Author: R.J.Koreto

Publisher: Level BestBooks 2023

ISBN: 978-1-68512-411-3

Nestled on a sereneisland, just a stone’s throw from the bustling shores of New YorkCity, stands an early 19th-century architectural masterpiece, itspast shrouded in mystery, and which is at the heart of R.J. Koreto’slatest novel, The Turnbull Murders.
A spine-chillingconnection unfolds as the house, which witnessed a murder in theearly 1800s, becomes the backdrop for unsettling events during itsmodern-day restoration, once again serving as the scene of gruesomecrimes.

The narrative unfolds as Wren Fontaine, a passionatearchitect, crosses paths with Nicky Tallon, a beloved movie star whorecently acquired the historic house Turnbull House and the island itsits on from the City of New York.

Captain Turnbull, theindividual behind the construction of the house, resided therealongside his wife, Katya Volkov, and his unmarried sister, Verity.As a thriving trader with ownership of multiple ships, the Captainmysteriously vanished one day, leaving his wife and sister to carryon living in the same house.

The meeting between Wren andNicky occurs through Wren’s partner, Hadley Vanderwerf, a talentedcaterer, who, while showcasing her culinary expertise at a socialgathering attended by Nicky, discreetly divulges her connection to askilled architect specializing in the meticulous restoration ofhistoric homes.

Intrigued by the prospect of restoring thehouse to its original splendor, Nicky offers Wren the formidablerenovation task while utilizing the location for a film shoot. Healso confides his intention to reside in the house once therenovations are completed. Simultaneously, he enlists Hadley as thecaterer for the film crew during the shoot.

In the initialpages of the narrative, Koreto introduces a pivotal character,Saffron Scott, whose presence has a profound impact on the story’sthemes and plot.
Saffron gives the impression of being Nicky’sromantic partner, appearing to be nearly two decades younger than himand just out of high school. However, a surprising twist unfolds aswe realize that Saffron is not Nicky’s girlfriend but his daughter.
Koreto further introduces his readers to an even more diverse andcaptivating array of characters, each concealing their uniquecomplexities and secrets.

In this ensemble, we encounterVeronica Selwyn, the celebrated actress who becomes entangled withNicky. There is also Thalia, another one of Nicky’s romanticinterests. By the way, it’s worth mentioning that Veronica is alsoentangled with Ezra, Wren’s father, who is a highly regardedarchitect and Wren’s boss.

As more of the yarn unravels, apersistent question nags at us. What’s hidden beneath the surfaceof Nicky, the small-town boy from the middle of nowhere Idaho? Is theperson we see genuinely the real him, or is it all just a façade?
Thesame curiosity extends to Saffron, who also comes from a small townand has led a life being tossed around from one relative to the next,ignored and abused. What drives her to want to reside in a house onan island, a place that’s practically secluded fromcivilization?

Wren’s mission during the house renovationinvolves delving into the history of the family that inhabited theresidence during the early 19th century, with a particular focus onuncovering the mystery surrounding Captain Turnbull’s disappearanceand his family’s subsequent actions.
To pursue this goal, Wrenseeks assistance from her friend and former professor at ColumbiaUniversity, Lavinia Suisse. The discoveries Lavinia makes during herinvestigation turn out to be genuinely astonishing and carrysignificant implications for the current occupants of the house, mostnotably Saffron.

The Turnbull Murders is a finely craftedhistorical mystery enriched with a contemporary twist. Koreto’smeticulous attention to detail, adept character development, andseamless blending of the past and present make this book acaptivating choice for mystery enthusiasts.

With its immersivenarrative, evocative setting, and intricately woven plot, the novelis a testament to Koreto's storytelling prowess. It is essentialreading for those who appreciate a meticulously crafted mystery thatexplores the complexities of human nature and unravels the mysteriesof history.

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