Kelsey James's **Secrets of Rose Briar Hall** offers a chilling glimpse into the gilded cage of a New York socialite in the early 1900s; however, Millie, the first person POV FMC, is a contradiction. Despite acknowledging her manipulative social circle and self-absorbed parents, her surprise at the harsh treatment she receives after becoming a social burden feels odd. Millie comes across as naive, rather than meek, in thinking that she has allies in those around her.

The novel’s strength is in its exploration of societal themes. The class divide between Millie and her working-class love interest, David adds a layer of social commentary to the suspenseful plot. Although, while the romantic subplot with David is sweet, it would have been more empowering to see Millie triumph entirely on her own. The constant threat of being labeled "hysterical" and being institutionalized against her will is a chilling reminder of the powerlessness women faced during this era.

I read the novel as an audiobook with narration by Sofia Willingham which may have contributed to my lackluster impressions. While the story itself is compelling, Willingham's breathy delivery pulled me out of the immersive experience of the audiobook.

Overall, "Secrets of Rose Briar Hall" is an entertaining gothic thriller with a strong central mystery and thought-provoking social commentary. Fans of Daphne du Maurier will find echoes of "Rebecca" in the grand estate, sinister housekeeper, and the underlying mystery. While it may not leave a lasting impression, it provides a satisfying escape for readers who enjoy the genre.

This was an interesting mystery in the respect of not being able to trust the narrator. She is a person who got everything right in life but with the occurrences of one party, it is all gone. The story is well paced and the characters are almost predictably unpredictable. I wish I rooted for her more but the only real grounding part of her character is that she is new money. There were times that I simply rolled my eyes and thought "poor little rich girl." All of that did balance out with the fact that women in the early 1900's didn't have a lot of say over their lives. I was astounded to see how some of the events in the story played out while having to remind myself that it did happen like that for a lot of women.

The story is a little slow paced and the audiobook narrator did not help matters so I was at a solid 1.5x for most of this. That being said, I did enjoy reading this and would definitely recommend it!

This isn't the kind of book I usually read. I pretty much exclusively read horror. I requested it thinking it was a completely different book.
But since I'm trying to broaden my reading-horizon, and was kindly granted access to the ARC audiobook, I figured I'd give it a go.

And I'm so happy I did. I found this audible experience really pleasant, and the story was really entertaining. The writing was great. I guessed where some of the story was going, but it still had plenty of twists and turns to keep me entertained, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

The writing's evocative. It's atmospheric and moody. Gives all the gothic feels... It made the listening experience addictive, making it hard to put down until it was done. (I wanted to reach through the ether and fight for Millie so badly...)

Regardless of historical fiction not being my favorite sub-genre, I was pleasantly surprised, and enjoyed it very much. Also I can think of MANY people I'll be recommending it to. (My mother and her book club being the first ones.)

Thank you to Netgalley, HighBridge Audio and Kelsey James for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 / 5

This was my first Kelsey James novel, it was okay. It seemed to lack much depth and was fairly predictable.

1908, Long Island: For Millie Turner, the young and beautiful wife of a powerful New York stockbroker, Rose Briar Hall—a gleaming edifice of white marble on the North Shore—is more than a home. Every lavish detail speaks of Charles Turner’s status and wealth, and its stylish interior is testament to Millie’s sophistication. All that’s left is to prove her worthiness to be his bride. What better way than to throw a grand party for New York’s social elite?

After painstaking planning, the night of the event arrives and all is perfection—until Millie wakes to a cold, eerily quiet house, and a gray cloud where her memory should be. Can it be true that she has been in and out of consciousness for weeks, ever since the party took a terrifying turn? Millie recalls nothing. But her friends have shunned her, and it soon becomes clear that if she can't find out what really happened that night, much more than her reputation will be at risk . . .

As the house that promised so much happiness begins to feel more like a prison, Millie wonders whether a woman alone, even a wealthy one, can ever be entirely safe. And if she succeeds in finding the truth, will it bring relief, or shake her marriage, and her life, to the core?

If you like psychological, horror, historical mystery then this is for you. I don’t tend to gravitate to books that depict such abuse because it is rather personal and frustrating to me. With that being said, this is a great read for the right audience. It felt so real!

