The Tale of Halcyon Crane

This is the third novel I've read/listened to by Wendy Webb (I've also read The Vanishing and The Fate of Mercy Alban) and what I've really come to appreciate about her novels is her utter ability to spook me. She has this way of using bumps and creaks and whispers to raise the hair on the back of my neck and I just find that so delicious! She has this innate ability with descriptions to completely wrap the reader/listener into the story, which can be a little unnerving given the author's propensity for thrills and chills. Before beginning any of her books I know, from the descriptions and past experience, that I'm in for a treat, and The Tale of Halcyon Crane was no exception. I actually purchased a paperwork copy of the book years ago, but already having three (!) paperback books I'm reading right now, as well as an eBook, I thought I'd have a better chance of getting to The Tale of Halcyon Crane more quickly if I listened to it on my commute. The narrator, Cassandra Campbell, was exceptional and hit all the qualities that I've come to love in an audiobook narrator. She was able to keep the tension taut when the story required it, but also give levity and humor to the descriptions and dialogue when needed. I think my absolute favorite part of her narration, which is partly her skill and partly Wendy Webb's wonderful writing, was her depictions of the giggling and whispering ghosts, and, most of all, their spooky, slightly sinister, singing. I am not ashamed to admit that there were a few times I got a slight shiver when listening to those portions of the narration. As you can tell from the book synopsis, there are quite a few family mysteries for our main character, Hallie, to discover and work through during the story. Being that there are quite a few paranormal elements involved, I wasn't able to successfully guess where the story would take me, which I very much enjoyed. I just sat back, went along for the ride, and delighted in learning about the inhabitants of this isolated island, both in the present and the past, and how so many of them connected in unexpected ways. I think the author did a remarkable job of fleshing out all the characters we come across, both with vivid descriptions and through the various paranormal gifts Hallie and her family members possess, as well as completely immersing the reader in this somewhat confining, claustrophobic environment.The Tale of Halcyon Crane is a wonderfully spooky story about learning who you really are, coming to terms with your past, and laying old ghosts (both figuratively and literally) to rest. I was already a big fan of Wendy Webb's writing and continue to be so, but more than anything else I am so excited to have found an audiobook narrator that I love. I'll definitely be reading and listening more to both of these women in the future.

This is a light ghost story with a wonderful Gothic feel. The pervading mood and emotional tone of this work is excellently developed, shining a light on the great imagination of this author. It's a nicely written, engaging story that has seances, a haunted house, secrets, murder, romance and betrayal. Although a little predictable there are a few surprises. The setting is the imaginary island of Grand Manitou in the Great Lakes. The author's descriptions bring this place to life, creating the desire to hop on the ferry for a summer stay. The main character, Hallie is well developed and likable. There are also some unique well developed secondary characters. The main problem I had with this book is the rather slow start. Hallie's activities before she arrives on the island are rather pedestrian. In short however this is a nice light read full of interesting characters and emotional pull. I recommend to readers who enjoy a good well written story and like to read about ghosts and the supernatural. On the side, The Tale of Halcyon Crane is a finalist for the Michigan Book Award and was selected as an IndieNext Pick. It's also a Midwest Connections Pick and a Great Lakes Great Reads pick. In short, a great start for this debut author.

Last weekend I went hunting for a very specific kind of read. I wanted a novel just spooky enough to give me a chill or two along with that warm fuzzy feeling you get when its raining outside and your curled up with a good book, but not so scary as to render my husband unable to leave me alone in the house after dark. I wanted a little romance and a lot of mystery and a goose bump or two or three - maybe four. Well, I downloaded a few samples and had just about given up on locating my heart's desire when I ran across "The Tale of Halcyon Crane." What a find! It delivered all I was looking for, and then some.Halcyon Crane was having a really, really bad week. Her beloved father had died, and immediately following his death she had received a letter from an unknown attorney informing her that her mother had just died as well. But here's the thing: she thought her mother had died 30 years before. More than a little confused, Halcyon packs her bags and leaves for the small island where she lived with her parents until she was five years old (when her mother "died"). Upon her arrival and subsequent meeting with her mother's attorney, she learns that it was she - and her father - that were purported dead on the island 30 years prior, and that her mother had only learned of her existence a short time before her death.If you are going to be left a confused and angry orphan, better it be with money and land - and Halcyon gets both. Her mother kindly provides a large home and plenty of cash to soothe Halcyon's hurt feelings, but the fly in the ointment is that the house comes with occupants: 3 long dead, bratty-as-can- be, sisters, who have spent the better part of a century causing trouble for their descendants who dare move on in to their space.Naturally chaos ensues and it is only with the help of a hot young thing of an attorney and spookier-than-spooky housekeeper that Halcyon learns the truth about the skeletons in her strange family closet - and also comes to realize that she, herself, has a few quirks, too.I highly recommend this fun read for anyone who enjoys a spooky mystery. It's light on romance - which I preferred - and Wendy Webb's writing style is thoroughly enjoyable. She puts just enough descriptors in to make you feel like you are there without bogging down the pages with needless picture painting. The story to action ratio is just about perfect and there is no gratuitous cursing or sex. This book was a few bucks more than the average Kindle, but I felt it was worth the additional expenditure as illustrated by my immediate purchase of another Wendy Webb mystery!

This was a great read with a big twist at the end. I'm a sucker for a good ghost story, but this book is more. A well-designed generational mystery winds through the artfully told narrative. The setting is heavenly and I felt myself transported in both time and place. Beautifully developed characters draw the reader in and keep us hooked to the very last word.I'm off to look for more by Ms. Webb!

Wow, wow, wow! Once I started reading I couldn't stop. This is one of the best stories I've read in a long time. The author's writing creates the images of her story in the mind of the reader as she takes you on an incredible journey of love, deceit, trickery, ghosts, and finally closure.

Do i need to say anything about this book or the author?Nope.The work speaks for her.This is by far the most spellbounding story i have ever read.It was like seeing the actual thing happening just like Hallie "saw".

I loved this book. Adventure, old houses, history, and great characters. It takes you away to an island, I wish I was from.

Like Wendy's other books...I couldn't put it down!