Synopses & Reviews
You stop fearing the Devil when you're holding his hand... Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White's sleepy, seaside town... until River West comes along. River rents the guesthouse behind Violet's crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard. Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more? Violet's grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery... who makes you want to kiss back. Violet's already so knee-deep in love, she can't see straight. And that's just how River likes it.
A gothic thriller romance with shades of Stephen King and F. Scott Fitzgerald, set against a creepy summertime backdrop — a must-read for fans of Beautiful Creatures, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, and Anna Dressed in Blood.
Review
"Tucholke's gothic tone, plot, and setting, complete with a deteriorating estate full of dark family secrets, is reminiscent of Daphne du Maurier or YA fare such as Kami Garcia's and Margaret Stohl's Beautiful Creatures. Violet's narration is frank and perceptive, livened with humor and an almost poetically descriptive lilt....Give this one to fans of creepy mysteries." School Library Journal (starred review)
Review
"A rich blend of gothic horror and modern romance, studded with nods toward literary, cinematic and musical classics. A lush setting and provocative characters elevate this debut above others." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"Tucholke debuts with a thoroughly eerie novel...a chilling supernatural exploration of free will and reality's fluidity." Publishers Weekly
Review
"Lavishly rendered, darkly romantic, and beautifully unsettling — Tucholke's debut isn't a book you'll soon forget." Melissa Marr, New York Times bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely series
Review
"Tucholke's story of devils, innocence, and family secrets is lush and rhythmic as a song. Seductive with a capital 'S.'" Kendare Blake, author of Anna Dressed in Blood and Girl of Nightmares
Review
"Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea will slip under your skin and capture the darkest corners of your imagination. A hypnotic, terrifying debut." Nova Ren Suma, author of Imaginary Girls
About the Author
April Genevieve Tucholke digs classic movies, redheaded villains, big kitchens, and discussing murder at the dinner table. She and her husband — a librarian, former rare-book dealer, and journalist — live in Oregon. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is her first novel.