The secret of the Three Fates by Jess Armstrong Book 2 of Ruby Vaughn


Ruby isn’t pleased when she finds out that Mr. Owen has lied to get her to Manhurst Castle. There is to be a seance to speak to the dead and things get a lot worse when one of the mediums is found dead and Ruby and Mr. Owen are the prime suspects. Ruby has to find the truth but someone doesn’t want the truth to come out.

Book 1 was decent, this one was better! The writing was phenomenal! I loved the atmosphere of the castle and finding out things we didn’t know about Mr. Owen. It was like a mystery stacked on a mystery. Some beautifully clever storylines weaved together with expertise!

I really enjoyed the budding romance between Ruby and Ruan. It didn’t overpower the mystery and I appreciated that.

The ending sets up what I am hoping is the next installment so I am excited for that. The accents were a tad much in places and that's about the only grip I have.

4.5 stars

The secret of the three fates is the second installment in the ruby Vaughn series. Set in Scotland in post WW1 era, ruby finds herself embroiled in another murder mystery. Ruby and her employer, Mr. owens, attend a seance delivered by three mediums (witches or “fates”). This seance sets into motion murder, secrets, disappearances, all with a touch of the occult or supernatural. This one builds on the gothic suspense started in penryth hall with its cold castles and family secrets.

A fun atmospheric novel full of twists, mystery, and great character building! Will look forward to the next installment of Ruby vaugh! Well done to the author for creating a new character and series worth looking forward to every year! Masterful use of atmosphere and setting.

Thanks to the publisher for providing this arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

📣 recommended for fans of Lady Sherlock by Sherry Thomas or the Andy Mills series by Lev AC Rosen!

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

📖 is there anything you’re hoping to finish by the new year? For me it’s Marriage & Masti by Nisha Sharma!

This Ruby Vaughn series by Jessica Armstrong has me in a literary chokehold. I LOVE what’s going on in the two books I’ve read—

They’re queer historical mysteries with the beginning of a romance
Supernatural elements!
An unconventional heroine who isn’t cowed by threats of danger
A fantastic balance of suspense & character relationships, all of it wrapped up neatly in a gothic-tinged post-World War setting

The Secret of the Three Fates is the second book in the book & both it & The Curse of Penryth Hall are out now!

[ID: Jess holds the ebook in front of a holiday berry candle display, wood trees, & a blue painting.]

Gothic setting, spirituality and murder in 1922!

Ruby Vaughn has travelled to Manhurst Castle, Scotland, with her friend and employer Mr. Owen, to attend of all things, a seance.
It’s highly unusual that Mr. Owen insist they go.
There’s not one but three mediums (more witches than mediums) and then when the Pellar turns up the mediums keep saying something dastardly was going to happen.
It did! One of the medium’s Lucy Campbell asked Ruby to meet her at midnight at the bridge. Ruby finds her face down in the icy lake. She jumped in to try to rescue Lucy, but she was dead.
The police tried to pin the murder on Ruby. She was having nothing of it.
Before the tale finishes there’s been murder, truths not revealed or distorted, attempted killings on Ruby and so much more, including the possibility of a figure from Ruby’s past.
All very exciting! The fate of Ruby, the Pellar and Mr. Owen once again sucked me in!

A St. Martin’s Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

It’s set in Scotland and the second in the Ruby Vaughn series, so what else did I need to dive into this book? Despite it being 1922 Ruby Vaughn is a self-assured, forward thinking modern woman who rarely offers apologies - I like her. Mystery, a bit of the occult, murder, many references to Ruby’s fall from polite society and a very special love interest kept me turning the pages late into the night. A brief aside - I loved the title headings of the chapters

I loved The Curse of Penryth Hall and hoped it would be followed by a strong addition - The Secret of the Three Fates capitalized on its history and moved the ball further down the court. I can only wonder what is coming next. While you might be able to read this installment as a standalone I would recommend reading The Curse of Penryth Hall first. Many thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a copy.

