This was a great book! The blurb was an automatic yes for me, I adore novels set in this era and this was like slipping into comfy shoes, the atmosoh Eric old house and governess with secrets is a great base for a plot that twisted and turned down a route I did not expect! The first third of the book had me wondering if I’d read it before, there are a lot of similarities with other books from the past year or so; a house with a closed off wing, secrets and strange occurrences and noises etc, but this is not a bad thing as I genuinely like this type of story. However there were twists that I didn’t see coming, and the second half of the book took a turn in a different direction and I couldn’t predict how it would end. If I’m honest the climax and aftermath felt a little rushed.. was there a deadline or word limit perhaps as there was more squeezed into the last pages than the rest, however the conclusion was satisfying with no cliches. I’d have liked a little cliffhanger and a book two, but the exit of a specific character seemed certain.

Lots of atmosphere, some genuinely creepy moments and an interesting cast of characters. All in all, this was a great book! I’d give a solid 7/10 stars and I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for what the author writes next. Many thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Not being the biggest fan of gothic novels, I was still excited to try this novel by Katie Lumsden. I've been following her on social media for a while, and it was fun to follow her journey to become a published author.
This book surprised me so much. It's not your average gothic novel, and was unique enough to keep me reading.
Please judge this book by its cover.

I was so excited to get an e-ARC for this book as I love Katie’s YouTube channel. The story gave me the feeling I got when I read ‘Rebecca’, with its mystery and suspicious characters. I will say that some that some parts felt a bit disjointed and thought the secret element could have been fleshed out better. Aside from that, this was a really enjoyable read.

I loved the idea of a book that comes with a whisper of Jane Eyre about it - and The Secrets Of Hartwood Hall delivers this and so much more. As soon as Margaret, a governess clad in mourning-black with her own secrets to hide, steps across the threshold of Hartwood Hall, the story of this house and its residents come to life.
There’s a slow but steady drip-drip reminder that Margaret herself may not be all she seems. But when it comes to hiding secrets she has some fierce competition from her new companions. There’s Mrs Eversham, who takes mysterious trips to the city; furthermore, she's a writer so defiinitely not to be trusted.., Susan the maid with her ever-watchful stare and Paul, the gardener who seems to know more than he’s letting on. Even Louis, Margaret’s lonely ten-year-old charge, carries a discomforting, otherworldly aura about him.
Then there’s the house itself, with flickering candles glimpsed under doors, creaking floorboards, night-time moans and a sealed up East Wing that Margaret is explicitly told not to venture into...
I loved that this book made a few knowing nods to Jane Eyre – a book that Margaret and Louis even read as part of his lessons – with plays on characters’ names as well as the setting. But The Secrets of Hartwood Hall take the Victorian Gothic genre as a starting point and then weaves a story that is satisfying and compelling on its own terms. Highly recommended.

The Secrets of Hartwood Hall tells the story of Margaret, a recently widowed Governess who arrives at the secluded Hartwood Hall to give the 10 year old Louis an education. The house is steeped in mystery and contains many secrets, Margaret steps into a world of whispers and hidden figures as she comes to terms with her own haunting past.

This is an extremely well written debut novel. I was hooked by the end of the first chapter and finished it in two sittings.
One thing especially that is done really well is the atmosphere of Hartwood Hall and the descriptions used to detail the neighbouring village, the people in the story and the spooky East Wing. I found the entire story intriguing.
Certain elements were easily figured out but I must admit that my guesses for certain characters and events were completely off and so the twists were a nice surprise.
Margaret's decisions as the book reaches it's conclusion were surprising to me, especially as her most important relationship in the book was my favourite aspect of her narrative.
I look forward to reading more from this author when she writes her next book/s.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I shall post my review a week before the publishing date as per request.

I'm not ashamed to admit, The Secrets of Hartwood Hall was the book that persuaded me to join Netgalley. I've never seen a book posted on Booksta before where I've immediately wanted to read it soooo badly 🙏
I'm an absolute sucker for Gothic fiction, give me an isolated mansion, creepy secretive staff and a spooky little child any day 😂🤣 this book delivered everything I love about a classic Victorian novel, a true neo- Victorian retelling of Jane Eyre or The Turn of the Screw.
I found the pace engaging, straight into the main story without any hesitation but also enough setting of the scene that I didn't feel lost or overwhelmed.
Also, loved the little twist with the mother, that she's secretly a bookworm just like us 😍 'I suppose you could say that I write the sorts of stories men do not like women to read.' 🥰

I absolutely adored The Secrets of Hartwood Hall.
I'm a sucker for a gothic mystery, especially those set in large houses and this was up there with my favourites. When Margaret Lennox is assigned a post at Hartwood Hall she soon learns of rumours in the village of her new mistress, Mrs Evesham, and her son, Louis.
When strange noises and mysterious shadows start to plague Margaret, she begins to search the hall for the hidden secrets.
Gripping and engaging.
Highly recommended.

The Secrets of Hartwood Hall is an intriguing and atmospheric read, paying homage to Victorian literature whilst adding a modern take.

Set in 1852, recently widowed Margaret Lennox finds work as a governess at Hartwood Hall. Mysteries and secrets abound, with rumours circulating in the local village about Margaret's employer Mrs Eversham and her young son Louis. Margaret must contend with dealing her own personal history whilst encountering many strange goings on at Hartwood Hall.

I absolutely adored this book, in particular the strong mystery elements and great characters. Highly recommend for all fans of historical fiction. I am very keen to read more from Katie Lumsden in future!

