Clarissa's Warning

Paranormal Mystery in the Canary Islands

By: Isobel Blackthorn

Narrated by: Virginia Ferguson

Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

A lottery jackpot changes Claire Bennett’s life.

After she buys an ancient stone ruin on Fuerteventura - the island of her dreams - her mystic aunt Clarissa warns her of danger.

Claire pays no heed, but soon after she moves to the idyllic island, she is confronted by a mystery. As the sinister story of her home slowly uncovers, Claire enters a world of inexplicable events and ordeals.

Someone or something doesn't want her there. But what is really behind the events?

©2018 Isobel Blackthorn (P)2019 Isobel Blackthorn

this book was given to me at my request for review

I enjoyed this book but couldn't understand the Spanish language, thankfully it wasn't a lot. The story was a good one with all the spirits lurking.

No melodrama

renovation, ghosts, paranormal, mystery

The perfect read for a lazy summer afternoon. The pace of the novel and the narration is slow with an even flow. No startling melodrama despite the renovation being unpopular with the local residents and the past residents of the building. Beautiful descriptions of the island, detailed and expressive imagery for everything and everyone. I really enjoyed it!
This was my chance to visit the islands where the Norwegian cousins spent many a holiday.
Virginia Ferguson is very well suited as narrator with her pleasant voice and clear delivery.
I won this audiobook in a giveaway! I really win!

Paranormal Mystery in the Canary Islands

This story is languid tale of ghostly hauntings at a Canary Island estate renovation. The pace of the story is what I expect is the pace of a hot island town. There is a lot of detail and history of the island included. Slowly we learn of prior inhabitants of the house as we try to guess who is haunting the ruins. Of course, there is a love interest that adds spice to the story.
The narration mimicked the tale with a relaxed tempo, building to an exciting conclusion.
I was given a free copy of the book at my request for an unbiased review.

paranormal for The Logical

when you try to brush away everything with logic, find simple reasons until there is no reasons so you can find. sometimes you have to brush logic to the side and just take it as face value. this is about a woman who comes into money and jumps into buying a beautiful old ruin. instead of finding a community of supportive people, she finds secrets and so many myths that she is not sure which to believe. it is wonderfully written and narrated.

A good story to listen

A good mystery that was unique and quite enjoyable to listen to. Quite a lot of historical detail and you can follow along quite easily. You like Claire and her new journey on the island of her dreams. The characters she comes across were unique and so was the paranormal aspect of the place. You'll enjoy it, so pick up a copy and enjoy.

Very descriptive writing!

I felt I was in Tiscamanita in Fuerteventura. I even googled it and the pictures were what I was envisioning!
Great escapism.

Virginia Ferguson brought the characters to life.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Ok

This is a slow paced, light mystery with paranormal undertones. I felt like there was too much focus on the house renovation, the town, culture and history of the island. I found myself becoming more interested in the Canary Islands and looking it up on Google. Although it took me a while, I did manage to finish the book. Overall, I enjoyed the story. The characters are interesting and I found that I wanted to know how the story ended.

I received this book for free in exchange for an unbiased review.

Paranormal Mystery

The beginning I found to be slow and it did not really engage me, I think this is because we get too much background information about the main character. However, once the story picks up it gets better and more interesting. I liked the paranormal aspect to it.

Beautiful storytelling - Especially for skeptics

What I liked:
-I really appreciated the very detailed descriptions of everything (boring bank job, delicious food, stand-offish neighbors, etc.) that immersed you into the story.
-Narrator voice was quite enjoyable. Just the right speed and calmness to listen to while driving or gardening.
-Loved how the story slowly unfolded, as it would for someone who is skeptical of the paranormal.
-Found both the historic details and current information about the Canary Islands super fascinating and educational.
-Liked the contemporary references, implying that this story might be taking place right now.
-Appreciated the braveness of the main character, Claire, a middle-age woman, who embraces the challenge of restoring a ruin in a country where she has only vacationed.

What I did not enjoy:
-No negatives worth mentioning!

Disclaimer: Received this title for free in exchange for an unbiased review.

Creeps up on you

Anyone who is a fan of Barbara Michaels, Mary Stewart, or Victoria Holt will be an instant fan of this character-driven book. I love a story that doesn't rely on the obvious and this is delightfully filled with red herrings you never see coming. I listened to the ending three times over because it tracks but I certainly never expected it.

Not your usual locale, not your usual tricks to signal chills or thrills, and certainly not your usual relationship. (No spoilers, but I love seeing a female character take the lead with money and pursuing her dreams.)

Do not make the mistake of listening at bedtime. I lost a lot of sleep getting so involved in the story that I'd keep overriding the sleep timer for another chapter, then another. This was my first book by this author, but it certainly won't be my last. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.