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The Two Mrs. Carlyles
A suspenseful and page-turning descent into obsession, love, and murder in the wake of San Francisco's most deadly earthquake--and Suzanne Rindell's most haunting novel since her acclaimed debut, The Other Typist
Which wife holds the darker secret?
San Francisco, 1906. Violet is one of three people grateful for the destruction of the big earthquake. It leaves her and her two best friends unexpectedly wealthy--if the secret that binds them together stays buried beneath the rubble. Fearing discovery, the women strike out on their own, and orphaned, wallflower Violet reinvents herself.
When a whirlwind romance with the city's most eligible widower, Harry Carlyle, lands her in a luxurious mansion as the second Mrs. Carlyle, it seems like her dreams of happiness and love have come true. But all is not right in the Carlyle home, and Violet soon finds herself trapped by the lingering spectre of the first Mrs. Carlyle, and by the inescapable secrets of her own violent history.
Which wife holds the darker secret?
San Francisco, 1906. Violet is one of three people grateful for the destruction of the big earthquake. It leaves her and her two best friends unexpectedly wealthy--if the secret that binds them together stays buried beneath the rubble. Fearing discovery, the women strike out on their own, and orphaned, wallflower Violet reinvents herself.
When a whirlwind romance with the city's most eligible widower, Harry Carlyle, lands her in a luxurious mansion as the second Mrs. Carlyle, it seems like her dreams of happiness and love have come true. But all is not right in the Carlyle home, and Violet soon finds herself trapped by the lingering spectre of the first Mrs. Carlyle, and by the inescapable secrets of her own violent history.
432 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 28, 2020
96 people are currently reading
3267 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne Rindell
10 books919 followersUpcoming novel:
SUMMER FRIDAYS
***May 28, 2024!!!***
Suzanne Rindell is the author of four previous novels: The Other Typist, which has been translated into 20 languages, Three-Martini Lunch, Eagle & Crane, and The Two Mrs. Carlyles.
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About my reviews/activity on Goodreads: I only rate and review books I *like.* If I'm not into it, I simply don't rate it/review it. So you'll only see four or five stars ratings from me, and maybe a few notes about who I think might best enjoy the book in question.
SUMMER FRIDAYS
***May 28, 2024!!!***
Suzanne Rindell is the author of four previous novels: The Other Typist, which has been translated into 20 languages, Three-Martini Lunch, Eagle & Crane, and The Two Mrs. Carlyles.
-----
About my reviews/activity on Goodreads: I only rate and review books I *like.* If I'm not into it, I simply don't rate it/review it. So you'll only see four or five stars ratings from me, and maybe a few notes about who I think might best enjoy the book in question.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 199 reviews
October 7, 2020
The Two Mrs. Carlyles by Suzanne Rindell is a 2020 G.P. Putnam’s Sons publication.
An entertaining ode to classic Gothic literature
After meeting at an orphanage, Violet, Flossie and Cora seize on a mysteriously opportune moment to run away. They find work at a ‘boarding house’, in the red -light district, where the two older girls work in a dance hall, while Violet, who is only fourteen, works in the kitchen. But it looks like Violet could soon be forced out of the kitchen, to become the next ‘dancing girl’ recruit.
But, as bizarre as it sounds, the girls are saved by the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, where in the aftermath, they come away with a tidy sum of money that secures their independence. However, the circumstances dictate they go their separate ways.
Violet begins working as a shop girl, where she meets the wealthy and mysterious, Harry Carlyle- a widower with a few secrets of his own. When she is finally reunited with her old friends, they are stunned to learn she is in a relationship with Harry, whom she eventually marries.
On the surface, it would seem Violet leads a charmed life, but behind the mansion walls, Violet finds herself at odds with Miss Weber, the woman in charge of running the household, and locked into a strange competition with Harry’s first wife. When odd occurrences begin taking place, Violet begins to think the house is trying to force her out- a notion, Miss Weber encourages, while Harry refuses to discuss it.
The air is already thick with tension when the unimaginable happens and suddenly Violet finds herself unable to trust a single soul… nor can the reader- not even Violet!!
Anyone who loves the heavily dramatic atmosphere of old historical Gothic novels, but can also tolerate a large amount of genre bending, will appreciate the tone of this novel. This story is best classified in the encompassing category of historical fiction, but there’s a little romance, a lot of mystery and suspense, as well as a hint of the paranormal, while also heavily leaning on classic Gothic tropes.
It is a twisty story, and the author did a great job with the pacing and timing, and with creating a creepy, tense atmosphere. Unfortunately, it was almost overkill at times, especially as the tropes used here are quite familiar, and very recognizable, even to the most casual Gothic reader. One can’t avoid the comparisons to Du Maurier, but the author also borrows from the Bronte’s, among others. It is a little too transparent and overboard on that front, which caused the story to very nearly unravel a time or time in the second half of the book.
That said, as a huge fan of classic Gothics, historical fiction, and mysteries, I couldn’t help but enjoy this book!! I thought it captured the spirit of the time and place, plus it kept me guessing and engaged, all wrapped up in Violet’s saga, wondering how everything would eventually turn out.
Overall, despite an occasional warble, this is a solid Gothic mystery- a great read for this time of year!
3.5 stars
An entertaining ode to classic Gothic literature
After meeting at an orphanage, Violet, Flossie and Cora seize on a mysteriously opportune moment to run away. They find work at a ‘boarding house’, in the red -light district, where the two older girls work in a dance hall, while Violet, who is only fourteen, works in the kitchen. But it looks like Violet could soon be forced out of the kitchen, to become the next ‘dancing girl’ recruit.
But, as bizarre as it sounds, the girls are saved by the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, where in the aftermath, they come away with a tidy sum of money that secures their independence. However, the circumstances dictate they go their separate ways.
Violet begins working as a shop girl, where she meets the wealthy and mysterious, Harry Carlyle- a widower with a few secrets of his own. When she is finally reunited with her old friends, they are stunned to learn she is in a relationship with Harry, whom she eventually marries.
On the surface, it would seem Violet leads a charmed life, but behind the mansion walls, Violet finds herself at odds with Miss Weber, the woman in charge of running the household, and locked into a strange competition with Harry’s first wife. When odd occurrences begin taking place, Violet begins to think the house is trying to force her out- a notion, Miss Weber encourages, while Harry refuses to discuss it.
The air is already thick with tension when the unimaginable happens and suddenly Violet finds herself unable to trust a single soul… nor can the reader- not even Violet!!
Anyone who loves the heavily dramatic atmosphere of old historical Gothic novels, but can also tolerate a large amount of genre bending, will appreciate the tone of this novel. This story is best classified in the encompassing category of historical fiction, but there’s a little romance, a lot of mystery and suspense, as well as a hint of the paranormal, while also heavily leaning on classic Gothic tropes.
It is a twisty story, and the author did a great job with the pacing and timing, and with creating a creepy, tense atmosphere. Unfortunately, it was almost overkill at times, especially as the tropes used here are quite familiar, and very recognizable, even to the most casual Gothic reader. One can’t avoid the comparisons to Du Maurier, but the author also borrows from the Bronte’s, among others. It is a little too transparent and overboard on that front, which caused the story to very nearly unravel a time or time in the second half of the book.
That said, as a huge fan of classic Gothics, historical fiction, and mysteries, I couldn’t help but enjoy this book!! I thought it captured the spirit of the time and place, plus it kept me guessing and engaged, all wrapped up in Violet’s saga, wondering how everything would eventually turn out.
Overall, despite an occasional warble, this is a solid Gothic mystery- a great read for this time of year!
3.5 stars
May 18, 2020
3.5 stars
Not all secrets are willing to stay buried.
Orphans, San Francisco, a dance hall, an earthquake, a marriage, a haunting, a Gothic tale of love, friendship, marriage, secrets and murder.
The above words can be used to sum up Suzanne Rindell's "The Two Mrs. Carlyles." Violet met Cora and Flossie in an orphanage and soon found good fortune after the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. The mysterious money and their secret around how they obtained the money binds them but also causes them to go their separate ways.
Violet's life changes again when she meets Harry Carlyle and becomes his wife. After moving into his mansion, she soon begins to feel as if something isn't quite right. She hears noises and sees a burning candle. She also lives under the "shadow" of the first Mrs. Carlyle whose picture still hangs in the home. The house appears to have secrets as does Violet herself.
