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All Her Beautiful Deaths
A gothic tale in two timelines in which the lives of two women intersect through a series of mysterious, eerily beautiful photographs of the dead
London, 1865. Minnie has been sent to Culpepper House to work as a maid. She’s been told that the Culpepper twins are odd, and odd they are. Edmund and Edith seem to do as they please, with Edmund running a laboratory from the house and Edith running about with glass plates in order to create photographs. When Minnie spies what Edith is photographing—a young woman and swan, both dead—she is horrified. But with nowhere else to go, there is nothing to do but remain and try to unlock the mystery of Culpepper House’s secrets before she becomes the victim of such a photograph.
London, present day. When Sydney-based artist Hadley is involved in an art world scandal revolving around an album of exquisite Victorian death photographs, she’s met with a flurry of media attention and the offer to create an installation centering on a heartbreaking image of a young woman and a swan. Then comes a shocking offer from the enigmatic Kit Culpepper of the Culpepper Trust…an eye-watering sum of money, with the condition that Hadley sell him the album and never speak of its contents again. As Hadley digs deeper, she begins to suspect Kit Culpepper is guarding a deathly secret…and she’s not entirely sure how far he’ll go to keep it.
London, 1865. Minnie has been sent to Culpepper House to work as a maid. She’s been told that the Culpepper twins are odd, and odd they are. Edmund and Edith seem to do as they please, with Edmund running a laboratory from the house and Edith running about with glass plates in order to create photographs. When Minnie spies what Edith is photographing—a young woman and swan, both dead—she is horrified. But with nowhere else to go, there is nothing to do but remain and try to unlock the mystery of Culpepper House’s secrets before she becomes the victim of such a photograph.
London, present day. When Sydney-based artist Hadley is involved in an art world scandal revolving around an album of exquisite Victorian death photographs, she’s met with a flurry of media attention and the offer to create an installation centering on a heartbreaking image of a young woman and a swan. Then comes a shocking offer from the enigmatic Kit Culpepper of the Culpepper Trust…an eye-watering sum of money, with the condition that Hadley sell him the album and never speak of its contents again. As Hadley digs deeper, she begins to suspect Kit Culpepper is guarding a deathly secret…and she’s not entirely sure how far he’ll go to keep it.
464 pages, Hardcover
Published September 22, 2026
About the author
A. Rushby
2 books157 followersA. Rushby (also writing as Allison Rushby), was gifted the middle name of Jane, for Jane Austen. Wordsmithing was duly destined and, under several pseudonyms, she has published more than thirty books. She has long been a fan of cities steeped in history, wild, overgrown cemeteries, red brick Victorian museums, the curious and the uncanny. She prefers to write with a cup of French Earl Grey tea by her side and a cat curled up in her lap.
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
All Her Beautiful Deaths by A. Rushby ★★★★★
PUBLISH DATE: September 22, 2026
I stepped slightly outside my usual genre for this gothic historical fiction novel, and I didn’t know what to expect. This book completely pulled me in from the beginning. The Victorian memorial photography immediately caught my attention, and I was fascinated by the mystery surrounding the photographs, the Culpepper family, and what was really happening.
For a good portion of the book, I wasn’t sure who I could trust. I changed my mind more than once. Just when I thought I had figured things out, another piece of the puzzle would fall into place and make me question everything again.
What I loved most was that this book felt gothic without feeling dark or hopeless. There are cemeteries, memorial photography, family secrets, visions, and plenty of mystery, but underneath all of that is a story about love, sacrifice, second chances, and the courage to do what is right.
The art and photography throughout the story were incredible. Many of the ideas and projects described in this book were things I never would have thought of myself, and they added so much depth to the story. The dual timelines worked really well for me too. I found myself invested in both Minnie and Hadley’s stories and eager to get back to each of them whenever the chapters switched.
There was a point toward the end where I wasn’t entirely sure how I was going to feel about the direction things were taking. I worried the story might become much darker than I wanted it to. Thankfully, it didn’t. Instead, the author brought everything together in a way that felt satisfying and complete.
One of my favorite things about this book was the ending. The mysteries are answered, the loose ends are tied up, and I finished the book feeling happy and satisfied. Looking back, so many clues were there from the beginning.
If you enjoy gothic historical fiction, dual timelines, family secrets, mysterious photographs, and stories that balance mystery with heart, I highly recommend this one.
Content Warnings: Death, grief, child loss, illness, memorial/postmortem photography, and discussions of death. Readers should also know the novel includes same-sex relationships. Because of the historical setting, these relationships are portrayed primarily through emotional connection, affection, longing, and devotion rather than explicit scenes. There are no graphic intimate scenes on page.
PUBLISH DATE: September 22, 2026
BOOK TITLE: All Her Beautiful Deaths
AUTHOR: A. Rushby (Allison Rushby)
PUBLISHER: Berkley Publishing Group
FORMAT: Ebook
PAGES: 464
I received a complimentary digital ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
PUBLISH DATE: September 22, 2026
I stepped slightly outside my usual genre for this gothic historical fiction novel, and I didn’t know what to expect. This book completely pulled me in from the beginning. The Victorian memorial photography immediately caught my attention, and I was fascinated by the mystery surrounding the photographs, the Culpepper family, and what was really happening.
For a good portion of the book, I wasn’t sure who I could trust. I changed my mind more than once. Just when I thought I had figured things out, another piece of the puzzle would fall into place and make me question everything again.
What I loved most was that this book felt gothic without feeling dark or hopeless. There are cemeteries, memorial photography, family secrets, visions, and plenty of mystery, but underneath all of that is a story about love, sacrifice, second chances, and the courage to do what is right.
The art and photography throughout the story were incredible. Many of the ideas and projects described in this book were things I never would have thought of myself, and they added so much depth to the story. The dual timelines worked really well for me too. I found myself invested in both Minnie and Hadley’s stories and eager to get back to each of them whenever the chapters switched.
There was a point toward the end where I wasn’t entirely sure how I was going to feel about the direction things were taking. I worried the story might become much darker than I wanted it to. Thankfully, it didn’t. Instead, the author brought everything together in a way that felt satisfying and complete.
One of my favorite things about this book was the ending. The mysteries are answered, the loose ends are tied up, and I finished the book feeling happy and satisfied. Looking back, so many clues were there from the beginning.
If you enjoy gothic historical fiction, dual timelines, family secrets, mysterious photographs, and stories that balance mystery with heart, I highly recommend this one.
Content Warnings: Death, grief, child loss, illness, memorial/postmortem photography, and discussions of death. Readers should also know the novel includes same-sex relationships. Because of the historical setting, these relationships are portrayed primarily through emotional connection, affection, longing, and devotion rather than explicit scenes. There are no graphic intimate scenes on page.
PUBLISH DATE: September 22, 2026
BOOK TITLE: All Her Beautiful Deaths
AUTHOR: A. Rushby (Allison Rushby)
PUBLISHER: Berkley Publishing Group
FORMAT: Ebook
PAGES: 464
I received a complimentary digital ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
October 29, 2026
Love is transcendent.
This, part gothic thriller, part historical fiction, was absolute perfection! The alternating timelines were done flawlessly. I was hooked from the very beginning!
Hadley is a grief-filled, struggling artist who has come into possession of a Victorian-era photo album. She's completely awestruck by the beautiful death photographs. When Kit Culpepper catches wind that Hadley has his family's album, he immediately does everything in his power to get it back. As we progress through the story, we learn of Edith, Minnie, Edmund, and William, and all the obstacles they had to overcome to create such beautiful photos, as well as to protect their safety.
Beautiful. Haunting. Informative. Amazing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the Advanced Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date : 9.22.2026
This, part gothic thriller, part historical fiction, was absolute perfection! The alternating timelines were done flawlessly. I was hooked from the very beginning!
Hadley is a grief-filled, struggling artist who has come into possession of a Victorian-era photo album. She's completely awestruck by the beautiful death photographs. When Kit Culpepper catches wind that Hadley has his family's album, he immediately does everything in his power to get it back. As we progress through the story, we learn of Edith, Minnie, Edmund, and William, and all the obstacles they had to overcome to create such beautiful photos, as well as to protect their safety.
