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The Curse of Morton Abbey
Jane Eyre meets The Secret Garden in this gothic tale set in 1897 Yorkshire.
Solicitor Vaughan Springthorpe knows perfectly well that Sir Peter Spencer’s offer of employment seems too good to be true: he hires her sight unseen and offers a suspiciously large salary to prepare the sale of his crumbling Yorkshire estate. But few people in late-Victorian England will entrust their legal affairs to a young woman, and Vaughan is desperate to prove herself. Despite her mother's pleas to stay in London and the odd warnings from locals near the manor, Vaughan forges ahead to begin her work at Morton Abbey.
But someone at the manor is determined to drive Vaughan away. An intruder tries to enter her bedroom at night, gunshots go off outside her window, and an eerie crying echoes from the uninhabited second floor. Even Netherton, the nearest village, seems strange: the picturesque houses and perfect-looking families are haunted by dark secrets connected to Morton Abbey itself.
To complete her work and solve the mystery at the heart of Morton, Vaughan needs the help of Joe Dixon, the handsome gardener, and Nicholas Spencer, her employer’s irascible invalid brother. But with her questions diverted, her progress thwarted, and her sleep disrupted by the crying, Vaughan doesn’t know if she will escape Morton Abbey with her sanity intact or be cursed by the secrets within.
Solicitor Vaughan Springthorpe knows perfectly well that Sir Peter Spencer’s offer of employment seems too good to be true: he hires her sight unseen and offers a suspiciously large salary to prepare the sale of his crumbling Yorkshire estate. But few people in late-Victorian England will entrust their legal affairs to a young woman, and Vaughan is desperate to prove herself. Despite her mother's pleas to stay in London and the odd warnings from locals near the manor, Vaughan forges ahead to begin her work at Morton Abbey.
But someone at the manor is determined to drive Vaughan away. An intruder tries to enter her bedroom at night, gunshots go off outside her window, and an eerie crying echoes from the uninhabited second floor. Even Netherton, the nearest village, seems strange: the picturesque houses and perfect-looking families are haunted by dark secrets connected to Morton Abbey itself.
To complete her work and solve the mystery at the heart of Morton, Vaughan needs the help of Joe Dixon, the handsome gardener, and Nicholas Spencer, her employer’s irascible invalid brother. But with her questions diverted, her progress thwarted, and her sleep disrupted by the crying, Vaughan doesn’t know if she will escape Morton Abbey with her sanity intact or be cursed by the secrets within.
382 pages, Paperback
First published October 26, 2021
75 people are currently reading
3402 people want to read
About the author
Clarissa Harwood
4 books168 followersClarissa Harwood is the author of three historical novels. Publishers Weekly called her first novel, Impossible Saints, "a rich debut. . . . With insight and sensitivity, Harwood explores century-old social mores and challenges that still echo loudly today." Her second novel, Bear No Malice, won the Editor's Choice award from the Historical Novel Society and was called "a smart and highly civilized tale about love, temptation, and second chances" by Kirkus Reviews.
Clarissa holds a PhD in English Literature with a specialization in nineteenth-century British Literature and has taught university literature and writing courses for more than twenty years.
Her own writing pays homage to her favourite Victorian authors: the Brontë sisters, George Eliot, Thomas Hardy, and Frances Hodgson Burnett. Her favourite living authors include Diane Setterfield, Kate Morton, A.S. Byatt, and Susanna Kearsley.
In addition to being a novelist, university professor, and proud member of the Historical Novel Society, Clarissa is a grammar nerd who loves to explain the difference between restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses. Born and raised on the Canadian prairies, she currently lives in Ontario with her husband and three neurotic cats.
Clarissa is represented by Laura Crockett of TriadaUS Literary Agency.
Clarissa holds a PhD in English Literature with a specialization in nineteenth-century British Literature and has taught university literature and writing courses for more than twenty years.
Her own writing pays homage to her favourite Victorian authors: the Brontë sisters, George Eliot, Thomas Hardy, and Frances Hodgson Burnett. Her favourite living authors include Diane Setterfield, Kate Morton, A.S. Byatt, and Susanna Kearsley.
In addition to being a novelist, university professor, and proud member of the Historical Novel Society, Clarissa is a grammar nerd who loves to explain the difference between restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses. Born and raised on the Canadian prairies, she currently lives in Ontario with her husband and three neurotic cats.
Clarissa is represented by Laura Crockett of TriadaUS Literary Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 234 reviews
October 30, 2021
EXCERPT: I stood shivering before an imposing stone edifice. The entrance was a gaping archway that looked like a monstrous mouth. Nobody seemed to have tried to beautify the building in any way. A huge grey block with smaller blocks attached each side, it had been a weary builder's last task before he died, and he had merely shoved the walls in place and washed his hands of it.
The surrounding landscape was no better. In the moonlight I could see a few scraggly trees along one side of the building, and nothing else but a vast grey emptiness. Surely there must be other buildings close by. Perhaps the estate would look better in daylight.
I left my trunk and walked through the archway, which led to a massive oak door. As I made my way towards it I was swallowed up in near-darkness. I wasn't a timid woman, but I didn't like the atmosphere of this place. I hoped the inside would look more welcoming.
ABOUT 'THE CURSE OF MORTON ABBEY': Solicitor Vaughan Springthorpe knows perfectly well that Sir Peter Spencer’s offer of employment seems too good to be true: he hires her sight unseen, offering a suspiciously large salary to prepare the sale of Morton Abbey, his crumbling Yorkshire estate. But few people in late-Victorian England will entrust their legal affairs to a woman, and Vaughan is desperate to prove herself.
Once at Morton, Vaughan discovers that someone is determined to drive her away. An intruder tries to enter her bedroom at night, gunshots are fired outside her window, and an eerie crying echoes from the uninhabited second floor. Even Netherton, the nearest village, seems odd: the picturesque houses and perfect-looking families are haunted by dark secrets connected to Morton Abbey itself.
To complete her work and solve the mystery at the heart of Morton, Vaughan needs the help of Joe Dixon, the handsome gardener, and Nicholas Spencer, her employer’s irascible invalid brother. But with her questions diverted, her progress thwarted, and her sleep disrupted by the crying, will Vaughan escape Morton Abbey with her sanity intact or be cursed by the secrets within?
MY THOUGHTS: I quite enjoyed The Curse of Morton Abbey although I didn't find it particularly creepy, which I was hoping for, or suspenseful. There are a few unexpected twists to the story though, which kept my interest.
I liked Vaughan's strength of character and desire for independence. It can't have been easy to have a deformity in the 1800s, which sounds like it may have been a club foot and is easily corrected by surgery today, and not to have been hidden away by the family.
Speaking of family, Vaughan's mother doesn't sound like she has one compassionate bone in her body! I'm quite sure that she just wanted to keep Vaughan by her side to be at her beck and call, and to care for her in her old age. I don't blame Vaughan at all for taking the risk of striking out on her own.
This book is peopled by other great characters too. Joe, the gardner, is somewhat of a surprise. Not all is as it seems with this good looking young man with whom Vaughan forges a friendship.
I also enjoyed the way Nick Spencer's character developed. At first I didn't know what to make of him. A 'madman' locked in his own wing, with only the butler allowed access to him - he certainly piqued my interest.
We don't meet Sir Peter until well into the book.
There are very few staff at Morton Abbey. Joe the gardener; Bedford the Butler, a man with dark, malevolent eyes; and Mrs. Wilson, the housekeeper, a rotund, motherly looking woman who loves to chat.
The story is told simply and from Vaughan's point of view. It's not particularly fast-paced, but it kept my interest throughout and managed to surprise me more than once.
A satisfying but not particularly memorable read.
⭐⭐⭐.5
#TheCurseofMortonAbbey #NetGalley
I: @clarissajharwood #thornfieldpress
T: @clarissaharwood #ThornfieldPress
#domesticdrama #familydrama #historicalfiction #mystery #gothic #romance
THE AUTHOR: Clarissa writes historical fiction set mainly in Victorian and Edwardian England. She has been fascinated by all things Victorian since she was a child: the clothes, the elaborate social rituals, the gap between rich and poor, the dizzying pace of advancements in science and technology. When it was time to choose a major in university, she had trouble deciding between history and English literature because she really just wanted to study the Victorians. Ultimately, she chose English and earned a PhD specializing in nineteenth-century British literature. Her novels pay homage to her favourite Victorian authors.
In addition to being a novelist and proud member of the Historical Novel Society, Clarissa is a part-time university instructor and full-time grammar nerd who loves to explain the difference between restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Thornfield Press via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Curse of Morton Abbey by Clarissa Harwood for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
The surrounding landscape was no better. In the moonlight I could see a few scraggly trees along one side of the building, and nothing else but a vast grey emptiness. Surely there must be other buildings close by. Perhaps the estate would look better in daylight.
I left my trunk and walked through the archway, which led to a massive oak door. As I made my way towards it I was swallowed up in near-darkness. I wasn't a timid woman, but I didn't like the atmosphere of this place. I hoped the inside would look more welcoming.
ABOUT 'THE CURSE OF MORTON ABBEY': Solicitor Vaughan Springthorpe knows perfectly well that Sir Peter Spencer’s offer of employment seems too good to be true: he hires her sight unseen, offering a suspiciously large salary to prepare the sale of Morton Abbey, his crumbling Yorkshire estate. But few people in late-Victorian England will entrust their legal affairs to a woman, and Vaughan is desperate to prove herself.
