Ruby Vaughn has been brought to Manhurst Castle by Mr. Owen to search thru some rare books, or so she thought. It was a ruse to get Ruby to come with Mr. Owen to a seance he had been invited to in order to contact his youngest son, Ben, who had died on the way home from the war. But, the seance brought someone other than Ben, and it upset Mr. Owen so much Ruby feared for his life. While to try to find out what the messages from the seance meant, Mr. Owen finally tells Ruby most of his deep dark secrets and Ruby feels she cannot be more surprised, until she is. Especially when Ruan Kivell, the Pellar Ruby met a few weeks ago shows up, at Mr. Owen's insistence. Then the bodies start falling and Ruby and Ruan are shot. What next will happen...

DNF. Couldn't get into it. My fault for trying to read historical fiction maybe? I know it's not really my thing but man I would've thought I'd care at least a little about the story since otherwise it's up my alley. 🤷🏻‍♀️😞

The Secret of the Three Fates is a novel that, while promising an intriguing magical world, falters along the way. The narrative, though adorned with a rich tapestry of mythological lore, struggles to maintain a captivating pace. The mystery, the central plot point, is drawn out to a tedious length, risking the reader's interest.

The novel's greatest strength lies in its magical backstory, which starts with a seance, sketchy mediums, and a skeptic. However, this potential is largely untapped. The story often delves into lengthy descriptions and exposition, slowing the momentum and diluting the impact of the magical elements. The romance between Ruby and Ruan feels forced, lacking the depth and chemistry necessary to ignite a spark. The characters themselves, while well-intentioned, often come across as one-dimensional and predictable.

The conclusion, though tidy, feels somewhat anticlimactic. By the time the final pages are turned, the initial purpose of the journey may have faded from memory. The resolution, while satisfying in a conventional sense, fails to leave a lasting impression.

Sophomore books can be a tricky thing, often failing to catch the spark of the first. But that’s not a problem here! I was completely riveted with the mystery, the paranormal/fantastic, and the subtle hints as to what Ruby is. Perhaps she’s more similar to her Pellar than she thought? I can’t say enough good things about this book, and can’t wait for more!

ARC by NetGalley and the publisher.
Direct sequel to The Curse of Penryth Hall The Secret of the Three Fates continues with Ruby Vaughn solving another mystery. This time at the behest of Mr. Owen, her surrogate like father figure and employer. Under the guise of searching for new manuscripts for her employer’s book store Ruby is unwittingly lead into an occult world among the Scottish Hills filled with ghosts, seances, and a murdered medium. When Ruby and Mr. Owen are named as suspects the help of acquaintance and friend Ruan Kivell is needed. With the group determined to clear their names and solve the case they journey down a path filled with secrets, lies, and the occult.

With the historical fiction, mystery, and magical elements it’s no surprise that I found this read to be just as enjoyable if not more so than its predecessor. I just loved getting to venture back into Armstrong’s period piece murder mystery filled world. Reading this felt like visiting old friends, as you’re given more details/reveals about who Ruby is and what her past looks like. I will say you most definitely need to read book one as aspects of character development are intertwined, as well as Ruby’s interactions/relationships with Ruan and Mr. Owen. Again I found myself loving the gothic setting and vibes of this book. Between the time period of 1920’s to the haunted halls of the scottish Manhurst Castle I simply couldn’t get enough of this locked room mystery. The plot was equally intriguing, twisty, and engaging; easily keeping me turning pages to see what truths would be unearthed. Sprinkled in between these hidden secrets we’re also gifted the tension and attraction that is Ruby and Ruan’s brimming relationship which I adored. With that being said I truly hope there will be more books in this series, as I need more of these folkloric filled mysteries Ruby and Ruan venture on. Simply put I really enjoyed this book and if you’re a fan of historical fiction, strong willed FMC’s, atmospheric settings, simmering romantic tension, and murder with a dash of the occult then you have to pick up this book and series.


The Secret of the Three Fates comes out December 3rd, 2024.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

OK, I love me some Ruby Vaughn, and this second installment in the historical mystery series set in 1922 Scotland just cements my adoration for her character.

