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.

Tabby has been able to speak with the dead for as long as she can remember. However, the skill can also be dangerous. As a child, she and her sister fled their aunt who wanted to use their gift to profit from the séance craze in the United States.  Through good fortune, Tabby fell under the care of a caretaker for a large Boston Cemetery, Eli. Now older, Tabby is no stranger to life in the cemetery. When she encounters a wealthy young man named Caleb, her quiet world is forever changed. For years, Caleb flirted and spent time gambling, but following the death of his father, he is now responsible for taking on the mantle of his father's business. A chance encounter between Tabby and Caleb leads to more frequent visits, even as "Resurrection Men" begin to create a series of grave robberies. When Caleb's fiancé is murdered, he becomes the chief suspect and Tabby is drawn into the realm of a possible scam at the hands of someone out to take Caleb's family fortune, but the dead won't stay quiet when there's justice to be done. It's up to Tabby to not only save the man who has stolen her heart, but the cemetery she calls home.

If you want communication with the dead, romance, and Resurrection Men, The Orphan of Cemetery Hill is here to entertain you during this spooky season.  It's complete with creepy New England setting and odd goings on.  The book is a light, quick read for those who are darkly minded.

The Orphan of Cemetery Hill by Hester Fox is now available from Graydon House.

I really enjoyed this story. Tabby is an orphan with a special ability to hear the dead. However, she holds this as a secret ability and those who know her don't know this about her. Tabby is unofficially adopted by Cemetery Hill's caretaker, Eli who becomes a father figure to her. Tabby meets and becomes entangled with a man who has recently lost his father. As the story unfolds, everything Tabby knows about herself and her ability comes into question. Tabby is forced to use her ability to solve a murder that is central to the storyline. Overall, this book has excellent characters - they are well developed, flawed and interesting. I was fascinated by the career of "watcher" as I had never heard of this before. The book being set in Boston gives it a tantalizing setting since it's an area steeped in history. Overall I really liked the book/story. The one thing I felt was lacking is some transitions. It seemed the book would skip around a lot and with no real transition to know this was happening, I would find myself having to re-read the last several pages to ensure I didn't miss something. This happened several times in the book.

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the free ebook copy in exchange for my honest review

My third book by Hester Fox and THE ORPHAN OF CEMETERY HILL has cemented her status as an auto-buy author for me! You can always expect a rich historical fiction read, without it being too overwhelming in the detail, some paranormal elements, and an incredible Gothic vibe from start to finish. While for some, historical fiction might seem boring and slow moving, Fox is able to give us a quick pacing to her stories that read almost more like a thriller.

Rich scenery, well-developed characters that you become invested in, and an eerie atmosphere throughout. Grave robberies, speaking to the recently deceased, budding romance, and plenty of mystery to go around. Even if you aren’t the biggest fan of historical fiction, I highly recommend picking this one up if you’re looking for a haunting Gothic read for the fall season. Like I mentioned already, this one just solidified Hester Fox as an auto-buy author for me, and I can’t wait to see what else she has in store for us!

Having read Fox's first two books, this was not quite what I was expecting. The plot here is less gothic in that there's no manor house to run from and instead there's a group of evil scientists stealing bodies for a dark purpose. The heroine is a medium and fled her aunt and uncle as as child because they were abusing and exploiting her. The hero (I didn't care for him) is a philandering rich boy who doesn't want the shipping business his recently deceased abusive father left him. (There are mentions of slavery and being complicit by transporting goods.) This is a more diverse historical Boston than we often see, which I appreciated.


The plot is sort of all over the place, however, and the MCs have this insta-love relationship. They're not often on page together and though this isn't a romance, I needed more in order to understand why this love motivated so many of their decisions. (There is an HEA.) Sadly, I can't gleefully recommend it like I did the last two.


Content Warnings: grave-robbing, abduction, evil scientists, parental and familial abuse (referenced, not on page), children in peril, bad guys threaten to use Fugitive Slave Act to send heroine's adoptive father back into slavery, imprisonment, probably alcoholism, cheating (kissing while engaged), probably more

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review but ended up listening to it on audio via Hoopla.

4.5 Stars

A beguiling and seductive Gothic historical novel guaranteed to send many a shiver racing down your spine, Hester Fox’s eerie new chiller The Orphan of Cemetery Hill is the perfect book to lose oneself in this fall.

Twelve year old Tabby has always been different from other girls. The young orphan has always been able to communicate with the dead – a gift which has been exploited by her mercenary aunt and uncle who had taken her and her sister Alice in after their parents had died in a carriage incident. With their relatives using her gift to con money out of desperate people who thought that Tabby could speak to their loved ones from beyond the grave, Tabby has had enough of being used and abused by her avaricious relatives. Having spent years plotting their escape, Tabby and Alice had escaped their aunt and uncle’s house and fled to the big city where they had hoped to make a fresh start and leave their old life behind, but no sooner had they set foot in the bustling metropolis that Alice disappears and Tabby is left having to fend for herself. With no job, no money, no home and no prospects, Tabby finds sanctuary in a large Boston cemetery. But Tabby is not alone because her gift ensures that she will always be accompanied by her friends in the spirit world…

Taken under the wing of her adopted father Eli, Tabby begins to make a new life for herself in the cemetery. With Eli as caretaker, Tabby starts spending more and more time in her creepy and macabre refuge. But the cemetery is not just a place that the grieving come to mourn their loved ones as she discovers when she witnesses evil marauders robbing a grave. Tabby cannot believe that there are people who would stoop so low as to disturb the dead for their own twisted ends and she vows vengeance upon these heartless villains. When the city is rocked by further instances of grave robbing, Tabby’s curiosity is aroused and she vows to get to the bottom of this perplexing activity. Finding herself ensnared in a dastardly plot by the Resurrection Men, Tabby needs to embrace her gift and use it to its full advantage – for her sake as well as the cemetery. But does Tabby know what she is letting herself in for? Is her gift going to save her? Or is it going to lead to her destruction once and for all?