Millie Turner may live in the beautiful Rose Briar Hall but life inside is not as grand as it seems. After a death at a party she threw for New York’s elite her life took a turn. She thought she had a loving husband and a comfortable life. But when the truth starts coming out her husband tries to do away with her.

This book could use a small trigger warning for domestic abuse. The author does a great job depicting what women experienced throughout history. Millie experiences lots of emotional and psychological abuse by her husband. He was constantly gaslighting her and so many people were complicit in his abuse. Nobody believed women and this book definitely represented that. He had full control of her life. Because her husband basically said she is crazy, everyone just believes him. Men could use whatever means necessary to get rid of their wives. He wanted her out of his way without the stigma of divorce.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator does a very good job. I found her voice to be so soothing despite the serious nature of this storyline.

Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review

This book kept me on the edge of my seat. The way the story unfolded was very exciting. I liked Millie and I enjoyed hearing the story from her POV. I wish we had had another point of view though, and the ending seemed a little too perfect. I was kind of hoping for one final twist.

I did listen to this as an audiobook and I was not a fan of the narrator. Her voice was a bit too breathy for me.

Thank you NetGalley for the ALC!

Millie has the best house in Rose Briar Hall. Everything is lavish and shows off the wealth of her and her husband, Charles. So, why not throw a big party. But the party does not go as planned and Millie suffers a traumatic experience that puts her in a state of unconsciousness with no memory of what actually happened.

This story is a bit predictable and expected. Plus, there were places I wanted to slap some people for stupid decisions. But, that being said, I did enjoy this mystery because I enjoyed Millie, especially towards the end. Now, at the beginning she is a bit of a wimp (and I wanted to shake her till her brains rattled and she got some sense!) But, she finally gets a grip on her impending doom and takes matters into her own hands!

The narrator, Sofia Willingham, is not necessarily my favorite. She is a bit breathless in her narration. But, this will not stop me from another listen. It is just something I noticed.

Need a good historical murder mystery…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

This book caught my attention quite quickly. A historical mystery about a young woman who married a man she thought she knew but quickly learned he was someone else. When a woman dies at Millie's party, she is accused of having a hysterical fit by her husband and her memory of the night is completely gone. This novel covers how little control women had over their lives during the gilded age. Told from Millie's POV while she desperately tries to figure out the truth of what really happened that fateful night.

Thanks to Netgalley for the audio ARC of this book.

The blurb mentions the classic movie Gaslight. Even if you've never seen it, the word alone clues you into the plot of this book. Millie's husband, Charles, continually gaslights her in an attempt to get rid of her one way or another.

The book is pretty repetitive- of course, given that it is full of gaslighting, I suppose that is a given. Still, it got tiresome. And honestly, women's lack of rights back then just angered me to the point that I could barely enjoy the book. I should probably avoid books like this, as they are not relaxing. It is the one type of book that probably raises my blood pressure, lol.

Sofia Willingham narrates the audiobook. She was the wrong choice. She has a very upbeat and breathy voice. It doesn't match the content at all.

Basically, not a bad book- especially if you can get past the misogyny of the time and the gaslighting. I found there to be too much for it to be enjoyable.

I received an advance audio book in exchange for an honest review.

The synopsis of this gothic, Gilded Age tale of a turn-of-the-century Long Island couple whose marriage seems doomed from the start captured my attention right away. Millie is gaslighted and set up by many characters, actually, throughout this dark tale of societal upsets, love affairs, murder and revenge. If that is your style, you will not be disappointed.
The narrator had an almost old-Hollywood style of breathy, too-formal reading style that seemed to go with the story at first, but soon grew tiresome to me. I am not sure it lent itself to the buildup of the book.
Thanks to NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for this ARC. Opinions are solely mine.

Very interesting take on Historical Fiction which includes: gaslighting, a cheating husband, views on women that (Thank God) no longer exist, and some crazy twists along the way!

Millie is a young, wealthy woman who’s from a wealthy, high-society family. When she meets her husband, also from a wealthy family, the stars seem to align, and they get engaged and married pretty quickly.

As Millie grew up in a home/mansion where her mother often entertained, she decides to have a big gathering to introduce everyone she knows and loves to her new home, and husband. (Which, btw, is on the North Shore of Long Island (where I live), by Oyster Bay!!

