"...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!

This was such a deliciously gothic read, I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. Had my hairs standing up at times and me on the edge of my seat at others. I was utterly enchanting by the writing and didn't want it to finish. I will definitely be reading more by the author

4⭐️

Just for the starters, the horror/gothic environment got me trapped instantly. As much as the very detailed descriptions about everything, starting with the scenarios until the character’s personality and actions!
I’m mesmerized for the richness description of Blackthorn House. I mean I was able to visualize every single room that was described with every detail the author gave us, the walls, the fabrics used, the lighting…Chef’s kiss.👌🏻

About the characters, whoa! I mean our strong FMC, Evelyn, the woman she is! I believe it will be very difficult for someone not to suffer and be happy for every single step and difficulty she passed, the way she discovers herself stronger and resilient…I myself suffered, a lot, for her, felt every emotion, angst, fear, sadness she passed through. That being said, all the readers please pay attention to the trigger warnings list the author provided, before you read.
Also, I felt so attached to Lilly! Their friendship melted my heart and some tears just fell!
A little mention to our “beloved” Peter…If I could I would jump inside of the book and finish him with my own hands because…arg…smh!

About the plot and storyline, I adored the way the it was written! So detailed and everything counts to the storytelling, the writing is very vivid and rich! As someone who loves mythology, the use of Norse mythology to enrich and build the storyline was much appreciated.
The ending made me scared and anxious!

So if you like a gothic horror story with a rich scenario descriptions, vivid characters, to feel everything every character feels, being attached to them, being transported to a world that incorporates ancient magic, then this is just the book you need. It was such a delight reading this book and feel all the gothic horror vibes coming. I loved it 🖤

Thank you very much to Marie McWilliams and NetGalley for giving me the access to the ARC

Evelyn just got married to Peter and is ready to start her new life with her husband. When Peter inherits the title of Lord Black and the family home, Evelyn has to move to the Yorkshire Moors, leaving life as she knows it behind. Soon things start taking a weird turn when she starts having weird dreams and hears things that shouldn’t be there. Can Evelyn, with the help of her trusted servant and friend Lilly, solve the mystery?
▪
This book has everything it needs to make it a gothic horror: a creepy house in a remote location, distant staff, weird noises in the house, …
Sometimes the vibe reminded me a bit of the movie Crimson Peak.
The book has some tense events but those started to feel a bit repetitive after a while.
This was a shorter book with a lot happening but it managed to capture that classic gothic horror feeling.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quill & Crow Publishing House for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a mood. It is eerie, spooky, and has a great premise. I thoroughly enjoyed the Norse mythology with one of my favorite mythical beings. It's not one you see a lot in main stream culture, so I was so excited to see a nice representation.

The pacing was a little slow for me. The FMC drove me nuts a lot throughout the book, but a lot of heroines in horror are like that. I still had fun reading it though.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quill & Crow Publishing House for the ARC.

A thrilling gothic horror following Evelyn as she discovers things might not seem to be as expected.
With all the attention to detail I felt as though I was experiencing every moment along side Evelyn in Blackthorn house. However the time jumps from hours to days and months did leave me slightly confused at times. Overall I enjoyed this novel and that you @NetGalley and Marie McWilliams for the opportunity to read this work of art.

This was an enjoyable gothic horror story, but it moved along at a bit of a slow pace. The one part that really moved fast was when Evelyn found out right after her wedding that her husband hates her! Off they go to his creepy, haunted family home isolated out in the moors. I loved the setting, but thought the middle dragged for a bit - cruel housekeeper treating her like shit, her personal maid taken from her and barely allowed to see her. She is not allowed to go to the village after her one visit goes sideways. OK, I get it - she's a prisoner and cut off from her family. It picked up at the end with the violent, haunted climax.

A new bride excited to build a future with her handsome new husband, finds herself questioning everything she thought she knew.

After a sudden family death, Peter and Evelyn Black are obligated to step into the role of Lord and Lady Black. Evelyn's world is shattered as she realizes the man she married was not as he seemed. The story follows the path of Evelyn as she discovers not only who Peter is, but also that she is much stronger than she knew.

