This book is unique and totally up my alley!

It is set in the twenties in a small Cornish village, still deeply rooted in pagan beliefs. The atmosphere is spooky and gothic, with a murder at a dark manor house at the start of the novel. The villagers believe the death is linked to a curse that was cast upon the inhabitants of Penryth Hall and call in their local Pellar (a Cornish type of witch) as well as the local law officer for help.

Visiting the hall is Ruby Vaughn, an American heiress, with a no nonsense modern mindset. She is outspoken, and has no belief in the supernatural, especially Ruan, the Pellar.

As things progress, Ruby and Ruan become unlikely co-investigators as the try to solve the case.

I loved this book, great character development, interesting mystery and spooky gothic atmosphere. I’m hoping there is a follow up book!



Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martins Press for providing me with an eARC of this book to read and review.

I don't know if I am the market for this book. I don't gravitate towards these types of mysteries very often. I feel this might end up a series also. I don't know if I want to start one. The synopsis said gothic mystery, and that is what really drew me in. I just could not really connect to this story, or maintain true interest. If you gravitate towards cozy mysteries, historical fiction, you might enjoy this more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

This book has generated a fair amount of buzz. It won a first mystery contest sponsored by the publisher along with the Mystery Writers of America. It is also an Amazon Editor’s Pick and a title that I have seen on some best books of the year lists. Kirkus Reviews states that this book is “An intriguing and altogether enchanting mystery.”

So…is it for you? It will be if you like gothic novels and old, rundown family homes/fortresses. You will like this one if you like a Cornwall setting and the 1920s time period. This book will intrigu thosewho want to spend time with an unconventional heroine who was a rebel and inherited a fortune upon the death of her parents. If you like a troubled marriage and mysterious (possibly even supernatural) deaths, turn the pages. And there is more.

The Curse of Penryth Hall is a fun and intriguing read. I enjoyed the getting to know Ruby and those around her. A lot goes on. Not all may be fully tied up but this is still a pretty good first novel.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur for this title. All opinions are my own.

**I will be holding my review**

Thank you to libro.fm for the ALC and Netgalley and Minotaur books for the eARC. This is an honest review.

This is a hauntingly beautiful gothic mystery that transports readers to the rugged Cornish countryside. Steeped in atmosphere and intrigue, the novel unravels a chilling tale of secrets, folklore, and a curse that threatens to bind the inhabitants of Penryth Hall. The book introduces us to the spirited and enigmatic Ruby Vaughn, who defies societal expectations. An American heiress grappling with the echoes of war and still heartbroken over the loss of her war-time love, Ruby finds herself delivering books to a folk healer and unexpectedly reigniting a friendship she vowed to leave behind. Ruby's unwavering resolve to protect her friend Tamsyn propels her into danger. The intricate dynamics between Ruby and Tamsyn, layered with a previous sapphic relationship, beautifully explore the complexities of their past. The unresolved nature of their past adds a bittersweet layer to the story.

Ruby's independent spirit and unwavering loyalty make her a compelling character to follow, particularly as she navigates the complex dynamics within the walls of Penryth Hall. Armstrong paints a vivid picture of Penryth Hall, a foreboding estate rife with dark secrets and whispers of a curse. The gothic elements are skillfully woven into the narrative, creating a sense of unease and anticipation that keeps you hooked. The introduction of Ruan, the enigmatic Pellar (folk healer/witch), adds another layer of intrigue, as he challenges Ruby's skepticism and delves into the heart of the mystery.
The audiobook's narration further amplifies the immersive experience, enhancing the allure of Armstrong's storytelling. The narrator was wonderful and balanced all of the different accents fairly well; a very difficult task.

My only complaint is that I longed for a more conclusive resolution to Ruby and Ruan's relationship. I hope a sequel to delve further into their captivating dynamic.

