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The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael
A 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
Published March 10, 2026
452 people are currently reading
6288 people want to read
About the author
Paulette Kennedy
8 books979 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 - 30 of 172 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It is 1853 in Charleston, South Carolina and Lillian Carmichael has been condemned for the murder of her sister, Rebecca, and now has a date with the hangman’s noose. After being buried alive in her family’s mausoleum, most people would believe Lillian’s story ends there…but this is exactly what she is counting on as she escapes into the wild wetlands on the outskirts of town. It is here she crosses paths with Kate O’Malley, a singer and actress with a chameleon-like ability to change her identity when it suits her. While Lillian finds refuge and safety with Kate, the murders of young women continue in Charleston. As the body count rises at a rapid rate, the community starts to believe that this level of slaughter must be the work of a vengeful vampiric creature. Once her empty casket is found, Lillian is forced to race against time and the actual murderer to vindicate herself and save Charleston from the true monster.
This was a fast-paced southern gothic with a huge heart. Kennedy is so talented at connecting the reader to the characters as well as constructing a dynamic, layered cast to tell her stories; it is one of her true strengths as a writer. The creeping dread and increasingly tense atmosphere were palpable, making this book irresistible and hard to put down. I found it particularly enthralling that the murderer generated a desperate, almost old-world vampire panic in a later time period, creating quite a clever convergence of eras. Character interactions were especially tense because of the excessive suspicion and fear of the murderer’s identity (which I did NOT manage to guess before the big reveal!). And lastly, I actually appreciated the shorter length of the book because every page seemed thoughtfully laid out and the plot revved up swiftly and inexorably to its culmination. Lillian’s story at its core is one of becoming, rebirth, and resilience. You must go read for yourself to see if Lillian is able to survive death a second time…either way, it is sure to be a fang-tastically murderous time!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC and the opportunity to share what I think! All opinions are my own.
This was a fast-paced southern gothic with a huge heart. Kennedy is so talented at connecting the reader to the characters as well as constructing a dynamic, layered cast to tell her stories; it is one of her true strengths as a writer. The creeping dread and increasingly tense atmosphere were palpable, making this book irresistible and hard to put down. I found it particularly enthralling that the murderer generated a desperate, almost old-world vampire panic in a later time period, creating quite a clever convergence of eras. Character interactions were especially tense because of the excessive suspicion and fear of the murderer’s identity (which I did NOT manage to guess before the big reveal!). And lastly, I actually appreciated the shorter length of the book because every page seemed thoughtfully laid out and the plot revved up swiftly and inexorably to its culmination. Lillian’s story at its core is one of becoming, rebirth, and resilience. You must go read for yourself to see if Lillian is able to survive death a second time…either way, it is sure to be a fang-tastically murderous time!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC and the opportunity to share what I think! All opinions are my own.
March 17, 2026
"These three things I know for certain: Arsenic has no taste, I did not kill my sister, and tomorrow, I will die."
Paulette Kennedy is a wonderful writer, and for much of this gothic tale, set in the antebellum South, I felt completely captivated. I liked the quirky narrative voice of Lillian, and was intrigued by the dazzling, mercurial Kate and how twisty the plot was.
The opening line, quoted above, reminded me of 'Twilight' ("About three things I was absolutely positive. First Edward was a vampire..."). This might be an intentional, tongue-in-cheek reference given that, in 'The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael', a vampire is suspected of carrying out a series of murders.
The book started off feeling like a witty "penny dreadful": playful with the gothic horror genre, perfect entertainment for a rainy Sunday afternoon. However, by the denouement, there was a shift in tone, and some elements were genuinely disturbing The book has trigger warnings, and I was perhaps a bit too blasé about these. By the end, I wasn't quite sure how I felt about the story - and perhaps need a bit more time to ponder this review...
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.
Paulette Kennedy is a wonderful writer, and for much of this gothic tale, set in the antebellum South, I felt completely captivated. I liked the quirky narrative voice of Lillian, and was intrigued by the dazzling, mercurial Kate and how twisty the plot was.
