The Tell Tale - bookrastinating.com

Paperback, 378 pages

Published Sept. 24, 2021 by Breezy Tree Press.

ISBN:: 979-8-4797-2503-6

(1 review)

A small town, enduring love, a web of secrets.

The Tell Tale has been watching and waiting, because there’s something queer about the village of Foel.

Beth Griffiths has returned home to raise her daughter in the Welsh hills. They arrive to the open arms of the community, but not all is what it seems and Beth isn’t home for the reason she pretends either.

Vicious notes start appearing that reveal harsh truths about the village inhabitants, stirring up ancient past and old loves. Not even local dignitary, the elegant and aloof Lady Melling, is safe from the accusations.

But when Beth receives her notes, they aren’t what she expected. Is she being toyed with like the other villagers, or is she being guided to a long-sought truth?

2 editions

shippychaos reviewed The Tell Tale by Clare Ashton

Review of 'The Tell Tale' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

I believe Ashton received some criticism for how many queer characters she wrote in this, but I loved the heavy emphasis on gender and sexuality as a constant undercurrent throughout the story. Many of the author’s writing choices really worked for me and I appreciated the varied female characters in this fictional world of Foel.

My favorite bits:
-the Elin reveal
-how the necklace was woven into the story
-the vicar’s secret
-Sophie’s alibi photo
-everything about Rhian

My main frustration was the slow pace of the first half of the book and the lacking clarity on how things would turn out for Beth in the end. The focus on all the disgusting men—who seemed to never face any consequences—REALLY annoyed me (but that was kind of the point, wasn’t it?)

the audiobook narrator was new to me as well and their performance was lovely 4.25 stars