Thank you Minotaur and NetGalley for the eARC of The Secret of the Three Fates! All opinions in this review are my own.

I have been waiting for the next book in this historical mystery series and it did not disppoint! Much like The Curse of Penryth Hall, The Secret of the Three Fates is atmospheric and you are never quite sure whether there is something supernatural going on or not.

I feel like this one shifts gears from the moody, gothic vibe of its predecessor into a more traditional murder mystery. There are still elements that are gothic, but it didn't have that same vibe. And while it delivers some solid moments, it doesn’t quite capture the same spark as the first installment for me.

Mr. Owen takes on a more active role here, which is a nice change in theory, but it does come at the cost of some of his enigmatic charm. His grief and desperation add depth to his character, but the balance between revealing his past and maintaining the air of mystery that made him compelling feels a little uneven. Instead of feeling charmed, I mostly feel sorry for him.

The setting had all the right ingredients for an atmospheric tale—a séance gone wrong, a grand estate, a tangled web of suspects—but the setting sometimes felt surface-level, as if the historical backdrop faded into the background rather than enriching the story. At times, I had to remind myself this wasn’t set in the modern day, which is a shame because Armstrong clearly knows how to build ambiance when she leans into it.

Ruby, unfortunately, felt more like an observer than an active participant in her own story. Much of her “investigation” relies on conveniently overhearing things rather than piecing together clues herself. Her dynamic with Ruan is given space to breathe, and while I appreciated the quieter moments between them, Ruby’s reluctance to confront her emotional hangups feels increasingly stagnant. Her lack of growth over two books is starting to feel less like a slow-burn arc and more like stringing readers along.

The murder mystery itself was... fine. The sheer number of side characters made it hard to keep track of everyone, and while they were all clearly meant to serve as red herrings, they ended up muddling the story instead of adding intrigue.

That said, the audiobook narration was excellent and really improved my enjoyment of the story. These books truly shine in audio format, and the narrator does a fantastic job bringing the characters and atmosphere to life.

While The Secret of the Three Fates wasn’t the page-turner the first one was, it still offered enough intrigue to keep me entertained. If Ruby can finally break free from her emotional holding pattern in future books, I think this will be a series to follow.

Thanks so much to St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed The Curse of Penryth Hall - the first book in this series from Jess Armstrong. The second book, The Secret of the Three Fates is newly released.

Our lead character is again, Ruby. She was quick minded in the first book and that trait has only grown. She continues to speak her mind. She is still working for Mr. Owen and they have an upcoming trip to buy some rare books. But that's not quite true. Instead, Mr. Owen has them up in the Scottish Hills - attending a séance. And one of the attendees has been killed....

The supporting cast play their roles very well. But there's one player named Ruan Kivell, who is definitely more than a supporting player. He's a Pellar - a term I had not come across before. "A Cornish term for a sorcerer or wizard." Ruan and Ruby have a history and this new book visits that history and builds on it.

The plot is wonderfully rich. I like the time period and how that period opens up so many other ways for the plot to go with magic and gothic in the mix. Again, I wasn't able to out the culprit before the last pages. Another great book from Jess Armstrong. I'll be waiting for the third entry!

When I requested this arc I did not realize it was the second of a series, but I read it anyway and felt it could easily be read without having read the other book. I really enjoyed the book and want to read the other and would read more if this series continues. I enjoyed the character of Ruby Vaughn. Ruby Vaughn and her employer/housemate Mr. Owen, traveling to Manhurst Castle in Scotland. He tells her they are there to buy some illuminated manuscripts for their bookstore… but he has lured her there under false pretense. In reality, he has traveled there to attend a seance, where he hopes to connect with his son, who is presumed dead after the war. Mysteries surround the area and Mr. Owen’s past, and they both become suspects after one of the hosts of the seance is found dead. Ruan Kivell arrives on the scene, having been summoned by Mr. Owen. The sparks between him and Ruby are still strong, and there are allusions to their first meeting, but like I said, it didn't make much difference in my reading, but perhaps it would have meant more had I read the first book first. Ruby, Ruan and Mr. Owen are all in danger, and Ruby knows she must hurry to find the truth. I loved it and plan to purchase a copy for our school library. I think students would enjoy this book as well. And, I strongly recommend the audiobook for anyone who enjoys a good Scottish accent!

Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC preview.

This is the first book that I have read by this author, and I was not disappointed. It grabbed my attention from the beginning, and I couldn't put it down until the last page. It was interesting and compelling. I loved the fact that it was a nostalgic nod to the who done it type of plot. I think it was well done, and I can't wait for more from this author. I will absolutely be recommending this book to others.

Thank you Net Galley ARC and St Martin's Press.

Ruby Vaughn is back with her employer Mr. Owen in the second book of Ruby Vaughn). In this book Ruby is talked into going to a Scottish Castle to hear a seance of the three fates. Later on that evening after the seance one of the fates is found murdered, Ruby is believed to be one of the primary suspects by people who seem to want her to take the blame. Then are favorite pillar Ruan Kivell shows up to help Ruby solve the mystery before she ends up being railroaded.
I was really excited for this second installment, and I really enjoyed Ruby and Ryan’s chemistry.
I recommend for lovers of gothic mysteries and fiction.
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to review this book.

Compelling story kept my attention from start to finish. I enjoyed the classic who-done-it plot with plenty of characters as potential suspects. Although this book works as a standalone, I wished I had read the first for clarity and also because it sounded like a good story. Being set in 1922 lent a nice atmosphere for a séance as people were earnestly delving into the occult at that time. Spooky things happen. Ruby is interesting, hard-headed, tenacious and sometimes foolhardy. My con is her constant deflection, in her effort to keep her secrets to herself she's rude sometimes. I wished someone would have called her on it instead of keeping a stiff upper lip and letting it go. I believe in good manners, but I guess I'm too American not to call her out. The book blurb gives away about as much as I feel can be revealed without spoiling the experience for someone else.

#NetGalley #TheSecretoftheThreeFates #JessArmstrong #RubyVaughnmystery #MinotaurBooks #mystery

Ruby Vaughn returns in another historical mystery this time in Scotland where past spirits are doing their best to send a message that she isn’t welcome to come meddling.

After dealing with curses while in Cornwall, Ruby is once again faced with the occult this time in the form of seances. Ruby, ever the pragmatist is not a fan, and is determined to figure out what is really going on. The three mediums, aka the three fates gather to perform the ritual, Ruby discovers a hosts of secrets buried in Scotland. With the help of pellar Ruan, she discovers more than one nefarious character and more than she bargained for about her employer Mr. Owen.

Though I like this story better than the first in the series, it still a little frustrating for me. For such an independent Victorian woman, I find a lot of Ruby’s actions and choices silly rather than empowering. It seems contradictory to have a protagonist who makes so many mistakes, a few furthers the plot, the amount she commits make her seem trite, which I am sure is not the intent of the author. Armstrong does do a great job of setting a mystical and paranormal scene in her descriptions, but the story itself could have used a little more editing.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and author Jess Armstrong for the advanced copy of the book. The Secret of the Three Fates is out now! All opinions are my own.

I adored Jess Armstrong’s delicious debut novel, and I was hoping it would be the start of a sequel. And it was! Disgraced American heiress Ruby Vaugh is back, and this time she travels with her beloved friend and boss, Mr. Owen, from her new home in Exeter to Scotland. Mr. Owen gets her there on false pretenses for a séance, one held by three mediums working in tandem. To tell anything more would ruin this wonderful mystery.

For those who read The Curse of Penryth Hall, Ruby will encounter two people from her previous adventure in Cornwall. However, those new to the series will still love this sequel. I don’t know how I can wait for the next in the series!

