I absolutely loved the gothic atmosphere of this story. The descriptions were fantastic and it gave the eeriness required for a gothic romance. The mystery was a perfect trust for the story and I loved how it ended. My only negatives is that it did feel a bit slow at times and the characters were a bit too modern and unconventional for my liking. It occasionally felt out of place.

A lovely. Blend of gothic horror and romance.

The world building and character descriptions was beautifully delivered. It had the ghostly atmosphere you come to expect from a gothic horror. The author managed to balance the eeriness of the genre with the softness of romance.


It took me a minute to get into the groove of this book. The prose was something I had to get used to and I felt like the first few chapters were a tad on the boring side. I did in fact stop and start this book multiple time while trying to find my footing, but once I had hoped over the fence I was intrigued enough to stay.
I didn't much like the way Theodora was portrayed irked me slightly. She was described as unconvential which, given the time period this was set in, seemed out of place.

Overall this was a great read and a beautifully written gothic horror

I wasn't going to give feedback on this due to not finishing it however I just wanted to say that I did read about 50-60% of this book and unfortunately it wasn't for me.

I don't believe in giving star ratings or reviews on books I don't finish as I don't think it's fair to the author. It's not a reflection on their writing or the book itself, it's just in this instance it wasn't for me. As I can't give feedback without the rating I'm giving it a 3 star on netgalley but won't do it anywhere else, I hope that's okay.

Thank you for the opportunity to read

A great gothic horror/romance. The scene setting is really well done. I felt there could be more depth to most of the characters but this is quite a short story and this didn’t detract from the overall feel or the great twist.

This book was just average for me--I didn't love it, I didn't hate it. I wanted more gothic horror and gothic romance from it, but it was mostly pretty tame. The twist was really well done, the seeds were planted perfectly in hindsight! Still, there was a lot of subplot that didn't add anything and could've been cut out completely. I would recommend this book if you want a quick, gothic-light read.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

In "The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses" by L.V. Russell, we are introduced to a promising gothic novel that weaves together elements of horror, mystery, and romance. The narrative unfolds within the enigmatic Broken Oak Manor, where Theodora Corvus, a governess, embarks on a journey that plunges her into a world of secrets and darkness.

Theodora's story commences when she leaves behind her dilapidated family home and her cherished grandmother to assume the role of governess to young Ottoline Thorne. Her arrival at Broken Oak Manor sets the stage for an eerie and hushed atmosphere, punctuated only by the whispers she detects from the house and its surroundings. As Theodora acquaints herself with the manor, she unearths the deep-seated secrets that lie within, fiercely guarded by the intimidating housekeeper.

Russell's writing is undoubtedly skillful, and the author demonstrates adept pacing and a keen eye for creating an immersive atmosphere. The dilapidated corridors and hidden corners of Broken Oak Manor come to life as Theodora explores its mysterious depths, setting the stage for an unfolding enigma. The atmosphere is laden with an ominous presence that keeps readers engaged, immersing them in the unfolding mystery.

The character development in the novel is praiseworthy, with Theodora being a captivating and determined protagonist. Her quest to unearth the truth fuels the narrative, and her evolving emotions toward Cassias Thorne, the enigmatic lord of the manor, infuse a layer of complexity and romance into the story. The interactions between the characters are well-crafted and add depth to the plot.

The book excels in creating a genuine gothic atmosphere. Russell effectively captures the essence of gothic horror, successfully transporting readers into a world of eerie whispers, concealed passages, and deep-seated secrets. The sense of foreboding is palpable throughout, maintaining a tension that compels readers to remain engaged.

Nonetheless, my primary criticism of "The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses" lies in its brevity. While the pacing is well-executed and keeps the reader's attention, it left me yearning for a more extensive exploration of Broken Oak Manor and its mysteries. This desire for more depth slightly impacted my overall enjoyment.

In conclusion, "The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses" offers a promising blend of gothic elements, crafting a narrative rich in horror, mystery, and romance. L.V. Russell's writing creates an atmospheric setting that immerses readers in a world brimming with secrets and darkness. With well-developed characters and an intriguing plot, this book will appeal to fans of gothic literature. While it left me wanting more, I still recommend it and look forward to the author's future works.