This story is well written and holds the reader's attention right to the last page.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a thrilling page turner .

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for providing a free copy to review.

This book is so atmospheric and eery! I picked it up because the blurb was giving me Crimson Peak vibes and it absolutely delivered! I thoroughly enjoyed the story, and only gave 4 stars because it took me a while and multiple times picking it up to get sucked into the story, but once I was in I was hooked!

I was absolutely sucked into this story from the prologue and first part of the novel however the middle was so slow paced for me and lacked substances to keep me interested. I had to force myself to get to the ending. Which I am glad I did because I enjoyed the ending and Peter's down fall.

Peter's slow slippage into madness once they arrived at Blackthorne house was intriguing and enticing enough to want me to see it through until the end.


I loved Evelyn's strong will and perseverance to solve the curse and mystery of Blackthorne and the Black Family and to protect her unborn child at all costs.

If you love Crimson Peak you will love this book.

My only issue with the book was the slow pacing in the middle and the pages of over description. I found myself skipping paragraphs because we were still describing a room. It felt more like filler than needed description.

A secret involving a bargain paid in blood, dreams haunted by an entity wearing her mother’s corpse and a whirlwind romance that can only end in tears.

A historical gothic horror that delivers of the decaying decadence of the environment, the grotesque brutality of power paid for in blood but leaves a chill down your spine. A perfect execution for a horror novel.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐥 & 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞 𝐌𝐜𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐬

A few things here, first the summary said it's his uncle that dies, but it's not, it was his father. Second I did feel like some of it was worded weirdly. It could just be the way I read it and I misread something but a few sentences had me like "that's a new way of saying that". The horror was phenomenal. I was on the end of my seat the whole time. I really liked this one. I think this book will be satisfying to anyone who likes horror and mystery. This author should be very proud of this masterpiece!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC!

I’m a sucker for a gothic “Rebecca”-esque tale so I was excited to get my hands on this.
It was definitely enjoyable and scratched this itch, but a bit of the pacing and plot felt off to me. Time passed very quickly - months would be missing where nothing happened? And then an hour would take forever sometimes. Also the plot was quite predictable but also not quite complex enough to make me curious to keep going.

I did not like the last page either...

Overall, a quick gothic ghost story, but nothing groundbreaking in my opinion. Still good for an Autumn read!

The Secrets of Blackthorn House is a sumptuous gothic tale following Evelyn. Newly married to the charming and sweet Peter, Evelyn’s life is perfect. But when Peter’s father dies suddenly, he inherits the title of Lord Black and the couple are whisked to Blackthorn House, their new home. Here, Peter becomes a different person, and there are secrets and ghostly presences around every corner.

The Secrets of Blackthorn House has a wealth of characters that you will love and you will hate: your heart will break for Evelyn and Lily as they navigate their way through their new life and the danger surrounding them.
I loved the way that this story brings together classic gothic elements and Norse mythology in a really unexpected way. The harrowing nature of the changing relationship between Evelyn and Peter added a really interesting dimension to the story that really elevated it.
The almost immediate change in Peter’s demeanour really threw me, and I think that helped my experience.
Some shock elements are woven into the plot to keep you gripped, but overall this is an iconic gothic tale that both comforted and thrilled me.

This was not my favorite. I found it difficult to get into and the FMC seemed kind of blah. All of the characters were kind of shallow and I didn’t understand their motives (beyond the obvious). I love a good gothic horror and I will say the gore was fun, but it was all written with a sense of detachment where I’d find myself skimming even the most intense scenes.

I do love a period/historical read and the ending of this book was intense. I went from 75% to the end in one sitting - it really had a hold on me! There were ghosts, goddesses and righting wrongs! It was brilliant.

Unfortunately, it took the last 25% to have me hooked. I felt there was too much about Evelyn’s thoughts repeating in multiple paragraphs just using different words. I would have liked to meet her whilst falling in love with Peter, before they got married, to get a feel for what he was like. I think this would have made me understand her confusion towards the change in his behaviour, and given both characters a bit more depth.

All in all ⭐️⭐️⭐️ for this read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.