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.

1938. Gillian is in boarding school sent by her father who works in Egypt. She doesn’t quite fit in. The girls around her are upper class and seem to belong to another world, very far removed from Gillian’s working class roots. When she is befriended by Violet and invited to Thornleigh Hall, a crumbling mansion Gillian is delighted but overwhelmed, knowing she has to be on guard all the time.

The family dynamics are peculiar - the lady of the house is not keen on education for girls. All she wants is advantageous marriages. The father is kindly, but does not like confrontations and lets his wife have her way, Emmeline the eldest is holding out for a proposal from the eligible Hugh, rich and with piles of property. Laura the second is in love with Charlie, considered not good enough by Lady Claiborne and we have the youngest Violet who is the focal point in the story.

Machinations of a Machiavellian nature on the part of Emmeline who orchestrates it all, followed blindly by the girls, betrayal by Gillian of the deepest kind puts Violet in an extremely bad place. Everyone turns a blind eye to the reality and so many are damaged beyond belief.

The story told in two time frames show the damage that was done which led to the destruction of an entire family. Destruction that was deliberate, homicidal, psychotic and unbelievable.

The author brought the most improbable scenarios to the plausible, absolutely believable

Fabulous story telling capturing settings from the decaying grandeur of the Hall, to destruction of London during the war. The settings play a big role in this story. The characters were a story in itself. Each one was a separate story.

Rating: 4/5 Stars
Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery

Gillian Larkin while away at boarding school in 1938 is assigned to be roommates with the peculiar Violet Claybourne. They quickly become friends, despite Violet's differences, and Gilly is excited when Violet invites her home to Thornleigh Hall for Christmas. Gilly is completely swept away by the grandeur of Thornleigh, as well as Violet's two older sisters, Emmeline and Laura. Gilly will do anything to fit in with them. Then a terrible accident occurs on the grounds, and Gilly begins to realize the Claybourne sisters aren't exactly who she though they were. And now she is forced to make a choice that will change everyone's lives forever.

This was such a gothic, atmospheric read! I don't know why I wasn't expecting it, but it really was a nice surprise. Lots of dark secrets and suspense. Loved the setting in 1938 in England and exploring the themes of mental health, status, women, and education during this time. The characters were purposely unlikeable, but the book was still very enjoyable. That deep human need to be accepted and twisted into how it can also be dangerous was done so well with this book. Violet's character, especially, intrigued me so much and when you find out the double meaning of "undoing" in the title -- so interesting!!

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

2.5 - The story was well-written and interesting, but I really did not like the characters. There was so much heaviness with very, very little to balance it out.

No other way to say it - this book is dark. The mystery and secrets at the heart of this novel are hard to stomach, surprising and shocking. Critchley successfully builds a world in which Gillian, friendless at boarding school until the new girl Violet Claybourne arrives, travels home with Violet to her family's crumbling estate for the 1938 Christmas season. To say much more would spoil the surprises Critchley has in store. Critchley is an expert at conveying pre-and post- WW2 London and Oxfordshire, the mores and foibles of the British upper class and the youthful feeling of needing to belong. Highly recommended for fans of tragic British historical mysteries. Thank you to Sourceboooks Landmark and NetGalley for the DRC.

The Undoing of Violet Claybourne is a haunting exploration of acceptance from family, from society, and from ourselves. It delves into themes of belonging, friendship, mental health, and trauma, asking just how far one might go to find their place in the world.

Set across different timelines, the story follows Gillian, a girl longing for family, and Violet, a member of the titled class whose mind often wanders. When Violet invites Gillian to spend Christmas at Thornleigh Hall, Gillian is captivated by its grandeur. But appearances can be deceiving. As the layers of Thornleigh Hall’s past begin to unravel, Gillian is forced to make choices that echo for generations.🏘

🏕This gothic, atmospheric story is chilling in so many ways. Each character has their own reasons for their actions, but beneath it all lies a deep yearning for acceptance and belonging. The psychological manipulation in this book is disturbing, yet the reasons behind it that is revealed later are heartbreakingly understandable. I couldn’t help but wish someone had shown compassion to these girls. Their pain, their trauma that is hard to read at times, and even harder to forget.

This is a novel that's hard to put down, not just because of its chilling twists, but because you become deeply entangled in the world of Violet Claybourne.🏕

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for this atmospheric read.

