A lovely slow burn Gothic very much in the same vein as A Dreadful Splendor.

Though I liked the premise better in Splendr, this is also an intriguing and well-structured story steeped in creeping menace and atmosphere, populated by a cast of characters common to the creepy house Gothic subgenre, but who feel freshly rendered in Myers’ capable hands.

Myers writes solid protagonists, likable and suitably tough (even if they don’t know it at first), as well as a terrific cast of eerily sinister potential villains, and the book does a good job keeping you guessing with regard to at least some of the blame for the nefarious goings-on at Faraday House.

Like Splendor, this gives the reader both the immersive experience and satisfying ending that the best Gothic novels do. Recommended for anyone who loves atmosphere and doesn’t mind a slow-build narrative structure.

Emeline is desperate to escape her aunt and uncle's overbearing control and her only way out is to get married. When scandal forces her to either accept a unhappy proposal as the third wife to Captain Graves or be shipped off to a convent, she makes the choice to marry. When she arrives at Faraday House ;however, she finds out that Captain Graves's second wife is still alive and something strange is happening at the manor. Together with the current Mrs. Graves, Emeline seeks the answers to the secrets of Faraday House and it's history of misfortunes. I loved A dreadful Splendor and this second book from Myers is just as good. An atmospheric, eerie gothic novel that instantly endears the main character to readers. If you love classic literature- think Northanger Abbey, Wuthering Heights- You will love this. Myers is a skilled writer with beautiful prose and a knack for creating plots that draw you in. I can't wait for the next book!

The Third Wife of Faraday House takes the best parts of Crimson Peak, Clue, and Jane Eyre, and creates a gothic mystery that keeps you captive the entire time you read it. When Emeline Fitzpatrick finds herself in the middle of a scandal that has driven away all but one suitor who lives on an island far removed from the drama of the mainland and wealth enough to be an acceptable prospect she finds herself at Faraday House. Going in she knew Capitan Graves prior two wives had both died young under tragic circumstances, and that the wedding may happen quickly, however upon arriving she finds the prior Mrs. Graves not only alive but haunted by something.

The novel kicks off into the mystery of Faraday house and its varied residents who all have their own hidden goals and desires in a Clue like hunt for the culprit. I found myself entrapped in the pages of the novel and caught up in the creaking old houses secrets and the strange sights and sounds being experienced by both wives. The gothic setting pulled me in and the solid mystery kept me hooked and second guessing everyone's motives and everything that was said.

I found Emeline at the start to be a naive and headstrong protagonist with faults that kept her compelling and real, watching her growth and good traits come out as she found room to assert herself was a refreshing pace to the often fully formed leads novels will have that never experience growth in situations that would cause it. Additionally, I cannot emphasize enough the wonderful fleshed out feel of the setting and house. Faraday house felt like a character in the novel hiding mystery's and secrets for Emeline around every bend. The descriptive nature of the novel made me feel like I was wondering the halls with her looking for clues in the dark mansion.

I would recommend this novel to you if:
- You like Gothics
- Looking for a spooky read
- A haunted mansion mystery is your idea of fun
- Friendships over relationships as a trope
- Female companionship
- Independent Women

I received an advance review copy of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily and all thoughts and opinions are wholly my own and unbiased.

An old English Manor house in an isolated setting gets me every time! Throw in the cold drafts, tinkling piano keys when no one is there, pacing footsteps belonging to no one, candlelight, jilted lovers, mysterious illnesses, strange dreams and well….we’ve got a wonderfully creepy gothic story to read!
Main character Emeline was orphaned and now lives with her guardians, the Shaklefords. Mrs. Shakleford has prized Emeline’s beauty above all else, even failing to teach her basic domestic skills as long as she is stunning. She is seeking to marry Emeline off in a good match. Emeline has other plans; a handsome sailor full of promises but short on delivery. When she is caught in an indelicate situation she is shipped off to Faraday House to be wed to the master. Problem is he had one wife die young, and a second wife, Georgina, holding on to life by a tenuous thread. Awkward situation to say the least. Emeline is next in line! The small staff of servants at the manor are odd and hide secrets. Georgina suffers from a mystery illnesss. The handsome reverend who stays at the house to be there for Georgina’s last rights can appear both caring and off putting. And who is playing the piano and pacing the tower room floor?
As for Faraday House? I felt like I was wandering it’s dark hallways and climbing the steep staircases. The decor is definitely sailor chi, NOT (is that a thing?!) full of dark paintings with stormy seas and sailing ships, darkly painted walls and heavy furnishings. A bleak landscape surrounds it with the seas crashing against the shoreline. There are secret rooms and heavy tapestries…perfect for something to hide behind. This manor suffers under a dreadful doldrum, but why?
I was captivated by the story right away with the mystery of what exactly happened at Faraday House before Emeline arrived and why do the wives there all die young? The characters are drawn well and I was never quite sure who was good or up to no good!! Are Emeline’s gifts and strengths only skin deep or is she more than just a beautiful face? If you love a delightfully creepy and gothic story I think you will enjoy this one immensely!

