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The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael
Not yet published
Expected 10 Mar 26A young woman, perceived dead, plots to reinvent herself in a gripping historical gothic about secrets, superstition, and murder by the bestselling author of The Devil and Mrs. Davenport.
South Carolina, 1853. Lillian Carmichael, privileged daughter of a disgraced Charleston family, is due to be hanged for the murder of her sister when fate gives her a second chance at life.
After a catatonic episode on the long walk to the gallows, Lillian is declared dead and entombed in the family mausoleum. She awakens days later, buried alive, and flees to the Lowcountry marshes to survive on her wits and reinvent herself. All the while, a series of exsanguination murders holds the terrorized city in thrall—as do the superstitions that the vanished Lillian is some craven creature, resurrected and out for blood.
Lillian finds sanctuary in a crumbling former plantation and a friend in Kate O’Malley, a charismatic actress adept at fashioning new identities. The two form an intimate and powerful alliance, but as the body count rises, the manhunt for Lillian reaches a fever pitch. It will take both women’s cunning for her to escape the gallows again, and to find her freedom, Lillian must first cross paths with the real killer and confront her own family’s deepest, darkest secret.
South Carolina, 1853. Lillian Carmichael, privileged daughter of a disgraced Charleston family, is due to be hanged for the murder of her sister when fate gives her a second chance at life.
After a catatonic episode on the long walk to the gallows, Lillian is declared dead and entombed in the family mausoleum. She awakens days later, buried alive, and flees to the Lowcountry marshes to survive on her wits and reinvent herself. All the while, a series of exsanguination murders holds the terrorized city in thrall—as do the superstitions that the vanished Lillian is some craven creature, resurrected and out for blood.
Lillian finds sanctuary in a crumbling former plantation and a friend in Kate O’Malley, a charismatic actress adept at fashioning new identities. The two form an intimate and powerful alliance, but as the body count rises, the manhunt for Lillian reaches a fever pitch. It will take both women’s cunning for her to escape the gallows again, and to find her freedom, Lillian must first cross paths with the real killer and confront her own family’s deepest, darkest secret.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 10, 2026
303 people want to read
About the author
Paulette Kennedy
7 books890 followersOriginally from the Missouri Ozarks, Paulette Kennedy now lives with her family in a quiet suburb of Los Angeles.
When she's not writing or reading, she enjoys tending to her garden, knitting, and finding unique vintage treasures at thrift stores and flea markets.
As a history lover, she can get lost for days in her research—learning everything she can about the places in her stories and the experiences her characters might have had in the past.
This dedication to research infuses her world-building with realistic detail and creates a cinematic, immersive experience for the reader.
Paulette’s next novel is The Devil and Mrs. Davenport, a domestic gothic set in the 1950s about a homemaker who develops psychic abilities after a viral illness.
When she's not writing or reading, she enjoys tending to her garden, knitting, and finding unique vintage treasures at thrift stores and flea markets.
As a history lover, she can get lost for days in her research—learning everything she can about the places in her stories and the experiences her characters might have had in the past.
This dedication to research infuses her world-building with realistic detail and creates a cinematic, immersive experience for the reader.
Paulette’s next novel is The Devil and Mrs. Davenport, a domestic gothic set in the 1950s about a homemaker who develops psychic abilities after a viral illness.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 24, 2025
3.5. There are plenty of interesting elements in this book, which made the reading experience quite enjoyable for me. At the same time, I couldn’t quite shake the feeling that some aspects could have been executed better, which ultimately lowered my rating.
This is a Southern Gothic novel set in 1850s Charleston that follows Lilian, a woman convicted of a murder she didn’t commit. After narrowly escaping the gallows, she is forced to hide in the surrounding marshes, where she eventually finds refuge on a plantation run by a charming and secretive actress named Kate, who is skilled at creating multiple identities. Feelings between them begin to bloom, but at the same time Lilian’s situation grows increasingly grim when people start to suspect that she might not actually be dead, and new murders occur around Charleston, once again placing her under suspicion.
As I mentioned, there’s a lot to like here. From a historical fiction perspective, the book explores some very intriguing concepts, such as the 19th-century vampire fever. Because the story is set just before the Civil War, it also offers glimpses into the political tensions and social structures of a city deeply tied to the slave trade. The novel is clearly well researched, especially when it comes to the topography and local history of Charleston. I also found the story engaging. It was a quick, easy read with good pacing that kept me eager to find out what would happen next.
I particularly enjoyed the first part of the book. It was atmospheric and tense, and the stakes felt high. Lilian is a well-written protagonist, and Paulette Kennedy’s strength in creating compelling female characters definitely shows here. However, the closer the story got to the ending, the weaker some elements became. In particular, the final chapters felt rushed. I wish the climax had been built up more carefully, with certain plot points explored in greater depth. As it stands, everything happens very quickly—once the real killer is revealed, the story moves to its conclusion within a chapter or two, which makes some moments feel unearned. Because of this, I struggled to fully empathize with Lilian’s final decision. I wanted her reasoning to be more grounded in what we had seen earlier in the story. In its current form, I felt almost nothing after finishing the book. It’s a bit ironic to say this, since I’m not usually a fan of long books, but I genuinely think this novel would have benefited from being about 50 pages longer.
