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Veil
An old house filled with riddles.
A young woman unable to laugh, unable to cry.
Now, through her dead mother’s wedding veil she will see the house not as it is, but as it once was.
She will glimpse the events of a day nearly thirty years before.
A day of obsession and cruelty.
A day of hope too, where a lost lover hides in the shadows.
Through the veil, she may come face-to-face with her family’s darkest secret.
She might learn the reason for her mother’s insanity.
She may even find a way back to her lost emotions.
And solve the mystery of her own past.
A young woman unable to laugh, unable to cry.
Now, through her dead mother’s wedding veil she will see the house not as it is, but as it once was.
She will glimpse the events of a day nearly thirty years before.
A day of obsession and cruelty.
A day of hope too, where a lost lover hides in the shadows.
Through the veil, she may come face-to-face with her family’s darkest secret.
She might learn the reason for her mother’s insanity.
She may even find a way back to her lost emotions.
And solve the mystery of her own past.
263 pages, ebook
First published August 1, 2025
1 person is currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Clulow
11 books8 followersJeff Clulow is a British/Australian author of romantic dark fiction and horror. Born in Cornwall in the UK, Jeff now lives and writes in Sydney, Australia. Jeff’s writing leans towards the lighter end of dark fiction, exploring themes of family, childhood, love and loss. He’s inspired by folktale, mythology and the notion that the old gods still walk among us.
His stories have reached the finals of the Aurealis Awards, the Shadows Awards, the American BookFest Awards and the National Indie Excellence Awards. He has been awarded an ‘Honourable Mention’ in the Robert N. Stephenson competition for short fiction in horror and is the winner of the 2023 Asylumfest Mayday Hills Ghost Story Competition.
Find out more about Jeff and his work at www.jeffclulow.com
His stories have reached the finals of the Aurealis Awards, the Shadows Awards, the American BookFest Awards and the National Indie Excellence Awards. He has been awarded an ‘Honourable Mention’ in the Robert N. Stephenson competition for short fiction in horror and is the winner of the 2023 Asylumfest Mayday Hills Ghost Story Competition.
Find out more about Jeff and his work at www.jeffclulow.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
June 17, 2025
Much thanks to Third Eye Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
This book was really really good. It’s not the type of thing that I normally read, but it was a great palate cleanser. It was a short, enjoyable, and somewhat heartbreaking read. The vibes were dark and dreary but also told a story of finding hope and who you were meant to be. I also very much related to the main character and her difficulties with her emotions.
I would 100% recommend this to anyone who would like a novella length horror-esque read that features uncovering mysteries, thwarting conniving strangers, and uncovering long lost love.
The only downside is that I’m an American and some of the Britishisms made it somewhat difficult for me to place the time period that the book is set in towards the beginning. That ended as time went on though.
This book was really really good. It’s not the type of thing that I normally read, but it was a great palate cleanser. It was a short, enjoyable, and somewhat heartbreaking read. The vibes were dark and dreary but also told a story of finding hope and who you were meant to be. I also very much related to the main character and her difficulties with her emotions.
I would 100% recommend this to anyone who would like a novella length horror-esque read that features uncovering mysteries, thwarting conniving strangers, and uncovering long lost love.
The only downside is that I’m an American and some of the Britishisms made it somewhat difficult for me to place the time period that the book is set in towards the beginning. That ended as time went on though.
August 18, 2025
This was such a beautifully written story with a very unique premise, I haven’t read anything like this before. We follow Suze as she learns about her biological mother’s death, and as she sorts through her mother’s belongings she uncovers dark family secrets.
It was such an intense and emotional read, and Clulow writes in such a way that you feel the tension, anguish, and the heartbreak. The story pulled me in from the beginning, and found myself lost in into until the very end.
If you love mysteries with gothic and paranormal themes this book is right up your alley!
Thank you to NetGalley and BookBuzz for en ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It was such an intense and emotional read, and Clulow writes in such a way that you feel the tension, anguish, and the heartbreak. The story pulled me in from the beginning, and found myself lost in into until the very end.
If you love mysteries with gothic and paranormal themes this book is right up your alley!
Thank you to NetGalley and BookBuzz for en ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2025
4 Stars
I really enjoyed this. It was not a traditional ghost story, but very atmospheric and gothic in nature nonetheless. I felt the anxiety and tension that Suze felt, along with the oppressive and dreary nature of the house and its surroundings.
I did work out what had happened from the clues we were given before Suze did, and found it very tragic. I did find though that in some occasions the writing style made me want a bit more concerning feelings. Sometimes Suze seemed a little too apathetic or unbothered - particularly with some of the reveals of her theories earlier on. The ending did change this though and i suppose it makes sense with Suze’s characterisation to be so stoic.
I definitely recommend this to lovers of ghost stories, gothic horror and romance.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of the eARC - this is my honest review*
I really enjoyed this. It was not a traditional ghost story, but very atmospheric and gothic in nature nonetheless. I felt the anxiety and tension that Suze felt, along with the oppressive and dreary nature of the house and its surroundings.
I did work out what had happened from the clues we were given before Suze did, and found it very tragic. I did find though that in some occasions the writing style made me want a bit more concerning feelings. Sometimes Suze seemed a little too apathetic or unbothered - particularly with some of the reveals of her theories earlier on. The ending did change this though and i suppose it makes sense with Suze’s characterisation to be so stoic.
I definitely recommend this to lovers of ghost stories, gothic horror and romance.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of the eARC - this is my honest review*
June 8, 2025
I love gothic horror, with its beleaguered heroines facing sinister and oppressive forces, brooding atmospheres and gloomy, often decrepit settings. These settings, in fact, are often characters in and of themselves, filled with cobwebs, shadows, and secrets galore. The mansion that's central to the story in Jeff Clulow's "Veil" is no exception, and just as the derelict halls of Aeolus House draw the protagonist, Suze Newman deeper into the mystery that is her family's storied past, so too does it pull the reader in, page by eagerly turned page.
Suze is an orphan, raised since birth in England's foster system. She has always felt disconnected from other people, despite her best efforts to fit in and bond with friends or foster families. She keeps her emotions bottled up inside, or rather, locked away in a metaphorical suitcase inside her mind, and ekes out an isolated, unfulfilled, and meager existence. When the story opens, she's hit rock bottom, having lost her job, which will inevitably mean losing the crummy little apartment that's more of a place where she keeps her few belongings than any real "home." Thus, when she receives notification that she is the sole beneficiary of a large estate belonging to the late Emma Lacey, her luck at last seems to be changing.
Suze learns that Emma was her birth mother, and when she travels to the rural English coast, finds a sprawling mansion called Aeolus House waiting. The home is named after a Greek wind god, and the name is more than fitting: from its lofty perch atop a rocky cliff overlooking the sea, the house is continuously battered by gales. From the looks of things inside the house, Suze discovers it hasn't fared much better. Emma, as it turns out, was a bit of a nut, as well as a hoarder, and the house she left behind is filled with heaps of old papers, books, newspapers, and trash. Among these, Suze finds a couple of curious items: a tattered old wedding dress and matching veil, and a box that once held a pair of antique dueling pistols, with one of the guns missing. All will become key elements as the story unfolds.
