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Ruby Vaughn #4
The Lost Souls of Saint Oda's
Jess Armstrong’s USA Today Bestselling and award winning Ruby Vaughn Mysteries return in The Lost Souls of Saint Oda’s
1923. American heiress Ruby Vaughn hoped the new year would bring less murder and far less of the occult, allowing her to spend her days at the rare book shop she runs alongside her octogenarian employer, and exploring her fledgling romance with Ruan Kivell, the intriguing folk healing Pellar she met in Cornwall. But fate often has other plans. Ruby has long believed her entire family died when the Lusitania sank in 1915, however when her solicitor brings news that her mother inexplicably survived the catastrophe and he believes he’s found her in a Belgian hospital just across the channel, Ruby dares not hope it’s true. For if there’s one thing Ruby Vaughn knows, it is that hope is the surest way to a broken heart.
With trepidation, Ruby and Ruan set off for Belgium with a simple task―to go to the hospital at Saint Oda’s priory, find her mother, and bring her home. However, upon her arrival at the priory, Ruby learns the woman they sought had died and been hastily buried days before. Stunned, Ruby refuses to believe that her mother is truly gone. Perhaps it is her jaded heart, or all the time she’s spent lady detectiving as her employer, Mr. Owen, calls it, but the more Ruby inquires into the woman’s fate, the more suspicious the death becomes and Ruby and Ruan fear that both the occult and murder are at work in Belgium. As Ruby unfurls the mystery surrounding the woman, she finds more missing souls and a sinister secret that has been simmering at Saint Oda’s since the Great War and it’s up to Ruby to find the truth.
1923. American heiress Ruby Vaughn hoped the new year would bring less murder and far less of the occult, allowing her to spend her days at the rare book shop she runs alongside her octogenarian employer, and exploring her fledgling romance with Ruan Kivell, the intriguing folk healing Pellar she met in Cornwall. But fate often has other plans. Ruby has long believed her entire family died when the Lusitania sank in 1915, however when her solicitor brings news that her mother inexplicably survived the catastrophe and he believes he’s found her in a Belgian hospital just across the channel, Ruby dares not hope it’s true. For if there’s one thing Ruby Vaughn knows, it is that hope is the surest way to a broken heart.
With trepidation, Ruby and Ruan set off for Belgium with a simple task―to go to the hospital at Saint Oda’s priory, find her mother, and bring her home. However, upon her arrival at the priory, Ruby learns the woman they sought had died and been hastily buried days before. Stunned, Ruby refuses to believe that her mother is truly gone. Perhaps it is her jaded heart, or all the time she’s spent lady detectiving as her employer, Mr. Owen, calls it, but the more Ruby inquires into the woman’s fate, the more suspicious the death becomes and Ruby and Ruan fear that both the occult and murder are at work in Belgium. As Ruby unfurls the mystery surrounding the woman, she finds more missing souls and a sinister secret that has been simmering at Saint Oda’s since the Great War and it’s up to Ruby to find the truth.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published November 3, 2026
About the author
Jess Armstrong
9 books522 followersJess Armstrong is the USA Today best selling author of the Ruby Vaughn Mysteries. Her debut novel, The Curse of Penryth Hall, won the Mystery Writers of America/Minotaur First Crime Novel Competition. She has a masters degree in American History but prefers writing about imaginary people to the real thing. Jess lives in New Orleans with her historian husband, two sons and an ever growing number of pets and plants. And when she’s not working on her next project, she’s probably thinking about cheese, baking, on social media or some combination of the above.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
July 29, 2026
This was the most Ruby-centric mystery yet. She’s the MC, of course, but this book revolved entirely around her and her past. The stakes felt higher and the action more intense. I cannot wait for the next book! Thanks to Minotaur for the arc.
I received a physical arc as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
I received a physical arc as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ruby is back on another dangerous adventure, but this time it's personal and close to the heart. Her and Ruan are off to St. Oda in hope of reuniting with her presumed to be dead mother, but what awaits them there is darker and more sinister than a happy family reunion. Bodies seem to pile up wherever Ruby goes and St. Oda is no different.
There's a powerful force at play, secrets hidden by the staff, and someone who wants Ruby to stop snooping. Is that enough to stop her sleuthing? Never! Our sleuthing queen is headstrong and she will stop at nothing until she uncovers the secrets and monsters before her.
There's a powerful force at play, secrets hidden by the staff, and someone who wants Ruby to stop snooping. Is that enough to stop her sleuthing? Never! Our sleuthing queen is headstrong and she will stop at nothing until she uncovers the secrets and monsters before her.
November 9, 2026
THE LOST SOULS OF SAINT ODA’S is the fourth installment in Jess Armstrong’s series featuring Ruby Vaughn, a former New York socialite who was exiled to Europe after a scandal. She volunteered in the Great War and is now living in Exeter, England, running an antiquarian bookshop with her best friend, Mr. Owen.
The past six months have seen Ruby solving mysteries with the help of Mr. Owen and Ruan Kivell, whom she met in the first novel, THE CURSE OF PENRYTH HALL. It's February 1923, and while the Great War is long over, the shadows of the tragedies endured from it are still ever-present in the minds of many, including Ruby and Ruan.
This series is definitely one that needs to be read from the beginning to better understand the evolution of the characters, their relationships, and Ruby's changing attitude toward all things supernatural. Ruan is a pellar, also known as a witch. In the three previous books, he has healed Ruby's wounds that she received in the course of investigating murders and other mayhem. He also has the ability to hear what she is thinking.
An overarching theme of these novels is that Ruby's parents and sister were killed when the Lusitania sank. In THE DEVIL IN OXFORD, Ruby got a message from someone who claimed that her mother had survived the tragedy. Now, she is traveling to the small village of Saint Oda's in Belgium to investigate if her mother might be the person who was found drifting in the North Sea weeks after the sinking of the Lusitania.
THE LOST SOULS OF SAINT ODA’S is a bit darker than the previous entries as the danger is apparent from the moment they arrive in Saint Oda's. The proprietor of the boarding house where they're staying informs them that it's not safe to wander at night. “People have a habit of...getting lost here.” And indeed, we soon discover that several people from the nearby priory/psychiatric hospital have gone missing. That is in addition to the ones who have died, seemingly of natural causes. Several are rumored to have drowned in the lake.
The warning signs are clear: Men talking in hushed whispers about people dying, telling Ruby that she should not be there. She is told that her mother died, and there was another person who passed away that night. But then she meets a strange young girl who drops a small doll and disappears. A brown hare appears where she had been standing. So we are left to wonder if the child is real.
There are many characters who seem to be possible villains, but their innocence is apparent retrospectively when they are killed. And while the murderer must be human, Ruby senses something otherworldly in the air. The mystery is gripping as we realize that there is someone besides Ruan with special abilities, but we don't know who. Ruby herself has some paranormal talents and has been able to foresee the deaths of people. It’s not necessarily a wonderful gift, but it's hers. All of their gifts are needed in Saint Oda's if they are to find out its secrets. Who is murdering people? Is Ruby's mother really dead? If not, where is she? Is the girl Ruby saw the missing Manon, whose mother drowned in the lake? Or is she a ghost?
The suspense builds and builds, and we really don't know good from evil until almost the very (ironic) end. But it all makes perfect sense, and the conclusion will change the trajectory of future books in the series. In fact, Armstrong provides us with that direction at the end.
For those who enjoy twisty murder mysteries, historical fiction, the paranormal, and tales about family, friends and romance, this is a lovely series. Armstrong's ability to create a riveting plot with three quite likable main characters makes it a favorite.
Reviewed by Pamela Kramer
The past six months have seen Ruby solving mysteries with the help of Mr. Owen and Ruan Kivell, whom she met in the first novel, THE CURSE OF PENRYTH HALL. It's February 1923, and while the Great War is long over, the shadows of the tragedies endured from it are still ever-present in the minds of many, including Ruby and Ruan.
This series is definitely one that needs to be read from the beginning to better understand the evolution of the characters, their relationships, and Ruby's changing attitude toward all things supernatural. Ruan is a pellar, also known as a witch. In the three previous books, he has healed Ruby's wounds that she received in the course of investigating murders and other mayhem. He also has the ability to hear what she is thinking.
An overarching theme of these novels is that Ruby's parents and sister were killed when the Lusitania sank. In THE DEVIL IN OXFORD, Ruby got a message from someone who claimed that her mother had survived the tragedy. Now, she is traveling to the small village of Saint Oda's in Belgium to investigate if her mother might be the person who was found drifting in the North Sea weeks after the sinking of the Lusitania.
THE LOST SOULS OF SAINT ODA’S is a bit darker than the previous entries as the danger is apparent from the moment they arrive in Saint Oda's. The proprietor of the boarding house where they're staying informs them that it's not safe to wander at night. “People have a habit of...getting lost here.” And indeed, we soon discover that several people from the nearby priory/psychiatric hospital have gone missing. That is in addition to the ones who have died, seemingly of natural causes. Several are rumored to have drowned in the lake.
The warning signs are clear: Men talking in hushed whispers about people dying, telling Ruby that she should not be there. She is told that her mother died, and there was another person who passed away that night. But then she meets a strange young girl who drops a small doll and disappears. A brown hare appears where she had been standing. So we are left to wonder if the child is real.
There are many characters who seem to be possible villains, but their innocence is apparent retrospectively when they are killed. And while the murderer must be human, Ruby senses something otherworldly in the air. The mystery is gripping as we realize that there is someone besides Ruan with special abilities, but we don't know who. Ruby herself has some paranormal talents and has been able to foresee the deaths of people. It’s not necessarily a wonderful gift, but it's hers. All of their gifts are needed in Saint Oda's if they are to find out its secrets. Who is murdering people? Is Ruby's mother really dead? If not, where is she? Is the girl Ruby saw the missing Manon, whose mother drowned in the lake? Or is she a ghost?
The suspense builds and builds, and we really don't know good from evil until almost the very (ironic) end. But it all makes perfect sense, and the conclusion will change the trajectory of future books in the series. In fact, Armstrong provides us with that direction at the end.
For those who enjoy twisty murder mysteries, historical fiction, the paranormal, and tales about family, friends and romance, this is a lovely series. Armstrong's ability to create a riveting plot with three quite likable main characters makes it a favorite.