Once at Morton, Vaughan discovers that someone is determined to drive her away. An intruder tries to enter her bedroom at night, gunshots are fired outside her window, and an eerie crying echoes from the uninhabited second floor. Even Netherton, the nearest village, seems odd: the picturesque houses and perfect-looking families are haunted by dark secrets connected to Morton Abbey itself.
To complete her work and solve the mystery at the heart of Morton, Vaughan needs the help of Joe Dixon, the handsome gardener, and Nicholas Spencer, her employer’s irascible invalid brother. But with her questions diverted, her progress thwarted, and her sleep disrupted by the crying, will Vaughan escape Morton Abbey with her sanity intact or be cursed by the secrets within?
MY THOUGHTS: I quite enjoyed The Curse of Morton Abbey although I didn't find it particularly creepy, which I was hoping for, or suspenseful. There are a few unexpected twists to the story though, which kept my interest.
I liked Vaughan's strength of character and desire for independence. It can't have been easy to have a deformity in the 1800s, which sounds like it may have been a club foot and is easily corrected by surgery today, and not to have been hidden away by the family.
Speaking of family, Vaughan's mother doesn't sound like she has one compassionate bone in her body! I'm quite sure that she just wanted to keep Vaughan by her side to be at her beck and call, and to care for her in her old age. I don't blame Vaughan at all for taking the risk of striking out on her own.
This book is peopled by other great characters too. Joe, the gardner, is somewhat of a surprise. Not all is as it seems with this good looking young man with whom Vaughan forges a friendship.
I also enjoyed the way Nick Spencer's character developed. At first I didn't know what to make of him. A 'madman' locked in his own wing, with only the butler allowed access to him - he certainly piqued my interest.
We don't meet Sir Peter until well into the book.
There are very few staff at Morton Abbey. Joe the gardener; Bedford the Butler, a man with dark, malevolent eyes; and Mrs. Wilson, the housekeeper, a rotund, motherly looking woman who loves to chat.
The story is told simply and from Vaughan's point of view. It's not particularly fast-paced, but it kept my interest throughout and managed to surprise me more than once.
A satisfying but not particularly memorable read.
⭐⭐⭐.5
#TheCurseofMortonAbbey #NetGalley
I: @clarissajharwood #thornfieldpress
T: @clarissaharwood #ThornfieldPress
#domesticdrama #familydrama #historicalfiction #mystery #gothic #romance
THE AUTHOR: Clarissa writes historical fiction set mainly in Victorian and Edwardian England. She has been fascinated by all things Victorian since she was a child: the clothes, the elaborate social rituals, the gap between rich and poor, the dizzying pace of advancements in science and technology. When it was time to choose a major in university, she had trouble deciding between history and English literature because she really just wanted to study the Victorians. Ultimately, she chose English and earned a PhD specializing in nineteenth-century British literature. Her novels pay homage to her favourite Victorian authors.
In addition to being a novelist and proud member of the Historical Novel Society, Clarissa is a part-time university instructor and full-time grammar nerd who loves to explain the difference between restrictive and nonrestrictive clauses.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Thornfield Press via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Curse of Morton Abbey by Clarissa Harwood for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
November 9, 2021
In a Nutshell: A captivating and quick-paced gothic suspense. If only the ending were written a little better way!
Story:
The biggest charm of this book lies in its unconventional heroine. The youngest of five daughters, twenty-eight year old Vaughan is the black sheep of her family. Born with a crippled leg, she has been consistently told that she is ugly and unmarriageable. Her solicitor father has taught her everything about the law and she dreams of becoming a solicitor. But after his death, she knows that life with her proud mother and married sisters is impossible. So she decides to make her own independent way in the world. She is highly practical, organised and gutsy. For a story set in 1897, she makes for an unusual female lead character with her wish for independence and self-employment, which is remarkable. Of the other characters, Nick is the most well-written as his persona has layers that keep changing depending on his mood. I liked seeing such a realistic depiction of a man, with multiple shades of gray rather than being a clear black or white. The rest of the characters fall a little flat in comparison to these two brilliant sketches as they are mostly two-dimensional. In most cases, what you see is not what you get and you already know it because of the ample clues provided in the text. All the characters other than Vaughan are such that you never know whom to trust but you desperately want to trust many!
The story is quite gothic in its style. It establishes the right atmosphere and uses the mysterious house setting to its full advantage. It’s not much spooky, but generates enough of a suspense to make you read on without keeping it aside. There are sufficient twists and turns in the tale to add to the experience. I could guess many of the twists in the story but not all. While there is a fair bit of romance in the story, the romantic arcs are written well and more importantly, never dominate over the suspense-mystery bits. That’s a huge plus for me as I am a bit fed up of seeing romance ruling the roost no matter what genre I pick up.
Despite the number of pages, the book goes by quickly. I completed this 384 page book in a little more than a day, which shows you how much it kept me hooked. The story has shades of A Secret Garden and Jane Eyre. (I gotta admit, I was feeling very proud of myself for having made this brilliant correlation, until I saw that the Goodreads blurb begins with these very two book names! What a bubble-burst! 😂)
Why only 4 stars then?
1. The book was a steady 4.5 stars for me until about the 80% mark. After that, things went over the top. The revelations were farfetched, the explanations were unsatisfactory, the situations too convenient, and the ending abrupt. It felt like the first 80% was a mountain in front of the molehill of an ending. Don’t get me wrong; the ending is quite good. But it doesn’t match up to the standard set by the rest of the book.
2. Unlike what the name of the book suggests, the curse isn’t really the main topic of the story but just a trivial subplot. It could safely have been cut out of the story without any impact to the rest of the proceedings. So the title is a bit of a misnomer and if you pick up this book looking for a fancy-schmancy curse and its unveiling, not gonna happen.
3. A couple of plot points are left unanswered even after the end.
Regardless of this slight disappointment at the end, I enjoyed my reading of this book as it kept me mostly entertained and I had fun guessing the twists. I also relished seeing such a fabulous woman character leading the show in a Victorian setting. Recommended if you enjoy Gothic mysteries with a strong woman in the lead and quick-paced writing.
My thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, Thornfield Press and NetGalley for the ARC of “The Curse of Morton Abbey”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Story:
London, 1897. Vaughan Springthorpe, a disabled and unqualified solicitor, accepts a job offer from Sir Peter Spencer to sort out the documents of his large estate named “Morton Abbey” at Bradford and prepare the sale deeds. She knows there’s something odd about the suspiciously large amount he is paying her but she has no choice but to accept his offer. Once she reaches the estate, she realises that it holds within its confines several mysteries as well as mysterious residents, one of whom is Nick Spencer, the sickly brother of her employer. The only ray of light amid the gloomy atmosphere seems to be the gardener Joe Dixon. But with someone determined to drive her away from the place, and with some spooky going-on at night, will Vaughan be able to escape the creepy mansion unharmed?
The story comes to us in the first person perspective of Vaughan.
The biggest charm of this book lies in its unconventional heroine. The youngest of five daughters, twenty-eight year old Vaughan is the black sheep of her family. Born with a crippled leg, she has been consistently told that she is ugly and unmarriageable. Her solicitor father has taught her everything about the law and she dreams of becoming a solicitor. But after his death, she knows that life with her proud mother and married sisters is impossible. So she decides to make her own independent way in the world. She is highly practical, organised and gutsy. For a story set in 1897, she makes for an unusual female lead character with her wish for independence and self-employment, which is remarkable. Of the other characters, Nick is the most well-written as his persona has layers that keep changing depending on his mood. I liked seeing such a realistic depiction of a man, with multiple shades of gray rather than being a clear black or white. The rest of the characters fall a little flat in comparison to these two brilliant sketches as they are mostly two-dimensional. In most cases, what you see is not what you get and you already know it because of the ample clues provided in the text. All the characters other than Vaughan are such that you never know whom to trust but you desperately want to trust many!
The story is quite gothic in its style. It establishes the right atmosphere and uses the mysterious house setting to its full advantage. It’s not much spooky, but generates enough of a suspense to make you read on without keeping it aside. There are sufficient twists and turns in the tale to add to the experience. I could guess many of the twists in the story but not all. While there is a fair bit of romance in the story, the romantic arcs are written well and more importantly, never dominate over the suspense-mystery bits. That’s a huge plus for me as I am a bit fed up of seeing romance ruling the roost no matter what genre I pick up.
Despite the number of pages, the book goes by quickly. I completed this 384 page book in a little more than a day, which shows you how much it kept me hooked. The story has shades of A Secret Garden and Jane Eyre. (I gotta admit, I was feeling very proud of myself for having made this brilliant correlation, until I saw that the Goodreads blurb begins with these very two book names! What a bubble-burst! 😂)
Why only 4 stars then?
1. The book was a steady 4.5 stars for me until about the 80% mark. After that, things went over the top. The revelations were farfetched, the explanations were unsatisfactory, the situations too convenient, and the ending abrupt. It felt like the first 80% was a mountain in front of the molehill of an ending. Don’t get me wrong; the ending is quite good. But it doesn’t match up to the standard set by the rest of the book.
2. Unlike what the name of the book suggests, the curse isn’t really the main topic of the story but just a trivial subplot. It could safely have been cut out of the story without any impact to the rest of the proceedings. So the title is a bit of a misnomer and if you pick up this book looking for a fancy-schmancy curse and its unveiling, not gonna happen.
