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Return to Wyldcliffe Heights
Jane Eyre meets The Thirteenth Tale in this new modern gothic mystery from two-time Mary Higgins Clark Award–winner Carol Goodman, about a reclusive writer who is desperate to rewrite the past. Losing yourself inside of a book can be dangerous. Not everyone finds their way out. Agnes Corey, a junior editor at a small independent publisher, has been hired by enigmatic author Veronica St. Clair to transcribe the sequel to her 1993 hit phenomenon, The Secret of Wyldcliffe Heights . St. Clair has been a recluse since the publication of the Jane Eyre-esque book, which coincided with a terrible fire that blinded and scarred her. Arriving in the Hudson Valley at St. Clair’s crumbling estate, which was once a psychiatric hospital for “wayward women,” Agnes is eager to ensure St. Clair’s devoted fans will get the sequel they’ve been anticipating for the past thirty years. As St. Clair dictates, Agnes realizes there are clues in the story that reveal the true—and terrifying—events three decades ago that inspired the original novel. The line between fact and fiction becomes increasingly blurred, and Agnes discovers terrible secrets about an unresolved murder from long ago—which have startling connections to her own life. As St. Clair’s twisting tale infiltrates Agnes’s psyche, Agnes begins to question her own sanity—and safety. In order to save herself, Agnes must uncover what really happened to St. Clair, and in doing so, set free the stories of all the women traumatized and victimized by Wyldcliffe Heights.
308 pages, Hardcover
First published July 30, 2024
100 people are currently reading
14788 people want to read
About the author
Carol Goodman
35 books2,901 followersCarol Goodman is the author of The Lake of Dead Languages, The Seduction of Water, which won the Hammett Prize, The Widow's House, which won the Mary Higgins Clark Award and The Night Visitors, which won the Mary Higgins Clark Award. She is also the co-author, with her husband Lee Slonimsky, of the Watchtower fantasy trilogy. Her work has appeared in such journals as The Greensboro Review, Literal Latte, The Midwest Quarterly, and Other Voices. After graduation from Vassar College, where she majored in Latin, she taught Latin for several years in Austin, Texas. She then received an M.F.A. in fiction from the New School University. Goodman currently teaches literature and writing at The New School and SUNY New Paltz and lives with her family in the Hudson Valley.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 285 reviews
March 18, 2024
Triple Wow! I adore both gothic mysteries and psychological thrillers as much as I'm a big fan of the Brontë Sisters' classic masterpieces "Wuthering Heights" and "Jane Eyre." Imagine a book that blends all of these elements with the vibes of "American Horror Story: Asylum," featuring a claustrophobic journey through a haunted house that was once a sanctuary for troubled women, where numerous tragedies, including the murder of a psychiatrist, a madwoman's suicide, and a devastating fire that left the heiress blind, have occurred over the years.
I was immediately drawn into this mystery and had to restrain myself from finishing it too quickly, savoring every chapter and the intricate connections between the characters: a few heroines who have faced mental turmoil and tragedy yet remain resilient enough to survive. The intelligently designed, twisty main mystery kept me on my toes until the end, prompting me to form wild guesses. Although I foresaw some aspects of it, I was truly impressed by how the author masterfully connected the dots. The epilogue, in particular, was like a slap in the face—it was intense and brilliantly executed. I felt as though I had been hit with an ice-cold shower. I have now added Carol Goodman to my list of auto-approved authors and have decided to read anything she releases without even reading the blurbs.
Here's the plotline of the book: Agnes Corey discovers firsthand that losing oneself in a book can be dangerous, especially when she finds herself in the role of the amanuensis of the famous author Veronica St. Clair. Veronica, who wrote the bestselling gothic thriller "The Secret of Wyldcliffe Heights," may have saved Agnes in various ways throughout her painful childhood, during which she was raised by a mentally unstable mother, bounced between foster homes, and attended a strict school run by nuns.
After learning that Agnes, a junior editor at a small independent publishing company, is on the verge of losing her job, she realizes that the only way to save the company is to convince the only famous author they work with to write a sequel to her famous book. Crossing a line, Agnes pens a letter to Veronica requesting the sequel as a devoted reader, and miraculously, Veronica not only agrees to write it but also invites Agnes to work with her at her dilapidated estate, which was once a psychiatric hospital for troubled women surrounded by a cemetery of wayward mothers and daughters.
