The Lodger
Helen Scarlett
Published 17 August 2023, Read 2024
3 Stars


Thank you NetGalley and Publisher Quercus Books for my copy of The Lodger, by Helen Scarlett. I have not received any rewards or compensation for this review and therefore all views and opinions are of my own, the reviewer.

In summary: A historical mystery set in the early 1900’s

This is my first book by Helen Scarlett.

At first glance, the premise of ghostly tales looked promising. I liked the idea of the main character being haunted by fiancé, however I struggled to get past the first few chapters of the book. I found myself skimming parts which I felt didn’t make sense to me.

I recently had the pleasure of delving into this book, and I am beyond impressed with the mesmerizing world that the author has crafted. From start to finish, the intricate plot weaves a tapestry of suspense, emotion, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

One of the standout features of this book is undoubtedly its characters. Each one is meticulously developed, breathing life into the narrative with their unique personalities, motivations, and flaws. The protagonists are not just names on paper; they are relatable, complex individuals with whom readers can form a genuine connection. The antagonist, too, is not a mere foil but a multi-dimensional force that adds depth to the story. The author's ability to create such well-rounded characters is a testament to their storytelling prowess.

The plot unfolds seamlessly, drawing the reader into a richly layered narrative that expertly balances tension, drama, and moments of poignant reflection. The pacing is impeccable, maintaining a perfect rhythm that keeps the reader engaged without sacrificing the depth of the story. The author skillfully navigates through various plot arcs, interweaving them with finesse to create a cohesive and satisfying whole.

What sets this book apart is its ability to tackle profound themes while maintaining an accessible and engaging narrative. The book seamlessly combines suspense and emotional depth, making it a truly immersive experience. The author's prose is both elegant and evocative, painting vivid imagery that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

As I reached the conclusion, I found myself yearning for more from this talented author. Their ability to craft a gripping plot and bring characters to life is truly commendable. I eagerly anticipate future works and would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any reader who appreciates a masterfully told tale. If you're searching for a book that seamlessly blends captivating characters with a compelling plot, this is a shining example. I can't wait to explore more literary worlds crafted by this exceptional storyteller.

I love being given the opportunity to update our school library which is a unique space for both senior students and staff to access high quality literature. This is definitely a must-buy. It kept me absolutely gripped from cover to cover and is exactly the kind of read that just flies off the shelves. It has exactly the right combination of credible characters and a compelling plot thatI just could not put down. This is a great read that I couldn't stop thinking about and its twists and turns made for a hugely satisfying read. I'm definitely going to order a copy and think it will immediately become a popular addition to our fiction shelves. 10/10 would absolutely recommend.

I really enjoyed this mystery, which is set in the aftermath of WWI.

Grace is struggling after losing her brother and fiancé in the war. However she is sure that her fiancé is alive.

Also when their lodger leaves hastily and her body is found in the river weeks later, she is tasked with trying to find her family. When the mystery deepens she is determined to find out what really happened and who she was.

There is also a romantic element to this story but this doesn’t really develop until quite late into the story.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the arc of this story in exchange for my review

Ooh a gothic tale!

Thank you NetGalley for the eArc copy of this book.

I have recently been enjoying gothic reads and this one fall into the genre nicely. Set in WWI- this epic historical/mystery with Grace Armstrong is about to take you on a ride. So strap in and enjoy.

Liked the general premise of this but felt at times that there wasn’t enough of a substantial plot to get me all the way through.

My thanks to Quercus Books for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Lodger’ by Helen Scarlett.

In 1919 London is a city haunted by the men who had marched away to war and never came back. Grace Armstrong believes that she has come to terms with the death of Robert, her fiancé. He had been listed as ‘Missing in Action’ after the battle of the Somme. However, recently he has started appearing in her dreams and on occasion Grace thinks that she glimpses him while she is walking through London. Could he have survived?

Added to this, there is the disappearance of the woman who has been lodging with the Armstrong family for the past eight years. Elizabeth Smith was a very private person though had become a good friend to Grace. Then a woman’s body is dragged from the Thames and is identified as Elizabeth.

With the police disinterested in investigating, Grace feels compelled to uncover the true circumstances of Elizabeth’s death. She utilises her experience as an aspiring reporter to interview people in Elizabeth’s life. Yet in doing so she is drawn into the sordid and dangerous underbelly of London and a scandal that had rocked Edwardian society.

I found ‘The Lodger’ a slow burn, character-driven mystery with a strong emphasis upon its post Great War setting. This includes examining the various changes that the war had brought about in society. There is also the theme of dealing with loss and grief.