3. A couple of plot points are left unanswered even after the end.
Regardless of this slight disappointment at the end, I enjoyed my reading of this book as it kept me mostly entertained and I had fun guessing the twists. I also relished seeing such a fabulous woman character leading the show in a Victorian setting. Recommended if you enjoy Gothic mysteries with a strong woman in the lead and quick-paced writing.
My thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, Thornfield Press and NetGalley for the ARC of “The Curse of Morton Abbey”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
October 19, 2021
The Curse of Morton Abbey is very dear to my heart. Readers familiar with my previous novels may be surprised by the darker tone of this book, so I want to add a content warning for people who may be disturbed by these darker themes (e.g child death). I can't say more because I want to avoid spoilers, but this is not a horror novel and doesn't include graphic depictions of violence. It is more suspenseful than my previous novels, but I would still consider it a feminist historical novel like the others.
I am a slow writer, and all my books take approximately 10 years from start to finish (with several year-long breaks so I can approach them with fresh eyes for the next draft). This book is no exception. I especially loved writing this book because it's the genre I love most as a reader: a novel of gothic suspense that doesn't fit perfectly into other categories but includes elements of history, romance, and mystery. I hope you'll enjoy it!
If you'd like to get my book news early, including cover reveals and an inside look at my research and writing process, please subscribe to my newsletter at https://clarissaharwood.com/. I send out newsletters only when I have book news: I promise not to spam you!
I am a slow writer, and all my books take approximately 10 years from start to finish (with several year-long breaks so I can approach them with fresh eyes for the next draft). This book is no exception. I especially loved writing this book because it's the genre I love most as a reader: a novel of gothic suspense that doesn't fit perfectly into other categories but includes elements of history, romance, and mystery. I hope you'll enjoy it!
If you'd like to get my book news early, including cover reveals and an inside look at my research and writing process, please subscribe to my newsletter at https://clarissaharwood.com/. I send out newsletters only when I have book news: I promise not to spam you!
July 25, 2021
I am not usually a reader of the Gothic romance genre, though I do like an occasional dip into classics by Poe or Hawthorne. But because I have read Harwood’s other book, Impossible Saints, and really loved her remarkable historically accurate backdrop, I knew this tale would be just as good, if not better. And I was right. The Curse of Morton Abbey sets the dark and chilly mood right from the start, taking place in and outside of London. Little by little, our female protagonist, Vaughn, feels her sanity slipping away as she hears and sees things that are—or perhaps are not—there. With a delicately unwinding mystery, a few love triangles, and characters who rarely are what they say they are converging together, one can’t help wonder if Harwood is the reincarnate of Bram Stoker or Henry James, or perhaps a little of both. I know a lot of reviewers will compare Harwood’s writing to Charlotte or Emily Bronte’s, but honestly, this book is WAY better than Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights. I think the reason for this is that today’s female writers can write anything they please. They aren’t held back by the constraints of the day, or by the men who used to rule the publishing world. So even though Harwood’s story draws us into a space of Victorian mores and values, the plot itself is fresh. It is modern, without being modern! I fell in love with Vaughn, not for being the romanticized “girl who longs to be independent,” but because she is multi-dimensional, unlike the female protagonists created by Victorian writers, who were often portrayed as stereotypes of what society believed women should be. I would have been friends with someone like Vaughn. We would have hung out, maybe in a garden, sipping tea with a drop of brandy while discussing everything from men to science to philosophy. Our main gal is brave but careful, confident but humble, and caring without doting. She is the perfect blend for today’s Gothic revival. Without going into the near-perfect way in which Harwood follows plot structure, just know that all the twists and turns, most of which are unpredictable, will be settled in the end, satisfying even the most picky of readers. It is because of The Curse of Morton Abbey that I might just pick up other books in this genre.
June 25, 2021
The Curse of Morton Abbey is a delightfully spooky and wonderfully atmospheric gothic novel. Clarissa Harwood’s elegant prose is a pleasure to read, and her firm grasp of Victorian history manifests itself in note-perfect period detail. Reminiscent of the works of Charlotte Brontë and Frances Hodgson Burnett, this story contains everything I love best about the genre. Highly recommended.
September 14, 2021
Why wouldn’t I want to read this book, just look at that beautiful cover image! That just there provides the perfect gothic feel and there I go, sucked into the story of a young woman who has to fight against all odds and come up with trumps.
Vaughan Springthorpe is the youngest of five sisters and believes herself to be the least beautiful amongst them and compounded by an afflicted lame leg has no chance to ever be the gentle lady wooed by any suitors. Her only hope is to put to good use the education she has been given by her lawyer father. Traveling to Morton Abbey to deal with the sale of the estate was a new beginning for her dream towards independence but the price to be paid for the job may be her sanity.
This is a well-written spooky thriller with uncanny voices and frightening incidents causing the practical and sensible Vaughan to question her beliefs in ghosts and spirits. The damp and moldy Morton Abbey doesn’t help matters and the claustrophobic atmosphere adds to the element of chill and suspense. Aggravating the problems is the highly volatile Nick Spencer whose madman tactics take a toll on Vaughan’s peace of mind. The author’s characterization of Vaughan is fantastic, she is someone that I could root for, her approach to all things inside Morton Abbey and even the nearby village Netherton was completely realistic. She uses all her rational reasonings to explain away the mysterious incidents happening around her and I loved her angry responses to Nick thus showing the passionate woman hidden inside the pragmatic soul. The romance that develops slowly is also excellently done as one can feel the gradual awakening of the love in Vaughan’s mind.
The mysteries surrounding the estate were along the expected lines but I loved how the author has added multiple layers to the story of Nick’s past and his animosity with his brother Sir Peter. The Curse of Morton Abbey takes the reader to a time in history where women lawyers had no part to play in society so it was exciting to see Vaughan establishing herself in the field of law.
But the highlight factor of the novel I would say is the writing by the author Clarissa Harwood. It is not flowery with a prosaic language that sometimes becomes boring, but one still feels the vibe of a classical narrative as each segment of the story unravels as in books like Jane Eyre. The pacing of the story is not quick like a thriller but the author successfully lures the reader in with different stands of the story weaving together a complex mystery that follows the dysfunctional Spencer family.
The spooky season is just around the corner and for all fans of gothic suspense, the Curse of Morton Abbey is one to curl up on the sofa with a fire burning in the fireplace.☔☔☔☔☔
Many thanks to Book Sirens, and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.
This review is published in my blog https://rainnbooks.com/, Goodreads, Amazon India, Book Bub, Medium.com, Facebook, and Twitter.
Vaughan Springthorpe is the youngest of five sisters and believes herself to be the least beautiful amongst them and compounded by an afflicted lame leg has no chance to ever be the gentle lady wooed by any suitors. Her only hope is to put to good use the education she has been given by her lawyer father. Traveling to Morton Abbey to deal with the sale of the estate was a new beginning for her dream towards independence but the price to be paid for the job may be her sanity.
This is a well-written spooky thriller with uncanny voices and frightening incidents causing the practical and sensible Vaughan to question her beliefs in ghosts and spirits. The damp and moldy Morton Abbey doesn’t help matters and the claustrophobic atmosphere adds to the element of chill and suspense. Aggravating the problems is the highly volatile Nick Spencer whose madman tactics take a toll on Vaughan’s peace of mind. The author’s characterization of Vaughan is fantastic, she is someone that I could root for, her approach to all things inside Morton Abbey and even the nearby village Netherton was completely realistic. She uses all her rational reasonings to explain away the mysterious incidents happening around her and I loved her angry responses to Nick thus showing the passionate woman hidden inside the pragmatic soul. The romance that develops slowly is also excellently done as one can feel the gradual awakening of the love in Vaughan’s mind.
The mysteries surrounding the estate were along the expected lines but I loved how the author has added multiple layers to the story of Nick’s past and his animosity with his brother Sir Peter. The Curse of Morton Abbey takes the reader to a time in history where women lawyers had no part to play in society so it was exciting to see Vaughan establishing herself in the field of law.
But the highlight factor of the novel I would say is the writing by the author Clarissa Harwood. It is not flowery with a prosaic language that sometimes becomes boring, but one still feels the vibe of a classical narrative as each segment of the story unravels as in books like Jane Eyre. The pacing of the story is not quick like a thriller but the author successfully lures the reader in with different stands of the story weaving together a complex mystery that follows the dysfunctional Spencer family.
The spooky season is just around the corner and for all fans of gothic suspense, the Curse of Morton Abbey is one to curl up on the sofa with a fire burning in the fireplace.☔☔☔☔☔
Many thanks to Book Sirens, and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.
This review is published in my blog https://rainnbooks.com/, Goodreads, Amazon India, Book Bub, Medium.com, Facebook, and Twitter.
October 26, 2021
**Happy Publication Day**
******
3.8 Stars
One Liner: Atmospheric setting with a feminist heroine, but lacks the punch of a good mystery.
Vaughan Springthorpe has been her father’s assistant for a long time. She finally has a chance to prove that she’s a worthy solicitor when women were limited to managing the house and attending parties.
Despite her mother’s doubts, Vaughan goes to Morton Abbey in Yorkshire to assist Sir Peter Spencer with the sale of the estate. Of course, her employer is away from the dark, gloomy, and mysterious place.
Vaughan has to live in the same house with a grumpy butler, a talkative housekeeper, and Peter’s invalid younger brother, Nicholas. The strange sounds and unexplained silence of the members scare Vaughan, but she’s determined to get her job done.