As Agnes takes her first steps into the mansion and meets the eccentric and mysterious Veronica and her rattled caretaker Leticia, she begins to delve into the dark past of the place, which is linked to an unsolved murder and the legends of the infamous boogeywoman Red Bess, who allegedly killed Veronica's grandfather in a brutal manner before hanging herself. However, as Veronica starts to work on a prequel and shares her side of the story, Agnes realizes that everything recounted in "Wylidcliffe Heights" is real, and she is on the verge of uncovering the missing pieces of the story. But as they approach the finish line, external threats intensify—someone wants to stop them from revealing the secrets. But who? Could it be someone Agnes knows? Who can she truly trust, especially when she cannot trust Veronica?
Overall, I give this highly earned five stars and wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who enjoys gothic thrillers and twisty psychological thrillers.
Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow/William Morrow Paperbacks for providing me with a digital review copy of this unputdownable book in exchange for my honest opinions.
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I was immediately drawn into this mystery and had to restrain myself from finishing it too quickly, savoring every chapter and the intricate connections between the characters: a few heroines who have faced mental turmoil and tragedy yet remain resilient enough to survive. The intelligently designed, twisty main mystery kept me on my toes until the end, prompting me to form wild guesses. Although I foresaw some aspects of it, I was truly impressed by how the author masterfully connected the dots. The epilogue, in particular, was like a slap in the face—it was intense and brilliantly executed. I felt as though I had been hit with an ice-cold shower. I have now added Carol Goodman to my list of auto-approved authors and have decided to read anything she releases without even reading the blurbs.
Here's the plotline of the book: Agnes Corey discovers firsthand that losing oneself in a book can be dangerous, especially when she finds herself in the role of the amanuensis of the famous author Veronica St. Clair. Veronica, who wrote the bestselling gothic thriller "The Secret of Wyldcliffe Heights," may have saved Agnes in various ways throughout her painful childhood, during which she was raised by a mentally unstable mother, bounced between foster homes, and attended a strict school run by nuns.
After learning that Agnes, a junior editor at a small independent publishing company, is on the verge of losing her job, she realizes that the only way to save the company is to convince the only famous author they work with to write a sequel to her famous book. Crossing a line, Agnes pens a letter to Veronica requesting the sequel as a devoted reader, and miraculously, Veronica not only agrees to write it but also invites Agnes to work with her at her dilapidated estate, which was once a psychiatric hospital for troubled women surrounded by a cemetery of wayward mothers and daughters.
As Agnes takes her first steps into the mansion and meets the eccentric and mysterious Veronica and her rattled caretaker Leticia, she begins to delve into the dark past of the place, which is linked to an unsolved murder and the legends of the infamous boogeywoman Red Bess, who allegedly killed Veronica's grandfather in a brutal manner before hanging herself. However, as Veronica starts to work on a prequel and shares her side of the story, Agnes realizes that everything recounted in "Wylidcliffe Heights" is real, and she is on the verge of uncovering the missing pieces of the story. But as they approach the finish line, external threats intensify—someone wants to stop them from revealing the secrets. But who? Could it be someone Agnes knows? Who can she truly trust, especially when she cannot trust Veronica?
Overall, I give this highly earned five stars and wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who enjoys gothic thrillers and twisty psychological thrillers.
Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow/William Morrow Paperbacks for providing me with a digital review copy of this unputdownable book in exchange for my honest opinions.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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January 25, 2024
Return to Wyldcliffe Heights is a slow burn of a gothic thriller, ever-so-slightly reminiscent of Jane Eyre. And it's obvious that the author was inspired by the Charlotte Brontë classic, as there are multiple mentions of the “madwoman in the attic” and even a character named Ja(y)ne. That's not to say that this is a retelling, however – it's a very different story overall, but the references and similarities are definitely there.
The things I enjoyed about this book: first and foremost, it's very, very gothic. I mean, it basically has gothic oozing from it's pores (or would if books had pores, anyway). There's the remote manor house with a dark history, the mysterious and reclusive invalid, eerie happenings, and a heroine with a tumultuous past in the form of our main character, Agnes. And not only that, but there's a gothic novel within this gothic novel, which is rather, um … novel (sorry, I couldn't resist).
