The Secret of the Three Fates is the second book in the historical mystery series Ruby Vaughn by Jess Armstrong. I loved the first book, and I couldn't wait to get my hot little hands on this one. I admit I was a bit anxious when I started this book, as I've been burned before - I've read a new author's first book, or the first one in a series and loved it, only to read the next volume and find myself terribly disappointed. Thank goodness that didn't happen here; this was an excellent gothic mystery, surpassing my expectations. I really liked the characters in book one, but now I absolutely love them! This is officially one of my favorite series now.

Ruby Vaughn, an American heiress, still hasn't entirely forgiven her octogenarian employer and housemate Mr. Owen for bringing the occult into their lives during her recent trip to Cornwall. Mr. Owen says that their current visit to Manhurst Castle in the Scottish Borders is simply an opportunity to buy illuminated manuscripts for their rare bookshop...so why is Ruby told there weren't any illuminated manuscripts when they get there?! She receives news of a séance to be held that very night, and now she's suspicious of the real reason they might be here. When the Great War ended, many families were desperate to say goodbye to their lost loved ones, and Mr. Owen was among them; he needec to say goodbye to his son, and he wanted Ruby by his side. When the séance, which was hosted by a trio of mediums calling themselves The Three Fates, goes awry, Mr. Owen's secrets begin to seep out, threatening to reveal a history that he has been running from for half his life. Ruby's well acquainted with that scenario. When Ruby finds one of the Three Fates murdered the night of the seance, she and Mr. Owen quickly become the prime suspects in her murder. To clear their names, Ruby requests the help of Ruan Kivell, the folk healer Pellar who helped her weeks before in Cornwall. As their investigation progresses, Ruby and Ruan realize someone is determined to prevent them from uncovering the truth about what happened to the dead medium.

The characters in this series are all compelling and extremely likable, particularly our three leads. Ruby Vaughn was banished to England after being caught in an indiscretion, then her family died when the Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat. Ruby has made a new home with Mr. Owen, an octogenarian who owns a rare book shop; they made a lovely family together with the housekeeper and a cat. In the previous book Mr. Owen sent Ruby to Cornwall, and she's finally recovered from that dangerous adventure. Now she thought they were going to purchase illuminated manuscripts in Scotland. She should have known better! When the medium was murdered, Ruby and Mr. Owen were immediately the top suspects. Mr. Owen confessed to the crime in order to spare Ruby, and she was angry and determined to get to the truth. Ruby is a stubborn woman, and she was determined to figure out who the murderer was so Mr. Owen could be free. She is a loyal friend, even though she doubted some of Mr. Owen's story. Then there's Ruan Kivell. ~Sigh~ I just adore that man! Ruby met Ruan when she delivered books to him in Cornwall, and they had quite the dangerous adventure!. Ruan is a Pellar, a folk healer and witch, and he had a deep connection with Ruby; he was able to hear her thoughts, which made him feel less alone. At Manhurst Castle he lost that ability, and both Ruan and Ruby missed that connection. He was determined to help Ruby with her investigation, and his healing powers came in handy, though they put him in danger. They had feelings for each other, but Ruby's reaction was to run in the other direction; she was brave, but was a chicken when it came to her feelings about the man. Last but not least was Mr. Owens. I found him to be a !ovable, eccentric man who treated Ruby as a beloved daughter. He may have hidden his secrets from her, but he felt he must, though it hurt Ruby. And boy, did that man have secrets! I promise I won't ruin that for you. The gothic mystery here was exciting and kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved the mix of mystery and the occult; the atmosphere here was tangible and lent the occult edge. The supporting characters were all entertaining, as they all had secrets of their own. I had absolutely no idea who the killer was until it was revealed. I NEVER would have guessed it! The mystery was solved, but not everything else was. What will become of the relationship between Ruan and Ruby? Will she keep.running like she usually does? And what is this strange, new "otherness" about Ruby? I hate to have to wait another year to find out what's going on! The wait will be well worth it, I am sure.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

The Secret of the Three Fates is book two in the Ruby Vaughn mystery series by Jess Armstrong.
I absolutely loved book one The Curse of Penryth Hall.
And book two was even better!
An atmospheric gothic historical mystery that was captivating from the very beginning.
This was very well written and so much fun to read.
Armstrong's writing style is evocative, transporting readers to the Cornish countryside and immersing them in the unfolding drama.

