Gray Places

by Julia Byrd

1790s Yorkshire, England - Katherine Gilbert sets out for Wainforth Manor in North Yorkshire to fulfill her father’s last request. The master of Wainforth, Thomas Norcliffe, does not welcome her unannounced arrival, so Katherine must tread carefully around his dark moods while attempting to unlock the history buried in his ancestral home.

After she receives more than one whispered warning from the townspeople in Wainforth Village, Katherine’s initial audacity begins to waver. Deadly secrets from the Norcliffe family’s past are resurfacing, and Katherine begins to realize that the biggest danger lies within herself—the wisest course is to leave, but she wants to stay at Wainforth Manor and uncover the truth about Thomas Norcliffe.

193 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 5, 2017

Reviews

[thefictionfaery · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. 5 fangirling, hysterically squealing stars. Need I say more? Yes I do. But first:

I received an eARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. So let's get to it!

"He laughed again. Being rude to visitors put Thomas Norcliffe in a fine, spirited mood."

Well Thomas Norcliffe comes off as a typical tall-dark-and-handsome bastard doesn't he? Though not stereotypically so - no, he's far darker and mysterious than your average bookish heartthrob Joe, because Mr. Norcliffe actually has some pretty deep, dark secrets that he's hiding.

This isn't just some historical costume drama-slash-romance. No, this is a costume MYSTERY. Which kind of surprised me at first, but when I got into it, I was left completely intrigued (and confused - what's actually going on here?). Is Mr. Norcliffe, brooding and dark as he is, the bad guy? Or if he isn't, then who is? Because something truly sketchy is going on.

Luckily we've got a headstrong and witty female protoganist prepared to dive in deeper as she arrives as Mr. Norcliffe's estate - as an uninvited guest, mind you.

"“Dance with me,” he commanded, stretching out a hand. I raised an eyebrow at him. “So eloquent, so charming,” I said sarcastically and took another sip of punch, pointedly not reaching for his hand."

Katherine Gilbert is sharp-tongued, brave, down-to-earth and everything you'd want in a heroine, especially in a book set in this time and age. I adored her to bits, although she does have some weak, human moments that I can easily forgive her for.

I truly loved this book, and it gave me a taste of - and thirst for - romantic mysteries, a genre I really haven't explored until now.

I give this book my warmest reccomendations, especially for those as smitten with costume dramas as I am.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gray Places by Julia Byrd

Hmmm..... This book has the feel of being written in the time the story was set – the late 1700’s. It is descriptive and slow in the beginning with the first real stirring of intrigue occurring around page 65 when Thomas stealthily goes over the balcony railing, digs up a box and returns. By page 80 a secret passage has been stumbled upon and something is definitely not right with the world Katherine has forcefully placed herself into.

This book has a bit of the feel of a Gothic Romance with scattered bones, crazy behavior by some characters, a murder or two and an underlying unexplained sinister and mysterious atmospher. What Katherine Gilbert expected to find when researching a Palladian home in North Yorkshire was definitely not what she ended up finding…or at least not totally. Thomas Norcliffe, owner of Wainsforth, is not as old or staid as she thought he would be and a whole lot more interesting than she was prepared for.

I believe that if you are a reader who likes the story to grow on you rather than start with a bang and are interested in reading a historical mystery with romance then this might be the book for you. Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars

[Bridget Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally purchased this book because it was a whopping $.99 on amazon and I was desperate to read a new book but also low on funds. I was very pleasantly surprised with this book. I mean it was a bit predictable but I am also very good at guessing at endings. I have recently turned to more period piece books and this one kept me quite entertained in fact I could barely put it down I finished it within a couple of days, this does not mean that I thought it was the best most well written book ever, I am not a genius when it comes to writing I just like to read and a story that is told decently with a good plot is usually sure to keep me reading and this book did just that.

If you aren't super picky about a book and just enjoy reading to be entertained this is a good book, if you are looking for a book that is perfectly true to history and is aiming to be the greatest novel ever written this one might not be for you.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up to read on vacation. Not my usual fare, but enjoyed it none the less. It does suffer from some serious anachronisms, and the English is clearly American (lots of references to "cookies" vs. "biscuits," use of "while" vs. "whilst," and other Americanisms, etc.), but still a fun read, nonetheless. The setting seemed a little arbitrary, you could have transported the whole novel to 1700's New England without needing to change almost anything, and it would have solved the American/British language issues for most non-historians. A solid debut novel, though. It really picked up mid-book, and although I had certainly guessed several of the main twists, there were some that kept me guessing. If the editor had been a Brit, I think this would have fit well in the Brontë sisters' style with some modern flair.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5.0

A historical romance with gothic overtones, “Gray Places” is a novel of intrigue and slow romantic undertones set shortly after the American War of Independence.

Read full review in the 2017 June issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Sheri Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gray Places is a typical Victorian romance. The ambience of the setting serves as the backdrop to the unfolding of mystery and romance. I particularly enjoyed the verbal tussle between the characters. It was a quick and fun read. I hope Ms. Byrd continues to write such stories and continues to perfect her storytelling by bringing depth and feeling to her characters and places.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gray Places is indeed shrouded in mystery from dark family secrets. The protagonist is an emboldened educated Miss, who, at first, manipulates her way into the grand mansion to work on an architectural study. But soon finds that her life in danger, not from the dark Master of the mansion, but by the entanglements of treading over boundaries that were buried long ago.

[Lisa Shardlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every minute of this book, it was gripping, mysterious and romantic. All the way through I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next. Thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. So, when will the next one be released?

[Janet Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

. Liked the story line. Everyone.


Liked the story line
Everyone should enjoy this book,well written.
Keeps one guessing about Thomas the main character.
Surprising ending.

[marci ware · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down

It's been a while since I read a book that made me stay up late so that I could read more. Awesome book. Kudos to the author.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great first book!! Kept you in suspense until the end!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep writing, Julia

I did enjoy reading this book and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a sweet gothic romantic suspense.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely delightful - I couldn't put it down! Julia Byrd's fantastic debut novel has just the right amount of suspense and romance, and the story's twists and turns tie together masterfully at the end.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I was hooked on the main character - a strong, independent, smart woman who was witty and sarcastic. I like that the character fit within the time period, but wasn't diminished by it.

And the plot line - I didn't expect it to be a mystery! With most mysteries I've read the answer is given away early on if you're reading carefully, but I didn't find that to be the case in this one.

I thought this was a great airplane read - not too fluffy (like a beach read) and not too complicated (like a dense novel translated 100 years ago). I did have to use my dictionary a few times... but that says more about me than the story! :)

[Kelly Marie]

*I received a copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.

One of my favorite types of romance is gothic suspense and this one is now a favorite! It gave me chills and that's what I want from a story like this. Every time something was revealed no matter how small it was shocking because I did not see it coming. The big secret and the reason for it are terrifying but explain so much. The romance isn't completely front and center, but I don't mind it with stories like this one. When I got to the end I wanted more.

Katherine is someone that when she sets her mind to do it then look out. I loved her from the start because she boldly showed up at the house and didn't run at the sign of something was wrong. She could stand her ground and fight if needed.

Thomas is complicated and runs hot and cold but for good reasons. He guards his heart and those around him because of the past and it can break your heart. You have to get to know him throughout the book to love and understand him. When he lets his guard down he really does.