The plot itself is also pretty decent – it's not anything especially innovative, but I loved how the different timelines come together to solve the all of the mysteries of Wyldcliffe Heights. There are a few major twists and turns and I absolutely did not see any of them coming. Certain aspects of the plot aren't overly realistic, but, eh, it's a gothic thriller so it's probably to be expected.
Also, Agnes, Jayne, and Veronica are all compelling characters and Goodman did an excellent job bringing them to life. They're all complex and multi-faceted individuals, and I enjoyed reading about how Wyldcliffe Heights affected the course of each of their lives.
Oh, and there's no real romance to be found in this book. Thank you, Carol Goodman – as someone who isn't a huge fan of the lovey-dovey stuff, I salute you.
The thing I didn't enjoy as much about this book: Oh my gosh is it a slow burn. I don't normally mind slow reads, but this one kind of took it to an extreme. I mean, there's a lot of backstory and some book excerpts and a few eerie scenes that are all important to the plot, but this is certainly not an action-packed novel … at least not until the climax, where everything happens at warp-speed and crazy events and big reveals are being thrown at you left and right. Despite the slow start to the book, however, Goodman manages to keep you reading, so I guess I can't really complain too much.
Overall rating: 3.7 stars, rounded up. If you like modern Gothics with a literary twist, maybe consider giving this one a read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
The things I enjoyed about this book: first and foremost, it's very, very gothic. I mean, it basically has gothic oozing from it's pores (or would if books had pores, anyway). There's the remote manor house with a dark history, the mysterious and reclusive invalid, eerie happenings, and a heroine with a tumultuous past in the form of our main character, Agnes. And not only that, but there's a gothic novel within this gothic novel, which is rather, um … novel (sorry, I couldn't resist).
The plot itself is also pretty decent – it's not anything especially innovative, but I loved how the different timelines come together to solve the all of the mysteries of Wyldcliffe Heights. There are a few major twists and turns and I absolutely did not see any of them coming. Certain aspects of the plot aren't overly realistic, but, eh, it's a gothic thriller so it's probably to be expected.
Also, Agnes, Jayne, and Veronica are all compelling characters and Goodman did an excellent job bringing them to life. They're all complex and multi-faceted individuals, and I enjoyed reading about how Wyldcliffe Heights affected the course of each of their lives.
Oh, and there's no real romance to be found in this book. Thank you, Carol Goodman – as someone who isn't a huge fan of the lovey-dovey stuff, I salute you.
The thing I didn't enjoy as much about this book: Oh my gosh is it a slow burn. I don't normally mind slow reads, but this one kind of took it to an extreme. I mean, there's a lot of backstory and some book excerpts and a few eerie scenes that are all important to the plot, but this is certainly not an action-packed novel … at least not until the climax, where everything happens at warp-speed and crazy events and big reveals are being thrown at you left and right. Despite the slow start to the book, however, Goodman manages to keep you reading, so I guess I can't really complain too much.
Overall rating: 3.7 stars, rounded up. If you like modern Gothics with a literary twist, maybe consider giving this one a read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
August 7, 2024
Pensar que cuando empecé este libro estuve a punto de abandonarlo y menos mal que no lo hice.
La verdad es que a nivel de ambientación es increíble, desde el principio te envuelve una sensación gótica, de tensión por la trama, sinceramente a mí me dio mal rollo al principio pero esta consigue atraparte 🤯.
Como os digo, no tiene nada que ver mi sensación al empezar la novela a la sensación que tengo ahora al terminarla, siento que la historia ha ido de menos a más y me vi atrapada completamente por la historia. De hecho la curiosidad de saber qué va a ocurrir es tan grande, que no puedes parar de leer.
Hay unos giros que me han sorprendido ya que para nada me esperaba ese final.
Así que finalmente puedo decir que recomiendo esta historia, todo lo que empieza siendo la ilusión de una joven asistente de una pequeña editorial independiente de motivar a la escritora de su novela favorita a escribir una secuela, termina siendo toda una aventura, para bien y para mal…
La verdad es que a nivel de ambientación es increíble, desde el principio te envuelve una sensación gótica, de tensión por la trama, sinceramente a mí me dio mal rollo al principio pero esta consigue atraparte 🤯.
