“His ancient quilt still waited patiently draped over the back for a master that would never return. At least not as he was. She pulled it down and wrapped herself into it, inhaling deeply of her husband’s lingering musk, tears streaming down her cheeks. ‘Henry, I miss you so much. I miss you so so so much.’” – Brett Mitchell Kent, Whispers of Apple Blossoms
AUTHOR BRETT Mitchell Kent presents a thought-provoking tale stretching across decades; a sorrowful widow laments the loss of her husband and daughter and a trail of vanished individuals converge at an unexpected focal point: Edna Mann. Edna, seeking solace for her lost family, discovers an unlikely source of comfort when her departed husband communicates with her through her houseplant. As those in her vicinity begin to disappear, Edna must confront the unsettling truth that something far more sinister may be unfolding, and it has been happening for much longer than she could have ever imagined.
The story is rich with atmosphere and profound emotion, delving into themes of love, sorrow, dread, and fixation. The author skillfully weaves these themes into the central motif of processing grief, creating a deeply personal and poignant narrative (Edna’s story, absolutely, but not hers alone). The distorted reality of an elderly woman consumed by remorse becomes intertwined with her fervent yearning to revisit the past.
Whispers of Apple Blossoms exudes a captivating blend of romance and chilling malevolence, drawing the reader
deeper into the shadows with each cascading petal and leading to an unforgettable climax. The novel unfolds with deliberate, gradual intensity, skillfully entangling the storyline around the reader’s heart like grasping vines. It roots a distinct sense of poignancy in the narrative before delivering a devastating emotional blow. The haunting quality of the story lingers long after the end, reminiscent of a great Henry James novel.
This compelling story deeply moved me with its powerful and emotive journey. The range of emotions it evokes, from compassion to sadness to frustration to fear, connected me to the characters in a way that was anything but superficial or “arm’s length.” How the oft-melancholic yet touching narrative seamlessly shifted between the past and present, from the Great Depression to modern times, allowed me to fully immerse myself in Edna’s world of grief and denial. And no, I did not feel the addition of “flashback scenes” halted the flow of the story; if anything, the layers of narrative texture came off successfully coherent and engaging.
The unexpected plot twists kept me on the edge of my seat, and the unique horror elements added a thrilling quality to the story if one is looking for more than relationship and familial drama in this book. I’m not talking about Clive Barker’s horror here, gory and heinous; it’s impactful fright that’s more palatable for a wider audience, somewhere between Stephen King and The Haunted Mansion. It’s traditional Hitchcockian terror, yet quite contemporary in its approach. I love it when a writer can mix horror (on any level) and nature and still make it feel innovative. Like Marc Ruvolo with his work Pieties, which I’ve recently reviewed, it’s exciting to experience contemporary writers handling a thematic element done before and still managing to make it feel fresh and surprising.
The captivating narrative allowed me to easily connect with the characters and
understand their lives, emotions, and motivations. At its core lies the love story of Edna and Henry, which is a moving portrayal of how loss can profoundly alter one’s identity and the lengths a person is willing to go to cling to those they hold dear, in life, in memory, and even in death. That said, I was pleased to see the inclusion of a queer/gay storyline that ran alongside the main plot. While I could have easily seen Edna and Henry’s story through the perspective of a same-sex couple, I understand it’s not any LGBTQ writer’s responsibility to always queer their narratives. Adding a secondary story with queer characters was appreciated, as I did hope to see some representation by this writer within the text before I began. Hoped—not expected. So, thank you, Brett.
The revelation involving Noor’s character at the end did feel somewhat rushed, however, and I wished there had been more exploration of that pivotal moment. Nevertheless, it did not hamper the flow of tension or lessen the dramatic impact of the final act. Brett Mitchell Kent’s novel, Whispers of Apple Blossoms is exceptional, and I wholeheartedly recommend it. And that cover! Stunning!
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