The job itself proves to be difficult with the library and the papers in the most kind of mess she’s ever seen. As days pass into weeks, Vaughan sets things in order. She meets Nicholas as well as Joe, the gardener at the Abbey. None of them seem to have any explanation for the incidents that trouble her mind. Moreover, she realizes that people aren’t always what they seem to be.
The nearest village, Netherton, seems to be picture-perfect until Vaughan realizes that there’s something not right. Things get complicated as Vaughan learns new things. However, some incidents are still a mystery, and she is determined to get to the bottom of them. Can Vaughan succeed in revealing the curse of Morton Abbey and finding what her heart desires?
The book has a slow start but picks up momentum later on. The writing is neither too descriptive nor bland. The mix of show and tell works well to establish the setting and the characters. While we realize a few things at the same time as Vaughan does, the other hints are provided for us to connect the dots.
Vaughan is the narrator of the story, and we see the change in her as she grows through the book. She is an independent woman wanting to make her mark in the male-dominated society. While that’s great, some of her comments seem a little too condescending about other women and their approach to life.
The other characters seem to be a hit and miss. While I loved Nicholas Spencer’s mood swings and erratic behavior, and Joe was the too-good-to-be-true kind of guy, the rest of them were pretty much casual. The romance did keep me interested to see what would happen at the end.
The mystery tends to go in and out of the spotlight. The final reveal somehow fell flat and didn’t seem to be justice to the title.
The book did have an epilogue of sorts, but even that ended almost abruptly. That kind of approach works for a short story than a full-length novel. When I read almost 400 pages, I want a better and more settled ending (especially since I’m a fan of HEA).
To sum up, The Curse of Morton Abbey is a decent atmospheric novel with elements of romance and suspense. It would make for a good one-time read.
Thank you, NetGalley and Thornfield Press, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#TheCurseofMortonAbbey #NetGalley
******
3.8 Stars
One Liner: Atmospheric setting with a feminist heroine, but lacks the punch of a good mystery.
Vaughan Springthorpe has been her father’s assistant for a long time. She finally has a chance to prove that she’s a worthy solicitor when women were limited to managing the house and attending parties.
Despite her mother’s doubts, Vaughan goes to Morton Abbey in Yorkshire to assist Sir Peter Spencer with the sale of the estate. Of course, her employer is away from the dark, gloomy, and mysterious place.
Vaughan has to live in the same house with a grumpy butler, a talkative housekeeper, and Peter’s invalid younger brother, Nicholas. The strange sounds and unexplained silence of the members scare Vaughan, but she’s determined to get her job done.
The job itself proves to be difficult with the library and the papers in the most kind of mess she’s ever seen. As days pass into weeks, Vaughan sets things in order. She meets Nicholas as well as Joe, the gardener at the Abbey. None of them seem to have any explanation for the incidents that trouble her mind. Moreover, she realizes that people aren’t always what they seem to be.
The nearest village, Netherton, seems to be picture-perfect until Vaughan realizes that there’s something not right. Things get complicated as Vaughan learns new things. However, some incidents are still a mystery, and she is determined to get to the bottom of them. Can Vaughan succeed in revealing the curse of Morton Abbey and finding what her heart desires?
The book has a slow start but picks up momentum later on. The writing is neither too descriptive nor bland. The mix of show and tell works well to establish the setting and the characters. While we realize a few things at the same time as Vaughan does, the other hints are provided for us to connect the dots.
Vaughan is the narrator of the story, and we see the change in her as she grows through the book. She is an independent woman wanting to make her mark in the male-dominated society. While that’s great, some of her comments seem a little too condescending about other women and their approach to life.
The other characters seem to be a hit and miss. While I loved Nicholas Spencer’s mood swings and erratic behavior, and Joe was the too-good-to-be-true kind of guy, the rest of them were pretty much casual. The romance did keep me interested to see what would happen at the end.
The mystery tends to go in and out of the spotlight. The final reveal somehow fell flat and didn’t seem to be justice to the title.
The book did have an epilogue of sorts, but even that ended almost abruptly. That kind of approach works for a short story than a full-length novel. When I read almost 400 pages, I want a better and more settled ending (especially since I’m a fan of HEA).
To sum up, The Curse of Morton Abbey is a decent atmospheric novel with elements of romance and suspense. It would make for a good one-time read.
Thank you, NetGalley and Thornfield Press, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#TheCurseofMortonAbbey #NetGalley
September 28, 2021
Mix together a gloomy, ancient abbey in rainswept Yorkshire, a spikey, determined heroine, a dark secret to unravel and you could have the elements for any Gothic novel. What makes The Curse of Morton Abbey special is the author's understanding of the genre, her fluid prose, impeccable Victorian-era details, and a twisty plot to upend all of your expectations.
While readers of the genre might recognize the author's reverent nod to The Secret Garden and Jane Eyre, I was happy to find a more satisfying connection to Gothic romance author Victoria Holt.
My recommendation to you is to read it by flickering candlelight for the full effect this Halloween season. Enjoy!
While readers of the genre might recognize the author's reverent nod to The Secret Garden and Jane Eyre, I was happy to find a more satisfying connection to Gothic romance author Victoria Holt.
My recommendation to you is to read it by flickering candlelight for the full effect this Halloween season. Enjoy!
October 26, 2021
What would the Frances Hodgson Burnett classic, The Secret Garden, look like if all the main players were adults? That is what author, Clarissa Harwood asked herself and a lush, atmospheric and romantic historical suspense was born. A book from a new to me author and a set up I could not resist brought early tingles of excitement.
Vaughan Springthorpe finished settling her deceased solicitor father’s affairs and must now face an uncertain future. He trained her to copy and review legal documents and it is her dream to become a solicitor, herself. Facing resistance from her surviving family because she is a woman and has a disability, she ignores this and takes the first step toward her dream by way of placing an advertisement for employment. A reply comes and she is hired by absent estate owner, Sir Peter Spencer, to get the estate papers in order so he can sell.
Morton Abbey is a dreadful place where only Sir Peter’s reclusive brother and a couple servants are in residence. Vaughan encounters the prickly butler/valet, the belligerent invalid Mr. Spencer who doesn’t want the house sold, or the chatty, old cook/housekeeper. Treated to a nighttime gunshot, to a ghostly child’s tears, and someone attempting her bedchamber door, she learns quickly that something is very wrong.
Nick Spencer is thought mad because his only child was drowned and his wife left him. Vaughan has little sympathy and suspects the man of being behind all the mystery to drive her away from the estate. Thankfully there is a cheery gardener, Joe Dixon, who takes her out and shows her the loveliness of the grounds and the gardens and seems quite interested in Vaughan.
Slowly, she settles in and is even happy for a time- until the secrets of Morton Abbey are revealed along with the unwelcome feelings of her heart for someone who is all wrong for her.
The Curse of Morton Abbey was both a classical tribute and an absorbing, original tale. It had some gothic tones that made it mildly hair-raising as a good tale of this sort should. The set up and introduction of the intrepid, but also vulnerable heroine adventuring alone into her new circumstances struck just the right chord. the further set up of backdrop and other characters along with current situation fell into place to create one riveting story. I liked seeing the way the Abbey slowly changed her while she has an equally good effect on the people at the abbey especially Nick by drawing him out of his darkened rooms and darker thoughts to enjoy the sunshine with her and Joe in the garden.
Vaughan was not an insipid heroine. She’s brash and rushes in where angels fear to tread, as the old saying goes. I was on the fence about her at the outset. While I entered into her feelings on wanting a career rather than be the poor relation, wanting to be respected for her skill no matter her gender, and not being treated poorly because she has a physical disability, she comes on very strong with her own sharp tongue and ways. She strode into that house and one day later she’s snooping in a locked wing and pushing her way into Mr. Spencer’s sick room demanding he talk about family secrets that are none of her business and discuss estate business before they are even introduced. I found her behavior and actions improbable for only her first day there especially since she was only hired to organize the estate papers. I came around to being pro Vaughan as the story continued after that first day and was on the edge of my seat as she faced the creepy moments, sussed out secrets, and got to know the handful of residents on the estate and the nearby villagers. She comes into her own as she is respected for her intelligence and her abilities, treated like someone special, and learns to believe in love and feels it for two very different men.
I enjoyed how the twists and turns built-up to a breath-taking and emotional climax before offering an equally absorbing denouement to the end. I figured out some of what was going on, but there was a great deal that I had to wait to find out including her romance choice.
All in all, this was a fabulous first outing with Clarissa Harwood’s writing and I loved the strong nod to The Secret Garden. I can unequivocally recommend it to gothic and historical suspense readers.
I rec'd an eARC from Austenprose to read in exchange for an honest review.
Vaughan Springthorpe finished settling her deceased solicitor father’s affairs and must now face an uncertain future. He trained her to copy and review legal documents and it is her dream to become a solicitor, herself. Facing resistance from her surviving family because she is a woman and has a disability, she ignores this and takes the first step toward her dream by way of placing an advertisement for employment. A reply comes and she is hired by absent estate owner, Sir Peter Spencer, to get the estate papers in order so he can sell.
Morton Abbey is a dreadful place where only Sir Peter’s reclusive brother and a couple servants are in residence. Vaughan encounters the prickly butler/valet, the belligerent invalid Mr. Spencer who doesn’t want the house sold, or the chatty, old cook/housekeeper. Treated to a nighttime gunshot, to a ghostly child’s tears, and someone attempting her bedchamber door, she learns quickly that something is very wrong.