When Suze tries the wedding veil on, she's shocked to see the ghostly figure of a young man standing at the bottom of a stairwell. She pulls the veil away, and the apparition is gone. Each time she wears the veil, she sees visions throughout Aeolus House that she soon realizes are memories -- her mother, Emma's memories, to be exact. When one of these evokes feelings of overwhelming terror and dread, Suze realizes that something horrible happened to Emma once upon a time.
Through a series of twists and turns as treacherous as the foot paths from Aeolus House to the beaches below the cliffs, Clulow leads readers through the dark and disturbing mystery as Suze uncovers her family's past.
His writing style is lush, descriptive, and beautiful, and through his deft narrative, Aeolus House comes to life in minute detail. Like in all good gothic tales, it's much more than a setting, and for Suze, it serves as both an anchor to her roots -- a place she can finally call home -- and an albatross, weighing her down with the horrors her mother once endured.
Clulow's character development is likewise well-done. Suze is a relatable, likeable character, one who is easy to root for and empathize with. Again, like in all good gothic horror, there's a hint of romance when she's introduced to a handsome young solicitor charged with helping her inventory the estate to sell in probate, but Suze is no damsel in distress, nor does she need anyone to rescue her. In her, Clulow has created a gothic heroine with a modern mindset: strong-willed, fiercely independent, and more than capable to taking care of business for herself.
Clulow is a new writer to me, but one I'll seek out again. "Veil" is both haunting and harrowing, an exploration of a family's horrific past, and a young woman's triumph in overcoming it.
You can read the first two chapters and find pre-order/purchase links here: www.jeffclulow.com/books
Suze is an orphan, raised since birth in England's foster system. She has always felt disconnected from other people, despite her best efforts to fit in and bond with friends or foster families. She keeps her emotions bottled up inside, or rather, locked away in a metaphorical suitcase inside her mind, and ekes out an isolated, unfulfilled, and meager existence. When the story opens, she's hit rock bottom, having lost her job, which will inevitably mean losing the crummy little apartment that's more of a place where she keeps her few belongings than any real "home." Thus, when she receives notification that she is the sole beneficiary of a large estate belonging to the late Emma Lacey, her luck at last seems to be changing.
Suze learns that Emma was her birth mother, and when she travels to the rural English coast, finds a sprawling mansion called Aeolus House waiting. The home is named after a Greek wind god, and the name is more than fitting: from its lofty perch atop a rocky cliff overlooking the sea, the house is continuously battered by gales. From the looks of things inside the house, Suze discovers it hasn't fared much better. Emma, as it turns out, was a bit of a nut, as well as a hoarder, and the house she left behind is filled with heaps of old papers, books, newspapers, and trash. Among these, Suze finds a couple of curious items: a tattered old wedding dress and matching veil, and a box that once held a pair of antique dueling pistols, with one of the guns missing. All will become key elements as the story unfolds.
When Suze tries the wedding veil on, she's shocked to see the ghostly figure of a young man standing at the bottom of a stairwell. She pulls the veil away, and the apparition is gone. Each time she wears the veil, she sees visions throughout Aeolus House that she soon realizes are memories -- her mother, Emma's memories, to be exact. When one of these evokes feelings of overwhelming terror and dread, Suze realizes that something horrible happened to Emma once upon a time.
Through a series of twists and turns as treacherous as the foot paths from Aeolus House to the beaches below the cliffs, Clulow leads readers through the dark and disturbing mystery as Suze uncovers her family's past.
His writing style is lush, descriptive, and beautiful, and through his deft narrative, Aeolus House comes to life in minute detail. Like in all good gothic tales, it's much more than a setting, and for Suze, it serves as both an anchor to her roots -- a place she can finally call home -- and an albatross, weighing her down with the horrors her mother once endured.
Clulow's character development is likewise well-done. Suze is a relatable, likeable character, one who is easy to root for and empathize with. Again, like in all good gothic horror, there's a hint of romance when she's introduced to a handsome young solicitor charged with helping her inventory the estate to sell in probate, but Suze is no damsel in distress, nor does she need anyone to rescue her. In her, Clulow has created a gothic heroine with a modern mindset: strong-willed, fiercely independent, and more than capable to taking care of business for herself.
Clulow is a new writer to me, but one I'll seek out again. "Veil" is both haunting and harrowing, an exploration of a family's horrific past, and a young woman's triumph in overcoming it.
You can read the first two chapters and find pre-order/purchase links here: www.jeffclulow.com/books
June 11, 2025
The suitcase acts as a real-life veil, concealing the emotional struggles Suze faces—just as her mother, Emma (introduced in Chapter 1), concealed hers. Both mother and daughter seem to have locked away their true selves from the world, creating a metaphorical veil that hides deep pain.
Emma, once married in the opening chapter, ended up in a mental institution. Suze appears to be on a similar path, as if repeating history. The veil becomes a powerful symbol, connecting past and present. This is especially vivid when the narrator descends into Klegger Dhu and feels the trauma of her mother’s past, including the violence from her grandfather.
Suze’s bond with Harlan is heartwarming, and his support of the narrator is sincere. In contrast, the narrator seems too quick to accept Hislop’s plan to restore the house. Suze’s grandfather’s cruelty—using his own daughter in electroshock experiments—is heart-wrenching. Ava, while well-meaning, is misguided, and the dual wedding dresses reveal Emma’s love for her partner, Samantha, which I was really surprised by.
The ending felt slightly abrupt; one or two more chapters exploring Suze’s life with children or her relationship with Ava could have provided more closure. Still, the story is thought-provoking, and will linger in my mind.
Thank you to NetGalley and BookBuzz.net/Third Eye Press for the ARCs for my honest opinion!
Emma, once married in the opening chapter, ended up in a mental institution. Suze appears to be on a similar path, as if repeating history. The veil becomes a powerful symbol, connecting past and present. This is especially vivid when the narrator descends into Klegger Dhu and feels the trauma of her mother’s past, including the violence from her grandfather.
Suze’s bond with Harlan is heartwarming, and his support of the narrator is sincere. In contrast, the narrator seems too quick to accept Hislop’s plan to restore the house. Suze’s grandfather’s cruelty—using his own daughter in electroshock experiments—is heart-wrenching. Ava, while well-meaning, is misguided, and the dual wedding dresses reveal Emma’s love for her partner, Samantha, which I was really surprised by.
The ending felt slightly abrupt; one or two more chapters exploring Suze’s life with children or her relationship with Ava could have provided more closure. Still, the story is thought-provoking, and will linger in my mind.
Thank you to NetGalley and BookBuzz.net/Third Eye Press for the ARCs for my honest opinion!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Beautifully unsettling, heartbreakingly lyrical, and totally unforgettable.
