The Secret of the Three Fates finds Ruby Vaughn at Manhurst Castle in Scotland along with Mr. Owen. They are there to attend a seance even though they know it’s a hoax. Ruby finds herself running into the white witch, who seems to be helping Ruby this time around. When one of the mediums turns up dead Ruby must find the answers before it’s too late. Now Ruan Kivell, a peller has been called by Mr. Owen to help Ruby with the investigation since she is now the number one suspect in the investigation. Like with the first book on the series The Secrets of the Three Fates doesn’t disappoint. Ruby and Ruan have a bond between them that they are both wanting to explore. This book is funny and yet full of surprises that readers will want more of. I would like to think both NetGalley and Minotaur Books for letting me read an advanced copy of this novel.

Still in a self-imposed exile from America, Ruby Vaughn returns after her adventures in “The Curse of Penryth Hall,” still as the assistant to octogenarian Mr.Owen, but this time overseeing a vast book collection in a castle in the Scottish Borders. Mr. Owen asks Ruby to attend a seance in the castle conducted by a group of women known as The Three Fates. Surprise! Ruby recognizes one of them as the White Witch of Cornwall who she encountered in the previous book. There’s a family mystery connected to Mr. Owen, and after her recent adventure, Ruby is not ruling out supernatural causes. A dark figure from her past (with a new name) complicates matters.

Also returning is Ruan Kivell, the “Pellar” (healer/curse breaker/witch) with whom Ruby has some unresolved feelings for and with whom the White Witch has some antagonizing warnings for. Of course, this perks Ruby’s interest even more.

Definitely a sequel (you really should read “The Curse of Penryth Hall first) with the same atmospheric Gothic trajectory, Ruby is emerging as a thoughtful detective who balances real life clues with the possibilities of things unknown. The tension between her and Ruan ratchets up (well, he can read her thoughts) and there’s more mystery in Ruby’s past than previously revealed. The story ends with an opening to a third installment, and I look forward to reading more about Ruby’s adventures! 4 stars!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Ruan is back and so are his green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO No more water hemlock mistaken for parsnips, although Ruan is burning herbs again.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

Ruby Vaughn is back! And I am so happy that she is.

This second novel finds Ruby and Mr. Owen in Scotland, staying in a renovated castle hotel and attending a seance that has dire consequences. Soon Ruby is on the hunt for a murderer and Ruan Kivell appears to help. There is quite a bit of mystery, other worldliness and secrets that come to light - both Ruby's and Mr. Owen's. The book was hard to put down and I wanted to know what happens but now that I have finished I want the next one! Ruby is alive and kicking and I can't wait to see where she, Mr. Owen and Ruan end up.

More please!

I was such a huge fan of Armstrong's Ruby Vaughn debut, that I could not wait to get my hands on this one. Although it starts out a little slow, it builds up to an amazing read with really strong characters. Back again with Ruby are Mr. Owen and Ruan, this time traveling to Mr. Owen's native Scotland. Spirits, mediums and witches, oh my! This second installment of the series will keep you entertained and guessing until the very end. Cannot wait to read the next story!

Armstrong's second installment in the Ruby Vaughn series starts slow, but builds to a satisfying mystery and conclusion. THE SECRET OF THE THREE FATES brings together mysteries from the past and present, and Armstrong does a great job ratcheting up the stress and dread. Ruby is an engaging protagonist, and I look forward to seeing more of her in future books.

Very happy to see another book about Ruby and Ryan. I think I enjoyed this book even more than the first in series
Mr. Owen convinces Ruby to come with him to a castle in Scotland ostensibly to look at book/ manuscript appraisals but there just happens to be seances and intrigue surrounding 3 mediums ( The three fates). Ryan arrives on the scene to help Ruby prove her and Mr Owen’s innocence in the murder of one of the fates.
In this story the reader learns a lot more about Mr Owen and his family as well as about Ruan and the abilities and limitations of a Pellar.
I love the world the author has built around these characters.
This mystery was compelling if a little confusing at times - lots of characters coming into the fray.
This is a very unique series with strong characters that I think mystery and fantasy fans will enjoy.
Looking forward to more from this series and author!
Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books! Expected publication date 12/3/2024.

