April 1951. It is twenty years since the death of Rebecca, the hauntingly beautiful first wife of Maxim de Winter. Twenty years since the inquest, which passed a verdict of suicide. Twenty years since Manderlay was razed to the ground…but Rebecca’s tale is just beginning. Family friend Colonel Julyan receives an anonymous parcel containing a black notebook with two handwritten words on the first page — Rebecca’s Tale. A young scholar by the name of Terrence Gray has also appeared in town, looking for clues to Rebecca’s life and death. His presence causes a stir in the quiet hamlet, and tongues begin to wag about the close ties Mr. Gray has formed to the Colonel and his single daughter, Ellie.Amid the intrigues of this small coastal town, Ellie, Gray, and the Colonel begin a search for the real Rebecca. Was her death really suicide, or was it murder? – FROM GOODREADS

FROM THE BOOK FAERY REVIEWS…Rebecca’s Tale was written from the point of view of 4 characters; Colonel Julyan, Terrance Gray, Rebecca, then Ellie. I found this mystery to be slow in the beginning and when it did pick up, I became disappointed. I’m not sure exactly what I was expecting but I had hopes of it being better than it was. I kept telling myself, “it will get better, just keep going”. I wanted to toss it into the fireplace and use the book to keep me warm from the coldness I felt. I know, harsh sounding, huh? I just expected more…But then I had just recently read The Thirteenth Tale (which was AWESOME!) so perhaps that’s why?

Just remember…even though I wasn’t thrilled about the book, doesn’t mean it’s not for you. You just might enjoy it!

TITLE: The Thirteenth Tale
AUTHOR: Diane Setterfield
PUBLISHER: Atria
PUBLICATION DATE: September 2006
PAGES: 416 pages
GENRE: Fiction

A compelling emotional mystery in the timeless vein of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca, about family secrets and the magic of books and storytelling.

Margaret Lea works in her father’s antiquarian bookshop where her fascination for the biographies of the long-dead has led her to write them herself. She gets a letter from one of the most famous authors of the day, the mysterious Vida Winter, whose popularity as a writer has been in no way diminished by her reclusiveness. Until now, Vida has toyed with journalists who interview her, creating outlandish life histories for herself – all of them invention. Now she is old and ailing, and at last she wants to tell the truth about her extraordinary life. Her letter to Margaret is a summons.

Reading books and surfing the web are a great way to relax in the evenings, whether it’s scaring yourself reading a spooky mystery book, or playing a light hearted game of foxybingo.com. The Thirteenth Tale might even encourage you to fish out your childhood diary and reminisce a little. But don’t worry, the only scary thing in your diary is probably the hairstyles.

Somewhat anxiously, the equally reclusive Margaret travels to Yorkshire to meet her subject – and Vida starts to recount her tale. It is one of gothic strangeness featuring the March family; the fascinating, devious and wilful Isabelle and the feral twins Adeline and Emmeline.

Margaret is captivated by the power of Vida’s storytelling. But as a biographer she deals in fact not fiction, and she doesn’t entirely trust Vida’s account. She goes to check up on the family, visiting their old home and piecing together their story in her own way. What she discovers on her journey to the truth is for Margaret a chilling and transforming experience. – FROM BARNES & NOBLES

FROM THE BOOK FAERY REVIEWS…From page 1 right to the end, Diane Setterfield enraptured my mind with a story about a story intertwined with several stories. The secrets, the ghosts, the books, and the people transported me to various places and times. I was filled with an anxiety, a need, to solve the puzzle of The Thirteenth Tale by Vida Winters as the clues were laid before Margaret Leah and me, the reader. How can you really talk about this book other than it was a great book that I have to have for my bookshelf and one that I know I’ll want to read again another time and perhaps another?? My emotions were were twisted and twisted as I read this novel. Towards the end I THOUGHT I had it figured out only to realize I completely missed things earlier in the stories. THAT’S a good book. One that throws me off, one that grabs and twists my emotions, and one that touches my soul as a sister…FIVE STARS, if I gave 5s that is. So 4++++++!!

MY BOOK Rating: 4 out of 4 stars

As much as I go to the library with the kids, I figured I might as well join a reading challenge that supports my local library. It’s a good thing my library will accept $10 if your late fines are over that because if you didn’t hear me on Twitter…my fine was $59!! Yeah you read that one right…FIFTY-NINE DOLLARS…but so you know, all of those books are safe and back on the shelves. Grabbed 2 more bags full between Ladybug and I Sunday.

Anyhoo…J.Kaye Book Blog is hosting the 2010 Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge. Below are the details…

1. Anyone can join. You don’t need a blog to participate.

–Non-Bloggers: Post your list of books in the comment section of the wrap-up post. To learn how to sign up without having a blog, click here.

2. There are four levels:

–The Mini – Check out and read 25 library books.

–Just My Size – Check out and read 50 library books.

–Stepping It Up – Check out and read 75 library books.

–Super Size Me – Check out and read 100 library books.

(Aim high. As long as you read 25 by the end of 2010, you are a winner.)

3. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Young Reader – any book as long as it is checked out from the library count. Checked out like with a library card, not purchased at a library sale.

4. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

5. Crossovers from other reading challenges count.

** As I read books from the library, I’ll update this post with links back to my reviews. **

1. The Lady of Question by Victoria Alexander
2. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
3. Rebecca’s Tale by Sally Beauman