The basic premise of the story is that the famous author Vida Winter is dying and wants to tell her life story to someone after a lifetime of lying to journalists about who she is and facts of her life. 
 The title is from one of her first books title the same but only had 12 tales so was recalled and renamed. 
 Margaret Lee's father owns a bookstore and deals in rare books so has a copy of this rare book. After getting a letter from Vida Winter, Margaret reads the book amongst others Vida wrote. She doesn't normally read contemporary books. 
 What comes up are doubts that Vida is actually telling the truth, figures and characters from Vida's supposed past, facts Margaret finds while researching Vida's story, the question as to what is The Thirteenth Tale, and Margaret's own haunting part. 
 While looking for the truth and investigating the story Vida tells, Margaret comes into contact with a man who creates more of a mystery for her. 
 I didn't read this book. I listened to it. I want to buy the book but at the same time I can't see myself wanting to read it when I can listen to the two distinct voices Margaret and Vida. Having two readers brings the story to life though the words written by Diane Setterfield are poetic and well formed into a intriguing tale. The scene changes, the stories, the personal thoughts all flow seamlessly. 
 The story leads you through the mystery of the Anglefield family, whether or not the story Vida tells is true, the intriguing life circumstances surrounding all characters that pop up, and the constant question, "Do you believe in ghosts?" 
 As Vida says in the story, "the beginning at the beginning, the middle in the middle, and the ending at the end." A hard book to put down or in my cause pause. And as I discovered, just when you are sure you know the truth... you are mistaken.