The opening line, quoted above, reminded me of 'Twilight' ("About three things I was absolutely positive. First Edward was a vampire..."). This might be an intentional, tongue-in-cheek reference given that, in 'The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael', a vampire is suspected of carrying out a series of murders.
The book started off feeling like a witty "penny dreadful": playful with the gothic horror genre, perfect entertainment for a rainy Sunday afternoon. However, by the denouement, there was a shift in tone, and some elements were genuinely disturbing The book has trigger warnings, and I was perhaps a bit too blasé about these. By the end, I wasn't quite sure how I felt about the story - and perhaps need a bit more time to ponder this review...
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.
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.
January 14, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️1/4 (3.25 stars)
Have you ever dreamed about accidentally being buried alive? Or was it just me?
As someone who was utterly intrigued when reading the synopsis of this book, I have to say that it does partly live up to all the mystery and intrigue I imagined it having.
Lilian, our main character, both infuriated me and made me feel so so much sympathy for her. I really felt as if I was living with her through all of her experiences and struggles after being accused of the murder of her sister and countless other women to come. What I really liked about her character was the way she learned to never fully trust someone over the course of the book and how she kept being true to herself till the very end, how she chose to do good despite many people wronging her (I also adored her way of stealing only from the rich! It gave me a bit of a Robin Hood vibe). Speaking about trust, I also really liked the way Kate’s character was written and how she had so many facets to her! It made reading her relationship with Lilian even more interesting because one could never fully trust her either. And I loved this type of mystery which was created this way.
Besides that, I also wanna praise this book for all the historical research that went into it and how it is pretty accurate in terms of premature burials at that time,the civil war south, slavery and the vibe of the Victorian era (at parts I actually got flashbacks of reading one of Sarah Waters books and I have to admit, I adored that way the book was sooo good in replicating this Victorian style). I also liked that its main character were critical of slavery and how the acted in favor of its abolishment.
However, the book still had its few flaws. I, for one, felt like it dragged the whole mystery aspect of who the real killer is very long. Though I enjoyed reading it, I felt like the big reveal could’ve come earlier. I also feel like some characters were led off very easily and I also would’ve loved to have known more of certain characters past or even if Lilian met them again.
Nevertheless, this book really shines with delivering the right atmosphere (or vibe as I mentioned) and I do think that it’s worth a read, especially for those who enjoy a historical story with sapphic themes, speculations about vampires and a great atmosphere.
Have you ever dreamed about accidentally being buried alive? Or was it just me?
As someone who was utterly intrigued when reading the synopsis of this book, I have to say that it does partly live up to all the mystery and intrigue I imagined it having.
Lilian, our main character, both infuriated me and made me feel so so much sympathy for her. I really felt as if I was living with her through all of her experiences and struggles after being accused of the murder of her sister and countless other women to come. What I really liked about her character was the way she learned to never fully trust someone over the course of the book and how she kept being true to herself till the very end, how she chose to do good despite many people wronging her (I also adored her way of stealing only from the rich! It gave me a bit of a Robin Hood vibe). Speaking about trust, I also really liked the way Kate’s character was written and how she had so many facets to her! It made reading her relationship with Lilian even more interesting because one could never fully trust her either. And I loved this type of mystery which was created this way.
Besides that, I also wanna praise this book for all the historical research that went into it and how it is pretty accurate in terms of premature burials at that time,the civil war south, slavery and the vibe of the Victorian era (at parts I actually got flashbacks of reading one of Sarah Waters books and I have to admit, I adored that way the book was sooo good in replicating this Victorian style). I also liked that its main character were critical of slavery and how the acted in favor of its abolishment.
However, the book still had its few flaws. I, for one, felt like it dragged the whole mystery aspect of who the real killer is very long. Though I enjoyed reading it, I felt like the big reveal could’ve come earlier. I also feel like some characters were led off very easily and I also would’ve loved to have known more of certain characters past or even if Lilian met them again.
Nevertheless, this book really shines with delivering the right atmosphere (or vibe as I mentioned) and I do think that it’s worth a read, especially for those who enjoy a historical story with sapphic themes, speculations about vampires and a great atmosphere.
April 25, 2026
It started to get really interesting towards the end.
