The Secret of the Three Fates is the follow-up to the highly-engaging Gothic Mystery, The Curse of Penryth Hall, which I really enjoyed last year. These books are part of the Ruby Vaughn series by Jess Armstrong. I'd so been looking forward to being back with Ruby on another spooky adventure. Happily, this was just as enticing as the first book!

This installment brings Ruby and her employer/housemate, Mr. Owen, to Manhurst Castle in the Scottish Borders. Ruby believes they're there to acquire manuscripts for the bookshop, but quickly discovers that's not the case. In fact, it turns out they're there to attend a seance to be held that very night. Mr. Owen, up to his old tricks again.

Desperate to contact his son, lost to the Great War, Mr. Owen hopes the seance could help him get his wish, but he doesn't want to do it alone. Hence, Ruby's unknowing presence. The seance is hosted by three mediums, going by the name of The Three Fates. As any of us could have guessed, things do not go smoothly, nor as planned, and Mr. Owen's secret past looks close to being exposed. Shortly thereafter, Ruby discovers one of the Three Fates has been murdered and she and Mr. Owen are immediately dubbed the prime suspects.

In order the clear their names, Ruby begins her own investigation, enlisting the help of Ruan, the folk healer she befriended in the first book during her time in Cornwall. You know, the handsome one.

My favorite thing about the first book was the atmosphere and Armstrong succeeded again in building out a lush, gothic-feeling setting. I am also loving how attached I am becoming to this set of characters. Yet again, the chemistry between Ruby and Ruan was so well done. I enjoy Ruby so much as a lead. She's plucky, smart and a little hard-headed. Once she starts investigating something, she doesn't let anything get in her way, no matter how dangerous. It was fun getting to know more about Mr. Owen too. There was quite a bit revealed about his past in this one, and I feel like I have more of an appreciation for him now.

I feel like the seance scenes were also really well-imagined. Thinking of the popularity of occult practices like that during this time period is so fascinating to me. It must have felt completely surreal participating in something like that, when belief was so high. I love that Armstrong used that practice within this mystery. It was compelling and felt time period appropriate. It also helped to give the mystery an overall unsettling air.

I'm already anxious for news on the next book. There has to be one. There's no way this is it for these characters. I shall sit back, patiently, and wait. Any by that I mean, I'll be chomping at the bit to get my hands on it...

I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys Historical Mysteries with heavy Gothic vibes. The settings, the characters and the mysteries themselves, are all so well developed. There's a lot to praise about Armstrong's work. Additionally, the audiobook was very well narrated; exactly how I would imagine Ruby sounding.

Thank you to the publisher, Minotaur Books and Dreamscape Media, for providing me with copies to read and review. I cannot wait to be reunited with Ruby and friends!!

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

Phenomenal audiobook! Loved the narrator!!

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

I LOVE this series. Ruby is one of my favorite FMCs and Ruan is an incredible love interest. Atmospheric and suspenseful, I loved the plot of this book as well as the way Armstrong continues to include the history of the places where this series takes place. In this installment, Ruby, Ruan, and Owen travel to Scotland to face Mr. Owen's past and find answers to parts of his life that are shrouded in mystery. Once there; however, Ruby realizes just how convoluted the past can be and someone doesn't want her to find out what really happened years ago. With old clues and fresh bodies, Ruby must figure out what's going on before someone else gets hurt.

Gorgeous writing, stunning characters, and immersive narration. Fans of Deanna Raybourn, B.R. Myers, and Sherry Thomas will love this series. I can't wait for the next book!

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. 3.5 stars for the audio version; Mysterious and entertaining overall.

I quite liked this book, and the mystery was solid. I'd forgotten most of the first book, so I was lost for a while until it started coming back to me. So many books with somewhat similar plots swimming in my head!

Again, like with the first book, I found the magic system in this world interesting and look forward to learning more about it. Mr. Owen is a quirky old guy who has a lot of hidden depth. The romance... I won't say... but rawr. There's a lot to like, I just know I'll have completely forgotten this again when I get the next book in the series. It could use some oomph.

I listened to the audiobook of Secret of the Three Fates by Jess Armstrong. It is a great Gothic Mystery set several years after WWI. The story centers around American heiress, Ruby Vaughn, who after experiencing a scandal back home, moves to Exeter, England where she helps run a cozy bookshop owned by an elderly gentleman, Mr. Owen. This book features Ruby and Mr. Owen traveling to Manhurst Castle in the Scottish borderlands to secure illuminated manuscripts. However, when they arrive, Ruby discovers that the manuscripts were sold over a year ago.