CW: Some topics in this book can be disturbing, so caution is advised.

This atmospheric novel is full of intrigue and unsavory characters. I went in blind and was a bit surprised by the dynamic. The story follows Gillian who befriends the eccentric Violet Claybourne who Gillian is very pleased to have made friends with because she usually goes unnoticed and left out. When Gillian is invited to spend the holidays with Violet and her family, we begin to see that this story seems to be about social status. Gillian is enthralled by Violet and her life as she is much wealthier. When Gillian is invited to Violet’s estate she is enthusiastic until she finds out that all is not what it seems with the Claybourne family. There are many betrayals and hidden family secrets. Despite realizing that the Claybourne family is not what she imagined, she still feels as if she needs to become like them to fit in. Gillian is thrilled to be accepted by Violet’s sisters and feels a sense of belonging that she hasn’t felt before. This book nods toward the social class structure and the “haves” and “have-nots” of society. There is also mental health representation in this novel that I can appreciate. While this wasn’t a book I absolutely loved, I did enjoy some parts and understood the main theme(s) within the story. I think this book would be a great read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction and the YA category.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

An interesting take on gaslighting and a solidly written Gothic suspense novel.

I liked the premise for this book a lot, a bit of an original twist on the gaslighting of a central character in a Gothic setting.

The atmosphere and eerie slow build here are well-rendered, as is the book’s macabre and isolated sense of place.

The story unfortunately fades a bit down the home stretch, building to what you expect to be an impressive denouement but is instead more of a slow deterioration. Still, that’s not to say that where the story goes is at all unsatisfying, and it does serve a bit of justice in the closing chapters, futile though it may be.

For the most part I enjoyed this, and it’s probably a four star read in terms of quality of story. That said, as per personal policy, I knocked off a star for the needless inclusion of an upsetting pet murder.

Critchley has written a rich gothic tale in 'The Undoing of Violet Claybourne.' While there are no supernatural elements, there is a feeling dread and foreboding throughout the novel. The novel follows Gillian and the Claybourne sisters, and what Gilly is willing to do to fit in. The novel is very atmospheric, especially when considering the mansion and grounds. 5 stars.

I was absolutely enthralled with this story; I read through it very quickly.

Most of this story revolved around one fateful Christmas at Thornleigh Hall. Our main character, Gillian Larking, is away at boarding school. Her mother passed away when she was born, and her father, who was always distant, is now remarried, and Gillian doesn't really have a place in his life now. Gillian has a new roommate, Violet Claybourne, and they become friends. But Gillian notices that Violet has some odd tendencies and seems rather immature for her age. But, when Gillian is invited to Violet's home for the holidays, Gillian gladly accepts.

What follows is a story of a tragic accident with horrific consequences. There are so many lies, excuses, and so much gaslighting, as Violet's older sisters try desperately to keep a secret, especially from Violet. Gillian gets caught up in the sisters secrets and must make some terrible and difficult decisions that will follow her through life.

This story has themes around privilege, what people will do to keep that privilege, of the lengths people will go to protect themselves and avoid taking responsibility, and the consequences of those actions.

Mental health plays a strong part in this book, and it's an interesting portrayal of the treatment and understanding of mental health in the past, especially when it came to women.

Overall, this is a powerful and infuriating story. I was hoping this story had a different ending than it did. It demonstrated the trickle effect of trauma and the consequences it can have throughout a lifetime, especially if hidden away as if it is shameful. I wanted a happy ending. I didn't really get one, but I suppose the book couldn't have gone any other way.

This book was a pleasant surprise.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, as it was a quick read and a good time.

EXCERPT: 1999 . . . this morning, I found myself driving to North Oxfordshire. Parking in the carpark (once a field belonging to the tenant farmer) and entering through the large oak, iron-studded doors. I paid an entrance fee and was given a guidebook. I wandered the rooms, avoiding the smiling, enthusiastic volunteers.
Looking around Thornleigh Hall, I felt suspended in time. Here I was, an old woman in sensible shoes clutching a guidebook, and yet there in the dining room was Emmeline drinking her morning coffee, Lord Claybourne reading his paper, Lady Claybourne complaining about her eggs, Viollet tucking into toast and blackcurrant jam. And there was Laura in the library, her stockinged feet up on the sofa arm, leafing through a magazine. 'Oh, hello Gilly,' she said, seeing me standing there. 'I wondered where you'd got to.'
I moved from room to room, pressing my nails into my guidebook. I watched the other visitors with their backpacks and cameras. Babies strapped to the chests of men. Mothers gripping the hands of small children. Look at that clock, darling, isn't it beautiful?
As for me, I felt like a traveler returning to a faraway land, only to find it a pale shadow of what it once was. I was reminded of a time in my life that was both full of possibility and fraught with the anxieties of the very young. Thornleigh Hall - my visit in the winter of 1938 and the events that followed - had been the marker that forever divided my life. After Thornleigh, there was simply a before and an after.

