"A startling mystery and a longing for love link two women, a century apart, in a haunting novel about family secrets by the Amazon Charts bestselling author of The Lost Letters of Aisling.

Jewelry designer Lindsey McKenna is thrilled to be working at an antique exhibit at a local landmark that has been her obsession: the Wind Thorne estate. During the 1920s, it roared. Until an unsolved murder shadowed its legacy. Today, restored as a museum, Wind Thorne draws crowds of visitors to upstate New York. When one of them approaches Lindsey with an old diary, Lindsey is drawn deeper into Wind Thorne's storied past.

It's 1925 when young Ruby Thornhill steals her beloved sister's engagement ring - a naive but heartfelt attempt to stall her upcoming wedding, which Ruby fears will tear the siblings apart. What the theft triggers thrusts Ruby into danger, and with it comes the realization that Wind Thorne is home to potentially inescapable secrets.

Aided by a charming gemologist, Lindsey gradually uncovers Wind Thorne's history - and to her surprise, her own history as well. Now two young women, nearly a century apart, are righting the wrongs of their family and putting the past, and all its heartbreaking mysteries, to rest."

Stealing a ring is a bit risky. It's a pricey item that can trigger extreme reactions...

"The Cut of the Moon" is one of my favorite types of novels - a dual timeline historical fiction that combines mystery and romance in dual timeline. The characters were interesting and kept me reading to see what was going to happen. It was well written, and I was honestly the ending was not what I was expecting but it was such a fun twist. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy!

.Ruby, a young girl who steals her sister's engagement ring, is hoping to stop Elizabeth's imminent wedding. It turns out that there's an identical faux ring and it also gets stolen. At this point, her family's servant is killed and Ruby--who is also being sexually harassed by her uncle--flees the house with a neighbor to become a servant in another town. At this point, it just isn't clear why she does this...

Decades later, Lindsay (a gem artist) is hunting that ring and encounters as much danger as Ruby did. She buys a diary from someone who was connected to Ruby and uncovers Ruby's sordid story. Lindsay also discovers a personal connection to the story.

There were parts of this book that were well written. However, many things that the protagonists did just seemed inexplicable. I kept turning back in the book to see if I had missed some pages. I had not.

I will give this book a 3.

4.5
This was so good. It did take me a little bit to get into it but then I was hooked.
The story goes back and forth between late 1920s and present day. The 1920 storyline follows Ruby. She is a young girl living with her family at Wind Thorne estate. Rubi steaks her sister’s engagement ring to try and stop her sister’s wedding. A few days before the wedding, she sees the dead body of a servant. Ruby is afraid of what happened to the servant. She is also afraid to be left alone with her uncle Peter. Her sister was her only protection from him and she is leaving. She decides to run off with a neighbor boy, Chester. They run off after Chester’s brother Elliot. They run to New York. They stay on New York and work as servants. After the Great Depression hits she goes back home. The present day story follows Lindsey. She is the great granddaughter of the former owners of Wind Thorne. She has returned to help her aunt. Her aunt has been restoring Wind Thorne and is turning it into a museum. They are holding an antiques event and Lindsey, as a former jewelry designer, is going to help. While there she is approached by a woman who says she has a diary written by Ruby. Lindsey is excited and wants to aquire it for the estate. She is also looking for clues. The entire family was murdered shortly after Ruby returns home and the killers were never apprehended.

Ok I loved this one. I loved how the stories went back and forth. Each time line was really interesting. I was rushing to see what happened next. I loved that the first timeline is set in 1920s and the Great Depression. I really love seeing everything thru Ruby’s eyes. I love her descriptions of New York and everything that’s going on. I think the book so really well researched. I loved the relationship between Ruby and Chester. I wish I would have gotten even more detail of their relationship but that’s just me being greedy. Haha
I loved all of the descriptions of the jewelry. I could picture it. It all sounded so beautiful.
I loved how the mystery of what happened to Ruby and her family unravels. I enjoyed the relationship between Lindsey and her aunt.
Overall this was a fun and exciting book. I’m so glad I got to read it and can’t wait til share it with others

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review

The Cut of the Moon is one of my favorite types of novels - a dual timeline historical fiction with both mystery and romance in both timelines. It was well written and an enjoyable read, and I was honestly not expecting the historical mystery to end the way it did. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy!