Then, Mr. Owen reveals he would like to attend a seance so he can talk with his deceased son. The seance, which is led by the famed three fates, does not go as expected, and later that evening, one of the fates is found dead. Soon afterwards, suspicion falls on Mr. Owen and Ruby is determined to find the true killer, as she herself is targeted repeatedly, and others become victims.

I really enjoyed trying to figure out who committed the murder, as well as a few others decades before. I was convinced it was someone else until the very end!

This audiobook was narrated by the most excellent Emma Love who provided varying voices for both male and female characters and she inflected just the right amount of emotion in all the right places. This is the second book in the Ruby Vaughn series; I recommend starting with the first book, The Penryth Curse, as one character from the first book is integral in this one and helps Ruby solve the murders. I will definitely listen to future installments in this series!

Ruby Vaughn, the delightful main character from The Curse of Penryth Hall, is back! This time, instead of Cornwall, the action takes place in Scotland, at a remote manor house with a neighboring ruined castle. Mr. Owen got her to come with him under false pretenses (nope, no rare manuscripts to be had!) and she’s rather put out when she discovers they are actually there for a seance. Owen longs to speak to his son, Ben, who died in the Great War (World War I). The book takes place in October 1922, just a few months after the first book. The seance is run by THREE mediums (the titular “three fates”) and Owen’s secrets gradually come to life over the course of the book. But not before a murder or two, and Ruby and Owen becoming suspects! Luckily, Ruan, the “pellar” we met in the first book, arrives and helps Ruby with the investigation.

There were a lot of new characters introduced in this one, and I confess that I found it a bit difficult to keep them straight. (Maybe it would have been easier/clearer if I had been reading the story, but I mostly listened to the audio version.)

Lots of secrets gradually come to light, most of which involve Mr. Owen’s former life, including the story of his first wife, who disappeared many years ago. There are some disturbing events (from many years ago) that are revealed over the course of the book, and some of them could be upsetting to readers.

While this definitely could be read as a standalone, readers will enjoy it more if they’ve read the first book, The Curse of Penryth Hall. For one thing, they will understand Ruan much better that way. Ruby is a great character, feisty and non-traditional. We are starting to get hints about Ruby’s (late) mother, which I hope will be expanded in a future book. The ending left open the possibility of a third novel and I hope there is at least one more in this series!

The Secret of The Three Fates will appeal to readers of historical fiction who enjoy some paranormal/occult topics, and will definitely appeal to fans of “gothic” stories.

Emma Love narrates the audiobook and does a great job with all the characters and various accents.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook and Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

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 books shop, 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. - Description from Amazon

Loved the second book! There are recurring characters so it is best to read the first book before this one. Séances, murder, mystery and lies. This story has all of them. It started off a little slow, thankfully the story picks up and by the middle it is full speed ahead. I really hope there are more books coming for this series, I am enjoying it very much. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

The Secret of the Three Fates (Ruby Vaughn #2)
by Jess Armstrong, narrated by Emma Love

I enjoyed the story that comes before this one, The Curse of Penryth Hall, so when my friend Kat mentioned that the second audiobook was on NG, I ran to grab it. Once again we have Emma Love narrating, giving me the accents I would never be able to imagine if I read the book. Her narration put me right back with the main characters I met in the last book. This story takes place at Manhurst Castle in the Scottish Borders and Ruby finds her boss was not honest about why he was dragging her to this place.

What was supposed to be an excursion to appraise and acquire illuminated manuscripts for the bookshop is really a trip to attend a seance. Ruby's octogenarian employer knew she wouldn't attend the event if he told her about it so he fabricated and got her there anyway. Things go very lopsided and deadly once the seance starts and that has Ruby jumping into sleuthing and digging round in very dangerous places and ways. Luckily, Ruan Kivell, the swoon worthy folk healer Pellar, shows up so he and Ruby and can continue agitating and attracting each other.

Ruby was an ambulance driver in the war, she's been shunned from proper society due to incidents in her past, and nobody tells her what to do. This story is full of action and it's got a dark, creepy, damp, gothic feel to it. Ruby is bullheaded and will barge in where she is told not to do so. It seems her life is cursed to be filled with hardship and death and I know more is ahead. Now I'm looking forward to seeing her again in the future.

My review of the The Curse of Penryth Hall (Ruby Vaughn #1)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5987142455

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this ARC.

I received an audio ARC from NetGalley and Dreamscape Media. I'm voluntarily leaving a review, and all thoughts are my own.

Genre: Mystery, Historical Mystery, Paranormal Mystery
Spice Level: Affairs and other proclivities are mentioned but not on the page
Representation: Gay character(s)

*THE SECRET OF THE THREE FATES* is approachable, and the characters are interesting. The mystery is also twisty.

