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Caron McKinlay
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The Storytellers Kindle Edition

by Caron McKinlay (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 424 ratings
Trapped between life and the afterlife, three women meet and share their stories while discovering the truth about the men in their lives—and about themselves.

Suspended in an eerie state of limbo, an entity called the Gatekeeper tells Nikki, Ronnie, and Mrs. Hawthorne they are on the cusp of entering the afterlife—but only if the women can persuade him that in their earthly lives, they knew the meaning of love.

Fragments of their memories return, plunging them back into their pasts, and forcing them to face the desires, disappointments, addictions, lies, and obsessions they battled in life.

But before time runs out, will they find the answer to the ultimate question: what is love?

“Darkly funny and completely compelling, with brilliantly flawed characters you can’t help rooting for, even when they’re bad.” —Frances Quinn, author of The Smallest Man

“Utterly mind blowing! If Stuart Turton had written Gone Girl it would look like this. Intelligent, compelling writing that is genre defining. Brilliant!” —Victoria Dowd, author of The Supper Club Murders

“Gripping, thought-provoking and clever. I was hooked from the very first page.” —Nicola Gill, author of The Neighbours

“Beautiful, edgy and the perfect debut. A tale crafted with heart, soul and sass.” —Keith A. Pearson, author of The ‘86 Fix
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  1. Print length
    302 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Bloodhound Books
  4. Publication date
    May 16, 2022
  5. File size
    3.1 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Caron McKinlay grew up in a mining town on the east coast of Scotland where her dad would return from the pit and fill her life with his tall tales. She never thought about making a career in writing-that was what posh people did, not someone from a working-class council estate. However, her father's death was the cause of deep introspection and her emotions gave birth to a short story, "Cash," which was published in the Scottish Book Trust's anthology, Blether. This gave her the confidence to try and believe in herself. When not blogging, reading, and writing, Caron spends her time with her daughters. She doesn't enjoy exercise-but loves running around after her grandsons, Lyle and Noah, to whom she is devoted. Caron had three childhood dreams in life: to become a published author, to become a teacher, and for David Essex to fall in love with her. Two out of three ain't bad, and she's delighted with that.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09XTMQSDD
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bloodhound Books (May 16, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 16, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.1 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 302 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 424 ratings

About the author

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Caron McKinlay

Caron McKinlay

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Caron grew up in a mining town on the east coast of Scotland where her dad would return from the pit and fill her life with his tall tales. She never thought about making a career in writing – that was what posh people did, not someone from a working-class council estate.

However, her father’s death was the cause of deep introspection and her emotions gave birth to a short story, Cash, which was published in the Scottish Book Trust’s anthology, Blether. This gave her the confidence to try and believe in herself.

When not blogging, reading, and writing, Caron spends her time with her daughters. She doesn’t enjoy exercise – but loves running around after her grandsons, Lyle and Noah, to whom she is devoted.

Caron had three childhood dreams in life: to become a published author, to become a teacher, and for David Essex to fall in love with her. Two out of three ain’t bad, and she’s delighted with that.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
424 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewer from USA
    5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling story with memorable characters
    Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    The story concept intrigued me, and then wow, did it deliver as we meet three marvelously defined characters and follow them in their rich lives. At turns sexy, sassy, and heartfelt, the writing is smart and propulsive, with short chapters and pitch-perfect scenes pulling the reader through the narratives. You feel like you know these characters and what they are up against. I fell in love with Ronnie by the time she exquisitely pulls off the kind of Valentine's Day shenanigan a girl like her might deploy to ensnare the playboy she knows is going to ignore the holiday for her because she is his "Wednesday girl," and had big pangs for another character who was in love with a man who was still in love with his deceased wife.