Reviewed by Pamela Kramer
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Lost Souls Of Saint Odas by Jess Armstrong, Despite losing her family at the sinking of the Britannia Ruby Vaughan learns there was one survivor her mother. They found her floating on flat and Jepson in the ocean and she is now at a mental hospital in Belgium. Ruby doesn’t want to get her hopes up but when her lawyer And boyfriend Ruan tell her Lawyer Tommy has already made the plans, so she decides to go she will be hoping for the best but as always prepared for the worst. When they arrive it’s storming but after finally making it to there destination they meet their disagreeable host at the bed and breakfast. She waste no time telling Ruby and Ruan, Saintt Odas is known for people going missing something the couple will find out on their own. they also learned the hospital her mother is in is well known for the Doctor Who has his own particular method of treating his psychiatric patients but Ruby pays no mind to this. When she arrives at the hospital the next day, she wants to stop in at the hospital chapel to say a quick prayer but on her way in she hears two men arguing about a woman named Eva. Ruby doesn’t hear everything they say and essentially again blows it off until she goes inside and is greeted by the priest who she explains she’s there to see her mother. this is when the priest tells Ruby he knows exactly who she’s there to see because she looks just like her. unfortunately Ruby’s mother, the woman they referred to as eva, has saddly drowned last night in the river during the storm. from the overheard conversation to the fact Ruby is finding it hard to believe her mother drowned, because she was such a great swimmer it seems things just keep stacking up letting Ruby know there is a mystery to be solved and Ruby is going to solve it or at least die trying. I haven’t read the second and third book in this series so I was a little confused when at the beginning they talked about how Ruby lost her whole family when the ship sank but in book one I know for a fact she went to help her sister Rosie and maybe they discussed this and book one I don’t remember them doing that but there was no mention of that sister in this book it just said she lost her mother father and sister so either that was the recently event and I missed it having skipped the second and third installment IDK I do want to say I did like this book a little bit more but it seemed like this book was more in preparation for another book although I did find the mystery a good one because not all mystery books are equal some have mysteries and when you learn the culprit there’s no way you could’ve guessed that at all there’s no clues leading up to it and I found Jess Armstrong did a pretty decent job with this mystery so kudos to her. I usually lover books but think this will be my last Ruby Vaughan novel but will definitely read other books from her I do recommend it if you love paranormal mysteries and are not a big stickler for historical accuracy then you should definitely give this a try. Jess Armstrong is a legitimate author and one of my favorites I just for some reason don’t get on with this series. #Nelly, #TheBlindReviewer,#MyHonestReview,
October 27, 2026
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️ A fourth outing with a well-hidden mystery that holds until the final reveal.
In 1923, American heiress Ruby Vaughn learns her mother may have survived the sinking of the Lusitania and travels to Belgium with Ruan Kivell to find her. At the hospital at Saint Oda’s priory, she is told the woman has died, and the more Ruby asks about it, the more suspicious the death becomes.
Book four in the Ruby Vaughn series, this sequel dives straight into the heroine’s past, and an impossible reunion turns sinister. It can be read as a standalone, but readers who want the characters’ background will want to start with the earlier books. Armstrong gathers wit, romantic tension, asylums, an isolated small town, and the mystery of a missing child to concoct an adventure that’s equal parts eerie and charming.
The first part starts off fast-paced, but the middle felt dense as Armstrong delves into the relationships, with too much atmosphere at times. I was keen to find out who was behind the disappearances, but the misdirections distracted me, and it was tough to tell until the final reveal tied the mystery and the supernatural element together.
This is for fans of Enola Holmes who prefer their historical mysteries with a darker, supernatural edge.
Thank you, Minotaur Books and NetGalley, for my advance review copy. All opinions are my own.
In 1923, American heiress Ruby Vaughn learns her mother may have survived the sinking of the Lusitania and travels to Belgium with Ruan Kivell to find her. At the hospital at Saint Oda’s priory, she is told the woman has died, and the more Ruby asks about it, the more suspicious the death becomes.
Book four in the Ruby Vaughn series, this sequel dives straight into the heroine’s past, and an impossible reunion turns sinister. It can be read as a standalone, but readers who want the characters’ background will want to start with the earlier books. Armstrong gathers wit, romantic tension, asylums, an isolated small town, and the mystery of a missing child to concoct an adventure that’s equal parts eerie and charming.
The first part starts off fast-paced, but the middle felt dense as Armstrong delves into the relationships, with too much atmosphere at times. I was keen to find out who was behind the disappearances, but the misdirections distracted me, and it was tough to tell until the final reveal tied the mystery and the supernatural element together.
This is for fans of Enola Holmes who prefer their historical mysteries with a darker, supernatural edge.
Thank you, Minotaur Books and NetGalley, for my advance review copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Lost Souls of Saint Oda's is the fourth book in Jess Armstrong's Ruby Vaughn Mysteries series. I have loved this series from the start, and a new Ruby Vaughn book is a reason to rejoice! This series is a riveting mix of historical, mystery, romance and the occult. It's the perfect blend of all my favorite genres. This mystery stands alone, but you won't want to miss the events and series progression of Ruby and Ruan's relationship and Ruby's family history
1923. American heiress Ruby Vaughn hoped the new year would bring less murder and far less of the occult, allowing her to spend her days at the rare book shop she runs alongside her octogenarian employer, and exploring her fledgling romance with Ruan Kivell, the intriguing folk healing Pellar she met in Cornwall. But fate often has other plans. Ruby has long believed her entire family died when the Lusitania sank in 1915, however when her solicitor brings news that her mother inexplicably survived the catastrophe and he believes he’s found her in a Belgian hospital just across the channel, Ruby dares not hope it’s true. For if there’s one thing Ruby Vaughn knows, it is that hope is the surest way to a broken heart. With trepidation, Ruby and Ruan set off for Belgium with a simple task—to go to the hospital at Saint Oda’s priory, find her mother, and bring her home. However, upon her arrival at the priory, Ruby learns the woman they sought had died and been hastily buried days before. Stunned, Ruby refuses to believe that her mother is truly gone. Perhaps it is her jaded heart, or all the time she’s spent lady detectiving as her employer, Mr. Owen, calls it, but the more Ruby inquires into the woman’s fate, the more suspicious the death becomes and Ruby and Ruan fear that both the occult and murder are at work in Belgium. As Ruby unfurls the mystery surrounding the woman, she finds more missing souls and a sinister secret that has been simmering at Saint Oda’s since the Great War and it’s up to Ruby to find the truth.
My favorite books of the series so far have been volumes 2 and 3, but every single book is easily a five-star read. This one is no exception. The story is exceptional, the mystery exciting, but it's the characters who keep me coming back for more. Ruby Vaughn is an American who lived with her parents and sister. After a big indiscretion, Ruby was sent to England to weather the storm. She never saw her family again; they died in the sinking of the Lusitania, and Ruby was heartbroken. She often had dreams of what was to come; she saw the death of her father and sister, but never her mother. Could she possibly be still alive? Ruby has carved a home for herself in England, working in a rare book shop owed by Mr. Owen, an octogenarian with a hidden identity who has come to care for her like a daughter. And then there's Ruan Kivell, the intriguing folk healing Pellar she met in Cornwall. (Basically, Ruan is a witch who heals.) He can hear what Ruby is thinking, and he has incredible healing powers which have come in handy when dealing with Ruby! They fell in love, and are navigating their new situation.
Ruby has learned that her mother didn't actually die; she was alive and in Belgium, in a hospital at the priory of Saint Oda's. Ruby and Ruan rush to Belgium, but when they arrive Ruby is told that her mother had died while they were on the way and had just been buried. What on earth is going on? Ruby and Ruan are determined to find out what really happened; something is definitely amiss. The hospital cared for patients who were mentally ill from horrid experiences in the Great War. The patients were no longer able to leave the hospital, and there have been mysterious deaths occurring. Who was the little girl running in the woods and hiding, though she was drawn to Ruby who looked exactly like a woman named Eva? That had to be her mother! No one seemed to be totally honest here; not the doctors, the Sisters who took care of the children or the townspeople. Only the patients seemed to want to help, but they were ill; could they be believed? While they were hunting for the truth, Ruan was dealing with being back in Belgium, remembering the horror of the war he was in. And Ruby? As usual, someone was trying to kill her! When all was revealed, I was totally shocked at who actually had actually committed murders. You'll never see it coming. One of my favorite parts of the book didn't involve the mystery. Ruan had saved a chick who was being bullied by the others in the yard, and he wasn't letting the little critter go back to that danger! Supporting characters were well drawn. Mr. Owen makes an appearance, and it's always a pleasure to see him again. Manon, the little girl Ruby had helped, was brave and had something in common with Ruby's Pellar. And then there was Felix, one of the patients at Saint Oda's. His story stunned me. I loved the ending of the book...especially because I know there's more to come with Ruby and Ruan (one of my favorite couples ever). If you love historical mysteries, don't let this series pass you by!
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
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1923. American heiress Ruby Vaughn hoped the new year would bring less murder and far less of the occult, allowing her to spend her days at the rare book shop she runs alongside her octogenarian employer, and exploring her fledgling romance with Ruan Kivell, the intriguing folk healing Pellar she met in Cornwall. But fate often has other plans. Ruby has long believed her entire family died when the Lusitania sank in 1915, however when her solicitor brings news that her mother inexplicably survived the catastrophe and he believes he’s found her in a Belgian hospital just across the channel, Ruby dares not hope it’s true. For if there’s one thing Ruby Vaughn knows, it is that hope is the surest way to a broken heart. With trepidation, Ruby and Ruan set off for Belgium with a simple task—to go to the hospital at Saint Oda’s priory, find her mother, and bring her home. However, upon her arrival at the priory, Ruby learns the woman they sought had died and been hastily buried days before. Stunned, Ruby refuses to believe that her mother is truly gone. Perhaps it is her jaded heart, or all the time she’s spent lady detectiving as her employer, Mr. Owen, calls it, but the more Ruby inquires into the woman’s fate, the more suspicious the death becomes and Ruby and Ruan fear that both the occult and murder are at work in Belgium. As Ruby unfurls the mystery surrounding the woman, she finds more missing souls and a sinister secret that has been simmering at Saint Oda’s since the Great War and it’s up to Ruby to find the truth.
My favorite books of the series so far have been volumes 2 and 3, but every single book is easily a five-star read. This one is no exception. The story is exceptional, the mystery exciting, but it's the characters who keep me coming back for more. Ruby Vaughn is an American who lived with her parents and sister. After a big indiscretion, Ruby was sent to England to weather the storm. She never saw her family again; they died in the sinking of the Lusitania, and Ruby was heartbroken. She often had dreams of what was to come; she saw the death of her father and sister, but never her mother. Could she possibly be still alive? Ruby has carved a home for herself in England, working in a rare book shop owed by Mr. Owen, an octogenarian with a hidden identity who has come to care for her like a daughter. And then there's Ruan Kivell, the intriguing folk healing Pellar she met in Cornwall. (Basically, Ruan is a witch who heals.) He can hear what Ruby is thinking, and he has incredible healing powers which have come in handy when dealing with Ruby! They fell in love, and are navigating their new situation.
Ruby has learned that her mother didn't actually die; she was alive and in Belgium, in a hospital at the priory of Saint Oda's. Ruby and Ruan rush to Belgium, but when they arrive Ruby is told that her mother had died while they were on the way and had just been buried. What on earth is going on? Ruby and Ruan are determined to find out what really happened; something is definitely amiss. The hospital cared for patients who were mentally ill from horrid experiences in the Great War. The patients were no longer able to leave the hospital, and there have been mysterious deaths occurring. Who was the little girl running in the woods and hiding, though she was drawn to Ruby who looked exactly like a woman named Eva? That had to be her mother! No one seemed to be totally honest here; not the doctors, the Sisters who took care of the children or the townspeople. Only the patients seemed to want to help, but they were ill; could they be believed? While they were hunting for the truth, Ruan was dealing with being back in Belgium, remembering the horror of the war he was in. And Ruby? As usual, someone was trying to kill her! When all was revealed, I was totally shocked at who actually had actually committed murders. You'll never see it coming. One of my favorite parts of the book didn't involve the mystery. Ruan had saved a chick who was being bullied by the others in the yard, and he wasn't letting the little critter go back to that danger! Supporting characters were well drawn. Mr. Owen makes an appearance, and it's always a pleasure to see him again. Manon, the little girl Ruby had helped, was brave and had something in common with Ruby's Pellar. And then there was Felix, one of the patients at Saint Oda's. His story stunned me. I loved the ending of the book...especially because I know there's more to come with Ruby and Ruan (one of my favorite couples ever). If you love historical mysteries, don't let this series pass you by!
