Good spooky/fall/winter read. I would definitely recommend it to friends who like this type of book. Also thankful to the author for providing a link to the list of trigger warnings. Thank you for the arc!

Deliciously creepy! In this Prohibition-era supernatural whodunnit, Clara Dawson learns that her estranged father has died, leaving behind Hollowfield House-- a decrepit inn set deep in the dark woods of Upstate New York. Clara travels to Hollowfield House to prepare it for sale. Immediately, the vibes are off. It's giving sinister. It's giving what died didn't stay dead. It's giving ... insidious.

This was a fast-paced page-turner, and Amelie West does an excellent job of building creeping, disquieting tension from page one. Not recommended for reading home alone in the dark.

Clara has been estranged from her father for decades. Her relationship with her mother was also strained. Clara has learnt the hard way to be self reliant and she is distrustful of anyone who lends a helping hand or offers anything because of past lessons. When she inherits a house from her father in a desolate area, her one idea is to sell it and use the proceeds to become financially independent.

The property has a strange ambiance and history attached to it. Although touted as an inn, it shows neglect, disarray and Clara realises that in 1933 with the economic slump, getting rid of the property is no easy task.

The story has gothic overtones and there are several people who will do their best that Clara does no digging into the past or even actual digging in the property, which will uncover unsavory history. You always feel throughout the story that you have to watch your back as if someone, not quite human, is watching you and prompting you to act.

New York, 1933. The time of the Great Depression. What does it mean? Some people have debts to pay. Clara Dawson, the protagonist, suddenly loses her father. She is relieved by that fact. Although she did not have the best relationship with him, she inherited his property: Hollowfield House. An inn in a small remote town, where things out of the ordinary happen. Clara knows that there is a hidden secret in that place. Nothing will stop her until she finds the truth. Her sanity is at stake.

First of all, thank you very much NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this arc! Now let's get on with the review.

I was fascinated by this book. The use of suspense by the author is very well implemented. So much so that it always leaves you wanting to read the next chapter. The doubt that she poses between whether there is a natural or supernatural explanation was a very used resource. It literally had me distrusting all the characters (except Clara) until the last moment. Clara's search for the truth also became my own.

This story, I would say, is one of the few that really explores not only the external, but the internal conflicts of the main character. Something very rare to see nowadays. Clara reflects a lot on her past: her relationships and decisions. The biggest question it leaves you with is: Am I going to move forward and be my own version or will I repeat the same mistakes of those people? You'll know what I mean when you read it.

Also, I loved that she used the Great Depression era for the story. I was able to understand the facts. Likewise, it was interesting to read how Clara handled herself in the town and New York as a woman. Even romance (slow burn to the max) was a nice addition to the plot. I loved every moment, especially the epilogue (what a great detail). If there is a second installment, I would like to see more of that element.

The only thing I think could have been better in the book is the use of secondary characters. I feel like they could have added more dynamism to the reading if they had appeared more often in the first part of the book. I would have also liked to see more interactions from the secondary female characters.

“An Insidious Inheritance” is a great suspense reading that I really recommend. Clara’s dilemma, the plot, the mystery and the romance have you hooked until the end. If there is a second installment, I will read it right away. What a great start to 2025 with this book

This mystery, set in 1930s New York State, conjures up imagery of old black and white movies and Nancy Drew books. When Clara Dawson inherits a dilapidated inn from her estranged father it could be the solution to her problems, or just another source of debt. It was a fun read, but I found myself wishing for a little more detail (did the inn not have electricity because it was an isolated building in 1933....or because it had been shut off?) Clara is smart and self sufficient and I look forward to reading more about her in future books.

3.5⭐️: The Insidious Inheritance was a spooky book set in a creepy old house and made you question if the main character (Clara Dawson) was being haunted by not only ghosts, but also by her memory. This book was a thriller set in the 1930s, when a young woman named Clara learns she inherits Hollowfield House from her estranged father, but Clara quickly learns she inherited more than just an old house. The book created a spooky ambiance and feelings of unease because you didn’t know what laid in the shadows and if Hollowfield House was haunted by more than just ghosts.



Thank you to the author and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for providing me with an ARC of this book!

I was hooked from the first page and enjoyed the historical mystery element to this book. I was engaged with what was happening with the characters and thought the inheritance element worked overall. It has that Gothic suspense element that I was hoping for and glad everything worked overall. Amelie West wrote this in a way that worked and was glad I got to read this.

