Member Reviews
"Thank you for saving me," I said.
"Bien sûr." He turned his face to me and smiled. "Of course."
"I was talking to Moses."
LOVE. Couldn't put this book down. I had another few novels that I'm also reading and I kept coming back to this one. The pacing is immaculate, the banter engaging, the imagery amazing. It's giving a gothic Bridgerton meets murder mystery and I loved it. It took some getting used to but I think it showed character growth from the FMC; how she was very naive and vapid in the beginning, to where Emeline was at the end of the novel. The side characters were so well developed and I felt like each could stand on their own. There were just a few grammatical errors, like in chapter 13 before "He let out a tired sigh" there shouldn't be a quotation mark. Other than that, keep as is. This is one of the novels where I want to have a physical copy and display it on my bookshelf.
The Edgar-award winning author B.R. Myers brings us The Third Wife of Faraday House, which is both a murder mystery and ghost story combined. This novel is published by Harper Collins and is planned to be released in August of 2024.
It is the early eighteen-hundreds when Emeline, a naive young woman, finds herself embroiled in scandal and is shipped off to Faraday House. She is to become the third bride of its owner, Captain Graves. But her arrival is a far from welcoming one (the second Mrs. Graves is not even dead!) and she finds herself lost inside the swirl of rumors and the people and practices of Faraday House.
Will no one save her from her fate?
What I enjoyed most about this book was the mystery of it all: the house, its history, and trying to piece together what was really going on as the story takes place.
The Third Wife of Faraday House was a fun read -
*gothic mystery
*low key tension that builds
*darkly atmospheric
I found this paranormal thriller gripping and exciting, to say the least. I was kept wondering right up til the end.
Enjoyable and recommended.
Thank you to William Morrow Paperbacks and NetGalley for the DRC
I am glad I finished this book, it was a little slow in the middle, but I think my crow brain was to blame, wanting to change gears to newer shinier books. The mystery was decent, the romance was sweat and gentle, and I was happy that it had ghosts and the Christmas season. With the long winter nights, ghosts feel like they belong more to Christmas than to Halloween.
I absolutely love this author. Her descriptions and attention to detail when it comes to a true gothic novel is beautiful. It’s all about setting the scene with these types of books and she does this wonderfully.
The mystery aspect was fun and entertaining. The characters are gripping and kept me interested. Highly recommend.
I am so honored to be given a chance to read this book before publishing.
B.R. Myers writes the crazy gothic fiction that my soul needs. A snobbish, pampered high society girl ends up as the wife to be to a businessman at his estate. He has already lost two wives, so she'd be the third. But to her surprise, the second wife has not passed yet!
So begins the mystery, and the possibility of ghosts and a killer about. The best gothic fiction has the inkling of the supernatural, a death, and a mystery and this book has it all. I liked the main character and her steady change over time the more she spends in the house.
The romance however had me flip flopping all over - if it was a true romance or not. The overall romance between the Pastor is very strange to me. Because while the set up is there, I can't tell if it's miscommunication on her end or if he had trouble showing his feelings for her, which lead to his strange declaration of love. Then, the ending which has a proposal coming about again, but not truly ringing as strongly as it did the first time.
There was also plot elements that felt discarded - like the guy she was crushing on, he was pretty much discarded in a letter as 'oh by the way, this is why you haven't heard form him in a bit'. And, then, the plot element he main character announces more than halfway through (which is why she is banking on him - the guy she originally liked - to get her out of this mess).
I enjoyed it, I did, but I truly think that some of these elements could have been a bit better. But gothic fiction is a wild ride and if you're into wild rides you'll enjoy this.
Thank you NetGalley for a free e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.
B.R. Myers' "The Third Wife of Faraday House" is a masterful blend of Gothic mystery, romance, and suspense that ensnares the reader from the very beginning. The novel, set in the hauntingly atmospheric Faraday House, is a tribute to classic Gothic fiction, woven with modern storytelling sensibilities. Myers creates a world where the lines between the living and the dead blur, and where every shadow seems to whisper secrets of the past.
The story of Emeline Fitzpatrick, a young woman desperate to escape her restrictive life in Halifax, unfolds with a sense of urgency and foreboding. Her journey from naivety to a strong, determined character is both compelling and satisfying. The twist of arriving at Faraday House to find the second Mrs. Graves still alive adds a deliciously eerie and unexpected element to the plot.
Myers excels in creating a Gothic atmosphere that is both oppressive and mesmerizing. The decaying splendor of Faraday House, with its ghostly secrets and dark history, is almost a character in itself, setting the stage for a tale of mystery and suspense. The relationship between Emeline and Georgina, the second Mrs. Graves, is one of the highlights of the novel, offering a refreshing take on female friendship and solidarity in the face of adversity.
The inclusion of the handsome reverend with a mysterious past adds an intriguing romantic subplot that blends seamlessly with the main narrative. Myers' skillful handling of the romance, mystery, and supernatural elements makes "The Third Wife of Faraday House" a well-rounded and engaging read.
The novel's pacing is perfectly tuned, balancing moments of intense suspense with character development and plot revelations. The themes of courage, self-discovery, and the fight against oppressive forces are woven throughout the narrative, making the story resonate with modern readers while staying true to the Gothic tradition.
"The Third Wife of Faraday House" is a must-read for fans of Gothic fiction and anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a supernatural twist. B.R. Myers has crafted a story that is both a homage to the genre and a unique tale in its own right, delivering a novel that is as haunting as it is captivating. This book is a testament to Myers' talent for creating atmospheric, character-driven stories that stay with you long after the last page is turned.