For a while, this book kept me wondering where the plot was leading.
Yes, the plot was good and the historical background vividly presented but there is something about the execution that leaves me wanting.
Overall, a satisfactory read.
For a while, this book kept me wondering where the plot was leading.
Yes, the plot was good and the historical background vividly presented but there is something about the execution that leaves me wanting.
Overall, a satisfactory read.
March 25, 2026
3.5 rounded to 4
The Devil and Mrs. Davenport has been on my TBR for quite some time. I've been pretty eager to check something out from Kennedy so I was pretty excited to see this title being released. I was instantly drawn in by the beautiful cover.
It's the year 1853 in South Carolina and a young woman is set to be hanged for the murder of her sister. Whether it be fate or some other force at work, she is spared death and gets a second chance at life.
Not everything is what it seems nor is everyone who they claim to be. It doesn't take long for secrets to start unraveling.
Two deaths definitely gives off gothic vibes and if you enjoy reading atmospheric and sapphic romance then I highly recommend.
The Devil and Mrs. Davenport has been on my TBR for quite some time. I've been pretty eager to check something out from Kennedy so I was pretty excited to see this title being released. I was instantly drawn in by the beautiful cover.
It's the year 1853 in South Carolina and a young woman is set to be hanged for the murder of her sister. Whether it be fate or some other force at work, she is spared death and gets a second chance at life.
Not everything is what it seems nor is everyone who they claim to be. It doesn't take long for secrets to start unraveling.
Two deaths definitely gives off gothic vibes and if you enjoy reading atmospheric and sapphic romance then I highly recommend.
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." 🤢
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.
February 13, 2026
The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael by Paulette Kennedy. Thanks to @amazonpublishing for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lillian Carmichael is accused of killing her sister but becomes catatonic on her way to execution. She’s declared dead and buried, but rises days later and runs into hiding. Her story quickly becomes lore, as women begin being found dead with their blood drained.
Paulette Kennedy is one of my favorite authors. I loved BlackBerry Grange and Mrs Davenport. I guess you just can’t love them all, and that’s okay! There were parts of this I did really like. I loved Lillian’s character and her activities when she was on the run. I wasn’t in love with Kate’s character and didn’t really understand the play with different identities. The sec scenes were not for me; and I say that as one who is not a prude and I enjoy some steam but they way they were written was just not my cup of tea. That said, there is an interesting story behind it and if you like dark romances, vampire stories, definitely give it a try and maybe it’ll be your favorite!
“My whole life it’s been one coffin after another.”
Read if you like:
-Sapphic romances
-Historical fiction and romances
-Women on the run or in hiding
-Vampires!
The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael comes out 3/10.
Lillian Carmichael is accused of killing her sister but becomes catatonic on her way to execution. She’s declared dead and buried, but rises days later and runs into hiding. Her story quickly becomes lore, as women begin being found dead with their blood drained.
Paulette Kennedy is one of my favorite authors. I loved BlackBerry Grange and Mrs Davenport. I guess you just can’t love them all, and that’s okay! There were parts of this I did really like. I loved Lillian’s character and her activities when she was on the run. I wasn’t in love with Kate’s character and didn’t really understand the play with different identities. The sec scenes were not for me; and I say that as one who is not a prude and I enjoy some steam but they way they were written was just not my cup of tea. That said, there is an interesting story behind it and if you like dark romances, vampire stories, definitely give it a try and maybe it’ll be your favorite!
“My whole life it’s been one coffin after another.”
Read if you like:
-Sapphic romances
-Historical fiction and romances
-Women on the run or in hiding
-Vampires!
The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael comes out 3/10.
February 20, 2026
Rating is 4.75 stars rounded up
I was pulled in right away by that very first line! The writing was so vivid, allowing me to fully picture the Charleston setting. I loved the switching POVs between Lillian and the Vampire diary, the tension it created with the mystery of what was happening to the young women!
I didn’t want to put this down but had to at one point due to illness 😭 As soon as I was even the tiniest bit improved I dove back in and devoured Lillian’s story! The characters had so much depth to them, I couldn’t put my finger on Kate and trying to puzzle out her motives (which I loved).
