Starling House by Alix Harrow

 

The town talks about Starling House.  It is a large mansion, stuck way back in the woods and its sole occupant is a mystery who is rarely seen.  The house was built by a woman who married two brothers, both of whom stole her money and were found dead after establishing the town's major industry, the mining of ore beneath the land.  Now Arthur Starling hides in the house and talks to no one.

Opal lives in the town but is not a leading citizen.  She lives in a motel along with her brother, Jasper.  She took over being Jasper's guardian when their mother was killed in a car wreck.  Opal isn't popular; the town looks down on her poverty and willingness to do whatever it takes to protect Jasper.  She ekes out a living at a local farm supply store as a cashier but Opal has been dreaming about Starling House.

One night, walking home, she stops at the gates of Starling House.  She is shocked when the gates open but goes into the grounds where she runs into Arthur.  She is terrified but when he offers her a job as a housekeeper making twice what she was making as a cashier, she agrees.  She only hopes she doesn't have to see this strange, odd man very often.

As time goes on, Opal starts to feel something for Arthur and apparently, he does for her as well.  But Opal is being blackmailed by a group to send them pictures of the house and its layout.  They suspect there are things they want hidden there.  There are also rumors of beasts that occasionally appear but seem to disappear.   Is Arthur involved in their appearance and disappearance?

This is a lovely gothic mystery that will warm the reader's heart.  The blossoming love story between Arthur and Opal, both outcasts but will huge protective sides to their characters, is fascinating.  The old legends of the town, some true, some not and the discoveries about her own family that Opal slowly learns racket up the tension until a climatic revelation.  This book is recommended for fantasy and horror readers.