If I had to summarize this novel - I’d call it the one where Count Olaf (A Series of Unfortunate Events) gets a sister. I could not stop comparing this story to that series.

I had high hopes for this story, but something just felt lacking. I enjoyed Lily’s and Violet’s POVs and the exploration of their gifts. I wish there had been more of a deep dive into their mother’s past.

While Clara gets a POV, I think this story may have been stronger if told just from Lily’s and Violet’s POVs. There just wasn’t enough depth to Clara’s motives. There were times where I really emphasized with her - it was clear her upbringing made her into the narcissistic woman she became - but I also hoped she would redeem herself as the story progressed. In my mind, that would have made the story stronger.

Overall, this was a quick read and I enjoyed Lily’s and Violet’s relationship and the paranormal elements. Thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey Books, and Random House for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

At the Bottom of the Garden is the story of Clara, a woman who has no problem killing to achieve her ends. When her nieces, Lily and Violet, fall under her care after their parents meet their end in a tragic hiking accident, they learn that Clara’s ghosts are not, in fact, resting in peace. Clara wants the girls’ inheritance, but when they bring back her long lost ghosts, they become a liability.

I really enjoyed this story. Clara reminds me of Cruella de Vil, a woman everyone loves to hate. The ghost story is deliciously scary and I cheered for Lily and Violet to succeed the whole time. The plot takes some weird turns, but it was a very enjoyable read and I’d definitely read from this author again.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Writing style
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Characters
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Plot
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Premise
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Pacing
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Impact

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review Copy

This is very much a gothic type ghost story set in modern times. It is the story of Aunt Claire and her orphaned nieces Lily and Violet.

The story rotates POV between the three characters which I very much liked, unfortunately the text was rather slow, boring and repetitive. Even the girls special skills weren't enough to lift the story to a better place.

Claire didn't give a whit about the kids, not allowing them to meet other people and only feeding them soup. It was a weird dynamic.

Because the story read so slowly I only read a little bit a day. So, frustratingly it took me several days to finish this novel. The premise read much better than the story itself. But it was a three star pretty ok read. Try it yourself and see what you think.

At the Bottom of the Garden opens with the death of fabulously wealthy couple Benjamin and Amanda. Their daughters 9yr old Violet and 14yr old Lily are sent to live with their estranged aunt Clara. Clara is the sister of Benjamin and a murderess who would very much prefer to be her brother’s sole heiress thank you very much, but if taking his brats means she has some access to his fortune, well, she can work with that. The problem is, these girls aren’t normal grieving children, they have gifts, and Violets ability to help the dead are about to cause Clara a whole host of problems when her aunt’s victims come back to haunt her.

This book was fun with a very interesting premise. I did feel like the pacing dragged a bit in the middle (it didn’t hurt the story necessarily, but I did feel like I could put it down if it wasn’t convenient to binge read). Clara’s character felt a bit like a caricature of the evil villain. She didn’t feel smart or scary at all, and her wants/desires felt so … one dimensional, she might have been a cartoon character. It was hard to believe the lengths she’d go through to protect her dream. The girls were easily the most interesting part of the story but there was so much going on, it made it hard to stay in the story. It might have been helpful to have them learn more about their respective gifts in the first half of the book- as it is, it felt like we were still world-building at the climax. Really interesting story here and I enjoyed it, but Clara was a distraction from what was interesting. I wonder how this story might have read without her…

I would like to thank Random House and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was odd in an unexpected way. I have read many of Bruce’s books and they usually make me feel EXTREMELY uncomfortable and horrified as I read them and this book wasn’t that. This seemed to be more on the mystery side than the horror side which was fine but I prefer Bruce’s horror writing over her mystery writing.

2 girls suddenly orphaned and inheriting a fortune are forced to pack up their bags and move in with their aunt that is only taking them for their money. As they adjust to their new life, different abilities start to show up in the girls. Lily can see people’s emotions through colors, Violet can see dead people. When a dead man lurking at the bottom of the garden asks Violet for help, nightmares are unleashed on their life. Dark secrets around every corner will turn their world upside down.

It was good, wasn’t the best but it is the first book that has gotten me out if a reading slump so I greatly appreciate that. Bruce has an innate ability to play with her readers minds and she did that in this book. I think overall it is page turning and an interesting story, I just wanted it to be more horrifying. It is the perfect book for people who want to get into the genre though!

I love a Camilla Bruce story but this one didn't do it for me like her other stories. Her writing is haunting and atmospheric but there were so many dumb adults in this book I almost had to laugh. With that being said, Bruce really makes you root for the children of this story. At the Bottom of the Garden really highlights how some children slip through the cracks and the people that are supposed to look out for them are sometimes the real monsters in the closet.

"Who needs a heart when there are diamonds to be had?"

