Great mystery story—chilling—but I didn’t want to put it down. I had an idea of how the different story lines might be connected, but there were several possibilities and the author kept me guessing to the end.

At a little over the halfway point, a lot of Ava’s story became redundant. It seemed to drag out more than it should. I grew tired of reading about how messed up she was, physically and mentally.

>Note—skip the epilogue—it’s terrible. I hope the author changes it by the release date.

Advanced reader copy courtesy of the publishers at NetGalley for review.

I chose this book as the book cover and the blurb drew me in and I love the idea of a mystery novel.

This is the first book I have read by this author and I enjoyed the level of detail and some of the suspense provided in the book, however it did take me a while to get into the story and I wasn't captivated at the beginning enough to read on with speed.

To captivate me and keep me going from the offset, I feel that the story should have been played the other way around so it starts with the Ava finding out her mum's background and going through the story that way rather than waiting until the last few chapters to find out what's happening. I found the investigating piece long and drawn out.

Ava Brent, a small time news reporter, a woman in a loving relationship, with a nice if somewhat mysterious on her mother’s side family, has finally all she has so desperately wanted to be…pregnant. Now her life can be complete…yet a case gets in a way. Something that should have been a peculiar but trivial story about a strange suicide inducing landmark turns out to have a strange and irresistible attraction for Ava. The creepy Overtoun Estate standing all but forgotten in the shadows and gloom calls to Ava, promises to whisper its secrets to the right ears, seemingly desperate to have its story told… Or maybe Ava’s projecting, powered on by her obsessive personality. Either way, she can’t let go of the story, to the great detriment of her professional and personal life. And so the novel mainly follows Ava on her quest for the truth.
And meanwhile, you get two other storylines, set in different times.
One of a sheltered young woman who gets wooed, married and whisked away to a remote hostile manor by her superficially dashing broom, Crimson Peak style minus the incest. Whereupon her isolation and loneliness and inability to have a baby turn her mind to a darker place. The other of a young girl, systemically and horribly mistreated by her mother.
Of course, all the stories are connected and it’s up to Ava to jostle her growing belly around trying to figure out the connection.
The overall success of Thin Place depends on how you read it. If you approach it as a character driven drama with Gothic undertones…it’s pretty good. If you read it as a thriller with light supernatural ghostly echoes…it’ll leave something to be desired. Which is to say I figured out every single plot turn and twist way, way too early on. Every single freaking one of them. There might have been surprises for Ava, but there were none for this reader. And that’s in a genre that (pun intended) lives and dies by its twists. I mean, granted I’m a person of an above average intelligence, with an analytical mind adapted for deduction, who reads tons of thrillers, so my brain is somewhat primed to solve these things, but still…this has been the most predictable of adventures. Which is somewhat disappointing, because otherwise the book read pretty well. It managed to sustain a nice atmosphere throughout, Overtoun Estate rendered appropriately creepy (it’s the eponymous thin place where the boundaries between the words are…well, thin), and the characters were well developed and had that careening trajectory that made their stories as compelling as train wrecks…you know where it’s going but you can’t look away.
The pacing was good, the novel read very quickly. And it was inspired by real life events, locations and cases. The latter, specifically, the case of Dee Dee Blanchard and her daughter, which, having never jumped on the true crime train that is such a modern obsession) I’ve never heard of until now and having looked it up since I’m stunned any jury would convict the daughter. I mean, if there was ever a mother you can justify killing…oh justice, how strangely your wheels turn. Anyway…
So yeah, a darkly entertaining and fairly compelling, but tragically predictable thriller or a darkly entertaining character driven generational dramatic tragedy. Choose your own adventure. The author’s debut looks interesting too, especially the NZ asylum thing, maybe one day. Thanks Netgalley.

So I need someone to make this into a show or movie yesterday. Following the three timelines and how the connect at the end is amazing. It’s truly a book that you cannot put down. I felt the obsession that Ava had to know the whole story and fill in all the missing pieces. If you liked haunting of hill house and bly manor read this book.