As the book progresses, I soon wondered who could be trusted. Is Violet an unreliable narrator? Is she a victim? Is the house haunted? Is there something more sinister going on? What really happened to the first Mrs. Carlyle? The book had a certain ebb and flow to it, it begins strong introducing Violet, Cora and Flossie, then it evens out and slows down a little but only to build toward the last third of the book where many twists and turns occur. This book does have a dark Gothic feel to it and at times it felt like an homage to Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca.
Besides the 1906 Earthquake and going on a ship to reach the honeymoon location, I feel this book could work in any era. After the honeymoon, I forgot this story was taking place in in the early 1900's as I was invested in the story and wanted to find out just what the heck was going on. But it might have been nice to see a little more about the devastation left behind by the Earthquake. One thing that really worked was the mansion with its Gothic vibe not to mention, the first Mrs. Carlyle's portrait on full display. That is a tad creepy all on its own.
Dark, Gothic, well written and captivating. This is another book with characters who should really be wondering how well they know someone. How well do they know themselves? This was an interesting tale about friendship, obsession, marriage, and wealth.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Not all secrets are willing to stay buried.
Orphans, San Francisco, a dance hall, an earthquake, a marriage, a haunting, a Gothic tale of love, friendship, marriage, secrets and murder.
The above words can be used to sum up Suzanne Rindell's "The Two Mrs. Carlyles." Violet met Cora and Flossie in an orphanage and soon found good fortune after the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. The mysterious money and their secret around how they obtained the money binds them but also causes them to go their separate ways.
Violet's life changes again when she meets Harry Carlyle and becomes his wife. After moving into his mansion, she soon begins to feel as if something isn't quite right. She hears noises and sees a burning candle. She also lives under the "shadow" of the first Mrs. Carlyle whose picture still hangs in the home. The house appears to have secrets as does Violet herself.
As the book progresses, I soon wondered who could be trusted. Is Violet an unreliable narrator? Is she a victim? Is the house haunted? Is there something more sinister going on? What really happened to the first Mrs. Carlyle? The book had a certain ebb and flow to it, it begins strong introducing Violet, Cora and Flossie, then it evens out and slows down a little but only to build toward the last third of the book where many twists and turns occur. This book does have a dark Gothic feel to it and at times it felt like an homage to Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca.
Besides the 1906 Earthquake and going on a ship to reach the honeymoon location, I feel this book could work in any era. After the honeymoon, I forgot this story was taking place in in the early 1900's as I was invested in the story and wanted to find out just what the heck was going on. But it might have been nice to see a little more about the devastation left behind by the Earthquake. One thing that really worked was the mansion with its Gothic vibe not to mention, the first Mrs. Carlyle's portrait on full display. That is a tad creepy all on its own.
Dark, Gothic, well written and captivating. This is another book with characters who should really be wondering how well they know someone. How well do they know themselves? This was an interesting tale about friendship, obsession, marriage, and wealth.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 1, 2020
3.5 stars
Three girls trapped at the turn of the 20th century in a budding San Francisco become the focus of a story when what seems like tragedy to many to many offers opportunity. The San Francisco earthquake becomes a boom to Violet, Flossie and Cora.
The girls previously had run away from the horrendous orphanage they were housed in only to find themselves in the hands of a despicable dance hall owner and his paramour. Both Flossie and Cora become dance hall girls and prostitutes while plain Violet becomes a cook. All three dream of escape and when the earthquake comes, it's not only their means to get away but also offers an opportunity for wealth.
The girls escape and go their separate ways. Later, Violet becomes a shopgirl which brings her into contact with the strange but enormously wealthy Harry Carlyle, a man who was married before with strange secrets and questions about his first wife.
The couple marry and Violet is now residing in a mansion. However, all is not peaches and cream as poor Violet is pitted against the housekeeper Mrs Weed, who also bears secrets and resentment.
Eventually, the three friends reunite and the strange and eerie goings on continue with their intensity increasing.
Will Violet figure out what is happening as the hint of the supernatural looms over her head, or will she follow in the path of the first Mrs Carlyle?
There is a wonderful Gothic feel to the story and one can't help but be reminded of the classic stories that seem to encompass the same tone. However, it does tend to meander a bit and one is not a bit shocked by the outcome.
Overall, it is an enjoyable tale especially for this time of the year.
Many thanks to Suzanne Rindell, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and Edelweiss for a copy of this book which was published in July.
Three girls trapped at the turn of the 20th century in a budding San Francisco become the focus of a story when what seems like tragedy to many to many offers opportunity. The San Francisco earthquake becomes a boom to Violet, Flossie and Cora.
The girls previously had run away from the horrendous orphanage they were housed in only to find themselves in the hands of a despicable dance hall owner and his paramour. Both Flossie and Cora become dance hall girls and prostitutes while plain Violet becomes a cook. All three dream of escape and when the earthquake comes, it's not only their means to get away but also offers an opportunity for wealth.
The girls escape and go their separate ways. Later, Violet becomes a shopgirl which brings her into contact with the strange but enormously wealthy Harry Carlyle, a man who was married before with strange secrets and questions about his first wife.
The couple marry and Violet is now residing in a mansion. However, all is not peaches and cream as poor Violet is pitted against the housekeeper Mrs Weed, who also bears secrets and resentment.
Eventually, the three friends reunite and the strange and eerie goings on continue with their intensity increasing.
Will Violet figure out what is happening as the hint of the supernatural looms over her head, or will she follow in the path of the first Mrs Carlyle?
There is a wonderful Gothic feel to the story and one can't help but be reminded of the classic stories that seem to encompass the same tone. However, it does tend to meander a bit and one is not a bit shocked by the outcome.
Overall, it is an enjoyable tale especially for this time of the year.
Many thanks to Suzanne Rindell, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and Edelweiss for a copy of this book which was published in July.
August 2, 2020
I received an advanced copy of this book from Net Galley and the publisher in return for an honest review. The release date for this book was 28 July 2020
This book felt a bit too long and drawn out. I do tend to be drawn to historical thrillers and this one had all the makings of being a great one, it just some how lost me along the way. The main characters are very interesting and intriguing, it just took a long time to get to the meat of the story. There are a few good twists and turns but overall, this turned out to be just an average story for me.
September 19, 2020
After the dust settled and the final fires were put out after the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, much was revealed in the rubble. And not all the damage can be blamed on Mother Nature.....
San Francisco was slowly seeping from the meltdown of the Gilded Age into the open arms of the Progressive Era. There were still tremors happening in the lives of three young girls who rose from the ashes of their orphanage after the quake settled. Escaping from their former life was on the forefront of their minds.
Out of desperation and the crooked hand of luck, Violet, Flossie, and Cora find themselves in the backrooms of a dancehall. Flossie and Cora are elbowed out of their comfort zone and take to the floor entertaining men looking for wayward company and a fast spin on the floor. Violet, the youngest of the trio, is relegated to the kitchen as a scullery maid and inept cook. Time presses on and an unplanned situation occurs. The girls take to the back door with a windfall of money and a deep desire to hit the road fast. Splitting up is the logical thing to do.
The story takes a turn into the readjustment of life according to Violet. We experience her trials and tribulations as she tries to re-invent herself. Her encounter with a handsome widower proves to be quite the challenge for the naive Violet. Shades of a Daphne Du Maurier novel here.
Suzanne Rindell creates quite the stir in the first part of her novel. As readers we are drawn in by the early experiences of the girls and the devastation left behind from the quake. Rindell should have lingered in this atmospheric panorama a bit longer. This was high interest material with wide-eyed wonder. Instead, we are thrust into Violet's unlikely romance in the second half with ghosts from the past leaning in.
I kicked this one up from a 3.5 to 4 stars because of the fine first half. The Two Mrs. Carlyles is still a worthy read. There's plenty here to keep you locked in. Check it out and see if it gives you the vapors or rattles a few chandeliers.
San Francisco was slowly seeping from the meltdown of the Gilded Age into the open arms of the Progressive Era. There were still tremors happening in the lives of three young girls who rose from the ashes of their orphanage after the quake settled. Escaping from their former life was on the forefront of their minds.
Out of desperation and the crooked hand of luck, Violet, Flossie, and Cora find themselves in the backrooms of a dancehall. Flossie and Cora are elbowed out of their comfort zone and take to the floor entertaining men looking for wayward company and a fast spin on the floor. Violet, the youngest of the trio, is relegated to the kitchen as a scullery maid and inept cook. Time presses on and an unplanned situation occurs. The girls take to the back door with a windfall of money and a deep desire to hit the road fast. Splitting up is the logical thing to do.
