I absolutely love the feel and atmosphere of this book! I love the gothic, historical fiction feel. I also found it to be quite confusing. I do love Ruby Vaughn's character and had a great time reading this. enjoyed this! I did not realize it was the second in a series, and I do think the first book would have helped this one make more sense. I will definitely go back and get caught up!

I thought the story was very interesting but I did get a little lost with all the characters and at the end. I think it’s important to read the first book before going into this in order to be fully invested in the characters and understand some larger aspects of the story.

I was very excited to hear this was going to be a continuing series about our heroine Ruby. I love the gothic tones, and that the occult was present in this book. A well written book, that was an absolute page turner. Cannot wait for the next!

I adored Jess Armstrong's debut novel The Curse of Penryth Hall. This is the second book in the series which follows Ruby and Mr. Owen to a seance conducted by three psychic mediums who dub themselves the three fates. When one of the three fates is murdered the night of the seance Ruby gets to work investigating the murder in part to clear her own name as a suspect. When Ruan arrives she tries to enlist his help again, but she is warned by one of the surviving fates that if she keeps up her connection to Ruan it will lead to his untimely death. Will they be able to track down the killer and uncover the secrets she was murdered for? Can Ruby truly bring about Ruan's death? And are the fates truly psychic or just trying to keep Ruby from learning the truth?
I just love these historical murder mysteries set in Scotland, and hope there will soon be a third in the series!

I enjoyed this! I did not realize it was the second in a series, and I do think the first book would have helped this one make more sense. I will definitely go back and get caught up!

I love me some Ruby Vaughn! She is kick-ass woman that does what she wants, lives how she wants, and takes no shit from anyone (anymore) in a time when that was not acceptable. Jess Armstrong does a wonderful job writing this series pulling the characters together as a found family and keeps me wanting to know more about them! I can't wait to see what happens in book 3!

Many thanks to Netgalley for this arc. I received this book in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts are entirely my own.

This book takes place several weeks after the first book ended. Ruth is traveling to an island where Mr.Owens has found a manuscript and needs her to see it. Ruth has actually been sent for a seance and finds out Mr.Owens is a viscount and his first wife disappeared due to mysterious circumstances and that his brother blames him for it. Ruth gets shot and almost dies while trying to figure out the truth. Ruth discovers that Genevieve is actually Mr. Owen’s daughter and she will inherit the estate. The duke, Mr. Owen’s brother, killed his brother’s wife after she discovered that he killed an innocent woman during a ceremony.

I absolutely love the feel and atmosphere of this book! I love the gothic, historical fiction feel. I also found it to be quite confusing. I do love Ruby Vaughn's character and had a great time reading this. Although it's not my favorite series of this genre it's one that I am happy to read book 3 in! Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.

In theory this should have been a book up my alley but for some reason I just didn’t care for it that much. First I didn’t realize this was part 2 in a series, not sure if that made a difference though. I was annoyed at the characters behavior at times and got frustrated with the plot. It’s okay just not a winner for me. I do however appreciate the arc in exchange of an honest review.

3.5 stars
The characters and the basics of the plot were okay, but I found some things frustrating. For example, people kept too many things secret from their friends and allies for no good reason. Also, sometimes the behavior of the characters didn't make sense to me in the context. I would like to know more about Pellars, however!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-ARC of this book.

THE SECRET OF THE THREE FATES by Jess Armstrong

This is the second installment of the Ruby Vaughn mystery series. I have not read the first book, but you’re filled in on what happened prior as the story gets going.

I’m on the fence. There was not much suspense or intrigue in the plot. I kept wishing for the characters to just TALK to one another instead of keeping secrets. The whole “will they or won’t they” romance trope isn’t my favorite either.

My main issue are the characters’ actions and dialogue. It came across as too contemporary for the setting. Other than the passing mention of The Great War, the whole story could have been set in late-20th century instead of post WWI.

In short, it’s good but it wasn’t for me.

Rating: 3/5 ⭐️

**ARC courtesy of Netgalley & StMartinsPress

We once again join the headstrong, American heiress, Ruby Vaughn, through a gothic mystery. The Secret of Three Fates is the second installment in the Ruby Vaughn series written by Jess Armstrong. Jess Armstrong really wowed us when she debuted with The Curse of Penryth Hall. When I found out a sequel was coming, I couldn’t jump on it faster.