    There is so much to recognize and relate to in these brilliantly evoked women as they wrestle with the various men in their lives, with their own hunger for care and attention, and with each other. There are many dramatic threads and questions throughout—and then by Chapter 43 I was screaming at the visceral drama on the page, and then I was completely taken aback by rewarding, twisty reveals that stuck the landing. A confident, polished, fun debut!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Dana rivera
    4.0 out of 5 stars overall good
    Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2023
    This was overall a good read. took me a third of the book to really get enthralled in it. very slow in the beginning. loved the storyline and I did not see that twist coming.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Mrs. Donna L. Doll
    3.0 out of 5 stars A Story Well Told
    Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Ms McKinlay's skillful writing kept me reading from beginning to end with very few stops to interrupt that process.
    Intertwining the lives of the three characters in a place the doesn't really exist birthed a mystery whose solution was totally unpredictable. The denouement is exactly right to bring to a conclusion a twisty story of love betrayed, turning heartache into hope.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Audrey Davis
    5.0 out of 5 stars Original and beautiful
    Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    What a stunningly original and beautifully written book! And a debut, which makes it even more remarkable, as the author has crafted a tale which speaks of an innate talent.
    From the start I was drawn into the lives of the three main characters. So very different, each facing the challenges of life and relationships and thrown together in a unique and mysterious setting.
    I won't go into depth about the plot. The blurb is sufficient to pique the reader's interest, without giving away the intricacies of the storyline.
    So many wonderful and memorable lines along the way:
    –Snared. Like an irritant inside a saltwater oyster.
    –If younger, I'd spring towards him and jump into his lap, but creaking bones and sore knees make the journey muted and longer. The decades, thieves of spontaneity.
    –Have I not had enough experience to recognise the lure of the bastards? The ones that make you fly with their words then slice your wings with their actions.
    A difficult book to categorise, which is no bad thing. Put aside any preconceptions and simply embrace each and every wonderful page. Because the story told is one that will remain with you for a long time…
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Valerie Blankenship
    5.0 out of 5 stars Such a great book!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2022
    This book left me utterly speechless! Caron McKinlay wrote these characters so perfectly. What Ronnie, Nikki, and Ms. Hawthorne experience in their life spans teaches a valuable lesson. As a reader, you experience so much with each person. You, yourself, will learn a valuable lesson as well. I didn't know what to expect really going into this book. There was several things in the plot that shocked me, which I loved. When it all comes together, it all makes perfect sense. Caron McKinlay knows how to write one heck of a story. Huge applause to this book and it's creative author!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer C📲📱🔖📚📖
    5.0 out of 5 stars Suspended
    Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2022
    This story is coming out May 16, 2022. This story introduces you to three different characters, Ronnie of Liverpool, Nikki of Blackpool, and a Mrs. Hawthorne on the beach. The three women was in a bewilder mindset, and they meet the Gatekeeper he guides those who seek to move beyond this place. He told them they died long time ago. This book will take you on a trip you have to read to believe, and I enjoyed the roller coaster ride and the twist and turns in this one. You have to read this one.
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  • Mandi L.
    5.0 out of 5 stars So beautiful!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2022
    This is one of the most beautiful novels I have read. It goes on my "Favorite Forever" list! The moment I finished it, I called my best friend to tell her to order it! I can't wait for us to be able to discuss it. Ms. McKinlay gave me chills, made me cry, made me laugh, and reminded me to love myself. Thank you!!!!!!!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Kris
    5.0 out of 5 stars Easily lose track of time reading this
    Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2022
    This book was amazing. You become invested in each woman’s story while also trying to determine who the gatekeeper is and whether they are good or bad. This could very easily have a sequel or even be the prequel of a series.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • JulieB
    5.0 out of 5 stars Favoloso!
    Reviewed in Italy on October 2, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Questo romanzo mi ha catturato dalla prima pagina. L'ho divorato! Le tre donne erano personaggi straordinariamente ricchi, ognuno con la propria storia da scoprire, in capitoli alternati. Ogni volta che finivo un capitolo, mi promettevo di leggerne solo un altro, ma era troppo difficile metterlo giù e ho letto tutta la notte per finirlo. Darei sei stelle se potessi!
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  • D Read
    5.0 out of 5 stars Poignant, captivating and soul searching.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 22, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This is a debut novel, and I've seen such a buzz about it on social media. I picked it up with very high expectations for something different and very special.

    The stories of three woman, in a limbo between life and an afterlife, to move on they must share their stories of life and love, and convince the gatekeeper they understand 'love'.

    It's easy to get lost trying to pigeon hole it into a genre, women's fiction, psychological or metaphysical, but the genre doesn't matter to me, the limbo is a framework for these three characters to share their stories.

    The stories are captivating. Nikki the teenage waitress who falls for the Italian chef, headmistress Ronnie who falls for a charming Ofsted inspector and Mrs Hawthorne who meets the recently widowed Charles.

    The writing style is chatty and relatable, with humour and sharp edges, I'd compare it to Liane Moriarty and Liz Nugent. The stories are poignant and unpredictable, as we root for these characters and their hopes of love and happiness. There is a real depth, a reflective soul-searching and a hope and a wish for better outcomes.

    I've seen reviews calling this a book of the year, it's certainly a hugely impressive debut and a book that will stay with me. I recommend you give it a try.

    💔🌤📚
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  • DMH
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very different
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 11, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Has a debut novel this was intriguing and different and I loved the plot twist. The story was well written and I enjoyed how it blended together. There was a couple of things that irritated me though and that was the stereotyping of a couple of characters. Mrs Hawthorne was described has a woman in her late 60's but the author made her appear so much older which often happens in books. All 60 year old are not old fuddy duddies and it's annoying when they get portrayed like that. Also Gio the Italian would not speak English like that and again it was using Italian stereotypes from TV programmes. A little more research would demonstrate that this is not accurate. However other than these 2 irritating parts of the book, I did enjoy it and would happily recommend it.
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  • Robinl15
    3.0 out of 5 stars Almost there.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 12, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I read this book in an evening as I got caught up in the women's stories. The only issue was the ending which was too neat. It would have improved if the idea of the purgatory had been developed.
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  • Booksarebest
    5.0 out of 5 stars Emotionally beautiful - with a twist!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 26, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    An absolute page-turner! Three women on the cusp of the afterlife are required to show they know the meaning of love. And with that, we are swept up into their lives. Every character in the book is vividly drawn, each with a unique voice. As their stories unfold, you are caught up in wave after wave of emotions from laughter to sadness, from rooting for each woman to tearing your hair out at some of their mistakes. But on every occasion, you just cannot stop reading because these characters are so alive they jump out of the page.

    The story itself is simply wonderful and unique and the writing is fabulous. Some of the descriptions are so excellently drawn that it is almost as though you are standing there in the scene with the characters. And the intensity of the emotions evoked is cleverly interwoven with a feminist reflection on women and the relationship struggles they sometimes face. The pace never lets up and you are hooked right to the very end, which is both twisty and yet emotionally beautiful.
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