The Undoing of Violet Claybourne by Emily Critchley
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Set in 1938 England. Gillian has a new roommate as school, Violet Claybourne. They become friends and Violet invites her to spend the holiday break with her well-off family at their estate: Thornleigh Hall. While there tragedy unfolds and the consequences will affect Gillian for years to come.
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What I liked:
-This book was NOT what I expected it to be and surprised me in a good way.
-I loved how much this book dug into Violet and her family. They were the main characters but we were viewing them through Gilly’s eyes.
-There were some jaw-dropping twists in this.
-The ending was also 😳😮 but felt just right.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I don’t want to say more but this was like a gothic-historical-thriller? Felt somewhat niche and I really liked that about this book. If you also enjoy books that don’t quite fit into a mold then this would be great to read.

This is my kind of historical fiction. This was an addictive read. This was full of an incredibly unlikable bunch of young women. Yet, I needed to know what was happening and what was going to happen. Critchley set up quite the psychological thriller; simultaneously creating doubt and hope throughout. The gaslighting was unreal. Such a satisfying, grim ending.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the eARC!

First I want to say kudos to the author because l've never hated a character so much as I hated one in this book, the family secrets and dysfunctional relationships were so well done.
I was going to DNF this book, and then I hit 40% in and I couldn't put it down.
At the beginning being in Gillys POV was a bit boring. & then I went from bored to NOW wait a dang minute what is going on, that really didn't happen like that... and I was fully invested.
If you think this book is boring keep going at about 40% you will be wide eyed and devoting all your time to it!
Thank you to the author for letting Violet have her moment in the end!

I love stories about houses, and so when this story came up, I was excited to read and review it.

When the story begins, Gillian McCune, an old woman in 1999, looks back on her childhood, particularly on the fateful days she spent as a guest at Thornleigh Hall, and the part she played in the events that took place there.
Gillian ‘Gilly’ Larking is in her sixth year at Heathcomb school when the privileged Violet Claybourne is admitted there, and they find themselves roommates. Gilly, with no real family and no good friends, is swept off her feet into Violet’s world. The friendship grows quickly with both girls believing in tandem with their Classics lessons, Nos Contra Mundam (Us against the world).
Invited to the Claybourne home, Thornleigh Hall, for Christmas, Gilly becomes enamoured with their world. There she meets Violet’s older sisters, Emmeline and Laura, and her parents, Giles and Olivia Claybourne. Gilly longs to have Emmeline and Laura see her as one of their own, as an equal. At every step, she tries to set herself apart from Violet, and closer to Emmeline and Laura, who are classist and believe themselves superior even to their sister, Violet.
Before the Christmas break is over, Thornleigh Hall will be beset by tragedy, with one life lost and another destroyed. What part will Gilly play in this travesty of justice?

The book is set in 1938, so the shadow of World War I still looms large over the characters. Lord Claybourne and many of the members of the police force have served in the war, but Frank Marks, a gameskeeper who lives on the grounds of Thornleigh Hall, has been a conscientious objector. As the book progresses, the characters find themselves in the middle of World War II.

This is a time when a woman is called upon to make a good marriage, then be a good wife and mother. It is against this background that the Claybourne family hopes that 22-year-old Emmeline will be wooed by the nearly forty-year-old Viscount Cadwallander, who might help save Thornleigh Hall from almost certain ruin.

The bulk of the story takes place between Christmas and New Year. The construction of the period was done well.

The book also makes a mention of post-partum depression and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), both conditions for which the medical science of the time might not have had satisfactory answers. Undoing is how Violet refers to the odd rituals she does “to undo what might happen.” The Undoing is Violet’s OCD. It is also a reference to how her life is undone, and how she seeks to undo that wrong.

The chapters end on a note of finality and expectation, inviting us to turn the page. I kept thinking about the events of this book even when I wasn’t reading it, especially about how far the characters deserved the fates that had befallen them.

The author has done a fine job with the descriptions of Thornleigh Hall, the Randolph Hotel, and Heathcomb school.

I can’t remember when I last detested a bunch of fictional people. I despised nearly all the main characters here. In the case of the narrator, Gilly, I must add that this was the first time that I began by liking a protagonist and then went on to change my mind about her. The author does make an effort to redeem her in our eyes, in a later part of the book, but it didn’t work for me.

Only the smaller characters like Frank Marks, a groundskeeper who lives on the property, and Robin, the fatherless son of Mary, the maid, and, to an extent, Violet, left a positive impression on me.

