The Tale of Halcyon Crane

By: Wendy Webb

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Ghosts don't exist in our world of today. Life is too pragmatic, too consuming, too busy for past lives to linger on longer than their allotted time, or so Halcyon had believed, until she received a letter from a lawyer claiming that her mother, whom she had thought long dead, had actually been living in another part of the country since Halcyon's early childhood. She had only recently passed away, leaving Halcyon heir to an unexpected fortune and an estate on an isolated island in the middle of the Great Lakes.

Setting out to find some answers, Halcyon travels to her mother's home. But will she be prepared for the ghastly family history that waits for her there, the visions and revelations that will change everything that she thought she knew about the father she lived with and the mother she'd lost long ago?

©2010 Wendy Webb (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Captivating and haunting, this debut proves Wendy Webb is a very gifted storyteller.” (M. J. Rose, author of The Memorist)

Atmosphere plus

Would you listen to The Tale of Halcyon Crane again? Why?

I have listened to this twice since purchasing it. It's one that I am sure I will return to again. It's genuinely atmospheric with a hint of gothic.

What other book might you compare The Tale of Halcyon Crane to and why?

The Thirtieth Tale. Anything by Kate Morton.

What about Cassandra Campbell???s performance did you like?

Her voice is even and fluctuates well with the rise and fall of the story

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I could have listened straight through

Any additional comments?

A great ghost story with some real scary moments. Loved it.

Wendy Webb Delivers Again

Would you listen to The Tale of Halcyon Crane again? Why?

YES! I'd listen to it two or three more times (maybe more) By knowing the ending and listening to it again you see the web Wendy weaves more clearly. You catch little nuances you may have overlooked the first time.

What other book might you compare The Tale of Halcyon Crane to and why?

Not sure.

What does Cassandra Campbell bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Cassandra is clearly a performer. An actress spinning a performance using only words is a special talent. Wendy Web is fortunate to find such talent to narrate her stories.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, when Halcyon's father thought she had killed her childhood friend he made a HUGE sacrifice to protect her. Then dedicated his life being her protector.

Any additional comments?

LOVED IT!

Addicted

I can't get enough of Wendy Webb's stories! I loved this one. I was able to predict some of it but still be totally surprised by a twist. can't wait for more!

The narrator was good and able to keep me engaged with the story. Good pacing.

great book

Loved it. Gave me chills every time the three girls sang the teasing chiming song.

Pleasantly Surprised

At first I was a little lost. When I actually focused on the book it was very interesting.

SUPER (natural)

Loved it! Subject matter that I enjoy-ghosts, people who see ghosts & a witch without being adolescent or corny. This is my first book by Wendy Webb & I’m going to search for more right now😁

a surprising enjoyment

normally this isn't my field of interest but I'm wrong I will be seeking out not just this author but this genre as well this was a good book

A nice modern gothic story

I get impatient with the gothic trope of blindness and willful stupidity. But Wendy Webb doesn't overdue it and adroitly moves the story forward. One of the best of it's type. A nice plot and a nice story. I really liked it.

Wow!

This book starts out a little slowly, but ends up with fascinating and (sometimes) unnerving plot twists. I loved the descriptive wording that evoked so many different emotions during the tale. Definitely a book that I will read again!

good story okish ending

it was an interesting enough story I was enjoying it till the end then it just fizzled