The Evening Spider: A Novel - Softcover

Arsenault, Emily

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0062379313 ISBN 13: 9780062379313

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks, 2016

Synopsis

A gripping blend of psychological suspense and historical true crime, this riveting novel-inspired by a sensational real-life murder from the 1800s-by critically acclaimed author Emily Arsenault delivers a heart-stopping mystery linking two young mothers from different centuries. Frances Barnett and Abby Bernacki are two haunted young mothers living in the same house in two different centuries. 1885: Frances Barnett is in the Northampton Lunatic Hospital, telling her story to a visitor. She has come to distrust her own memories, and believes that her pregnancy, birth, and early days of motherhood may have impaired her sanity. During the earliest months of her baby's life, Frances eagerly followed the famous murder trial of Mary Stannard-that captivated New Englanders with its salacious details and expert forensic testimony. Following-and even attending-this trial, Frances found an escape from the monotony of new motherhood. But as her story unfolds, Frances must admit that her obsession with the details of the murder were not entirely innocent. Present day: Abby has been adjusting to motherhood smoothly-until recently, when odd sensations and dreams have begun to unsettle her while home alone with her baby. When she starts to question the house's history, she is given the diary of Frances Barnett, who lived in the house 125 years earlier. Abby finds the diary disturbing, and researches the Barnett family's history. The more Abby learns, the more she wonders about a negative-possibly supernatural-influence in her house. She becomes convinced that when she sleeps, she leaves her daughter vulnerable-and then vows not to sleep until she can determine the cause of her eerie experiences. Frances Barnett might not be the only new mother to lose her mind in this house. And like Frances, Abby discovers that by trying to uncover another's secrets, she risks awakening some of her own.

About this title

Review:

"a good old-fashioned gothic novel with a modern twist; a tale of dusty old journals, creaky houses, and ghostly whispers [...] Arsenault never strays from the task at hand, which is to keep you up all night with a light burning until you reach the surprising end."--Melanie Benjamin, New York Times best-selling author of THE AVIATOR'S WIFE and THE SWANS OF FIFTH AVENUE

"an emotionally satisfying ending. Abby's and Frances' mirrored stories are the stars of the show... A striking reminder that today's domesticity is not too far removed from that of the 19th century."--Kirkus Reviews

"From the opening pages, it's clear that this will be a haunting novel... An engrossing, suspenseful mix of historical fiction and contemporary thriller, with some unexpected twists and wisdom: "We have to learn to live with our ghosts.""--Booklist

"intricately plotted... Passionate and suspenseful, it is the author's best book to date. [...] That ending is as satisfying as the story is engrossing, taking the reader beyond the fun of a breathtaking tale to an important lesson about dealing honestly with one's own past and present."--The Recorder.com

"Arsenault deftly shifts among three perspectives in this exquisitely creepy blend of historical true crime and modern ghost story [...] Arsenualt's gift for letting readers feel the characters' anguish from the inside while showing their irrational strangeness from the outside makes for terror that sticks."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

From the Back Cover:

"The evening spider made its visit some time later--when Martha was almost five months old. I know Matthew saw that spider. I know it was not a product of my diseased imagination."

In this compelling mix of psychological suspense and historic true crime, two young mothers--130 years apart--are haunted by the same house.

1885: From inside a New England mental hospital, Frances Barnett recounts the months that led to her hospitalization. She believes that her pregnancy, the birth of her child, and the first days of motherhood may have impaired her sanity, and she has come to distrust her own memories. She escaped the monotony and isolation of her daughter's early months by following a local murder trial, and as her story unfolds, Frances must admit that her obsession with the details of the murder was not entirely innocent.

Present day: Abby Bernacki has been adjusting to motherhood smoothly--until odd sensations and dreams began to unsettle her while home alone with her baby. When she stumbles onto the timeworn diary of Frances Barnett, Abby is surprised to see how similar their situations are. But as she reaches the diary's disturbing final pages, she becomes obsessed with the idea that a supernatural influence might be inhabiting her home.

With each passing day, Abby feels her own grip on reality slipping--and most troubling of all, she fears for her baby's safety.

About this edition

• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0062379313
• ISBN 13: 9780062379313
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 368