Beautiful. Haunting. Informative. Amazing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the Advanced Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date : 9.22.2026
July 1, 2026
Thank you A. Rushby and NetGalley for my e-ARC
Two women, separated by decades, connected by an eerie album of photographs of the dead.
In 1865 London, Minnie uncovers secrets while working as a maid for the odd Culpepper twins.
In present day London, artist Hadley finds herself caught up in a scandal while investigating a Victorian album of death photographs.
Gothic mystery
Family secrets
Dual timelines
This was such an incredible read! Beautifully written in the most haunting way. I was pulled right in to the mystery of it all.
Culpepper house is not just a house that seems alive, but one that slowly drains the life from you. I was constantly worried for Minnie as she uncovered the dark secrets of the Culpepper family. And I loved piecing together the mystery with Hadley as she digs into the past for answers. The way everything came together in the end, with all the little connections and surprises, was so satisfying and made the story even more unforgettable.
If you love gothic mysteries with eerie settings, yearning, and lots of secrets, I highly recommend adding this one to your tbr!
Two women, separated by decades, connected by an eerie album of photographs of the dead.
In 1865 London, Minnie uncovers secrets while working as a maid for the odd Culpepper twins.
In present day London, artist Hadley finds herself caught up in a scandal while investigating a Victorian album of death photographs.
Gothic mystery
Family secrets
Dual timelines
This was such an incredible read! Beautifully written in the most haunting way. I was pulled right in to the mystery of it all.
Culpepper house is not just a house that seems alive, but one that slowly drains the life from you. I was constantly worried for Minnie as she uncovered the dark secrets of the Culpepper family. And I loved piecing together the mystery with Hadley as she digs into the past for answers. The way everything came together in the end, with all the little connections and surprises, was so satisfying and made the story even more unforgettable.
If you love gothic mysteries with eerie settings, yearning, and lots of secrets, I highly recommend adding this one to your tbr!
Want to Read
June 23, 2026OH MY GOD HOW DO I GET A COPY
March 17, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25 (4.25 stars)
To be honest, this story completely exceeded my expectations!
But let’s start at the beginning, I chose this because I was fascinated by the synopsis and I thought the cover was absolutely stunning (yeah, I’m this type of person who judges books by its covers sometimes) and as soon as I started reading it, I was hooked. The story was soo well written and constructed so interestingly with the dual timeline and narrative that one didn’t want to put the book away even for just a minute.
I have to admit, that I liked Edith and Minnie’s timeline more than Hadley’s but that’s mostly because I feel always more drawn to sapphic characters and especially given the fact that Edith and Minnie’s timeline plays in 1865, I was just overall soo interested in knowing more about death photography and the Culpepper household from that era. That said, I still liked Hadley’s timeline too, I loved how mysterious it was written and how - as a reader - one kept guessing too who could be the ‘bad’ guy and if Kit is actually good or bad or both?
Moreover, I really adored how the timelines somewhat intersected and how we got to see Minnie’s timeline as soon as Hadley - more or less - found something important out about the family. And I also really liked how the story still had a romance in each timeline as well as the fact that it included sapphic as well as gay characters (William and Edmund have also part of my heart now).
Nevertheless, I also have a few things that I didn’t like so much, though that said, I want to highlight that I’m being picky about it because I did like the book sooo much. I would’ve loved to see even more of Minnie’s timeline especially after Hadley found out the truth. I don’t wanna spoil so I cannot name what exactly but generally, I would’ve loved to see even more.
Overall though, it was a really great and super interesting read. One that I will definitely cherish for a long while to come and also one that I will buy as a physical copy 🙈.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest and voluntarily given review.
To be honest, this story completely exceeded my expectations!
But let’s start at the beginning, I chose this because I was fascinated by the synopsis and I thought the cover was absolutely stunning (yeah, I’m this type of person who judges books by its covers sometimes) and as soon as I started reading it, I was hooked. The story was soo well written and constructed so interestingly with the dual timeline and narrative that one didn’t want to put the book away even for just a minute.
I have to admit, that I liked Edith and Minnie’s timeline more than Hadley’s but that’s mostly because I feel always more drawn to sapphic characters and especially given the fact that Edith and Minnie’s timeline plays in 1865, I was just overall soo interested in knowing more about death photography and the Culpepper household from that era. That said, I still liked Hadley’s timeline too, I loved how mysterious it was written and how - as a reader - one kept guessing too who could be the ‘bad’ guy and if Kit is actually good or bad or both?
Moreover, I really adored how the timelines somewhat intersected and how we got to see Minnie’s timeline as soon as Hadley - more or less - found something important out about the family. And I also really liked how the story still had a romance in each timeline as well as the fact that it included sapphic as well as gay characters (William and Edmund have also part of my heart now).
Nevertheless, I also have a few things that I didn’t like so much, though that said, I want to highlight that I’m being picky about it because I did like the book sooo much. I would’ve loved to see even more of Minnie’s timeline especially after Hadley found out the truth. I don’t wanna spoil so I cannot name what exactly but generally, I would’ve loved to see even more.
Overall though, it was a really great and super interesting read. One that I will definitely cherish for a long while to come and also one that I will buy as a physical copy 🙈.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest and voluntarily given review.
October 5, 2026
4.5 stars
All Her Beautiful Deaths was so great, truly better than I expected. The secrets drove me insane, in the best way. There is a slow burn mystery that builds while maintaining a consistent pace and this just gradually got better and better the more I kept reading.
I really enjoyed the narrative style choice here. It's beautifully written. Now, I know I have been very vocal about my dislike when books alternate between first person narrative and third person narrative for different povs, BUT, that's because they never seem to have a purpose, especially when they are in the same timeline. But, here it makes sense! This is set with an alternating time period, so it absolutely works and I enjoyed it. This might actually be the first time I not only minded but thought it was a smart use.
The timeline would alternate at just the best time, or worst if you're trying to find a place to pause, because the chapters would leave on a little cliff hanger and switch to the next pov and I was left with no other choice but to keep reading! But I actually found it exciting.
I was so invested in both Minnie and Hadley's characters. I was so concerned for their well being because they both experience eerie and unsettling events, and I was desperate for them (and me) to find answers.
All Her Beautiful Deaths was so great, truly better than I expected. The secrets drove me insane, in the best way. There is a slow burn mystery that builds while maintaining a consistent pace and this just gradually got better and better the more I kept reading.
I really enjoyed the narrative style choice here. It's beautifully written. Now, I know I have been very vocal about my dislike when books alternate between first person narrative and third person narrative for different povs, BUT, that's because they never seem to have a purpose, especially when they are in the same timeline. But, here it makes sense! This is set with an alternating time period, so it absolutely works and I enjoyed it. This might actually be the first time I not only minded but thought it was a smart use.
The timeline would alternate at just the best time, or worst if you're trying to find a place to pause, because the chapters would leave on a little cliff hanger and switch to the next pov and I was left with no other choice but to keep reading! But I actually found it exciting.
I was so invested in both Minnie and Hadley's characters. I was so concerned for their well being because they both experience eerie and unsettling events, and I was desperate for them (and me) to find answers.
October 17, 2026
thought i would like this more :(
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ok, my main issue with this book is that it is classified as horror. This is absolutely not horror. Historical fictions? Yes. If that is your jam, you’ll love this. It is also marketed as sapphic. I would say it’s sapphic-light. For me, there was not enough sapphic content to sink your teeth into. There was a lot (a lot) of build up with minimal execution. But that also brings me back to the fact that it’s Historical Fiction and why I don’t generally read it.
That said, the writing was excellent. The dual timelines were excellent. Character development was excellent. Story was mediocre for me. The reveal didn’t justify the book in my opinion. However, again, if Historical Fiction is your genre I think you’ll like this.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
That said, the writing was excellent. The dual timelines were excellent. Character development was excellent. Story was mediocre for me. The reveal didn’t justify the book in my opinion. However, again, if Historical Fiction is your genre I think you’ll like this.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 3, 2026
Huge thanks to Berkley for the physical ARC. I like every cover for this one!
