Review of The Temptation of Charlotte North

Blurb: Be careful what you wish for. It might come true....

In 1910, on a small, remote island that boasts more sheep than people, life does not hold a lot of promise for spirited Charlotte North. Her only escape from both this insular community and a family who does not understand her seems to be through marriage—an institution she is not at all eager to join, given the unhappiness of her parents' own union. Plus, eligible suitors are few and far between, which is why Charlotte has fallen hard for one the few outsiders to join their community in recent the handsome—and likewise unhappily married—new priest.

And then an ancient tower once rumored to have imprisoned a witch—or an unfaithful wife—crumbles, and releases . . . something. A restless spirit that knocks inside the walls and sends household objects flying. A spirit that seems to have an affinity for Charlotte herself. Though many on the island are terrified of this new interloper, Charlotte sees in it potential. Power. And perhaps even a way to get everything she has most wanted out of life.

Review: Charlotte North is the second daughter of a wealthy family on the island of Margaret's Keep. Her mother believes her to be a troublemaker and often punishes her by locking her in the shed. Charlotte wishes an escape from her mother, the obligation to marry, and the tiny boring island. The answer comes in supernatural form when a mysterious entity attaches itself to her. It becomes her friend and savior, but its cruel nature starts to be revealed when it attacks people Charlotte does not like. It offers her escape, but there's a price. Will Charlotte welcome it or battle against its evil?

This is a well-written standalone gothic horror taking place in 1910. It has all the elements: remote island with a small and superstitious population, a mysterious old tower in which a witch was said to once be imprisoned, a willful teenager, a cruel mother, and a priest weak in his faith. It's a standard haunting turned possession, and it happens slowly. Little things like knocks in the wall and needles in the bedding. Nothing is gory or in your face, but hovers right on the edge of things always in a state of tension.

The story is told from three points of view: Charlotte's, Jasper's (new handsome priest), and Ruth's (schoolteacher). They're all very different viewpoints. I was no a fan of Charlotte being willful and spoiled, but she was warped by the spirit. Jasper was weak going in and weaker as it went on. Yet Ruth was made stronger by events, and I very much enjoyed her.

The plot is slow paced as the haunting ramps up. It was tense and suspenseful despite the length, and the ending was not what I expected at all. I don't know if I would call it an ending because there was no climax. The story set the elements up to a big climax, a battle for Charlotte's soul, but it never happened. It felt like a cliffhanger rather than the end of a standalone book.

You can find Camilla Bruce on her site and buy the book here.