The story takes a turn into the readjustment of life according to Violet. We experience her trials and tribulations as she tries to re-invent herself. Her encounter with a handsome widower proves to be quite the challenge for the naive Violet. Shades of a Daphne Du Maurier novel here.
Suzanne Rindell creates quite the stir in the first part of her novel. As readers we are drawn in by the early experiences of the girls and the devastation left behind from the quake. Rindell should have lingered in this atmospheric panorama a bit longer. This was high interest material with wide-eyed wonder. Instead, we are thrust into Violet's unlikely romance in the second half with ghosts from the past leaning in.
I kicked this one up from a 3.5 to 4 stars because of the fine first half. The Two Mrs. Carlyles is still a worthy read. There's plenty here to keep you locked in. Check it out and see if it gives you the vapors or rattles a few chandeliers.
September 19, 2020
The cover of this book is so stunning that I had to read it! Suzanne Rindell has written a Rebecca-esque historical mystery set against the backdrop of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake.
Violet and her two best friends ran away from an orphanage the day it burned down. A few years later, after a dreadful stint working in the red-light district, the great earthquake strikes, and the girls come into an unexpected fortune. Their new-found wealth comes with the burden of a dark secret, and Violet, Flossie, and Cora decide to go their separate ways.
Violet reinvents herself as a proper, upstanding shop girl, and she catches the eye of the dashing and wealthy widower Harry Carlyle. The one sore subject with Harry is any discussion of his wife, the first Mrs. Carlyle. Harry and Violet marry, but life inside his mansion is anything but bliss.
The oppressive presence of the first Mrs. Carlyle is everywhere. What really happened to her? Violet hears shocking rumors about her fate, but should she ignore them and believe Harry? And who's behind the strange occurrences happening at night?
THE TWO MRS. CARLYLES is classic Gothic suspense, and I enjoyed it. There were a few times that I wanted to scream at Violet for being so naive or not standing up for herself! Overall, though, it was an intriguing historical mystery with some surprising twists. Borrowed from the library.
Violet and her two best friends ran away from an orphanage the day it burned down. A few years later, after a dreadful stint working in the red-light district, the great earthquake strikes, and the girls come into an unexpected fortune. Their new-found wealth comes with the burden of a dark secret, and Violet, Flossie, and Cora decide to go their separate ways.
Violet reinvents herself as a proper, upstanding shop girl, and she catches the eye of the dashing and wealthy widower Harry Carlyle. The one sore subject with Harry is any discussion of his wife, the first Mrs. Carlyle. Harry and Violet marry, but life inside his mansion is anything but bliss.
The oppressive presence of the first Mrs. Carlyle is everywhere. What really happened to her? Violet hears shocking rumors about her fate, but should she ignore them and believe Harry? And who's behind the strange occurrences happening at night?
THE TWO MRS. CARLYLES is classic Gothic suspense, and I enjoyed it. There were a few times that I wanted to scream at Violet for being so naive or not standing up for herself! Overall, though, it was an intriguing historical mystery with some surprising twists. Borrowed from the library.
May 4, 2020
1906, San Francisco before the earthquake. Violet grows up in orphanage, where she becomes close friends with Cora and Flossie. When the orphanage catches fire, the girls run away. Violet is not quite fourteen and the other two girls sixteen. They find a boardinghouse, where the two older girls work as dancers and Violet as a maid. They fail to notice the red signs in the district.
After the earthquake. There is a reason why three friends need to split and go their separate ways. Violet, at sixteen, always protected by the two older friends, now needs to forge her own way. When she meets a man of higher station, she is afraid to reveal her past. But as it turns out, he also has a past he’d rather not reveal.
The beginning of the story is very strong (30%). I got pulled into the story from the prologue. Once Violet meets Harry her strong character weakens. She becomes insecure at moments and some dialogue comes across as forced. It doesn’t always have a good flow. In the second half of the book concerning the mystery of their pasts, there are some slower moments. The pace is not always consistent. The story is fairly interesting. It has some twists and turns. With the slower pacing, what kept me interested was the mystery. I wanted to know how the story ends.
The historical background is non-existent. This fictional story is simply set around the famous earthquake, but it doesn’t bring the atmosphere of the effects after the earthquake.
P.S. I honestly think that publishers do themselves a disservice by not creating sub-categories under the genre of historical fiction to better classify books. There are so many readers who are not that much into historical fiction or are looking for something “light” under this genre and that’s the book for them. And there are readers, including me, who are interested in “heavy” HF with rich period depiction or interested in stories that offer a lesser known fact from which something can be learned. I’m interested in stories that resonate with me and in order to find those stories I need a better categorization. Isn’t it what this is about? A story that resonates with a reader?
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
After the earthquake. There is a reason why three friends need to split and go their separate ways. Violet, at sixteen, always protected by the two older friends, now needs to forge her own way. When she meets a man of higher station, she is afraid to reveal her past. But as it turns out, he also has a past he’d rather not reveal.
The beginning of the story is very strong (30%). I got pulled into the story from the prologue. Once Violet meets Harry her strong character weakens. She becomes insecure at moments and some dialogue comes across as forced. It doesn’t always have a good flow. In the second half of the book concerning the mystery of their pasts, there are some slower moments. The pace is not always consistent. The story is fairly interesting. It has some twists and turns. With the slower pacing, what kept me interested was the mystery. I wanted to know how the story ends.
The historical background is non-existent. This fictional story is simply set around the famous earthquake, but it doesn’t bring the atmosphere of the effects after the earthquake.
P.S. I honestly think that publishers do themselves a disservice by not creating sub-categories under the genre of historical fiction to better classify books. There are so many readers who are not that much into historical fiction or are looking for something “light” under this genre and that’s the book for them. And there are readers, including me, who are interested in “heavy” HF with rich period depiction or interested in stories that offer a lesser known fact from which something can be learned. I’m interested in stories that resonate with me and in order to find those stories I need a better categorization. Isn’t it what this is about? A story that resonates with a reader?
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 25, 2020
The Two Mrs. Carlyles is an entertaining work of historical fiction and suspense. It pays homage to Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca.
This haunting story is set in San Francisco in the early 1900s. Violet is sent to an orphanage after losing her parents and becomes close friends with Cora and Flossie. After a fire destroys the orphanage, the three friends find themselves trying to survive. The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake ends up freeing them from a hard life in the seedy Barbary Coast, a red-light district. The three separate to create new lives for themselves.
Violet becomes a shop-girl selling fine hats and catches the eye of handsome, wealthy Harry Carlyle, much to the shock of her friends, who she has reunited with. Once married, she moves into his mansion and feels like an outsider in the home once occupied by the first Mrs. Carlyle whose absence is a mystery. Did she die in the Earthquake or did she secretly run away? When strange occurrences start taking place, is Violet imaging things? Her husband’s faithful Head of Household Miss Weber reinforces her fears that she is not wanted in the house.
There’s a tenseness throughout which keeps you on edge and fearful for Violet. And also wondering if perhaps it’s Violet who is the real culprit to all that is going amiss.
This is a well-written, dark, Gothic-style book that will keep you guessing until the end. Calling Alfred Hitchcock.
Many thanks to Edelweiss, G.P. Putnam’s Sons / Penguin Publishing Group and author Suzanne Rindell for a copy of The Two Mrs. Carlyles in advance of its July 28, 2020 release.
Review posted at MicheleReader.com.
This haunting story is set in San Francisco in the early 1900s. Violet is sent to an orphanage after losing her parents and becomes close friends with Cora and Flossie. After a fire destroys the orphanage, the three friends find themselves trying to survive. The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake ends up freeing them from a hard life in the seedy Barbary Coast, a red-light district. The three separate to create new lives for themselves.
Violet becomes a shop-girl selling fine hats and catches the eye of handsome, wealthy Harry Carlyle, much to the shock of her friends, who she has reunited with. Once married, she moves into his mansion and feels like an outsider in the home once occupied by the first Mrs. Carlyle whose absence is a mystery. Did she die in the Earthquake or did she secretly run away? When strange occurrences start taking place, is Violet imaging things? Her husband’s faithful Head of Household Miss Weber reinforces her fears that she is not wanted in the house.
There’s a tenseness throughout which keeps you on edge and fearful for Violet. And also wondering if perhaps it’s Violet who is the real culprit to all that is going amiss.
