Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me access this book!

This had an interesting premise: a young lady with a famous background who comes from means, but due to a scandal is no longer allowed in those circles and instead is making her own way, independent of those who might have tried to limit her options and/or actions. It started out strong, introducing a character who does not make the best decisions, but commit herself to the decision she makes and takes both credit and blame where due. However, almost from the moment she arrives at Penryth Hall, it seems as though much of her independence is sacrificed in a way. She quickly falls back into old habits with her former best friend and attempts to avoid making the same mistakes, but in the process limits herself and her actions ultimately, she begins to trust herself and those around her who have shown her that she can trust them, as well as some she probably shouldn’t, and the mystery is solved (or at least one of them).

One of my complaints about the book is quite nitpicky, but it really took me out of the story. When our main character initially arrives at Penryth Hall, she meets the housekeeper who refers to her as “maid” and makes reference to the fact that when she was at the house years prior for the wedding, they had some kind of interaction together that the housekeeper is surprised the lady doesn’t recall, and then refers to her as “ my lover”. I don’t know if this was a common thing in the early 1900s in Great Britain, but it really threw me off and made me convinced that the housekeeper was hinting at some kind of romantic relationship between the two of them 3 years prior, however, the lack of memories about the wedding (or the time she spent at Penryth Hall immediately following it) is never touched on again and much later another character refers to her as “ my lover” but only that one other character. Presumably this is more about writing style, but it really threw me off and made me convinced that there was a secondary plot line that never came to fruition. Similarly, I felt like there were several other red herrings thrown out that either are never addressed and seemed to have been forgotten about, or turns out that there is a bit of a too tidy explanation for why it happened that doesn’t seem to really explain it.

While I did find the story interesting, and the resolution to the mystery was good and a little bit of a surprise, which I appreciate, it didn’t hold my attention, especially after the odd language I mentioned previously that made me focused on a storyline that clearly did not exist. I did also find it a bit disappointing that one of the most dramatic moments and characters in the entire story appears only briefly, says some spooky things, and then there is zero resolution and zero follow up on the things that she said other than the main character, knowing that Ruan knows something that changes how he looks at her, asking him once what was said and then accepting that he won’t tell her. Given the character that we met at the beginning, I would have expected her to either pressure him until he told her or seek out someone else who could explain it. And given the number of people that she knows with varied knowledge, I feel fairly confident that she would’ve been able to find someone who could shine a light on the meaning of the other character’s words about her and Ruan’s connection. If there is a sequel, which is certainly seems like there will be, I think I would read it only to get an answer about this connection that they share, but if it’s just going to be ignored or wrapped up in a tidy bow that doesn’t fully address the drama, I don’t want it.

Moody, gothic mystery that totally delivered on atmosphere. Set in post-WWI England, it had all the elements I love—an eerie manor, village superstitions, and a stubborn protagonist with a mysterious past. The slow burn worked well here, letting the tension simmer as more secrets came to light. I liked that the main character wasn’t your typical heroine—she was a little prickly, a little damaged, but compelling. The supernatural elements added an extra layer of intrigue without taking over the story. If you’re into historical fiction with a gothic twist and a strong female lead, this is definitely worth checking out.

I really wanted to love this book because it is a gothic mystery. However, I did not like the main character. She was very whiny! I also didn’t like the plotholes that were in the book and things left unexplained. Still, it had potential but it just fell flat. I recommend this for fans of Wendy Webb!

So good! I loved the story and the writing! Thanks for the arc and I'll keep an eye out for any future works!

I really struggled with this book. I have started and stopped and started again several times, thinking perhaps I just wasn’t in the mood for this type of story at a given time. I am a mood reader so that can absolutely be a factor for me. However, this book just never captivated me like I hoped it would, and my interest dwindled even more as I got further into the book. I did manage to finish it, but I was underwhelmed, which is disappointing because I usually love gothic mysteries.

Despite many attempts at this with different moods it simply ended up not working for me. Sadly because I really felt like it would be one I’d enjoy. Alas

Gorgeous, moody setting, a great mystery, and intriguing supernatural elements make this a compulsive read. Cozy AND eerie to the max!

O ruby!!! This was a well written debut novel. The cover drew me in but I stayed for the gothic paranormal goodness.

‘You’re a tempest, Ruby Vaughn.”

Ruby Vaughn vowed never to return to the small Cornwall village where her ex lover married in front of her eyes, only to be summarily dispatched to the gothic setting by her employer to make a delivery of books to the village witch. And unable to help herself she finds her way to her ex’s door, just in time to get caught up in the ‘curse’ that takes the life of the unfaithful husband. Not sure who she can trust besides Ruan, the witch, who has the uncanny habit of reading her thoughts, Ruby can only hope to get back to Exeter alive in this compelling debut novel.

Disgraced American heiress Ruby Vaughn, living in England and working in partnership with a an elderly bookseller after WWI, in which she had served a stint as a nurse, receives a commission from him to hand-deliver a box of books to a customer in Cornwall. Nearby lives Tamsyn, with whom Ruby had had an intense relationship before Tamsyn decided to play it safe and marry the obnoxious Sir Edward Chenowyth. Ruby hasn’t seen her since the wedding but decides to visit her at Penryth Hall while she’s in the area. Little does she know the hornets’ nest she’s walking into.

Although she delivers the box without incident, after enduring a tense dinner with Tamsyn and Sir Edward, Ruby has a vivid dream in which Sir Edward attacks her and she drives him off, only to awaken and discover that he has been found dead in the woods near the house, his body violently mutilated. She is not the suspect, however; there is supposed to be a curse on the family, and Ruan Kivell, the man she had delivered the books to, known in the neighborhood as a Pellar, or folk healer with supposed powers of divination, has been called to determine whether the cause is natural or otherwise. Skeptical Ruby and Ruan, who have a mysterious connection that seemingly allows him to read her thoughts as if she had spoken them aloud, then set out to determine the truth.