Ruby is the tenant/employee/companion for an elderly bookseller name Mr. Owen he sent her to the town where her sister lives in on the night she arrives sisters husband is murdered. Her sister thinks it’s a curse but Ruby does not believe in curses it is the 1920s in Britain Ruby is independent condescending arrogant and seems to have respect for no one let alone her self. I found it hard to finish this book especially when she started mocking the vicar which I found completely distasteful I know people are going to love this book but I myself did not there’s a lot I can overlook and say people will be people but I want to comes to peoples race or religion ET see. Not to mention this book was far from historically accurate which is a big pet peeve of mine. I want to thank Saint Martin’s press and net Galley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

This was an interesting and unexpected read. Set just post WWI, it’s the story of Ruby Vaughn, an orphaned heiress who makes a living selling books. She works for an elderly Exeter bookseller, and as the novel opens, he’s sending her to Cornwall to deliver a trunk full which he warns her not to open. Mystified, she complies. The village where he’s sending her is the home of her former best friend and perhaps former lover, Tamsyn. Tamsyn is married to Sir Edward Chenowyth of Penryth Hall, a marriage that broke their friendship.

As Ruby arrives in town she spots her old friend, Tamsyn, holding her toddler. From afar, she’s a vision; up close, it’s clear there’s something very wrong, as she sees bruising on her friend’s face and she’s a shadow of her former self. Never a fan of Edward, Ruby quickly assumes the worst, as does the reader. In every case in this book, reader, you will probably be wrong in your assumptions, which is what makes this a confounding reading experience.

The books delivered, Ruby spends the night at Penryth Hall, and wakes the next morning – after an uncomfortable and unpleasant dinner with Tamsyn and Sir Edward – to hear the pealing of bells. As Ruby goes to investigate, she discovers the housekeeper, who leads her to Sir Edward’s mutilated corpse. While Ruby was not a fan of the man, she’s still loyal to Tamsyn, and is drawn into the investigation surrounding his death.

The other person involved in the investigation turns out to be the person she’s delivered the books to, Ruan Kivell, who turns out to be the community Pellar, or local witch. It’s Ruan who examines the body first. The housekeeper insists it’s the curse of the hall returning after a thirty year abeyance, but Ruby and Ruan are pretty sure there’s a human hand at work.

Armstrong wants readers to make up their own minds from evidence presented. She presents the fact the Ruby and Ruan feel some kind of connection – he can literally “hear” her thoughts – and the fact that’s he seems to be able to perform some feats that can perhaps be only ascribed to witchcraft. Ruby is always skeptical, and she’s always looking at the human, not the supernatural, side of the coin, though she’s reluctantly coming to see that Ruan has some skills.

While this is set after the war, the feeling to me was more Victorian, and perhaps out in the English countryside in the 1920’s, that may have been the pervading feeling. The time period was the least interesting aspect of the book (unfortunately) as I picked it up wanting the experience of a read about a feisty Exeter bookseller in the 20’s. However, I enjoy being surprised at times, and this was one of those times.

It's really a character study. Ruby is so young, and despite the experiences of the war that have left her alone in the world, she still has much to learn, very much including figuring out relationships. Her primary relationships in the book involve Tamsyn and Ruan, two very different characters who present Ruby with very different questions and issues to sort through. She doesn’t have much time to sort through her feelings as this fast paced story doesn’t let up. She’s made to sort her feelings on the fly and she’s really not very good at it, though she does at last twig to the culprit.

This was a fey coming of age story loaded with folklore and the feel of the English countryside. I really enjoyed both Ruby and Ruan; like Ruby herself, I went back and forth on Tamsyn, which shows some real skill on the part of the author as she manipulates the reader without seeming to do so. I would be very much interested in the next installment of this series.

The Curse of Penryth Hall is a debut novel that follows American heiress Ruby Vaughn in a gothic historical mystery. Ruby, who lives and works with an elderly rare bookshop owner, is sent to Cornwall with a delivery of books. While she’s there, she stops in at Penryth Hall to visit her old friend (and flame) Tamsyn. In what was meant to be a quick overnight visit, Ruby is suddenly wrapped up in mysterious and dangerous happenings when Tamsyn’s husband turns up dead the following morning. Greatly superstitious, the townsfolk believe it to be the work of a longstanding curse, calling in Ruan their local Pellar (folk healer) to determine if the curse is well and truly back. Ruby, skeptical that anything supernatural is at play, teams up Ruan to get to the bottom of the mystery.

