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AD/PR 📮📚 BOOK POST 📚 📮 Many thanks to Josie @allisonandbusby for sending me a stunning hardback copy of #TheCurseOfPenrythHall by @jessl_armstrong I will be sharing my review on the upcoming blog tour but until then here is the synopsis: 1922. Since the Great War, Ruby Vaughn has made a life for herself running a rare bookshop alongside octogenarian Mr Owen. She thought that she had consigned painful memories of Penryth Hall, deep in the Cornish countryside, to the distant past. Returning to the hall, home to a once dear friend, Tamsyn, leads Ruby to cross paths with Tamsyn’s sinister husband, Sir Edward Chenowyth. Desperate to leave, Ruby’s plans are thwarted when Penryth’s bells ring for the first time in thirty years. Edward has been brutally killed in the orchard prompting fears that a dormant curse has been awoken. The Pellar, Ruan Kivell, is summoned. The locals believe that this unsettling man can break the curse. Sceptical Ruby doesn’t believe in curses or Pellars but to protect her friend, she must work alongside him to find out what really happened that night. #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #JessArmstrong #debutnovel #BookPost #readingaddict

#bookpost Thank you @allisonandbusby for a stunning finished copy of The Curse of Penryth Hall by @jessl_armstrong which will be published on 20 June I will be joining the blog tour for this murder mystery debut novel. . Synopsis: 1922. Since the Great War, Ruby Vaughn has made a life for herself running a rare bookshop alongside octogenarian Mr Owen. She thought that she had consigned painful memories of Penryth Hall, deep in the Cornish countryside, to the distant past. Returning to the hall, home to a once dear friend, Tamsyn, leads Ruby to cross paths with Tamsyn’s sinister husband, Sir Edward Chenowyth. Desperate to leave, Ruby’s plans are thwarted when Penryth’s bells ring for the first time in thirty years. Edward has been brutally killed in the orchard prompting fears that a dormant curse has been awoken. The Pellar, Ruan Kivell, is summoned. The locals believe that this unsettling man can break the curse. Sceptical Ruby doesn’t believe in curses or Pellars but to protect her friend, she must work alongside him to find out what really happened that night. #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #allisonandbusby #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookblogger #murdermystery #cornwall #fiction #readersofinstagram #debutnovel

The 📖: The Curse of Penryth Hall by @jessl_armstrong. After the Great War, heiress Ruby Vaughn finds herself delivering books (from the rare bookstore she operates with her octogenarian housemate) to the Cornish countryside. While there, Ruby stops to see her former close friend, Tamsyn. Married to Sir Edward Chenowyth, Ruby finds herself at the magnificent Penryth Hall—and soon embroiled in a murder. With the help of local healer Ruan Kivell (recipient of the book delivery), Ruby investigated whether the supposed curse plaguing Penryth Hall is real…or is something else at play? I didn’t realize I hadn’t posted a review on this book until I learned book 2 is slated to release this year! 🤦🏾‍♀️ Years ago, I went on a gothic novel kick after reading The Ivy Tree by Mary Stuart. This book captures all the adventure and Cornish lore of those gothic novels while adding well-developed characters and a thrilling mystery. This book was an excellent kick off to a series and I cannot wait to read about Ruby’s next adventure! Thank you to @netgalley and @minotaur_books for the advanced review copy. The Curse of Penryth Hall is out know and I highly recommend for some lore-filled, adventurous, and mysterious reading! #books #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #booksofig #booksofinsta #netgalley #netgalleyreads #jessarmstrong #gothicnovels

The Curse of Penryth Hall Jess Armstrong Rating: 🦄🦄🦄🦄 First off, thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for my digital copy of this book for review. I'm sad it took me so long to read it! Here's some bulletpoint thoughts: *enjoyable, complex characters *Gave me very Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre feels *Witchy/healer vibes *War stories *Very gothic, dark murder mystery with an ancient curse and found family *Beautiful scenery and setting *Hints of a past relationship between to 2 main FMCs, but no more than hints **This is a debut novel and the first in a series. The second will be coming out in December of this year! If you enjoy the dark, creepy, ancient curses, witchy mysteries, I would recommend looking at this one! #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #witchy #foundfamily #netgalley #ancientcurse #murdermystery #bulletpointreview #bookreview

Calling all fans of historical crime! We are looking for bloggers to review The Curse of Penryth Hall by @jessl_armstrong ahead of publication day next month. Sound good? Follow the link in our bio to sign up. #allisonandbusby #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong

Check out my review of The Curse of Penryth Hall by Jess Armstrong posted at The Fairy Tale Magazine today! I loved this one, and if you enjoy Gothic mysteries, you will love it too! Link in bio! 🍎🖤 #thefairytalemagazine #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #bookreview #bookrecommendations @thefairytalemag

Looking for your next cozy mystery read? I’ve got you covered with some great recommendations. Swipe through to see the books and read publishing blurbs. Featured books include: 💫 All Dressed Up by @jillygagnon 💫 The Curse of Penryth Hall by @jessl_armstrong 💫 The Maid by @nitaprose 💫 Dial A for Aunties by @jesseqsutato 💫 The Murder of Mr. Wickham by @claudia_gray 💫 Mother-Daughter Murder Night by @ninaksimon Which one(s) will you be adding to your #tbr? #cozymysterybooks #cozymysteries #mysteryrecommendations #cozyvibes #bookrecommendations #alldressedup #jillygagnon #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #themaid #nitaprose #dialaforaunties #jesseqsutanto #themurderofmrwickham #claudiagray #mother-daughtermurdernight #ninasimon #bookstagram

Book #19 #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #debutnovel #mystery #firstcrimenovelawardwinner An atmospheric gothic mystery that beautifully brings the ancient Cornish countryside to life.

I have a love/hate relationship with fantasy series. I love seeing a world come to life and watching how the characters grow, but the anticipation… Luckily, some of my favorite reads of 2023 recently announced their forthcoming sequels. Swipe through to read publishing blurbs and see anticipated release dates. 💫 Shadows of Perl by @authorjelle 💫 A Monsoon Rising by @theagwrites 💫 To Kill a Monstrous Prince by @mollyxchang 💫 The River and the Star by @gabrielaromerolacruz 💫 The Secret of the Three Fates by @jessl_armstrong 💫 The Fate of Magic by @sara_raasch and @bethrevis What sequels are you most looking forward to reading this year? #2024sequels #2024books #2024releases #fantasyseries #fantasyrecommendations #bookrecommendations #shadowsofperl #jelle #amonsoonrising #theaguanzon #tokillamonstrousprince #mollyxchang #theriverandthestar #gabrielaromerolacruz #thesecretofthethreefates #jessarmstrong #thefateofmagic #sararaasch #bethrevis #bookstagram

THE CURSE OF PENRYTH HALL by Jess Armstrong I was in when I read the word "gothic" in the description. I love moody, atmospheric mysteries with a hint of the supernatural. I knew this was right up my alley. I didn't know how much I would love the brassy wit and bravery of the main character, Ruby. She's American, but an unfortunate encounter with a married man results in her taking time to live abroad in England shortly after World War I. In her job assisting an octogenarian bookseller, she makes a delivery to a folk healer in the Cornish countryside. She knows she should complete the delivery and turn around for home. But she finds her way to Penryth Hall, where her once best friend Tamsyn lives as the wife of Sir Edward Chenowyth. One night in that cold home was a reason to leave, but the horrible nightmare she had sealed her decision. Before she can pack, the news arrives: Edward is murdered, and rumors begin that a long-ago curse on Penryth Hall has returned start to spread. The people in the village take the supernatural seriously and are convinced that the curse will take Ruby's friend Tamsyn next. Ruby has to join forces with the local folk healer, Ruan, to convince the town that this murder was committed by very human hands. Thanks to @Librofm and @Dreamscape_media I was able to listen to the audiobook. The narrator, @ThisEmmaLove, perfectly captured Ruby's spunky and brash way of speaking. It's period-perfect and it just adds to the fantastic story. I absolutely did not see the twist coming, which adds to the enjoyment for me! This is a twisty gothic novel with moments of humor and fun skillfully blended in. @jessl_armstrong @MinotaurBooks #TheCurseofPenrythHall #JessArmstrong #DreamscapeMedia #MinotaurBooks #GothicFiction #NewFiction #Audiobook #LibroFM #MysteryFiction #bookstagram #Librarian #LibraryLife

