A story of life, death, isolation, independence, and re-juvenation.

'1889: Kitty Gray dreams of attending university and becoming a doctor, but when she is married off to Charles Maclean, one of Glasgow's richest and most eligible bachelors, her aspiration suddenly slips far from reach.
Exiled to her new remote home in the Scottish Highlands, with its gargoyles, gothic arches and turrets, Kitty seeks solace in creating a restorative herb garden. Combining her medical knowledge and new-found fascination with herbalism, Kitty spends her days absorbed in a world of herbs and their healing properties until a devastating tragedy strikes...

2003 : Caitlin Black arrives at Ardbray House determined to restore the crumbling mansion and Kitty's walled garden to their former glory, enlisting the help of long-time housekeeper Greer Mackenzie. But as Caitlin delves deeper into the history of this once magnificent home, she uncovers a past haunted by misfortune and grief. And beneath the blood-red roses that climb beside the bay window of the drawing room, a human skull is about to be unearthed.

The truth that has held Ardbray House captive for so long is surfacing, and with it, the heart-breaking secret of the herbalist who once lived there.'

A beautifully haunting exploration of the suffocating societal pressures of the 19th century. Marx delicately interweaves the narrative between her two main characters, Kitty in 1889, and Greer in 2003, and the circumstances surrounding both the Herbalist's and the Housekeeper's isolation within the Scottish highlands.

Kitty is definitely the domineering character within the book, so fully herself that she leaves very little room for the rest. Her bookishness and sharp intellect reminded me fondly of my all-time favourite literary character, Elizabeth Bennet, from Pride and Prejudice, I found Kitty's burning desire for independence and her continued struggle throughout the book to be defined as something more than an extension of her husband, very interesting. It opened my eyes to the profound loneliness caused by the enforcement of strict social and gender conventions.

As I grew up in the Scottish Highlands, not too far from Sutherland, I really loved and felt connected to the many passages describing the stunning landscape and the remoteness of the area. I also thoroughly enjoyed the snippets of herbal remedies that adorned each chapter heading, so much so, that it made me wish to learn more about the local plant life and their uses.

The elements of mystery and sorrow that are imbued within the story add further richness to an already intriguing backdrop, and I found myself eager to unravel all the layers.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Annabelle Marx for the wonderful advanced copy of 'The Herbalist's Secret'.

Had to DNF at 33% & it took me 6 days to get there.

The story was just too slow for me & the long chapters a chore. It wasn't one I was excited to pick up and read.

Maybe I'm not the targeted audience for this and I wish the author well as others are absolutely going to adore this book.

this one wasn't really my thing but it was still good and enjoyable
thank you netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review

I was looking forward to reading this book, as I love herbs and gardening. Unfortunately I was disappointed. I couldn’t take to the characters at all. It’s saving grace was the garden.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and share this book.

I found this book to be really engaging and I loved the premise. I'm a sucker for haunted houses so this story was right up my alley. I am looking forward to reading other books by the author.

The Herbalist’s Secret by Annabelle Marx is a tale spanning decades told between the past of the present. Kitty Gray in the past and Caitlin Black in the present both have overcome their own hardships and this is really a story about their strength and how the past isn’t always that far from the present if you pay close enough attention.

Kitty’s timeline was by far the strongest part of the story. Her personality, strength, and love for her found family was endearing to read and brought tears to my eyes at points. I kept getting brought out when the time switched to the present and it switched from third to first person. Greer Mackenzie’s characterization bothered me in a way that I truly struggle to put my finger on. I’m not sure if it’s her interactions with Caitlin, especially when Greer would go from being friendly with Caitlin to giving her the cold shoulder on the same page. I wish we hadn’t been focused on Greer and seen more of Caitlin since she was essentially the modern version of Kitty. Caitlin and Kitty’s stories when the pieces were finally connected made me cry because the tragedies that they both faced tore at my heart with how raw and true the emotion was

Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for this amazing story about two amazing women.

Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own.
I loved this story set in dual timelines of two smart strong women finding joy in this estate in the Scottish Highlands. The atmospheric setting of the highlands is so well crafted by the author the reader is enticed to read this novel nonstop. .

We are introduced to dual timeline of two women, both leading unsatisfying lives. The first in a forced unsatisfying marriage for her time. Both drawn to the same gardens of the same estate. The beauty of restoring the gardens and the peace and tranquality leads them to fullilment they never found in relationship or family. I love that the author features independent women both of a different time . This is a fascinating read that I highly recommend. It is a wonderful book to savor as a reader and fully enjoy the characters, setting and atmospheric gardens. Prepare your tea and scones to settle in for a wonderful time reading this fascinating book.

Beautifully written book! Makes me want to start a garden! I would love to see the house and the loch and even the kiddos. Highly recommend!

1889: Kitty Gray is a woman ahead of her time. She dreams of going to medical school, but settles for her therapeutic herb garden as life has turned out far different than she imagined courtesy of her meddling mother. Married to one of the wealthiest men in Glasgow, Charles Maclean, Kitty finds society life a bore and is elated when he bans her to their country home in the remote Scottish Highlands. Kitty loves the freedom she has at Ardbray far from her mother and husband. It is only when her husband’s business comes crashing down and he reinserts himself into his family that tragedy strikes, the aftermath which Kitty must face alone.

2003: Hieress Caitlin Black lives up to her name in that she is easily the black sheep of her prominent New York family. Escaping her own grief, she takes on the crumbling Ardbray and its infamous herb gardens, which need a lot of cash and TLC to restore them to their former glory. Enlisting the help of housekeeper Greer Mackenzie, Caitlin begins to learn all the history and secrets the house has held close for over a hundred years. During the restoration she stumbles upon the spirits who refuse to let Ardbray go, and accidentally solves the mystery of the single red rose bush planted among dozens of white ones.

The Herbalist’s Secret is an ode to a slower life where even the cadence of the story follows suit. Kitty is a dynamic personality and seeing her grow from a naïve teenage bride to the matron of an estate is fascinating. Caitlin’s impact on the story feels less important, and more of a tool to explain Kitty’s decisions. The writing is sensory evoking in that the reader can practically taste the raspberry jam, feel the goosebumps prickling his or her skin, see the loch just outside the window, and of course smell the myriad of herbs in the garden. Do not expect a fast plot-driven novel, it will only serve up disappointment. This is a story to be ingested slowly.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and the author Annabelle Marx for the advanced copy of the book. The Herbalist’s Secret is out on October 27th. All opinions are my own.

"The Herbalist's Secret" by Annabelle Marx is a beautifully written historical mystery that weaves together the lives of two women separated by time but connected by a shared passion for herbs and a haunting mystery.

The novel is set in two timelines, 1889 and 2003, and it skillfully alternates between the past and the present. In 1889, we meet Kitty Gray, a young woman with dreams of becoming a doctor who is instead married off to Charles Maclean, a wealthy bachelor. Exiled to a remote mansion in the Scottish Highlands, Kitty finds solace in creating a herb garden, using her medical knowledge to explore the healing properties of plants. However, tragedy strikes, and her life takes a tragic turn.

In 2003, Caitlin Black arrives at Ardbray House with the intention of restoring the crumbling mansion and Kitty's walled garden to their former glory. With the help of the long-time housekeeper, Greer Mackenzie, Caitlin delves into the history of the house and discovers a past marked by misfortune and grief. As she uncovers secrets buried deep within the mansion, a haunting mystery unfolds.

The writing in this novel is exquisite, capturing the beauty of the Scottish Highlands and the enchanting world of herbs. The author's descriptions are vivid, transporting readers to the heart of Ardbray House and the lush herb garden. The characters, particularly Kitty and Caitlin, are well-drawn and relatable. Kitty's determination to pursue her dreams in a time when women's aspirations were limited is inspiring, while Caitlin's quest to uncover the truth adds depth to the narrative.

The mystery element is compelling, and as the story unfolds, readers will be drawn into the enigmatic past of Ardbray House. The pacing is well-balanced, and the transitions between timelines are seamless, adding layers to the storytelling.

Overall, "The Herbalist's Secret" is a captivating and evocative historical mystery that will transport readers to the wild and beautiful Scottish Highlands. Annabelle Marx's storytelling is mesmerizing, making this novel a must-read for fans of historical fiction with a touch of mystery and romance.

I can easily imagine people being caught up in this story, but not me.

There was the theme of social aspects such as better working conditions for the mill, women being equal to men, the patriarchy being difficult for both men and women which I appreciated.
And yet... with the part of the story set in 2003: the builders, architect, and solicitor are all men, there is no one of color, no same-sex relationships, no chronics or disabled people, no one being overweight, no character having financial problems.

