The Thirteen by Susie Moloney (Book Review)

Title: The Thirteen: A Novel
Author: Susie Moloney
Publisher: William Morrow


About the Book: Haven Woods is suburban heaven, a great place to raise a family. It's close to the city, quiet, with great schools and its own hospital right up the road. Property values are climbing, and the crime rate is practically nonexistent.

Paula Wittmore hasn't been back to Haven Woods since she left as a disgraced teenager. Now she's returning to care for her suddenly ailing mother, and she's bringing her daughter and a pile of emotional baggage. She's also bringing, unknowingly, the last chance for her mother's closest frenemies . . . twelve women bound together by a powerful secret that requires the sacrifice of a thirteenth.

My thoughts: This was definitely a creepy read.  I finished it late at night and didn't really want to let the dog out one more time before I went to bed!  Haven Woods is home to The Thirteen - Thirteen women that have changed over time, adding members when necessary to keep the number current, each sacrificing something along the way.  These women are drawn in, the younger ones because of selfish desires, their priorities not quite what they should be - the older ones who were searching for a better life for their families.  

Now, Chick, one of the older thirteen, has just buried her husband and goes to bed with Valium and a Zippo lighter.  Soon after, Audra, her best friend and also a widow, gets struck with an unknown affliction and is hospitalized.  Izzy, one of the original thirteen, gets Paula, Audra's daughter, to return to Haven Woods with her daughter Rowan.  You see, Izzy needs Paula and her daughter.  The Thirteen are starting to fall apart and they need Paula . . . and Rowan.

Now, I liked Paula, even though she was a little clueless.  I understand that she had a lot on her mind - no job, no place to live, daughter getting suspended - and then having to return to a place where she had no desire to be to take care of her sick mom -- but she closed her eyes to some obvious things that weren't right, even in suburbia.  I really like Rowan.  She was wise enough to be suspicious of things that didn't feel right, and yet innocent enough to accept the paranormal when she learned about them. 

It has been awhile since I have read a "witch" book and I found this one fun and a little creepy - without all the seriousness that some of the witch books bring with them.

~I received a complimentary ecopy of this book from William Morrow in exchange for my review.~

The Thirteen: A Novel

Publisher/Publication Date: William Morrow, Mar 27, 2012

ISBN: 978-0062117663

336 pages