First Chapter First Paragraph: The Story Keeper by Anna Mazzola

Published on by Margaret

Every Tuesday First Chapter, First Paragraph/Intros is hosted by Vicky of I’d Rather Be at the Beach sharing the first paragraph or two of a book she’s reading or plans to read soon.

My book this week is one of the books I’m reading at the moment, The Story Keeper by Anna Mazzola.

The Story Keeper

September 1857

Shrieking split the leaden sky and Audrey looked up to see a host of birds, their wings ink-black against the grey.

‘Storm coming, d’you see? They know the wind’s changing.’ The man gestured upwards, but his eyes were on Audrey. ‘They feel it long before we can tell.’

Blurb (Amazon):

Audrey Hart is on the Isle of Skye to collect the folk and fairy tales of the people and communities around her. It is 1857 and the Highland Clearances have left devastation and poverty, and a community riven by fear. The crofters are suspicious and hostile to a stranger, claiming they no longer know their fireside stories.

Then Audrey discovers the body of a young girl washed up on the beach and the crofters reveal that it is only a matter of weeks since another girl disappeared. They believe the girls are the victims of the restless dead: spirits who take the form of birds.

Initially, Audrey is sure the girls are being abducted, but as events accumulate she begins to wonder if something else is at work. Something which may be linked to the death of her own mother, many years before.

What do you think? Would you keep reading?

I was captivated by the opening chapters of this book. Now, I’m nearing the end and it is still captivating me. It’s mysterious, full of folk and fairy tales, with a sense of foreboding.

 

15 thoughts on “First Chapter First Paragraph: The Story Keeper by Anna Mazzola”

  4. I keep hearing about this one, Margaret. And it sounds beautifully written. The location draws me in, too. I definitely would read on, and I hope you’ll enjoy it. I also hope you’ll post a review in due course.

    Like

  7. I’ve read several books in the last few months that include blackbirds of one sort or another. And here’s another. Obviously, they are great for books with suspense. I’m pretty sure I’ve got this on my list already, but I’ll check. If not, on my list it will go.

    Like

  10. I feel that sense of foreboding you mentioned. I’m glad it holds up all the way through.

    Like

  11. My resistance to folklore meant it took a little longer for her to captivate me, but she caught me in the end! Thoroughly enjoyed it, and am looking forward to your review. 🙂

    Like

Comments are closed.