Well, I always love gothic/dark moody novels. This one definitely fit that bill for me. I so enjoyed the author's writing style. It was so atmospheric and the descriptions were so detailed that everything played in my head like a movie. It does move a bit slowly during the first half, and at times, it was hard to hang on and keep going. Other than that, I so enjoyed this toxic friendship story. 4 stars!

I am so glad that I took a chance on reading this after stumbling upon it on NetGalley. What an incredible gothic story.

Recently I’ve felt a bit under wowed by many gothic books. They have felt very similar and dare I say mediocre. I’m happy to say that was not the case with this book.

The Undoing of Violet Claybourne is a slow burn gothic mystery filled with unlikable characters and dark secrets. These characters are nasty. They take Mean Girls to a whole new level. The true colours of the girls are shown pretty early on following a terrible accident that occurs on the estate. This accident sets up the entire story and the sequence of events that follows is nothing short of horrifying. It builds to the most satisfying climax.

Those looking for a gothic book that will keep them turning the pages until late at night will find this a satisfying read. Be warned though, it’s a lot darker than it initially seems.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for my eARC.

I continue to be amazed by Emily Critchley's ability to handle sensitive topics with poise and ease. She has become and auto read author for me.

In this story a young girl visits a wealthy friend from her boarding school. The chaos that ensues makes for a dark gothic mystery. The representation of Violet's OCD tendencies and anxiety was unsettling as she was gaslight by those around her. It made for an uncomfortable but compelling read just as her depiction of dementia did in One Puzzling Afternoon.

The gothic features of the house and a family with such dark secrets made for a gripping story. I highly recommend this read for fans of gothic stories, family secrets and darker, historical fiction.

Trigger warnings for death of a child, OCD, anxiety, gaslighting and probably more I missed.

Thank you to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the review copy.

Wow. The Undoing of Violet Claybourne is a wild ride. I loved the writing and my gosh, I had no idea where this story was going to end. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves books about giant manors and the secrets within them.

Thank you NetGalley and to the publishers for this wonderful ARC!

The Undoing of Violet Claybourne is a slow burn, gothic, suspense novel that left me both intrigued and frustrated. Violet is a compelling character, showing clear signs of OCD (though undiagnosed in the 1930s) but nearly everyone else was infuriating and unlikeable. The book isn’t a mystery—it’s a tense, psychological exploration of trauma and isolation. I went into this book completely blind and was absolutely loving it until it became mean girl.

Thank you Sourecebooks for an advance readers copy in exchange for my honest review!
Release date: 03/04/2025!

This books cover is what instantly drew me in because it is gorgeous so kudos!

Also, I love Gothic fiction so I knew this would be a book I'd love it read.

It had a fantastic ending and it moved along pretty quickly for a Gothic story. There were some parts that felt like a dragged a little but over all great pacing.

This book is crazy, there is a huge mystery when it comes to Violet who Gilly meets in school. Violet is different and so is Gilly but Violet is something special, and her family does not fall short from that lol. Gilly comes to visit her family when she invites her and Gilly gets into trouble with Violets sisters who also have so much going on. There is this family mystery going on and Gilly is intrigued, there are literal things going on here and its crazy. It was hard to connect to the characters, I didn't feel that I finished the book, I was left hanging throughout the book and even the end.

Thank you Netgalley the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

I really enjoyed this moody story about two girls who meet in a boarding school in 1938. The story unfolds with the backdrop of WWII looming and in the present-day, and follows Gillian (Gilly) as she meets and befriends Violet and is invited to stay with Violet's family on their posh estate over the holidays, to tragic consequences. Violet is anxious and prone to "rituals" (she would probably be diagnosed with OCD and/or an anxiety disorder today), her family is all about keeping up appearances and marrying off their eldest daughter to a good family so as to not lose the family estate, which is quickly becoming too expensive for them to manage.

When a tragic accident happens over the visit, Gillian, Violet, and the two sisters all get caught up in a web of lies and cowardly decisions. Some of the twists were predictable, some were surprising, but it was well-written and the fact that the author managed to write (most) of the characters with at least some sympathy, despite the fact that they really weren't the best people says something. The real tragedy is that there were probably so many stories like this happening in real life.