Thank you NetGalley, William Morrow Publishing and the other for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Unfortunately, I did not care for this book. I found it a very slow read and hard to keep my attention. There were too many subplots going on, not one which was romance. As this is marketed as a romance suspense, there really wasn’t a romance (a brief flirtation and a declaration of love in the last chapter doesn’t qualify as romance). I feel a couple of subplots could have been removed and replaced with romance. The climax was chaotic and I found myself going back to reread parts because I felt like I missed something. Maybe others will enjoy, but this wasn’t for me. Sorry.
All the wives die young in Faraday House…
This gripping, gothic, spooky thriller sends shivers down your spine, keeping you on your toes and evoking a restless feeling in your stomach. Without solving the mystery, you cannot feel completely at ease, compelling you to turn the pages faster. Everyone in the house is a suspect! No one is credible or trustworthy! Each character emits suspicious vibes as tension steadily builds until the climax begins.
The dark, pessimistic atmosphere of the house heightens the thrill, while well-balanced pacing guides you through the dark secrets of the place and its inhabitants.
The story revolves around Emeline Fitzpatrick, a young woman raised by guardians in foggy Halifax after her parents' unfortunate demise. She is in love with the handsome Lieutenant Frederick from the British navy, dreaming of sailing to Bermuda with him to escape her trapped, bitter life. However, when she finds herself in a dire situation leading to a scandal, her only choices are to join a coven or become the third wife of the wealthy and enigmatic Captain Graves. Opting for the latter, she hopes to escape the marriage without being consumed, with the assistance of her lover.
Upon arriving at Faraday House after a carriage incident involving a mysterious and charismatic Reverend Pellerine, Emeline discovers that the second wife, Georgina, of Captain Graves is still alive but suffering from an unknown illness, fading away each day. Emeline's only way to end the marriage is to help Georgina stay alive until her lover Frederick's ship arrives to rescue her. However, Emeline soon realizes that something more sinister lurks in the corridors of the house, related to its dark past. If she cannot uncover the truth, she may become another victim buried in the graves around the island. Whom can she trust? With whom can she form alliances?
Overall, this is an absolutely gripping and exciting paranormal mystery blended with a historical thriller, carrying an encouraging message. I look forward to reading more books by this author!
Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with a digital reviewer copy of this unputdownable book in exchange for my honest thoughts.
This book was good. It kept my attention and held me until the very shocking ending. I could not predict the ending there was so many possibilities that you had to read the end to get the answers you were looking for.
I would recommend this book to anyone.
The Third Wife of Faraday House by B.R. Mets is an interesting book that delves into the life of Emeline who is told by her strict guardians that she is nothing more than a pretty face. While her guardians are looking at setting her up with a wealthy older gentleman, she is impatiently waiting for her love who is away in the Royal Navy to come rescue her.
Insert one scandal later and Emeline is rushed into a betrothal with the wealthy Mr. Graves, looking to make her his third wife.
Emeline is shipped off to Faraday House where things aren’t as they seem. The second Mrs. Graves is very much alive, albeit ill and not quite ready to become the latest dead wife.
She and Emeline form a bond and Emeline vows to protect her, while investigating what is happening and discovering actual true love along the way.
I really enjoyed this book and the way that Emeline found her way to herself- that she was worthy and more than just a pretty face. Her bonding with Georgina was a great storyline and I was a bit surprised, in a good way, at the true villains. It wasn’t an obvious storyline.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
What a good Gothic novel! This has all of the elements we love, mystery, a windswept island, a handsome priest, a likable heroine and a spirit. . Who is the villain! We have so many characters who could be the villain or villains. We are kept guessing until the very end. Well worth reading.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC of The Third Wife of Faraday House by B.R. Myers in exchange for an honest review.
I read this right after finishing King Nyx, which was strange because the gothic theme and the presumed powerless women were both main features that could have seemingly shared the same tales (in a great way!).
I thought this was a great, suspenseful read. Emeline is innocent, young, and vapid (in a kind way) - she has been told her beauty is her only attribute, and she has no skill, talents, or expertise in anything besides looking pretty. When scandal chases her from her guardians' home to a marriage as the third wife of Captain Graves, she finds that Georgina, the second wife of Captain Graves, is still alive and Emeline is meant to wait in the wings.
As Emeline builds a relationship with Georgina, mysterious and dangerous things are happening across the island. Some paranormal, some the circumstances of a single woman in the 1800s, and Emeline is desperate to keep her own sanity and to keep Georgina alive, no matter the risk.
The romance is a slow, low burn, and there are a good amount of historical background and culture that help to set the tone of the story.
The end was definitely a surprise to me on multiple levels - and I read the book in one sitting, anxious to figure out whether what is truly haunting prosper island and who will live through its reckoning.
After Emeline is caught in a scandal, she is sent away to marry the one suitor she has left… the wealthy Captain Graves. Off she goes to Faraday House, the home where Graves (aptly named) has lost his two previous wives to their early demise.
She has a plan… all she needs to do is hold out until her real love finally claims her… hopefully it doesn’t take long. Upon her arrival, though… Emeline discovers that the second Mrs. Graves hasn’t yet died. She is sick, but she is strong and the two form a bond.
There is something bad happening at Faraday House and Emeline isn’t safe. Along with some guidance from the handsome Reverend Pellerine, Emeline will stop at nothing, especially her own safety, to uncover the truth.
This is such a whimsical, cozy read. I loved the characters, I love the haunted plot lines. This was so much fun.