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Wolfsbane Hall
She’s forced to murder to survive—until it’s her turn to die.
At Wolfsbane Hall, a secretive 1930s San Francisco murder mystery club, actress Celestine Sinclair plays a deadly role: executing victims who can only return to life once their murders are solved. Haunted by guilt yet bound by unwavering loyalty, she obeys the orders of the Specter—the club’s unseen mastermind and source of its magic.
But when his nemesis seizes control and poisons her, the game changes. The only way to survive? Solve the night’s mystery and unmask the Specter—an identity that has remained hidden for centuries. Even worse, the three prime suspects are the men closest to her: her lover, her enemy, and her best friend. One of them has betrayed her, and she has only hours left to uncover the truth.
The clock is ticking, the stakes are fatal, and this time, death will last forever.
She’s forced to murder to survive—until it’s her turn to die.
WOLFSBANE HALL is an adult romantic fantasy thriller and it will appeal to fans of Butcher and Blackbird’s twisty, dark romance and Belladonna’s manor-house mystery. It is a mash-up between Phantom of the Opera, Moulin Rouge, and Knives Out. If you enjoy books with hidden identities, forced proximity, villain daddies, betrayal, a haunted house, and love squares, you will love this story.
At Wolfsbane Hall, a secretive 1930s San Francisco murder mystery club, actress Celestine Sinclair plays a deadly role: executing victims who can only return to life once their murders are solved. Haunted by guilt yet bound by unwavering loyalty, she obeys the orders of the Specter—the club’s unseen mastermind and source of its magic.
But when his nemesis seizes control and poisons her, the game changes. The only way to survive? Solve the night’s mystery and unmask the Specter—an identity that has remained hidden for centuries. Even worse, the three prime suspects are the men closest to her: her lover, her enemy, and her best friend. One of them has betrayed her, and she has only hours left to uncover the truth.
The clock is ticking, the stakes are fatal, and this time, death will last forever.
She’s forced to murder to survive—until it’s her turn to die.
WOLFSBANE HALL is an adult romantic fantasy thriller and it will appeal to fans of Butcher and Blackbird’s twisty, dark romance and Belladonna’s manor-house mystery. It is a mash-up between Phantom of the Opera, Moulin Rouge, and Knives Out. If you enjoy books with hidden identities, forced proximity, villain daddies, betrayal, a haunted house, and love squares, you will love this story.
320 pages, Paperback
First published August 13, 2025
5 people are currently reading
648 people want to read
About the author
Hazel St. Lewis
4 books159 followersHazel St. Lewis is a Northern California-based Romantasy author. Diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age, she struggled to read and write, but fantasy stories inspired her to start storytelling. Unfortunately, now, she is a little too obsessed with morally grey characters. When she isn’t writing, she can be found playing with her hoard of cats (too many to count…it’s a problem), singing songs to said cats—like Cinderella—or painting.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
August 13, 2025
Naurrrr wdym it ends like thatttt 😭🤚
I thought this was a standalone pls im actually never gna get over the ending until I get that next book 😫
This was a mindfuck in the best way. I genuinely believe this book should become a movie like the potential for this is sooo high.
This was less a romance and more dark spooky phychological thriller but the love story aspect?? ate me up. Everytime Dean or The Specter were on page I was THERE and locked innnn.
me and the fmc the whole book:
ೃ⁀➷ Thanks to the author and Haus of Fables PR for the ARC! ♥︎
I thought this was a standalone pls im actually never gna get over the ending until I get that next book 😫
This was a mindfuck in the best way. I genuinely believe this book should become a movie like the potential for this is sooo high.
This was less a romance and more dark spooky phychological thriller but the love story aspect?? ate me up. Everytime Dean or The Specter were on page I was THERE and locked innnn.
me and the fmc the whole book:
ೃ⁀➷ Thanks to the author and Haus of Fables PR for the ARC! ♥︎
August 24, 2025
this was such a mindfuck, but in the most entertaining way possible
˖⁺‧₊♡ pre-read review ⋙
a 1930s setting with a murder mystery club sounds thrilling, with hidden identities, forced proximity, villain daddies, betrayal, a haunted house, and love squares to top it off? i submitted an application to read this in advance. i haven’t read a romantasy thriller before and the entire premise of wolfsbane hall has me intrigued!
a massive thank you to hazel st lewis and haus of fables for the gifted e-arc.
follow me on: instagram
˖⁺‧₊♡ pre-read review ⋙
a 1930s setting with a murder mystery club sounds thrilling, with hidden identities, forced proximity, villain daddies, betrayal, a haunted house, and love squares to top it off? i submitted an application to read this in advance. i haven’t read a romantasy thriller before and the entire premise of wolfsbane hall has me intrigued!
a massive thank you to hazel st lewis and haus of fables for the gifted e-arc.
follow me on: instagram
August 18, 2025
4.25⭐️
This book kept me hooked from the first page until the very end. I also can't say much without giving anything away.
Celestine Sinclair is an actress at Wolfsbane Hall, which is run by a mysterious figure calling himself the Spectre. She, along with her cast members, puts on a murder mystery show each night for the patrons. There's only one rule at Wolfsbane Hall: every murder must be solved. But one night, Wolfsbane Hall is taken over by another figure—the Phantom—and this time the rules are different. This time, the only way to end the game is to unveil the Spectre's identity, and failing to do so will end in death.
This had everything you would love in a murder mystery. Characters who can't be trusted, secrets, a haunted house, hidden identities, betrayals, family drama, and multiple love interests (but this isn't a why-choose romance). The story keeps you invested as you try to solve the mystery alongside Celestine with plot twists that keep you guessing until the end. Every time I felt like I was certain I had it figured out, there would be another twist that made me question myself.
Celestine's character also had many layers, and while it started off as her feeling like she didn't hold much power, it eventually led to her choosing to take the control and power. Her journey was something I enjoyed.
The Ashbrook family was as twisted as they come, and each character kept adding to the layers of mystery. James, Everett, and Dean were all so different from each other, and so was their relationship with Celestine. I enjoyed uncovering their secrets, but it still feels like only scratching the surface at this point.
The setup and concept of the murder mystery club were intriguing. I loved how Wolfsbane Hall itself was a character in this story and was just as alive and mysterious as the rest.
There was spice, but it didn't overwhelm the plot, and the romance was also not the main focus, although it was a part of it. However, I was looking forward to one particular moment to come to fruition, which at this point feels like edging until the next book comes out.
That ending has me so eager for the next book in the series. There are so many questions that are yet to be answered and so much that needs to be resolved between Celestine, the Spectre, and the Phantom.
Thank you to Hazel St. Lewis for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book kept me hooked from the first page until the very end. I also can't say much without giving anything away.
Celestine Sinclair is an actress at Wolfsbane Hall, which is run by a mysterious figure calling himself the Spectre. She, along with her cast members, puts on a murder mystery show each night for the patrons. There's only one rule at Wolfsbane Hall: every murder must be solved. But one night, Wolfsbane Hall is taken over by another figure—the Phantom—and this time the rules are different. This time, the only way to end the game is to unveil the Spectre's identity, and failing to do so will end in death.
This had everything you would love in a murder mystery. Characters who can't be trusted, secrets, a haunted house, hidden identities, betrayals, family drama, and multiple love interests (but this isn't a why-choose romance). The story keeps you invested as you try to solve the mystery alongside Celestine with plot twists that keep you guessing until the end. Every time I felt like I was certain I had it figured out, there would be another twist that made me question myself.
Celestine's character also had many layers, and while it started off as her feeling like she didn't hold much power, it eventually led to her choosing to take the control and power. Her journey was something I enjoyed.
The Ashbrook family was as twisted as they come, and each character kept adding to the layers of mystery. James, Everett, and Dean were all so different from each other, and so was their relationship with Celestine. I enjoyed uncovering their secrets, but it still feels like only scratching the surface at this point.
The setup and concept of the murder mystery club were intriguing. I loved how Wolfsbane Hall itself was a character in this story and was just as alive and mysterious as the rest.
There was spice, but it didn't overwhelm the plot, and the romance was also not the main focus, although it was a part of it. However, I was looking forward to one particular moment to come to fruition, which at this point feels like edging until the next book comes out.
That ending has me so eager for the next book in the series. There are so many questions that are yet to be answered and so much that needs to be resolved between Celestine, the Spectre, and the Phantom.
Thank you to Hazel St. Lewis for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 15, 2025
Guys, im gonna be honest. This was a 2 for me but the cover is too pretty and at least the concept was fun and fresh and not like every other smutty fantasy out there
August 13, 2025
“𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞. 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞’𝐬 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲.”
I saw the that beautiful cover and read the blurb, tropes, the attraction of wanting the Phantom to win- so I was excited when I got to read this.
This follows a murder mystery show, that isn’t so much faking, but all manipulation, deception and missing ties.
I found this to be quite an interesting plot, to have a mysterious magic embedded into the *show*, and uncovering certain fantasy/pnr elements.
Whilst trying to also decipher ‘whodunnit’.
Celestine Sinclair is the FMC surround by jealous or hungry eyes.
Whilst I enjoyed the premise, I felt there was something slightly lacking. I found myself having to refocus on the story. I’m not sure how I feel with that ending. Maybe more will be explained for book 2?
➵ 𝙃𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙄𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨
➵ 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙙𝙤𝙬 𝘿𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙮
➵ 𝙑𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝘿𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙮
➵ 𝘿𝙪𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙨
➵ 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙎𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙚
➵ 𝙎𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙃𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚
➵ 𝙋𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙩 𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧
➵ 𝙏𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙨
Thank you for this gifted ARC from Haus of Fables 🖤
I saw the that beautiful cover and read the blurb, tropes, the attraction of wanting the Phantom to win- so I was excited when I got to read this.
This follows a murder mystery show, that isn’t so much faking, but all manipulation, deception and missing ties.
I found this to be quite an interesting plot, to have a mysterious magic embedded into the *show*, and uncovering certain fantasy/pnr elements.
Whilst trying to also decipher ‘whodunnit’.
Celestine Sinclair is the FMC surround by jealous or hungry eyes.
Whilst I enjoyed the premise, I felt there was something slightly lacking. I found myself having to refocus on the story. I’m not sure how I feel with that ending. Maybe more will be explained for book 2?
➵ 𝙃𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙄𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨
➵ 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙙𝙤𝙬 𝘿𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙮
➵ 𝙑𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝘿𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙮
➵ 𝘿𝙪𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙨
➵ 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙎𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙚
➵ 𝙎𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙃𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚
➵ 𝙋𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙩 𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧
➵ 𝙏𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙨
Thank you for this gifted ARC from Haus of Fables 🖤
August 12, 2025
4.5 ⭐
[ARC REVIEW]
THIS BOOK!!!! I WAS OBSESSED AND COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN.