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
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November 9, 2026
THE LOST SOULS OF SAINT ODA’S is the fourth installment in Jess Armstrong’s series featuring Ruby Vaughn, a former New York socialite who was exiled to Europe after a scandal. She volunteered in the Great War and is now living in Exeter, England, running an antiquarian bookshop with her best friend, Mr. Owen.
The past six months have seen Ruby solving mysteries with the help of Mr. Owen and Ruan Kivell, whom she met in the first novel, THE CURSE OF PENRYTH HALL. It's February 1923, and while the Great War is long over, the shadows of the tragedies endured from it are still ever-present in the minds of many, including Ruby and Ruan.
This series is definitely one that needs to be read from the beginning to better understand the evolution of the characters, their relationships, and Ruby's changing attitude toward all things supernatural. Ruan is a pellar, also known as a witch. In the three previous books, he has healed Ruby's wounds that she received in the course of investigating murders and other mayhem. He also has the ability to hear what she is thinking.
An overarching theme of these novels is that Ruby's parents and sister were killed when the Lusitania sank. In THE DEVIL IN OXFORD, Ruby got a message from someone who claimed that her mother had survived the tragedy. Now, she is traveling to the small village of Saint Oda's in Belgium to investigate if her mother might be the person who was found drifting in the North Sea weeks after the sinking of the Lusitania.
THE LOST SOULS OF SAINT ODA’S is a bit darker than the previous entries as the danger is apparent from the moment they arrive in Saint Oda's. The proprietor of the boarding house where they're staying informs them that it's not safe to wander at night. “People have a habit of...getting lost here.” And indeed, we soon discover that several people from the nearby priory/psychiatric hospital have gone missing. That is in addition to the ones who have died, seemingly of natural causes. Several are rumored to have drowned in the lake.
The warning signs are clear: Men talking in hushed whispers about people dying, telling Ruby that she should not be there. She is told that her mother died, and there was another person who passed away that night. But then she meets a strange young girl who drops a small doll and disappears. A brown hare appears where she had been standing. So we are left to wonder if the child is real.
There are many characters who seem to be possible villains, but their innocence is apparent retrospectively when they are killed. And while the murderer must be human, Ruby senses something otherworldly in the air. The mystery is gripping as we realize that there is someone besides Ruan with special abilities, but we don't know who. Ruby herself has some paranormal talents and has been able to foresee the deaths of people. It’s not necessarily a wonderful gift, but it's hers. All of their gifts are needed in Saint Oda's if they are to find out its secrets. Who is murdering people? Is Ruby's mother really dead? If not, where is she? Is the girl Ruby saw the missing Manon, whose mother drowned in the lake? Or is she a ghost?
The suspense builds and builds, and we really don't know good from evil until almost the very (ironic) end. But it all makes perfect sense, and the conclusion will change the trajectory of future books in the series. In fact, Armstrong provides us with that direction at the end.
For those who enjoy twisty murder mysteries, historical fiction, the paranormal, and tales about family, friends and romance, this is a lovely series. Armstrong's ability to create a riveting plot with three quite likable main characters makes it a favorite.
Reviewed by Pamela Kramer
The past six months have seen Ruby solving mysteries with the help of Mr. Owen and Ruan Kivell, whom she met in the first novel, THE CURSE OF PENRYTH HALL. It's February 1923, and while the Great War is long over, the shadows of the tragedies endured from it are still ever-present in the minds of many, including Ruby and Ruan.
This series is definitely one that needs to be read from the beginning to better understand the evolution of the characters, their relationships, and Ruby's changing attitude toward all things supernatural. Ruan is a pellar, also known as a witch. In the three previous books, he has healed Ruby's wounds that she received in the course of investigating murders and other mayhem. He also has the ability to hear what she is thinking.
An overarching theme of these novels is that Ruby's parents and sister were killed when the Lusitania sank. In THE DEVIL IN OXFORD, Ruby got a message from someone who claimed that her mother had survived the tragedy. Now, she is traveling to the small village of Saint Oda's in Belgium to investigate if her mother might be the person who was found drifting in the North Sea weeks after the sinking of the Lusitania.
THE LOST SOULS OF SAINT ODA’S is a bit darker than the previous entries as the danger is apparent from the moment they arrive in Saint Oda's. The proprietor of the boarding house where they're staying informs them that it's not safe to wander at night. “People have a habit of...getting lost here.” And indeed, we soon discover that several people from the nearby priory/psychiatric hospital have gone missing. That is in addition to the ones who have died, seemingly of natural causes. Several are rumored to have drowned in the lake.
The warning signs are clear: Men talking in hushed whispers about people dying, telling Ruby that she should not be there. She is told that her mother died, and there was another person who passed away that night. But then she meets a strange young girl who drops a small doll and disappears. A brown hare appears where she had been standing. So we are left to wonder if the child is real.
There are many characters who seem to be possible villains, but their innocence is apparent retrospectively when they are killed. And while the murderer must be human, Ruby senses something otherworldly in the air. The mystery is gripping as we realize that there is someone besides Ruan with special abilities, but we don't know who. Ruby herself has some paranormal talents and has been able to foresee the deaths of people. It’s not necessarily a wonderful gift, but it's hers. All of their gifts are needed in Saint Oda's if they are to find out its secrets. Who is murdering people? Is Ruby's mother really dead? If not, where is she? Is the girl Ruby saw the missing Manon, whose mother drowned in the lake? Or is she a ghost?
The suspense builds and builds, and we really don't know good from evil until almost the very (ironic) end. But it all makes perfect sense, and the conclusion will change the trajectory of future books in the series. In fact, Armstrong provides us with that direction at the end.
For those who enjoy twisty murder mysteries, historical fiction, the paranormal, and tales about family, friends and romance, this is a lovely series. Armstrong's ability to create a riveting plot with three quite likable main characters makes it a favorite.
Reviewed by Pamela Kramer
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Lost Souls of Saint Oda’s by Jess Armstrong is a wonderfully atmospheric historical mystery that kept me guessing as the secrets piled up. And I do mean piled up! Every time I thought Ruby Vaughn was getting somewhere with her investigation, another mystery surfaced, making me question everything I thought I knew.
The story takes place in 1923 and follows Ruby, an American heiress who lost her family when the Lusitania sank in 1915. Or so she thought. When she receives news that her mother may have survived, Ruby travels to Belgium with Ruan Kivell, a Cornish folk healer, hoping for a reunion. Instead, she discovers that her mother has supposedly died just days before her arrival. The circumstances are suspicious, and Ruby isn’t about to leave without finding out what really happened.
I loved how the mystery unfolded. Rather than gradually narrowing down the suspects, it kept expanding with more missing people, suspicious deaths, and secrets buried within the walls of Saint Oda’s. Just when I thought I had a handle on things, something new would come to light. This is exactly the kind of mystery I enjoy because it gives me plenty to think about while keeping me thoroughly entertained.
The setting was another highlight for me. The Belgian priory, the lingering shadows of the Great War, and the touches of occult folklore created an atmosphere that was just creepy enough without turning the story into a horror novel. I especially enjoyed the folk healing aspect, which added something a little different to an otherwise traditional historical mystery.
Ruby’s personal connection to the investigation also made the story more compelling. I can’t imagine discovering that someone you’ve mourned for years might actually be alive, only to learn that you’ve possibly lost them all over again. There’s a lot of emotion wrapped up in that possibility, especially for someone who has already experienced so much loss. But as much as I appreciated that part of the story, I was more fascinated by what was happening at Saint Oda’s. The secrecy surrounding the institution and its history had me questioning practically everyone.
I also have to admit that I haven’t read the previous books in this series. Usually, I prefer starting at the beginning, but I had no trouble following Ruby’s latest adventure. I did find myself wanting to know more about her relationship with Ruan and how they came to be involved with the occult in the first place. So now, of course, I have another series to add to my reading list. Just what I needed! 😂
Overall, The Lost Souls of Saint Oda’s is an engaging historical mystery with a wonderfully eerie setting, plenty of secrets, and a heroine who isn’t easily discouraged. I particularly enjoyed how the mystery kept growing rather than becoming more straightforward. Armstrong managed to keep me curious about what really happened at Saint Oda’s right up until the truth began to emerge. I’m definitely looking forward to spending more time with Ruby Vaughn!
🌹 Floral Verdict: A Rose
A delightfully atmospheric historical mystery filled with buried secrets, suspicious circumstances, and just enough of the occult to make things interesting. Definitely recommended!
The story takes place in 1923 and follows Ruby, an American heiress who lost her family when the Lusitania sank in 1915. Or so she thought. When she receives news that her mother may have survived, Ruby travels to Belgium with Ruan Kivell, a Cornish folk healer, hoping for a reunion. Instead, she discovers that her mother has supposedly died just days before her arrival. The circumstances are suspicious, and Ruby isn’t about to leave without finding out what really happened.
I loved how the mystery unfolded. Rather than gradually narrowing down the suspects, it kept expanding with more missing people, suspicious deaths, and secrets buried within the walls of Saint Oda’s. Just when I thought I had a handle on things, something new would come to light. This is exactly the kind of mystery I enjoy because it gives me plenty to think about while keeping me thoroughly entertained.
The setting was another highlight for me. The Belgian priory, the lingering shadows of the Great War, and the touches of occult folklore created an atmosphere that was just creepy enough without turning the story into a horror novel. I especially enjoyed the folk healing aspect, which added something a little different to an otherwise traditional historical mystery.
Ruby’s personal connection to the investigation also made the story more compelling. I can’t imagine discovering that someone you’ve mourned for years might actually be alive, only to learn that you’ve possibly lost them all over again. There’s a lot of emotion wrapped up in that possibility, especially for someone who has already experienced so much loss. But as much as I appreciated that part of the story, I was more fascinated by what was happening at Saint Oda’s. The secrecy surrounding the institution and its history had me questioning practically everyone.
I also have to admit that I haven’t read the previous books in this series. Usually, I prefer starting at the beginning, but I had no trouble following Ruby’s latest adventure. I did find myself wanting to know more about her relationship with Ruan and how they came to be involved with the occult in the first place. So now, of course, I have another series to add to my reading list. Just what I needed! 😂
Overall, The Lost Souls of Saint Oda’s is an engaging historical mystery with a wonderfully eerie setting, plenty of secrets, and a heroine who isn’t easily discouraged. I particularly enjoyed how the mystery kept growing rather than becoming more straightforward. Armstrong managed to keep me curious about what really happened at Saint Oda’s right up until the truth began to emerge. I’m definitely looking forward to spending more time with Ruby Vaughn!