I’ve had a bad run with ARCs not quite meeting expectations as of late, and sadly I am are rounding out the year with yet another. The premise for The Curse of Penryth Hall was so promising. A historical 1920s story, set in England, with a mystery to boot? These are all topics that I greatly enjoy. Unfortunately, the book fell far short of my expectations.

The pacing was incredibly slow and if I had not had a review copy, I would have thrown in the towel early on. My favorite part of reading a mystery is the eagerness to keep turning the pages to find out what happened, and with this one I was not compelled in the slightest to do so. We’re following Ruby, yet it is not easily apparent why she as an American heiress is even in Britain? There are many references to the Great War and that she spent time tending to the wounded, yet we never fully are told what that experience was like for her nor what how many years have even passed? Meaning even upon finishing the novel, I could not tell you what specific year it was set in. As the story sluggishly moves along, we oh so slowly learn more about her backstory, but by the time we do, it’s done in very brief detail, and my curiosity was long gone.

One of the most prominent characters in the book is Ruan the Pellar and it was extremely difficult to even understand what a Pellar is. Ruby didn’t even know! I found myself googling the term to better understand, which has me questioning how the editor of the book did not insist that this concept be better explained. For those also wondering: a Pellar is a Cornish term for cunning folk or folk healers who practiced folk medicine and folk magic. As the mystery unraveled, I found myself thinking the prominence of Ruan and his folk magic increasingly odd… as Ruby’s primary goal was to disprove the curse and get to bottom of the killings. ***Spoiler alert*** the killer is discovered to be an ordinary human, nothing supernatural at play, but on the other hand we have Ruan a practitioner of folk magic, who oh yeah by the way can read Ruby’s mind? *head scratch* It felt as if the author could not pick which lane she wanted to stick to: the mundane happenings of men and the everyday vs. those steeped in magic.

All in all, despite its intriguing premise, The Curse of Penryth Hall’s downfall is its execution. With extremely slow pacing, lack of a clear direction, and an unsatisfying answer to the mystery at hand, I found the novel to be very underwhelming. Though this book wasn’t for me, those interested in a slower moving, historical mystery may have a good time. And perhaps there is an audience that is more well versed in Cornish history and terms, that will find things less confusing. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for access to an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

While I really enjoyed the storyline and the plot, I felt the character development was lacking.
Had I been able to connect with them a little more I think this would have been a much higher rating for me.
The writing was fantastic but hard to follow at times.
Overall, for the right audience this book could be really great. A little patience with this one could go a long way. I’d say it would be a good read to bring along on a lazy beach vacation.

When rare book dealer Ruby Vaughn is sent to Penryth Hall to deliver some books, she knows she is visiting her past and a place to which she never wanted to return. What she didn't expect was a friend in trouble and a string of mysterious deaths linked to an ancient Cornish curse. She also didn't expect to be the focus of interest surrounding one of those deaths.

This book has a great premise, and the look at old Cornish beliefs and customs is very interesting. I learned about the "pellar," a wizard of sorts who is a local healer and breaker of spells. This book is a treasure trove of Cornish folklore. The mystery is intriguing with lots of clever twists. I definitely felt transported to Cornwall at that time.

However, It is way too cryptic and confusing at times. Ruby keeps her cards so close to the vest, even with the reader, that I didn't really feel I knew her well enough at all.

