"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.

The year is 1930 and Cora McCavanagh is posing as a maid at Hollywood magnate Truman Byrd's legendary estate. She's closing in on the damning evidence she needs for a high-profile client.

An aspiring PI, Cora was trained by her father, a former prison guard at the notorious Pelican Island, where Cora grew up surrounded by hardened criminals.

Which is why she recognizes Jack Yates as soon as he walks through the door. The last time she saw him was on an ill-fated night that changed the course of her life and still haunts her more than a decade later. Cora never expected to see Jack again - and now a single misstep could cause both their secret identities to come crashing down.

They strike a tentative truce to help each other during a week of parties overflowing with champagne and caviar. But there are puzzles hidden in every corner of Truman Byrd's labyrinthine estate, and if Cora is to finally learn the truth about Jack Yates, she must unravel a sinister history that the rich and powerful will do anything to keep concealed.

Filled with intrigue and Old Hollywood glamour, Enchanted Hill is an unforgettable historical romance set in a world you won't want to leave, and is perfect for fans of historical fiction books like the Molly Murphy Mysteries, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and Kate Morton books."

A labyrinthine Old Hollywood estate? Yes please!

This one stood out to me because it was so obviously based on William Randolph Hearst and his castle, which I have done much research on and visited multiple times. At first, it didn’t seem as if the book was going to live up to my knowledge of the two, but ultimately I was so drawn in I finished the book in one sitting!

There are two people at Enchanted Hill who are most definitely not who they seem: Cora and Jack - and not only are they lying about who they are, but they are lying about the past they share and the motives they have for being at the lavish estate owned by Truman Byrd. A fast moving mystery filled with Old Hollywood glamor, beautiful descriptions of places that I know well and a mystery going back a decade. While this was a little too exact in terms of the basis of the characters (Truman Byrd/William Randolph Hearst, Clementine/Marion Davies, etc), it was still a fun and enveloping read.

A very original novel! The high security prison seemed like it was based on Alcatraz, a place with a fascinating history of its own. As a PI undercover, Cora is highly motivated, if not tripped up by her past. This is a fun romp through a Hearst-like castle with all the requisite characters of that time.

Enchanted Hill reminded me of the novels with sweeping plots in vogue in the 1970-80s, but in a good way. It's a big story that is much more than a suspense/mystery book. The majority of Enchanted Hill takes place in 1930 at the lavish estate of Truman Byrd, Hollywood mogul and newspaper magnate. Cora is working undercover as a maid at the Byrd estate. Jack is a professional gambler who Byrd has befriended. But Cora and Jack have a history in that Cora came of age on a lonely island that housed a "supermax" prison (think Alcatraz) and Jack was a prisoner, who managed to escape but was presumed dead. This a wonderfully atmospheric book with commentary on forgiveness, revenge, power and hope. Highly recommend.

An exquisite, gilded tale of what it means to forgive and be forgiven. Of the dangers and corruption of bitterness. Murphy has crafted a story that will long stay with readers and have them reaching for its golden pages again and again.
I loved the history and dynamic between Jack and Cora. Their distrustful natures turned something more. It was beautiful to see them both learning to trust again, and watching that story unfold amidst a mystery that had me turning pages so fast to find out what happened next…well, let’s just say I absolutely loved this book!

Having read and enjoyed two YA historical fantasy novels from this author previously and with the title Enchanted Hill I was kind of expecting a fantasy/supernatural element to this novel which did not happen but I think the author writes really believable historical so I wasn't disappointed.

The 1915 sections set on the prison islans were remicent of Alcatraz prison and the 1930s section reminded me of The Cats meow.

Not gonna lie, after adoring THE DISAPPEARANCES—Emily Bain Murphy's unique and memorable debut—I was expecting something a little more dazzling from ENCHANTED HILL, her third book. I love historical mysteries, so its premise sounded intriguing, if not very original. And the story is engrossing overall, even if it drags at times. Cora and Jack are both likable characters whom I cared about and wanted to see succeed. I would have liked, however, for them to have to struggle a bit more to accomplish their story goals. There was never a time in the story when I felt as if either one of them were in any real danger, either of being harmed or of having their plans foiled. More risk taking would have upped the suspense and tension, making the tale more of a nailbiter. As is, it felt a litttle too easy for them to take down a very powerful man. Truthfully, I think Cora and Jack's backstory is more interesting than their present one. I kind of wish Murphy had written that story instead of this one. It would have been more unique and compelling. On the whole, though, I enjoyed ENCHANTED HILL. I just wanted a bit more from it, you know?

If I could, I would give this book 3 1/2 stars; since I can't, I'm rounding up.

This is a mystery that takes place in 1930 California. It also tells is about 2 women that are says in this household and a man that one of them knows his secret identity and past. This book gives off such Old Hollywood vibes that most would love to read about.
I just reviewed The Dance of the Dolls by Lucy Ashe. #NetGalley
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tl;dr
A bit of mystery, and a lot of human drama, featuring two surprisingly genuine leads.

Thoughts
When it comes to mysteries, detective leads are all about the case, but PI leads tend to have a lot of personal stuff going on as well. Balancing out the mystery and personal life is always tricky, but Emily Bain Murphy manages to hit that balance really well. The main puzzle stays in the forefront of the plot, but a series of flashbacks and help give us context on Cora and her very complicated history with Jack. The book veered off my expectations a little bit with them - the two leads are a PI and a con man, and yet they were probably the least duplicitous characters in the whole thing. In the end, I think it's their honesty that made them such a good match, though. Both smart and capable, but also emotionally vulnerable, for a slow burn relationship that unfolded in a very natural way. The other characters are all hot messes in that dramatic way that makes you not want to look away, and they all fit very neatly into the glamorous and hideous silver screen era of Hollywood.