Overall, I’m sure that this book will be a hit for a lot of people. It’s an interesting, well-researched, and accessible book, especially for fans of Gothic fiction with strong female leads. While I enjoyed my time with it, some flaws make me unsure how much of it I’ll remember a year from now.
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This is a Southern Gothic novel set in 1850s Charleston that follows Lilian, a woman convicted of a murder she didn’t commit. After narrowly escaping the gallows, she is forced to hide in the surrounding marshes, where she eventually finds refuge on a plantation run by a charming and secretive actress named Kate, who is skilled at creating multiple identities. Feelings between them begin to bloom, but at the same time Lilian’s situation grows increasingly grim when people start to suspect that she might not actually be dead, and new murders occur around Charleston, once again placing her under suspicion.
As I mentioned, there’s a lot to like here. From a historical fiction perspective, the book explores some very intriguing concepts, such as the 19th-century vampire fever. Because the story is set just before the Civil War, it also offers glimpses into the political tensions and social structures of a city deeply tied to the slave trade. The novel is clearly well researched, especially when it comes to the topography and local history of Charleston. I also found the story engaging. It was a quick, easy read with good pacing that kept me eager to find out what would happen next.
I particularly enjoyed the first part of the book. It was atmospheric and tense, and the stakes felt high. Lilian is a well-written protagonist, and Paulette Kennedy’s strength in creating compelling female characters definitely shows here. However, the closer the story got to the ending, the weaker some elements became. In particular, the final chapters felt rushed. I wish the climax had been built up more carefully, with certain plot points explored in greater depth. As it stands, everything happens very quickly—once the real killer is revealed, the story moves to its conclusion within a chapter or two, which makes some moments feel unearned. Because of this, I struggled to fully empathize with Lilian’s final decision. I wanted her reasoning to be more grounded in what we had seen earlier in the story. In its current form, I felt almost nothing after finishing the book. It’s a bit ironic to say this, since I’m not usually a fan of long books, but I genuinely think this novel would have benefited from being about 50 pages longer.
Overall, I’m sure that this book will be a hit for a lot of people. It’s an interesting, well-researched, and accessible book, especially for fans of Gothic fiction with strong female leads. While I enjoyed my time with it, some flaws make me unsure how much of it I’ll remember a year from now.
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
December 3, 2025
Nobody creates an FMC like Paulette Kennedy. LIllian Carmichael is a flawed yet intriguing, frustrating yet inspiring, stubborn yet caring character marred by familial trauma and long-buried secrets.
Lillian has been convicted of killing her frail and beautiful sister, a sister who stole her betrothed. But collapsing on her way to the noose, Lillian is declared dead and placed in the family’s mausoleum. She awakens days later and sees a way to start a new life, hiding in the swamps around Charleston.
And so begins Lillian second life, with new companions, new threats, new love, responsibilities, dangers and opportunities. A thrilling, sexy, twisty gothic novel with a blood thirsty killer who seems to know Lillian’s secrets.
A fast and tense read, that kept me guessing and flying through the chapters.
Thank you @NetGalley and @lakeunionpublishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Lillian has been convicted of killing her frail and beautiful sister, a sister who stole her betrothed. But collapsing on her way to the noose, Lillian is declared dead and placed in the family’s mausoleum. She awakens days later and sees a way to start a new life, hiding in the swamps around Charleston.
And so begins Lillian second life, with new companions, new threats, new love, responsibilities, dangers and opportunities. A thrilling, sexy, twisty gothic novel with a blood thirsty killer who seems to know Lillian’s secrets.
A fast and tense read, that kept me guessing and flying through the chapters.
Thank you @NetGalley and @lakeunionpublishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
October 22, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Paulette Kennedy and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
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I was drawn to The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael by its intriguing premise: a gothic tale of survival, reinvention, and murder set in 1850s South Carolina. The opening chapters delivered on that promise, setting up a dark and atmospheric story with a sense of mystery and danger that immediately caught my attention.
Unfortunately, after that strong start, the story began to lose its focus. The writing and pacing were inconsistent; just as I started to settle into the rhythm, it would shift again and pull me out of the narrative. Some passages were overly detailed about things that didn’t seem to matter, while others felt rushed or confusing. The dialogue often came across as stiff, especially early on, and only Kate’s character maintained some consistency throughout.
The dual points of view didn’t quite work for me. The killer’s perspective, which added more confusion than depth, felt rather... unnecessary. Still, there were glimmers of potential in the book’s setting and atmosphere. I liked the eerie isolation of the marshes and the grand house where Kate and Lillian lived, even if those moments could have felt more vivid.
By the end, I was left mostly confused. I understood Lillian’s final choice and found a small sense of satisfaction in her finding purpose, but overall the execution didn’t live up to the intriguing concept. The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael had all the ingredients for a compelling gothic mystery, but the result felt scattered and hard to follow.
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I was drawn to The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael by its intriguing premise: a gothic tale of survival, reinvention, and murder set in 1850s South Carolina. The opening chapters delivered on that promise, setting up a dark and atmospheric story with a sense of mystery and danger that immediately caught my attention.
Unfortunately, after that strong start, the story began to lose its focus. The writing and pacing were inconsistent; just as I started to settle into the rhythm, it would shift again and pull me out of the narrative. Some passages were overly detailed about things that didn’t seem to matter, while others felt rushed or confusing. The dialogue often came across as stiff, especially early on, and only Kate’s character maintained some consistency throughout.
