Why did I not see that coming? WHY?

I am usually very perceptive when reading mystery or suspense novels because, after 10+ years of being a reader, there’s very little in the way of plot twists that catches me off-guard.

But L.V. Russell pulled it off!

The moment I read the synopsis of The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses, I knew I HAD to pick it up. It is a gothic fiction centred around age-old mansions that perhaps “stand tall out of spite” (in her own words).

The author’s writing style is ambient and charged with sensory detail.

It reminded me of Daphne du Maurier and Diana Setterfield’s writing styles – eloquent, character-focused, and hauntingly beautiful.

Written from a third-person omniscient point of view, the story opens with an introduction to the protagonist in the context of her immediate surroundings.

Contrary to the time she lives in, Theodora is a bold woman, as quick to lash out at others as she is to proffer a smile. She lives with a heart full of grief and unresolved feelings.

I didn’t particularly care for the romance between Theodora and Cassias. It was probably necessary, but I would’ve enjoyed the book without it too!

In my experience, characters written as governesses are usually made to be timid, subservient, and rarely argumentative. So, I really enjoyed reading about someone like Theodora, who treats her ward and the lord of the house in the same straightforward manner, not paying any attention to propriety or social hierarchy.

There is an instance of assault that is implied indirectly, so you don’t have to worry about reading the details.

This novel has a slow-medium pace. The writing does wander a bit in the middle, and not a lot happens in the way of action.

I was unsure if I liked that about the book – the lack of several conflicts and plot points. But the last few chapters (and the setting and the author’s writing style!) made the whole reading experience worth it.

I don’t think I’ll forget the ending of this book. Especially considering how confident I was about the revelation, and it turned out to be something else altogether!

Looking for an atmospheric gothic novel that is brimming with suspense? Pick up The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses. I highly recommend it!

L.V Russel is a new author to me I wanted to know what does she have to offer in gothic story. AKA my favorite sub-genre. If you like to read a gothic atmospheric, spooky and intriguing mystery and unexpected plot twist then I suggest this one. I like the writing style of the author because it was a gripping and an enchanting one. It really brings out the creepy vibes for me.

In this story, we get to know Theodora and how she tries to figure out the mystery of the manor she works as a governess and the people in it. I admit I didn’t suspect anything so the plot twist at the ending shocked me completely. That was so unexpected.

Meanwhile, I did enjoy the mystery element and the whole vibes of the story, but I didn’t feel the spark between Theodora and Cassias. But at the end, I do feel like they've come to an understanding. So Overall, this story is well written. I’m looking forward to read more books from this author in the future!

It took me a second to get into this short story but when I did I really enjoyed the tension. The tension is very reminiscent of the movie ‘the others’. A sweet romance with a mystery to solve.

The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses by L.V. Russell

Theodora Corvus can hear the whispers of her crumbling home. She can hear the whispers of Kingsward Manor, her place of employment. She sees the watchers by the lake, black-eyed and waiting. But Broken Oak is silent. Broken Oak is empty. When Theodora takes the job as governess to young Ottoline Thorne, she leaves behind her beloved grandmother and the decaying ruins of her childhood home to travel far north to Broken Oak Manor. There, she finds a house filled with secrets. Under the stern eye of the foreboding housekeeper, Theodora quickly navigates the dark and winding corridors of Broken Oak, only to find herself irrevocably drawn to the mysterious lord of the manor. But someone walks the hallways late after nightfall, their footsteps leading to the attic. The only Place in the sprawling house that does not remain silent. As her scandalous feelings for Cassias Thorne grow, Theodora fights to unearth the secrets of Broken Oak. Who wanders the house at night? Where is the Lady of the Manor? What lies behind the attic door high up under the eaves of the house? "Where is Lady Thorne, Cassias? Where is your wife?"

ces you to the young Theodora who is leaving her home to become a governess at Broken Oak Manor, run by master Cassias Thorne. Theodora soon starts to hear someone wandering the halls during the night, haunting her sleep. Theodora soon finds herself not only unable to sleep but also falling for Lord Cassias himself. A love story tangled with a mystery about the truth about Mrs. Throne and the haunting sounds from the hall at night you'll be searching for answers until the end.

I was immediately captivated by Russell's poetic writing, the words flowed beautifully across every page making a descriptive elegant story. There was no detail left undescribed when it came to the Victorian halls of these homes either. This was a true Victorian Gothic novel complete with a forsaken love story thrown into the mix. Although I loved the writing and found the details layered throughout very well done, there was not much else I loved. I found it very difficult to not only relate to but like the characters. I found the characters to be very flat and underdeveloped, I would have appreciated more backstory to Cassias and his eery home. I found the plot rather lacking as well ... it is surely a slow burn, which I often enjoy, however, this came off rather repetitive. The plot did not go anywhere until about the eighty percent mark when I learned the truth about what was going on. The ultimate reveal was a surprise along with being well-crafted, it just took far too long to get there with little to no captivating events leading up.

