The Artist of Blackberry Grange - by Paulette Kennedy (Paperback)

About the Book

"In the summer of 1925, the winds of change are particularly chilling for a young woman whose life has suddenly become unbalanced. Devastated by her mother's death and a cruel, broken engagement, Sadie Halloran learns that her great-aunt Marguerite, a renowned artist now in the throes of dementia, needs a live-in companion. Grasping at newfound purpose, Sadie leaves her desolate Kansas City boardinghouse for Blackberry Grange, Marguerite's once-grand mansion sitting precariously atop an Arkansas bluff. Though Marguerite is a fading shell of the vibrant woman Sadie remembers, Marguerite is feverishly compelled to paint eerie, hallucinatory portraits of old lovers--some cherished, some regretted, and some beastly. All of them haunting. With each passing night, time itself seems to shift with the shadows at Blackberry Grange. As truth and delusion begin to blur, Sadie must uncover the secrets that hold Marguerite captive to her past before reality--and Marguerite's life--slips away entirely"--

Book Synopsis

For a young caregiver in the Ozarks, an old house holds haunting memories in a ghostly novel about family secrets, sacrifice, and lost loves by the author of The Devil and Mrs. Davenport.

In the summer of 1925, the winds of change are particularly chilling for a young woman whose life has suddenly become unbalanced.

Devastated by her mother's death and a cruel, broken engagement, Sadie Halloran learns that her great-aunt Marguerite, a renowned artist now in the throes of dementia, needs a live-in companion. Grasping at newfound purpose, Sadie leaves her desolate Kansas City boardinghouse for Blackberry Grange, Marguerite's once-grand mansion sitting precariously atop an Arkansas bluff. Though Marguerite is a fading shell of the vibrant woman Sadie remembers, Marguerite is feverishly compelled to paint eerie, hallucinatory portraits of old lovers--some cherished, some regretted, and some beastly. All of them haunting.

With each passing night, time itself seems to shift with the shadows at Blackberry Grange. As truth and delusion begin to blur, Sadie must uncover the secrets that hold Marguerite captive to her past before reality--and Marguerite's life--slips away entirely.

Review Quotes

"Kennedy has created an appealing character whose change from selfishness to empathy [is] at the heart of the book..." --Historical Novels Review

"Original, exceptional, and a fascinating read from start to finish, The Artist of Blackberry Grange by Paulette Kennedy is an extraordinary novel...Especially and unreservedly recommended..." --Midwest Book Review

"The Artist of Blackberry Grange is an utter gothic delight. [Paulette Kennedy's] signature use of an atmospheric Southern setting, evocative prose, and gothic suspense creates a winning combination. Kennedy keeps readers hooked until the very last page. Pitch-perfect pacing combined with very real--very human--characters make this a novel that will stick with you long after the final pages." --Jess Armstrong, USA Today bestselling author of The Curse of Penryth Hall

"A bold, fresh story about the ghosts that haunt us and the ones we overcome. Paulette Kennedy explores loss and humility through the eyes of a saucy flapper who may bend the rules but not her sense of morality. This book will linger in your heart like the fond memory of a loved one." --Mansi Shah, bestselling author of The Direction of the Wind

"Paulette Kennedy is fast becoming a queen of gothic fiction. The Artist of Blackberry Grange continues her success with a chilling mystery, forbidden desires, and a heart-pounding chain of supernatural events that will keep you glued to the pages. Highly recommended." --Christine Nolfi, bestselling author of The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves

"Paulette Kennedy has once again proven herself to be a true master of gothic fiction. The Artist of Blackberry Grange is unsettling, atmospheric, and deeply moving, a haunting and heartfelt exploration of love and letting go. Perfect for readers who appreciate both the beauty and darkness of the human experience." --Molly Greeley, author of Marvelous

"With The Artist of Blackberry Grange, Paulette Kennedy continues her streak of writing brilliant gothics. Part Dorian Gray and part exploration of the dark legacy of family trauma, I adored every twisty, gorgeously written page. Don't miss this one!" --Kris Waldherr, author of The Lost History of Dreams and Unnatural Creatures: A Novel of the Frankenstein Women

"Kennedy continues to outdo herself with a haunting tale that is both fresh in its takes on beloved tropes, as well as true to her oeuvre and the Gothic literary tradition. My favorite Paulette Kennedy book so far." --Hester Fox, author of A Magic Deep and Drowning

"Gripping from the first sentence. Tense, haunting, and full of twists, this is Paulette Kennedy--and gothic fiction--at her finest." --Marielle Thompson, author of The Last Witch in Edinburgh

"A Picture of Dorian Gray-like twist on the traditional haunted house gothic story...In Paulette Kennedy's singularly crisp and satisfyingly insightful prose." --Olesya Salnikova Gilmore, author of The Haunting of Moscow House

"Beautiful and haunting. Paulette Kennedy masterfully weaves a tale that is atmospheric and frightening, and also romantic and heartfelt. Readers will be swept away by Kennedy's lush storytelling. [A] must-read author in the world of gothic literature!" --Elissa Grossell Dickey, author of Iris in the Dark

"I read 150 pages in one sitting and forced myself to slow down and savor the book rather than devour it whole. It feels like a classic." --Agatha Andrews of She Wore Black podcast