I didn’t always love the spicy scenes mostly because I wasn’t expecting them and some of the language used in place of the actual anatomical terms. But for the most part I did enjoy watching their relationship evolve throughout the novel, curious to see where it was going/how it would be affected by the plot and time period!
This is my third book from Kennedy and just proved once again how much I love her writing and ability to take inspiration from history and folklore to craft such phenomenal stories!
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union for the eARC
I was pulled in right away by that very first line! The writing was so vivid, allowing me to fully picture the Charleston setting. I loved the switching POVs between Lillian and the Vampire diary, the tension it created with the mystery of what was happening to the young women!
I didn’t want to put this down but had to at one point due to illness 😭 As soon as I was even the tiniest bit improved I dove back in and devoured Lillian’s story! The characters had so much depth to them, I couldn’t put my finger on Kate and trying to puzzle out her motives (which I loved).
I didn’t always love the spicy scenes mostly because I wasn’t expecting them and some of the language used in place of the actual anatomical terms. But for the most part I did enjoy watching their relationship evolve throughout the novel, curious to see where it was going/how it would be affected by the plot and time period!
This is my third book from Kennedy and just proved once again how much I love her writing and ability to take inspiration from history and folklore to craft such phenomenal stories!
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union for the eARC
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 (rounded up)
"They say death comes in threes. That tragedy, unlike lightening, strikes the same family over and over. The specter of mourning, once invited in, is loath to leave."
Wow! What a line! Swoon. No one can deny Kennedy's craft of creating a striking gothic tale. She leaves nothing out. Dark but delicious, there is death, suspense, and impending doom. We've got ourselves an isolated manor. We've got irrationality and town hysterics. And? We have a promise of the supernatural. All the elements of a quintessential gothic novel, and I am a gothic novel super fan! Let's go.
The first half of the story had me absolutely glued to the pages. I loved the build up to the first death of Lillian Carmichael. Talk about hooking your reader! Our female protagonist is the perfect portrait of a damsel in distress. Cruelly villainized by the tyrannical men in her life and painted as wicked, she is sent to her death with heinous family secrets up her sleeve. This is all written superbly.
In the second half, we get to see our damsel in distress flex a bit. We are introduced to some big persona, and the story begins to take off in a direction I was not expecting. Our narrative went rather heavy on the romance, and unfortunately, anything supernatural took an almost nonexistent back burner. That's not to say it wasn't done well, it was. It's just to say my own personal preference would have been the other way around. I needed less love scenes and more "monster." The secrets we do become privy to are horrifying, and done in true macabre fashion.
Final thoughts? While this personally wasn't my favorite Kennedy novel, there is no denying she is a queen of gothic storytelling. She is, and will continue to be, an autobuy author for a reason!
"They say death comes in threes. That tragedy, unlike lightening, strikes the same family over and over. The specter of mourning, once invited in, is loath to leave."
Wow! What a line! Swoon. No one can deny Kennedy's craft of creating a striking gothic tale. She leaves nothing out. Dark but delicious, there is death, suspense, and impending doom. We've got ourselves an isolated manor. We've got irrationality and town hysterics. And? We have a promise of the supernatural. All the elements of a quintessential gothic novel, and I am a gothic novel super fan! Let's go.
The first half of the story had me absolutely glued to the pages. I loved the build up to the first death of Lillian Carmichael. Talk about hooking your reader! Our female protagonist is the perfect portrait of a damsel in distress. Cruelly villainized by the tyrannical men in her life and painted as wicked, she is sent to her death with heinous family secrets up her sleeve. This is all written superbly.
In the second half, we get to see our damsel in distress flex a bit. We are introduced to some big persona, and the story begins to take off in a direction I was not expecting. Our narrative went rather heavy on the romance, and unfortunately, anything supernatural took an almost nonexistent back burner. That's not to say it wasn't done well, it was. It's just to say my own personal preference would have been the other way around. I needed less love scenes and more "monster." The secrets we do become privy to are horrifying, and done in true macabre fashion.
