Hearts Strange and Dreadful by Tim McGregor is a historical horror tale with an incredibly thick sense of dread and so much heart, both figuratively and literally.
Let’s dive in!
My Thoughts on Hearts Strange and Dreadful by Tim McGregor –
This story centers around the main character, a teenage girl named Hester. Living with her Uncle’s family after tragedy struck, she is forced to step into the role of an adult and help care for this new household. Unfortunately, her time with tragedy hasn’t even really gotten started, and things are about to get very, very dark.
My gosh, poor Hester.
Dread is such a critical word for this book’s vibe. From dreading what’s coming to learning what must be done in any given situation, there’s such thick dread. I got the chance to experience this once before, back in 2021, and remembered feeling so bummed out about the storyline. The second time around, that feeling was much stronger!
I’m still in awe of how well this author got into the mind of this character and made each and every situation she lived through jump off the pages and really stick with me as a reader. And even though I knew what to expect this time, I still wanted to see Hester happy!
My Favorite Quotes from Hearts Strange and Dreadful –
The stranger arrived that day, and, like the horseman in Revelations, death followed him although none of us knew it at the time.
Unable to sleep, I out of bed and went down to the parlor where sat with a cup of tea contemplating the coffin. tried to fashion some sort of farewell to my sister-cousin but my heart was too broken and my brains too feeble to relay anything but tears. didn’t want to let Prudence go.
Grief can be so very exhausting; spiritually, mentally, and even physically. The days after the burial were ones of tears and sorrow but the tedious drudgery of life carried on, our prescribed toils performed with salt dried on our cheeks. We went about our routines like sleepwalkers trudging through a bog, slow and mindlessly.
The musings of a child can be devastating. Not because they are wrongheaded or simple, but because they can speak with a bluntness that cores one’s insides out. Why is that? Is it because they have not yet been corrupted by the civility around them?
Cracks appeared in their defenses and wedged them open with my reasoning until they split like an oyster shell.
My Final Thoughts on Hearts Strange and Dreadful –
When I first wrote a review for this book, I had said, “This story was eerie, it was heartbreaking, and it had plenty of things that made my blood boil… I already can’t wait to read it again!” And that definitely holds true. This is such a dark and dreadful book that I know I will revisit time and time again.
Horror fans, make sure this one is on your radar!
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