This is a tale within a tale- full of gothic strangeness, twins, a ghost, a governess, a topiary garden and a devastating fire. It will "keep you guessing, make you wonder, move you to tears and laughter, and, in the end, deposit you breathless and satisfied back upon the shore of your everyday life."

WOW! one of the best I've read in a long time.... you can tell the author is a life-long reader and loves books... mysterious, excellent plot with literary references.... for all fans of Jane Eyre and novels paying homage to classics (like Cunningham's The Hours).... don't read ahead on this one! My mother and I both loved this one. It also inspired me to read Rebecca, which I've been meaning to get to for ages!

The usual bookring rules apply. Please try to read and ship on within a month since this is a popular book. When you start reading go ahead and PM the next in line for their address. Let me know if you are having trouble getting a hold of someone and we can skip them after 3 unanswered PMs or emails. Media mail in the US is fine, and Delivery Confirmation is encouraged!

We have quite a few US participants, so it will start out here, then go to Europe and possibly beyond... I'm suprised there's no UK interest yet :) Feel free to PM me if you want your name added to the list!

Participants so far:
Bug2004
Maurean
ladilee24
icanfly---asked to be moved to end of list
terra57
spoiledrotten
sistert int'l
mysticalzoe US ship Int'l
eicuthbertson Canada ship int'l
Bookworm-lady Spain, ship Europe-- asked to be skipped, already read
Quiron Portugal, ship Europe
Kiki66 Germany, ship int'l
icanfly
dietcokemama
TakYak

RELEASE NOTES:

Mailed out today to start its journey!

Re'cvd the book today!!! Can't wait to read it!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!

Loved it, loved it, loved it!!!! I just loved everything about this book!!

The highest compliment I can give is that I plan to purchase a copy for my collection and I keep .5% of the books I read!! Thanks so much for sharing!!

I will get it off in the next day or two!!!

After a March blizzard, a 2yr old w/ a cold which she then shared w/ her mom :) the book is now on it's way. So sorry for the delay!!! It's off to Maurean!! Safe travels!!

DC# 0306 2400 0000 5959 8061.

Arrived safely here in Florida. I'm right smack-dab in the middle of another ring, but will get to this in short order, and journal when I'm through. (Thanks for sharing this, affinity4books!)

A wonderful story, by a fabulous storyteller. I agree, Ms. Setterfield must certainly be a *true* book-lover.

Like Margaret, I was completely enthralled with Miss Winter's tale, and found myself thinking about it, even when I wasn't 'reading' it...but, isn't that usually a trait of the really good ones?!

I thank you for sharing this one, affinity4books, and I am awaiting ladilee's addy to start this back on its journey. *mailed 3/24

This just arrived today. Looking forward to reading it, thanks.

Really good, really enjoyable read. This novel was filled with twisting tales, the story of Miss Winter and all its complexities. I was caught up and could see how much the author loved a good story. I will recommend the good story she created to others. Thanks for sharing!

Mailing to icanfly tomorrow (4/09/07)

Received yesterday (4/16). It's third in line to be read--all of the have bookrings descended at once! Shouldn't take long to get to.

I sent this on its way on Monday June 11, hoping it returns to me later as I didn't get a chance to read it. I thought it was only fair to not hold it up any longer. Thanks for understanding.

Received today and will start right away as I just finished what I was reading. Will have back out asap. Thanks for letting me join.

I have to say this book was not what I expected and it started out slow. It does pick up so don't give up on it.

As for the tale itself, the author does a great job at detail. I found the book to be a bit dark but quite engaging in the litery sense. Having a beginning, middle and ending is quite a piece of work and put together nicely enough to keep one engrossed to find out what happens next.

The ending is not at all what I expected and was keeping me on the edge of my seat. I especially like how the author closed off all her characters and even the inanimate objects. Very good!

Thanks for letting me enjoy this book and I will have it out to the next in line by the end of the week.

Received in the mail as part of a book ring. There are two books in front of this one, so please be patient. All my rings seeem to be arriving at the same time and I am now reading "Ring Books" only. Thanks.

08/15/07 I agree with everything terra57 stated. This book started out a bit slow but did keep my interest. Once I reached the midway point I couldn't put the book down!!!! Loved how it ended. Will be mailed out to sistert within the next day or so. Thanks sooooo much for including me.

08/16/07 Sent out in the mail today to sistert so it may continue on its journey.

Received in yesterday's mail and will start reading today. =)

Yikes! I was finished with this some weeks ago. I found it an engrossing read in the beginning and then... I felt that the author hadn't really put much thought into where she wanted the story to go about 3/4s of the way in. Too many twists and turns that you'd be hard pressed to tie in to something that happened earlier. Not a horrible read, just a bit disappointing for me.

Contacting mysticalzoe now.

Just got this book today, i do have another book ahead of it, will get to this asap.

10.30.07


Wow!! I really, really, really enjoyed this book, it kept me on my toes guessing what would happen next, and what not. Wow! Anyhow, I would have to say even though some parts of the book were very disturbing to me that this has been the best book I have read in a long time! I highly reccomend this book to anyone. This was the best book I have read this year! Thank you so much for sharing and allowing me to read this!!! I am sending this book out on friday i already have the next person's address.

RELEASE NOTES:

Finally sending the book out!

Just received in the mail today - thanks!

This was indeed a good read - good characters and a thoughtful plot with some twists.

This book is now off in the mail to Quiron in Portugal.
Enjoy!