Como os digo, no tiene nada que ver mi sensación al empezar la novela a la sensación que tengo ahora al terminarla, siento que la historia ha ido de menos a más y me vi atrapada completamente por la historia. De hecho la curiosidad de saber qué va a ocurrir es tan grande, que no puedes parar de leer.
Hay unos giros que me han sorprendido ya que para nada me esperaba ese final.
Así que finalmente puedo decir que recomiendo esta historia, todo lo que empieza siendo la ilusión de una joven asistente de una pequeña editorial independiente de motivar a la escritora de su novela favorita a escribir una secuela, termina siendo toda una aventura, para bien y para mal…
August 15, 2024
Crime, Thrillers & Mystery
Publication date : July 30, 2024
Narrated by: Hillary Huber
Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins
This was another one of those "a story within a story" type of books which sometimes work, sometimes not so much.
With all the different characters and timeline, story seemed to lack clear focus and sometimes was confusing. I wasn't much interested in the story happening in the 90s as it was kinda boring and only told, not shown. TBH I had trouble believing that some book would become so popular that readers are still sending fanmail 30 years after it's first publication. I didn't find anything so special or alluring in the backstory. And today everything seem to come and go out of fashion so fast, that 3 decades of fanmails for one book. Hm, in your writer's dreams!
It was quite obvious that Agnes was somehow connected with the place and enigmatic Veronica, you just had to wait for the reveal to see how exactly. Not bad story but not very original, gripping or intriguing.
Publication date : July 30, 2024
Narrated by: Hillary Huber
Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins
This was another one of those "a story within a story" type of books which sometimes work, sometimes not so much.
With all the different characters and timeline, story seemed to lack clear focus and sometimes was confusing. I wasn't much interested in the story happening in the 90s as it was kinda boring and only told, not shown. TBH I had trouble believing that some book would become so popular that readers are still sending fanmail 30 years after it's first publication. I didn't find anything so special or alluring in the backstory. And today everything seem to come and go out of fashion so fast, that 3 decades of fanmails for one book. Hm, in your writer's dreams!
It was quite obvious that Agnes was somehow connected with the place and enigmatic Veronica, you just had to wait for the reveal to see how exactly. Not bad story but not very original, gripping or intriguing.
October 24, 2024
Well I love a good gothic, dual timeline, creepy mystery/ghost story, and that is exactly what I got! 😅
Agnes works at a small publishing house where her favorite book was published. She is a bit of a loner, spent time in the foster system and homes, and loves her job. She is in charge of reading mail sent to Veronica St. Clair- the author of her favorite book (the same title as this novel). The book has Jane Eyreish qualities, and Agnes’ wayward mother gave her a copy that she has read many times. The story is loosely based on Red Bess, a girl who murdered 4 girls while being taken care of at Wyldcliff Heights House- a home for girls in trouble. Agnes is estranged from her mother. In the opening chapter, Agnes is let go from her job due to it being sold to a larger publishing house.In a fit of despair, she writes her own letter to the author asking her to write a sequel because all the fans want one. Eventually she gets notice that she is back on staff, and has been summoned to Wyldiff to write for the author as the author is now blind, due to a fire.
There are many characters and family genealogy in the beginning. There is Josephine Hale, her daughter, and her granddaughter Veronica. As Veronica tells the story of her growing years and friendship with Jayne, Agnes begins making connections. She begins looking into these connections and starts to feel that her mother was involved somehow. However, she becomes stressed and begins sleepwalking and crazy thing begin!
The characters are well developed, and I really liked Agnes. I also liked the past/present story lines. The author creates a creepy, haunting, stressy atmosphere that has you on edge.
And the twist and wrap up!! I am so glad the author did not follow the path I thought she would- that would have had me eye-rolling! I did not have all the pieces put together, and was pleasantly shocked! This is a great, creepy read- perfect for spooky season!!!
Agnes works at a small publishing house where her favorite book was published. She is a bit of a loner, spent time in the foster system and homes, and loves her job. She is in charge of reading mail sent to Veronica St. Clair- the author of her favorite book (the same title as this novel). The book has Jane Eyreish qualities, and Agnes’ wayward mother gave her a copy that she has read many times. The story is loosely based on Red Bess, a girl who murdered 4 girls while being taken care of at Wyldcliff Heights House- a home for girls in trouble. Agnes is estranged from her mother. In the opening chapter, Agnes is let go from her job due to it being sold to a larger publishing house.In a fit of despair, she writes her own letter to the author asking her to write a sequel because all the fans want one. Eventually she gets notice that she is back on staff, and has been summoned to Wyldiff to write for the author as the author is now blind, due to a fire.
