Jaime Jo Wright is so good at writing gothic mysteries, and The Vanishing at Castle Moreau is no exception.

Wright manages to make both protagonists interesting. Daisy, who has run away from abusive guardians, captured my interest from the moment she stood in front of the old castle. And Wright immediately gives the castle an air of mystery that held throughout the novel.

Cleo was a great character, as well. Wright manages to tap into your sympathy with Cleo and her drive to protect her younger sister. But Cleo has secrets of her own, and uncovering those adds to the overall suspense of the novel.

With plenty of plot twists, Wright kept me on my toes throughout most of the story. The big reveal at the end almost had me gaping at my Kindle.

Both storylines had a nice romantic arc, although it is a bit subtle. As for spiritual elements, there’s plenty of food for thought about forgiveness, redemption, and God’s love.

Overall, The Vanishing at Castle Moreau is a spooky gothic tale you won’t be able to put down.

I discovered Jaime Jo Wright's books this past year when I read THE PREMONITION AT WITHERS FARM. I loved it and instantly added her to my list of favorite authors. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read this book, and I got the creepy, larger than life story I expected.

Told in dual timelines, with a sprinkling of a third, Wright tells us the history of a castle in Wisconsin and the mysteries surrounding it. True to her writing style, there were moments where I was afraid to read it in the dark, though it wasn't as creepy as the cornfield scenes in TPAWF. But if you're looking for a gothic mystery with a hint of romance, than this book is perfect for you.

Cleo (present day) is running from her bad decisions and lands a job at the mysterious Moreau castle. Daisy (1870) responds to an advertisement in the paper that lands her a place among the intrigue. Both women were looking for an escape, and they got more than they expected at the Moreau castle. The stories that unfold through each of them kept me on the edge of my seat, and I was once again flipping through the pages to see how everything would tie together.

If you're looking for a book heavy on the romance, this isn't it. However, I liked that about it. I enjoyed the hint at something more between Cleo and Deavon, and I enjoyed seeing a new side to Lincoln through Daisy's eyes. I would have liked a little more in the romance department in the past, but considering the time period the amount of interaction made a lot of sense.

Overall, this is the perfect book for gothic mystery lovers. You're sure to get entranced by the unanswered questions of the castle.

Jaime Jo Wright’s best novel yet!

The darkness of Castle Moreau stems from more than the shadows of the Wisconsin woods surrounding it. For more than a century, it has pulled women into its twisting depths and then…they vanish. When Daisy arrives in 1870 to be a housemaid, she is quickly confronted with the castle’s horrors. Generations later, Cleo must face those same threats while grappling with the fears of her own past. Will the two women escape? Or will they fall victim to the castle’s curse?

This is chills-up-your-spine, don’t-read-it-at-night storytelling at its best! With characters that are wonderfully real, a plot that had me looking over my shoulder, and an ending that left me saying, “Whoa!”, you do not want to miss this book!


*Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

-Multiple timelines/POVs
-Set in a castle in Wisconsin with a lot of rumors of disappearances tied to it.
-Gothic mystery vibes and the author did a wonderfully job setting up a spooky atmosphere.
-My one complaint was I felt like the romance was too light for the chemistry she was hyping up for us between certain characters.
Overall very enjoyable! I will definitely be checking out other books she’s written.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you, @bethanyhousefiction @netgalley for my copy of this book!

I don’t know if I even have the words to describe this reading journey. This book truly creeped me out at times but I couldn’t put it down.

//

Read this book if you like dual timelines, spooky vibes, and a read that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Now I’m off to go find more books by this author!

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Synopsis:
In 1870, orphaned Daisy François takes a position as housemaid at a Wisconsin castle to escape the horrors of her past life. There she finds a reclusive and eccentric Gothic authoress who hides tales more harrowing than the ones in her novels. As women disappear from the area and the eerie circumstances seem to parallel a local legend, Daisy is thrust into a web that could ultimately steal her sanity, if not her life.

In the present day, Cleo Clemmons is hired by the grandson of an American aristocratic family to help his grandmother face her hoarding in the dilapidated Castle Moreau. But when Cleo uncovers more than just the woman's stash of collectibles, a century-old mystery and the dust of the old castle's curse threaten to rise again . . . this time to leave no one alive to tell the sordid tale.

Jaime Jo Wright's books are always a go-to with me when I want a thriller which sends shivers down the spine, but is not full of graphic violence or supernatural horror. Not that I’m a wimp! (Laughs awkwardly.)