Ruby Vaughn, the delightful main character from The Curse of Penryth Hall, is back! This time, instead of Cornwall, the action takes place in Scotland, at a remote manor house with a neighboring ruined castle. Mr. Owen got her to come with him under false pretenses (nope, no rare manuscripts to be had!) and she’s rather put out when she discovers they are actually there for a seance. Owen longs to speak to his son, Ben, who died in the Great War (World War I). The book takes place in October 1922, just a few months after the first book. The seance is run by THREE mediums (the titular “three fates”) and Owen’s secrets gradually come to life over the course of the book. But not before a murder or two, and Ruby and Owen becoming suspects! Luckily, Ruan, the “pellar” we met in the first book, arrives and helps Ruby with the investigation.

There were a lot of new characters introduced in this one, and I confess that I found it a bit difficult to keep them straight. (Maybe it would have been easier/clearer if I had been reading the story, but I mostly listened to the audio version.)

Lots of secrets gradually come to light, most of which involve Mr. Owen’s former life, including the story of his first wife, who disappeared many years ago. There are some disturbing events (from many years ago) that are revealed over the course of the book, and some of them could be upsetting to readers.

While this definitely could be read as a standalone, readers will enjoy it more if they’ve read the first book, The Curse of Penryth Hall. For one thing, they will understand Ruan much better that way. Ruby is a great character, feisty and non-traditional. We are starting to get hints about Ruby’s (late) mother, which I hope will be expanded in a future book. The ending left open the possibility of a third novel and I hope there is at least one more in this series!

The Secret of The Three Fates will appeal to readers of historical fiction who enjoy some paranormal/occult topics, and will definitely appeal to fans of “gothic” stories.

Emma Love narrates the audiobook and does a great job with all the characters and various accents.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook and Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I wasn’t thrilled with the overall plot of the novel. Basically, it comes down to the fact that I’ve read better historical mysteries. I was just underwhelmed with this one

This book had mystery, ghosts, mediums and seances, romance and family running throughout it. I read the first Ruby Vaughn mystery, but to be honest I don't remember much about it. I wish I had gone back and reviewed that one a bit. I do think this is a stand alone, but I was missing some of the history of the characters. I did love the main characters. Ruby was a little unconventional for her time.

This was definitely a good read. It kept me guessing what was going to happen and who was going to die next!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur books for the copy. All thoughts are my own.

American heiress Ruby Vaughn still hasn't entirely forgiven her octogenarian employer and housemate Mr. Owen for bringing the occult into their lives during her recent trip to Cornwall. He claims their journey to Manhurst Castle in the Scottish Borders is simply to appraise and acquire illuminated manuscripts for their rare books shop, however when Ruby discovers there are no manuscripts and receives news of a séance to be held that very night, she begins to grow suspicious about the true reason why they have come. - Description from Amazon

Loved the second book! There are recurring characters so it is best to read the first book before this one. Séances, murder, mystery and lies. This story has all of them. It started off a little slow, thankfully the story picks up and by the middle it is full speed ahead. I really hope there are more books coming for this series, I am enjoying it very much. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Jess Armstrong’s The Curse of Penryth Hall was a nice murder mystery wrapped in gothic clothing, and it was clear at the end that more was coming. I was happy to read this second book featuring Ruby Vaughn. (And the end of this indicates there will be yet more to come!)

Ruby Vaughn, an orphaned American heiress who’s in her late twenties, lives with and works for an octogenarian rare bookseller, Mr. Owen. They have a companionable relationship, with them bantering and poking at each other a bit like family.

In the first book, Mr. Owen sent Ruby to the Cornish countryside to deliver a trunk of books to a folk healer, Ruan Kivell. She learned Ruan is a Pellar, someone who can use some particular kinds of magic.

In The Secret of the Three Fates, Mr. Owen takes Ruby to Manhurst Castle in Scotland, supposedly to pick up some illuminated manuscripts. But right away, she finds out any manuscripts are long gone, so it’s a mystery why the two of them are on this trip.

Annoyed with Mr. Owen, Ruby soon learns there’s a séance taking place that night. And Mr. Owen has ties to at least one of the women (the Three Fates) acting as mediums. He also wants to speak to his son, who died in the Great War. His son doesn’t make an appearance, but a young woman who died under suspicious circumstances in the area certainly does.

That’s just the beginning of the turbulent week or so Ruby and Mr. Owen spend in the area. Right after the séance, one of the mediums is killed, and Mr. Owen’s connection to the area becomes apparent. Both he and Ruby become suspects in the murder, and while Ruby doesn’t think he could do something like that, she knows he’s keeping a lot of secrets that certainly connect to it.