This is a well-written, dark, Gothic-style book that will keep you guessing until the end. Calling Alfred Hitchcock.
Many thanks to Edelweiss, G.P. Putnam’s Sons / Penguin Publishing Group and author Suzanne Rindell for a copy of The Two Mrs. Carlyles in advance of its July 28, 2020 release.
Review posted at MicheleReader.com.
February 19, 2021
3.5 stars. Some bits were 2 stars & some bits were 4, so it’s a real mixed bag. I waffled on whether to round up or down, but then decided to adhere to my usual tough grading standards. Because someone’s gotta be the bad guy. ;)
Anyhoo.
This was ok, but not great. Violet’s narrative lacks oomph & the plot is extremely (disappointingly?) predictable, therefore it also lacks any real sense of peril. But it’s not poorly written, & I enjoyed it while reading, so... *shrug* Alas, too much just meandered about in no real hurry, & it felt overly long with repetitious scenes in the middle. Sometimes a rambling, leisurely plot serves to highlight a Hitchcockian twist at the midpoint, or even lull the reader into automatically accepting a flawed narrator’s perspective as True Fact—but neither of these apply here. Violet is NOT an unreliable narrator, despite her best efforts to convince you otherwise.
It’s a sad fact that Violet is a drab lens for her own story. She seems to drift around without any grounding lines—& not in a fun way, just a boring way. She’s extremely similar to the heroine of REBECCA, all told, which makes the REBECCA story elements even more predictable. The only time Violet has spark or spunk or vibrancy is when she’s played off Cora or Henrietta (speaking of, happened to Henrietta? She just dropped out of the story). Harry is no Max; while Max has his faults, he’s as mesmerizing to the reader as to the heroine. But Harry just kinda floats around with Violet, & Miss Weber is a cypher without much personality either way—neither Mrs Danvers nor Scooby Doo villainess, nor even creepy cougar housekeeper. With 3 lackluster presences as the fulcrum of the book, it’s no wonder things wandered. :P
So...with all my negative babbling, you’d expect this to be a bad book. And you’d be wrong. I did enjoy it, honestly—it’s just that there were no surprises, & (a handful of scenes excepted) very little tension to the Scooby Doo mystery. If you’re a REBECCA fan (or just a fan of gothic romance in general) you won’t find anything new here. Instead you’ll find what feels like two different manuscripts smooshed together for a deadline.
NB: I did like Cora & kept wishing she’d been the narrator instead of Violet. Oops.
Anyhoo.
This was ok, but not great. Violet’s narrative lacks oomph & the plot is extremely (disappointingly?) predictable, therefore it also lacks any real sense of peril. But it’s not poorly written, & I enjoyed it while reading, so... *shrug* Alas, too much just meandered about in no real hurry, & it felt overly long with repetitious scenes in the middle. Sometimes a rambling, leisurely plot serves to highlight a Hitchcockian twist at the midpoint, or even lull the reader into automatically accepting a flawed narrator’s perspective as True Fact—but neither of these apply here. Violet is NOT an unreliable narrator, despite her best efforts to convince you otherwise.
It’s a sad fact that Violet is a drab lens for her own story. She seems to drift around without any grounding lines—& not in a fun way, just a boring way. She’s extremely similar to the heroine of REBECCA, all told, which makes the REBECCA story elements even more predictable. The only time Violet has spark or spunk or vibrancy is when she’s played off Cora or Henrietta (speaking of, happened to Henrietta? She just dropped out of the story). Harry is no Max; while Max has his faults, he’s as mesmerizing to the reader as to the heroine. But Harry just kinda floats around with Violet, & Miss Weber is a cypher without much personality either way—neither Mrs Danvers nor Scooby Doo villainess, nor even creepy cougar housekeeper. With 3 lackluster presences as the fulcrum of the book, it’s no wonder things wandered. :P
So...with all my negative babbling, you’d expect this to be a bad book. And you’d be wrong. I did enjoy it, honestly—it’s just that there were no surprises, & (a handful of scenes excepted) very little tension to the Scooby Doo mystery. If you’re a REBECCA fan (or just a fan of gothic romance in general) you won’t find anything new here. Instead you’ll find what feels like two different manuscripts smooshed together for a deadline.
NB: I did like Cora & kept wishing she’d been the narrator instead of Violet. Oops.
November 30, 2019
Such a page-turner! I always love Suzanne Rindell's books - and this one is fabulous!! It's suspenseful, scary, and a wonderful glimpse into life in San Francisco after the turn of the century. A wonderful novel.
August 24, 2020
Groan. The last half of this book was truly a plod. It's not that the writing itself is bad- but highly, highly redundant.
This is prime chick lit. but almost entirely, to me, in the types of sensibilities and observations that would be core to juveniles. It's much more YA than it is historical fiction for any depth. The 1906 earthquake is THERE, but come on. Very, very few of the practical applications or immense physical realities of rebuilding and for structure are "covered" in this at all.
It's almost entirely the trio's feelings and jobs. But honestly, the jobs themselves aren't even focused to details for this kind of length. Instead it is all about nuance of conversational effusions or negations or neglect to "caring" etc. And friendship? When the older two ditched her after the first note? I even guessed who had placed the note.
It's almost like our heroine was not only physically apt for spells or ills, but was rather "special needs" in her IQ or logic factors. Regardless, the explanations her "friends" gave her??
This was the one book I pick every month from the cover and on the "new" shelf serendipity. I've been lucky for the first 6 months of 2020 for the "unknown" to review pick being 3 stars, at least. This was not a lucky month.
The ending too. Happy, but rather "weird" fairy tale thoughts?
I wouldn't read this author again. It's close to the "eyes" of a 16 year old in mature level cognition sense. But certainly not in the type of language any 16 year old would/might use today. And absolutely/certainly not in raunchy 1906 S. F. parlance. All they did was dance in the brothel? Everything is posited in negation to the reality of what the "boarding house" was. Or her marriage connection depth either. Like a puddle.
This is prime chick lit. but almost entirely, to me, in the types of sensibilities and observations that would be core to juveniles. It's much more YA than it is historical fiction for any depth. The 1906 earthquake is THERE, but come on. Very, very few of the practical applications or immense physical realities of rebuilding and for structure are "covered" in this at all.
It's almost entirely the trio's feelings and jobs. But honestly, the jobs themselves aren't even focused to details for this kind of length. Instead it is all about nuance of conversational effusions or negations or neglect to "caring" etc. And friendship? When the older two ditched her after the first note? I even guessed who had placed the note.
It's almost like our heroine was not only physically apt for spells or ills, but was rather "special needs" in her IQ or logic factors. Regardless, the explanations her "friends" gave her??
This was the one book I pick every month from the cover and on the "new" shelf serendipity. I've been lucky for the first 6 months of 2020 for the "unknown" to review pick being 3 stars, at least. This was not a lucky month.
The ending too. Happy, but rather "weird" fairy tale thoughts?
I wouldn't read this author again. It's close to the "eyes" of a 16 year old in mature level cognition sense. But certainly not in the type of language any 16 year old would/might use today. And absolutely/certainly not in raunchy 1906 S. F. parlance. All they did was dance in the brothel? Everything is posited in negation to the reality of what the "boarding house" was. Or her marriage connection depth either. Like a puddle.
July 31, 2020
I LOVE Suzanne Rindell. I picked up this book last night, and then couldn't wait to read the ending (so I read it this morning in a Starbucks parking lot, as one does). While the book does at times feel like it's picking from several different literary styles, ultimately it's so much fun to read that I would recommend it to anyone looking for a fast-paced thriller.
This story follows Violet, who is an orphan in early 1900s San Francisco. She has two close female friends, Flossie and Cora, and the three of them end up in a dance hall in the Barbary Coast district. When the 1906 earthquake hits, they are able to reinvent themselves and go into San Francisco society in three distinct ways. But Violet has always suffered from odd fainting spells and memory loss, and odd things happen wherever she goes. When she gets married to a wealthy widower, strange things begin to happen in his fancy rebuilt mansion, and she has to determine what's really going on.
I really liked the early San Francisco setting and loved all of the geographic details thrown into the book (the tent city after the earthquake in Golden Gate Park, Violet's walks around Stow Lake, the origin of the name "Alamo Square"). Violet has a somewhat quick rise from penniless orphan to fabulously wealthy woman, but setting this around the San Francisco earthquake and showing the social movement possible at the time made this seem more plausible. I also really enjoyed the trip to Hawaii, Violet's first job at the Emporium (at the millinery counter! I can't think of anything more 1906), and the Portola automobile parade. The book felt grounded in a realistic setting without feeling too researched.
