DNF - I tried several times to push through this book and give it a chance, especially given that I'd heard such great things about it. Unfortunately though, this one just wasn't for me. The combination of the density of the writing style, the sluggish pacing, and characters that I couldn't connect with no matter how hard I tried made for an imperfect storm that I just wasn't able to weather through. Perhaps this particular story is just better suited to those who live in this genre.

I was excited to receive this book because it sounded right up my alley. I had a hard time getting into the book and an even harder time relating to any of the characters. The book was well written but it just didn’t keep my attention like I had hoped.

The Curse of Penryth Hall is the first book in a gothic mystery series by debut author Jess Armstrong. Released 5th Dec 2023 by Macmillan on their St. Martin's Press imprint, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout.

This is a creepy/atmospheric mystery set in Cornwall in the interwar period. It's a fusion of genres: mystery, dark broody gothic tale, even a dash of romance, and it manages to coalesce them into a thoroughly enjoyable read. There is some lack of depth in some of the characterization, but especially for a debut work, it's surprisingly cohesive, well constructed, and with a moving gravitas.

Although it's not derivative at all, fans of cerebral academic mysteries will find a lot to like here. There are hints of Shirley Jackson, Daphne du Maurier, and Diane Setterfield, though again, it's its own creature and should be appreciated as such.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 10 hours 40 minutes and is very capably narrated by Emma Love. She has a beautifully nuanced voice and manages a credible job of the extremely varied accents (American, West Country, RP, etc) with no discernable hiccups in the dialogue. Her voice is light with bright tonals and isn't obtrusive at all, letting the prose take center stage. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

Four stars. Well worth a look. The second book in the series is due out late 4th quarter 2024 from the same publisher. This would be a good choice for public library acquisition, buddy read, or bookclub selection.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The Curse of Penryth Hall definitely lives up to the gothic descriptor. The setting almost felt like a character in and of itself; it was almost palpable while reading. I enjoyed the juxtaposition of those who believe in the curse, those who just purported the idea out of expediency, and those who absolutely did not believe. It helped add some nuance to the story. I do think there were things that could have been elaborated more, for example the history between Ruby and Tamsyn as well as developing Ruan's backstory and abilities a bit more. I see that this is a part of a series, though, so hoping some of this can be fleshed out more in further books.

Absolutely loved this and wish it was a series so I could continue reading more of Ruby and Ruan. This was very well written and fun to read. Would recommend to anyone who likes a good mystery.

i loved this book so much!! this was so fun and i'm so thankful that i got to read this one early! thank you so much to netgalley and everyone should pick this up soon!!!

A bookseller with a mysterious past reluctantly teams up with the village healer to solve the murder of her old friend’s husband, which may or may not be tied into an ancient family curse. What’s not to love? Certainly not the main characters - Ruby Vaughn and the Pellar (a witch healer, one of the Cornish cunning-folk), Ruan Kivell, who are as eccentric as they come and yet oddly endearing. This was a little less dark and a little cozier than I expected it to be, but that’s not really a quibble. The setting of Cornwall is benign at times and treacherous at others, “a bleak and beautiful place” (10); the villagers all have secrets to hide, and Ruby feels at odds with her friend, Tamsyn, who has changed since they knew each other as ambulance drivers in France during the Great War. I really liked Ruby’s energy, courage, and directness, and would love another story featuring her and Ruan.

This was an interesting book. It took me a little to get into, as there was some background that made me assume this was the second in a series (mainly because I've personally had a bad habit of accidentally picking up later books in series before the first one!). Thankfully however, that was not the case this time. The background was helpful to understand Ruby's character, and her decision-making process. While there were times I would not agree with her, I also was not around for the Great War or have had to deal with the threat of a curse over me and one of my formerly close friends. I think that this was a good mystery, and I would have rated it higher if I was looking for a historical mystery when I originally picked up the book.

