The Tale of Halcyon Crane is Wendy Webb’s debut novel. The story follows Halcyon Crane as she discovers secrets about her life and family that her father kept from her since childhood. Thirty years later she travels to the remote island of her birth to discover a past she has no memory of.

Webb weaves a tale of mystery and ghostly connections that kept me hooked throughout the novel. Her modern gothic fiction tale pays homage to gothic fiction of old, where historic eerie family estates, death, and ghostly occurrences elicit fear and foreboding. As Halcyon progresses through the story, with the help of the local attorney, the story is rife with supernatural elements and an ominous atmosphere. It was a page-turner that flowed seamlessly from one scene to the next, with richly developed characters and a mysterious setting.

I’m a fan of classic gothic fiction, and thoroughly enjoyed this evolution to modern gothic storytelling. I also love the secondary storyline that included some romantic elements that didn’t diminish but enhanced the main storyline. And bonus! I discovered a new favorite author and will be looking for more Wendy Webb books. If you haven’t read her debut novel yet, I highly recommend it!

Disclaimer: I purchased this book with my own funds. The author and/or publisher have no expectations of a positive review. My opinions are my own.