The dual points of view didn’t quite work for me. The killer’s perspective, which added more confusion than depth, felt rather... unnecessary. Still, there were glimmers of potential in the book’s setting and atmosphere. I liked the eerie isolation of the marshes and the grand house where Kate and Lillian lived, even if those moments could have felt more vivid.
By the end, I was left mostly confused. I understood Lillian’s final choice and found a small sense of satisfaction in her finding purpose, but overall the execution didn’t live up to the intriguing concept. The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael had all the ingredients for a compelling gothic mystery, but the result felt scattered and hard to follow.
October 25, 2025
Paulette Kennedy returns with another southern gothic with The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael.
In 1850s South Carolina, Lillian Carmichael wakes from the dead after her execution. She must live in disguise to escape the threat of being imprisoned once again for the murder of her sister. Lillian finds solace with Kate, a master of disguise who teaches her how to live in the shadows. But it's within these shadows that a predator is on the loose, draining innocent women of their blood. Lillian's resurrection comes with a heavy price as the predator sets its eyes on her, threatening her life and freedom.
I am a fan of Paulette Kennedy's writing as her southern gothic's always balance the psychological with the supernatural really well. This story started off very strong with Lillian waking up in a mausoleum and having to create a new life for herself. The eeriness of this created a high stakes tension that had me excited for the story. Heavy themes were explored such as medical malpractice, abuse, slavery, wrongful convictions, that all came together by the end of the story. I appreciate the author for her bravery in exploring dark themes in her books. While it's not easy for me as a reader to read such topics, I always finish Paulette's books having learned something new. I feel this was a good gothic as the supernatural elements were devices used to explore disturbing aspects of the past.
For my own personal taste, I didn't like the intimate scenes as they were too graphic. I also thought the Sapphic element took away from the creepiness of the story that was successfully introduced in the first few chapters. The story is highly original and had me guessing until the very end. Despite not caring for the romance and some graphic scenes, the overall plot was unique and dark enough to make me want to solve the mystery. While it's not Paulette Kennedy's best book, it's still a good gothic with enough mystery and mayhem to appeal to fans of the genre.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.
In 1850s South Carolina, Lillian Carmichael wakes from the dead after her execution. She must live in disguise to escape the threat of being imprisoned once again for the murder of her sister. Lillian finds solace with Kate, a master of disguise who teaches her how to live in the shadows. But it's within these shadows that a predator is on the loose, draining innocent women of their blood. Lillian's resurrection comes with a heavy price as the predator sets its eyes on her, threatening her life and freedom.
I am a fan of Paulette Kennedy's writing as her southern gothic's always balance the psychological with the supernatural really well. This story started off very strong with Lillian waking up in a mausoleum and having to create a new life for herself. The eeriness of this created a high stakes tension that had me excited for the story. Heavy themes were explored such as medical malpractice, abuse, slavery, wrongful convictions, that all came together by the end of the story. I appreciate the author for her bravery in exploring dark themes in her books. While it's not easy for me as a reader to read such topics, I always finish Paulette's books having learned something new. I feel this was a good gothic as the supernatural elements were devices used to explore disturbing aspects of the past.
For my own personal taste, I didn't like the intimate scenes as they were too graphic. I also thought the Sapphic element took away from the creepiness of the story that was successfully introduced in the first few chapters. The story is highly original and had me guessing until the very end. Despite not caring for the romance and some graphic scenes, the overall plot was unique and dark enough to make me want to solve the mystery. While it's not Paulette Kennedy's best book, it's still a good gothic with enough mystery and mayhem to appeal to fans of the genre.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.
October 21, 2025
I received this book for free and exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.
⭐️⭐️
If I had to read the word “sweetling” one more time, I was going to become another victim of this story.
I wanted to love this one. Southern gothic atmosphere was moody and beautifully done; but that’s about where it stopped for me. The pacing was painfully slow, the romance took over more than I cared for, and the story was heavy with abuse (both sexual and physical), violence, and way more sex scenes than necessary. Call me a prude, blah, blah. I am not opposed to them but I thought this was a horror/thriller book and it did NOT hit those genres for me.
If you’re in it for the atmosphere and southern gothic vibes, you might enjoy it. Or if you like a twisty romance, this book is for you. But for me, this one just dragged and left me more frustrated than fascinated.
Also, this is a real quote: "Indeed my delectable little crumpet." 🤢
⭐️⭐️
If I had to read the word “sweetling” one more time, I was going to become another victim of this story.
I wanted to love this one. Southern gothic atmosphere was moody and beautifully done; but that’s about where it stopped for me. The pacing was painfully slow, the romance took over more than I cared for, and the story was heavy with abuse (both sexual and physical), violence, and way more sex scenes than necessary. Call me a prude, blah, blah. I am not opposed to them but I thought this was a horror/thriller book and it did NOT hit those genres for me.
If you’re in it for the atmosphere and southern gothic vibes, you might enjoy it. Or if you like a twisty romance, this book is for you. But for me, this one just dragged and left me more frustrated than fascinated.
Also, this is a real quote: "Indeed my delectable little crumpet." 🤢
November 13, 2025
"It's not the thought of death that concerns me: it's the getting there I dread."
As always, thanks to NetGalley for providing another great advanced reader copy. This is the first novel I have read by Paulette Kennedy, and it will not be the last.
