The Umbrella Lady by V.C. Andrews

☆☆☆1/2
.ePUB, 244 pages
Expected publication: April 7th 2021 by Gallery Books

About the Book:
Left on a train platform in an unfamiliar village, little Saffron Faith Anders is certain her father will return shortly, just like he promised. She holds out hope even as the hours pass and the station grows dark. When a strange old woman with a large umbrella approaches and inquiries about her situation, Saffron doesn’t immediately trust the imposing do-gooder, but with the chances of her father returning growing ever slimmer, she agrees to rest at the old woman’s house. Her stay was supposed to be for a few minutes, hours at most, but soon, Saffron soon realizes she has been confined to a house of dark secrets and is now at the mercy of the enigmatic Umbrella Lady. One minute grandmotherly and the next wickedly cruel, she shears Saffron’s hair, burns all the clothes she had in her suitcase, and pretends that the photo of a young girl hanging on her bedroom wall is no one in particular. When strange letters arrive from Saffron’s father, claiming that he will send for her shortly, hope returns to her young heart. But Saffron soon discovers that those who claim to love you will often hurt you the most.

My Review:

I have seen a lot of backlash towards  Andrew Neiderman for ghost writing V.C. Andrew's books. I am well aware that V.C. Andrews passed away years ago and I am not comparing this book to any of hers or her writing, I simply read it and the review below is based on its own merits.

I wouldn't normally read a ghost written V.C. Andrew's but something about the description drew me in and I’m glad it did. This is a slow burn of a story with a twist at the end, part of which I figured out and one that I didn't. This held my attention and curiosity throughout the book and even though they are lengthy each chapter whizzed by as I read more and more until it was done.

The story is well written and engaging, I found it difficult to put down. At times I did find it a little slow going...as it is told first person perspective and the person is eight and nine months for almost half the book...but please persist as it is a good read. There was also a snippet of Book II and I look forward to reading that as well.

SPOILER ALERT

Definitely a very different take on an abduction story?? Believable characters well-drawn, including the voice of a child. There's a lot to take in at the end but ultimately it's a satisfying - and unexpected - conclusion.

Disclosure:

Thank you NetGalley, V.C. Andrews and Gallery Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.

#NetGalley