Happy hump day, all! I’m back with another belated book feature that I intended to share in December but the universe had other plans. Thank you so much to @minotaur_books for sending me an arc of THE CURSE OF PENRYTH HALL by Jess Armstrong. I actually shared this title with my mom - she loved mysteries - and big sigh. + After the Great War, American heiress Ruby Vaughn made a life for herself running a rare bookstore alongside her octogenarian employer and house mate in Exeter. She’s always avoided dwelling on the past, even before the war, but it always has a way of finding her. When Ruby is forced to deliver a box of books to a folk healer living deep in the Cornish countryside, she is brought back to the one place she swore she’d never return. A more sensible soul would have delivered the package and left without rehashing old wounds. But no one has ever accused Ruby of being sensible. Thus begins her visit to Penryth Hall, a foreboding fortress, and home to Ruby’s once dearest friend, Tamsyn, and her husband, Sir Edward Chenowyth. It’s an unsettling place, and after a more unsettling evening, Ruby is eager to depart. But her plans change when Penryth’s bells ring for the first time in thirty years. Edward is dead; he met a gruesome end in the orchard, and with his death brings whispers of a returned curse. It also brings Ruan Kivell, the person whose books brought her to Cornwall, the one the locals call a Pellar, the man they believe can break the curse. Ruby doesn’t believe in curses—or Pellars—but this is Cornwall and to these villagers the curse is anything but lore, and they believe it will soon claim its next victim: Tamsyn. To protect her friend, Ruby must work alongside the Pellar to find out what really happened in the orchard that night. + + QOTD: what’s your favorite salty snack? With this gloomy weather, I’ve been doing a lot of reading and snacking. 😝 + + + #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #minotaurbooks #minotaurinfluencers #gifted #arc #arcreader #bookfeaturepage #bookfeature #bookreview #mystery #mysterybooks #wisconsinbookstagrammer #bookstagram #booksbooksbooks #reader #readersofinstagram #readersofwisconsin #booklover

☕️ Cocoa & Currently 📖 Today in the U.S. and Canada it’s actually National Hot Chocolate day 🔥🍫… Apparently there’s a subtle difference between Hot Cocoa and Hot Chocolate but for the sake of this caption we went with alliteration … so Cocoa & Currently it is! I'm enjoying a Bigelow chai hot cocoa bomb while listening to The Curse of Penryth Hall by Jess Armstrong. I'm having fun with this! 🍫🔥📖☕️🍫🔥📖☕️🍫🔥📖☕️ @its.a.collab.thing creators are highlighting their current reads and warming up with their favorite hot cocoa (😉). Wrap up the month with a hot cup of cocoa & check out what @panic.at.the.biblioteca is reading today! To experience a pure chocolate rush check out our tag #candcrthing124 QOTD: Have you ever tried a hot cocoa bomb? They're fun! #TheCurseOfPenrythHall #JessArmstrong #EmmaLove #MinotaurBooks #MacmillanUSA #DreamscapeMedia #NetGalley #BookBlogger #CurrentlyReading

The Curse of Penryth Hall By Jess Armstrong 🎧 Narrated by: Emma Love Book 2 of 2024 Thank you to Minotaur books and Dreamscape Media for my review copies! The Curse of Penryth Hall is a gothic historical murder mystery with a sprinkling of magic. This was a strong debut, and I loved her heroine, Ruby Vaughn. As a primarily romance and fantasy reader, I could have done with a little more of both. The relationships felt a little surface level, with either the backstory doing a lot of work or having a magical connection between them. Since I thought each of the characters were really interesting, I wished I had a little more “show, don’t tell” to show how the characters grew together. (Or back together.) The mystery definitely kept me guessing, but the pieces seemed to all come together with the big reveal at the end! 🎧 The audio was fantastic. Emma Love’s accent is the perfect amount of atmosphere without losing clarity. She created a world of characters with her performance, and I enjoyed listening to her! QotD: Where did your last read take place, and would you want to visit?

FOG ALERT: To shriek is a haunting verse. Read stories about breaking a curse. THE UNMAKING OF JUNE FARROW by Adrienne Young, bestselling author of Spells For Forgetting. @adrienneyoungbooks THE CURSE OF PENRYTH HALL The debut novel by First Crime Novel Award Winner Jess Armstrong @jessl_armstrong #mystery #romance #history #eerie #theunmakingofjunefarrow #adrienneyoung #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #winterreads #thebookwardrobe #streetsville #mississauga #indiebookstore #bookshop

✨NOW CLOSED!✨GIVEAWAY✨When two mystery authors write two headstrong heroines, it makes for a double-the-trouble giveaway! TWO readers will win a signed copy of both our historical mysteries — THE CURSE OF PENRYTH HALL and ACT LIKE A LADY, THINK LIKE A LORD — plus a little swag! To enter: 🍎 Follow both @jessl_armstrong and @celesteconnallyauthor 🫖 Comment below because we want to know: If you could be the sidekick to a fictional female sleuth, who would you want to solve crimes with? Two winners will be chosen at random and each will receive one signed copy of The Curse of Penryth Hall and Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord, plus some fun swag from both of us. Our giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. Central on Sunday, Jan. 28th, 2024, and is not affiliated with Instagram or Meta or their affiliates in any way. U.S. and Canada residents only. Wishing you two times the luck! 🫖🍎 #bookgiveaway #bookgiveaways #historicalmystery #historicalfiction #gothicmystery #regencymystery #booksbooksbooks #femalesleuth #amateursleuth #readersofinstagram #readersofig #thecurseofpenrythhall #actlikealadythinklikealord #minotaurbooks #jessarmstrong #celesteconnally

Hey everyone!! The secret is officially out—the next Ruby Vaughn book is coming in fall of 2024! It’s also already up to be added on Goodreads too. I absolutely love this new chapter in Ruby’s adventures and cannot wait for y’all to read it! I mean secrets, Scotland, and seances gone awry, what could be more fun? 🖤🖤🖤 #rubyvaughn #jessarmstrong #thecurseofpenrythhall #mysterybooks #historicalmysteries

I loved The Mystery of Penryth Hall by @jessl_armstrong. Here’s the last paragraph of my review. Read the whole review on my blog linked in my bio. In addition to the well-plotted mystery, it’s the electricity that sparks between Ruan and Ruby that keeps us turning the pages as we race to see if, in fact, there is a supernatural reason for the deaths or if all can be attributed to simple human violence. Add in a peek at mob violence and a bit of unexplained paranormal happenings, and this is a powerful start to what would seem to be a series with Ruby as the Sherlock Holmes and her friend Owen as Doctor Watson. The mystery has an unexpected twist at the end, proof that Armstrong’s ability to misdirect us is finely tuned — and very satisfying. And while we are led to believe at the end that the next mystery might be set in Scotland, I’ll definitely miss the fascinating Ruan Kivell if he doesn’t make the journey with those other well-drawn characters. @minotaur_books #books #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #bookreviewersoninstagram #bookrecommendations #bookshelf #bookreview #bookblog #bookreviewer #bookblogger #booklover #bookstagram #booksbooksbooks #minotaurbooks #gothicmystery

Was so thrilled to see this review from Shelf Awareness today! And I just realized that the book has been out in the world for a month today!! 🍎❤️

I’m firmly in mystery genre mode now. I’m already in the middle of a couple and have a couple more lined up! Now I’m adding THE CURSE OF PENRYTH HALL to the TBR stack. 😍 Thank you @minotaur_books for the free copy. Out now. 🍎 • Synopsis: After the Great War, American heiress Ruby Vaughn made a life for herself running a rare bookstore alongside her octogenarian employer and house mate in Exeter. She’s always avoided dwelling on the past, even before the war, but it always has a way of finding her. When Ruby is forced to deliver a box of books to a folk healer living deep in the Cornish countryside, she is brought back to the one place she swore she’d never return. A more sensible soul would have delivered the package and left without rehashing old wounds. But no one has ever accused Ruby of being sensible. Thus begins her visit to Penryth Hall. A foreboding fortress, Penryth Hall is home to Ruby’s once dearest friend, Tamsyn, and her husband, Sir Edward Chenowyth. It’s an unsettling place, and after a more unsettling evening, Ruby is eager to depart. But her plans change when Penryth’s bells ring for the first time in thirty years. Edward is dead; he met a gruesome end in the orchard, and with his death brings whispers of a returned curse. It also brings Ruan Kivell, the person whose books brought her to Cornwall, the one the locals call a Pellar, the man they believe can break the curse. Ruby doesn’t believe in curses―or Pellars―but this is Cornwall and to these villagers the curse is anything but lore, and they believe it will soon claim its next victim: Tamsyn. To protect her friend, Ruby must work alongside the Pellar to find out what really happened in the orchard that night. 🍎 • • • #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #mystery #mysterynovel #mysterybooks #gothicmystery #gothicbooks #readersofinstagram #reader #readersgonnaread

#jessarmstrong

@jessl_armstrong #author #jessarmstrong #book #thecurseofpenrythhall #deccanchronicle #newspaperarticle #ksofficial1

“The Curse of Penryth Hall” by Jess Armstrong, a novel steeped in the atmospheric nuances of the gothic mystery genre, has elicited a spectrum of reviews, each shedding light on the book’s merits and areas where it falters. Click on the link to read the full book summary. https://simplybooksummaries.com/the-curse-of-penryth-hall/ #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #booknow #bookish #simplybooksummaries #bookreview #bookreviewblogger Simply Book Summaries #bookrecommendations #bookclub #bookrecs

I loved The Curse of Penryth Hall! It’s got all the right stuff for a good gothic mystery… and it’s been awhile since I’ve read a good one! -English countryside -Creepy mansion -Good cast of characters -Death and… a curse! 5/5 ⭐️ #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #akarishare

⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣{𝐐𝐎𝐓𝐃} Who doesn’t enjoy a little historical crime mystery? {𝐀} I loved reading this one, it was so much fun. Great characters and the setting was perfect! »༒»❀❄️❀«༒« 𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐋𝐄: The Curse of Penryth Hall: A Mystery 𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑: Jess Armstrong 𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐑: Minotaur Books 𝐏𝐔𝐁 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: ⁣12.5.2024 𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐄: Historical Crime Novel Thanks to @jessl_armstrong and @minotaur_books »༒»❀❄️❀«༒« Not surprising this Won the @mysterywritersofamerica & @minotaur_books First Crime Novel award! ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣{⁣𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒}⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣ After the Great War, American heiress Ruby Vaughn made a life for herself running a rare bookstore alongside her octogenarian employer and house mate in Exeter. She’s always avoided dwelling on the past, even before the war, but it always has a way of finding her. When Ruby is forced to deliver a box of books to a folk healer living deep in the Cornish countryside, she is brought back to the one place she swore she’d never return. A more sensible soul would have delivered the package and left without rehashing old wounds. But no one has ever accused Ruby of being sensible. Thus begins her visit to Penryth Hall. {𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒} ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣{𝐇𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐒} #TheCurseOfPenrythHall #JessArmstrong #minotaurinfluencers @dreamscape_media #DreamscapeMedia #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalMystery #GothicBooks

M⃣I⃣N⃣I⃣ R⃣E⃣V⃣I⃣E⃣W⃣S⃣📖🎧 ᴺᴱᵀᴳᴬᴸᴸᴱᵞ ᴿᴱᵛᴵᴱᵂˢ 🕯тнe cυrѕe oғ penryтн нall вy jeѕѕ arмѕтrong The Curse of Penryth Hall by Jess Armstrong is fast paced and full of suspense. With it’s gothic setting, a touch of the supernatural, enough drama for an episode of Real Housewives and a tale of unrequited love, there is something for everyone. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Pub Date: December 5, 2023 Publisher: Minotaur Books ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ 💀cнrιѕтмaѕ and oтнer нorrorѕ: an anтнology oғ ѕolѕтιce нorror ❄️ Christmas and Other Horrors: An Anthology of Solstice Horror was a horrifying, dark and gory read for winter solstice. With horror greats like Alma Katsu and Josh Malerman, this anthology is sure to bring the terror into the holiday season. From one terrifying tale to the next, there is something for everyone that delights in spooky season year round. ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Pub Date: October 24, 2023 Publisher: Titan Books ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ 🗡тнe тwelve dayѕ oғ мυrder вy andreιna cordanι narraтed вy ella lyncн 🎧 The Twelve Days of Murder by Andreina Cordani was a super fun and gruesomely descriptive audiobook. The narrator, Ella Lynch, was fabulous with a multitude of accents and inflections to differentiate between the various characters. It is a fabulous slow burn of a murder mystery with a dual timeline. With the questions of a missing friend from years ago as well as the sinister happenings of present day, this story will keep you guessing right to the end. If you like your Christmas stories with an eerie, secluded & snowed in setting, this book is for you. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Pub Date: November 7, 2023 Publisher: Dreamscape Media ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ 💬❔Predictive Text: It’s the Twelve Days of _______. ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Thank you to @netgalley @jessl_armstrong @minotaur_books @titanbooks, Andreina Cordani & @dreamscape_media for letting me read arcs of these books in exchange for my honest reviews. #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #minotaurbooks #christmasandotherhorrors #anthology #solsticehorror #joshmalerman #almakatsu #titanbooks #thetwelvedaysofmurder #andreinacordani #ellalynch #dreamscapemedia #netgalleyreviews #audiobookreview #arcreviews #bookreviews #minireview

🌟🌟🌟🌟 Just finished "The Curse of Penryth Hall" by @jessl_armstrong and I'm still catching my breath! This gripping tale weaves together post-war intrigue, mysterious curses, and the haunting beauty of Cornwall. Here's why I loved it: 💫 The setting is pure magic, transporting you to the eerie Penryth Hall and the enchanting Cornish countryside. Armstrong's vivid descriptions make you feel the chill in the air and the weight of history in every stone. 💔 Ruby Vaughn is a heroine you can't help but root for. Her strength, vulnerability, and defiance against the past make her a character you'll remember long after the last page. Plus, who can resist a rare bookstore owner with a penchant for unraveling mysteries? 🕵️‍♀️ The suspense is masterfully crafted. As the bells of Penryth Hall ring for the first time in decades, you're pulled into a web of secrets, curses, and a gruesome mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. It's a page-turner with a perfect blend of tension and emotion. 🔍 The dynamic between Ruby and Ruan Kivell is electric. Their partnership in unraveling the truth adds an extra layer of intrigue and a touch of romance. The Pellar's mystical presence adds an element of the supernatural that keeps you on the edge of your seat. 📚 Overall, "The Curse of Penryth Hall" is a spellbinding journey that combines historical fiction, mystery, and a hint of the paranormal. Jess Armstrong's storytelling is captivating, and I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a tale of love, loss, and the enduring power of friendship. #TheCurseOfPenrythHall #JessArmstrong #BookReview #HistoricalFiction #MysteryNovel #CornishCountryside #PageTurner #BookishLove #RareBookstore #PostWarStory #FriendshipGoals #ParanormalMystery #BookwormLife #MustRead #BookRecommendation #GothicNovel #BookLoversUnite #CursedHall #SuspensefulRead #EnchantingProse #LiteraryEscape #BookMagic #ReadingAdventure #BookNerd #ChillingMystery #BookishEscapade #CharactersToLove #BookishAdventure Minotaur Books @minotaur_books

The Curse of Penryth Hall by Jess Armstrong was perfectly spooky and atmospheric. If you’re looking for your next gothic mystery, be sure to check out this debut (and winner of the Mystery Writers of America First Novel Crime Award). It’s 1922 and American heiress Ruby Vaughn has made a life for herself running a rare bookstore alongside her octogenarian employer in Exeter. One day her boss asks her to deliver a box of books to a folk healer Ruan Kivell, living deep in the Cornish countryside. Ruby decides that after she delivers the books, she will stop by nearby Penryth Hall to her once dearest friend Tamsyn, and her husband, Sir Edward Chenowyth. Ruby assumes this will be a quick visit since Sir Edward is such an unlikable person. Less than 24 hours later, though, Edward is dead–he met a gruesome end in the orchard, and with his death brings whispers of a returned curse. Is it really a curse or a human killer? Ruby is convinced that curses don’t exist but is unable to explain the unraveling mysteries in this small village. And Tamsyn insists that she and her young son will be the next targets so Ruby works with Ruan to find the true killer. This is such a spooky (but not scary) read full of romance, danger and folklore. Armstrong’s characters are strong and her writing brings the setting and mystery to life. I may have physically been in my mid-western house, but in my mind I was in the rainy and mysterious woods around Penryth Hall. I honestly thought I had the whole mystery figured out, but I didn’t. Such a good ending. I look forward to reading more from Armstrong! @minotaur_books

114th of 2023. The Curse of Penryth Hall is a fast paced historical mystery with a romantic subplot. Pick this book up if you like: 🖤Gothic Vibes 🔎Whodunit 🌿Folklore 🏚 Cursed/Haunted Estate 📚 Quirky Bookish Characters #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #mystery #bookinsights #bookrecs #whodunnit

Thank you @minotaur_books and @netgalley for the eARC of The Curse of Penryth Hall!  All opinions in this review are my own. I really enjoyed this historical mystery because you weren't quite sure if the answer was going to be supernatural or not.  The writing was so atmospheric and sinister!  The Curse of Penryth Hall was a stunning debut and I hope this becomes a series! [Image Description - The cover of The Curse of Penryth Hall is displayed on a Kindle.  The Kindle is on top of a gray rock.]