Ruan Kivell comes up to Scotland, and Ruby asks him to help investigate all the goings-on and clear their names. Of course, digging up all this old dirt puts them in danger. And while Ruby has been fighting the pull she feels toward Ruan, she finds it more and more difficult.

I actually enjoyed The Secret of the Three Fates even more than the first. The mystery is solid, and it’s interesting to find out a lot about Mr. Owen and to be introduced to some little mysteries connected to Ruby. My interest is further piqued, and I’m curious to see what comes in the next in the series.

Ruby Vaughn is back, this time attending a seance in Scotland. Lots of secrets here, especially pertaining to Ruby’s employer, Mr. Owen. Great atmosphere, lots of interesting characters, and a perplexing mystery. When Ruan Kivell arrives to help, will Ruby stay focused on the investigation? A bit confusing for the first third, but it all came together in the end. Best to read the first book before this one, as there are several recurring characters. Looking forward to the next mystery, and finding out more about Ruby’s family, her past, and her emerging abilities.
I received a free copy via NetGalley, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

The Secret of the Three Fates may be the second book in the Ruby Vaughn Mystery Series by Jess Armstrong, but it is the first book that I have read. While the introduction to Ruby and her older employer Mr. Owens would have come in the first book, I had no problem understanding their working relationship.

Taking place after the Great War, Ruby and Mr. Owens become suspects in a séance medium’s death. Secrets long held begin to come to light. Help comes in the form of Ruan Kivell, who investigates alongside Ruby. I like these two characters together. A cozy mystery with an unusual character, Mr. Owens. He is not exactly the sleuth in the story, but he does seem to be the cause for Ruby to become one. An interesting historical cozy mystery.

*4.5 Stars On My Instagram Account*

"There is nowhere on earth you can hide from the dead."

“I’m not sure I believe in ghosts.”
“Unfortunately, they believe in you."

“You are everywhere and everything to me, flooding my senses and I cannot understand it...this inexplicable thread between us and for this power you hold over me."

Oh my! With Book 2 of the Ruby Vaughn series, The Secret of the Three Fates, masterful bestselling author Jess Armstrong has created an alluring atmospheric gothic historical fiction mystery filled with goosebump gasps, startling reveals, and an infuriating slow burn romance that keeps the heart aflutter.

In 1920s England, American heiress Ruby Vaughn works for Mr. Owen's rare bookshop, which she secretly owns. In Book 1, The Curse of Penryth Hall, she's embroiled in the occult, witches and curses. She also meets Ruan, a Pellar--a healer, witch of sorts, and protector. He can read her thoughts giving her peace of mind to not speak her fears and truths out loud.

Surviving Penryth Hall barely prepares her for the Scottish castle where Mr Owen is lured by three "mediums," calling themselves The Three Fates. They promise him a seance to communicate with his dead son. Ruby is shocked when other attendees have a direct connection to her secret past.

Ruby discovers one of The Fates murdered and becomes the prime suspect. She's also in danger from the real killer. Luckily Ruan arrives but finds he's blocked from reading her thoughts.

Voice actress Emma Love once again is superb using her many vocal abilities to enhance this eerie mystery. It's no secret I adore this series and can't wait for Book 3, The Devil In Oxford.

I received a free copy of this book/audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Lies and deception surround Ruby Vaughn from the moment she and her elderly friend and employer travel to Manhurst Castle in the Scottish Borders. She believes she’s there to purchase valuable illuminated manuscripts only to learn they were all sold several years ago, and Mr. Owen really wanted her to support him as he attended a seance where he hopes to get a message from his son, killed in World War 1. Ms. Armstrong deftly weaves together mystery, a gothic atmosphere, the occult, and a touch of romance to create a twisting, turning plot that fans of any of these genres will love.
Ruby is such a complex character, a wealthy heiress who fled the US due to scandal, she’s bold and smart, and wants nothing more than to lead a private life hunting down books, Read this second in the series as a stand alone if you need, but it would be a shame to deny yourself the joy of book 1.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for an advance copy, I look forward to recommending it to the book clubs I belong to!

Setting? Check
Characters? Check
Mystery? Check
Plot? Not so much

This book has all the makings of a really fun historical mystery, but the plot just doesn’t hold up. It makes me think of that saying “show me, don’t tell me”. Basically the main character finds a dead woman. Each chapter after, she goes to talk to somebody about finding the dead woman and she repeats her story. After 4 to 5 chapters of this I decided to DNF.