🌹 Floral Verdict: A Rose
A delightfully atmospheric historical mystery filled with buried secrets, suspicious circumstances, and just enough of the occult to make things interesting. Definitely recommended!
November 4, 2026
I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Lost Souls of Saint Oda’s, A Ruby Vaughn Mystery #4 by Jess Armstrong from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books in order to read and give an honest review.
I’ve been hooked on this series since “The Curse of Penryth Hall” released, introducing us to the intrepid Ruby. “The Lost Souls of Saint Oda’s”, was yet again another amazing entry in the Ruby Vaughan Mystery series. “The Lost Souls of Saint Oda’s” is extremely personal to Ruby as we learn the fate of her mother, a mother she deemed dead after the sinking of the RMS Lustuania May 7, 1915, during WWI. Ruby learns that her mother in fact survived and has been living in an asylum in Belgium unable to speak since being found adrift.
While we do not get all the major answers to those lingering questions about Ruby and Ruan just yet, this instalment blows open the connection to the “otherworld” that has been brewing since book one, while dropping a few new mysteries into the mix.
This is hands down one of the more atmospheric books to curl up with on a gloomy, rainy day. The gothic vibe that runs through the series takes center stage here, and just adds to the story.
This time around, after getting the news of her mother Eva, Ruby and Ruan head to Belgium to track down the woman claiming to be Ruby’s mother after not knowing of her existence for over a decade. They arrive in a remote village famous for a priory turned mental asylum, where doctors are actively studying patients with unusual abilities. Almost immediately, Ruan’s telepathic powers get completely overwhelmed by something in the area, leaving Ruby to navigate the investigation on her own.
The tension builds brilliantly from there. When she arrives she stumbles across her mother’s grave and is devastated but every single person Ruby runs into, from the hospital staff to the local clergy and even the bartender, is acting shady and clearly hiding something. When bodies start piling up and those who have spoken to Ruby seem to turn up dead under bizarre circumstances, and it is not long before someone tries to take Ruby out of the picture too.
This series perfectly blends mystery and magical folklore and I loved how deeply this entry digs into Ruby herself and the mystery of her past. The rumors surrounding her mother being a “rusalka” weave together so well with what the White Witch hinted about Ruby’s own dormant abilities. Ruan is still keeping his cards close to his chest regarding the broader mythology, but it is getting harder for Ruby to keep rationalizing the strange things happening around her and dreams that leave her broken. She has inherited some serious power, and it is finally pushing its way to the surface.
Without giving anything away, the introduction of a key new character near the end is going to force Ruby to face the supernatural side of her reality whether she wants to or not. I cannot wait to see where the next book takes us!
This was an incredible entry in and I look forward to reading more from Jess Armstrong. All in all, this was an atmospheric and thoroughly enjoyable read that I’d highly recommend to any fan of historical mystery blended with superstition, magic realism and folklore.
I’ve been hooked on this series since “The Curse of Penryth Hall” released, introducing us to the intrepid Ruby. “The Lost Souls of Saint Oda’s”, was yet again another amazing entry in the Ruby Vaughan Mystery series. “The Lost Souls of Saint Oda’s” is extremely personal to Ruby as we learn the fate of her mother, a mother she deemed dead after the sinking of the RMS Lustuania May 7, 1915, during WWI. Ruby learns that her mother in fact survived and has been living in an asylum in Belgium unable to speak since being found adrift.
While we do not get all the major answers to those lingering questions about Ruby and Ruan just yet, this instalment blows open the connection to the “otherworld” that has been brewing since book one, while dropping a few new mysteries into the mix.
This is hands down one of the more atmospheric books to curl up with on a gloomy, rainy day. The gothic vibe that runs through the series takes center stage here, and just adds to the story.
This time around, after getting the news of her mother Eva, Ruby and Ruan head to Belgium to track down the woman claiming to be Ruby’s mother after not knowing of her existence for over a decade. They arrive in a remote village famous for a priory turned mental asylum, where doctors are actively studying patients with unusual abilities. Almost immediately, Ruan’s telepathic powers get completely overwhelmed by something in the area, leaving Ruby to navigate the investigation on her own.
The tension builds brilliantly from there. When she arrives she stumbles across her mother’s grave and is devastated but every single person Ruby runs into, from the hospital staff to the local clergy and even the bartender, is acting shady and clearly hiding something. When bodies start piling up and those who have spoken to Ruby seem to turn up dead under bizarre circumstances, and it is not long before someone tries to take Ruby out of the picture too.
This series perfectly blends mystery and magical folklore and I loved how deeply this entry digs into Ruby herself and the mystery of her past. The rumors surrounding her mother being a “rusalka” weave together so well with what the White Witch hinted about Ruby’s own dormant abilities. Ruan is still keeping his cards close to his chest regarding the broader mythology, but it is getting harder for Ruby to keep rationalizing the strange things happening around her and dreams that leave her broken. She has inherited some serious power, and it is finally pushing its way to the surface.
Without giving anything away, the introduction of a key new character near the end is going to force Ruby to face the supernatural side of her reality whether she wants to or not. I cannot wait to see where the next book takes us!
This was an incredible entry in and I look forward to reading more from Jess Armstrong. All in all, this was an atmospheric and thoroughly enjoyable read that I’d highly recommend to any fan of historical mystery blended with superstition, magic realism and folklore.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
**The Lost Souls of Saint Oda’s by Jess Armstrong**
Jess Armstrong continues to raise the emotional stakes in the fourth Ruby Vaughn mystery, sending Ruby and Ruan across the Channel to a Belgian hospital housed within the eerie Saint Oda’s priory.
Ruby has spent years believing that her mother died with the rest of her family aboard the Lusitania. When evidence surfaces suggesting her mother survived and was later committed to Saint Oda’s under another name, Ruby allows herself the smallest flicker of hope. Unfortunately, she and Ruan arrive too late. The woman they came to find has died under mysterious circumstances and been hastily buried.
Ruby, of course, is not willing to accept the hospital’s explanations without question.
What follows is an atmospheric mystery filled with institutional secrets, missing women, lingering trauma from the Great War, and the unsettling possibility that something beyond the ordinary may be at work. The isolated priory makes a wonderfully Gothic setting, and Armstrong does an excellent job creating a place that feels both melancholy and menacing. Saint Oda’s holds the pain of the women confined there as surely as it holds its secrets.
This mystery also feels especially personal for Ruby. Rather than investigating a crime that has merely crossed her path, she is searching for answers about her own history. Her usual skepticism and sharp humor remain intact, but we also see the vulnerability beneath them. The possibility that she might finally learn what happened to her mother gives the investigation an emotional weight that makes every discovery matter.
I particularly enjoyed having Ruan beside her throughout the story. Their relationship continues to develop without overwhelming the mystery, and his steadiness provides a lovely counterbalance to Ruby’s instinct to charge directly into danger. Their scenes together remain one of my favorite parts of the series.
The mystery contains plenty of suspicious characters, disturbing revelations, and questions about whom Ruby can trust. Armstrong continues to balance historical mystery, Gothic unease, romance, and the suggestion of the supernatural in a way that feels distinctive to this series.
I have loved following Ruby Vaughn from the beginning, and *The Lost Souls of Saint Oda’s* is another compelling addition to her story. Atmospheric, emotional, and thoroughly absorbing, it deepens both Ruby’s personal history and her relationship with Ruan while delivering another satisfyingly eerie investigation.
I already cannot wait for the next book.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Jess Armstrong continues to raise the emotional stakes in the fourth Ruby Vaughn mystery, sending Ruby and Ruan across the Channel to a Belgian hospital housed within the eerie Saint Oda’s priory.
Ruby has spent years believing that her mother died with the rest of her family aboard the Lusitania. When evidence surfaces suggesting her mother survived and was later committed to Saint Oda’s under another name, Ruby allows herself the smallest flicker of hope. Unfortunately, she and Ruan arrive too late. The woman they came to find has died under mysterious circumstances and been hastily buried.
Ruby, of course, is not willing to accept the hospital’s explanations without question.
What follows is an atmospheric mystery filled with institutional secrets, missing women, lingering trauma from the Great War, and the unsettling possibility that something beyond the ordinary may be at work. The isolated priory makes a wonderfully Gothic setting, and Armstrong does an excellent job creating a place that feels both melancholy and menacing. Saint Oda’s holds the pain of the women confined there as surely as it holds its secrets.
This mystery also feels especially personal for Ruby. Rather than investigating a crime that has merely crossed her path, she is searching for answers about her own history. Her usual skepticism and sharp humor remain intact, but we also see the vulnerability beneath them. The possibility that she might finally learn what happened to her mother gives the investigation an emotional weight that makes every discovery matter.
I particularly enjoyed having Ruan beside her throughout the story. Their relationship continues to develop without overwhelming the mystery, and his steadiness provides a lovely counterbalance to Ruby’s instinct to charge directly into danger. Their scenes together remain one of my favorite parts of the series.
The mystery contains plenty of suspicious characters, disturbing revelations, and questions about whom Ruby can trust. Armstrong continues to balance historical mystery, Gothic unease, romance, and the suggestion of the supernatural in a way that feels distinctive to this series.
I have loved following Ruby Vaughn from the beginning, and *The Lost Souls of Saint Oda’s* is another compelling addition to her story. Atmospheric, emotional, and thoroughly absorbing, it deepens both Ruby’s personal history and her relationship with Ruan while delivering another satisfyingly eerie investigation.
I already cannot wait for the next book.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
November 6, 2026
Book rating: 4⭐️
Genre: historical fiction
Themes: asylum, small town, missing child, romance, folklore
As I have been faithfully following along in the Ruby Vaughn series, I was eagerly awaiting this much anticipated reveal of Ruby’s mother possibly being alive. It was an eerie mystery that combined the paranormal sightings and powers of the otherworld with the human cost of war. Taking place in a Belgian priory that houses both a psychiatric hospital and an orphanage, the setting is just riddled with ghosts of the pasts and horrors of the present.
Once again, the bold and reckless heiress and amateur sleuth Ruby Vaugh heads into misadventure alongside the intriguing and traumatized folk healer Ruan Kivell. When the two find Saint Oda’s priory, Ruby is confronted with the shocking news that the woman she has been searching for is dead. Refusing to believe her mother is actually dead, Ruby is determined to find the truth yet it is one wrapped up in a greater mystery. As the number of dead bodies escalates and the threats compound, Rudy and Ruan will unravel more than one sinister secret.
This was an eerie and intense instalment. There was Ruby’s personal stake in her own history and possibility of family, and then there were the powerful forces trying to hide the truth and misdirection galore. I am not a fan of obfuscation as a primarily means of driving the mystery when one honest conversation could have prevented several murders, but it did keep me guessing and turning pages with a lot of tension. So I was annoyed at the ending, though I like that it was neatly tied up and that there were so many shady figures.
I do so love these characters and their witty and fearless reparte. I am happy to report that the new cast was equally alluring, particularly those affected by the war. The enigma of Felix and the questionable Etienne kept me guessing, while also portraying the devastating effects of war on the mind and body. Manon was another curiosity that promises more intrigue in the future.
