The Bequest
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15
Ratings1
Average rating3
A PhD student uncovers dark secrets in this 'richly atmospheric and irresistibly readable' (Joyce Carol Oates) Gothic mystery set in Scotland, Italy, and France. For fans of The Secret History. Fleeing a disastrous affair with a colleague in Boston, Isabel Henley moves to Scotland to begin a PhD, only to learn upon arrival that her advisor has died mysteriously. Soon afterwards, Isabel is informed that another scholar is about to publish a book on her dissertation topic, leaving her disconcerted and in search of a new subject.After such a rocky start to life overseas, Isabel needs a good friend, and finds one when she reconnects with Rose Brewster, a charismatic former classmate. But when Rose reveals she is in trouble, then goes missing, Isabel's already unsteady life is sent into a tailspin. A suicide note surfaces, followed by a coded message: Rose is alive but captive, and unless Isabel can complete her friend's research, both women will be killed.Isabel follows Rose's paper trail through Genoa, Florence and Paris. She uncovers family secrets, the legend of an enormous cursed emerald, and a chain of betrayal and treason lasting centuries. If she can put the pieces together in time, Isabel may solve a 400-year-old mystery... and save her life and her friend's in the process.Combining epistolary elements, Gothic suspense, and an atmospheric dark academia setting, The Bequest is a gripping literary thriller that will appeal to fans of Alex Michaelides and Donna Tartt.
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⭐⭐⭐
“The Bequest” by Joanna Margaret is a gripping literary thriller that combines epistolary elements, Gothic suspense, and an atmospheric “dark academia” setting. The story follows Isabel Henley, who flees a disastrous affair in Boston and moves to Scotland to begin her PhD. However, upon arrival, she learns that her advisor has died, and another scholar is about to publish a book on her dissertation topic. As Isabel struggles to acclimate to her new home and find a new subject, she reconnects with Rose Brewster, a charismatic former classmate. When Rose suddenly goes missing, Isabel's life is thrown into chaos. A suicide note surfaces along with a coded message indicating that Rose is alive but in danger. To save both their lives, Isabel embarks on a journey from Genoa to Florence and Paris. Along the way, she uncovers secrets, that if she can put the pieces together in time, may solve a 400-year-old mystery.
While “The Bequest” has many flaws like messy writing style, painful dialogue between characters, and lack of character development for anyone involved; it still managed to captivate me with its intriguing plotline. It proves that, even though executed poorly at times, a book can still be engrossing. On the positive side, the author impressively captured atmospheric settings and delved deep into historical aspects with thorough research.
Overall, “The Bequest” offers readers a mixed bag of thrilling suspense combined with vividly depicted settings and well-researched history.
ARC Via NetGalley