A dual timeline. One, a victorian live-in maid, the other, a twenty something trying to right her life and swallow her grief. Minnie takes employment at the Culpepper home, where she is to help Edith with her needs, but also to come out of her shell of grief. Her and her twin brother, Edmund, live strange lives, and something quite startling happens early on in her employment that makes her unsure how to continue. She perseveres for the sake of her own twin, who is sickly, feeling almost a sort of twisted kinship between them. Hadley, the present-day grieving artist, has recently come into possession of a photo album that links back to the Culpepper’s in victorian times. Previously owned by her recently deceased dear friend, the album holds a truly special place in her heart, not just for its tie to her friend, but also the beauty of the photographs. Through these death memorial photos, Hadley is thrown into a wild set of weeks as her life upturns as Kit Culpepper, a descendant with great buying power and influence, tries to purchase the album from her. As the timelines seem to mirror, shift, and distance themselves from each other, not everything is as it seems.
What to say about this one? Rushby has completely surprised me yet again. Slashed Beauties was a 5/5 and a top read for me last year, and here we are again with this. AHBD is completely different from SB, and yet the writing feels borne from the same place. There is something so magnetic, so hypnotic, so masterful about the prose the author creates, that the novels feel like drastically different pieces from one singular universe. I couldn’t put either down. And that’s saying a lot as I am a notoriously slow reader. This story is harder to place in terms of genre—is it horror, thriller, romance, all of the above?—though no less gripping. I think the dual timeline and the shadow of mystery, the gothic layer, made it so I was expecting a dark turn every step of the way. And trust me, it is dark. It’s just not without light. Hadley lives in the real world, and that does come with loss, grief, and disappointment, but there is also hope, surprise, maybe even love. I’m usually not one for romances (and I’m not sure how to say this calmly), but I was thinking the whole time, “if these m*therf**kers don’t get together I’m going to lose it.” And that, to me, is totally a testament to the author’s writing ability.
The author seems very particular about characters in the best way. They may not always make decisions you understand or agree with, but they have all the making and layers of real humans. There’s really not a single throwaway with the writing, and the main characters shine. Minnie is unsure of her place in Culpepper house, though never unsure of herself or her morality. Edith and Edmund both navigate a world that was not ready for their gayness, especially when their family business and money would make them targets. Edith, who survived the illness that took their parents and sister, has trouble hearing and speaking, and feels embarrassed to do so. Edmund works tirelessly to perfect new medicines that actually help people, rather than the previous “cure-all.” Hadley is following in the footsteps of her artist mother, though unsure how to highlight her own talents away from that. Even Kit Culpepper is balanced on the edge of a knife, maintaining when and if he shows that he’s more than just the family power and wallet, especially when some of those funds may come from places less than above board. This is all a balancing act that I feel I struggle with as a writer myself, as well as see in so many other stories. The characters don’t just exist to move the plot, and that’s a special talent.
The plot itself is filled with twists, turns, and deception. From ulterior motives, theft, chips on shoulders, and assumed wrongs, there’s not a single person uninvolved. For a good while I really didn’t know who to suspect, and even if you guess wrong, there’s a good chance the one you thought of isn’t wholly innocent either! And all through this, there’s this romantic subplot, this sense of inevitability between Hadley and Kit. And I love that the author didn’t make this neat and easy, didn’t make it the main plot point, didn’t leave it as something that simply happens. Their attraction is another layer, another thing to have held against them, and that elevates it from simply romance to … whatever this is. I’m still not sure how to classify it, but it’s a truly splendid read.
https://fanfiaddict.com/review-all-he...
A dual timeline. One, a victorian live-in maid, the other, a twenty something trying to right her life and swallow her grief. Minnie takes employment at the Culpepper home, where she is to help Edith with her needs, but also to come out of her shell of grief. Her and her twin brother, Edmund, live strange lives, and something quite startling happens early on in her employment that makes her unsure how to continue. She perseveres for the sake of her own twin, who is sickly, feeling almost a sort of twisted kinship between them. Hadley, the present-day grieving artist, has recently come into possession of a photo album that links back to the Culpepper’s in victorian times. Previously owned by her recently deceased dear friend, the album holds a truly special place in her heart, not just for its tie to her friend, but also the beauty of the photographs. Through these death memorial photos, Hadley is thrown into a wild set of weeks as her life upturns as Kit Culpepper, a descendant with great buying power and influence, tries to purchase the album from her. As the timelines seem to mirror, shift, and distance themselves from each other, not everything is as it seems.
What to say about this one? Rushby has completely surprised me yet again. Slashed Beauties was a 5/5 and a top read for me last year, and here we are again with this. AHBD is completely different from SB, and yet the writing feels borne from the same place. There is something so magnetic, so hypnotic, so masterful about the prose the author creates, that the novels feel like drastically different pieces from one singular universe. I couldn’t put either down. And that’s saying a lot as I am a notoriously slow reader. This story is harder to place in terms of genre—is it horror, thriller, romance, all of the above?—though no less gripping. I think the dual timeline and the shadow of mystery, the gothic layer, made it so I was expecting a dark turn every step of the way. And trust me, it is dark. It’s just not without light. Hadley lives in the real world, and that does come with loss, grief, and disappointment, but there is also hope, surprise, maybe even love. I’m usually not one for romances (and I’m not sure how to say this calmly), but I was thinking the whole time, “if these m*therf**kers don’t get together I’m going to lose it.” And that, to me, is totally a testament to the author’s writing ability.
The author seems very particular about characters in the best way. They may not always make decisions you understand or agree with, but they have all the making and layers of real humans. There’s really not a single throwaway with the writing, and the main characters shine. Minnie is unsure of her place in Culpepper house, though never unsure of herself or her morality. Edith and Edmund both navigate a world that was not ready for their gayness, especially when their family business and money would make them targets. Edith, who survived the illness that took their parents and sister, has trouble hearing and speaking, and feels embarrassed to do so. Edmund works tirelessly to perfect new medicines that actually help people, rather than the previous “cure-all.” Hadley is following in the footsteps of her artist mother, though unsure how to highlight her own talents away from that. Even Kit Culpepper is balanced on the edge of a knife, maintaining when and if he shows that he’s more than just the family power and wallet, especially when some of those funds may come from places less than above board. This is all a balancing act that I feel I struggle with as a writer myself, as well as see in so many other stories. The characters don’t just exist to move the plot, and that’s a special talent.
The plot itself is filled with twists, turns, and deception. From ulterior motives, theft, chips on shoulders, and assumed wrongs, there’s not a single person uninvolved. For a good while I really didn’t know who to suspect, and even if you guess wrong, there’s a good chance the one you thought of isn’t wholly innocent either! And all through this, there’s this romantic subplot, this sense of inevitability between Hadley and Kit. And I love that the author didn’t make this neat and easy, didn’t make it the main plot point, didn’t leave it as something that simply happens. Their attraction is another layer, another thing to have held against them, and that elevates it from simply romance to … whatever this is. I’m still not sure how to classify it, but it’s a truly splendid read.
https://fanfiaddict.com/review-all-he...
September 26, 2026
In London, 1865 Minnie is desperate for work. She takes a job for the wealthy Culpepper twins but it is not a typical place of employment. Edmund runs a laboratory from inside the house while sister Edith experiments with morbid photography. With a sick sister to care for Minnie has little choice but to stay in the job and discover what is going on. Then in present day London Hadley is consumed by a Victorian death album. Kit Culpepper of the Culpepper trust offers money for the album. Are there secrets of the album too much to give up?
Haunting, moody, and beautifully written All Her Beautiful Deaths is perfect for fans of horror that leans toward the macabre. This is isn't my typical read and I did have to take it slow at times but that's just me. It would make a good rainy day read actually.
The story is told in dual timeline. In present day London, Hadley is trying to discover the secrets of a Victorian death photography album. Someone from the family is offering her a lot of money for it. What could they be hiding? There is a mystery element as she works to learn the history behind it all. I think readers will be happy when the truth is revealed because it's a good one.
Thank you to A. Rushby for the eARC!
Haunting, moody, and beautifully written All Her Beautiful Deaths is perfect for fans of horror that leans toward the macabre. This is isn't my typical read and I did have to take it slow at times but that's just me. It would make a good rainy day read actually.