2.5 stars

This book was not at all what I expected, but I certainly enjoyed it. Told from the POV of Clara, an aging woman who has a very high (and undeserved) opinion of herself, and her two recently orphaned nieces, Lily and Violet, this story includes a haunted house, murder, mystery, murder, themes of nature vs nurture, and some more murder.

I liked the primary story and the general concept of the girls' supernatural gifts. There were a couple of times where I thought the story was doing TOO much and could have perhaps been a little shorter, but it all went towards highlighting Clara's singleminded determination and delusions of grandeur.

I uploaded my review to Goodreads. I will upload it to Amazon on release day.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Camilla Bruce for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for At the Bottom of the Garden coming out January 28, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I’ve read a few books by this author and I love her writing. She always had really interesting plots, some based on true crime. I loved this one because it had a paranormal aspect to it mixed with Clara being a murderess. It reminded me a little of Turn of the Shrew. I really loved it. There were just a few parts where I had to suspend my belief. The cops weren’t the smartest. It was also slightly long. But overall, I think it’s a really spooky gothic story.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys ghost stories!

This read a bit young for me personally. I understand having to adjust the writing style when from the POV of a 9 year old, but even Clara’s POV seemed one dimensional and juvenile. DNF at 34%

5 Stars all around for this fantastic read. I freaking loved this. The story starts off strong with the cynical Aunt Clara, acting as the closest living relative of two recently orphaned daughters from her passed brother. She accepts the girls as part of her grand scheme to getting rich and leaving behind a legacy since they have a hefty inheritance. She’s one ruthless bitch who is willing to do anything (really, anything) to get what she feels she has earned. As the story unravels, we learn that the two girls have some supernatural gifts, and they can help the living and dead with their woes…but they accidentally unearth their Aunt Clara’s dirty secrets and the real entertainment begins. I would describe this book as a mix of Lemony Snicket’s with a little Matilda mixed in. We even get our own Miss Honey. I will definitely be reading all things Camilla Bruce now. 10/10 would recommend

This is a delightfully witchy novel and a great pick for anyone who has enjoyed works by Tim Burton. If you place The Secret Garden, Beetlejuice, and A Series of Unfortunate Events in a blender . . . then out pours this delicious little story of two sisters. These two orphans land on their estranged aunt’s doorstep after their parents are lost in a dangerous mountain expedition. After a short while, in Aunt Clara’s care, Lily and Violet learn they each have a gift. A special gift that may also be a curse and has a reach far beyond the monetary riches they’ve recently inherited. Clara Woods is full of resentment and has a plan for what she feels she is owed. What Aunt Clara doesn’t realize is that sometimes a long-buried past can still come back to haunt you.

I thank NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of At the Bottom of the Garden for my unbiased evaluation.  4 stars

At the Bottom of the Garden was a horror with a strong premise, haunting images and excellent pacing. However, I found that the characters were inconsistent and that there were many large jumps in logic that pulled me out of the story, leaving me dissatisfied with the events of the book.

At the Bottom of the Garden ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This new novel by Camilla Bruce absolutely captivated me from the first page. I am not new to Bruce’s writing and this novel fits along side her others in that it perfectly exemplifies her eerie and unsettling way of storytelling. Camilla Bruce is very quickly becoming one of my “if they write it, I will read it” authors. There is something so truly special and unique about her pros and voice that I find once I pick one of her books up, I cannot put it down. I love how she seamlessly weaves stories of realistic people with a touch of paranormal, folklore, and mystery. I find with Camilla’s works, not long after the first page, I am begging for more answers.

Our story starts with a bang when our two young protagonist’s parents pass away and their estranged aunt offers to take them in. It does not take long before things get weird… and I mean WEIRD. We know from the start that something isn’t quite right with aunt Clara and our girls, Violet and Lily, are obviously special in a not so average way but things escalate to such a point that we realize both parties have their own plans of how this play out and neither are sharing their whole truth.

I absolutely ate this up and I am so thankful to NetGalley, the publisher, and Camilla Bruce for providing me an advance copy of this bewitching story. It was an absolute five star read for me.

Life is hard for Clara Woods. And she can most likely thank her mother for that. In fact, Clara’s mother didn’t think much of her, but when Clara’s father mysteriously passed when she was a young girl, the one and only person Clara truly loved and loved her back, that’s the day she knew life would never be the same. Clara’s mother remarried and remarried well. Her new husband didn’t struggle to pay bills like her previous had and all the while, Clara sat back and watched as her mother sunk her hooks into this new relationship that brought about so many wonderful things. And, with that new life, came a new baby. Clara’s little baby brother. Once he was born, Clara ceased to exist at that point. The more Clara’s mother poured her heart and soul into her golden child, Clara became more hardened and crueler and learned to fend for herself the best way she knew how. She learned how to use and abuse at her mother’s knee. Mama taught her well.

