i think that rather than Rebecca like i had initially assumed, the plot for the most part is actually very reminiscent of Elizabeth Gaskell's gothic novella The Grey Woman (which i loved) although the author has added her own spin with the supernatural aspect.

On the other hand the vibes that i got from this book has put in my mind of gothic horror films that were produced by Hammer Films in the 60's-70's or any other british/italian gothic films at that time which is a compliment because vivid atmosphere in a gothic book is a must for me. the author took the pain to described in detail the Blackthorn Hall that resulted in a very gloomy, but at the same time very lurid, claustrophobic atmosphere. Like i totally visualized it in my head in technicolor lol. what's more there's no brooding misunderstood husband here, because he's an out-and-out villain almost from the start. And also the final act really got me thinking what if the author really wrote the book as a homage for those gothic films in the past?

Thank you to NetGalley and Quill & Crow Publishing House for providing a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.

“The Secrets of Blackthorn House” is an enjoyable gothic horror novel that I definitely recommend checking out if you enjoy this genre. The protagonist Evelyn moves to Blackthorn House and there she is subjected to some terrifying events. I enjoyed her as the main character, but most of the other characters - with the exception of her friend Lilly - were either fairly dull or too over-the-top. This does have some nice scares throughout the story, but I was left a little underwhelmed by the ending. Would still definitely recommend checking this one out though!

Thanks to Quill & Crow Publishing House, Marie McWilliams and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

1.25/5.

I wanted to love this book so much—the commitment to certain folklore that I don't find utilized enough in horror, female rage and friendship, and the historical, cyclical nature of abuse were all things that drew me in as a reader and things I wanted to learn so much more about through the lens of the Black family and the secrets it held.

Unfortunately, I felt as if this book was a source of missed potential. The ideas that could have really shined were diminished by a main villain that was one-dimensional and cartoonishly evil to the point where I felt continually pulled out of the story as a whole (especially near the end at the final confrontation), and the lyrical prose undercut immediately after by plain-text explanations just served to dull Evelyn as a protagonist and somewhat insult the intelligence of the reader. The parts that I loved were stellar, but the almost-childish nature of the rest of the novel left me disillusioned by the very real messaging that the story was trying to convey. Stories of female liberation through the lens of gothic horror are very hard to pull off properly; when done well, they're incredible, but too often the neglect of one leads to what feels like insincerity coming through on behalf of the other. Unfortunately, I think this novel continued this trend—and as a result, is not personally something I find myself able to recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quill & Crow Publishing House for the (and my very first!) ARC.

Hello there strangers and welcome back for a new review at the Library of Babel. Grab a cup of tea and sit down to listen this spooky story that hasn't been released yet. I'm talking about "The Secrets of Blackthorn House" written by Marie McWilliams which will be published this August.
Obviously I couldn't help myself when I read the title of this novel while browsing on Netgalley...I mean, an ancient and gothic mansion with old secrets? Here I am. Of course, I would like to say thank you to Netgalley and the publishing house for the ARC copy and the trust in me.

Evelyn is so happy after her wedding with Peter Black. He comes from a powerful family, he has blue eyes, he loves her and their first night spent together was tender and amazing. Unfortunately, his dad dies the exact morning after and this means he will be the new chief of Black Family. He and Evelyn have to move to Blackthorn House, the family manor in the Yorkshire. Evelyn is scared of this manor and she only saw it in a painting, which gave her goosebumps. Once moved there, Evelyn and Lilly, her maid, start hearing whispers, voices, seeing shadows lurking in the darkness. At the beginning, Evelyn thinks she's mad like her mother but when a scary being half rotten dead and half her mother visits her in dream and leaves signs on her body, she knows it's all real. Lilly and Evelyn make their goal to discover what's the terrible secret and evil that involves Blackthorn House and then flee.

“A scream pierced the silence of night, a dissonant note of fear and despair. “

The writing style of the author is captivating and pushes the reader to read more and more. Little warning, the novel is pretty spooky. Especially from halfway to the end and there are bloody scenes not adapt to everyone. Anyway, I really enjoyed it. I believe the author's idea of involving a tiny bit of Norse Mythology with the presence of Hel and runes for ritual was pretty good. And if you are passionate about those myths like me you're gonna spot Hel and know who she is since her first appearance. The whole plot develops around Evelyn and her being conscious of her sight. The ability of hearing ghosts and seeing them. She goes from being afraid of her own shadow to accept her gift and use it to flee Blackthorn House and save her unborn son. I liked how the author made her stronger through difficulties. Evelyn believed her husband was the perfect man and when Peter turned out to be a nightmare and a murderer, she accepted the reality with pain and fought.
I loved Lilly, Evelyn's maid, she played an important role in supporting and helping Evelyn. She has been the friend Evelyn needed at the right time.
As for Peter, I hated the guy since the beginning and I'm happy of...can't say more :|

“The house - a large, old-fashioned manor with a dozen smokeless chimneys and darkened windows - appeared as lifeless as its surroundings, but for a single window on the upper right-hand side which, when closely examined, showed a small shadowy figure lit by the glow of a single light. “

To conclude, I recommend this novel to readers who love spooky and gothic atmospheres, old ancient and cursed manors and a protagonist who is able to see ghosts. Perfect to read during Halloween period!