I also really liked, and was fascinated by, the relationship between Flossie, Cora, and Violet. Very early on, one of the other women in the dance hall mentions that three is a tough number for friendship. While I thought that aspects of the relationships could have been a little more nuanced , I enjoyed the constant shifting between the three girls and Violet's own self-doubt. The marriage between Harry and Violet works, too, even though it is a little too Rebecca for my taste. I think the ending of the book is so good that the parallel didn't feel too obvious.
Anyway, there are likely aspects of this that could have been better, but I honestly just have so much fun reading Suzanne Rindell that I don't care. More books, please!!
This story follows Violet, who is an orphan in early 1900s San Francisco. She has two close female friends, Flossie and Cora, and the three of them end up in a dance hall in the Barbary Coast district. When the 1906 earthquake hits, they are able to reinvent themselves and go into San Francisco society in three distinct ways. But Violet has always suffered from odd fainting spells and memory loss, and odd things happen wherever she goes. When she gets married to a wealthy widower, strange things begin to happen in his fancy rebuilt mansion, and she has to determine what's really going on.
I really liked the early San Francisco setting and loved all of the geographic details thrown into the book (the tent city after the earthquake in Golden Gate Park, Violet's walks around Stow Lake, the origin of the name "Alamo Square"). Violet has a somewhat quick rise from penniless orphan to fabulously wealthy woman, but setting this around the San Francisco earthquake and showing the social movement possible at the time made this seem more plausible. I also really enjoyed the trip to Hawaii, Violet's first job at the Emporium (at the millinery counter! I can't think of anything more 1906), and the Portola automobile parade. The book felt grounded in a realistic setting without feeling too researched.
I also really liked, and was fascinated by, the relationship between Flossie, Cora, and Violet. Very early on, one of the other women in the dance hall mentions that three is a tough number for friendship. While I thought that aspects of the relationships could have been a little more nuanced , I enjoyed the constant shifting between the three girls and Violet's own self-doubt. The marriage between Harry and Violet works, too, even though it is a little too Rebecca for my taste. I think the ending of the book is so good that the parallel didn't feel too obvious.
Anyway, there are likely aspects of this that could have been better, but I honestly just have so much fun reading Suzanne Rindell that I don't care. More books, please!!
June 10, 2020
Set against the backdrop of San Francisco 1906, orphans and friends Violet, Flossie and Cora find themselves suddenly richer when a devastating earthquake yields a safe of cash and jewelry. As the young women enjoy their
new found wealth they each venture out on their own with plans to reconnect someday. During a fortuitous meeting with handsome, wealthy widower Harry Carlyle, whom Violet marries, there are whispered rumours that the first Mrs Carlyle died under mysterious circumstances during the violent earthquake that took her life. As Violet begins to settle in to her happy married life in the mansion she now calls home, she feels the unease that the first Mrs Carlyle still has a lingering, haunting presence in the house and sets to inquiring information about her from their dour, creepy servant Miss Weber who seems to know more than she lets on to. With a hint of the classic, Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier this was an engrossing, suspenseful, page turner that had me ignoring the kids at times, sorry to say.
Thanks to Edelweiss for a complimentary copy of this in exchange for my review, all opinions are my own.
new found wealth they each venture out on their own with plans to reconnect someday. During a fortuitous meeting with handsome, wealthy widower Harry Carlyle, whom Violet marries, there are whispered rumours that the first Mrs Carlyle died under mysterious circumstances during the violent earthquake that took her life. As Violet begins to settle in to her happy married life in the mansion she now calls home, she feels the unease that the first Mrs Carlyle still has a lingering, haunting presence in the house and sets to inquiring information about her from their dour, creepy servant Miss Weber who seems to know more than she lets on to. With a hint of the classic, Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier this was an engrossing, suspenseful, page turner that had me ignoring the kids at times, sorry to say.
Thanks to Edelweiss for a complimentary copy of this in exchange for my review, all opinions are my own.
August 6, 2020
I've enjoyed Suzanne Rindell's previous books and I was really excited to pick up her latest, but...man, what a letdown. The Two Mrs. Carlyles tells the story of Violet, a young woman who, together with her two closest friends, escape from an orphanage fire in San Francisco the early years of the 20th century. The three end up in a dance hall where Violet works as the maid and her friends serve male customers. When the owner of the brothel dies under mysterious circumstances the night of the San Francisco earthquake, the friends make off with his fortune and head off into the world. Violet ends up romantically involved with the city's wealthiest widower whose first wife also died under mysterious circumstances the night of the earthquake...or did she?
Don't worry, all that isn't too spoilery because it's all in the jacket copy.
Anyway, the first half of the book was fine. A lot of set-up that sometimes felt unnecessary, but it was intriguing enough and I trusted that Rindell was going somewhere with it all. And she was, I guess, but the destination was rooted way too much in multiple coincidences, potentially sinister red herrings that went nowhere, and illogical motivations. I got to the end feeling incredibly unsatisfied and trying not to roll my eyes too hard.
Don't worry, all that isn't too spoilery because it's all in the jacket copy.
Anyway, the first half of the book was fine. A lot of set-up that sometimes felt unnecessary, but it was intriguing enough and I trusted that Rindell was going somewhere with it all. And she was, I guess, but the destination was rooted way too much in multiple coincidences, potentially sinister red herrings that went nowhere, and illogical motivations. I got to the end feeling incredibly unsatisfied and trying not to roll my eyes too hard.
August 24, 2020
This book was one of my anticipated reads this year and I wasn't disappointed. I love Suzanne Rindell's story telling and her writing style. I need to read her other two books, Three Martini Lunch and Eagle and Crain; I loved The Other Typist and this one gave me vibes of that novel; it was a page turner and I had to know what happened next. I will definitely read anything else Suzanne Rindell writes.
November 6, 2019
Once in a while there comes along a book that scores that sweet trifecta: informative, a page-turner, and well-written. From the outset the lead character Violet intrigues her with her lapses in memory, perhaps tied to a medication given to her by her two closest friends, who work as sister and mother figures for her. The great San Francisco earthquake precipitates a new beginning for Violet, and she goes out on her own, finding work in a hatshop - a job that leads her to a brave, but fraught existence.
As the book unfurls, we don't know whether to root for Violet, or worry as she gets herself deeper into a bad situation. Doors open and close, a path that seems the way forward suddenly shuts down. The book obviously owes a debt to the British writer Daphne Du Maurier's "Rebecca" with its romance and intrigue. But in addition, you've got something else surprising: a naturalist's eye for physical detail. Sure, there's the gloom and fog of San Francisco - but also earth moving as the city on the bay recovers from the earthquake, and the modern city we recognize today comes into being. On top of that the plot's a formidable Cummins of an engine - I challenge any reader on this site to pick up The Two Mrs. Carlyles and not finish it in less than a week.
Having read the book twice, I'll also say that there are a number of clues that don't become evident until a second read. With her attention to detail, and obvious love of the sentence, it's no surprise that Ms. Rindell has a Ph.D. in English literature. Pick this up then for a history lesson of turn-of-the-century San Francisco, insight into the nature of friendship, the role of natural catastrophe in a life, and economic disparity. The Two Mrs. Carlyles is a very, very good read that you would do best to get in your reading paws very, very soon.
As the book unfurls, we don't know whether to root for Violet, or worry as she gets herself deeper into a bad situation. Doors open and close, a path that seems the way forward suddenly shuts down. The book obviously owes a debt to the British writer Daphne Du Maurier's "Rebecca" with its romance and intrigue. But in addition, you've got something else surprising: a naturalist's eye for physical detail. Sure, there's the gloom and fog of San Francisco - but also earth moving as the city on the bay recovers from the earthquake, and the modern city we recognize today comes into being. On top of that the plot's a formidable Cummins of an engine - I challenge any reader on this site to pick up The Two Mrs. Carlyles and not finish it in less than a week.
Having read the book twice, I'll also say that there are a number of clues that don't become evident until a second read. With her attention to detail, and obvious love of the sentence, it's no surprise that Ms. Rindell has a Ph.D. in English literature. Pick this up then for a history lesson of turn-of-the-century San Francisco, insight into the nature of friendship, the role of natural catastrophe in a life, and economic disparity. The Two Mrs. Carlyles is a very, very good read that you would do best to get in your reading paws very, very soon.
