Darn. I checked to see if this novel is part of an ongoing series because the characters definitely merit ongoing status. If it is, The Curse of Penryth Hall is the debut entry in the series.
This is an easy to read historical fiction mystery set in Exeter and Cornwall a few years after the close of WWI. Ruby Vaughan shares a home with and works for Mr. Owen, an octogenarian antiquarian book seller. He asks her to take a trunk of books to Ruan Kibble.who lives in the same town in Cornwall where her estranged friend Tamsyn lives with her husband Edward, a Baronet and her young son. Ruby hasn’t seen them since their wedding where she apparently did something inappropriate that is never shared with us. She has reason to feel betrayal from Tamsyn as the story develops. They both were driving ambulances during the war and they had been friends for many years, yet Ruby is reluctant to be so nearby and she ignored a letter from Tamsyn asking her for help.
Ruby decides to stop by to see Tamsyn, ends up staying with the family in a house that feels haunted. Ruby is a no nonsense, heavy drinking, heavy partying flapper type with a short bob and never look back attitude. Looking back will make her remember the loss of her parents and sisters to a shipwreck, eventually identified as the Lusitania. (that’s not a spoiler, honest. I thought it would be the Titanic and yet the dates seemed wrong and finally she named the ship.) So, looking back is really hard for her. And she is a realist. She does not believe in ghosts. She quickly surmises Tamsyn’s marriage is potentially an abusive one and certainly an unhappy one.. On her first night, she is awakened by something and sees something outside the window. The next morning, she finds the wonderful housekeeper ringing the bell that has not been rung for 30 years. The curse of the Chenowiths has struck again and the Baronet is dead, eviscerated by an unknown force.
In addition to calling the police, the “Pellar” is called in. He is a faith healer, a witch (perhaps), a person who settles potentially supernatural matters (maybe) and it is Ruan Kibble, a man Ruby met the day before when delivering the books. Armstrong writes a supremely atmospheric novel enhanced by the workings of a small village, too many affairs and conflicts and history known (more or less) to everyone. Ruby and Tamsyn are struggling in their relationship. Ruby and Ruan form a complicated and often contentious alliance. Every red herring is a believable clue and the conclusion is completely believable within the context of a wonderful gothic novel. I read the audio version and think either audio or print would be enjoyable to anyone.. I recommend this highly for those who like this kind of tale. I read up on the history of Pellars as a result, which is quite interesting. I enjoyed the local setting and the characters a lot. Great story!
They Called me Bookworm 