The Winters by Lisa Gabriele is a modern day retelling of the classic book, Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier. So much happens in this short psychological thriller. The engaging characters and descriptive writing will keep you intrigued, and the conclusion is sure to shock you.
Title: The WintersAuthor: Lisa Gabriele
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
Genres: Mystery, Retelling, Thriller, Adult Fiction
Publication Date: October 16, 2018
Rating:
A spellbindingly suspenseful new novel set in the moneyed world of the Hamptons, about secrets that refuse to remain buried and consequences that can't be escaped.
After a whirlwind romance, a young woman returns to the opulent, secluded Long Island mansion of her new fiancé Max Winter--a wealthy politician and recent widower--and a life of luxury she's never known. But all is not as it appears at the Asherley estate. The house is steeped in the memory of Max's beautiful first wife Rebekah, who haunts the young woman's imagination and feeds her uncertainties, while his very alive teenage daughter Dani makes her life a living hell. She soon realizes there is no clear place for her in this twisted little family: Max and Dani circle each other like cats, a dynamic that both repels and fascinates her, and he harbors political ambitions with which he will allow no woman--alive or dead--to interfere.
As the soon-to-be second Mrs. Winter grows more in love with Max, and more afraid of Dani, she is drawn deeper into the family's dark secrets--the kind of secrets that could kill her, too. The Winters is a riveting story about what happens when a family's ghosts resurface and threaten to upend everything.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: The Winters by Lisa Gabriele
Although the novel is just under 300 pages, a great deal occurs between the pages. There are three parts that seem to make up the story. At first we learn about the narrator’s life in the Cayman Islands and her whirlwind romance with Mr. Winter. Then, our unnamed narrator describes her life at Asherley, the estate of Mr. Winter. Once all of the details are in place, the story picks up and the mind-blowing conclusion starts to unravel.
❀ Interesting Characters
There are so many interesting characters in The Winters. The narrator is such an incredible character who seems to be a diamond in the rough. My personal favourite is Dani, the teenage daughter of Mr. Winter. She is so complex and quite intriguing. At first she seems like your typical spoiled rich kid. As the layers of the story are added, Dani’s character really seems to be the one that changes the most. I went through so many different emotions while reading about her.
❀ Descriptive Writing
The writing is quite descriptive and really sets the mood for the sinister plot. Gabriele starts the beginning of the story with a bang and then keeps you hooked to know more about what happens next. The ending is quite explosive and is one that I did not see coming at all.
❀ A Perfect Fall Read
The Winters by Lisa Gabriele is a perfect fall read that will have you curious to know more about these fascinating characters and what Gabriele has in store for them. I have yet to read the original story, so I am not able to compare the two. However, I really enjoyed the modern elements of this book and I think that fans of Hitchcock’s film, Rebecca, will enjoy its fresh take on the classic.
About Lisa Gabriele
Lisa Gabriele is an author and a award-winning TV producer, writer and director. Her writing has appeared in Vice, Nerve, New York Magazine, Washington Post, New York Times Magazine, Globe and Mail, National Post, Elle and Glamour. Her essays have appeared in several anthologies, including The Best American Non-Required Reading. She’s also the author of the international best-selling S.E.C.R.E.T. trilogy, under the pseudonym L. Marie Adeline, a series that’s been published in more than 30 countries.
I’ve never read Rebecca either, but I’m glad that you really enjoyed this one. It sounds like a book that certainly keeps you reading – I love a good psychological thriller.
-lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…This is Kind of an Epic Love Story by Kheryn Callender
Me too! It really keeps you on edge! 🙂
Wow! This one sounds good. I need to keep this in mind for my book club. We love psychological thrillers.
I think that it is a perfect book club read! 🙂
Oh wow! I think I’d really like this book. 😀
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…Review: The Neolithic Revolution by in60Learning
I think that you would really enjoy it, Stephanie! 🙂
I really loved Rebecca, so I’m looking forward to this one! Glad you enjoyed it!
I would really love to read the original one of these days. I hope that you enjoy it as well. 🙂
I haven’t read Daphne, so I can’t be hyped for the retelling, but the story sounds good on its own
You can definitely enjoy this book without any prior knowledge of the original. 🙂
Wonderful review! This sounds like a great read! I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
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Thank you! 🙂
Psychological thrillers are fast becoming my favorite to read. This is the first I have heard of this one. A must add and read for me. Great review!
Mary