This could be read as a standalone, but the relationship and character development are really enhanced if read in sequence, and there are several small tie ins to previous events. The writing is once again atmospheric and very easy to read. I would recommend this for those that enjoy the intersection of the supernatural folklore with historical mysteries and characters that break the mold.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the eARC.
Genre: historical fiction
Themes: asylum, small town, missing child, romance, folklore
As I have been faithfully following along in the Ruby Vaughn series, I was eagerly awaiting this much anticipated reveal of Ruby’s mother possibly being alive. It was an eerie mystery that combined the paranormal sightings and powers of the otherworld with the human cost of war. Taking place in a Belgian priory that houses both a psychiatric hospital and an orphanage, the setting is just riddled with ghosts of the pasts and horrors of the present.
Once again, the bold and reckless heiress and amateur sleuth Ruby Vaugh heads into misadventure alongside the intriguing and traumatized folk healer Ruan Kivell. When the two find Saint Oda’s priory, Ruby is confronted with the shocking news that the woman she has been searching for is dead. Refusing to believe her mother is actually dead, Ruby is determined to find the truth yet it is one wrapped up in a greater mystery. As the number of dead bodies escalates and the threats compound, Rudy and Ruan will unravel more than one sinister secret.
This was an eerie and intense instalment. There was Ruby’s personal stake in her own history and possibility of family, and then there were the powerful forces trying to hide the truth and misdirection galore. I am not a fan of obfuscation as a primarily means of driving the mystery when one honest conversation could have prevented several murders, but it did keep me guessing and turning pages with a lot of tension. So I was annoyed at the ending, though I like that it was neatly tied up and that there were so many shady figures.
I do so love these characters and their witty and fearless reparte. I am happy to report that the new cast was equally alluring, particularly those affected by the war. The enigma of Felix and the questionable Etienne kept me guessing, while also portraying the devastating effects of war on the mind and body. Manon was another curiosity that promises more intrigue in the future.
This could be read as a standalone, but the relationship and character development are really enhanced if read in sequence, and there are several small tie ins to previous events. The writing is once again atmospheric and very easy to read. I would recommend this for those that enjoy the intersection of the supernatural folklore with historical mysteries and characters that break the mold.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the eARC.
November 14, 2026
Ruby Vaughn #4, “The Lost Souls of Saint Oda’s” is a book centered more on Ruby than the previous ones. With Ruby, we’ve been exploring archeological and mystical mysteries along with a historical journey of the early 20th century. The lingering consequences of World War One have provided an ongoing storyline and the four books combine traditional murder mysteries with Gothic atmosphere, romantic tension, supernatural possibilities, and characters haunted by the losses and traumas of the Great War.
Ruby’s own trauma was the loss of her family aboard the sunken Lusitania in 1915. The last book mentioned incidents of an imposter posing as her deceased mother, but this time her solicitor insists that her mother didn’t drown and she is in a hospital in Belgium, somewhere in the Martyred Cities (towns and villages that suffered catastrophic destruction, massacres, or war crimes during major conflicts). But once Ruby arrives in Belgium, she’s told that the woman has died.
Saint Oda’s is rife with dark secrets, and Ruby’s sixth sense tells her that something sinister and otherworldly is present. Ruan Kivell, the equally mysterious Cornish folk healer known as a Pellar (who has unusual abilities of his own plus a complicated connection with Ruby) returns to assist Ruby as well. What they discover deeply affects Ruan as well.
Ruby is intelligent, independent, sharp-tongued, and skeptical of the supernatural, although she feels a kindred spirit with the paranormal. Her continued association with Mr. Owen, the bookshop owner, repeatedly lands her in mysteries involving murder, séances, curses, folk magic, and the occult. As the book ends, be reassured that the bookstore remains and Ruby has another responsibility that pretty much ensures the continuation of this delightful Gothic series. 4 stars!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Ruan has pale green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO Now I know what a chancel flower is.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy.
Ruby’s own trauma was the loss of her family aboard the sunken Lusitania in 1915. The last book mentioned incidents of an imposter posing as her deceased mother, but this time her solicitor insists that her mother didn’t drown and she is in a hospital in Belgium, somewhere in the Martyred Cities (towns and villages that suffered catastrophic destruction, massacres, or war crimes during major conflicts). But once Ruby arrives in Belgium, she’s told that the woman has died.
Saint Oda’s is rife with dark secrets, and Ruby’s sixth sense tells her that something sinister and otherworldly is present. Ruan Kivell, the equally mysterious Cornish folk healer known as a Pellar (who has unusual abilities of his own plus a complicated connection with Ruby) returns to assist Ruby as well. What they discover deeply affects Ruan as well.
Ruby is intelligent, independent, sharp-tongued, and skeptical of the supernatural, although she feels a kindred spirit with the paranormal. Her continued association with Mr. Owen, the bookshop owner, repeatedly lands her in mysteries involving murder, séances, curses, folk magic, and the occult. As the book ends, be reassured that the bookstore remains and Ruby has another responsibility that pretty much ensures the continuation of this delightful Gothic series. 4 stars!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Ruan has pale green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO Now I know what a chancel flower is.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy.
November 3, 2026
4/5 stars: This is Armstrong's fourth entry in the Ruby Vaughn series which is a Paranormal Historical Mystery set in England, 1923. Featuring a scandalous and wealthy American heiress, who works with her octogenarian housemate at his rare book shop, as she finds herself turning sleuth, with help from her Cornish witch beau, after she discovers the woman believed to be her missing mother dead in a Belgium hospital. Having long believed her family died when the Lusitania sank, she's wary of news reporting her mother's survival. With trepidation she sets off with her beau to Belgium to uncover the truth. However, upon her arrival, she learns the woman died days before. Perhaps it's her jaded heart, or all the time she’s spent lady detectiving as her employer calls it, but the more she inquires, the more suspicious the death becomes and the more she begins to fear the occult's also at work. As she unfurls the mystery and the bodies continue to pile up, she'll have to work fast to uncover the sinister secret that's been simmering since the Great War before it's too late.
With plenty of twists and turns, Armstrong has crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Armstrong's writing and character work are excellent; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining likable with a well crafted secondary cast. Armstrong's historical elements provide a fantastic sense of time and place. Light paranormal elements: prescient dreaming, healing, occult elements and arcane magic.
Armstrong touches on some sensitive topics; so take care and check the CWs. While this can be read as a stand-alone, you'll gain much more by reading the series from the beginning with book one, The Curse of Penryth Hall.
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
With plenty of twists and turns, Armstrong has crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Armstrong's writing and character work are excellent; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining likable with a well crafted secondary cast. Armstrong's historical elements provide a fantastic sense of time and place. Light paranormal elements: prescient dreaming, healing, occult elements and arcane magic.
Armstrong touches on some sensitive topics; so take care and check the CWs. While this can be read as a stand-alone, you'll gain much more by reading the series from the beginning with book one, The Curse of Penryth Hall.
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another excellent entry in this series! Although we don't necessarily get any big answers to the lingering questions about Ruby (and Ruan) here--and new, intriguing questions are raised--this does shed some light on, and expand the scope of, the "otherworld" that has been at play from book 1. This is also a wonderfully atmospheric book to read on a rainy fall/winter day. The gothic themes that have been prominent throughout the series are really in the forefront here.
For this book, Ruby and Ruan have traveled to Belgium to investigate the woman who claims to by Ruby's mother--who Ruby has been believed dead for more than 10 years. The small village is known for its priory turned mental hospital, where patients with unusual abilities are being studied. Ruan's telepathic powers are immediately triggered and put into overdrive by something in the village, leaving Ruby to stake out on her own. Every villager that she encounters--from the doctors at the hospital to the priests and sisters at the local church/orphanage, and even the village's bar owner--is acting suspiciously and clearly hiding things from her. Ruby begins to question everything, including her own senses, as she is seeing and hearing things that aren't there and strange things keep happening. The body count is also rising, as anyone who comes in contact with the hospital ends up dead under mysterious circumstances, and someone keeps trying to permanently silence Ruby herself.
I liked that this story really leans into Ruby and the mystery of her dead/missing mother. The rumors of her mother being a "rusalka" dovetail into the hints about Ruby's own powers, according to the White Witch. Ruan is still withholding a lot of information from Ruby about the mythology surrounding it all, but it's becoming even more apparent (to everyone except Ruby, who keeps trying to rationalize things) that Ruby has inherited some extremely strong powers that are still coming to the surface. Without spoiling developments, a new character introduced here will certainly force Ruby to take the otherworld more seriously going forward.
Thank you to Minotaur and Netgalley for providing an ARC for review!
For this book, Ruby and Ruan have traveled to Belgium to investigate the woman who claims to by Ruby's mother--who Ruby has been believed dead for more than 10 years. The small village is known for its priory turned mental hospital, where patients with unusual abilities are being studied. Ruan's telepathic powers are immediately triggered and put into overdrive by something in the village, leaving Ruby to stake out on her own. Every villager that she encounters--from the doctors at the hospital to the priests and sisters at the local church/orphanage, and even the village's bar owner--is acting suspiciously and clearly hiding things from her. Ruby begins to question everything, including her own senses, as she is seeing and hearing things that aren't there and strange things keep happening. The body count is also rising, as anyone who comes in contact with the hospital ends up dead under mysterious circumstances, and someone keeps trying to permanently silence Ruby herself.
I liked that this story really leans into Ruby and the mystery of her dead/missing mother. The rumors of her mother being a "rusalka" dovetail into the hints about Ruby's own powers, according to the White Witch. Ruan is still withholding a lot of information from Ruby about the mythology surrounding it all, but it's becoming even more apparent (to everyone except Ruby, who keeps trying to rationalize things) that Ruby has inherited some extremely strong powers that are still coming to the surface. Without spoiling developments, a new character introduced here will certainly force Ruby to take the otherworld more seriously going forward.
Thank you to Minotaur and Netgalley for providing an ARC for review!
October 19, 2026
The Lost Souls of Saint Oda's, by Jess Armstrong, is Book 4 in her Ruby Vaughn mystery series, set in the years after World War I. I would definitely recommend reading the first three books before reading this one, as there are several references in this novel to events from the previous novels.
Ruby Vaughn is an American living in England after a scandal when she was younger forced her to leave the States. She has found a new family in the form of Mr. Owen, an octogenarian bookseller who is like a father to her, their housekeeper, Mrs. Penrose, her cat, Fiachna, and her romantic partner, Ruan Kivell, a Cornish pellar (healer) with supernatural abilities. Her parents and sister are believed to have died on the Lusitania, but she gets news at the start of the book that her mother may have survived and is living in an asylum in Belgium. She and Ruan set out for Belgium right away, and they find themselves embroiled in a new mystery almost as soon as they arrive. They are told that they are too late--that her mother has just recently died--but things are simply not adding up to Ruby's satisfaction, and her gut tells her that nothing is what it seems. As with the other mysteries Ruby and Ruan have solved, this one also has a supernatural aura. There are also lingering traumas for both of them stemming from their service during the First World War that being on the Continent brings to the surface.
