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Thornby Manor: The spellbinding, intoxicating new debut historical mystery…
Not yet published
Expected 23 Apr 26Penniless and newly orphaned Briar Monroe finds shelter at Thornby Manor, a brooding estate above a mist-shrouded lake. But whispers of a dead wife, an estranged son and locked-away secrets haunt its corridors … Atmospheric, intoxicating and laced with peril – a spellbinding historical mystery of love, betrayal, obsession and a house that will not release its past…
Warwickshire, 1891. Recently orphaned and left destitute, Briar Monroe accepts the protection of Lord Danville and the shadowed sanctuary of Thornby Manor. The great house looms above a mist-shrouded lake, its corridors heavy with secrets – not least the mysterious death of Lady Elizabeth Danville, and the unspoken tensions between her formidable widower and his magnetic son, Gabriel.
As Briar navigates the undercurrents of a household ruled by watchful servants and locked doors, she is drawn ever deeper into a web of suspicion, desire and fear. Whispers in the night, figures at windows, and a constant sense of being watched leave her questioning not only the truth about Thornby, but her own safety within its walls.
Atmospheric, intoxicating and laced with peril, Thornby Manor is a gothic tale of betrayal, obsession and a house that never forgets.
A simmering, haunting debut for readers who loved Jane Eyre, Rebecca, The Woman in White and The Silent Companions
Warwickshire, 1891. Recently orphaned and left destitute, Briar Monroe accepts the protection of Lord Danville and the shadowed sanctuary of Thornby Manor. The great house looms above a mist-shrouded lake, its corridors heavy with secrets – not least the mysterious death of Lady Elizabeth Danville, and the unspoken tensions between her formidable widower and his magnetic son, Gabriel.
As Briar navigates the undercurrents of a household ruled by watchful servants and locked doors, she is drawn ever deeper into a web of suspicion, desire and fear. Whispers in the night, figures at windows, and a constant sense of being watched leave her questioning not only the truth about Thornby, but her own safety within its walls.
Atmospheric, intoxicating and laced with peril, Thornby Manor is a gothic tale of betrayal, obsession and a house that never forgets.
A simmering, haunting debut for readers who loved Jane Eyre, Rebecca, The Woman in White and The Silent Companions
- GenresGothicHistorical Fiction
Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 23, 2026
2 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
5 stars for this absolutely beautifully dark, historical, gothic mystery!
Thornby Manor was given a presence all of its very own, I felt as if I was transported through these pages and that I had landed squarely in front of this intimidating building that is shrouded in mist and mystery.
These characters are so fully realised, I could easily imagine them in my minds eye! They are deep and leave long lasting impressions even once the story has finished.. I still want to know more about them! I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to their story.
I LOVE the historical period the book is set in, with modernised language to match, it was done to perfection. The beautiful mix of glittering high society, the subtle insults and heated retorts are written so well! All with a gothic undertone, that really showcased the dire situation that women found themselves to be in if found to be acting either side of the dictated parameters for ‘normal behaviour’, the expression of feminist rage to be labelled something unsavoury to society for just having an opinion or for not having money, and not just women, but those that were found of unsound mind with very little reason for incarceration. You could feel the fear of the asylum, of labels that could have you shunned from society as a whole.
This book is what I have been CRAVING in a novel, I loved it so much that I had to try to pace myself because I was devouring these pages too quickly and I didn’t want it to end. I was totally enraptured by trying to figure out the answers to the dark and twisted mysteries surrounding Thornby Manor, I was shocked at every twist and turn! I loved the fact it kept me on my toes and kept me guessing right until the end!
Thank you so much for letting me be an early reader for this stunning book!
Thornby Manor was given a presence all of its very own, I felt as if I was transported through these pages and that I had landed squarely in front of this intimidating building that is shrouded in mist and mystery.
These characters are so fully realised, I could easily imagine them in my minds eye! They are deep and leave long lasting impressions even once the story has finished.. I still want to know more about them! I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to their story.
I LOVE the historical period the book is set in, with modernised language to match, it was done to perfection. The beautiful mix of glittering high society, the subtle insults and heated retorts are written so well! All with a gothic undertone, that really showcased the dire situation that women found themselves to be in if found to be acting either side of the dictated parameters for ‘normal behaviour’, the expression of feminist rage to be labelled something unsavoury to society for just having an opinion or for not having money, and not just women, but those that were found of unsound mind with very little reason for incarceration. You could feel the fear of the asylum, of labels that could have you shunned from society as a whole.
This book is what I have been CRAVING in a novel, I loved it so much that I had to try to pace myself because I was devouring these pages too quickly and I didn’t want it to end. I was totally enraptured by trying to figure out the answers to the dark and twisted mysteries surrounding Thornby Manor, I was shocked at every twist and turn! I loved the fact it kept me on my toes and kept me guessing right until the end!
Thank you so much for letting me be an early reader for this stunning book!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
‘The air grew thicker and the sky grew darker, and there – suddenly – was Thornby Manor. I would never forget the first time I saw it. It emerged from the fog like a monolith carved from a rock face: an imposing edifice of slate-grey brick smothered in a mass of impenetrable vines, whose twisted talons were embedded deep within the stone. It was impossible to fathom its depth. Its twin turrets seemed to pierce the clowds as I was guided beneath their summit towards a heavy oak door.’
In the mid-nineteenth century, Wilkie Collins et al domesticated the Gothic novel, bringing those dark secrets home from the sublime landscapes of Western Europe.
With THORNBY MANOR, Stephanie Bramwell-Lawes writes in the Collins tradition, proving his maxim that ‘nothing in this world is hidden forever’.