There are many characters and family genealogy in the beginning. There is Josephine Hale, her daughter, and her granddaughter Veronica. As Veronica tells the story of her growing years and friendship with Jayne, Agnes begins making connections. She begins looking into these connections and starts to feel that her mother was involved somehow. However, she becomes stressed and begins sleepwalking and crazy thing begin!
The characters are well developed, and I really liked Agnes. I also liked the past/present story lines. The author creates a creepy, haunting, stressy atmosphere that has you on edge.
And the twist and wrap up!! I am so glad the author did not follow the path I thought she would- that would have had me eye-rolling! I did not have all the pieces put together, and was pleasantly shocked! This is a great, creepy read- perfect for spooky season!!!
August 3, 2024
Who is Veronica St Clair?
Is she more than what her fans see in her first book and a book that makes everyone want a sequel?
When Agnus is about to lose her job at the publishing company she works for, she does a forbidden thing.
She writes to Veronica St. Claire and asks if she would write a sequel to her very popular first book.
She didn’t expect her to reply. She expected Veronica to write back and have her boss “fire” her.
She didn’t care because she was losing her job anyway.
Much to her surprise Veronica hired Agnus to stay at Wyldcliffe Heights and write the sequel.
She was required to record as Veronica dictated and then type up everything on a manual typewriter. Nothing was to be out in cyberspace.
What a place Wyldcliffe Heights was. It is as Gothic and eccentric as the author herself.
I enjoyed meeting Veronica and hearing her story even though it was a bit confusing at times.
I also learned a new word: amanuensis. So you don’t have to look it up, it means - a literary or artistic assistant who takes dictation or copies manuscripts. (Definition taken from Oxford Languages online dictionary - https://languages.oup.com/google-dict...)
ENJOY if like surprise endings and a bit of paranormal!! 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Is she more than what her fans see in her first book and a book that makes everyone want a sequel?
When Agnus is about to lose her job at the publishing company she works for, she does a forbidden thing.
She writes to Veronica St. Claire and asks if she would write a sequel to her very popular first book.
She didn’t expect her to reply. She expected Veronica to write back and have her boss “fire” her.
She didn’t care because she was losing her job anyway.
Much to her surprise Veronica hired Agnus to stay at Wyldcliffe Heights and write the sequel.
She was required to record as Veronica dictated and then type up everything on a manual typewriter. Nothing was to be out in cyberspace.
What a place Wyldcliffe Heights was. It is as Gothic and eccentric as the author herself.
I enjoyed meeting Veronica and hearing her story even though it was a bit confusing at times.
I also learned a new word: amanuensis. So you don’t have to look it up, it means - a literary or artistic assistant who takes dictation or copies manuscripts. (Definition taken from Oxford Languages online dictionary - https://languages.oup.com/google-dict...)
ENJOY if like surprise endings and a bit of paranormal!! 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
April 2, 2025
This was such a great mystery/suspense novel.
The Return to Wyldcliffe Heights was top tier. I enjoyed how the plot focused on the prequal of the sensational book "The Secret of Wyldcliffe Heights". The story of Jayne and Violet was hypnotizing. These women endured so much in their lives, failed by the people around them and shunned from the world. A lot of these "Doctors" were preying on these young women.
This prequal was their vindication. I don't want to give too much away. But let's just say, Casey is every bit of pretentious and toxic as you think he is. Jayne and Violet deserved better. Red Bess... whew.
The plot twist, now parts of this I considered to be a possibility simply because of the history of Wyldcliffe Heights. The things Agnes found out about the history, Josephine, Red Bess, Veronica and more. This was such an amazing plot with a fiery and explosive end.
The Return to Wyldcliffe Heights was top tier. I enjoyed how the plot focused on the prequal of the sensational book "The Secret of Wyldcliffe Heights". The story of Jayne and Violet was hypnotizing. These women endured so much in their lives, failed by the people around them and shunned from the world. A lot of these "Doctors" were preying on these young women.
