Review ‘Addictive, atmospheric and completely enjoyable' (Julie Cohen)‘Powerful and thrilling . . . You won't be able to rest until the end’ (Sun)‘Authentic, vivid and gripping’ (Kate Riordan) Book Description When a young girl is cursed at the age of six, she carries the curse all her life – set against a rich, dark, Elizabethan England – in this gripping historical thriller. See all Product description
D**C
Read in a day!
I have read all of Pamela Hartshorne's books and have enjoyed them all but this exceeded all expectations.I had read a few teasers on a Facebook group that made me want to buy it and am very glad I did.The two main characters were fascinating and the slight supernatural tone of the book lifted it above a generic historical novel into a compelling read.I have no hesitation in giving this book five stars and recommend to anyone .
P**J
Not so good
I was a bit disappointed with this book and felt it fell short of her other books. I found it quite difficult relating to the main characters too they seemed stilt It was descriptive though. I took a while to read it and didn't find it to be a page turner like some of her other books .
H**L
Another great book.
I enjoyed this book as Pamela Hartshornes descriptions of the time they are set are so vivid you feel you are living in that era this book is set in the 16th century and when Mary goes out to market you can feel the hustle and bustle of the city.I think that the introduction of the doll Peg is good giving a vaguely spooky edge to the novel.Fans of Pamela Hartshorne will enjoy this although I personally prefer the time slip earlier novels.All in all a good read and if you like period detail and a good murder or two I would recommend this to you.
A**R
Disappointing.
I loved Pamela Hartshorne's previous time-slip novels, which I think are much better books. This one feels slow and more like a novella which has been expanded too far. The way in which the story is told from the dual viewpoints of Mary and Cat also means there is a lot of repetition, which got a bit boring. I wish I could have given the book a higher rating, but although there were vivid descriptions of Tudor life and the characterisation was cleverly written, I didn't really like either of the heroines and I thought the ending was depressing. In her previous books, the author balanced the dark elements in her Tudor heroines' lives by giving her modern heroines a chance of happiness, but here it is relentless doom and gloom.
D**B
I have loved all of Pamela's other books
I have loved all of Pamela's other books, but this one is a different style and I didnt enjoy it. I found the style of the book difficult to follow the dates didnt always follow on in order, it felt disjointed to me. I was reading in on a kindle, it might be been easier in a paperback as sometimes I wanted to go back to check the dates but more difficult on the kindle to do this. I know some people enjoyed it, but it wasnt for me.
A**L
Not sure
I've read all of Pamela's book's and this has me totally confused. It's do different from her other books. Did I enjoy it, yes I suppose so. If it had been written by someone else, I'd say yes. But it seemed do different from her previous books. Anyway, as book's go, it kept me up reading most of the night.Give it a go....
A**R
Had me hooked from the first page.
Hooked from the first page, like all her previous novels. Enjoyed the story told from the viewpoints of the two main characters, woven so well together and so different from her other novels, indeed so different in many respects from other authors it was a delight to read this refreshingly different tale.
H**H
Was hoping for more
Just not what I expected having read all her other works.It drifts and the plot seems to go nowhere.Several good images of life of the period but lacking in interest.The book doesn't flow to engage the reader so sadly not for me.
L**B
Five Stars
I was disappointed that it wasn't a past and present story, but once started, I couldn't put it down.
S**1
Page by twisting page the story of Cat and Mary unfolds
London 1590. ‘The Cursed Wife’ by Pamela Hartshorne starts with two un-named women in a room; one alive, one dead.
A**R
Five Stars
Very pleased with the book
D**Y
Would I recommend this book? Absolutely positively YES!
Set in the 1590’s London the story is told from the very different view points of 2 women, Mary and Cat, once like sisters but now accomplices to the murder of Cats husband and...
J**5
Cursed Wife
Enjoyed this book very much, I always enjoy Pamela’s books and look forward to her next one with great anticipation.
C**T
Great book
Fbulous book - I read it in 3 days flat because I simply could not put it down.
M**R
Alright but___.
I have only just started reading this book and it's okay but I'm not enjoying it as much as Pamela Hartsorne's first two York based novels.
J**J
Four Stars
I enjoyed reading this book , fast moving easy read .
J**B
Gripping read
A brilliant read as always from Pamela Hartshorne if I had had the time I would have read this in one sitting not a boring moment in the book was gripping from the start.
L**Y
Having read all her previous books and thoroughly enjoyed them, I was very disappointed with this one
Having read all her previous books and thoroughly enjoyed them, I was very disappointed with this one, to the point of abandoning it halfway through.
Trustpilot
2 months ago
1 month ago