Ms. Armstrong does an excellent job of moving forward with the story of Ruby, Ruan and Mr. Owen. I am hoping future books in the series continue to further these stories.
I had a bit of trouble believing the rescues that Ruby accomplished. They read more like a James Bond/Indiana Jones script - superhuman powers in adverse circumstances.
That being said, I would still recommend this book.
Thank you to Jess Armstrong, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an ARC of The Secret of the Three Fates.
#NetGalley#StMartinsPress#MinotaurBooks#JessArmstrong#TheSecretOfTheThreeFates

Lies, secrets and a seance or two makes this a fun read. What is supposed to be a trip to look at a library of old books turns into so much more. Mr. Owens has secrets that turns out to be a huge secret. Ruby is getting antsy with lack of real purpose for the trip. She starts looking at the women that held the seance. As the story progresses it pulled me in. I liked the book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Jess Armstrong for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Secret of the Three Fates coming out December 3, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I’ve read the first book, so I was really excited to receive this. I really wanted to love this book, but it felt a little disjointed to me. The mystery seemed to come really late in the book. I would’ve preferred the discovery of the deceased near the first half of the book. I enjoyed Ruby’s interactions with Ruan, but some of the other plot points seemed unnecessary to the mystery. It seemed like there was a lot going on and some of it seemed too modern for the time. Overall, I liked it, but didn’t love it. I would check out other books by this author.

It's been less than one year since we met Ruby Vaughn in The Curse of Penryth Hall and we already have a sequel? I'm amazed that this book has come out so fast. I'm delighted that the paranormal elements are even stronger in this book than in the last and we're continuing to learn about our cast's past, but also about their possible future.

This book has Ruby and her employer, Mr. Owen, heading to an estate in Scotland to buy some rare manuscripts for the bookshop they run. We quickly find out that the manuscripts don't exist and they've actually been summoned to take part in a seance. It turns out that they are surrounded by people Mr. Owen knows from is past and women are dying around them. Ruby winds up being a suspect and Ruan shows up (thank goodness!) and things things get COMPLICATED.

The mystery here is layered and has lots of twists. I know that I'm going to pick up on more when I read it a second time. Even more rewarding, though, are the personal developments with our characters. We get some surprising information about Mr. Owen that make Ruby question their relationship. Ruby and Ruan learn more about the magic between them, though we'll definitely have to wait a while for Ruby to work through her baggage and get comfortable with who she is becoming.

This book definitely left me wanting more because the character development was so good! I'll be rereading this when my preordered copy arrives and I'll happily wait for the next book in this fantastic series!

If you loved The Curse of Penryth Hall (or even casually liked it), you're going to want to move this to the very top of your "Need to Buy" list.

It has everything we loved from book one: intrigue, murder, mystery, old folk tales and superstitions casually blended into "is this actually real or not?", sometimes problematic (and very realistic) MCs, and just a whole bunch of love. It was the best kind of sequel because we picked up where we left off, but we also feel the impact of the first book throughout the story.

This kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. It reminded me of my beloved Hercule Poirot novels, constantly guessing if I actually know how the mystery will play out. Add a dash of magical realism set on a Scottish isle, and you're all set.

I'm going to casually be thinking about this for awhile. Mostly for THEM ⚔️ (if you know, you know,) but also because the pace increased so much that I'm still processing how well everything was settled.

Add both Ruby books to your TBR as soon as possible. They would be incredible Fall and Winter reads.

I received this book as an ARC copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I very much enjoyed the continuation of Ruby’s story and the continued unfolding of her and Mr. Owen’s pasts that were hinted at throughout the first book but never clearly outlined. The interweaving of Elijah from Rubys past in America and the occult mystery of Mr. Owen’s dark past and the current murders was done in a way that kept you wondering who might have done it until the very end.

I did find the constant lack of communication frustrating as no one ever answered a question directly and secrets continued to be kept when it seemed the common goal was to determine who the murderer was and stop them. This left me frustrated and disengaged from the story at times.

However, overall I very much enjoyed this book, the characters, the world building, and the writing style. I look forward to seeing what the rest of the series could have to offer.

