Chanel Cleeton once again balances emotion, mystery, and history to create another unputdownable novel.
The House on Biscayne Bay opens after the Great War ends and people are flocking to the South hoping to make a fortune. Southern Florida sees the worst of it, and Anna’s husband wants to have the showiest house in the area. Marbrisa is built on a large estate abutting Biscayne Bay. The house is a beautiful spectacle, but Anna doesn’t feel very comfortable there. Her anxiety manifests when several deaths are tied to the house.
Years later, Carmen arrives at Marbrisa after the loss of her parents. The culture shock of the home compared to what her life was like in Havana overtakes her. If only Carolina would reach out, welcome her, make her feel comfortable in this home. Strange things have been happening lately including murdered animals and a weird “friend” of Carolina’s husband lurking around. Are events of the past repeating themselves?
The book is a page-turner. Switching from past to present, tension builds up because you want to know what happened next. But Cleeton makes you just invested the other time period. So, then you want to know what happens to them. Each time period leaves you wanting while answering the previous question. Not only that but she keeps you on your toes: just when you think it’s peacocks screaming, it ends up being a person and vice versa.
While Cuba isn’t a huge focus like in earlier novels, it is still represented. Carmen and Carolina are from Havana. Their bringing there and family dynamics are an important part of who they are. It is a part of them.
This gothic mystery makes Marbrisa a character all her own. I wish she would have had a little more room to breathe. I wanted more exploration of the house and its secrets. I need more meaningfulness in the house itself. But this is my only critique of this novel.
I would absolutely recommend The House on Biscayne Bay, Like The Cuban Heiress, Cleeton shows she can create meaningful and enjoyable tales without The Perez Family. She’s no one-trick pony.
Publication Date: April 2
I received an ARC for review; all opinions are my own.
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