The String Diaries by Stephen Lloyd JonesMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
The String Diaries by Stephen Lloyd Jones by a 2014 Mulholland publication. I was provided a copy of this book by Suspense Magazine and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The String Diaries is a complex supernatural thriller that spans several time periods starting in the 1800's , with a stop over in the 1970's and ending in current times. Hannah, her husband, and young daughter are on the run and in terrible danger. They are hiding out in a farm house borrowing a little time before Jakab finds them.
Steeped in mythology and folklore, Hannah's family has done battle with Jakab for ages but can't shake him. Hannah is determined to stop him because she is desperate to save her daughter But, Jakab is a wily nemesis because he is able to change shapes and embody the people close to you.
Whew! This is not the usual shape shifter story by any means. Jakab's abilities are the stuff that legends are made of. It's hard to believe this is even possible which is why diaries have been passed down through generations and closely studied. An angry Jakab curses Hannah's family because he feels betrayed by a woman that didn't wait long enough for him and married another man. Equal parts thriller, horror, suspense, and mystery makes this a solid and unique novel. The author did a fine job of taking us through the past all the way to the present for the ultimate good versus evil type showdown. The character of Jakab was already a little bit sociopathic and bitter before he decided to make Hannah's family miserable for all eternity. The suspense leading up to the climax was supercharged because we know Jakab is coming, we just don't know how he will make his grand entrance or what form he will use, and it will take a miracle for Hannah to survive, much less save her daughter. Will she be able to break the curse or will Jakab emerge triumphant once again?
This one gets 4 stars
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