Member Reviews
THE THIRD WIFE OF FARADAY HOUSE is an atmospheric historical mystery filled with love, loss, duplicity, and the looming essence of the otherworldy. Myers brilliantly crafted a tale that keeps you on the edge of your seat all the while emotionally connecting with her characters.
What I loved about this book was the way the other seamlessly blended intrigue and romance with the gothic tone of the tale. Joining Emeline on her journey to Faraday House is a gift to any reader. The backstory of Captain Gaves and his wives sets the stage for an emotional rollercoaster as well as a wonderfully conceived puzzle for Emeline to figure out. As each layer is peeled back, the characters begin to reveal who they truly are, and the facades begin to crack.
Honestly, I adored this book from the beginning until the end. With THE THIRD WIFE OF FARADAY HOUSE, Myers delivers a compelling, suspenseful, and emotional story exemplifying the best of what a gothic story can be. I, for one, will not forget these characters.
I picked up B.R. Myers first novel on a whim while in Houston at a mystery-themed bookstore, and was absolutely blown away by how much I loved it. So when I saw she had a new book coming out I was obviously all over it — and she didn't let me down!
This has got everything I was looking for right now — it's a gripping gothic mystery that will send chills up your spine (in the best way), with the immaculate spooky vibes. B.R. Myers' pacing is fantastic, and she writes her characters so well. I refuse to spoil any of the story because I want you to be just as on the edge of your seat as I was the entire book. Seriously, I read it in one sitting late into the night.
I absolutely cannot wait for her next one!
Third Wife of Faraday House is a locked in style mystery set in a creepy old house on an isolated island. Emeline is a somewhat unreliable narrator who can't always trust what she sees and hears around her which makes the unravelling of the story even more satisfying. Doesn't quite hold up to the classics it's modelled after - Rebecca, Northanger Abbey - but it's still great for a rainy weekend read.
What a ride The Third Wife of Faraday House was! This is a gothic mystery. Set in the 1800s.
There are many mysteries at Faraday House and Emeline's fiancé's wife isn't dead yet!?
The first half of the book is a little slower but the second half really picks up!
Big thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
The Third Wife of Faraday House is a fantastic gothic mystery that had me hooked almost from the get-go!
While naive and a little frustrating at times, Emeline was an interesting lead, and the other characters were mysterious enough to keep me guessing about their real stories and motives. The setting was perfectly eerie and atmospheric, and the ghost stories added a spookiness that would make this the perfect fall read.
I was pretty sure I had guessed all the upcoming twists by 35% of the way through; however, I was glad to find that I was at least partially wrong and there was a thing or two that genuinely shocked me. The things I had guessed correctly were also just as enjoyable to read as the surprises. I also thought the pacing was quite satisfying. It did take me a couple of chapters to really sink into the story, but as soon as it got going…I was fully and completely hooked. The Third Wife never felt too slow or rushed, and I was greedy to keep reading late into the night. I ‘just one more chaptered’ my way through at least 5 or 6 chapters last night!
I genuinely loved this one! If you enjoy a gothic mystery with a dash of romance, an eerie location, and a heroine who comes into her own, you might just love it as well.
"You use your imagination to ease your pain, and in doing so you secretly create something beautiful."
The Third Wife of Faraday House is a mixture of Pride and Prejudice (British Navy man = Mr. Wickham) and Jane Eyre (hidden wife, but this time one is dying and one is dead), but make it a gothic mystery with a Reverend love interest and Lydia as the protagonist (but with blond hair and she doesn't end up marrying Mr. Wickham). According to other reviews, this may not be everyone's cup of tea. But I, personally, found myself breezing through The Third Wife of Faraday House and having a great time.
The main criticism I found through other reviews was that Emeline (the main character) was too naive. I have to disagree. A large theme of The Third Wife of Faraday House is denial: denial of love lost and denial of reality. In my opinion, Emeline is not naive; she is simply in denial of a reality over which she has no control. And I vibed with that.
