The writer's style made it difficult for the reader to connect with the characters and, in the end, the reader didn't care when the mystery was "solved."

I enjoyed reading this book. Interesting premise and well written!

I thought this was a great premise. Loved that the main character also loves books. However, the start was slow. THis one had mixed reviews by our members.

Our group agreed that this story could have been better. We even thought of a more interesting ending. In the end, the mystery was a bore.

I am amazed this book even got published. One dimensional charcters. silly, uneven plot, no flow between characters. Two thumbs way down

Our club all throroghly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. It was an good story from beginning to end the kept me guessing through out the novel.

This is a fun book to while away a weekend reading. I was hooked from the start and had to force myself to tend to other duties, always wanting to escape back into the world of this novel.

Almost everyone in our F2F book club was in agreement that this book took a little getting into before it actually grabbed your attention--but once it got a hold on your mind, it did not let go until it reached the final climax. Well worth the effort necessary to get into.

I loved how this book was written - none of our book club members had any idea what was really going on until the author revealed the "twist".

Most of us really enjoyed the book. It was a page turner and the ending was an awesome twist. Noone saw that coming. We were divided however on how we thought it ended and who survived the fire. It was definately a good book club discussion.

This book reminded me so much of Daphne DuMaurier. A real treat to read. The perfect rainy day book.

Great Book!! A little scarey at times, but suspenseful. I love the ending and everything was tied together. I loved the setting in England.

I don't understand some of the bad reviews, I thouroghly enjoyed this book from beginning to end! The setting and the characters were wonderful. This book was my daily escape and served me well.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as did my entire book club. Although the story of her lost twin doesn't seem compelling, her relationship with an extraordinary woman like Vida Winter, is what gives this story depth. Ms. Setterfield does an excellent job of developing the characters but also manages to create a mystery.

Interesting enough but not great.

This is a great book! I loved every page and was completely engaged the entire way through. I love the way the author writes and I loved how the themes of incest, ghosts, murder, insanity, love and despare were woven together to create a story worth reading. I was constatntly suprised at the twists and turns the novel took - it kept me on my toes! Our book club really enjoyed this book and we also uncovered some interesting twists and turns while discussing the book that some of us overlooked (lots of goose-bumps and "oh my's")! I also appreciated how the author "completed" the book and wrapped up the ending in a nice way. I felt satisfied and happy with the ending. This is a must read!!

An extremely well written book in the Gothic tradition. Our book club was very pleased. EVERYONE enjoyed this book. A little bit of romance, a lot of intrigue, a couple of good twists and a very discriptive narrative. This first novel by a talented writer is not to be missed.

I really enjoyed reading this story. The author has a way of describing the characters and settings in such a way that you can almost smell the old editions in the library and enjoy the beauty of the garden she describes. It was a mystery of sorts and had a few twists and turns that I found intriguing. I enjoyed it to the very last page and was sorry that it ended. However, it really did end - left no strings dangling!

I just finished this book and would highly recommend it. Very nice, fun, interesting story, I read it in 2 days! Even staying up late to finish it. I liked the ending, and thought it "fit" with the rest of the book. The "surprise" ending was something that I never thought about, and I can usually figure out most endings from books. The only part that bothered me was that we never knew what "time" anything happened in! But, it was not enough to keep me from finishing it.

Interesting. Dark and took a lot of twists and turns. Could have tied up a few more loose ends before ending, but overall a good read.

This is a very interesting book and really kept my interest. I loved it.

I normally do not read this type of book but the book keep me on the edge of my seat. It made you wonder what would happen next.

I loved this book. I like reading stories that go back in time to lead you along with way. I liked the characters and the setting. I had the Angelfield home pictured in my head as well as the gardens and the twins. I did figure out the 'mystery' but it certainly didn't detract from the book. The ending wasn't what I expected, I was hoping for some romance/sparks to happen...but life doesn't always happen that way either!

Our bookclub read this book and we all liked it, most loved it.

Completely enjoyable and entertaining from beginning to end. Like reading a chocolate mousse!

Thought the book was a little slow, though it did keep my interest. Thought the author could have developed Margaret and her mother's relationship (or lack of ) a little more. Overall, my book club liked this book and would recommend it to other clubs.

