Review in the June issue of Library Journal.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Gothic, immersive, quiet but w/ pervasive unease

GREAT COVER FOR DISPLAYS

Draft Review:

Grace, a spinster, living in Vermont in 1902, has been caring for her mentally ill, dying mother, but immediately upon her death, Grace begins to have visions and experiences similar to those that plagued her mother. In an attempt to get a fresh start, Grace and her maid move to Wales to live in the home her family left soon after her birth. Upon her return, however, the haunting nature of the family’s secrets, lingering ghosts, and sinister truth behind Grace’s inheritance more clearly reveal themselves alongside the phases of the moon. Readers will be drawn in quickly by Grace’s direct, honest, and unreliable narration, following the atmospheric burn eagerly, watching as Grace gathers more information and the pervasive unease, interesting characters, and moody setting build to a haunting resolution, one that will leave readers shaken but asking for more by McCarthy.

Verdict: A historical tale of psychological horror expertly rendered in the style of a classic Gothic novel from the time in which it is set, this small press title can be confidently suggested to readers who enjoy Jane Eyre by Brontë, The Unsuitable by Pohlig and anything by Jennifer McMahon.

Reading notes:

Psychological Horror/Ghost Story told in the style of the Classic Gothic from the turn of the 20th century when it is set-- 1902-3.

Vermont and Wales

Family secrets/curses, feminist, mental illness, ghosts, pervasive unease,

Moon metaphors, sea metaphors. unreliable narrator in the most creepy sense because Grace is the only narrator, all that we see. We see other's povs of what is going on but we are also stuck with Grace. Reader must follow her, even when we doubt her, even when we believe her. That unease is sustained very well.

Great sense of place. slow burn but compelling storytelling. Grace is driving the story and she keeps you reading.

This will be VERY popular with library patrons. It also has a great cover for display, but also the cover reflect both the mood of the story and the plot. A must add small press title to every library.

—Becky Spratford

********

I’m greedy when it comes to Catherine McCarthy’s stories. I try my hardest not shovel her stories into my eyeballs at speed, but they are so hard to resist. Catherine writes with such lyrical tone, that before you realise, you have been taken by the hand and dreamily, gently, pulled along that moonlit path.

With gorgeous gothic vibes, a historical setting in Wales, and an element of mystery, A Moonlit Path of Madness is a richly crafted, haunting story of grief, family tragedy and creepy uncertainty.

Inherited old house? ✔️

Locked room? ✔️

Ghostly apparitions? ✔️

Family secrets? ✔️

Lush descriptions? ✔️

Creeping fear-factor? ✔️

A Moonlit Path of Madness has everything I look for. I knew I’d love it, but I didn’t realise quite how much.

—Lisa *OwlBeSatReading*, Goodreads"