Quiet housewife meets the Twilight Zone, with a deadly twist. Kennedy did a great job of bringing everything to life, especially the historical setting and dynamic between each of the characters. I had chills running down my spine each time Loretta had a vision, they were just so vivid. It also broke my heart to see how she was treated be her overly religious husband, but I also know those views weren't entirely left in the 50s. The tension is high right from the start, and the story moves along smoothly, even through what should be duller moments of everyday life. There's just a thread that keeps tugging you along, cover to cover. If you enjoy thrillers mixed with a bit of women's fiction and paranormal, then you're going to want to grab this one!

In The Devil and Mrs. Davenport by Paulette Kennedy, readers are transported to the early 1950s in Missouri, where the intricate lives of a small family unfold through the eyes of Loretta, the pastor's wife and university professor's spouse. Reminiscent of Shirley Jackson's southern gothic writing style, Kennedy crafts characters who evoke intense empathy or disdain in a spooky atmosphere. Against the backdrop of a small-town murder, Loretta's journey is both haunting and riveting as she grapples with newfound visions and voices, hinting at supernatural abilities. Amidst societal constraints imposed by her husband, Loretta finds solace and empowerment through her therapist, unraveling a tale of self-discovery amidst turmoil. Kennedy's adept storytelling and rich character development make The Devil and Mrs. Davenport a compelling read, earning it a solid four-star rating.

Give me a minute to let my heart rate come down after this.

The Yellow Wallpaper but make it 1950s America. Our overworked and under appreciated housewife heroine, Loretta, has come down with an illness that left her with an eerie symptom — she can hear the voices of dead people.

A murder mystery/thriller with a paranormal twist, this book had me holding my breath awaiting what would happen to Loretta.

If you like your murder mysteries with a side of historical fiction and mental institutions, you need to read this.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the e-arc!

As much as I loved THE WITH OF TIN MOUNTAIN by this author I have to whole heartedly admit that this book is her best yet. It had me reading until the wee hours of the night. I literally did not want to put this book down. It will be in my top ten of the year I have no doubt.

A story of a family. What they go through. What the abuse of a man does to, not just his wife but his children. And not being able to just leave makes it all the more heartbreaking. In this day and time a woman had no rights. Unless she could prove beyond a doubt that her husband was cheating, abusing, or drinking, she would not be given a divorce. Women had NO RIGHTS. No credit cards. No bank account. Nothing in their names. They had to have the permission of a man, whether their husband, dad, brother, uncle or a distant relative, to open a checking account. Sad isn't it? It makes my skin crawl knowing that I was born during this time. That the women in my family possibly endured some of these things.

Loretta was married to Pete and they had two children. A boy Luke and a girl Charlotte. Pete was a professor at a college. He didn't allow Retta to work. She would not make him look bad in from of the other professors. His answer to everything. Retta had started getting some kind of powers. A kind of being able to see what happened to people who had died. Pete said it was from the devil. Retta thought it was maybe from god. I say it was just what it was. A gift.

When a young woman, a teen, went missing Retta was able to tell the police where to look for her body. Of course she had to do this in secret. Not give a name. But the girl's body was found. Who would have done such a horrific thing? How sad that this young lady was killed. Possibly buried alive.

Pete claims to be a very religious man but to me his is one of the worse human beings anyone can be. Of course he was doing what society allowed him to do for the most part. A man could have his wife put in an institution if he so chose. A place for mentally ill women. And all he had to do was say she needed the help. That is what happened in this story along with other things. But Loretta was a bit smarter than Pete gave her credit for. Yes she was very young when he married her. She didn't have a high school education. She was just a wife and mother. But she was smart. She was a good mother and a good wife. She was also gifted. She could write and write she did. I love a book about writing books, or in this case stories for a newspaper. But still...

This is a heartbreaking story that will bring you to tears. But it will also let you see what this woman did. What she went through and how she managed to get her life and the lives of her children on track. To pull herself up and do something important. To finally find a happiness that her and her children deserved.

