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The Friday 56 (With Book Beginnings): Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase


Welcome to The Friday 56, a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice.

These are the rules:
1. Grab a book, any book.
2. Turn to page 56, or 56% on your eReader.
3. Find any sentence (or a few, just don't spoil it) that grabs you.
4. Post it.
5. Add the URL to your post in the link on Freda's most recent Friday 56 post.


I'm also taking part in Book Beginnings, a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader.  The rules are pretty simple - you share the first sentence or so and your initial thoughts, impressions, or whatever else it inspires.  Don't forget to link up your post's url with Rose City Reader.




This week I'm spotlighting the book I've just started in on called Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase.  This debut adult gothic mystery novel was released this past February and it has been compared to Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier and The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters.  Those are two of my favorites, so I knew I wanted to read this 2016 release.  It finally came in at the library for me, and I believe I'd be happy if it's a fraction as good and atmospheric as either of those novels.



Beginning:

PROLOGUE

Amber
Last day of the summer holidays, 1969, Cornwall

I feel safe on the cliff ledge, safer than in the house, anyway.  A few feet from the coast path, it's a twenty-minute scramble from the edge of the estate, far enough from Black Rabbit Hall's watching windows, a secret place.  I hover on the cliff above it for a moment or two, wind snapping my dress against my legs, soles of my feet tingling, then lower myself carefully, gripping the clumps of grass, sea roaring in my ears.  (Best not to look down.)  One small heart-stop drop and I'm perching right on the edge of the sky.

56:

[Present Day]

"This late?"

"Yeah, well, the house was hard to find."

"Ha!  I bet Jon didn't like that.  Tell him he needs to stop relying on that bloody satnav."  A recently retired London taxi driver, her father prides himself on never getting lost anywhere, ever, and thoroughly enjoys it when other men do.

Comments

  1. The beginning definitely pulls the reader in. It has me wondering why she doesn't feel safe in the house. Great post!

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Vanessa. I'm definitely looking forward to finding out the answer!

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  2. I loved that opening excerpt - so descriptive. And the second made me smile. Happy reading.

    Here's my Friday read - Dear Amy by Helen Callaghan

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  3. I like the beginning and the 56, thanks for sharing. :-)

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  4. Ooh, that cover is so SO interesting! And when I saw it I was all like "OMG AN ALICE IN WONDERLAND RETELLING" but I don't think it is, is it?!?😂 XD Still! I hope you enjoy it!

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    1. Nope, but I can totally see why you'd think that! It's more like Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier.

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  5. Rebecca!!!! Oh I love her most dreadfully. Will have to check this one out. Thanks for sharing. Have a look at my Friday Meets http://marelithalkink.blogspot.co.za/2016/07/friday-meets-08-july-2016.html

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    1. I know, right! Let me know what you think of it!

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  6. That beginning is so interesting! I also love that cover. <3 I hope you love it Lauren! Here is my Friday 56!

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    1. The cover is excellent! Thanks for sharing, Genni.

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  7. I really enjoyed this one and definitely thought the Rebecca comparison was accurate which made me really happy as that's one of my favorite books too! I hope you enjoy it!

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  8. Heard this one was pretty good and it's on my list. I hope you like it! :)

    Stormi
    Friday Memes

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  9. This does sound good. I really like the cover. I hope you are enjoying the book. I'm working my way through TBR mountain and landed on Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas this week. Happy reading!

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    1. Thanks! I'm trying to make it through mine, but it just keeps growing... :)

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  10. That sounds like a great read! Love the cover too!
    http://dualreads.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/friday-reads-8th-july-2016.html

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  11. Scritch, scratch. That is the sound of me adding this book to my TBR pile. I LOVE Rebecca so want to read this for comparisons.

    My Friday Quotes

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  12. That beginning lured me right in!! Happy weekend!

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  13. This is on my TBR list. Sounds like a good one. Enjoy!

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  14. I'm wondering why she feels safe on the edge of a cliff, but doesn't feel safe in the house.

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  15. That beginning sure sets a gothic tone. Got me curious now:)

    My Friday 56 from Scar Tissue

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  16. It definitely has a gorgeous cover! While it's not my traditional genre, it has caught my attention. I'll wait to see what you think of it; I hope you enjoy it!

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  17. I'm intrigued by this most dreadfully!

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  18. The passage certainly lends to the atmosphere I remember from Rebecca! I do love the cover :D

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    1. After finishing it, I can definitely say it has that tone! :)

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  19. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on Black Rabbit Hall! It sounds really exciting.

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    1. It was so good - my review will be coming up soon!

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  20. The cover, the title, and those excerpts make me want to read more. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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    1. I hope you'll get to it! Thanks for visiting my blog, too!

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  21. Sounds like a fascinating read. I think I read a very positive review on this book. ...and looking, I have already put it on my to read list! Thanks for sharing beginning and page 56. It makes me want to read it even more!

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  22. This sounds like an interesting book. I would probably do a good job of entertaining that father that never gets lost. I've mastered the art. :)
    Have a great day.

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  23. Love the humor in the 56. And to hear it compared to Rebecca makes it more interesting. I've been meaning to read Rebecca, glad to hear it's one of your favorites.

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    1. Yes, both are great! Although, I'll admit I still like Rebecca more. :)

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