Award winning author B.R. Myers returns with a page-turner of a gothic mystery
I loved this author's previous book, A Dreadful Splendor, so this was one of my most anticipated reads of the summer. It did not disappoint. I loved this one, too!
Gothic, ghostly, and gripping, I was hooked from the start. The suspense and mystery had me eager to uncover the dark secrets of Faraday House. The world-building and writing are immersive and descriptive without slowing down the twisty story. It is so atmospheric that Faraday House is a character in itself, and I could vividly picture the dark and foreboding manor and its surrounding grounds. It's the kind of place that ghosts haunt and makes locals believe in rumors of a curse that causes the wives there to die young. A sense of isolation permeates the setting and the narrative, adding to the emotion, foreboding, and suspense. Against this haunting backdrop, there is mystery, betrayal, and romance.
Told in the single POV of FMC Emeline, who is naive, quick-witted, and kind-hearted, the story features well-drawn characters who will make you wonder who among them can be trusted. The story also has feminist themes, which Emeline embraces, and her character shows increasing growth and courage throughout.
I had a hard time putting this down. The mystery kept me guessing. I loved the setting and the supernatural elements, and the ending was satisfying. If you're like me and enjoy eerie but not terrifying stories, this would make a great addition to your Fall tbr. And this cover--stunning!
Thank you to William Morrow Books for the beautiful gifted book!
My steep was Black Onyx from Club Magic Hour, an organic blend of chicory root, carob, black currant, ashwagandha, chaga, maca, and cocoa nibs. This has a rich, decadent toffee flavor.
PUBLISHER'S SYNOPSIS:
The Edgar Award–winning author of A Dreadful Splendor blends mystery and spooky thrills with friendship and romance in this delicious love letter to Gothic fiction, featuring two brides who must band together to unravel the ghostly secrets at the heart of a crumbling island manor.
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Til death do us part...
November 1816: Restless but naïve Emeline Fitzpatrick is desperate to escape her stifling life in foggy Halifax. Her guardian is lining up repugnant suitors, but Emeline has her eyes set on a handsome lieutenant in the British navy. She just needs to persuade him to propose, or her one chance at happiness will be gone forever.
But when Emeline’s hopes end in scandal, she finds herself with only one suitor left: the wealthy and enigmatic Captain Graves. Having already lost two wives to tragic circumstances, the unfortunate widower is seeking a new companion in his cloistered seaside manor, Faraday House. Or at least that is what Emeline had been told, because when she arrives, she is horrified to discover that the second Mrs. Graves, Georgina, has not yet died.
Emeline is only certain of two things: something ghastly is afoot at Faraday House, and no one is going to save her. She will have to rely on her own courage, her burgeoning bond with the ill but strong-willed Georgina, and the aid of a handsome reverend with a mysterious past to unravel the secrets at the heart of the manor and forge her own destiny.
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