My rating is 3.5 stars, rounded up to four on sites with no half-star option

I received a free copy of this book from St. Martin's Press. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

This is a great book!!!!!! I enjoyed it immensely and highly recommend this book to all historical fiction fans

A cozy mystery that begs to be read on a comfy couch with ambient lighting, a soft blanket and a dog curled up next to you…maybe a cup of tea 😆😆

Ruby is the spunky protagonist tasked with solving a mystery. As she goes to deliver some books to an old friend, Tamsyn, at her home Penryth Hall, she realizes how much she has changed but is determined to rekindle their friendship. After an unfortunate event where Tamsyn’s Husband, Sir Edward, is found dead, whispers of Penryth Hall being haunted begin to circulate and it looks like Tamsyn might be next. Ruby, determined to prove there is no curse, must find out what killed Edward and fast, before the house claims it’s next victim!

A good solid mystery over all that had you questioning the line between superstition and truth. Jess Armstrong did a wonderful job setting the scene. It truly was a story about Penryth Hall but given the allusions to previous relationship with Tamsyn, I’d wished she’d gone more into detail about Ruby and Tamsyn and how they came to part(maybe a prequel?) That being said, it appears that it may be lining up to be the start of a series? Looking forward to what Jess may have in store for us next!

The Curse of Penryth Hall is the debut novel for Jess Armstrong. The story follows an American heiress named Ruby Vaughn set in the 1920s. After a scandal, she goes home to Exeter. Her friend, Tamsyn and her husband, Sir Edward Chenowyth live in Penryth Hall here where Ruby and Tamsyn have not been close since their marriage. When Edward dies, the events in the story move forward where people believe there is a curse on the manor. This adds Ruan Kivell, who is believed to be able to break the curse, to the story. The mystery of the manor helps to drive this interesting novel where history and fantasy meet.

There is an interesting past that exists between Ruby and Tamryn that reveals itself more as the story moves forward. There is a history between them which is told through the words chosen and the writing itself. There are a lot of interesting details about Ruby in the story from American origins to being in France while circling back to England. There is a lot of time taken to build up the backstory of the characters and the rest of the story. Everything seems to be piecemealed together, which I can see some readers enjoying and others not. For me, I wish there was a little more backstory given in the beginning just to hook me earlier. She is a very complex character, but she was not my favorite. Other readers may like her enough, but she wasn’t likable to me. As for Ruan, his character was a little too inconsistent where it came across, at times, that he was an afterthought. Overall, everything together fell flat for me in some places, but it also had great potential and I can see myself reading more from the author in the future.

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

Intriguing ideas poorly executed made this Gothic-leaning historical mystery a muddied mess. The historical setting, an ancient aristocratic curse, the Gothic atmosphere and touch of witchcraft, mingled with more traditionally cozy mystery elements, could have made for a fun read. Unfortunately, the story jumps all over the place, on both an immediate sentence-by-sentence level and the larger scale of the overall plot, and the end result was just too sloppy for me to enjoy as I'd hoped I would.

Thank you to the publisher for the advance review copy.

Thank you to the author Jess Armstrong, publishers Minotaur Books, and SMPI, for an advance digital copy of THE CURSE OF PENRYTH. Thank you also to NetGalley for the complimentary copy. All views are mine.

I read this book twice! I loved the settings, and the mouthy female lead and her irascible senior roommate. Certain things about the mystery, I found deliciously Gothic, which I adore. The killer's methods delighted me and grossed me out! But unfortunately, I read this book twice because the plot lost me. Both times. Beyond the details, I couldn't connect with characters or plot because it was all too convoluted.

Three (or more) things I loved:

1. I adore this mouthy female, what, detective? Inspector? A dire cynic smack in the middle of a supernatural tale. Excellent protagonist.

2. The dynamic between the first person narrator, Ruby, a young woman, and her irascible roommate, friend and benefactor(?), the older, disabled, and greatly resourced Mr. Owen, is very entertaining and funny!

Three (or less) things I didn't love:

This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.

1. The plot is so convoluted, I'm having trouble following the narrative. And unfortunately, the narrative is largely told in dialog, which I struggle to connect to without sufficient description.

