Book 4 of my 2022 Reading Challenge
The End of Temperance Dare
by Wendy Webb
5 stars
Published in 2017, The End of Temperance Dare is a mystery set at Cliffside Manor, a former TB sanitorium now turned into an artists' retreat. This book was free though the Amazon Prime Reading and I picked it because I've read two other books by the author and liked them. It was a cold, lazy Sunday which made it perfect to snuggle into a haunting read. I took a long break in the middle because I was trying to avoid screen time, including e-books, but I read this in 2-3 sittings.
Damn! I rated this book 5 stars for the immense readability. I thought I had an idea of where it was going and there were little pockets of action throughout the book but then as soon as one thing revealed, which I thought would be the big reveal, it turned into a roller coaster of twists and turns. Everything was a surprise but also made sense - the answers were there the whole time but the author did a great job of misdirection. As soon as it was over I needed a break from all of the emotions to deal with my book hangover.
As with her other books I've read, the author sets a scene so fully. I'm not sure exactly how since there aren't many descriptive words but maybe it's because the narrator is usually a woman and the settings are small/gray/water adjacent so it's easier for me to fall into. When the narrator is learning everything at the same time as the reader, it helps the pace.
It reads older so I was surprised when a flat-screen television was mentioned. I guess doing the math on how long ago the opening happened before the present day accounts for it but I hadn't pictured it in current times based on the setting. Just my own personal bias. Also, her previous position as a reporter helped a lot with backstory since it was natural for her to look over her articles.
All in all, this mystery was a solid way to spend a few hours and I'll definitely read this author again.