Ruby and Ruan have interesting backstories, and I have enjoyed watching them grow as people over the course of this series. The mysteries are full of twists and turns. The historical aspects of the stories are well-researched. This book also might have given a brief nod to Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot in the mustachioed police detective who comes in at the end. There is still a lot more to explore with Ruby and Ruan, and I look forward to the next volume!
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
Ruby Vaughn is an American living in England after a scandal when she was younger forced her to leave the States. She has found a new family in the form of Mr. Owen, an octogenarian bookseller who is like a father to her, their housekeeper, Mrs. Penrose, her cat, Fiachna, and her romantic partner, Ruan Kivell, a Cornish pellar (healer) with supernatural abilities. Her parents and sister are believed to have died on the Lusitania, but she gets news at the start of the book that her mother may have survived and is living in an asylum in Belgium. She and Ruan set out for Belgium right away, and they find themselves embroiled in a new mystery almost as soon as they arrive. They are told that they are too late--that her mother has just recently died--but things are simply not adding up to Ruby's satisfaction, and her gut tells her that nothing is what it seems. As with the other mysteries Ruby and Ruan have solved, this one also has a supernatural aura. There are also lingering traumas for both of them stemming from their service during the First World War that being on the Continent brings to the surface.
Ruby and Ruan have interesting backstories, and I have enjoyed watching them grow as people over the course of this series. The mysteries are full of twists and turns. The historical aspects of the stories are well-researched. This book also might have given a brief nod to Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot in the mustachioed police detective who comes in at the end. There is still a lot more to explore with Ruby and Ruan, and I look forward to the next volume!
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Lost Souls of Saint Oda’s by Jess Armstrong
A mysterious Belgian priory, missing souls, a suspicious death, and secrets that refuse to stay buried make this such an irresistible historical mystery. I was immediately drawn to Ruby Vaughn’s search for her mother, especially after believing her entire family had perished aboard the Lusitania. When she travels to Belgium with Ruan, hoping for a reunion, she instead finds another mystery waiting for her. I love the emotional depth behind Ruby’s investigation and how her personal search for answers becomes something much bigger involving murder, the occult, and secrets dating back to the Great War. The 1920s setting adds such a wonderful atmosphere, making the story feel both mysterious and immersive.
What makes this book especially appealing is the combination of historical mystery, supernatural elements, and a romance that continues to develop alongside the investigation. Ruby sounds like a fantastic character, curious and determined even when the truth becomes uncomfortable, and I love having Ruan alongside her as they uncover the secrets of Saint Oda’s. The mix of old-fashioned detective work, eerie surroundings, and emotional stakes is exactly what I look for in a mystery. This is a perfect choice for readers who enjoy atmospheric historical fiction, strong female sleuths, gothic mysteries, and a touch of romance and the paranormal. Anyone who prefers a straightforward contemporary mystery without supernatural elements may not connect with it quite as much.
🔍 Rating: 5/5 Hidden Mysteries
Final Verdict: Between the ghosts of the past and the secrets of Saint Oda’s, Ruby Vaughn has another unforgettable mystery worth getting lost in.
A mysterious Belgian priory, missing souls, a suspicious death, and secrets that refuse to stay buried make this such an irresistible historical mystery. I was immediately drawn to Ruby Vaughn’s search for her mother, especially after believing her entire family had perished aboard the Lusitania. When she travels to Belgium with Ruan, hoping for a reunion, she instead finds another mystery waiting for her. I love the emotional depth behind Ruby’s investigation and how her personal search for answers becomes something much bigger involving murder, the occult, and secrets dating back to the Great War. The 1920s setting adds such a wonderful atmosphere, making the story feel both mysterious and immersive.
What makes this book especially appealing is the combination of historical mystery, supernatural elements, and a romance that continues to develop alongside the investigation. Ruby sounds like a fantastic character, curious and determined even when the truth becomes uncomfortable, and I love having Ruan alongside her as they uncover the secrets of Saint Oda’s. The mix of old-fashioned detective work, eerie surroundings, and emotional stakes is exactly what I look for in a mystery. This is a perfect choice for readers who enjoy atmospheric historical fiction, strong female sleuths, gothic mysteries, and a touch of romance and the paranormal. Anyone who prefers a straightforward contemporary mystery without supernatural elements may not connect with it quite as much.
🔍 Rating: 5/5 Hidden Mysteries
Final Verdict: Between the ghosts of the past and the secrets of Saint Oda’s, Ruby Vaughn has another unforgettable mystery worth getting lost in.
November 9, 2026
For fans of: Laurie R King, Sherry Thomas
Title: The Lost Souls of Saint Oda's
Avail: 11/3
Genre: Historical Mystery
Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘
Violence: 🪓🪓🪓
Spice: 🔥🔥
TW: lost relatives, forced confinement
Ruby’s attempt to unearth what happened to her mother leads to a hastily buried coffin & a spate of explained deaths. What sinister forces are at play in a hospital meant to soothe those ill in mind & spirit?
disappear
Thoughts: Searching for a meaty paranormal mystery? Armstrong’s are a cut above average. She conjures atmosphere with a bolt of lightening illuminating ruins crouched on a hill, and steeps her magical realism not in eldritch creatures but the unexplained phenomenon of the natural world. In this case, the waters & woods that surround the compound of St Odas, with its war-damaged church, children’s home, & mental hospital. I can grow fatigued on the WWI books saturating the market, but this series’ interwar setting is actually 1 of the things I 🤍. As Ruby & Ruan investigate the hospital’s unexplained deaths, we witness the psychological scars they suffer in the wake of the Great War & how it feeds their own supernatural gifts, waving a spell one part superb world building & one part insightful exploration of the human psyche. While this 4th installment is perhaps quieter than its predecessors, its mystery is no less compelling. Throughout, it’s as though both victims & suspects are viewed through a cracked mirror, distorting the truth of who is at fault & what role the supernatural plays. The result: a satisfying, twisty puzzle.
Need to catch up? Check out my reviews for books 2 & 3 in the series:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DBwGVBqOmq7/
https://www.instagram.com/p/DP6X6tkDWx-/
QOTD: What’s your favorite mystery with a supernatural twist?
Title: The Lost Souls of Saint Oda's
Avail: 11/3
Genre: Historical Mystery
Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘
Violence: 🪓🪓🪓
Spice: 🔥🔥
TW: lost relatives, forced confinement
Ruby’s attempt to unearth what happened to her mother leads to a hastily buried coffin & a spate of explained deaths. What sinister forces are at play in a hospital meant to soothe those ill in mind & spirit?
disappear
Thoughts: Searching for a meaty paranormal mystery? Armstrong’s are a cut above average. She conjures atmosphere with a bolt of lightening illuminating ruins crouched on a hill, and steeps her magical realism not in eldritch creatures but the unexplained phenomenon of the natural world. In this case, the waters & woods that surround the compound of St Odas, with its war-damaged church, children’s home, & mental hospital. I can grow fatigued on the WWI books saturating the market, but this series’ interwar setting is actually 1 of the things I 🤍. As Ruby & Ruan investigate the hospital’s unexplained deaths, we witness the psychological scars they suffer in the wake of the Great War & how it feeds their own supernatural gifts, waving a spell one part superb world building & one part insightful exploration of the human psyche. While this 4th installment is perhaps quieter than its predecessors, its mystery is no less compelling. Throughout, it’s as though both victims & suspects are viewed through a cracked mirror, distorting the truth of who is at fault & what role the supernatural plays. The result: a satisfying, twisty puzzle.
Need to catch up? Check out my reviews for books 2 & 3 in the series:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DBwGVBqOmq7/
https://www.instagram.com/p/DP6X6tkDWx-/
QOTD: What’s your favorite mystery with a supernatural twist?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC Review: The Lost Souls of Saint Oda's by Jess Armstrong
Having absolutely loved the previous books in the Ruby Vaughn Mysteries, I was thrilled to be approved for this ARC. After devouring Book Three and eagerly collecting the hardcovers, I couldn't wait to join Ruby and Ruan on another adventure, and The Lost Souls of Saint Oda's did not disappoint.
What I especially enjoyed about this instalment was how it recaptured some of the eerie atmosphere that first drew me into the series. The mystery surrounding Saint Oda's Priory and Ruby's mother is deliciously unsettling, steeped in secrets, superstition, and lingering wartime scars. At times, I found myself just as frustrated as Ruby by how much the villagers seemed determined to withhold information, but that tension is exactly what makes the mystery so compelling and keeps the pages turning.
Beyond the murder mystery itself, I appreciated how Jess Armstrong continued to explore the lasting trauma of the First World War. Ruby, Ruan, and many of the supporting characters are still carrying wounds from their experiences, and I thought those threads added both emotional depth and authenticity to the story. Rather than overshadowing the mystery, they enriched it.
One of my favourite aspects of this series remains the relationship between Ruby and Ruan. I love that, even as their connection deepens, they remain entirely themselves. Their relationship never feels overly sentimental or out of character. They are partners, but they are also independent people with their own strengths, flaws, and perspectives. That balance feels refreshing and believable, particularly in a historical mystery series.
As always, Ms Armstrong's blend of gothic atmosphere, historical detail, occult intrigue, and character development makes for an absorbing read. And that teaser for the next adventure? Let's just say I'm already impatiently waiting for Book Five. For a series now heading into its fifth instalment, that's high praise indeed, which I hope will continue.
P.S. I am grateful to the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me an advanced reader’s copy of this story for which I am voluntarily writing this honest review.
P.S. 2: If you liked this, then please check out my other book reviews of stories about strong women and their handsome sidekicks!
Having absolutely loved the previous books in the Ruby Vaughn Mysteries, I was thrilled to be approved for this ARC. After devouring Book Three and eagerly collecting the hardcovers, I couldn't wait to join Ruby and Ruan on another adventure, and The Lost Souls of Saint Oda's did not disappoint.
What I especially enjoyed about this instalment was how it recaptured some of the eerie atmosphere that first drew me into the series. The mystery surrounding Saint Oda's Priory and Ruby's mother is deliciously unsettling, steeped in secrets, superstition, and lingering wartime scars. At times, I found myself just as frustrated as Ruby by how much the villagers seemed determined to withhold information, but that tension is exactly what makes the mystery so compelling and keeps the pages turning.
Beyond the murder mystery itself, I appreciated how Jess Armstrong continued to explore the lasting trauma of the First World War. Ruby, Ruan, and many of the supporting characters are still carrying wounds from their experiences, and I thought those threads added both emotional depth and authenticity to the story. Rather than overshadowing the mystery, they enriched it.
One of my favourite aspects of this series remains the relationship between Ruby and Ruan. I love that, even as their connection deepens, they remain entirely themselves. Their relationship never feels overly sentimental or out of character. They are partners, but they are also independent people with their own strengths, flaws, and perspectives. That balance feels refreshing and believable, particularly in a historical mystery series.
As always, Ms Armstrong's blend of gothic atmosphere, historical detail, occult intrigue, and character development makes for an absorbing read. And that teaser for the next adventure? Let's just say I'm already impatiently waiting for Book Five. For a series now heading into its fifth instalment, that's high praise indeed, which I hope will continue.
