Tuesday, March 29, 2016

The Taxidermist's Daughter by Kate Mosse


Blackthorn House was a place you didn't want to visit.

Blackthorn House had the odd Gifford family living there.

Blackthorn House had secrets.

Connie Gifford and her father lived at Blackthorn House and were well known for their taxidermy, but no one ever came around any more for visits or taxidermy.

What had happened to make them outcasts?  Was it because of their business?  Was it because Connie had had an accident many years ago and sort of became a recluse?  Was it because her father was quite odd and always would disappear? Or was it that Gifford and a select few had a secret?

There was something going on in the town that had people watching the Blackthorn House and holding secret meetings that resulted in the men of the town going missing, hiding, and worrying.

​As the book continues, we keep hearing about something that happened ten years ago that frightened the men in the town because of their involvement.​

THE TAXIDERMIST'S DAUGHTER had odd, mysterious characters and ​a ​dark undercurrent.​ Some parts of the book are not for the faint of heart...pretty gruesome.​

It took a while to get interested, but the story line was well crafted and became good after a woman's body was found and the secrets kept for ten years began to be revealed.


The writing was very descriptive, and you could see the characters as they represented that time period no matter what their social class was.

I can’t say it was a favorite, but it did keep me interested by keeping me wondering what the secrets were.  3.5/5

This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation in return for an honest review.



10 comments:

  1. Have you read this book?

    What did you think?

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  2. I've seen this book around and wondered what readers thought of it. Sounds a little too dark for me, but books about secrets are always alluring!

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    1. It is a bit dark, Laura.

      Thanks for stopping.

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  3. I tried to read Kate Mosse once and could not get going with it. I think it was Labyrinth. Did you like any of her earlier books more?

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    1. This is the first book I have read by Ms. Mosse.

      It took a while to get into as I mentioned.

      Thanks for stopping, Judy.

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  4. Interesting as you know there are towns that swirl with rumors about so-and-so's family.

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    1. Oh yes....this family was definitely in the gossip circle. :)

      Thanks for stopping, Wooly Cakes and Wooden Spoons.

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  5. I haven't read this but I've seen it on other blogs. Seems to be getting pretty good reviews, and I've been curious about it. :)
    @dino0726 from 
    FictionZeal - Impartial, Straightforward Fiction Book Reviews

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    1. It was an ok read, Diane.

      Took a while to get interesting.

      Thanks for stopping.

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    2. It wasn't that good until about3/4 of the way through.

      It did have good writing and descriptions.

      Thanks for stopping, Diane.

      Delete