And the book is in serious need of editing :(

At 84% with Kitty having another argument with her mother I simply gave up.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

⭐️ ⭐️

The premise seemed fascinating; I was so excited to read this book. However, it fell flat, I could not focus on anything since nothing seemed to be happening in the story. Perhaps this was just not for me.

I wanted to enjoy this book so much and have tried to read it and also continue with it on another occasion.

But I felt as though I was reading for reading’s sake. In my view, whilst the book was descriptive, nothing seemed to happen and it couldn’t hold my attention.

After two tries and 35%, I have given up for now.

I really wanted to enjoy this book more than I did. The premise of The Herbalist's Secret appealed to me and I liked the historical aspects of the book, the way two women were connected trough centuries by this isolated mansion in the Scottish Highlands. Sadly the plot wasn't as engaging as I hoped, there weren't as many mystery parts and there was barely any herbalism – I actually think the title is a bit misleading. Parts of the storylines felt redundant and I just feel like there could've been more to the story. If you don't care about the herbalism aspects as much and enjoy dual POV, dual timeline stories with interesting female characters this book is for you.

The Herbalist's Secret is a great dual-timeline story that follows women who live in a unique mansion in the Scottish Highlands. The earlier story follows Kitty who ends up living in the manor after she gets married. She comes to love the place and builds a really impressive garden as well as a family there. The other part follows Greer who is a caretaker at the manor much later, and she tells Kitty's story and can see the ghosts of Kitty's children who are buried there. The stories flow nicely and the atmosphere of the house and the surrounding Highlands is fantastic. It is kind of slow at times and took me a bit to finish, but it was a solid story about a really cool old mansion and the interesting people who lived there. Great cover as well.

Thank to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this eARC. This story was a fun one to read to get in the mood for fall. What's better than a piece of historical fiction set in the Victorian era on the edges of a Scottish loch? The story blends the narratives of two women: Kitty Maclean, a banished housewife attempting to find meaning in her new married life away from her love of medicine, and Greer Mackenzie, housekeeper to the famed Ardbray House. What I found particularly alluring about this story, aside from its escapism, was the complex lives of the female characters. For a novel that could have easily centered on the oppression of the Victorian era, I found the ways in which female characters uplifted one another in this text particularly wonderful. Is it a complex piece of writing for analysis? No, I don't think so. I also thought the ending was rushed and there were some tangential areas, particularly surrounding Kitty's husband, that took me out of the story a bit, but it was a perfectly pleasant seasonal read.

The Herbalist's Secret alternates from the past to present day, sharing the stories of Kitty Gray and Greer Mackenzie, two women who dedicated their lives to the mysterious Highland mansion, Ardbray. Kitty, a once-submissive wife who was banished to the isolated home, found herself in her expansive studies of plants and medicinal herbs in place of pursuing her dream of attending medical school. Greer's family worked at Ardbray for generations, and long after Kitty's death, Greer is unable to leave the pull that the mansion has on her. In the present day, Greer is finally on the brink of selling Ardbray to an eccentric American, Caitlin Black. But as the sell comes closer to being finalized, long-held secrets buried at Ardbray begin to uncover themselves.

This book moved a little slow for me until about the halfway point. There was a lot of build up surrounding Kitty's story, and Greer's history at Ardbray. I found Greer a little difficult to connect to, I think there was more depth and focus surrounding Kitty's chapters, and I wish we knew a little more about Greer in the end. I felt at one point, Greer was aggressive towards Caitlin, then would recognize and feel bad for it, but then go right back to acting thst way.

I did love the various points of view, as past and present were uncovered. I enjoyed Kitty's character development as she changed who she was in the face of hardship and marital difficulties. I loved the excerpts on plants and herbs at the beginning of each chapter, and any book that has ties to nature or herbalism always has a special place in my heart. I felt the mystery aspect of the book unfolded wonderfully, with the past and present perspectives aligning to reveal these secrets.

This book is perfect for anyone who loves historical fiction with an heir of family ties, secrets, and mysteries!

I loved this! The split between historical/present time frames, two strong female leads, and a gothic, mysterious house- what more could you want for fall?

