Thank you so much to NetGalley and Julia Golding for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Persephone Code coming out April 5, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really love regency era books so I was excited to receive this one. I really loved the mystery and conspiracy behind secret societies. I think Dora was a strong character who wanted to find out who murdered her brother. There were a couple times I didn’t understand her decisions. She was a little hot-headed and rushed into things and then needed saving. The relationship was definitely a little sudden. I thought the ending was a little crazy when it came to Jacob and opium. I didn’t quite understand his decisions at that point. At times, the subject matter felt a little too modern. But overall, I really enjoyed the story. If there’s another book in the series, I’d definitely check it out.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys regency era mysteries!

Did not finish. Includes gay side character

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to preview this book.

Entertaining read. Not having read the DaVinci Code (I know!) or watched Bridgerton (I know!), I came to this without expectations and enjoyed it The 1810 atmospherics are good, the characters well designed, and the mystery just twisty enough. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

I'm afraid this one just wasn't for me. Like so many others, I was lured in by the comparison to Bridgerton and The DaVinci Code but other than the era the story is set in and the fact that there is a mystery, that makes very little sense. A satanic mystery, a dash of romance, sure. But with underdeveloped characters that weren't able to hold my attention at all. I feel as if the target audience might have been a lot younger than this particular reader.

1812: Deep below the hills of the Buckingham countryside, the infamous Hellfire Caves house a pleasure palace for the rich - a secret society steeped in satanism, opium, and debauchery of the highest order. When the club's warden. Anthony Pennington, is brutally murdered, his bastard sister, Dora, must follow the clues to decode who the killer is, aided by an unexpected ally - ex-Army officer, former opium addict, and son of a Viscount, Dr. Jacob Sandys. As a shadow dogs their every footstep, Dora and Jacob find themselves in the midst of a shocking conspiracy, the legendary Illuminati and the Hellfire Club. With time running out, they must fight against both the most influential gentlemen of the ton - and the undeniable attraction they feel towards each other.

Dora is the illegitimate daughter of a wealthy merchant, and when her brother is found dead in the caves that were used by the Hellfire Club, Dr. Jacob Sandys' is sent to intercept Dora's theatre group to notify her of her brother's death. But when he arrives, masked assailants are attacking Dora. They both escape and go on the run and try and solve her brother's murder.

It did take me a few chapters to get into this book. I loved the main characters. This book wasn't quite what I expected it to be, but I still enjoyed it.

3.5 stars

I was excited to get this ARC because "Bridgerton meets Da Vinci Code" but I do not really agree with that. It is the same time period as Bridgerton but that is it. As far as Da Vinci Code, there is a mystery and Dora's brother leaves clues for her to find and figure out. Dora's brother is killed at the beginning and men are sent to see what she knows. She has been estranged from her brother and father so she definitely does not know much. Jacob is sent to find Dora and tell her about her brother but then he gets wrapped up into the chaos with her. They decide they need to find out what is going on. There is a Hellfire Club and the Illuminati involvement. The book had me at the beginning and end but the middle was really slow for me. I did enjoy Dora and Jacob though.

-"Something's been bothering me about him."
"Something more than his penchant for trying to kill us?"

-"Agreeing to do something isn't the same as wanting it."

-Then again, sitting on a high horse only made you a target for unseating.

Enjoyed!! Interesting and engaging. Would recommend to those who enjoy fast paced and twists and turns!

It took me a while to get into this book. Though I enjoy historical fiction, I don’t like to go back too far in time so this isn’t my usual time period. However I saw this book’s description at the time I was reading another book which also had a Hellfire club forming the basis of its story and I was intrigued. Up to these two books I’d never heard of these clandestine groups which seemed to appeal to the upper classes of the time.

As I reached just under the half way point of the book I was considering whether to call it a day and not finish as I was finding the pace a little slow, but more so, I felt the author perhaps assumes the reader’s historical knowledge and as I don’t have any I had to google certain things for a better understanding. However it was the style of writing that wouldn’t allow me to give up just yet. Though set in 1812, it had an almost modern, relatable style to the narrative, both with regard to some of the humour but also how you could see some of the present day attitudes of the rich and powerful, who still seem to firmly believe they’re a cut above the law.

