Finally found a decent - not great, but decent- modern novel, which is certainly a departure from the last several I've read. One of its greatest attributes is that it moves at a decent pace from the outset, and has fairly well-developed and realistic characters who actually make a contribution to the plot. Kind of sad to say: that should be the least that a book can offer, but that hasn't been the case for the last several, so this was definitely a welcome step-up.
This capable novel tells the story of once-wealthy heiress Ruby Vaughn, a young American who has been exiled to England after her, shall we say, youthful indiscretions essentially ruined any prospects of a good marriage in her native New York. As a result, her parents shipped her off to Europe, where she ended up serving as a nurse and ambulance driver during the Great War. The novel is set in the early 1920s, a period which was still reeling from the aftermath of WWI, which the narrative effectively reflects. Each of the main characters in some way remains deeply affected by the War, in ways which are familiar to modern-day readers.
Still-freewheeling and gin-swilling Ruby (there was no such thing as Prohibition in the UK) has taken a job working in a rare books shop in Exeter, owned by the elderly Mr. Owen, with whom Ruby apparently also resides. One day, Mr. Owens sends her to deliver a mysterious box of books to a folk healer in far-flung Cornwall, which he forbids her to open.
As it happens, that's also where one of Ruby's friends resides, at a stately gothic manor, Penryth Hall. As it turns out, Ruby and "friend" Tamsyn, who served together during the war, apparently had a romantic tryst, but Tamsyn ultimately chose to marry Sir Edward Chenowyth, a terrible man whose repeated infidelities have resulted in numerous scandals in the nearby town, along with several illegitimate children.
Ruby is shocked by her friend's appearance, which includes bruises on her face. Thin, drawn and seemingly cowed, it's clear that Tamsyn hasn't found her happily ever after. Things take a dark turn when Edward is brutally murdered the night of Ruby's arrival, in a manner which appears not unfamiliar to the local townspeople. It doesn't help matters that Ruby also had a terrible dream in which she was the one who stabbed Edward to death after being attacked by him, a premonition which she attempts to conceal from the Penryth residents.
Upon learning of the event, the superstitious local townspeople turn to the one person they believe can help: a local folk healer, to determine whether the death was caused by the so-called Penryth Curse, a generational affliction which was reportedly bestowed upon one of Edward's ancestors centuries past, a fellow notorious philanderer who wreaked as much havoc as Edward, at the behest of one of his forebearer's jilted lovers. In fact, numerous ancestors of Edwards have met their grim fate the same way - but not just the men. According to local legend, now, it appears, the Curse will shortly exact its revenge upon Edward's wife Tamsyn and their young son as well.
So, it's up to Ruby, and this mysterious but capricious Pellar, essentially a male witch/healer, to get to the bottom of the mystery: were Edward and his kin really done in by a curse, or one of his jilted lovers who is trying to use the so-called curse as a cover? It appears that Ruby is also being targeted, as the Pellar finds an odd artifact under her bed and bruises on her neck, indicating that something untoward did occur the night of Edward's murder.
In something of a stereotype twist, Ruby is the level head, relying on science and evidence to solve the mystery, whereas the Pellar, Ruan Kivell, relies on more traditional and supernatural methods. Ruby has to concede, however, that the seventh son of a seventh son does seem to harbor some unique gifts, which may even include telepathy, the ability to read minds - including hers.
I won't included any additional spoilers, but this was at least an enjoyable read. It was also generally believable, as opposed to the last several novels in this genre I've read, which were so outlandish and ridiculous that it was a chore to finish them, so this one was a welcome change.
The main character, Ruby, was a good reflection of the time period, which saw the birth of the "flapper," but the author also acknowledges the aftermath of the war, which affected men and women alike. Ruby is resourceful and courageous, having seen death on an unprecedented scale, but she is still vulnerable and human, although she can certainly hold her own against her adversaries.
Recommended read for fans of this genre. I think there will also be more forthcoming novels featuring these characters, as the ending left things unresolved between Ruby and Ruan, so expect some additional offerings soon.
This capable novel tells the story of once-wealthy heiress Ruby Vaughn, a young American who has been exiled to England after her, shall we say, youthful indiscretions essentially ruined any prospects of a good marriage in her native New York. As a result, her parents shipped her off to Europe, where she ended up serving as a nurse and ambulance driver during the Great War. The novel is set in the early 1920s, a period which was still reeling from the aftermath of WWI, which the narrative effectively reflects. Each of the main characters in some way remains deeply affected by the War, in ways which are familiar to modern-day readers.
Still-freewheeling and gin-swilling Ruby (there was no such thing as Prohibition in the UK) has taken a job working in a rare books shop in Exeter, owned by the elderly Mr. Owen, with whom Ruby apparently also resides. One day, Mr. Owens sends her to deliver a mysterious box of books to a folk healer in far-flung Cornwall, which he forbids her to open.
As it happens, that's also where one of Ruby's friends resides, at a stately gothic manor, Penryth Hall. As it turns out, Ruby and "friend" Tamsyn, who served together during the war, apparently had a romantic tryst, but Tamsyn ultimately chose to marry Sir Edward Chenowyth, a terrible man whose repeated infidelities have resulted in numerous scandals in the nearby town, along with several illegitimate children.
Ruby is shocked by her friend's appearance, which includes bruises on her face. Thin, drawn and seemingly cowed, it's clear that Tamsyn hasn't found her happily ever after. Things take a dark turn when Edward is brutally murdered the night of Ruby's arrival, in a manner which appears not unfamiliar to the local townspeople. It doesn't help matters that Ruby also had a terrible dream in which she was the one who stabbed Edward to death after being attacked by him, a premonition which she attempts to conceal from the Penryth residents.
Upon learning of the event, the superstitious local townspeople turn to the one person they believe can help: a local folk healer, to determine whether the death was caused by the so-called Penryth Curse, a generational affliction which was reportedly bestowed upon one of Edward's ancestors centuries past, a fellow notorious philanderer who wreaked as much havoc as Edward, at the behest of one of his forebearer's jilted lovers. In fact, numerous ancestors of Edwards have met their grim fate the same way - but not just the men. According to local legend, now, it appears, the Curse will shortly exact its revenge upon Edward's wife Tamsyn and their young son as well.
So, it's up to Ruby, and this mysterious but capricious Pellar, essentially a male witch/healer, to get to the bottom of the mystery: were Edward and his kin really done in by a curse, or one of his jilted lovers who is trying to use the so-called curse as a cover? It appears that Ruby is also being targeted, as the Pellar finds an odd artifact under her bed and bruises on her neck, indicating that something untoward did occur the night of Edward's murder.
In something of a stereotype twist, Ruby is the level head, relying on science and evidence to solve the mystery, whereas the Pellar, Ruan Kivell, relies on more traditional and supernatural methods. Ruby has to concede, however, that the seventh son of a seventh son does seem to harbor some unique gifts, which may even include telepathy, the ability to read minds - including hers.
I won't included any additional spoilers, but this was at least an enjoyable read. It was also generally believable, as opposed to the last several novels in this genre I've read, which were so outlandish and ridiculous that it was a chore to finish them, so this one was a welcome change.
The main character, Ruby, was a good reflection of the time period, which saw the birth of the "flapper," but the author also acknowledges the aftermath of the war, which affected men and women alike. Ruby is resourceful and courageous, having seen death on an unprecedented scale, but she is still vulnerable and human, although she can certainly hold her own against her adversaries.
Recommended read for fans of this genre. I think there will also be more forthcoming novels featuring these characters, as the ending left things unresolved between Ruby and Ruan, so expect some additional offerings soon.