This prequal was their vindication. I don't want to give too much away. But let's just say, Casey is every bit of pretentious and toxic as you think he is. Jayne and Violet deserved better. Red Bess... whew.
The plot twist, now parts of this I considered to be a possibility simply because of the history of Wyldcliffe Heights. The things Agnes found out about the history, Josephine, Red Bess, Veronica and more. This was such an amazing plot with a fiery and explosive end.
September 17, 2025
All the elements/vibes were there, the writing was *almost there*, the audiobook narrator was not great, and the story was entertaining but everything was just a little thin--the characters, the dialogue--nothing felt very rich or detailed. Full review soon
September 9, 2024
2.25 ⭐️ a SLOW burn gothic-ish novel. I appreciated how well thought out the characters are (lots of great depth to each person and their backstory) and that there was not any gratuitous romance (just girl power! lol!).
The actual story fell a little flat for me, and the twist was difficult for me to follow.
The creepy gothic bits were fun (yay fall) but were few and far between.
I do feel like this would make a fun TV show or movie! If you like a slow burn creepy tale, this may be the book for you!
The actual story fell a little flat for me, and the twist was difficult for me to follow.
The creepy gothic bits were fun (yay fall) but were few and far between.
I do feel like this would make a fun TV show or movie! If you like a slow burn creepy tale, this may be the book for you!
August 5, 2024
3.5 rounding down. I love a good gothic mystery and was intrigued by this one because it was set in 2024 but it was somehow overstuffed and none of the stories were given enough time to breathe or come to life. It ended with me constantly confused about how all the stories were connected and who was actually whom.
Agnes works for a publishing house and decides in a last ditch attempt to save her job and her company from failing to write a letter to one of their authors begging for a sequel. The reclusive author surprisingly shows interest but under the requirement that Agnes comes in person to take down the story herself. When Agnes arrives at the old gothic mansion, she realizes that what happened in the book is much closer to what happened in real life and that there may still be a murderer out there somewhere.
In the right hands, this story would have been fantastic. Two gothic mysteries intertwined taking place at an old psychiatric institution? Just gold. It just didn’t get executed well.
Agnes works for a publishing house and decides in a last ditch attempt to save her job and her company from failing to write a letter to one of their authors begging for a sequel. The reclusive author surprisingly shows interest but under the requirement that Agnes comes in person to take down the story herself. When Agnes arrives at the old gothic mansion, she realizes that what happened in the book is much closer to what happened in real life and that there may still be a murderer out there somewhere.
In the right hands, this story would have been fantastic. Two gothic mysteries intertwined taking place at an old psychiatric institution? Just gold. It just didn’t get executed well.
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February 14, 2025DNF Return to Wyldcliffe Heights by Carol Goodman was not as good as I expected and I read all the way to page 128 before resigning myself to the fact that this book was not going to grow on me. This is a story within a story and very gothic. It is also about the cut-throat business of book publishing. When I stop caring about what happens to the characters, it’s time to give it up. I will not be reviewing or rating this book. This is my own opinion and I’m sure most would enjoy this mystery. However, I would like to read more books by Carol Goodman.
September 11, 2025
3.5 stars. 🎧
August 1, 2024
Bueno, entretenido en partes pero la trama sobretodo al final algo enrevesada y poco creíble.
July 31, 2024
A great gothic style story. Some of it creeped me out, especially reading late at night!
September 7, 2024
What happened to Carol Goodman's magic?
I loved Return to Wyldcliffe Heights, until every predictable "twist and turn" started unfolding...
I loved Return to Wyldcliffe Heights, until every predictable "twist and turn" started unfolding...
July 7, 2024
Agnes Corey is invited to famous author Veronica St. Clair’s estate to dictate the sequel to her bestselling book, The Secret of Wyldecliffe Heights. The eerie gothic estate was once a psychiatric hospital for wayward women where the legend of Red Bess, a serial killer lives on.
This was a creepy gothic mystery that kept me glued to the pages. Thanks NetGalley and William Morrow for this eARC that will be released July 30, 2024!
This was a creepy gothic mystery that kept me glued to the pages. Thanks NetGalley and William Morrow for this eARC that will be released July 30, 2024!
