The Mourning of Leone Manor by A. M. Davis is a gothic mystery set inside the halls of Leone Manor itself, and the Blue Isle where Remi Leone and her childhood friend Ben must unravel a web of secrets surrounding the Leone family, and Remi herself. I receive this novel as a free ARC, and was thrilled to read it.
The novel has heavy Crimson Peak vibes, complete with ghostly guides, mysteries that prey on old family secrets, and a manor full of death. I adored the mixture of mystery, murder, and of course, one of the highest tension romances I've read in ages. It was expertly crafted and Davis has a way of hooking you with just enough information that you have to turn the page. I fell for every word, about as hot and heavy as Ben and Remi did for each other.
For main characters, Remi and Ben truly were the perfect pair. Davis weaves between their POV's throughout the book, which only increased the grip of the story, because just as one would seemingly unlock a mystery, or stumble on an answer, you'd be back in the other's head, but there was never a moment where it jarred me out of the story. Usually in multiple POV stories, even with only two main POV's, I always have one I love more. I do admit, reading Ben's was my favorite, but the biggest pitfall I often encounter with multi-POV's is that the lesser loved POV becomes boring. Davis however kept me needing more from both, and there was never a dull moment.
Ben however does remain a favorite character. He is just dark enough at the beginning, and just broken enough for his arc to really shine through the story. Remi is an equally strong character and both play well off each other, but overall I loved how Ben encountered so much growth from understanding, and from being around Remi again. The snippets of their childhood, of each of their past, and the overall revelations just made Ben all the more easy to connect with as he progressed through the story. Not to mention his innate desire to dredge up the truth no matter what, I adore a character willing to get a bit morally grey.
Davis's plot itself it a crooked tale, and believe me, you will not guess who's at the heart of all the wrongs, murders, and other despicable twists and turns. It's a beautiful puzzle as it unravels, though, and Davis has crafted a wonder of perfectly balanced gothic vibes, romance, and desperate plots. I would go into more, but I would rather encourage reading the book because there's no match to sitting down and experiencing it for yourself.
If you love gothic tales with a splash of Victorian romance and splendor, this story will satiate all your readerly needs. Davis has executed a story no less than perfect for curling up and disappearing into. The mind games, the letters, the aching for Remi and Ben to just kiss each other is all perfectly encapsulated in eerie hallways, creaking stairs, and rumors of a family treasure.