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review.

The Secret of the Three Fates by Jess Armstrong is the kind of book you pick up for "a quick read" and then stay up until 3 a.m. finishing because it's that good. Greek mythology, a little romance, and a generous dose of whodunnit crash together into the perfect mystery. It's smart, unique, and has just the right amount of "what the heck is happening?" to keep you hooked. Jess Armstrong -- please write the next one in the Ruby Vaugn series quickly!!

Can you be frequently confused by a story and still find it an entertaining page turner? If you’re me, then the answer is YES!

In Jess Armstrong’s second book in the Ruby Vaughn historical mystery series The Secret of the Fates, Ruby, our headstrong, independent assistant to octogenarian employer Mr. Owen, follows him under false pretext to gothic Manhurst Castle in Scotland. Soon after arrival, they and a houseful of other invitees attend a seance led by three mediums called The Fates, where one of them, seemingly possessed by a spirit delivers this ominous message:

“There’s nowhere on earth you can hide from the dead. We have not forgotten … we shall not forgive. The dead know what you’ve done.”

Who is this message for?

When a murder occurs shortly after the conclusion of the chaotic event and Mr. Owen’s connection to this place and long-held secrets from the past cast suspicion on him, Ruby must get to the bottom of things before this man, who’s the nearest thing she has to a father, is taken from her. Luckily, she finds unexpected help from someone else Mr. Owen invited without her knowledge: Ruan Kivell, the Cornish folk healer/Pellar from the previous book with whom she shares a strange psychic connection and some pesky unwanted attraction!

If you enjoy a historical mystery that has an intriguing cast of characters, secrets galore, a touch of romance, a LOT of misdirections and potential suspects, and danger around every turn, this is a fun one. I enjoyed finding out much more about Mr. Owen’s past and watching Ruby and Ruan dance around their feelings, though Ruan is way more in touch with his! I’ll take him if Ruby doesn’t want him. Swoon. One of my favorite things about these books is how they can “hear” each other's thoughts, which presents problems when Ruby’s trying SO hard to suppress the not-so-ladylike ones she has about him!

I don’t want to give the impression that this is a romance, though, because that’s a minor aspect of the story. At its heart, it’s still a mystery and a good one at that, though I docked a half star simply because the plot got a little too convoluted for me to easily follow at times. Having said that, I’d rather have a complicated one than a no-brainer that’s easy to figure out!

I highly recommend this book and its predecessor The Curse of Penryth Hall for those who enjoy Victorian-era historical mysteries with a strong female MC. Ruby is no shrinking violet and it was fun to see her grapple with the societal and gender expectations of her time. I liked this even more than the first book, and I’ll definitely be back for more when the next one comes!

★★★★ ½

THE SECRET OF THE THREE FATES by Jess Armstrong (The Curse of Penryth Hall) is yet another mystery featuring orphaned Ruby Vaughn and her elderly employer, Mr. Owen. Here, they have traveled to Manhurst Castle, Scotland and Ruby is tricked into attending a séance held by the title characters. It's a disturbing evening and ends tragically for one of these women. Ruby (assisted by Ruan Kivell, the Pellar, or healer, introduced in the first book) sets out to prove her employer's innocence and find the real killer. There is plenty of danger and intrigue, some hints of romance, and more than one death all within an atmospheric gothic setting. THE SECRET OF THE THREE FATES received a starred review from Library Journal ("[readers] will appreciate this haunting, intriguing novel"). I also listened to the audiobook which is narrated by Emma Love. Honestly, I found it somewhat difficult to follow although that might just be related to the Scottish accents and my limited ability (or patience) to decipher them. Mysterious and entertaining overall.

I just love Ruby. This is literally the perfect cozy mystery. I cannot wait for the third book. Also, I listened to the audio 10/10!

The Three Fates, at Manhurst Castle for one night only. Join them to commune with the dead.

