Billie Hope runs a popular New York restaurant where people are willing to stand in line for more than an hour to get a seat and where celebrities like Al Pacino and Taylor Swift sometimes dine. Her husband, Peter, is a psychologist with a loyal and growing list of clients. Their six year-old daughter, Meredith (Mere), is precocious, already studying the Joy of Cooking to follow in her mother’s footsteps. But then the pandemic hits and Billie’s doesn’t survive.
Two years later, Billie receives an email – “The Gentle South Beckons You” – offering entrepreneurs like her to purchase a home in Juliana, Georgia, for only $100. In addition, those who promise to start a business, would receive a $30,000 business grant from the town council. Too good to be true or a real chance to restart their lives?
Emily Carpenter (Photo Credit: Sean Patrick)
From the title – Gothictown – we know that author Emily Carpenter has a lot in store for Billie involving a 161 year-old tragedy and three powerful families – the Dazelles, Minettes, and Cleburnes – who conspire to keep the town’s secrets buried – literally. Their evil deeds revolve around Juliana Minette, a frail little girl who died before 1830. Descendants credit her with saving the Georgia town during Sherman’s march and even embrace some twisted belief that to keep in her good graces involves the occasional human sacrifice.
After visiting Juliana, Billie is enthralled with the small southern town – its slower life, the vintage mansions, the open spaces, lower crime rate, and the friendly people. She even finds an empty storefront that would be perfect for her new restaurant. Peter is less enthusiastic, but he agrees that the change might be a good thing for their family.
Because the town leaders are so excited to have a famous New York chef relocate to Juliana, Billie is able to drive a hard bargain. Not only does she get the spot for her restaurant, but a four-bedroom mansion on 15 acres of land. Right off the bat, however, things seem to be off. Mere’s pet, Ramsey, a docile indoor cat, becomes a terror, hissing, baring teeth, and scratching anyone who tries to hold him. Then, all three begin to experience terrible nightmares that are very similar, showing a woman trying to save screaming children.
Peter suffers the most, however, with debilitating headaches and sleepless nights. He’s also fixated on finding a well that is supposedly on their property. The well has never been properly capped and Peter worries that Mere might fall in. Until he can find the well, he orders Mere to stay inside, something that makes the little girl restless and unhappy.
Billie’s restaurant takes off, with lines rivaling those that once formed outside her one in New York. She also begins to make friends, including Lilah Street whose granddaughter, Temperance, becomes fast friends with Mere and gives Billie a babysitting option. But it’s Jamie Cleburne, who owns the antique store next to Billie’s, whose friendship becomes a problem. From the time they first meet, it’s obvious that Jamie is attracted to Billie and hopes that their friendship will turn into something more. If she’s honest, Billie can admit that she is drawn to Jamie’s blue-green eyes and athletic physique, but cares too much about Peter and Mere to encourage his feelings.
But Peter is making it harder for Billie to hold their marriage together. He’s convinced there’s something toxic, not only in their house but in their town. Billie wonders if he’s having an affair with one of his patients, Alice Tilton. When Peter disappears, Billie is on her own to find out what the town’s three powerful families are hiding. She has to tread carefully since she knows no one in Juliana can be trusted.
The term “page turner” is tossed around a lot, but Gothictown truly fits that description. Billie makes an appealing hero, fighting for herself and her family. The three families may be powerful, but they are nothing when going up against a tough New Yorker. Bravo, Billie!
Gothictown
Emily Carpenter
Top photo: Bigstock
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