Author: L.V. Russell
Genre: Historical Horror
Publisher: Quill and Crow Publishing House
Number of Pages: 194
Release Date: May 17th, 2023
Blurb: Theodora Corvus can hear the whispers of her crumbling family home. She can hear the whispers of Kingsward Manor, her place of employment. She sees the watchers by the lake, black-eyed and waiting. But Broken Oak is silent. Broken Oak is empty.
When Theodora takes the job as governess to young Ottoline Thorne, she leaves behind her beloved grandmother and the decaying ruins of her childhood home to travel far north to Broken Oak Manor. There, she finds a house filled with secrets. Under the stern eye of the foreboding housekeeper, Theodora quickly navigates the dark and winding corridors of Broken Oak, only to find herself irrevocably drawn to the mysterious lord of the manor. But someone walks the hallways late after nightfall, their footsteps leading to the attic. The only place in the sprawling house that does not remain silent.
As her scandalous feelings for Cassias Thorne grow, Theodora fights to unearth the secrets of Broken Oak. Who wanders the house at night? Where is the Lady of the Manor? What lies behind the attic door high up under the eaves of the house?
“Where is Lady Thorne, Cassias? Where is your wife?”
My Thoughts: At first I thought this was going to be a Jane Eyre-inspired book and in some ways it sort of was but I never saw that twist coming. The lord of the manor and the governess start falling in love but he keeps mentioning his wife. Theodora keeps hearing footsteps outside her door at night and she's told not to go to the attic. So can you blame me for thinking that? I really thought this book was sort of boring but that twist at the end I didn't see coming. Eleanora Thorne got what she deserved at the end but I do wonder how long it took for her to get justice.
I'm going to admit this was going to get an average rating from me but that twist got me. So it's getting a higher rating now. I definitely recommend this book if you love historical horror.
Rating: 4 stars
*I received an advanced copy from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Be First to Post Comment !
Post a Comment