Final thoughts? While this personally wasn't my favorite Kennedy novel, there is no denying she is a queen of gothic storytelling. She is, and will continue to be, an autobuy author for a reason!
March 30, 2026
Actual Rating: 4.5⭐
One of the reasons I love reading Kennedy’s books is because so many of them are inspired by real-life historical contexts and events.
I always look forward to the author’s note at the end—it shows just how much research and dedication she pours into her stories. That’s why she’s an auto-buy author for me!
The Two Deaths of Lilian Carmichael is a chilling mystery about a woman who dies twice—once in body, once in truth.
I really enjoyed following Lilian’s journey as she searched for freedom, love, forgiveness, and the truth behind what’s been haunting her hometown.
Lilian’s life is full of hardship, and I admire her strength to survive and ultimately choose herself, even after being deceived by love and pulled in different directions by others.
The ending felt fitting, and I wholeheartedly agreed with her final choice.
The murder mystery kept me hooked, and I had so much fun trying to guess the culprit.
I was convinced I had it figured out, but the final reveal completely surprised me—in the best way!
Overall, this was a thrilling, fast-paced gothic historical mystery.
The length was perfect, keeping the momentum alive and my eyes glued to my Kindle.
I can’t wait to see what stories Kennedy brings us next!
I received a review copy through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the publisher!
⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: blood, death, murder, sexual assault, racism, slavery
One of the reasons I love reading Kennedy’s books is because so many of them are inspired by real-life historical contexts and events.
I always look forward to the author’s note at the end—it shows just how much research and dedication she pours into her stories. That’s why she’s an auto-buy author for me!
The Two Deaths of Lilian Carmichael is a chilling mystery about a woman who dies twice—once in body, once in truth.
I really enjoyed following Lilian’s journey as she searched for freedom, love, forgiveness, and the truth behind what’s been haunting her hometown.
Lilian’s life is full of hardship, and I admire her strength to survive and ultimately choose herself, even after being deceived by love and pulled in different directions by others.
The ending felt fitting, and I wholeheartedly agreed with her final choice.
The murder mystery kept me hooked, and I had so much fun trying to guess the culprit.
I was convinced I had it figured out, but the final reveal completely surprised me—in the best way!
Overall, this was a thrilling, fast-paced gothic historical mystery.
The length was perfect, keeping the momentum alive and my eyes glued to my Kindle.
I can’t wait to see what stories Kennedy brings us next!
I received a review copy through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the publisher!
⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: blood, death, murder, sexual assault, racism, slavery
May 3, 2026
Meh, it’s a miss. The spicy parts felt incredibly forced. I think the time period was well done, and the atmosphere was well done, but beyond that I’m not impressed. The story wasn’t that great and the sexual abuse was unnecessarily derailed and prominent. The best part of this was the authors note after the novel was over.
March 17, 2026
It pains me to say this, since Paulette Kennedy is one of my favorite authors, but this just did not work for me. I feel like there was just too much happening. And I was not expecting the level of spice! I very much could’ve done without that.
March 16, 2026
A tense, atmospheric Southern Gothic in which a young woman wrongly convicted for murdering her sister becomes a fugitive hiding from the law, only to also become the scapegoat for a killer prowling the streets of Charleston in 1853, racking up the bodies of young women, their exsanguination raising public suspicions of vampirism. Since the heroine escaped her tomb, she’s the obvious suspect, so she sets off to find the real killer with the help of a new friend and soon lover who’s remarkably adept at disguises. Kennedy plays with themes around identity, gender, and power as the heroine uncovers atrocities in her own family’s past and links them to the ongoing crimes. The romance offers an interesting parallel to the murder mystery as the two women explore the nature of control and the vulnerability of trust, both elements that play strong roles in the murder-victim relationship as well. We get glimpses into the murderer’s POV through a vampiric diary, a device that keeps the reader in suspense about whether vampires are real in the world or not. Either way, a monster is on the loose, and with each new murder, the tension ratchets up, cleverly balanced with rising tension in the romance as the heroine wonders if she truly has an ally, or if she’s being played for a fool. The story unfolds at a fast pace, with lots of action, so it reads like a page-turner, but it’s packed with interesting threads about South Carolina history, fun twists on public fervour about vampirism, disturbing family secrets to uncover, and complex looks at the impact of trauma on all that follows. An eerie and engaging read from unsettling start to spectacular finish.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Beautifully written and touching southern gothic story of a woman who gets to discover what she really wants in life, once her whole world gets ripped away.
