I really enjoyed this novel. I love murder mysteries and this one is set in a regency time.
I enjoyed the characters and their relationships. It was a fun read and I would recommend to everyone

I was drawn to this book for the cover and of course the blurb and I wasn't disappointed. Love the setting and the era of 1812 and the story of the rich, the secret society and the dead.. Yes a murder and two people, Dora and Jacob, who must follow the clues and find the murderer. This will take you on a rollercoaster of a ride through some seedy places and with plenty of twists and turns.

This book is wonderfully written and kept me interested throughout. I enjoyed every minute of it and couldn't put it down. There is so much tension and atmosphere in this book/story that it will keep you on the edge of your seat. 4 1/2 stars from me.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for giving me the opportunity to read adn review this book.

This book was so great, that I could not put it down. I really loved Dora and Dr Sandys who are working together to solve the murder of Dora's brother. I look forward to reading more from Julia Golding in the future!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!

This was a fun historical murder mystery. I loved the beginning and found it so fast paced and intriguing. The pace carried on the same through the book. The characters were well defined. I enjoyed the twists! Overall it was quite good.

This book was very fun and was an enjoyable read. The characters had good chemistry and it was fun reading their journey and watching them solve the mystery. I did guess the plot twist quite early on but this didn't take any enjoyment away from the book at all.

This was good, but I think may have been trying to do too much? A mystery and a romance and secret societies, it was a lot, and sometimes fun, but I feel like I wasn't sold on the romance. And I love a good complicated mystery and this had elements of it, but also was still a bit predictable. I think it had a lot of elements I like and was excited for, it was just a bit of a miss for me. I did really like our main character, she was bold and fun!

Regency romances aren’t normally my thing, but I wanted to give this a try. I’m glad that I did! It was entertaining with interesting characters. The plot was a bit slow at times, but maybe that’s regency romance? Overall, I enjoyed it and would read more!

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Well this was just a stellar read! So many twists, intriguing characters and a gothic vibe. Highly recommended.

This is a really cool Regency romance and mystery! I love both of the characters thought that the mystery added a great background to the romacne.

It may be that I’m not the target audience for this because I normally don’t read mystery/crime novels. But still, I liked the premise and promise of “Bridgerton meets The DaVinci Code” enough to give this a try, wanting to be surprised. Unfortunately, for me, i couldn’t get into the story at all. I started reading this back in April (!) and only finished it last week, because the plot simply wasn’t intriguing enough for me to pick this up again. I didn’t feel any connection to the characters, who felt wildly one-dimensional and underdeveloped.
The writing itself was fine - but this novel simply wasn’t my cup of tea.

Book Review: The Persephone Code by Julia Golding

Rating: 4 Stars

I recently had the pleasure of reviewing The Persephone Code by Julia Golding , and I really enjoyed this one! Set against the intriguing backdrop of the Buckinghamshire countryside in 1812, it dives deep into the scandalous world of the infamous Hellfire Caves—a secret society that indulges in satanism, opium, and all sorts of debauchery. The story kicks off with a brutal murder: Antony Pennington, the warden of the club, is found dead. This sets the stage for his half-sister, Dora, who embarks on a quest to unravel the mystery behind his death.

Dora's journey leads her to partner with Dr. Jacob Sandys, an ex-Army officer and former opium addict, who just so happens to be the son of a Viscount. Together, they navigate a dangerous conspiracy involving the legendary Illuminati and the Hellfire Club itself. As they uncover dark secrets, they are not only racing against time but also grappling with their undeniable attraction to one another.

First off, can we take a moment to appreciate the cover of this book? It's beautiful and perfectly encapsulates the vibe of the story. Now, onto my thoughts...

The writing style was smooth and engaging, making it an easy read that flowed beautifully from page to page. I loved how Golding incorporated historical elements throughout the narrative—there's something so captivating about a secret club filled with blackmail and intrigue. I found myself chuckling every time someone mentioned the Hellfire Club because it instantly transported me back to Stranger Things. There’s just something about secret societies that sparks my imagination!

The characters in The Persephone Code were absolutely delightful. Dora and Jacob had great chemistry, and their relationship was entertaining. I found myself rooting for them as they navigated their challenges together.

Overall, I can't wait to see what’s in store for these characters next! If you enjoy historical fiction filled with mystery, romance, and a dash of danger, I highly recommend giving The Persephone Code a read. It's a fantastic ride that keeps you hooked until the very last page!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

As much as I wanted to like this book, it was difficult for me to feel connected to the story and characters, and was therefore ultimately hard to finish.

