Depraved Heart

by Kathleen Valentine

( 135k words - Romantic suspense) - Growing up in Salem, Massachusetts, art curator Tempest Hobbs was surrounded by metaphysical practitioners but considers her own empathic powers a curse. The feelings that assault her became so terrible that she was confined to a psychiatric hospital. Upon her return home, badly shaken and weak, she discovers a letter from Hathor, the mysterious mansion of the Ravenscroft family. Located on the island of Hephzibah Regrets just off the coast, Hathor is said to be filled with fabulous art and "fairy retreats" where lavish parties are held. But sixteen years ago, during one of those parties, the distinguished dancer and Ravenscroft heir, Raven Silver was shot and killed. His sister Rachel's husband Syd Jupiter, a powerful NFL fullback, was convicted of the depraved heart murder of his brother-in-law and sentenced to twenty-five years in prison. The letter is from Syd Jupiter, now paroled and living at Hathor. Wyatt Ravenscroft is dead and has left his entire estate to Anjelica, Syd and Rachel's fifteen-year-old daughter. Syd offers Tempest the opportunity to live at Hathor for the summer while cataloging the vast art collection. She welcomes the chance to be away from the constant pressures of life in society. Tempest is dazzled by the art she finds but is soon aware that there are secrets and lies all around her. Hathor's housekeeper, Audrey, hates Syd and was once, Tempest discovers, Raven's lover. Miles Wainwright, a local fisherman and the only witness to the murder, is hiding something, and Anjelica lives in fear that Syd will be sent back to prison. And then there is Syd's mother, Marie-Isobel, the owner of a Santeria shop in New Orleans' French Quarter, who joins them for the summer with her candles and cleansing rituals. In the fishing village on Hephzibah Regrets the locals gather every night in the Riptide where men drink and talk fishing, women spin and knit, and everyone relishes the rumors about Hathor. They tell stories of Will Silver, the father Raven and Rachel never knew, and of wild Rosalind, their beautiful mother who died in an insane asylum. As the heat of summer intensifies Tempest discovers more about the secrets, deceptions, love affairs, madness, and mysterious deaths of Hathor's residents. And about Syd Jupiter who is as enigmatic as he is alluring. (Also available in a Boxed Set with The Old Mermaid's Tale and Each Angel Burns for Kindle only.)

286 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 30, 2012

About the author

From the Allegheny Mountains where she grew up, to the Gloucester seaport where she now lives and writes, Kathleen Valentine loves nothing more than listening to the stories that people tell while sitting on front porches, gathered around kitchen tables, or swapped in coffee shops and taverns. Her collection of legends, folklore, and tall tales are woven into her fiction. The award-winning author of novels, novellas, & short story collections, as well as books of knitting patterns, & a cookbook/memoir about growing up Pennsylvania Dutch, Valentine has been listed as an Amazon Top Selling Author in Horror, Mystery/Suspense, Cooking, and Knitting. As a writer her primary interest is delving into the psychology of her characters. Her stories are sometimes mysterious, sometimes funny, usually romantic, and frequently frightening. Her characters range from lost children and grumpy old folks, to mysterious men and women who are not to be trifled with. She lives in Gloucester, Massachusetts, America's oldest seaport.

Reviews

[Cheryl, The Book Contessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh Heavens, where to begin? Kathleen Valentine is truly one of my favorite authors! In Depraved Heart: A Novel, she spins a tale of twists, turns and dark secrets in the enormously wealthy Ravenscroft/Silver families throughout generations. The good, the bad, the ballerinas!
Saying all that to say this: I was not in love with this book.
The last 1/3 of the book I was completely swept up in "what is going to be revealed next?!" Kathleen writes so well, I was discovering secrets with awe as her reader should.

Initially, it was another story for me. I was introduced to too many characters with names so fanciful, I expected Fabio to jump out of the pages, tear his shirt open & declare his forbidden love for each of the women(and maybe the men--as they were beautiful and very rich) who crossed Hathor's dangerous estate. The excess, the art, the names of characters, were too hard for me to get past in order to enjoy the good and tangled story underneath.

