The Grave of Katherine Embry: Gothic Suspense

by Renee Ross

Some families hide their darkest secrets, others bury them... After the sudden death of her father, Kate's cold-hearted grandmother treats her like a lowly servant inside her isolated estate. Falling in love with a young stable hand only complicates matters when she discovers her rival for his affections is Clara -- the one person who has treated her with kindness since her ordeal began. Now Clara will stop at nothing to eliminate the competition even if it means that her friend has to die. But, according to the gravestone in the family plot, Kate Embry is already dead.

Genres: Gothic, Historical Fiction

340 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 25, 2012

About the author

Step into a world of windswept cliffs, candlelit corridors, and secrets that echo through the ages. Renee Ross is the author of fourteen vintage-inspired gothic romances and mysteries, weaving tales where heroines face danger, desire, and dark family secrets in crumbling mansions and haunted estates.

A lifelong lover of classic gothic paperbacks, Renee revives the moody suspense and romantic intrigue that captivated generations. Her stories are perfect for readers who remember the thrill of vintage gothic novels—and for anyone discovering the genre’s spellbinding allure for the first time.

When she’s not writing, Renee curates daily gothic book features on Instagram, connecting with fellow lovers of all things mysterious and moody. Each week, she offers one of her books free on Amazon, inviting new readers to lose themselves in a world where every shadow holds a secret.

Connect with Renee on Instagram @reneerossbooks and Facebook for vintage book nostalgia, gothic vibes, and exclusive giveaways.

Reviews

[Cynthia Rodrigues · Rating 1 out of 5]

Full & Detailed review: https://cynthology.blogspot.com/2017/...

The story starts in New London, Connecticut, in 1892, and is written in the third person point of view of Kate Embry.
The author drops a few details here and there about Kate, which helps us to gain a fuller picture of her. Interestingly, the author speaks of Kate in an amused, teasing tone that I liked.
There were plenty of errors. She had ‘borne’ became ‘born’; a ‘contiguous’ facility became a ‘contagious’ facility; 'coarse’ blanket becomes ‘course’ and how she was ‘faring’ became ‘fairing’.
The book would have been shorter and tighter had much of it been edited out.
None of the characters were strong. The heroine, Kate, was downright annoying. When she wasn’t playing He-loves-me-He-loves-me-not games on behalf of Clara, she was playing them for herself. We never find ourselves rooting for her.
For a romantic hero, with two women vying for his attention, Will is rather bland and insipid.
The twist was a damp squib, one that ten out of ten readers would have easily guessed. I would have expected a solid reason for Olivia’s hatred of Kate, but there wasn’t any.
The author should at least have ended the book with Olivia feeling some sort of grudging respect for Kate, but even that doesn’t happen. And the villain track was so badly constructed.
All in all, neither a strong Gothic mystery nor a strong romance.

[BobaFett114 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good Gothic!!!

I just love a good Gothic book. This one ticks off a lot of those boxes. Kate's father died so she has to live with her estranged grandmother. The grandmother treats her as a servant and her best friend turns on her. There are secrets as well.

[Sherrie Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katherine was in the grave

A story with quite a twist. This really had me intrigued. I was making my own guesses and I was on the right track only not quite spot on. Katherine is Katherine, but isn’t? Such a great read.

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page turner

I burned with curiosity from beginning to end. Just like Kate I wanted answers and those answers drove me to keep turning the pages. Great story

[star]

Good book

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several of this author's books and have never been disappointed. With her lively writing style here is yet another one of her brilliantly written gothic stories to enjoy. Immediately I felt for Kate as if I were right there with her, feeling her pain and loneliness. Enduring unexpected pressures, both social and personal, while finding herself deeply involved with an inconceivable family mystery. This story kept me entertained and in suspense until the unimaginable, yet plausible and satisfying ending. I commend this author for giving this deserving genre a comeback. Please keep them coming!

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the death of her father, Katherine Embry goes to live with her grandmother in an old mansion in New England. Hoping to get to know the grandmother she had never met, she finds herself rejected. Soon after her arrival she is sent to a separate wing of the house to live and has to be a scullery maid. One day while visiting her mother's grave she finds another grave with her name on it. As she searches for answers, she begins to realize that her entire life may be just a lie.

[Renee Ross]

(New Hampshire 1890). A young woman finds her own grave and the explanation might prove more disturbing than the discovery itself.

[Abby Pechin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book and I liked the ending. It was somewhat predictable, but anyone who enjoys gothic romances from the Victorian era would probably like to read this book.