Review Detail

Wes Auckerman wants to make a great film during a summer program and transfer to NYU. While helping his friend shoot a scene during a séance, he meets a girl named Annie that will change his summer altogether. Annie is mysterious, beautiful, and in desperate need to find a missing ring. As the two search for it, they will discover a mystery that goes back far in time.

What I Loved:

Katherine Howe does a superb job with the narration in THE APPEARANCE OF ANNIE VAN SINDEREN. Wes’s character is extremely realistic, and the clear descriptions of New York make it easy for the reader to get immersed in the story. The mystery with Annie is intriguing and suspenseful, and her ‘Rip Van Winkle’ quality is woven in seamlessly. The secondary characters are sharply drawn as well. I especially enjoy Maddie and her spunky attitude.

What Left Me Wanting More:

While the plot is unique and deeply layered, the pacing does get a bit slow at times. It takes quite a while before the reader discovers what is happening with Annie. Some of the romance is also a little confusing at times, though everything is sorted out by the end. Readers who enjoy a slow and detailed story will likely enjoy this the most.

Final Verdict:

Though the story drags a little in areas, I overall enjoyed this story. The spot-on narration and complex mystery make this a novel readers won’t want to put down, and readers new to Howe will likely want to pick up more from this author after reading this.