{Review} The Fate of Mercy Alban by Wendy Webb

ISBN #: 978-1401341930

Page Count: 352

Copyright: February 5, 2013

Publisher: Hyperion

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

Grace Alban has spent more than twenty years avoiding her childhood home, the stately mansion situated on the beautiful shores of Lake Superior. Alban House is enchanting, certainly; it is also plagued with a history of tragedy and the rumor of a curse that no one can quite laugh away. So when newly divorced Grace returns with her moody teenage daughter to attend to her mother's estate, she is shocked but not surprised to learn that her mother died under eerie circumstances - silenced the very day she planned to give a tell-all interview about the family. Soon, Grace finds herself faced with more unsettling discoveries, including a long-lost aunt and a possible intruder watching through the walls.

Now Grace must uncover the truth about the Alban curse - and the witch at its heart - before she becomes its next victim ...

Mandy's Review:

As soon as I saw the cover on this book, I just knew I had to read this book. When I received the paperback, I fell even more in love with the cover. The photo above does not do this cover art justice. And, you can't see it in the photo, but there's a girl in white in the window at the top of the house. I'll admit it: I totally judged this book by its cover before even reading the summary. The summary just confirmed that I had to have it.

The Fate of Mercy Alban is an interesting title. Not only does it tell us that something happened to a lady named Mercy Alban, but while reading this story you realize that Fate was Mercy's twin sister. I pretty much figured out what happened to Mercy and Fate when they were younger, but I didn't know the how of it. I commend the author for skillfully keeping me on my toes. I totally lost myself in this book, as I hoped I would when I received the review request.

There's a comment made, in a review blurb on the back cover, stating that Stephen King could be the (literary) father of Wendy Webb. I don't think she's as twisted, or anywhere near as vulgar, as Stephen King (I adore your work, Mr. King!!!), but I would agree with Dean Koontz being Wendy's (literary) father. She has Mr. Koontz's milder, otherworldly-esque writing style thrown in with a dash of realism.

There were many little twists and surprises in this novel ... like the Epilogue ... Way to make me want more, Wendy!!! I am officially begging you to write a sequel to this novel. Whoever her literary father is, I have now become a huge fan of Wendy Webb. Her books will be sitting alongside Stephen King's and Dean Koontz's on my bookshelves, as they should be on yours as well.


*A paperback ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.