Nick Spencer is thought mad because his only child was drowned and his wife left him. Vaughan has little sympathy and suspects the man of being behind all the mystery to drive her away from the estate. Thankfully there is a cheery gardener, Joe Dixon, who takes her out and shows her the loveliness of the grounds and the gardens and seems quite interested in Vaughan.
Slowly, she settles in and is even happy for a time- until the secrets of Morton Abbey are revealed along with the unwelcome feelings of her heart for someone who is all wrong for her.
The Curse of Morton Abbey was both a classical tribute and an absorbing, original tale. It had some gothic tones that made it mildly hair-raising as a good tale of this sort should. The set up and introduction of the intrepid, but also vulnerable heroine adventuring alone into her new circumstances struck just the right chord. the further set up of backdrop and other characters along with current situation fell into place to create one riveting story. I liked seeing the way the Abbey slowly changed her while she has an equally good effect on the people at the abbey especially Nick by drawing him out of his darkened rooms and darker thoughts to enjoy the sunshine with her and Joe in the garden.
Vaughan was not an insipid heroine. She’s brash and rushes in where angels fear to tread, as the old saying goes. I was on the fence about her at the outset. While I entered into her feelings on wanting a career rather than be the poor relation, wanting to be respected for her skill no matter her gender, and not being treated poorly because she has a physical disability, she comes on very strong with her own sharp tongue and ways. She strode into that house and one day later she’s snooping in a locked wing and pushing her way into Mr. Spencer’s sick room demanding he talk about family secrets that are none of her business and discuss estate business before they are even introduced. I found her behavior and actions improbable for only her first day there especially since she was only hired to organize the estate papers. I came around to being pro Vaughan as the story continued after that first day and was on the edge of my seat as she faced the creepy moments, sussed out secrets, and got to know the handful of residents on the estate and the nearby villagers. She comes into her own as she is respected for her intelligence and her abilities, treated like someone special, and learns to believe in love and feels it for two very different men.
I enjoyed how the twists and turns built-up to a breath-taking and emotional climax before offering an equally absorbing denouement to the end. I figured out some of what was going on, but there was a great deal that I had to wait to find out including her romance choice.
All in all, this was a fabulous first outing with Clarissa Harwood’s writing and I loved the strong nod to The Secret Garden. I can unequivocally recommend it to gothic and historical suspense readers.
I rec'd an eARC from Austenprose to read in exchange for an honest review.
September 20, 2021
Morton Abbey is the central character in this story. A large, gloomy, damp estate is what greets Vaughan when she arrives to do a job that appears to be too good to be true. A lady solicitor in Victorian times can't afford to be choosey however, especially one like Vaughan who is determined to be independent of her family.
She meets two very different men. Joe, the gardener, who is thoughtful and kind and Nicolas, her employer's younger brother, who is rude and surly.
There are many layers and strands to this story. I had just come to grips with one element and something else turned up. The writing is wonderfully atmospheric. You can feel the chill when the author is describing the moldy, crumbling house.
The mystery was perfectly done. I thought I had guessed what was happening but then it went off on another tangent.
The romance was a slow burner but grew in depth over the course of the book but I thought the ending was a bit abrupt.
The book starts slowly but this was laying the ground work for what became an incredible story. There are definitely shades of Jane Eyre in it.
People who enjoy the books of Laura Purcell would certainly love this one.
Thanks to Thornfield Press and Netgalley for an early copy of this book to read.
She meets two very different men. Joe, the gardener, who is thoughtful and kind and Nicolas, her employer's younger brother, who is rude and surly.
There are many layers and strands to this story. I had just come to grips with one element and something else turned up. The writing is wonderfully atmospheric. You can feel the chill when the author is describing the moldy, crumbling house.
The mystery was perfectly done. I thought I had guessed what was happening but then it went off on another tangent.
The romance was a slow burner but grew in depth over the course of the book but I thought the ending was a bit abrupt.
The book starts slowly but this was laying the ground work for what became an incredible story. There are definitely shades of Jane Eyre in it.
People who enjoy the books of Laura Purcell would certainly love this one.
Thanks to Thornfield Press and Netgalley for an early copy of this book to read.
November 18, 2021
This author is new to me. I enjoyed this book as I do not typically read Gothic mystery and this was an enjoyable change. Vaughn is a woman who in the late 1800's wants to become a solicitor and goes to an old mansion to ready it for sale. There are several plots that are well woven to become a good story that flows well together and ties up at the end. The book is mainly a mystery with a touch of romance. The h also has a disability which has made her more determined to become independent and open her own law practice in London. I rate the 4.5* and look forward to more books by this author.
February 22, 2022
This was the absolute perfect Gothic read. I'm going to have a book hangover for a longtime.
March 17, 2022
The Curse of Morton Abbey is a quick and lowkey gothic tale that managed to keep me entertained though it failed to leave a lasting impression.
Look, I'm not your biggest gothic literature reader. I haven't even read Rebecca (shocker, I know!) or Jane Eyre (yes, yes, I'm aware of my shortcomings). Being a relatively inexperienced reader in gothic tales meant that I didn't have any expectations when it came to this book. I knew a friend of mine read it and rated it five stars, so I gave it a try!
1897: Vaughan Springthorpe is nearing her 30th birthday, and even though she's a trained solicitor and worked in her father's office up until his death, she doesn't have much more to show for. Unmarried and without a permanent position, she takes up Peter Spencer's offer to organise the sale of his crumbling estate of Morton Abbey. The offer seems too good to be true, and sure enough, as soon as Vaughan arrives at Morton, strange things are starting to occur. Gunshots in the night, eerie crying echoing through the walls, and even Netherton, the nearby village, seems too perfect, too beautiful to be true. Together with the handsome gardener Joe Dixon and Nicolas Spencer, her employer's perfectly irritable invalid brother, Vaughan sets out to solve the mystery of Morton Abbey.
The novel wastes no time in throwing you head-first into the plot. While the first chapter is spent telling the readers how conceited Vaughan's sisters are and that her mum's a bully who thinks that the best for Vaughan would be to marry and forget about all her professional ambitions, the second chapter already sets the mood with Vaughan's arrival at the Abbey.
I enjoyed how fast-paced the beginning was. Given that the main character's mother and sisters don't play a role in this story, I think it was wise that the author decided not to waste any more time on them and instead shifted the narrative to focus on the Abbey, its inhabitants and immediate inhabitants surroundings.
The cast of characters in this book is minimal. It's easy to keep track of them though I wish that because there wasn't an extensive cast of characters, they had been more fleshed out and less one-dimensional. When Vaughan arrives, she learns that her employer isn't actually at the Abbey but overseas. Living or working at Morton are only the butler, the cook, the gardener Joe Dixon and Nicolas Spencer, Peter Spencer's brother and a sick man who mostly keeps to the confines of his bed. While Joe and Nicolas were given space to develop, I found the characters of the butler and the cook very bland. They could have been much better developed.
The gothic elements themselves were present, and there was enough of a mystery to keep me hooked. I did want to find out what was going on and find out the solution to all the mysterious things that were happening. Still, gothic tales should be as much about atmospheric writing as about mysterious happenings. Sadly, the book lacked the gothic atmosphere I was hoping for. It just didn't give me the haunted, weird, creepy, spooky vibes I was looking for. The book was a bit too stale in that respect.
I also agree with Chevy in saying that the novel could have done much more regarding visuals. I wish we had had a more extensive description of what Vaughan and the others looked like.
Vaughan's lame leg/foot was often mentioned, and I appreciate the representation. I'm not disabled, so I can't speak for or on behalf of the character or the disabled community. Still, I think the author was quite good in describing how Vaughan's disability affects her, how she sees herself and how she perceives others based on their reaction to her disability.
What annoyed me most, however, was the romance. Don't get me wrong, I'm a sucker for slow-burn romances, but I detest enemies to lovers. The first part of the book makes you believe that Vaughan will end up with one character, while in the second half of the book, it becomes clear that she is interested in another character. I don't readhaters to lovers, uh, enemies to lovers, so I can't really comment on whether it was well done or not.
However, I can comment on the slow-burn relationship introduced between Vaughan and that one other character. As soon as she realises his feelings for him, she's suddenly "so in love", can't stop thinking about him, and even though it's Victorian England and she was raised as a lady who should know better, she's not only ready to . I'm not a stickler for historical accuracy but this grated on me. Suddenly everything between those two happened really fast, which was a bit of a buzz-kill. There is also the fact that this was which I don't mind in real-life but loathe in fiction.
If I were someone to rate books alone on enjoyment, this novel would have probably bagged 4 stars. I just couldn't see past all the above issues, and I'm certain I will forget about this read in due time. Despite all this, it's not a bad book, and given that I read the first half within a single afternoon, I was still entertained.
Look, I'm not your biggest gothic literature reader. I haven't even read Rebecca (shocker, I know!) or Jane Eyre (yes, yes, I'm aware of my shortcomings). Being a relatively inexperienced reader in gothic tales meant that I didn't have any expectations when it came to this book. I knew a friend of mine read it and rated it five stars, so I gave it a try!