A huge thank you to Amelie West and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of An Insidious Inheritance! This book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I absolutely loved the 1930s setting - it was such a fun trip back in time, especially during the Prohibition era.

The story follows Clara, who learns that her estranged father has passed away, and she feels a sense of relief knowing she no longer has to deal with him anymore. She soon discovers that she’s inherited Hollowfield House, an old inn that’s been abandoned for some time and is known by locals as eerie and unwelcoming.

When Clara arrives at the house, it’s in disarray and filthy, but she decides to stay and clean it up with the hope of getting it on the market for a quick sale. However, once she’s there, strange things begin to happen - she feels watched, hears mysterious creaks in the floorboards, and thinks she sees shadowy figures lurking. As she digs deeper through the house, and drawers, Clara discovers that her father’s secrets are far darker than she ever imagined.

This story had me guessing at every turn, and I was completely taken by surprise. It’s spooky, mysterious, and features a slow-burn romance. The pacing starts a bit slow, but by about 15-20%, I was fully hooked.

Thanks again to Amelie and NetGalley for sharing this ARC with me! I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the character of Clara. She’s strong, justice-driven like myself, and felt incredibly real. I also had some goosebumps throughout the story as well. :) Always a good thing!

I wanted to enjoy this and really tried. Unfortunately there wasn't quite enough plot to keep me going. Just seemed like the same thing happening in each chapter without enough explanation to make it believable.

3.5

It has been complicated for me to put my thoughts and feelings into words. I was interested because it's labeled an historical mystery, but it didn't come off as one. Clara didn't start investigating until nearly halfway through, and then societal norms for a single woman in the 30's didn't really come into play. They got brought up, but it didn't hinder Clara in any way that they would and should have. So personally, I would consider this a ghost or haunted house story instead of historical mystery.

Admittedly, I didn't like Clara for the first quarter of the book and a couple moments later on. I get that she has a strong, independent nature, which would be needed given the times, but to me she just came off harsh [b-word-y] for no reason. The romantic subplot, one second being attracted to someone to then suddenly being rude, didn't help matters. I did end up liking her in the end, though, it just took some time to warm up to her.

The pacing in the beginning was a little off and repetitive as things were being set up, however, it did settle nicely once all the main pieces were finally in place.

The mystery itself, I enjoyed. As someone who reads a lot of mysteries, parts were predictable, but others were not, which was nice. While this is as listed as the first book in a series, everything gets wrapped up nicely that it could be read as a standalone, making it perfect for someone who may be getting into mysteries for the first time.

DNF at 31%

I could not get into this book. It was marketed as a gothic suspense mystery and West did make some scenes suspenseful/creepy but then it was negated by the over thinking of the main character, Clara. It wasn't horrible but mundane is the best way to describe the plotting and characters and would fit better in a book that isn't supposed to be a thriller-esque type of book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In 1933, Clara is living her life, struggling to make ends meet from day to day, dreaming of a better life to come. As she's working in her typewriter position, she's called to the front desk to meet an officer who wants to see her. He gives her the news that her father is dead. She needs to call the funeral home to make arrangements. She swore years ago that she wouldn't even attend her father's funeral, now here she's expected to make the arrangements herself. Days go by as she ignores her thoughts on her past, and she receives a letter that she's the sole inheritor of Hollowfield House. She didn't even know such a thing existed. She decides to drive the several hrs to see the place in hopes that she can sell and get back on her feet. When arriving at Hollowhield she's greeted with many things but none of them are really good. Has she just inherited an unsellable haunted house? How about the handsome man who claims he's the grounds keeper? Can she trust him?
Debut Novel by Amelie West. I'd put in the gothic suspense, historical mystery reading genres.

Thank you to Amelie West, and NetGalley for allowing me this eversion arc in exchange for my opinion.

In 1933, Clara Dawson inherits Hollowfield House when her estranged father dies, and she travels there with the hope that it will provide a potential escape from her financial troubles. However, eerie encounters—a mysterious locket, an unsigned letter, and someone watching her—leave her questioning her sanity and her estranged father’s sudden death. As she delves into the inn’s dark past, Clara uncovers sinister secrets and faces a chilling force determined to keep the truth buried at any cost.

So, when I began this, I expected it to be gothic in the sense that strange things happen but have a rational explanation. I wasn’t expecting it to be paranormal with actual ghosts. That is not my type of book, so my opinion is colored by that fact.