After reading The Curse of Penryth Hall, I was chomping at the bit to see American heiress Ruby Vaughn and Cornish Pellar Ruan Kivell's story continue. I would suggest reading the first in the series as it would greatly improve your knowledge of character relationships and foundations. We left off with the murder solved in Cornwall and Ruby going back to live with Mr. Owens and things left uncertain with Ruan. The first introduced us to some magical elements, Ruan's Pellar status (a sort of witch) where he has healing powers and can hear Ruby's thoughts. It was hinted at that Ruby has her own status, Morvoren, but she's left not knowing what that really means. This starts off a couple weeks after the first in 1922 London. This time her friend, mentor, father figure, Mr. Owens, has maneuvered her to going with him to Scotland.

“Murderer!” he shouted again, waggling a bony finger at Mr. Owen.

The new setting of Scotland delivers much the same from the first, magical elements, séance and possibly ghostly activities, and, once again, a murder. Besides, Ruby, Mr. Owens, and Ruan who later shows up, it's a whole new cast of red-herrings. One of my favorite aspects of this was the atmosphere, it's spooky and descriptive. However, that new cast of characters, it got a bit overwhelming. In an effort to always keep the reader guessing, characters are delved into enough to tease just enough focus for finger pointing but the more sedate pace this had, made it tough to stay focused and remember all the reveals and connections.

There is nowhere on earth you can hide from the dead…

We get a good deal more on Mr. Owens' background here, his family life and how messy and fraught it was and is, it's mostly his drama that has created the mystery plot thread, along with a past shrouded gentleman's club. Ruby has her own background mess come up with a character from her past showing up but it was more about Ruby trying to solve the murder to keep an Inspector from blaming her and to save Mr. Owens. I was a little disappointed in how this seemed to be less Ruby figuring out clues and more-so overhearing what she needed to, to lead her to the guilty. I just think things could have moved at a quicker place in the later middle half as too many familial, friendship, and past relationship ties piled on. I also thought it was a bit ridiculous how Ruby questioned Mr. Owens' and Ruan's intentions, people she's very close with and knows way better, especially Mr. Owens, instead of solidly looking at who they were pointing at. Benefit of doubt and all but it felt more like dragging out the red-herring aspects.

“You terrify me. I do not know what lives between us. I have seen more things in this world than I care to admit but I cannot explain what this is.”

Ruby and Ruan shippers will like the pretty strong romantic element here, their obvious strong connection gets explored more and important discussions are had. Ruby still has her fear of her feelings and will probably make readers upset towards the end but a month later epilogue gives hope for these two and another adventure on the horizon (Howard Carter's discovery has just happened and Mr. Owens has gotten a call). Family drama, murder mystery, supernatural elements coming out to play, and romance, all lead to an atmospheric ride in Scotland this time.

Obsessed doesn’t even begin to describe how I’m feeling after finishing “The Secret of the Three Fates” by Jess Armstrong! 🤩

With the events of this book happening shortly after the events of the first book in the series, I felt like I jumped right where I left off with Ruby! I appreciated how we really got to know her better in this book, and even learned something interesting about her that I’m sure we’ll learn more about in the next book 👀

I felt like this mystery was so well written, and it kept me guessing until the very end! What I didn’t expect was how spooky some of the scenes would be.

Finally, I couldn’t write this review without mentioning Ruan 💛 I was so glad we get to meet back up with him as well. Honestly if you read this book and aren’t absolutely smitten with Ruan, I’d be convinced you read a different book 🤭

Ultimately, if you like a good murder-mystery, an independent and head-strong FMC, suspicious side characters, a really good romance sub-plot, seances, and ghosts, you should definitely give this book a try. Just be sure to start with “The Curse of Penryth Hall”!

Overall Rating | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Big thank you to NetGalley, Jess Armstrong (the author), and Minotaur Books for making this ARC copy available to me in exchange for an honest review 💜