Review: Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield

Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield releases December 4, 2018 from Atria/Emily Bestler Books

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I received no additional compensation. 

Goodreads Summary:
A dark midwinter’s night in an ancient inn on the Thames. The regulars are entertaining themselves by telling stories when the door bursts open on an injured stranger. In his arms is the drowned corpse of a little child.
Hours later the dead girl stirs, takes a breath and returns to life.
Is it a miracle?
Is it magic?
Or can it be explained by science?
Replete with folklore, suspense and romance, as well as with the urgent scientific curiosity of the Darwinian age, Once Upon a River is as richly atmospheric as Setterfield’s bestseller The Thirteenth Tale.

My Review:
I was very nervous about reading this book. I (along with almost every book lover I know who has read it) loved Diane Setterfield's debut novel The Thirteenth Tale. However, her follow-up fell terribly flat. Five years ago I read and reviewed Bellman & Black (read my review HERE) and it was one of the worst books I've ever read. I tried so hard to find something good to say about that book, but I just could not. So...since I loved her first novel and definitely did not love her second novel, I obviously had no idea of what to expect from Once Upon a River. Short answer--I loved it! I was holding my breath and crossing my fingers that I would and I am excited to say that it is fabulous. The characters, community, and their customs drew me in and the twists and turns of the story were just slippery enough to keep me guessing and then come together for a perfect ending. I think this book will appeal to a wide variety of readers and will probably be a popular book club pick in 2019!