The Shape of Night: A Novel

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.

The Shape of Night is the perfect title for this edgy suspense thriller with a touch of the paranormal. This book will gently hypnotize you with its provocative pull into a world filled with personal conflicts, a bit of gothic romance, family drama, and a seductive spectral element. The Shape of Night is the first book by Tess Gerritsen that I have read and look forward to reading more from her.  Our heroine, Ava Colette, is running from the painful memories of life in Boston, where she has made a disastrous mistake that has left her life in shambles. She finds a seaside house to rent, Brodie’s Watch, on the coast of Maine. She is trying to forget her life in Boston and finish writing her latest cookbook that is well overdue. Initially, she is uneasy in the house, but she gradually falls in love with the house and everything is going well until the house starts to reveal its insidious secrets. Ms. Gerritsen writes Ava as a strong woman with many flaws, but even with all her faults, she is a likable character. She also thoroughly develops the supporting characters in this book. They add an element that ranges from evilness to goodness. The Shape of Night is well written with a multi-layered plotline. There is a slow build-up of tension and suspense that will keep you turning the pages, and you will not want to put this book down. At the start of this book, I was reminded of a TV show that I watched as a child, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. But that is where the similarities ended. Ms. Gerritsen weaves the perfect amount of ghost story, murder mystery, tension, and just the right amount of eroticism that makes this story sizzle.  Overall this was an excellent read, although I did have one problem. I would have liked for the family drama element to be resolved on the page. It was left up to the reader to fill in the blanks. I guess I am just one of those people who like more of an ending and I felt like this one was a little rushed. I am looking forward to reading more of Tess Gerritsen’s books.  ***I kindly received this galley by way of NetGalley/publisher/author. I was not contacted, asked, or required to leave a review. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. I have voluntarily read this book, and this review is my honest opinion .***

Wow! Suspense with a side of creepy, Tess Gerritsen delivers plenty of it in The Shape Of Night. This book is well-written with a fantastic cast of characters. Ava is a food writer working on a new book of recipes. Her guilt has driven her to a different state where she rents a house for the summer. Ava's story is full of moments where readers will be telling her, "Don't do it!" There's lots of humor, spice and suspense along with a paranormal twist. I enjoyed reading The Shape Of Night and look forward to reading more from Tess Gerritsen soon. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.