Without going into spoilers, I was a little surprised at how magnanimous the most wronged person in the story was in the end, but clearly they are a better person than I am. Overall recommended especially for anyone who loves a good gothic background, even though there is nothing supernatural or uncanny in this story, just a lot of flawed human beings.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of the book drew me in but once I started reading it, I just couldn’t get into it at all.
I wish the author, publisher and all those promoting the book much success and connections with the right readers.

As always, thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read this ARC!
This story was just OK for me. It was an interesting story that kept me engaged because for the most part it was was decently paced, but all of the characters except for Violet were boring and one dimensional. I was disappointed at how blatantly obvious and predictable every single plot twist was. The best part of the book happened in the very last chapter where I was laughing and saying "lets goooooo". But then at the same time, one of the people that deserved some kind of karma coming back to them the most, got to ride off into the sunset. This book had some great potential but fell flat for me overall.

I adored Critchley's novel One Puzzling Afternoon, but this book was a big miss for me. I would have DNF'd it had it not been an ARC copy. Most of the story is a flashback to some horrible events in 1938 when dishrag Gillian goes home with her quirky (read: a girl with OCD before that was really a thing) roommate Violet and meets Violet's awful older sisters. I was miserable the whole way through, hated almost all of the characters, and didn't really get the point of the story at all. Gillian never showed any spine or courage, multiple lives were just ruined without any real redemption, and I was left depressed and sad. I'm really bummed this didn't work for me, but that's how it goes sometimes. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for a digital review copy.

Set in the 1930s this one felt like reading a mystery set in the great age of mysteries. It feel like reading a mix between a Sayers and a Christie.

I was excited to receive this as an ARC! I went in blind, and my expectations were exceeded.

Violet appears to have OCD. Her undoings are OCD compulsions that she believes will make her acceptable to her upper crust family. We are told Violet’s story through her roommate Gilly’s eyes.

Gilly is unsatisfied with her life and believes fitting in with Violet’s posh older sisters and currying their favor will make her life better. In reality, Emmeline and Laura are spoiled snotty selfish rich girls.

Without giving too much away, my jaw was on the floor from the events that take place. Things quickly go from bad to worse. These children make dumb decisions that have life long consequences.

The final chapters drop bomb shell after bomb shell that I didn’t see coming.

Review will be posted on my bookstagram, toomanyfivestarreads, closer to publication date.

I have gone round and round in my head trying to decide how I feel about this book now that I have finished. My enjoyment of this book has been... tumultuous? Big word, but I can't think of a better way to describe my rollercoaster of reading.

The first half of this book moves very slowly. This is a historical mystery/thriller, and the first 30% feels largely like setup and background establishment. This means there is little to grasp onto as far as plot that would keep you hooked. We begin in 1999 with an adult Gillian, and then quickly shift into the past, 1939, to tell the story of young Gillian and Violet. So we do see a change in timeline, and we are introduced to a mysterious feeling and begin to be suspicious of what will unfold.
By 40% the plot is thickening and I finally felt like I was beginning to understand the catalyst for how the rest of the book would unfold.

The second half picks up significantly, which is incredibly helpful in keeping my attention. However, this is where my feelings start to become... more complicated. By the midway point, I have now learned to hate every single character in this book. On purpose. I know I am supposed to hate them and the actions they are taking, but I felt so viscerally uncomfortable with some of the behavior. And yet, I trudged on, feeling confident that it would all make sense in the end. And it did. This book succeeded in making me hate everyone and everything, and I needed even more to know all of the truth.

The final 30% begins to unravel all of the knots and messes that the story has revealed so far, including moving forward in the timeline to eventually connect with the 1999 story from the start of the book. And even when I thought I knew what would come next because I always try to puzzle it out myself... boy was I proven wrong because this book had twist after twist. The pieces all fit together so well, and the way things are revealed, both through more and more trauma and manipulation and through the uncovering of secrets, was honestly brilliant.

The writing felt very poignant and beautiful. It was easy to digest and follow, especially with the way the timeline is unfolded. And some very difficult topics are brought up and addressed, and while they are agitating in the manner of which they are handled in the book, it is also quite realistic for the historical setting.