But, something strange happens. On the night of Millie’s party, something goes terribly wrong.
And when she awakes, on what she believes is the next day, she finds the house very quiet…which is very unusual.

This is when the story really begins to unravel. Told from Millie’s POV, the journey is sweet, sad, annoying, and truly harrowing at times!

Taking place in the very early 1900’s , it’s very interesting how we see their ‘take” on women and their duties, and their place in the household…

And, the scene with her and her parents? Just heart-breaking…
Another with the judge? Wow! Just so hard to believe…but this is what happened, back in the day. 😮

And women seemed to have NO rights, and no say in anything.

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #HighBridgeAudio for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. It is due for release in JUST A FEW DAYS, on 6/25/24.

#TheSecretsOfRoseBriarHall by #KelseyJames and narrated nicely by #SofiaWillingham.

Also, if you follow along with me, you’ll recall me saying a day or two ago that I often have things repeat themselves in my books? So, a couple of books ago I read about a ‘Turner’…and today, Millie become Mrs. ‘Turner’. !?!? Is it just me??? 😉🤣

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Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends!! 📚⭐️

Historical gothic mystery thriller and domestic drama.

All things Gilded Age are popular now, and this book seems like it could fit alongside some of the current offerings on television and in novels. In this book, a young, married woman confronts her terrible marriage and the betrayals of her husband in a most desperate way.

Millie Turner is wealthy and was given Rose Briar Hall, a white marble mansion on the North Shore of Long Island, by her father. Married to Charles, a stockbroker, she's giving the party of the season when a scandal changes everything. Now shunned and in isolation, Millie navigates her memories through a haze that makes her husband question her sanity.

Are you like me? I just go nuts when I read stories of women threatened to be institutionalized for "hysteria" and because their husbands want rid of them? I spent much of the book railing against the injustices perpetrated on women of that age at the hands of the men whom they trusted and loved. Millie was stronger than most, but she did have the emotional support of a better man. Many reminders in this novel of how far women have come since 1900 but still so far to go. Some sex scenes I could have lived without, but overall, a nice period piece.

I listened to the audiobook while following along in the e-book ARC (both provided by the publisher) and enjoyed the experience. I did like the narrator, Sofia Willingham, well enough though as is typical, the voices tend to all sound alike though she made some effort to change it up a bit. It would be so much better if the audio featured both male and female vocals.

I looooved this book. June is a great book month for me.
Ok so I got this as an ARC through NetGalley and I’m so happy I did. I had never heard of this book before seeing it there but it looked interesting.
The main character is a wealthy woman who is having a party at her home with her husband. She ends up blacking out and wakes up some time later to find that days have passed and she can’t remember anything. Neither her husband nor any of the staff, her friends, or her family will tell her what happened that night.
She was told she was hysterical. That she was “unwell”.
Throughout the story you uncover what happened and the many secrets of one of the other characters.
Because is historical fiction, you are brought through the horrible trials and tribulations that a woman of that time had to endure. The idea that her husband “knows what’s best” for her. That any bit of defiance is seen as “hysteria”.
The last act of the book had my mouth drop so many times. But overall, the whole story was worth the read. I think if it ended any differently, the amount of stars I gave it would be less.
Also, keep in mind the way of speaking and the words used are period based.
Overall, well worth the read. I very much enjoyed it.

Secrets of Rose Briar Hall is an atmospheric historical mystery set in New York's gilded age by Kelsey James. Due out 25th June 2024 from Kensington, it's 304 pages and will be available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

Although generally well written and a good homage to Gaslight, it's not completely problem free. It's written in first person PoV and many of the passages are somewhat overwrought and more like a laundry list of clothing, decorating, and things MC Millie has bought and worn. It's well written but definitely noticeable after a while.

There's a creepy gothic vibe in the setting descriptions, and the plot turns on Millie's fears and doubts about her own sanity, reinforced by her caring and loving husband and their household staff. It's a standalone novel and the denouement and resolution are satisfying and self contained in this book (no cliffhangers).

The unabridged audiobook version has a run time of 9 hours 47 minutes and is read by Sofia Willingham. She has an odd, breathy voice in the reading with a possibly historically accurate, but definitely peculiar accent. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

Four stars overall for the story and homage/pastiche, three for the audiobook version because the narration was a definite hindrance to concentrating on the story and never faded into neutrality.