As soon as I saw this was marketed as The Phantom of the Opera meets Knives Out and Clue I knew I had to read it.
We follow Celestine, an actress who works at Wolfsbane Hall under the orders of the mysterious Specter. Here they perform murder mysteries every night, until one night another figure called The Phantom changes everything and the only way to survive is discover The Specter's identity.
I loved the premise of the story, there's a lot of mystery surrounding a particular family we get to meet, where the members are all suspects both from a past mystery and this current one. Basically we have three main male characters and you, along with Celestine, must discover who's The Specter and who's The Phantom. I loved the guessing game and just when you think you have everything figured out... No you did not!
My only complaint was the relationship between Celestine and one of the boys of the Ashbrook family, but other than that I loved everything about this book and I need the author to tell us she'll write a sequel because what do you mean that's where the book ended??
If you like murder mysteries, theatrical settings, masked men and trying to figure out character's identities, you'll love this book!
Thanks to Haus of Fables and the author for gifting me with the ARC ❤️
[ARC REVIEW]
THIS BOOK!!!! I WAS OBSESSED AND COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN.
As soon as I saw this was marketed as The Phantom of the Opera meets Knives Out and Clue I knew I had to read it.
We follow Celestine, an actress who works at Wolfsbane Hall under the orders of the mysterious Specter. Here they perform murder mysteries every night, until one night another figure called The Phantom changes everything and the only way to survive is discover The Specter's identity.
I loved the premise of the story, there's a lot of mystery surrounding a particular family we get to meet, where the members are all suspects both from a past mystery and this current one. Basically we have three main male characters and you, along with Celestine, must discover who's The Specter and who's The Phantom. I loved the guessing game and just when you think you have everything figured out... No you did not!
My only complaint was the relationship between Celestine and one of the boys of the Ashbrook family, but other than that I loved everything about this book and I need the author to tell us she'll write a sequel because what do you mean that's where the book ended??
If you like murder mysteries, theatrical settings, masked men and trying to figure out character's identities, you'll love this book!
Thanks to Haus of Fables and the author for gifting me with the ARC ❤️
August 13, 2025
I had the pleasure of reading an early copy of Wolfsbane Hall, and let me tell you, I LOVED IT. It’s such a fun mix of mystery and fantasy, which are my two favorite genres. I could’ve binged this book in one sitting if I didn’t have to go to bed.
Wolfsbane Hall is like if The Phantom of the Opera met Clue. Now anyone that knows me knows I love me some Phantom and think he should’ve got the girl (sorry, not sorry Raoul 😂 no one come for me, I know he’s toxic). I loved seeing bits of Phantom in this story. It made the book feel familiar in the best way, like a nice warm hug.
The mystery itself was really interesting. There were a few times that I was certain I had everything figured out only to be presented with a new piece of evidence that had me questioning myself all over again. There was one thing I was absolutely certain of through the entire book though, but I don’t want to say lest I spoil it for anyone that wants to read Wolfsbane Hall. And trust me, you’ll want to read this book!
Thank you Hazel St. Lewis for the early copy of Wolfsbane Hall! All opinions are my own!
Wolfsbane Hall is like if The Phantom of the Opera met Clue. Now anyone that knows me knows I love me some Phantom and think he should’ve got the girl (sorry, not sorry Raoul 😂 no one come for me, I know he’s toxic). I loved seeing bits of Phantom in this story. It made the book feel familiar in the best way, like a nice warm hug.
The mystery itself was really interesting. There were a few times that I was certain I had everything figured out only to be presented with a new piece of evidence that had me questioning myself all over again. There was one thing I was absolutely certain of through the entire book though, but I don’t want to say lest I spoil it for anyone that wants to read Wolfsbane Hall. And trust me, you’ll want to read this book!
Thank you Hazel St. Lewis for the early copy of Wolfsbane Hall! All opinions are my own!
August 24, 2025
🎭 𝖂𝖔𝖑𝖋𝖘𝖇𝖆𝖓𝖊 𝕳𝖆𝖑𝖑 𝕬𝖗𝖈 𝕽𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖊𝖜 🎭
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥
Author: @hazelstlewis
Release Date: August 13th, 2025
Thank you so much, @hazelstlewis and @haus.of.fables_pr, for the gifted digital copy of Wolfsbane Hall !
It's a bit embarrassing to say that I have never read or watched The Phantom of the Opera, but this book.... THIS BOOK is chefs' kiss! 🤌🏻🤌🏻 I am obsessed with the Spector and the Phantom. This whole book is a vibe.
The inhabitants of Wolfsbane Hall welcome the rich and elite to nights of murder mystery, drinks, food, and debauchery. But Celine quickly finds that tonight's murder mystery game is not like the others. Family members and lovers, alive and dead, are invited to play a night of murder mystery.... However, Celestine is the one playing the game this time, and if she doesn't solve the mystery before the clock runs out, the results are fatal..
Affairs, lies, deceit, betrayal, a love square, hidden identities, and more in this 1930's San Franciso high stakes romantic thriller. Wolfsbane Hall is the first book in this captivating duology. I can't wait to see where book two takes us!
Add to your tbr if you like 👇🏻
✨️ Shadow Daddy
🎭 Murder Mystery
✨️ Sentient House
🎭 Love Square
✨️ Villain Daddy
🎭 Duelling Phantoms
✨️ Puppet Master
🎭 Hidden Identites
✨️ Lies, Secrets, and Betrayals
🎭 Macabre Twists
✨️ 1930's San Fransico
🎭 High Stakes
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥
Author: @hazelstlewis
Release Date: August 13th, 2025
Thank you so much, @hazelstlewis and @haus.of.fables_pr, for the gifted digital copy of Wolfsbane Hall !
It's a bit embarrassing to say that I have never read or watched The Phantom of the Opera, but this book.... THIS BOOK is chefs' kiss! 🤌🏻🤌🏻 I am obsessed with the Spector and the Phantom. This whole book is a vibe.
The inhabitants of Wolfsbane Hall welcome the rich and elite to nights of murder mystery, drinks, food, and debauchery. But Celine quickly finds that tonight's murder mystery game is not like the others. Family members and lovers, alive and dead, are invited to play a night of murder mystery.... However, Celestine is the one playing the game this time, and if she doesn't solve the mystery before the clock runs out, the results are fatal..
Affairs, lies, deceit, betrayal, a love square, hidden identities, and more in this 1930's San Franciso high stakes romantic thriller. Wolfsbane Hall is the first book in this captivating duology. I can't wait to see where book two takes us!
Add to your tbr if you like 👇🏻
✨️ Shadow Daddy
🎭 Murder Mystery
✨️ Sentient House
🎭 Love Square
✨️ Villain Daddy
🎭 Duelling Phantoms
✨️ Puppet Master
🎭 Hidden Identites
✨️ Lies, Secrets, and Betrayals
🎭 Macabre Twists
✨️ 1930's San Fransico
🎭 High Stakes
August 14, 2025
This book was so interesting! I really enjoyed all of the mysteries that Celeste had to solve, that part was so much fun!
It's hard to talk too much about the romantic plus without spoilers but I personally enjoyed that part less than the mysteries.
I am definitely looking forward to the second book and would recommend this to anyone who likes the idea of Phantom of the Opera meets Clue.
It's hard to talk too much about the romantic plus without spoilers but I personally enjoyed that part less than the mysteries.
I am definitely looking forward to the second book and would recommend this to anyone who likes the idea of Phantom of the Opera meets Clue.
July 19, 2025
ARC review:
Maybe 3.5 ⭐️?? It was fun for the murder mystery part but I thought the FMC was a bit much (cue her wetness every time she spoke to any of the men) and I didn’t necessarily like her choice at the end of the book but I understood it… still just not the kind of book and ending I enjoy! There’s gotta be another book because there’s quite a few unanswered questions 🤪🤪
Idk, you’ll probably like it if you like murder mysteries with a bunch of hot men and spooky ghost boyfriends
Maybe 3.5 ⭐️?? It was fun for the murder mystery part but I thought the FMC was a bit much (cue her wetness every time she spoke to any of the men) and I didn’t necessarily like her choice at the end of the book but I understood it… still just not the kind of book and ending I enjoy! There’s gotta be another book because there’s quite a few unanswered questions 🤪🤪
Idk, you’ll probably like it if you like murder mysteries with a bunch of hot men and spooky ghost boyfriends
July 27, 2025
Every night, Celestine prepares to kill or die. She’s a cast member at the haunted Wolfsbane Hall, a murder mystery game that is just a little too real. But when the game takes on new stakes and Celestine’s death—her permanent death—is on the line, she must be ready to risk everything that she thought she loved for a chance to escape Wolfsbane Hall and the dangerous men who control it.
Wolfsbane Hall was like Phantasma and an Agatha Christie novel had a baby that ran away to Hollywood to become an actress. The gothic atmosphere was absolutely perfect, and I loved that the entire story took place in 12 hours. Celestine was an interesting main character because she toed the line between innocence and corruption perfectly. Her mind was what attracted so many people to her, and I enjoyed watching her grow into a woman ready to explore the rest of the world.
The side characters in this book were also relatively well developed, and the dialogue was perfect. My major issue, however, was that the ending felt super rushed and the mystery was a bit anticlimactic. The story built and built to this impressive precipice, only to fall flat at the very end. Still, I enjoyed my time reading this novel and look forward to mystery lovers falling into the story.
Read if you like…
⭐Golden age of Hollywood vibes
✨An ingenue with a sharp wit and an ingenious mind
⭐Three devious men hiding secrets
✨Forbidden attraction
⭐A gothic mansion dripping in decadence and blood
✨An ancient family with deadly secrets
⭐Secret magic coming to light
✨A fast-paced plot full of adventure
⭐Forced proximity (with a dash of hands brushing)
✨A sentient house willing to meddle in mortal affairs
⭐Rich people doing horrible things (and getting justice served to them)
Thank you to House of Fable and the author for an e-ARC! All thoughts and opinions remain my own.
Wolfsbane Hall was like Phantasma and an Agatha Christie novel had a baby that ran away to Hollywood to become an actress. The gothic atmosphere was absolutely perfect, and I loved that the entire story took place in 12 hours. Celestine was an interesting main character because she toed the line between innocence and corruption perfectly. Her mind was what attracted so many people to her, and I enjoyed watching her grow into a woman ready to explore the rest of the world.