Let me tell you something—Veil by Jeff Clulow hit me in a way I wasn’t expecting. This isn’t your average haunted house story. It’s a slow, graceful unraveling of one woman’s broken spirit tangled in the tattered threads of memory, grief, and legacy—and I devoured it like a whispered secret I wasn’t supposed to hear.
The story starts quiet—almost too quiet. A young woman, emotionally frozen and wrapped in her own silence, enters an old house filled with mystery. It’s the kind of setting that feels alive from the start. You feel the hush, the history in the wallpaper, the weight of everything that’s gone unsaid. But then she puts on her dead mother’s wedding veil... and it’s like the walls breathe. And y’all—what she sees through that veil? Gave me goosebumps.
Jeff Clulow doesn’t just write a story—he paints it in fog and fragments.
Through that veil, the past doesn’t just whisper. It screams, it aches, it reaches. You see moments of cruelty and obsession, but also flickers of love that never quite got to bloom. And all the while, she’s stumbling through it like a ghost in her own life—just trying to feel again.
There’s this deep emotional current running under everything. The grief. The generational trauma. The loss—not just of people, but of self. Watching her try to reconnect to her emotions, to maybe—maybe—understand why her mother slipped away from reality? It broke me just a little. In the best way.
And no spoilers, but the final few chapters? Poetic. Painful. Perfect.
Bottom line from me?
Veil is gothic storytelling with a heartbeat. Eerie, elegant, and layered in the best kind of way. If you like your mysteries with a side of emotional rawness, ghostly echoes, and a slow-build atmosphere that clings to your skin long after the last page, then this book is your next obsession.
Just... don’t read it alone at night. Or maybe do. Just keep the lights on and your heart open.
Let me tell you something—Veil by Jeff Clulow hit me in a way I wasn’t expecting. This isn’t your average haunted house story. It’s a slow, graceful unraveling of one woman’s broken spirit tangled in the tattered threads of memory, grief, and legacy—and I devoured it like a whispered secret I wasn’t supposed to hear.
The story starts quiet—almost too quiet. A young woman, emotionally frozen and wrapped in her own silence, enters an old house filled with mystery. It’s the kind of setting that feels alive from the start. You feel the hush, the history in the wallpaper, the weight of everything that’s gone unsaid. But then she puts on her dead mother’s wedding veil... and it’s like the walls breathe. And y’all—what she sees through that veil? Gave me goosebumps.
Jeff Clulow doesn’t just write a story—he paints it in fog and fragments.
Through that veil, the past doesn’t just whisper. It screams, it aches, it reaches. You see moments of cruelty and obsession, but also flickers of love that never quite got to bloom. And all the while, she’s stumbling through it like a ghost in her own life—just trying to feel again.
There’s this deep emotional current running under everything. The grief. The generational trauma. The loss—not just of people, but of self. Watching her try to reconnect to her emotions, to maybe—maybe—understand why her mother slipped away from reality? It broke me just a little. In the best way.
And no spoilers, but the final few chapters? Poetic. Painful. Perfect.
Bottom line from me?
Veil is gothic storytelling with a heartbeat. Eerie, elegant, and layered in the best kind of way. If you like your mysteries with a side of emotional rawness, ghostly echoes, and a slow-build atmosphere that clings to your skin long after the last page, then this book is your next obsession.
Just... don’t read it alone at night. Or maybe do. Just keep the lights on and your heart open.
July 10, 2025
This book was super freaky! Also made me never want to borrow any dead family heirlooms that are worn ever again… at least not without proper cleansing precautions being taken. Yikes…. Well done.
July 16, 2025
Wow.. what an unexpected gem this book turned out to be! I honestly have nothing but good things to say. Jeff Clulow does an incredible job of setting the scene; I felt like I was right there at Aeolus House in Storm Bay. Our FMC’s character growth was so well done, evolving beautifully as the story unraveled. The twists and turns? Completely unpredictable. I actually had to stop myself from gasping out loud more than once! This was the perfect little dose of gothic horror, in all the best ways.
September 18, 2025
I was unsure when this was recommended, not being a horror fan
But what a pleasant surprise
Light horror, yes. But such a great mystery plot, well developed and engagingly written
Looking forward to Clulow’s next gem
But what a pleasant surprise
Light horror, yes. But such a great mystery plot, well developed and engagingly written
Looking forward to Clulow’s next gem
June 23, 2025
Jeff Clulow's "Veil" offers a truly unique premise that immediately captured my imagination. The idea of a young woman inheriting a haunted house and discovering family secrets through a magical wedding veil is genuinely intriguing, blending gothic atmosphere with a compelling mystery. The author clearly has a knack for creating a mysterious and unsettling backdrop, and the initial setup had me very excited to delve into the story's depths.
However, while the concept is strong, the execution felt like it could have been better in a few key areas, which ultimately kept this from being a higher-rated read for me. There were moments where the narrative felt a bit disjointed, and some of the more intriguing elements didn't quite coalesce as smoothly as I'd hoped. I found myself wishing for a tighter focus or a more consistent pacing in certain sections, as the story occasionally lost some of its initial momentum.
While I appreciated the ambition and the original approach to a familiar genre, the delivery sometimes struggled to match the promise of the premise. For readers drawn to unique, atmospheric mysteries with a touch of the supernatural, "Veil" might offer an interesting journey, but be prepared for an experience where the concept shines brighter than its overall execution. It's a fair effort, but one that left me wanting just a bit more polish.
However, while the concept is strong, the execution felt like it could have been better in a few key areas, which ultimately kept this from being a higher-rated read for me. There were moments where the narrative felt a bit disjointed, and some of the more intriguing elements didn't quite coalesce as smoothly as I'd hoped. I found myself wishing for a tighter focus or a more consistent pacing in certain sections, as the story occasionally lost some of its initial momentum.
While I appreciated the ambition and the original approach to a familiar genre, the delivery sometimes struggled to match the promise of the premise. For readers drawn to unique, atmospheric mysteries with a touch of the supernatural, "Veil" might offer an interesting journey, but be prepared for an experience where the concept shines brighter than its overall execution. It's a fair effort, but one that left me wanting just a bit more polish.
July 26, 2025
My only complaint is I wish there was more. This was so entertaining and I loved every bit of it. I can't wait for it to release so I can add it to my book collection.
August 24, 2025
What a great book! I really loved the plot of this book and enjoyed getting to know the characters. I’ll definitely recommend this to others
June 23, 2025
This story starts with us meeting Susanna "Suze" Newman, a 30-year-old woman who has just been fired from her childcare job for sleeping while on the clock. She had grown up in the foster care system, being passed around from family to family, knowing nothing about her biological family. She discovers that she's inherited her recently deceased mother's estate through the rules of intestacy and finds that this will be the perfect way to learn about her mother, but what she doesn't realise yet is just how dark her family's past is, and what truths her mother's veil will uncover.