2023 favorite reads day 10! Featured books include: 💫 The Getaway List by @dilemmalord 💫 The Mystery Guest by @nitaprose 💫 A Fate Inked in Blood by @danielleljensen 💫 Dead Mountain by @douglaspreston6 and Lincoln Child 💫 The Curse of Penryth Hall by @jessl_armstrong 💫 Darling Girls by @sallyhepworth #2023reads #2023readingrecap #2023inbooks #2023books #thegetawaylist #emmalord #themysteryguest #nitaprose #afateinkedinblood #danielleljensen #deadmountain #douglaspreston #lincolnchild #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #darlinggirls #sallyhepworth #bookstagram

Book Review 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 THE CURSE OF PENRYTH HALL by @jessl_armstrong Is there any genre more engaging, more gripping, more “can’t turn the pages fast enough” than a flawlessly plotted mystery? This book follows whipsmart heiress-turned-bookkeeper, Ruby Vaughn, as she solves a gothic murder mystery in the Cornish countryside of postwar England. Ruby is best described as a boozy, audacious Nancy Drew - she does her finest work with a bottle of gin in hand, lock picks in her back pocket, and a shamelessly charming smile on her face. If you pick up a book for its hook, you stay for the characters, right? From the lovable (perhaps *too* lovable?) manor housekeeper, the grief stricken widow with a tumultuous past, and the deviously holier-than-thou town vicar, Ruby has her diabolical hands full of potential suspects. And that’s not even to mention the mysterious, brooding, hunk of a folk-healing man (🥵) who’s hot on her heels as they follow the trail of the killer. Everyone is suspicious. Everyone is flawed. It’s truly a brilliant cast - full of twists that will keep you turning pages endlessly asking “whodunnit?!?” If you like your mysteries with a touch of the supernatural, a dash of romantic spice, and a hearty helping of gothic atmosphere, you will LOVE this book. It can be read as a standalone, but another mystery is headed Ruby’s way with a Fall 2024 release date! Oh and in case you care about such tripe things, this book was written up by People Magazine (❗️ go Jess!) as a “must read” release for December and is a USA Today Bestseller (‼️). No big deal. Jess is far too humble to brag about herself, but she’s an amazing writer and an even better person. She deserves all the hype and more for her brilliant debut novel 🖤🍎🖤🍎 • • • #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #gothicmystery #rubyvaughn #ladysherlock #boozynancydrew #HF #mustread #bookreview #bookrecs #pageturner #whodunnit

🤞📚 ARC Hopeful Reads 📚🤞 I read a good number of ARCs in November, but only some of the ones I put on my November ARC Hopeful Reads shortlist. I also swapped out a book from the last time you saw this. For December, I've finished one of the books on my shortlist so far. QOTD: Do you have any hopeful reads for December? #TheMysteryGuest #NitaProse #BallantineBooks #PenguinRandomHouse #TheCurseOfPenrythHall #JessArmstrong #DreamscapeMedia #MinotaurBooks #StMartinsPress #MacmillanUSA #RaidersOfTheLostHeart #JoSegura #BerkleyPub #InstaKnitsForBaby #MelissaLeapman #GlobePequot #StackpoleBooks #HopefulReads

I came across a gothic novel titled #TheCurseOfPenrythHall and was immediately captivated by its exciting synopsis. To my delight, I thoroughly enjoyed the story. The curse that looms over Penryth Hall has once again claimed another heir, and while the villagers are quick to attribute it to the curse. However, Ruby, a visitor of Penryth Hall and a close friend of Tamsyn, is not convinced. She embarks on an investigation, aided by Ruan, the village Pellar, to uncover the secrets that connected the residents of Penryth Hall and the villagers. Their research has resulted in an extraordinary folklore narrative that is a treat for the readers. The novel's characters did a fantastic job in creating an excellent mystery. The plot was intriguing and unfolded at a fast pace. This makes it an exceptional read for both gothic and simple historical fiction enthusiasts who love a good mystery. I would like to express my gratitude to @NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of the novel free of cost. The full review of #JessArmstrong new novel is posted on my blog #AlinasReadingCorner ✒️💻 #Mystery #Gothic #HistoricalFiction

The second I saw the synopsis for this book, I knew I had to read it. This had some of my favorite buzz words, "atmospheric gothic mystery." I find that description to be highly accurate. The setting of a rundown country mansion was truly gothic and atmospheric. It was really off set by the is it supernatural or isn't push and pull that persisted throughout the entire novel. The writing was really lovely, and I just wanted to keep reading it all the way through to the end. Ruby was a great character to follow and her being so outspoken and intelligent really helped to set the pace of the book. And her relationship with Ruan really was fun to follow. They worked really well as a team, and I hope we get to see a sequel where they team up again. One thing I wasn't loving was the relationship between Ruby and Tamsyn. We didn't get enough of their backstory to really understand their dynamic and Tamsyn was especially hard to like as a character despite sympathizing with her over her awful marriage. It was hard to see why Ruby was still so hung up on her when she was being so awful to her. Overall, this was an entertaining historical mystery with gothic overtones. I would definitely recommend it. Thank you to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the audio arc of this book! #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #bookreviews #review #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookreviewer #bookstoread #bookstagramcommunity #booksbooksbooks #booksofinstagram #bookreader #netgalley #booklover #bibliophile #booksstagram

@jessl_armstrong #author #jessarmstrong #book #thecurseofpenrythhall #bookstagram #theasianage #newspaperarticle #ksofficial1

The Curse of Penryth Hall is a debut novel by author Jess Armstrong that blends cozy mystery, gothic atmosphere, and a touch of romance. SUMMARY: Ruby Vaughn is a plucky American heiress back from the Great War who now spends her time helping run a rarities bookshop for a grandfatherly figure in Exeter. Sent into the deep Cornish countryside to deliver a set of books to a folk healer, Ruby is brought back once more to Penryth Hall, now home to her estranged best friend, Tamsyn. Once she sets foot upon the foreboding grounds of the estate, she discovers a gruesome murder. Is it supernatural like the villagers believe, or is it someone more deadly and sinister, close to those she knows? MY THOUGHTS: This was a nice escape mystery read with a great atmosphere set along the Cornish coast and a rambling estate holding dark secrets. Ruby is an intrepid and outspoken character that I enjoyed reading about. I also thought Armstrong did a great job keeping me guessing. The curses, superstition, and whispers from the villages added a great vibe to the story. I will say the book is slow in the beginning and meanders a bit. The main element that I did not care for was Ruby’s relationship with Tamsyn. I did not connect with her nor see any reason for Ruby’s infatuation with her. I did enjoy the banter and dialogue between Ruby and Ruan, known as the Pellar by the villagers - a sort of ancient curse breaker. I would have liked to have felt more chemistry, but overall, they were fun together. I would recommend this one to readers looking for an atmospheric and cozy mystery. The gothic vibes of Penryth, along with the pluckiness of Ruby, were enjoyable to read about. I’m looking forward to reading more by Armstrong. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Thank you to @netgalley and @minotaur_books for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #adultfiction #mystery #historicalmystery #gothicmystery #booksbooksbooks #cozycottage #bookishaesthetics #fallvibes #moodybookstagram #darkcott

So utterly excited that #thecurseofpenrythhall is one of People’s best new books of December! I first saw the article and was scrolling through it and went—wait, go back, that’s my book!!! 🍎🍎🍎

OUT NOW! And with a blurb by one of my favorite authors, @kelleyarmstrongauthor! The Curse of Penryth Hall is an excellent historical mystery with a bit of a gothic/paranormal flavor. Most of the action takes place in and around a village in Cornwall, England, in 1922. (There are a couple of mentions of Howard Carter, with people saying they didn’t think his expedition to Egypt would turn up anything worthwhile, which made me laugh, as he went on to discover the tomb of Tutankhamen!) Ruby Vaughn is a wealthy, orphaned American expat, who got into all sorts of escapades and also served as a nurse in World War I. She is currently working for a rare bookseller and is tasked with bringing a large box of books to the village in Cornwall where an old dear friend, Tamsyn, lives (in Penryth Hall). The books need to be delivered to a man named Ruan, who is a sort of witch or wizard or folk healer. Ruby goes to visit Tamsyn and finds that all is not well in Cornwall! As you can imagine from the title, things go very wrong indeed. The writing was lovely and I sped through the book. I could picture the manor house, the landscape and the small cottages. I enjoyed the characters of Ruby and Ruan, but it took me a while to warm up to Tamsyn, although I empathized with her having an unhappy marriage. Some of the side characters were terrific, such as the housekeeper, Mrs. Penrose. I also adored Ruby’s cat! There are hints at the end of a possible sequel. I hope that’s the case. I bounced between the audiobook and the ebook for this title, which was very convenient. The audiobook was narrated beautifully by Emma Love, who did an outstanding job with all the various English/Scottish and American accents. #TheCurseOfPenrythHall #JessArmstrong @JessL_Armstrong #EmmaLove #MinotaurBooks @minotaur_books #MinotaurInfluencers @dreamscape_media #DreamscapeMedia #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalMystery #GothicBooks #MysteryBooks #MysterySeries #Whodunit #AmateurSleuth #ParanormalMystery #bookstagram  #bookish  #BookLover  #instabook  #bibliophile #bookworm #BookReview #ARCReader #NewBook #BookSeries #NetGalley @NetGalley #NetGalleyReviewer #LouiseLovesToRead

✨What This Weekend✨ 📺 Watching: Rewatch/Binge of You 📱Reading: The Curse of Penryth Hall by @jessl_armstrong 📖 Reading: The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos by @kelly_irvin ☕️ Drinking: My hubby made me a delicious latte 🖤 Loving: We went to a Christmas parade and watched The Grinch, Santa Clause 1, 2 & 3 so far this weekend 💬❔QOTD: Answer one of the prompts above. #currentlyreading #coffeeandcurrentlyreading #currentlydrinking #currentlywatching #currentlyloving #netflix #you #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #theyearofgoodbyesandhellos #kellyirvin #netgalleyreads #currently #whatthisweek #arcreader #kindlepaperwhite #paperbackbooks #weekendreads #netflixbinge #readersofinstagram #saturdayreads #saturday #lazysaturday