I've removed my review as part of the boycott for St. Martin's Press and all its imprints (including Minotaur Books) until a response is made to the racist, Islamophobic, and queerphobic comments made by one of their employees.

"The Curse of Penryth Hall" by Jess Armstrong is a captivating historical mystery that takes readers on a journey through the aftermath of the Great War and the eerie Cornish countryside. Ruby Vaughn, an American heiress, finds herself entangled in a web of old wounds and dark secrets when she is forced to deliver a box of books to Penryth Hall.

The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a post-war world, where Ruby has built a life for herself running a rare bookstore in Exeter. The author skillfully blends the historical setting with elements of mystery and a touch of the supernatural, creating an atmosphere that is both nostalgic and foreboding. Ruby's avoidance of her past is shattered when she returns to Penryth Hall, a place she swore she'd never revisit.

Armstrong's portrayal of Penryth Hall as a foreboding fortress adds to the story's sense of unease. The sudden death of Sir Edward Chenowyth in the orchard and the ringing of Penryth's bells for the first time in thirty years set the stage for a mystery that goes beyond the realms of the natural. The introduction of Ruan Kivell, a Pellar believed to break the curse, adds an intriguing supernatural element to the plot.

Ruby's reluctance to believe in curses and Pellars provides a realistic and relatable layer to her character. As the locals fear the return of the curse and predict Tamsyn's impending doom, Ruby must confront her skepticism and work alongside the Pellar to uncover the truth behind Edward's gruesome end. The collaborative effort to solve the mystery adds depth to the characters and keeps readers engaged.

"The Curse of Penryth Hall" excels in building suspense and maintaining a sense of mystery throughout the narrative. Armstrong's writing style is evocative, transporting readers to the Cornish countryside and immersing them in the unfolding drama. The novel seamlessly combines historical elements, supernatural intrigue, and a compelling mystery, making it a delightful read for fans of the genre. I give it four stars for its atmospheric storytelling, well-developed characters, and the seamless integration of historical and supernatural elements.

I didn't love this one but I also didn't hate this one. However I'm not sure how I feel about this one.

This one started out so strong and I was really looking forward to it but by the middle I just got to a point that I just didn’t care. This book follows Ruby an American heiress who got caught in an indecent situation so she was shipped off to England where she was working in a bookstore. One day Ruby has to deliver a box of books to the Cornish country side where she finds herself face to face with her old best friend and gets drawn into a situation she never expected. Her best friend’s husband dead and her trying to find the truth.

I loved the setting in this book and was really drawn in at first by its gothic vibes but then things went crazy and there was just to much going on in this book and I just lost interest in the plot and the characters. I really enjoyed the authors writing and just feel like the pacing just kinda threw me on this one. I hope to pick up more from this author in the future. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

This is everything that I would have wanted from a gothic story-the house, the books, the vibes! This was a strong debut by Jess Armstrong and I was enthralled with this story from start to finish. The dynamics between Ruby and Ruan were a delight to read and the cover was the cherry on top to a great, well plotted story.

I can only hope that this wonderful debut is the first in a long, long series. Ruby Vaughn is a disgraced American heiress whose family (all dead now) were forced to banish her to England, where post World War One, she has rebuilt her life as the assistant to an eccentric octegenarian book dealer, Mr. Owens. When Mr. Owens sends her on an errand to deliver a trunk of books to a man in Cornwall, she decides to take advantage of the fact that her dear old friend, Tamsyn, lives in the area and is wife to the Viscount, Edward, there. During her visit, she observes that her friend is unhappy in her marriage and protective of her young son. When Edward is murdered, the villagers blame it on an ancient curse. Meanwhile, she delivers the books to Ruan, who is the community's Pellar, a sort of healing witch. Together, Ruan and Ruby solve the murder, with help from an engaging cast of town characters. Lots of chemistry between Ruan and Ruby, and we are as invested in the characters as we are in the mystery itself. I truly enjoyed this book and can't wait to recommend it.

