Cinderwich
Ratings5
Average rating3.5
CINDERWICH is a mystery/thriller southern gothic novel set in dying Tennessee town that is known for one thing: the mysterious death of a young woman decades prior. A journalist, along with her college mentor, travel to rural Tennessee finding answers that by turns are familial and unexpected. CINDERWICH is a return, in some ways, to the thematic concerns of Cherie's early work set in the American South such as FOUR AND TWENTY BLACKBIRDS and NOT FLESH NOR FEATHERS.
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Cinderwich is Appalachian Gothic and hits that perfect feel, sleepy town in the mountains, victorian mansions with witchy sisters, local folk magics, a big creepy old gum tree hung with ribbons. It is also a bittersweet story about two women looking for closure: one, for her aunt who gave her her name; one, for the lover who disappeared 30 years ago. It is also a creepy ghost story but I don't want to spoil anymore of the mystery for anyone reading.
Except one thing: this is not a romance. Not any. Even though the POV protagonist is bi and 40 and the other protagonist is in her 70s and a lesbian, and even though most books I read have queer romance in them these days, and even though may-december romances can be very cute, the fact that Kate was Judith's student 20 years ago made that seem like a more creepy idea than the ghost story. And I was even more worried when I learned that the dead Ellen was also Judith's student before they became lovers. But that was discussed and handled very well, and I was relieved that nowhere in the book did it feel like Judith and Kate were any different than friends, and no implications that it would become any different from that every.
An interesting story. More mystery than horror. I liked the ending, but still felt a bit rushed. I would have taken a bit more of the sisters and a bit more explanation of the town's history (and mystery).