Overall, I found myself quite drawn into Grace’s world and felt a great deal of empathy for her and her need to understand why her fiancé had died as well as her hope to carve out a new future for herself. ‘The Lodger’ is a contemplative historical novel very much in the tradition of Sarah Waters.

I really liked this book! It definitely made me feel for the characters and, as a Londoner myself, I could tell how much research went into the book. The only thing I would say is that the ending felt a bit rushed and there were one or two story threads I would have liked to see in more detail. The book contains some dark themes so look up trigger warnings before reading!

Overall I would say 4 stars! Would read again :)

I was loving the mystery at first but that sadly didn’t last long. Nothing really wrong with the writing, I could read it okay and it held my attention, but I just didn’t love it either. Does more telling than showing when presenting clues/new info, which is a reading pet peeve of mine. I think if it had been dual POV and we could discover the secrets from Elizabeth’s perspective rather than being told everything secondhand it could’ve been more intriguing/mysterious.

The story began to slow down a bit in the middle, making me lose interest. The romance felt almost forced and the mystery waned! The characters involved in the romance barely have any scenes together so it just doesn’t make sense. The murder mystery completely slowed and there’s zero tension, it feels more like a cozy mystery than a gothic novel (which there’s nothing wrong with that but it’s not something I enjoy; I prefer mysteries with tension).

Flat characters-there’s no development or character arcs. It’s always the same things and we don’t learn anything new to add to the characterization of the MC or side characters. The main mystery also disappears for awhile and becomes more of a side plot to the romance and character relationships.

The book just tries to do too much and falls flat in its premise/execution! The one thing it does well is show Grace’s grief following World War 1 and the aftermath effects of how it affected the country as a whole. Honestly the book would have been much better as a historical romance or general historical novel that focuses on characters’ grief and trying to move on following the war.

Finally, the ending felt underwhelming and rushed. The novel as a whole felt way too long on the details it did focus on and way too short for the mystery portion. The revealing of secrets and solving of the mystery didn’t pack the punch I hoped for and left me underwhelmed because it took so damn long to reveal anything! Everything was revealed in the last 30 pages (which at that point I started skimming) and I just thought “okay and?” Like I wanted to finish the book to find out what happened but once I did I couldn’t have had less feelings about it all .

If you read this, go in with zero expectations of it being a gothic murder mystery, because it absolutely isn’t. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, with slight dark elements then you may enjoy this! That’s where I began to feel disappointed was because I expected and wanted a gothic mystery novel but didn’t get any of that.

An engrossing historical mystery with depth set in the aftermath of WW1. Loved the characters, the setting, the plot and I can see this one doing well on publication. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the advance review copy.

A time capsule of a mystery set in the early twentieth century. Perfectly evoking the aftermath of the Great war and the grief of those left behind. Grace Armstrong is mourning the loss of her beloved brother and his best friend her betrothed Robert when her longtime lodger and friend Elizabeth Smith disappears only to be found floating in the Thames. Despite her intense loss Grace is determind to solve the mysterious death of her friend no matter the obstacles. A portrait of a modern woman emerging from wartime with grit and determination.

What a wonderful book. I love gothic historical novels but this one seemed to have so much depth it really was easy to feel engrossed in it. Grace is a great character and the feelings and emotions after such loss during the war were so heartfelt. This is a novel I will re-read in the future.

A beautifully poetic gothic novel, I didn’t expect to love it as much as I have. The way it details Grace’s experience with grief and war makes the reader experience it with her and I have not seen it detailed so well before in a book about the aftermath of WW1. I struggled at the beginning to be invested, a lot of time was spent setting the scene and seeing as it’s short book and context was already established, it felt a little unnecessary. However, I enjoyed the slow spiral from a typical WW1 novel to a gothic novel dealing with life after mass death.

The Lodger delivers a glimpse of middle-class post WWI England, through the eyes of Grace Armstrong. Grace, an ex-military nurse, is working to move forward after experiencing insurmountable loss caused by the war and to her family and generation.
As an aspiring journalist, Grace´s curiosity pushes her to investigate the death of a close friend, who turns out to be more than she let on. Her investigation leads her through rumors and romance, all while the ghosts(?) of her past seem to appear just out of reach.
Helen Scarlett brings to life post WWI England in this wonderfully haunting and well researched mystery.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc.
As a huge fan of the gothic I was excited to read this and I found it very enjoyable.
A wonderful piece of historical fiction steeped in mystery which was atmospheric and dark with well fleshed our characters and an engaging storyline
The writing was great and the story flowed so well that it was hard to put down