Book Review 📚 Jess Armstrong's The Curse of Penrith Hall was just released on Tuesday, and it was deliciously good. Ruby runs a rare bookshop and delivers a box of rare books near a dear friend's home and stops for a visit. Next thing she knows her friend Tamsyn's husband is dead, and she feels compelled to help solve what can't truly be a curse... or can it? With the local Pellar, Ruan, by her side they begin trying to solve Edward's murder. Was it the curse, maybe Tamsyn who had bruises on her face when Ruby arrived, or the wraith some children claim to have seen. An excellent murder mystery, that keeps you guessing to the very end. Highly Recommend! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for an advanced audiobook version. #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #dreamscapemedia #netgalley #audiobook #newrealease #bookreview #bookrecommendations #booklover #booknerd #bookchallenge #highlyrecommended #fivestar #fiction #murdermystery #cursed #pellar #whitewitch #wraith #rarebooks

Amazing Praise for The Curse of Penryth Hall “An atmospheric, fast-moving debut. . . This debut won the Mystery Writers of America/Minotaur First Crime Novel Competition, a well-deserved honor for a book whose gutsy main character and immersive world-building will remind readers of Margaret Dove in Evie Hawtrey’s And By Fire.” –First Clue "This riveting romp. . . is a devilishly delightful read!” –B.R. Myers “Perfect for fans of Hester Fox and Simone St. James.” –Anna Lee Huber "Clear your calendar before you pick up The Curse of Penryth Hall, because once you start reading you won't want to stop." –Katharine Schellman "Will have readers on the edge of their seats, and leave them wanting more of Ruby Vaughn." –Kate Khavari #JessARmstrong #TheCurseofPenrythHall #minotaurbooks #newrelease #decemberreads "Curious and enthralling.” –Lydia Kang "A witty and clever debut.” –Kelley Armstrong

Thank you @minotaur_books and @dreamscape_media for the #gifted ARC/ALC of THE CURSE OF PENRYTH HALL! I listened to the audio of this one and I definitely think it’s the way to go. I loved the narrator’s voice as it reminded me a bit of Sophia Bush’s voice with that rasp. The best part was the accents that the narrator did for the Scottish and Cornish characters. It really helped add to the sense of place for the book! THE CURSE opens with American expat heiress Ruby Vaughn living in Exeter with an old Scottish man and running a bookshop. When her boss sends her to Cornwall to deliver a trunk of mysterious books to the village's Pellar (a type of mystic/healer), she initially balks at returning to a place she swore she’d never go back. Without giving too much away, she reconnects with an old friend whose husband is violently murdered later that same night. The village believes it's the curse come back to haunt the Chenowyth line and Ruby’s friend is convinced she’ll be the next victim of the curse. This book falls in the moody, atmospheric, gothic camp so if those vibes are appealing to you then don’t miss out on this mystery! THE CURSE OF PENRYTH HALL is out now! Predictive text: The curse of ________ BookNerd #BookLover #BookWorm #Bibliophile #AlwaysReading #BookRecommendation #ReadMoreBooks #CoolGirlsRead #BookishCommunity #TheCurseOfPenrythHall #JessArmstrong #MinotaurBooks #DreamscapeMedia

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐲 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 A Gothic mystery set in the 20s, The Curse of Penryth Hall is an atmospheric story set in the Cornish countryside. When Ruby visits her friend Tamsyn at her secluded estate, Tamsyn's husband is found dead and the town believes it is a family curse that killed him. Ruby and the town Pellar, Ruan, form a good partnership as they work together to figure out what really happened. The story has several twists, and I did not see the ending coming. There is a lot about Ruby and her past that we still do not know. The author may have held back some of the information about her intentionally,and I was left wanting to know more about Ruby. Overall, this is a solid mystery ABOUT THE BOOK After the Great War, American heiress Ruby Vaughn made a life for herself running a rare bookstore alongside her octogenarian employer and house mate in Exeter. When Ruby is forced to deliver a box of books to a folk healer living deep in the Cornish countryside, she is brought back to the one place she swore she’d never return. A more sensible soul would have delivered the package and left without rehashing old wounds. But no one has ever accused Ruby of being sensible. Thus begins her visit to Penryth Hall. A foreboding fortress, Penryth Hall is home to Ruby’s once dearest friend, Tamsyn, and her husband, Sir Edward Chenowyth. It’s an unsettling place, and after a more unsettling evening, Ruby is eager to depart. But her plans change when Penryth’s bells ring for the first time in thirty years. Edward is dead; he met a gruesome end in the orchard, and with his death brings whispers of a returned curse. It also brings Ruan Kivell, the person whose books brought her to Cornwall, the one the locals call a Pellar, the man they believe can break the curse. Ruby doesn’t believe in curses—or Pellars—but this is Cornwall and to these villagers the curse is anything but lore, and they believe it will soon claim its next victim: Tamsyn. QOTD: Are you a Gothic Mystery lover? Any recommendations? #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #gothicmystery #mysterybooks #ebooks

BOOK REVIEW Curse of Penryth Hall by Jess Armstrong I recently went to Seattle (hometown) for the Apple Cup, and I had a terrible time sleeping in the too soft hotel bed. So, I would get up early and sit in the lobby, drink tea, and read this. It was so nice and peaceful. QOTD: I know we bring way too many books on trips, but do you actually read on vacation? REVIEW The Curse of Penryth Hall is a Gothic murder mystery, seeping with a moody, paranormal atmosphere that really worked for me. I enjoyed the characters and found them interesting. I found Ruby (the main character) to be strong-willed, impulsive, and a bit reckless. Yet, she is also loyal, caring, and rational. I especially liked the relationship between Ruby and Ruan (the grumpy town pellar/healer). They butt heads over the nature of the mystery. Is it paranormal, or is there a logical explanation for the killings? Their banter brought their characters to life. While this gives off enemies-to-lovers vibes, don't expect too much romance. I was captivated by the mystery and read this in nearly one sitting. Armstrong had me second-guessing every character. I thought everyone was the culprit at one point. It kept me turning the pages. If I have any complaints, I would say the pacing is just a bit off. The middle dragged some for me, but it didn't stop me from continuing. I never felt like putting the book down. This is the perfect snuggle-up and on a rainy/cold day kind of read. I did this via audio and thought the narrator did a great job. Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and Dreamscape Media for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. #thecurseofpenrythhall #gothic #mysterybooks #gothicmystery #jessarmstrong #netgalley #dreamscapemedia #minotaurbooks #bookreviews #westin #westinseattle #apple cup #seattle #bookreviews #bookrecommdations #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #booksta

Shoutout to the cover designer. This encompasses the feel and sets the stage for the new gothic mystery from Jess Armstrong. Having said that, Armstrong delivers a strong and compelling read. I was surprised and delighted to spend time in this world she created. Fantastic read. ~Tanja Releases December 5th https://amzn.to/3Q4XvwC After the Great War, American heiress Ruby Vaughn made a life for herself running a rare bookstore alongside her octogenarian employer and house mate in Exeter. She’s always avoided dwelling on the past, even before the war, but it always has a way of finding her. When Ruby is forced to deliver a box of books to a folk healer living deep in the Cornish countryside, she is brought back to the one place she swore she’d never return. A more sensible soul would have delivered the package and left without rehashing old wounds. But no one has ever accused Ruby of being sensible. Thus begins her visit to Penryth Hall. A foreboding fortress, Penryth Hall is home to Ruby’s once dearest friend, Tamsyn, and her husband, Sir Edward Chenowyth. It’s an unsettling place, and after a more unsettling evening, Ruby is eager to depart. But her plans change when Penryth’s bells ring for the first time in thirty years. Edward is dead; he met a gruesome end in the orchard, and with his death brings whispers of a returned curse. It also brings Ruan Kivell, the person whose books brought her to Cornwall, the one the locals call a Pellar, the man they believe can break the curse. Ruby doesn’t believe in curses—or Pellars—but this is Cornwall and to these villagers the curse is anything but lore, and they believe it will soon claim its next victim: Tamsyn. To protect her friend, Ruby must work alongside the Pellar to find out what really happened in the orchard that night. ?? Have you ever been to an orchard? 🍎 Thank you to @Minotaur_Books for sharing this title with me. @JessL_Armstrong #TheCurseofPenrythHall #JessArmstrong #MinotaurBooks

The Curse of Penryth Hall by @jessl_armstrong arc review — 4.25 ⭐️ This was a really solid historical murder mystery. I loved the Cornish setting in 1922, I felt like it added to some of the folk elements we get in this. If you’re looking for a cozy mystery for the holiday season that has great character chemistry and a historical setting, this is the book for you! Ruby’s interior monologue is very distinct and she is quite a strong leading character. I definitely liked that some of the tension in this book comes from her past relationship with her best friend, Tamsyn. Tamsyn’s character grew on me, since I didn’t care for her much in the beginning (but this goes to show the author’s ability to create and write character growth!). My favorite character was the folk healer, Ruan Kivell. Ruan and Ruby’s chemistry was excellent and not overdone; we get sparse moments of this connection between them but it felt authentic and I loved the scenes where they are trying to puzzle the mystery and each other out. I also loved the rag-tag group of supporting characters; the fatherly Mr. Owen, the protective Mrs. Penrose, and the wily Fiachna the cat all added greatly to the tale. I will admit I did not see who was the murder so I was surprised by the reveal, but it all made sense once explained. It seems like this might be a series, and I really do hope we get more from Ruby and Ruan as they solve more mysteries! Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the advanced readers copy. This did not affect my review in any way.

