In general I did enjoy this book. A gothic mystery set in a lavish yet somewhat unkept manner where a curse follows the inhabitants. I enjoyed the main female character as she had good depth and backstory. But the male main character was aggravating. I find it tedious when a character has needless mood swings simply for the sake of building conflict and tension. It makes the character interactions seems more forced and causes me to be pulled from the story because I simply do not like needless drama for the sake of needless drama. Besides this which I honestly think isnt a deal breaker for this specific book I did genuinely enjoy the plot, concepts and imagery.

I love a mystery with a fantasy or paranormal twist, so I really enjoyed this book! There is something about reading a murder mystery and trying to figure out if the murderer is a human or some mystical creature that makes the mystery so much more fun. I loved that this book had just enough of a mystical element to make the murder by curse a real possibility while still giving the victim enough enemies to make it possible that it was just a normal murder. The twists were so entertaining and it kept me guessing right up to the reveal! I also loved the characters! Ruby was such an independent and strong character and really played well off of the strong-silent type Ruan. The ending sets up another book perfectly and I can’t wait to read more about these characters and find out what mystical forces connect them through another mystery!

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. This is a wonderful debut novel, and I can’t wait to read whatever she writes next!

The Curse of Penryth Hall is a Gothic Mystery mostly set at a large manor home in the Cornish countryside.
We follow an American heiress, Ruby Vaugh, who after a scandal back home, gets sent to live in Exeter, where she helps run a cozy bookshop.

One day Ruby is given an assignment to go deliver a box of books to a folk healer living in Cornwall. It just so happens her destination will take her to the doorstep of Penryth Hall, where her once dear, now estranged friend, Tamsyn, lives with her husband, Sir Edward Chenowyth. Ruby hasn't seen Tamsyn since her wedding. The women didn't part under the best of conditions and there's a lot of tension simmering just under the surface, but Ruby feels compelled to reconnect nonetheless.

The property itself feels dark and stifling. There's not a lot of lightness flowing through the corridors. Tamsyn is a mother now and her young son seems to be her pride and joy. Her husband, however, not so much. After a tense and uncomfortable dinner, Ruby isn't sure what to think. It seems Tamsyn has gotten herself into a bad position, but how can Ruby possibly help? Tamsyn is an adult. She made her choices.

For her part, Ruby can't wait to get out of there. She'll spend one night and then go, back to her life in Exeter. Ruby's plans for leaving are dashed though when Edward's dead body is discovered the following morning in the orchard. The state of the body point to the most gruesome of deaths. Shortly thereafter, talk of the curse begins. Ruby is puzzled by this. Surely, these people don't truly believe that a curse killed Sir Edward?

She begins to look into it. She wants to prove that a person, a real human being in the flesh, must have killed Edward. And if they did, anyone in Penryth could still be in danger, including Tamsyn and her son. She ends up teaming up with the person who brought her to Cornwall in the first place, Ruan Kivell, the folk healer, known to the locals as a Pellar. Although Ruby isn't sold on his brand of healing, she can't help but admit when he begins to help her in big ways.

Will the two of them be able to put their differences aside long enough to discover what happened to Sir Edward, or will their bickering get in the way?

The Curse of Penryth Hall was a delightful surprise for me. I'm an Atmosphere Girlie, first and foremost, and this entire story was dripping in it. I also loved Ruby as a main character and the chemistry between her and Ruan, and I don't even mean that in a romance way, just the overall dynamic between the two of them, was fantastic. Their back-and-forth; the pull and push of their relationship was so fun to watch.

I enjoyed the gothic vibes and having Ruby being a plucky, outspoken protagonist seemed perfect for the setting. She was almost like a fish out of water, but ended up really becoming invested in the goings-on of that little village. I also really enjoyed how Armstrong played this out. It had a lovely <i>is it supernatural, is it not</i> feel to it that I always enjoy. I thought it was well paced and the mystery was intriguing.

The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the relationship between Ruby and Tamsyn. I didn't like Tamsyn, so didn't really get why Ruby seemed so attached her. I guess I just didn't get enough of their history to have their relationship make sense to me.

Overall, this was just a really good, solid mystery with fantastically-gothic vibes. I had a lot of fun with the setting, story and characters. There were a few statements at the end that lead me to believe this could be the first in a series. Personally, I would be super stoked if that were the case. I would love to follow Ruby on more adventures.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historically-set mysteries with heavy gothic vibes. I would also definitely recommend it to fans of Hester Fox, or Sarah Penner. Thank you to the publisher, Minotaur Books and Dreamscape Media, for providing me with copies to read and review.

