This book was a pleasant surprise.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, as it was a quick read and a good time.

EXCERPT: 1999 . . . this morning, I found myself driving to North Oxfordshire. Parking in the carpark (once a field belonging to the tenant farmer) and entering through the large oak, iron-studded doors. I paid an entrance fee and was given a guidebook. I wandered the rooms, avoiding the smiling, enthusiastic volunteers.
Looking around Thornleigh Hall, I felt suspended in time. Here I was, an old woman in sensible shoes clutching a guidebook, and yet there in the dining room was Emmeline drinking her morning coffee, Lord Claybourne reading his paper, Lady Claybourne complaining about her eggs, Viollet tucking into toast and blackcurrant jam. And there was Laura in the library, her stockinged feet up on the sofa arm, leafing through a magazine. 'Oh, hello Gilly,' she said, seeing me standing there. 'I wondered where you'd got to.'
I moved from room to room, pressing my nails into my guidebook. I watched the other visitors with their backpacks and cameras. Babies strapped to the chests of men. Mothers gripping the hands of small children. Look at that clock, darling, isn't it beautiful?
As for me, I felt like a traveler returning to a faraway land, only to find it a pale shadow of what it once was. I was reminded of a time in my life that was both full of possibility and fraught with the anxieties of the very young. Thornleigh Hall - my visit in the winter of 1938 and the events that followed - had been the marker that forever divided my life. After Thornleigh, there was simply a before and an after.

ABOUT 'THE UNDOING OF VIOLET CLAYBOURNE': 1938. Gillian Larkin is used to going unnoticed, until she is sent away to school and befriended by her roommate, the vibrant and spirited Violet Claybourne. As the Christmas holidays approach, Gilly can't believe her luck when Violet invites her to spend them at her home, the crumbling Thornleigh Hall.

At Thornleigh, Gilly is dazzled by the family's faded grandeur, and above all by Violet's beguiling older sisters who seem to accept her as one of their own. But following a terrible accident in the house's grounds, Gilly begins to realise the Claybourne sisters aren't quite what she thought they were. And if she's to survive in their world, she may have to become just like them . . .

MU THOUGHTS: A tale of the desire to belong, manipulation, and gaslighting set in the late 1930s.

Although I can't say I 'liked' or 'enjoyed' The Undoing of Violet Claybourne, I was riveted by it and read it over two days - something of a feat for me at the moment! The characters are all quite despicable - yes, even Gilly! - except perhaps for Charlie and Frank . . .

Gilly is young, impressionable, and desperate to 'fit in' to the Claybourne family since what remains of her own family don't particularly want her. She is in awe of Violet's very glamorous older sisters and hangs off their every word. She's a little like a labrador puppy, gazing at them with forlorn eyes, begging to be loved.

Violet's oddness, her OCD and other problems, seem to become increasingly worse while at Thornleigh Hall and Gilly, unfortunately, gravitates towards Emmeline and Laura treating their every word as gospel, especially when it comes to the treatment of Violet.

The story comes to a head when, one morning, the trio venture out into the woods leaving Violet at home. Nothing will ever be the same again.

There are a lot of secrets concealed over the years. Lady Claybourne is obsessed with 'propriety' and 'how things appear', wanting - no, needing - her daughters to make advantageous marriages in order to save Thornleigh Hall from the creditors. Anything remotely unsavory that happens is quickly swept under the carpet, hidden and never referred to again.

If you like your historical fiction dark, riddled with secrets, and the family dysfunctional and manipulative, you'll derive a lot of pleasure from The Undoing of Violet Claybourne. It doesn't paint the upper classes in a good light, but then no one comes out of this smelling of roses.

An interesting read.

#TheUndoingofVioletClaybourne #NetGalley

⭐⭐⭐.5

MEET THE AUTHOR: Emily was born in Essex and has lived in Brighton and London. She currently lives in Hertfordshire.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of The Undoing of Violet Claybourne by Emily Critchley for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

The lines are grey everywhere in this novel.

Is Gillian, our main character as innocent as she seems? What lies in the mysteries of the fading Thornleigh Hall? What secrets do each of the Claybourne sisters hold?

It would seem Violet Claybourne would be one of the main characters here, but it seems her fate is what looms throughout the novel. She is an accessory to the tragic accident that happens at Thornleigh and pays the ultimate price for it.