P.S. I am grateful to the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me an advanced reader’s copy of this story for which I am voluntarily writing this honest review.
P.S. 2: If you liked this, then please check out my other book reviews of stories about strong women and their handsome sidekicks!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another intriguing Ruby Vaughn installment! The paranormal elements continue to grow stronger in this series, making for some really curious moments for Ruby. Ruby's partner, Ruan, has been the pellar from the beginning, but it's clear that Ruby has some abilities of her own, but hasn't fully realized them yet.
One of the series-long subplots (besides Ruby's abilities) is about imposters who have claimed to be Ruby's family members, who died in the sinking of the Lusitania. Ruby has dreamed of her father and brother dying, but has never seen her mother's death. This led us to believe her mother was alive. In this book, Ruby's lawyer and friend has tracked Ruby's mother down to an asylum in Belgium. Upon arriving at the asylum, Ruby is told that her mother died just days ago. Between the staff of the asylum and the locals in the area, there seems to be a cover-up going on and Ruby's strange dreams have her thinking there are more missing or dead people who have connections to her mother. Of course Ruan arrives to help her untangle the many twisted threads of this story.
This was a complex mystery and we learn more about Ruby's wartime activities as it unfolds. She passes out or is knocked out so many times that I was getting a little worried for her - but it all serves the plot as something is clearly happening inside Ruby that we don't completely understand yet. One day, I know we'll look back at these books at some point and see all the signs leading to a full reveal of Ruby's story and abilities. Do I totally know what's going on? No. Am I enjoying this ride? Absolutely!
One of the series-long subplots (besides Ruby's abilities) is about imposters who have claimed to be Ruby's family members, who died in the sinking of the Lusitania. Ruby has dreamed of her father and brother dying, but has never seen her mother's death. This led us to believe her mother was alive. In this book, Ruby's lawyer and friend has tracked Ruby's mother down to an asylum in Belgium. Upon arriving at the asylum, Ruby is told that her mother died just days ago. Between the staff of the asylum and the locals in the area, there seems to be a cover-up going on and Ruby's strange dreams have her thinking there are more missing or dead people who have connections to her mother. Of course Ruan arrives to help her untangle the many twisted threads of this story.
This was a complex mystery and we learn more about Ruby's wartime activities as it unfolds. She passes out or is knocked out so many times that I was getting a little worried for her - but it all serves the plot as something is clearly happening inside Ruby that we don't completely understand yet. One day, I know we'll look back at these books at some point and see all the signs leading to a full reveal of Ruby's story and abilities. Do I totally know what's going on? No. Am I enjoying this ride? Absolutely!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 / 5.0 Stars
This fourth installment in the Ruby Vaughn historic mystery series is thrilling and engaging. It's early winter of 1923. Just when Ruby thought she could relax and focus on running her boss' antiquarian bookshop, she and Ruan are called away to Belgium - the scene of many of their wartime nightmares. For years, Ruby believed that she was her family's sole survivor after her parents and sister went down with the Lusitania. However, that may no longer be the case. But when they arrive in the land of the Walloons, they're affronted by secrecy, misdirection, and misadventure. Of course Ruby can't go home until it's all sorted.
This continuation of the Ruby Vaughn mystery series is as equally engaging as the last, The Devil i Oxford. It too includes the Pellar, Ruan Kivell. The sexual tension between him and Ruby continues on its upward trajectory.
This was a highly atmospheric, somewhat dark mystery. The writing is rich and the characters colorful. The scene settings are cinematic in scope and the tension is steady throughout. This was a most entertaining mystery and I eagerly await Ruby and Ruan's next thrilling adventure.
I am grateful to publisher, Minotaur Books, for having provided a complimentary uncorrected digital galley of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication date: November 3, 2026
Number of Pages: 320
ISBN: 978-1250374684
This fourth installment in the Ruby Vaughn historic mystery series is thrilling and engaging. It's early winter of 1923. Just when Ruby thought she could relax and focus on running her boss' antiquarian bookshop, she and Ruan are called away to Belgium - the scene of many of their wartime nightmares. For years, Ruby believed that she was her family's sole survivor after her parents and sister went down with the Lusitania. However, that may no longer be the case. But when they arrive in the land of the Walloons, they're affronted by secrecy, misdirection, and misadventure. Of course Ruby can't go home until it's all sorted.
This continuation of the Ruby Vaughn mystery series is as equally engaging as the last, The Devil i Oxford. It too includes the Pellar, Ruan Kivell. The sexual tension between him and Ruby continues on its upward trajectory.
This was a highly atmospheric, somewhat dark mystery. The writing is rich and the characters colorful. The scene settings are cinematic in scope and the tension is steady throughout. This was a most entertaining mystery and I eagerly await Ruby and Ruan's next thrilling adventure.
I am grateful to publisher, Minotaur Books, for having provided a complimentary uncorrected digital galley of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication date: November 3, 2026
Number of Pages: 320
ISBN: 978-1250374684
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I'm so thankful for receiving an ARC of The Lost Souls of Saint Oda's. I have loved the Ruby Vaughn mystery series since I first read The Curse of Penryth Hall. I'm grateful to have read ARCs of book three and four of the series. Each time I dive in it's like reuniting with a friend. Ruby is my favorite literary FMC. Her headstrong personality, steadfast loyalty, and fierce independence makes her a compelling and relatable character.
This book picks up right where book three left off. Ruby and Ruan are still new in their relationship, which I'm still so happy about. Ruby had received a letter indicating her mother, whom she thought perished in the sinking of the Lusitania, was still alive.
Ruby and Ruan embark on a mission to find her mother, who she believes is a patient at Saint Oda's. When they arrive, mysterious deaths ensue and Ruby finds herself in danger again.
This book is full of supernatural elements, which I loved. The mystery was captivating and was a true whodunit. Everyone was a suspect and it kept me on my toes.
Jess Armstrong writes with such conviction and has created beautifully flawed and vulnerable characters that learn from each other how to love and be loved. I respect her attention to historical details and accuracy in the depiction of events.
I highly recommend this series and it ended on a cliffhanger, so we know there will be more adventures to come!
Thank you Netgalley, Minotaur Books, and Jess Armstrong for the opportunity to read this ARC.
This book picks up right where book three left off. Ruby and Ruan are still new in their relationship, which I'm still so happy about. Ruby had received a letter indicating her mother, whom she thought perished in the sinking of the Lusitania, was still alive.
Ruby and Ruan embark on a mission to find her mother, who she believes is a patient at Saint Oda's. When they arrive, mysterious deaths ensue and Ruby finds herself in danger again.
This book is full of supernatural elements, which I loved. The mystery was captivating and was a true whodunit. Everyone was a suspect and it kept me on my toes.
Jess Armstrong writes with such conviction and has created beautifully flawed and vulnerable characters that learn from each other how to love and be loved. I respect her attention to historical details and accuracy in the depiction of events.
I highly recommend this series and it ended on a cliffhanger, so we know there will be more adventures to come!
Thank you Netgalley, Minotaur Books, and Jess Armstrong for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This series just keeps getting BETTER! If you’re looking to add a little magic, murder, mystery and romance to your fall TBR, move this one to the top of the pile!
Ruby and Ruan head to a psychiatric hospital/orphanage tucked away in a mountain town in Belgium, searching for Ruby’s mother. What they find instead is a deliciously twisty supernatural murder mystery with a BIG cast of suspects and a suspiciously high body count.
Are Ruby’s mother and the other missing patients alive… or dead? Is there a massive conspiracy designed to cover up murder? Why do Ruby’s suspects keep turning up dead? And WHAT exactly are all these war-traumatized people hiding?
Naturally, Ruby ends up in mortal danger approximately every five minutes while her powers continue to grow. And Ruan? He spends a LOT of time worrying about losing her. The yearning from this man! GAH! And we FINALLY get the secret reason he’s so drawn to Ruby—which made the romantic side of this story even more delicious.
This book delivers ALL the spooky vibes: a gothic setting, witchy powers, secrets, danger, death and just enough supernatural weirdness to keep you guessing. Armstrong continues to expand the witch lore while also deepening Ruby and Ruan’s relationship—and honestly, their romance is the part of this series that keeps me the most invested!
Twisty mystery? Check. Expanding magical lore? Check. Gothic fall atmosphere? CHECK. And that romance?! 🔥
It’s an absolute page-turner and kept me up WAY past my bedtime. Apparently, sleep is less important than finding out who’s going to die next.
Ruby and Ruan head to a psychiatric hospital/orphanage tucked away in a mountain town in Belgium, searching for Ruby’s mother. What they find instead is a deliciously twisty supernatural murder mystery with a BIG cast of suspects and a suspiciously high body count.
Are Ruby’s mother and the other missing patients alive… or dead? Is there a massive conspiracy designed to cover up murder? Why do Ruby’s suspects keep turning up dead? And WHAT exactly are all these war-traumatized people hiding?
Naturally, Ruby ends up in mortal danger approximately every five minutes while her powers continue to grow. And Ruan? He spends a LOT of time worrying about losing her. The yearning from this man! GAH! And we FINALLY get the secret reason he’s so drawn to Ruby—which made the romantic side of this story even more delicious.
This book delivers ALL the spooky vibes: a gothic setting, witchy powers, secrets, danger, death and just enough supernatural weirdness to keep you guessing. Armstrong continues to expand the witch lore while also deepening Ruby and Ruan’s relationship—and honestly, their romance is the part of this series that keeps me the most invested!
Twisty mystery? Check. Expanding magical lore? Check. Gothic fall atmosphere? CHECK. And that romance?! 🔥
It’s an absolute page-turner and kept me up WAY past my bedtime. Apparently, sleep is less important than finding out who’s going to die next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Lost Souls of Saint Oda's, the fourth Ruby Vaughn mystery, is the most personal for her. She thought her family had perished when the Lusitania sank in 1915. Now all these years later, she learns her mother survived and has been admitted under a different name at the hospital at Saint Oda’s priory. Ruby and Ruan Kivell, her romantic partner, set off for Belgium. Upon their arrival, they learn that her mother died a few days prior and is already buried. As Ruby seeks answers, and receives little to no satisfaction, she becomes more suspicious. What exactly is going on at Saint Oda's?
This is an atmospheric filled book. The description of Saint Oda's, the crumbling building, it's isolation and it's history, the secrets are chilling. There are elements of the supernatural at play here. As the body count rises, Ruby fears that someone wants her silenced. There is some talk that her mother was a "rusalka" and that Ruby herself has powers. Ruan, folk healing Pellar, senses that there are forces around them.
This is a slow burn book, which, I found, fits the story perfectly. The more we learn about this place, and the women who were patients, the more pieces begin to fit together. This is my favorite book in the series, I believe what Ruby learns will change her. I look forward to what Jess Armstrong has in mind for Ruby in future installments.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Minotaur Books, for an ARC. The opinions in this review are my own.
This is an atmospheric filled book. The description of Saint Oda's, the crumbling building, it's isolation and it's history, the secrets are chilling. There are elements of the supernatural at play here. As the body count rises, Ruby fears that someone wants her silenced. There is some talk that her mother was a "rusalka" and that Ruby herself has powers. Ruan, folk healing Pellar, senses that there are forces around them.