I just finished The Secret of the Three Fates by Jess Armstrong, and wow, what a ride! This book, the second in her Ruby Vaughn series, totally pulled me in with its haunting gothic vibe. Armstrong does an amazing job mixing mystery with those classic gothic elements, and the result is this super suspenseful, spine-tingling story that kept me guessing the whole way through. If you’re into eerie, atmospheric reads, this one’s a must. Trust me, you won’t be able to put it down!

Jess Armstrong delivers another atmospheric and compelling installment in The Secret of the Three Fates, seamlessly blending gothic mystery with richly layered historical intrigue. Ruby Vaughn’s return as a determined, quick-witted heroine is a delight, and Armstrong’s vivid descriptions of the haunting Scottish Borders create an immersive setting brimming with secrets and spectral tension.

The novel begins with a seemingly straightforward task—a trip to acquire manuscripts—but quickly unravels into a chilling tale involving a séance gone awry, a trio of enigmatic mediums, and long-buried family secrets. Armstrong excels at crafting suspense, keeping readers guessing as Ruby uncovers layer after layer of deception. The historical backdrop of post-Great War grief adds depth, making the characters’ motivations feel deeply personal and poignant.

Ruby remains a standout protagonist, balancing her sharp intellect with vulnerability rooted in her own hidden past. Her growing dynamic with Ruan Kivell, the enigmatic folk healer, is both engaging and subtly romantic, adding another layer of complexity to the story. Meanwhile, Mr. Owen’s desperation and mysterious past bring a sense of urgency to the narrative, even as his secrets threaten to derail their mission.

The plot is intricate, with well-placed twists that keep the reader engaged. However, the sheer number of moving parts occasionally slows the pacing, particularly in the middle of the book. Additionally, while the murder mystery is compelling, some secondary characters—such as the mediums known as The Three Fates—could have been more fully developed to heighten the impact of the story’s central conflict.

Despite these minor flaws, The Secret of the Three Fates is a masterful gothic mystery with an unforgettable heroine, an evocative setting, and a plot that will keep readers guessing until the very end. Fans of The Curse of Penryth Hall will be thrilled with Ruby Vaughn’s latest adventure, and new readers will find plenty to enjoy in this atmospheric and expertly crafted tale.

I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Secret of the Three Fates, A Ruby Vaughn Mystery by Jess Armstrong from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books in order to read and give an honest review.

“…Another gem from author Jess Armstrong this is another brilliantly written, cleverly plotted, atmospheric mystery with a gothic feel giving the reader a deliciously intriguing tale that will keep them reading to the wee hours of the morning… ”

In the second entry of Jess Armstrong’s Ruby Vaughn Mysteries, the author has outdone herself yet again. I loved The Curse of Penryth Hall, and I honestly enjoyed this one much better although I thought it would be impossible.

In this entry we visit the haunted Manhurst Castle, where spirits lurk and three fates, famous clairvoyants are summoned to connect with them.

Ruby unexpectedly gets drawn into an occult séance when her old boss, Mr. Owen, asks her to accompany him to the castle on the Scottish border. Mr. Owen gets a cryptic note from the leading clairvoyant, Lucy, promising an important message from his dead son, Ben. Among the other clairvoyants, Ruby is shocked to see the White Witch, a familiar face from Ruby’s past. There, she also meets Mr. Owen’s resentful estranged brother and his adored nephew Andy. Soon, everyone in the mansion is responding to similar messages, which have drawn them all together. But she stumbles across another familiar face, one from her past that she thought she had left behind in her formal life, one who could unravel her peace of mind.

When vengeful spirits start sending cryptic warnings Ruby can’t help but be scared yet intrigued with all the secrets that begin to unfold. When she receives a mysterious note in her room from one of the fates requesting a secret meeting by the lake. Upon arrival Ruby discovers the body in the lake, surrounded by an occult scene with thirteen candles and salt traces, her suspicions grow. It becomes clear that someone is targeting the women in the mansion. The detectives sent to solve the case are quick to blame Ruby—until Mr. Owen calls in Ruan Kiwell to protect her before he confesses to Murder to save her. It’s up to Ruby and Ruan to discover who the real killer is and as the body count goes up it becomes clear that Ruby is herself in the killers’ sights. Adding to the tension is a premonition from the White Witch about Ruan’s fate has her terrified. Though Ruby is relieved to have Ruan back in her life, her feelings for him scare her. While his presence helps her uncover the truth, Ruby realizes she needs to set boundaries to protect her heart, even though she’s drawn to him like a magnet.