Ooooh I loved this! I am such a sucker for gothic horrors & I ate this one UP. She meets & marries in a whirlwind romance, and moves to her husbands ancestral home where things began to go awry. Very Rebecca-coded, yet with its own twists and breathing new life into the characters. I loved!

Evelyn and Peter are newly wedded when his father dies and leaves him heir to Blackthorn. The two are happy until they reach the house and everything seems to change. Evelyn becomes a prisoner and Peter becomes a stranger. Death seems to be everywhere. Is it coming for Evelyn too? I like Gothic tales; this was one of the darkest stories I have ever read. But then again, I do not read horror tales. Give me a sweet romance with a HEA. It was a good story. It ties up the loose ends but left room for a possible sequel. I would be interested in reading a sequel.

Definitely darker than I expected but I thought the author did a great job with the gothic atmosphere and creating a sense of real dread. The main character is in fight or flight the whole book and you really root for her.

The Secrets of Blackthorn House totally pulled me in with its mix of mystery, family drama, and that eerie, atmospheric vibe. Marie McWilliams really nails creating layered characters that feel real, each with their own struggles and dreams.

The house itself feels like a character, too—its creepy, hidden corners and rich history added so much depth to the story. The secrets unfold slowly, keeping me hooked and wanting to learn more with the protagonist. The emotional journey is complex, touching on forgiveness, identity, and the ties that bind us.

McWilliams’ writing is gorgeous—she paints the story in vivid detail, making both the setting and the emotions come to life.

The Secrets of Blackthorn House delivers on atmosphere—it's undeniably creepy and richly evocative, with a haunted house setting that keeps you turning the pages. The mood and setting are the novel’s strongest elements, crafting an immersive sense of unease throughout.

However, the characters left me underwhelmed. Evelyn, the protagonist, didn’t feel especially compelling, and the supporting cast also lacked depth. I found the transitions between character motivations a bit jarring, especially as secrets and plot twists were revealed. The moral landscape felt too black and white—I was hoping for more morally grey characters, but instead got a fairly clear divide between good and evil, which made the narrative feel predictable at times.

The backstory of the house held promise and initial intrigue, but ultimately wrapped up in a way that felt a little too tidy and convenient for my taste. As an avid reader with lots of books to compare it to, I may be more critical than most—but for fans of haunted house stories, hold-your-breath tension, and who don’t mind some dark themes involving violence and abuse, this one may still hit the mark.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

First, thank you to NetGalley and Quill and Crow Publishing House for the ARC of this book for review. Now, let me say wow, I am blown away by this book. I am not one that usually reads books about creepy houses filled with ghosts (no spoilers in this review, promise). But this one truly caught my attention and kept it.
From a whirlwind romance to a completely different fate, we follow Evelyn as she learns to navigate her new role as Lady Black. But things are not as they seem at Blackthorn House.
This is a book that I could easily recommend for anyone. Creepy house? Check. Best friend by your side? Check. Unpredictable? Check. I could go on and on about this book, but I won’t. Marie McWilliams, you outdid yourself. I will be thinking about this one for a while. 5 stars.

It was so disappointing , gosh that was dramatically the most exhausting book I've ever read , no offense to the author , I love their writing style so much but the chapters and characters were so boring , I mau give it another try but not for now

Thank you NetGalley and Quill & Crow for the opportunity to read and review the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Gothic horror done right! If you enjoyed the classic Rebecca, this might just be right up your alley. A whirlwind romance quickly becomes a living nightmare in the remote Blackthorn House. Something is not right in Evelyn’s new home and her husband is becoming a stranger. It was a suspenseful, chilling, and atmospheric read that will have you gripping the pages until the very end.

This book was horror done right!!
It was very creepy, sad and chilling but honestly amazing!!
I’m honestly obsessed with this book and will be recommending to EVERYONE!!