Rating: 🧘🧘 gifted healers
Recommend? Maybe
Finished: Jul, Nov 2023
Format: Digital arc, Kindle
Read this book if you like:
🐦‍⬛ gothic
🔍 mysteries
🪤 creative murder
💇‍♀️ women's coming of age

I loved a lot of things in this book. Ruby is an incredible character with a complicated past and a whole lot of gumption. I admire her determination to live her life on her own terms. I also really like Mr. Owen, Ruan, Fiachna, and Mrs. Penrose (even though she was a little unsettling sometimes). I tried to like Tamsyn, but I just couldn’t do it. I enjoyed the push and pull between Ruby’s logical brain and her possible connections to the supernatural. Her dynamic with Ruan is fascinating and I want more. This book also has chapter titles, which I love. More books should have chapter titles!

I’ll admit there were a few things about this book that bothered me. A couple details didn’t quite add up for me. Maybe I missed something, but they felt like plot holes. I also found the solution to the main mystery to be unsatisfying. The culprit did a complete 180 with their attitude and convictions as soon as they got caught, which I found difficult to believe. I didn’t really like how that character was dealt with in the end. I know it’s a common thing for this genre, but I just didn’t feel it was warranted in this case.

To be clear, I really enjoyed this book. I did have a few hangups, but I think Ruby is a very intriguing character and I want to read more about her, her adventures, and her found family. I’m really hoping this will be the start of a series.

When Ruby accepts a delivery to 1940’s Cornwall, a murder, a curse and a witch are the last things she thought she’d encounter. Where clues and devilry abound, it takes quite a bit to get to the bottom of things, but what an adventure! Armstrong’s plot is captivating and the characters interesting and full of life, which kept me on the edge of my seat and wondering what could possibly happen next. A definite tbr for those mystery lovers, I thoroughly enjoyed this curse for sure.

Really enjoyed this gothic mystery a touch of the supernatural added to my enjoyment.Ruby is a character I really enjoyed all the twist and turns kept my interest and had me turning the pages.I will be recommending this historical mystery #netgalley #st.Martins

"...I was ever more convinced there was no such thing as demons, no monsters, no dragons, just evil men."

"Don't let time catch you. She's a terrible thief."

The writing in The Curse Of Penryth Hall by award winning debut author Jess Armstrong is an addictive atmospheric gothic murder mystery filled with otherworldly vibes, including a witchy presence.

After WWl Ruby lives a quiet life in Exeter that belies that she's an American heiress who has been sent away to England for some "indiscretions." Helping octogenarian Mr Owen run his rare bookshop she's tasked with traveling to the Cornish countryside to bring books to Ruan Kivell, who we learn is a "Peller - a healer, witch, a protector."

Despite misgivings she stops to visit her once best friend Lady Tamsyn. They haven't spoken since their falling out on Tamsyn's wedding day to Sir Edward. Through a tense dinner, where Ruby sees the results of Edward's abuse on Tamsyn, she stays overnight hoping to help her friend. But morning brings the brutal death of Edward and whispers of The Curse of Penryth Hall returning to the manor.

Reading this debut felt like entering a classic literature mystery. I also listened to voice actress Emma Love haunting interpretation of this eerie historical fiction mystery that added to the atmospheric tone throughout the story.

Ruby isn't sure of Ruan's abilities but neither can she deny their connection...and there's a connection that, for me, was more shocking than the reveal of the killer. Not every question is answered, not every relationship resolved, not every curse cured but hopefully we will have more of Ruby and Ruan in the future. It would be a curse to readers to end their story now.

I received a free copy of this book/audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

I’m continuing to love gothic settings now that winter has set in. They just make me want to cozy up with a book by the fire while the world outside is dark and snowy.

I would have never guessed The Curse of Penryth Hall is a debut, but it is! Armstrong’s book centers around Penryth Hall, which may or may not be cursed and is set in the brooding moors of the Cornish countryside. I got Hound of the Baskervilles vibes particularly with the setting, the curse, and the mystery, which is a high compliment! That is one of my go-to books since I was a child.