Anyhow… The Vanishing at Castle Moreau reminds me of some of Jaime Jo Wright’s earlier titles such as The House on Foster Hill and The Curse of Misty Wayfair which really got me into her books. A dilapidated castle with a sinister reputation which was once home to a notorious writer of Gothic Horror novels, an incumbent with dementia who speaks of ghosts, spectral women and terrible secrets in her lucid moments. A mysterious employer who may be desperate to preserve the reputation and anonymity of his family at all costs.
All these things make for a thrilling, chilling but also a compelling story without needing to throw in brutal murders or ghosts. Although there is a rumoured ghost in the story: the invention of the horror novelist in the place where it is said that young women disappear.

Cleo, the modern protagonist wants to disappear though: she is running from something in her past and gets caught up with the old family who occupy the castle. Appearances, as they say, can be deceptive. Can she trust the man who employed her to be a companion to his grandmother- who is also a famous celebrity? Although this story touches on some very difficult and fraught subjects such as domestic abuse, there is a hopeful and even warm-hearted tone throughout as the characters have to learn to overcome their prejudice and fear to help and guide others.

I finished this novel in a couple of days: even staying up late to listen to the final chapters. That basically attests to how good it was. I won’t give anything away but the conclusion was unexpected yet really satisfying. The ability to give a story like this something akin to a happy ending is quite a remarkable one: but Jaime Jo Wright usually manages to pull it off.

Thanks to Bethany House for approving my request for this title on Netgalley. I also listened to the audiobook of my own volition.

I really enjoyed this one! I did not see the end coming but really loved how it ended up! Loved the characters and the dual timeline was really well done! Overall a great mystery and this author is becoming a favorite for mysteries. I was surprised by the end which I love in a mystery. I found the different storylines well written and was intrigued by each story and loved how they all tied together in the end.

Content: abuse off page, suspenseful moments, ghost stories.

I had a really hard time getting into this book. I thought the pacing was a little slow and there were too many mysteries going on to keep everything straight. Just my opinion though.

In 1870, Daisy takes a position as a housemaid at Castle Moreau. When she visits town, she learns that girls have been disappearing in strange circumstances. When Daisy finds a woman injured in the forest, she debates what to do. In modern days, Cleo has been hired to work with a wealthy family to clean up the hoarding in the house. She finds mystery and unexpected results at every turn.

Wow. I don't want to give anything away for this one. It is full of tension and mystery. Vanishing girls, suspicious house staff, and eccentric matrons lie at the heart of the story. Overall, a must read!

“𝙃𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙩𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙩𝙤𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙡𝙮. 𝙄𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨, 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙬𝙚 𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙚𝙮𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢, 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙩𝙝 𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙨. 𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙥𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚. 𝙄𝙣 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙩, 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙩𝙝.”
____

The Vanishing at Castle Moreau is the epitome of everything is not always as it seems. This was such a different kind of story from what I normally read and I really enjoyed it. I loved the gothic atmosphere and creepy vibes. The prologue was immediately gripping and I was quickly swept away in the dual timelines. Castle Moreau was truly a character all on its own.

I loved the similarities and parallels between Daisy and Cleo. Both were at crossroads in their lives and I was so intrigued by the way this unlikely castle helped them both to find the light in their lives. The mystery behind the vanishings at Castle Moreau, both past and present, kept me turning the pages. I couldn’t help by try to figure out what was really going on within the walls of this creepy castle and I never in a million years would have guessed the truth. Though the romance was secondary to the mystery, it was really sweet and I was smitten with both heroes. I also really appreciated the overall theme of forgiveness. If you love gothic mysteries and unique stories, I highly recommend this book!

Thank you to Bethany House for the gifted copy. My thoughts are my own.

I am a big fan of Jaime’s books. I have loved them all so far so I was excited to read her newest release.

Her other books have been kind of spooky but I didn’t find this one as spooky or as intense. Cleo’s reason for abandoning her sister felt like a really silly excuse that didn’t seem believable.

This was still a good book just not what I have come to expect from Jaime, I was disappointed because I like a lot of suspense and tension. But if you like a tamer read then you may really like this book and it would be a good one for you to try.


This book was given to me through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

BOOK REVIEW - The Vanishing at Castle Moreau - Jaime Jo Wright - 5/5 Stars

THE STORY
Jaime Jo Wright continues to outdo herself with The Vanishing at Castle Moreau being her best story yet! (Also her darkest and twistiest one too!) She is the master at cliff hangers that keep you hooked and reading. She creates the perfect balance of questions and delayed answers to keep you engaged without get frustrated at not understanding what's happening. I loved everything about this haunting tale! The setting, the characters, the twists and turns and of course, la femme fantôme. I love a good strong confident herione but I have such a soft spot for the quieter more timid ones, because I get to watch them become strong and brave in their own way.