1897: Vaughan Springthorpe is nearing her 30th birthday, and even though she's a trained solicitor and worked in her father's office up until his death, she doesn't have much more to show for. Unmarried and without a permanent position, she takes up Peter Spencer's offer to organise the sale of his crumbling estate of Morton Abbey. The offer seems too good to be true, and sure enough, as soon as Vaughan arrives at Morton, strange things are starting to occur. Gunshots in the night, eerie crying echoing through the walls, and even Netherton, the nearby village, seems too perfect, too beautiful to be true. Together with the handsome gardener Joe Dixon and Nicolas Spencer, her employer's perfectly irritable invalid brother, Vaughan sets out to solve the mystery of Morton Abbey.
The novel wastes no time in throwing you head-first into the plot. While the first chapter is spent telling the readers how conceited Vaughan's sisters are and that her mum's a bully who thinks that the best for Vaughan would be to marry and forget about all her professional ambitions, the second chapter already sets the mood with Vaughan's arrival at the Abbey.
I enjoyed how fast-paced the beginning was. Given that the main character's mother and sisters don't play a role in this story, I think it was wise that the author decided not to waste any more time on them and instead shifted the narrative to focus on the Abbey, its inhabitants and immediate inhabitants surroundings.
The cast of characters in this book is minimal. It's easy to keep track of them though I wish that because there wasn't an extensive cast of characters, they had been more fleshed out and less one-dimensional. When Vaughan arrives, she learns that her employer isn't actually at the Abbey but overseas. Living or working at Morton are only the butler, the cook, the gardener Joe Dixon and Nicolas Spencer, Peter Spencer's brother and a sick man who mostly keeps to the confines of his bed. While Joe and Nicolas were given space to develop, I found the characters of the butler and the cook very bland. They could have been much better developed.
The gothic elements themselves were present, and there was enough of a mystery to keep me hooked. I did want to find out what was going on and find out the solution to all the mysterious things that were happening. Still, gothic tales should be as much about atmospheric writing as about mysterious happenings. Sadly, the book lacked the gothic atmosphere I was hoping for. It just didn't give me the haunted, weird, creepy, spooky vibes I was looking for. The book was a bit too stale in that respect.
I also agree with Chevy in saying that the novel could have done much more regarding visuals. I wish we had had a more extensive description of what Vaughan and the others looked like.
Vaughan's lame leg/foot was often mentioned, and I appreciate the representation. I'm not disabled, so I can't speak for or on behalf of the character or the disabled community. Still, I think the author was quite good in describing how Vaughan's disability affects her, how she sees herself and how she perceives others based on their reaction to her disability.
What annoyed me most, however, was the romance. Don't get me wrong, I'm a sucker for slow-burn romances, but I detest enemies to lovers. The first part of the book makes you believe that Vaughan will end up with one character, while in the second half of the book, it becomes clear that she is interested in another character. I don't read
However, I can comment on the slow-burn relationship introduced between Vaughan and that one other character. As soon as she realises his feelings for him, she's suddenly "so in love", can't stop thinking about him, and even though it's Victorian England and she was raised as a lady who should know better, she's not only ready to . I'm not a stickler for historical accuracy but this grated on me. Suddenly everything between those two happened really fast, which was a bit of a buzz-kill. There is also the fact that this was which I don't mind in real-life but loathe in fiction.
If I were someone to rate books alone on enjoyment, this novel would have probably bagged 4 stars. I just couldn't see past all the above issues, and I'm certain I will forget about this read in due time. Despite all this, it's not a bad book, and given that I read the first half within a single afternoon, I was still entertained.
October 25, 2021
Just all my freaking catnip
for example:
homage to the Secret Garden ( but what if they were adults)
adorable Joe a gardener
mysterious and tortured Nick ( le sigh)
and Vaughan at the center who is prickly and stubborn and a female solicitor who must forge and fight for her agency in a male dominated world.
This is a little bit Hester Fox and a little bit Simone St. James and a lot of delicious gothic that will appeal to lovers of tautly written, Bronte-infused immersive fiction.
The perfect grab your tea, blanket and candles and climb into October read.
for example:
homage to the Secret Garden ( but what if they were adults)
adorable Joe a gardener
mysterious and tortured Nick ( le sigh)
and Vaughan at the center who is prickly and stubborn and a female solicitor who must forge and fight for her agency in a male dominated world.
This is a little bit Hester Fox and a little bit Simone St. James and a lot of delicious gothic that will appeal to lovers of tautly written, Bronte-infused immersive fiction.
The perfect grab your tea, blanket and candles and climb into October read.
November 1, 2021
Fall is always when I'm most ready to read a good story that will keep me turing the pages and keep me on my toes. I'm so glad I gave this book a try, it was exactly what I was looking for in a good mystery, a good retelling of sorts and in a good historical. SO many great elements to this story and it really was hard to put down at times. I will definitely be looking for more from this author.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
September 4, 2025
3.5 stars. Gives some Jane Erye vibes. I liked the beginning a lot more than end.
November 5, 2022
4. 45 ⭐️
Впечатлена съм от дълбочината и чувството, с което Клариса Харууд вае своите герои. Особено силно набляга на женските фигури, акцентира върху силата на характера им, на тяхната воля, качества, желание за развитие и независимост, и то във време, когато ролята на жената е била основно подчинена на мъжа.
И в този роман откриваме интересна дамска фигура- смела, упорита и амбициозна, с остър ум и завидни организаторски умения. Толкова силни, че да успее да се справи с цялата бумащина покрай продажбата на доста противоречив имот. И не само това, но и да спечели доверието на хората към своята компетентност. Нещо необичайно, особено за жена в края на 19в. Жена, чиито шансове за брак са ограничени, защото има физически проблем. Но това не я спира. Тя знае, че може, знае какви са нейните способности. Единствено трябва да пребори предразсъдъците на хората.
За разлика от другите две книги на авторката, тук атмосферата е мрачна, но историята е не по- малко интригуваща. Напротив. В този роман има доста скрити тайни и мистерии, които ме държаха под напрежение до самия край. Отново се открояват не само персонажите, но и сложните взаимоотношения между тях.
И трите книги на Клариса Харууд ми харесаха много, но тази ми е фаворит.
===
“Our passions can tell us a great deal about ourselves. Our most irrational moments will reveal the truth in a way that no amount of reasoning ever could.”
Впечатлена съм от дълбочината и чувството, с което Клариса Харууд вае своите герои. Особено силно набляга на женските фигури, акцентира върху силата на характера им, на тяхната воля, качества, желание за развитие и независимост, и то във време, когато ролята на жената е била основно подчинена на мъжа.
И в този роман откриваме интересна дамска фигура- смела, упорита и амбициозна, с остър ум и завидни организаторски умения. Толкова силни, че да успее да се справи с цялата бумащина покрай продажбата на доста противоречив имот. И не само това, но и да спечели доверието на хората към своята компетентност. Нещо необичайно, особено за жена в края на 19в. Жена, чиито шансове за брак са ограничени, защото има физически проблем. Но това не я спира. Тя знае, че може, знае какви са нейните способности. Единствено трябва да пребори предразсъдъците на хората.
За разлика от другите две книги на авторката, тук атмосферата е мрачна, но историята е не по- малко интригуваща. Напротив. В този роман има доста скрити тайни и мистерии, които ме държаха под напрежение до самия край. Отново се открояват не само персонажите, но и сложните взаимоотношения между тях.
И трите книги на Клариса Харууд ми харесаха много, но тази ми е фаворит.
===
“Our passions can tell us a great deal about ourselves. Our most irrational moments will reveal the truth in a way that no amount of reasoning ever could.”
April 12, 2023
London, England. February 1897. Clarissa Hardwood’s The Curse of Morton Abbey is a gothic story whose heroine, trained in law by her father, accepts a job in Yorkshire at Morton Abbey to assist its owner in selling this family home. Vaughan Springthorpe applied for this job knowing the owner, who is not in residence, would think that Vaughan is Mr. Springthorpe, but she truly felt she could do the work to prepare Morton Abbey to be sold. What Vaughan is not prepared for are Morton Abbey’s inhabitants or employees: an invalid brother, the strange servants, and an extremely good-looking gardener . Oh, one additional note - Vaughan has a ‘bad’ foot which causes her to limp. Morton Abbey fits perfectly into this gothic tale as it is “gloomy”, has hidden secrets, and a butler who reminds this reader of Lurch of the Adams Family. A plus for the author in creating a female involved in law as the first female to get a law degree in Britain was Eliza Orme in 1888. The main difficulty I have is the story drags in more than one place. The characters are odd, but, I believe, that adds to the gothic’ness’ of this story. Very happy to see gothic being used. 3.5-4 stars.
September 12, 2021
Miss Vaughan Springthorpe has lost her father and since she had been helping him with his solicitor work for a long time she decides to try to do it alone. It was either that or live as the spinster sister, doomed to take care of her nephews and aging mother. Why, you would ask? Because of her handicap, a deformed foot.
With luck and help from her father’s friends she finds a job at Morton Abbey, an old Yourkshire estate belonging to Sir Peter Spencer. Her task is to prepare all the legal documents in order to sell the property however things start to get more and more complicated and even frightful.
Shots rang out at night, books that were previously put in order reappear on the ground, strange noises can be heard in the night…
To add to all that, Vaughan finds herself in the middle of a family long dispute between Sir Peter and his invalid younger brother Nicholas Spencer.
And as an ally she only finds Joe Dixon, the handsome gardener of the estate. But can she trust anyone?