I loved Retta. I hated Pete. I also loved Dr Curt Hansen. I loved meeting Barbara and Vera. They were very important to this story. Things got better for women after the late 60s and early 70s but I'm afraid that we are headed back to the times before if we are not careful...

Thank you #NetGalley, #PauletteKennedy, #LakeUnionAuthors, for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this wonderful book.

FIVE huge stars from me. Grab this one and devour it as I did. You won't regret it.

Loretta has the perfect little life. She is a stay at home mom with 2 great kids and her husband is a teacher/professor at a Bible college. Then she gets sick with a fever.

After the fever she starts seeing things. Like a local girl that has gone missing. She actually feels and sees the girl being buried alive.

Husband Pete (the dickhead) thinks that she is just imagining things and she needs to pray more.
Loretta doesn't feel the same way. She wants to learn more of her condition and starts seeing a parapsychologist to help her learn more.

I'm so glad I was not a grown woman during the 1950's. Reading this I felt trapped with Loretta. She can not get a divorce from a dickhead without some crazy ass reasoning. She can not even open up a bank account without her husband or another man signing with her.

Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.

Another fantastic read by Paulette Kennedy!
This book was such a page turner - the perfect combination of historical fiction, horror and mystery!

I was hooked into the story early in the beginning with great and easy to read writing style and fascinating plot that keep my eyes glued into my kindle!
The author definitely gives a thorough research to write this book that makes the readers feel transported back to the 1950s with Loretta.

I really enjoy my time following Loretta’s journey as she explore her new-found ability with Dr. Hansen as well as finding the courage to stand up for herself and save her kids.
Aside from that, I’m also intrigued with finding out the culprit behind the murder mystery and figuring out the identity of the real 'devil' in this story.

This story brings up several sensitive topics about how women was treated during the 1950s so I highly suggest checking out the trigger warnings below before reading this book.

Overall, this was a remarkable well written story that comes with a satisfying ending and justice for all the characters – a fitting end!
I will definitely keep an eye out for more books by this author in the future!

I received an advanced review copy for free through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the author and publisher!

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: physical, emotional, sexual, and religious abuse; fatphobia; murder; self-harm; alcohol dependence; pregnancy; and abortion.

Lorretta is a housewife with two kids. One day in 1955, she is sick and starts to hear voices. Lorretta begins to believe she can bring justice to a recent crime in her town, but her restrictive husband does not agree with her abilities.

I could not put this book down! Lorretta was an interesting character who dealt with her restrictive husband and the pressures of being a mother and a housewife. Throughout the book, I felt for her and was rooting for her success. I admired her growth throughout the book and saw how she was strong for her children and herself. This book had a perfect pace and great suspense. I did not see the ending coming, and really enjoyed the overall mystery throughout the book. Will definitely be reading Paulette Kennedy's other books!

Paulette Kennedy’s The Devil and Mrs. Davenport is 1950’s domestic noir at its finest. Finely crafted and utterly compelling, The Devil and Mrs. Davenport manages to be a heart-racing page turner and delicious slow burner, all at the same time.

Set during a time when women were given few liberties within their own lives, The Devil and Mrs. Davenport tells the story of Loretta, a housewife and mother who begins experiencing psychic visions after an illness. Naturally, Loretta’s newly acquired skills pose a problem to Loretta’s strait-laced, controlling husband, Pete, who holds a theologian position at the local university. To him, this gift can only come from the Devil, and he is determined to rid it from Loretta at all costs.

When Loretta secretly begins working with a local psychologist to further explore her nascent sixth sense, she finds she may hold the clues to the recent death of a local girl, but she worries that Pete may take her children from her if he discovers she is dancing with the “Devil.”. With Pete determined to keep Loretta under his thumb and bent to his will, Loretta finds herself suffocating under the limitations of her life, desperate to find a way out.

I am typically not a fan of novels that contain supernatural elements, but they work so well in The Devil and Mrs. Davenport that I did not mind their presence here at all. This novel is first and foremost a tribute to the women of the 1950s who were often relegated to the roles of housewife and mother, and of which many found themselves trapped in abusive relationships with no escape due to the laws and conventions of the times. This novel expertly demonstrates how women were expected to stay in their lane and not make waves … but what happens when a woman, such as Loretta, is experiencing something larger than herself? What does it take for a woman to be taken seriously and viewed as a person in her own right beyond her role in the home? All of that and more is explored in the dazzling The Devil and Mrs. Davenport.

With an intriguing storyline, complex characters, and thought-provoking consequences, The Devil and Mrs. Davenport will appeal to those who enjoy suspenseful and atmospheric historical fiction novels.

I must have accidentally requested this book as it's not a genre that I would chose to read. Apologies!

This book was a complete surprise! Let me start by saying that the books cover did not grab my attention which is something I normally go by when deciding what to read. And since I hadn’t read the synopsis or any blurbs, I was going in very unaware of what the book was going to be about. I just knew that I had read Paulette Kennedy’s other book, The Witch of Tin Mountain, and was so impressed that I figured I couldn’t go wrong with reading this. And WOW, The Devil and Mrs. Davenport definitely did not disappoint! It was such a great read! I’m thinking it’s one of my favorite books that I’ve read this year. The story takes place in the 1950’s in a small town in Missouri. It centers around Loretta Davenport, a wife and mother who lives a rather bland and lonely life. Her husband Pete, who is a professor at a religious campus, is a very demanding and controlling husband. After Loretta becomes ill with flu-like symptoms, she starts experiencing psychic abilities. Along with the help of her doctor, she begins to assist the police in solving some of the local crimes. I found this story so interesting that I had a hard time setting it down to get any of my daily chores done. Between the supernatural aspects of communicating with spirits, the historical timeline and the mystery surrounding the crimes, I thought it was a phenomenal read. I’d like to thank Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the arc that I received off the Read Now section. I’m giving this a 5 star rating and will be recommending it to all of my reading friends. I plan to get a physical copy to add to my home library and I look forward to reading more by Paulette Kennedy in the very near future.

I've read (and loved) the author's previous two books. This one was one of my most anticipated books of 2024. It didn't disappoint.

In this story, we follow Loretta Davenport in 1955 as she deals with her newfound supernatural gifts while also trying to survive an abusive marriage.

I was hooked from the first line and almost immediately invested in Loretta's story. The author does an excellent job of taking her readers into different points in history. Her depiction of the 1950s seems well researched and realistic. The characters, especially Loretta, were well written and believable.

This is a book that will be hard to put down once you've started. I think it says something when a book can elicit emotions from the reader. This was one of those books. Some characters were so infuriating. Check trigger warnings as some parts were hard to read. That said, I really appreciate the author adding in a character like Dr Hansen. He was a great addition to the story.

Although this book was entertaining, I really liked that it had an underlying message. I think stories like this need to be told, especially in the time we live in. The author's note touches on this further, I'd suggest reading it too.

I loved this story and I can see myself coming back to it again and again. If you're like me and you can't get enough of gothic fiction, then this book is for you.

I'd also recommend this to anyone, especially those who enjoy the work of Shirley Jackson or Daphne du Maurier.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for review. All opinions are my own.

Set in 1955 Missouri. Loretta Davenport, a housewife and mother of two, gets a fever. After she's recoverd she realizes she can communicate with the dead. She continues to investigate her newly found ability with the help of a parapsychologist Dr. Hansen. She helps the police to find the body of a girl who recently disappeared. Loretta's husband Pete is a religious, controlling man, who does not like what's happening to her. Their life together grows strained and at the same time the home they live in begins to show cracks.

This was an interesting book to read. I learned a lot about homemakers in the midcentury America. The story was menacing from the start, and the atmosphere kept getting darker and darker. There were passages that were truly painful for me to read. Loretta was so naive, having lost her mother when she was just a child, and also for having married young. It was nice to see her waking from slumber and trying to find a new way of life for herself and her children. I did not really like any of the characters in this book, but they were really just products of their society and time.

The author's note in the end is a great read. You can really see her appreciation of homemakers and love of Shirley Jackson in the book.

This was a super interesting, compelling, at times disturbing book. NetGalley had listed the genres as general fiction and women’s fiction, but with the supernatural elements it was definitely more than that. The most disturbing parts were not the supernatural, but the things you know actually happened to women in this time period. The knowledge that many women were committed to psychiatric hospitals against their will solely for the purpose of getting rid of them is terrifying.
I enjoyed all the characters. Loretta is someone you can really root for and her husband really transforms from a questionable 1950’s husband into a full blown monster. The psychic bits were really interesting and well done, but I do feel like there’s not much closure on the kids’ psychic powers. It seems like all the physical stuff that happens to the house would be more likely attributable to the son, but it’s never addressed.
The author did a great job with what she calls feminist gothic literature. That categorization seems pretty accurate. I’d definitely consider checking out more by this author in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me access to this eARC for my honest opinion!

I found myself immersed in the setting of 1950s Missouri, where Loretta Davenport navigates her life as a devoted wife to Pete, a Bible professor, relinquishing her journalism aspirations to raise a family.

Following a severe fever, Loretta's reality becomes blurred with hallucinations and auditory experiences, including voices from the beyond. When a local girl is found murdered, Loretta's unique ability proves instrumental in unraveling the mystery.

Despite Pete's dismissal of her encounters as mere figments of imagination or “the devil’s work”, Loretta bravely seeks help from para-psychologist Dr. Curtis, who perceives her talents as a blessing rather than a curse. Throughout the narrative, Loretta undergoes a profound transformation, shedding societal constraints to embrace her authentic self.

The story is captivating with its blend of mystery, suspense, and unforeseen plot twists. While some aspects of the story were predictable, others caught me off guard, keeping me engrossed until the final page.

I thoroughly appreciated the author's narrative approach, skilfully balancing suspense and revelation, allowing me to remain engaged while teasing out my own interpretations of the unfolding events.

Rating 5/5 stars

Like most books I read, I went into this completely blind. I have other books by the author, Paulette Kennedy, but haven't had a chance to read them yet.

We follow Loretta Davenport - wife, mother, and new medium? This is the 1950s when women were often expected to stay home, do what they're told and maintain the image of perfection. Pete, her husband, is a professor at a Bible college and believes her gift is of the devil. As Loretta develops her skill with the help of a parapsychologist, Pete becomes more and more controlling, forbidding her from seeing the doctor and taking the car so that Loretta can't leave the house. We start to see the cracks in their relationship. We also see the strength and confidence Loretta gains as she continues to see her psychologist and uses her gift to help the dead.

I LOVED this book! I couldn't put this down once we got through the setup. And it's such an important read for women. While the plot has supernatural elements, the life Loretta lives is one that many women have lived through and will continue to live.

Check the CW because this book touches on all levels of abuse, gaslighting, assault, death, etc.

If you need a little domestic horror set in the past and feel like rooting for an incredible woman, I would highly recommend The Devil & Mrs. Davenport! I can't wait to read more of Kennedy's books.

Thank you to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing an ARC! All thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.

I never knew until recently that I could like horror/paranormal literature--until now, when it is mixed with historical fiction into a compulsively readable book that had me screaming near the end, "No, no no!" When I picked it up, I got the historical fiction part and I am fascinated with the 1950's. In this novel, Mrs. Davenport is married to a bible thumping who turns out to be way beyond the "traditional" 1950's husband. He is controlling and abusive, not to mention hypocritical. Meanwhile, his suffering wife has "powers" considered evil in the husband's religious circles. This is all I will say since I do not want to give too much away. This was a fascinating look into the mores of America's 1950s as well into the world of those with (or who believe) in supernatural powers. Thankfully, this author's other work is on Kindle Unlimited because you best believe that I will be reading them as well as her new book in 2025, which I cannot wait for.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for giving me the privilege of reading this wonderful novel.

Wow!!! Paulette Kennedy, the Author of “The Devil and Mrs. Davenport” has written an intense, captivating and intriguing novel that contrasts the Protagonist dealing with the living and the dead. The Genres for this well-written and Gothic-like feel story are Paranormal, Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, Horror, Ghosts, Historical Fiction and Adult Fiction. The author vividly describes the scenery, plot, and the dramatic characters. One detail that stays with me is that the house seems to get cracks, when the protagonist is agitated. It almost reminds me of “The House” in “Encanto”.

Loretta Davenport is first realizing that she has the special ability to see and hear ghosts, especially those of dead people. There are several unsolved murders, and Loretta is getting signs and warnings from dead ghosts. Loretta is also manipulated and kept under the control of her husband Pete, who is a college professor at a Bible college. They have two children. Loretta wants to learn more about these powers and seeks out a prominent Parapsychologist, Dr. Curtis Hansen. Pete has strictly forbidden Loretta to speak to the Parapsychologist.

Pete is convinced that what is happening to Loretta is coming from the Devil, as Loretta is getting stronger powers. Loretta realizes that she has to somehow save herself.

I read this in one sitting, and loved everyone word in this story. There are twists, turns, betrayals, secrets, and murders. I appreciate that the author discusses important topics such as abortion, alcoholism, verbal and physical abuse, mental health, institutionalization, and lack of women’s rights. When the story takes place, women can’t open a checking account or bank account without a spouse, or brother being there. I highly recommend this memorable story.

Expected this book to be literary. It wasn't. It's more like a Lifetime movie with paranormal elements and a romance subplot. 300 pages of melodrama gets resolved with a few overly convenient turns and an unrealistically tidy epilogue. My biggest nope was the questionable romantic relationship. "You were never really my patient". It's like okay she only calls you DOCTOR HANSEN for 97% of the book. But sure. Whatever. It felt contradictory to read about a woman living under patriarchy in the 1950's struggling to find agency, and then having her happily ever after be leaving her husband for her doctor?? Maybe I'm missing something, but it felt uncomfy and gave me a headache. On the plus, this was quick to read, and entertaining at times. Just don't go in expecting anything too intellectual.

I inhaled The Devil and Mrs. Davenport. It did take a few chapters to completely suck me in but after that I couldn't put it down. Well... that's not completely true. I did have to set the book down a time or two because Loretta was about to do something that made me too nervous, but only for a second! I went into this kinda blindly and I think that added to my enjoyment. No spoilers in this review!

This book is atmospheric and lightly spooky. You can read this at night and not have to worry about sleeping with the lights on.

Paulette Kennedy I cannot thank you enough for providing me with a glimpse of being a woman in the 50’s that made me so very thankful to have not had to endure being so very oppressed. It helped me understand the lives my mom and aunts were subjected to. I loved, loved, loved Loretta…she epitomized the housewife of the 50’s so very perfectly. Until I read this book I never realized that women were unable to open a bank account without their husband’s permission or that of a male family member. I had read books about women being committed to institutions by their husbands under the guise of suffering from hysteria - more likely those who were beginning to assert themselves or for those husbands who had found a new target for their affections.
Loretta will linger in my mind for quite a while. Her ability to hear the voices of those who had unfinished business in the living world was fascinating to me, as was her relationships with Curt, Barbara and Vera. As the house began to crack I couldn’t help but compare it to Loretta’s life.
So many topics covered within these pages so very effectively…oppression, spousal abuse, divorce, paranormal activities, institutionalization, police produces of the 50’s, psychologists, girls missing, and others that I can’t think of right now.
Once you start this book you will not want to put it down as Paulette Kennedy weaves her magic. I cannot speak highly enough of this incredible five star read.
My sincere appreciation to Paulette Kennedy, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for affording me the amazing opportunity to read an arc of this just published book.