Another gem from author Jess Armstrong this is another brilliantly written, cleverly plotted, atmospheric mystery with a gothic feel giving the reader a deliciously intriguing tale that will keep the reader reading to the wee hours of the morning. This was an incredible follow up and I look forward to reading more from Jess Armstrong.

Jess Armstrong has done it again in this masterfully crafted Gothic mystery set in the wilds of Scotland. When Ruby Vaughn and her octogenarian employer, Mr. Owen, journey to an estate in the Scottish borderlands to appraise a collection of illuminated manuscripts, they also find themselves invited to a seance conducted by three mediums known only as The Three Fates. And that's where Ruby's penchant for finding trouble starts.

After the otherworldy seance, Ruby is summoned to a midnight assignation in the estate's park, where she happens upon the remnants of a strange ritual, and finds the body of one of the mediums. As the only witness, the intrepid Miss Vaughn soon falls under suspicion of murder, along with her elderly employer, and must work quickly to solve the mystery in order to save herself and Mr. Owen. With the help of the enigmatic Cornish pellar, Ruan Kivell, Ruby embarks upon a perilous game of discovery in which the real killer is only a few steps behind. Rife with secret societies, Gothic atmosphere, taut pacing, and Christie-esque twists and turns--along with a touch of romance--The Secret of The Three Fates marks Armstrong as a gifted mystery author in her prime. While readers will be able to follow the action without having read the first novel in the series, The Curse of Penryth Hall, it's strongly suggested to read them in order to fully appreciate Ruby's relationships and backstory. Highly recommend!

This is a captivating read full of mystery and adventure. The story is engaging with intriguing characters and a plot that kept me hooked from the first page to the end. The blend of mythology and modern-day events adds a unique twist that set this apart from other books I've read recently. The pacing wasn't quite consistent throughout, but I still highly recommend to anyone who loves a good adventure with a touch of magic.

This gothic mystery follows Ruby Vaughn to the Scottish countryside with her employer and friend, Mr. Owen. Ruby is drawn to the scenic estate with the lure of illuminated manuscripts to obtain for Mr. Owen’s rare book shop. But when a séance on the premises stirs up old mysteries, Ruby begins to suspect there is another reason for the journey.

The more Ruby gets to know the guests at the castle, the more secrets she uncovers. Between the mediums and the aristocracy, tensions rise and bodies drop. And when Ruby and Mr. Owen come under suspicion, she’ll have to hurry up and find the killer before one of them ends up taking the fall for the crimes.

This is a follow-up to the book “The Curse of Penryth Hall”. While not completely necessary to enjoy “The Secret of the Three Fates”, I would recommend reading the first book in order to appreciate the relationships between returning characters. I appreciated how layered the mystery was, with multiple characters’ lives and histories intertwining.

With a mix of history, mystery, and the paranormal, I highly recommend this book!

Ruby Vaughn's octogenarian employer and housemate, Mr. Owen, has dragged her to Manhurst Castle in the Scottish Borders under false pretenses: claiming they are there to look at purchasing rare manuscripts, she instead finds herself at a séance and prime suspect in a murder investigation after she finds one of the mediums dead later that night. Mr. Owen is suspect number 2, and Ruby finds herself working once again with Ruan Kivell to find the murderer and protect Mr. Owen, even after he shatters her trust by revealing secrets he has kept hidden from her about his past. The Secret of the Three Fates has lots of action and intrigue, a bit of romance, and some mysterious, possibly occult goings-on. I love the characters and overall atmosphere of this series, which is coupled here with a suspenseful mystery and fast-paced plot. You could read this as a standalone, but I highly recommend starting with book 1, The Curse of Penryth Hall, as it will provide backstory on the main characters and their interrelationships.

“I do not traffic with the dead, for the dead cannot be trusted.”

I really enjoyed this follow up to The Curse of Penryth Hall. Ruby is an intriguing character with a complicated past and an unconventional life. I love her father/daughter like relationship with Mr. Owens, even if it is tested a bit in this book. I was also very happy when a certain pellar from Cornwall turned up. I’m interested to see where that relationship will go in the future. The mystery itself was engaging. I like the role of the supernatural in this series and there were a lot of hints about Ruby herself in this book. I’m very intrigued and can’t wait for the next book!

Note: This is book 2 in the Ruby Vaughn series and should be read after The Curse of Penryth Hall. Like the previous book, this one has chapter titles, which I always appreciate.