I went into this reading blindly. I choose to review this book based on the title alone. The sound of two deaths for anyone is cause enough to stop any person viewing it. Little did I know the contents inside would be even more of an adventure than I anticipated.
The story is set in mid 1800s (1853 I believe). And it tells a tale of a young girl who is falsely accused of murdering her sister. While on her walk to the gallows, she passes out, and wakes up buried alive. She escapes the burial confines, but then has to lead a second life that is so far from the life she had before. And this is when the story begins to twist.
I was surprised three times in Lillian's story. The first when a vampire enters the storyline. As vampire fiction is the foundation of the majority of my readings, I certainly did not expect this. I could have if I had read the synopsis, possibly. The second time was when Lillian's tragic story evolves into a sapphic love story. Finally, the third time was who the vampire was revealed to be.
Overall, I think this was a well read book. It was filled with a driving story. The story itself was filled with characters who you could champion, despise, and want to read more about (Ruby and her father come to mind). It also tackled many diverse topics: slavery, sexuality, women's oppression, race, class, gender, sexual identity, grief and trauma, but also the resiliency of women in an era when they're looked at as objects for desire, breeding, and servants of mens every need.
The question that I was left with though, is was it normal in this time period to take two years to sentence a person to death when those in power were thought the criminal was guilty without any doubt? It seems that in this period, I would think it would have been done so more expeditiously?
Memorable quotes:
"It's not the thought of death that concerns me; it's the getting there I dread."
"In this, my newly resurrected life, I vow to be a little more selfish and unconcerned with the opinions of others."
"I've been given a second chance at life. But without money or food, my miraculous resurrection won't feel miraculous long."
"This Sally was once someone's beloved daughter. Someone's friend. I wonder about her life and what led her to this sad end."
"I took a few lovers of the years. The body has its needs, after all."
As always, thanks to NetGalley for providing another great advanced reader copy. This is the first novel I have read by Paulette Kennedy, and it will not be the last.
I went into this reading blindly. I choose to review this book based on the title alone. The sound of two deaths for anyone is cause enough to stop any person viewing it. Little did I know the contents inside would be even more of an adventure than I anticipated.
The story is set in mid 1800s (1853 I believe). And it tells a tale of a young girl who is falsely accused of murdering her sister. While on her walk to the gallows, she passes out, and wakes up buried alive. She escapes the burial confines, but then has to lead a second life that is so far from the life she had before. And this is when the story begins to twist.
I was surprised three times in Lillian's story. The first when a vampire enters the storyline. As vampire fiction is the foundation of the majority of my readings, I certainly did not expect this. I could have if I had read the synopsis, possibly. The second time was when Lillian's tragic story evolves into a sapphic love story. Finally, the third time was who the vampire was revealed to be.
Overall, I think this was a well read book. It was filled with a driving story. The story itself was filled with characters who you could champion, despise, and want to read more about (Ruby and her father come to mind). It also tackled many diverse topics: slavery, sexuality, women's oppression, race, class, gender, sexual identity, grief and trauma, but also the resiliency of women in an era when they're looked at as objects for desire, breeding, and servants of mens every need.
The question that I was left with though, is was it normal in this time period to take two years to sentence a person to death when those in power were thought the criminal was guilty without any doubt? It seems that in this period, I would think it would have been done so more expeditiously?
Memorable quotes:
"It's not the thought of death that concerns me; it's the getting there I dread."
"In this, my newly resurrected life, I vow to be a little more selfish and unconcerned with the opinions of others."
"I've been given a second chance at life. But without money or food, my miraculous resurrection won't feel miraculous long."
"This Sally was once someone's beloved daughter. Someone's friend. I wonder about her life and what led her to this sad end."
"I took a few lovers of the years. The body has its needs, after all."
November 16, 2025
"If Rebecca was a wild rose, I am a thistle. Hardened by life. Bitter and sharp. But thistles are also strong. Resilient."
Another gripping and incisive southern gothic from Paulette Kennedy! The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael is a tale of survival on the fringes, plunging the reader headfirst into the lowcountry salt marshes of Charleston—every page feels steeped in mud, memory, and the quiet threat of something (or someone) watching from just beyond the reeds.
At its heart, this is a story about survivors. The book opens with high intensity as our FMC Lillian faces down her death at the gallows. She is vilified and ostracized by her town and family, the reasons for which are slowly unveiled as the narrative unfolds. Kennedy’s portrayal of “monstrous” women was one of my favorite things about this book. She asks us to consider who we call monstrous, who benefits from that label, and how power defines the boundaries of what is considered monstrous in the first place. I won’t give spoilers, but the exploration of survival and the monsters that walk among us was beautifully done.
This is the perfect read for fans of Alexis Henderson, blending House of Hunger’s bloody (and sapphic) sensuality with An Academy for Liars’ atmospheric tension and exploration of marginalization. Through the vampiric elements of the story, Kennedy draws a sharp contrast between those who drain others—emotionally and literally—and those who have learned to survive by any means necessary. She uses this dynamic to explore the vampires in our own lives: the people, systems, and expectations that quietly consume. It’s an incisive, unsettling, and ultimately empowering look at what happens when someone refuses to be devoured.
Five stars—a highly thought-provoking read!
Another gripping and incisive southern gothic from Paulette Kennedy! The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael is a tale of survival on the fringes, plunging the reader headfirst into the lowcountry salt marshes of Charleston—every page feels steeped in mud, memory, and the quiet threat of something (or someone) watching from just beyond the reeds.
At its heart, this is a story about survivors. The book opens with high intensity as our FMC Lillian faces down her death at the gallows. She is vilified and ostracized by her town and family, the reasons for which are slowly unveiled as the narrative unfolds. Kennedy’s portrayal of “monstrous” women was one of my favorite things about this book. She asks us to consider who we call monstrous, who benefits from that label, and how power defines the boundaries of what is considered monstrous in the first place. I won’t give spoilers, but the exploration of survival and the monsters that walk among us was beautifully done.
This is the perfect read for fans of Alexis Henderson, blending House of Hunger’s bloody (and sapphic) sensuality with An Academy for Liars’ atmospheric tension and exploration of marginalization. Through the vampiric elements of the story, Kennedy draws a sharp contrast between those who drain others—emotionally and literally—and those who have learned to survive by any means necessary. She uses this dynamic to explore the vampires in our own lives: the people, systems, and expectations that quietly consume. It’s an incisive, unsettling, and ultimately empowering look at what happens when someone refuses to be devoured.
Five stars—a highly thought-provoking read!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael is set in South Carolina in the 1850s. It begins with Lillian in jail facing the death sentence given her for the jealous-motivated murder of her sister who had stolen Lillian’s fiancé. Lillian’s death is declared after she fell into a catatonic state and she is buried alive. Upon escaping from her casket, Lillian sets about surviving on the streets while staying hidden and while avoiding an active serial killer for whose actions Lillian is being blamed.
The story progresses to the new relationships that Lillian develops, specifically one in which she falls in love despite questioning her ability to fully trust the person. Lillian’s struggle to balance her sense of survival and obligation to her family while being consumed by a love affair that has shown her what it feels like to experience deep desire and the sense of being important to another person, sometimes leaving her questioning if she traded one prison for another in the form of this protective lover.
I was engaged and enthralled by this book as well as with the thoughts that Lillian found herself wrestling with throughout the different situations she found herself. The characters were so beautifully crafted, and one in particular that Lillian was curious and frightened by, I found myself reacting similarly - he was so well described and written. Also like Lillian, I, too, kept wondering who could be trusted all the way to the very end of the book.
I have enjoyed other books of Paulette Kennedy’s and this one is my favorite so far.
The opinions expressed here are my own.
Thank you so much to @NetGalley and @LakeUnionPublishing for making this book available to me.
The story progresses to the new relationships that Lillian develops, specifically one in which she falls in love despite questioning her ability to fully trust the person. Lillian’s struggle to balance her sense of survival and obligation to her family while being consumed by a love affair that has shown her what it feels like to experience deep desire and the sense of being important to another person, sometimes leaving her questioning if she traded one prison for another in the form of this protective lover.
I was engaged and enthralled by this book as well as with the thoughts that Lillian found herself wrestling with throughout the different situations she found herself. The characters were so beautifully crafted, and one in particular that Lillian was curious and frightened by, I found myself reacting similarly - he was so well described and written. Also like Lillian, I, too, kept wondering who could be trusted all the way to the very end of the book.
I have enjoyed other books of Paulette Kennedy’s and this one is my favorite so far.
The opinions expressed here are my own.
Thank you so much to @NetGalley and @LakeUnionPublishing for making this book available to me.
October 30, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Paulette Kennedy for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Mild spoilers follow.
——-
There was a lot to love about this book— takes place in pre-Civil War Charleston and follows a woman in her early 20s after she was accused of murdering her twin sister and sentenced to death. In an unlikely turn of events, she ends up being left for dead and escapes a coffin—all in the first 30 or so pages, and then we’re off—following her as she has to learn to survive on her own.
At the same time, a potential vampire is stalking the area and murdering young women—and people think it might be her, back from the dead. It’s mysterious, super twisty, and a bit dark.
However:
Something about the execution of this story left me wanting more. I couldn’t figure out where it was going, but more in a “what’s the point of this” way and not in a well-built thriller way. There felt like too many loose threads to pull on, and while I did enjoy the ending, I felt it was all a little fast and not quite earned by the rest of the book. I think this could have benefitted from using a few of the ending reveals throughout the book to lead to the big reveal.
Mild spoiler: I also couldn’t quite tell from reading the book what the genre was—if the vampire was real and this had a fantasy bend to it, or if it was a thriller with vampire-esque murders. I found that kind of frustrating, but others may not.
Overall, 3.5 stars. A fun, quick read that is worth picking up.
——-
There was a lot to love about this book— takes place in pre-Civil War Charleston and follows a woman in her early 20s after she was accused of murdering her twin sister and sentenced to death. In an unlikely turn of events, she ends up being left for dead and escapes a coffin—all in the first 30 or so pages, and then we’re off—following her as she has to learn to survive on her own.
At the same time, a potential vampire is stalking the area and murdering young women—and people think it might be her, back from the dead. It’s mysterious, super twisty, and a bit dark.
However:
Something about the execution of this story left me wanting more. I couldn’t figure out where it was going, but more in a “what’s the point of this” way and not in a well-built thriller way. There felt like too many loose threads to pull on, and while I did enjoy the ending, I felt it was all a little fast and not quite earned by the rest of the book. I think this could have benefitted from using a few of the ending reveals throughout the book to lead to the big reveal.