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

I really struggled to stay interested in this story. Maybe it’s a because I didn’t read the first in the series. I found it slow and somewhat confusing. Either I missed something or didn’t pay close enough attention, because I felt lost a good way through the book. I wished I would have liked this more, but it just wasn’t for me.

This is my first time reading a book by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. And I will be reading the others! This is a very well written novel that will keep you guessing what is going to happen next.

This is an EXCELLENT sequel to one of my favorite books of 2023. The mystery, the setting, and the so delicious slow burn of the romance is perfect in this follow-up. I could devour book after book of Ruby solving vaguely paranormal mysteries as the fire gets ever so slowly turned up between her and Ruan. This book sets up so much more back story for the characters we met in book one and also introduces so many more mysteries!!! This is the kind of book that gets you hooked and keeps you reading well into the night.

I have been provided with a review copy of this title from NetGalley for an impartial review. Awwww this was such a cute story. I was just captivated by everything that was taking place. It was just so easy to get into these characters lives and you just can't help but fall in love with them. I can't wait to see what's next from this author.

Wow! Another Ruby Vaughn mystery is out, and it's even better than The Curse of Penryth Hall!
As more secrets unfold, the intimacy between Ruan and Ruby deepens, all within the gripping setting of an unputdownable locked-room mystery. This time, the story takes place in Cornwall’s haunted Manhurst Castle, where spirits lurk and three fates are summoned to connect with them.

Ruby finds herself ambushed by her octogenarian employer, Mr. Owen, who insists she attend an occult séance at a castle on the Scottish borders. There, she meets Mr. Owen’s estranged brother and his kind nephew. Among the other occupants are three clairvoyants, including the White Witch, a familiar figure from Ruby’s past. Mr. Owen receives a cryptic note from the leading clairvoyant, Lucy, promising an important message from his late son, Ben. Soon, everyone in the mansion discovers similar messages, which have drawn them together.

When vengeful spirits deliver cryptic warnings that shake Ruby to her core, she finds a mysterious note in her room, leading her to a secret meeting by the lakeside. There, she is warned that something far more dangerous than spirits is lurking. After discovering a body in the lake, surrounded by an occult scene with thirteen candles and salt traces, her suspicions grow. It becomes clear that someone is targeting the women in the mansion. The detectives hired to solve the case are quick to blame Ruby—until Mr. Owen calls in Ruan Kiwell to protect her.

Though Ruby is relieved to have someone who understands her, she has second thoughts about Ruan, who can hear her thoughts. This complicates things as their mutual attraction becomes more palpable. While his presence helps her uncover the truth, Ruby realizes she must set boundaries to protect her heart, despite feeling drawn to him like a magnet.

Overall: This is an exciting, heart-pounding locked-room mystery that reveals new details about Mr. Owen’s past while raising more questions about Ruby, her abilities, and her mother’s secret identity. I think we need another book to delve deeper into Ruby's past. I’m also rooting for her to stop being so stubborn about giving Ruan a chance! The cliffhanger at the end has definitely intrigued me, and I’m giving this one a full five stars in the historical murder mystery genre. I can't wait to get my hands on the third book!

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for providing this digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Ruby Vaughn and Mr. Owen appear again in Jess Armstrongs new novel, The Secret of the Three Fates. Mr. Owen convinces Ruby to head out to the country side of the Scottish Borders because he wants to attend a seance to hear from his beloved son Ben who died during the war. Ruby is not a believer but goes anyway. From the beginning strange things happen and the three Fates are rather strange women; are they really able to communicate with the dead? Then one of the Fates turns up dead, and Ruby seems to be the prime suspect. To keep things interesting, Ruan from the previous book shows up again and Ruby fights her feelings for him…again. Together they investigate murders, explore their feelings and navigate the many shocking surprises and strange twists. The Secret of the Three Fates is fast paced, entertaining and good fun. If you liked Jess Armstrongs first book, you will love this one!

Despite not having read the first title in the series, the cover and synopsis really appealed so I borrowed the audiobook of the first from my library before starting this.

Very atmospheric, Gothic, post-Great War setting with a defined mystery and some paranormal elements. The chemistry between Ruby and Ryan has continued to grow as well. It’s an engaging story that I really enjoyed.

I am definitely looking forward to more titles in this very fun series.



Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the DRC