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses L.V. Russel

“I can feel the echo of your hand upon mine, the warmth of your voice in my very soul, and I look for you in each shadowed corner of that damned house. Is that friendship?"

I love gothic fiction, particularly in an historical setting. I blame my childhood love of Jane Eyre for setting me on the path of collecting books with poor heroines, making their way to the big gothic mansion as a servant or governess, only to find dark secrets lurking under it’s roof. Here our heroine is Theodora Corvus ( fabulous name) a young woman who has been brought up by her grandmother, but is now leaving that family home to become a governess at Broken Oak Manor. There she finds her charge, Ottoline, and her father Lord Cassius Thorne living in a house populated by secrets and very strange noises in the dark of night. Both are more in need of a friend than a governess and a friendship does develop between Theodora and her employer. Could that friendship develop into something more?

I liked Theodora, she has the perfect combination of a caring nature, but the ability to be firm when needed. The theme of grief was explored well through the characters, especially the way we grieve being different from person to person. It is that experience of loss, whether it’s their wife, mother or other family member, that draws the characters to each other.

I felt like the characters could have developed more and needed to be longer or structured slightly differently. I wondered if it would have been more powerful to use a dual timeline and see Theodora’s past in flashbacks. It felt too linear and didn’t grab me in the early chapters. There was a reveal part way through that did add some punch to the story, but overall I felt like there are better books in this genre. This has so much promise though, so I will keep an eye out for this author’s next work.

The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses is a story where the houses seem to have lives of their own. Lydia V. Russel's writing brings this Gothic tale to haunting life. Harwood House you can almost smell the time and decay, Kingsward House reeked of meanness and pain while Broken Oak House exuded sadness and acceptance. The author has the talent to write characters (main and minor) that stay with you long after you've closed the pages. Lydia V. Russell is the new Queen of Gothic/Dark Fantasy... all hail. I was caught in the web of this Gothic tale and could not stop reading. I thought the book reached its conclusion but then went on for a bit more for an even more satisfying ending. Highly recommended.
A beautiful cover and the interior graphics were exquisite.

A haunting, gorgeous story perfect for fall. Absolutely loved every moment of this book and the characters.

Book Review: The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses by L.V. Russell

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses, written by L.V. Russell, is a captivating gothic novel that masterfully combines elements of horror, mystery, and romance. Set against the backdrop of Broken Oak Manor, the story follows Theodora Corvus, a governess who is drawn into a web of secrets and darkness as she explores the hidden depths of the manor.

Theodora’s journey begins when she leaves behind her crumbling family home and her beloved grandmother to take up the position of governess to young Ottoline Thorne. From the moment she arrives at Broken Oak Manor, Theodora is enveloped in an eerie silence, broken only by the whispers she hears from the house and its surroundings. As she familiarizes herself with her new environment, Theodora discovers that the manor holds many secrets, guarded by the foreboding housekeeper.

Russell’s writing is nothing short of phenomenal. With skillful pacing and a keen attention to atmospheric details, the author creates a haunting world that immerses readers in a sense of darkness and mystery. The crumbling corridors of Broken Oak Manor come alive as Theodora explores its depths, and the lingering presence of the unknown keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

Moreover, the character development in this novel is commendable. Theodora is a compelling protagonist whose determination to uncover the truth drives the narrative forward. Her growing feelings for Cassias Thorne, the mysterious lord of the manor, add a layer of complexity to the story, intertwining romance with the overarching mystery. The dynamic between the characters is well-crafted and adds depth to the plot.

One aspect that stands out in this book is its gothic atmosphere. Russell effortlessly captures the essence of gothic horror, transporting readers into a world filled with eerie whispers, hidden passages, and dark secrets. The sense of foreboding is palpable throughout, making it difficult to put the book down.

However, my main criticism of The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses is that it left me wanting more. While the pacing was well-executed and kept me engaged, I wished for a longer exploration of Broken Oak Manor and its mysteries. Nonetheless, this minor complaint does not detract from the overall quality of the story.