Hester Fox is a wonderful storyteller with a gift for eloquently evoking chilling atmosphere and unnerving tension. The Orphan of Cemetery Hill is an enthralling tale of deceit, danger and avarice that will hold readers in thrall from beginning to end. Tabby is a brilliantly nuanced heroine who leaps off the pages and comes instantly alive. She is strong, intelligent, resilient and resourceful and a character readers cannot help but root for. The Orphan of Cemetery Hill is peopled by supporting characters who are complex, wonderfully drawn and sure to linger in the imagination long after the last page is turned.

With Halloween fast approaching, readers looking for a creepy and twisted page-turner liberally spiced with action, intrigue and suspense need to look no further than Hester Fox’s latest novel, The Orphan of Cemetery Hill.

So – I’ve never read a book by Hester Fox, but she often writes Gothic fiction and about witches and creepy things. This story takes place in a cemetery and the little girl is a medium (not by choice!). I loved the historical context of Boston in the 1800’s. However, the style reminded me SO MUCH of Dickens! I am wondering if others found that. It had the feel of Great Expectations, with lots of interesting characters (some nefarious) and action and intrigue and romance all wrapped up in the plot that centers on a young person. It was a great read if you like this type of storyline and well-written. I would definitely read more by Ms. Fox.

Thank you for having me be part of the tour and for my electronic copy.

The Review

What a beautiful written Gothic-Horror novel. The author wonderfully captures the early to mid-19th century era of Boston and brings readers into the narrative with ease. Tabby is a sympathetic and strong protagonist and the vivid imagery used to showcase to readers what her ability is like makes this a truly astounding read.

The narrative is served best by the amazing character development and the setting of this story. The reader is instantly transported into this gothic world and the eerie atmosphere and storyline felt like an homage to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein in a lot of ways, capturing the obsession of man’s understanding of science and conquering nature.

The Verdict

The perfect way to start off the beginning of the scary/horror season, author Hester Fox’s “The Orphan of Cemetery Hill” is a must-read gothic horror like no other. The amazing characters and the many twists and turns they take as the mystery of these “Resurrection Men” deepens will keep readers on the edge of their seats. With a fantastic ending and an evenly-paced narrative, be sure to grab your copy of this phenomenal novel today!

Tabby and her sister have run away from home. They are orphans and have been taken in by their aunt and uncle. It is not exactly a life meant for children, especially gifted children. So, they runaway. Alice leaves Tabby on the steps of a church while she finds lodging for the evening. Alice never returns. Tabby hides in the cemetery. And oh boy….does this lead to some strange happenings.

Tabby sees dead people. She really does. So staying in a cemetery is not exactly the best situation for her. But Eli, the caretaker, takes her in and gives her a home. But, strange things occur. Bodies start to disappear from fresh graves. Tabby gets ensnared with the resurrection men and it threatens her young life.

Tabby is a fabulous young woman and she is determined to put a stop to the madness. But, when there is a threat to Eli, Tabby has to take different actions.

Oh wow! What a crazy, unique tale. The setting, the characters, the mystery all meld together to create a tale you will not soon forget.

Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Tabby was twelve years old when she became separated from her sister Alice. She finds herself in a cemetery hiding from her evil aunt and uncle. Alice and Tabby have special gifts that are being exploited by her aunt and uncle. Tabby can talk to the dead. Alice can see the future.
Tabby is scared hiding in the cemetery. She can see the caretaker of the cemetery, Eli. Her hunger finally drives her to beg Eli for food and shelter. He is compassionate and takes her in as his child. Tabby is secure living and helping Eli. She always has to keep looking over her shoulder. Frightened of the possibility of her aunt and uncle finding her.
When she was first hiding in a crypt in the cemetery she encountered a young man. She helps bind a wound on his leg.
Ten years later she encountered the same young man. Little does she know that meeting would change her life forever.
An excellent story of courage, love and mysticism.

**Full review to be posted to NetGalley, Goodreads, and Amazon soon!**

This was a really interesting historical fiction read! I really enjoyed Hester Fox's previous book The Witch of Willow Hall, so I was excited to see something new from her. I found this book to be very atmospheric and haunting, which is perfect for the fall season. I really enjoyed getting to the characters, though I felt that the pacing was a bit hit and miss at times throughout. I really love how Fox manages to incorporate so many really compelling narrative elements in such subtle and fitting ways.

*** Blog Tour ***

The Orphan of Cemetery Hill is Hester Fox's third book. All three have followed the theme of CHARACTER of LOCATION with strong female main characters, a New England setting, and a gothic story. The Orphan of Cemetery Hill is about grave robbing, "scientific" experimentation, and actual villains dubiously named Resurrection Men. It is my favorite of the three. I look forward to seeing what Hester Fox writes next.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2020/09/the-orphan-of-cemetery-hill.html

Reviewed for NetGalley and the 2020 historical fiction blog tour from Harlequin Trade Publishing.