While the mystery was interesting and both Ruby and Ruan were sympathetic characters, I found the plot of The Curse of Penryth Hall to be somewhat disjointed and I had a hard time sticking with the book, and although admittedly she has been downtrodden since her marriage, I couldn’t picture Tamsyn inspiring such passionate devotion in Ruby. I also wasn’t particularly impressed with Ruan’s “powers,” since at least one thing later discovered by the doctor they call in should have been obvious to anyone who had any familiarity with violent death, whether they were psychic or not.

I received a copy of The Curse of Penryth Hall from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a delightful historical mystery!

I was a bit nervous that this would be too 'cozy' for me, or that the historical element might lose me, but never fear--this is a fun, snappy mystery with plenty of haunting, twisting moments. Ruby is a fresh, snarky heroine (anti-hero?), both tough-as-nails and vulnerable at once. Her relationship with Ruan is the BEST--I'm pining after them so hard--and I do love where Tamsyn and Ruby ended up in their friendship. The touch of magical realism was excellently handled.

Extremely excited for the sequel, and very grateful to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

THE CURSE OF PENRYTH HALL is a brilliant blending of mystery and romance in a positively Gothic historical setting. Armstrong created a tale with intrigue, emotion, and a bit of the supernatural.

There is something so fabulous about a suspenseful novel set in a time and place that brings alive its characters. This tale does just that. With Ruby set as the amateur sleuth determined to prove the perpetrator is human rather than otherworldly and Ruan adding doubt to her more logical way of thinking, this pair engages the reader as we are brought into their lives and the investigation.

From the beginning until the very end, I was addicted to this story. The atmosphere created by Penryth Hall and the Cornish countryside was the perfect setting for this mystery. Armstrong truly crafted a thrilling narrative centered around unique and spellbinding characters. I cannot wait to see what is up next for Ruby and if her story will shed more light on her connection to Ruan.

Audiobook Note: Narrator Emma Love brought to life this tale and its characters. Her pace and inflections were perfection. Her diction was right on point. Listening to this audiobook only made the experience of getting to know Ruby and the cast all that much better.

I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations. While the plot was promising, the characters lacked sufficient development. As I continued reading, my enjoyment of the book diminished more and more. The story revolves around a house that many believe is cursed, but Ruby refuses to accept this superstition and sets out to disprove it. However, as the narrative progressed, I found myself increasingly disinterested. I was disappointed because the concept of the book was good, but it was not executed well.id not live up to those hopes. There is a good plot, but characters are lacking in development and the longer I read the book the less and less I enjoyed it.  Everyone blames it on the curse at the house. Ruby refuses to believe it and sets about trying to disprove that myth. The longer it went on, the less interested I was in the book. Disappointed, since the idea behind the book was good but it was not executed very well.


Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All the above opinions are my own.

[arc review]
Thank you to Minotaur Books for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
The Curse of Penryth Hall releases December 5, 2023

It’s 1922 and Ruby’s employer has just tasked her with transporting a box of books to a town she swore she’d never return to.
On the way there, she takes a detour to Penryth Hall to see her old friend, Tamsyn.

When Ruby wakes up the next morning at Penryth Hall, Tamsyn’s husband is dead. The local townsfolk are certain that he was killed by a curse, but Ruby believes otherwise.
Was Ruby’s dream of killing him really just a dream? Or was it reality?

This didn’t have a strong storyline or characters, and the fact that Ruan could hear Ruby’s unspoken thoughts didn’t fit the narrative.
Based on the blurb, I really thought this was going to be more centered around books, so that was a bit of a disappointment.
I believe this would’ve worked better as a short story or novella.

cw: infidelity

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martins press for allowing me to read an arc of The Curse of Penryth Hall.

Is it a ghost? Are supernatural forces at work? Or is there just a murderer on the loose?

This book took me a minute to get into, but once I got settled in I very much enjoyed it! It definitely kept me guessing and there were a few twists I didn’t see coming. I enjoyed the main character!

My biggest critique is that it does feel like it sets itself up for more of a romance, but falls short. I would have been fine with no romance, or committing to a full romance, I struggled a bit with where it landed. I will say it does set itself up for a sequel so perhaps there’s more to come!

“The Curse of Penrtyh Hall” has all the hallmarks of books I usually adore. Elements of gothic literature, folklore, and a setting involving a love of books. The characters were interesting and relatable while the mystery was solid. The supernatural elements tied in well. However, I struggled to stay engaged. Despite the great characters, I felt the dynamics between characters seem awkward and stilted. There were elements within the storyline that seemed forced and try hard at times. Eventually the magic was lost for me but it was solid three star read and I would willingly read more by the author who had a lot of potential!

Definitely a wild ride following this story. I enjoyed the book, but feel that parts of the story tended to drag on. Regardless of that, I finished it in one day and would enjoy reading a sequel if there were one published.

I love a good gothic mystery in the fall, and this was no exception. I loved the characters and plot. The mystery was really well done. An enjoyable read!

Oh man was this a great gothic mystery set in 1920s Cornish countryside where Ruby ends up back at Penryth Hall where she swore she would never return. It was home to her former friend Tamsyn and her husband Edward but when Edward is found dead Ruby ends up helping investigate what happens. There was a lot of twists and turns and it kept you guessing until the end which I love since I am a very good guesser and I hate figuring it out too early. This was a great read.

Thanks to Minotaur Books and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

Loved the setting and spooky vibes. Very dark academia of the British variety. Well done for a debut and I look forward to the rest of the series.