One would think getting a starred review meant the book was spellbinding, but I did not find that to be the case. The idea of Poe as a character was intriguing enough for me to read the book, and through much of it, the quality of the plot and dialog was top notch. Unfortunately, about 2/3 in, you could see which way the plot was going, and it was a disappointment to find a plot unfolding that was reminiscent of Cornwall or Patterson at their commercial worst. However, things turn around in the last 20 pages and the last 2 plot twists make slogging through the corny initial motives for the crime worthwhile, almost.