Overall I am glad I read this novel. Gothic horror is a favorite genre of mine and I found this novel did it justice. It brought the eery feel of a haunted Victorian that so many of us look for in a good gothic tale. I do wish there was more to the characters and plot to make this a more memorable read because for as much as I enjoyed it, it just did not stand out enough to make a lasting impact. If you enjoy quick, easy reads, gothic tales, or romance then I suggest giving this novel a read.

★★★

Pages: 194

Published: May 15th, 2023

Genre: Adult Fiction, Gothic Horror, Romance

*Thanks to Netgalley and Quill & Crow Publishing House for this ARC in exchange for an honest review*

This book kept me reading nonstop until the very end. At first I thought it was a Jane Eyre retelling but it turned out to be creepy, sad, exciting, all in one. I was not expecting that ending.

I honestly couldn't finish it. It was so slow paced my brain fell asleep midway. Creepy yes, but not enough to keep me in suspense and awake.

Amazing book so gothic and thrilling I loved the characters I also thought it reminded me so much of the woman in black, a crumbling estate , creepy whispers a weird porcelain doll. The ending was sad but still good.

Wonderfully written, this story slowly draws you into its web with each turn of the page. The ending was a surprise, and I think it’ll be interesting to reread at some point with the added knowledge of where it’s heading. I enjoyed getting to know the characters, and the descriptions of the people and places were vivid enough to keep me engaged and wanting to learn more.

Another gothic thriller that has: Governesses, locked attics in Manors, a semi-creepy pupil and a mysterious housekeeper - I had to finish in one night!

At first I thought that some seriously huge editing mistakes had happened but once I finished the book and the plot twist was revealed, it all made sense.

I must admit that I felt there were clues throughout alluding to the plot twist so when it came I wasn’t that surprised but it was still a very engaging read. I don’t think I’ve read anything similar before.

The “romance” element isn’t my thing so that was rather off putting for me and I would have really loved to learn more about Woodrow house as well as the main character’s grandmother!

I will check out more of this authors work.

“It was a comfort to her, to be weighed down by the love she carried for those she had lost.”

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses is unlike anytihng else I've ever read. It's labeled as a historical fiction / horror book. I suppose one could also say it fits the gothic romance genre as well.
We meet main character Theodora who is governess to Ottoline Thorne. For this job, she leaves behind her home&Grandma to move into Broken Oak Manor.
Broken Oak Manor is unlike any other house. There are clearly secrets in this home.... secrets Theodora is determined to figure out. She is insanely intrigued to the "lord of the manor" - Cassias Thorne... whom also is hiding his own secrets. [ Don't they all? ]
Things are a bit eerie... overall.

The author did an marvelous job with the world-building. However, there were some moments it felt like some of the descriptions / details were unnecessary and didn't add to the story.
All in all, a decent read. I'm not sure I'd jump at reading another by the author if it was the same genre.

Theodora is a governess looking for the adventure her late father always hoped she'd go on. When receiving a governess position far away from home, she finds herself at the old Broken Oak mansion that is home to Cassias Thorne, his daughter Ottoline Thorne, and the housekeeper Ms. Rivers. During her time at Broken Oak and as her relationships with the Thornes and Ms. Rivers deepen, Theodora begins to notice small, eerie happenings within home that force her to uncover the secrets hidden within the walls; however, she must stay away from the attic.

This book wasn't my cup of tea, but there were still elements that I enjoyed. The description of the setting and eerie nature of the plot had me hooked, and Ottoline's change in demeanor after meeting Theodora was sweet. My personal issues with the book was the timing. Readers we unsure if all these events were happening in the course of a few weeks or few years. I also thought the dialogue was a bit awkward at times. The twists were a bit predictable (in my opinion), but I read a ridiculous amount of gothic horror, so that might just be a me thing.

Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc.

At first I thought this was going to be a Jane Eyre-inspired book and in some ways it sort of was but I never saw that twist coming. The lord of the manor and the governess start falling in love but he keeps mentioning his wife. Theodora keeps hearing footsteps outside her door at night and she's told not to go to the attic. So can you blame me for thinking that? I really thought this book was sort of boring but that twist at the end I didn't see coming. Eleanora Thorne got what she deserved at the end but I do wonder how long it took for her to get justice.

I'm going to admit this was going to get an average rating from me but that twist got me. So it's getting a higher rating now. I definitely recommend this book if you love historical horror.

*I received an advanced copy from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

QUIET STILLNESS OF EMPTY HOUSES
Quill and Crow Publishing House, released date: 15 May 2023

The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses, by LV Russell, is a perfectly titled book. The sensation you get from the name is exactly the experience of its reading. Slow and a bit creepy, but in the best, most pleasant way.

Theodora Corvis knows about whispering old gothic mansions. She comes of age in one, alone with her too-tough-to-die grandmother, after losing both her parents. It’s her family home, and the disrepair has gotten so advanced it will never be saved. But she loves it. When she is of age she sets out to work as a governess and ends up, after a dark detour, at Broken Oak Manor. Things there are quiet, too. It’s just the house, an intriguing lord of the manor, an inscrutable housekeeper and a sweet girl, Ottoline…isn’t it? Broken Oak Manor doesn’t talk to her like her own home did, but it still feels like it has plenty of secrets - starting with the ever-absent wife.

