Review of Hattie Vavaseur

[Josephe-Anne]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Hattie Vavaseur" by M. Rebecca Wildsmith.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Jealousy and vanity lead to a maniacal obsession in the afterlife in this unusual tale. Hattie Vavaseur by M. Rebecca Wildsmith is a supernatural murder mystery set in the 1920s. The title character, Hattie, is escorted to a dilapidated mansion by a chauffeur who seems vaguely familiar to her. Although she doesn’t want to admit it, her memory is failing. Despite her amnesia, Hattie settles in to her new accommodations with the friendly assistance of the estate’s staff. Shortly after her arrival, she encounters the master of the house. He is an imposing man who is prone to frequent mood swings, so Hattie tries to avoid him at first. Then she meets an eccentric clairvoyant who explains her current situation. Hattie can hardly believe it. Could she really be in some strange new plane of existence, where the living and the dead can communicate? If so, why is she here and what does the brutish master of the house have to do with it? The lives (and afterlives) of several people intersect as the mystery is slowly revealed.

The cover image has a pattern of various items (including an umbrella, a woman’s cloche hat, a pair of gloves, and other things) printed on a mint green background. This design is simple, but it hints at the era in which the story is set. The brief chapters give readers the sense that they are progressing quickly through the novel. Written from the third-person perspective, the author’s writing style is descriptive, and she includes terminology that was commonly used during the Roaring Twenties. The main themes of the book include spiritualism, crime, mystery, and romance. Readers should be aware that occult practices are described in this story. The text also contains some violence and gruesome descriptions. There is some suggestive material, but there is no sexually explicit content or foul language. The editing was exceptional because I did not find a single error.

Hattie is a snobbish and prideful elderly woman at the beginning of this tale, but there is a hidden tenderness in her heart. There is excellent character development on her part because she transforms as the plot unfolds. The old master of the house has anger management issues, but he also has a softer side. He reminds me of the beast from Beauty and the Beast. Like the beast, his loyal servants are cheerful as they go above and beyond their call of duty. Vamelda, the melodramatic psychic, lives up to her clients’ stereotypical expectations, but she is no charlatan! Syd is an unusual woman who prefers to wear men’s suits instead of feminine clothing, and she has her own supernatural gifts. Mr. and Mrs. Carrington are an unlikely couple who throw some surprises into the mix. Each character has a distinct personality, and each of them contributes to the development of the story.

This slow burn mystery could easily be adapted into a highly entertaining movie. The author is clearly a hopeless romantic, but she has a natural talent for writing. Ms. Wildsmith crafts a thoroughly engaging story by connecting each character to the overall plot. The dialogue was realistic because it reflected the regional accents of certain characters. I especially enjoyed the scenes where Hattie seemed to recapture her childhood by losing herself in famous works of literature.

However, I didn’t care for the tiresome stereotype of a wealthy, childless aunt who leaves everything for her only surviving relative, and the 1920s slang is interesting but rather confusing. The inclusion of a glossary explaining these terms would have been helpful. In addition, some elements of the plot were predictable. It seemed obvious to me from early on who the unnamed master of the house actually was. Furthermore, Syd was such an interesting character that I wanted to know more about her, especially her backstory. She could be the star of her own book. In fact, I’d like to find out more about all of the characters!

Because I found this novel so fascinating, I have decided to give Hattie Vavaseur by M. Rebecca Wildsmith a rating of four out of four stars. Despite the story’s strange, disturbing, and even taboo relationships between the living and the dead, the unforgettable characters and plot twists held my attention. The satisfying conclusion leaves room for a prequel or a sequel. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the paranormal, superstitions, historical fiction, mysteries, and romance. I look forward to seeing more from this author.

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Hattie Vavaseur
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[MsH2k]

What a creative storyline. This book sounds like quite the trip from the moment Hattie arrives at the mansion. Hopefully, the author is working on a prequel or sequel to reveal more about the interesting set of characters. As always, thank you for your engaging review!

[Riya Sarkar]

I absolutely agree with your regarding Syd! She totally could have a whole book dedicated to her story.