Under Glass And Stone: A Supernatural Gothic Mystery (Byrne House Book 1)

A.N. Willis has written a very entertaining suspense novel in Under Glass and Stone, which is the first in the Byrne House books. Set in the fictional town of Castle Heights in Colorado, the story follows Evelyn and her insatiable curiosity with Byrne House. When her friend, Milo goes missing and is last seen close to Byrne House, recently empty after the death of its owner, Evelyn is sure that she saw Milo’s pale face in the tower and is convinced that he is in there somewhere. But how to find him?

There is nothing quite like a gothic style mansion to entice suspense and the advent of horror, and A.N. Willis does this really well. The story is told in the third person but we follow Evelyn and her discoveries. Willis has a created a cast of solid supporting characters who are Evelyn’s friends and also manages to have love interest in the story and the conflicts that can arise from being an uncertain teenager.

The gothic theme continues beyond that with tunnels and secret doors as well as experimentation, all with a nod to classic precursors like Frankenstein and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

The way that the story develops is always at a good pace and believable and I was never in a position where it felt contrived. Willis is a competent and controlled writer who knows how a story should evolve with just enough revealed to keep you guessing and reading but not too little to frustrate. I think that it is sometimes difficult to find this balance but Willis has achieved it. I found it difficult to predict where the story was going and of whom to feel the most suspicious. I thought that the first book ended well but with enough scope to entice the reader into a sequel.

Add to this credible dialogue, family tensions and budding romance and you have a great read suitable for adults and young adults alike.