When Ambrose Tree is summoned by his ancient uncle to the brooding mansion Drogo Hall, he suspects it's to hear the old man's dying words and then collect a sizable inheritance. He has no idea he is about to learn the bizarre story of Harry Peake, Cornish smuggler turned poet who became a monster capable of the most horrifying acts. Or that he's about to become psychologically enmeshed in the riveting life of Harry's daughter, Martha, who flees her father for colonial America where she becomes a heroic figure in the revolution against England. Or that he himself has a crucial role to play in this mesmerizing tale as it rushes headlong and hauntingly toward its powerful climax. Martha Peake is a spellbinding alloy of Gothic mystery and historical romance.
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"I have read three of Patrick McGrath's books previously and did not enjoy this as much as at least two of the others but it was an interesting read. Quirky and well-written. " — Leslie (4 out of 5 stars)
"I have read three of Patrick McGrath's books previously and did not enjoy this as much as at least two of the others but it was an interesting read. Quirky and well-written. "
“Remarkable passages of sustained dramatic and atmospheric writing…Rare qualities of power and urgency.”
“McGrath demonstrates his trademark ability to probe the layers of the human psyche.”
“McGrath takes a big risk, but the result is an invigorating take on the Revolution, just the tonic for even the most jaded reader during this election season.”
“Fans of the gothic genre won’t be disappointed by McGrath’s latest novel, which features gloomy manors, tormented souls, and a persecuted heroine… Peake’s tale will consume readers.”
" I usually love McGrath, but couldn't get into this one after three tries. I thought it was boring and a little silly. "
" Another incredible masterpiece by McGrath. His prose is stunning. "
" I liked the actual story about Martha and her father but found the narrator's story far fetched. "
" Beach book. Suspenseful. It's like Frankenstein set against the backdrop of the American Revolution. "
" It was awful. Not even going to waste my time explaining why. "
" As with all McGrath books, you either LOVE his writing style or HATE it. I was absolutely absorbed in this book from start to finish. "
" A novel about the American Revolution, but set mostly in an English mansion. It was patriotic & melodramatic with a narrative strategy that was unnecessarily complicated. "
" For a gothic novel, really really good. "
" I was disappointed reading this novel, I think the cover blurb was not at all accurate and misled me as to what to expect. But beyond that I also didn't care for or connect to the characters in this story. "
" A good American gothic novel. It was very entertaining, but there were a lot of ho hum parts to it. "
" Weird, good, stange and haunting. "
" If you like historical fiction, cool chick heroes and creepy Dr. Jeckyl bad guys but don't mind a drunken dad raping and impregnating his daughter, you'll love this puppy. "
" Will write review soon "
" Didn't do much for me. "
Patrick McGrath is the author of Asylum, Port Mungo, Blood and Water and Other Stories, The Grotesque, Spider, and other books, and he was the co-editor, with Bradford Morrow, of The New Gothic.
Tom Sellwood has recorded many audio books, including Hector Hugo Munro’s Witty, Weird, and Outrageous; Saki Favorites; Mutiny on the Bounty; Treasure Island; Far from the Madding Crowd; Emma; a selection of P. G. Wodehouse’s short stories; and Wuthering Heights, to name a few.
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