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Kim Taylor Blakemore
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After Alice Fell: A Novel Paperback – March 1, 2021

by Kim Taylor Blakemore (Author)
3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 12,759 ratings
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Winner of the 2022 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best Historical.

Until she discovers the truth of her sister’s death, no one will rest in peace.

New Hampshire, 1865. Marion Abbott is summoned to Brawders House asylum to collect the body of her sister, Alice. She’d been found dead after falling four stories from a steep-pitched roof. Officially: an accident. Confidentially: suicide. But Marion believes a third option: murder.

Returning to her family home to stay with her brother and his second wife, the recently widowed Marion is expected to quiet her feelings of guilt and grief―to let go of the dead and embrace the living. But that’s not easy in this house full of haunting memories.

Just when the search for the truth seems hopeless, a stranger approaches Marion with chilling words: I saw her fall.

Now Marion is more determined than ever to find out what happened that night at Brawders, and why. With no one she can trust, Marion may risk her own life to uncover the secrets buried with Alice in the family plot.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    287 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    March 1, 2021
  4. Dimensions
    5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1542022703
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1542022705
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Kim Taylor Blakemore hits her stride in this well-plotted page turner of a novel. The prose shines with her unique lyrical voice. Cannot recommend highly enough!” ―Terry Lynn Thomas, USA Today bestselling author of The Silent Woman, The Family Secret, and House of Lies

“After Alice Fell is an enthralling, haunting, and harrowing gothic mystery that sweeps the reader into a post–Civil War New England that consists of broken families and even more broken minds. Easily one of my favorite books of the year, this story stayed with me long after I’d read the last page. I absolutely loved it!” ―Emily Carpenter, bestselling author of Burying the Honeysuckle Girls and Reviving the Hawthorn Sisters

“Blakemore pulls you deep into the mind of a woman haunted by a harrowing past and the fallen ghost of her sister. Family secrets, terrible regrets, and hints of murder lurk around every dark corner of this well-drawn, Civil War-torn world. As the mystery of Alice’s death slowly unravels, you simply cannot look away!” ―D. M. Pulley, author of The Dead Key and No One’s Home

“Superbly crafted, Kim Taylor Blakemore’s After Alice Fell is an enthralling story of absolving guilt and seeking the truth. It’s a captivating historical thriller that kept me turning the pages way into the night.” ―Alan Hlad, internationally bestselling author of The Long Flight Home

“Taut, tense, and terrifying, After Alice Fell is a harrowing novel that will make skin crawl and hearts break. Blakemore’s latest is a sophisticated, meticulously woven historical suspense of loyalty, loss, and deception. With a nod to Shirley Jackson’s claustrophobic settings and intricately drawn characters, Blakemore has created a haunting thriller that will pierce the security of her readers.” ―Amber Cowie, author of Loss Lake

About the Author

Kim Taylor Blakemore is the author of The Companion and the YA historical novels Bowery Girl and Cissy Funk, winner of the WILLA Literary Award. She is also the recipient of a Tucson Festival of Books Literary Award and three Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC) grants. Outside of writing historical fiction featuring fierce and dangerous women, Kim is a novel coach with her company, Novelitics; a history nerd; and a gothic novel lover. She lives with her family in Portland, Oregon, and loves the rain. Truly. For more information visit www.kimtaylorblakemore.com.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lake Union Publishing (March 1, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 287 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1542022703
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1542022705
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 12,759 ratings

About the author

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Kim Taylor Blakemore

Kim Taylor Blakemore

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Kim Taylor Blakemore is an author, developmental editor and founder of the Novelitics Writers Collective. She writes historical novels that feature fierce, audacious, and often dangerous women. She writes about the thieves and servants, murderesses and mediums, grifters and frauds - the women with darker stories, tangled lies and hidden motives.

Writing as Kim Taylor Blakemore, her historical thrillers include The Deception, After Alice Fell (Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award, Best Historical), The Companion (Tucson Festival of Book Literary Award). She has also written two young adult historicals, Bowery Girl (New York Public Library Best Reads for Teens) and Cissy Funk (WILLA Award for Best Young Adult Fiction).

As K.T. Blakemore, the 2023 New Mexico-Arizona Book Award Finalist The Good Time Girls and the The Good Time Girls Get Famous are the first two adventures in the Wild-Willed Women of the West Series, featuring bold women who take no prisoners and succeed through sheer grit, determination, and a parcel of luck.

Her passion for storytelling and nurturing authors led her to establish Novelitics Writers Collective (come write with us!). She loves coaching and supporting novelists on their creative journeys. Her love of the written word extends to teaching editing and craft workshops to organizations like The History Quill, Women’s Fiction Writers Association, RWA's Kiss of Death, and more.