In conclusion, The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses is a superb gothic novel that seamlessly blends elements of horror, mystery, and romance. L.V. Russell’s writing is captivating, creating an atmospheric setting that draws readers into a world of secrets and darkness. With well-developed characters and an intriguing plot, this book is a must-read for fans of gothic literature. I highly recommend it and eagerly anticipate future works from this talented author.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

The plot twist in this was EVERYTHING!! Loved this book so much, especially the victorian-esque vibes I got from it!

The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses is a gothic and at times creepy short story that is also written in beautiful prose. It is easy to picture the setting and the main character’s narrative is gripping. This type of story is not usually my thing but I still enjoyed it.

I was initially drawn to this book by the cover and title - which was a lyrical taste of what to expect from the writing. The synopsis was intriguing. If you're looking for an atmospheric Gothic horror, this is an enjoyable entry. However, the pacing is off. It's very slow for the majority of the book and finally picks up in the last third, but then ends rather abruptly. I thought the author showed a lot of talent with her writing. I think the overall story would benefit from giving her more space to flesh out plot points.

The cover attracted me initially, then that rather lovely book blurb. The premise of this book is good, and the writing, wow, at times it was so beautiful it almost hurt to read.

The atmospheric senses in the writing were beautifully handled and caressed my inner editor repeatedly until she fell asleep and made adorable little snoring noises.

Alas, the pace was so slow I fear she would have fallen asleep anyway. It wasn’t until about 60% through the story that things started to move along.

The first 30% of the book, while a nice taste of the authors writing, was kind of pointless and just served to pad an already exceptionally slow burn.

The last 30% was so rushed it did a real disservice to the concept. Things occurred and they didn’t really make sense. The big ‘Ah-hah’ moment lacked punch because it got about three paragraphs of attention.

The twist fell exceptionally flat because I’d guessed it from as soon as Theodora arrived at Broken Oak Manor. I’d hoped for a less obvious twist.

I didn’t really like any of the characters, they felt a bit underwhelming and underdeveloped.

I’d rate this as a generous 2.5 stars, but I’d definitely look at another story by this author. This story just fell short.

*Note: I received an electronic copy via Netgalley*

I really wanted to like this, but it unfortunately fell flat for me. I love a good gothic horror, and a little romance thrown in generally doesn't hurt. But the romance in this story really didn't gel, and the character development wasn't there in the way I hoped it would be. The twist was not much of a twist, as I figured it out early on, perhaps a symptom of having read and watched many other gothic stories with similar feels. I do think the writing is quite atmospheric in parts but the main character behaves in anachronistic ways that really pulled me out of the world at times, which was unfortunate.

Gothic horror. Spooky estates. Romance. What’s not to love! Theodora leaves her estate to travel to another as a governess. While there she starts to unravel the mystery surrounding the estate. Very well told and an enjoyable read!

This book was not what I expected, but neither was that ending!

This is a gothic period piece about Theodora Corvus who leaves her own spooky estate to work as a governess for the Thorne’s at their spooky estate. Theodora is used to her house, Woodrow, talking to her. But when she arrives at Broken Oak she cannot hear this house. There are happenings in the night that suggest the house is haunted with its own secrets and Theodora slowly unravels them.

The book reads very much like a classic Jane Eyre type romance with a gothic vibe. The book was a little slow moving at first, but the ending does tie together a lot of things I had questions about throughout my reading.

Overall I give it a 3.5 ⭐️. The ending really saved it. I think this would make a great movie if they adapted it to film for sure.

EARC received courtesy of NetGalley and Quill and Crow Publishing House.

Actual rating: 3.5 stars.

This Gothic tale of a young governess long-haunted by “watchers” was well written and satisfying, if a little strangely paced. It’s short, but portions of the narrative (mostly the dialogue) don’t flow as well as they could have.

I liked the characters, the premise, and the conclusion of the story, and am grateful to NetGalley for the advance copy. I’d recommend this to fans of The Haunting of Bly Manor, The Turn of the Key, and…somehow…The Sound of Music?

A great shorty read! This gothic novel has some twists and turns, but overall isn’t too challenging. A good option for those who are new to the genre, or wouldn’t like to read something “too heavy.”