The Haunting of Brynn Wilder: a story of loss, grief and transformation

The Haunting of Brynn Wilder by Wendy Webb is a story of loss, grief and transformation. After a year of turmoil, ending with a devastating loss, Brynn Wilder escapes to Wharton, a small tourist town on Lake Superior. Her goal is to relax, reset and get ready to go back to her life. She checks into a local boarding house for the summer. She quickly becomes a part of the local community and the other lodgers. There’s Jason and Gil who are caring for the frail Alice, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. LuAnn, the lovable owner of the inn, who watches over her lodgers like a caring mother. Lastly, Dominic, the handsome stranger who is covered in mesmerizing tattoos that he has earned the nickname, The Illustrated Man. Soon after her arrival, mysterious events begin to occur. Alice knows things about Brynn that she shouldn’t. Bad dreams, night whispers and an undeniable attraction to Dominic, a mysterious man who people know very little about and the suspicions follow him. Will Brynn discover the truth surrounding the mysterious events? 

With a gothic feel, The Haunting of Brynn Wilder has a lot of mood and atmosphere that sets the stage for a creepy and disturbing story. I had seen a lot of mixed reviews about this book so when it was my chance to read it, I had no expectations. From the opening chapter, I was hooked and I easily read the events surrounding Brynn after she arrived in Wharton. The story itself is not scary but has creepy and odd moments that will catch your attention and breathlessly ask “whaaaaat?” Ms. Webb touches on a lot of different themes and ideas but none of them fully fleshed out. It is as if she didn’t quite know what she wanted to do with them. The story was great until the ending. While not horrible, the ending seemed rushed and at a disconnect with the rest of the story. Overall, I enjoyed the story with the exception of the end. If you keep your expectations low and allow the story to just be, you’ll probably enjoy The Haunting of Brynn Wilder. 

The Haunting of Brynn Wilder is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook