiction, gothic lit, romance

i loved the use of the powers in this book and I really enjoyed getting to know the characters. The setting was great and I really liked going through this story.

I received this book from NetGalley.  This was my first read from Hester Fox.  The story of an orphaned medium trying to stop grave robbers.  I really enjoyed the characters and how believable that they seemed.  It was a gothic spooky story that was unique in style.  Set in 1800s New England, the story has a great atmospheric feel.  This is a great Fall story.