I will continue to read Ms. Valentine's work. The Old Mermaid's Tale is more than a 5-star read! Depraved Heart: A Novel, I did not lose my heart to thee! 3 stars.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven't read a Kathleen Valentine book, you are really missing out. Kathleen is one of my favorite authors due to her ability to write deep, intricate novels and short stories that elicit emotions that run the gamut of feelings. I have read books of hers that I was crying tears of heartache that suddenly went to tears of joy!

I must say that Kathleen Valentine is one of those authors who are classic examples on why I love and very frequently seek out Indie authors over the big house publisher authors. I truly feel that Kathleen's writing is above the cookie cutter writers that you see in big house publishing houses.

This book was no exception. Kathleen's character and setting development is so strong that frequently I have to map them out and how they interact with one another. This is a real talent to be able to do so. Also, in the majority of Kathleen's books, as well as this one, she has the ability to write with a darkness that is below the surface, yet can keep the storyline light, so it isn't necessarily depressing and characters are "approachable". I loved this book, also, because of the mystery component that was visible, but not quite visible. I was kind of surprised with this one because of the level of romance that was in this book compared to her other books.

I do this lightly (because I abhor when people do it flippantly), but this book almost had the feel of Du Maurier's Rebecca with a bit more sexual spiciness to it.

[Wendy T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the twist and turns this book had and absolutely loved how this book ended.

[Katherine Coble · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this on my vacation and got in trouble because I was so sucked in. I've known Kathleen Valentine through social media for awhile now and I've gotten several of her books but hadn't read them yet because I do that...buy too many books and then fail to get around to them in a timely fashion.

Happily I bought this and started reading right away. My favourite thing about it was how terrifically gothic the atmosphere was. The whole story has its own mood. You feel like you're going to a unique place, a garden enclosed by wrought iron.

It was compared to _Rebecca_, and indeed there are some references to du Maurier's classic in the story. That pleased me because I really hate it when an author has an obvious tie to a previous work but just slides in little hints. Here Valentine acknowledges outright one character's similarity to another of du Maurier's.

But I'm getting off topic. The main topic is that this book is rich and varied and the kind of thing that could be adapted into a haunting musical.

[Lisa B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book by Ms. Valentine and what a great selection! This book had a little of everything - mystery, murder and just the right amount of romance. I really liked the two main character, Tempest and Syd. They both have troubled pasts and lots of reservations about getting involved with each other. I found myself really cheering for both of them. The story takes us right down to the end before we know if their relationship will survive the hurdles placed in their paths.

This book hooked me from the very beginning. I so glad I gave this book a go! Now I need to go check out some of the other books from this very talented writer.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Depraved Heart

Kathleen Valentine

I couldn't stop reading this book!! So many twists and turns and it kept me guessing right up to the very end! Great ending too! If you haven't read a Kathleen Valentine book yet, you really are missing out.  Not too much romance, just the right amount. Plenty of mystery suspense and twists and turns! Kathleen is now one of my go to authors!!

[Hildegart · Rating 4 out of 5]

First-reads book. 4 1/2 stars!! really enjoyed the book once I got into it. didn't want to put it down and go to work this morning. :-) One of the things I liked about this book was that I felt like I was there at Hathor and following along finding all those amazing sculptures and paintings. It was a magical world.

[Melissa Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twist and turns, I am on the edge of my seat!! Fantastic Book - Best One yet! Kathleen Valentine takes us to suspense, mystery, and romance...I am on the edge of my seat! Highly recommend this book! A Classic!!

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspense, mystery, and romance...this book had all of it. I love where the story takes you. The mystery of it all till the very end. Valentine nailed it.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book back in 2016. I didn’t finish it before my dear friend Kathleen Valentine passed away. I hated that so bad and somehow I forgot to leave a review. I will say that it was a wonderful story and she was a wonderful author. One that is dearly missed.
I gave this book a 5 star rating because it was well deserved. It’s a very good story. Kind of twisted in parts and a tragic love story. I read it very quickly and am so very sorry I forgot to leave my review.
It’s just another great by another great author who was taken way to soon.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

ii