There are scenes featuring elaborate and intense gaslighting that are well written.

I also loved the resonance in the book, the parallels between Gilly and Robin. The fact that they have each lost a parent.

Gilly’s first meal with the Claybournes reveals their habits and characters, the sense of superiority they nurture in themselves. In true upper-class fashion, Laura and Emmeline insist that the foxes enjoy the fox hunt. “You can see it on their faces,” they say, in justification of their own pleasure and lifestyle. I couldn’t help reflecting on the hypocrisy of one of the sisters who hates any show of emotion but thinks nothing of the flutter of disgust that crosses her own face.

The colonial mindset is evident when Violet says about school, “We only learn sums, and which bits on the map still belong to us.”

Gilly, with her tendency to steal and lie, has her own flaws, making her believable.

I felt a sense of sorrow for Violet, for the ‘undoing’ of her at the hands of those she trusted. I hoped the book would not end on a note of wrongdoing and injustice.

This book was a trip!!

I would have loved more future coverage as that was really exciting!!

The characters were all rather pompous but I kinda loved that! I hated what was happening to Violet and I couldn't get past how her family was...

Great plot, could have done with a slightly faster pace but I loved every second of it.

4 stars

A difficult, tense read that never lets up or gives you a moment’s peace. Set in the 1930s on the brink of war, four young women are forced into decisions by society and their own understandings of place that put them on paths for which they can never imagine the ending. If you’re not prepared to be angry, sad and exhausted, steer clear.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy. These opinions are my own.

This book was a mix of both mystery and historical fiction! I enjoyed the story and the plot but found the characters a bit too unlikeable for me. I don't usually love a dual timeline but this one was gripping and easy to go between. Definitely recommend trying this one out!

The Undoing of Violet Claybourne felt a bit melancholy with dual timelines that I usually dont enjoy but i couldnt put it down. I enjoyed the gothic vibes and the backstabby twists. I felt like the beginning was a bit slow but it started to pick up after that and was very enjoyable.

This was such an immersive story! I loved the dual timelines and how in depth the story went, but I felt like this was much more historical fiction than thriller. While I had a good time with the actual story, I felt like the pacing was a bit chaotic. Overall, I think this would be a great rec for historical fiction lovers!

This was a pretty sad story with really unlikable characters but I actually couldn't stop reading anyway. The secrets and betrayals had me hooked

The Undoing of Violet Claybourne by Emily Critchley is a historical gothic style read. It centers around the lives of 4 young women. Gillian Larkin, the main character, has never felt like she belonged, she has always felt alone since her mother died during childbirth and her father having shipped her off because he never wanted to be bothered with her. While at boarding school she gets a new roommate, Violet, and they become fast friends. Violet comes from a well-to-do family that lives in an estate called Thornleigh Hall. She also suffers with a touch of OCD or something similar to that which is why she was sent off to boarding school. She has 2 older sisters, Emmaline and Laura. Gillian is invited by Violet to spend time with her family over the Christmas holiday. Gillian is enamored with these sisters and strives to be wanted and to fit in. It’s during this time that a horrible tragedy takes place which sets the stage for the rest of the story. This is a story of selfishness, family secrets and a down right dysfunctional family. The story covers many topics such as unwanted pregnancies, extramarital affairs and life in a mental institution. It wasn’t until almost the very end when several truths are exposed, which I had not seen coming, that brought the story together so it all made perfect sense. I was just amazed at how these sisters could be so cold and calculating towards each other all because of their own greed and selfishness. Although it was a sad, dark story, I really did enjoy reading it and I would recommend it to others. I’d like to thank the publisher, Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the arc to read and review. I’m giving this book a 4 star rating and would be interested in reading more by Emily Critchley in the future.

This book was a very interesting look into the power the upperclass have and how easy it is to convince women that they are insane. I loved how each character was flawed and wrong, and yet you can't help but feel empathy for them. The relationship between the girls, their desire for freedom, and how their secrets destroyed them.

It honestly was one of the best general fiction books I have read in it a bit. My only complaint I can't share without spoiling, but the ending was a little unsatisfying.

This is a book that has a bit of everything. Historical, suspense, mystery, friendship, a bit of gothicness and family. It had me from the start and I must say it was a great read. It's dark with some characters you like and some characters you really dislike! The story flowed well and was well written making it an enjoyable, entertaining and intriguing read.