The setting is post-WWI in Great Britain (Scottish border), but it didn't feel historical to me other than a few comments. Why was this? I think it's partly because the protagonist, Ruby Vaughn, is very, very modern in her thinking and sexual relationships. Interesting that nothing was on the page. The other characters also don't quite feel historical either, but I haven't put my finger on why.

With that said, I thought the mystery was a great romp! It clipped along at a great pace and kept my attention. The slight paranormal element is intriguing, and I desperately want to learn how certain characters' gifts change or develop. I would say this is a slow-burn romance, and I'm guessing more will happen in the next installment in the series.

I think mystery readers will enjoy this book. A harsh critic of historical realism might not as much.

I thought the narrator did a good job on this book.

Happy reading!

Title: The Secret of the Three Fates
Series: Ruby Vaughn Book #2
Author: Jess Armstrong
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Emma Love
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Genre: Gothic Suspense
Audiobook Pub Date was December 3, 2024
My Rating: 3.4
Pages: 336

American heiress Ruby Vaughn was a teenager in May 1915 when her parents and sister were on the cruise ship ‘Lusitania’ sailing from New York City to Liverpool. The ship sank and it her family was never found. At sixteen she left NYC for a new life in Exeter.
In this story The Secret of the Three Fates, we earn of more secrets –and Ruby’s relationship with Ruan continues. Story takes place in Cornwall’s haunted Manhurst Castle, where spirits lurk and three fates are summoned to connect with them.

Ruby has not entirely forgiven her elderly employer and housemate Mr. Owen for taking her to the Manhurst Castle- he claimed the purpose was to appraise and acquire illuminated manuscripts for their rare bookshop, However when Ruby discovers there are no manuscripts ..

Audiobook narrator Emma Love did a fab job in performing all the characters. her performance made the story enjoyable as well as held my interest.

This was second in the series. I read and enjoyed "The Curse of Penryth Hall]" that earned Debut author Jess Armstrong a winner in the Mystery Writers of America/Minotaur First Crime Novel.

I did enjoy this but have to admit I liked book #1 better however since this ends with a tease about Book #3 and I am ready to put it on my TRB shelf.

Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books
for this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date was December 3, 2024.

*4.5 Stars On My Instagram Account*

"There is nowhere on earth you can hide from the dead."

“I’m not sure I believe in ghosts.”
“Unfortunately, they believe in you."

“You are everywhere and everything to me, flooding my senses and I cannot understand it...this inexplicable thread between us and for this power you hold over me."

Oh my! With Book 2 of the Ruby Vaughn series, The Secret of the Three Fates, masterful bestselling author Jess Armstrong has created an alluring atmospheric gothic historical fiction mystery filled with goosebump gasps, startling reveals, and an infuriating slow burn romance that keeps the heart aflutter.

In 1920s England, American heiress Ruby Vaughn works for Mr. Owen's rare bookshop, which she secretly owns. In Book 1, The Curse of Penryth Hall, she's embroiled in the occult, witches and curses. She also meets Ruan, a Pellar--a healer, witch of sorts, and protector. He can read her thoughts giving her peace of mind to not speak her fears and truths out loud.

Surviving Penryth Hall barely prepares her for the Scottish castle where Mr Owen is lured by three "mediums," calling themselves The Three Fates. They promise him a seance to communicate with his dead son. Ruby is shocked when other attendees have a direct connection to her secret past.

Ruby discovers one of The Fates murdered and becomes the prime suspect. She's also in danger from the real killer. Luckily Ruan arrives but finds he's blocked from reading her thoughts.

Voice actress Emma Love once again is superb using her many vocal abilities to enhance this eerie mystery. It's no secret I adore this series and can't wait for Book 3, The Devil In Oxford.

I received a free copy of this book/audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

This is the second book in the series. I didn’t read the first and I think it would be helpful to read the first book to get acquainted with the characters.

Ruby Vaughn is brought to Manhurst Castle by her octogenarian employer Mr. Owen, to appraise and acquire manuscripts for their rare bookshop. However, it is really to attend an occult seance at the castle. She meets Mr. Owen’s estranged brother and his nephew at the seance. Mr. Owen is desperate to speak to his son, but he doesn’t want to face the spirits alone. The seance is put on by a trio of mediums called The Three Fates. The seance goes wrong and the story slowly unravels secrets and deaths. Ruan Kivell is back from the first book.

There are a lot of characters to follow. I received the audiobook which I loved the narration and all the Scottish accents.

This was a quick and fun mystery to solve with Ruby and Ruan. I highly recommend this book.

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

I really enjoyed this follow up to The Curse of Penryth Hall. Ruby is an intriguing character with a complicated past and an unconventional life. I love her father/daughter like relationship with Mr. Owens, even if it is tested a bit in this book. I was also very happy when a certain pellar from Cornwall turned up. I’m interested to see where that relationship will go in the future. The mystery itself was engaging. I like the role of the supernatural in this series and there were a lot of hints about Ruby herself in this book. I’m very intrigued and can’t wait for the next book!