I had no idea what to expect from this book, but judging by its cover, I was guessing cute, cozy, whimsical…maybe even sort of YA. I will say it’s a bit cozy, but in a darker, gothic ghost story way.

Emeline lost both of her parents at a young age, and her guardians, who raised her, are trying to arrange a suitable husband for her, not knowing that she has already fallen for a lieutenant in the Royal Navy, and she is desperately hoping he arrives from his time at sea in time to halt any further betrothal plans, and whisk her away to Bermuda.

However, things do not go as she expected or planned, and she finds herself with no choice but to accept the proposal of a rich sea merchant, seeking his third wife, as his first two died in childbirth. Upon her arrival to his private island, she discovers that the second wife is NOT dead, but is expected to die within a matter of days. Things only become more strange from there.

Secret rooms, cobwebs everywhere, rumors of a curse on the home, and late-night bumps in the night all lead Emeline to desperately seek a rescue from this mysterious and lonely place, but she finds she cannot trust just anyone.

This was a quick read for me because I could not put it down. It was so atmospheric I felt like I could picture every scene, every character, every mannerism, every cloud of dust. The story developed quickly, was paced well and the ending was completely satisfying. The author even managed to add some female empowerment in a time when it would have been very hard to come by, but in a fairly believable way.

I loved this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and B. R. Meyers for an Advanced Reader's Copy of this title!

"The Third Wife of Faraday House" follows the misadventure of a young woman from Halifax who is sent to be the third wife of a mysterious businessman at a remote manor. However, not everything is as its seems, and everyone - including our heroine - has something to hide.

I was blown away by how much I ended up enjoying this book. While I admit at first I was hesitant about Emeline as a character - I did not find her overly likable at the start - I grew very fond of her as the story progressed and she began to develop a personality, wishes, etc. and recognized her own mistakes in certain actions. I was also struck with how much I enjoyed the banter between characters, to the point I gasped out loud at a certain interaction and was kicking my feet, which hasn't happened in a really long time! I went into this book thinking I would be getting a supernatural mystery, but was much more enamored with the intrigue going on in the house. I would have said for the first half of the book that this would have been a four star read for me, but by the last half I was so caught up with the characters and the plot coming to a head that I had to finish it immediately!

There were a ton of twists in this book that I did not see coming and a few I did, so if you're a fan of being thrown for a loop I think it would be impossible to guess every single reveal, and thus you may enjoy this a lot. I felt like the vibes were somewhere between a light regency read with a splash of Crimson Peak thrown in, and it's definitely a book I look forward to reading again to see what I missed!

Thank you Netgalley and William Morrow for this advanced copy of The Third Wife of Faraday House.

This novel starts with our main female mc, Emeline Fitzpatrick, she's ready to escape her life and go away this man who has captured her in every way, Until her guardians send her off to be married to Captain Graves. From the moment she arrives, nothing but strange vibes and problems occur.

Throughout this story, we see how much Emeline struggles, with the different lifestyle but also the mindsets of the people around her. She may not be the brightest when it comes to figuring out conflict, but she definitely does everything with good intentions. With that being said, she finds herself in a lot of situations that help her understand this house and the secrets that lie within it. We see many characters emerge with their personalities and ways of manipulation and truth. It keeps you on your toes because you can't tell who is good or who is not the best at all.

