I received this book for free from Library, Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Orphan of Cemetery Hill by Hester Fox Narrator: Lauren Ezzo
Length: 9 Hours 5 Minutes
Also by this author: The Kennedy Debutante
Published by Harlequin on September 15, 2020
Genres: Fiction, Historical, Gothic, Romance, Occult & Supernatural
Pages: 287
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: Library, Publisher
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Give the gift of reading this holiday season!
The dead won’t bother you if you don’t give them permission.
Boston, 1844.
Tabby has a peculiar gift: she can communicate with the recently departed. It makes her special, but it also makes her dangerous.
As an orphaned child, she fled with her sister, Alice, from their charlatan aunt Bellefonte, who wanted only to exploit Tabby’s gift so she could profit from the recent craze for seances.
Now a young woman and tragically separated from Alice, Tabby works with her adopted father, Eli, the kind caretaker of a large Boston cemetery. When a series of macabre grave robberies begins to plague the city, Tabby is ensnared in a deadly plot by the perpetrators, known only as the “Resurrection Men.â€
In the end, Tabby’s gift will either save both her and the cemetery—or bring about her own destruction.
Why Did I Listen To The Orphan Of Cemetery Hill by Hester Fox?
Previously, I had listened to The Witch Of Willow Hall, Hester Fox’s debut and just fell for its spooky gothic vibes. The Orphan Of Cemetery Hill seemed to also promise vibes that would be spooky and gothic. I just knew I had to give this book a try – whether via audiobook or physical book.
What’s The Story Here?
The Orphan Of Cemetery Hill is about Tabby. Tabby is a young woman who can speak to the recently deceased. The book takes place in 1844 Boston. Tabby has got quite the back story. You see, she was orphaned along with her sister Alice. They were placed into the care of their Aunt Bellafonte. Only, their aunt took advantage of Tabby’s gift, trying to profit by using it at seances. So, the girls run away. Tabby and Alice end up separated, with Tabby believing that Alice is dead. At this point, Tabby is now living with her adopted father Eli, a Black man who is caretaker of a Boston cemetery. Tabby assists him with caretaking for the cemetery.
Unfortunately, there has been an outbreak of grave robbing in Boston. Tabby ends up getting caught up by the people doing this — the Resurrection Men – who are absolutely dangerous. Meanwhile, she meets a young man whose father has just died and she’s able to deliver a message from his father – who is kind of a dick. As it turns out though, the young man already has a fiance. But then, the fiance dies. And he is caught up being charged with her murder. The plot is tangled, intricate web, and it even spans overseas to England.
What Did I Think Of The Orphan Of Cemetery Hill?
I was really caught up in the different machinations within The Orphan Of Cemetery Hill. Hester Fox writes another book that just appeals to my spooky side. I would say this is the perfect book to get some autumn vibes – even though this review is posting in February. Tabby and Alice are such compelling characters. I especially enjoyed seeing how Tabby pieced everything together eventually. Also, I appreciated how this book ended and wrapped up.
How’s The Narration?
The audiobook is narrated by Lauren Ezzo and is 9 hours and 5 minutes. Honestly, Ezzo’s narration is take or leave for me. Some of her narrations I like and some I just do not gel with at all. Luckily, The Orphan Of Cemetery Hill by Hester Fox is one that I absolutely did like. It helps that this book was able to be sped up a little without sounding weird.
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