The side characters in this book were also relatively well developed, and the dialogue was perfect. My major issue, however, was that the ending felt super rushed and the mystery was a bit anticlimactic. The story built and built to this impressive precipice, only to fall flat at the very end. Still, I enjoyed my time reading this novel and look forward to mystery lovers falling into the story.
Read if you like…
⭐Golden age of Hollywood vibes
✨An ingenue with a sharp wit and an ingenious mind
⭐Three devious men hiding secrets
✨Forbidden attraction
⭐A gothic mansion dripping in decadence and blood
✨An ancient family with deadly secrets
⭐Secret magic coming to light
✨A fast-paced plot full of adventure
⭐Forced proximity (with a dash of hands brushing)
✨A sentient house willing to meddle in mortal affairs
⭐Rich people doing horrible things (and getting justice served to them)
Thank you to House of Fable and the author for an e-ARC! All thoughts and opinions remain my own.
August 16, 2025
Title:
When Murder Becomes Art:
A Gothic Romance That Haunts Your Dreams 🖤
Rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genres:
Romantasy, Gothic Romance, Historical Fantasy, Murder Mystery
Tropes:
Forced Proximity, Hidden Identity, Love Triangle, Morally Gray Characters, Haunted House, Villain Romance
Vibes:
Phantom of the Opera meets Clue, Dark Academia, 1930s Glamour
St. Lewis has crafted something truly special with Wolfsbane Hall. This isn't your typical murder mystery or romance, it's a darkly beautiful exploration of loyalty, betrayal, and the lengths we go to for love.
What I Loved:
🎭 The Atmosphere- The 1930s San Francisco setting drips with gothic glamour. Wolfsbane Hall feels alive, magical, and dangerous all at once. You can practically smell the blood and roses.
💀 Unique Premise- A murder mystery club where people actually die but can be resurrected? Brilliant. The magical system adds layers without being overly complex.
🔥 Celestine- Our protagonist is beautifully flawed. She's strong yet vulnerable, guilty yet determined. Her internal struggle between duty and desire feels genuine and heartbreaking.
👥 The Love Interests- James, Everett, and Dean each bring something different to the table. The author doesn't make it obvious who to root for, which kept me guessing until the end.
🌟 Plot Twists- Just when you think you've figured everything out, St. Lewis pulls the rug out from under you. The reveals are satisfying and brilliantly executed.
What Made This Outstanding:
- The seamless blend of magical elements with historical setting
- Complex character development that avoids stereotypes
- Perfectly paced mystery that kept me guessing
- Emotional depth that made me care about every character
The Romance:
The romantic tension is perfect. It's not instalove, it's messy, complicated, and feels real despite the supernatural elements. The love triangle doesn't feel forced because each relationship serves the larger story.
The Mystery:
Genuinely kept me guessing! The clues are there if you're paying attention, but the author doesn't make it easy. The identity of the Specter was a surprise that made perfect sense in hindsight.
This book reminded me why I love romantasy. It takes familiar elements , the phantom figure, the gothic mansion, the murder mystery, and spins them into something fresh and compelling.
Perfect for fans of dark romance, gothic atmosphere, and stories where love and loyalty collide in the most devastating ways. I'm already eagerly awaiting the sequel!
Content Warnings:
Murder, violence, death, sexual content, themes of guilt and betrayal
Rating Breakdown:
- Plot: 5/5
- Characters: 5/5
- Romance: 5/5
- Writing: 5/5
- Overall: 5/5
This is definitely going on my "favorites of the year" shelf! 🖤
Thank you to Hazel St. Lewis and Haus of Fables for the gifted copy of this book. I was happy to leave my honest opinion. ✨ WOO HOO
When Murder Becomes Art:
A Gothic Romance That Haunts Your Dreams 🖤
Rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genres:
Romantasy, Gothic Romance, Historical Fantasy, Murder Mystery
Tropes:
Forced Proximity, Hidden Identity, Love Triangle, Morally Gray Characters, Haunted House, Villain Romance
Vibes:
Phantom of the Opera meets Clue, Dark Academia, 1930s Glamour
St. Lewis has crafted something truly special with Wolfsbane Hall. This isn't your typical murder mystery or romance, it's a darkly beautiful exploration of loyalty, betrayal, and the lengths we go to for love.
What I Loved:
🎭 The Atmosphere- The 1930s San Francisco setting drips with gothic glamour. Wolfsbane Hall feels alive, magical, and dangerous all at once. You can practically smell the blood and roses.
💀 Unique Premise- A murder mystery club where people actually die but can be resurrected? Brilliant. The magical system adds layers without being overly complex.
🔥 Celestine- Our protagonist is beautifully flawed. She's strong yet vulnerable, guilty yet determined. Her internal struggle between duty and desire feels genuine and heartbreaking.
👥 The Love Interests- James, Everett, and Dean each bring something different to the table. The author doesn't make it obvious who to root for, which kept me guessing until the end.
🌟 Plot Twists- Just when you think you've figured everything out, St. Lewis pulls the rug out from under you. The reveals are satisfying and brilliantly executed.
What Made This Outstanding:
- The seamless blend of magical elements with historical setting
- Complex character development that avoids stereotypes
- Perfectly paced mystery that kept me guessing
- Emotional depth that made me care about every character
The Romance:
The romantic tension is perfect. It's not instalove, it's messy, complicated, and feels real despite the supernatural elements. The love triangle doesn't feel forced because each relationship serves the larger story.
The Mystery:
Genuinely kept me guessing! The clues are there if you're paying attention, but the author doesn't make it easy. The identity of the Specter was a surprise that made perfect sense in hindsight.
This book reminded me why I love romantasy. It takes familiar elements , the phantom figure, the gothic mansion, the murder mystery, and spins them into something fresh and compelling.
Perfect for fans of dark romance, gothic atmosphere, and stories where love and loyalty collide in the most devastating ways. I'm already eagerly awaiting the sequel!
Content Warnings:
Murder, violence, death, sexual content, themes of guilt and betrayal
Rating Breakdown:
- Plot: 5/5
- Characters: 5/5
- Romance: 5/5
- Writing: 5/5
- Overall: 5/5
This is definitely going on my "favorites of the year" shelf! 🖤
Thank you to Hazel St. Lewis and Haus of Fables for the gifted copy of this book. I was happy to leave my honest opinion. ✨ WOO HOO
July 20, 2025
“She’s forced to murder to survive—until it’s her turn to die.”
That one sentence had me hooked… and what followed was a dark, twisty, absolutely wild ride. 🖤🔪
Set in a hauntingly magical 1930s San Francisco manor that quite literally breathes and bleeds, Wolfsbane Hall pulls you into a murder mystery game where the stakes are deadly, and the victims don’t stay dead… unless the killer does. 👻⏳
Our narrator is Celestine Sinclair, an actress trapped in a macabre performance orchestrated by a faceless, omnipotent entity called the Specter. Every night, under his orders, she and the rest of the cast perform real murders disguised as theatre. The only escape from death? Solve the murder. 🕯️🩸
But when the Phantom—a rival power—poisons her and throws the rules out the window, the game shifts. Celestine has just hours to uncover the Specter’s identity… and one of the three men closest to her—her enemy, her lover, her best friend—may be the traitor. 🤯💔 The clock is ticking. Her life is on the line. And this time, there are no resets.
Honestly? This book was a fever dream of vibes. 🎭🎲 From moody candlelit halls to creepy puppets that sing lullabies (YES), and a house that’s sentient and manipulative, Hazel St. Lewis builds an atmosphere that’s gothic, glamorous, and unsettling all at once. You never quite know who to trust or what’s real—and that exactly captures Celestine’s own descent into fear, doubt, and obsession.
✨ Let’s talk Celestine: She was strong, vulnerable, angry, horny, haunted—and I felt for her. 😵💫 She’s manipulated and torn in every direction by men, ghosts, and powers she can’t understand. That said… I’ll be honest. The way she practically melted every time a man breathed near her? It was a lot for me 😅 and by the end, while I understood her final choice, it didn’t sit right with my heart. I needed more clarity, more healing, more agency from her. Still, the emotional turmoil? Chef’s kiss. 💔🍷
🔥 Romance-wise: There’s spice (I’d rate it 1.5-2🌶️s), but it leaned more toward lust than deep romance. The tension was THERE—especially with the Specter and the Phantom (the ghost boyfriend tension was INSANE 😩👻)—but I just wish we had more time to explore those dynamics before the story ended. This could’ve easily been a 5-star read if we’d had more slow burn, more heart.
🎭 Plot-wise: The story mainly takes place across two intense days with flashbacks and looping game mechanics. It’s written in second person (which worked surprisingly well for me) and feels like living inside an interactive Cluedo-meets-Phantom-of-the-Opera-meets-Knives-Out puzzle box. There were so many questions left unanswered though, which makes me hope there’s a sequel on the way… because I need more. (Especially about the Specter 👀)
🌙 What I loved most:
• The sentient house with its creepy magic 🔮
• The character cards and resurrection mechanics (so unique!) 🃏
• Celestine’s messy, powerful emotional core ❤️🔥
• The horror-vibes that were spooky but not nightmare-inducing 🎵🩻🪆
This one’s for fans of:
🕯️ Cluedo but deadlier
🎭 Phantom of the Opera vibes
🧥 Hidden identities & masks
🏚️ Sentient haunted houses
🖤 Ghost lovers & shadow daddies
⛓️ Enemies to lovers to ???
🔒 Forced proximity
🫶 Found family but toxic and tragic
🩸 Knife-to-throat tension
💀 “I’d kill for you” levels of devotion
All in all, Wolfsbane Hall was an eerie, sexy, mind-bending experience that straddled the line between fantasy, thriller, and gothic horror. And though the ending didn’t fully satisfy me, the journey was totally worth it. 🖤
Thank you to Hazel St. Lewis and Haus of Fables PR for the ARC! I can’t wait to see what comes next in this twisted, magical world! 🕯️📖🖤
That one sentence had me hooked… and what followed was a dark, twisty, absolutely wild ride. 🖤🔪
Set in a hauntingly magical 1930s San Francisco manor that quite literally breathes and bleeds, Wolfsbane Hall pulls you into a murder mystery game where the stakes are deadly, and the victims don’t stay dead… unless the killer does. 👻⏳
Our narrator is Celestine Sinclair, an actress trapped in a macabre performance orchestrated by a faceless, omnipotent entity called the Specter. Every night, under his orders, she and the rest of the cast perform real murders disguised as theatre. The only escape from death? Solve the murder. 🕯️🩸
But when the Phantom—a rival power—poisons her and throws the rules out the window, the game shifts. Celestine has just hours to uncover the Specter’s identity… and one of the three men closest to her—her enemy, her lover, her best friend—may be the traitor. 🤯💔 The clock is ticking. Her life is on the line. And this time, there are no resets.