Ruby finds herself reluctantly traveling with Mr. Owen (her octogenarian boss/housemate) who lures her to Manhurst Castle with the promise of finding missing manuscripts for their bookshop. But in reality, he wishes to attend a seance to contact his dead son through the mediums known as the Three Fates. However, things go awry as murders ensue, old wounds still fester, familiar faces show up (both welcome and unwelcome), Ruby and Vaughn find themself accused unjustly and secrets come to light (especially pertaining to Mr. Owen).
Trust me, there's a lot going on here and a couple of different storylines as other than the current mystery, we also learn more about Ruby's past life in America and how she was affected by it.

So, what I love about this series (other than Ruby) is...well, everything. Very good writing (descriptive with a good feel for a setting), humorous dialogue sprinkled in, a slow but simmering spark between Ruby and her folk healer Pellar (witch) Ruan, well-plotted mysteries...again, just everything. And all this coming from an author whose debut was its predecessor. So yeah, if you'd like to start at the beginning, please see The Curse of Penryth Hall.

But for a minute I'd like to shine a light on Ruby herself. She has a complicated past (including losing family members to the Lusitania) that has shaped her into a strong, independent, fiercely intelligent and headstrong woman who's not afraid of confrontation or speaking up for herself...a modern woman ahead of her time. Fiesty and fiercely loyal to those she cares about, she's a joy to watch.

I'm assuming there will be more in this series, and if not, I will honestly miss it dearly.

My absolute thanks to the author, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for providing the free early arc of The Secret of the Three Fates for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

This is apparently the second book in the Ruby Vaughn series. I had not read the first and was not quite sure of what was going on at first. It didn't take long to get into the story. Set just after the Great War, Ruby and her mentor Mr Owen end up at a seance and the ghosts are angry. Ruby finds no one is as they seem, even those she thought she knew.
There are lots of twists in this one and it was interesting, but seemed to drag at times. There is a bit of supernatural happenings and a few odd actions by Ruby, but in all it was a good book.

This is the second book in the Ruby Vaughn series, and it's just as great as the first book. It takes place seven weeks after the first book in the series. It contains great intrigue, and Rudy finds a mysterious ring that holds the key to help her solve the mystery and save Mr. Owen and herself from ruin.

We learn more about Ruby's and Mr. Owen's pasts, and the handsome Ruan Kivell returns to help Ruby solve the mystery and unravel the secrets held by the Three Fates. I highly recommend this book and this series.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for a chance to review this book.

"Following the atmospheric and award-winning Gothic historical mystery debut, The Curse of Penryth Hall, USA Today bestselling author Jess Armstrong's heroine, Ruby Vaughn, returns in The Secret of the Three Fates, where the Scottish Hills hold ghosts of the past that threaten Ruby's present.

American heiress Ruby Vaughn still hasn't entirely forgiven her octogenarian employer and housemate Mr. Owen for bringing the occult into their lives during her recent trip to Cornwall. He claims their journey to Manhurst Castle in the Scottish Borders is simply to appraise and acquire illuminated manuscripts for their rare books shop, however when Ruby discovers there are no manuscripts and receives news of a séance to be held that very night, she begins to grow suspicious about the true reason why they have come.

The Great War left grieving families willing to sacrifice anything for the chance to say goodbye to a lost loved one. Mr. Owen is no exception. He is desperate to speak to his son, but he doesn't want to face the spirits alone. When the séance - hosted by a trio of mediums billing themselves as The Three Fates - goes awry, Mr. Owen's secrets begin to unravel, threatening to reveal a history that he has been running from for half his life.

Something Ruby knows all too well how to do.

When Ruby finds one of the Three Fates murdered the night of the séance, she and Mr. Owen quickly become the prime suspects. To clear their names, Ruby enlists the help of Ruan Kivell, the folk healer Pellar who helped her weeks before in Cornwall. As their investigation progresses Ruby and Ruan realize someone is determined to prevent them from uncovering the truth about what happened to the dead medium."

I am seriously considering doing a theme month where every book features mediums. I am such a sucker for spiritualism.