That golden child grew up and had two beautiful daughters. Lily and Violet. These two young ladies weren’t your ordinary children. They came to the world with special gifts. But it shouldn’t come as a surprise seeing as how their father was hella wealthy and lived a lavish lifestyle with his wife and the girls. Due to their parents’ adventurous nature, they went climbing in the mountains only to be claimed by the mountains and doomed to their very deaths.

Poor Lily and Violet were orphans now. Their parents’ executor had a dilemma on his hands. Lily was only fourteen and couldn’t be the sole guardian of herself and Violet who was nine. They had to be supervised by an adult. And who better to oversee them than another relative, preferably someone they knew quite well, or so you’d think.

Aunt Clara came to the rescue. She saved the day, right? Well. . .Aunt Clara despised her brother and his wife. She wasn’t too fond of her nieces, but her nieces came with a price tag or rather a huge bag of money that Aunt Clara needed to start her diamond business. She wasn’t fond of the girls, but she needed, and more importantly, wanted the girls’ money they rightfully inherited. I’m sure her brother was spinning in his grave knowing his evil sister got to oversee their money and their lives.

What Aunt Clara didn’t bank on was the special gifts the girls possessed. One could see colors the human spirit possessed thereby letting her know when a person was lying or telling her the truth. The other could speak to the dead--not only speak to the dead, but bring them forth to the living. So, all the while Aunt Clara figured she was getting a gold mine by having her nieces, she had no idea what she was really bargaining for.

I absolutely loved the story! This is one of those horror stories you read on a cold winter's night curled up in your favorite reading nook with a nice cup of hot tea or coffee with book in tow and read and get swept away into Lily and Violet’s world. I enjoyed following the girls and seeing what they were up to. The story is told in Lily’s, Violet’s, and Clara’s points of view. With each tap of the Kindle page, the more I got caught up and whisked away. I love a good book like that.

Thank you to Netgalley, Camilla Bruce, and Random House Publishing Group for an advanced ready copy of this delightful book!!

Camilla Bruce, you have earned your way on to my “read everything this author writes list.” I loved this book. Your dark humor is right up my alley.

Aunt Clara is now a top literary character for me. I love me a dark, cynical, ruthless B.

The story starts with two orphans (with a massive inheritance) moving in with their Aunt Clara. She promises to look after them, but desires the inheritance for herself. In the midst of her ruthless scheme to get their money, the girls exhibit supernatural gifts that start causing some real problems for Aunt Clara, who has many bones in her garden.

An excellent read that you must experience for yourself. I couldn’t put it down.

Thank you to Net Galley and Del Rey for the ARC. This was a great read. I really enjoyed each of the POVs, the characters were all distinct and complicated. Even though Clara was an unlikable character, I loved how unapologetic she was about it. Her story and inner thoughts were always so amusing even though she was completely wrong. I also loved the sisterly relationship between Lily and Violet. This was a really fun read with a bit of a gothic vibe to it.

I’m glad I read this book in October. It was perfect for the spooky season. With that being said, I felt the middle of this book dragged on too much. I loved the premise of this book but it fell a little short to me. I still ended up enjoying my time with the book though. It was just an okay read to me and probably helped that I read it during spooky season. Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the arc in return for an honest review!

Thanks to Netgalley and RHPG- Ballantine Del Rey for the pre-release copy of At the Bottom of the Garden. Below you'll find my honest review.

I've never read Camilla Bruce before, but the description for this one jumped out at me as a good Halloween-season read, so I requested an ARC. I'm so glad I did!

I loved the characters, all of whom had some interesting depths to plumb and all of the POVs had a distinctly different voice, which isn't always the case in books with rotating POVs.

I absolutely loved the strange powers and the ghosty things in this one too! I really don't want to spoil much, but I'd definitely recommend this to fans of the supernatural, magic powers, and people getting what they deserve.

Violet and Lily are sisters who are recently orphaned and must live with their dreadful aunt. Aunt Clara is a greedy, jealous woman who takes what she wants. She only takes guardianship of her nieces because she wants their inheritance to help start her jewelry business. Not long after moving in with Aunt Clara, the girls start seeing strange things and develop special abilities. Violet and Lily so discover secrets that their aunt wanted to stay buried.

I went into this book mostly blind, like I do all my books. The story alternates through Lily, Violet and Aunt Clara's perspectives. I wasn't expecting the magical and paranormal events but was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed this book and was a quick read for the fall.

Lily and Violet have lost their parents in a tragic accident. Still grieving, their Aunt Clara, who they don’t know, comes to collect them and take them to her large house and see to all of their needs.

But the girls figure out very fast that she is only interested in their money. And soon they find out she is also a killer. With bodies in the garden. Ghosts, who can be seen by Violet. And you know Clara is going to cash in on that.

This story had a good premise. The execution, not so much. Clara is a thoroughly despicable person but she sounded more like a cheesy cartoon character. The girls' alternate voices sounded the same and it was confusing.

Again, I am all for the story!

NetGalley/ RHPG January 28, 2024