I have absolutely nothing but praise for this book. Seriously.🙂↕️
The storytelling was beautiful, the pace was perfect, and the end was rounded off flawlessly. I truly feel like a better person after having had the chance to read this.
I came up with my own theory at the 52% mark (beginning of chapter 21) which I was genuinely so thrilled to have gotten right, but I was also so upset to be right.
If there's anything that anyone does come August 1st, it better had be reading this book.🫡
I have absolutely nothing but praise for this book. Seriously.🙂↕️
The storytelling was beautiful, the pace was perfect, and the end was rounded off flawlessly. I truly feel like a better person after having had the chance to read this.
I came up with my own theory at the 52% mark (beginning of chapter 21) which I was genuinely so thrilled to have gotten right, but I was also so upset to be right.
If there's anything that anyone does come August 1st, it better had be reading this book.🫡
June 17, 2025
Veil is a clever, insightful, and haunting mystery with a touch of horror. I think many readers will be surprised at the ending, though I did pick up on the twist quite early.
For me, this would gain a star by including more of the gothic elements and exploring the creepiness of the veil a bit more. However, that’s absolutely a personal thing, and I firmly believe the vast majority of readers will absolutely rave over this book.
Female-led, strong characters, and it felt mostly authentic to the time period (from what I know of that time period). There are a few minor plot holes towards the beginning, but they did serve the narrative in getting the plot moving. Granted, I read the ARC, so those plot holes may disappear from the final version.
Overall, a very enjoyable, atmospheric, and detailed story that will stay with you.
For me, this would gain a star by including more of the gothic elements and exploring the creepiness of the veil a bit more. However, that’s absolutely a personal thing, and I firmly believe the vast majority of readers will absolutely rave over this book.
Female-led, strong characters, and it felt mostly authentic to the time period (from what I know of that time period). There are a few minor plot holes towards the beginning, but they did serve the narrative in getting the plot moving. Granted, I read the ARC, so those plot holes may disappear from the final version.
Overall, a very enjoyable, atmospheric, and detailed story that will stay with you.
June 22, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Third Eye Press for an opportunity to read this ARC.
Quick read with a unique premise of a haunted veil that may help reveal family secrets. I absolutely loved the atmosphere of a cliffside, decrepit house with secret rooms and squeaky floorboards. The wind getting into every nook and cranny and the cold seeping in through keyholes. I enjoyed MC's POV and personally found her voice engaging. She was cold and distant most of the time and for me personally it was part of her charm as we could slowly notice hints of hope for her better future. I did guess the main twist around middle of the book and found some of the veil sequences too explanatory to the point of being just big story dumps, still I considered the prose engaging and even when I guessed what's coming I still had fun getting to the end. The book shines in its descriptions of old rooms, dusty pages and harsh environment and I would recommend it as an atmospheric and slightly spooky read for fans of old mysteries coming to light.
Quick read with a unique premise of a haunted veil that may help reveal family secrets. I absolutely loved the atmosphere of a cliffside, decrepit house with secret rooms and squeaky floorboards. The wind getting into every nook and cranny and the cold seeping in through keyholes. I enjoyed MC's POV and personally found her voice engaging. She was cold and distant most of the time and for me personally it was part of her charm as we could slowly notice hints of hope for her better future. I did guess the main twist around middle of the book and found some of the veil sequences too explanatory to the point of being just big story dumps, still I considered the prose engaging and even when I guessed what's coming I still had fun getting to the end. The book shines in its descriptions of old rooms, dusty pages and harsh environment and I would recommend it as an atmospheric and slightly spooky read for fans of old mysteries coming to light.
June 13, 2025
I was given an advanced copy by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Veil is an atmospheric work of gothic horror that incorporates the genre’s most compelling hallmarks: a solitary heroine, a crumbling ancestral estate, and a lingering sense of dread. The author skillfully evokes the tradition’s classic motifs while infusing them with a contemporary perspective, resulting in a narrative that feels both enduring and original.
Veil is a haunting exploration of legacy, trauma, and the ghosts we inherit — both literal and metaphorical. Gothic horror aficionados will find much to admire in Clulow’s work, and new readers to the genre may find it an ideal introduction.
Veil is an atmospheric work of gothic horror that incorporates the genre’s most compelling hallmarks: a solitary heroine, a crumbling ancestral estate, and a lingering sense of dread. The author skillfully evokes the tradition’s classic motifs while infusing them with a contemporary perspective, resulting in a narrative that feels both enduring and original.
Veil is a haunting exploration of legacy, trauma, and the ghosts we inherit — both literal and metaphorical. Gothic horror aficionados will find much to admire in Clulow’s work, and new readers to the genre may find it an ideal introduction.
August 31, 2025
Veil was not a traditional ghost story in the same way of other traditional ghost stories, but it was still haunting and atmospheric. It was more of a generational haunting story and how what happens to family members can have a huge effect on those in the current generation, almost floating on the boundaries of generational trauma. I really enjoyed the Gothic atmosphere of this story as well as the setting; the themes running through this book would make some great discussion points.
Suze discovers she has inherited a house from her mother, a woman she had never met nor known anything about. As someone who was floundering through life trying to find a purpose, this came as a shock as she had spent years trying to find out anything about her mother who gave her up for adoption, but she was determined to discover whatever she could. And that is one of the things I loved about Suze as a MC, her determination. Growing up in the foster care system, she had learned to hide her feelings and emotions at a very young age, so Suze's character development was immense as she learned to feel and to sympathize with what happened to her mother as she discovered secrets about her family she was not expecting. I thoroughly loved her determination and her willingness to give things a shot even when it was extremely difficult to do so. She had a lot to learn, but was willing to put in the work and do so.
The story itself wasn't overly unique, and it was a bit predictable, but I definitely enjoyed the journey. The addition of the veil to the story was fun and I wish the author had done a bit more with that aspect of the story as I felt it was underutilized. What ended up happening was more of a showing us what happened to Suze's mother rather than allowing the reader to discover it and I felt a bit let down by how that happened. I do want to make it clear though, the writing was still strong and I still enjoyed it, but a part of me was a bit disappointed to just be along for the journey rather than trying to figure it out as Suze discovered it. And it was not hard to figure out what was going on although it was still quite tragic.
Veil had an interesting mix of gothic tropes in the story, but the inclusion of the veil was unique and I enjoyed that aspect quite a bit. There was also another aspect that I thought was clever as it mirrored Suze's mother's trauma and would make a great discussion point, but I don't want to give spoilers in this review. I liked the oppressive nature of the house, but have to say I loved the conclusion and what will happen even more. While the delivery didn't quite work all of the time, and I wished the Gothic aspects had been used a bit more to push the level of tension (which was quite lacking for me), this was still an enjoyable read and I do recommend it to anyone who likes these types of books.
I received a copy of this book from the author.