3.5 stars. I'm very glad that Ruby Vaughn's adventures continue here, though book 2 of this series seems to have the same pros and cons as book 1. On the positive side, Ruby is a fun protagonist and her work for Mr. Owen dealing with rare books and potential paranormal events is an entertaining spin on the historical mystery genre. We get more page-time with Ruan Kivell here, who comes to the rescue when Mr. Owen and Ruby need him while staying at a castle in the Scottish border region. Similarly, the White Witch from book 1 makes an appearance here. We also learn more about Mr. Owen's family and history here, and someone from Ruby's past shows up, as well.

My issues with this book are similar to book 1. There are a lot of plot threads introduced, but some are dropped without addressing and many don't seem to serve a purpose to the overall story. This needed a much closer edit than it was given. There are inconsistencies and plot holes throughout, which become distracting as they accumulate. Scottish geography also is loosely interpreted to fit the needs of the story. While we learn a little bit more about Ruby's backstory, the conflicting timelines that were presented in book 1 are not clarified here.

Overall, if you liked book 1 or are interested in historical mysteries with a touch of the paranormal, I would still recommend this, despite its flaws.

Thank you to Minotaur and Netgalley for providing an ARC for review!

Thanks to NetGalley, St Martins Press, and Minotaur Books for this copy of "The Secret of the Three Fates," the sequel to "The Curse of Penryth Hall."

I'm still in Halloween hangover so I'll be reading spooky and/or gothic books for a little while longer.

The setting is 1922 and Ruby Vaughn works in the bookshop of her 80ish-year-old employer, Mr. Owen. They're both such interesting, unique, and memorable characters. And they have such mysterious back-stories so this series will hopefully (please!) spend several more books exploring the questions.

Ruby was exiled to England after a disastrous scandal in America. Mr. Owen has no remaining family as his wife died before WWI and he lost his three sons during the war.

Mr. Owen and Ruby travel to Manhurst Castle in Scotland to look for illuminated manuscripts, or is that really why they're there?

I was able to read both "Penryth" and "Three Fates" back-to-back which was helpful (but not necessary) since "Three Fates" takes place six weeks after the end of "Penryth."

And yes, thank heavens, Ruan Kivell, the Pellar from "Penryth" is in this book, too!

This is the sequel to The Curse of Penryth Hall. If you have not read the first book, read the following review with caution, as some plot lines from the first novel may be slightly spoiled.

The tale once again follows Ruby Vaughn, discgraced American heiress. After the events of the first novel, her boss, Mr. Owen, decides that they will next travel to Manhurst Castle in Scotland in search of more manuscripts for the bookshop.

However, when they arrive, Ruby is startled to learn that there are no manuscripts at all, leading her to question why they are actually there.

A seance is conducted shortly after they arrive, and when one of the mediums, who call themselves The Three Fatess, is murdered, Ruby and Mr. Owen become suspects.

As Ruby tries to clear her and Mr. Owen’s name, she enlists the help of Ruan Kivell, the Pellar that assisted her in the first novel. What follows is a web of deceit, mistaken identity, violence, secrets, and love.

I enjoyed this installment more than the first book in this series. Part of that is because we already know most of the characters which allows for better character development overall. We also get to learn more about Mr. Owen and we see the relationship between Ruby and Ruan progress.

I am unsure if there will be another book in the series, but I would love for there to be as I think there are more adventures to be had for Ruby! If there is a third book, I will be sure to pick it up when it comes out.

Thank you to the author and publisher, as well as NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The second Ruby Vaughn historical mystery moves her to the hills of Scotland. She is traveling with her octogenarian boss Mr. Owen in search of rare illuminated manuscripts. However, when she arrives at Manhurst Castle and finds no manuscripts but rather a seance in the offing, she is angry at her boss.

While Ruby wishes to put the past and the war behind her, she knows that many are willing to do anything for a last message from those they lost. Mr. Owen is no exception. He is desperately eager for a message from his son Ben. But the seance conducted by three women who call themselves the Three Fates goes awry when the oldest of the fates and the one who wrote to Mr. Owen to encourage his attendance dies.

Gradually family secrets come out including some of Ruby's since the owner of the castle was once an acquaintance of hers from the time she caused a scandal in New York that forced her from her home at sixteen.

But it is Mr. Owen's secrets that are the most devastating to Ruby since she had had no idea that he was keeping so much from her. However, once her love and loyalty are given, she'll do anything for the person who inspired those emotions.