Ruby Vaughn finds herself following her employer/roommate, Mr. Owen, to Manhunts Castle, under the ruse they are seeking manuscripts for her bookshop. It is when they arrive that Ruby soon finds out they are there to attend a seance with the Three Fates. As with any mystery, things do not go as planned and one of the Three Fates has been murdered. Ruby and Mr. Owen are the prime suspects. In order to clear their names, Ruby pairs up with Ruan Kivell once again to uncover the truth.

This book is for the lovers of Victorian-era Historical Mysteries, with an other worldly element. The Secret of Three Fates will constantly keep you guessing. I feel like Armstrong purposely writes this book to make you second guess yourself, and rooting for romance. However, this is not a romance (even though there is obviously something brewing between Ruby & Ruan)

I cannot wait to read the next novel. I need to know more about Ruby’s past. What is brewing between Ruan & Ruby? Will they ever get together? Are we journeying overseas next?

Thank you Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

I loved meeting up with the great Ruby Vaughn again! Set not long after the last book, Ruby and Mr. Owen are back in Scotland for a seance that goes horribly wrong. Ruby may have doubts about the supernatural but she is up for some sleuthing, sneaking, and picking locks to get to the truth about it all before the wrong person ends up paying for the crimes. And when you add in the reappearance of the mystical Ruan, I knew they would get to the bottom of it all! They are such a great team and are certainly meant for each other no matter what the White Witch says! I do like how you get a more in depth knowledge of Mr. Owen in this book, and learn more about Ruby too with her awful issue in America and a bit more about her time as an ambulance driver in the war. Plus a nice and twisty mystery with mayhap a touch of the supernatural (no matter what Ruby says!)

This is a wonderful book and series and I cannot wait for the next book to see what happens with Ruby and Ruan!

Mr. Owen and Ruby are at Manhurst Castle, in the Scottish Borders. Ruby still hasn't forgiven him for sending her on a trip to Cornwall and a brush with the paranormal, but she loves the guy, so she's willing to give the man some latitude.

Then, she finds out why they're at Manhurst, as there are no antique manuscripts to be found at the castle. Mr. Owen is grieving for his son, and he wants desperately to speak with him again, which he hopes to do at a séance to be held there. Ruby is angry, but reluctantly supports Mr. Owen, as she feels that the spiritualists are likely there to con everyone attending.

Sadly, things go badly awry when Ruby finds one of the Three Fates (the mediums running the séance) murdered, and Mr. Owen is seen as a prime suspect.

Ruan Kivell shows up to support and aid Ruby and Mr. Owen, and soon Ruby is discovering surprising things about Mr. Owen, his family, and the guests there for the séance.

While Ruby sleuths, she wrestles with her ambivalence towards Ruan, much as she knows she's deeply attracted to him. She still has issues about her self, her family, her past relationships, and she feels she must guard her heart from the man, despite his kindness, willingness to help her regardless of the situation, and his obvious desire to explore a relationship with her.

This was a terrific next book in the Ruby Vaughn series. I loved the reveal of Mr. Owen's secrets, and the way more things are teased about Ruby's abilities and her mother. I am eager to learn more about her, and though I was engaged by the mystery and all its twists and turns, it's Ruby, Ruan and Mr. Owen that totally held my interest, and I can't wait to revisit them and their lives in book three.

Thank you to Netgally and to St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Part of series.
Mr Owen and Ruby to travel to Scotland to get a manuscript but are really there for a seance.
During the seance things go wrong and ends in a murder.
Good character, mystery, suspense, drama, twists and possible coming romance.
Really enjoyed story.
Voluntarily reviewed.

The Secret of the Three Fates is the follow-up to the highly-engaging Gothic Mystery, The Curse of Penryth Hall, which I really enjoyed last year. These books are part of the Ruby Vaughn series by Jess Armstrong. I'd so been looking forward to being back with Ruby on another spooky adventure. Happily, this was just as enticing as the first book!

This installment brings Ruby and her employer/housemate, Mr. Owen, to Manhurst Castle in the Scottish Borders. Ruby believes they're there to acquire manuscripts for the bookshop, but quickly discovers that's not the case. In fact, it turns out they're there to attend a seance to be held that very night. Mr. Owen, up to his old tricks again.