I’m so glad I carried on because I became ever more absorbed as the mystery surrounding murder and skulduggery increased. The two main characters, Dora and Dr Jacob Sandys were very likeable and whilst this is not strictly a romance novel, there is a growing mutual attraction between the two simmering below the surface. For me there were some real surprises as I read towards the end, as the tension mounts and you wonder how it will all end. A fab read in the end which goes to show perseverance pays off. I am so glad I didn’t give up.

The Persephone Code by Julia Golding is described as a mix of Bridgerton and The Da Vinci Code. I warn that if you are looking for a spicy, fast-paced puzzle-filled mystery, this is going to disappoint you. I liked the story well enough overall. The opening scene was fantastic and gripping; the language demonstrates a wonderful range of vocabulary. There are secret societies and lots of perilous situations, but I had trouble following the logic of the puzzles left behind for our main character, Dora, to figure out by her late only brother. Dora was extremely likeable and down-to-earth, but I didn’t buy the slow-burn blossoming relationship between her and Dr. Sandys. This book suffers mainly in its extremely slow pacing, which caused me to lose interest multiple times throughout reading.
In addition, I had a significant issue with an opioid relapse. The struggle with addiction was present, but the relapse and the subsequent morning after felt frivolous, almost comical, and I thought it unrealistic to the true panic and despair one feels when a loved one or self experiences a life-threatening relapse. Perhaps this is the result of a rushed ending after a rather meandering plot, but I was disappointed in the lack of real feelings surrounding this very serious situation.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for this ARC for review!

i have heard of the Hellfire Club and have seen videos online of paranormal investigators investigating the very caves where the secret society conducted their dark practices. so this definitely piqued my interest upon reading the synopsis.

this was an interesting read. a murder-mystery whodunit with two characters who are seemingly so different with opposing backgrounds and lifestyles. but the way this book immediately starts with a murder already let me know i was in for a ride. there's suspense, twists, turns, uncertainties, and danger.

although i feel like there was something lacking, it was still a decent read. the world building was good, and the language used is very fitting of the time. i'd definitely recommend this to anyone looking for an intense historical fiction. if you know of the Hellfire Club and the things they were known to be capable of, then you'll no doubt enjoy this.

the ending implies that there will be more. hopefully there will be. i wouldn't mind reading more following this story.

thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, and One More Chapter for allowing me the opportunity to read this book. i received this as an ARC and leave this review voluntarily.

"The Persephone Code" promises an intriguing blend of "Bridgerton" charm with the mystery of "The Da Vinci Code," set against the backdrop of 1812's Buckinghamshire's secret societies. With a premise steeped in satanism, opium, and high society's debaucheries, Julia Golding sets the stage for a thrilling historical mystery romance.

The story kicks off with the murder of Antony Pennington, leading his sister, Dora, and Dr. Jacob Sandys, an ex-Army officer with a troubled past, on a quest to unravel the killer's identity. Their investigation pits them against the Hell Fire Club's sinister activities and a looming conspiracy involving the Illuminati.

Initially, the novel captivates with its rich setting and the promise of a layered plot. However, as the narrative unfolds, it struggles to fully deliver on its initial promise. The inclusion of the Illuminati feels superficial, adding little to the plot's progression. The story's pace wavers, hitting a lull in the middle and remains that way throughout.

While the book boasts potential with its intriguing premise and historical depth, it falls short of exploring these elements to their fullest. The romance subplot, intended to add depth, instead feels like an unwelcome distraction, failing to significantly contribute to the story's development.

The major plot reveal, which should have been a pivotal "aha" moment, becomes predictable, diminishing the suspense. Despite these criticisms, "The Persephone Code" remains a page-turner in parts, offering moments of genuine engagement and a vivid portrayal of its historical setting.

In conclusion, "The Persephone Code" is a mixed bag. For readers drawn to historical mysteries with a touch of romance, it might offer an enjoyable, albeit uneven, experience. However, those seeking the depth and intricacy promised by its comparison to "Bridgerton" and "The Da Vinci Code" might find it lacking.

Unfortunately just wasn't my cup of tea. There's nothing specific I didn't like, I just got bored and for some reason never felt connected to the story/characters.

What I did find interesting, however, was the fact that the book is set in my home county of Buckinghamshire - as well as some of my other favourite parts of the world, The Lake District and London!

If you're a fan of historical crime/mystery novels - then this is for you!

I was initially drawn to this book because of the description “Bridgerton meets da Vinci code” however, I’m not sure this is entirely accurate.

The first part of the book is slow moving, the language is appropriate for the time but difficult to read. I’m very thankful I was on my kindle to be able to click words and make sure i was understanding what I was reading. this made the story more difficult to get into.