She lives with her family and passel of rescue cats and dogs in the Pacific Northwest. She loves the rain, is afraid of scary movies, and thinks the best meal consists of a grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup.

Customer reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
3.8 out of 5
12,759 global ratings
Major gothic vibes, mystery, atmospheric. Kept me flipping pages!
5 Stars
Major gothic vibes, mystery, atmospheric. Kept me flipping pages!
This book is doing so well – it’s a #1 bestseller in historical thrillers on Amazon, as well as gothic fiction and reviews are praising the vivid descriptions and calling it captivating, and I couldn’t agree more!Major gothic vibes, mystery, a bit of suspense and whodunnit that keeps you turning pages. From my perspective, Kim Taylor Blackmore hit the perfect combination here to keep me engaged as a reader and flipping pages.Well written, and for me it provided to be true escapism. From the first page when Marion Abbott returns from being a nurse in the war to learn of the death of her sister at an asylum, she senses something isn’t right, and sets out to prove what that is – while bound by the reality of a women’s constricted movement and options in the 1860s. Guity over leaving her sister behind and letting this happen, I felt for Marion throughout as she sought the truth, even knowing it might cause her more pain.Then, as we get into the second half, the author keeps upping the volume and making things worse and worse for Marion, in true skilled writing style.Atmospheric with vivid and thoughtful descriptions. I’ll admit that normally I’m not a huge historical fiction fan, but this book has me converted!
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Top reviews from the United States

Erin Welch
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Must Read
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2021
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I thought this was fantastic! I was easily roped in to the mystery and finished quickly as I couldn't wait to see how it unfolded. The writing style was a little different (for me) with often very short sentences, some of which are probably technically not a real sentence, but they were straight to the point and conveyed what the author wanted without getting bogged down in extra wording. I could picture everything as though I were there. I don't read much historical fiction, but I do think this accurately depicted the scenery, customs, clothing, etc of the time period and was all very interesting. Many of the flashbacks would begin in present time and immediately transform into the memory without specifically notifying the reader, but it was easy enough to determine right away if you're paying attention. I also thought this very realistic as to the way we actually experience memories. One minute you are washing your car and hear a dog bark and your mind instantly goes back to a specific time, a similar circumstance. We don't stop what we're doing and say "Wait everyone! I'm going to have a flashback now!" I also noticed at least one other reviewer mentioned that many questions were left unanswered. I disagree. There were 2 smaller things left open, but I feel we weren't meant to know, as perhaps our main character never learned the truth. Everything else was resolved and wrapped up nicely. Finally, I like that the author included a list of book club questions at the end. This was insightful and made me delve a little deeper into a few issues I hadn't given much thought to. I highly recommend this book. I enjoyed it so much I've already started another by this same author.
3 people found this helpful
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M D Tuch
4.0 out of 5 stars a very good book, but muddled at times
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2021
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I almost didn’t select ‘After Alice Fell’ for my monthly ‘First Reads’ pick. I’m not a fan of first person present tense POV and I don’t greatly like the time period, 1865. Now, after reading it, I know I would have missed a very good book.
The first impression that I had after reading only a short time was that the author has a very unique, refreshing way of wording everyday scenes or parts of a scene. “Thunder rumbles but doesn’t approach. Just like a mongrel dog at the edge of the woods.” The book contains many such gems. Blakemore also successfully transported me into that era with graceful dialog to compliment her innovative use of words.
Marion, an army nurse, returns home after the war. Her brother Lionel, his second wife, Cathy, and his son Toby, inhabit the house that they grew up in. Marion’s sister, Alice, has always been a bit off, and while Marion was serving in the war effort Lionel found it necessary to have her committed to an asylum. After a period of time, Alice dies by suicide, falling to her death. Or was it something more? Marion fervently believes that it was. Initially, I thought Marion was driven by the guilt of being away in the war, but as she scratches into the stubborn details of her sister’s death, it seems that she may be onto something.
The story unfolds at a satisfactory pace, rife with anticipation that the next clue may unfold at any moment, then a tense but somewhat muddled climax before an able wrap-up. My major complaint is that at times I was confused about what exactly was happening as the previously able wording would begin to lurch into a fog of confusion. I had to reread several parts to understand them. When the reader is attuned into the scene, Blackmore is outstanding. However, confusion tainted a five-star book for me.
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cherikim
3.0 out of 5 stars Not really historical fiction and an ok read
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2021
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** spoiler alert ** I chose this book because it was free to me through Prime Reads. I love historical fiction. This is not one that I would categorize as historical fiction though. The main character worked as a nurse during the civil war but other than that, there is no history or historical storyline. I was disappointed. The book overall is not great. I liked the twist at the end. You kind of saw it coming because it was beginning to build on it. The next to the last chapter is confusing and I literally had to page back to see I hadn't missed something. Also, a character previously introduced (I think--I don't care enough to go back and confirm) pops up in the second to last chapter and appears to suddenly understand and believe the whole situation. I guess that fits since Elias came upon them as Cathy was attacking Marion and Toby. For me, this doesn't fit. It doesn't seem to me that things would have been as clear cut as they were when Elias came upon them. I guess Lionel ends up backing up what Marion had discovered. Elias and Saoirse were 'in on it', so to speak, so I guess they ended up caving and telling people the truth too.
One thing that really bothered me about the book was the way the author wrote it....the conversations, and sometimes the thoughts of the characters, were written haltingly. As if they couldn't finish a sentence and we were supposed to understand what they were thinking or talking about. It left several times where things were unclear to me and I was thinking "what am I supposed to think or see here?".
Not sure it is one I would recommend as overall it was just an "ok" read.
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Bichon Mom
5.0 out of 5 stars Historical thriller with detailed descriptions that bring the period to life
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2021
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When I first started reading this novel, I couldn’t imagine why it was categorized as historical thriller. I found the story engrossing from the first page but thought it more of a fascinating portrait of life in New England post Civil War.