THE ROMANCE
Dual timelines means twice the romance, though its minimal as it's not a 'romance'. I felt so much for Daisy and Lincoln and for Cleo and Deacon, my heart just melting for them. I love how they see past each other's flaws and see their strengths and potential.

THE TRUTHS
Some people don't understand why a Christian would want to read (or write) these darker tales but when written right they can be a lovely analogy of Christ. I find that the darker Jaime Jo Wright writes her stories, the brighter the light and hope of Jesus shines through for her characters. As we reflect this Easter weekend, we must remember that there was pain, darkness and death before there was life, light and hope. In this life we can't avoid the darkness but we can focus on the light and let it lead us through it. The darkness merely causes Christ's light to shine brighter!

I really enjoyed the multiple timelines and the way everything was tied together at the end. The mystery was intriguing and kept me guessing. There were interesting similarities between modern day Cleo who was hired to organize Castle Moreau, and Daisy who was hired in 1870 to work as a housemaid there. This was my first book by this author and for me the creepiness factor was seriously high with screams in the night, rattling doorknobs, a phantom lady, and a slew of missing women, but there’s a satisfying conclusion. It was definitely a page-turner.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. A positive review was not required and all opinions are my own.

THE VANISHING AT CASTLE MOREAU
By Jaime Jo Wright

In 1801 a young girl living in Castle Moreau is visited by a female phantom, a terrifying creature with a misshapen hand. A vision her father says is a dream, but she knows to be real. In 1870 Daisy François begins work as a housekeeper at Castle Moreau, despite tales that women disappear from the area and the fact that the mistress of the castle writes frightening Gothic stories. In the present day Cleo Clemmons is running away from her life. Living off grid she takes a job at Castle Moreau, hired by the grandson of the elderly owner to help organize it. Cleo soon realizes the job may be more than she can handle. Will Castle Moreau keep its secrets or will a woman who wants to disappear reveal them once and for all?

Vulnerable women, hauntings, fear, possible madness, and, dare I say a hint of forbidden romance make THE VANISHING AT CASTLE MOREAU a chilling Gothic novel. The three stories from three time periods propel each other, as each one layers on an aspect of haunting, drawing the reader in just as Castle Moreau draws in women. Compelling and enthralling, the facts are hidden until the end.

Playing on the fears many of us have, I was entranced, wondering what exactly to believe in the first two time periods. In the present day portion I was beyond curious what exactly happened to make Cleo run. Indeed, it was the many thoughts the book provoked that had me as entranced as the actual words written. All of the characters are intriguing, my favorites being Daisy and Deacon, with the most fascinating being Castle Moreau itself.

Full of atmospheric suspense THE VANISHING AT CASTLE MOREAU is a delightfully spooky novel incorporating themes of loss, faith, and redemption.

This book was not what I expected it would be. It is more than a ghost story, it is a story of womanhood caring for others as we are made to, as we are born to. This is a story that will rivet you and you will thoroughly enjoy just as I did.

The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright brings the creep factor that readers can expect from a Wright novel. Set in three time periods, the story follows the haunting and mysterious history of a castle built in Wisconsin. People talk about the strange building, and over the years the lore builds – women who visit the castle go missing.

In the past, Daisy joins the castle as an employee, only to find that strange people and environment live up to the hype. There’s something shady going on at Castle Moreau. Over a hundred years later, Cleo Clemmons finds herself in the exact same position, hired by a notorious wealthy man with a legendary playboy reputation to clean the castle. How hard could the job be? But Cleo faces the insurmountable task of going through the belongings of the matriarch of the Tremblay family, who is a hoarder living in the castle alone. All around Cleo, the mystery of the disappearing women starts to unravel. But is Cleo safe while staying at Castle Moreau?

I love the interwoven mysteries of this story. Readers watch the story from the past played out in the present day. Cleo has secrets of her own, and the past she’s running from collides with her stay at the castle. Deacon Tremblay and all the members of the Tremblay family are fantastic, eccentric characters that add to the allure of the legends about the castle.

This story is dark, mysterious, and down-right enjoyable to read from start to finish. With complex characters, intriguing settings, and lots of juicy mystery, this book is a must read for suspense fans. Also, the audio narrator makes the story come alive, so I suggest audio.

Wright knows how to write descriptive and unique settings that come to life on every page. Move this novel up to that top spot on your TBR list and thank me later.