November 18, 2020
3.5 stars
As much as I enjoyed this book, I wasn’t really sure what to make of it. Was it a ghost story? Or historical fiction? Or a love story? Yes, yes and yes. It was kind of a mish mash of all these things rolled into one, but in the end, I thought it worked.
I will be honest, when I first started the book, I was a bit confused and had to jump back onto Goodreads to remind myself what the premise of this book was supposed to be about. I did not realize that so much of the book would be spent on Violet’s childhood and time in the orphanage and the “2nd Mrs. Carlyle” doesn’t actually happen until more than ½ way through the book. Maybe it’s the title that is misleading?
Regardless, I very much enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to readers of historical fiction and maybe those who enjoy gothic vibes. This was the first book that I have read by Suzanne Rindell, but I will certainly be on the lookout for more.
Thank you to Penguin Publishing for my copy of this book via Edelweiss
As much as I enjoyed this book, I wasn’t really sure what to make of it. Was it a ghost story? Or historical fiction? Or a love story? Yes, yes and yes. It was kind of a mish mash of all these things rolled into one, but in the end, I thought it worked.
I will be honest, when I first started the book, I was a bit confused and had to jump back onto Goodreads to remind myself what the premise of this book was supposed to be about. I did not realize that so much of the book would be spent on Violet’s childhood and time in the orphanage and the “2nd Mrs. Carlyle” doesn’t actually happen until more than ½ way through the book. Maybe it’s the title that is misleading?
Regardless, I very much enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to readers of historical fiction and maybe those who enjoy gothic vibes. This was the first book that I have read by Suzanne Rindell, but I will certainly be on the lookout for more.
Thank you to Penguin Publishing for my copy of this book via Edelweiss
November 21, 2020
It’s 1906 and San Francisco is getting ready to rumble. For three friends, two 20 year olds, one vivacious one pragmatical and the youngest 18 year old Violet, this means a change, a huge change. From growing up in the orphanage together to their years spent in service of the vile pimp like creature who put the older girls to work dancing and the younger one as a servant/cook/maid…the three have always been inseparable, though warned that three makes for an imperfect friendship balance. Now it’s time for them to separate and find their own way in the rapidly reconstructed San Francisco.
None of them reinvent themselves quite like Violet does. In fact, Violet straight up launches herself into the retelling of Rebecca with her very own Maxim De Winter found in Mr. Carlyle, a very wealthy man widowed under mysterious circumstances a year prior during the earthquake. Despite the epic 30 or so year age difference (which seems exclusively reserved for aging movie stars and musicians) Mr. Carlyle has got enough game to sweep Violet off her practically shod shop girl feet and so now they are off to his city mansion, governed ruthlessly by Mrs.Danvers Weber, who is, of course, seems to be obsessed with the previous Mrs. Carlyle and most unwelcoming to the new one. The previous one was gorgeous, impetuous and traumatizing, leaving her spouse completely shut off and silent about the circumstances of her disappearance. But Violet is young, optimistic and in love, so she proceeds to try to make the best of her marriage.
When strange noises and suspicious thoughts enter her mind, she can share them with her friends, with whom she is finally reunited. It should be like living a dream, but alas, this dream seems to be quite determined on taking increasingly darker turns. After all, the place can only have one mistress and two Mrs. Carlyles are one too many.
So why does an author choose to take on a classic? Is it a lack of original thinking, a form of honoring the original or some sort of vanity? Because it’s difficult to impossible to live up to the source material and it seems any comparisons are bound to be unflattering. (Makes me think of that inexplicable time Gus Van Sant, a perfectly decent indie movie maker, decided to remake Psycho, remake it precisely, weird meaningless clumsy effort for no apparent reason, but to remake for remaking’s sake).
The cinematic remake of Rebecca didn’t fare too well critically, though it was perfectly serviceable considering. This literary version…well, to be fair, the author went to some lengths to make it her own, mainly by muddling the waters with the friendship triangle and making her protagonist be unreliable. Which is to say there’s a lot of suspicious cast every which way and Violet herself is historically prone to fits, which leave her disoriented and less than trusting of her own recollections. So you can say it’s an expansion on the claustrophobic world of Rebecca, somewhat. The main ingredients are all there, from the moody Mr. Carlyle to the wicked Mrs. Weber. But the motivations have been messed with, that’s where the bulk of originality comes in.
And yet, despite being blatantly derivative, it’s actually quite readable. Surprisingly so. I didn’t especially care for The Other Typist (the author’s much lauded debut), but this one was kinda fun. Fairly light weight, but entertaining for what it was. 1906 San Francisco I’ve just recently armchair visited with Carol Edgarian’s Vera made for a nice setting, a city undergoing a dramatic change provided a nice stage for a young person undergoing a dramatic change.
The suspense aspect of the novel is handled…well, exuberantly, with many leads and many options, but in the end it was pretty much who I figured out all along, albeit with some elaborations. So it isn’t the most mysterious of the plots, but in general you can’t go in here expecting too much, the quality of entertainment is fairly lightweight and if not outright cheesy than at least brie ish, something gauzy and quaint, something of a time. Unlike Rebecca, this doesn’t even give you all the answers, leaving you with your own suspicious as to the fate of the original Mrs. Carlyle. Right down to the ghostly nod in the end.
So overall, a fairly pleasing diversion, a blend of historical fiction, suspense and (let’s say) an affectionate pastiche of the classic. Not quite a trip to Manderley, but won’t give you nightmares either. Or maybe…
None of them reinvent themselves quite like Violet does. In fact, Violet straight up launches herself into the retelling of Rebecca with her very own Maxim De Winter found in Mr. Carlyle, a very wealthy man widowed under mysterious circumstances a year prior during the earthquake. Despite the epic 30 or so year age difference (which seems exclusively reserved for aging movie stars and musicians) Mr. Carlyle has got enough game to sweep Violet off her practically shod shop girl feet and so now they are off to his city mansion, governed ruthlessly by Mrs.
When strange noises and suspicious thoughts enter her mind, she can share them with her friends, with whom she is finally reunited. It should be like living a dream, but alas, this dream seems to be quite determined on taking increasingly darker turns. After all, the place can only have one mistress and two Mrs. Carlyles are one too many.
So why does an author choose to take on a classic? Is it a lack of original thinking, a form of honoring the original or some sort of vanity? Because it’s difficult to impossible to live up to the source material and it seems any comparisons are bound to be unflattering. (Makes me think of that inexplicable time Gus Van Sant, a perfectly decent indie movie maker, decided to remake Psycho, remake it precisely, weird meaningless clumsy effort for no apparent reason, but to remake for remaking’s sake).
The cinematic remake of Rebecca didn’t fare too well critically, though it was perfectly serviceable considering. This literary version…well, to be fair, the author went to some lengths to make it her own, mainly by muddling the waters with the friendship triangle and making her protagonist be unreliable. Which is to say there’s a lot of suspicious cast every which way and Violet herself is historically prone to fits, which leave her disoriented and less than trusting of her own recollections. So you can say it’s an expansion on the claustrophobic world of Rebecca, somewhat. The main ingredients are all there, from the moody Mr. Carlyle to the wicked Mrs. Weber. But the motivations have been messed with, that’s where the bulk of originality comes in.
And yet, despite being blatantly derivative, it’s actually quite readable. Surprisingly so. I didn’t especially care for The Other Typist (the author’s much lauded debut), but this one was kinda fun. Fairly light weight, but entertaining for what it was. 1906 San Francisco I’ve just recently armchair visited with Carol Edgarian’s Vera made for a nice setting, a city undergoing a dramatic change provided a nice stage for a young person undergoing a dramatic change.
The suspense aspect of the novel is handled…well, exuberantly, with many leads and many options, but in the end it was pretty much who I figured out all along, albeit with some elaborations. So it isn’t the most mysterious of the plots, but in general you can’t go in here expecting too much, the quality of entertainment is fairly lightweight and if not outright cheesy than at least brie ish, something gauzy and quaint, something of a time. Unlike Rebecca, this doesn’t even give you all the answers, leaving you with your own suspicious as to the fate of the original Mrs. Carlyle. Right down to the ghostly nod in the end.
So overall, a fairly pleasing diversion, a blend of historical fiction, suspense and (let’s say) an affectionate pastiche of the classic. Not quite a trip to Manderley, but won’t give you nightmares either. Or maybe…
November 20, 2020
The Two Mrs Carlysles
Suzanne Rindell
I enjoyed this historical fiction gothic thriller read.
