As a medical examiner myself I’ve been a long time fan of Tess Gerritsen’s “Rizzoli & Isles” series and her stand-alone medical thrillers. When I read the synopsis of “The shape of night” and found out it was gothic paranormal suspense I decided to give it a go, although that genre is not my usual cup of tea.

Ava goes away to Maine to write a book about the traditional foods of New England, while trying to forget something that happened in Boston. She rents Brodie’s Watch, a house built by ships master Captain Brodie in 1861, and soon she realizes that she’s not alone in the house.

This is mainly a haunted house suspense story but there’s also a murder mystery secondary plot. Although a quick read that held my interest throughout, there’s a but....a big one! I think Ava and Brodie’s scenes were so cheesy and embarrasing that they took me out of the story every time, cause I could only think “Fifty shades of Grey” with ghosts (creepy!!)

3,5/5 ⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Bantam Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I would like to thank net galley and random house for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

a departure from Tess Gerritsen usual style and not my usual type of novel.

Ava a food writer has escaped her life in Boston to a small costal town in Maine where all is not as it seems.

I picked this book as I have enjoyed works by Tess Gerritsen, paranormal activity is not my normal genre and on the whole I enjoyed the theme although to my mind it was a little over sexualised.

a good deal of suspense and mystery propelled me through this novel in no time, I just had trouble getting as into it as much as I would have liked as this move is such a departure from the expected genre of Tess Gerittisen

Another amazing book from the super amazing Tess Gerritsen.

It literally had be gripped from the beginning. Chapter after chapter, learning about Ava and her secret.

It is such a thoughtful story but has its surprises!!

Oh wow! You would never guess that this book was written by Tess Gerritsen! It’s so very different to her other books which I’m a big fan of. Had I not been a fan already I possibly wouldn’t have gone for this book, but I’m glad I did. I found it pretty bizarre, I don’t know how to describe it really. Has plenty of erotic scenes, and also supernatural. It’s also full of twists and interesting so kept me gripped throughout. Enjoyed this.

An interesting book, I wasn't sure at first as I am not a fan of ghost stories but I enjoyed the setting and characters and the way it intertwined the paranormal with reality. A good read.

Tess Gerritsen never fails to amaze me with all her knowledge and fabulous way of putting things in action! The queen of medical thrillers has come back and blew my mind once more! Absolutely loved this!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for a review!

An amazing read. I Could not put it down. Really draws you in and keeps you hooked from start to finish. Looking forward to more from this amazing author!! Highly recommended book.

A strange tale of the super natural and modern day crime. Murders in and around a supposedly haunted house built by a long Dead Sea captain. Not the norm for Tess Gerritson a long way from Rizzoli and Isles and not my cup of tea.

Wow. What a great book. Kept me hooked from start to finish. Great narrative and descriptions throughout. Loved it.

Ava, a food writer has left her home in Boston renting a house for the summer in a small village on the coast of Maine to work on her new cookbook. The house she rents is somewhat “other worldly” and draws her in to it’s eerie goings on.

Ava explores the history of the house and what it is that draws herself and previous occupants to the house. It transpires that Ava is running away from a tragic event that took place in Boston.

I have been a fan of Tess Gerritsen for many years but this is a real departure from her other books. It crosses supernatural, with crime and draws the reader in. I highly recommend this book.

A big thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for allowing me to read a preview of this well written book.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43808355-the-shape-of-night

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for a copy of this book.

I think I may have had high hopes for this one as it's Tess Gerritsen, but to be honest, I was a bit bored and the main character, Ava, annoyed me.

It wasn't spooky, the plot was thin and the "erotica" fell flat.

Only 2 stars from me I'm afraid. Stick with Rizzoli and Isles!

I so love this authors books but this one a bit different and I so enjoyed is a bit raunchy . Ava escapes to brodies watch to get away from a lot of things she writes cookery books . but the house is not all quiet so she starts looking in to its past and what has happened to the last tenant. very spooky and an addictive book very very twisty so recommend

This book was not for me. I was expecting it to be the authors usual style and it wasn’t. It was a gothic mystery.
In my opinion she should stick to her usual writing style

Another great read from Tess Gerritson. Great twists and turns all the way through and an ending I wasn’t expecting

What a spooky setting for a book! I loved The Shape Of Night, really we’ll written with lots of tension and some unexpected twists.
I don’t think it’s as strong as Tess’ other books but it’s still worth a read!

Excellent book with a clear cut depiction of characters. The storyline is fluid and constant, and my concentration never waived. Highly recommended.

I have read a few of Tess’s other novels and really enjoyed them. This book is a change from her usual medical based thrillers and explores a more paranormal theme. Tess has a way of describing the characters and environment which makes you feel like you are there. I was really satisfied with the ending. It is definitely worth a read!

The Shape of Night

This book came as a bit of a surprise to me as it wasn’t quite what I was expecting from this author. As well as the murder/mystery side, there is also a supernatural theme. Ava, the main character, has fled her home, family and friends, after an incident that she can’t forgive herself for.
She rents a rundown old mansion overlooking the sea. She’s unnerved by the feelings she gets from the house, initially feeling it doesn’t want her there, but soon becomes overwhelmed and intrigued by the house and it’s ghostly occupant.
As usual, a beautifully written book, very descriptive, and with believable, likeable characters. A good read, with a nice twist.

# The Shape Of Night #
I was slightly disappointed by this book. It didn’t seem to be anywhere near her normal standard for some reason. It’s a shame really, with Tess Gerritsen. I normal automatically assume it’s going to be another really good book. Unfortunately this one wasn’t. I actually at one point keep looking at the authors name. It just did not appear to be her style of writing at all. I just think it was possibly a bad period and hopefully they will start to resume normal standard on the next book

I really enjoyed this book, it was a good mix of romance, suspense and crime. I had a hard time putting it down, it was a case of just one more chapter! The book had the right level of creepiness that had me looking over my shoulder and reading with the lights on. I didn’t guess who the bad guy was, I was way off base so that’s also a bonus! I am going to give this is a big 4 stars, I thought it was a great story and highly recommend it.