The story is told in dual timeline. In present day London, Hadley is trying to discover the secrets of a Victorian death photography album. Someone from the family is offering her a lot of money for it. What could they be hiding? There is a mystery element as she works to learn the history behind it all. I think readers will be happy when the truth is revealed because it's a good one.
Thank you to A. Rushby for the eARC!
September 24, 2026
🥹 Where do I even begin? This was such a unique premise and I’m so happy I read it. This book is part historical fiction, part mystery, with a dash of romance. There’s so many layers to this book and I was completely captivated the entire time I was reading it. There’s two timelines and I found both equally interesting. I give all the credit to the author and their writing style. I’m an absolute fan. The uniqueness of the plot and the beautiful ending made this a five star read for me. The final words were perfect and honestly inspiring. I loved it!
July 25, 2026
This one didn’t creep up on me….this one had me captivated from the very beginning.
Now I’ll be honest, I’m not sure how exactly this one grabbed me so quickly. It could have been any number of things, the Victorian setting intertwining with the modern day storyline, the vast array of amazing characters, the intriguing and enigmatic Culpepper House, or the mysterious but heartfelt memorial photos that are central to the story, but what I do know is that it had me from the very first page.
Dual timelines taking part in London in late 1965 and modern day, told from the point of view of Minnie, a young maid new to the Culpepper household in the Victorian era, and Hadley, a grieving Sydney artist in the possession of some eerily beautiful Victorian death photography, who through a culmination of events ends up moving to London, where things really ramp up.
This is a book with many faces….
All Her Beautiful Deaths is historical fiction meets modern drama with thriller/mystery vibes, and add to that a couple of romances, some forbidden romance, a multitude of secrets, a majestic yet haunting grand manor, a tragically beautiful cemetery, and the cutthroat artistic world.
I have mentioned Minnie and Hadley, which I adore, but I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention some other equally loveable characters. Loveable for their own unique qualities. Kit Culpepper who turns Hadley’s world on its side, making her question everything she thought she knew about the stunning images and herself, Edith and Edmund, twins and the owners of Culpepper House, and their friend William, as well as Hadley’s extended chosen family Elke, Gretchen and sassy Charlie. All the characters are so skilfully created.
I really could go on and on about this book, but I think it’s best if you make discoveries for yourself. See what and how you feel about the haunting images, experience the grandeur of the house for yourself, become friends with characters in your own way, but just know that when you fall in love with this story, you won’t be on your own.
Thank you HQ Books for my fabulous ARC to read and review.
Publication date | 1 September 2026
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#stunninglybeautiful
#hqbooks
#harpercollinsaustralia
Now I’ll be honest, I’m not sure how exactly this one grabbed me so quickly. It could have been any number of things, the Victorian setting intertwining with the modern day storyline, the vast array of amazing characters, the intriguing and enigmatic Culpepper House, or the mysterious but heartfelt memorial photos that are central to the story, but what I do know is that it had me from the very first page.
Dual timelines taking part in London in late 1965 and modern day, told from the point of view of Minnie, a young maid new to the Culpepper household in the Victorian era, and Hadley, a grieving Sydney artist in the possession of some eerily beautiful Victorian death photography, who through a culmination of events ends up moving to London, where things really ramp up.
This is a book with many faces….
All Her Beautiful Deaths is historical fiction meets modern drama with thriller/mystery vibes, and add to that a couple of romances, some forbidden romance, a multitude of secrets, a majestic yet haunting grand manor, a tragically beautiful cemetery, and the cutthroat artistic world.
I have mentioned Minnie and Hadley, which I adore, but I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention some other equally loveable characters. Loveable for their own unique qualities. Kit Culpepper who turns Hadley’s world on its side, making her question everything she thought she knew about the stunning images and herself, Edith and Edmund, twins and the owners of Culpepper House, and their friend William, as well as Hadley’s extended chosen family Elke, Gretchen and sassy Charlie. All the characters are so skilfully created.
I really could go on and on about this book, but I think it’s best if you make discoveries for yourself. See what and how you feel about the haunting images, experience the grandeur of the house for yourself, become friends with characters in your own way, but just know that when you fall in love with this story, you won’t be on your own.
Thank you HQ Books for my fabulous ARC to read and review.
Publication date | 1 September 2026
#allherbeautifuldeaths
#arushby
#stunninglybeautiful
#hqbooks
#harpercollinsaustralia
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is my second book by A. Rushby, and once again, I have to give credit where credit is due: she comes up with some of the most unusual premises. Victorian death photography, two artists separated by more than a century, and a mystery that connects their lives is the kind of concept that immediately makes me want to know more.
Unfortunately, the execution didn't quite work for me.
My biggest struggle was the writing style. I often felt as though the narrator was talking 'at' me rather than allowing me to experience the story alongside the characters. There was a lot of explanation and telling, but I wanted more showing, particularly when it came to the emotional moments. The premise gives the characters so much to feel, yet I often found myself observing those emotions rather than actually feeling them.
For such a beautifully macabre concept, I also wanted more depth. There were moments that should have lingered with me, but instead felt somewhat surface-level. I kept waiting for the story to pull me beneath the mystery and into the emotional heart of these characters, and unfortunately, I never quite got there.
That said, I can absolutely appreciate the creativity behind this book. The premise is genuinely fascinating, and I can understand why it has resonated so strongly with other readers. For me, though, an extraordinary premise needs an equally immersive emotional execution, and that was the piece I was missing.
A case of 'admiring the idea far more than connecting with the telling '.
Thank you, HQ, for providing me with an arc for review.
Unfortunately, the execution didn't quite work for me.
My biggest struggle was the writing style. I often felt as though the narrator was talking 'at' me rather than allowing me to experience the story alongside the characters. There was a lot of explanation and telling, but I wanted more showing, particularly when it came to the emotional moments. The premise gives the characters so much to feel, yet I often found myself observing those emotions rather than actually feeling them.
For such a beautifully macabre concept, I also wanted more depth. There were moments that should have lingered with me, but instead felt somewhat surface-level. I kept waiting for the story to pull me beneath the mystery and into the emotional heart of these characters, and unfortunately, I never quite got there.
That said, I can absolutely appreciate the creativity behind this book. The premise is genuinely fascinating, and I can understand why it has resonated so strongly with other readers. For me, though, an extraordinary premise needs an equally immersive emotional execution, and that was the piece I was missing.
A case of 'admiring the idea far more than connecting with the telling '.
Thank you, HQ, for providing me with an arc for review.
June 10, 2026
All Her Beautiful Deaths was a beautifully haunting gothic mystery that completely drew me in. The dual timelines were woven together perfectly. You have Victorian death photography, long buried family secrets, and a compelling mystery that kept me guessing until the very end.
I especially loved the dark setting and the way the suspense slowly built with each chapter. The characters felt real and engaging, and I found myself fully invested in uncovering the truth alongside them. The writing was vivid and immersive, making it easy to get lost in both timelines.
If you enjoy gothic fiction, historical mysteries, and stories filled with secrets and intrigue, this is definitely one to add to your TBR. 🖤📚✨
I especially loved the dark setting and the way the suspense slowly built with each chapter. The characters felt real and engaging, and I found myself fully invested in uncovering the truth alongside them. The writing was vivid and immersive, making it easy to get lost in both timelines.
If you enjoy gothic fiction, historical mysteries, and stories filled with secrets and intrigue, this is definitely one to add to your TBR. 🖤📚✨
September 5, 2026
First off - thank you so much to Verve for a beautiful proof copy of All Her Beautiful Deaths as I had already read and reviewed Rushby's Slashed Beauties
Whits it aboot?
Two women, separated by more than a century, become connected through the eerie and macabre world of Victorian death photography and the dark secrets of the Culpepper family.
1865: Minnie’s twin sis is poorly to try and afford doctors and what not, she takes a job as a maid at Culpepper House. Her employers, the Culpeppers are also twins, but they’re rich so obvy a bit eccentric, well maybe more enigmatic actually 🌝 Edmund runs a chemistry lab in the house, fekkin about with tinctures and remedies while Edith experiments with taking creepy af photographs of the dead. Minnie was being a snoopy wee shite and sees Edith photographing a dead lass girl posed with a swan, and she realises she is trapped in a house harboring deadly secrets.