I found this in the Read Now section of Netgalley. I liked the sound of it, so I decided to check it out.
I hadn't realized that I'd read something by this author before, and it wasn't for me. But I figured, each work should be judged on its own merits, right?
So here goes. The story is told in three parts with three different narrators. We know that Ava is here in the present, but the position of the other two narrators in the timeline is unclear. This is obviously on purpose, though, as knowing would spoil one of the big reveals. I like the multiple timeline format, and feel like it worked well, here, although I did find myself more interested in the two "past" plots than the present one.
Ava, the protagonist, is not a particularly likable character, but then, neither is anyone else in her life. The lack of communication between her and her family members, as well as her partner, is pretty extreme. Everyone comes off as weirdly selfish and sulky and persecuted, and I found it difficult to care about any of them.
Ava's story was her solving the mystery of the other two people's stories. She's an investigative reporter, but she does very little actual investigating. Answers just sort of fall into her lap, first stumbling upon a giant clue that literally explains half of the mystery, and then two conversations clear up the rest. Ok, then, so maybe this is meant to be less of a mystery and more of a character study? Maybe, but as I said, the cast of the present part of the story weren't particularly interesting, well-developed or likable. The two characters in the other parts of the story fare better, but they are also very one-note.
The ending, or, at least the pre-ending/big reveal came as no surprise- from the introduction, it was clear that Marion was going to end up being [can't spoil it!]. What did surprise me a bit, though it shouldn't have, was the mean-spirited little twist at the end, which mirrored the ending of that other book I'd read by the author.
Clearly I am not the right reader for CD Major.
It was a well-structured and interesting enough story, though, and I can understand people enjoying it.

This was an incredibly easy read,and I dont mean that in any negative way.
It was straightforward,and didnt throw in red herrings or too many plot twists.
I made assumptions about the characters quite early on,and was pleased to have them be right.
A very interesting idea that has a place be haunted by its past,and the people who lived there.
It packs a punch or two,but never veers off into unbelievable territory for me.
A very enjoyable read.

I quite enjoyed this book, but the dual narrators didn’t quite work for me and I think the atmosphere could have been stronger.

I found this book to be just okay. It was an interesting premise, but I found the story as a whole to be a bit lacking. I also figured out the twist well before the end, it seemed so obvious. Overall, it was a decent read, but not something that knocked my socks off.

Very well developed characters and an extremely engaging story. Well thought out and very suspenseful story line that keeps the reader guessing until the final twist! This is the book to read this year! Highly recommended!

‘The Thin Place’ -C.D. Major
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ *easily 5 stars*
Genre: Historical Fiction/ Thriller

⚠️ TW: Miscarriage, still-birth, munchausen by proxy, animal abuse and animal death ⚠️

The Thin Place: where the veil between heaven and earth is so thin, one could effortlessly fall over the precipice.

This slow-burn novel perfectly encompasses fact, fiction and mystery, utilising them in an emotive, shocking and disturbing storyline. Throughout reading this I; nervously paced, held my breath (countless times) and felt that dread of your heart dropping suddenly out of your body without a trace.

Based upon the real location of Overtoun in Scotland, that is steeped in myth, Ava- a tenacious journalist, seeks to uncover the truth behind its tragic past. But will this jeopardise everything she once loved?

Told through three female characters; Ava, Marion and Constance, spanning different time frames, the history of this tragic place begins to reveal itself as we learn these women share a harrowing connection.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this riveting ARC.
Release date: 15th April 2021

What are Thin Places? Thin places are places of energy. A place where the veil between this world and the eternal world is thin. A thin place is where one can walk in two worlds – the worlds are fused together, knitted loosely where the differences can be discerned or tightly where the two worlds become one. (Definition provided by thinplacestour.com)

Ava Brent is a journalist that takes on the story of Overtoun House and bridge. A spot that locals refer to as a Thin Place. It is believed that in the 1950's upwards of 500 dogs have leaped to their deaths from the bridge. Not only that but dead bodies have been found around the estate with spent guns next to them. Does the bridge have some strange pull that brings both man and beast to their death?

That is what Ava wants to find out.