Thank you to Jess Armstrong, St. Martin's Press, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for allowing me to read free ebook and audiobook ARCs in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this book but I didn't love it. The beginning didn't really grab me, and I was worried I'd be slugging through a book I didn't like. But that wasn't the case. I slowly got more into it until I was intrigued by the mystery and attached to the characters.

I found Ruby likeable and sympathetic, if not endearing; I have a hard time being okay with how unabashedly sexually active she was for a sixteen/seventeen-year-old. But she had a spine and a brain, so I respected her after a fashion.

I didn't really like Tamryn, but I didn't dislike her either. I loved Mrs. Penryth and Mr. Owen. Ruan grew on me but by the end I still didn't feel like I knew much about him. And at no point did I understand his "ability"; clarification would have been appreciated. On that point, I'd have appreciated clarification on Ruby's "otherness" as well, and what the heck it was supposed to mean that they were both born the same day under a full moon.

The end suggests a sequel, which I'm interested in, especially if it provides answers. Otherwise, while I enjoyed Penryth Hall and it's a solid debut novel, I wasn't blown away by it.

Maybe 3.5
I enjoyed this overall but I didn’t get sucked into the story like I wanted. I found myself wondering more if the characters, our FMC’s freedom and the overall language made sense for the time period which kept me from really getting into the story.
With that said, I still enjoyed it and would say this is for mystery fans who like independent strong FMCs.

Thank you NetGalley for the ebook arc, overall for a debut novel this is a good read. The mystery was easy to grasp and easy to follow. I just wish there was more backstory or overall plot connections and follow through. Just a bit more richness in story and character depth. Would recommend if new to mysteries or getting back into reading.

3.5
Atmospheric with a good story. I enjoyed the characters, but I do think Tamsyn was a bit flat. If this becomes a series I would definitely read the next one.

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur books for the ARC. I was really excited about this book based on the description, but it did not deliver. I had to force myself to keep going, and I barely retained any information as I went. Nothing really happened. I feel like this whole book could be summed up in a few paragraphs. Definitely not for me.

Ruby is tasked by her employer to deliver some old texts to a colleague. Her plans are sidetracked when she stops near her destination to drop in on an estranged friend when her friend’s husband is murdered. He made enemies of everyone he’s ever met and everyone could be a suspect in his murder.

The most interesting thing about this book wasn’t so much the murder mystery itself but the question or whether there was something occult responsible for the murder. The town, particularly the employees of the manor, believed in a curse but Ruby was an adamant non-believer. As the story progresses, Armstrong continues to string the reader along so that you never really know if it’s all a ruse or something really strange.

I think the historical fiction setting lent beautifully to questioning the occult but also providing an array of personalities to question. Ruby herself was an intriguing individual. She was born an American heiress, shipped off and exiled to England at the sign of her first scandal. She served as a nurse in the first war and is now a budding antiquarian aided by her employer.

The story is fairly open-ended so I certainly hope to be reading more of Ruby’s adventures in the future.

Thank you to Minotaur Books for providing a copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an advance copy of this lovely book in exchange for an honest review.

Let me begin by telling you: it really <i>is</i> a lovely book. This is a great story for anyone looking for a fairly lighthearted mystery. As a thriller reader myself, I typically look for grittier, more intense stories, but it turns out this was the perfect change of pace for me after a long line of high-anxiety reads.

One of the aspects of <i>Penryth Hall</i> that I particularly enjoy is the simple writing style. It makes for very easy reading, which matches the genre of--dare I say--a cozy mystery very nicely. Now, perhaps that is an incorrect genre for this story: a cozy mystery. (I wouldn't know. I don't read them.) But that is what it feels like. A fun little fall/winter mystery book you won't want to put down.

Ruby Vaughn is very much the stereotypical "quirky, not-like-the-other-girls" main character, but those traits are not played up enough for it to be a bother. She is very run of the mill, but that also means she fits into the plot seamlessly.

Also, for my fellow readers who do not like overly/plentiful/gratuitous sexual content, I am pleased to announce that there is none. Hoorah! We win!

There is just so much to enjoy here if you're looking for a light read. I would definitely recommend it. Just don't be expecting something too serious. (Might I also add, it was a delight to read a story with a cat who is always just hanging around. I find very few stories, outside of my own, where that is the case, and it honestly adds a whole start on to my review. Thank you, Jess Armstrong, for the feline rep!)

ARC by NetGalley and the publisher.

American heiress Ruby Vaugh has managed to make a life for herself in the UK working at a rare bookstore. When Ruby’s employer instructs her to deliver a trunk of books to a town near Cornwall she goes against her better judgement and accepts. The task will take her to a place she vowed never to return to, Penryth Hall. Penryth Hall is home to Ruby’s long estranged friend Tamsyn whom she hasn’t seen or spoken to since attending her wedding. Tamsyn now known as Lady Chenowyth is clearly living a lie, painting a picture of happiness with Edward that in actuality is anything but that. Ruby hopes to end her stay quickly but is delayed upon the discovery of Sir Edward Chenowyth’s dead body. With whispers of a curse abounding Ruby seeks the aid of the very man whose trunk of books brought her here in the first place. Together can they find the truth behind this mysterious death be it murder or curse and if it is a curse how can they break it.