🥳 Belated Pub Day Post 🥳 The Curse Of Penryth Hall by Jess Armstrong was a dark atmospheric Gothic Manor mystery set in 1920s Cornwall. Ruby Vaughn, an exiled American heiress and socialite with a tragic past has set up with a bookstore and it wonderful octogenarian owner in Exeter and does the occasional job for him while at the same time maintaining her flamboyant flapper lifestyle - imagine Peregrine Fisher with a tragic slightly darker bent. When one of her odd delivery jobs brings her to the Cornish countryside to bring books to a local pellar she uses the occasion to visit an old friend and former lover now Lady of the manor at Penryth Hall. She had not put much effort into the friendship after her friends marriage but seeing her belligerent and womanizing husband and her subdued friend is a lot to take in, even more so when after Ruby spends the night at their home Penryth Hall and the husband is discovered murdered the next morning. There is a curse but Ruby believes that it is much more likely that human hands were involved and starts investigating together with the pellar who has his own reasons for not ascribing the death to supernatural reasons. There are twists and turns and the mystery kept me intrigued and on my toes. I loved my reading of this debut novel and really hope this is the start to a series ! Ruby’s dardevil approach to life in the 1920s gave me definite Ms. Fisher vibes and makes me want to join her on her next adventure. This is a fantastic books for fans of historical mysteries - delving into a time and place while enjoying a mystery ! I have a good friend who lived in Exeter for 16 years and still vacations in Cornwall every summer. With this book I may have found the perfect Christmas gift for her ! Thank you to @netgalley and @minotaur_books for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review ! #gifted It is hump day - how has this week been treating you ? #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #minotaurbooks #gothicmanor #mystery #bookssetincornwall #bookssetinthe1920s #historicalmystery #mysteryseries #booksbooksbooks #read #reviewsmatter #bookreview #wednesday #happiness #happyhumpday🐫

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Curse of Penryth Hall is a mystery with just a pinch of fantasy. It follows Ruby as she visits the small town of Lothel Green to deliver some books to a mysterious man, who she soon discovers is the town’s own witch doctor. She also takes advantage of the little trip to the countryside to visit her old friend Tamsyn at Penryth Hall. Her trip takes a turn, though, when someone shows up dead and the towns folk start talking about a fated curse come back to haunt them. . In general, I liked the bones of this story - it was certainly mysterious and there was that little hint of magic that made you wonder of the killer was truly human. I think the setting and atmosphere was what shone in this book. The characters all had rich backstories and complex relationships alongside all of their own mental health issues. However, I did feel there was some spark, or some something, missing to truly bring them all to life. In particular, the growing something between Ruby and Ruan, the witch doctor, was *almost* there, but I feel like there was something missing in the end. There were a couple of questions left just slightly unanswered. . Overall, I would recommend if you’re in the mood for a mystery set in a superstitious, post-war, English countryside with just a hint of magic. . Also I’ll add that I tried to eBook this one to start, then finished it off with the audio. I was able to make it through much easier with the audio! The narrator was great with pacing, mood setting, and differing character accents. . Thanks to @dreamscape_media and @stmartinspress / @minotaur_books for the ARC via @netgalley ! . . . #bookstagram #bookreview #mysterybook #audiobook #audiobookstagram #audiobookreview #netgalley #arcreview #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #stmartinspress #smpinfluencers #smpinfluencer #smp #dreamscapemedia #emmalove

🍷🍷🍷/5 The Curse of Penryth Hall by Jess Armstrong Gothic and atmospheric, this tale of mystery and murder is an introduction to a fascinating character, if we get to see more of her. Ruby is a firebrand-a displaced woman making her own way in post WWI England. We get to see her forging her own future, ruminating on her very colorful past, and spending the present fully in both her heart and mind. I found myself eating up every bit of her and wanting so much more. Unfortunately, the mystery itself was dime store paperback simple - a plot that could have found itself in any book set in the English countryside over a hundred years. What we didn’t get was Ruby in the war, Ruby in Paris, Ruby on adventures with Mr. Owen to parts unknown. It was those things I was wanting more than anything. I really thought I might have been mistaken and this was the continuation of a series, but it looks as if it’s a stand alone. I hate to judge a book based on what it’s not, but I was very disappointed. This one is out now! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my free copy. These opinions are my own. #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #netgalley #netgalleyreads #netgalleyreviewer #netgalleyreview #netgalleyarc #gothic #mysterybooks #sapphic #bookreview #bookreviewer #bookreviews #bookreviewers #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bibliovino #wineshopathome #booksandwine #wineandbooks

I had a pretty good reading month in November. I finished five books, and most of them were 4 or 5 stars. I barely got that last one in on time though :) #TheFavorites by #RosemaryHennigan was a 4 star #TheProfessor by #LaurenNossett was also a 4 star #OwlManorFinalStroke by #ZitaHarrison was a 5 star, the best out of the #OwlManorTrilogy #RivalRulerExile by Morgan Rice was only a two star. This series just keeps dragging on, there's only one book left to go. #TheCurseOfPenrythHall by #JessArmstrong was a 5 star from a #DebutAuthor QOTD: Have you read any of these? Which was your favorite? #Books_With_Sass #ReadWithSass #ReadWithSassyCassi #SeriesReading #NewBooks #BacklistBooks #IdRatherBeReading #BookNerd #ReadMoreBooks

We’re wishing a very Happy #PubDay to THE CURSE OF PENRYTH HALL and LOST HOURS! We might be biased, but we absolutely love these covers! 📚 Jess Armstrong's Minotaur Books & Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award-winning debut is an atmospheric gothic mystery that beautifully brings the ancient Cornish countryside to life and introduces readers to the unforgettable heroine Ruby Vaughn. THE CURSE OF PENRYTH HALL is also a Goodreads “Best Book of December, and featured on several most-anticipated lists. We’re thrilled to share it! • • Plus, get ready to return to Alaska with Beth Rivers in the LOST HOURS by Paige Shelton, the fifth instalment in the gripping Alaska Wild series. In LOST HOURS, Juneau police investigate separate kidnappings and unravel a greater mystery as they discover more clues. • Get your copies of each today wherever books are sold! • • #MinotaurBooks #TheCurseOfPenrythHall #JessArmstrong #MysteryWritersOfAmerica #DebutNovel #GothicMystery #Cornwall #CrimeNovel #AwardWinningNovel #LostHours #AlaskaWild #AlaskaBooks #DetectiveNovels #AmateurDetectives #coverlove

🍎The Curse of Penryth Hall📚Jess Armstrong🍎 🎉Pub Day💫12/5/23🎉 It’s December book people! While many of you are reaching for holiday books, for my gothic mystery lovers this one’s for you!! The Curse of Penryth Hall by Jessica Armstrong is perfect for curling up in a cosy spot. I binge read this in a day. It’s an immersive blend of old books and mysticism, where legend and folklore get wrapped in the Cornish countryside. It’s a journey of facing old loves, of a curse reborn, of selkies, and wisemen who may or may not be magical. This is all you need to know, really, you can go get the book now. What follows is my purposefully vague description. In postwar England Ruby Vaughn rents a room from her employer, Mr Owen. When he sends her to deliver a box of books to a client in the Cornish countryside he gives her one admonition, do not open the box. “These are ancient things, my girl…dangerous ones.”. It’s the last place Ruby wants to go. The last time she was there the most important person in her life, Tasmyn, married Sir Edwyn Chenowyth. They now live at Penryth Hall. Ruby was so brokenhearted she didn’t respond to Tasmyn’s most recent letter. When Ruby arrives to deliver the books she’s drawn to Penryth Hall. A horrific crime is committed, and it is feared the curse that plagued the home thirty years earlier has returned. A local healer, known as the peller, is brought in to help. Going in with just a vague outline is going to be your best friend here. I think it’s easy to be spoiled on some things and I enjoyed having very little background. I loved the atmospheric feeling, just right for a winter read. This is Armstrong’s debut novel and she’s absolutely an author I’m going to be watching! I loved the mystical vibe combined with a female main character that was complex, strong, flawed, and open to new ways of thinking. I highly recommend to readers looking for something atmospheric, gothic, set in the English countryside. Thank you to @minotaur_books @netgalley and @jessl_armstrong for the advance copy. QOTD : Your job as a rare book dealer has you deliver a package but you’re given instructions not to open it. Are you going to look? 👀