I loved that the story was centered on the time period during the San francisco Earthquake in the early part of 1900's. Beautifully written and wonderfully researched story about these orphans, Violet, Flossie and Cora who at an unsettling circumstance find themselves escaping their orphanage onto prostitution but with the earthquake providing them with a blessing to runaway and escape with a large sum of money before going their separate ways. Violet becomes a shopkeeper and meets and becomes the new Mrs Carlysle. With a great twist and turn of this gothic story, you will want to find out what happens when these friends reunite once again.
Such a gorgeous writing with mystery and thrill, this gothic suspenseful read is just perfect.
Suzanne Rindell
I enjoyed this historical fiction gothic thriller read.
I loved that the story was centered on the time period during the San francisco Earthquake in the early part of 1900's. Beautifully written and wonderfully researched story about these orphans, Violet, Flossie and Cora who at an unsettling circumstance find themselves escaping their orphanage onto prostitution but with the earthquake providing them with a blessing to runaway and escape with a large sum of money before going their separate ways. Violet becomes a shopkeeper and meets and becomes the new Mrs Carlysle. With a great twist and turn of this gothic story, you will want to find out what happens when these friends reunite once again.
Such a gorgeous writing with mystery and thrill, this gothic suspenseful read is just perfect.
March 4, 2021
3.5 stars. Although not quite as taut and unpredictable as The Other Typist, Rindell is undoubtedly a gifted writer. The story of Violet, an orphan, who finds herself in the middle of bone chilling circumstances like burning of her orphanage, double murder etc without really knowing how she got there, was riveting and kept me completely captivated. I was looking for an engrossing thriller and this book delivered. I gave it 3.5 stars only because I predicted the villain early on.
November 26, 2020
Its been awhile since I sat down and read a book from start to finish in one sitting, but that's exactly what happened with this book. There were definitely some similarities to Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca (which is hands down my favorite book of all time), but took on its own twists and surprises. It also left me with some unanswered questions.
"Not all secrets are willing to stay buried. Violet may be one of three people in San Francisco grateful for the devastating destruction of the 1906 earthquake, which leaves her and her two best friends unexpectedly wealthy – assuming they can leave the horrifying secret that binds them together buried beneath the rubble. Fearing discovery, the women strike out on their own, and Violet finds herself in a new and fulfilling life of independence. When a whirlwind romance with the city's most eligible widower, Harry Carlyle, lands her in a luxurious mansion as the second Mrs. Carlyle, it seems like all of her dreams of happiness and love have come true. But all is not right in the Carlyle home, and Violet soon finds herself trapped by the lingering specter of the first Mrs. Carlyle, and by the inescapable secrets of her own violent history."
"Not all secrets are willing to stay buried. Violet may be one of three people in San Francisco grateful for the devastating destruction of the 1906 earthquake, which leaves her and her two best friends unexpectedly wealthy – assuming they can leave the horrifying secret that binds them together buried beneath the rubble. Fearing discovery, the women strike out on their own, and Violet finds herself in a new and fulfilling life of independence. When a whirlwind romance with the city's most eligible widower, Harry Carlyle, lands her in a luxurious mansion as the second Mrs. Carlyle, it seems like all of her dreams of happiness and love have come true. But all is not right in the Carlyle home, and Violet soon finds herself trapped by the lingering specter of the first Mrs. Carlyle, and by the inescapable secrets of her own violent history."
Read
April 24, 2020The Two Mrs. Carlyles by Suzanne Rindell is a twisty historical thriller, with a deeply unreliable narrator.
From childhood, Violet experiences odd spells and memory gaps, often finding herself in a strange place or holding something incriminating and confusing, with no idea what's happened. Fortunately, her best friends, Cora and Flossie, are usually on hand to help her out. The massive San Francisco earthquake leaves many devastated, but for Violet and her friends, the upheaval provides cover and escape from their lives at the dancing hall. Unsure of the details, though, Violet doesn't want to think too carefully about what may have happened that day.
After her years in the orphanage and then in the dancing hall, working at a counter in a hat shop is everything Violet could have imagined. When handsome, rich, eligible bachelor Harry Carlyle pursues Violet, it seems like all her problems are over. Especially if Violet just never mentions her strange, forgetful spells or certain parts of her earlier life...
But after the wedding, instead of an escape to a life of privilege, she is the nominal mistress of a creepy house that's still a shrine to the first Mrs Carlyle. There are connections to Rebecca (a theme and style I just loved in The Winters), in the Carlyle house with the terrifyingly devoted housekeeper. There's a really gothic creepiness here, with the gorgeous but chilling portrait of the first wife, ghostly night piano music, a husband who won't answer any questions, and the strange gaps in Violet's own memories.
As Violet tries to figure out who she can trust, I was unable to put this book down. I was just stunned by the twists, and the way there were little hints and misdirections throughout the story. At the end of the book, I was so sure of my theory about the first Mrs. Carlyle (Link contains spoilers), that I went back and reread parts of the book to confirm.
From childhood, Violet experiences odd spells and memory gaps, often finding herself in a strange place or holding something incriminating and confusing, with no idea what's happened. Fortunately, her best friends, Cora and Flossie, are usually on hand to help her out. The massive San Francisco earthquake leaves many devastated, but for Violet and her friends, the upheaval provides cover and escape from their lives at the dancing hall. Unsure of the details, though, Violet doesn't want to think too carefully about what may have happened that day.
After her years in the orphanage and then in the dancing hall, working at a counter in a hat shop is everything Violet could have imagined. When handsome, rich, eligible bachelor Harry Carlyle pursues Violet, it seems like all her problems are over. Especially if Violet just never mentions her strange, forgetful spells or certain parts of her earlier life...
But after the wedding, instead of an escape to a life of privilege, she is the nominal mistress of a creepy house that's still a shrine to the first Mrs Carlyle. There are connections to Rebecca (a theme and style I just loved in The Winters), in the Carlyle house with the terrifyingly devoted housekeeper. There's a really gothic creepiness here, with the gorgeous but chilling portrait of the first wife, ghostly night piano music, a husband who won't answer any questions, and the strange gaps in Violet's own memories.
As Violet tries to figure out who she can trust, I was unable to put this book down. I was just stunned by the twists, and the way there were little hints and misdirections throughout the story. At the end of the book, I was so sure of my theory about the first Mrs. Carlyle (Link contains spoilers), that I went back and reread parts of the book to confirm.
August 5, 2021
It is been some time since I read Suzanne Rindell. I LOVED The Other Typist and have been looking forward to another Ms. Rindell read!
This story starts when Violet, Flossie and Cora are all young girls living in an orphanage. They want a better life and decide to run away. They end up as ‘dance girls’ living in a ‘boarding house’ located in the San Francisco red light district. Violet is only 14 years old and not developed enough to be a ‘dance hall girl’ so is employed as the house cleaner, maid, as well as the cook.
The 1906 earthquake changes their lives; they are able to escape with some money.
Violet gets a job as a ‘shop girl’ and meets the wealthy Mr. Carlyle. Although Violet is much younger than he, she finds she has fallen love with him.
Living in a mansion seems to be a dream come true.
I read enough psychological thrillers ~ so I know four things:
> Be suspicious of everyone
> Expect twists and twist and turns
> The most obvious person didn’t do it!
> There will probably be some secrets!
Okay the twist DID Wow me.
I thought this was NOT going to be as good as
“The Other Typists” Perhaps not as good but still GREAT!!!
At the end of “The Other Typist”, I nearly fell out my chair and then asked myself who can I call to talk about this book?
In this one, the last page left a grin on my face and I said “Oh THAT Suzanne Rindell!!!
This story starts when Violet, Flossie and Cora are all young girls living in an orphanage. They want a better life and decide to run away. They end up as ‘dance girls’ living in a ‘boarding house’ located in the San Francisco red light district. Violet is only 14 years old and not developed enough to be a ‘dance hall girl’ so is employed as the house cleaner, maid, as well as the cook.
The 1906 earthquake changes their lives; they are able to escape with some money.
Violet gets a job as a ‘shop girl’ and meets the wealthy Mr. Carlyle. Although Violet is much younger than he, she finds she has fallen love with him.
Living in a mansion seems to be a dream come true.
I read enough psychological thrillers ~ so I know four things:
> Be suspicious of everyone
> Expect twists and twist and turns
> The most obvious person didn’t do it!