This is an amazing atmospheric
story with so many twists and turns. Spanning two centuries, Ardbray, the house in the Scottish Highlands, is full of secrets, inside, and in the walled garden. A beautifully woven tale.
I couldn't put it down.

What a captivating, creative spell-binding historical mystery! Annabelle Marx’s debut will put her in some high places in the literary world! This magnificent story set in the breathtaking Scottish Highlands really captured my heart from the very first page to the last. The dual timeline narratives work well side by side and come together seamlessly at the end.

Ardbray House in the Scottish country setting has a brooding presence and harbours ghosts that never seem to let go and move on. This mansion and its surrounding grounds become a character, living and breathing through its residents. It is easy to feel the loneliness and remoteness of the locale but also the freedom that comes with this wild untamed setting. All the trauma witnessed by these walls, gardens and waters flow effortlessly from the past to the present— so its history never dies. Sounds cryptic? Yes, but I don’t want to give anything away. Reading this novel is a complex journey of discovery and one I heartily encourage!

I love how the author awakens our senses with the smell of raspberries cooking! Scents can be powerful memory triggers. I believe this way of touching or releasing memories is effective and the author has drawn upon her own talents or passion for cooking—making it even more special and familiar. There’s nothing like experience to add wonderful depth to a story. Of course, I must not forget the powerful presence of herbs in this novel and their importance. Kitty has a real gift in growing and using them to aid healing. I loved the various herbs and spices at the beginning of the chapters with notes and quotes. These were mostly from reference books of herbalist Hilda Leyel who founded the Society of Herbalists in England. She wrote under the name of Mrs. C. F. Leyel. These gem tidbits provide valuable insight into the story that follows.

The plots are fascinating with one series of events beginning in the past but continuing to have lasting effects in the present. These wonderful threads magically weave together. The characters are rich, rounded and relatable. They evoked great emotion in me from admiration for our heroine to disgust for the villainous characters. I felt sympathetic to Kitty and angry at how women were treated in the 1800s. Like many of her time, Kitty was unable to follow her callings or be in control of her own destiny. Women were expected to be married and living in the shadows of their husbands. Pleasing and feeding their ambitions. Mothers like Kitty’s were promoters of this culture and she is one of the people who pushes her daughter into a direction she does not want to go. Sadly, as a result, there are dire repercussions. Even Kitty’s sister has to learn the hard way, even though she comes across initially as agreeable to this customary course. These women, unfortunately, learn some terrible things about their husbands. But is it too late to find the freedom they crave?

There’s plenty of intrigue surrounding 1889 heroine Kitty Gray. She is the woman at the centre of this story driving it. The mystery that surrounds her life, garden and home are played out before our eyes. Her ambition to attend university and become a doctor fades once her forced marriage to Charles Maclean, one of Glasgow’s wealthiest bachelors, happens. She is often exiled by her husband to their remote Scottish Highland home for her independent spirit, advice and views. Her ‘modern woman thinking’ is not acceptable in a society that sees women as men’s possessions and must be under their control. Kitty’s father is the exception but he is unable to keep his daughter from being pushed by his wife/her mother into a direction that Kitty does not want to go. The heartache Kitty faces certainly broke my heart. But thankfully the new house has a brilliant library with many books she needs. This allows her to find purpose and solace in creating a lovely herbal garden. Kitty combines her medical knowledge and rising interest in herbalism to learn new ways of healing others. Her desire to be productive keeps her going. But tragedy is on the horizon and when her husband’s secrets are revealed, the walls of her safe space begin to crumble.

The novel is told from two viewpoints: Kitty in the past (1889) and Greer (housekeeper) in the present (2003). Caitlin lands at Ardbray House on a mission to renovate the crumbling mansion and its garden with the help of Greer. But as Caitlin dives into the home’s history, she learns some gut wrenching facts about its original owners. Along with this, a shocking surprise is uncovered. These events help Caitlin understand what has kept the spirits of this place from moving on. She also learns her part in this paranormal mystery and what/who has brought her here, to restore this dwelling to its former glory.

If you like stories with houses that have intriguing ghosts and complex historical mysteries, you need to read this. Also, this novel demonstrates well how difficult it was for women in the 1800s. But at least we get to see a small victory for Kitty when women could eventually own property without it being tied to their husbands. This is a great story on all counts and I am looking forward to more fascinating books by this gifted author. Highly recommend. One of the best reads of 2023! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for my review copy.