Lindsay McKenna was happy to accept Aunt Petra's invitation to use her jewelry design and metalworking skills at an antique show fundraiser at Wind Thorne. Happy to help her aunt, Lindsay was eager to tour the estate to view the completed renovations. Although it took Aunt Petra some time to accept her inheritance of the estate, she transformed it into a well-regarded museum with care and diligence after it had been abandoned for years due to an unsolved murder. After an unexpected encounter at the antique show, Lindsay couldn't have imagined everything that would happen in the following weeks.

I enjoy novels that intertwine two timelines, linking the contemporary narrative with events from the past. In this novel, the dual narratives are presented in alternating chapters, showcasing unique perspectives from two distinct characters: Ruby, the youngest daughter at Wind Thorne in the 1920s, and Lindsay, who navigates her life in the present day. This book stands out because, unlike many novels with dual timelines where one storyline tends to overshadow the other, both narratives are equally captivating. I found it difficult to put down either one, as each character's journey was compelling and deeply engaging.

The strong characterizations effectively showcase the societal norms of their times, family dynamics, and the various influences of human emotions—from fear and love to betrayal, disappointment, and loss—that shape life's connections and experiences. The depth of intrigue in Present Day is suspenseful, and I never imagined how the twists and turns would culminate, revealing even more about the generational history of Wind Thorne.

I love a good dual perspective book! Both Ruby and Lindsey are fleshed out characters who have this strange connection in the form of the mansion Wind Thorne. A large historical estate with a dark past... I was personally drawn to Ruby the most. Ruby, this young woman who’s stuck in a horrible situation and is trying to find a way out felt so real to me. However, as I continued reading, Lindsey too became more of a key figure in the story. Now, the story itself is very interesting and the dual perspective keeps things fresh and forces you to flip the page. However, around halfway through the book I kind of lost sight on what the actual main storyline was.
There were so many things happening in both past and present timeline that I was just a bit lost by the end of it. This is why it's a 3 star for me. Great characters, but a difficult plot to follow once both timelines reach a key plot point.

This was a thoroughly entertaining dual timeline historical novel from an author I had not read before. I look forward to reading more of her work.

The Cut of The Moon is a thrilling historical fiction book, with expertly woven dual-timelines and a twist you won’t see coming!

Ruby is not someone I liked at times, but her growth and backstory moved me and helped me understand her actions. Through Lindsey discovering Ruby’s story, we learn the history behind Wind Thorne and the tragedy that struck its occupants centuries ago.

A gripping book, I look forward to reading more from this author.

4 stars out of 5 ⭐️

I enjoyed every moment of this book! I simply couldn't put it down.
What intrigued me most was the secrets/mystery part of this story. I love sleuthing along with our main characters. I also really appreciated the historical time line.
I love dual time lines. They always keep me intrigued because I love seeing how it all eventually wraps up.
I want to be honest however I loved Ruby's story best. I enjoyed her setting most. It's not often that you get to read about the roaring 20's.
This is a fast paced story that has it all!
5 stars for a job well done. Highly recommended!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

If you are looking for a dual timeline story that has a very nice mystery theme then The Cut of the Moon is the book for you. I was very intrigued with this novel has there seemed to be also sorts of twists and turns which just made it the most exciting. I am keeping my reviews short day because I don't wish to reveal too much and I want people to be more surprised. Overall I was very impressed by this novel.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC of this novel!

Dual timelines, historical fiction, mystery, theft, family secrets? This book has it all! Highly recommended!

𝒜𝑅𝒞 ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨- 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕔𝕦𝕥 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕠𝕟 💎

Spoilers incoming!

"saying they would be better off in captivity is not true, and it's not right. Slavery has been abolished, and that’s what this is, no matter how you want to frame it."

Hello, my sweet, awful creatures! 🦇

From time to time, I find myself unsure about what to say regarding the book I've read, and once again, I'm at that point. I can truthfully say, however, that I really enjoyed it and would gladly read it again! Let’s dive into this review, shall we?

The story is narrated by two characters across different timelines that are somehow connected. It begins with Ruby, the youngest daughter of the Windthorne family, who finds herself in the middle of a crime scene when a chilling scream echoes through the mansion in 1925, upstate New York.