Lillian Carmichael has been sentenced to death for killing her sister. She claims she's innocent but there's something holding her back from proving it. Then a few days after what was supposed to be her death day she wakes up in her coffin. We follow Lillian trying to navigate her second chance at life, while a mysterious person starts killing women of Charleston.
I love how layered this story is. For a relatively short book there's so much to this story with plenty of twists and turns. Lillian is a complex character who's sometimes difficult to like. She seems to have a lot of compassion and yet somehow gets very stuck in her way when people don't behave the way that makes her their priority. It made her into a really fascinating character to follow.
I've really enjoyed the way so many mysteries played part in this story. We have the mystery of what happened to Lillian's sister, and the mystery of the killer's identity, and the mystery of Kate. How trustworthy is she and what is her back story? None of them had an obvious answers until the final reveal and yet they had enough hints throughout the story that the reveal didn't feel like it came out of nowhere.
This was my first Paulette Kennedy book and now I look forward to reading more of her works.
Thank you to paulette Kennedy and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC.
Lillian Carmichael has been sentenced to death for killing her sister. She claims she's innocent but there's something holding her back from proving it. Then a few days after what was supposed to be her death day she wakes up in her coffin. We follow Lillian trying to navigate her second chance at life, while a mysterious person starts killing women of Charleston.
I love how layered this story is. For a relatively short book there's so much to this story with plenty of twists and turns. Lillian is a complex character who's sometimes difficult to like. She seems to have a lot of compassion and yet somehow gets very stuck in her way when people don't behave the way that makes her their priority. It made her into a really fascinating character to follow.
I've really enjoyed the way so many mysteries played part in this story. We have the mystery of what happened to Lillian's sister, and the mystery of the killer's identity, and the mystery of Kate. How trustworthy is she and what is her back story? None of them had an obvious answers until the final reveal and yet they had enough hints throughout the story that the reveal didn't feel like it came out of nowhere.
This was my first Paulette Kennedy book and now I look forward to reading more of her works.
Thank you to paulette Kennedy and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC.
March 8, 2026
The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael is a sapphic southern gothic set in 1853, blending horror, murder mystery, and self discovery.
After being accused of murdering her sister, Lillian Carmichael narrowly escapes the gallows when she has a catatonic episode. She awakens in her family's mausoleum, alive when she should be dead. Fleeing to the marshlands, she finds more than refuge with androgynous Kate O'Malley.
But Lillian's second chance quickly darkens. Women begin turning up dead, their bodies drained of blood. When Lillian's empty coffin is discovered, suspicions turn to her. As the murders continue she must confront the truth behind the killings and her own family secrets.
A fast paced audiobook that held my attention, with an eerie atmosphere that translated well in to audio. I enjoyed the experience, and the ending wrapped up the story nicely. Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for this ALC.
After being accused of murdering her sister, Lillian Carmichael narrowly escapes the gallows when she has a catatonic episode. She awakens in her family's mausoleum, alive when she should be dead. Fleeing to the marshlands, she finds more than refuge with androgynous Kate O'Malley.
But Lillian's second chance quickly darkens. Women begin turning up dead, their bodies drained of blood. When Lillian's empty coffin is discovered, suspicions turn to her. As the murders continue she must confront the truth behind the killings and her own family secrets.
A fast paced audiobook that held my attention, with an eerie atmosphere that translated well in to audio. I enjoyed the experience, and the ending wrapped up the story nicely. Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for this ALC.
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.
February 19, 2026
Firstly thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.