4.5 stars. Fantastic gothic horror. Evelyn is a very happy newlywed when the death of her father-in-law (the day after her wedding) means she must move with her new husband to their isolated home. It's gloomy, the staff are standoffish, the local townspeople won't speak with her. Oh, and there are ghosts everywhere. This book starts with a terrifying scene and doesn't let up. I loved this book and I really recommend you read it in one sitting--allow the darkness and fear to really sink in. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC

The Secrets of Blackthorn House by Marie McWilliams

The Secrets of Blackthorn House completely drew me in with its blend of mystery, family secrets, and atmospheric setting. Marie McWilliams has a wonderful talent for creating characters that feel real and layered, each carrying their own burdens and hopes.

I loved how the house itself almost becomes a character—its history and hidden corners adding depth and intrigue to the story. The slow unraveling of secrets kept me hooked, eager to discover the truth alongside the protagonist. The emotional journey was heartfelt and complex, exploring themes of forgiveness, identity, and the ties that bind us.

McWilliams’ writing is rich and evocative, painting a vivid picture of both the physical and emotional landscapes. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy mysteries that go beyond surface thrills to explore family dynamics and personal growth.

The Secrets of Blackthorn House stayed with me well after I finished, a haunting and beautiful story that I’d recommend to anyone who loves a gripping tale full of heart.

"...Blackthorn's silent song was a wail of lamentation,"

Such an excellent and believable ghost story made more so by the writer's impeccable writing. I loved it. There are no long-winded and convoluted introduction to the haunting: we are plunged straight into it in all it's atmospheric, horrifying and unsettling glory.
The brooding mansion, the family curses and legacy, the search for truth, friendships, fears, worries and scares along with all the underlying themes are done well.
This writer's prose is rich, beautiful and very gothic - her descriptions are so colorful.
It's a testament to the excellent writing that I was rooting for Evelyn, her unborn child and Lilly. I felt it when Lilly died.
I look forward to more from this writer.

4,5 ⭐

This is what I call a chilling gothic historical horror story 🖤
It is so moody and creepy. The atmosphere is just what I love in a gothic tale and the writing is very good.

It felt like I read a dark classic.

Good pace, good writing and I enjoyed it a lot👌

"I learned early on, ma'am, that if you don't listen to their whispers, you force them to scream."

And screaming I did! At every plot twist, at the sick men and what they represent, and during the entire wild ride that was the ending!

It has been a while since a book was able to capture my attention for hours on end, but The secrets of Blackthorn House succeeded at just that. Not only is the writing beautiful, the story was sooo well-paced and full of intrigue. The nightmares are sickening, and the ghosts are my favourite characters.

Every piece of the puzzle is carefully placed, making the story flowing and the new discoveries organic. I loved the Scandinavian backstory, and the powerful feminist ending. The house that at times seemed alive, the servants that refused to even acknowledge Evelyn and the eery atmosphere of the moors turned this book into perfection. Loved it!

4.5/5 stars rounded up.

I have a huge weakness for gothic, haunted houses and this completely delivered. This was such an atmospheric and unsettling story. I particularly loved the moments where our main character, Evelyn, was first starting to experience the ghosts within Blackthorn House. Her fear and curiosity were handled extremely well.

I really loved the dynamics between the women in this book. I thought the writing was beautiful as were the descriptions. I liked how the reader very quickly is able to get a taste of the type of person that Peter, Evelyn's wife, is going to be. This is a book that has some sensitive content yet it isn't overdone, in my opinion. That being said, you can either check the bottom of this review for some of the content warnings that I tagged or check the back pages of this book for the author's included CWs.

This was a medium to slow paced book but it didn't feel boring to me at any point. While the ending was a bit predictable to me, it was so satisfying that I found myself not minding. This is definitely going to be a book that I purchase once we reach the publication date. This was my first book that I've read by Marie McWilliams and I will definitely read more by her in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quill & Crow Publishing House for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

CW: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Suicide

Upcoming 4 ⭐️ horror novel!

Newlywed Evelyn is excited to start her new life with husband Peter, following their whirlwind romance. However, shortly after they wed, Peter inherits the title Lord Black and the property of Blackthorn House. As soon as they move into the isolated manor, Peter’s true sinister nature reveals itself, as Evelyn struggles to uncover the mysterious past associated with both her new living quarters and the family she has married into.

This story had a lot of different horror elements: human monsters, ghosts, suspense, and a sprinkling of gore. Overall, I enjoyed the writing style, the storyline, and the supernatural elements. I enjoyed the historical setting, as well, which helped to add suspense to the novel.

In some parts I did find the story to drag slightly, yet those parts were brief, and quickly followed by new, exciting material. Those small portions are what kept me from rating this 5 stars.

I would definitely recommend this novel for fans of supernatural horror!