The historical details are so well researched and everything from the dialogue to the actions seems true to the period. The story clearly depicts how little power or credibility women had at that time.

I did see it as a historical mystery for most of the book and it is so very well written. Nothing in it requires one to suspend disbelief. The characterizations are so good that one could even believe that it was based upon a true story rather than being a fictional novel.

As I got toward the end, the historical thriller label made sense. It definitely has a thrilling and unexpected ending. This is one of the best Kindle First books that I have read.
347 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Ladymary
5.0 out of 5 stars Novel After Alice Fell
Reviewed in Canada on May 15, 2021
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I haven't got around to read this yet as i ordered a few books but from reading the intro it looks very interesting.
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Emily G
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Period Piece
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 12, 2021
Verified Purchase
Although it has a slower build up than I expected, it was a very satisfying read. Due to it being a period piece in New Hampshire, there were some bits and pieces that some readers might not be very familiar with (for instance, all the clothing details). Overall, it was a suspenseful story that slowly unravelled and I would recommend it to others.
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Lyn
5.0 out of 5 stars Family complexities and murder
Reviewed in Australia on June 17, 2021
Verified Purchase
This is not a quick read, it demands attention and concentration and the rewards are many. It is one of the cleverest books I have ever read and I loved it.
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Slow burn gothic
Reviewed in Canada on October 25, 2022
Verified Purchase
This has the elements of gothic fiction with isolation, danger, death, guilt, secrets, deceit, betrayal and fragile minds. Civil War widow Marion is determined to prove that her sensitive, troubled sister, Alice, who was committed to a local asylum by their brother didn't commit suicide but was murdered. In her quest to uncover the truth Marion faces opposition and obstacles and the story twists and turns. It was slow moving at times but I enjoyed the details that enabled me to easily get into the story and setting, although at times it was a bit too descriptive. The writing captures the bleak asylum landscape, the feelings of being an unwanted guest at her brother's home and the growing sense of unease and oppression of Widow Marian's world, where both her and her deceased sister were seen as burdens. Marion was strong-willed and likable but I would have liked to know more about Alice.
There are very mixed reviews about this book and it's likely not for anyone who likes a fast read due to its slower pace, poetic descriptions and atmosphere building.
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Samantha Edwards
5.0 out of 5 stars Guilt and madness creep within the pages
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 14, 2021
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I loved this gothic mystery novel!

The atmosphere is thick and foreboding. Set in a stifling summer during the American civil war, Blakemore plays on the fetid and claustrophobic environment perfectly.

It builds slowly, lingering on both beautiful and macabre historic details. This is definitely a wonderful book for fans of the Victorian era. We get a real sense of Marion's precariousness as a widow in her brother's home. She has no status or money of her own. She has no power and worse, no voice.

The only person who listens to her is her nephew, Toby. Like Marion, he is the only one who seems to miss Alice. Like Marion, he is forced to abide by everyone else's rules and is ignored.

Marion treads a very fine and dangerous line in her quest for the truth. Her tenacity puts her own life in peril, and as we all know, an outspoken woman is a problem. The asylum looms as a shadow of both her past and possible future. The climax is chilling and terrifying.

Blakemore has a unique voice. The style is beautiful and economic. The world-building is superb.

I only realised when I'd finished the book that there is no romance for Marion. Indeed, it's a book very thin on romance, which is quite unusual in this historical and gothic genre. I loved the fact that Marion was an independent woman fighting for her right to be heard. It was a refreshing viewpoint from someone who neither needed nor wanted a man.

Overall, this is a book about family love and secrets, where guilt and madness creep within the pages and tragedy and hope entwine with each other.
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