There was a lot going on but it never got jumbled and everything just worked. A great read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Undoing of Violet Claybourne

All I need to see is gothic, and I’m sold. I grabbed this book so fast, and while it wasn’t exactly what I expected, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Part historical fiction, part suspense/mystery, it had everything I love—sisters, toxic behavior, overmedicated and disengaged parents, and Olympic-level manipulation and gaslighting. It was unputdownable. The whole time, I kept thinking, these girls are terrible...give me more.

And honestly, what does it say about me that the toxic behavior was bingeable? Some people binge reality TV—I binge deliciously messy fiction. No shame in that! 😆📖🔥

Thank you Sourcebooks and NetGalley for allowing me to opportunity to read and review.

I’m not sure what I was expecting from this tale, but it was really exceeded those expectations. It’s a gothic tale of three sisters and a visiting classmate during the holiday season. I couldn’t tell where the story was headed for awhile, but it took a hard turn and only got better from there. I loved the setting and the descriptions of the clothing from the time period. The twists at the end were VERY satisfactory and also somewhat emotional- something I didn’t expect. Overall an excellent read, only four stars because it was a little slow burn for my taste at the beginning.

Thanks so much to Emily Critchley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advance readers copy!

The Undoing of Violet Clayborne is a story of secrets, ambition, and betrayal. The setting is Thornleigh Hall and the time is Winter 1938.

Gillian Larkin has been sent away to school. There she is befriended by her roommate, vibrant and spirited Violet Claybourne. As the holidays approach, Gilly can't believe it when Violet invites her to spend them at her family home, the crumbling Thornleigh Hall. When she arrives Gilly is dazzled by the family's faded grandeur and by Violet's older sisters who seem to accept her as one of their own. But then there is a terrible accident on the house's grounds. It becomes clear that the Claybourne sisters aren't what they first appear to be. What is really going on behind the walls?

This a dark story though and through. The story is full of unlikeable yet interesting characters. The book is well written and fully detailed.

Thank Sourcebooks Landmark, #partner, for the advanced e-copy of The Undoing of Violet Claybourne in exchange for my honest review.

I was initially drawn to this story because of it’s cover…I mean between the purples and that spooky looking mansion – doesn’t it just evoke an atmospheric, gothic-type read? And luckily for me, it delivered on both accounts!

This is the type of book I love to read – where nothing is as it seems. It’s a dark read, with so many secrets and lots of suspense. Set in the England in the 1930s, there are strong themes of mental health, friendship, education and status. While I didn’t necessarily like all the characters, I was invested enough in what was happening that I couldn’t walk away until I reached the end. The way these characters manipulated each other really was disturbing and I needed to find out why this was all happening. It was so easy to become caught up in all that was going on at Thornleigh Hall – for good or bad.

THE UNDOING OF VIOLET CLAYBOURNE by Emily Critchley

Holy gaslighting!

There is no love or loyalty to be found in the Claybourne family, that’s for sure. However there’s plenty of trauma, betrayals, and secrets to go around. I was reminded of old VC Andrews novels (minus the incest, ha) as every member of the family was problematic, devious, and morally grey - love unhinged characters!

On another note, I liked how (at the beginning) Gillian was a good friend and understanding/accepting of Violet’s “rituals” (OCD) and social anxiety/awkwardness. That was her one redeeming quality otherwise she was such a pushover.

This was so darkly gothic and tragic yet entertaining - loved it! It’s a bit of a slow burn, but the twists and turns kept me interested and the ending was so satisfying.


Rating: 4/5 ⭐️

Pub Date: 03.04.2025

**ARC courtesy of Netgalley & SourceBooks.

If you are looking for an unputdownable book that will keep you up way past when you should go to bed and work the next day, this one’s for you! This was my first historical fiction thriller and I really enjoyed it! Page turning, twist after twist, beautiful scenery, this book has it all! Throw in morally grey characters and you’re in for a ride! Highly enjoyed this one!

The Gothic novel appears to be experiencing a resurgence. I am curious if there is a connection between the world as it now is and the choice of going on scary fictional journeys. In any event, those who like their fiction a bit dark may want to give this one a look.

The story takes place in 1938 (also a time of political foreboding). Two friends, Gillian and the Violet of the title, are visiting Violet's family estate. (Go back, Gillian!!). Much happens as Violet's sisters involve Violet in sinister plotting. What follows is violent and complicated.

Reading this, I realized that the Gothic may not fully be for me. If it is for readers though, this delivers in spades.

Many thanks to Sourcebooks-Landmark for this title. All opinions are my own.