I really enjoyed this book. Somehow I've gotten into English authors and like their use of words and writing style. I did not find it difficult to understand or follow as mentioned in other reviews. I've recommended it to others and have given it as a gift to many reading friends.

Yes, this book can be a bit dark or gloomy. Once the story really got rolling - I could not put it down. I usually finish my book club books the day of our meetings - I was done this book a full week in advance.

This book is a real page turner with lots of twists. I didn't expect the ending.

I enjoyed the book and found that I did not want to stop reading.

Once you begin reading you will not want to put it down ... a teist at the end ... our group is still undecided

I thought that this book was very good and it kept me interested till the end.

Very interesting book. It takes you places that you don't expect.

The author immediately pulls you in with a tale of mystery that makes the reader eager for more.

This was a fun book to read. The characters draw you in to their stories and each chapter is like a short story in and of itself. I was dissapointed to finish it, I wanted it to go on and on!

http://imbookingit.wordpress.com/2009/10/08/the-thirteenth-tale/

Starts slowly but becomes addictive and has a twist at the end!

This book is the best book I have read in a long time. The author is amazing and writes with such strong word choice, you can't help but reading it to the end! Keeps you guessing and wondering about all the characters.

I wasn't sure that this book was going to be my cup of tea...sort of speak. But I absolutly loved it!! I didn't want to put it down. In fact I read the last 150 pages in one sitting. The suspense kept me reading!!

Capturing the reader from the first page, this book is one of the best my group has read. Developing characters and plot in a brilliantly planned novel, the author carries the story forward to an unexpected end. Several of us read the last 20 or so pages twice, to be sure we didn't miss anything. This is a book we all are passing on to friends and family as a "must read".

Was okay. Not my favorite. I skimmed through alot so I could get to the end for bookclub! Although i thought it was just okay there were several members that really enjoyed this book, which is why I gave it a thumbs up.

Everyone in our Book Club gave this one a thumbs up and thought it was the most well-written book we had read in quite some time.

Very dark, a great winter read.

Has a Jane Eyre quality but is appealing to the contemporary reader as well. Great fun!

It was full of twists and turns that I did not expect. I found the emotional ties between the characters so interesting. I LOVED it!

One of the few books I will definitely read again.

Full of twists and turns and unxpected endings!

We just finished this one a few months ago. Story starts off a little slow but so worth the ride. Very intriguing. A must read.

A good Gothic tale.

Probably the most discussed book during a book club meeting.

I couldn't get into this one.

The Thirteenth Tale had a great beginning and caught my attention right from the start. It is mysterious and fascinating! A great fireside read! Could not wait to get to the end to find out everything!

Excellent book! Page turner that kept me quessing all the way. Told vividly - I loved Diane Setterfields writing style. An unforgettable tale!

A beautifully written tale in the style of the old gothic novels of England. A story that will keep you engrossed and guessing until the end.

I love books that have a twist that I didn't even see coming. This book rides the fine line of supernatural and classic. Our discussion went on and one with this one!

A Gothic novel with the requisite gloomy house occupied by secretive inhabitants. I would use the word "suspenseful" to describe the book. All aspects tie together for an unexpected end to the tale. I like most everything about the book except the main character Margaret. I found her needy, and she really just needed to accept some facets of life and move on.

There are so many twists and turns and very interesting characters that you really can't guess the "secret". We all LOVED it! In fact, even though I'd listened to it in May, I listened to it again right before our discussion. This one kept our interest, and our conversation going for a while!

Well worth the read.

I loved this book. It has a gothic feel to it with its "ghost" and secrets and setting. It was sad, yet managed a happy ending for at least 1 character. Setterfield is a wonderful storyteller, and I totally agree with the last paragraph on the back flap of the book jacket. It even put into words some of the feelings I have when reading a book.

This book was full of twists and turns, I thought i had things figured out in the beginning but found out i was way off in the end. Very interesting, was pleased with the book as a whole.

I enjoyed the language and the mystery and all the plot surprises. It was very gothic, but I could not put it down.

This book was not an easy read but was totally worth it. You will be totally suprised at the end. I wanted to reread it right away!!!

Very rich story telling with a dark and shadowy past. exciting read with interesting characters.

