BOOK
REVIEW
THE INVITED
Many months ago, I read a book by Jennifer McMahon called The Winter
People. In fact, I’m pretty sure I did a book review on it. Although I try not
to review the same author more than once, I couldn’t pass up sharing this
book. It was just that good. So, if you’re in the mood for a really spooky
story that has lots of haunted history, small town gossip and even whispers
of buried treasure, then this book is a must read.
In 1924, Hattie Breckenridge was hung as a witch by the townspeople
of her small town in Vermont and her body was discarded in the bog where
she made her home. She left behind her daughter Jane, who she told to run
and hide in the root cellar hidden on their property.
Fast forward to 2015. After the sudden death of her father, Helen and
her husband, Nate, decide to leave the rat race of their life in Connecticut
and move to the country. They find 44 acres for sale in Hartsboro, Vermont
and decide to build their dream home on the land. Half of the property is
wooded and the western part consists of Breckenridge Bog, which local
legend says is haunted and is also where Hattie made her home.
They decide that they want to build their home by themselves. Helen’s
father was a builder and Nate, the math and science man, attended an
owner-builder workshop and volunteered at Habitat for Humanity to learn
all he could. Helen, an American history teacher, also decides to find objects
of local history to include in their new home. She finds bricks from a local
mill that burned down, a mantel from an old home and a beam cut from an
old tree from their property (which is the same tree that Hattie was hung
from!).
Quickly, strange things start to happen. Things go missing, Helen hears
screaming from the bog at night, and Nate sees a white deer that he
becomes obsessed with taking a picture of, but it disappears whenever he
gets near. In the meantime, Helen delves into the history of the land and
begins searching for any information on Hattie and her descendants that
she can find.
Helen and Nate also meet Olive, a strange local girl whose mother is
missing and her Aunt Riley who works at a local salvage yard. Together
they help Helen and Nate with the building of their home and they also help
Helen in her quest for answers about Hattie. Helen soon learns that other
women in Hattie’s life had met a terrible fate and she is convinced that
Hattie is trying to communicate with her and warn her of danger.
I’m not sure if I believe in ghosts, but this book will keep you on the edge
of your seat wondering where all this is headed. But, in the end, it’s a really
spooky tale that may make you question your belief in the spirits. I give it 5
roses, because I think it deserves every bit of praise that I can give it and I
think that you will agree.
In the meantime, have a Happy Valentine’s Day and read a book. If it’s a good
read, pass it on!
14 TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | FEB 2020
By Nell Klein
By Jennifer McMahon
Accountants on Tybee
Walkins Welcome!
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