The Ancestor is a book about family secrets, yes! my favorite, that takes some wild and unexpected turns. Just when you think it’s going to be one thing (a straight-up gothic tale perhaps?) it turns out to be something else entirely and I LOVED that. I enjoyed the foray into the strange and unexpected and that it bravely went the last place I would’ve expected it to go!

Alberta “Bert” is separated from her husband Luca when the story begins. She’s grieving the loss of her relationship and several miscarriages when she receives a letter from someone in Italy stating she’s inherited an estate in the wilds of Italy. Apparently, she is the last living relation and the legal folks are going to fly her out so she can become the mistress of a castle. Oh, and also become a Countess! She and Luca (the husband who wants to reconcile) fly out to see what’s what.

This is a slower-paced tale filled with rich detail and history and other things that I can’t mention without spilling too much and it begins very much like a typical gothic creep-fest with a heroine who doesn’t stop to question too much. She goes with the flow. I mean, if I were struggling with everything and then suddenly told I was a Countess of a secluded castle I might hop on a plane and keep my pesky questions to myself too. Let them give it all to me officially and in writing, before I mess it all up with my annoying questions in case they change their mind! Anyhow, she kind of continues this behavior as the book goes along (especially when it comes to Luca) but this is usually the case in a slow burn. You find out the information slowly and that’s just how it is and likely how it should be. 

As the story continues, ominous details are doled out slowly. There are rumors of a goat and child-eating beast living near the secluded castle - amongst other things. She is also not alone in the castle. At times, it gave me some little Castle Freak vibes and I love that movie and its reboot even though I know I probably shouldn’t but you gotta love what you love, right? The creepy atmosphere of that castle, the sounds, the sights, the unknown hanging over everything, it was just all so perfectly done.

I can clearly see why this book has mixed reviews. Somewhere past the midway point, it turns into something else, and that something else was certainly something else 😳😹. I grew up reading and watching some of the most twisted kind of things so nothing here upset me but know that the roads taken here may not be for everyone. There are some very disturbing things in these here pages and the very end might leave you a wee bit melancholy (yeah I’m being annoyingly vague on purpose). Be prepared for that going in and for some terrible behavior from some tormented people and you’ll be okay. Probably. Just don’t yell at me if you’re not because I am sensitive, haha.

I enjoyed it very much and recommend it if you’re looking for something that just might surprise you.