After Ruby's story, we shift to Lindsey, who is visiting her aunt, the current owner of the Windthorne mansion. During her visit, she encounters a young woman claiming to possess a secret diary that belonged to her mother, who once worked at Windthorne. This unexpected interaction leaves Lindsey intrigued: wouldn't it be fantastic to learn more about the place and uncover her connections to Windthorne?

This book was nothing like I expected—it was so much better! What starts off as a feminist narrative evolves into a deeper exploration of feminism, slavery, romance, and heartbreak.

I was a sucker for Ruby's story!! I could have read the entire book just for her story alone. It was fascinating to witness her transformation and growth as she became more independent during her time in New York, working as the help in one of the wealthier areas. Her connection with Chester developed into something beautiful over time, making me feel all giddy and excited. I'm a slow-burn romance girly so two people falling in love, over time as they help each other out, looking out for each other while slowly realizing that they might be more than friends is so up my alley.

The depiction of slavery was revealed so subtly that when I finally encountered that part, I was shocked to my core! As the story unfolds through Ruby's perspective, we don’t see the darker side of the Windthorne family until Ruby grows into a young woman and realizes how hard the enslaved individuals in their home work. She could have chosen to look away, pretending not to know about their plight, but instead, she decided to fight for their lives and pursue true justice alongside Chester. Is it obvious that they're my favorite characters in this book?

To keep you on your toes, I'll leave you in the dark about Lindsey's story... or should I say her legacy?

Watch out for the release on December 16th this year, and allow yourself to be pulled into this mysterious tale!

Until next time!

Mira 💗

I loved this book. Cut of the Moon is beautifully written and rich with emotion, seamlessly weaving together past and present in a way that felt both powerful and natural. Cynthia Ellington’s storytelling is lyrical and layered—each chapter revealed a little more of the characters’ histories and heartaches, and I found myself completely drawn in.

What stood out most to me was how the two timelines echoed and informed each other, deepening the impact of every moment. This is one of those rare novels that stays with you long after you’ve finished it.

A definite five-star read.

This book drew me in from the first page. A dual storyline set between the 1920's and the present, the reader meets two strong women connected by a diamond engagement ring. We first meet Ruby in the earlier period. Upset by her sister's engagement and then the murder of a servant, she escapes to NYC with her neighbor where she starts life anew as a servant. in the present, we meet Lindsay who has come to the estate previously owned by Ruby's family to assist her aunt in the house's rennovation and documentation of its history. What follows is a page turning story of family secrets, fascinating characters and a brief section on human smuggling. Highly recommended, I can't wait to read more books from this author.

Cynthia Ellingsen’s The Cut of the Moon is a beautifully woven tale that masterfully combines historical intrigue with modern-day romance. Lindsey McKenna’s passion for jewelry and her work at the Wind Thorne estate immediately drew me in, and I appreciated how the story seamlessly shifts between the 1920s and the present day. The dual timelines are handled with care, revealing layers of family secrets, love, and betrayal that keep you hooked from start to finish. The mystery surrounding Ruby Thornhill’s theft and the subsequent dangers she faces adds a compelling tension that persists throughout Lindsey’s journey of discovery. I especially enjoyed the charm of her relationship with the gemologist—adding both warmth and depth to the story. The Cut of the Moon is a delightful blend of mystery, history, and heartfelt storytelling—well worth the read!

I loved the richness of it all. The estate. The secrets. The sisters. The slow burn of both the romance and the mystery. It was haunting in the most satisfying way, and it’s still lingering with me like a story that refuses to be forgotten.

Immersive and evocative, A Cut in the Moon offers readers an engrossing combination of mystery and heartwarming romance. Author Ellingsen seamlessly transitions between the past and present with equally compelling stories in each time period, offering gasp-worthy twists and revelations as she transports readers between the Glittering Roaring Twenties and its dark underbelly, the devastation of the Great Depression, and the current-day life of appealing heroine Linsey. An addictive and fully satisfying read.

I really love a dual timeline historical fiction novel. All the characters were very enjoyable, and the story had the perfect amount of mystery with a twist.

Goodness me, this was such a good book. Highly entertaining. Would definitely recommend to others, that's for sure!