ARC Review: The Secret of the Three Fates by Jess Armstrong

The Secret of the Three Fates
Author: Jess Armstrong
Series: Ruby Vaughn Mysteries (Book 2)
Publication: Minotaur Books (December 3, 2024)

Description: 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.

My Thoughts: The second Ruby Vaughn historical mystery moves her to the hills of Scotland. She is traveling with her octogenarian boss Mr. Owen in search of rare illuminated manuscripts. However, when she arrives at Manhurst Castle and finds no manuscripts but rather a seance in the offing, she is angry at her boss. 

While Ruby wishes to put the past and the war behind her, she knows that many are willing to do anything for a last message from those they lost. Mr. Owen is no exception. He is desperately eager for a message from his son Ben. But the seance conducted by three women who call themselves the Three Fates goes awry when the oldest of the fates and the one who wrote to Mr. Owen to encourage his attendance dies. 

Gradually family secrets come out including some of Ruby's since the owner of the castle was once an acquaintance of hers from the time she caused a scandal in New York that forced her from her home at sixteen. 

But it is Mr. Owen's secrets that are the most devastating to Ruby since she had had no idea that he was keeping so much from her. However, once her love and loyalty are given, she'll do anything for the person who inspired those emotions. 

Ruby isn't alone in trying to figure out the mysteries of the past. Ruan Kivell has also been called to the castle. Ruby and Ruan have a complicated relationship which began in the first book. They are falling in love, but Ruby is terrified at the thought of loving someone again. She's rather face ghosts and murderers than her feelings. 

This was an engaging story. I like the 1922 time period where people are still dealing with the losses of World War I. I really enjoyed Ruby's complex relationship with both Mr. Owen and Ruan. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.