You will like The Third Wife of Faraday House if you like Regency-era mysteries, slow-burn, safe-for-the-family romances, and perhaps ghosts. I was a big fan!
Thank you B.R. Myers, William Morrow Paperbacks, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 4/5 stars!
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.
I absolutely adored this book. To whomever was comparing this to Rebecca and Jane Eyre, you were spot on. Although having those flavors, it was also a story entirely it's own. The setting was fantastic. I loved the character development. It was a perfect gothic for spooky season.
B.R. Myers crafts a gothic tale steeped in mystery and dread with The Third Wife of Faraday House, a chilling story of love, betrayal, and survival set against the foggy coasts of 19th-century Nova Scotia. Emeline Fitzpatrick, a young woman yearning for freedom, finds herself ensnared in a deadly web of secrets when she accepts the hand of Captain Graves, a man with a shadowy past and an even more unsettling present.
The atmosphere of Faraday House is masterfully rendered. Its windswept cliffs and creaking halls set the stage for a tale brimming with unease. The novel shines in its ability to evoke the creeping terror of isolation and the constant sense that something isn’t quite right. Emeline’s arc is compelling. She evolves from a sheltered, naive young woman into a courageous heroine determined to uncover the house’s dark truths.
The supporting characters, particularly Georgina, the ailing second Mrs. Graves, and the mysterious reverend add depth and complexity to the narrative. Their interactions with Emeline drive the plot and highlight the human cost of secrets and greed. While the romance subplot with the reverend adds a touch of warmth, it never overshadows the story's darker themes.
The pacing builds to a satisfyingly suspenseful climax, though some readers may find the early chapters slow as the groundwork is laid. While not entirely unpredictable, the twists are executed with enough flair to keep the pages turning.
The Third Wife of Faraday House is an evocative and atmospheric gothic mystery that will appeal to fans of Rebecca or The Thirteenth Tale. Myers delivers a haunting story that lingers long after the final page.
Reminiscent of Belladonna, Rebecca and Crimson Peak. A lovely gothic tale to entertain any reader, young or old.
In this Gothic novel, Emeline Fitzpatrick is in love and desperate for a proposal before her guardian marries her off to the wealthiest suitor available. With only one option left, she is sent to wed the elusive Captain Graves, a man with two previous marriages that ended in tragedy and now seeking a new wife.
However, upon arriving at the eerie seaside manor, Faraday House, Emeline discovers that the second Mrs. Graves is still alive—though barely. As the truth unravels, Emeline must confront a chilling question: What is happening to Captain Graves’ wives, and is she next?
This gothic mystery is a story of betrayal, self-discovery, and a united sisterhood that has captivated me. Emeline’s journey through heartbreak is deeply relatable, and the haunting atmosphere of Faraday House, paired with its unsettling character dynamics, keeps readers on edge. You’ll be gripped by both the unfolding mystery and the terrifying fate that may await the Captain’s new bride.
*Thank you to B.R. Myers, William Morrow and Netgalley for the copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.
November 1816: Restless but naïve Emeline Fitzpatrick is desperate to escape her stifling life in foggy Halifax. Her guardian is lining up repugnant suitors, but Emeline has her eyes set on a handsome lieutenant in the British navy. She just needs to persuade him to propose, or her one chance at happiness will be gone forever.
But when Emeline’s hopes end in scandal, she finds herself with only one suitor left: the wealthy and enigmatic Captain Graves. Having already lost two wives to tragic circumstances, the unfortunate widower is seeking a new companion in his cloistered seaside manor, Faraday House. Or at least that is what Emeline had been told, because when she arrives, she is horrified to discover that the second Mrs. Graves, Georgina, has not yet died.
Emeline is only certain of two things: something ghastly is afoot at Faraday House, and no one is going to save her. She will have to rely on her own courage, her burgeoning bond with the ill but strong-willed Georgina, and the aid of a handsome reverend with a mysterious past to unravel the secrets at the heart of the manor and forge her own destiny.