Mild spoiler: I also couldn’t quite tell from reading the book what the genre was—if the vampire was real and this had a fantasy bend to it, or if it was a thriller with vampire-esque murders. I found that kind of frustrating, but others may not.
Overall, 3.5 stars. A fun, quick read that is worth picking up.
November 3, 2025
** ARC Review **
The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael had all the elements for a thrilling gothic mystery, but it ultimately landed as an "okay" read for me. The premise is fantastic: a young woman in 1853 Charleston, convicted of her sister's murder, is declared dead after a catatonic episode on her way to the gallows, only to wake up buried alive and escape into the marshes. This initial setup is incredibly tense and immediately hooks the reader.
The novel excels in its atmospheric descriptions of the antebellum South and the Charleston low-country. Kennedy's writing is vivid, transporting you to a world of decaying mansions, Spanish moss, and hushed secrets. The mystery surrounding the real killer and the superstitions about a "vampiric" Lillian is intriguing and kept me turning the pages.
However, the execution had a few fumbles. The pacing felt a bit uneven in the middle section. While the gothic elements were present, I felt they were occasionally overshadowed by some less-developed subplots, particularly a nascent romance that didn't fully land for me and seemed a little unnecessary to the main thrust of the story. Additionally, I found some of the character motivations a bit opaque at times, which made it harder to fully invest in their plights.
Overall, it's an enjoyable historical mystery with some genuinely suspenseful moments and a great sense of place. It's a solid read if you enjoy Southern Gothic, but it didn't quite live up to its full potential for a truly gripping, five-star experience.
The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael had all the elements for a thrilling gothic mystery, but it ultimately landed as an "okay" read for me. The premise is fantastic: a young woman in 1853 Charleston, convicted of her sister's murder, is declared dead after a catatonic episode on her way to the gallows, only to wake up buried alive and escape into the marshes. This initial setup is incredibly tense and immediately hooks the reader.
The novel excels in its atmospheric descriptions of the antebellum South and the Charleston low-country. Kennedy's writing is vivid, transporting you to a world of decaying mansions, Spanish moss, and hushed secrets. The mystery surrounding the real killer and the superstitions about a "vampiric" Lillian is intriguing and kept me turning the pages.
However, the execution had a few fumbles. The pacing felt a bit uneven in the middle section. While the gothic elements were present, I felt they were occasionally overshadowed by some less-developed subplots, particularly a nascent romance that didn't fully land for me and seemed a little unnecessary to the main thrust of the story. Additionally, I found some of the character motivations a bit opaque at times, which made it harder to fully invest in their plights.
Overall, it's an enjoyable historical mystery with some genuinely suspenseful moments and a great sense of place. It's a solid read if you enjoy Southern Gothic, but it didn't quite live up to its full potential for a truly gripping, five-star experience.
November 12, 2025
The reader meets Lillian as she is imprisoned and about to be hanged for the murder of her sister. She knows who really killed her sister but feels compelled to protect the murderer out of a strong sense of loyalty, and so accepts her fate. On the way to the gallows, Lillian collapses and is proclaimed dead after no heartbeat or breathing is detected. Later, she awakens in terror and finds herself placed inside a casket in the family crypt. Lillian escapes and is now on the run, from her former life and the rumours that she is undead - a vampire feeding by night on local young women and leaving them for dead. How will she survive and reclaim her life? And will the real murderer ever be brought to justice?
I think we can all agree that this is a great set-up for a dark gothic novel and I certainly found Lillian's predicament compelling. She is surrounded by treacherous men who fail her in every possible way, yet her strength and determination help her to survive in the marshes. However the direction the novel took with a superfluous open door romance and the theatrically over-the-top resolution didn't quite work for me. It almost felt like the first half and second half of the novel were two different stories. It just wasn't what I was expecting to read. If you are looking for a gothic psychological thriller with a sapphic romance and some explicit content, then you will probably enjoy this novel.
I think we can all agree that this is a great set-up for a dark gothic novel and I certainly found Lillian's predicament compelling. She is surrounded by treacherous men who fail her in every possible way, yet her strength and determination help her to survive in the marshes. However the direction the novel took with a superfluous open door romance and the theatrically over-the-top resolution didn't quite work for me. It almost felt like the first half and second half of the novel were two different stories. It just wasn't what I was expecting to read. If you are looking for a gothic psychological thriller with a sapphic romance and some explicit content, then you will probably enjoy this novel.
October 19, 2025
From the author of The Devil and Mrs. Davenport comes a sapphic story set in the pre–Civil War South that completely pulled me in. Lillian Carmichael is mourning her sister’s mysterious death when the doctor who once treated her turns against her with false accusations. After being found guilty of her sister’s murder, Lillian narrowly escapes her own death and goes on the run—where she meets new allies, especially the unforgettable Kate.
This book has a little bit of everything: mystery, historical drama, a touch of the paranormal, and a slow-burn love story between two women. It also shines a sharp light on how easily women were betrayed, dismissed, and even condemned for the sake of convenience.
The writing was so solid and immersive that I felt like I was right there in the pre–Civil War South. I thought I had the mystery figured out (as usual), but the twist caught me completely off guard. The ending felt both surprising and authentic to the time—bittersweet, but right.
