In 1841, Harriet takes a job as a governess in the rather bleak Teesdale Hall in Co. Durham. The young lady who is to become her charge is 18-year-old Eleanor Wainright, an incredibly bright, well educated young woman. It soon becomes clear that Harriet has been employed to spy on Eleanor, making daily reports regarding her behaviour, as her family and the staff, are fearful of her. The Wainright's history is shrouded in secrecy and tragedy, a past which Eleanor is obsessed with.
Harriet, who is fleeing a past and guarding secrets of her own, soon becomes as intrigued as haunted Eleanor about the events that previously unfolded at Teesdale Hall.
As Harriet's past catches up with her, and Eleanor hits rock bottom past and present collide in a dramatic fashion at Teesdale.
If you like historical fiction with an air of mystery, this is worth a read.

I have been unable to put this book down since starting it and have read long into the dark winter nights over New Year. It presents as a gothic, ghostly tale set in the mid nineteenth century and centres on the Wainwright family and the isolated great house they live in with their staff.
The opening chapter unfolds with the horrific scene of a young child, Samuel being murdered and then quickly transports us forward in time by twenty or so years to a point where Harriet Caldwell arrives as a governess, eager to escape a horrible past. She might have secrets but so do many of the staff and Wainwright family and she gradually uncovers these during her time looking after the deeply disturbed Eleanor. The books descriptive style seems to transport you there and makes it really hard to put down. The style of writing is similar to Susan Hill's The Woman in Black and is both chilling and sinister whilst our central character, Harriet tries to uncover who the murderer was and understand what madness prevails over the house and it's inhabitants.
I would highly recommend this story to anyone who loves a historical, spooky story. I look forward to more from Helen Scarlett.

Thank you to Netgalley, Quercus Books and Helen Scarlett for my Arc of The Deception of Harriet Fleet in exchange for an honest review.

Published: 31st October 2020

When Harriet arrives at Teesbank Hall she finds a dark and foreboding house of dark and foreboding residents awaiting her there. The Wainwright family are marred by tragedy and as such ostracised from the surrounding villages. But Harriet is desperate and her job as governess to Eleanor Wainwright is her only chance at a new life. But 18 year old Eleanor is more than Harriet bargained for, difficult and troubled she slowly begins to make Harriet's life more and more difficult as her fragile mental stability spirals out of control and Harriet becomes embroiled in the dark secrets of the Wainwright's past.

Oh wow. This book was incredibly thrilling. I raced through it, starting at 9pm and finishing just before 2am! I couldn't put it down. The writing was fantastic and true to its genre of gothic novel I could easily believe I was transported to the Victorian setting of a darkened Manor House out in the countryside in autumn, paraffin lamps dancing flickering lights across dark oak panelled walls. The character of Harriet was one who brought sympathy forth from her reader while remaining strong and standing up for herself too. Eleanor was deliciously hateful and unredeemable as a character and I like an author who doesn't shy away from that, sometimes we need a character who cannot be redeemed to show how it is in real life.

An absolutely brilliant read from start to finish and an author I'd love to read more from.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Quercus Books for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am a total sucker for any gothic Historical Fiction tale, especially one with hints of hauntings and a mystery at the heart of them, so this sounded right up my street.

Harriet Fleet is fleeing some unknown trouble, and takes a position as governess at a remote estate. Enter Eleanor, a very trouble young lady and a family with a tragic history.

I think there is plenty to like here; each part is played out well and the characters are fairly well fleshed out, however I do feel like this book tried to do too much. One too many mysteries, one too many threads to the story. If this had been just a little more 'compact' I think I would have adored it.

It was an enjoyable read, but not one that I feel will stick with me.

3 stars.

My thanks to Helen Scarlett, Quercus Books and Net galley for the ARC of THE DECEPTION OF HARRIET FLEET.
A nod to Victorian gothic novels, this novel is reminiscent of the story of Jane Eyre and the struggles women of the era faced if they were unmarried or didn't have the support of a family. I enjoyed the novel but felt that Harriet's feelings for Henry perhaps should have been stronger. He seemed to change from a cold and heartless man who made fun of her to suddenly becoming soft and more disposed towards her, although there was no clear reason as to why this was apart from feeling a bit guilty about being unkind to her and I had difficulty in trusting his motives. I also felt the summing up of the story was a bit like the author was tying up the ends and it took me out of the story. Having said that this is a genre I love and would be happy to read more of the author's work.