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Wow, just wow. This book sounded so intriguing to me, I am grateful to Bethany House and Netgalley for the approval. I was not one bit disappointed. I am a huge fan of dual timelines. I loved the mystery, suspense, and downright spooky events that took place in each timeline. I was completely enthralled. Daisy and Cleo were so different yet so alike. Lincoln and Deacon were also fantastic. I can’t say much more without spilling all the secrets of Castle Moreau but the climaxes and end result of the book were so well done and wonderfully surprising.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book deserves ten stars and has become my favorite Jaime Jo Wright book.

There are so many things I want to say about this book but can’t because I don’t want to spoil it for anyone. Each person deserves to uncover the secrets, that Castle Moreau holds, for themselves.

Castle Moreau has held so many secrets over the years. It has become the place associated with missing women in the area since it was first built. When Cleo shows up to help clean out the castle and take care of Virgie, mysterious things begin to happen, and the secrets start to unravel, exposing things no one ever imagined.

I am never disappointed by a Jaime Jo Wright book, and this book is no exception. Her books are always full of real characters, who just like us, struggle with real life issues. Once you start reading this book you will not want to put it down, so be prepared to become the most recent victim of Castle Moreau. Because, once you are there, you will become a part of its history forever.

I was provided a copy of the book from the author/publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Eerie and hair-raising, The Vanishing at Castle Moreau will suck you into it’s mystery.

I enjoyed this spooky tale made up of interwoven stories. The book description says it is a dual timeline but actually there are three stories and points of view. We first meet “The Girl” in 1801. Only a little girl, she is one of the first inhabitants of Castle Moreau. The castle was designed by her mother and built by her father. What should have been a place of pride and refuge for the family, quickly becomes a sad place as the girl’s mother falls ill. There is little joy to be found for this lonely little girl who is haunted at night by the woman with a crooked hand.

Next we meet Daisy. She’s a sweet young thing looking to escape a horrible situation by taking a job at the castle. When she arrives though, it is unclear what she is supposed to be doing exactly. No one seems to need her help. Rumours in town abound about the mysterious disappearances of women that all seem to have a connection to the castle. The lady of the castle doesn’t help any. A famous gothic horror author, she lives up to her reputation. Severe, intimidating and odd. Her grandson Lincoln also lives in the castle but no one in town seems to know he’s there, adding to the mystery of the place. Could all the rumours be true? Are they hiding something? As Daisy works to puzzle it out, I felt a growing apprehension at what she might uncover.

Finally there is Cleo. This storyline is set in modern times. Like Daisy, Cleo is on the run from a terrible situation. A cash under the table job to help the current lady of the castle – Virgie declutter is just what she needs. When she arrives, she discovers the situation will be much worse than she thought. The castle is positively stuffed full. Virgie is quite the hoarder. To make matters worse, Virgie doesn’t want her help and becomes emotional anytime she tries to get rid of anything. Cleo also learns the rumours about the castle in town and becomes increasingly uneasy as she uncovers clues to the disappearance of the women.

Poised in the middle of nowhere Needle Creek, Wisconsin, we get to see Castle Moreau at different times in its history but all are equally spooky. Drafty and immense, Jamie Jo casts the castle almost as a character itself. The writing style Jamie Jo uses is reminiscent of gothic horror novels and she does a really wonderful job of crafting that eerie sense of dread that steadily increases with each flip of the page.

I didn’t realize when I picked it up that this book is categorized as Christian fiction. While not usually my thing, I didn’t find the references overwhelming throughout the book. For those looking for Christian fiction, I’m sure you will appreciate the faith each character had. For me, that aspect didn’t add to or detract from my enjoyment of the story.

Overall, I found this book to be a delightful distraction from my chores on a Sunday afternoon.

3.5 ⭐️

thank you to @bethanyhousefiction and @jaimejowright for my copy!

I just love Jaime Jo Wright’s writing! A perfect mix between mystery, the macabre, and a dash of faith, Wright will leave you guessing with plenty of goosebumps.

Built in the early 1800s in Wisconsin for her French mother, Castle Moreau was home to young Ora and her parents. But soon the castle is shrouded in mystery as local young women begin to disappear. Ora remains and grows to be a famous gothic authoress, with some saying her novels are based on the Castle and its sinister history. Fast forward to the 1870s when Daisy answers an advertisement for a housekeeper position at the Castle to escape her life, she soon learns nothing is as it seems there.

And in present day, Cleo arrives at the Castle to help Virgie, Ora’s descendant, tackle her hoarding habits. But Cleo also discovers that some of rumors surrounding Castle Moreau’s history could be true.

Wright always tackles tough topics (here it’s child abuse and alcoholism) and doesn’t shy away from the ugliness life can present. But she always leaves you with hope.
I hoped the ending would be fleshed out a little more- it felt a little rushed. This isn’t my favorite JJW book but it was still good!