There were twists I did not see coming and the end picked up the pace a little. The language is just not for me and so it made it difficult to hold my attention (as evidenced by taking almost a full month to get through)

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fun historical mystery with good characters and a plot that held my interest. There were times that it felt like a slog to read because of the long winded dialogues/banter between the characters explaining things to each other. This book definitely read more YA in my opinion (which I know the author is more known for) and I think this made it harder for me to connect with the characters. Overall, I had a good time reading this and I think people who enjoy a good mystery will also have a good time, it just didn't blow me away.

This book was unique, even for its genres, and unlike anything I’ve read before. It was quite interesting and I was on the edge of my seat for most of it. The romance was good. The mystery was good. I enjoyed this one! The writing style read more like a play at times which was interesting but I didn’t hate it. There were a couple casual mentions of almost rape/SA that I didn’t feel like were necessary at all to the plot.

This story starts with Andrew Pennington murdered by a mysterious assailant. What comes next is a mixture of Bridgerton and sherlock holmes, with the enigmatic Dora and Dr Sandys as lead characters,

This was an easy read, a perfect sunday afternoon mystery. There was a lot of action, and the deciphering of the "codes" was paced well, keeping you interested throughout.

The romance between Dora and Jacob, however, was a little lacking for me, I didn't really understand where their attraction came from in parts, and I was more invested in the mystery than that element of the story.

Overall, it was a good read with some unexpected twists involved that kept me invested until the last page!

This historical mystery started out really strong. I quite enjoyed both the main characters and I could see how they would work together. The dynamic between Jacob and Dora was great. About a quarter into the book I thought I was going to love it. I do love a good secret society story after all. The novel did continue to have moments I enjoyed, but the characters started to fall apart a bit. I felt they were inconsistent and messier than they needed to be.

A lot of the plot points were quite obvious pretty quickly. I did enjoy some aspects, such as the ‘treasure hunt’ that Anthony sent Dora on, but this idea kind of fizzled out.

I did not love this novel, but it was a decent read. In the end I was maybe just a little frustrated with the characters and sad that the plot did not quite work for me.

Described as "Bridgerton" meets "The Da Vinci Code", for me "The Persephone Code" by Julia Golding didn't entirely fit with this description. However, it was an enjoyable story. I've learnt a lot about the Hellfire Caves (definitely will be visiting) and the sinister back story of the Lucy Locket and Kitty Fisher characters mentioned in the seemingly innocent nursery rhyme. I can see the duo of Dora and Dr Sandys embarking on many more adventures together.

I wanted to like this book, but unfortunately, I just couldn’t. At all. As a fan of both Bridgerton and The DaVinci Code, I thought this book was going to be a new favorite of mine. At the very least, I thought I’d devour it in an afternoon or two. Alas, the comparisons are essentially set dressing: Bridgerton for the era in which the book is set, and the DaVinci Code for the vaguely satanic murder mystery. The writing feels uninspired and clumsy, while the mystery is both unrewarding and rushed. Additionally, while this book is pitched as a mystery-romance, I felt… very little about the characters. Their romance felt contrived, and I really couldn’t care whether or not they ended up together. Truly, I’m just disappointed. This feels, in my opinion, like a wasted opportunity. Apparently, the author writes mostly YA and children’s fiction, and that much is clear from the prose. I admire the chutzpah of writing outside of her comfort zone, but I believe a few more passes from an editor are sorely needed.

1.5 stars

Sometimes with historical fiction like this I find myself getting caught up in the details of getting by before the modern day - like how long does it take to get to places when you just have horses? How do women get new clothes on the run when dresses were generally made by hand and fitted to the wearer? What about when you're traveling a long distance and get hungry? What if you get injured and no one's discovered germ theory yet?

Well folks, it turns out that having those questions all answered in the text does not really make for that interesting of a book. (Except for the last thing. By the end we really had some injuries piled up that the MCs seemed to have gotten over faster than they should have.) I liked the main characters well enough though, and the author does have a dab hand at writing chapter endings that keep you turning pages. The writing style went a long way toward keeping me engaged in a plot that was at times somewhat silly (the map thing...it's giving The Rise of Skywalker. Nothing should EVER give The Rise of Skywalker) and then towards the end VERY silly.

Still, there's potential here. If this is the start of a series I think it could become pretty fun.

My thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for the ARC.