May 19, 2024
When I read that this book was being compared to Jane Eyre and The Thirteenth Tale, I had to devour this story. I can say it exceeded my expectations. Oh my goodness... I thought I had the plot figured out but I was so wrong. Definitely a well written gothic thriller.
April 26, 2025
Carol Goodman is a favorite author of mine, and Hillary Huber is one of my favorite narrators. Return to Wyldcliffe Heights had a strong start and a twisty ending, maybe not my favorite book of hers, but still a enjoyable book to listen to.
October 22, 2024
Entretenido, hay cosas que no me acaban de cuadrar, pero en general bien.
May 20, 2025
3.5/5 stars
August 27, 2024
Agnes is just about to be let go from her position as a junior editor when she's suddenly assigned to transcribe a new novel for a famous author. Veronica St. Clair wrote a huge bestseller in 1994, and Agnes is eager to help the now blind St. Clair write the long awaited sequel. The story takes place in a crumbling mansion in the Hudson Valley, which used to be a psychiatric hospital which makes the story feel a bit Jane Eyre. But as St. Clair tells her story, I found it hard to keep track of who was who. People change names and identities back and forth, creating confusion. A good, creepy, gothic start but a messy, convoluted ending.
September 6, 2024
After giving up reading three popular and well-lauded novels, I finally admitted to a reading slump. So I turned to a tried-and-true favorite, a gothic novel with lots of 4-5 star reviews, hoping for a compelling reading experience. And this novel did the trick—at first, anyway. About halfway through, it got so convoluted, and I couldn't keep the characters straight (nothing new as I'm easily confused) that I came close to giving up, but to jack up my reading challenge stats this month, I bravely plowed on and finished it.
The author created a fantastic atmospheric setting complete with fog, rain, a creepy cemetery, and a crumbling manor house (part of it is an abandoned psychiatric hospital to add to the eerie vibes). I didn't find the characters particularly appealing (except the librarian, natch), but there were good twists at the end, although almost too many, as my head is still spinning and I have a few questions.
Readers of Riley Sager's "The Only One Left" may wish to try this, as it has a similar plotline and multiple twists. It is also good for those who like Ruth Ware's more gothic-tinged tales.
The author created a fantastic atmospheric setting complete with fog, rain, a creepy cemetery, and a crumbling manor house (part of it is an abandoned psychiatric hospital to add to the eerie vibes). I didn't find the characters particularly appealing (except the librarian, natch), but there were good twists at the end, although almost too many, as my head is still spinning and I have a few questions.
Readers of Riley Sager's "The Only One Left" may wish to try this, as it has a similar plotline and multiple twists. It is also good for those who like Ruth Ware's more gothic-tinged tales.
June 29, 2025
3.9*
En aquesta novel·la de suspens gòtic contemporani, Goodman ens porta a l'enclavament aïllat de Wyldcliffe Heights, un antic sanatori -i llar de joves problemàtiques- amb un passat tenebrós. La protagonista, una dona que enfronta traumes passats i secrets personals, es veu obligada a anar a aquest escenari de misteri i possible perill. Goodman crea amb habilitat l'ambientació atmosfèrica, secrets familiars enterrats, elements de suspens psicològic i una sensació constant d'amenassa. És una lectura immersiva que barreja el drama personal amb el misteri gòtic, revelant veritats ocultes en un entorn carregat d'història i perill i amb un final sorprenent i emocionant.
En aquesta novel·la de suspens gòtic contemporani, Goodman ens porta a l'enclavament aïllat de Wyldcliffe Heights, un antic sanatori -i llar de joves problemàtiques- amb un passat tenebrós. La protagonista, una dona que enfronta traumes passats i secrets personals, es veu obligada a anar a aquest escenari de misteri i possible perill. Goodman crea amb habilitat l'ambientació atmosfèrica, secrets familiars enterrats, elements de suspens psicològic i una sensació constant d'amenassa. És una lectura immersiva que barreja el drama personal amb el misteri gòtic, revelant veritats ocultes en un entorn carregat d'història i perill i amb un final sorprenent i emocionant.
July 26, 2024
3.5 stars
January 14, 2025
I felt this was good but that the ending was super rushed and I found myself rereading things multiple times to make sure I understood everything.
October 6, 2024
I didn't find the story compelling at all which is the worst when there is a mystery and you don't really care to know what the truth is! I think also telling much of the story as dictation didn't help matters much either.
