Ciao, amici! I’m super-excited today. I’ve been waiting for this book to release since the last one, and now it’s finally here!
Mae Clair’s END OF DAY, book two in her Hode’s Hill series.
This book, like CUSP OF NIGHT, the first book in the series, is also a dual timeline novel. And each period has a mystery to solve, each of which she resolves beautifully. But moreover, the way the two eras are linked together? It’s masterful.
You don’t want to miss this one.
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Blurb:
The past is never truly buried…
Generations of Jillian Cley’s family have been tasked with a strange duty—tending the burial plot of Gabriel Vane, whose body was the first to be interred in the Hode’s Hill cemetery. Jillian faithfully continues the long-standing tradition—until one October night, Vane’s body is stolen from its resting place. Is it a Halloween prank? Or something more sinister?
As the descendants of those buried in the churchyard begin to experience bizarre “accidents,” Jillian tries to uncover the cause. Deeply empathic, she does not make friends easily, or lightly. But to fend off the terror taking over her town, she must join forces with artist Dante DeLuca, whose sensitivity to the spirit world has been both a blessing and a curse. The two soon realize Jillian’s murky family history is entwined with a tragic legacy tracing back to the founding of Hode’s Hill. To set matters right, an ancient wrong must be avenged…or Jillian, Dante, and everyone in town will forever be at the mercy of a vengeful spirit.
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My Review:

January 15, 2019Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseMae Clair is on my “must read” list, and END OF DAY is an excellent example of why. She has an unparalleled ability to grab a reader’s attention with the very first word and keep it until the last. In this case, we’re back in Hode’s Hill. And by “back” I mean BACK. This is another dual timeline story (a device I find fascinating and engaging) and both present day and historical events are handled masterfully.
END OF DAY introduces us to new characters and allows us to visit familiar ones—and get to know them even better. Her portrayals are realistic and nuanced; these are not one-dimensional clichés but rather well-developed, multi-faceted individuals. The heroes are people any reader would love to meet in real life, and the antagonists are ruthless and frightening.
Clair is a talented wordsmith who sets a scene artfully. Her descriptions draw a reader in as much as the characters do, with the setting becoming a character itself. While nothing is too gory or horrific, there is a definite sense of eerie foreboding that increases with the tension of the story and culminates in a dramatic climax a reader won’t soon forget.
Clair has (once again) taken supernatural lore and made it believable, weaving legend through emotional character arcs, fascinating plots, and brilliantly-crafted description to create another remarkable story. And I can’t wait for the next one.
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I really hope you take the time to check this one out. It’s chilling, creepy, eerie, and yet full of heart. You can read this as a standalone, but I think you’ll want to start with the first book, where we are introduced to these (and many more) characters.
Wishing Mae much success with this latest release.

Bio:
A member of the Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers, Mae loves creating character-driven fiction that weaves contemporary elements of mystery and suspense with urban legends and folklore. Married to her high school sweetheart, she lives in Pennsylvania and is passionate about cryptozoology, old photographs, a good Maine lobster tail, and cats.
Connect with Mae Clair at BOOKBUB and the following haunts:
Amazon | BookBub | Newsletter Sign-Up
Website & Blog | Twitter | Goodreads | All Social Media
Great review, Staci! I’m just starting End of Day, and Mae (and you) are on my must-read list. I know it’s going to be a great story!
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With respect to Mae, you’ll love it. I can’t wait to hear what you think.
With respect to me, I’m humbled and honored. Thank you.
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Pre-ordered this weeks ago, and now it’s happily residing on my Kindle, waiting for me to find time to sit down and savor every word! I loved the first book and am sure I will love this one just as much, or maybe more! Great review, Staci! And Mae, Happy New Release Day, Week, Month, and Year! 🙂
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Time is the biggest enemy, isn’t it? Hope you enjoy it when you can finally get to it!
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Hi, Marcia. Thank you for the wonderful wishes. I’m positively thrilled you’re looking forward to this one. When it surfaces on your Kindle, I hope you enjoy! 🙂
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Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
Mae Clair’s new release, End of Day is featured in this post on Staci Troilo’s blog.
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Thanks for sharing, Don.
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You’re welcome.
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Thank you so much for sharing, Don. You are always so generous!
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You’re welcome.
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Enjoyed both book 1 and 2 and can’t wait for book 3. Best of luck, Mae 🙂
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Couldn’t have said it better myself, Harmony.
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Thank you so much, Harmony! I truly appreciate hearing that!
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Fabulous review, Staci. The premise for End of Day sounds spooky and fascinating! Can’t wait to see what Mae did with this one!
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Thanks, Jacquie. I’m addicted to this series. Book 2 just came out today and I’m already dying for book 3. I think you’ll really enjoy it.
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LOL! So great to know, Staci! 🙂
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I’m glad you feel that way, Jacquie. I introduced some new characters with this one as well.
To, you know….add to that spookiness 🙂
I hope you enjoy!
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Awesome review, Staci – makes me even more anxious to get to Mae’s new release!
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Thanks, Teri. I know you’ll love it.
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Great to hear, Teri. I think you’ll like some of the creepiness that goes on, LOL!
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Reblogged this. Wonderful review, Staci!
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I appreciate you saying so, Judi.
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Her review made my day 🙂
Thanks so much for reblogging, Judi!!
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Reblogged this on Judi Lynn and commented:
I’ve waited and WAITED for this book to come out. Can’t wait to read it! Staci’s review is awesome.
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Thanks for sharing!
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Judi, I so appreciate your excitement about the book and your support. Thank you for the reblog. I can’t wait to hear what you think of the story!
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Staci, you ROCK, my friend! I haven’t had the time to write guest posts on this book and have been worried about getting the news around the blogosphere. I so appreciate this wonderful post, and—wow!—I couldn’t ask for a better review. I’m gobsmacked. 🙂
Thank you!!!
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Happy to do it. Thrilled. This book is amazing, and people need to know it.
And when you’re ready to tour, I’m glad to have you.
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Thanks! 🙂
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Great review Staci:) I’ve been waiting for the release and can’t wait to get reading!
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Thanks, Denise. I think you’ll really like it. She hit it out of the park (IMHO).
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Thank you!!!!
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Wow! Staci wrote a fabulous review. It has me giddy, LOL.
So glad you’re looking forward to the story, Denise. I know you pre-ordred this one and so appreciate it. Happy reading!
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I think she has a winner. Thanks for hosting.
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I think you’re right, John. It’s a fabulous story.
Thanks for visiting.
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🙂
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Thanks so much, John!
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🙂
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