Paulette Kennedy has such a gift for writing about women who refuse to be forgotten. This one’s haunting, heartfelt, and just spooky enough to give it an edge. I absolutely loved it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley, Paulette Kennedy, and Lake Union Publishing for the advanced copy!
This book has a little bit of everything: mystery, historical drama, a touch of the paranormal, and a slow-burn love story between two women. It also shines a sharp light on how easily women were betrayed, dismissed, and even condemned for the sake of convenience.
The writing was so solid and immersive that I felt like I was right there in the pre–Civil War South. I thought I had the mystery figured out (as usual), but the twist caught me completely off guard. The ending felt both surprising and authentic to the time—bittersweet, but right.
Paulette Kennedy has such a gift for writing about women who refuse to be forgotten. This one’s haunting, heartfelt, and just spooky enough to give it an edge. I absolutely loved it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley, Paulette Kennedy, and Lake Union Publishing for the advanced copy!
October 20, 2025
Thank you Lake Union Publishing, NetGallery and Paulette Kennedy for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book.
Set in late 19th century South Carolina, the story starts at the trial of Lillian Carmichael, an upper class woman wrongfully accused of the murder of her sister. After her hanging, she wakes up in her coffin somehow managing to survive her murder.
I immediately was gripped by the story and found it an easy binge! It has an interesting premise and I loved the gothic aspects to the texts. I also loved how Kennedy didn’t shy away from the gritty and traumatising experiences Lillian faces as she was isolated from her town and in hiding.
I will say I was a bit overwhelmed reading the ending and I would have loved to have a bit longer with the characters. However, the fast paced action really kept me engaged with the story.
I also personally would have liked the conversations about slavery to be a bit more prevalent in the story as it was set in the South at the time. Whilst I did love that Lillian was able to use her privilege to save slaves, I would have loved more black characters with a bit more agency.
Overall, I did really enjoy this book! I loved the gothic queer romance and how the Kennedy’s wrote Lillian’s internal monologue.
Set in late 19th century South Carolina, the story starts at the trial of Lillian Carmichael, an upper class woman wrongfully accused of the murder of her sister. After her hanging, she wakes up in her coffin somehow managing to survive her murder.
I immediately was gripped by the story and found it an easy binge! It has an interesting premise and I loved the gothic aspects to the texts. I also loved how Kennedy didn’t shy away from the gritty and traumatising experiences Lillian faces as she was isolated from her town and in hiding.
I will say I was a bit overwhelmed reading the ending and I would have loved to have a bit longer with the characters. However, the fast paced action really kept me engaged with the story.
I also personally would have liked the conversations about slavery to be a bit more prevalent in the story as it was set in the South at the time. Whilst I did love that Lillian was able to use her privilege to save slaves, I would have loved more black characters with a bit more agency.
Overall, I did really enjoy this book! I loved the gothic queer romance and how the Kennedy’s wrote Lillian’s internal monologue.
November 25, 2025
When I heard the premise for this book, I knew it would be for me. As always, Kennedy has done a wonderful job with her setting and attention to historical detail (if you've not read her previous books, do yourself a favor and correct this). The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael gives us a dual POV glimpse into both our protagonist and the killer stalking the streets of Charleston. It's eerie, laced with tension and a heady sort of atmosphere I was both loathe to leave and itching to be released from. Something I have noticed with well written historical fiction is not only being fully immersed in the past, but feeling as though there is no today at all, simply the world of the book's setting. Kennedy transported me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael was a suspenseful read. I am glad to have read it but I feel that there was more that I was waiting for...and it didn't happen. It is a solid read though.
I enjoyed the twist in the story and how the story progressed. I thought the romance was odd but eventually it grew on me.
Overall, solid read.
The alternating viewpoints from vampire to main character was, I originally thought, a good idea but the vampire's chapters left me wanting more.
I enjoyed the story and read the book really quickly though and I would recommend it to others.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book is set to be released on March 2026.
I enjoyed the twist in the story and how the story progressed. I thought the romance was odd but eventually it grew on me.
Overall, solid read.
The alternating viewpoints from vampire to main character was, I originally thought, a good idea but the vampire's chapters left me wanting more.
I enjoyed the story and read the book really quickly though and I would recommend it to others.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book is set to be released on March 2026.
November 20, 2025
A timepiece of delight. This story is unlike any other tale I’ve read. Starting off with the strange events of a high bred young woman, who has been accused of murder, we watch her grow into a self-reliant strong woman m, though not without finding every and any trouble she can find.
I was highly invested up until the strange twist with her savior, only to then feel like I was reading a completely different story, but yet enjoying it in a completely different way. I feel like this novel has two distinct tales it tells, and though slightly irritated me with how it switches over, in the grand scheme of the book I enjoyed it and appreciated what the author was doing
I was highly invested up until the strange twist with her savior, only to then feel like I was reading a completely different story, but yet enjoying it in a completely different way. I feel like this novel has two distinct tales it tells, and though slightly irritated me with how it switches over, in the grand scheme of the book I enjoyed it and appreciated what the author was doing
December 6, 2025
My number one recommendation for people reading this book is if it's not quite meshing with you at the beginning, give it until 30% because although the first part of the book is absolutely necessary and I did enjoy it, it gets so much better and is absolutely worth it.
Also, while this book has strong romantic elements, it is not a Romance.
Recommended for people who enjoy:
- 1st person POV historical!
