Book Recommendation - The Curse of Misty Wayfair

My very first read of 2019 was this super-creepy dual timeline novel, The Curse of Misty Wayfair by Jaime Jo Wright. I discovered Ms. Wright at the beginning of 2018 when I found her debut novel, The House on Foster Hill, and LOVED it. Later in the year, she released The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond, which I also thoroughly enjoyed. Though this one spooked me the most (I had ghostly dreams a time or two while reading this one), I think this is the best one yet! This book goes back and forth between Thea in 1908 and Heidi in present day. Both are on a quest to find themselves and for both of them, their quest has brought them to the small town of Pleasant Valley, WI. There is a curse that supposedly haunts the woods, and both characters in their respective timelines are drawn into the curse and what it means for them. In their quests, both of them also come face to face with their Creator.

Here's the back-cover blurb for those interested in learning more about the story line:

Left at an orphanage as a child, Thea Reed vowed to find her mother someday. Now grown, her search takes her to Pleasant Valley, Wisconsin, in 1908. When clues lead her to a mental asylum, Thea uses her experience as a post-mortem photographer to gain access and assist groundskeeper Simeon Coyle in photographing the patients and uncovering the secrets within. However, she never expected her personal quest would reawaken the legend of Misty Wayfair, a murdered woman who allegedly haunts the area and whose appearance portends death.

A century later, Heidi Lane receives a troubling letter from her mother—who is battling dementia—compelling her to travel to Pleasant Valley for answers to her own questions of identity. When she catches sight of a ghostly woman who haunts the asylum ruins in the woods, the long-standing story of Misty Wayfair returns—and with it, Heidi's fear for her own life.

As two women across time seek answers about their identities and heritage, can they overcome the threat of the mysterious curse that has them inextricably intertwined?

Still not sure? You can find an excerpt of the book here: https://goo.gl/L49cpC

As I was on the launch team, I had the opportunity to ask some questions of the author. Here's what I learned:

1. This book was super intense and actually gave me some ghostly dreams! What prompted the story line for this one?  Or what was your inspiration? 

Well, I’ve always been intrigued by the concept of asylums as they used to be. My writing sister, Anne, often reminded me it’d be a creepy setting for a novel. But, to be honest, a lot of this novel was drawn on from personal experience. It was tough to write and a deep dive into my own emotions.

2.  Along the same vein, I saw on another launch member's post that this book drew from some personal experience and angst. Would you be willing to share any of that?

Sure! I have an autoimmune disease many are becoming more familiar with: Lyme disease. In short, it mimics a lot of other autoimmune diseases. Mine manifests itself via what the doctors term as “non-epileptic seizures, bouts of severe anxiety, and sometimes confusion and loss of memory. So, many of the emotions (specifically Heidi’s) I relate to.”

3. Do either of the main characters (or even the not-main characters) particularly resonate with you? Who and why?

Well, as I mentioned above, I relate a lot to Heidi’s personal struggles with anxiety. But, I also found myself chuckling as I wrote Heidi’s point of view. Her personal style, snarky retorts, and way of filling silence with empty chatter is not far off from my own -- ahem -- personality.

4. How much of the book is based on reality? 

Many of the asylum’s referred-to experiments and patient treatment were, in fact, based on true historical facts.Which is highly unfortunate. When Thea begins reading some of the patient records, they do loosely resemble real records unearthed from old asylums. Again, also unfortunate how patients were more like subjects than people.

5. Did anything happen during the writing of this book that impacted the trajectory of the story?  

Wow. That’s a great question! There wasn’t anything major that impacted it, however, I will admit to visiting the cemetery several times to get myself in the moment. To be surrounded by the stories of those who lay in rest. Sometimes, it’s an eerie but peaceful place to be inspired.  

6. What is the one thing you want to be sure that readers glean from this particular book?

That their identity can only be found in their Creator. I know that sounds simplistic, but I think American culture sends us on a zillion chases to “find ourselves”, when who we are is wrapped thoroughly in the One who wrote our own story.

7. What's coming up next and when can we expect it?

Echoes Among the Stones is coming this December! I’m super excited about its story. It’s also a split-time story, but this time we visit 1946, the post war American farmland, a cold case murder, and an eccentric elderly woman who hides a dollhouse with a re-created crime scene in miniature form. 

Super excited for the next one to come in December! The Curse of Misty Wayfair officially releases on January 22, 2019. If you'd like to know more about the author, you can find her here: 

Web site: www.jaimejowright.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jaimejowright

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jaimejowright

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/jaimejowright

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/jaimejowright

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/13916081.Jaime_Jo_Wright

Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Jaime-Jo-Wright/e/B01421H0JQ/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

And my full 5-star review of The Curse of Misty Wayfair can be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2542792687?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1