> There will probably be some secrets!
Okay the twist DID Wow me.
I thought this was NOT going to be as good as
“The Other Typists” Perhaps not as good but still GREAT!!!
At the end of “The Other Typist”, I nearly fell out my chair and then asked myself who can I call to talk about this book?
In this one, the last page left a grin on my face and I said “Oh THAT Suzanne Rindell!!!
August 20, 2020
I wanted to love The Two Mrs. Carlyles by Suzanne Rindell. I loved her other novel, plus the combination of post-earthquake San Francisco and the potential haunting of a first wife was too much for me to ignore. Except by the end of the first act, I almost threw my e-book across the room.
The problem is that The Two Mrs. Carlyles has such strong Rebecca vibes, and no one should be attempting to pass off even the smallest hint of a Rebecca revision. That book may have its flaws, but it will remain among my all-time favorite novels. Also, no one will ever do Gothic mansions and second marriages as well as Daphne du Maurier. I rarely want to stop reading a book because it reminds me of another book, but I was SOCLOSE. No one messes with Ms. du Maurier.
Thankfully, by the time of the third act, the similarities ended. Unfortunately, that is when the problem of predictability kicks in, and I lost pretty much all interest. I only finished the book because I wanted to make sure I was correct in my assumptions and because I just could not finish a book at that late stage.
The Two Mrs. Carlyles is one giant disappointment. Not only did I get major Rebecca vibes, complete with a Mrs. Danvers wannabe, but there was also no haunting and so little about San Francisco after the earthquake. Everything I wanted for the book did not occur. Better luck next time.
The problem is that The Two Mrs. Carlyles has such strong Rebecca vibes, and no one should be attempting to pass off even the smallest hint of a Rebecca revision. That book may have its flaws, but it will remain among my all-time favorite novels. Also, no one will ever do Gothic mansions and second marriages as well as Daphne du Maurier. I rarely want to stop reading a book because it reminds me of another book, but I was SOCLOSE. No one messes with Ms. du Maurier.
Thankfully, by the time of the third act, the similarities ended. Unfortunately, that is when the problem of predictability kicks in, and I lost pretty much all interest. I only finished the book because I wanted to make sure I was correct in my assumptions and because I just could not finish a book at that late stage.
The Two Mrs. Carlyles is one giant disappointment. Not only did I get major Rebecca vibes, complete with a Mrs. Danvers wannabe, but there was also no haunting and so little about San Francisco after the earthquake. Everything I wanted for the book did not occur. Better luck next time.
May 25, 2020
Historical fiction in the time of the great San Francisco earthquake with a gothic ghost story mixed in.
Violet had a rough start in life and suffers from strange spells where things happen that she doesn't remember doing afterward making her an unreliable witness, her friends at the orphanage and then boarding house are trying to protect her and the earthquake gives them the perfect cover for a fresh start making them our next unreliable witnesses. Violet gets her life in order meeting and falling for a wealthy widower whose housekeeper wants him all to her self making her another unreliable witness. Strange things are happening at the house leading Violet to believe that the first Mrs. Carlyle is also not happy with her moving in. Reputations ruined, dastardly deeds, false friends and madness all play a big role here. Fans of Lyndsay Faye and Francine River's REDEEMING LOVE will find much to love here. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
Violet had a rough start in life and suffers from strange spells where things happen that she doesn't remember doing afterward making her an unreliable witness, her friends at the orphanage and then boarding house are trying to protect her and the earthquake gives them the perfect cover for a fresh start making them our next unreliable witnesses. Violet gets her life in order meeting and falling for a wealthy widower whose housekeeper wants him all to her self making her another unreliable witness. Strange things are happening at the house leading Violet to believe that the first Mrs. Carlyle is also not happy with her moving in. Reputations ruined, dastardly deeds, false friends and madness all play a big role here. Fans of Lyndsay Faye and Francine River's REDEEMING LOVE will find much to love here. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
April 6, 2020
I knew I had to request this newest novel by Suzanne Rindell because I was so impressed with her previous books, EAGLE & CRANE and THE OTHER TYPIST. This book is similar in some ways - a period piece, focuses on female friendships, and leaves the reader wondering who is telling the truth. Rindell is adept at creating characters that lie by omission, and it's up to the reader to decide who to believe and who to be suspicious of. And that suspicion, at least mine, kept jumping from person to person! Was Mr. Carlyle to be trusted? Was his housekeeper harboring secrets? What happened to the first Mrs. Carlyle? I was kept guessing til the VERY end, and am happy to say that I was completely surprised by the ending. Thank you for the San Francisco time travel, Ms. Rindell. I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Putnam Books for the digital ARC.
thelithaven.com
Thank you to Edelweiss and Putnam Books for the digital ARC.
thelithaven.com
April 27, 2020
A real page turner that takes place right around the Great Earthquake in San Francisco in 1908, and it follows Violet and her friends from the orphanage as they make their way through the following months and years. Suspense,intrigue,many twists and turns, and a great attention to detail make this one heck of a great read! Highly recommend!
Thanks to G.P. Putnam and Edelweiss for the digital review copy!
Thanks to G.P. Putnam and Edelweiss for the digital review copy!
September 4, 2020
The ending exasperated me so much that I was pissed to even give this book one star! I can't believe that I wasted two days reading this drivel. I had thought for quite some time that Flossie was the villain, but I kept reading, thinking that surely it would have a more interesting ending. I would have probably loved this book 50 years ago. Tastes do change.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2020
2.5 stars for this one. The total Jane Eyre ripoff was a downer, and the ending, though trying to be mysterious and ambiguous, was only confusing: if Madeline was, indeed, dead, then why would Harry bother lying about her being in Europe, especially since he had gone through the supposed charade of the burial? It makes no sense.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2020
My review of this book: meh.
Don't get me wrong...I am a fan of Suzanne Rindell's books - I've read them all. They've thus far combined two of my favorite genres, which are historical fiction and mystery. Now, the reason I was underwhelmed with this one is because the only historical piece is that it takes place in San Francisco around the time of the 1906 earthquake. Three orphaned teenagers meet and become best friends at an orphanage but when their home burns down, they run off to San Francisco in hopes of a new life.
The first half of the book is about the years they lived together in the red-light district at a boarding house for dancers. I actually liked this part of the story. You really learn the character of each girl as they interacted with one another, which becomes very important later in the book. You get the sense that they all have secrets but they never fully reveal anything.
Cut to part two - and Violet is on her own. This part was quite boring and I almost lost interest. She meets and marries the wealthiest man in San Francisco and goes on her honeymoon with Mr Carlyle. The suspense spikes again when she moves into his mansion, complete with a mysterious painting of the first Mrs. Carlyle, a creepy housekeeper, and strange sounds at night. This is the point when the other two girls come back into the plot and the momentum is back. I think I would have liked it more without the romance in the middle because it slowed down the pace of the plot.
Overall, it was ok. I am still a fan and will read her future work. I would say if you are looking for a Historical page-turning thriller, check out her earlier book, The Other Typist. If you want a light mystery set in the past, then give this one a try.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Putnam for the advance copy in exchange for my review.
Don't get me wrong...I am a fan of Suzanne Rindell's books - I've read them all. They've thus far combined two of my favorite genres, which are historical fiction and mystery. Now, the reason I was underwhelmed with this one is because the only historical piece is that it takes place in San Francisco around the time of the 1906 earthquake. Three orphaned teenagers meet and become best friends at an orphanage but when their home burns down, they run off to San Francisco in hopes of a new life.
The first half of the book is about the years they lived together in the red-light district at a boarding house for dancers. I actually liked this part of the story. You really learn the character of each girl as they interacted with one another, which becomes very important later in the book. You get the sense that they all have secrets but they never fully reveal anything.
Cut to part two - and Violet is on her own. This part was quite boring and I almost lost interest. She meets and marries the wealthiest man in San Francisco and goes on her honeymoon with Mr Carlyle. The suspense spikes again when she moves into his mansion, complete with a mysterious painting of the first Mrs. Carlyle, a creepy housekeeper, and strange sounds at night. This is the point when the other two girls come back into the plot and the momentum is back. I think I would have liked it more without the romance in the middle because it slowed down the pace of the plot.
Overall, it was ok. I am still a fan and will read her future work. I would say if you are looking for a Historical page-turning thriller, check out her earlier book, The Other Typist. If you want a light mystery set in the past, then give this one a try.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Putnam for the advance copy in exchange for my review.
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