Suze discovers she has inherited a house from her mother, a woman she had never met nor known anything about. As someone who was floundering through life trying to find a purpose, this came as a shock as she had spent years trying to find out anything about her mother who gave her up for adoption, but she was determined to discover whatever she could. And that is one of the things I loved about Suze as a MC, her determination. Growing up in the foster care system, she had learned to hide her feelings and emotions at a very young age, so Suze's character development was immense as she learned to feel and to sympathize with what happened to her mother as she discovered secrets about her family she was not expecting. I thoroughly loved her determination and her willingness to give things a shot even when it was extremely difficult to do so. She had a lot to learn, but was willing to put in the work and do so.
The story itself wasn't overly unique, and it was a bit predictable, but I definitely enjoyed the journey. The addition of the veil to the story was fun and I wish the author had done a bit more with that aspect of the story as I felt it was underutilized. What ended up happening was more of a showing us what happened to Suze's mother rather than allowing the reader to discover it and I felt a bit let down by how that happened. I do want to make it clear though, the writing was still strong and I still enjoyed it, but a part of me was a bit disappointed to just be along for the journey rather than trying to figure it out as Suze discovered it. And it was not hard to figure out what was going on although it was still quite tragic.
Veil had an interesting mix of gothic tropes in the story, but the inclusion of the veil was unique and I enjoyed that aspect quite a bit. There was also another aspect that I thought was clever as it mirrored Suze's mother's trauma and would make a great discussion point, but I don't want to give spoilers in this review. I liked the oppressive nature of the house, but have to say I loved the conclusion and what will happen even more. While the delivery didn't quite work all of the time, and I wished the Gothic aspects had been used a bit more to push the level of tension (which was quite lacking for me), this was still an enjoyable read and I do recommend it to anyone who likes these types of books.
I received a copy of this book from the author.
October 18, 2025
“She brought her hands to her head and sat heavily on the top step of the grand staircase. Then, as if to hide her weakness from the eyes of the house, she pulled the veil over her face.
“Everything became shrouded in a white pall, as if she were shining a torch into sea mist. Her eyes adjusted slowly and the hall below her gained focus. Something moved, growing in proportion, gaining mass.”
Clulow’s first novel is pure Gothic horror in its atmosphere and themes, made robust and relevant by his decision to explore not some distant past but the dark corners of the 1950s. The protagonist, Suzanne Newman, inhabits a present of 1980s London, a place with shadows of its own. It is a timely reminder of how much social mores and ideas of personal freedom have changed in such a short time and of who really benefits when these freedoms are eroded.
Raised in the foster system with no memory of her birth parents, Suze has always longed to reunite with them, as she has always felt alienated from the world. Facing a crisis at work and a void outside it, she receives a letter advising her she may be entitled to the estate of the recently deceased Emma Lacey. This turns out to include the dilapidated Aeolus House, perched atop a cliff on a section of the Cornish coast known for its shipwrecks. Her appearance complicates the plans of various interested parties, but she is determined to claim her heritage. Taking up residence in the abandoned building, she experiences a series of increasingly bizarre events that suggest her dead mother is trying to contact her.
Central to this is an old wedding veil, given to her in a box containing her mother’s effects. This image binds all the elements of the book together – family drama, the lies occluding Suze’s origins, the rain and fog constantly engulfing the house, the tenuous separation of the living from the dead. The temptation, above all, to accept what is presented to you, rather than pursue a painful truth. Not only painful, but dangerous. Suze is intelligent and brutally self-reliant, but crippled by her emotional wounds. Her sheer, raw need repeatedly pushes her towards destructive acts, but she never surrenders her agency or stretches the reader’s credulity. As one might expect, Aeolus House is also a character – eccentric, secretive and hard to trust.
Clulow writes clearly and knows how to turn a polished phrase. He takes the time to properly establish Suze and her world, meaning that some readers may find the start slow. But he also understands how the right detail can bring a scene alive. The gradual accumulation of such details creates a powerful feeling of dread, as things that at first seemed innocent take on a new meaning in the light of Suze’s discoveries. What happened in Aeolus House all those years ago is truly hideous and Clulow does not flinch from going all in when the time is right. These horrors can and should be unearthed, but I felt that, for him, ignoring the present in favour of the past, the urge to “find a warm, dry corner and curl up... (and) lock the door” is as great a danger as anything faced by those former residents.
This is why, in my opinion, the climax plays out as it does – not a de-escalation of threat but a transference. It is a hallmark of the Gothic that the internal and external should reflect each other, and it is only fitting that Suze’s penultimate challenge unfolds as a symbolic (gale force) struggle against the contemporary forces that have conspired to hold her down.
It was a pleasure to read a book so well-constructed and indeed beautiful, in the paradoxical way of horror. There is little in the way of gore (though again, those details…) and a strong sense of the spectral. I enjoyed spending time with Suze. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the work of Shirley Jackson or Sarah Waters – even Agatha Christie’s weirder outings – or who remembers when a Walkman was the epitome of personal expression.
“Everything became shrouded in a white pall, as if she were shining a torch into sea mist. Her eyes adjusted slowly and the hall below her gained focus. Something moved, growing in proportion, gaining mass.”
Clulow’s first novel is pure Gothic horror in its atmosphere and themes, made robust and relevant by his decision to explore not some distant past but the dark corners of the 1950s. The protagonist, Suzanne Newman, inhabits a present of 1980s London, a place with shadows of its own. It is a timely reminder of how much social mores and ideas of personal freedom have changed in such a short time and of who really benefits when these freedoms are eroded.
Raised in the foster system with no memory of her birth parents, Suze has always longed to reunite with them, as she has always felt alienated from the world. Facing a crisis at work and a void outside it, she receives a letter advising her she may be entitled to the estate of the recently deceased Emma Lacey. This turns out to include the dilapidated Aeolus House, perched atop a cliff on a section of the Cornish coast known for its shipwrecks. Her appearance complicates the plans of various interested parties, but she is determined to claim her heritage. Taking up residence in the abandoned building, she experiences a series of increasingly bizarre events that suggest her dead mother is trying to contact her.
Central to this is an old wedding veil, given to her in a box containing her mother’s effects. This image binds all the elements of the book together – family drama, the lies occluding Suze’s origins, the rain and fog constantly engulfing the house, the tenuous separation of the living from the dead. The temptation, above all, to accept what is presented to you, rather than pursue a painful truth. Not only painful, but dangerous. Suze is intelligent and brutally self-reliant, but crippled by her emotional wounds. Her sheer, raw need repeatedly pushes her towards destructive acts, but she never surrenders her agency or stretches the reader’s credulity. As one might expect, Aeolus House is also a character – eccentric, secretive and hard to trust.
Clulow writes clearly and knows how to turn a polished phrase. He takes the time to properly establish Suze and her world, meaning that some readers may find the start slow. But he also understands how the right detail can bring a scene alive. The gradual accumulation of such details creates a powerful feeling of dread, as things that at first seemed innocent take on a new meaning in the light of Suze’s discoveries. What happened in Aeolus House all those years ago is truly hideous and Clulow does not flinch from going all in when the time is right. These horrors can and should be unearthed, but I felt that, for him, ignoring the present in favour of the past, the urge to “find a warm, dry corner and curl up... (and) lock the door” is as great a danger as anything faced by those former residents.