I truly enjoyed this novel so much and all goth thriller vibes, the descriptions of the people, the land and structures - all really made visualizing this setting so fun and easy to imagine. This is definitely a book I could see myself re-reading and suggesting to many people. It' perfect for autumn and the spooky vibes of Halloween. 10/10 recommend. You won't regret picking this one up! :)

THE THIRD WIFE OF FARADAY HOUSE is the second book I’ve read from author BR Myers and I am pleased to say that I can add this author to my auto-buy list. Perfect for fans of immersive and atmospheric gothic fiction, this book transports readers to a crumbling island mansion where two brides are fighting for their survival. ⁣
⁣
This book sucked me in immediately and didn’t let me go until the very end. I’m a huge fan of historical fiction, even better if it’s gothic, and Myers writing is so lovely and so easy to get lost in. Of course with any crumbling manor, there’s always something paranormal in the air and I loved the bit of chills that ran throughout the story. There’s also a bit of romance, a delightful doggo, and a lovely friendship between the brides, which all added a bit of brightness to the overall tale. ⁣
⁣
All told, another fantastic read from Myers and certainly one I recommend. Pick this one up if you’re a fan of:⁣
⁣
🍁Historical fiction⁣
🍁Haunted manors⁣
🍁Gothic settings⁣
🍁Inteocate mysteries ⁣
🍁Forbidden romance ⁣
🍁Atmospheric spooky reads ⁣
🍁Female friendship ⁣
🍁Paranormal fiction

A delightful gothic read about a woman who years for escape but after a scandal she is married off to a suitor who is as wealthy as he is enigmatic... who also has a history of losing wives to tragic circumstances. Emeline Fitpatrik is desperate to escape her restrictive life in Halifax, her guardians are determined to marry her off and her lover has left her pregnant and without a word. But Emeline is determined to escape, and if that means marrying the least repugnant suitor so be it. Emeline marries Captain Graves, a man who is extremely wealthy and mysterious... who also has already lost two of his wives to tragic circumstances. When Emeline arrives at the seaside manor, known as Faraday, she is horrified to discover that the second wife is still alive but slowly fading. Emeline is determined to save the second wife Georgina and to save herself... but both her new husband and the staff are acting suspicious and the handsome reverend with the mysterious past might be the only person she can count on to help her. This was the epitome of a gothic romance read and I loved it. It's such a fun read and I've always been a big fan of B.R. Meyers books and writing. This was just a fun classic gothic romance and honestly would recommend for anyone who enjoys a gothic romance. The seaside manor, the complicated family, the twisted house, and of course an unlikely romance lead, this was just a great time! I can't wait to read more from B.R. Meyers.

Release Date: August 20,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and William Morrow | William Morrow Paperbacks for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

This book is an omage to the classics while having beautiful moments that are purely the modern writers gift.

Immersive, mysterious, engaging, if you love a good gothic haunted house book this is a must read, it's such a magical story that will transport you into this brilliant tale.

Our main character does have her issues but Emeline has that depth to her that makes you want to see her grow past her mistakes and become a force of nature, spoiler alert, she does.

If you're looking for a historical romance combined with a ghost or twenty set in a manor house on a cliff.... well let's just say it you're a historical romance lover this one is perfection.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this e-book, I have voluntarily read and reviewed it and all thouhts and opinions are my own.

THE THIRD WIFE OF FARADAY HOUSE by B.R.Myers was a fast, enjoyable read for me, meshing the supernatural with the historical in the sleuthing and brave actions of Emeline Fitzpatrick, the titular third wife who discovers that not only is the second wife not dead, but she is also a warm and lovely person fading fast. I enjoyed reading about Emeline's struggles to make her way in the world, to find true love and figure out what is going on around her in a dangerous, seaside estate where no one and nothing is as it seems to be. It was thriller, romance, and gripping wonderful tale that kept me up too late reading. I received a copy of this book and these thoughts are my own, unbiased thoughts.

Fleeing scandal, Emeline agrees to marry the enigmatic Captain Graves—only to discover his previous wife is still alive but fading fast with a mysterious illness. Trapped in the eerie Faraday House, Emeline must unravel the secrets surrounding the Graves family with the help of the ailing Georgina and a captivating reverend—before she becomes the next victim.

This Gothic mystery with supernatural elements is full of bizarre twists. The understated romance between Emeline and Rev. Pellerine added a bright spot to an otherwise shadowy story.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Not too much to say here. Another author takes on "Jane Eyre" with a twist. I am a sucker for a good Gothic novel, but I have to agree with another reviewer, that the character of Emeline gets on your nerves (okay, I am using my own words here, but she does really get annoying) and there are very few characters in this one and it's really obvious where things are going. I just didn't fully engage with this one at all and found it painful to even get started. By the time we get to Emeline meeting Mr. Faraday and all that comes with it, I was just pretty much over this book.

"The Third Wife of Faraday House" follows Emeline who is waiting for her lover, who is in the British Navy, to propose. Anyone with a clue would have been side-eyeing Emeline, but she's going to keep doing dumb things to the point she causes a scandal and her guardian sends her packing to marry Mr. Faraday after Emeline thinks that she will give herself enough time for her lover to find her and spirit her away. Not a spoiler (it's in the synopsis) Emeline is shocked to arrive at her soon to be husband's home and finds his second wife (Georgina) very much alive and slowly dying.

