the thirteenth tale.

this is a story about ghosts, twins, secrets, tragedy and truth.

it was a haunting and fascinating mystery and i loved it. i was completely drawn in after reading the first two pages, and i didn't want to put it down until i finished. there is a fabulous plot twist at the end that i never saw coming. the kind of plot twist where you want to go back and re-read the whole book. here's a little about the plot:

Reclusive author Vida Winter, famous for her collection of twelve enchanting stories, has spent the past six decades penning a series of alternate lives for herself. Now old and ailing, she is ready to reveal the truth about her extraordinary existence and the violent and tragic past she has kept secret for so long. Calling on Margaret Lea, a young biographer troubled by her own painful history, Vida disinters the life she meant to bury for good. Margaret is mesmerized by the author's tale of gothic strangeness--featuring the beautiful and willful Isabelle, the feral twins Adeline and Emmeline, a ghost, a governess, a topiary garden and a devastating fire. Together, Margaret and Vida confront the ghosts that have haunted them while becoming, finally, transformed by the truth themselves. {from the cover}

i totally recommend it. 4 1/2 stars.