Honestly? This book was a fever dream of vibes. 🎭🎲 From moody candlelit halls to creepy puppets that sing lullabies (YES), and a house that’s sentient and manipulative, Hazel St. Lewis builds an atmosphere that’s gothic, glamorous, and unsettling all at once. You never quite know who to trust or what’s real—and that exactly captures Celestine’s own descent into fear, doubt, and obsession.
✨ Let’s talk Celestine: She was strong, vulnerable, angry, horny, haunted—and I felt for her. 😵💫 She’s manipulated and torn in every direction by men, ghosts, and powers she can’t understand. That said… I’ll be honest. The way she practically melted every time a man breathed near her? It was a lot for me 😅 and by the end, while I understood her final choice, it didn’t sit right with my heart. I needed more clarity, more healing, more agency from her. Still, the emotional turmoil? Chef’s kiss. 💔🍷
🔥 Romance-wise: There’s spice (I’d rate it 1.5-2🌶️s), but it leaned more toward lust than deep romance. The tension was THERE—especially with the Specter and the Phantom (the ghost boyfriend tension was INSANE 😩👻)—but I just wish we had more time to explore those dynamics before the story ended. This could’ve easily been a 5-star read if we’d had more slow burn, more heart.
🎭 Plot-wise: The story mainly takes place across two intense days with flashbacks and looping game mechanics. It’s written in second person (which worked surprisingly well for me) and feels like living inside an interactive Cluedo-meets-Phantom-of-the-Opera-meets-Knives-Out puzzle box. There were so many questions left unanswered though, which makes me hope there’s a sequel on the way… because I need more. (Especially about the Specter 👀)
🌙 What I loved most:
• The sentient house with its creepy magic 🔮
• The character cards and resurrection mechanics (so unique!) 🃏
• Celestine’s messy, powerful emotional core ❤️🔥
• The horror-vibes that were spooky but not nightmare-inducing 🎵🩻🪆
This one’s for fans of:
🕯️ Cluedo but deadlier
🎭 Phantom of the Opera vibes
🧥 Hidden identities & masks
🏚️ Sentient haunted houses
🖤 Ghost lovers & shadow daddies
⛓️ Enemies to lovers to ???
🔒 Forced proximity
🫶 Found family but toxic and tragic
🩸 Knife-to-throat tension
💀 “I’d kill for you” levels of devotion
All in all, Wolfsbane Hall was an eerie, sexy, mind-bending experience that straddled the line between fantasy, thriller, and gothic horror. And though the ending didn’t fully satisfy me, the journey was totally worth it. 🖤
Thank you to Hazel St. Lewis and Haus of Fables PR for the ARC! I can’t wait to see what comes next in this twisted, magical world! 🕯️📖🖤
August 7, 2025
This book is a damn masterpiece, it warped my entire reality and altered my brain chemistry (maybe forever?). I love a good murder mystery but most of the time it takes a while to get interesting, this one shocked me from the start and I was like physically glued to this book. The plot was so intense and thrilling, it physically hurt to put the book down and I felt so compelled to it. Every second I wasn't reading I was thinking about it and coming up with theories: who is the Specter? Who’s the phantom? Celestine works for the Specter and is an actor in his deadly games in Wolfsbane Manor. She has a connection with her Specter and they spend the night in each other’s presence, but when a mysterious Phantom poisons them and turns the game onto the cast, she needs to reveal who the Specter is to live. And she ends up uncovering the secrets of the Ashborn brothers, three hot mysterious members of the cast and there’s a lot more to them and their family history than Celestine knows. This book was filled with thrilling plot twists, and the appearance of Margot spirit was so interesting. So many secrets and I guess some of the end was unexpected but I felt like it wasn’t totally surprising. The build up was amazing, and I was hoping that the ending wouldn’t be underwhelming because of it. Thankfully it wasn’t, this book put me through every emotion imaginable and I can’t wait for the next one. The only thing that annoyed me a bit was Celestine legit lusting after 3 guys (one of which is just a voice) which I get, her options are a little limited and she’s touch deprived, but it just felt off for me. However, I think it was a genius idea to give Celestine a name that a lot of nicknames can be made from, because it’s so cute how everyone has a specific name for her. Of course, like her, Celine is my favourite. This is one of the best darkish romantic or thrillers or could be considered dark fantasy I’ve ever read and I give it a 5/5
August 13, 2025
Wolfesbane Hall—THIS. BOOK. 😱 I was absolutely hooked from page one and could not put it down. How would you between all the twists happening within this book!?
Wolfsbane Hall is everything I love in a romantasy-thriller—think Phantom of the Opera meets Moulin Rouge meets Knives Out, with a dash of Clue’s murder-mystery chaos. Im obsessed with the game Clue. And when it became a murder mystery game, I was hooked.
We follow Celestine, an actress in a haunted, sentient nightclub where every “death” must be solved to bring the victim back… until a rival Phantom crashes the show, poisons her, and gives her just three hours to unmask the Specter’s true identity. Three devastatingly handsome suspects. One is her lover, one is her best friend, one is her nemesis—and one has already betrayed her. 👀
It’s a seductive guessing game full of twists, betrayals, and villain daddies that kept me up way past my bedtime. Every time I thought I had it figured out? WRONG.
💀 Tropes you’ll love:
• Hidden Identities 🥀
• Shadow Daddy 🌑
• Three Villain Daddies 😈
• Dueling Phantoms 🎭
• Love Square ❤️🔥
• Forced Proximity 🖤
• Sentient House 🏚️
• Twists on twists 🔪
📚 Out today — prepare to be obsessed as I have.
Ever since I picked up her book, Guilded Wicked Mirrors, I have become obsessed with her writing because she just has that edge of mystery about her books that I want to keep reading to find the answers to. Thank you for writing and sharing this with us @hazelstlewis ❤️❤️
Wolfsbane Hall is everything I love in a romantasy-thriller—think Phantom of the Opera meets Moulin Rouge meets Knives Out, with a dash of Clue’s murder-mystery chaos. Im obsessed with the game Clue. And when it became a murder mystery game, I was hooked.
We follow Celestine, an actress in a haunted, sentient nightclub where every “death” must be solved to bring the victim back… until a rival Phantom crashes the show, poisons her, and gives her just three hours to unmask the Specter’s true identity. Three devastatingly handsome suspects. One is her lover, one is her best friend, one is her nemesis—and one has already betrayed her. 👀
It’s a seductive guessing game full of twists, betrayals, and villain daddies that kept me up way past my bedtime. Every time I thought I had it figured out? WRONG.
💀 Tropes you’ll love:
• Hidden Identities 🥀
• Shadow Daddy 🌑
• Three Villain Daddies 😈
• Dueling Phantoms 🎭
• Love Square ❤️🔥
• Forced Proximity 🖤
• Sentient House 🏚️
• Twists on twists 🔪
📚 Out today — prepare to be obsessed as I have.
Ever since I picked up her book, Guilded Wicked Mirrors, I have become obsessed with her writing because she just has that edge of mystery about her books that I want to keep reading to find the answers to. Thank you for writing and sharing this with us @hazelstlewis ❤️❤️
August 13, 2025
✨𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌✨
📖: Wolfsbane Hall
Celestine wants something she can never have—a specter in every sense. To survive, she continues to perform at Wolfsbane Hall.
But when her life is at stake, everything changes. The countdown begins and her time is running out to unmask the Specter and her betrayer: her best friend, her lover, or her enemy?
Tropes:
🔪Romantic fantasy thriller
🫥Hidden Identities
🌪️Twists
🎩Puppet Master
🎭Sentient House
▪️Love Square
🤺Duelling Phantoms
🦹🏻♂️Villain Daddy
🖤Shadow Daddy
🌶️: open door
The vibes of this story are immaculate, weaving elements of Phantom of the Opera, Moulin Rouge, and Knives Out with steamy trysts and dark twists. Murdēr mystery with a side of magic, manipulation, and steam? Yes please!
Wolfsbane Hall is a page-turning and engaging tale evaluating the choices we make and the perils of obsession.
I loved my time in Wolfsbane Hall, where the theatrical meets scandal with a side of sädistic games with dēadly stakes.
Huge thanks to the author and @haus.of.fables_pr for the review copy opportunity. This is my honest and voluntary review.
📖: Wolfsbane Hall
Celestine wants something she can never have—a specter in every sense. To survive, she continues to perform at Wolfsbane Hall.
But when her life is at stake, everything changes. The countdown begins and her time is running out to unmask the Specter and her betrayer: her best friend, her lover, or her enemy?
Tropes:
🔪Romantic fantasy thriller
🫥Hidden Identities
🌪️Twists
🎩Puppet Master
🎭Sentient House
▪️Love Square
🤺Duelling Phantoms
🦹🏻♂️Villain Daddy
🖤Shadow Daddy
🌶️: open door
The vibes of this story are immaculate, weaving elements of Phantom of the Opera, Moulin Rouge, and Knives Out with steamy trysts and dark twists. Murdēr mystery with a side of magic, manipulation, and steam? Yes please!
Wolfsbane Hall is a page-turning and engaging tale evaluating the choices we make and the perils of obsession.
I loved my time in Wolfsbane Hall, where the theatrical meets scandal with a side of sädistic games with dēadly stakes.
Huge thanks to the author and @haus.of.fables_pr for the review copy opportunity. This is my honest and voluntary review.
August 15, 2025
I'm not sure what I was expecting but it wasn't this. I mean, the description is pretty on target-- a Clue-style who-done-it in a magical house created by a mysterious magical entity, who forces the FMC to murder guests in order to earn her keep. It was absolutely as weird and exhausting as it sounds. But there wasn't even a lot of murder, yo! Oh and did I mention she's also in love with this magical entity but also banging half the dudes in the house because they just make her so wet all the time. Idk I love smut but this one seemed unnecessary. The ending was *kinda* a surprise I suppose, but I finished thinking, all of THAT for this? I think if you ever read an Agatha Christie book and thought "I really wish these characters were banging too", you may find this book more entertaining.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hidden Siren for an advanced copy of this book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hidden Siren for an advanced copy of this book.
