The Curse of Penryth Hall
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“A delightful debut.” –People An atmospheric gothic mystery that beautifully brings the ancient Cornish countryside to life, Armstrong introduces heroine Ruby Vaughn in her Minotaur Books & Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award-winning debut, The Curse of Penryth Hall. 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.
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1 primary book#1 in Ruby Vaughn
Ruby Vaughn is a 1-book series first released in 2023 with contributions by Jess Armstrong.
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I just finished The Curse of Penryth hall by Jess Armstrong @jessl_armstrong and here are my thoughts.
Ruby Vaughn didn't have the life she expected to have. After the war, she found herself running a rare bookstore with her very old employer and housemate. She left a life behind and doesn't dwell on it until she is sent to deliver a box of rare books to a place Ruby swore she would never set foot in again. Instead of delivering the books and leaving right away, she makes the foolish decision to visit Penryth Hall.
Her old friend Tamryn lives there with her husband Edward. Vowing to leave the next day, Ruby is mortified to learn the bells are ringing for the first time in 30 years and they are ringing to announce the death of Tamryns husband. The town begins to rumble about the return of the curse. She doesn't believe in curses but she can't now leave when Tamryn is now in danger.
Can she and the pellar find out what is really going on before it is too late?
This book started a little slow. I wasn't 100% sure I was going to like it at first but I was pleasantly surprised after a couple of chapters. I always love a good relatable MC and Ruby was awesome. She didn't try and conform and ended up carving out a nice little life for herself.
She always seems to get herself involved in things that she should stay out of but she is definitely handy to have around. I really enjoyed her banter with the pellar, he is like a witch healer and seems to be revered by the town which I was totally loving. The vicar seemed to be shady and I was loving that too!
The whole curse was an interesting concept and I very much enjoyed the conclusion to the mystery which I never did figure out! I love books that keep me guessing. The plot was great, the characters were solid and I felt the writing was quite excellent. Historical mysteries seem to be top for me as of late. This one hit every mark for me and I would love to read more from this author.
Solid 4.5 stars!!
Thank you to @minotaur_books for my gifted copy of this masterpiece!
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A really great debut novel! I loved the mystery with a hint of fantasy weaved in. The characters were realistic enough that I didn't question motives or thoughts and it was a refreshing version of romance.
Excited to read the next one!
