Cherie Priest’s Borden Dispatches: Book 1, “Mapelcroft”

Just finished reading “Maplecroft”, by Cherie Priest. It is a fantasy wherein Lizzie Borden (of the 40 whacks) fights some creatures which are loosely based on the malevolent mermen of Lovecraft’s “The Shadow Over Innsmouth”. Priest makes interesting use of the facts behind the real Lizzie Borden case and gives alternate explanations for everything to tie in with her tale. There is a brief mention of the Miskatonic University and passing mention of unmentionable tomes, but I wouldn’t classify it as straight-up Lovecraftian Horror. It was, however, very entertaining and very well-written. I enjoyed it so much that I intend to seek out the sequel, “Chapelwood”.

Cover for “Mapelcroft”, by Cherie Priest (2014, ROC).

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