The Curse of Penryth Hall takes place in the 1920’s, while being a period piece it also manages to have strong gothic atmosphere, romance, and even a paranormal side. Armstrong does such an amazing job merging all these elements together with the eerie setting, well thought out characters and unique plot. Everything about this book was described so fantastically that I really could see myself in Penryth Hall, I attribute this to the incredible effectiveness of the author’s prose. Ruby is a strong independent main character, her quick witted pluckiness and ability to see her own flaws made rooting for her easy. Ruan Kivell was the epitome of a brooding MMC which is completely befitting and in my mind necessary for any gothic mystery. The beginning was alittle on the slower side until you hit around the 30%, from then on the reader is taken from one scene to the next with ramping force. I truly did not see the twist or overall reveal coming. The ending does leave some openings as I anticipate this to have a sequel or become a series. This debut novel was everything I needed to fill my love of gothic mysteries. I look forward to seeing what future journeys this promising author takes us on.

This book is for anyone who enjoy taking adventures thru dark gothic manor halls while uncovering a village curse with the local grumpy witch. The Curse of Penryth Hall comes out December 5th, 2023.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

After being essentially exiled from America in scandal, Ruby Vaughn has built an independent life for herself in the post-Great War United Kingdom - she operates a specialized bookstore with her elderly roommate & his cat. She’s cajoled into delivering a shipment of books to the countryside & decides she may as well check in on an old friend while she’s in the area; then a body is discovered & talk of an old curse starts again…

I hope this is the beginning of a series, because I’d really like to know more about how Ruby & the mysterious pellar (defined as a sorcerer or wizard, I had to look that up) named Ruan are connected. When they first meet it’s because Ruby’s delivering books related to his calling, but then they inevitably keep running into each other over the course of her stay & begrudgingly join forces to figure out who or what is terrorizing the village & its surrounding farms & estates. Ruby feels like she already knows him somehow, & her pragmatic worldview is seriously tested as she hears stories & sees firsthand just how gifted Ruan is.

I enjoyed the mermaid tale in the beginning, & how Ruby loves swimming (be it in a pool or the sea), & Mrs. Penrose the housekeeper was one of my favorite characters.

This was a solid debut novel & I’ll be keeping my eye out for more Ruby Vaughn in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley & Minotaur for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Curse Of Penryth Hall

By: Jess Armstrong

5 Stars

I love getting my hands on a good mystery and this book presented me with just that. From start to finish, the mystery built. With every turn of the page I was drug deeper into the history, drama, and secrets behind the great "curse of Penryth Hall".

This story was a very fun read. It was action packed with history and mystery. It also had both romance and drama. The characters were fun to watch, Ruby being my favorite, of course. This story has a major grab factor. Once it sucks you into the mystery, its hard to put the book down. Do you know how hard it is to cook and read at the same time? Haha!! Overall, I have nothing bad to say about this book. It was a great read that kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat till the very last page.

*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review.*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Reviews

Ruby is a disgraced American heiress who grew up in England after she was exiled by her parents. She was in love with her best friend, Tamsyn, who broker her heart when she married an older man. When they meet years later, Tamsyn's husband dies mysteriously, and Ruby wakes up with bruises and a strange dream. With the help of the village witch, Ruan, Ruby must figure out what's going on before it's too late.

This book got off to a good start, but I was disappointed by the ending. I did enjoy the relationship between Ruby and Ruan, but there were so many loose plot lines that the author tried to link together. It also seemed like there was a need to keep some open to set up for a possible sequel? With the inclusion of the supernatural, between Ruan the Pellar, and the White Witch, Ruby's lack of mystical-ness was a bit of a let down, especially since that seemed to be where the book was leading with her mysterious blackouts and dreams. I enjoyed learning a little Cornish folklore, but this wouldn't be a book I would return to anytime in the future.

Thank you to net galley for providing me this advanced ready copy in exchange for a fair review.

The Curse of Penryth Hall is a gripping gothic mystery and debut novel by Jess Armstrong. This novel was very brooding and atmospheric in the best way. I felt just and infatuated and curious Ruan Kivall the local Pellar. I love a good dark mystery especially during the October month.

Round up to 4 stars from 3.8. Excited to see what else is in store for this debut author

This was just a bit too slow moving for my liking. However, it was truly atmospheric and I loved Ruby’s character.

