The Secrets of Hartwood Hall | 
pickIt‘s been a fair piece since I burned through a book in two days. This was a real page turner for me. Short chapters that clipped along made it harder to put down. This is a gothic mystery set in a dilapidated mansion inhabited by folks dripping in secrets, so absolutely give this a go if that‘s your thing. It was perfect for a Halloween finish. ⚠️ Trigger warning for domestic abuse, both physical and mental/emotional.
pickHad lots of fun reading this one, Victorian gothics are my catnip. Just a couple minor annoyances, nothing that really detracted from overall enjoyment. I didn‘t care for Paul the gardener, he comes across more himbo than romantic lead in a gothic. Also lots of steadily held gazes and furrowed brows. Overall I think Lumsden shows a lot of promise and I‘m looking forward to what she might write next.
pickI absolutely loved this gripping and twisty story. It's a Gothic story, and it's got all my favourites in a story. A house with some strange goings on, a young lady who is a governess, secrets, betrayals, and some romance. Brilliant
It was twisty and had a great atmosphere.. and I liked it but sometimes I was just like grr the MC was so indecisive but I think that was the point she knew she wanted to be free and independent but she didn‘t really know herself to be confident enough in her choices.. for a debut novel I give it a solid 3.75.
pickIt's been stormy here today off and on so I've holed up to read! I quite fancied this one. Combo of Gothic Victorian Vibes, romance and a cozy mystery. Three of my favorite things in a book. Solid 🌟🌟🌟🌟 read! #bookspin @TheAromaofBooks
pickI quite enjoyed this “novel in conversation with Jane Eyre,” as Lumsden describes it in the acknowledgments. A slow burn, satisfyingly mysterious, with an action packed ending. It fits in well with books like Rebecca, The Thirteenth Tale, and other atmospheric novels which take inspiration from Victorian literature, and Jane Eyre in particular. Well done!
P.S.- the romance aspect was not for me, but I appreciated where it went in the end.
so-soI love a good gothic novel and this one has all of the elements characteristic of the genre: manor house, a locked wing, ghosts, nighttime shenanigans, secrets, and high emotion. There was something about the pacing that was frustrating - very slow until nearly the end. Partly because the MC spells things out & recaps for the reader too often.
Pet peeve, the romance was gag worthy. 🤢
pickI could not put this book down. Katie Lumsden is an author to watch out for.
pick3.5⭐️. A beautifully written and atmospheric read with nods to Jane Eyre. It‘s quite a slow burner, though, as it gradually draws you in and I was keen to find out just what the secrets were. Some nicely drawn characters, too. However, I did find the ending slightly disappointing.
Library book. Looking forward to reading this one. Love a bit of gothic!
pickThis book has some nice twists on the typical Gothic governess tale. Margaret is newly widowed and broke, so she takes a job as a governess at Hartwood Hall, and of course it's full of secrets.
#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks
so-so1852 - recently widowed Margaret Lennox is offered the position of governess to a young boy named Louis Eversham at Hartwood Hall. On the journey there, the carriage has to stop in the nearby village, & Margaret notices that the villagers seem to be rather unfriendly when she mentions Hartwood Hall. Putting it down to coincidence, she soon starts to settle in. (Continued)
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The Secrets of Hartwood Hall- Katie Lumsden
Book Review- https://www.boleybooks.com//the-secrets-of-hartwood-hall/
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pickFolks, you're in for a treat in the spring. The Secrets of Hartwood Hall by Katie Lumsden is so, so good. I started it last night and am half way through (after staying up way too late). With beautiful evocative writing, it's intriguing, unusual, with gothic mystery and brilliant characterisation. A widowed governess, a lonely little boy, house full of secrets. I have no idea where it's going
pre-order https://uk.bookshop.org/a/3436/9780241556078
Of course I did not believe the house was cursed - but when people feared a place, there was usually a reason.