Ruby Vaughn is an orphan, exiled from America and living in Exeter. She works at a cozy little bookstore specializing in rare books (include some old and dangerous books that may serve special clients). She meets Ruan Kivell when she’s delivering books to him in the Cornish countryside. Ruan is known as the Peller, which she likens to a Cornish exorcist, a witch, a physician, and a priest. When she meets Ruan again, she notices that his demeanor has shifted quite a bit from their first meeting, making him all the more intriguing.

This trek leads her back to the Cornish countryside which she swore she’d left behind for good, and to specifically to Penryth Hall where one of her oldest friends and former lovers Tamsyn lives with her husband, Sir Edward Cheowyth, and son. Penryth Hall is said to be cursed, and Ruby finds it unsettling at best. When Sir Edward is found dead in the orchard, there are whispers that the curse that lurks over Penryth Hall has claimed it’s next victim.

The origins of the curse center around one of the Chenowyth ancestors who left his beloved to marry a barmaid. The jilted woman went to a local witch, who placed a curse on the Chenowyth line and Penryth Hall that has plagued the family lineage. Ruan the Peller is the only one the townspeople believe can break the curse.

Though Edward wasn’t the best husband, I felt for Tamsyn because she worried her son would become the next victim of the curse one day. She didn’t particularly care that it had taken Edward, though. Ruby describes herself as a “feral, fatalistic thing, living from chance to chance.” She’s a strong character and she is scrappy. She’s not really the focus of the book, but more of a conduit to tell the story.

I found Ruby to be smart and courageous, which may come from her upbringing. She mentions that death hasn’t wanted anything to do with her, probably because she hasn’t been worth it’s notice. We learn that her parents and sister died during the war. Ruby herself served during the war caring for injured soldiers. Before that, Ruby was shunned from high society after a scandal at the young age of 16.

Owen has taken Ruby in and acts as a father figure. He’s a fascinating character on his own—he’s caring and humorous. He always has a bit of a twinkle or smirk which makes him and Ruby well-suited to one another. Ruby is a brazen woman (especially for the time period), and she’s a bit wild which makes her so fun to read about. Her friend Tamsyn (the mistress of Penryth Hall) we learn was actually a former lover of Ruby’s who broke her heart. Ruby still has feelings for Tamsyn, though their former relationship is not a focus on the book.

Though I liked Ruby as a bold woman narrator, I did find her character to lack some depth. I suspect this may turn into a series and if it does, I expect that we will continue to learn more about Ruby’s life and story. It is easy to see how the events we do know about her life may have hardened her, and that perhaps explains why even the reader isn’t fully privy to Ruby’s feelings. Also, as the title implies, this is really a book about the curse that plagues Penryth Hall. As with many gothic novels, the setting itself is really the main character, with all of the people acting in supporting roles.

A little bit of romance, a little bit of spookiness, and atmospheric gothic vibes. I loved the folklore and mystery surrounding Penryth Hall and the small countryside community. This is an enchanting gothic mystery with interesting characters and a great setting!

Thank you to Minotaur Books for my copy. Opinions are my own.

Thank you Minotaur Books and Dreamscape media for the #gifted ARC/ALC of THE CURSE OF PENRYTH HALL!

I listened to the audio of this one and I definitely think it’s the way to go. I loved the narrator’s voice as it reminded me a bit of Sophia Bush’s voice with that rasp. The best part was the accents that the narrator did for the Scottish and Cornish characters. It really helped add to the sense of place for the book!

THE CURSE opens with American expat heiress Ruby Vaughn living in Exeter with an old Scottish man and running a bookshop. When her boss sends her to Cornwall to deliver a trunk of mysterious books to the village's Pellar (a type of mystic/healer), she initially balks at returning to a place she swore she’d never go back.

Without giving too much away, she reconnects with an old friend whose husband is violently murdered later that same night. The village believes it's the curse come back to haunt the Chenowyth line and Ruby’s friend is convinced she’ll be the next victim of the curse.

This book falls in the moody, atmospheric, gothic camp so if those vibes are appealing to you then don’t miss out on this mystery!

THE CURSE OF PENRYTH HALL is out now!

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