This is why, in my opinion, the climax plays out as it does – not a de-escalation of threat but a transference. It is a hallmark of the Gothic that the internal and external should reflect each other, and it is only fitting that Suze’s penultimate challenge unfolds as a symbolic (gale force) struggle against the contemporary forces that have conspired to hold her down.
It was a pleasure to read a book so well-constructed and indeed beautiful, in the paradoxical way of horror. There is little in the way of gore (though again, those details…) and a strong sense of the spectral. I enjoyed spending time with Suze. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the work of Shirley Jackson or Sarah Waters – even Agatha Christie’s weirder outings – or who remembers when a Walkman was the epitome of personal expression.
July 14, 2025
Veil is a haunting, emotionally resonant gothic horror novel that lingers long after the final page. It’s not loud or flashy—its power is in the quiet devastation it brings, peeling back layers of trauma, grief, and memory through lyrical prose and aching solitude.
The story follows Suze, a woman shaped by foster care, abandonment, and emotional shutdown, as she learns she may be the heir to a woman she’s never known—only to discover that woman was her birth mother. What begins as a mystery turns into a deeply introspective journey through a decaying coastal town, a sanatorium cloaked in secrets, and a past Suze never knew she carried.
The atmosphere is gothic and immersive. The writing is sharp and poetic. The horror creeps in slowly—through silence, through sorrow, through the weight of things left unsaid. And the emotional journey Suze takes is raw and deeply human.
One of the most striking elements is the metaphor of the aquamarine suitcase, a place Suze mentally stores all her pain. That image alone will stay with me for a long time.
✅ Highlights:
Gorgeous, literary writing with a sharp emotional edge
Gothic coastal setting that feels like a character in itself
Deeply layered themes of identity, loss, and mental illness
A vulnerable, complex protagonist you can’t stop thinking about
🧷 Content Warnings:
Mental illness, institutionalization, abandonment, childhood trauma, self-harm (off-page), grief, suicidal ideation, emotionally triggering family dynamics.
Final Thoughts:
If you love slow-burn gothic stories that explore the emotional horror of being forgotten, Veil delivers a beautifully written, heart-wrenching experience. It's introspective, eerie, and quietly unforgettable.
⭐ 4 – Gorgeously haunting and emotionally powerful.
The story follows Suze, a woman shaped by foster care, abandonment, and emotional shutdown, as she learns she may be the heir to a woman she’s never known—only to discover that woman was her birth mother. What begins as a mystery turns into a deeply introspective journey through a decaying coastal town, a sanatorium cloaked in secrets, and a past Suze never knew she carried.
The atmosphere is gothic and immersive. The writing is sharp and poetic. The horror creeps in slowly—through silence, through sorrow, through the weight of things left unsaid. And the emotional journey Suze takes is raw and deeply human.
One of the most striking elements is the metaphor of the aquamarine suitcase, a place Suze mentally stores all her pain. That image alone will stay with me for a long time.
✅ Highlights:
Gorgeous, literary writing with a sharp emotional edge
Gothic coastal setting that feels like a character in itself
Deeply layered themes of identity, loss, and mental illness
A vulnerable, complex protagonist you can’t stop thinking about
🧷 Content Warnings:
Mental illness, institutionalization, abandonment, childhood trauma, self-harm (off-page), grief, suicidal ideation, emotionally triggering family dynamics.
Final Thoughts:
If you love slow-burn gothic stories that explore the emotional horror of being forgotten, Veil delivers a beautifully written, heart-wrenching experience. It's introspective, eerie, and quietly unforgettable.
⭐ 4 – Gorgeously haunting and emotionally powerful.
August 27, 2025
When Inheritance Comes with More Than You Bargained For 💀👰
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (5/5 stars)
"Till death do us part. But that's not the end."
Will you Follow?
Jeff Clulow has crafted something truly special with "Veil" a haunting exploration of generational trauma that literally puts you in someone else's skin. This isn't just another ghost story; it's a deeply psychological journey through family secrets that span decades.
The Premise:
Suze Newman receives a notice of intestacy informing her that her mother, Emma Geraldine Lacey, has died. The problem is, Suze has no idea who Emma Geraldine Lacey is or why she's being contacted about this stranger's death. When she travels to Storm Bay to verify information and sort out what she assumes to be mistake, she discovers she's actually Celeste Dorothea Lacey and finds herself inheriting the mysterious Aeolus House. The scheming solicitor Eva Carfax has her own agenda for the property, but when Suze dons her mother's wedding veil, she experiences something far more valuable and terrifying than any inheritance.
What Absolutely Worked:
✨ The veil as a supernatural device is brilliant it creates an intimate connection between mother and daughter that transcends death
✨ Suze's coping mechanism with her aquamarine suitcase (when things get extremely hard emotionally she tells herself to lock it up) becomes a crucial plot element that develops beautifully
✨ Dr. Henry Lacey's Pavlovian experiments create genuine psychological horror without relying on cheap scares
✨ The mystery surrounding the intestacy notice and Suze's true identity keeps you guessing
✨ Eva Carfax makes for a perfectly manipulative antagonist with clear motivations
The Horror Elements:
This is psychological horror at its finest. The idea of a father conducting conditioning experiments on his own daughter is deeply disturbing on multiple levels. The historical elements (nearly thirty years of hidden trauma) add weight to every revelation. Clulow doesn't need jump scares when he has genuine human cruelty to work with.
Writing Style:
Clulow's prose is atmospheric without being overwrought. He builds tension methodically, allowing readers to become invested in Suze's journey before pulling the rug out from under us. The dual timeline structure works seamlessly, with each glimpse into the past adding crucial context to present events.
Character Development:
Suze's transformation from confused heir to someone confronting generational trauma feels authentic. Her coping mechanism of referring to her aquamarine suitcase and telling herself to "lock it up" when emotions become overwhelming becomes increasingly complex as she learns the truth. The supporting cast, from scheming Eva to the mysterious Harlan Grey, to Dr. Passmore, each serve important functions in revealing different aspects of the central mystery.
Themes:
This book tackles inherited trauma, family secrets, and the question of how well we really know our parents. The idea that "death is not the end" takes on multiple meanings throughout the story, both supernatural and psychological.
Perfect For Readers Who Love:
- Atmospheric gothic horror 📚
- Family saga mysteries 🏠
- Strong female protagonists dealing with trauma 💪
- Supernatural elements grounded in emotional reality 👻
- Books that make you question family history 🔍
The ending ties together all the mysterious elements while leaving you with plenty to think about. This is the kind of book that benefits from a second reading once you know all the secrets.
If you're looking for horror that relies on psychological depth rather than gore, "Veil" delivers exactly what you need. Highly recommend for fans of gothic family sagas with supernatural twists.