July 28, 2025
4/5 Stars
Thank you for Haus of Fables for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a fun, spooky read with all the whimsical vibes that Caraval has, adding in some supernatural vibes like Phantasma and a murder mystery game like Clue. This book was a page turner for me, I wanted to know what was going on and for the mystery to be solved. I had a lot of questions that most were luckily answered by the end, however I did feel the story lacked a certain depth character and plot background wise. I also felt the spicy scenes we got were written in a way that I didn't enjoy them. I would have liked a longer, more fulfilling epilogue as well.
Otherwise, this is great if you're looking for a whimsical, spooky mystery. I had a good time reading this one.
Thank you for Haus of Fables for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a fun, spooky read with all the whimsical vibes that Caraval has, adding in some supernatural vibes like Phantasma and a murder mystery game like Clue. This book was a page turner for me, I wanted to know what was going on and for the mystery to be solved. I had a lot of questions that most were luckily answered by the end, however I did feel the story lacked a certain depth character and plot background wise. I also felt the spicy scenes we got were written in a way that I didn't enjoy them. I would have liked a longer, more fulfilling epilogue as well.
Otherwise, this is great if you're looking for a whimsical, spooky mystery. I had a good time reading this one.
August 11, 2025
I binged the heck out of this book. I mean... what an insane adventure! It was just so over the top and unhinged, and I ate it up. The drama is addicting, as is the unique setting and atmosphere. I love a book that features the setting as its own character, and Wolfsbane Manor absolutely had its own identity. There was so much drama woven throughout this book, and the turns and tricks had me guessing right along with Celestine.
This book is so bizarrely dark (in all the ways that work), and it plays well with the glamour and the drama of the characters. I quite literally trusted *nobody* and enjoyed getting to see the insanity of the side characters and all of their dramatics.
There is a part of me that wished for more at the ending and felt that it was a bit abrupt, but all things considered, I do think it fit the character's overall arc. I also believe there is more coming in this world, and I am curious and excited to see where it all goes...
This book was such a ride, and it will be perfect for those wanting to get into the fall vibe, as well as those looking for a quick and unique read! (But also as a side note: this has mature themes and content, so please be advised before reading!)
Thank you to NetGalley and Hidden Siren for the chance to read and review this ARC!
This book is so bizarrely dark (in all the ways that work), and it plays well with the glamour and the drama of the characters. I quite literally trusted *nobody* and enjoyed getting to see the insanity of the side characters and all of their dramatics.
There is a part of me that wished for more at the ending and felt that it was a bit abrupt, but all things considered, I do think it fit the character's overall arc. I also believe there is more coming in this world, and I am curious and excited to see where it all goes...
This book was such a ride, and it will be perfect for those wanting to get into the fall vibe, as well as those looking for a quick and unique read! (But also as a side note: this has mature themes and content, so please be advised before reading!)
Thank you to NetGalley and Hidden Siren for the chance to read and review this ARC!
August 8, 2025
Thank you to Haus of Fables for a eARC of Wolfsbane Hall, I am voluntarily leaving a review.
What an incredibly intriguing read.
I was really captured by the mystery and just couldn’t put this book down.
I enjoyed the twists and found myself trying to figure out the clues along with Celestine.
A murder mystery with theatrics, plot twists, heartbreak and magic.
What an incredibly intriguing read.
I was really captured by the mystery and just couldn’t put this book down.
I enjoyed the twists and found myself trying to figure out the clues along with Celestine.
A murder mystery with theatrics, plot twists, heartbreak and magic.
August 14, 2025
This was Clue and Phantom of the Opera mashed up for an amazing 1930's inspired murder mystery!
Celestine lives and works at Wolfsbane Hall as one of the actresses for their murder-mystery shows. The only catch? The murders are real, and people do die, but at the end of each night when the killer is uncovered, they come back to life. It's all made possible with the magic of The Spector. Some nights Celestine is the killer, other nights she is the one who dies, and others she is just simply a part of the show. One day, the show takes a turn when The Phantom takes over, and says that this time all the actresses' will die unless they can uncover who The Spector is within 4 hours. This is were things really started to twist and turn, and had be second guessing everything.
I absolutely loved Celestine. She is book smart, and can almost always figure out who the killer is during every show. But now she must figure out who The Spector is, and she has a feeling it's either Dean, Everett, or James. They are all related, and each has mannerisms that could make them The Spector, but each new clue points to someone else. I loved the guys, and wanted to punch them at the same time. They had been a mix between absolutely perfect at times, to being straight up asses.
The twists and turns in this book had me on the edge of my seat, and the ending has me wanting more. When I found out that this book would have crossovers with Gilded Wicked Mirrors, I cheered. I loved GWM, and can't wait for the rest of the books in the series, and to see how they cross over!
Celestine lives and works at Wolfsbane Hall as one of the actresses for their murder-mystery shows. The only catch? The murders are real, and people do die, but at the end of each night when the killer is uncovered, they come back to life. It's all made possible with the magic of The Spector. Some nights Celestine is the killer, other nights she is the one who dies, and others she is just simply a part of the show. One day, the show takes a turn when The Phantom takes over, and says that this time all the actresses' will die unless they can uncover who The Spector is within 4 hours. This is were things really started to twist and turn, and had be second guessing everything.
I absolutely loved Celestine. She is book smart, and can almost always figure out who the killer is during every show. But now she must figure out who The Spector is, and she has a feeling it's either Dean, Everett, or James. They are all related, and each has mannerisms that could make them The Spector, but each new clue points to someone else. I loved the guys, and wanted to punch them at the same time. They had been a mix between absolutely perfect at times, to being straight up asses.
The twists and turns in this book had me on the edge of my seat, and the ending has me wanting more. When I found out that this book would have crossovers with Gilded Wicked Mirrors, I cheered. I loved GWM, and can't wait for the rest of the books in the series, and to see how they cross over!
September 8, 2025
3.5 stars. Thank you for this gifted ARC from Haus of Fables. This took me a while to get into, about 30% in it finally grabbed me. The magic is a bit like in the Caraval series. The pace improves the further you are in the book. Then you encounter some nice plot twists and surprises.
July 19, 2025
This book is Phantom of the Opera meets Clue in a Murder Mystery Parlor House set in the 1930s.
Our FMC, Celestine, is a blonde bombshell who can outwit even the smartest of men. She can read murder clues as if they were simply instructions and almost always solves the murders before anyone else. Though she doesn't do well with being the murderer, she can't find it in her to set a boundary against the Specter. Her morals are what sets her apart from others within Wolfsbanes walls and are one of my favorite things about her. Even surrounded by three jaw dropping men, who each interest her in different ways, she has a secret that she will take to her grave.
The love triangle becomes a love trapezoid within these pages....
1) Dean is the oldest of a set of twins. He is stoic and contemplative. He likes to watch and see what happens, stepping in only when needed. He is a man of few words and says a lot with a twitch of his jaw or a lift of his eyebrow. He is your stereotypical "I can change him." and oh... do I want to change him. He refuses to touch Celestine and visibly winces anytime he has to do so. His aloofness and dark side intrigues our FMC, even at her own destruction.
2) Everett is the other half of our twin. He likes to stay stuck in his vices, only coming up for air when he has a role to play, that of the clever detective. Of course, he isn't the one solving anything as Celestine feeds him his lines night after night. He is here for a good time but is the only one who actually seems to care about Celestine as a friend.
3) James is the twins' cousin and inventor. He uses Celestine for her body time after time, and to be fair she uses him right back. He bounces between caring and coldheartedness at the drop of a hat, keeping you guessing as to who he is at his core.
At the core of this book you have three mysteries to solve. However, the Phantom, Specter and House are actively trying to prevent these mysteries from being solved.
1) Celestine has until the end of the night to reveal the identity of the Specter. No one has been able to do it in over 30 years and this time, there are lives on the line. Celestine and 2 other cast members are poisoned and given 5 hours to call out a name. If they get it right, the poison leaves their bodies as if it was never there. If they get it wrong, they die and this time... there's no resurrections.
2) Optional -- Discover the identity of the Phantom. This doesn't really have any play on the overall story moreso as it is to satisfy Celestine's (and ours) curiosity.
3 Semi-Optional -- Discover the identity of the murderer. A murder occurred towards the start of the night and there are 8 possible suspects. This one ties heavily into the first mystery to solve, but isn't a requirement of the poisoning.
The twists and turns in this book had me on the edge of my seat. I pride myself in figuring out the mysteries before they are revealed in the book and I am so proud to say I didn't guess a single one of them. There were some smaller reveals that occurred that I did get but WOW.
The ending will be a source of contention among readers. I agree with Celestine's choice and actions 100%, especially considering the way the men were treating her throughout the story. The cliffhanger has me wanting more and I can't wait until the next book comes out.
I didn't realize that this series connects to Gilded Wicked Mirrors and at this point, I'm not sure how It will overlap but I am eager to see how the author brings the two together. There were small offhand comments made that has piqued my interest and that I can start to see the convergence but, we shall see what happens!
Our FMC, Celestine, is a blonde bombshell who can outwit even the smartest of men. She can read murder clues as if they were simply instructions and almost always solves the murders before anyone else. Though she doesn't do well with being the murderer, she can't find it in her to set a boundary against the Specter. Her morals are what sets her apart from others within Wolfsbanes walls and are one of my favorite things about her. Even surrounded by three jaw dropping men, who each interest her in different ways, she has a secret that she will take to her grave.
The love triangle becomes a love trapezoid within these pages....
1) Dean is the oldest of a set of twins. He is stoic and contemplative. He likes to watch and see what happens, stepping in only when needed. He is a man of few words and says a lot with a twitch of his jaw or a lift of his eyebrow. He is your stereotypical "I can change him." and oh... do I want to change him. He refuses to touch Celestine and visibly winces anytime he has to do so. His aloofness and dark side intrigues our FMC, even at her own destruction.
2) Everett is the other half of our twin. He likes to stay stuck in his vices, only coming up for air when he has a role to play, that of the clever detective. Of course, he isn't the one solving anything as Celestine feeds him his lines night after night. He is here for a good time but is the only one who actually seems to care about Celestine as a friend.
3) James is the twins' cousin and inventor. He uses Celestine for her body time after time, and to be fair she uses him right back. He bounces between caring and coldheartedness at the drop of a hat, keeping you guessing as to who he is at his core.