This is decent debut mystery that had a twisty ending I did not see coming. I thoroughly enjoyed Ruby and hope that she will appear in more books written by the author. Fans of mysteries with a gothic lean will enjoy this one.

Thank you #Netgalley, and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for allowing me to read this wonderful book.

Overview of the story:
Ruby Vaughn an American heriess, works for a rare bookseller in Exeter. She finds herself catapulted into a huge murder mystery when she is sent out to give books to Ruan Kivell in Lothel Green. What Ruby does not know is that Ruan is the town's Pellar and this small town has many dark twisted secrets. Ruby herself is not a strange to weird things happening in her life or keeping secrets. Ruby is faced with seeing her friend and former lover Tamsyn, at Penryth Hall where she lives with her husband Sir Edward Chenowyth. The moment she arrives the feeling she gets from Penryth Hall is unsettling. The very next morning Ruby is woken up to bells and murder. Was it actually the curse? To find out what Ruby discovers in the novel, you must read The Curse of Penryth Hall by Jess Amrstrong today!

Possible Spoliers if you read on!

Plot:

I honestly thought for a historical mystery novel that this was excellent. I usually have an easy time figuring out who committed the crimes, but this one picked someone who I never suspected.

Character Developement:

I really enjoyed the depth that Ruby has as a character. I love that she plays a powerful female that takes risks. Ruby herself is anomaly and I love that she is like that. I also enjoy that it does not come out and say she is LGBTQIA, but due to her past romantic relationship with Tamsyn it is unclear.

Ruan Kivell, I enjoyed the mystery of his character. He never claims himself as a witch or wizard, but if you Google the meaning of Pellar it means sorcerer, wizard. Ruan charm and mystery is a perfect match to the headstrong Ruby.

Romance: -Spoliers
Since, I am an high school librarian I could see this book being a Adult Crossover to YA. The level of romance in this book, is minimal. Ruby and Ruan only kiss twice or three times, nothing else happens. Infact, they level each other at the end of the book.

It's 1922 and book seller Ruby Vaughn has been sent by her octogenarian employer and housemate to Cornwall to deliver a box of books to Ruan Kivell. She's reluctant because she hasn't been to that village since her former best friend Tamsyn married the local baronet Sir Edward Chenowyth. Ruby was in love with Tamsyn and feels betrayed that she threw her over for Sir Edward.

After meeting Ruan and dropping off the books, she proceeds to Penryth Hall where she encounters a decidedly gothic atmosphere. Tamsyn has changed a lot becoming much more withdrawn and is clearly unhappy. Ruby takes a strong dislike to Sir Edward who proves to be a philandering bully. But she wasn't expecting anyone to murder him the night she arrives. Nor was she expecting his death to be attributed to a curse that had previously taken his uncle and his uncle's wife.

Ruby had weird dreams of the death the night of Sir Edward's death and she was attacked in her bedroom. She even believes for a while that she might have been the one to kill Sir Edward. Ruan is called in to investigate since he is the Pellar - a witch who is believed to be able to break curses.

Ruby and Ruan develop an interesting relationship. He can read her thoughts which is something that Ruby is forced to believe despite her disbelief in anything supernatural. The two work together to try to determine who murdered Sir Edward since neither believe that it was a curse.

Ruby was a fascinating character. She is an heiress who was sent away from her home in New York when she was a teenager because of a scandal. She lost both her parents and sister when the Lusitania sank. She worked as an ambulance driver during World War I. She is determined to live in the present since the past held so much trauma for her. Tamsyn sees her as brave and daring, but Ruby feels that she has nothing left to lose. She tries to survive by drinking too much and doing dangerous things.

I enjoyed the gothic atmosphere of this story with its curses and superstitions. I liked that Ruby who might have some supernatural powers of her own in the form of prophetic dreams is determined to find a rational explanation for all the various events.

Fans of the gothic will enjoy this story filled with intriguing characters.

Ruby Vaughn is now one of my favorite literary characters! Loved her! Jess Armstrong's debut novel, The Curse of Penryth Hall is a spooky, creepy, supernatural, suspenseful, witty and funny treat! The characters are great, even though we don't get much back story for them. Ruby is the pushy strong willed American in early 1900's navigating her way thru stuffy, conversative, traditional Exeter. She's a force to be reckoned with and when her oldest friend, Tamsyn's husband is murdered and then Tamsyn thinks she's going to be next, a victim of a long believed curse, Ruby vows to get the bottom of what's happened. She doesn't believe in curses or witches or God for that matter. And all her long held believes will be tested when she finds herself in the Cornish countryside alongside Ruan Kivell, the one the locals call a Pellar.
I loved this story and hope they'll be more with Ms. Ruby Vaughn!!