I thoroughly enjoyed Critchley's previous novel, One Puzzling Afternoon, so jumped to read this one. The Undoing of Violet Claybourne was just as clever and twisty but much darker than I was expecting. That's not a bad thing! I was definitely surprised by Emmeline's ruthless behavior after tragedy struck. Hearing the tale unfold from different perspectives, years later, was fascinating. The writing was fantastic and the story had me not wanting to put it down! This is a win for anyone who loves a good, gothic tale.

What can I say about The Undoing of Violet Claybourne, only wow, what an experience! This novel is a compelling blend of historical, gothic, and mystery genres that grips you right from the start. The title couldn't be more fitting, as it perfectly encapsulates the chaotic unraveling of Violet's life amidst a whirlwind of drama and horror.

A shocking and unthinkable event unfolds in the story that propels the characters down a dark, and twisted path. The atmosphere is thick with suspense, and the psychological turmoil of the flawed and naïve characters keeps you on the edge of your seat. The manipulations and betrayals among the cast create a palpable tension that had me racing through the pages!

Would I recommend this book? Yes! It is a must-read for those who enjoy beautifully written, dark, and twisty tales. I loved every moment!

If you're a fan of books like The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters and The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield, you'll find this novel to be a delightful gem in your reading list!

This book was an earc from @netgalley and @bookmarked in return for a review. Thank you to @emilycritch for writing such an captivating novel.

This started off well but then this turned into a bit of a rage read. Which in my book, if a story makes me feel something (whether that be anger) then it’s a good book.

We follow Gillian in her lonely life in boarding school. She gets a new roommate Violet Claybourne. Violets a little odd, she has many quirks and pushes Gillian outside of her comfort zone. Gillian gets invited back to Violets home for a Christmas break, and a Christmas break she will never forget.

Gillian does a lot to impress Violets older sisters, even when that’s making fun of Violet and making her feel left out. Gilly makes a lot of very poor decisions and poor choice in friends. And she is down right awful to Violet towards the end. Honestly none of the characters are really likable.

This is a bit of a suspense mystery but the kind you know what’s going on most of the time. It was good, but I was pissed off the majority of the time.

Gillian is a private school student whose new roommate, Violet Claybourne, is a quirky breath of fresh air. Gillian falls in love with Violet’s home called Thornleigh where she visits during Christmas break. Gillian feels Violet takes for granted her home and her family, particularly her older sisters, Emmeline and Laura. Gillian is desperate for the sister’s approval even if she is uncomfortable with what they ask of her. Violet feels betrayed by her friend. Gillian returns to school, forever changed by her visit to the Claybourne family. The story continues for decades. I didn’t know what to expect from this book but it was FABULOUS! The imagery was exquisite without being overpowering. The language was simple to understand. Not all characters are fully developed but enough is written to get a good sense of their being. Not all characters are likeable. The story is woven in a way to keep you engaged, wondering how it will be resolved. Highly recommend! This book will be much talked about.

I received a free advanced reading copy from NetGalley. I leave this review voluntarily..

"For fans of Sarah Penner and The Foundling comes a slow-burn Gothic mystery following Gillian, a young girl enthralled by the enigmatic Claybourne sisters, their house at Thornleigh Hall, and the tragedy that binds them together for good.

To become a Claybourne girl, she'll have to betray one first.

1938. Gillian Larking, lonely and away at boarding school, is used to going unnoticed. But then she meets Violet Claybourne, her vibrant roommate who takes Gilly under her wing. Violet is unlike anyone Gilly has ever met, and she regales Gilly with tales of her grand family estate and her two elegant sisters. Gilly is soon entranced by stories of the Claybournes, so when Violet invites Gilly to meet her family at Thornleigh Hall, she can't believe her luck.

But Gilly soon finds that behind the grand façade of Thornleigh Hall, darkness lurks.

Dazzled by the crumbling manor and Violet's enigmatic sisters, Gilly settles into the estate. But when a horrible accident strikes on the grounds, she is ensnared in a web of the sisters' making, forced to make a choice that will change the course of her life forever. Because the Claybournes girls know how to keep secrets, even at the cost of one of their own.

With ensnaring prose and layers of friendship, privilege, mental health, and more, The Undoing of Violet Claybourne is a poignant book club read with characters you won't soon forget."

Hmm... I wonder if I could get my book club to read this...

I unfortunately had a really hard time getting into this book because it was pretty slow and for me the writing was a little weird and hard to get into.