TQSOEH (I just wanted to see if an acronym worked. Hmm. Not really.) feels like…a meditation on
atmosphere. On, well, massive old houses full of shadows and whispers. But ones you like. The scenery is unnerving, but for some reason you wouldn’t want to run away from it, but rather, get to know it. These are houses that keep you company. You want to hang out alone at their fires and exchange secrets with the walls. Because you know they have good secrets. Of course they do.

There are times when The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses feels perhaps a bit too good at the scenery, as if the story is subservient. Written for the purpose of all that wonderful description, yet one had to put a story in there somewhere to give it reason to exist. As such, The Quiet Stillness is a dedicated slow burn. All this said, you will definitely enjoy living in its expertly drawn smolder. I could practically feel the cold muddy pond water dampening my clothes; the shadowed corners beckoning to tell me something; the birds watching to see if I’ll acquiesce. And in the end, the story feels like it unfolds exactly the way it should, leaving me with a satiated feeling. The Quiet Stillness is for curling up under a blanket on a rainy day. Don’t forget the tea.

Lovers of the gothic genre, I believe you may want to give The quiet stillness of empty houses a chance.

Most of the elements presented in this book are pretty well balanced. The romance does take up an important portion of the story and, even though I found it to be a bit too modern and not entirely true to the period, it was enjoyable. Whatsmore, the relationship between Theodora and Cassias is profoundly romantic and passionate, so you will probably be satisfied in that department.
As for the horror aspect, I must admit I was pretty pleased. I love when a book manages to give me literal goosebumps and this book did that twice. The mysterious footsteps and a certain porcelain doll might give you a fright.
In regards to the gothic atmosphere, it was positively achieved. The descriptions of the house, the constant eeriness, the secretive nature of its residents, it all added up to the vibes I was hoping to find in a book such as this.
Finally, the reveal and subsequent plot twist were so well handled I couldn’t believe I hadn’t figured the mystery by myself. A couple of hints were given throughout the story and I failed to pick up on them and perhaps that’s why I was so shocked. Nonetheless, it was the perfect twist for this story and I was more than pleased with the ending.

There are a few things however I wasn’t thrilled about. One being the fact I didn’t enjoy the first few chapters. I could’ve easily done without them. Second, the way Theodora behaved was too “unconventional” for my taste, especially considering the period this book is supposed to be set in. Lastly, the manner in which the romance was handled also rubbed me the wrong way. The repetitive use of their names when addressing each other made the dialogues feel very unnatural, at least to me.

Still, I had an enjoyable time reading this gothic story about a governess that finds love in a place where darkness and loneliness is all there is, a young girl desperate to love and be loved and a man tormented by the horrible truth hidden inside the attic of his grand manor.

Haunting.

Beautifully done gothic romance. Theodora finds herself caught up in an unexpected love affair with her employer, in a home that is full of dark secrets.. She cannot sort out these secrets, and just why she is so cut off from the outside world. The family and lone staff member are cryptic, at best. Actively keeping information from Theodora at worst.

The writing is reminiscent of those perfect Victorian-age gothic tales, with detailed descriptions and haunting scenes. Some slow moments, where the story seems to drag, but the ending not only makes up for that but also wraps things up--you know why the story had to drag in some places. It all makes sense when you get there.

This one is creepy, not spooky/scary, and sticks with you after you've finished it.

Beautifully written, this is an old fashioned gothic tale in the best of ways. Atmospheric, creepy, foreboding. It ticks all the boxes if you are looking for something bit different.
The story started off very slowly with a lot of background info which I think could have been quicker but I think that's the style of this type of story.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses was an amazing read - it took me quite some time to finish it but I'm glad I stuck to the end. I found the plot twist unexpected and gave new light to details I had picked up before. The characters are likeable and well fleshed out, and the setting is described in delightful detail: the vast halls and darkened corridors of Broken Oak Manor are so well painted by the author and gave life and depth to the whole story.
I would absolutely recommend this read to all fans of gothic horror/romance - for a genre where I'm often disappointed, this book shone.

Eerie and haunting, this gothic-esque style tale was captivating from the very beginning.

A short read but a great one. And the most perfect ending. Loved it!

4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Special thanks to Netgalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a Gothic read, with great writing, and a wonderful atmosphere. I really liked the world building and depictions of the manors and surroundings Theodora was in. I really liked putting the pieces together at the end of the story. I for sure did not see the twist at the end, but when it came, everything made sense!

Highly recommend if you like Gothic stories and eerie settings.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

It wasn’t perfect but I still gave it 5 stars because it was that good.
The Quiet Stillness of Empty House spoke to my soul, it filled it with lovely words. At first I thought it would be a sort of Jane Eyre but without the creepy love interest. It was so much better than that. This is a true Gothic romance. The gothic aspect is not just an aesthetic but the bones of the story. It’s divinely eerie. The romance made me kick my feet. And, finally, the plot twist took me by surprise, which is not something that happens a lot.
I think this book stole a part of my soul and seriously good for it because I don’t even want to ask it back.

If I still haven’t convince you to read this book maybe a little quote will: “ I cannot part with you anymore than I could part with my soul.”