Most of these stories were pretty mediocre but I the retellings of Annabel Lee by Tessa Gratton and Ligeia by Dahlia Adler were five stars for me. My favorite of the originals is the Pit and the Pendulum, which I had read before and loved just as much the second time.

This book was really engaging, like any good thriller. The writing and the pacing and the characters kept me reading. I can't give it more than 3.5 or 4 stars though, because the ending fell a little flat for me. I didn't predict it, but it didn't make me feel anything and I usually have to feel something to rate a book 5 stars.

3.5 stars

I really loved the voice/writing style (most of the time) and atmosphere of this. It was definitely a great, quick read for fall. The characters were generally pretty likable, but I don't know how memorable they really are. I did really like reading about the main character's dog, Bongo, and her connection with him. It did lose me a bit in the middle, though with the long sections of this manuscript within the story. I understand what the author was doing there, but it was significantly less engaging and enjoyable than the rest of the book.