Present day: Hadley inherits a photo album from a dear friend that has a selection of these death pics. One particular photo, the one of the girl and the swan is the centre of an art world scandal (no surprise it’s due to arsehole behaviour of a man, that Hadz exposes) She is then offered the chance to build a gallery installation however, Kit Culpepper, offers Hadley an wonderful sum of money to buy the album and to zip her lips. She’s like HMMM SUSPICIOUS, something juicy is afoot, and that the album is precious to her due to it being from her good friend who did she’s like NAW and stats diggin.
Review!
I ate this shit up 👏🏻 so much so I even visited an art museum in Malaga coz it gave me a new appreciation for modern art 🎨 the art and photography depictions were so vivid and with depth that I could completely visualise the scene and evoked emotions in the stone of a heart.
Often with dual timelines I favour one over the other but I was so gasping and thirsty for both timelines I was never disappointed when there was a shift.
Such a fan of the fan of the fact that one time line was sapphic and one was hetero - feel like you don’t see that too often it’s usually one or the other but my guys, LOVE BE LOVE INNIT 🧡😊
I was suspicious of everyone and questioning motives and integrity left and right 🧐
*slight potential spoiler but not really* only direction I didn’t care for too much was the tiny tiny hint to the supernatural- now don’t get me wrong I love magic n shit
The conclusion to the story felt totally satisfying - I abhor ambiguity but this was all tied up nicely. Honestly it might even be a book I reread in the future (and yer gal never rereads standalones)
Aye so definitely pick this up if you’re a fan of
🎞️Gothic Mystery
🦢Dual timeline
🎞️Victorian death photography
🦢Dark family secrets
🎞️”Memento mori”
🦢Second Chances
Whits it aboot?
Two women, separated by more than a century, become connected through the eerie and macabre world of Victorian death photography and the dark secrets of the Culpepper family.
1865: Minnie’s twin sis is poorly to try and afford doctors and what not, she takes a job as a maid at Culpepper House. Her employers, the Culpeppers are also twins, but they’re rich so obvy a bit eccentric, well maybe more enigmatic actually 🌝 Edmund runs a chemistry lab in the house, fekkin about with tinctures and remedies while Edith experiments with taking creepy af photographs of the dead. Minnie was being a snoopy wee shite and sees Edith photographing a dead lass girl posed with a swan, and she realises she is trapped in a house harboring deadly secrets.
Present day: Hadley inherits a photo album from a dear friend that has a selection of these death pics. One particular photo, the one of the girl and the swan is the centre of an art world scandal (no surprise it’s due to arsehole behaviour of a man, that Hadz exposes) She is then offered the chance to build a gallery installation however, Kit Culpepper, offers Hadley an wonderful sum of money to buy the album and to zip her lips. She’s like HMMM SUSPICIOUS, something juicy is afoot, and that the album is precious to her due to it being from her good friend who did she’s like NAW and stats diggin.
Review!
I ate this shit up 👏🏻 so much so I even visited an art museum in Malaga coz it gave me a new appreciation for modern art 🎨 the art and photography depictions were so vivid and with depth that I could completely visualise the scene and evoked emotions in the stone of a heart.
Often with dual timelines I favour one over the other but I was so gasping and thirsty for both timelines I was never disappointed when there was a shift.
Such a fan of the fan of the fact that one time line was sapphic and one was hetero - feel like you don’t see that too often it’s usually one or the other but my guys, LOVE BE LOVE INNIT 🧡😊
I was suspicious of everyone and questioning motives and integrity left and right 🧐
*slight potential spoiler but not really* only direction I didn’t care for too much was the tiny tiny hint to the supernatural- now don’t get me wrong I love magic n shit
The conclusion to the story felt totally satisfying - I abhor ambiguity but this was all tied up nicely. Honestly it might even be a book I reread in the future (and yer gal never rereads standalones)
Aye so definitely pick this up if you’re a fan of
🎞️Gothic Mystery
🦢Dual timeline
🎞️Victorian death photography
🦢Dark family secrets
🎞️”Memento mori”
🦢Second Chances
September 14, 2026
I think A. Rushby might be my new favorite author for gothic novels. All Her Beautiful Deaths had that same atmospheric, mysterious vibe she brought to her debut, Slashed Beauties.
From Victorian London to present day, I savored the dual timeline, waiting patiently to see how the stories would converge. 1865, the Culpepper House, the twins, death photography, and all the secrets tangled up in it were fascinating and disturbing in equal measure. I kept turning the pages, invested in unraveling the mystery surrounding the women who came to stay with the Culpeppers. The house, the customs, the danger of loving someone you weren't supposed to love in a time when it could cost you everything, and the Victorian practice of photographing the dead all stayed true to the era. Edith and her talents, Minnie and her suspicions, made this timeline endlessly intriguing.
The present-day timeline starts in Australia before moving to London. Hadley, a woman grieving while trying to figure out her next career move, was a complex character, and I had complicated feelings about her. Don't get me wrong, I had a soft spot for her, trying to make a name for herself without being tied entirely to her famous mother. But past trauma left her suspicious of everyone's intentions, and that's where she started to grate on me a little, jumping to conclusions more than once. Fortunately, Rushby gave Hadley a character journey too compelling to look away from, and by the end, I ended up loving her completely. The chemistry between her and the Culpepper heir crackled, at least for this reader. From the moment they locked eyes, I felt it, like I was right there watching them.
The revelation behind the secrets made the wait worth it. It was profound, and I loved the thread of women helping women running through it. There's also real attention paid to art itself, specifically installation art, and everything that goes on behind the scenes, the real challenges artists face trying to make it and secure patronage.
The audiobook, narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, gave it that atmospheric feel with her raspy, beautiful voice. She has a wide range, bringing distinct nuance to every character as well as the narrative portions. I listened to the audio paired with the print in one sitting. Once I started, I couldn't put it down.
Thank you, Penguin Random House Audion, Berkley, and NetGalley, for my advance review copies. All opinions are my own.
From Victorian London to present day, I savored the dual timeline, waiting patiently to see how the stories would converge. 1865, the Culpepper House, the twins, death photography, and all the secrets tangled up in it were fascinating and disturbing in equal measure. I kept turning the pages, invested in unraveling the mystery surrounding the women who came to stay with the Culpeppers. The house, the customs, the danger of loving someone you weren't supposed to love in a time when it could cost you everything, and the Victorian practice of photographing the dead all stayed true to the era. Edith and her talents, Minnie and her suspicions, made this timeline endlessly intriguing.
The present-day timeline starts in Australia before moving to London. Hadley, a woman grieving while trying to figure out her next career move, was a complex character, and I had complicated feelings about her. Don't get me wrong, I had a soft spot for her, trying to make a name for herself without being tied entirely to her famous mother. But past trauma left her suspicious of everyone's intentions, and that's where she started to grate on me a little, jumping to conclusions more than once. Fortunately, Rushby gave Hadley a character journey too compelling to look away from, and by the end, I ended up loving her completely. The chemistry between her and the Culpepper heir crackled, at least for this reader. From the moment they locked eyes, I felt it, like I was right there watching them.
The revelation behind the secrets made the wait worth it. It was profound, and I loved the thread of women helping women running through it. There's also real attention paid to art itself, specifically installation art, and everything that goes on behind the scenes, the real challenges artists face trying to make it and secure patronage.
The audiobook, narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, gave it that atmospheric feel with her raspy, beautiful voice. She has a wide range, bringing distinct nuance to every character as well as the narrative portions. I listened to the audio paired with the print in one sitting. Once I started, I couldn't put it down.
Thank you, Penguin Random House Audion, Berkley, and NetGalley, for my advance review copies. All opinions are my own.