Once Ava arrives on site she gets a strange feeling. It's as if the house knows she is there and is demanding her to leave. Yet as strange as she felt while there she becomes obsessed and finds herself going back there time and time again. Even breaking into the home to curb her curiosity. Meanwhile, Ava has also discovers that she's pregnant and while she is delighted to be having Frasier's baby she can't seem to focus on her own health and their future together. Overtoun House is the only thing on her mind.

Then we flashback to Marion and Constance both of whom resided in Overtoun house.

Marion, 1929

A poor young woman that is swept off her feet by Hamish. They marry and he brings her back to his families estate. They try and try again for a baby but it isn't meant to be. Miscarriage after miscarriage have left Marion frail and Hamish resentful that she can't carry a baby.

Constance, 1949

A young girl that is locked away in a room at Overtoun House. Her mother tells her that she is very ill and should not be exposed to anyone. Loneliness is the only life she knows. All she has is the view of the bridge from her window and how excited she becomes to see anyone crossing over wishing she could run out there to laugh and play with them.

All three storylines will interconnect and I'll admit that I was surprised by one revelation though in hindsight I'm wondering how I missed the connection. It seems so obvious...now. A slow burn of a novel with rich atmosphere and an intriguing location that kept me turning the pages. The author ends the novel with an historical note and much to my surprise Overtoun House and bridge is, in fact, a real place steeped in mystery. I have much to Google. 4 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing me with a digital ARC.

The Thin Place - CD Major. A story in three timelines about a "thin place," a place where the space between worlds is smaller. Ava is a newly pregnant journalist in the present day, investigating a story where dogs are compelled to jump from a bridge; Constance is a sickly little girl in the 1940s, locked in her room; and Marion is a young bride in the 1920s who has come to live at her new husband's foreboding estate, while he is never home. This was good. I wasn't too surprised by anything that happened, but it was a pretty good read. Four stars.

*I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

The Thin Place centered around the dark history of the foreboding Scottish estate, Overtoun. It follows the story of three women from different times whose lives will somehow intersect.

The story starts with Ava, a television journalist, who decided to investigate a bridge near the Overtoun estate where many dogs have jumped to their death.  She soon obsessed to uncover Overtoun's dark history, putting a strain on her relationship with her family, partner, and her job.
We're also introduced to two other women — Marion and Constance. Marion, in 1929, she married the lord of the manor. It tells her story of courtship and marriage plagued by loneliness, misery, and tragedy. Constance, a sickly young girl who lived in the manor in 1949 with a devoted mother.

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A compelling and gripping thriller with its gothic and creepy atmosphere. The Thin Place is slow paced with realistic and well-written characters. Told by multiple narrators, Ava is not a likeable character. She makes a lot of bad decisions. I found myself drawn to Marion and Constance. Both of their stories are heartbreaking and sometimes uncomfortable to read. A book filled with intrigue and secrets, some were predictable. The slow build up of tension was so satisfying!
Overall, The Thin Place is a captivating read with a perfect mixed of mystery and suspense.

The Thin Place has three stories woven together that take place at various times throughout history. As you read on, you eventually discover the connection between the three. This book also takes advantage of the ever-popular somewhat unreliable narrator combined with some subtle thriller vibes.
The story takes place in Scotland and explores a bridge there where many dogs have jumped to their death (this is a real place in Scotland) and a house near the Bridge called Overtoun. The author tells the tale of the thin place where - the place where the world of the living and the world of the dead has a thin barrier.
The book is filled with intrigue and turns - even toward the end when you think you’ve solved it, there’s still another twist. Not only does the author delve into the mystery, but also familial relationships, which makes it more interesting than a standard thriller. I will say in the beginning, it was a bit slow to start and hard to keep track of who the three characters were, but once it takes off, I finished reading it within a few hours because I couldn’t put it down. Overall, it’s worth a read!
Thanks to Net Galley for a free ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

A <b>BIG THANK YOU</b> to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for the ARC of The Thin Place
by C.D. Major. For fans of The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor, C.D. Major delivers an eerie and evocative page-turner. The Thin Place is a mystery with the lasting power to stay with you long after the book is closed. ★★★★★

From the publisher: She has to know the truth about Overtoun Estate, but there is a reason it has stayed buried for so long. When journalist Ava Brent decides to investigate the dark mystery of Overtoun Estate—a ‘thin place’, steeped in myth—she has no idea how dangerous this story will be for her. Overtoun looms over the town, watching, waiting: the locals fearful of the strange building and the secrets it keeps. When Ava starts to ask questions, the warm welcome she first receives turns to a cold shoulder. And before she knows it, Ava is caught in the house’s grasp too.

