Publisher: 1st November 2021 by Lake Union Publishing
Pages: 367 pages
How I Read It: ARC book
Genre: women’s fiction, gothic, historical, suspense
My Rating: 4 crowns
Synopsis:
Some houses hold secrets that are meant to be kept forever…
When Eliza Sullivan inherits an estate from a recently deceased aunt, she leaves behind a grievous and guilt-ridden past in New Orleans for rural England and a fresh start. Eliza arrives at her new home and finds herself falling for the mysterious lord of Havenwood, Malcolm Winfield. Despite the sinister rumors that surround him, Eliza is drawn to his melancholy charm and his crumbling, once-beautiful mansion. With enough love, she thinks, both man and manor could be repaired.
Not long into their marriage, Eliza fears that she should have listened to the locals. There’s something terribly wrong at Havenwood Manor: Forbidden rooms. Ghostly whispers in the shadows. Strangely guarded servants. And Malcolm’s threatening moods, as changeable as night and day.
As Eliza delves deeper into Malcolm’s troubling history, the dark secrets she unearths gain a frightening power. Has she married a man or a monster? For Eliza, uncovering the truth will either save her or destroy her.
My Thoughts
Here is a story for all of you who enjoy contemporary gothic literature. Parting the Veil is a fabulous tale dripping with spooky secrets and a chilling atmosphere that I had not really been expecting. It is cleverly written with just the right amount of the paranormal thriller adding in a sprinkle of gothic romance.
This is a well written tale that gives you all the feels with its rich descriptions of both people and place. It starts off somewhat slow with the necessary characters and world building with the prerequisite background stories. Eliza is such a strong character and Malcolm presents the dark broody persona. There is a strong line up of believable and complex characters with the manor itself so well conveyed with its mysteries that it is like another character in the line up.
Gray clouds hung low over its chimneys and the arched windows seemed darkly pensive, the shadows long under its eaves. It gave the structure an air of almost human melancholy. Eliza shook her head at her silliness. It was foolish to imagine a house could have feelings.
This story has it all - murder and mystery with even a touch of the horror in the gothic elements. The twists and turns will have you guessing to the very end (suspend some literal belief and allow yourself to be swept away). Be warned, there are a number of sensitive issues under the spotlight - self harm and domestic abuse as examples.
Paulette is to be commended for the seamless way she wove together this family saga with its ghost/murder mystery. If a favourite trope of yours is delving through old diaries you are in for a treat. Parting the Veil is a book brimming with a dark atmosphere that will excite lovers of gothic tales. It is haunting and is sure to sweep you away.
Her life had certainly taken her through a strange dance. Some of it had been more painful than she thought she might bear. The old sorrows would always remain, but they were tucked well away now
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This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
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