ARC Review - Publish Date June 8, 2023
Author: M.R.C. Kasasian
Series: Book 1 of The Violet Thorn Mysteries series
Category: Thriller
"I could not have known, the last time I left, that the true horror of Haglin House had yet to begin." - Violet
I struggled to get into this book in the beginning. Other than knowing Violet is a jilted bride, there is very little background given to the reader as we are dumped into the thick of things. I was impatient to rush forward to the mystery part of the story but the book doesn't start to pick up until 30% of the way in, a lot of patience to ask of a reader.
M.R.C. Kasasian's writing style was flowery, it was hard to stay concentrated on the story at times. I freely admit to skimming past some of the various arduous descriptions of rooms, people on the street walking by, etc.
Violet was headstrong and determined, but she didn’t cross over into superwomen or TSTL territory for me. There were more than a few harebrained schemes, but overall she was likable and competent enough to talk her way out of danger.
"He did not have to tell me the kind of stories that would circulate if we were closeted together. They would not especially worry me, for a single woman pursuing such a disreputable career as mine must expect to be the subject of all sorts of rumors." - Violet
By far the best and worst parts of the book were Violet's book characters, whom she hears in her head throughout the story. I felt like I was missing parts of the book initially until I realized these people weren't real, just figments of her imagination who chimed in every once in a while with no warning or explanation. Some of these moments of banter were entertaining, hell I'd love to read one of Violet's novels about Ruby!
"'I loved him,' I told the absinthe. It did not reply of course, but Ruby had plenty to say on the subject. 'What is love? she philosophised. A flutter of the heart or a surge of blood in the brain? Doctors will find a cure for it one day.'"
However, these imaginary interactions eventually became a distraction from the actual plot. I love the idea of a novelist conversing with her characters, but it was overdone to the point of being annoying.
The mystery element of the story dragged. Violet made continuous errors of claiming to know who the murderer was, the police telling her she had no evidence, then putting herself into harm's way only to discover she didn't have the full story. It was a never-ending loop of misdirection that again, went a little too far.
I don't know if I would pick up book two of the series, turns out Victorian thrillers may not be my thing. Still, the book ended without a key plot point resolved, so I might be tempted to read on just to know what happens next.
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you, NetGalley and Canelo for the opportunity.
Tropes and Themes: Cozy Mystery, Victorian, Historical, Suspense.
Blurb
Home is where the horror is…
Jilted thriller writer Lady Violet Thorn has withdrawn to the Suffolk market town of Montford with two servants and her leading character, the adventuress Ruby Gibson, for company.
Violet’s peace is disturbed when a stranger asks her for help, claiming that a friend is being kept prisoner in her own home. Her visitor seems so afraid that Violet, despite her scepticism, is persuaded to investigate.
A woman is killed outside Violet’s house, then another murdered in the town and, as the deaths mount up, she becomes convinced that they all lead to one place: the increasingly forbidding Haglin House, and whoever lives there…
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