New Books Out Today! Discover the best new book releases and find your next read. Find the latest books that we’re released this week, books that were released in paperback, signed books, exclusive editions and more. Browse the most recent new fiction books, nonfiction books, kids books, and YA books. If you’re looking for the best new releases, you’ve come to the right place. #newrelease #tuesday #barnesandnoble #hownottoage #michaelgreger #mannerofdeath #robincook #thehuskyandhiswhitecatshizun #roubaobuchirou #dragonmasters #traceywest #raidersofthelostheart #josegura #ariverofgoldenbones #thegoldencourt #akmulford #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #singleafcocktails #drinksforbadbitches #arianamadix #chainsawman #tatsukifujimoto #thelosttomb #douglaspreston #chooseyourenemieswisely #patrickbetdavid #thisspellslove #katerobb #bndaytonabeach

It’s here!! December 5th seemed so far away but Ruby Vaughn and The Curse of Penryth Hall are now out in the world. I hope y’all enjoy my gothic murder mystery. Ruby is such a delightful character to write and I really hope everyone loves her and her adventures as much as I do! 🖤🍎

Happy, happy pub day to @jessl_armstrong and THE CURSE OF PENRYTH HALL! This book is so stunningly good and fun — there’s a very good reason it won @minotaur_books MWA First Crime Novel Award! If you like gothic mysteries, this one is set in 1922 Cornwall, England, with a one heck of a sassy, headstrong main character in American heiress Ruby Vaughn. You’ll fall in love with her and a certain Pellar named Ruan Kivell, and you will be left unable to wait for book two! ✨If you’re in #Houston, I’ll have the pleasure of interviewing Jess tomorrow, Dec. 6th, at @murderbooks! Hope you’ll come out and see us! From the starred Library Journal review for THE CURSE OF PENRYTH HALL: “Armstrong’s entrancing historical debut delivers an elegantly crafted, supernatural-tinged plot… Superbly rendered characters include a plucky protagonist whom Maisie Dobbs would be proud to claim as a friend and an evocative sense of place reminiscent of Daphne du Maurier at her best… Readers who like their historical mysteries embellished with plenty of gothic ambience and enhanced with an abundance of dry wit will adore this splendid debut.” –Library Journal (starred review) 🍎 #pubday #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #gothicmystery #historicalmystery #gothicbooks #mystery #newbook #booksbooksbooks #newrelease #minotaurbooks

This is an awesome week for new releases! Here are a few that caught my eye and I am really looking forward to diving into their pages soon. QOTD: What book are you looking forward to reading this week? AOTD: From this list I'd have to go with Gold. Can't wait to see what happens next. #bookish #bookishpost #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #newreleases #newbooks #newreleasebooks #gold #theplatedprisoner #ravenkennedy #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #waroftheland #danaclaire #thefrozenriver #ariellawhon @ravenkennedybooks @jessl_armstrong @authordanaclaire @ariel.lawhon

🎉 ℍ𝔸ℙℙ𝕐 ℙ𝕌𝔹𝕃𝕀ℂ𝔸𝕋𝕀𝕆ℕ 𝔻𝔸𝕐 🎉 📚 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀! THE CURSE OF PENRYTH HALL by Jess Armstrong is a compelling blend of mystery, magic, and historical drama. Set in post-World War I England, the story follows Ruby Vaughn, an American heiress with a mysterious past, as she confronts old wounds and dark secrets in the haunting Penryth Hall. Armstrong's narrative, voiced by Ruby, skillfully weaves a complex tapestry of relationships, wartime experiences, and familial exile. While the plot centers around a murder mystery enveloped in whispers of curses and magic, Armstrong introduces a unique and captivating storyline. The atmospheric setting of Penryth Hall, with its foreboding aura, adds an eerie touch to the tale. The reveal of suspects and the intricate connections between characters keep the reader guessing until the satisfying conclusion. Despite the novel's debut status, Armstrong displays a seasoned storytelling flair, creating a suspenseful, paranormal murder mystery that leaves room for a potential sequel. I'm eager to discover more of Ruby Vaughn's enigmatic journey in the future. ✏ Favourite quote: “Who is talking now, the witch of the man?”... The softness of his lips brushing mine and then it was gone as quickly as it had come, taking along any good sense I might have had. His voice came out just over a whisper, and yet it echoed in my jaded little heart. “Both.” Swipe ➡️ to read the book synopsis. 💌 My Rating: 💖💖💖💖/5 💀 CW: Murder 🕵🏼‍♀️ 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: JESS ARMSTRONG has a masters degree in American History but prefers writing about imaginary people to the real thing. Jess lives in New Orleans with her historian husband, two sons, yellow cat, speckled dog, and the world’s most pampered school-fair goldfish. 🙋🏼‍♀‍️ Thank you, MINOTAUR BOOKS for the #gifted copy for review. 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗬𝗧𝗛 𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗯𝘆 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 is coming to your favourite bookstore 𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬. 👩🏼‍🏫 𝗤𝗢𝗧𝗗: What is something most people get wrong about you when they meet you? @Minotaur_Books | @jessl_armstrong [AD-PR PRODUCT]

The Curse of Penryth Hall is the debut novel of Jess Armstrong. A well-paced Gothic story centered around superstition, folklore, and murder, it was a great read. Ruby Vaughn is sent to the town of Lothlel Green in the Cornish countryside to deliver books for her friend and employer, Mr. Owen. She delivers a trunk of books to Ruan Kivell, the town Pellar -- healer, witch, and finder of stolen goods. While in Lothlel Green, she stops at Penryth Hall to visit Tamsyn Chenowyth, the woman of the house and a friend she hadn't seen in years. Since Ruby is so far from home, she stays the night at Penryth Hall, expecting to leave in the morning. But she's awoken by a dream and the feeling of someone strangling her, then the death bell starts to toll. Sir Edward has been found murdered in the orchard, thus reigniting the curse of Penryth Hall. If the curse is real, then Tamsyn will be next. Can Ruby, along with Ruan, find out the truth? This is a novel steeped in superstition and folklore. Can the Pellar really heal people? What is the connection between Ruby and Ruan? The town believes in the curse because thirty years ago the same thing happened to Sir Edward's uncle, but are curses real or is there a murderer in their midst? The characters are well-written and fully developed. We get a lot of background between Ruby and Tamsyn, who used to be extremely close. Ruan is an interesting, likeable character who brings something different to the story. All the other side characters have their own voices and small stories. The plot moves along at a nice pace, and the mystery has a few red herrings. Could Tamsyn have killed Sir Edward? Was it one of his mistresses or their husband? Or was it truly the curse? All in all, a great Gothic mystery debut from Jess Armstrong. If you enjoy those genres, or a murder set in the rainy Cornish countryside, then this is definitely for you! #Books_With_Sass #ReadWithSass #ReadWithSassyCassi #TheCurseOfPenrythHall #JessArmstrong #DebutAuthor #NetGalley #GothicMystery #StMartinsPress #SMPInfluencers #MinotaurBooks #MysteryBooks #GothicReads #GothicBooks #HistoricalSuspense #IdRatherBeReading #BookNerd #NewBooks #PublicationDay

💫 Book Review 💫 The Curse of Penryth Hall by Jess Armstrong (U.S. Release December 5, 2023) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Curse of Penryth Hall is the perfect blend of historical fiction and folklore. Lush descriptions of the Cornish countryside bring images of King Arthur, Pride and Prejudice, and Outlander - I was instantly transported. I lived for the banter between Ruby and Ruan. Their unwitting partnership was by far my favorite part. I used to play those Nancy Drew computer games as child/teenager by Her Interactive (let’s be honest…I still play them) and the atmosphere and story reminded me so much of Nancy Drew: Curse of Blackmoor Manor. I loved seeing the parallels between two plots. This story had the perfect gothic atmosphere and the twists and turns kept me furiously turning the pages. The ending was so unexpected and so perfect. While the story wraps up, the ending leaves room for a sequel. I really hope we get more Ruby and Ruan! Thank you to @netgalley, @minotaur_books, and @stmartinspress for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review. You can also read my review using the link in my story and in my Book Review highlights. #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #bookreview #netgalley #stmartinspress #minotaurbooks #2023books #2023releases #bookstagram