Desperate to contact his son, lost to the Great War, Mr. Owen hopes the seance could help him get his wish, but he doesn't want to do it alone. Hence, Ruby's unknowing presence. The seance is hosted by three mediums, going by the name of The Three Fates. As any of us could have guessed, things do not go smoothly, nor as planned, and Mr. Owen's secret past looks close to being exposed. Shortly thereafter, Ruby discovers one of the Three Fates has been murdered and she and Mr. Owen are immediately dubbed the prime suspects.

In order the clear their names, Ruby begins her own investigation, enlisting the help of Ruan, the folk healer she befriended in the first book during her time in Cornwall. You know, the handsome one.

My favorite thing about the first book was the atmosphere and Armstrong succeeded again in building out a lush, gothic-feeling setting. I am also loving how attached I am becoming to this set of characters. Yet again, the chemistry between Ruby and Ruan was so well done. I enjoy Ruby so much as a lead. She's plucky, smart and a little hard-headed. Once she starts investigating something, she doesn't let anything get in her way, no matter how dangerous. It was fun getting to know more about Mr. Owen too. There was quite a bit revealed about his past in this one, and I feel like I have more of an appreciation for him now.

I feel like the seance scenes were also really well-imagined. Thinking of the popularity of occult practices like that during this time period is so fascinating to me. It must have felt completely surreal participating in something like that, when belief was so high. I love that Armstrong used that practice within this mystery. It was compelling and felt time period appropriate. It also helped to give the mystery an overall unsettling air.

I'm already anxious for news on the next book. There has to be one. There's no way this is it for these characters. I shall sit back, patiently, and wait. Any by that I mean, I'll be chomping at the bit to get my hands on it...

I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys Historical Mysteries with heavy Gothic vibes. The settings, the characters and the mysteries themselves, are all so well developed. There's a lot to praise about Armstrong's work. Additionally, the audiobook was very well narrated; exactly how I would imagine Ruby sounding.

Thank you to the publisher, Minotaur Books and Dreamscape Media, for providing me with copies to read and review. I cannot wait to be reunited with Ruby and friends!!

Return to the world of Ruby Vaughn! This time, she’s in Scotland…

Mr. Owen has once again arranged for Ruby to travel, but in this second adventure he’s coming, too. After attending a seance in the castle they’re staying in together which left everyone there with more questions than answers, Ruby is sucked into the case of a mysterious death, & Mr. Owen’s past becomes relevant in the present. With Ruan the Pellar’s help, Ruby seeks justice…

I loved all the extra information about our recurring characters in this follow-up to the author’s debut novel, & having titles to every chapter was fun! I enjoyed the storyline between Ruan & Ruby & their peculiar connection, & the hint at the end of this book about a third escapade (possibly on another continent) has me ready to read the next installment in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley & Minotaur for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is the second story that I have read with Ruby Vaughn, and has with the first one I have thoroughly enjoyed them. You can’t help but fall in love with Ruby and Mr. Owen. They are such fun to read about. If you like historical fiction, mysteries, suspense, and a bit of paranormal you will love this book. I can’t wait to see what is going to happen next with Ruby and Mr. Owen.


I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I absolutely loved the first Ruby Vaughn and somehow I love the second book even more. I was immediately hooked by a seance that managed to shake our protagonist and make her question once more about the spiritual world. I loved what we saw of Mr. Owens in the first book and now we get to see more of him and dig into his (sordid) past but also solve the mystery of what happened to the love of his life. And I can't forget Ruan Kivell, the man that he is. He and Ruby are just two stars caught in the other's gravity, and I need them to collide already. Of course it won't be easy. I can't wait for the third book!!!

This was such a phenomenal book! I'd been waiting for book two in this series, and it didn't disappoint!

When a séance goes horribly wrong and the
medium ends up dead, American heiress Ruby and her employer must find the culprit. Their investigation leads them down a dangerous path filled with secrets and an attempt to contact the dead. Ruby needs to confront her own past and the terrible forces at play.

What I love about this series besides Ruby because she's fantastic is all the humor ,the amazing dialog and the great writing! I look forward to reading more in this series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.