I really enjoyed this book. I didn't want to put it down! It's a perfect read for Halloween; very dark and forboding.

Totally enjoyable, extremely well written, a page turner with a wonderful ending.

This book was fabulous! I really had to read it slowly and I kept having to go back and re-read sections just to keep the story straight. So many twists and turns! I really loved it!!

A great read! Very well written, very unusual story. It kept you guessing from the beginning to the very end! It made you want to go back and read some of the gothic novels from the past! Lot's of discussion at the book club meeting.

I really enjoyed this book! It kept me interested and the characters were well-written and identifiable. Thought it was well worth reading and would recommend to others.

Loved this book, very different and a good read right to the last page.

A good read when you are snowed in, but I wouldn't use it for my book club.

I really liked this book. It's a mystery. Some parts were easy to figure out, but others were a complete surprise.

A wonderful read! Our entire book club loved it!

A fun read. Classic Christie-esque mystery. Very atmospheric and gloomy... you can practically feel the cobwebs brush across your arm! An excellent book for a book-themed meeting.

this book will peak your interest after each chapter as it delves further into the lives of the characters as you find yourself asking the question "what really happened?" and wanting to read further to the surprising ending

This was a re-read for me. I first read this book shortly after it was published. I enjoyed it immensely and was thrilled when my book club picked it for the April read. This is certainly one book that I don't mind re-reading.

The Thirteenth Tale is a dark, gothic, rainy afternoon read. And yes, it does have a certain creepy factor - somewhat reminiscent of V. C. Andrews. It is not a quick read - not a fast paced thriller, but I did find it to be a compelling read - hard to put down. Setterfield's prose is beautifully descriptive. The ending is wonderfully unpredictable! If you enjoy books by the Bronte sisters, this a book for you.

The book club members who attended the meeting, were split. Two of the five really liked the book. Four members found it slow going at the beginning, but then picking up once "the interviewing" began. One member did not finish the book. One member felt the book was too dark and creepy. Everyone did agree that it was well written and did not seem like a debut novel.

If your book club is looking for a "light" read, this is not the right pick.

I really liked this book. I thought the plot twists were fascinating; I kept trying to figure out exactly what was going on! I did figure out the secret before the author revealed it, so that was fun .... this book isn't too "long" on character development but it certainly has a great story. The only complaint I have is that the narrator's story was not fully developed; I was left wanting "more" from her story. But the main characters of the book were fascinating, interesting and all together engrossing.

This is one of those books that you simply cannot put down! I got thoroughly immersed in this tale.

There was suspense and confusion that kept me reading trying to figure it out. I didn't figure it out and was surprised at the way it tied up the ending. I couldn't put it down for the last 100 pages.

While I was left somewhat confused by a few of the surprising plot twists, I did find it to be a decent read. Not my favourite and I wouldn't recommend for a book club discussion....but good for dark, wintery nights, under covers early and fire on....:-)

I've read this at least 3x. I love this book. It's very well written and very intriguing.

This has to be one of my all time favorite books. The writing style is almost poetic at times. Have read it three times. My book club sisters LOVED IT. We had a great discussion because it has so many twists and turns.

this book was mysterious, provoked great conversation

Enjoyed the book. It did start out slow but by the end I couldn't wait to finish reading it. There were a couple twists.

Very slow in the beginning.. picks up in the end but too many characters to try to keep track of.

I had to know what happened to the author's family. I was so absorbed I didn't want to put it down.

When starting this book, the first couple of chapters were a little slow but then, I was sucked in! The author has a fantastic way with expressing herself and bringing her characters to life as you read. I was constantly intrigued by what was to happen next and found the story a puzzle that I could not solve. The book has the perfect twist which leaves the reader still wondering and asking questions even after finished.

Don't stop reading! Once you get past the first chapters in reels you in for some great suspense.

Some members hadn't either finished or read the book, so we tried to avoid too many spoilers. But everyone who had read it enjoyed it.

Didn't care for it in the beginning, got better as I kept reading

I couldn't put this book down! I loved the mystery and intriguing characters. Little surprise twist at the end made for lively group discussion.

This book is great for a book club because no two people will see this book the same. Parts of this book tended to be confusing when moving back and forth between present and the past and what was real or imagined..