This mystery kept me on my toes and while I thought I had if figured out I kept questioning my assumptions, which turned out to be mostly correct. Go me! I enjoyed Emeline's character development and finding herself through this story. Well done Myers.
Not the most original gothic novel I've read, but it did take some unexpected turns. Enjoyed seeing Emeline grow into herself and become more headstrong as the mystery of Faraday House slowly unravels. The romance didn't do much for me unfortunately!! But this was a quick read, perfect for spooky season if you want something lightly spooky and eerie but not too scary.
The Third Wife of Faraday House by B.R. Myers is another book I’ve read in 2024 that had so much potential; however, it failed to impress me. It moved at what felt like a snail’s pace for a good portion of the book before suddenly rushing to the end like a boulder rolling down a hill. The main character of Emeline Fitzpatrick was also very unlikeable, and she never redeemed herself. Not for me. From beginning to end, I strongly, strongly disliked this novel. The “thrill” and “horror” were nonexistent, and I called so many “twists” in this book the moment I first met the characters involved.
Now, let me talk about Emeline Fitzpatrick. She thinks she’s only worth something because she’s beautiful, and you are reminded of this throughout the entire novel. Emeline has no self-worth. She goes from being madly in love with a British navy officer to falling for someone else who doesn’t love her “in the right way” to, finally, being in love with herself and standing on her own two feet. But how this journey of self-development was portrayed was elementary and simplistic. Up until almost the end of the book, Emeline was helpless and dependent, and I, quite frankly, hoped someone might kill her so the book would end. I did not care about her nightmares. I did not care that she’d come to Faraday House in hopes of avoiding scandal. I did not care that she had this “great mystery” with how every young wife who came to Faraday House passed away. I just wanted Emeline GONE.
Myers is good at imagery; I will give the author that. But character development? No. They were all one-note. Emeline is pretty. Georgina is sick. Graves is old. Once you encounter a character, I was able to guess his/her role in the story, and I was typically right. The book doesn’t have many characters, so it’s easy to narrow down the villains. But then the supposed relationships between the characters are also incredibly shallow. The “romance” feels like more of a girlhood crush. And the “I’ve seen the light” moment was nothing. The villains’ motivations were obvious. The friendship between Georgina and Emeline? They’re practically strangers, even near the end of the book, and suddenly they’re best friends? I know this review has only talked about characters, but they are SO IMPORTANT to me. If you don’t have good characters, you don’t have a good plot. And I didn’t like any of the characters featured in this particular Myers’ novel.
The Third Wife of Faraday House by B.R. Myers just made me roll my eyes and hope to reach the end faster. I probably would’ve liked it a lot more had the main character not made me want to pull my hair out. She was whiny, naïve, and childish. I don’t care that exemplifying all these traits at the beginning showed how she grew by the end. First impressions mean a lot to me. If I don’t like you at the start of a novel, I’m probably going to dislike you at the end. B.R. Myers’ most recent work just did nothing for me, and I’m disinclined from trying the author again.
The wives of Faraday House tend to die at an early age. When Emmaline is caught in a compromising position, her guardians arrange for her to be the third wife of Mr. graves. When she arrives at the isolated property she discovers that Georgina, Graves’ second wife, has not yet died. She is attended by Mrs. Clayton, who has taken care of Faraday House along with her husband for the last ten years. She had also attended to Esther, the first wife, who died in childbirth. Georgina became ill shortly after arriving at Faraday and Reverend Pellerine has arrived to be with her in her last days. Mr. graves is ill-mannered and temperamental, but Emmaline finds Pellerine easy to talk to. With little staff, Emmaline is called on to sit with Georgina and realizes that the only way to avoid marriage is to keep her alive. Georgina has suffered from stomach pains and no longer eats. When Emmaline brushes her hair it falls out in clumps. She is served a bitter tea to help her sleep, leading Emmaline to believe that she is being poisoned. While she does not believe in ghosts, her dreams are filled with visions of Esther and trails of blood. If she is to save herself and Georgina she has to find out what really happened to Esther.