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

3.5 stars. A gothic Gaslight, set in the Gilded age. Millie Turner is new money and wife of a stockbroker. She will do anything to prove herself to society and what better way than to throw a party? However, Millie wakes up after the party w/ no memory, a party guest dead and 2 weeks worth of lost time. Her husband and maid insist it was a bout of hysteria that went terribly wrong. However, Millie knows herself and there's no way that's true. She intends to find out what really happened and why her husband, Charles, is so determined to confine her to an asylum. But her friends won't see her and her parents won't harbor her for long. Millie intends to prove her innocence.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for this audio e-arc.*

This is my first interaction with a book I’d categorize as a cozy thriller and I really enjoyed the vibes from this book. Also liked the setting and time period of the book. It was interesting to see how women were treated during that time and how much it hinders the main character, being a woman, throughout the book. It was also frustrating because even though times have changed, it was still relatable that being a woman is sometimes a disadvantage. That sometimes being a woman makes you unbelieved. I think that’s what made me like it so much, the parallels that could be drawn even though it’s a different era. Also, the theme of feeling stuck was one that was relatable as well, since most people at any point in time have felt stuck in some way or another. I enjoyed how the story progressed and was satisfied with the ending. I enjoyed the narrators light, delicate voice and felt like it fit the character so well. Overall the book was refreshing and original and a great read that I’d recommend.

Married to a powerful stockbroker, young socialite Millie throws a lavish party at their grand Long Island estate. But after a terrifying incident, Millie wakes up with no memory of the evening. As she tries to piece together what happened, she discovers that her friends have abandoned her and her reputation is in ruins. Trapped in a house that once promised happiness, Millie must uncover the truth before her marriage and her life are irrevocably shattered.

This tense and fast-paced thriller kept me guessing until the end. Millie is a strong and determined heroine who never gives up fighting, no matter how many catastrophes and reversals she suffers. I enjoyed the audiobook narration.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

"Secrets of Rose Briar Hall" is a riveting tale that unravels the seemingly perfect life of Millie Turner. Millie has it all - wealth, status, and a husband coveted by every woman in the town. She soon finds her life spiraling out of control after she falls ill at her own party and wakes up weeks later with no memory of a death that occurred that night. The narrative takes an intense turn as Millie is suspected of being the killer. Gradually isolated from her social circles, Millie embarks on a quest to recollect the events of the fateful night, leading to startling revelations about those around her. As she fights for her life, readers are taken on a suspense-filled journey of discovery and intrigue. The plot is well-paced, and the tension builds making it “unputdownable”. The exploration of Millie's transformation from a coveted socialite to a woman fighting for survival is both compelling and thought-provoking. Recommended for readers who enjoy suspenseful narratives with well-developed characters and unpredictable twists.

Secrets of rose briar hall by Kelsey James is a historical romance gem. I really enjoyed the storyline, the MFC is in love with her husband and during a dinner party something goes wrong and everything changes. A unique tale about how women were at the mercy of their husband. Our MFC is made to believe she’s going insane but she knows something is amiss she is not crazy. A good cozy mystery.

I would like to thank NetGalley and HighBridge audio for the opportunity of listening to the audiobook before its debut on 6/25/2024 #secretsofrosebriarhall

Promoted as a both a mystery and a gothic novel, <I>Secrets of Rose Briar Hall</I> is unfortunately not enough of either to warrant that description. Millie Turner is a vapid stereotype of the Victorian woman that James does not allow to have any power of agency over herself in order to force the gaslighting plot points along. I get WHY Millie is the way she is but it honestly does a disservice to the actual women of the time period.

The "mystery" isn't all that hard to figure out - even the outcome and the obvious red herring death announcement. Sure, Charles Turner is an absolute cad, but there really wasn't anyone worth cheering for in this novel so there was no incentive to care about the outcome on any of their lives.

Your mileage may vary with this one, but as someone that reads a lot of gothic inspired novels and mysteries, this one was a huge miss for me. I may have liked it a little more if I hadn't suffered through the audiobook.

I don't know who to blame (the producer or the talent), but Sofia Willingham's performance on this audiobook is one of the worst listening experiences I have had. The entire book is delivered both in monotone and in a breathless whisper. 0/10 do NOT recommend.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley and HighBridge Audio in exchange for an honest review.