A rollicking good time! I have always been fascinated by the Hellfire Club and its political machinations and Julia Golding has perfectly intertwined the history and lore of the secret society with a fun, captivating story. Dora and Jacob are the perfect heroine and hero of this delightful mystery/romance/ adventure. The Persephone code is a multi-hyphenate with something for everyone. My only critique is that it is LONG but so worth the read!

Set in 1812, The Pennington Puzzle by Julia Golding brings together unlikely allies—traveling actress Dora Fitz-Pennington and army medic Dr. Jacob Sandys—after Dora's brother, Antony, is mysteriously murdered. As they unravel the truth behind his death, they are drawn into a dangerous web of powerful, ruthless forces. Their growing affection for each other becomes the only certainty in a world fraught with peril. Described as “Bridgerton meets The Da Vinci Code,” this fast-paced novel features engaging protagonists, a compelling romance, and a thrilling plot that keeps readers on edge. A refreshing departure from my usual reads, it left me eager for more.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

I had to DNF this one, the characters were so boring and had no personality to them, and fell flat. The plot was non existent. This wasn’t for me.

I was hoping for a fun and entertaining read, considering this was pitched as bridgerton meets da Vinci code. It doesn’t meet bridgerton AT ALL, besides being regency era. As for the da Vinci code part … it had Illuminati and that’s about it. It lacked the puzzle and exciting-ness that the da Vinci code has.

The characters were very flat and cookie cutter. I didn’t care for either of them, nor did I like them. I just wanted to be over with it.

I couldn’t stay focused on this book whatsoever. I tried really hard, as I adore both bridgerton and the da Vinci code.

Julia Golding's *The Persephone Code* transports readers to the depths of Regency England, where intrigue and danger lurk beneath the surface of high society.

Set in 1812, the novel unfolds against the backdrop of the notorious Hellfire Caves in Buckinghamshire, a clandestine retreat for the wealthy elite indulging in opulence, satanism, and debauchery. When Antony Pennington, the warden of the Hellfire Club, is gruesomely murdered, his half-sister Dora is thrust into a treacherous quest to uncover the truth behind his death. Her unlikely partner in this investigation is Dr. Jacob Sandys, an ex-Army officer grappling with his past as an opium addict and navigating his privileged upbringing.

As Dora and Jacob delve deeper into the mystery, they unearth a web of conspiracy involving the secretive Illuminati and the enigmatic Hell Fire Club. With each step they take, danger mounts, and they must navigate the perilous waters of Regency politics and intrigue. Amidst the chaos, their partnership evolves into something deeper, complicating their mission and testing their resolve.

Golding masterfully blends historical detail with suspenseful storytelling, capturing the opulence and darkness of Regency England. The novel's intricate plot keeps readers on edge, unraveling secrets and twists that challenge Dora and Jacob at every turn. The atmospheric depiction of the Hellfire Caves adds an eerie backdrop to the unfolding mystery, enhancing the novel's sense of suspense and danger.

At its heart, *The Persephone Code* is a tale of betrayal, redemption, and the pursuit of justice in a society where power and privilege dictate the rules. Dora and Jacob's characters are vividly drawn, each grappling with personal demons and societal expectations, making them compelling protagonists in a world teetering on the brink of revelation.

In conclusion, *The Persephone Code* is a captivating historical mystery that will appeal to fans of suspense and historical fiction alike. Julia Golding's evocative prose and intricate plot create a mesmerizing narrative that transports readers to a bygone era filled with secrets and shadows.

*The Persephone Code* by Julia Golding is a gripping tale of intrigue and conspiracy in Regency England, offering readers a compelling blend of historical detail and suspenseful storytelling. Golding's richly imagined world and complex characters make this novel a standout in the realm of historical mysteries.

thanks to NetGalley for the eARC

⭐️=3? generous | 😘=5 | 🤬=3.5 | ⚔️=5 | 🍺/🚬=4 | 18+

summary: a bastard actress’s brother is mysteriously killed and she and this doctor guy have to solve the mystery and there’s underground evil clubs and murder and really dark stuff and also a romance??

thoughts: hmm. okay.

things I liked:

- this used the Regency era for more than just empire waist dresses and sexual tension; there’s genuinely interesting aspects of politics and culture and war and stuff that are often ignored in Regency era historical fiction. cool!

- there was no wildly anachronistic dialogue, which has been a problem in recent reads for me lol

stuff I didn’t like:

- the romance was pretty cringe for the most part? and while I’m glad these characters have like one singular happy thing in their lives, it sometimes felt inappropriate when contrasted by the genuinely horrific happenings elsewhere in the story

- pacing wasn't always consistent

content note(s): sexual assault, attempted rape, drug use and discussions of drug abuse and addiction

A really fun historical adventure where I fell in love with all of the characters. I did guess a number of the twists ahead of time but nevertheless, an enjoyable read.