Emmaline’s guardian raised her to believe that her appearance and ability to flirt were what mattered. Now she has to discover strengths that she never knew she had. Pellerine’s companion, a bear sized dog named Moses, takes to Emmaline and becomes protective when he senses danger. While Pellerine cares for Emmaline, he must tread carefully. If he angers Graves he will be banned from Faraday and he needs to be there for Georgina. When tragedy once again strikes Emmaline discovers just who she can trust, but the secrets held at Faraday also pose a threat to her life. With its’ isolated setting and dark athmosphere, this is a perfect story to keep you up at night. I would like to thank NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for providing this book.
Thank you, Netgalley for the opportunity to review this title. I will be reading more from BR Myers, for sure. I loved the mystery and haunting turn of events, but oh did Moses have my heart all the way through! I'm glad all the tragedy came to a happy ending. Those Claytons were the most evil part of the story, but the Mrs. had me fooled for a bit there!
Starts off slow as we get to know the MFC and her wanting to get married and learn of her arraigned marriage. Its set in the 1800's but this book def picks up toward the end and draws you in. Has gothic and supernatural vibes but overall a great book and very well written. Not my normal type of setting but the author drew me in and made me want to read more of her work. Some romance is in it. But this is overall a page turner to find out what happens in the Faraday House and why everything happens there.
As a child, I wasn't particularly interested in reading, but I distinctly remember being captivated by Charles Perrault's "Bluebeard." For some inexplicable reason, it became my favorite childhood story, and now I find myself drawn to anything related to this classic folklore. B.R. Myers' work on "The Third Wife of Faraday House" as a retelling of the Bluebeard tale was especially impressive to me.
"The Third Wife of Faraday House" tells the story of Emeline Fitzpatrick, whose life has always been marked by tragedy. When she is found in a compromising situation with the man she loves, her guardians are desperate to avoid scandal. They give her an ultimatum: join a convent or marry the mysterious Captain Graves. Emeline chooses the latter and embarks on a journey to Faraday House, where unforeseen obstacles await, marking the beginning of her struggle for survival.
As I delved into the story, I found myself experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions. Initially, I was filled with curiosity about the eventual outcome of the young woman's journey. However, as the narrative progressed, my curiosity gave way to a growing sense of fear. B.R. Myers masterfully creates a paranormal environment that gives the reader chills. This haunting atmosphere turns us into detectives, leaving us to wonder whether the malevolent forces emanate from the house itself or if the blame lies with the inhabitants.
"The Third Wife of Faraday House" is impressive because of the secrets that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. In the most unexpected and chilling twist, you discover that all the wives in Faraday House die one way or another.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me an ARC in return for an honest review!
Emeline Fitzpatrick is a product of her times, but she longs for romance, adventure, and a sense of self-worth. When her attempts to secure those things ends in disaster, she has no choice but to flee to a remote island and an arranged marriage. However, from the moment she arrives in Shoreditch, things begin to go wrong. What seemed like merely an inconvenient delay in the destiny she had planned becomes a terrifying, possibly deadly mystery. Can she save herself and create a life to match her dreams, or will she become another of "all the wives [who] die young at Faraday House"?
This book is a deliciously shivery, gothic mystery. With the secretive house help, tributes to the dead and almost dead, an unpredictable and possibly dangerous husband, and a huge house full of secrets, I was reminded strongly of Rebecca, The Fall of the House of Usher, and other tales of suspense. The setting, being in Canada in the early 19th century, adds some local and historical flavor that is off the beaten path and very welcome. Emeline is a believable and sympathetic character, and I appreciated that part of the plot misdirection was through her second-guessing her naive decisions. Nor was hers the only dynamic character; this book was much less predictable than I thought it would be, and it was a quick read for me because I was anxious to see the resolution to the many questions that ebbed and flowed like the tide that determined the fate of those on the island.
While the pacing is a bit slow, and the twists are a bit cliched and predictable the characters in the story are what makes this story enjoyable. The ending is satisfying and the journey was fun,