Coughs, I would have popped smoke out of there so dang fast and written letters all over to get out. But this book takes place in 1816 so the tackiness of the whole thing seems to only have the local reverend and household in an uproar.

From there, we have Emeline stuck and doing what she can to save herself and Georgina. There's some supernatural aspects to this one that didn't really work and I just felt very bored since there was zero sense that anything was really moving forward for a good portion of this.

The Third Wife of Faraday House was a delightful Gothic romp and I enjoyed every moment of it. Emeline was the perfect Gothic heroine, Faraday House was eerie and mysterious. It had everything I wanted in a Gothic novel!

A solid gothic thriller with twists and turns that are earned over time!

I haven't read anything by B.R. Myers, but want to check out more of her work after Faraday House. Her writing is ambient, which is perfect within this genre for bringing Faraday house alive. I will say that some of the first part of the book dragged for a while, spending a lot of time in Emeline's thoughts to a point that felt unnecessary. But around the 60% mark, things really pick up and I found myself unable to put the book down because I needed to know what was going to happen. Some twists and turns were not too surprising, but there were moments where I audibly GASPED in shock. So, props to Myers for that.

This is the perfect fall read for folks who want more of a cozy spooky gothic thriller (lightly cozy, but I would argue the ending makes it more cozy than anything) with coming of age themes. There is a romance subplot that I felt was well developed, but not entireeeely necessary - but I enjoyed it all the same.

I thought this would be a romance. So I went into it with the wrong expectation. I am just not a mystery girl. Thanks for letting me try.

This is a Gothic mystery (not so much a Gothic romance). It follows most of the conventions of the genre: first person from the perspective of a young, vulnerable woman who arrives at a dismal, isolated manse; plenty of characters she doesn't know if she should trust; a love interest who might be the villain; ghostly, unexplained happenings.

Usually the reader identifies with the young woman MC, but I got a bit frustrated with Emeline because of her TSTL tendencies. I had no idea why she made the decisions she did. For example, one of my pet peeves in historical romances is when FMCs decline proposals from the men they love because said MMCs don't propose for the ~right reasons.~ That goes triple for a Gothic heroine who's ruined and in mortal danger. Just marry the hot guy you love and who just proposed, Emeline.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

I love a creepy gothic house with a mystery, so The Third Wife of Faraday House was an easy pick for me. The author did well creating an atmosphere of curiosity and worry, with an old house, a supposed curse, and questionable characters who all seem suspicious at one point. Emeline is the heroine of the novel and she does well bringing curiosity, a dramatic backstory, and development as a character.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and William Morrow Paperbacks. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Gothic, Paranormal, Women's Fiction, General Fiction, Historical Fiction
Spice Level: Nothing is on the page
Language: I don't remember it having profanity

Wow! THE THIRD WIFE OF FARADAY HOUSE is one of the best examples of modern gothic I've read. It moves beyond Jane Eyre in plot which is refreshing. Because this is a historical novel, the main character, Emeline, doesn't have much freedom, but she still takes action and is vested in changing her life on her terms. I thought this struck a great balance between history and our modern expectations.

Gothic Elements:
- Paranormal
- Family Secrets
- Betrayal
- The attic
- Disturbing art
- Former wife
- Loyal staff
- Hidden motivation
- Mean family
- Orphan
- Storm
- Spooky vibes
- An older man wanting a bride

Other elements that worked, oh, so well!
- Non-Byronic hero: I loved that he is unexpected! Give me more of this in any gothic book, and I'm in!
- The dog! Always bonus points for a good dog that is important in the plot
- Windswept beach
- Creepy forest

I highly recommend this book! It's a lot of fun, and the twists are wonderful.

Happy (gothic) reading!

I was gifted The Third Wife of Faraday House by B.R. Myers in exchange for my honest review by William Morrow publishers.

B. R. Myers writes wonderfully atmospheric gothic mysteries. The Third Wife of Faraday House follows Emeline Fitzpatrick as she escapes possible ruin from a Royal Navy officer by traveling to Faraday House to become the third wife of Captain Graves. Unfortunately, wife number is not dead yet.

I loved the drama and twists of this plot. There was intrigue and danger in each chapter. Reading this book made me anxious at what is awaiting our sometimes naive and foolish heroine. A great read for those searching for a Rebecca-esque gothic.