ABOUT 'THE UNDOING OF VIOLET CLAYBOURNE': 1938. Gillian Larkin is used to going unnoticed, until she is sent away to school and befriended by her roommate, the vibrant and spirited Violet Claybourne. As the Christmas holidays approach, Gilly can't believe her luck when Violet invites her to spend them at her home, the crumbling Thornleigh Hall.

At Thornleigh, Gilly is dazzled by the family's faded grandeur, and above all by Violet's beguiling older sisters who seem to accept her as one of their own. But following a terrible accident in the house's grounds, Gilly begins to realise the Claybourne sisters aren't quite what she thought they were. And if she's to survive in their world, she may have to become just like them . . .

MU THOUGHTS: A tale of the desire to belong, manipulation, and gaslighting set in the late 1930s.

Although I can't say I 'liked' or 'enjoyed' The Undoing of Violet Claybourne, I was riveted by it and read it over two days - something of a feat for me at the moment! The characters are all quite despicable - yes, even Gilly! - except perhaps for Charlie and Frank . . .

Gilly is young, impressionable, and desperate to 'fit in' to the Claybourne family since what remains of her own family don't particularly want her. She is in awe of Violet's very glamorous older sisters and hangs off their every word. She's a little like a labrador puppy, gazing at them with forlorn eyes, begging to be loved.

Violet's oddness, her OCD and other problems, seem to become increasingly worse while at Thornleigh Hall and Gilly, unfortunately, gravitates towards Emmeline and Laura treating their every word as gospel, especially when it comes to the treatment of Violet.

The story comes to a head when, one morning, the trio venture out into the woods leaving Violet at home. Nothing will ever be the same again.

There are a lot of secrets concealed over the years. Lady Claybourne is obsessed with 'propriety' and 'how things appear', wanting - no, needing - her daughters to make advantageous marriages in order to save Thornleigh Hall from the creditors. Anything remotely unsavory that happens is quickly swept under the carpet, hidden and never referred to again.

If you like your historical fiction dark, riddled with secrets, and the family dysfunctional and manipulative, you'll derive a lot of pleasure from The Undoing of Violet Claybourne. It doesn't paint the upper classes in a good light, but then no one comes out of this smelling of roses.

An interesting read.

#TheUndoingofVioletClaybourne #NetGalley

⭐⭐⭐.5

MEET THE AUTHOR: Emily was born in Essex and has lived in Brighton and London. She currently lives in Hertfordshire.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of The Undoing of Violet Claybourne by Emily Critchley for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

The lines are grey everywhere in this novel.

Is Gillian, our main character as innocent as she seems? What lies in the mysteries of the fading Thornleigh Hall? What secrets do each of the Claybourne sisters hold?

It would seem Violet Claybourne would be one of the main characters here, but it seems her fate is what looms throughout the novel. She is an accessory to the tragic accident that happens at Thornleigh and pays the ultimate price for it.

How these sisters twist each other's minds in the end is mystifying and it is curious how different they all seem to be, and yet hold some of the same traits.

I don’t reach for historical fiction often, but I’m interested in boarding schools, exploration of class and privilege, and moody gothic stories full of family secrets. I picked this up because of the mystery promised in the blurb. Unfortunately, I ended up DNFing because while the setting is well drawn and the writing is atmospheric, this is much more historical fiction and way less mystery than I expected and it’s not holding my interest. Almost the entire cast is unlikable (by design) and that makes it difficult to stay invested. I may return to this at another time, but I went in expecting more suspense over whodunnit rather than what will happen next. I may pick this up again in the future when I’m in the mood to read about horrible people betraying each other, but for now it’s not for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for a copy of the eARC.