At the core of this book you have three mysteries to solve. However, the Phantom, Specter and House are actively trying to prevent these mysteries from being solved.
1) Celestine has until the end of the night to reveal the identity of the Specter. No one has been able to do it in over 30 years and this time, there are lives on the line. Celestine and 2 other cast members are poisoned and given 5 hours to call out a name. If they get it right, the poison leaves their bodies as if it was never there. If they get it wrong, they die and this time... there's no resurrections.
2) Optional -- Discover the identity of the Phantom. This doesn't really have any play on the overall story moreso as it is to satisfy Celestine's (and ours) curiosity.
3 Semi-Optional -- Discover the identity of the murderer. A murder occurred towards the start of the night and there are 8 possible suspects. This one ties heavily into the first mystery to solve, but isn't a requirement of the poisoning.
The twists and turns in this book had me on the edge of my seat. I pride myself in figuring out the mysteries before they are revealed in the book and I am so proud to say I didn't guess a single one of them. There were some smaller reveals that occurred that I did get but WOW.
The ending will be a source of contention among readers. I agree with Celestine's choice and actions 100%, especially considering the way the men were treating her throughout the story. The cliffhanger has me wanting more and I can't wait until the next book comes out.
I didn't realize that this series connects to Gilded Wicked Mirrors and at this point, I'm not sure how It will overlap but I am eager to see how the author brings the two together. There were small offhand comments made that has piqued my interest and that I can start to see the convergence but, we shall see what happens!
August 13, 2025
▸Romantasy thriller
▸Forced proximity
▸Murder mystery
▸Hidden identities
▸Villain daddies
▸Betrayal
▸Haunted/sentient house
▸Love squares
▸Dueling phantoms
▸Twists
▸Phantom of the opera meets Clue
▸Masked men
Celestine works as an actress at Wolfsbane Hall. Wolfsbane Hall is a murder mystery club where the actors or the patrons play roles every week to solve murder mystery and it must be solved at the end of the show, because the victims who are really dead will be resurrected every time the mystery is solved. At one show, Celestine is poisoned and must solve mystery after mystery only to find out who The Specter is, the owner and master of every show at Wolfsbane Hall, because for more than 100 years no one has been able to know who the owner real identity is. Celestine only has time until midnight to find out who is The Specter, and she must not guess wrong or pass the time limit to solve the riddle, lest she will die permanently because this time, there will be no resurrection.
how could this book be so wonderful and heart-wrenching at the same time😢 this book filled with unexpected twist after twist after twist with eerie gothic atmosphere and intriguing mysteries, yeah in plural because it's not just a simple murder mystery. all the mystery itself is well-crafted and compelling and the pace was perfect because this entire story took place only around 2 days, plus the dark, dreary atmosphere enhances the tension🤯 what an amazing read indeed✨ there are many suspects and this time my deduction was not completely correct😞, the story keeps the reader guessing who is the Specter and who the Phantom is...I think this not was an easy read I mean we have to use our brains when reading it😂 like, you can't missed anything, any clue is important, we must pay every details. I loved Agatha Christie's books and the experience of reading this book was like reading her books but with paranormal twist✨
as much as I loved this book, some things made me unable to give this book 5 stars. one of them is I dislike the main characters😢 Celestine mentioned several times that she hates and sicks to acts as murderer character, and then she also has to deal with displeasing colleagues. I think 9 years is not that short, if Celestine is really sick of all that, why didn't she run away a long time ago? Is The Specter's pseudo-existence really worth her time to make her stay that long? but I'm so happy with her at the end of the book, I think it's a very good decision for her😊 if this book ends that way it's okay for me but there are still questions and mysteries that have not been revealed, I’m so looking forward for the next book in the series to see where this story leads🤩 fans of Agatha Christies, Knives Out and The Phantom of the Opera will find much to enjoy here, definitely recommended!👌✨
♥️thank you so much Hazel St. Lewis for letting me join your arc team again! I'm so grateful for the opportunity!!♥️
▸Forced proximity
▸Murder mystery
▸Hidden identities
▸Villain daddies
▸Betrayal
▸Haunted/sentient house
▸Love squares
▸Dueling phantoms
▸Twists
▸Phantom of the opera meets Clue
▸Masked men
There was only one rule at Wolfsbane Hall: every murder must be solved.
Celestine works as an actress at Wolfsbane Hall. Wolfsbane Hall is a murder mystery club where the actors or the patrons play roles every week to solve murder mystery and it must be solved at the end of the show, because the victims who are really dead will be resurrected every time the mystery is solved. At one show, Celestine is poisoned and must solve mystery after mystery only to find out who The Specter is, the owner and master of every show at Wolfsbane Hall, because for more than 100 years no one has been able to know who the owner real identity is. Celestine only has time until midnight to find out who is The Specter, and she must not guess wrong or pass the time limit to solve the riddle, lest she will die permanently because this time, there will be no resurrection.
"For now, call me Winter." His voice echoed through the pages of the books strewn throughout her room, even causing some of them to flip.
A muscle in her cheek twitched, unprepared for an actual answer.
"Winter," she whispered back, testing the name on her tongue.
"Yes, like your favorite season."
how could this book be so wonderful and heart-wrenching at the same time😢 this book filled with unexpected twist after twist after twist with eerie gothic atmosphere and intriguing mysteries, yeah in plural because it's not just a simple murder mystery. all the mystery itself is well-crafted and compelling and the pace was perfect because this entire story took place only around 2 days, plus the dark, dreary atmosphere enhances the tension🤯 what an amazing read indeed✨ there are many suspects and this time my deduction was not completely correct😞, the story keeps the reader guessing who is the Specter and who the Phantom is...I think this not was an easy read I mean we have to use our brains when reading it😂 like, you can't missed anything, any clue is important, we must pay every details. I loved Agatha Christie's books and the experience of reading this book was like reading her books but with paranormal twist✨
"I don't understand. Why are you not better? You solved the riddle. You saved everyone. You shouldn't be dying."
It was a plea, forged from heartbreak.
"I was always dying." Her breaths rattled.
as much as I loved this book, some things made me unable to give this book 5 stars. one of them is I dislike the main characters😢 Celestine mentioned several times that she hates and sicks to acts as murderer character, and then she also has to deal with displeasing colleagues. I think 9 years is not that short, if Celestine is really sick of all that, why didn't she run away a long time ago? Is The Specter's pseudo-existence really worth her time to make her stay that long? but I'm so happy with her at the end of the book, I think it's a very good decision for her😊 if this book ends that way it's okay for me but there are still questions and mysteries that have not been revealed, I’m so looking forward for the next book in the series to see where this story leads🤩 fans of Agatha Christies, Knives Out and The Phantom of the Opera will find much to enjoy here, definitely recommended!👌✨
♥️thank you so much Hazel St. Lewis for letting me join your arc team again! I'm so grateful for the opportunity!!♥️
August 14, 2025
📖𝙒𝙤𝙡𝙛𝙨𝙗𝙖𝙣𝙚 𝙃𝙖𝙡𝙡
📝𝖧𝖺𝗓𝖾𝗅 𝖲𝗍. 𝖫𝖾𝗐𝗂𝗌
❥𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦: 𝙵𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝 𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝙳𝚞𝚘𝚕𝚘𝚐𝚢
❥𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘: 𝙰𝚍𝚞𝚕𝚝 𝚁𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚜𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚛𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚛
❥𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: 𝙰𝚞𝚐𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝟷𝟹𝚝𝚑 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟻
❥𝗣𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗡𝗨𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥: 𝟹𝟸𝟸 𝚙𝚊𝚐𝚎𝚜
❥𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗘: 𝚈𝚎𝚜🌶️
𝐖𝐎𝐋𝐅𝐒𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋 is an adult romantic fantasy thriller and it will appeal to fans of Butcher and Blackbird’s twisty, dark romance and Belladonna’s manor-house mystery. It is a mash-up between Phantom of the Opera, Moulin Rouge, and Knives Out. If you enjoy books with hidden identities, forced proximity, villain daddies, betrayal, a haunted house, and love squares, you will love this story.
➜𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨💭🧐
Thank you so much to Hazel St. Lewis & RR Book Tours for my #gifted copy of 𝙒𝙤𝙡𝙛𝙨𝙗𝙖𝙣𝙚 𝙃𝙖𝙡𝙡! This review is comprised entirely of my own thoughts & opinions, & is based on the copy I received.
I loved loved LOVED this so much! Hazel does it again with Wolfsbane Hall! When I say this book was a wild ride from start to finish, I mean this book was an absolute mindf*ck to read and I couldn’t put it down because I NEEDED to know the answers to all my questions (which I had so many of!)!
We follow Celestine in this book as she tries to solve the mystery of who the Specter is at Wolfsbane Hall. Wolfsbane Hall is a mürder mystery house - the one rule of Wolfsbane Hall? Every mürder must be solved. One night, the mysterious Phantom takes over the show, and Celestine and some of her fellow cast mates are pöisoned. In order to stop the pöison from working its way through their system, they must solve the Phantom’s question of who the Specter of Wolfsbane Hall is.
The three MMCs of this book are Dean, James, and Everett Ashbrook - the Phantom is determined to air out the Ashbrook family’s dirty laundry and we are just along for the ride - and what a ride it is! As we go along with Celestine, we find out some of the gritty secrets and betrayals of the Ashbrook family - I won’t go into details because I don’t want to spoil anything but it’s WILD!
I was GLUED to this book! I loved the mystery aspect of it and there were several we were trying to figure out - who the specter is, who the phantom is, and who in the world is going around k!lling people. I feel like this book was a really intricate puzzle and every single piece of information was so important. I loved how all the details came together in the end, and how everything ended up fitting together! I thought I knew what direction the mystery was going in, but at the end, it took a left turn and didn’t turn out the way I thought it would!
I definitely have a favorite MMC - I’ll just leave it at that LOL. I don’t do well sometimes with love triangles/squares simply because I always choose the wrong MMC but I think I have it right in this one! The chemistry between these two is undeniable and their connection seems deeper to me than it is with the other two. I loved the way this book ended, and I love the choice that our girl Celestine made. I’m really intrigued to see where we go from here and how the romance piece of the story is going to play out, but her growth in this book was my favorite part! We see her go from this people pleasing woman, to a very strong willed and confident woman who makes the decision for herself! I felt so empowered by her growth!
This was just so good. I loved it so much! It would be a really great book to add to your spooky season TBR and it’s just an amazing read overall! Everything fit together so well, the romance was amazing, and this is definitely a top read of the year for me!
