I have just finished reading The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. I don't know why I chose it - the cover just attracted my attention and after having read the blurb on the back it became an impulse buy.
It is the story of an amateur biographer, Margaret Lea, who receives a letter from the famous writer Vida Winter. Miss Winter wants Margaret to tell her life story - and this time she wants to tell the world the real truth. Margaret travels to Vida's isolated old house on the Yorkshire Moors, and there she learns of the house at Angelfield and of Charlie, Isabelle and the strange twins Emmeline and Adeline.
It is a strange book - creepy at times with all its gothic and ghostly references. It is obvious that the writer has been heavily influenced by Jane Eyre, and to me the book is also heavily reminiscent of Rebecca. It certainly kept me hooked during the few days it took me to read it - it was always a case of wanting to read 'just one more chapter'. Having said that though, the ending wasn't quite as good as I hoped it would be. I had guessed correctly how part of it might have ended, and the rest seemed a little far-fetched and convenient. However, I still really enjoyed the book - one of the most addictive books I've read in quite a while. It's definitely worth a read, especially if you like gothic writing.
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