The audiobook is narrated by Emma Love. I adored her portrayal of Ruby and the other characters.

Note: This is book 2 in the Ruby Vaughn series and should be read after The Curse of Penryth Hall. Like the previous book, this one has chapter titles, which I always appreciate.

𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑺𝑬𝑪𝑹𝑬𝑻𝑺 𝑶𝑭 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑻𝑯𝑹𝑬𝑬 𝑭𝑨𝑻𝑬𝑺 𝒃𝒚 𝑱𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑨𝒓𝒎𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 is a historical mystery that continues the adventures of Ruby Vaughn in early 20th century Scottish Hils with all the Gothic atmosphere! This is coming December 3rd by @minotaur_books & @dreamscape_media and shared graciously to me by @netgalley.

Ruby is once again taken by her octogenarian employer to a place under false pretenses so he can dabble in the occult. This time it is a séance that Ruby is doubtful about, but after it proves to be rather unsettling, her interest is piqued. When one of the Three Fates, or mediums, is found dead by Ruby, the stakes to the secrets is proving to be very high.

I thought the first of these tales was clever, and this was a deeper and even more engaging chapter! I wasn't sure where it was going and when it all came out, I was surprised and impressed with the level of depth.

There is a romance tension in this story that I wanted to at least not be bothered by. It was mostly a background issue that popped up just enough.

I did pair the digital with the audio, narrated very well by Emma Love, and thoroughly enjoyed hearing her relay all the Scottish and other English accents! I can imagine them ok, but hearing it is so much better, I even slowed it down a bit from my normal speed to enjoy it more!

I love atmospheric stories, and this one was swimming in it!

The second book in this series.
I enjoyed the audio much better than the actual book. Both were good but the narrator, Emma Love, was great. Made this book feel much more realistic or in the actual time setting it is told in. The descriptions were great. I enjoyed listening to it.

While I actually have not loved this series I did enjoy this one more than the first. Both had a lot going on and this one seemed to flow even better than the first book.

Ruby Vaughn is resilient. Not one to be brushed off easily. She's a strong force.

I think this was a pretty good book. Read it.

4 stars and a thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

Jess Armstrong's "The Secret of the Three Fates" is a captivating sequel set in a haunting Scottish castle. This gothic mystery follows Ruby Vaughn as she unravels a present-day murder linked to past secrets. Armstrong's immersive writing and intricate plot keep readers guessing while exploring Ruby's character depth and relationships. With its blend of supernatural elements and classic whodunit intrigue, this book offers a thrilling experience for mystery and atmospheric fiction fans. Emma Love's audiobook narration enhances the story, making it a perfect companion to the ebook.

"The Secret of the Three Fates" is a triumphant sequel that will leave readers eagerly anticipating Ruby's next adventure. With its perfect blend of historical atmosphere, supernatural elements, and classic whodunit intrigue, this book is a must-read for mystery enthusiasts and fans of atmospheric fiction alike.

The second mystery in the Ruby Vaughn series does not disappoint. This time, Ruby sets off to Scotland with Mr. Owen. He has received a mysterious missive from Lucy Campbell, aka one of the 3 Fates, a group of psychics that are more real than Ruby would like. Of course, misadventure finds it's way to Ruby when she discovers the body of Lucy in the pond at the estate they are visiting. Ruby, with Mr. Owen's help, must figure out who killed Lucy before she herself is arrested for the crime. It definitely doesn't help that Mr. Owen has been keeping secrets and even a viscount title under wraps. Thank goodness Ruan Kivell has come to help as well.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audio e-arc.*

Thanks to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and Jess Armstrong for an ALC of The Secret of the Three Fates. We join Ruby Vaughan again in another murder mystery, this time set in misty Scotland amidst ancient castles, secret nobility, and a ghost from Ruby’s past. Jess Armstrong’s ability to pull the reader into an atmospheric gothic setting while avoiding the hazard of pretensions and pedantic plotting is masterful. I really admire Ruby’s headstrong ways and her ability to remain independent and steadfastness of character - it’s written in a way that continues to present her as unique for her time and truly interesting to the point where the reader is left still wanting to learn more about her, vs stubborn and naive.

My one main critique for this second book was the heavy-handed references to the demise of Ruby’s parents and sister. I have a strong feeling that this is meant to be foreshadowing we’re going to see/learn more in the third book (with Ruby’s mother potentially coming into play???) but we already heard so much about it in the first book, it started to feel very repetitive and unnecessary by the end of Three Fates.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great mystery and a wonderful continuation of the series. I really enjoyed this book and had a great time listening to it.