September 24, 2026
In 1865 London, Minnie takes a job as a maid for the wealthy and unsettling Culpepper twins, only to discover that their unconventional interests conceal a disturbing secret. In the present day, artist Hadley becomes fascinated by a Victorian death photograph of a young girl with a swan and is offered a fortune by Kit Culpepper to sell the album and keep its contents secret. As Hadley investigates the photograph's dark history, she uncovers a connection between the past and present and begins to question just how far Kit will go to protect the Culpepper family's secrets.
This must be the month of art because all the ARCs I’ve read this month have focused on the creation of art. Not that I’m complaining, because they’ve all been fantastic at incorporating creativity into their stories, and this book by Rushby is no different.
I really enjoyed this slow-paced narrative with its gothic vibes and the mystery surrounding who took the photographs of the dead women. The history of post-mortem photography is fascinating, and having it as one of the main premises of the story was incredibly appealing. I loved following the journey as the mystery slowly unfolded and the connections between the past and present became clearer.
I have to say, I think I enjoyed Minnie and Hadley’s stories equally. There was such a nice balance between the two, with their stories being very different but ultimately connected. In fact, I loved both of their determination and how their past experiences had shaped them into tougher, more aware women, which is exactly what I want to see in female characters.
I think this story leans beautifully into the gothic atmosphere of the Victorian era, which really enhanced Edith and Minnie’s story. That said, I wish there had been more of Minnie’s story once Hadley discovers the truth, if only so we could see the two timelines tie together more fully.
If you love gothic mysteries and female-centred characters, you’ll love this! 4/5
Thanks to the publisher and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This must be the month of art because all the ARCs I’ve read this month have focused on the creation of art. Not that I’m complaining, because they’ve all been fantastic at incorporating creativity into their stories, and this book by Rushby is no different.
I really enjoyed this slow-paced narrative with its gothic vibes and the mystery surrounding who took the photographs of the dead women. The history of post-mortem photography is fascinating, and having it as one of the main premises of the story was incredibly appealing. I loved following the journey as the mystery slowly unfolded and the connections between the past and present became clearer.
I have to say, I think I enjoyed Minnie and Hadley’s stories equally. There was such a nice balance between the two, with their stories being very different but ultimately connected. In fact, I loved both of their determination and how their past experiences had shaped them into tougher, more aware women, which is exactly what I want to see in female characters.
I think this story leans beautifully into the gothic atmosphere of the Victorian era, which really enhanced Edith and Minnie’s story. That said, I wish there had been more of Minnie’s story once Hadley discovers the truth, if only so we could see the two timelines tie together more fully.
If you love gothic mysteries and female-centred characters, you’ll love this! 4/5
Thanks to the publisher and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 22, 2026
This book is a gothic mystery combined with historical fiction. It’s a fascinating story, and one which I thoroughly enjoyed reading.
The story has a dual timeline which I love. It follows Minnie’s story in 1865, and Hadley in the present day. Minnie finds herself working at Culpepper House where she becomes embroiled in the mystery of Edith’s photography - after seeing Edith taking photos of women who have just died.
These same photographs turn up in Hadley’s life, in present day Australia, and lead her on a journey to London to create an art installation based on them. She meets the rather suave Kit Culpepper, who is trying to reclaim the photographs for his family.
I found the narrative so readable; it immediately hooked me in and moved seamlessly from one century to another. I liked most of the characters too, although I didn’t have a clue who to trust. There seemed to be something going on behind the scenes with most of them.
After reading the trigger warnings at the front of the book, I must say I was expecting something darker. Yes, there is a great sense of mystery and a house which seems to watch over its occupants, but it is more of a love story at heart. It encompasses the love between different couples, and the love for family and friends too.
I was fascinated by the morbid photography, especially the way it was shown to be beautiful, and the elements I saw of the art world and preparing for an exhibition too. The author has taken inspiration from real artists, and it was interesting to read about this in her notes at the end of the book.
It is a skilfully woven plot and a very interesting story to read, although I admired the reveal in 1865 more than the present day one. Having said that, I’m looking forward to reading more by this author as her writing style really appealed to me.
I was sent an early copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The story has a dual timeline which I love. It follows Minnie’s story in 1865, and Hadley in the present day. Minnie finds herself working at Culpepper House where she becomes embroiled in the mystery of Edith’s photography - after seeing Edith taking photos of women who have just died.
These same photographs turn up in Hadley’s life, in present day Australia, and lead her on a journey to London to create an art installation based on them. She meets the rather suave Kit Culpepper, who is trying to reclaim the photographs for his family.
I found the narrative so readable; it immediately hooked me in and moved seamlessly from one century to another. I liked most of the characters too, although I didn’t have a clue who to trust. There seemed to be something going on behind the scenes with most of them.
After reading the trigger warnings at the front of the book, I must say I was expecting something darker. Yes, there is a great sense of mystery and a house which seems to watch over its occupants, but it is more of a love story at heart. It encompasses the love between different couples, and the love for family and friends too.
I was fascinated by the morbid photography, especially the way it was shown to be beautiful, and the elements I saw of the art world and preparing for an exhibition too. The author has taken inspiration from real artists, and it was interesting to read about this in her notes at the end of the book.
It is a skilfully woven plot and a very interesting story to read, although I admired the reveal in 1865 more than the present day one. Having said that, I’m looking forward to reading more by this author as her writing style really appealed to me.
I was sent an early copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
August 3, 2026
I have to thank Allison for reaching out to me, chatting about this book she’s poured so much love into creating, and offering me an early read. For an author to say it’s her favorite, of the dozens of books she’s already written, had me interested to say the least.
As someone that studied analog photography, spent years hauling around large format bellows cameras, and toiled away many hours in dark rooms, the summary absolutely peaked my interest. A story that grows from a love for victorian memorial portraiture into a gothic tale that binds itself to modern day installation artistry sounded too good to be true. I seemed to have stumbled on a book taylor made for me, and I truly couldn’t put it down. Not only were the worlds of both artists captivating, but their individual stories were uniquely heartfelt.
The hazy lens of both victorian-Minnie and modern day-Hadley’s experiences slowly clear as their connections become more apparent. Time transforms into less of an obstacle keeping these eras distant from one another into the glue binding their shared moments. There were strong time travel elements without actually convoluting the timeline with that sort of thing. The added bonus of an atmosphere dripping with the gothic delights was the cherry on top. A Victorian mansion, opulent cemetery, verdant conservatory, quack medicines, and even a hint of supernatural magic put this on another level for me.
I was transported every time I picked this book up. Constantly questioning and reexamining characters as I got further into the mystery of it all. A pleasure to read with a satisfying conclusion.
Thanks again to Allison Rushby for your brilliant story and allowing me to read it early.
As someone that studied analog photography, spent years hauling around large format bellows cameras, and toiled away many hours in dark rooms, the summary absolutely peaked my interest. A story that grows from a love for victorian memorial portraiture into a gothic tale that binds itself to modern day installation artistry sounded too good to be true. I seemed to have stumbled on a book taylor made for me, and I truly couldn’t put it down. Not only were the worlds of both artists captivating, but their individual stories were uniquely heartfelt.
The hazy lens of both victorian-Minnie and modern day-Hadley’s experiences slowly clear as their connections become more apparent. Time transforms into less of an obstacle keeping these eras distant from one another into the glue binding their shared moments. There were strong time travel elements without actually convoluting the timeline with that sort of thing. The added bonus of an atmosphere dripping with the gothic delights was the cherry on top. A Victorian mansion, opulent cemetery, verdant conservatory, quack medicines, and even a hint of supernatural magic put this on another level for me.
I was transported every time I picked this book up. Constantly questioning and reexamining characters as I got further into the mystery of it all. A pleasure to read with a satisfying conclusion.
Thanks again to Allison Rushby for your brilliant story and allowing me to read it early.
October 13, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the gifted ebook.
My Review
I really enjoyed this book! The writing was amazing, and I found myself getting anxious wondering what was going to happen next. I love a good Gothic story, especially one with secrets, strange characters, and a mystery that keeps me guessing, and this one definitely delivered.
The story takes place in two timelines, with Minnie working at Culpepper House in 1865 and Hadley dealing with a mysterious collection of Victorian death photographs in the present day. I enjoyed both of their stories, especially how the photographs connected everything. Minnie finds herself surrounded by some very strange people, including the Culpepper twins, and honestly, I would have had a few questions about that household myself! Hadley has her own mysteries to figure out, and I enjoyed following both women as they tried to understand what was really happening.