Reading Experience:
Finished this in one sitting because I absolutely had to know how everything connected. Fair warning: you might find yourself looking at family photos differently afterward.
I Follow!
Thank you to Jeff Clulow and VoraciousReaders for the gifted copy of this book. I was happy to leave my honest opinion. Woo Hoo!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (5/5 stars)
"Till death do us part. But that's not the end."
Will you Follow?
Jeff Clulow has crafted something truly special with "Veil" a haunting exploration of generational trauma that literally puts you in someone else's skin. This isn't just another ghost story; it's a deeply psychological journey through family secrets that span decades.
The Premise:
Suze Newman receives a notice of intestacy informing her that her mother, Emma Geraldine Lacey, has died. The problem is, Suze has no idea who Emma Geraldine Lacey is or why she's being contacted about this stranger's death. When she travels to Storm Bay to verify information and sort out what she assumes to be mistake, she discovers she's actually Celeste Dorothea Lacey and finds herself inheriting the mysterious Aeolus House. The scheming solicitor Eva Carfax has her own agenda for the property, but when Suze dons her mother's wedding veil, she experiences something far more valuable and terrifying than any inheritance.
What Absolutely Worked:
✨ The veil as a supernatural device is brilliant it creates an intimate connection between mother and daughter that transcends death
✨ Suze's coping mechanism with her aquamarine suitcase (when things get extremely hard emotionally she tells herself to lock it up) becomes a crucial plot element that develops beautifully
✨ Dr. Henry Lacey's Pavlovian experiments create genuine psychological horror without relying on cheap scares
✨ The mystery surrounding the intestacy notice and Suze's true identity keeps you guessing
✨ Eva Carfax makes for a perfectly manipulative antagonist with clear motivations
The Horror Elements:
This is psychological horror at its finest. The idea of a father conducting conditioning experiments on his own daughter is deeply disturbing on multiple levels. The historical elements (nearly thirty years of hidden trauma) add weight to every revelation. Clulow doesn't need jump scares when he has genuine human cruelty to work with.
Writing Style:
Clulow's prose is atmospheric without being overwrought. He builds tension methodically, allowing readers to become invested in Suze's journey before pulling the rug out from under us. The dual timeline structure works seamlessly, with each glimpse into the past adding crucial context to present events.
Character Development:
Suze's transformation from confused heir to someone confronting generational trauma feels authentic. Her coping mechanism of referring to her aquamarine suitcase and telling herself to "lock it up" when emotions become overwhelming becomes increasingly complex as she learns the truth. The supporting cast, from scheming Eva to the mysterious Harlan Grey, to Dr. Passmore, each serve important functions in revealing different aspects of the central mystery.
Themes:
This book tackles inherited trauma, family secrets, and the question of how well we really know our parents. The idea that "death is not the end" takes on multiple meanings throughout the story, both supernatural and psychological.
Perfect For Readers Who Love:
- Atmospheric gothic horror 📚
- Family saga mysteries 🏠
- Strong female protagonists dealing with trauma 💪
- Supernatural elements grounded in emotional reality 👻
- Books that make you question family history 🔍
The ending ties together all the mysterious elements while leaving you with plenty to think about. This is the kind of book that benefits from a second reading once you know all the secrets.
If you're looking for horror that relies on psychological depth rather than gore, "Veil" delivers exactly what you need. Highly recommend for fans of gothic family sagas with supernatural twists.
Reading Experience:
Finished this in one sitting because I absolutely had to know how everything connected. Fair warning: you might find yourself looking at family photos differently afterward.
I Follow!
Thank you to Jeff Clulow and VoraciousReaders for the gifted copy of this book. I was happy to leave my honest opinion. Woo Hoo!
July 11, 2025
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley!
I will say my rating is a 3.5 out of 5 stars. I really enjoyed the concept of this book, and was drawn in by the description of the book.
The start of the book was very interesting and had me a little confused, as you're initially left trying to figure out what's going on. It's quickly explained in the following couple of chapters, but it's not your initial way of starting a new book. As you continue on with Suze's story, you get to learn more about her past and how she became so closed off as a person.
As the story continues, Suze learns more of her mother's story in a not-so-traditional ghost story way. I love the symbolism of the wedding veil, and how it toes the line with how a veil is the wall between the dead and the living. That was a very creative way to showcase the way Suze was able to learn/relive her mother's story and help her lay to rest in the way she's always wanted.
I do feel the ending was a little rushed, and I wish we got to see more of an outcome of Suze's life since we got to see how her story began. I know that the premise was Suze finding out more about her mother's life and what was hidden from the public, but the story was also heavily focused on Suze. I just wish we got an epilogue that showed Suze living her life with all the new changes that had occurred towards the end of the book.
Other than that, I did enjoy this book quite a bit, and love a good ghost story. As I stated, it's not your traditional ghost story, but that's what makes it super interesting and had me wanting more for sure!
I will say my rating is a 3.5 out of 5 stars. I really enjoyed the concept of this book, and was drawn in by the description of the book.
The start of the book was very interesting and had me a little confused, as you're initially left trying to figure out what's going on. It's quickly explained in the following couple of chapters, but it's not your initial way of starting a new book. As you continue on with Suze's story, you get to learn more about her past and how she became so closed off as a person.
As the story continues, Suze learns more of her mother's story in a not-so-traditional ghost story way. I love the symbolism of the wedding veil, and how it toes the line with how a veil is the wall between the dead and the living. That was a very creative way to showcase the way Suze was able to learn/relive her mother's story and help her lay to rest in the way she's always wanted.
I do feel the ending was a little rushed, and I wish we got to see more of an outcome of Suze's life since we got to see how her story began. I know that the premise was Suze finding out more about her mother's life and what was hidden from the public, but the story was also heavily focused on Suze. I just wish we got an epilogue that showed Suze living her life with all the new changes that had occurred towards the end of the book.
Other than that, I did enjoy this book quite a bit, and love a good ghost story. As I stated, it's not your traditional ghost story, but that's what makes it super interesting and had me wanting more for sure!
August 5, 2025
I've encountered Jeff Clulow's short stories before in several anthologies (including, ahem, one I edited myself, in which Jeff's story attracted award nomination - see https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...), and I have always thoroughly enjoyed them. Imagine my delight at receiving an advance copy of Clulow's first novel, Veil.
The writing is impeccable: so succinct, evocative, and accomplished that the story almost reads itself to you. I love clever writing that masters expression so well that the reader doesn't notice just how beautifully every paragraph and page is crafted. There is such care for each of the characters that each one is fully rounded, even the horrid ones - we can see where they are coming from.
Suze is a survivor, and her haunted house story combines all the best elements of fantasy, family, and freedom. I wish there could be more stories about her.
This is a gripping tale of loss and redemption 0f sorts, the terror balanced finely with life's beauty. A brilliant read. More please.