Following the aftermath of the Great War, Ruby Vaughn, an American heiress, manages a rare bookstore in Exeter alongside her elderly employer. Despite her efforts to avoid the past, it resurfaces when she is tasked with delivering books to a folk healer in the Cornish countryside. This leads her back to Penryth Hall, an eerie fortress where her once-close friend Tamsyn resides with her late husband, Sir Edward Chenowyth. Ruby's plans take an unexpected turn when the long-silent bells of Penryth ring, signaling Edward's gruesome death and whispers of a returning curse. Despite Ruby's skepticism about curses, she joins forces with Ruan to unravel the truth behind the orchard incident and safeguard Tamsyn from the looming curse.

Immersing readers in a captivating world, this book masterfully cultivates a creepy and gothic atmosphere that lingers throughout. Armstrong skillfully weaves a web of suspense, making it challenging to unravel the enigma at the story's core. The aura of witchy vibes enhances the overall experience, making it an ideal read for the fall season. The atmospheric details and intricate plot make this book a compelling choice for those who enjoy a blend of mystery and the supernatural, creating an immersive reading experience that resonates long after the final page.

Thank you NetGalley and Jess Armstrong for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have been provided with a review copy of The Curse of Penryth Hall from NetGalley for an impartial review. Awwww this was such a cute story. I was just captivated by everything that was taking place. It was just so easy to get into these characters lives and you just can't help but fall in love with them. I can't wait to see what's next from this author.

The Curse of Penryth Hall was a gothic mystery that took place in the Cornish Countryside. This was an interesting book with a great mystery. The characters in the book were amazing and I liked reading about Ruby. I enjoyed this book and would recommend this to others especially if they like mystery or gothic books. Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for this book in exchange of my honest review.

The writing is solid, creating a vivid atmosphere, but the plot is a mix of captivating moments and predictability. Characters are well-developed, though some lack depth. Pacing fluctuates, making it a decent but not outstanding read.

“𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝. 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞: 𝐟𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬.”

I always love a book with a gorgeous mysterious cover; add in a “fall from grace heiress” and notions of a curse? I’m sold.

Jess Armstrong has created a strong protagonist in Ruby, who reminds me so much of another heroine I was recently introduced to, Lady Petra in Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord, in that they both have declared they want to remain unattached, are benevolent with their time and helping others, and go against society’s expectations of women in their respective times. Armstrong uses the Cornish countryside, the villagers and their belief in a curse that befalls Penryth Hall to her advantage, both in amplifying the isolated atmosphere and the claustrophobic feeling of all eyes on Ruby. Ruan, the local Pellar, has a lot of chemistry with Ruby, and I loved how they weren’t afraid to speak their minds to each other, which only added to their banter and dynamic. Mrs. Penrose and Mr. Owen make for fantastic sidekick characters, and I want to see them included more. The mystery of the curse was strong, especially the use of the supernatural elements, and I questioned all through if it was real or not. The solution is very satisfying, with a twist I hadn’t guessed. I didn’t really understand the pull that Tamsyn seemed to have over Ruby, as she was less developed, and I wanted a bit more about Ruby’s past in America, however the epilogue makes it seem like there is more that could come in a future book.

The Curse of Penryth Hall is a story of the ties of the past, curses, belief, and vengeance. It is a strong debut of a new series that gothic mystery lovers will enjoy. I can’t wait to see more of Ruby and her Pellar! Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

3.5/5
This story definitely started out as a slow-burn. I was a little confused as to where it was going, but I was enjoying the characters and setting. I felt the story really started to pick up once we were introduced to the magic. I gave some dimension to the overall plot and loved this idea - as it seemed to be picked up from Cornish folklore. The characters were well thought-out and interesting. I enjoyed the mystery aspect of the story, wrapped in the gothic tale with some twists. I'm very interested to see if there is a follow up book to this or if it will be a series as the ending felt like it was a little abrupt - I wouldn't mind some more Ruby and Ruan romance.