The Secret of the Three Fates
by Jess Armstrong
Pub Date: Dec 03 2024

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 bookshop, 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 seance, 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 really enjoyed this and flew through it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

After falling in love with the mysteries and characters of The Curse of Penryth Hall I was so excited to return to Ruby's world for a sequel. This time around we get to follow Ruby on another crazy adventure, but Mr. Owen's secrets take center stage. Murder, spirits and more Ruan! What else could you want.

The Secret of the Three Fates, the second installment of the Ruby Vaughn Mysteries, was quite the page turner! Ruby, Ruan and Mr Owen are back in a new mystery that hits close to home. Ruby must discover the truth and save Mr Owen from himself. I highly recommend this series.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGallery for the advanced copy in return for an honest review! #3 please, now!

The second book in this series definitely delivered!

I really enjoyed Ruby Vaughn and her cast of characters in "The Curse of Penryth Hall" but I was hoping for more from the plot. This second book of the series brought it! Creepy séances are a large part of this murder mystery, where guests of a small house party are dying -- and its up to Ruby and her Pellar, Ruan, to determine if the culprit is living or dead.

An excellent, atmospheric mystery with a healthy dose of romantic and familial love as well. Already eagerly anticipating the third book!

The followup mystery to The Curse of Penryth Hall delivers the same amazing Gothic atmosphere and dangerous adventures that we can now come to expect with Mr. Owen, Ruby, and Ruan.

This book starts with Mr. Owen receiving an invitation to a seance and hiding it from Ruby under the guise of sending her for some old manuscripts. She's not pleased to find out she must attend a seance but after mentions of ghosts, murder, and secrets she finds herself embroiled in another ghoulish mystery.

I loved this book just as much as the first. Ruby and Mr. Owen have such an endearing relationship and I love constant yet well intentioned bickering and nagging. Ruan and Ruby are still dancing around exactly what their relationship status is and of course I'm just screaming at her to LOVE HIM! The mystery was intriguing and it was a surprise to me on who the culprit was. I did think this one moved a little slower than the first book but it didn't deter me from wanting to read it as quickly as possible!

A perfect mystery. Can't wait to read what Ruby gets into next!

This is a follow up to the Curse of Penryth Hall. The series is set between the world wars in Great Britain. Ruby Vaughn is an American heiress hiding from a scandal of her youth. She has also lost her family. She is employed by rare book dealer, Mr. Owen, who may have his own secret past. This story begins with a trip to Scotland, Mr. Owen's family home, for a seance. A medium is killed. There are many secrets and mysterious events of an occult nature.

A fantastic follow up to The Curse of Penryth Hall! Ruby and Ruan have my whole heart and I loved learning more of Mr. Owen’s history.

This book has it all - strong, fierce women, mystery, intrigue, an atmospheric setting, and a dash of romance. I loved the concept of the three fates, the historical Scottish setting, and unraveling more of the mystery of Ruby and Ruan’s strange connection. I was very excited by the reappearance of the White Witch and completely agree with her motives - Ruan Kivell must be protected at all costs. The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat, with every new reveal leading up to a stunning conclusion.

This story left me eagerly anticipating an announcement for Ruby 3. There’s so many things I want to know about Ruby and I can’t wait to read more of her story!

Thank you to Netgalley, Minotaur Books, and St. Martin’s Press for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was a good time. There were twists and turns that I didn't see coming. I would definitely recommend