How these sisters twist each other's minds in the end is mystifying and it is curious how different they all seem to be, and yet hold some of the same traits.

I don’t reach for historical fiction often, but I’m interested in boarding schools, exploration of class and privilege, and moody gothic stories full of family secrets. I picked this up because of the mystery promised in the blurb. Unfortunately, I ended up DNFing because while the setting is well drawn and the writing is atmospheric, this is much more historical fiction and way less mystery than I expected and it’s not holding my interest. Almost the entire cast is unlikable (by design) and that makes it difficult to stay invested. I may return to this at another time, but I went in expecting more suspense over whodunnit rather than what will happen next. I may pick this up again in the future when I’m in the mood to read about horrible people betraying each other, but for now it’s not for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for a copy of the eARC.

Thank you Sourcebooks! I really enjoyed The Undoing of Violet Claybourne was a surprise for me, I don't tend to enjoy historical fiction but I can't say no to books on social class, rich people things, and schools/boarding schools and how those themes intersect. The writing was moody and engaging and the themes well developed... and yet when I saw the real undoing, I needed to take a pause, to really think about the overall goal of the book (that's not a bad thing, just more oh wait let's sit with this and maybe talk about it). The book is a standout for gothic vibes, the unease and role of privilege and richness, even as it is coming apart, and how that connects to individuals with less power and privilege, and I wonder if some of the goal is also to illuminate the time, the emerging sense of chaos and the undoing of the world with WWII and the Great Depression and perhaps how that relates to experiences emerging in today's world....

Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebooks and the author, Emily Critchley for the arc!

Ok. So this book grabbed a hold of me in so many ways I did not expect!

Darkish, gothic, atmospheric and oh so very deliciously twisty! The reveals slapped me so silly, that a couple of times I literally slammed my book down into my lap and had to take a minute to regain consciousness! All the family secrets, cover-ups, gaslighting, betrayals, acts of desperation and manipulation are just a few of the things that kept me flipping those pages!

And the ending? Heck YES!

I went into this one expecting one thing … and closed that last page in possession of so much more! 100% recommend!!! I absolutely have to go and check out more from this author! Gah!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a digital ARC of the new novel by Emily Critchley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

It's 1938 and Gillian Larkin is sent away to school while her dad is an expat in Egypt with his new wife and son. She's used to being a loner but is befriended by her roommate, Violet Claybourne. Gilly is thrilled when Violet invites her to spend Christmas with her family at Thornleigh Hall. Gilly is dazzled by the family's wealth and glamour, and especially by Violet's older sisters. But when there is a terrible accident on the grounds, Gilly's loyalty and conscience are put to the test.

I was a big fan of the author's previous book, One Puzzling Afternoon, and was excited to read her latest. This book has such a gothic, dark feel, full of unlikeable characters that drip with privilege and secrets, and who will do anything to protect themselves. Told from Ginny's prospective, we feel her need to fit in at all costs and her resulting devastating decisions. I felt for Violet and her undoings (OCDd behaviors). It's a heartbreaking story, full of betrayal and gaslighting, but it will keep you turning the pages well into the night.

The Undoing of Violet Claybourne is Emily Critchley's new novel.

I always look at the cover of a book before I turn the first pages. I really liked this cover, it has a distinct Gothic feel to it. The images and the colours and tones used beckoned to me.

The first part is set in 1938. Gillian Larking attends a girl's boarding school in England. Gillian is quite lonely and unhappy at the school. She’s unsure when the new girl, Violet Claybourne, is to be her roommate. Violet is a bit different, but the two end up quite happy together. Gillian is thrilled to be asked to spend the Christmas holidays with Violet's family. She can’t wait to meet her mother, father and two sisters.

And this is where the good stuff starts. A crumbling manor, an atmosphere that is confusing, and a family that’s not as Gillian had imagined. Still though, she’d be very happy to be part of the family.

Emily Greeley does a fantastic job with what came next. Her plotting is excellent! Lots of twists and turns. And her characters? Oh my gosh, I can’t even….! And just when I thought we were finished we’re brought into current day and that was such a surprise turn as well! Kudos to you Emily Critchley!

This is my first read of Emily Critchley, and it certainly won’t be the last.