- This is so beautifully researched
- Fans of CJ Cooke (The Ghost Woods)
- Victorian Vampires!
- Sapphic pining and yearning
- Impeccable historical detail
My fav quote: "Tumbling like sharp glass in my empty gut."
Also, while this book has strong romantic elements, it is not a Romance.
Recommended for people who enjoy:
- 1st person POV historical!
- This is so beautifully researched
- Fans of CJ Cooke (The Ghost Woods)
- Victorian Vampires!
- Sapphic pining and yearning
- Impeccable historical detail
My fav quote: "Tumbling like sharp glass in my empty gut."
November 19, 2025
I absolutely LOVED this book. Southern Gothic, pre-civil war, LBGTQIA+ characters, and a woman trying to find herself. A+. I loved the mystery to it and the twists at the end had my jaw on the floor. I've been wanting to read a Paulette Kennedy book for a while, and I'm so glad this was my first one.
Those saying the pacing was off in other reviews, I don't agree. While it did speed up towards the end, there was a good build-up throughout the book.
Thank you to Netgalley, Paulette Kennedy, and Lake Union Publishing for an advanced copy. My review is voluntary and honest.
Those saying the pacing was off in other reviews, I don't agree. While it did speed up towards the end, there was a good build-up throughout the book.
Thank you to Netgalley, Paulette Kennedy, and Lake Union Publishing for an advanced copy. My review is voluntary and honest.
October 24, 2025
The first 10 chapters were absolutely brilliant. I could not stop reading, eagerly looking for clues in the text. Did Lillian kill her sister? Was it the vampire? How did Lillian rise from her coffin? So many questions, yet, the answers were not as satisfying as I had hoped they would be.
It also felt like it was a bit too much stuffed into one book? Plot twist after plot twist can, apparently, grow a tad old.
It also felt like it was a bit too much stuffed into one book? Plot twist after plot twist can, apparently, grow a tad old.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2025
***Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this upcoming book***
I'm a fan of this author and will continue to read her books but this book was very meh and confusing to me. Hopefully she can recapture some of the juice she had going with The Devil and Mrs. Davenport, which is a book that I recommend to everyone.
I'm a fan of this author and will continue to read her books but this book was very meh and confusing to me. Hopefully she can recapture some of the juice she had going with The Devil and Mrs. Davenport, which is a book that I recommend to everyone.
October 22, 2025
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!
Great book for spooky reading season but it was a tad slow for my taste!
Great book for spooky reading season but it was a tad slow for my taste!
October 23, 2025
"If Rebecca was a wild rose, I am a thistle. Hardened by life. Bitter and sharp. But thistles are also strong. Resilient."
A dark gothic full of southern beauty and despicable characters.
A dark gothic full of southern beauty and despicable characters.
November 11, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Paulette Kennedy and the publisher for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I was initially intrigued by the concept of The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael by Paulette Kennedy and as a Charleston resident, I loved being able to picture so many of the settings more vividly. I most enjoyed the author's notes at the end of the book reviewing her research into the era and the real-world vampire hysterias throughout history. While I liked the premise of this book, I wish the story had fewer plot points and instead gone deeper into a few main ideas.
I was initially intrigued by the concept of The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael by Paulette Kennedy and as a Charleston resident, I loved being able to picture so many of the settings more vividly. I most enjoyed the author's notes at the end of the book reviewing her research into the era and the real-world vampire hysterias throughout history. While I liked the premise of this book, I wish the story had fewer plot points and instead gone deeper into a few main ideas.
December 29, 2025
Set in 1850s Charleston, The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmicheal is an engaging narrative that follows the eponymous protagonist. From the very first page, the intrigue and suspense hooks the reader into the mystery surrounding Lillian's incarceration, her first 'death' and subsequent adventures in the marshlands.
This sapphic romance had the right amount of slow-burn energy before developing into a spicier, sexier encounter. Although romance is a heavy feature, I would not class this as a romance novel; the gothic conventions were at the forefront: dual identities, bleak settings, mysterious characters, secrets and deception, hysteria, and monsters.
This book promised everything and it delivered. The mystery and intrigue drove the pace of the novel, the narrator was relatable, and the descriptions of the setting were so vivid that I could clearly picture Chrleston and its surrounding area, even though I've never been.
I do wish the epilogue had been different; I felt that it too neatly wrapped up the story, which in my opinion took away from the drama the novel had created.
Overall, I found this very enjoyable, thrilling and suspenseful. I was shocked to learn who the murderer was, although I did have an inkling about one or two of the characters' involvement with sub-plots and events.
This sapphic romance had the right amount of slow-burn energy before developing into a spicier, sexier encounter. Although romance is a heavy feature, I would not class this as a romance novel; the gothic conventions were at the forefront: dual identities, bleak settings, mysterious characters, secrets and deception, hysteria, and monsters.
This book promised everything and it delivered. The mystery and intrigue drove the pace of the novel, the narrator was relatable, and the descriptions of the setting were so vivid that I could clearly picture Chrleston and its surrounding area, even though I've never been.
I do wish the epilogue had been different; I felt that it too neatly wrapped up the story, which in my opinion took away from the drama the novel had created.
Overall, I found this very enjoyable, thrilling and suspenseful. I was shocked to learn who the murderer was, although I did have an inkling about one or two of the characters' involvement with sub-plots and events.
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