Ruby isn't alone in trying to figure out the mysteries of the past. Ruan Kivell has also been called to the castle. Ruby and Ruan have a complicated relationship which began in the first book. They are falling in love, but Ruby is terrified at the thought of loving someone again. She's rather face ghosts and murderers than her feelings.

This was an engaging story. I like the 1922 time period where people are still dealing with the losses of World War I. I really enjoyed Ruby's complex relationship with both Mr. Owen and Ruan.

The Secret of the Three Fates is Book 2 in the Ruby Vaughn Mysteries series. Book 1, The Curse of Penryth Hall, was a good debut novel, but needed more details and information. In the sequel, The Secret of the Three Fates, author Jess Armstrong has created a strong novel, one with a multilayered plot and with stronger, better defined characters. Ruby and Ruan are likable characters, who continue their partnership with even more romance and a risky investigation that poses danger for both characters.

In the beginning of The Secret of the Three Fates, a seance goes badly wrong. Scotland is the perfect setting for mystery and the supernatural. Characters and plot are nicely woven together, with both characters from Book 1 and the introduction of new characters, whose lives are anything but simple. The descriptions in Book 2 are more forthcoming and help to create a stronger gothic setting, one filled with possibilities of love and death. I am still a bit unsure about the timeline, which seems either to be post-Great War or post-WWII. I enjoyed The Secret of the Three Fates more than I enjoyed Book 1, The Curse of Penryth Hall.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I am recommending The Secret of the Three Fates and recommending that readers allow sufficient time to read this novel carefully, so that no clues are missed.

I was excited to see the second book in this series. I enjoyed the first book, The Curse of Penryth Hall. Set after WWI, heiress Ruby Vaughn travels with her octagenarian employer to a Scottish castle. When she finds out he has lied to her about their reason for being there, Ruby is furious but agrees to participate in a seance on site. When the seance goes wildly out of control, and one of the participants is later found dead, Ruby finds herself accused of the crime. To save her skin, she must find out who the real killer is. She thinks she's on her own, but the Cornish Pellar she met a few weeks previous, Ruan Kivall, shows up to share the duty.
I love Ruby Vaughn! Although the setting is the 1920s, Ruby's money and lack of concern about her image allow her freedom that other women of the time are refused. She is bold and sassy - not your usual "plucky" historical fiction heroine. Ruby is a woman who knows her mind and generally speaks it. I also like the blending of crime and magic - until the final pages, the reader is unsure which of those plays a bigger part in the drama. Looking forward to book number three!

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Dec. 3, 2024
Ruby Vaughan is traveling to an estate in Scotland with her housemate and employer, Mr. Owen, in order to collect some ancient manuscripts. At least, that’s what she was told. However, it becomes clear that there are no manuscripts within the walls of the estate but people have gathered in order to participate in an event taking place that night- a séance. The trio of mediums hosting the séance call themselves The Three Fates and as soon as the séance begins, trouble follows. Mr. Owen has secrets that he didn’t even tell Ruby about, and, when the Three Fates are murdered, one by one, Ruby begins to suspect that something is very, very wrong and her beloved Mr. Owen may be right at the centre.
Jess Armstrong’s, “The Secret of the Three Fates” is the second novel in the Ruby Vaughan series. Unlike many others in this genre, Armstrong’s first Ruby Vaughan novel, “The Curse of Penryth Hall” is one that should be read before experiencing “Fates”, as the second novel picks up where the first novel left off without a lot of background information provided. I was a fan of “Penryth Hall” and was looking forward to more Ruby, and I’m glad to say Armstrong did not disappoint.
“Fates” occurs in the Scottish countryside, which earns bonus points right there from me, and centres around the supernatural, which is perfect for the spooky season. Ruby is the protagonist and narrates the novel, and the main players from “Penryth Hall” have returned, including Mr. Owen (of course) and Ruby’s potential love interest, Ruan. This novel even provides a bit more insight into Ruby’s past, when someone she once knew happens to be the owner of the Scottish home.
There are a lot of characters in this one, including Dukes, Viscounts and other nobilities, but they all seem to have pretty distinct personalities so it’s easy enough to differentiate between them. Ruby, of course, continues to go against the grain and break all the rules of what is expected of her while fighting her feelings for Ruan, and manages to solve both a current murder and a historical one.
“Fates” is scenic and spooky, with a séance and a few murders thrown in and when you add the spunky, admirable misfit Ruby as the protagonist, you have an entertaining, suspenseful novel that is as engaging as it is fun.
Although “Fates” was completely resolved by the final pages, it was obvious that a third novel will be forthcoming, and I can’t wait to see where Ruby goes next.