Gillian visits her friend Violet Claybourne at the family estate. The entire trip goes sideways once she's implicated in a tragic accident. Unfortunately, keeping herself free will mean framing her best friend for murder.

Violet Claybourne is the youngest of three girls and is considered too odd because of her rituals, her fears, and her repetitive intrusive thoughts. Gillian is essentially an only child, and had been jealous of the family and togetherness she assumed the Claybourne family had. The two are roommates at school and de facto become best friends, so Violet brings Gillian home with her for the holidays so she won't be alone or treated as an afterthought by her own family. Gillian is desperate for belonging, and Violet's older sisters make that very easy, saying she could be like a cousin to them. Gillian does what they ask of her, hoping to belong, even going along with Emmeline's directions when the unthinkable happens halfway through the novel.

There's such sadness and casual cruelty within the Claybourne family. For all of their titled history and wealth, it's greatly diminished as time goes on, and Gillian sees how far they go to maintain appearances. Poor Violet becomes the scapegoat, her oddities framed as insanity so no one would believe her if she ever reveals the truth about what happened. The fallout of those choices carries through the years, as well as into the next generation. This is when we find out more about the Claybournes, and how even the girls' parents had sacrificed their happiness for the sake of appearances. By the very end, Gillian is once again caught up in the family drama, this time to try to set things right. Nothing can undo what had been done, but she hopes to undo her mistakes much like Violet once wanted to undo her troubled thoughts.

4.5 Stars

Gillian Larking felt like she lived life on the margins, until she met her new school roommate, Violet Claybourne. Violet doesn’t follow the rules and she is the youngest daughter in the prominent Claybourne family. As their friendship grows, Violet invites Gillian to join her family at Thornleigh Hall for the Christmas holidays. Gillian becomes enamored with Violet’s older sisters and she hopes to impress them to get the attention she’s always longed for. But as she spends more time with the family, Gillian realizes there are more sinister motives at play in the Claybourne household.

When I think of Gothic Fiction, I immediately think of ghosts/hauntings, but Critchley definitely delivers a haunting story in The Undoing of Violet Claybourne without including a supernatural element. I felt like she did an amazing job creating a sense of foreboding in the story, making the reader feel that something is off, right from the start of Gillian meeting Violet.

Critchley develops a horror feel in the story, because of the actions committed by the characters, showing the lengths people are willing to go to, in order to protect themselves. I found Violet to be the only likable character, but I think that worked well, because this type of story calls for characters with questionable motivations. There are underlying traumas in the background and you can see how Critchley uses that trauma to develop each of the characters. Violet’s character also experiences OCD, and I felt Critchley did a great job, using it to shape her character.

I found The Undoing of Violet Claybourne to be an absorbing macabre read. It lived up to the expectations I am looking for in this type of story, and even though it is not a happy/lighthearted story, it is one that I really enjoyed reading. If you love books with suspense, twists, secrets, and tragic characters, then I would definitely recommend The Undoing of Violet Claybourne.

DNF 40%

While the setting and characters are interesting and well drawn, I'm just not engaged with the plot.

Wow! This took so many unexpected turns! Gilly and Violet are besties from the start, they compliment each other in all the best ways. Until Gilly meets Laura and Emmi, Violet’s sisters. They are so sneaky and manipulative, that you don’t even see all the ways they are controlling things! The descriptions of the scenery, the war time events, and the people are so well done. I didn’t see most of the twists coming, which I loved!

The Undoing of Violet Claybourne is a Gothic novel set between the two World Wars.

Gillian (Gilly) Larking is dumped into an austere boarding school by her disinterested father. She is a lonely girl without a lot of friends until Violet Claybourne shows up. Violet is the youngest daughter of an aristocratic family, that is barely hanging onto their house and their lifestyle. Violet is a bit odd, with what appears to be some OCD tendencies, she is also socially awkward so Gilly takes her under her wing and protects her as much as she can. Gilly receives an invitation to spend Christmas at Violet’s home, Thornleigh Hall. Eager to meet Violet’s family and see how the other half lives, Gilly accepts. At Thornleigh Hall she meets Violet’s distant parents, but most intriguing of all, she meets Violet’s older sisters, Emmeline and Laura. Both sisters seem to be the epitome of sophistication. There are undercurrents with the Claybourne family that confuse Gilly. Emmeline seems to be a bit disdainful and cruel, whilst Laura is a bit manic and reckless Then an accident occurs on Boxing Day, an accident that will cause repercussions throughout the years to come. Told from the adult Gilly’s POV, we see how tragedy after tragedy compounds to the detriment of the Claybourne’s.

