"A good story is more dazzling than a broken piece of truth." For Margaret Lea, her story begins in an aquastrian bookshop in England, where she lives with her father and distant mother. An avid reader and writer, Margaret receives a letter from famous novelist, Vida Winter, who has written a series of twelve books with a so-called final 13th book...The letter asks for Margaret to travel to Winter's home to write her biography, Winter's final story. Margaret, however, is suspicious due to Winter's past interviews, where she has constantly lied about her life. Taking the chance, she travels to the mansion of Vida Winters.

At this point, the reader meets Vida Winters, an old woman who is dying and is ready to tell the truth about her life. Throughout the novel, many characters are introduced as Winters tells of her life at Angelfield mansion: Charlie and Isabelle, brother and sister, who develop an incestuous but violent relationship. Addeline and Emmeline, Isabelle's twin daughters, both completely opposite, but have the spotlight of the story. Hester Barrow, a governess who comes to save the twins and ends up being saved herself. The Missus and John Digenece (a.k.a "John-the-dig), the servants of Angelfield, as well as many other memorable characters, including a mysterious child who plays a vital position. Along the way, Margaret comes to terms with her own family secret of a missing half of herself. As the two women journey on together, they both confront their past, family secrets, and face the ghosts which have been haunting them for years.

The Thirteenth Tale is a dazzling, heartwarming story with plot twists beyond belief. As the story continues, the reader will become intrigued as the characters come to life in their imagination. The novel will appeal to every human emotion, and consists of drama, mystery, and suspense which are woven into the mix. Setterfield uses love, identity, death, and the power of words to create a story that the reader will not be able to put down until the last page is turned.