I enjoyed this novel, it kept up the tension, somewhat predictable rather Woman in White esque, but I didn't guess the twist . Overall like it.

The Deception of Harriet Fleet is a haunting thriller jam packed with atmosphere and twists. In 1817, Harriet flees her family home in Norfolk and the terrifying uncle who is now her guardian. In her new role as governess at the isolated Teesbank Hall, Harriet is responsible for Eleanor, a hostile and damaged young woman.

As family secrets are unveiled, Eleanor becomes more unstable. Harriet attempts to build a relationship with her by trying to solve the mystery of Eleanor’s infant brother’s murder twenty years ago.

This is an engrossing read that covers several genres. The ending came as quite a surprise, and the novel is well written with interesting characters. The desolation and hostility of Harriet’s place of work is well illustrated and the frustrations of being a woman at this time are clearly portrayed.

At last a story from the North of England written by a northerner. Can I put it down? Absolutely not. Gripping from the first page and beautifully written it is a perfect 'almost winter' treat. Something we all deserve just now.

This book reminded me slightly of Jane Eyre - it has a similar vibe to it with the gothic house governess and mysteries but this book is very much in a league of its own. It's set in Durham in a fictional hall and there's a sense of foreboding from page one. Oh there's a nice man too and in my mind he's even better looking than Mr Rochester.

Harriet is supposed to be a governess but she finds herself spying on her charge, a troubled teen. The house has cloak of sadness over it and the walls.....well the walls are supposed to be haunted.

I really liked this novel and am amazed it's a debut as it reads so accomplished. Scene setting, characterisation and plot are really well done and kept me turning those pages.
RECOMMENDED!!


It lacks in some ways the passion of Brontë’s novel: Henry is no Rochester and Harriet no Jane, but the plot and mood kept my attention. So, the foundations are there. So much that I read it in one sitting until the wee hours.
I’m interested to know with what novel Helen Scarlett comes up with next.

Many Thanks to Net Galley, Quercus Books and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.

Are You a fan of Jane Eyre? If YES, please do read this book without any fail.

NOPE, this is definitely not a story in a similar vein and am really not comparing the two but the absolute aura of the bleakness of Teesbank Hall and its menacing and brooding ambience was perfect for that gothic chill reminiscent of reading a Jane Eyre novel.

Harriet is the governess who is escaping from a dreadful past but the future she’s looking forward to is like jumping out of the frying pan into the fire, literally. Her presence is unwelcome and none of the family members are endearing. Being a governess is also a laugh as Harriet realizes that her charge Eleanor is much more learned than her and her real task is to spy on the young girl and curtail her freedom.

What exactly are the secrets of Teesbank Hall with its loveless inhabitants brimming with hatred towards each other, rumors of deaths and madness circling around them, a sly and manipulative Eleanor, even the servants colluding to hide facts, Harriet finds herself tormented by more than loneliness in what seems to be the remotest part of the earth. It is only Henry the young master of the house who shows some kindness but the friendship also comes at a price.

The story is charged with a sense of disquiet and unease as Harriet’s curiosity give rise to more questions than answers. The gloom and doom foreboding causes a thrill in the reader’s mind as the story becomes more gripping and exciting. A powerful narrative that lures a reader in, The Deception Of Harriet Fleet has one twist after another being revealed leaving the reader in a state of high-pitched anxiety. There’s only the part of child’s murderer being discovered at the end that felt a little off-key but otherwise this was one outstanding Victorian gothic mystery.
Highly recommended.

This review is published in my blog https://rainnbooks.com/; Amazon India, Goodreads, and Twitter.