“The Secret of the Three Fates” by Jess Armstrong is book 2 in the Ruby Vaughn Mysteries. Where the Scottish Hills hold ghosts of the past that threaten Ruby’s present.

I was instantly drawn back into the world of Ruby, Owen, and Ruan the Pellar. In this captivating sequel, we are whisked away to Manhurst Castle in the Scottish Borders, where secrets from Owen and Ruby's pasts begin to unravel.

The story expertly weaves together Elijah, a figure from Ruby's troubled past in America , and the dark mysteries surrounding Mr. Owen's history. As murders unfold, the author masterfully maintains suspense, which kept me guessing until the very end.

The conclusion hints at a thrilling book three – fingers crossed!

Tess Armstrong has secured her spot as one of my favorite authors. I highly recommend this series to all mystery lovers .

I requested and received an advance readers copy from St. Martin’s and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am so happy to return to the world of Ruby and Ruan! The Secret of the Three Fates did not disappoint, throwing the reader straight into the action in a pretty creepy way. Part whodunnit, part ghost story, part super slow burn romance, this sequel is even stronger than the first, serving up a propulsive, action packed murder mystery that kept me guessing until the end.

I loved that a couple of the other characters from the first book were also in this - we found out more about Mr Owen and one other character (I won't give it away). Ruby was on point as always - and her and Ruan's relationship slow burns throughout this book - in the best way.

The end once again was satisfying but in a way that leaves us absolutely needing a third book! Thank you to St Martin's Press for the advanced copy!

**The Secret of the Three Fates by Jess Armstrong – 4 Stars**

A huge thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and the author Jess Armstrong for providing me with an ARC of *The Secret of the Three Fates*. When I initially selected this book, I was drawn in by the vibes and synopsis, but I hadn’t realized it was the second in a series. Before diving into this one, I took the time to read the first book, which I highly recommend doing. These books need to be read in order to fully grasp the characters and ongoing plotlines.

That said, I really enjoyed the mystery aspects in both installments. Jess Armstrong has crafted a story with a gripping plot, while also developing strong, endearing characters. The relationship between Ruby and Mr. Owen is a highlight, with their witty banter and evolving dynamic adding warmth to the suspense. The writing style is engaging, making the story feel lively and enjoyable.

This series has all the elements of a cozy fall read with a supernatural twist, perfect for those looking for mystery with just a hint of the otherworldly. The atmosphere makes it a great book to curl up with during the cooler months, and I’m excited to see where the series goes from here!

This gothic historical mystery set in 1922, features the return of American heiress Ruby Vaughn. Ruby, accompanied by her elderly employer Mr. Owen, embarks on what she believes is a trip to Scotland to acquire manuscripts for their rare bookshop. However, she soon discovers that Mr. Owen has ulterior motives, particularly his desire to contact the spirit of his dead son during a séance. This twist sets the stage for an eerie tale that mixes the supernatural with traditional detective elements.

The novel's mystery kicks into high gear when one of the three mediums hosting the séance is found murdered. Ruby and Mr. Owen are quickly embroiled as suspects, and Ruby must rely on her investigative skills—and some supernatural help from a Cornish witch named Ruan Kivell—to uncover the truth. The story contains vivid depictions of post-WWI Britain, blending the suspense of a whodunit with atmospheric gothic elements.

Armstrong masterfully weaves together historical and paranormal themes, creating a unique blend of cozy mystery, gothic horror, and supernatural intrigue. Fans of Armstrong’s debut, The Curse of Penryth Hall, will find this sequel just as gripping, with its well-developed characters, rich setting, and engaging plot. Newcomers to the series will also find it an enjoyable standalone read as they get to know Ruby Vaughn and wonder what trouble she'll get herself into next.