This book tells the story of Lilian Carmichael who is set to be executed after murdering her sister . The story then follows Lilian after she wakes buried in her coffin and the struggles she goes through to try to clear her name. This is set in South Carolina before the American Civil War so has a lot of historical references including slavery,abolitions and class differences so check triggers . It was a really fast paced read and I was surprised interested by the vampire element but could have done without the romance . 3.75 ⭐️ rounded down
This book tells the story of Lilian Carmichael who is set to be executed after murdering her sister . The story then follows Lilian after she wakes buried in her coffin and the struggles she goes through to try to clear her name. This is set in South Carolina before the American Civil War so has a lot of historical references including slavery,abolitions and class differences so check triggers . It was a really fast paced read and I was surprised interested by the vampire element but could have done without the romance . 3.75 ⭐️ rounded down
April 1, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for a copy of this book.
I was looking for a good gothic story and I definitely got it! I also loved that this book had a sapphic relationship in it as well. This also had a historical aspect that I really enjoyed. The ending also completely surprised me. I thought I had it all figured out until that big reveal. I totally didn’t see it coming. Even though I enjoyed this I wasn’t completely blown away. But this was so much fun and I’ll definitely be trying more books from this author. I very much recommend this book for sure.
I was looking for a good gothic story and I definitely got it! I also loved that this book had a sapphic relationship in it as well. This also had a historical aspect that I really enjoyed. The ending also completely surprised me. I thought I had it all figured out until that big reveal. I totally didn’t see it coming. Even though I enjoyed this I wasn’t completely blown away. But this was so much fun and I’ll definitely be trying more books from this author. I very much recommend this book for sure.
February 19, 2026
3.5⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. This is a story about Lillian, a woman sentenced to death for murdering her sister. She escapes the gallows and goes into hiding where she meets Kate. A love story, a vampire on a killing spree and several twists and turns involved made this an entertaining novel and the authors note at the end was really informative.
February 13, 2026
I loved the first part of this book. Our main character is supposed to be killed but she faints or something on the way to the gallows and she gets placed into a coffin alive. She breaks free and has to reinvent her life. That's the interesting part of the story.
March 17, 2026
Dear The Two Deaths of Lillian Carmichael,
I was so completely hooked by your story! I was so intrigued by how Lillian got herself into trouble, and had to know how she wiggled her way out of the precarious situation she found herself in. You had so many twists and turns for me, and kept me guessing the entire way through. I don't want to say much more, because I don't want to give anything away, but I highly enjoyed you!!!!
I was so completely hooked by your story! I was so intrigued by how Lillian got herself into trouble, and had to know how she wiggled her way out of the precarious situation she found herself in. You had so many twists and turns for me, and kept me guessing the entire way through. I don't want to say much more, because I don't want to give anything away, but I highly enjoyed you!!!!
March 24, 2026
This was good, but not great. I was anxious for her to meet Kate, a woman mentioned in the cover blurb. This didn't happen until about half way through, and then I was underwhelmed. Kate seemed too good to be true. The convoluted way everything happened at the very end seemed overdone. Also, why is she staying so close to town when she is wanted for murder. And she knows who her sister's real killer is but they are never brought to justice.
March 31, 2026
Good story! I’m a sucker for a good “Vampire” Book
Book was good, story was good. I’m working on a better star rating because I feel I give too many 5 star reads. 4 stars for me is a good book, good story, might recommend depending on who is needing a recommendation.
Book was good, story was good. I’m working on a better star rating because I feel I give too many 5 star reads. 4 stars for me is a good book, good story, might recommend depending on who is needing a recommendation.
April 8, 2026
This book was so good in the beginning. Eerie, Gothic and breathtaking. I was so excited. And then… It turned into a different kind of book. Way too vile and sexually subversive for me. How can an author write so disparately?
April 15, 2026
Whilst I adore the setting of Charleston pre-civil war, this book read about like a tale your eccentric great aunt Flossie might tell you after a few wine coolers on an empty stomach. *insert the voice of Stefon, a beloved SNL character performed by Bill Hader* “This book has EVERYTHING! Southern Belle lesbians, vampires, poison, a mom who hates healthy kids, and a particularly bizarre cure for asthma that I can’t bring myself to say out loud but don’t worry, Aunt Flossie will fill you in.” This is my public pledge to quit downloading Kindle Unlimited offerings. 🤷🏻♀️
March 22, 2026
A weak 3
March 31, 2026
2.5 stars
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