I am a huge sucker for gothic stories so when I saw this book on NetGalley, I immediately snapped it up to read. The Deception of Harriet Fleet by Helen Scarlett is a suspenseful and atmospheric read that captivated me right from the very beginning. Set in Victorian England, the story follows Harriet Fleet, who is desperate to escape her abusive uncle and accepts a position as a governess for a wealthy family in the remote countryside. Her charge is Eleanor Wainwright, a bright eighteen-year-old known for her erratic and violent behavior. Eleanor is convinced that her entire family is cursed and is obsessed with uncovering the dark history of the Wainwright family. The other servants warn Harriet that Eleanor is manipulative and not to pay attention to her stories. However, it doesn't take her very long to become embroiled in Eleanor's obsession.

I really enjoyed this book. I finished it in 24 hours - which is a rarity for me. The creepy, foreboding atmosphere combined with an intricate mystery kept me guessing and turning pages. Harriet is a sympathetic character and you can't help but hope that things turn out okay for her. In the end, I was satisfied with the direction the story took and never saw the final twist coming.
This is an excellent debut by author Helen Scarlett. If you're a fan of gothic novels, this book should definitely be on your list.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Dark, suspenseful and completely addictive.
I have absolutely loved this one.
Full review to follow

1871 - to escape an abusive situation Harriet applies for the position of governess at Teesdale Hall owned by the Wainwright family. When she arrives in Country Durham, Harriet is dismayed to find that she is expected to spy and report on her teenage charge, Eleanor.. Harriet soon to comes to suspect that there is more behind the erratic behaviour of Eleanor than she has been told, especially as rumours abound that the Hall is haunted by the ghost of a murderer. The only bright spot is Eleanor's older brother, Henry, but even he may not be able to save Harriet or Eleanor as the past catches up with both the governess and the Wainwrights.

I absolutely loved this book. The plot had one or two surprises even I didn't expect. The main character was easy to empathise with and I cared what happened to her. I thought the author captured the sense of confinement and tedium that many middle and upper class Victorian women must have felt in being unable to go out without a chaperone and discouraged to use their intelligence in any meaningful way. There was also the threatening shadow of the asylum for any 'wayward' wives or daughters that displeased their male relatives. Not to forget the impossible position of many female servants who were at the whim of their masters but were blamed if any impropriety took place.

I will probably reread this book at some point and will definitely be recommending it to my bookish friends and relatives.

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Quercus Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

1871. An age of discovery and progress. But for the Wainwright family, residents of the gloomy Teesbank Hall in County Durham the secrets of the past continue to overshadow their lives. Harriet would not have taken the job of governess in such a remote place unless she wanted to hide from something or someone. Her charge is Eleanor, the daughter of the house, a fiercely bright eighteen-year-old, tortured by demons and feared by relations and staff alike. Worn down by Eleanor's unpredictable hostility, Harriet soon finds herself embroiled in Eleanor's obsession - the Wainwright's dark, tragic history. As family secrets are unearthed, Harriet's own begin to haunt her and she becomes convinced that ghosts from the past are determined to reveal her shameful story
A new author & a very good debut, which is hard to believe as it’s so accomplished. A lovely gothic read ideal for this time of year, the pace was very good & I was soon engrossed in it & kept reading until the mystery was solved. I must say I’m glad I started this early in the day or I wouldn’t have had much sleep. I look forward to more books by the author
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

1871: An age of discovery and progress. But for the Wainwright family, residents of the gloomy Teesbrook Hall in County Durham thensecrets of the past continue to overshadow their lives. Harriet would of have taken the job as Governess unless she wanted to hide from something or someone. Her charge is Eleanor, the daughter of the house, who is eighteen years old. It soon becomes apparent that Harriet is there to monitor Eleanor's erratic behaviour. Harriet soon finds herself embroiled in Eleanor's obsession. Harrand Eleanor are both plagued by deception and untruths.

It's hard to believe that this is a debut novel. I was pulled into this story of secrets and lies quite quickly. Theres a creepy atmosphere throughout the book. There's plenty of twists and mystery. I did feel the ending was a bit rushed but it still had a satisfactory conclusion. 5hisnis a descriptifly and well written story.