The writing is impeccable: so succinct, evocative, and accomplished that the story almost reads itself to you. I love clever writing that masters expression so well that the reader doesn't notice just how beautifully every paragraph and page is crafted. There is such care for each of the characters that each one is fully rounded, even the horrid ones - we can see where they are coming from.
Suze is a survivor, and her haunted house story combines all the best elements of fantasy, family, and freedom. I wish there could be more stories about her.
This is a gripping tale of loss and redemption 0f sorts, the terror balanced finely with life's beauty. A brilliant read. More please.
November 4, 2025
Jeff Clulow’s, novel, “Veil”, is a true gothic horror. It is all here. Spooky house with ghosts, betrayal, forbidden love, hidden stories, an insane asylum, and some truly wild weather. Clulow brings it all to life inside the crumbling walls of Aeolus House. Perched on a cliff top above Storm Bay, the old Victorian house was once a boutique hotel designed specifically for storm watchers. It has some amazing architectural detail!
After the hotel closed, it became home to the dwindling Lacey family. Enter Suze Newman, abandoned at birth, she grew up in the foster system, unloved and unwanted. Suze has been identified as the last living Lacey family heir. With nothing to lose, she travels out to storm bay to claim her inheritance and discover why her mother left her.
Clulow’s writing is original and descriptive. He draws the reader into his world with ease, clarity, and some superbly crafted settings. The riddles of Suze Newmans past, her mother's insanity, and her grandfather's depravity are woven together through glimpses of a single day some thirty years ago. Glimpses that only come through the donning of a faded and ragged wedding veil…
After the hotel closed, it became home to the dwindling Lacey family. Enter Suze Newman, abandoned at birth, she grew up in the foster system, unloved and unwanted. Suze has been identified as the last living Lacey family heir. With nothing to lose, she travels out to storm bay to claim her inheritance and discover why her mother left her.
Clulow’s writing is original and descriptive. He draws the reader into his world with ease, clarity, and some superbly crafted settings. The riddles of Suze Newmans past, her mother's insanity, and her grandfather's depravity are woven together through glimpses of a single day some thirty years ago. Glimpses that only come through the donning of a faded and ragged wedding veil…
August 2, 2025
Veil is a slow-burning, atypical ghost story that’s filled to the brim with tragedy, despair, and true love. It all begins when Suze receives a letter concerning the intestacy of an individual name Emma Lacey. With this, Suze travels to Storm Bay and begins to unravel the past of her mother’s life. By wearing the veil favored by Emma, Suze is able to feel and see what her mother did more than 30 years ago. The more Suze learns, the more she realizes the true pain and darkness her family history holds.
This gothic novel takes the reader by surprise. It’s not quite what I had expected, yet it kept me hooked until the very end. Jeff Clulow perfectly created the dark and brooding atmosphere that held me in a state of constant suspense. The loneliness and hurt Suze feels throughout the book feels genuine, and I constantly hoped she could finally find some happiness. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a supernatural ghost mystery with a hint of romance. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This gothic novel takes the reader by surprise. It’s not quite what I had expected, yet it kept me hooked until the very end. Jeff Clulow perfectly created the dark and brooding atmosphere that held me in a state of constant suspense. The loneliness and hurt Suze feels throughout the book feels genuine, and I constantly hoped she could finally find some happiness. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a supernatural ghost mystery with a hint of romance. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 6, 2025
Suze was brought up in the foster system and works with children at a daycare or overnight. On the day she loses her job, a letter arrives that leads Suze to learn of the death of her mother. She travels to the coast to find out shes been left a massive estate thats in disrepair. But why was her mother in a sanotorium? Why did she give Suze up and what secrets lie in that old house.
Suze discovers that by wearing her mothers prized Veil, she can see into the past and what she sees is not what youd expect.
This isn't the traditional ghost story that I thought it would be and I was expecting creepy parts. But it is a fantastic novel with dark elements, gothic imagery and a mystery at its heart.
Suze discovers that by wearing her mothers prized Veil, she can see into the past and what she sees is not what youd expect.
This isn't the traditional ghost story that I thought it would be and I was expecting creepy parts. But it is a fantastic novel with dark elements, gothic imagery and a mystery at its heart.
June 18, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookbuzz for the gifted copy.
Even though I don’t usually read this genre, I really liked the book. Veil is the story has a dark and gothic-horror even though it was labeled under romance. Our FMC, finds a veil and reveals secrets from her family's past. It takes you on an emotional ride with lots of ups and downs, and ended up being quite emotionally intense. Many people might relate to the main character’s journey of self-discovery. There’s a lot of suspense, so if you like horror, you’ll probably enjoy this. Just be ready for the deep emotions. The book mixes trauma and romance in a powerful way.
Even though I don’t usually read this genre, I really liked the book. Veil is the story has a dark and gothic-horror even though it was labeled under romance. Our FMC, finds a veil and reveals secrets from her family's past. It takes you on an emotional ride with lots of ups and downs, and ended up being quite emotionally intense. Many people might relate to the main character’s journey of self-discovery. There’s a lot of suspense, so if you like horror, you’ll probably enjoy this. Just be ready for the deep emotions. The book mixes trauma and romance in a powerful way.
August 27, 2025
This book was pretty good! Although I went into it thinking it would be more of a horror/thriller, it really wasn’t even though it did have some creepy aspects. The beginning started off a little slow but once it picked up I was intrigued and I kept trying to figure out what in the world was going on. The truth was awful and not at all what I expected, and I feel so bad for Emma. I was really happy with the ending and was shocked by the transformation of Suze. I am so glad she met someone and got a job and still got to be apart of the house. Also I was so happy with what she did for her mom at the end. Great read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2025
Veil is a haunting and atmospheric horror romance that blends ghostly echoes of the past with a deeply personal journey of emotional awakening. The story unfolds through a mysterious wedding veil that lets the protagonist glimpse the dark secrets of her family's history, and it’s just the right mix of eerie and heartbreaking. I loved how the suspense kept building with every flicker of the veil’s visions—it made me feel like I was right there in that crumbling house, desperate to know the truth. This was one of those reads that stayed with me long after I turned the last page.
August 1, 2025
I picked this book up because of the cover and as a lover of horror this story did not turn out quite like I expected however I read the book almost in one sitting! The writing was top tier. The scenes were descriptive and easy to fall into as a reader. The pacing of the book was good, not a moment I felt bored. Without spoiler-ing I did end up enjoying the story and the mother's past <3 Also the little tid bit at the end explaining how the author came to write this story made it that much better!
June 5, 2025
This book was listed under romance and while that was certainly a theme, it was a pretty tough emotional read. I didn't love any of the characters really and I didn't think it truly dove into Suze's emotional trauma well enough even though it pointed it out throughout the whole book. It was an enjoyable read, but I felt it could have done a better job exploring themes of grief and Suze's behaviors.
Thank you to NetGalley and Third Eye Press for the ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and Third Eye Press for the ARC.
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