I also thought the characters were well written, and I enjoyed seeing how they grew throughout the story. Being a huge horror reader, I'm not sure I would actually call this horror, but that didn't take anything away from my enjoyment. The mystery, Gothic atmosphere, and wonderful writing were more than enough to keep me interested.
Would I Recommend?
Yes! If you enjoy Gothic mysteries, historical fiction, and stories told through two timelines, I think this is worth picking up. I had a great time with it, and the writing was definitely one of my favorite parts.
My Review
I really enjoyed this book! The writing was amazing, and I found myself getting anxious wondering what was going to happen next. I love a good Gothic story, especially one with secrets, strange characters, and a mystery that keeps me guessing, and this one definitely delivered.
The story takes place in two timelines, with Minnie working at Culpepper House in 1865 and Hadley dealing with a mysterious collection of Victorian death photographs in the present day. I enjoyed both of their stories, especially how the photographs connected everything. Minnie finds herself surrounded by some very strange people, including the Culpepper twins, and honestly, I would have had a few questions about that household myself! Hadley has her own mysteries to figure out, and I enjoyed following both women as they tried to understand what was really happening.
I also thought the characters were well written, and I enjoyed seeing how they grew throughout the story. Being a huge horror reader, I'm not sure I would actually call this horror, but that didn't take anything away from my enjoyment. The mystery, Gothic atmosphere, and wonderful writing were more than enough to keep me interested.
Would I Recommend?
Yes! If you enjoy Gothic mysteries, historical fiction, and stories told through two timelines, I think this is worth picking up. I had a great time with it, and the writing was definitely one of my favorite parts.
September 22, 2026
All Her Beautiful Deaths is an engaging mystery wrapped in historical fiction. (With a side of underground gin club. I would love to go to that IRL!)
Thank you to Penguin Random House and for my gifted copy for review.
I so enjoyed author Alison Rushby's last book, Slashed Beauties, and loved her newest as much or perhaps even more.
The story is in dual timeline London, with Minnie in 1865 and current-day Hadley. I was previously unfamiliar with Victorian memorial photography, but it's a backing piece of lore in this book and I was immediately fascinated. A specific photo of a deceased woman captured on print with a swan takes on special significance.
There is so much to take in with this book, from many intertwined characters, thefts and poisonings, behind the scenes of the photography and art world, mysterious motives, and a fantastic reveal to wrap it all up.
Recommended!
Released on Sept. 22.
Thank you to Penguin Random House and for my gifted copy for review.
I so enjoyed author Alison Rushby's last book, Slashed Beauties, and loved her newest as much or perhaps even more.
The story is in dual timeline London, with Minnie in 1865 and current-day Hadley. I was previously unfamiliar with Victorian memorial photography, but it's a backing piece of lore in this book and I was immediately fascinated. A specific photo of a deceased woman captured on print with a swan takes on special significance.
There is so much to take in with this book, from many intertwined characters, thefts and poisonings, behind the scenes of the photography and art world, mysterious motives, and a fantastic reveal to wrap it all up.
Recommended!
Released on Sept. 22.
September 30, 2026
“You belong here, it croons, folding me into itself.”
Give me a Victorian gothic mystery, creepy old photographs, dual timelines, family secrets and a house that apparently has opinions, and obviously I’m reading it. 😂
The amount of research that went into All Her Beautiful Deaths really stood out to me. The historical details were so well done, and I loved where the mystery surrounding Edith Culpepper’s photographs eventually took us.
There is A LOT happening in this book, though. By the end I was ready for some answers because it took a while to bring all those pieces together. But when they finally did it was just beautiful.
This ended up being a story about so much more than a mystery. Women helping women. Love and grief. Family, both the one you’re born into and the people you find along the way. And all those ordinary days that don’t feel nearly so ordinary once someone you love is gone. I def recommend adding this to your tbr.
Thank you @berkleypub for the gifted copy.
Give me a Victorian gothic mystery, creepy old photographs, dual timelines, family secrets and a house that apparently has opinions, and obviously I’m reading it. 😂
The amount of research that went into All Her Beautiful Deaths really stood out to me. The historical details were so well done, and I loved where the mystery surrounding Edith Culpepper’s photographs eventually took us.
There is A LOT happening in this book, though. By the end I was ready for some answers because it took a while to bring all those pieces together. But when they finally did it was just beautiful.
This ended up being a story about so much more than a mystery. Women helping women. Love and grief. Family, both the one you’re born into and the people you find along the way. And all those ordinary days that don’t feel nearly so ordinary once someone you love is gone. I def recommend adding this to your tbr.
Thank you @berkleypub for the gifted copy.
September 13, 2026
Thank you Berkley for the ARC!
GOD did I love this. I don't know if I can put it into words how much I enjoyed this. This may be my new personality.
Like Slashed Beauties, this is a dual timeline story where the past and present converge over the lives of two women. Edith takes memorial photos of dead women in 1865, and Hadley is moved and inspired by those photos after the loss of her best friend and her mother. Who was the woman who took the photos? WHY did she take them? Who do they belong to? Why do men suck SOOOOOOOO much?--These are all questions Hadley tries to answer while also getting a second chance at life.
This was one of those rare books for me where I thought both timelines were equally interesting. I loved Edith and Minnie's story, but I also loved Hadley's story of self discovery and growth. I wish we got more of Edith and Minnie's POV, because I feel like there's so much opportunity there for more relationship development, more plot, more...everything. Does it NEED it? Absolutely not--it was great as it is. I'm just greedy and really loved it and wanted more.
The only thing I didn't really care for in this was the magical realism of the house that appears for 2 seconds in the beginning and 2 seconds again at the end. It wasn't necessary, didn't add anything to the story, and it made the ending feel a little....trite. AND I wish we had a copy of the photo in the book!! Everything centers around this photo, and I think it would have been amazing to include a copy of it for the reader to "see" too.
I will be recommending this book to everyone and their mother for the forseeable future.
GOD did I love this. I don't know if I can put it into words how much I enjoyed this. This may be my new personality.
Like Slashed Beauties, this is a dual timeline story where the past and present converge over the lives of two women. Edith takes memorial photos of dead women in 1865, and Hadley is moved and inspired by those photos after the loss of her best friend and her mother. Who was the woman who took the photos? WHY did she take them? Who do they belong to? Why do men suck SOOOOOOOO much?--These are all questions Hadley tries to answer while also getting a second chance at life.
This was one of those rare books for me where I thought both timelines were equally interesting. I loved Edith and Minnie's story, but I also loved Hadley's story of self discovery and growth. I wish we got more of Edith and Minnie's POV, because I feel like there's so much opportunity there for more relationship development, more plot, more...everything. Does it NEED it? Absolutely not--it was great as it is. I'm just greedy and really loved it and wanted more.
The only thing I didn't really care for in this was the magical realism of the house that appears for 2 seconds in the beginning and 2 seconds again at the end. It wasn't necessary, didn't add anything to the story, and it made the ending feel a little....trite. AND I wish we had a copy of the photo in the book!! Everything centers around this photo, and I think it would have been amazing to include a copy of it for the reader to "see" too.
I will be recommending this book to everyone and their mother for the forseeable future.
September 27, 2026
This story was really intriguing. I knew nothing of Victorian death photos, so it was interesting to learn of this and then having the two timelines intertwined really kept me interested in all the characters. I loved how this story unfolded. I would not say this was truly a horror book, although it touches on the macabre death photos, this really did not have anything truly disturbing. This was more historical fiction and how women survived during this time frame. I have to say that this is the second book by A. Rushby that I have read that brings up historical death practices that you would not really think or know about and weaves them into their story. Really enjoyed this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC.
