THE HOUSE ON TRADD STREET by Karen White
Karen White’s writing gets better with each successive book. Each time she brings out a new novel her descriptions are more detailed, her characters are more alive, her plots are more complex, and the overall story is more enjoyable. This is certainly the case with THE HOUSE ON TRADD STREET. It is her richest and most rewarding book to date.
The plot takes place in Charleston, South Carolina and this famed city becomes as much a character in her story as are the humans. White knows the landscape and the architecture in detail, but best of all she knows the essence and the feel of the city. When Melanie Middleton and Jack Trenholm, the two main characters, go about the city you know exactly where they are and what the ambiance is. Few authors could capture this but White does.
The character of Melanie is a complex one as she is a woman in her late thirties who has sealed her life up tightly and plans to keep it that way. But then she inherits “the house on Tradd Street” and her life is turned completely upside down. She not only is forced into renovating the place but also in exploring its secrets.
Jack is the writer who turns up to help her with the project. He wants to know the secrets the house houses in order to use them as a basis for a new book he is considering. Almost against her will Melanie is attracted to Jack and their sparring and spatting give the book its flavor.
There is also a supernatural theme to this book as Melanie sees “dead people.” She has done this since childhood but has managed to keep it a secret from most of her friends and family. Still when researching the unhappy history of the house these visions and sightings are a plus.
THE HOUSE ON TRADD STREET is a book you will enjoy from beginning to end. It has humor, heart, and horror. It also has a mystery that provokes memories for Melanie that lead her to a better place as a daughter, friend and possible lover.
White’s book combines a gothic storyline with a modern atmosphere. Melanie is a woman of the present but she is drawn to the mysteries hidden in the history of the house. Jack is her companion and co-worker. He also sees himself as her protector, but he is ill prepared to protect her from the spirits of the past.
So get yourself a warm drink to sip, a comfortable place to read, and dive into THE HOUSE ON TRADD STREET. You will be absorbed by the story from the very first words, and when it is over it will leave you wanting more.
THE HOUSE ON TRADD STREET is published by NAL. It contains 336 pages and sells for $14.00.