Published: May 25, 2010
Words: 108,778 (approximate)
Language: English

Description

Mark and Nathan Connor are estranged twins. There is little to connect them, save their current residence at 314 Crescent Manor, an old building situated in the centre of the city. The tenants of the Manor are never housed at random. With its large, brooding stained glass tree bearing down on them from the fifth floor to the first, it watches, and waits for one world to topple into the next.

Tags

suspense, mystery, parallel universe, surreal, gender bending, cold war, quantum theory, gender

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Reviews

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Review by: A.M. Harte on Dec. 11, 2010 :
Mark and Nathan are brothers in name only. There is little love lost between them: any time spent together is torture for both of them. Yet something unexplained ties them together, pushes them to try, and try again at building their relationship. So when Mark moves to a new city for job-related reasons, artist Nathan packs his bags and follows suit. It just so happens that the place they move into is going to change their lives forever.

While the first couple of chapters set the tone for Nathan and Mark’s awkward sibling relationship, I wasn’t properly pulled into the story until The Event (chapter 4), when things take a bizarre twist down the rabbit hole. And it is then that M. Jones’ atmospheric story-telling really starts to shine. The sense of parallel or alternate worlds, the lurking evil, and the growing mystery all combine together into an almost Silent Hill-esque setting which promises more questions than answers. A compelling plot began to unfold, and I looked forward to reading more.

The chapters jump between Mark and Nathan’s point of view, and detail their parallel experiences of The Event. Both points of view are well-written and distinctive.

The writing is description-heavy, often times eerie. For my tastes, it is a little too verbose at times, but the overall quality is extremely solid.

Both plot and characterization are strong, the latter particularly so; I have a very clear impression of not just Mark and Nathan, but all of the characters.

In sum: an refreshingly eerie story. Definitely one to read.
(review of free book)

Review by: Maurice Lawless on July 21, 2010 :
Fantastic, spooky read. Very interesting perspectives on the main characters. I couldn't put it down.
(review of free book)

Review by: Melissa Kaplan on July 14, 2010 : (no rating)
I thoroughly enjoyed this read, my first one from Smashwords. Now I'm off to find books by this author.
(review of free book)

Review by: Nancy Brauer on June 22, 2010 :
I've been a fan of Jones' writing for a few years now. Her work is full of black comedy, suspense, memorable characters, and palpable atmosphere. 314 Crescent Manor is no exception.

Mark and Nathan Connor are estranged fraternal twins drifting through life. They know that something's wrong, but can't put their finger on what until The Event happens at Crescent Manor. Even after the supernatural (or quantum physics-related, depending on your point of view) Event turns their lives upside down, the siblings don't yet have all the answers. A cast of supporting characters, each as wonderfully strange as conspiracy theorist and bohemian artist Nathan and straight-laced, too-serious Mark, helps them with their quest. The Manor itself, a decaying art deco apartment building, is as much of a character as its tenants. It's eerie and unsettling, which makes you wonder all the more about those who live there.

Crescent Manor comes to a satisfying conclusion while leaving room for more -- and I certainly hope there's more!
(review of free book)

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