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Erin’s Memory

by Ashley-Anne Douglas and Emma Peachey (link)

Genre drama, paranormal, mystery
Pairings none
Length prologue, 10 chapters and epilogue
Status Completed

The title of this story made me think it would be an original female character oriented bit of romantic drama. My guess couldn’t have been further off; instead, Erin’s Memory is a short but intriguing paranormal mystery set in a British manor house.

That couldn’t possible be more up my alley, could it? Ashley-Anne and Emma do a great job of setting the scene, although their prose is a bit purple at times. I’m not sure if they are trying too hard to sound British or just trying to hard, period, but for the most part, it does work quite well. I can perfectly imagine the setting, although I would have enjoyed even more of the history and mystery of the place.

The mystery itself is fairly easily solved, but no less dramatic for that. The conclusion comes when the ghosts of the manor’s star-crossed lovers inhabit Jessica and Zac’s bodies to act our their final night together. I wouldn’t have minded something less easily resolved, but I do like that Isaac and Taylor become part of the mystery by the end. The brothers’ characterizations are just developed enough to add to the plot, if not totally fleshed out.

Ultimately, Erin’s Memory is quite a short story but it does accomplish everything it sets out to do. Still, I think Ashley-Anne and Emma are strong enough authors to sustain a long story, and I would like to have seen them tackle an even more involved mystery plot with more dark twists and turns.

Review by Bethany (website)