Briar Monroe becomes embroiled in a dark labyrinth of secrets, betrayal and madness as her own past threatens to engulf her, as she investigates the mysterious death of Lady Danville.
This is a novel written with a keen love and understanding of the nineteenth-century Gothic novel, honouring the form, but adding a fresh emotional intensity to events. A terrific debut novel.
In the mid-nineteenth century, Wilkie Collins et al domesticated the Gothic novel, bringing those dark secrets home from the sublime landscapes of Western Europe.
With THORNBY MANOR, Stephanie Bramwell-Lawes writes in the Collins tradition, proving his maxim that ‘nothing in this world is hidden forever’.
Briar Monroe becomes embroiled in a dark labyrinth of secrets, betrayal and madness as her own past threatens to engulf her, as she investigates the mysterious death of Lady Danville.
This is a novel written with a keen love and understanding of the nineteenth-century Gothic novel, honouring the form, but adding a fresh emotional intensity to events. A terrific debut novel.
January 23, 2026
A twisty gothic novel set in a Victorian manor house, with both mist and unsettling rumours swirling around.
Briar Monroe leaves London to begin a trip with her Aunt, but a change of plans leaves her at Thornby Manor. Both the staff and the man of the house, Lord Danville, are clearly hiding something from their unexpected guest.
Briar was a great character, a strong and outspoken woman at a time where this behaviour was not acceptable - and could even land her in an asylum. I loved that her strength was not just in making herself heard, but in her compassion for others.
I flew through this novel and it was an easy four star read. I would have liked more of the Briar/Gabriel story and there were a few loose ends around the Governess but maybe that’s for a sequel/prequel? For a debut novel this is a banger!
There are obvious similarities to Jane Eyre, Rebecca, and The Silent Companions and I would recommend to fans of that vibe. Perfect for a dark and rainy night.
Thank you to Orenda Books for an ARC. I look forward to seeing what’s next from Stephanie Bramwell-Lawes!
Briar Monroe leaves London to begin a trip with her Aunt, but a change of plans leaves her at Thornby Manor. Both the staff and the man of the house, Lord Danville, are clearly hiding something from their unexpected guest.
Briar was a great character, a strong and outspoken woman at a time where this behaviour was not acceptable - and could even land her in an asylum. I loved that her strength was not just in making herself heard, but in her compassion for others.
I flew through this novel and it was an easy four star read. I would have liked more of the Briar/Gabriel story and there were a few loose ends around the Governess but maybe that’s for a sequel/prequel? For a debut novel this is a banger!
There are obvious similarities to Jane Eyre, Rebecca, and The Silent Companions and I would recommend to fans of that vibe. Perfect for a dark and rainy night.
Thank you to Orenda Books for an ARC. I look forward to seeing what’s next from Stephanie Bramwell-Lawes!
February 6, 2026
This was utterly addictive and gloriously atmospheric!!
From start to very end, the Victorian setting of this thrilling gothic Mystery was sublime. I made a point to NOT rush through this one, because the imagery used was magnificent!
From the very beginning chapter, we could feel the questions building, the strain of the main characters emotions as they dealt with various things. Even without knowing the whole at the start, the inner turmoil was clear to be felt right down to your bones.
I had questions from start to end, the story moving at a great pace with a writing style that transported you through time. At times I had to blink a few times when spoken to, just to bring myself back to the here and now!
Twists and turns from start to finish, a story that just pulled me along for the ride, and imagery to die for. What more can we want from a story?
If you haven’t preordered it yet, DO because you won’t want to miss this!
From start to very end, the Victorian setting of this thrilling gothic Mystery was sublime. I made a point to NOT rush through this one, because the imagery used was magnificent!
From the very beginning chapter, we could feel the questions building, the strain of the main characters emotions as they dealt with various things. Even without knowing the whole at the start, the inner turmoil was clear to be felt right down to your bones.
I had questions from start to end, the story moving at a great pace with a writing style that transported you through time. At times I had to blink a few times when spoken to, just to bring myself back to the here and now!
Twists and turns from start to finish, a story that just pulled me along for the ride, and imagery to die for. What more can we want from a story?
If you haven’t preordered it yet, DO because you won’t want to miss this!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This debut novel is exceptional. It had me hooked from page one. Briar Monroe is left penniless after the death of her parents and due to her aunts illness ends up at Thornby Manor in Warwickshire. This dark, gloomy imposing edifice of a house is not all it's appears to be and holds many secrets. There is a persistent sense of foreboding and suspense. What happened to Lady Danvill. Teaming up with Gabriel Danville, the son Briar is determined to find the truth. It features scenes of madness, distress and darkness. The setting of the house is isolated and gloomy with a constant mist which adds to the grim atmosphere of the story. Reminiscent of JaneEyre, Wuthering Heights, and Silent Companions it is avtruly great debut novel. I look forward to reading more from this talented author.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
If you like a good gothic mystery, this is definitely worth reading. It's the late 19th century and Briar is recently orphaned and left destitute. She heads off to meet her aunt to go travelling but ends up staying in the house of her aunt's friend. There's mystery surrounding the friend and the position of the governess who acts like the lady of the household. Absolutely loved this.
February 6, 2026
Thank you @orendabooks @bramwelllawes for this beautiful haunting eARC. I read that this book is for people who love Jane Eyre, Rebecca & The Woman in White, all books I love so I was so excited when I got an advance reader copy of Thornby Manor. I couldn’t put it down. Such an atmospheric read, the description of the fog engulfing the manor, you could sense a haunting story that was going to unravel. I do wonder if there will be a follow up because without giving anything away it left me wanting more. Definitely a book I’d read again. 5/5 stars. Published 23rd April 2026.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews