The Sin Eater (The Nell West and Michael Flint Series Book 2)

This is the second of the Nell West series by Sarah Rayne (Property of a Lady being the first) and whilst they still have the historical fiction and modern day interlinked storylines that Rayne seems to do brilliantly, they aren’t quite as dark and unnerving as her standalone novels (such as House of the Lost). I did make the mistake of not reading the stories in the correct order and whilst this doesn’t detract too much from the story as it’s quite strong on its own, I do wish I had read them in the correct order as I think the character development of Nell and Michael is such a good minor storyline and would have been better to have read it in the correct order.In the modern storyline we go with antiques dealer Nell to a Large London house. We meet troubled Benedict Doyle who has inherited the house from his great-grandfather. Benedict finds the house the house disturbing and soon finds himself having troubled dreams featuring the previous occupant, but the events he is dreaming about seem so real. When these dream events are revealed to Michael Flint (Oxford Don who featured in the first novel), his interest is piqued and he starts to research the historical facts behind Benedict’s dreams.The second storyline for me, made this novel and is why I’ve given it five stars. The story follows Declan and Colm whom move from their Irish home to London city and get caught up in a situation and a world that they never expected to find themselves in.Other reviewers have complained that Rayne’s writing style has changed with the Nell West series and whilst I agree she has reduced a lot of the darker elements of her writing, I think if anything she has increased the mystery elements of these novels. The storylines are very sharp, intricate and clever, this one surrounds a chess piece yet it is so well written you cannot help but get swept up in the storyline.I also think Rayne’s characters are evolving, in this novel you really feel sorry for Benedict; his mental condition and how he is suffering as he tries to split what is real from what is imaginary. I actually finished this book a little while ago but the story and characters still feel very vivid and I think that is a sign of how well the story has been told.For those that haven’t discovered the Nell West collection, I would suggest these novels are quite similarly written to Phil Rickman’s work; old story exposed, great characters and slightly eerie. Please leave a helpful vote if you think my review/feedback of the item was helpful to you. Alternatively, please contact me if you want me to clarify something in my review.

I have read a couple of Sarah Rayne's books in the past, enjoyed them, and expected great things from The Sin Eater.For 90% of the book I was not disappointed. The book is very well written, the characters develop nicely and the pace of the book is good.However, just when you think it is about to kick off with action and a real sense of danger, the whole thing comes to an end. I'm not really sure why Michael and Nell are even in the book - they certainly don't do anything of use in terms of solving the mystery and there are more pages dedicated to Michael's cooking and Wilberforce the cat than to anything that poses actual danger to any of the principal characters. Even the very end where a spirit appears in a potential confrontation, nothing really happens.All in all, a very well written book, but one that does not live up to early promise. I will try other Sarah Rayne books because I like her style, but in all honesty I could not recommend The Sin Eater to anyone.

Not nearly as good as her previous books. Too slow, hard to comprehend, much too slow and boring. Big disappointment.

I enjoyed reading this novel, but found it a little disjointed at times. . .not as captivating as her first novel. . however I will take a chance and try out any further books by this novelist as I believe she has the potential to develop and she has the ability to create atmosphere and a sense of foreboding.

gift and well received

Look forward to reading more of the Nell West and Michael Flint series.

Wow!!! If you are not a fan of this authors books you soon will be if you read this new novel. After reading Property of a Lady I couldn't wait for the second in her ghost story trilogy featuring Michael, an Oxford don and his partner, Nell, an antique dealer. As so often can happen with a series of books using a familiar cast of characters, the stories can be quite similar; the author simply putting the protagonists into a different setting in another time. Not so here. While Property of a Lady centered around a country house and its inhabitants, this story begins in a London town house but the central plot lies mainly in the late 1890's West Coast of Ireland. Benedict, the main character looses his parents and grandfather when he is eight years old. They are involved in a fatal car crash which in itself happened in mysterious circumstances. Benedict has visited Holly Lodge, his Granfathers house on one occasion only after the funeral of his relatives and there he experienced something which has stayed with him ever since. On returning to the house which he has now inherited on his twenty first birthday he is sure those disturbing whisperings are just memories, nothing more and there will be nothing to disturb him now he is an adult....but he is wrong! He has arranged for the contents to be evaluated ( enter Nell) but when he arranges to meet her there something happens and Nell finds him unconscious on the second floor landing. Standing over him is a strange shadow of a man in a long old fashioned coat who soon disappears when Nell goes for help. Benedict is then diagnosed with a condition called dissociative personality disorder where he thinks an alter ego is actually communicating with him. But Benedict and, consequently Michael and Nell, have serious doubts about that as, one by one they too begin to uncover some unsettling information. This story really takes place, in the most part in 19thC Ireland. It tells of the history of Benedicts ancestors, one in particular who is constantly whispering to Benedict from..where? It centers around the Irish myth of sin eating; where a person can take on someones sins as they are dying then absolve themselves at a later date. Also thrown into the mix is an ancient chess set allegedly empowered by the Devil in order to control its owners. It is steeped in Celtic Myths and Legends which only the Irish do really well and for me, who has always had a fascination for that subject this book was such a joy to read. It's fast paced, intriguing, so atmospheric you could almost believe you were there amongst the spooks and spirits on the stormy West Coast cliffs. I cant tell you much more or I'll give away the story but a little word of warning...dont read it alone at night and dont anticipate the ending as you will be wrong!! Absolutely brilliant writing by Sarah Rayne who certainly knows how to keep your heart racing! Leave yourself plenty of time as once you begin this story you will not rest until you reach the end....enjoy!!