Author: Isabel Ashdown
Publisher: Orion
Publication Date: November 2022
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Buy The Book: Amazon | BN | Audible
Description: Welcome to The Starlings... sun, sea and neighbors to die for.
Security, a sparkling sea view and the best kind of neighbors - The Starlings gated community has it all. Here, doors are left open, children run free, and at the heart of it all is the entrepreneurial Gold Family, who first dreamed up this aspirational vision of 'Dorset's Safest Community'. To the outside world the popular family appears glitteringly blessed... until an idyllic party takes a dark turn and one of their number is found slumped at the foot of the clocktower. Who knows what really happened? And what answers are harbored within the old building, the former Highcap Mother and Baby Home?
My Thoughts: Homecoming by new to me author Isabel Ashdown offered an intriguing story filled with lies, betrayal and deception but unfortunately fell flat for me. I became increasingly frustrated that absolutely nothing of noteworthy importance happened until well past the 50% mark. Instead there were a lot of innuendo and red herrings and I admit, it worked to keep me holding onto hope that something big was about to happen.
When events started to occur, it brought my anticipation level back up, but the ending fell flat for me. The list of suspects were numerous and this story could have gone in a lot of different directions, but the ending felt rushed and didn’t make sense.
I thought the author did a very good job with character building, giving the reader a lot of characters that were easy to empathize with and relate to as well as characters the reader immediately dislikes upon meeting. I also enjoyed the detail the author put into creating this master planned community. I had an excellent visual in my mind’s eye while reading and would have enjoyed being part of a beautiful community like this one. She also gives enough detail of what transpired so many years ago on this property to give the reader a lot of apprehension about the place.
My Final Verdict: Overall, I was disappointed with the direction and outcome of this story, but I enjoyed the author’s skill at character and locale building and am open to reading more of her work. Readers who don’t mind how long a story takes to get going or less than jaw dropping conclusions will likely enjoy this one.
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