I really enjoyed this book. I will probably retread it to see all the foreshadowing that now I can recognize. The ending was such a surprise that I want to go back and read it again.

I have read this book more than once. I love it every time. It is a real page turner. It is a must for people who love classics, beautifully written language, and page turners. It is one of my top ten!

This literary fiction is perfect for the book club! There are so many references to other books that you could do several spin offs for book choices (most notably Jane Eyre). Great characters and a wonderful very discussable twist at the end!

For the first time in our book club history, all members agreed this was a great read! It kept everyone hooked and the twists were not blatantly obvious, which kept us intrigued. We liked the references to the classics and the descriptions. The book group questions were discussed at the end of the session and the answers were so different and interesting, such as the historical point in time that the book was set. We all eagerly await the sequel!

Really enjoyable read despite some dark elements in the story. A page turner for me!

Once I got through the first couple of chapters, I couldn't put the book down. I was so intrigued with the story line and characters that I stayed up all night reading.

A very good read, Many twists and turns.Begs for a book two.

Excellent story that will keep you involved and wanting more after each page.

I recommend this to everyone who asks.

Great read...gothic, murder, mystery, twists and turns.

Vida Winters tells a great tale that will keep you interested non-stop. You don't want it to end. Loved the characters.

You will be confused and think you have it figured out and then ah ha....you were wrong.

I loved this book...I would put it in the same category as the classic: REBECCA

One of my favorite books ever (as well as my book group). Mesmerizing, fascinating, and mystifying - a must read for anyone who loves mysteries!

Wow! This book was a great read. You will love it if you’re into mysteries with plenty of psychological twists, ambiance and above all – suspense! Any book lover must read this because basically it\\\'s a book about books, writing books, reading books, book lovers... but that\\\'s just the back ground to it. In the novel there are continuous mentions of \\\"Wuthering Heights\\\", \\\"Jane Eyre\\\", \\\"Woman in White\\\", and so on. Each reference has a significance to the central plot. I felt truly drawn into this novel

“Our lives are so important to us that we tend to think the story of them begins with our birth. First there was nothing, then I was born...Yet that is not so. Human lives are not pieces of string that can be separated out from a knot of others and laid out straight. Families are webs. Impossible to touch one part of it without setting the rest vibrating. Impossible to understand one part without having a sense of the whole. - Vida Winter”
? Diane Setterfield, The Thirteenth Tale

I have read this book twice and loved it both times! It is a perfect book club selection as it leads to so many points of discussion. Some of our members felt it moved slowly at the beginning but were glued to it towards the end when the \\\"ghost stories\\\" started to unfold. Gothic, haunting, well written and (I feel) an incredible book!

We all really liked the book and it had a mystery you couldn't predict!

Much better than expected. Highly recommend.

Challenging...lots to talk about! Very well written.

Several members didn't even finish reading the book, although a couple of others said they loved it. It's rare that everyone agrees on a book, but usually they finish it.

Story of an aging novelist who enlists a young writer to tell the story of her mysterious life. I found the book totally unbelievable. Way too many plots and sub plots that didn't seem to go anywhere. Painfully slow at first. Frustrating to the point of disturbing.

First my rating would be 4.5 stars, but it doesn\'tgive me that option. Now that that\'s cleared upo! Definitely added this to my list of favorite books. It hooked me right away, and I could not put it down! I do love a good mystery. I felt it was very well written.

I did find myself somewhat sidetracked wondering in what year the book is actually set. Apparantly the author intentionally left that out, but I\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'ve decided based on clues in the book that it was probably early 60\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s. BUT, my curiosity did nothing to diminish my love of this book.

It was our club\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s first pick of 2015 and I think we are off to a good start.

A book you hate to put down with many interesting twists and turns.

This book pulled you in to the gothic atmosphere weaving an intricate and dark plot dealing with twins.

The book is in many ways absurd and illogical. e.g. The fire scene was preposterous. Why did Miss Winter bother replacing the baby with a bolster? She already knew that Adeline was capable of burning the baby. Why let her start a fire in the library that she knows is full of cans of petrol? Miss Winter hid the cans of petrol there herself (this is stupid in itself). I did like the gothic ambiance of the book and the character Margaret. I too would shoot away at the idiot that's burning all the great book. Idiots are much easier to replace!