This was a captivating novel with Gothic undertones, sisterly rivalry, tragic endings and the mystery of Violet’s undoing that is solved at the end.

Thanks to Netgalley, Sourcebooks, and the author for the chance to read and review this ARC.

The narrator Gillian — known as Gilly — has been shipped off to the typical cold boarding school. Unhappy and lonely, she hasn’t made any friends among the cliquish girls. Then she falls in with Violet Claybourne, a girl even more ostracized than herself. If not endeared exactly, Gilly is fascinated by and protective of Violet. The two reply upon each other for companionship. As Christmas break approaches, Violet invites Gilly to come stay with her and meet her family. Gilly has heard stories about these sisters, and the manor house, and agrees.

Gilly is unprepared for the impenetrable tensions between the various family members. The Violet’s sisters barely tolerate Violet and her weird repetitive habits. They quickly begin to cannibalize her friendship with Gilly. The parents only vaguely acknowledge Violet, giving her up as a lost cause. Instead they focus on the other sisters who have any chance of landing a rich husband who can save their failing estate.

Then, early this morning we’d woken to find the park covered in a thick white blanket. The Claybournes had exchanged Christmas gifts after breakfast, mostly cashmere and crystalized fruits. There was a box of fruit for me too. Although the food had plentiful the atmosphere at lunch had been strained. Emmeline and Laura were still clearly put out about not being allowed to take part in the Boxing Day fox hunt. ~Loc. 1629

All of their careful plans are thrown into a panic when someone is shot on the day of the hunt. Coverups abound, as do false accusations. Gilly, the narrator and our guide in this strange world, will see the genteel facade fall away quickly. She will have to decide where her loyalty lies.

Set in 1938 England, the story is steeped in the very particular interwar setting, with dozens of connotations. Crucially, it’s the year Rebecca was written (and set). Like the classic Du Maurier novel, this book focuses on a shabby manor house, a young woman who struggles to fit in, and a crumbling aristocracy intent on covering up dark secrets. It also displays shades of I Capture the Castle and Atonement.

Those books have become classics because there is something imperfectly, dreadfully human about the main characters. The sisters are well-drawn and vivid, but I’m not sure Violet Claybourne quite seizes upon the aspects of its predecessors. I wasn’t yelling at them in my head, like I was with the second Mrs. de Winter. I didn’t ache for Violet like I did for Cassandra.

Still, it is a compelling narrative, well worth the reading. Critchley aptly evokes the very particular place, time, and class that these strange characters inhabit. One can imagine them in a loop, repeating their mistakes for all time in some liminal space where it is always 1938.

My thanks to Sourcebooks for the review copy. Read via NetGalley

Publisher: ‎Sourcebooks Landmark (March 4, 2025)
Language: ‎English
Paperback: ‎400 pages
ISBN-10: ‎1728287197

Gothic vibes ooze out of The Undoing of Violet Claybourne. We meet shy, quiet Gillian as a schoolgirl at a boarding school whose life turns upside down after meeting her new roommate, Violet Claybourne. Violet’s life with her three older sisters on a sprawling country estate is vastly different from Gillian’s lonely upbringing after her mother’s death and her father sending her off to boarding school. It’s easy for Gillian to get swept up in romanticizing her new friend’s life and wishing it was her own.

When Gillian gets the chance to visit Thornleigh House for the holidays, her life will never be the same. She is enchanted by the family’s lifestyle and doesn’t immediately see the cracks beneath the surface. The Claybournes’ world is rapidly declining in the interwar years, yet they act as though nothing has changed. They continue shopping in town without paying their tabs, and we hear murmurs from various members about how life “isn’t what it used to be” when it comes to maintaining staff and social status. Gillian, however, remains blind to the strained familial relationships, at one point thinking that if she had what Violet did with her sisters, she would cherish it. Her naivety makes for an interesting contrast with the reader’s growing awareness that something is deeply wrong at Thornleigh House.

