I really wanted to love this one as I was trying to dip into something with a historical feel, with some mystery and intrigue, but I honestly had a hard time getting into the book. I did not finish the title, but rating based on what I did read. There wasn’t anything about the characters or writing, but I just had a hard time staying invested.

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley from the publisher. Thank you for the opportunity to review. All thoughts are my own*

Just like the title, Enchanted Hill, I thought this book was enchanting! It was so well written and original. I was swept away by the glitz and the glamor, and The Great Gatsby vibes!

I was on the edge of my seat until the very end! If you like historical fiction and mysteries, I really think you’ll enjoy this one.

A beautiful novel full of mystery and romance, deep themes of redemption and forgiveness, and an intriguing setting.

I loved this book, the complexity of the characters, the vividness with which they and the landscape then inhabited were drawn, and the mystery that kept me guessing and yet felt inevitable at once.

A PI goes undercover at a huge mansion but ends up involved in more intrigue than she anticipated.

I liked the premise here but found the writing a little slow. It is also a lot more character driven than mystery driven, which is what I was expecting. It takes a while too to really feel connected to the characters, which made it harder to enjoy.

The Great Gatsby meets Murder for the Modern Girl with a capable main character and conman love interest. This was everything I hoped it would be; intriguing, enchanting, and a little bit mysterious. The opulence of the late 20s was in full swing in the "current" storyline, and the reflection on the American prison system of the 20s in flashbacks gave it a bit of Bonnie and Clyde flavor that I really liked.

I came to care so deeply for Cora and Jack, but also for Clementine, and even, at times, for Truman. Each one is fleshed out and explored and never excused, but explained. They make mistakes and regret their choices and keep living anyway. It feels so real, and I loved that about it. The plot kind of takes a backseat to the characters, and I didn't mind that at all.

Overall, this really worked for me, and I'm definitely interested to check out more from Murphy in the future! 5 stars from me!

**content warning for profanity (including 1 f-bomb), infidelity (on multiple counts), generally bad guys who are incarcerated on Pelican Island, and the general drinking/smoking/opulence associated with 1920s "high society"

**I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**

(random sidenote: I've never before seen the sentence "the best chap at craps I've ever seen" but I'm so glad that emily bain murphy put it out into the world, it's so iconic)

I really enjoyed this one. The historical setting was my favorite part and I liked how Murphy intertwined the mystery from past and present. It was interesting to see it all unravel and come together in the end.

I was expecting this book to be about something different but I still completely enjoyed it. It makes you think while also keeping your attention.

An intense 1930s mystery in a puzzle-house mansion, where nothing is as it seems! Cora and Jack must outwit guests, guards, and each other in pursuit of their goals.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own opinions.

I very much enjoyed being joining Cora in the old Hollywood P.I. There is nothing really better than reading the first few chapters and than not being able to pit it down. Thing is one of those books

A glittering mystery I could NOT put down!

Enchanted Hill is a jewel of a book. It's historical fiction set in 1930 during the prohibition, with flashbacks to 1915. Everyone has a secret or three, or a secret identity... and Enchanted Hill itself, an opulent mansion and the setting of our story, has even more of its own!

It's the kind of story that reads like magic, even though there's no fantastical element in it. Just greatly crafted characters in a twisty mystery story which kept me up almost until morning!

**Thank you to Union Square & Co and Storygram Tours for the physical copy of Enchanted Hill and NetGalley for the eARC**

So I don’t normally read historical fiction but decided to dip my toes in when I saw the synopsis for this one!

“Escape to Enchanted Hill in this historical mystery where two people with a dark, shared past collide while working undercover at a glittering mansion on the California coast.”

I found this one to be super cozy and was wishing my invitation to Byrd Castle was real. Cora is working undercover at Truman Byrd’s mansion when she sees a guest she recognizes - an escaped prisoner from the isolated island she grew up on.

