The Secret of the Three Fates - (Ruby Vaughn Mysteries) by Jess Armstrong

About the Book

"Following the atmospheric and award-winning gothic historical mystery debut, The Curse of Penryth Hall, USA Today bestselling author Jess Armstrong's heroine, Ruby Vaughn, returns in The Secret of the Three Fates, where the Scottish Hills hold ghosts of the past that threaten Ruby's present. American heiress Ruby Vaughn still hasn't entirely forgiven her octogenarian employer and housemate Mr. Owen for bringing the occult into their lives during her recent trip to Cornwall. He claims their journey to Manhurst Castle in the Scottish Borders is simply to appraise and acquire illuminated manuscripts for their rare bookshop, however when Ruby discovers there are no manuscripts and receives news of a sâeance to be held that very night, she begins to grow suspicious about the true reason why they have come. The Great War left grieving families willing to sacrifice anything for the chance to say goodbye to a lost loved one. Mr. Owen is no exception. He is desperate to speak to his son, but he doesn't want to face the spirits alone. When the sâeance-hosted by a trio of mediums billing themselves as The Three Fates-goes awry, Mr. Owen's secrets begin to unravel, threatening to reveal a history that he has been running from for half his life. Something Ruby knows all too well how to do. When Ruby finds one of the Three Fates murdered the night of the seance, she and Mr. Owen quickly become the prime suspects. To clear their names, Ruby enlists the help of Ruan Kivell, the folk healer Pellar who helped her weeks before in Cornwall. As their investigation progresses Ruby and Ruan realize someone is determined to prevent them from uncovering the truth about what happened to the dead medium"--

Book Synopsis

Following the atmospheric and award-winning gothic historical mystery debut, The Curse of Penryth Hall, USA Today bestselling author Jess Armstrong's heroine, Ruby Vaughn, returns in The Secret of the Three Fates, where the Scottish Hills hold ghosts of the past that threaten Ruby's present.

American heiress Ruby Vaughn still hasn't entirely forgiven her octogenarian employer and housemate Mr. Owen for bringing the occult into their lives during her recent trip to Cornwall. He claims their journey to Manhurst Castle in the Scottish Borders is simply to appraise and acquire illuminated manuscripts for their rare books shop, however when Ruby discovers there are no manuscripts and receives news of a séance to be held that very night, she begins to grow suspicious about the true reason why they have come.

The Great War left grieving families willing to sacrifice anything for the chance to say goodbye to a lost loved one. Mr. Owen is no exception. He is desperate to speak to his son, but he doesn't want to face the spirits alone. When the séance--hosted by a trio of mediums billing themselves as The Three Fates--goes awry, Mr. Owen's secrets begin to unravel, threatening to reveal a history that he has been running from for half his life. Something Ruby knows all too well how to do.

When Ruby finds one of the Three Fates murdered the night of the seance, she and Mr. Owen quickly become the prime suspects. To clear their names, Ruby enlists the help of Ruan Kivell, the folk healer Pellar who helped her weeks before in Cornwall. As their investigation progresses Ruby and Ruan realize someone is determined to prevent them from uncovering the truth about what happened to the dead medium.

Review Quotes

Praise for The Secret of the Three Fates

"Atmospheric. . . Fans of Armstrong's debut and other gothic mysteries will appreciate this haunting, intriguing novel." -Library Journal (starred review)

"Draws readers deep into an ever-twisting, page-turning narrative set against a haunting gothic backdrop. . . Armstrong's deft merging of mystery and gothic genre elements make this novel, the second in her Ruby Vaughn series, a suspenseful, sometimes chilling read that never ceases to surprise and delight. Eerie and thoroughly bewitching." -Kirkus Reviews

"Irresistible. . . Evocative descriptions of 20th-century Britain and Armstrong's unique mix of gothic grandeur, supernatural flourishes, and cozy-adjacent sweetness make this sequel sing. It's sure to satisfy series fans and newcomers alike." -Publishers Weekly

Praise for The Curse of Penryth Hall

A USA Today Bestseller
The South Florida Sun Sentinel - One of the Best Mysteries of the Year
B&N - One of the Most Memorable Mystery Debuts of the Year
Goodreads - One of the Best Books of December
LibraryReads - One of the Top 10 Reads of the Month

"Delightful." -People

"Armstrong's lively prose will make cynics believe in curses and witches. Ruby's intelligence, insight, fearless nature, and complicated background will make readers eager for a sequel."-Shelf Awareness

"A solid start with its evocative gothic atmosphere, a rich sense of post WWI England and an intriguing, strong heroine who is tasked with delivering rare books to a folk healer in a tiny Cornwell village." -South Florida Sun Sentinel

"The author's prose and imagery are powerful like a seasoned cinematographer's eye for details. You will find yourself immersed in the eerie silence of the woods and whispers of Penryth Hall... The notion of crime and curse, reality and foul play keeps moving from one page to the other till the end."-Deccan Chronicle

"Armstrong keeps the tension cranked high... Characters are rounded and distinct, the setting remarkably realized, and the blend of Gothic gloom with rustic charm and war-hardened pragmatism makes a highly palatable formula. The prose style is rhythmic and assured... Fans of Gothic mystery as well as more realistic detective fiction will enjoy this confident debut." -Historical Novel Society

"Delivers plenty of spooky ambiance courtesy of threatening rainstorms on rugged and craggy moors and a foreboding, fortress-like house... But there are also dashes of humor and wit." -Bookreporter

"[The Curse of Penryth Hall] channels The Hound of the Baskervilles. . . An intriguing and altogether enchanting mystery." -Kirkus Reviews

"Superbly rendered characters include a plucky protagonist whom Maisie Dobbs would be proud to claim as a friend and an evocative sense of place reminiscent of Daphne du Maurier at her best... Readers who like their historical mysteries embellished with plenty of gothic ambience and enhanced with an abundance of dry wit will adore this splendid debut." -Library Journal (starred review)

"An engrossing debut. . . Ruby is a wonderful concoction, world-weary and reckless, and Armstrong outfits her with a moody, gripping mystery that keeps the pages turning. . . Fans of Gothic-flavored suspense will devour this." -Publishers Weekly

"Readers who enjoy historical fiction with a touch of gothic and noir will find this tale compelling." -Booklist

"An atmospheric, fast-moving debut." -First Clue

"Brooding and atmospheric. . . Perfect for fans of Hester Fox and Simone St. James." -Anna Lee Huber

"Murder and superstition entwine in this riveting romp through the Cornish countryside. . . Devilishly delightful." -B.R. Myers

"A beautiful, sinister, gothic spin on the historical mystery genre. . . Clear your calendar before you pick up The Curse of Penryth Hall, because once you start reading you won't want to stop." -Katharine Schellman

"Will have readers on the edge of their seats, and leave them wanting more of Ruby Vaughn." -Kate Khavari

"Curious and enthralling." -Lydia Kang

"A witty and clever debut. Complex characters plus a delicious mystery kept me turning the pages deep into the night." -Kelley Armstrong

About the Author

JESS ARMSTRONG is the USA Today best selling author of the Ruby Vaughn Mysteries. Her debut novel, The Curse of Penryth Hall, won the Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition. She has a masters degree in American History but prefers writing about imaginary people to the real thing. Jess lives in New Orleans with her historian husband, two sons, yellow cat, speckled dog, and the world's most pampered school-fair goldfish. And when she's not working on her next project, she's probably thinking about cheese, baking, on social media or some combination of the above.