After she discovers the history of a sick young girl who lived there, she starts to understand the sadness that shrouds it. But when she finds an ominous old message etched into a windowsill, she is forced to wonder—what horrors is the house protecting? And what will it cost her to find out? With her own first child on the way, Ava knows she should stay away. But even as her life starts to unravel, and she receives chilling threats, the house and the bridge keep pulling her back…

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

5 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 15 Apr 2021
#TheThinPlace #NetGalley

The Thin Place is an incredibly captivating story of family secrets. CD Major uses multiple narrators to tell a harrowing tale of a manor home and the bridge nearby that has claimed the lives of upwards of 500 since 1950.

This novel was spellbinding and I could not put it down once I started reading. A clever balance of horror and mystery, this book will surely hold you captive as you learn the secrets of Overtoun.

This book tells the story from three characters' viewpoints and three different points in time. It focuses on the Overtoun Estate and the history of life there, as well as the mysterious dog suicide pattern at the nearby bridge. Ava is a journalist and decides to investigate further. She can tell that the house has a mystery that it is hiding and starts to receive threats herself. Her obsession with the house begins to put a strain on the relationships in her life.

To me, this book was trying to touch on a lot of things at once, mystery, relationships, family history, the supernatural - and it never really came together well for me.

The Thin Place tells its story through 3 characters from 3 different points in time. Set around Overtoun House and bridge near Dumbarton in Scotland, modern day journalist Ava sets out to investigate a story surrounding the property whereby hundreds of dogs have leapt to their death from the bridge, with no reasoning ever being discovered. She finds herself increasingly attracted to the house and begins to investigate its past, to the detriment of her own relationship. Intertwined with Ava’a story are Marion and Constance’s. Marion moved from London to Overtoun after marrying the lord of the manor in 1929. Her expectations of a lavish new lifestyle were never met, her life plagued with tragedy, sadness and loneliness. Constance is introduced to us from 1949, a young sickly girl who also lives at Overtoun.

I found it hard to put this book down! I haven’t read anything by CD Major before and didn’t really know what it was going to be about. It was fast paced and had a gothic vibe that I loved. It was chilling and spooky; even more so once I found that the house and bridge really exist and that the bridge does have a reputation for dogs jumping from it into a gorge below. I found both Marion and Constance’s stories to be heartbreaking in completely different ways. I think Ava was just a good way for the author to be able to tell the reader Constance’s life before and after Overtoun. I would say that as the story is set in Scotland that I would have liked to have seen a little bit more in the way of Scottish dialect.

This book was perfect for winter’s nights, with its gothic atmosphere mixed in with the contemporary world. I couldn’t put it down, even though its content meant that it was hard to read in places. If you’re a sentimental dog-lover like me, be warned that it’s a difficult read, but well worth it for the gripping plot.

'Heaven and earth are only three feet apart, but in think places that distance is even shorter.'

The Thin Place follows 3 women's stories across the span of decades and generations, yet somehow all connected to Overtoun House. Overtoun House is a real place in Scotland that has been described as a 'thin place'. A bridge exists there where numerous dogs willingly jump to their deaths; some survive only to go back up to the same spot and jump again. This piece of historical fiction is very eerie and left me feeling really unsettled throughout. I guessed one or two twists and yet the execution of them was still brilliant to read. I enjoyed that the chapters were snippets of each woman, quite fragmented rather than allowing the reader to see the full picture which definitely added to the mystery.

The Thin Place is released in April 2021 and it is now available for preorder!
Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for my advanced copy.