The first part of the book set up a sense of suspense. Clara has to face the shadows of her past. There is a bit of a romance with the caretaker of the inn, but I wasn’t pulled in. I also didn’t understand the leaps in understanding Clara made as she tried to learn the truth.

Readers who like paranormal historical mysteries will probably appreciate this one more than I did.

This isn’t a mystery—it’s a thriller. It starts out fine, but once Clara gets to her father’s house, the story stalls. Pages and pages of Clara trying to figure out whether the woman she keeps seeing is real or a figment of her imagination, with nothing else really happening. DNF.

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

I don’t know where to begin!!!
This takes place during the prohibition era in the US (30s) and the FMC finds herself in a creepy small town because her father died and an inn he owned now goes to her. Clara plans to sell the house though, because girl’s got to pay her bills in that Depression era!
Who would’ve known that paranormal and creepy stuff would throw the biggest of wrenches in her plan?!?!
This was suuuper creepy to read. I loved the writing style and the FMC’s personality (kind of unlikable but also strong AF given the times). It also had a dash of romance (small dash, a teaspoon if you will) which was nice! The ending was satisfying as well. Big bow on it and call it a day.

Posted to Goodreads: 1/10/2025

If you are looking for a 1930s, chilling mystery, look no further. West does a great job of creating a spine tingling atmosphere, as well as letting the story unfold with new details and events that drive the plot. This is a book that truly grabbed my attention within the first few pages, and kept it throughout the entirety of the story. I was given the opportunity to review this book through NetGalley, and I hope it finds readers that will appreciate the story as much as I did!

A gothic tale that is so beautifully written- with a story SO hauntingly engaging, you won't want to put this book down!

Clara inherits her estranged father's inn after he passes and she absolutely wants nothing to do with it. Her plan is to drive down to the small town he moved to decades ago and sell it to pay off her debts. However, once she arrives, strange things start happening. At first she wishes to flee- but once she dives in to her father's belongings left at the inn, she discovers some unsettling details that REALLY freak the reader out, and rightfully so. Her father was a terrible human being while he was alive, so what really happened? You'll have to read to find out!

I was extremely captivated by this read, and adored how West wrote such an atmosphere that I felt like I was Clara, creeping through the inn and woods at night myself. I am very excited for more Clara Dawson books to come out!!

Thank you to the author and Net Galley for this advanced reader copy!

This book was delightfully spooky and brilliant. For the first book of the series, I thought this was well-written and had a Gothic vibe. I loved the characters in the book and how they interacted with each other. Clara was a person who wanted to get to the bottom of why the Inn was so haunted. However, her investigation seemed to have started later in the book than I expected. This book brought emotional baggage for Clara and I thought that it was perfect that we saw a main character that wasn't perfect. Clara and Tuck's romance seemed to grow a little too quickly and there wasn't one particular moment when I realized that these two had a thing for each other. Despite this being the first book of a series, I feel like this could have done better as a stand-alone book as the ending did tie in some loose ends. The era was well-researched and the book is perfect for a Halloween read.

Clara is struggling financially. She learns that her estranged father has passed away and unexpectedly inherits Hollowfield House, a remote inn at the edge of a small town that she’s never heard of. She intends to sell the inn but when she arrives she comes face to face with the chilling mysteries that haunt it’s halls.

The spooky vibes were immaculate here. I enjoyed the mystery aspect. Although I struggled with the pacing at times and predicted the “villain” pretty early on, I did enjoy the story nonetheless. Clara is a character that you can’t help but root for and the slow-burn romance was a nice addition to the story.

Read if you like eerie historical mysteries with a bit of paranormal activity.

Many thanks to Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op for the ARC!

3.75 Stars! I love historical fiction laced with romantic tension and gothic suspense, so An Insidious Inheritance was right up my alley. Set in upstate New York in 1933, it follows Clara Dawson, who inherits a mysterious inn she didn’t even know existed. The eerie vibes of Hollowfield House were perfection—just the right amount of creepy and atmospheric.

Clara was such a great FMC, and I loved rooting for her as she unraveled the inn’s sinister secrets. While some twists were a little predictable, the story was still super entertaining and a quick, easy read. The slow-burn romance added a nice touch, and I’m a sucker for a spooky yet cozy mystery like this. If you’re into gothic mysteries with a dash of romance and a historical twist, this one’s definitely worth picking up.