🍏 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 🍏 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐮𝐛. 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟓 ℚ𝕆𝕋𝔻 - 𝔸𝕣𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕤𝕦𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕦𝕤? 𝔸𝕟𝕕 𝕚𝕗 𝕪𝕖𝕤 𝕒𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥? Make sure to add this debut gothic mystery with supernatural elements to your cozy winter reading list. Set in Cornwall in 1922m the story follows (mis)adventures of troubled and trouble-making American heiress Ruby. When her elderly employer and landlord Mr. Owen asks her to deliver some books to a local healer, Ruby is reluctant to go because her once closest friend Tamsyn lives there as well. Ruby's visit stirs up a lot of unresolved things from the past and throw her in the middle of a an investigation of unusual death of Tamsyn's husband. This story had a little bit of everything but I think I enjoyed the dynamic between Ruby and Ruan the most. Cornish folklore, potential curse, lots of secrets and unresolved feelings and Ruby's mischievous spirit made for an entertaining read. It was a quick, fun read that made me forget about everything else for a few hours. I also liked the fact the epilogue read as if there is a possibility of a sequel. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ ᴜᴘ ꜰᴏʀ: - ɢᴏᴛʜɪᴄ ᴠɪʙᴇꜱ - ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴛʀɪᴀɴɢʟᴇ - ᴍʏꜱᴛᴇʀʏ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀ ᴅᴀꜱʜ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴜᴘᴇʀɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴀʟ - ɢʀᴇᴀᴛ ᴄʜᴇᴍɪꜱᴛʀʏ ʙᴇᴛᴡᴇᴇɴ ᴍᴀɪɴ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀꜱ - ᴄᴏᴍᴘᴇʟʟɪɴɢ "ꜱɪᴅᴇ" ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀꜱ - ʙᴇᴀᴜᴛɪꜰᴜʟ ꜱᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ A big thank you to @NetGalley and @stmartinspres for gifting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review! #TheCurseofPenrythHall #smpinfluencers #stmartinspress #netgalley #netgalleyreviewer #netgalleyreads #netgalleyreview #booklover #gothicmystery #JessArmstrong #ARCreader #cozyreads #bookreview #avidreader

Are you in the mood for an atmospheric historical mystery? I would have never guessed THE CURSE OF PENRYTH HALL is a debut, but it is! Armstrong’s book centers around Penryth Hall, which may or may not be cursed. I got Hound of the Baskervilles vibes particularly with the setting and mystery, which is a high compliment! Ruby Vaughn works at a cozy little bookstore in Exeter specializing in rare books. She meets Ruan Kivell when she’s delivering books to him. Ruan is known as the Peller, which she likens to a Cornish exorcist. When she meets Ruan again, she notices that his demeanor has shifted quite a bit from their first meeting, making him all the more intriguing. This also leads her back to the Cornish countryside which she swore she’d left behind for good, and to Penryth Hall where one of her oldest friends Tamsyn lives with ther husband, Sir Edward Cheowyth, and son. Penryth Hall is said to be cursed, and Ruby finds it unsettling at best. When Sir Edward is found dead in the orchard, there are whispers that the curse that lurks over Penryth Hall has claimed it’s next victim. The origins of the curse center around one of the Chenowyth ancestors who left his beloved to marry a barmaid. The jilted woman went to a local witch, who placed a curse on the Chenowyth line and Penryth Hall that has plagued the family lineage. Ruan the Peller is the only one the townspeople believe can break the curse. Though Edward wasn’t the best husband, I felt for Tamsyn because she worried her son would become the next victim of the curse one day. A little bit of romance, a little bit of spookiness, and atmospheric gothic vibes. I loved the folklore and mystery surrounding Penryth Hall and the small countryside community. This is an enchanting gothic mystery with interesting characters and a great setting! Thank you @minotaur_books for my copy. Opinions are my own. #gothicmystery #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #gothicfiction #crimenovel #minotaurbooks #minotaurinfluencers #smpinfluencers

This is more than your average haunted castle story! It's the early 1900's and American heiress Ruby Vaughn is sent on a mission to deliver a trunk of special books in the Cornish countryside. After meeting the local Pellar (witch) she takes time out to visit her best friend Tamsyn and her new husband. Life doesn't seem all that happy in Penryth Hall and during her stay Sir Edward, Tamsyn's husband dies, potentially murdered. Penryth is supposedly cursed and Tamsyn is afraid she is next. Ruby is forced to work with the recalcitrant pellar to solve the mystery and end the curse. Ruby is a fine protagonist, complex and interesting and her connection to the Pellar will have you hoping for a book 2. If you love atmospheric and gothic tales, haunted cursed castles or just like historical female figures fighting against cultural norms, The Curse Of Penryth Hall is for you! #Stmartins #TheCurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong

December 1 and Ruby is an Amazon Editors’ Pick for December! I’m so completely thrilled 🍎🖤

December 2023 releases I’m excited for everyone to read! Swipe through for release dates and publishing blurbs. 💫 The Engagement Party by @hkdimon 💫 The Curse of Penryth Hall by @jessl_armstrong 💫 Gold by @ravenkennedybooks 💫 Our Cursed Love by @julieabebooks 💫 Realm of Trials and Trickery by @clairewright.author 💫 Ruthless Vows by @beccajross What books are you most excited for this month? #december2023 #december2023releases #december2023books #upcomingreleases #bookstagram #theengagementparty #darbykane #ourcursedlove #juliaabe #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #gold #ravenkennedy #realmoftrialsandtrickery #clairewright #ruthlessvows #rebeccaross

𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℂ𝕦𝕣𝕤𝕖 𝕠𝕗 ℙ𝕖𝕟𝕣𝕪𝕥𝕙 ℍ𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝔹𝕪 𝕁𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝔸𝕣𝕞𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕠𝕟𝕘 𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕣𝕖: ℍ𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕝 𝕄𝕪𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕪 ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: 𝟜/𝟝⭐️ ℙ𝕦𝕓 𝕕𝕒𝕪: 𝔻𝕖𝕔𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣 5, 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟛 This debut was a quirky kind of gothic tale with a backdrop of moors in the Cornish countryside. The setting was eerie and ominous, adding an extra level of fear to this “cursed” tale that I really enjoyed. Somehow I walked away from this thinking “what a lovely story”, which seems odd for a mystery with some very graphic murder descriptions but it was indeed lovely. It has characters that drew me in and the main protagonist had such a rich backstory that had me rooting for her future at every turn. A very good audio experience that I recommend for anyone looking for a lighter mystery with a side of mystical intrigue. Thank you @dreamscape_media for the alc via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. QOTD: What was your favorite read of November? #thecurseofpenrythhall #jessarmstrong #mystery #gothic #historicalfiction #bookstagram #bookreview #debutauthor #dreamscape #netgalley

THE CURSE OF PENRYTH HALL My Rating: 3⭐️ Thank you @netgalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The Curse of Penryth Hall is out 12/5/23! The Curse of Penryth Hall is a bit mystery, a bit fantasy, and a lot of gothic vibes, which I love. Ruby Vaughn is a young American heiress living abroad in Exeter and working for an older gentleman who deals in the world of rare books. When her employer sends her on a mission to deliver a box of books to a pellar (or a folk healer) in Cornwall, Ruby pays a visit to an old friend of hers in the area. Soon after Ruby arrives at her friend’s home (Penryth Hall), her friend’s husband, Sir Edward Chenowyth, is found dead. The townspeople begin to mention that “the curse” came for Edward, and Ruby is thus swept up into the myth and mystery surrounding Sir Edward’s death. I loved the plot of this book and all of the elements that went into it, from the gothic atmosphere to the country folklore. I feel like the background of the characters could have been better explored, however, to allow readers to feel a stronger sense of connection to them and a better understanding of them. Because of this lack of background and also the writing style, the characters felt flat to me. The pacing was also a little off for me, as the beginning moved really quickly and then things dragged until the end. All in all, I primarily stuck with this because of a sense of duty and because I truly was curious about the mystery; I just wish it were more cohesive and compelling. ⚠️ CWs: death, murder, infidelity ✨ Side note — How cool is this hotel room I stayed in while on a work trip in Nashville earlier this month? Talk about on theme. 🤩 [ID: I’m holding a Kindle in my right hand inside a hotel room with a wooden armoire/drawers in the background. The armoire has a country theme, with a guitar, coat, and cowboy boots etched into the wood.]

THE CURSE OF PENRYTH HALL by Jess Armstrong is read by Emma Love is a darkly whimsical Gothic novel perfect for the season! ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I loved the ability to pair the audio with the digital book with this one. To have the accents done so well and distinctive is such fun for me and this was fantastic. It made reading the story so much more alive! American heiress Ruby is happily running a bookstore in the Cornish village of Exeter after the Great War. When she brings an order of rare books to a folk healer deep in the countryside, she is intrigued. She doesn't want to dredge up old wounds but she is drawn to the home her former best friend who lives in Penryth Hall, and when her husband, Edward dies one fateful night, Ruby and folk healer Ruen join forces to discover the killer before anyone else becomes a victim of the curse! I was a bit unprepared for the slight magical realism of this story. Once I embraced the abilities of Ruen and understood this aspect, it helped me to stop overthinking it! His magic is both covert and kind-of known, thus my dark whimsy label. Also, I learned what a Pellar was (a witch who breaks curses). I enjoyed this mystery quite a bit, and had no idea who the culprit was. The family drama of the wealthy in the English countryside is usually fine fodder for a tale like this. I liked getting pulled into various suspicious with many possibilities. I even liked Ruby and Ruen's complicated connection. If you are ready for a period murder mystery with a pinch of magic and a ton of atmosphere, this book and audio will be available on December 5th! A really fantastic read for these longer, dark nights. Thank you @netgalley @dreamscape_media & @minotaur_books for this great story and letting me share my thoughts. I can see why Armstrong won your Mystery Writers of America Best Crime Novel Award! I will be excited to read what comes next as well. Are you taken in by titles or covers? Both had me with this book!