This is a slow burn book, which, I found, fits the story perfectly. The more we learn about this place, and the women who were patients, the more pieces begin to fit together. This is my favorite book in the series, I believe what Ruby learns will change her. I look forward to what Jess Armstrong has in mind for Ruby in future installments.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Minotaur Books, for an ARC. The opinions in this review are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Lost Souls of St. Oda’s is the latest Ruby Vaughn mystery by Jess Armstrong. I feel like every time I review a book from this series I say that same thing, but I’m going to do it again this time. I loved this book! I think it is my favorite in the series so far! I say that every time, but I really mean it each time! There was so much going on I could hardly keep up and by the end I was super surprised and almost in tears (in a good way!). I don’t want to share any spoilers, but this book gives us a lot more about Ruby and Ruan’s past before they knew each other. We learn so much more about Ruby’s mom, but also not nearly enough and the same with Ruan. We learn a little more, but not nearly enough. I love how their relationship has developed into complete trust and a real feeling that they will always be there for each other. Ruby’s “family” may be unconventional, but they are always there for each other. We were also left with some cliff hangers and I really can’t wait for another book to come out because there were a lot of things left to deal with and some really exciting things happening. Thank you Jess Armstrong for another wonderful book! Please keep writing about Ruby and Ruan, we, your readers, promise to keep reading!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a great addition to the Ruby Vaughn mystery series. Ruby is an intriguing character with a complicated past and an unconventional life. She’s had a lot of heartbreak along the way, which makes her a little gun shy when it comes to relationships (romantic, platonic, or familial). The events of this book force her to confront some of that loss. It’s painful but also allows her to finally begin to move forward.
The mystery itself was engaging, though it veers a little more into thriller territory than other books in the series. Asylums are often a trigger for me, but this one was handled well. It was intriguing to see the dynamics between the patients, orphans, doctors, clergy, and the villagers. It was a fascinating community. Even if it was unsettling at times.
Several characters were introduced who I suspect will make appearances in future books. Actually, the book sets up several potential storylines. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Like the previous books, this one has chapter titles, which I always appreciate.
Note: This is book 4 in the Ruby Vaughn series and should be read in order. Book 1 is The Curse of Penryth Hall.
Romance Steam Rating: Gentle Simmer [1.5 out of 5] (Closed Door)
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press and Minotaur Books for an Advanced Reader Copy.
The mystery itself was engaging, though it veers a little more into thriller territory than other books in the series. Asylums are often a trigger for me, but this one was handled well. It was intriguing to see the dynamics between the patients, orphans, doctors, clergy, and the villagers. It was a fascinating community. Even if it was unsettling at times.
Several characters were introduced who I suspect will make appearances in future books. Actually, the book sets up several potential storylines. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Like the previous books, this one has chapter titles, which I always appreciate.
Note: This is book 4 in the Ruby Vaughn series and should be read in order. Book 1 is The Curse of Penryth Hall.
Romance Steam Rating: Gentle Simmer [1.5 out of 5] (Closed Door)
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press and Minotaur Books for an Advanced Reader Copy.
November 7, 2026
Simply can't say enough about how much I am enjoying this series. It is consistently great across the board and is always a pleasure to spend time with.
This particular book had more of a "gothic" feel to it...a bit darker than some of Armstrong's previous ones. There's more suspense, more focus on the supernatural and definitely more of an emotional wallop...for both Ruby and Ruan. Ruby moves closer to the mystery of what happened to her mother and Ruan confronts his past wartime horrors.
Armstrong does such a wonderful job in fleshing out her characters and having them grow along with the series. I simply love the strength, courage and pure spunk of Ruby and the protectiveness, tenderheartedness and mystery of Ruan. And the overall humor in these books is just the cherry on top. The plots are absorbing and original and keep me glued to the page.
I've just seen (and please say it ain't so!) that this might be the final installment of this series? I actually might could see that as some aspects of this book could lend themselves to a "wrap-up", and yet being purely selfish, I sincerely hope that there's more to come. Consider me all in.
My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press / Minotaur Press for providing the free early arc of The Lost Souls of Saint Oda's for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
This particular book had more of a "gothic" feel to it...a bit darker than some of Armstrong's previous ones. There's more suspense, more focus on the supernatural and definitely more of an emotional wallop...for both Ruby and Ruan. Ruby moves closer to the mystery of what happened to her mother and Ruan confronts his past wartime horrors.
Armstrong does such a wonderful job in fleshing out her characters and having them grow along with the series. I simply love the strength, courage and pure spunk of Ruby and the protectiveness, tenderheartedness and mystery of Ruan. And the overall humor in these books is just the cherry on top. The plots are absorbing and original and keep me glued to the page.
I've just seen (and please say it ain't so!) that this might be the final installment of this series? I actually might could see that as some aspects of this book could lend themselves to a "wrap-up", and yet being purely selfish, I sincerely hope that there's more to come. Consider me all in.
My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press / Minotaur Press for providing the free early arc of The Lost Souls of Saint Oda's for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
October 31, 2026
Having absolutely loved the first three books, I was so excited to return to this world, and this was another thoroughly enjoyable adventure! There’s still plenty of that distinctive Ruby Ruan spark, with all the mystery, atmosphere, and intrigue that made me fall in love with the series in the first place.
That said, I did find things a little confusing at times, and I occasionally struggled to keep up with everything that was going on. It didn’t ruin my enjoyment, but it did stop this from being quite the five-star experience the earlier books were for me.
And then there’s Mr Owen. Can we please have MORE Mr Owen? Because there was definitely not enough of him for my liking! Honestly, I will never complain about getting more of that man on the page.
Overall, this was a great addition to a series I’ve come to love. It has the familiar magic, mystery, and characters that keep me coming back, even if this instalment didn’t quite hit the heights of its predecessors. I’m still very much invested in this world and will happily keep following wherever the story takes us next!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
That said, I did find things a little confusing at times, and I occasionally struggled to keep up with everything that was going on. It didn’t ruin my enjoyment, but it did stop this from being quite the five-star experience the earlier books were for me.
And then there’s Mr Owen. Can we please have MORE Mr Owen? Because there was definitely not enough of him for my liking! Honestly, I will never complain about getting more of that man on the page.
Overall, this was a great addition to a series I’ve come to love. It has the familiar magic, mystery, and characters that keep me coming back, even if this instalment didn’t quite hit the heights of its predecessors. I’m still very much invested in this world and will happily keep following wherever the story takes us next!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I thought this was a great installment to the series! I love Ruby and Ruan. Mr. Owen is a delight, and the mystery had so many twists and turns that I never knew where the story was going next.
Ruby and Ruan go to Belgium to try and find her long lost, thought dead, mother. Only to find that she died just days prior. Ruby has a very hard time with the news. She feels guilty that if she hadn't procrastinated she might have gotten to see her mother and maybe she wouldn't have died. However, Saint Oda's and the village feel strange from the moment they arrive. The kind of strange that pricks Ruby's instincts, and then she goes into investigative mode. Things go awry pretty quickly, thankfully, Ruan is around to pull her out of the many dangerous situations, help her put her thoughts in order, and make her feel safe and loved.
The mystery kept me guessing, so much was happening and Ruby was in danger ALOT. She has questions about what was happening and she wasn't going to rest until she figured out what's going on at Saint Oda's and what happened to her mom.
I loved the characters, the mystery, and the magic. All of this kept me on the edge of my seat, and I can't wait to see what's going to happen in the next book!
Ruby and Ruan go to Belgium to try and find her long lost, thought dead, mother. Only to find that she died just days prior. Ruby has a very hard time with the news. She feels guilty that if she hadn't procrastinated she might have gotten to see her mother and maybe she wouldn't have died. However, Saint Oda's and the village feel strange from the moment they arrive. The kind of strange that pricks Ruby's instincts, and then she goes into investigative mode. Things go awry pretty quickly, thankfully, Ruan is around to pull her out of the many dangerous situations, help her put her thoughts in order, and make her feel safe and loved.
The mystery kept me guessing, so much was happening and Ruby was in danger ALOT. She has questions about what was happening and she wasn't going to rest until she figured out what's going on at Saint Oda's and what happened to her mom.
I loved the characters, the mystery, and the magic. All of this kept me on the edge of my seat, and I can't wait to see what's going to happen in the next book!
November 3, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Jess Armstrong, and Minotaur Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
These books get heavier and heavier every time and I am HERE FOR IT.
We finally FINALLY get some more answers about the supernatural surrounding Ruby. Well, we get some answers. Maybe one. And then a few more questions. Okay so I’m still confused. But I don’t care because I love being in this vague in-between.
This is also probably one of the most devastating books I’ve read in awhile because, even though it’s a work of fiction, it’s based on real horrors during WWI. And it’s so full of hope, which is just brutal against the historical record. So full of complexity and mortality and emotion.
Ruby is who I want to be when I grow up. Ruan is who I want to be when I grow up and see my credit card statements. Their dynamic together is amazing - it could’ve gotten stale after the two officially got together in Oxford but NOOOOOOOPE I love them.
I would like infinite Ruby Vaughn mysteries, please.
These books get heavier and heavier every time and I am HERE FOR IT.
We finally FINALLY get some more answers about the supernatural surrounding Ruby. Well, we get some answers. Maybe one. And then a few more questions. Okay so I’m still confused. But I don’t care because I love being in this vague in-between.
This is also probably one of the most devastating books I’ve read in awhile because, even though it’s a work of fiction, it’s based on real horrors during WWI. And it’s so full of hope, which is just brutal against the historical record. So full of complexity and mortality and emotion.
Ruby is who I want to be when I grow up. Ruan is who I want to be when I grow up and see my credit card statements. Their dynamic together is amazing - it could’ve gotten stale after the two officially got together in Oxford but NOOOOOOOPE I love them.
I would like infinite Ruby Vaughn mysteries, please.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Banter, ghosts, disappearances, poisoning, a pellar, and one determined protagonist... yep, you guessed it. Ruby Vaughn is back, and better than ever!
In the latest installment of the series, Ruby and her partner Ruan hurry to Belgium after learning that Ruby's mother, who all believe to be dead, may still be alive. When they arrive, it is only to learn that she has (yet again) died. Determined to get to the bottom of things, Ruby takes up the investigation.
While this novel is not afraid to explore the more somber themes of trauma and the lingering impacts of the Great War, its tone is also lifted by the humorous rapport between reoccurring characters. With this juxtaposition, the author deftly portrays characters who are concurrently living in the past and the present.
A welcome addition to the series, this novel is highly recommended.
Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for an advanced reader's copy of this book.
In the latest installment of the series, Ruby and her partner Ruan hurry to Belgium after learning that Ruby's mother, who all believe to be dead, may still be alive. When they arrive, it is only to learn that she has (yet again) died. Determined to get to the bottom of things, Ruby takes up the investigation.
While this novel is not afraid to explore the more somber themes of trauma and the lingering impacts of the Great War, its tone is also lifted by the humorous rapport between reoccurring characters. With this juxtaposition, the author deftly portrays characters who are concurrently living in the past and the present.
A welcome addition to the series, this novel is highly recommended.
Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for an advanced reader's copy of this book.
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