This one was twisty and definitely kept me on my toes, and I found myself really enjoying exploring Byrd’s mansion with Cora and Jack. Check this one out if you like historical fiction, mysteries/thrillers, elegant mansions, and will they/won’t they?! (IDK if that is an actual trope because I don’t read romance, lol)

Enchanted Hill by Emily Bain Murphy published today 11/7/23 and this is the kind of historical mystery that I could simply not put down. Many thanks to @unionsqandco and @netgalley for the eARC.

It’s 1930 and PI Cora McCavanah is posing as a maid at Hollywood magnate Truman’s Byrd’s legendary estate. The deadline from her high-profile client is fast approaching and Cora needs that evidence. The estate, meanwhile, is gearing up for a week of guests and parties. Cora is stunned to recognize one of the guests as Jack Yates, a former inmate of Pelican Island. Cora’s father was a prison guard there and that is how Cora recognizes Jack, even though the world thought he drowned while trying to escape. Jack is visiting the estate with his own purpose and motives. The two strike a tentative truce to uncover what they both need.

What an intricately woven mystery! I had to keep reminding myself to slow down as I read because I just needed to know the ending. The characters are so well developed that I found myself feeling for them, despite their flaws or past deeds. There’s also a little romance that adds another enjoyable layer to the story. The story alternates points of view between Cora and Jeff and it was fascinating to watch the story develop this way. There are puzzles hidden throughout the estate and the descriptions brought this lavish place to life on the page. When you want to simply get lost in a page-turning story, I highly recommend this one.

I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review, The below thoughts are mine alone but I hope you will consider them as this was an absolutely enjoyable book.
I can not truly express how much I enjoyed this book. I give it a full 5 stars with the hopes others will give this mystery a chance. If you enjoy Agatha Christie and other books which call into the genre of whodunit's, I feel this would satisfy those readers.
We are introduced to Cora who is in disguise as a maid within Enchanted Hill, an exclusive club which only allows people who have been invited to visit. However, as guests arrive, Cora soon discovers a person from her past has also found his way into the halls of the Hill.
There is something so enchanting within Enchanted Hill and lots of Old Hollywood glitz and glam. There are mysteries to solve and secrets to uncover and keep. I feel as though I flew through this book and it felt as though it was the perfect fall read.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Emily Bain Murphy for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Enchanted Hill coming out November 7, 2023. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I’ve read a book by this author, and I really enjoyed it. So I was excited to check out this book. The beginning of the book was amazing. I was really into it. It wasn’t what I thought it would be, but I was invested in the storyline. I think I lost a little bit of interest in the middle of the book. There were a few characters that seem to have very similar personalities, and I got confused with what was going on. It was hard to tell what some of their motives were and I didn’t understand their motives. There were still some good parts. I did enjoy Cora’s character the most and wanted to see her journey. I love books set in this time period. It had a bit of that old Hollywood feel. I would definitely check out other books by this author.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys 1930s heists.

I liked this but it also felt long -- almost too long. It's a riff on Hearst with a criminal twist and I did enjoy it. It was fun to read about a woman private investigator undercover and also about her growing up on an island with a prison similar to Alcatraz. I would certainly recommend this if you like historical fiction!

Enchanted Hill comes out tomorrow on November 7, 2023 and you can purchase HERE.

"Did you sing at Christmas?" he had once asked the girl. It was tradition, on Christmas night, that the families of the guards would sing carols first at the warden's house, and then to the prisoners. She had given a shy nod with that sharp chin of hers, and he remembered how cold his fingers were as they twined around the wire fence. He had spoken so quietly, he wasn't even sure that she'd heard: "Thank you. Hearing those songs was the first time I have felt like myself again."

It had reminded him of church. Of the golden mosaics. Of his mother, singing next to him. He would see a flash of the girl's face sometimes, in a store window.

Someone walking down that dusty little street in Bakersfield. On a train in Albuquerque. The underground bar in Reno. It was never really her. Just a wisp, a figment, his own guilty conscience.

He raised his drink to his lips, pretended to drink it, and put that impossible thought out of his mind.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. I'm voluntarily leaving a review without compensation.

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Historical Mystery
Spice Level: Medium (affairs are talked about but it's not on the page)
Gore Level: Low (events are described from the past not in current action)
Representation: A secondary character is lesbian

ENCHANTED HILL is a fascinating historical mystery with vibes of THE GREAT GATSBY and your favorite detective stories.

Cora and Jack are both interesting characters. I liked how the question of Jack's innocence or guilt was posed. I wasn't sure if I should root for him or not.

I was always rooting for Cora. She's somewhat estranged from her father, her mom is gone, and she's weighed down with guilt. One case solved would set her on the right track, and with Truman being such a smarmy rat, I wanted him to fall and fall hard.

The POV changed frequently in the novel. I had to really pay attention to the changes. It almost felt like omniscient because there were so many characters' heads that I was inside of. Personally, I would have liked to see that streamlined a bit. There are also frequent flashbacks that were interesting and essential to understanding each character.

I think mystery lovers are going to eat this one up.

Happy reading!

You know when it gets cold outside, and you just want to curl up with a book that will transport you a little bit? That’s Enchanted Hill - definitely recommend cueing it up as the weather turns!

The story centers on Cora, an aspiring private investigator posing as a maid in one of the most elaborate and engaging settings I’ve come across in a while: the cleverly-designed mansion of eccentric newspaper magnate Truman Byrd.

The glamorous and gritty characters and the layers of intrigue and deception made for a really enticing read here. It has suspenseful elements and several solid surprises, but keeps its “charm” throughout rather than trying to be a pulse-pounding thriller. I loved the feel of it, and the through-line of Cora and Jack’s complicated relationship. Plus, I mean, come on…elaborate mansion with hidden secrets and Gatsby-esque parties? YES PLEASE.

I definitely enjoyed this one, and would highly recommend for an enchanting (😏) winter read. Thanks to Emily Bain Murphy, Union Square, and NetGalley for my advance digital copy! Enchanted Hill hits shelves on Tuesday (11/7)!

An absolutely thrilling mystery!! Characters are brought to life within a truly memorable setting. Highly recommend to lovers of mysteries!

Enchanted Hill by Emily Bain Murphy is an extraordinarily wonderful Historical Fiction Mystery bedazzled with Old Hollywood Glamour, intriguing crime and sparks of romance. Not only is the setting superb but the characters are beautifully brought to life in vivid colour. The story itself really shines, too. Yet the writing isn't ostentatious or over the top but understated. I absolutely loved it.

Cora's upbringing was atypical as she lived on Pelican Island where her father was a prison guard. A few other families lived similarly with the prison practically in their back yards, only separated by a wire fence. Cora saw prisoners regularly and knew some were more notorious than others. One she met was a teenager like herself. Jack was no ordinary prisoner, however, and the two became friends. He confided he was not responsible for the crime he was imprisoned for. Years later, Cora was a private investigator and was shocked to encounter him while she was working at the opulent Truman Hollywood home. He recognized her, too. Though they had a history they had to learn to trust each other again as adults. With their unique skillsets they became an investigative team as they navigate a very different world, one full of luxury, secrets and infamy. The Truman family wasn't exactly upstanding, either. Past sins cast long shadows.

If you seek a deliciously different reading experience, this may just be what you need.

My sincere thank you to Union Square & Co. and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this phenomenal novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thoroughly enjoyed this historical mystery based loosely on William Randolph Hearst and Marion Davies' relationship. Cora and Jack were a lot of fun to follow along with--who doesn't love a good detective and former thief love story--and their dual POV added a lot to the story and the emotional traumas they are both working through. A lot of great characters added depth to the glitz and glamour of ENCHANTED HILL, my favorites being Clementine and Florence the architect. As a person who watches a lot of old movies and generally enjoys diving deeply into history, I couldn't help but love Murphy's descriptions of the clothes! I swooned every time she talked about Clementine's many silk dresses and the way the perfume swam in the air of everyone at the week-long party.

I read this on vacation and it was the perfect read for some R&R. I'd recommend it as kind of an adult version of THE INHERITANCE GAMES.