The Shape of Night by Tess Gerritsen

Happy Sunday!  On Sunday's I feature books that I was unable to when they were released.  I enjoyed Tess Gerritsen's Rizzoli and Isles series, so I wanted to give The Shape of Night a try.

The Shape of Night by Tess Gerritsen has Ava Colette renting a home in Tucker Cove, Maine called Brodie’s Watch.  She needs to get away from Boston and is hoping this will give her the opportunity to work on the cookbook she has been wanting to write.  Brodie’s Watch was built by Capt. Jeremiah Brodie in 1861 who is said to have gone down on his ship The Minotaur. Weird things start happening at the house.  Ava is forced to stay since nothing else is available in the area.  She tries out new dishes using the construction workers renovating the house as her guinea pigs.  Then one night, Ava finds Brodie in her bedroom.  He does not feel or appear like an apparition and Ava finds herself drawn to him.  Ava cannot help being curious about the previous renter of her abode.  She finds some of her items still in place and learns about the mysterious deaths that have happened nearby.  Ava wants answers and beings searching for them while spending her nights with Brodie.  Will Ava ever finish her cookbook?  Will she end up the next victim?

From the movie "The Ghost & Mrs. Muir"

The Shape of Night by Tess Gerritsen was not what I was expecting from the blurb.  I was hoping for a modern take on The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (a suspenseful mystery with some paranormal elements).  It has some of that, but then it takes a trip into the dark side.  There are intimate scenes that resemble a dark Fifty Shades of Grey.  It certainly was not what I was suspecting nor was it something I wished to read.  I found myself skimming through the last sixty percent of the book.  I could not get into The Shape of Night.  I did not like Ava who overly indulges in alcohol because of guilt which makes her an unreliable narrator.  I thought the pacing was slow and the descriptions were wordy.  There was repetition and predictability as well.  I was expecting more from Tess Gerritsen who gave us Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles (I still miss the television show).  While The Shape of Night was not for me, I suggest you obtain a sample to see if it suits you.  That is the beauty of books.  There are so many novels available that there is something for every type of reader.  The Shape of Night just did not come together as a gothic paranormal mystery.  

From the movie "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir"

You can find the Shape of Night on Amazon* plus other major booksellers.  I recommend trying Tess Gerritsen's Rizzoli and Isles series.  Thank you for stopping by today.  Tomorrow I am reviewing First Cut by Judy Melinek and TJ Mitchell.  May you have a scintillating day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.