October 30, 2026
I received an early copy of Slashed Beauties by this author last year and loved it. So I was thrilled to get a copy of this one! The dual timelines each had a mystery to puzzle out and strong female characters, connecting the Victorian era to the present day. The story maintained my attention, and I ended up bingeing the entire thing in one sitting. Death photography from the Victorian era is morbid but fascinating, so of course that appealed to me too. 😅 I also loved that one of the main characters shared a name with my dog Hadley. For people who like romance, there is a touch of that as well. Fans of gothic and historical mysteries would enjoy this one. Thank you, @berkleypub and @allisonrushbyauthor, for the free hardcover! #berkleypartner
July 25, 2026
4,5⭐️
Thank you to Netgalley and Verve books for allowing me to read and give an honest review of this book, which will be released on September 1st. And what better release date than when summer slowly starts to slip into fall? That’s exactly how this story felt.
This book has the perfect gothic, Victorian, sapphic, artistic vibes.
I was immediately wrapped up in these interlacing stories, lives and times. The Victorian memento mori photographs were so interesting and intriguing that they made me want to research them further.
There is a lot of love in this book, both family love and romantic love. I don’t usually like romance, so I was more invested in some storylines than others. But besides that, it was an amazing read, with so many elements that spoke to me.
Another great discovery thanks to an ARC. I’ll definitely be looking into more of this author’s work.
Thank you to Netgalley and Verve books for allowing me to read and give an honest review of this book, which will be released on September 1st. And what better release date than when summer slowly starts to slip into fall? That’s exactly how this story felt.
This book has the perfect gothic, Victorian, sapphic, artistic vibes.
I was immediately wrapped up in these interlacing stories, lives and times. The Victorian memento mori photographs were so interesting and intriguing that they made me want to research them further.
There is a lot of love in this book, both family love and romantic love. I don’t usually like romance, so I was more invested in some storylines than others. But besides that, it was an amazing read, with so many elements that spoke to me.
Another great discovery thanks to an ARC. I’ll definitely be looking into more of this author’s work.
September 24, 2026
Completely captivated me with this eerie gothic atmosphere and intriguing mystery. The two timelines were seamlessly connected, creating a story filled with Victorian death photography, hidden family secrets, and plenty of twists that kept me questioning everything right up to the final pages.
The moody setting was one of my favorite parts, and I loved how the tension gradually intensified as the story unfolded. The characters were believable and memorable, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their search for answers. The descriptive, atmospheric writing also brought both timelines to life and made the entire book feel incredibly immersive.
If gothic fiction, historical mysteries, family secrets, and slow-building suspense are your kind of read, *All Her Beautiful Deaths* is definitely worth adding to your TBR!
The moody setting was one of my favorite parts, and I loved how the tension gradually intensified as the story unfolded. The characters were believable and memorable, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their search for answers. The descriptive, atmospheric writing also brought both timelines to life and made the entire book feel incredibly immersive.
If gothic fiction, historical mysteries, family secrets, and slow-building suspense are your kind of read, *All Her Beautiful Deaths* is definitely worth adding to your TBR!
September 24, 2026
4 stars ⭐️I ATE this up. Really enjoyed this gothic historical mystery and it was just a random buy because I was drawn to the cover.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
All Her Beautiful Deaths is a dual timeline Gothic mystery about two young women connected via a photo album. In present day London, an Australian artist named Hadley is involved in an art world scandal involving an album of Victorian death photographs, especially the swan photo. When a man named Kit Culpepper of the Culpepper Trust offers her a large sum of money to sell him the album and never mentions the photos again, she feels like he might have ulterior motives.
In the past, we saw what life was like for Minnie, a maid at Culpepper house, in London in 1865. She meets the Culpepper twins, Edmund and Edith, who are odd. Edmund runs a laboratory and Edith takes photographs. Death photographs. She's scared, but she has nowhere else to go, so she decides to solve whatever mystery is going on in the house.
So, this book is 464 pages and it felt much longer at times. I liked the time I spent reading about the past more than the present. Minnie is an interesting character who's trying to adapt to her situation, figure out what's going on and survive. Hadley from the present is an art nepo baby who claims that she isn't one and she doesn't get angry enough when things happen to her. I felt like the writing for the past parts was more lush and gripping than the present too. The people in the present don't talk normally. They info dump and monologue. If someone did something wrong to me I wouldn't just stand there for 20 minutes while they talked about why they did it and how much fun it was. I'd walk away. Not Hadley though. I can't really recommend it.
Thank you very much to the Berkley Influencer Hub For Underrepresented Voices for the gifted copy via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
In the past, we saw what life was like for Minnie, a maid at Culpepper house, in London in 1865. She meets the Culpepper twins, Edmund and Edith, who are odd. Edmund runs a laboratory and Edith takes photographs. Death photographs. She's scared, but she has nowhere else to go, so she decides to solve whatever mystery is going on in the house.
So, this book is 464 pages and it felt much longer at times. I liked the time I spent reading about the past more than the present. Minnie is an interesting character who's trying to adapt to her situation, figure out what's going on and survive. Hadley from the present is an art nepo baby who claims that she isn't one and she doesn't get angry enough when things happen to her. I felt like the writing for the past parts was more lush and gripping than the present too. The people in the present don't talk normally. They info dump and monologue. If someone did something wrong to me I wouldn't just stand there for 20 minutes while they talked about why they did it and how much fun it was. I'd walk away. Not Hadley though. I can't really recommend it.
Thank you very much to the Berkley Influencer Hub For Underrepresented Voices for the gifted copy via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
August 19, 2026
Wowowowow. This completely exceeded my expectations, I stayed up way past my bedtime to keep reading just one more chapter... I couldn't get enough of this story!
All Her Beautiful Deaths is a stunning dual POV connecting 2 women across centuries, all because of photos of the dead. Minnie is a maid at the eccentric Culpepper house, where wages pay for secrecy and decent work. Hadley is an artist with a complicated past who's just inherited the very thing the Culpepper family has been searching for, the photo album.
This book has one of the most unique plots I've come across in a very long time, which made it all the more captivating to me. I didn't know Victorian death photography was real until reading the synopsis for this book. You can tell how much care and research Allison put into this to really do the subject justice, and maaaaan did she ever do it justice!
This is such an interesting blend of gothic historical fiction and literary fiction focused on the arts, in all its intricacies and issues. While I did enjoy Minnie's POV more than Hadley's (I'm much more privy to gothic, sapphic stories than current ones, especially if they take place in beautiful gothic mansions overlooking a cemetery), I didn't find myself bored or wishing I was in Minnie's POV at any point through Hadley's. Hadley's POV was just as full of mystery as Minnie's was, and the cast of characters in the present day were all so memorable and strong, even though you couldn't trust a single one of them. I was constantly guessing, changing my theories, and had no idea which characters I could really trust. I enjoyed how seamlessly things came together between the two timelines; each time Hadley got close to or discovered something new, Minnie's POV came sweeping in to show what actually happened in the past, rather than just telling the reader. It made for such an immersive and effective story.
4.5 stars overall, rounded up!
All Her Beautiful Deaths is a stunning dual POV connecting 2 women across centuries, all because of photos of the dead. Minnie is a maid at the eccentric Culpepper house, where wages pay for secrecy and decent work. Hadley is an artist with a complicated past who's just inherited the very thing the Culpepper family has been searching for, the photo album.
This book has one of the most unique plots I've come across in a very long time, which made it all the more captivating to me. I didn't know Victorian death photography was real until reading the synopsis for this book. You can tell how much care and research Allison put into this to really do the subject justice, and maaaaan did she ever do it justice!
This is such an interesting blend of gothic historical fiction and literary fiction focused on the arts, in all its intricacies and issues. While I did enjoy Minnie's POV more than Hadley's (I'm much more privy to gothic, sapphic stories than current ones, especially if they take place in beautiful gothic mansions overlooking a cemetery), I didn't find myself bored or wishing I was in Minnie's POV at any point through Hadley's. Hadley's POV was just as full of mystery as Minnie's was, and the cast of characters in the present day were all so memorable and strong, even though you couldn't trust a single one of them. I was constantly guessing, changing my theories, and had no idea which characters I could really trust. I enjoyed how seamlessly things came together between the two timelines; each time Hadley got close to or discovered something new, Minnie's POV came sweeping in to show what actually happened in the past, rather than just telling the reader. It made for such an immersive and effective story.
4.5 stars overall, rounded up!
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