Thank you to the publisher, Michael Joseph Penguin Random House, and NetGalley for a review copy.

I really enjoyed The Secrets Of Hartwood Hall. I very much enjoy the gothic, spooky mansion type genre and started out wondering if this book was going to be much the same as others I had Read recently. It was not ! It had its own unique twist on this genre and I found it hard to put down. It kept me guessing all the way through about which direction the plot would take and I have already recommended this book to my family. Brilliant debut novel !

I could gush and gush about this book for ages and it still wouldn't do it justice. I love the gothic genre and this book did it really well.
The writing is engaging and full of gothic infused atmosphere, the storyline is riveting and the characters were delicously developed.
This book made me want to sleep with the light on and had the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
I LOVED IT

Margaret Lennox is a widow and gains a position of a governess for a young boy Louis. Hartwood Hall is a sprawling old house with its own secrets.

I always enjoy books about old houses with secrets and this was no exception. I do think the author has a love for gothic fiction and think she has thrown everything from that genre into this novel.

Our main character Margaret is a governess with her own secrets as always. The house has an eerie feel to it with things that go bump in the night. Margaret is told nobody ever goes into the east wing, it's out of bounds. Her employer Mrs Evesham has her own secrets too. Mustn't forget the sly maid with her own agenda. There is a love interest with the handsome gardener, does he have something to hide. So you can see this novel does have a lot in it that is sometimes expected in a gothic tale.

All being said I did enjoy this book. There was plenty to keep me entertained and I didn't get bored. I didn't quite quess the ending but did predict some of the plot. I just felt however that there wasn't anything new in the story and was classic gothic mystery about family secrets.

Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the book to review.

I was full of anticipation for this book and it didn't disappoint. From the very "Rebbecca'esque" opening I was hooked. It's full of atmosphere, gentle twists and turns and a cast of compelling characters that fully immersed me into the world of Hartwood Hall, and I didn't emerge til I had turned the final page. It has just the right amount of tension, drip feeding you Margaret's backstory as she navigates life as a governess at the mysterious house. and its occupants. Set over a three month period, the secrets of the title slowly reveal themselves until a climactic conclusion that doesn't disappoint. Beautifully written and paced. Highly recommend.

I really like Gothic stories, so I hoped I would enjoy this, and I was happy to be approved for a review.

I thought this book was excellent. From the beginning, it had the dark, eerie feel that I was hoping for, and I was drawn in. It actually reminded me Henry James' The Turn of the Screw, and of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, which are two of my favourite Gothic novels.

As a reader, I felt emotionally involved, especially during the middle of the story. The protagonist was someone that I liked and sympathised with, and there were other characters that I liked, and some that I disliked. I kept turning pages, and there were moments when I felt sad, and moments when I felt slightly afraid.

To anyone who enjoys Gothic novels, I would recommend this. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

I loved the writing and the mystery aspect of this book but unfortunately I did not connect with any of the characters so the ending was not impactful for me.

Katie Lumsden’s expert knowledge of the gothic is worn very lightly in this gorgeous book, conjuring a fresh and original take on the genre. From the very beginning, there is a twist on the expected as we discover that Margaret, the new governess destined for Hartwood Hall, is not an ingenue/unmarried woman in the manner of, e.g., Jane Eyre, but a widow harbouring secrets after the recent death of her husband. This measure of worldliness is a subtle engine in a novel that delivers all of the atmosphere, intrigue and drama that a reader could hope for. It also gives the novel strong contemporary resonance, building and building towards the novel’s terrific ending.

The narration is a joy, with a flavour of du Maurier’s ‘Rebecca.’ The pace of revelation is exquisitely controlled to give perfect tension. And I really enjoyed Lumsden’s occasional nods to famous gothic novels within the text; Ann Bronte’s work, in particular, made for some lovely ‘easter eggs.’ Just a GREAT read, and I can’t wait to see what Katie Lumsden does next!

Sometimes you don't know what you need until it falls into your lap. Turns out, what I've needed for ages was a brand-new, gripping gothic novel.
With links to both the Secret Garden and Jane Eyre, this pulled me in from the first page - yes its a cliche but I don't use it lightly!
I loved the character of Margaret and the measured drip feeding of her past in amongst the mysteries of Hartwood Hall and the fabulous characters. I loved that I could not pick the twist and yet it was absolutely believable. There was no "WTF" moment, just a series of things perfectly slotting in place.
I still haven't decided how I feel about Paul. Having to keep another’s secrets is never easy, but he walked the tightrope of down-playing another's fears and gaslighting. Okay gaslighting is too harsh. But being … generally unhelpful *harrumph*. Maybe I was annoyed on Margaret’s behalf.
Am now off to beg for more by this fabulous author.

3.5 stars


An enjoyable read, that struck just the right balance between mystery, and drama.
A secluded house, a couple of widows, rumours, suspicion, ghostly goings on... this book has the lot.
I particularly liked the way Margaret was portrayed, and her relationship with her husband.
A few twists along the way that added surprise, and a very satisfactory ending.
I'm a happy reader

Brilliant historical fiction, moving, immersive and atmospheric.

This was so, so good. The writing is extremely competent and very accessible and the characterisation was excellent. The story immediately drew me in and delivered on every point. The resolution wasn't what I was hoping for, which is why it's not a 5 star read for me, but that's a matter of personal taste and the rest of the book was fantastic. 4.5☆

I'd like to thank the publishers, Penguin Michael Joseph, and Netgalley for kindly providing me with an advance release copy. All opinions are my own.