This was definitely a successful and very entertaining modern version of the classic gothic mystery.
The language is not as flowery, the descriptions not as heavy and the speech almost reaches the usual speech for our time, but all of that makes for a faster read even though it’s a big book, sitting just a bit over four hundred pages.
For another change, that I felt was most refreshing somehow, is that the protagonist is a rather unlikable character. She is rude, quick tempered, makes assumptions based on very superficial facts and is naive but thinks she knows all that there is to know.
Why is this refreshing? To be honest I don’t think I have read that many books where the main character acts in such an impolite and sometimes even insulting manner. It ended up being great fun!
Now, the part that matters most, or so some may say: the mystery.
I was rather pleasantly surprised with it.
If you have read enough mysteries you shall uncover everything rather fast, yet you will still enjoy reading the book. This is not a simple case of person A did so to person B. Oh no…
There are several layers for this enigma and they are skillfully woven in the story.
And as pace goes I cannot find a fault with the book, it kept me glued to it until I finished it.
So with all this praise, surely there is a reason this is not a five star read. There is one, indeed, it’s agenda was a bit too on the nose.
“My father wished me to learn the law, history, science, and some of the classics. I haven’t been taught the useless accomplishments of a lady.”
This is a feminist story and that is wonderful. We all enjoy some girl power. However there was a bit too little nuance to the point that it felt like the flow of the narration was interrupted so that other characters could praise Vaughan or so that she could make some remark about it. Being that several times Vaughan would demerit other females in order to uphold herself.
In such a modern take of a gothic mystery it almost looks archaic to have to use such tactics instead of valorizing all the efforts of womankind.
But that aside, it is a book that I would very much recommend!
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
With luck and help from her father’s friends she finds a job at Morton Abbey, an old Yourkshire estate belonging to Sir Peter Spencer. Her task is to prepare all the legal documents in order to sell the property however things start to get more and more complicated and even frightful.
Shots rang out at night, books that were previously put in order reappear on the ground, strange noises can be heard in the night…
To add to all that, Vaughan finds herself in the middle of a family long dispute between Sir Peter and his invalid younger brother Nicholas Spencer.
And as an ally she only finds Joe Dixon, the handsome gardener of the estate. But can she trust anyone?
This was definitely a successful and very entertaining modern version of the classic gothic mystery.
The language is not as flowery, the descriptions not as heavy and the speech almost reaches the usual speech for our time, but all of that makes for a faster read even though it’s a big book, sitting just a bit over four hundred pages.
For another change, that I felt was most refreshing somehow, is that the protagonist is a rather unlikable character. She is rude, quick tempered, makes assumptions based on very superficial facts and is naive but thinks she knows all that there is to know.
Why is this refreshing? To be honest I don’t think I have read that many books where the main character acts in such an impolite and sometimes even insulting manner. It ended up being great fun!
Now, the part that matters most, or so some may say: the mystery.
I was rather pleasantly surprised with it.
If you have read enough mysteries you shall uncover everything rather fast, yet you will still enjoy reading the book. This is not a simple case of person A did so to person B. Oh no…
There are several layers for this enigma and they are skillfully woven in the story.
And as pace goes I cannot find a fault with the book, it kept me glued to it until I finished it.
So with all this praise, surely there is a reason this is not a five star read. There is one, indeed, it’s agenda was a bit too on the nose.
“My father wished me to learn the law, history, science, and some of the classics. I haven’t been taught the useless accomplishments of a lady.”
This is a feminist story and that is wonderful. We all enjoy some girl power. However there was a bit too little nuance to the point that it felt like the flow of the narration was interrupted so that other characters could praise Vaughan or so that she could make some remark about it. Being that several times Vaughan would demerit other females in order to uphold herself.
In such a modern take of a gothic mystery it almost looks archaic to have to use such tactics instead of valorizing all the efforts of womankind.
But that aside, it is a book that I would very much recommend!
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
October 18, 2022
A gothic novel very close to the classic form of the genre. A mystery story, with a metaphysical tone, which takes place in a house that is in a phase of decline. Of course this mystery is at the center but the author focuses more on the people, their feelings and problems, using metaphors from the setting of the story to talk about the path they follow, which conveys a strong emotional tone that makes the solution of mystery concern us. Of course, the inspiration for all of this comes from some classic books, but I think that from one point on, the author follows a direction of her own. In short this is a book that fans of these classics will appreciate and feel these commonalities not as an attempt to copy but as a tribute and a creative manipulation to create an enjoyable reading experience.
Ένα γοτθικό μυθιστόρημα πολύ κοντά στην κλασική μορφή του είδους. Μία ιστορία μυστηρίου, με μεταφυσική χροιά, η οποία διαδραματίζεται σε ένα σπίτι πού βρίσκεται σε μία φάση παρακμής. Φυσικά αυτό το μυστήριο βρίσκεται στο επίκεντρο αλλά η συγγραφέας περισσότερο επικεντρώνεται στους ανθρώπους, στα συναισθήματα και τα προβλήματά τους, χρησιμοποιώντας μεταφορές από το σκηνικό της ιστορίας για να μιλήσει για την πορεία που ακολουθούν, κάτι που προδίδει έναν έντονο συναισθηματικό τόνο που κάνει την λύση του μυστηρίου να μας αφορά. Φυσικά η έμπνευση για όλα αυτά προέρχεται από κάποια κλασικά βιβλία αλλά νομίζω ότι από ένα σημείο και μετά η συγγραφέας ακολουθεί μία δική της κατεύθυνση. Με λίγα λόγια πρόκειται για ένα βιβλίο που οι λατρεις αυτών των κλασικών βιβλίων θα εκτιμήσουν και θα νιώσουν αυτά τα κοινά στοιχεία όχι ως μία προσπάθεια αντιγραφής αλλά ως έναν φόρο τιμής και έναν δημιουργικό χειρισμό για τη δημιουργία μιας ευχάριστης αναγνωστικής εμπειρίας.
Ένα γοτθικό μυθιστόρημα πολύ κοντά στην κλασική μορφή του είδους. Μία ιστορία μυστηρίου, με μεταφυσική χροιά, η οποία διαδραματίζεται σε ένα σπίτι πού βρίσκεται σε μία φάση παρακμής. Φυσικά αυτό το μυστήριο βρίσκεται στο επίκεντρο αλλά η συγγραφέας περισσότερο επικεντρώνεται στους ανθρώπους, στα συναισθήματα και τα προβλήματά τους, χρησιμοποιώντας μεταφορές από το σκηνικό της ιστορίας για να μιλήσει για την πορεία που ακολουθούν, κάτι που προδίδει έναν έντονο συναισθηματικό τόνο που κάνει την λύση του μυστηρίου να μας αφορά. Φυσικά η έμπνευση για όλα αυτά προέρχεται από κάποια κλασικά βιβλία αλλά νομίζω ότι από ένα σημείο και μετά η συγγραφέας ακολουθεί μία δική της κατεύθυνση. Με λίγα λόγια πρόκειται για ένα βιβλίο που οι λατρεις αυτών των κλασικών βιβλίων θα εκτιμήσουν και θα νιώσουν αυτά τα κοινά στοιχεία όχι ως μία προσπάθεια αντιγραφής αλλά ως έναν φόρο τιμής και έναν δημιουργικό χειρισμό για τη δημιουργία μιας ευχάριστης αναγνωστικής εμπειρίας.
November 1, 2021
This was my first book by Clarissa Harwood and I was blown away by how quickly I was drawn in by the atmospheric Gothic setting. The cover is so beautifully dark.
Morton Abbey is the star of this book with its mysterious secrets and dark corners. It's an homage to The Secret Garden. Asking the question, what if the characters were adults. As a child I always loved The Secret Garden and this brought on many of the same feelings.
This is a beautifully written Gothic novel filled with mysteries and romance.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Morton Abbey is the star of this book with its mysterious secrets and dark corners. It's an homage to The Secret Garden. Asking the question, what if the characters were adults. As a child I always loved The Secret Garden and this brought on many of the same feelings.
This is a beautifully written Gothic novel filled with mysteries and romance.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 25, 2022
The Secret Garden meets Jane Eyre in a gothic setting
I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. As a lover of historical fiction and the classics it appealed greatly to my mind and emotions, although having a protagonist with disabilities is very unusual for the time. The story was full of suspense and the thread of romance too propelled the action forward very well.
Overall a very good read.
I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. As a lover of historical fiction and the classics it appealed greatly to my mind and emotions, although having a protagonist with disabilities is very unusual for the time. The story was full of suspense and the thread of romance too propelled the action forward very well.
Overall a very good read.
October 26, 2021
This book reminds me of other gothic romance mystery books I used to read. It has a good mystery, the story kept my interest to the very end. I enjoyed this book.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy
November 1, 2021
An ominous tale of betrayal and secrets, Clarissa Harwood’s The Curse of Morton Abbey has the reader questioning everything he/she sees, hears, and believes. My first read by this author, a Victorian gothic tale with Jane Eyre and The Secret Garden vibes, I knew I couldn’t pass it up. Let me say, Harwood does not disappoint with this deliciously spooky and atmospheric tale. A gloomy abbey, eerie gardens, and ghosts — or is it the wind? — howling down darkened corridors, Harwood immerses her reader into the world of Morton Abbey and the enigmas surrounding it. The Curse of Morton Abbey has a lot to captivate its audience — a mystery that keeps one wondering, an intriguing heroine, compelling storytelling — but the setting undoubtedly comes out at the top of the list. It latched on to my mind’s eye long after finishing the last page.
