Bittersweet by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore

The cast of supporting characters vary from caricatures to dynamic, well-rounded individuals, as dictated by the needs of the plot. Her difficult past never once overshadows her optimism for the future, even when it becomes clear that she has made some serious missteps in her latest decision-making. Mabel Dagmar is an outsider any reader can relate to. At times the action can seem melodramatic, but this tone fits perfectly with the Gothic stylings of the book.

With one revelation following another, readers will hardly have time to catch their breath in the second half of this suspenseful novel. The further into the enigma of the Winslow’s that Mabel digs, the less she understands the true nature of what is going on just below the surface.Īfter laying this unstable groundwork, Miranda Beverly-Whittemore sets into motion a tragic plot of Shakespearean proportions. Even the eccentric Winslow aunt, Indo, latches on to Mabel, asking her to take on a research assignment – research involving a long hidden secret of the Winslow family and the possible source of their enormous wealth. She attends dinner parties, sails on the open water and falls in love. Mabel quickly adapts to this idyllic lifestyle. With the help of the local handyman, John LaChance, Ev and Mabel transform Bittersweet into their own personal oasis. This is the year that Ev is given possession of Bittersweet, a rustic cottage in need of some sprucing up. As they mature, each of the children are gifted a residence on the compound. Like any large family, the close-knit Winslows are not without their internal struggles, but their bond remains undeniable. The Winslow family always spends their summers at Winloch.

Bittersweet by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore