"The Devil and Mrs. Davenport" by Paulette Kennedy is a haunting and atmospheric novel that blends elements of suspense, the supernatural, and women's fiction into a gripping tale set in 1950s America.

The story follows Loretta Davenport, a young mother and wife to Pete, an ambitious assistant professor at a Bible college. Their life seems peaceful until a local girl is murdered, and Loretta starts hearing voices and receiving messages from beyond the grave. Pete dismisses these experiences as figments of her imagination, but Loretta is convinced they are real and significant. Her encounter with parapsychologist Dr. Curtis Hansen provides her with validation and guidance, opening up a world of possibilities she had never imagined.

The novel beautifully explores the challenges faced by women in the 1950s, particularly those who were expected to conform to societal norms and be subservient to their husbands. Loretta's journey from a passive and isolated housewife to a woman with newfound purpose and strength is at the heart of the narrative. Her struggle for autonomy and her determination to embrace her unique abilities are inspiring and relatable.

Kennedy's writing is atmospheric and evocative, creating a sense of unease and mystery that lingers throughout the story. The depiction of small-town Missouri in the 1950s is vivid and immersive, adding to the overall sense of time and place.

The character development in the novel is exceptional, particularly in the case of Loretta, who undergoes a profound transformation. The conflict between her and Pete, driven by his fear of losing control, adds tension to the narrative and highlights the societal expectations of the era.

As the story unfolds, it becomes a thrilling exploration of the supernatural, with a touch of psychological horror. The author skillfully weaves together the themes of faith, doubt, and the power of the unknown to create a gripping and thought-provoking narrative.

In "The Devil and Mrs. Davenport," Paulette Kennedy delivers a spellbinding tale of a woman's journey to self-discovery and empowerment in the face of societal constraints and the supernatural. It's a book that will resonate with readers who appreciate historical fiction with a touch of the uncanny and a strong feminist message. Kennedy's storytelling prowess shines through, making this novel a must-read for fans of suspenseful and thought-provoking fiction.

This new to me author nailed it right from the start.
Loretta Davenport is a housewive and mother of two in the 1950s.
Dependend on her husband she's caught up in everyday life when a drastic change happens to her.
A change that leads her on a journey, painful, restricting, bringing her in contact with parapsychology.
An intriguing read that I couldn't put down. This one's a winner imo.

The Devil and Mrs. Davenport

Genre: domestic gothic paranormal/suspense set in the 1950s in Missouri.

The moment I started reading, I knew that there was something not right under the surface of this story of a seemingly normal housewife and her domestic setup.

Loretta Davenport has a lovely home, a husband who is a professor at the local college, and two lovely children. Yet something ails her; something is happening to her, and she can't quite explain it, without being thought of as crazy.

She begins to sense dead people, experiencing what they did in life and before they died. She confides in her husband, Pete, who thinks it's evil and demonic, and urges her to involve herself in her faith and in church activities more.

Loretta secretly contacts a parapsychologist who not only believes her, but also helps and guides her to develop her gift in the right direction. Soon, she is helping the police to solve murder investigations, unbeknownst to her husband and her snoopy neighbours.

When her husband finds out, he suspects that she is having an affair with the parapsychologist, and he manages to have her committed to an insane asylum, but not before trying to get his priest to exorcise the demons from her!

While she's in there, she discovers the terrible truth about a murder she's been investigating, and realizes how close to home the murderer is. Will she be able to escape, prove that she's not insane, and help to have the murderer arrested? Read it to find out!

The book started out a bit slow, but picked up soon enough, and then, we were off and running!

As you probably already know, the 1950s were messed up, with many women having to be dependent on their husbands for every little thing. They had no financial freedom, and were subjected to all kinds of sometimes blatant and other times subtle abuse. It's difficult to read those parts of the book, especially when you can see that her husband is such a Class A so-and-so. Most of the other men were no different or better, and it's disturbing to have to imagine what women had to endure because of the times they were living in.

I was not sure what I was expecting from this book, because the cover does not give away much either, but I was pleasantly surprised, and enjoyed it thoroughly, especially because of the paranormal elements!

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Absolutely fantastic plot! Could not put the book down once I began reading it. Cannot wait for it to be released. I will recommend it to everyone I know!

This book had me sucked in from page 1! It’s an emotional read. I got mad, sad and excited. I didn’t want to end! Easily my favorite read of the year!! I can’t wait until it’s published and I can buy it and reread it again and again.

I loved THE DEVIL AND MRS. DAVENPORT. The author does a fabulous job of evoking an eerie and suspenseful atmosphere. It's genius to set this story in the 1950s, and the time period works well to convey the struggles against the patriarchy. Loretta is a wonderful main character, and her husband Pete, while a one-dimensional villain at times, serves as a nice counterfoil. We are cheering for Loretta along the way and anxious to see what will happen next. I loved how Kennedy combines the domestic and the paranormal, and the ending provides a satisfying conclusion. I look forward to reading more from this author.

I received a complimentary e-galley from the publisher in exchange for my review; all opinions are my own.

The Devil and Mrs. Davenport is hands down one of my favorites books of the year. Kennedy's masterful use of gothic dread weaves a compelling tale that wouldn't let me go. Loretta (Mrs. Davenport) is a sympathetic heroine, a likable young woman who married young and "did what she was supposed to" all her life and leads what on the surface seems to be the perfect suburban 1950s life. But the moment she wakes up able to communicate with the dead, her "perfect" life begins to unravel, revealing cracks in the veneer and exposing the twisted truth beneath her "perfect" life. I could not put this book down and raced my way to the end needing to know if Loretta would be able to save herself and her children. Would totally recommend to anyone who loves their gothic stories with elements of mystery, suspense and romance woven in.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the Kindle ARC. The Devil and Mrs. Davenport is the type of book I'd typically read but it seemed interesting and I wanted to give it a try. The book can be described as historical fiction/paranormal fiction - to a certain extent - and general fiction. It was a mix of all of them. The story begins in the mid-50's with Loretta and Pete, a young married couple with two children. The time period Loretta is living in ascertains to the idea that a married woman is her husband's property. He must sign to allow her access to the bank account, only he can give permission for her to work. In Loretta's case, the situation is worse, Pete is a religious fanatic and teaches religious studies at a small college. He is ill-tempered and demanding. Loretta discovers she has a "gift" for seeing things that have happened to people and Pete is determined to prove she belongs in an institution. There is an aspect of paranormal/parapsychology in the story but the most terrifying part of it is the abuse and control that Pete inflicts on his wife. For anyone who has lived in a house with domestic abuse, it hits very close to home. I recommend The Devil and Mrs. Davenport to anyone who enjoys a bit of the psychic or paranormal and anyone who wants to see how some things have changed for the better since the 1950's.

Paulette Kennedy has quickly become one of my go-to authors for suspenseful stories that creep into one's imagination. Even in the first few pages of The Devil and Mrs. Davenport, Kennedy's worldbuilding is excellent and it only gets better from there. The reader is immediately drawn into the world of 1950s housewife Loretta, her husband Pete and their two adorable children. But things are not as idyllic as they seem. Loretta sees things that shouldn't be there. A religious man, Pete is quick to chide Loretta for her devilish delusions. However, when Loretta makes the connection between her visions and a dead girl from their town, it becomes clear there is more at work than a fanciful temperament. I could not put this book down and I can't wait until Paulette Kennedy takes us on another adventure.

Thank you to Net Galley for my ARC!
This story follows Loretta, a stay at home mother with 2 children. Loretta is trying to navigate being in a controlling marriage while experiencing visions from those who have passed. She tries to use her newly found abilities to solve past murders while keeping all this form her husband. The characters in this story were well developed and i found this book to be a quick read.

I loved this book! Perfect autumnal feel, intriguing plot and eerie/spooky vibes. It reminded me of old horror movies---the themes of spirits, patriarchy and religion are super interesting.

Despite the incredibly interesting blurb and premise of this book, it just wasn't for me! The writing was interesting and engaging and the characters were developed well, and the plot moved on at a good pace, I just personally struggled to connect to the main character and the plot. But still, a well written book.

This book had me gripped from start to finish. Loretta Davenport discovers she has new psychic abilities when she experiences visions related to the murder of a local girl. Set in the 1950s, this novel explores both the dangers and empowering sides of domesticity, motherhood, and navigating how to escape her abusive marriage from her religious husband, Pete.

Although this novel was predictable in certain aspects of plot structure, the villain, and themes, this book still kept me hooked; turning the pages desperate to find out how Loretta will escape from her husband once and for all.

I initially picked this up intrigued by the title and the autumnal, nostalgic feeling that the cover provoked– and was not disappointed. This book was highly entertaining, filled with sympathetic characters, and a dynamic storyline, leaving the readers wanting to find out more.

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

I definitely felt for Loretta Davenport throughout the novel and I wanted her to be able to prove herself to her husband and for her to be believed by those around her. Great read!

Wow this was an amazing story! Loretta is a stay at home mother in the 50s with two kids and a husband who works long hours. After falling sick, some strange things start to happen to Loretta. There are some mysteries in town where people have died and Loretta experiences visions relating to these murders. Her husband tries to persuade her to be a beautiful wife, but Loretta has no other choice than to continue to lean in to her new abilities. The book delivers exactly what you would expect from gender stereotypes in the 50s, and keeps a good pace when moving the narrative forward. This was a book that was hard to put down and the tense moments in the book really hook you in.

The Devil and Mrs. Davenport is a domestic gothic suspense about a 1950s housewife who develops psychical powers complicating the strict gender roles and domesticity of the era.

Loretta Davenport seems to have it all. A lovely home, a husband who works at the local Bible college, and two children who love her dearly. Beneath the surface of this ideal nuclear family in 1950s Missouri, something unusual is happening to Loretta, something otherworldly, something unexplainable.

Loretta begins receiving visions and visitations of the dead which she finds unsettling and confusing. Her husband Pete is uncomfortable with what's happening as his Pentecostal beliefs see this as an evil threat. Loretta contacts a parapsychologist who helps her to refine her gift but when her gift threatens the quiet normal life she has always known, the gift becomes a curse, a devil that destabilizes the Davenport's average normal life. When Loretta's visions become more intense, local authorities begin enlisting her to assist with murder investigations. When a local unsolved murder case hits very close to home, Loretta is forced to put herself first and at risk.

When this book became available to review, I knew I had to read it as I am a fan of Paulette Kennedy's work. The first part of the book was a little dry and I was worried that the book was going to be an average ghost hunting thriller...but in typical Kennedy fashion, the middle of the book took a big turn, and the dread and eerie suspense that Kennedy writes so well revived what seemed like a dull plot. What I really liked about this book was that the gender norms of the 1950s were explored and critiqued through the lens of psychical powers. The feminine awakening for Loretta, using a metaphysical ability, was a clever way to empower her by having her be forced to make choices, find freedom, and ultimately stand up for herself. Some scenes were difficult to read as some of the most disturbing horrors took place in the home, in the hospital, and the church. The retro prim and proper time and setting for this book was the perfect backdrop to explore its dark underbelly.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Devil and Mrs. Davenport was a terrific book and I happened to read it in week where women's rights were being particularly trampled on by certain states and it made me feel more for Mrs. Davenport than I may have normally.

Abused by her husband, she is struggling to be the perfect wife, mother, and woman that society at that time expected her to be - all while discovering her powers via receiving messages from a recently murdered young woman. Her husband dismisses her out of hand and just wants her to shut up and be docile. I rooted for her and felt the oppression she must have felt from Pete and his ideals.

As a Missourian, I unfortunately know families that still subscribe to this patriarchal lifestyle (STILL!!!) and it was so easy to imagine the struggle Loretta went through.

I haven't ready anything by Paulette Kennedy before, but I am absolutely reading more in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC! I loved this book - the plot, characters, pace and writing. Readers get to dive into Mrs. Davenport’s life as a mother navigating an abusive marriage, her children and her newly founded psychic abilities. Though it was not a smooth ride for her, she had great friends to rely upon throughout her journey. I was really rooting for a happy ending for Mrs. Davenport. Great read, 5 stars!

I loved the nostalgic feelings that the author evoked. The plot is highly entertaining albeit unbelievable. I enjoyed it and think it would be a great book to discuss at book clubs etc.

The plot for this book is interesting enough: a 1960's housewife who discovers she has ESP and other abilities that include speaking with the dead.
Her husband, a seemingly religious man is against her speaking about her talents, believing it is the work of the devil, not to mention the misogyny typical of the time. There is an underlying darkness to the husband that once it's revealed, it comes as no surprise.
The novel is an entertaining read, but the writing itself is lacking. There's really no dimensionality to the main character, and although we root for her, she always seems to be fall flat. The fairytale ending is also a bit too unrealistic for even a fictional story.