I didn’t fall in love with either potential romantic pairing. Vaughn, Joe, and Nicholas felt better suited as friends. Despite my natural gravitation toward stories with some sort of a romantic thread, this is one book I think I would have been perfectly content to see end in only friendship. Joe comes across superficial and more taken with the idea of love than the person in front of him. Nicholas seems a bit too self-focused and of weak character. Both of these impressions match perfectly with my thoughts of their counterparts in The Secret Garden. Vaughn, on the other hand, displays inner strength. She isn’t concerned with appearances, nor does she shrivel before challenges. A female solicitor with a physical impediment in Victorian England will face many of those. Vaughn knows who she is and what she wants, and goes for it. She had me invested in her journey from beginning to end.
Without a doubt, I recommend this story to fans of gothic mysteries. It’s one of those books I will re-read in the future.
Review copy provided by author via NetGalley. Thank you!
I didn’t fall in love with either potential romantic pairing. Vaughn, Joe, and Nicholas felt better suited as friends. Despite my natural gravitation toward stories with some sort of a romantic thread, this is one book I think I would have been perfectly content to see end in only friendship. Joe comes across superficial and more taken with the idea of love than the person in front of him. Nicholas seems a bit too self-focused and of weak character. Both of these impressions match perfectly with my thoughts of their counterparts in The Secret Garden. Vaughn, on the other hand, displays inner strength. She isn’t concerned with appearances, nor does she shrivel before challenges. A female solicitor with a physical impediment in Victorian England will face many of those. Vaughn knows who she is and what she wants, and goes for it. She had me invested in her journey from beginning to end.
Without a doubt, I recommend this story to fans of gothic mysteries. It’s one of those books I will re-read in the future.
Review copy provided by author via NetGalley. Thank you!
October 8, 2021
3.75/5 for me. First off thanks to NetGalley and Thornfield Press for my FIRST ARC (in exchange for an honest and unbiased review) I feel like a real booksta ♥️ Our main heroine is Vaughn, a female solicitor with a physical disability - and lets add it’s the late 1800s so she’s really doing the damn thing. She replied to an add for a solicitor to put together the affairs of Morton Abbey to prepare it for sale. Along the way she befriends the second born heir to the abbey who wants nothing more but to keep it and learns more about the secrets hiding in the walls of Morton.
Likes:
👍🏼 I could smell Morton Abbey throughout the book. Harwood did such an incredible job making a place the main character.
👍🏼 The tie into Joe Dixon’s family and the town in which he grew up in. While he was too good to be true he made me happy!
👍🏼 Once the book picked up it was excellently paced with information being revealed at the perfect time. Harwood writes in a way where the character figures out what’s going on a little before you are and it kept me on my toes!
Dislikes:
👎🏼 The beginning was slow and took me a little bit to figure out what was going on. (This can also be attributed to me because I don’t like to read book synopsis)
👎🏼 While the the romantic in me loves some twisted relationships with happy endings I wasn’t convinced any of the relationships ended the “right way”
👎🏼 As an avid Downton Abbey and Upstairs/Downstairs fan I feel like the class mixing and how the employees interacted with their employer were not in line with the norms of the time.
Overall, really enjoyed this book!! Not my typical genre but I really got into this genre and will read more by Harwood!
Likes:
👍🏼 I could smell Morton Abbey throughout the book. Harwood did such an incredible job making a place the main character.
👍🏼 The tie into Joe Dixon’s family and the town in which he grew up in. While he was too good to be true he made me happy!
👍🏼 Once the book picked up it was excellently paced with information being revealed at the perfect time. Harwood writes in a way where the character figures out what’s going on a little before you are and it kept me on my toes!
Dislikes:
👎🏼 The beginning was slow and took me a little bit to figure out what was going on. (This can also be attributed to me because I don’t like to read book synopsis)
👎🏼 While the the romantic in me loves some twisted relationships with happy endings I wasn’t convinced any of the relationships ended the “right way”
👎🏼 As an avid Downton Abbey and Upstairs/Downstairs fan I feel like the class mixing and how the employees interacted with their employer were not in line with the norms of the time.
Overall, really enjoyed this book!! Not my typical genre but I really got into this genre and will read more by Harwood!
November 6, 2021
Readers who wished for something fabulously different and even unique in their historical romance will want to read “The Curse of Morton Abbey”, a true combination of ‘The Secret Garden” and “Jane Eyre”!
Read full review in the 2021 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2021 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
June 19, 2021
I had the privilege of reading a pre-publication copy of this book, and I was gripped from start to finish. You'll be staying up late wondering what secrets Morton Abbey hides, and rooting for the determined Vaughan to find the truth of both the manor and her heart.
September 16, 2021
Set in 1890s Yorkshire, this splendid book contains the perfect amount of darkness and drips with Gothic atmosphere. You can't throw a brick without hitting it. Yet it's not scary in a horror/supernatural sort of way.
Female solicitors in this era are extremely rare. Not only is Vaughan Springthorpe intelligent, she is spirited and also has foibles...don't we all? She has a disability which you read about very early on so this isn't spoiling it. I like the inclusion of realistic touches. Lord Peter Spencer becomes her client and when she moves into Morton Abbey temporarily, she discovers more than a job. Much more. The house, though very dead, seems to have a personality of its own from eerie crying at night to an intrusion to pervasive melancholy to secrets galore.
Vaughan desires nothing more than to get her work done and get out.
Nicholas Spencer, the younger brother, is an invalid with shifty moods and a passion for the house. His character is extremely interesting. And then there is the young and handsome gardener, Joe Dixon. He is kind and gentle and adores working with plants. Vaughan finds herself pulled in, yet repulsed. Fascinating dynamic. The plots and subplots keep coming yet not over the top whatsoever. Romance is also in the air. We also see wrestling and reckoning with pasts, the present and future.
So much to love here. My favourite aspects are the beautifully described atmosphere and characters. I adore books about old houses, especially those with a touch of the gothic. The writing is gorgeous and in ways I felt like I was right there in the thick of things. Do not hesitate to read this book. Get lost in it.
My sincere thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the privilege of reading this highly-enjoyable book!
Female solicitors in this era are extremely rare. Not only is Vaughan Springthorpe intelligent, she is spirited and also has foibles...don't we all? She has a disability which you read about very early on so this isn't spoiling it. I like the inclusion of realistic touches. Lord Peter Spencer becomes her client and when she moves into Morton Abbey temporarily, she discovers more than a job. Much more. The house, though very dead, seems to have a personality of its own from eerie crying at night to an intrusion to pervasive melancholy to secrets galore.
Vaughan desires nothing more than to get her work done and get out.
Nicholas Spencer, the younger brother, is an invalid with shifty moods and a passion for the house. His character is extremely interesting. And then there is the young and handsome gardener, Joe Dixon. He is kind and gentle and adores working with plants. Vaughan finds herself pulled in, yet repulsed. Fascinating dynamic. The plots and subplots keep coming yet not over the top whatsoever. Romance is also in the air. We also see wrestling and reckoning with pasts, the present and future.
So much to love here. My favourite aspects are the beautifully described atmosphere and characters. I adore books about old houses, especially those with a touch of the gothic. The writing is gorgeous and in ways I felt like I was right there in the thick of things. Do not hesitate to read this book. Get lost in it.
My sincere thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the privilege of reading this highly-enjoyable book!
November 13, 2022
A victorian lawyer is hired to sort a haunted estate run by a family full of secrets.
The heroine is intelligent and despite her birth defect that causes a limp, she's not immature about her insecurities. I'm glad that she is settled enough in herself to not fall for any man that throws a simple compliment her way. She has some skewed perception about her beauty but she grows and embraces it as the story progresses.
I was hoping the mystery was more on the paranormal side, but it's a standard mystery. I figured some of it out early on, and I wish the secrets were revealed at those moments, because the ending section felt rather top heavy.
Chaste romance, hea.
The heroine is intelligent and despite her birth defect that causes a limp, she's not immature about her insecurities. I'm glad that she is settled enough in herself to not fall for any man that throws a simple compliment her way. She has some skewed perception about her beauty but she grows and embraces it as the story progresses.
I was hoping the mystery was more on the paranormal side, but it's a standard mystery. I figured some of it out early on, and I wish the secrets were revealed at those moments, because the ending section felt rather top heavy.
Chaste romance, hea.
September 23, 2021
This was a really interesting read and different than what I was initially expecting. I can definitely see it being a combination of Jane Eyre and The Secret Garden. It was a little slow at the beginning, but then it really picked up and sucked me in.
The atmosphere throughout the whole thing was dark and gothic. Everything was held in suspense and I kept wondering what exactly was going on. There were so many questions and mysteries. It was thoroughly enjoyable and ended in a satisfying manner.
The characters were lovable, and the beginning may have been slower, but a lot of that was just learning about the characters and coming to care about them. I was invested in their stories. An exciting adventure that gave me the gothic vibes I needed.
The atmosphere throughout the whole thing was dark and gothic. Everything was held in suspense and I kept wondering what exactly was going on. There were so many questions and mysteries. It was thoroughly enjoyable and ended in a satisfying manner.
The characters were lovable, and the beginning may have been slower, but a lot of that was just learning about the characters and coming to care about them. I was invested in their stories. An exciting adventure that gave me the gothic vibes I needed.
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