➜𝘼𝙙𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙏𝘽𝙍 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚:
🎭Hidden Identities
🖤Shadow Daddy
🔥Three Villain Daddies
🎭Dueling Phantoms
🖤Love Square
🔥Forced Proximity
🎭Sentient House
🖤Twists
༻❤︎︎༺
📝𝖧𝖺𝗓𝖾𝗅 𝖲𝗍. 𝖫𝖾𝗐𝗂𝗌
❥𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦: 𝙵𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝 𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝙳𝚞𝚘𝚕𝚘𝚐𝚢
❥𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘: 𝙰𝚍𝚞𝚕𝚝 𝚁𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚜𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚛𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚛
❥𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: 𝙰𝚞𝚐𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝟷𝟹𝚝𝚑 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟻
❥𝗣𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗡𝗨𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥: 𝟹𝟸𝟸 𝚙𝚊𝚐𝚎𝚜
❥𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗘: 𝚈𝚎𝚜🌶️
𝐖𝐎𝐋𝐅𝐒𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋 is an adult romantic fantasy thriller and it will appeal to fans of Butcher and Blackbird’s twisty, dark romance and Belladonna’s manor-house mystery. It is a mash-up between Phantom of the Opera, Moulin Rouge, and Knives Out. If you enjoy books with hidden identities, forced proximity, villain daddies, betrayal, a haunted house, and love squares, you will love this story.
➜𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨💭🧐
Thank you so much to Hazel St. Lewis & RR Book Tours for my #gifted copy of 𝙒𝙤𝙡𝙛𝙨𝙗𝙖𝙣𝙚 𝙃𝙖𝙡𝙡! This review is comprised entirely of my own thoughts & opinions, & is based on the copy I received.
I loved loved LOVED this so much! Hazel does it again with Wolfsbane Hall! When I say this book was a wild ride from start to finish, I mean this book was an absolute mindf*ck to read and I couldn’t put it down because I NEEDED to know the answers to all my questions (which I had so many of!)!
We follow Celestine in this book as she tries to solve the mystery of who the Specter is at Wolfsbane Hall. Wolfsbane Hall is a mürder mystery house - the one rule of Wolfsbane Hall? Every mürder must be solved. One night, the mysterious Phantom takes over the show, and Celestine and some of her fellow cast mates are pöisoned. In order to stop the pöison from working its way through their system, they must solve the Phantom’s question of who the Specter of Wolfsbane Hall is.
The three MMCs of this book are Dean, James, and Everett Ashbrook - the Phantom is determined to air out the Ashbrook family’s dirty laundry and we are just along for the ride - and what a ride it is! As we go along with Celestine, we find out some of the gritty secrets and betrayals of the Ashbrook family - I won’t go into details because I don’t want to spoil anything but it’s WILD!
I was GLUED to this book! I loved the mystery aspect of it and there were several we were trying to figure out - who the specter is, who the phantom is, and who in the world is going around k!lling people. I feel like this book was a really intricate puzzle and every single piece of information was so important. I loved how all the details came together in the end, and how everything ended up fitting together! I thought I knew what direction the mystery was going in, but at the end, it took a left turn and didn’t turn out the way I thought it would!
I definitely have a favorite MMC - I’ll just leave it at that LOL. I don’t do well sometimes with love triangles/squares simply because I always choose the wrong MMC but I think I have it right in this one! The chemistry between these two is undeniable and their connection seems deeper to me than it is with the other two. I loved the way this book ended, and I love the choice that our girl Celestine made. I’m really intrigued to see where we go from here and how the romance piece of the story is going to play out, but her growth in this book was my favorite part! We see her go from this people pleasing woman, to a very strong willed and confident woman who makes the decision for herself! I felt so empowered by her growth!
This was just so good. I loved it so much! It would be a really great book to add to your spooky season TBR and it’s just an amazing read overall! Everything fit together so well, the romance was amazing, and this is definitely a top read of the year for me!
➜𝘼𝙙𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙏𝘽𝙍 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚:
🎭Hidden Identities
🖤Shadow Daddy
🔥Three Villain Daddies
🎭Dueling Phantoms
🖤Love Square
🔥Forced Proximity
🎭Sentient House
🖤Twists
༻❤︎︎༺
July 20, 2025
“There was only one rule at
Wolfsbane Hall: every murder must be solved.”
Wolfsbane Hall is a Phantom of the Opera meets Clue in a magical murder mystery nightclub in 1930s San Francisco.
Celestine Sinclair, a Blonde Ingénue, was loyal and the perfect employee for her specter. But there was one thing she hated most was being a murderer.
Wolfsbane Hall was a place where patrons came to relish in becoming a part of the murder mystery shows. Celestine and the cast would drink the Specter’s elixir to allow them to use his magic to further the show.
Every murder must be solved for the victim to be resurrected again.
Then one night, everything starts to change when a mysterious and twisted voice tricks Celestine and the cast to drink a poisoned elixir. The Phantom has a new game for them. Figure out who the Specter is; if they fail or guess wrong, they’ll die forever, not to be resurrected after.
“You are all his favorite, loyal toys—too loyal for my liking. Tonight, I’m going to play a little game with you. Tonight, you are mine.”
The Ashbrooks family has many secrets, many of them will be revealed, but one question is, will you be able to trust them? Who is the Specter and Phantom? Find out August 13, 2025!
Wolfsbane Hall is an adult romantic fantasy thriller. Perfect for fans of Butcher & Blackbird and Belladonna!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hazel has done it again with this dark and twisted novel! If you loved her last release, “Gilded Wicked Mirrors,” you’ll love this!
Hazel has a way with words and makes you second-guess everything. Every word has its purpose, and every twist is intentional, but it’s up to us to uncover the truth!
Celestine was my favourite character, she was shy and innocent at first and thought of herself as weak and broken, but throughout the book, you see her grow stronger and be able to stand up and be independent and not feel she had to depend on the Ashbrooks men due to her feelings of not wanting to be alone.
From the twists and turns to second-guessing who it could be was a rollercoaster that I didn’t want to end. I had a feeling of , but was iffy on who the other could be between the personalities of the Ashbrooks. The ending had me teary-eyed and hoping it wouldn’t end how I thought it would until it took a turn that I was not expecting, but also was hoping!
My tears became happy tears when I read that there would be a sequel and I can’t wait to see what will happen next!
Thank you so much Hazel St. Lewis, Haus of Fables, and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this e-arc in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions remain my own.
Wolfsbane Hall: every murder must be solved.”
Wolfsbane Hall is a Phantom of the Opera meets Clue in a magical murder mystery nightclub in 1930s San Francisco.
Celestine Sinclair, a Blonde Ingénue, was loyal and the perfect employee for her specter. But there was one thing she hated most was being a murderer.
Wolfsbane Hall was a place where patrons came to relish in becoming a part of the murder mystery shows. Celestine and the cast would drink the Specter’s elixir to allow them to use his magic to further the show.
Every murder must be solved for the victim to be resurrected again.
Then one night, everything starts to change when a mysterious and twisted voice tricks Celestine and the cast to drink a poisoned elixir. The Phantom has a new game for them. Figure out who the Specter is; if they fail or guess wrong, they’ll die forever, not to be resurrected after.
“You are all his favorite, loyal toys—too loyal for my liking. Tonight, I’m going to play a little game with you. Tonight, you are mine.”
The Ashbrooks family has many secrets, many of them will be revealed, but one question is, will you be able to trust them? Who is the Specter and Phantom? Find out August 13, 2025!
Wolfsbane Hall is an adult romantic fantasy thriller. Perfect for fans of Butcher & Blackbird and Belladonna!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hazel has done it again with this dark and twisted novel! If you loved her last release, “Gilded Wicked Mirrors,” you’ll love this!
Hazel has a way with words and makes you second-guess everything. Every word has its purpose, and every twist is intentional, but it’s up to us to uncover the truth!
Celestine was my favourite character, she was shy and innocent at first and thought of herself as weak and broken, but throughout the book, you see her grow stronger and be able to stand up and be independent and not feel she had to depend on the Ashbrooks men due to her feelings of not wanting to be alone.
From the twists and turns to second-guessing who it could be was a rollercoaster that I didn’t want to end. I had a feeling of , but was iffy on who the other could be between the personalities of the Ashbrooks. The ending had me teary-eyed and hoping it wouldn’t end how I thought it would until it took a turn that I was not expecting, but also was hoping!
My tears became happy tears when I read that there would be a sequel and I can’t wait to see what will happen next!
Thank you so much Hazel St. Lewis, Haus of Fables, and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this e-arc in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions remain my own.
August 8, 2025
“Wolfsbane Hall” is a spicy Romantasy Thriller and the first in a duology by Hazel St Lewis. Written as a Poirot mystery, “Phantom of the Opera” meets “Clue” as debauchery and immortals descend on a Murder Mystery Club, where the cast becomes the victims and one woman tries to solve the case and save them all before it's too late. There is a content warning page due to situations of 💀, past unalivings, and trauma.
Celestine’s character is heartbreaking in a way that you just want better for her. She wants to be loved and cared for in a world and time that’s placed her in unwinnable circumstances, and she accepts that as her way of life. She often takes the path of least resistance, even being the 🔪 when it ravages her body. My heart broke for her, wishing I could “poof” myself into the story to give her the friend she needs. Seeing her begin to advocate for herself was redeeming. She reminded me of Satine from “Moulin Rouge”, accepting her position as a courtesan as it was adjacent to her dream and her fiery determination to control her future and all it entailed.
“Wolfsbane Hall” has a healthy spice level of a 🌶️🌶️.5. Celestine has a healthy view on intercourse and accepts it for various purposes. She doesn’t shy from it and enjoys the release and distraction it can provide. There are multiple demonstrations throughout the story of the various types of love, both romantic and platonic, and not limited to the MCs. In terms of the MCs, we see a love triangle of sorts.
The mystery components of this story were well-woven. Celestine navigates twists and turns comparable to Agatha Christie. No motive, flashback, or evidence was left unturned, and she does not reveal the truth until she is certain. The truth itself was incredibly interesting, and I didn’t see it coming in its entirety.
The last few chapters each could have posed for an ending, and one itself could have posed as a great cliffhanger. It did feel like it was prolonging the inevitable, but it was good all the same. Either way, I’m curious how the second book in the duology will play out.
