The Secret of the Three Fates: A Ruby Vaughn Mystery

(Hardback, Large Print Edition)

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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 Rubys 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 sance 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 doesnt want to face the spirits alone. When the sancehosted by a trio of mediums billing themselves as The Three Fatesgoes awry, Mr. Owens 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.

Reviews

Atmospheric. . . Fans of Armstrongs 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. . . Armstrongs 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 Armstrongs unique mix of gothic grandeur, supernatural flourishes, and cozy-adjacent sweetness make this sequel sing. Its sure to satisfy series fans and newcomers alike. Publishers Weekly

Author Bio

JESS ARMSTRONG is the USA Today bestselling 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 Award. She has a masters degree in American history but prefers writing about imaginary people to the real thing.