Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Review: The Secret of the Three Fates

The Secret of the Three Fates The Secret of the Three Fates by Jess Armstrong
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

2.5 stars 

I received this book for free, this does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review 

The Three Fates, at Manhurst Castle for one night only. Join them to commune with the dead. 

After reading The Curse of Penryth Hall, I was chomping at the bit to see American heiress Ruby Vaughn and Cornish Pellar Ruan Kivell's story continue. I would suggest reading the first in the series as it would greatly improve your knowledge of character relationships and foundations. We left off with the murder solved in Cornwall and Ruby going back to live with Mr. Owens and things left uncertain with Ruan. The first introduced us to some magical elements, Ruan's Pellar status (a sort of witch) where he has healing powers and can hear Ruby's thoughts. It was hinted at that Ruby has her own status, Morvoren, but she's left not knowing what that really means. This starts off a couple weeks after the first in 1922 London. This time her friend, mentor, father figure, Mr. Owens, has maneuvered her to going with him to Scotland. 

“Murderer!” he shouted again, waggling a bony finger at Mr. Owen. 

The new setting of Scotland delivers much the same from the first, magical elements, séance and possibly ghostly activities, and, once again, a murder. Besides, Ruby, Mr. Owens, and Ruan who later shows up, it's a whole new cast of red-herrings. One of my favorite aspects of this was the atmosphere, it's spooky and descriptive. However, that new cast of characters, it got a bit overwhelming. In an effort to always keep the reader guessing, characters are delved into enough to tease just enough focus for finger pointing but the more sedate pace this had, made it tough to stay focused and remember all the reveals and connections. 

There is nowhere on earth you can hide from the dead… 

We get a good deal more on Mr. Owens' background here, his family life and how messy and fraught it was and is, it's mostly his drama that has created the mystery plot thread, along with a past shrouded gentleman's club. Ruby has her own background mess come up with a character from her past showing up but it was more about Ruby trying to solve the murder to keep an Inspector from blaming her and to save Mr. Owens. I was a little disappointed in how this seemed to be less Ruby figuring out clues and more-so overhearing what she needed to, to lead her to the guilty. I just think things could have moved at a quicker place in the later middle half as too many familial, friendship, and past relationship ties piled on. I also thought it was a bit ridiculous how Ruby questioned Mr. Owens' and Ruan's intentions, people she's very close with and knows way better, especially Mr. Owens, instead of solidly looking at who they were pointing at. Benefit of doubt and all but it felt more like dragging out the red-herring aspects. 

“You terrify me. I do not know what lives between us. I have seen more things in this world than I care to admit but I cannot explain what this is.” 

Ruby and Ruan shippers will like the pretty strong romantic element here, their obvious strong connection gets explored more and important discussions are had. Ruby still has her fear of her feelings and will probably make readers upset towards the end but a month later epilogue gives hope for these two and another adventure on the horizon (Howard Carter's discovery has just happened and Mr. Owens has gotten a call). Family drama, murder mystery, supernatural elements coming out to play, and romance, all lead to an atmospheric ride in Scotland this time.

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