Celestine’s character is heartbreaking in a way that you just want better for her. She wants to be loved and cared for in a world and time that’s placed her in unwinnable circumstances, and she accepts that as her way of life. She often takes the path of least resistance, even being the 🔪 when it ravages her body. My heart broke for her, wishing I could “poof” myself into the story to give her the friend she needs. Seeing her begin to advocate for herself was redeeming. She reminded me of Satine from “Moulin Rouge”, accepting her position as a courtesan as it was adjacent to her dream and her fiery determination to control her future and all it entailed.
“Wolfsbane Hall” has a healthy spice level of a 🌶️🌶️.5. Celestine has a healthy view on intercourse and accepts it for various purposes. She doesn’t shy from it and enjoys the release and distraction it can provide. There are multiple demonstrations throughout the story of the various types of love, both romantic and platonic, and not limited to the MCs. In terms of the MCs, we see a love triangle of sorts.
The mystery components of this story were well-woven. Celestine navigates twists and turns comparable to Agatha Christie. No motive, flashback, or evidence was left unturned, and she does not reveal the truth until she is certain. The truth itself was incredibly interesting, and I didn’t see it coming in its entirety.
The last few chapters each could have posed for an ending, and one itself could have posed as a great cliffhanger. It did feel like it was prolonging the inevitable, but it was good all the same. Either way, I’m curious how the second book in the duology will play out.
August 1, 2025
3.5 🌟
I loved the premise of 𝒲𝑜𝓁𝒻𝓈𝒷𝒶𝓃𝑒 𝐻𝒶𝓁𝓁. The murder mystery 1930s vibes were really fun — it’s a mashup of so many fun things — 𝑃ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑜𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑂𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎 𝑥 𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑊𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑁𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑥 𝑀𝑢𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑂𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠.
Celestine is a beautiful young ingenue (Christine vibes for sure) who works as an actress at the Wolfsbane Hall murder mystery club where people really kill and die, but are resurrected when the mystery is solved. One night, the Phantom takes over the club from the Spectre, and the rules change.
Also involved with the club are Everett and James (twins) and their cousin Dean. All are handsome, rich men that Celestine has a connection with. Everett is her friend, James is her *friend* and Dean seems to hate her.
I really enjoyed the phantom inspired murder mystery plot. I liked that despite a mysterious ailment that makes her physically weaker than everyone else, Celestine is smart and is able to solve riddles better than anyone else at the club.
𝑊ℎ𝑦 𝐼 𝐷𝑖𝑑𝑛’𝑡 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝐻𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑒𝑟:
Although I really wanted to rate this higher, there were a few things that held it back for me. I would’ve liked a bit more character development—at times what we got felt a bit repetitive. I did totally get and appreciate that Celestine’s character is a people pleaser, and she really wants the men in her life to be proud of her and happy with her… at times it was a bit much. It seemed like she consistently had a *certain* immediate reaction to the hot men surrounding, which I felt could’ve been handled with a bit more nuance or variation. While I really liked the murder mystery element, I thought the overt mention of everyone being responsible in 𝑀𝑢𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑂𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 made the outcome a bit too evident.
𝒲𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓈𝒶𝒾𝒹…
I would still absolutely read the second book. The ending definitely sets us up for an interesting book two and while I have my theories, I’m curious to see where it goes!
Thank you to Haus of Fables for this gifted e-ARC.
I loved the premise of 𝒲𝑜𝓁𝒻𝓈𝒷𝒶𝓃𝑒 𝐻𝒶𝓁𝓁. The murder mystery 1930s vibes were really fun — it’s a mashup of so many fun things — 𝑃ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑜𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑂𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎 𝑥 𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑊𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑁𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑥 𝑀𝑢𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑂𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠.
Celestine is a beautiful young ingenue (Christine vibes for sure) who works as an actress at the Wolfsbane Hall murder mystery club where people really kill and die, but are resurrected when the mystery is solved. One night, the Phantom takes over the club from the Spectre, and the rules change.
Also involved with the club are Everett and James (twins) and their cousin Dean. All are handsome, rich men that Celestine has a connection with. Everett is her friend, James is her *friend* and Dean seems to hate her.
I really enjoyed the phantom inspired murder mystery plot. I liked that despite a mysterious ailment that makes her physically weaker than everyone else, Celestine is smart and is able to solve riddles better than anyone else at the club.
𝑊ℎ𝑦 𝐼 𝐷𝑖𝑑𝑛’𝑡 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝐻𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑒𝑟:
Although I really wanted to rate this higher, there were a few things that held it back for me. I would’ve liked a bit more character development—at times what we got felt a bit repetitive. I did totally get and appreciate that Celestine’s character is a people pleaser, and she really wants the men in her life to be proud of her and happy with her… at times it was a bit much. It seemed like she consistently had a *certain* immediate reaction to the hot men surrounding, which I felt could’ve been handled with a bit more nuance or variation. While I really liked the murder mystery element, I thought the overt mention of everyone being responsible in 𝑀𝑢𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑂𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝐸𝑥𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 made the outcome a bit too evident.
𝒲𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓈𝒶𝒾𝒹…
I would still absolutely read the second book. The ending definitely sets us up for an interesting book two and while I have my theories, I’m curious to see where it goes!
Thank you to Haus of Fables for this gifted e-ARC.
August 17, 2025
Wolfsbane Hall is gothic fun through and through, but it’s the kind of fun that thrives on melodrama rather than depth. This one reminded me a bit of an adult The Inheritance Games in the way it keeps the main character guessing, with a closed circle of suspects and just enough family drama to muddy the waters.
Set in 1930s San Francisco, the story drops you into a crumbling, sinister estate full of secrets, betrayals, and supernatural oddities. From the moment the heroine arrives on page, the tension is high, the bodies start dropping, and the whispers of a sentient house loom in the background. It’s fast, dramatic, and wildly entertaining, but it never lets the mood settle for long.
That said, this isn’t a story that lingers in nuance. The characters often feel exaggerated, leaning more toward caricature than layered individuals, and the constant heightened tone means there’s very little quiet space for subtlety or emotional resonance. But that's one of the hallmarks of gothic books, and I wish the quiet, eerie vibes had been increased rather than there being a constant spectacle. More telenovella than gothic vibes at times. The villains twirl their proverbial mustaches, the family drama never digs quite as deep as it could, and the entire book feels pitched at maximum intensity at breakneck speed. It’s compulsively readable but not particularly reflective.
The real star here is the atmosphere. The house itself is a fun character, and the mashup of murder mystery with gothic romance vibes is undeniably stylish. If you’re in the mood for a fast-paced, over-the-top gothic romp, something more in line with soap opera thrills than slow-burn character study, Wolfsbane Hall scratches that itch. Personally, I found myself wishing for more depth and subtlety, but as a dark, entertaining escape, it’s hard to deny the ride.
Thanks so much to the author and Haus of Fables for the gifted copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
Set in 1930s San Francisco, the story drops you into a crumbling, sinister estate full of secrets, betrayals, and supernatural oddities. From the moment the heroine arrives on page, the tension is high, the bodies start dropping, and the whispers of a sentient house loom in the background. It’s fast, dramatic, and wildly entertaining, but it never lets the mood settle for long.
That said, this isn’t a story that lingers in nuance. The characters often feel exaggerated, leaning more toward caricature than layered individuals, and the constant heightened tone means there’s very little quiet space for subtlety or emotional resonance. But that's one of the hallmarks of gothic books, and I wish the quiet, eerie vibes had been increased rather than there being a constant spectacle. More telenovella than gothic vibes at times. The villains twirl their proverbial mustaches, the family drama never digs quite as deep as it could, and the entire book feels pitched at maximum intensity at breakneck speed. It’s compulsively readable but not particularly reflective.
The real star here is the atmosphere. The house itself is a fun character, and the mashup of murder mystery with gothic romance vibes is undeniably stylish. If you’re in the mood for a fast-paced, over-the-top gothic romp, something more in line with soap opera thrills than slow-burn character study, Wolfsbane Hall scratches that itch. Personally, I found myself wishing for more depth and subtlety, but as a dark, entertaining escape, it’s hard to deny the ride.
Thanks so much to the author and Haus of Fables for the gifted copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
July 31, 2025
Picture this. You're walking into what you think is just another murder mystery show where a character dies and you (the guest) must play detective and solve the murder with the cast members. But there is a twist... When someone "dies" in the show, they actually die in real life. And if you can't solve the case, they stay dead. Forever.
This is the life Celestine lives as an actress at this fancy 1930s magical murder mystery club. She's either forced to kill to provide entertainment for the guests, or race against the clock to assist them in finding the killer. It couldn't be worse, right? Wrong. One night, everything changes. The mysterious Specter, the voice who pulls all the strings, has disappeared. Now, this mysterious 'Phantom,' has officially taken over and poisoned Celestine and the other cast members. Not only do they need to solve a murder, but their main objective is to unmask Specter, (and Phantom) before time runs out and the poison kills them.
I could not put this book down! I finished it in just a few nights and it left me thinking about it for days after. I loved the dark mysterious vibe of Dean, the sweetness and slightly unhinged behavior from James, and the weird quirkiness from Everette that just, kind of made sense. I wasn't sure who Celestine would choose, if she even decided to choose, but I definitely had my heart set on one specific MC.
Hazel St Lewis did it again, I loved this book (though Gilded Wicked Mirrors is still my favorite, but not by much)! The twist and turns held me captive and I needed to know who Phantom and Specter were for my own sanity. Without giving it away, the ending was unexpected and I wished it was different, but I'm excited to see if/how these characters make an appearance in Hazels later books.
Thank you for an ARC!
This is the life Celestine lives as an actress at this fancy 1930s magical murder mystery club. She's either forced to kill to provide entertainment for the guests, or race against the clock to assist them in finding the killer. It couldn't be worse, right? Wrong. One night, everything changes. The mysterious Specter, the voice who pulls all the strings, has disappeared. Now, this mysterious 'Phantom,' has officially taken over and poisoned Celestine and the other cast members. Not only do they need to solve a murder, but their main objective is to unmask Specter, (and Phantom) before time runs out and the poison kills them.
I could not put this book down! I finished it in just a few nights and it left me thinking about it for days after. I loved the dark mysterious vibe of Dean, the sweetness and slightly unhinged behavior from James, and the weird quirkiness from Everette that just, kind of made sense. I wasn't sure who Celestine would choose, if she even decided to choose, but I definitely had my heart set on one specific MC.
Hazel St Lewis did it again, I loved this book (though Gilded Wicked Mirrors is still my favorite, but not by much)! The twist and turns held me captive and I needed to know who Phantom and Specter were for my own sanity. Without giving it away, the ending was unexpected and I wished it was different, but I'm excited to see if/how these characters make an appearance in Hazels later books.
Thank you for an ARC!
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