Review: Secrets of Rose Briar Hall by Kelsey James

 

First a word about the cover. It made me think of a 19th century woman in the long cloak and hood walking with the lantern. It really does not match the style or story of the book which is set in 1908. 

Secrets of Rose Briar Hall is a gothicy mystery about Millie Turner, daughter of a rich New Yorker who has married the handsome Charles Turner. The make a beautiful couple and with Millie's money they have built a beautiful home. After a dinner party, Millie wakes to find that a guest has died and she is suspected of being the killer. Her husband turns from solicitous to dangerous as Millie tries to uncover the truth about the night. 

With plenty of twist and turns, the author leads us on a tortuous path to the answer the answer and leaves us with an explosive ending. I really enjoyed this story, it's a quick read and I found it hard to put down. From a historical fiction standpoint it dives into the lack of rights women posessed in that era and the cultural attitude towards divorce. All in all a good read. 

I give this book 4 1/2 ⭐⭐⭐⭐