I would like to thank, #NetGalley, #QuercusBooks and the author #HelenScarlett for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was an incredibly atmospheric read, with Scarlett blending the elements of Victorian gothic novels with a more modern approach, to create a gripping page-turner. The tension was there throughout, permeating through the setting – beautifully described, with some truly evocative descriptions of the country house and the north-eastern setting – the mystery, and the relationships between the characters, and there was a feeling of holding your breath throughout the book. There were twists and turns, and the mystery element was handled very well, although I did feel that the ending and resolution was perhaps a little rushed in comparison to the build-up, although I did find the ending itself more than satisfying.

This was a very strong debut, and I will certainly be keeping an eye out for future books by the author and I would recommend the Deception of Harriet Fleet to anyone who enjoys atmospheric reads that will pull you in completely.

Thanks to the publisher for sending me an ARC copy of this book for review. I have been on a gothic mystery binge, and The Deception of Harriet Fleet definitely fit the bill! The story leans more towards mystery than supernatural, but there is enough of the latter to create a very creepy atmosphere. I honestly read it in 2 days and probably could’ve finished in 1 if I didn’t have to work. I found it truly hard to put down. The description mentioned it was for fans of Laura Purcell, one of my favorite authors, and I can definitely see the comparison. Sometimes Ms. Purcell’s book end on an ambiguous note, which I love, but this book doesn’t. I think the characters could’ve been fleshed out a little more, especially the protagonist, but it didn’t distract from the story at all for me. Highly enjoyable!

This is a stunning debut novel by Helen Scarlett. As I read it I was reminded of those great gothic novels written by Wilkie Collins. It has all the ingredients, and Helen, like Wilkie Collins writes strong female characters, who somehow survive the pitfalls of a male-dominated Victorian society.
Teesbank Hall in County Durham is the perfect setting for an intense mystery that grips the reader from the very first page. It is a place of secrets and lies. A place where murder casts a dark shadow over all who live there. A place where ghosts lurk to take their revenge. Or do they?

One of the highest accolades that I can give a book is that I read it in an afternoon because this means it held my attention to the point that I shut the rest of the world out and simply lost myself to another time and place. I read The Deception of Harriet Fleet in an afternoon. It was gothic suspense in the tradition of Victoria Holt and Phyllis Whitney with a dash of modern feminism thrown in to contrast with the societal imprisonment of Victorian women.

I will have to warn that the book opens with the murder of a two-year-old, definitely not Holt or Whitney territory--this almost caused me not to read the book at all.However, the description was not graphic in the extreme and the action quickly moves 20 years forward in time and to our her heroine Harriet who is fleeing her abusive uncle to become a governess. However, the situation she is fleeing to may be just as dangerous as the one she left: gloomy mansion, mysterious and damaged aristocratic family, a job that is more warden than governess, hostile servants, and, of course, talk of ghosts.

Author Helen Scarlett does a good job of drawing the reader in while also indicting the inequities of the Victorian era in a fast-moving read that entertains. Verdict: a great rainy day read.

Full Disclosure--NetGalley and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.

I really enjoyed this atmospheric work of historical fiction which deftly blends familiar elements of Victorian gothic novels - ghostly horrors in an isolated country house, a wealthy family harbouring terrible secrets, a murderous mystery and an amateur detective determined to uncover the truth – with a modern sensibility, to create an energetic page-turner.
The plot centres around Harriet, who as events unfold is revealed as both perpetrator and victim of the titular ‘deception’. A lonely ‘outsider in a hostile home’, Harriet applies her considerable curiosity and empathy to unravelling the truth about the tragedy that has blighted the Wainwright family, for whom she works as a governess, hoping in the process to expose a miscarriage of justice. However, she proves to be unprepared for the many shocks that are to come and soon finds herself in terrible danger.
I loved the darkly evocative descriptions of the novel’s haunting north-eastern setting. I found a pleasing crossover with my interest in historical true crime as well knowing echoes of favourite novels like Jane Eyre, The Turn of the Screw and Wuthering Heights. I also enjoyed the way Helen Scarlett subtly enables us to view the desperate plight of her female protagonists through modern eyes, showing the gothic terrors she describes as an extreme response to intolerable circumstances.