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Secrets of Hartwood Hall
Secrets of Hartwood Hall | Katie Lumsden
A gripping and atmospheric debut that is at once a chilling gothic mystery and a love letter to Victorian fiction. Nobody ever goes to Hartwood Hall. Folks say it's cursed... It's 1852 and Margaret Lennox, a young widow, attempts to escape the shadows of her past by taking a position as governess to an only child, Louis, at an isolated country house in the west of England. But Margaret soon starts to feel that something isn't quite right. There are strange figures in the dark, tensions between servants, and an abandoned east wing. Even stranger is the local gossip surrounding Mrs. Eversham, Louis's widowed mother, who is deeply distrusted in the village. Lonely and unsure whom to trust, Margaret finds distraction in a forbidden relationship with the gardener, Paul. But as Margaret's history threatens to catch up with her, it isn't long before she learns the truth behind the secrets of Hartwood Hall.
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Sweetkokoro
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Right before I lost my spark for reading, I started getting into gothic reads and I lucked out and found this one at my local HPB for $1. I haven‘t had the chance to read it but I really hope it‘s a good one. I‘d love to hear any opinions on this if you have read it!

Im hoping that if i talk about books I am genuinely interested in, it will help reignite that spark for me.

14 likes1 stack add
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Ericalambbrown
Secrets of Hartwood Hall | Katie Lumsden
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Pickpick

It‘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.

Clare-Dragonfly Oh heck yeah! 14mo
47 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Tara
Secrets of Hartwood Hall | Katie Lumsden
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Pickpick

Had 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.

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emmaturi
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Pickpick

I 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

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MelliMel1980

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.

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KristiAhlers
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Pickpick

It'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

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 1y
45 likes1 stack add1 comment
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psalva
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Pickpick

I 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.

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Tamra
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Mehso-so

I 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. 🤢

batsy I used to enjoy her Booktube channel (she's a big fan of Victorian fiction) and was pretty amazed that she came out with a book! 1y
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LeticiaToraci
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Pickpick

I could not put this book down. Katie Lumsden is an author to watch out for.

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VanessaCW
Pickpick

3.5⭐️. 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.

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VanessaCW
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Library book. Looking forward to reading this one. Love a bit of gothic!

Prairiegirl_reading Gorgeous cover!!😍😍 2y
39 likes1 comment
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BookwormAHN
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Pickpick

This 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

TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! 2y
63 likes1 comment
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OutsmartYourShelf
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Mehso-so

1852 - 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)

OutsmartYourShelf There are few servants at the Hall & one in particular is rather impertinent & out to cause trouble. Margaret finds herself drawn to the gardener, Paul, who is from the local village but lives onsite at the Hall. She grows fond of her young pupil, but starts to think that there is something not quite right at Hartwood. The east wing is off-limits & yet candlelight is seen flickering there,
2y
OutsmartYourShelf Margaret sometimes sees a shadowy figure by the summerhouse, & the locals seem to have taken against the family. Louis & his mother, Mrs Eversham, are kind but they are definitely keeping secrets, but then again, so is Margaret.

I really enjoy gothic mysteries set in old houses & this looked perfect. I liked the first half, the author nicely built up the tension & mystery, & also threw in a few possibly supernatural elements.
2y
OutsmartYourShelf The second half frustrated me though, mainly because of the MC, she was so irritating: “should I go do something to help Louis, my pupil that I keep saying I'm so fond of & who might be in danger?.......No, I'll go bang the gardener instead“. Also inconsistent, one minute standing up to her employer to be allowed to take Louis to church, the next she can't say boo to a goose. I liked the premise but I can't rate this higher than average. 3⭐ 2y
OutsmartYourShelf TW: miscarriage, controlling relationship

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Michael Joseph/Penguin Random House, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5437964010

#MarchMadness @DieAReader @andrew65 @Ghabi4roses
2y
DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 2y
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BoleyBooks
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BoleyBooks
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Bibliomania
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Pickpick

Folks, 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

batsy That's great to hear! I enjoyed her BookTube channel and it's nice to see she's written a book. 2y
Bibliomania I haven't seen her Book Tube, I'll look her up, thanks! 2y
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diaryofdifference

Of course I did not believe the house was cursed - but when people feared a place, there was usually a reason.