Thornleigh House itself is Gothic incarnate—complete with a mysteriously burned wing, leaking ceilings, and a sprawling estate with a lake and dark woods. The relationships between the family, the staff, and the reclusive man who lives in the gate cottage all collide after a Boxing Day hunt changes everything. The novel embraces so many perfect Gothic tropes, yet they don’t feel forced or overwhelming. Instead, they weave together seamlessly, creating a richly atmospheric mystery that kept me turning pages. I devoured this book in two sittings!

Thank you to @emily.critchley and @bookmarked for the #gifted book!

This book took me completely by surprise in the best way possible.

Set against the backdrop of 1938, we meet Gillian, a lonely girl who forms an intriguing bond with Violet at boarding school. Captivated by Violet's eccentric family, Gilly eagerly accepts an invitation to spend winter break with them, only to uncover unsettling truths that challenge her initial perceptions. A devastating tragedy transforms the lives of the girls in ways they could never have anticipated.

What unfolds is a gripping family drama that exposes the hypocrisy of social class and the stark neglect of mental health during the 1930s. The characters are intricately crafted, each one defining loneliness, vulnerability, and deep-seated trauma. As secrets are unveiled throughout the narrative, the story powerfully illustrates the saying that appearances can be deceiving. The Claybourne family is dysfunctional to the core, yet I found myself irresistibly drawn into their world. Each unexpected twist offers deep insight into the characters’ behaviors, making the experience all the more immersive. The author’s lyrical writing style captivated me from start to finish.

This novel masterfully blends dual timelines, largely set in the past, as it weaves the events that shape the characters’ lives. I was taken on a wild rollercoaster ride of emotions—feeling sadness, astonishment, disgust, and shock as I turned each page.

If you’re in search of a hauntingly beautiful historical thriller with a gothic feel, intricate layers and psychological depth that keeps you fascinated, this book is an absolute must-read.

So I definitely requested this based on the cover vibes alone and thought I was going to be getting a historical fiction but didn't realize it would also be a mystery/suspense. What a great surprise for me though!

I have to say, as I first started reading I was wondering if it was going to give Saltburn (complimentary). It both did and did not give Saltburn (also complimentary). I was very compelled to keep reading page after page because I wanted to see how it was all going to end. I agree with some other reviewers that the characters aren't necessarily likable, but I don't think every story needs that. In fact, I find this story more realistic that way. The setting was truly perfect though.

I think anyone who loves and is looking for a gothic, historical fiction, mystery/suspense/thriller would get into this as much as I did.

Thanks again to Emily Critchley, SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, and NetGalley for eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this author’s previous novel, One Puzzling Afternoon, so was very happy to receive an e-ARC of her latest.

The Undoing of Violet Claybourne is an interesting look at how far people are willing to go for acceptance and belonging. I enjoyed that mental illness was a key focus and driver of the story and the OCD descriptions were very realistic. The characters were for the most part not very likeable except for Violet. Gilly, Violet’s classmate at boarding school, was a nuanced character whose good and bad parts were in constant internal battle.

The story is quite dark with death, references to abuse, gaslighting, mental illness, classism, toxic sisters, and rich people behaving badly. It was a good read with a very satisfying ending.I also enjoyed the unexpected reveals and twists.

While I didn’t like this one quite as much as One Puzzling Afternoon, it was a well-written, interesting read about the price one is willing to pay to get the life they want.

Thanks to the publisher for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

The Undoing of Violet Clayborne was a unique historical fiction filled with themes of mental
Health, betrayal, obsession, and reputation. How far will a schoolgirl go to fit in with a wealthy family?

I loved the characters in this book, even as I wanted to scream at them I was still rooting for them. The intrigue and setting of this book reminded me a lot of Kate Morton and would be perfect for her fans. I highly recommend this book!

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT2xhhq9S/

This slowburn gothic mystery drew me in right away. I love the friendship between Gillian and Violet so it was really hard to read when Gillian chose to side with the other sisters rather than stick up for her own best friend, just because she was enamored by them and wanted to “belong”. I hated most of the characters — I thought they were all selfish, self-serving and treated Violet poorly! Talk about gaslighting galore! I really appreciated how mental health issues were front and center in the story — you will be shocked by how the doctors treated the patients back then. The final chapter was quite unexpected, but I loved it! It was the perfect comeback after all they did to poor Violet! Read this if you enjoy atmospheric historical fiction with lots of family drama and secrets!