February 1, 2024
"Fog hangs heavy as wet sheets on a laundry line between the trees. Figures loom behind them and I know they're all the girls who were and still are imprisoned at Wyldcliffe."
I have been reading Carol Goodman books for years but the later books by her I haven't enjoyed as much. This is no exception. Her imagery is beautiful and just spooky enough for me, someone who doesn't enjoy scary things or horror movies. But the whole time I was reading this, I thought, this has been done before. And when it's been done before it hasn't been so confusing.
I agree that this is part Jane Eyre (which I, a former English major, never did read and I didn't see the film either) and part Thirteenth Tale (which I LOVE and have read more than once, a rarity). I figured out a few of the plot twists right away although how it all came together was somewhat of a surprise.
Be prepared to be overdosed on violets by the time you finish this!
Thanks to NetGalley and Ms. Goodman for the chance to read and give my honest review!
I have been reading Carol Goodman books for years but the later books by her I haven't enjoyed as much. This is no exception. Her imagery is beautiful and just spooky enough for me, someone who doesn't enjoy scary things or horror movies. But the whole time I was reading this, I thought, this has been done before. And when it's been done before it hasn't been so confusing.
I agree that this is part Jane Eyre (which I, a former English major, never did read and I didn't see the film either) and part Thirteenth Tale (which I LOVE and have read more than once, a rarity). I figured out a few of the plot twists right away although how it all came together was somewhat of a surprise.
Be prepared to be overdosed on violets by the time you finish this!
Thanks to NetGalley and Ms. Goodman for the chance to read and give my honest review!
August 20, 2024
"Losing yourself inside of a book can be dangerous. Not everyone finds their way out."
I highly enjoyed this twisting, dark, gothic thriller, that was like reading not one but two different stories at the same time.
Agnes is an editing assistant at her new publishing house job that she's just been at for slightly less than 3 months, when she gets the offer of her dreams to assist her favorite author write a sequel to her favorite novel. Not only does she get to help the author but she also gets to live at Wyldcliffe Heights where the original novel takes place. But when she gets there, things turn from exciting to dark.
I really, really liked this book. It gave me Rebecca vibes and I haven't read any gothic novels lately, so it was a nice change up from the psychological thrillers that I've been binging. There were lots of twists at that end that I wasn't anticipating. If you like dark, twisted books, this is wonderful and absolutely perfect for the upcoming spooky season!
I highly enjoyed this twisting, dark, gothic thriller, that was like reading not one but two different stories at the same time.
Agnes is an editing assistant at her new publishing house job that she's just been at for slightly less than 3 months, when she gets the offer of her dreams to assist her favorite author write a sequel to her favorite novel. Not only does she get to help the author but she also gets to live at Wyldcliffe Heights where the original novel takes place. But when she gets there, things turn from exciting to dark.
I really, really liked this book. It gave me Rebecca vibes and I haven't read any gothic novels lately, so it was a nice change up from the psychological thrillers that I've been binging. There were lots of twists at that end that I wasn't anticipating. If you like dark, twisted books, this is wonderful and absolutely perfect for the upcoming spooky season!
September 12, 2024
Todo un descubrimiento. Una novela que va de menos a más intensidad. Te mantiene pegada a la espera de que me a suceder y no quieres parar de leer. Un final trepidante y sorprendente.
Una joven que trabaja en una editorial en horas bajas, escribe una carta a la escritora pidiéndole que escriba una segunda parte del libro.
Esta es contratada como amanuense. Lo que empieza siendo la transcripción de un futuro libro se convertirá en una gran aventura y el desvelo de un capítulo de su vida.
Una joven que trabaja en una editorial en horas bajas, escribe una carta a la escritora pidiéndole que escriba una segunda parte del libro.
Esta es contratada como amanuense. Lo que empieza siendo la transcripción de un futuro libro se convertirá en una gran aventura y el desvelo de un capítulo de su vida.
October 6, 2024
Love Carol Goodman, but could NOT engage with this, as much as I wanted to. Great concept, but it was too confusing to follow all the characters and timelines. Couldn't visualize the MC AT ALL - Agnes was a cipher. I would have loved more description of the house and the characters. Lots of plotting, but it felt empty.
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