As much as I wanted to like this book, it was difficult for me to feel connected to the story and characters, and was therefore ultimately hard to finish.

A rollicking good time! I have always been fascinated by the Hellfire Club and its political machinations and Julia Golding has perfectly intertwined the history and lore of the secret society with a fun, captivating story. Dora and Jacob are the perfect heroine and hero of this delightful mystery/romance/ adventure. The Persephone code is a multi-hyphenate with something for everyone. My only critique is that it is LONG but so worth the read!

Set in 1812, The Pennington Puzzle by Julia Golding brings together unlikely allies—traveling actress Dora Fitz-Pennington and army medic Dr. Jacob Sandys—after Dora's brother, Antony, is mysteriously murdered. As they unravel the truth behind his death, they are drawn into a dangerous web of powerful, ruthless forces. Their growing affection for each other becomes the only certainty in a world fraught with peril. Described as “Bridgerton meets The Da Vinci Code,” this fast-paced novel features engaging protagonists, a compelling romance, and a thrilling plot that keeps readers on edge. A refreshing departure from my usual reads, it left me eager for more.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

I had to DNF this one, the characters were so boring and had no personality to them, and fell flat. The plot was non existent. This wasn’t for me.

I was hoping for a fun and entertaining read, considering this was pitched as bridgerton meets da Vinci code. It doesn’t meet bridgerton AT ALL, besides being regency era. As for the da Vinci code part … it had Illuminati and that’s about it. It lacked the puzzle and exciting-ness that the da Vinci code has.

The characters were very flat and cookie cutter. I didn’t care for either of them, nor did I like them. I just wanted to be over with it.

I couldn’t stay focused on this book whatsoever. I tried really hard, as I adore both bridgerton and the da Vinci code.

Julia Golding's *The Persephone Code* transports readers to the depths of Regency England, where intrigue and danger lurk beneath the surface of high society.

Set in 1812, the novel unfolds against the backdrop of the notorious Hellfire Caves in Buckinghamshire, a clandestine retreat for the wealthy elite indulging in opulence, satanism, and debauchery. When Antony Pennington, the warden of the Hellfire Club, is gruesomely murdered, his half-sister Dora is thrust into a treacherous quest to uncover the truth behind his death. Her unlikely partner in this investigation is Dr. Jacob Sandys, an ex-Army officer grappling with his past as an opium addict and navigating his privileged upbringing.

As Dora and Jacob delve deeper into the mystery, they unearth a web of conspiracy involving the secretive Illuminati and the enigmatic Hell Fire Club. With each step they take, danger mounts, and they must navigate the perilous waters of Regency politics and intrigue. Amidst the chaos, their partnership evolves into something deeper, complicating their mission and testing their resolve.

Golding masterfully blends historical detail with suspenseful storytelling, capturing the opulence and darkness of Regency England. The novel's intricate plot keeps readers on edge, unraveling secrets and twists that challenge Dora and Jacob at every turn. The atmospheric depiction of the Hellfire Caves adds an eerie backdrop to the unfolding mystery, enhancing the novel's sense of suspense and danger.

At its heart, *The Persephone Code* is a tale of betrayal, redemption, and the pursuit of justice in a society where power and privilege dictate the rules. Dora and Jacob's characters are vividly drawn, each grappling with personal demons and societal expectations, making them compelling protagonists in a world teetering on the brink of revelation.

In conclusion, *The Persephone Code* is a captivating historical mystery that will appeal to fans of suspense and historical fiction alike. Julia Golding's evocative prose and intricate plot create a mesmerizing narrative that transports readers to a bygone era filled with secrets and shadows.

*The Persephone Code* by Julia Golding is a gripping tale of intrigue and conspiracy in Regency England, offering readers a compelling blend of historical detail and suspenseful storytelling. Golding's richly imagined world and complex characters make this novel a standout in the realm of historical mysteries.

thanks to NetGalley for the eARC

⭐️=3? generous | 😘=5 | 🤬=3.5 | ⚔️=5 | 🍺/🚬=4 | 18+

summary: a bastard actress’s brother is mysteriously killed and she and this doctor guy have to solve the mystery and there’s underground evil clubs and murder and really dark stuff and also a romance??

thoughts: hmm. okay.

things I liked:

- this used the Regency era for more than just empire waist dresses and sexual tension; there’s genuinely interesting aspects of politics and culture and war and stuff that are often ignored in Regency era historical fiction. cool!

- there was no wildly anachronistic dialogue, which has been a problem in recent reads for me lol

stuff I didn’t like:

- the romance was pretty cringe for the most part? and while I’m glad these characters have like one singular happy thing in their lives, it sometimes felt inappropriate when contrasted by the genuinely horrific happenings elsewhere in the story

- pacing wasn't always consistent

content note(s): sexual assault, attempted rape, drug use and discussions of drug abuse and addiction

A really fun historical adventure where I fell in love with all of the characters. I did guess a number of the twists ahead of time but nevertheless, an enjoyable read.

This was a fun historical novel and I really liked the characters but sadly I found the twists a bit predictable which took some of the enjoyment out for me personally. Overall a good read though.

The Persephone Code by Julia Golding


It’s 1812, and we follow Dora and Dr Sandys when they try to figure out the death of Dora's half-brother Antony. He was a member of a secret society called The Hellfire Club. He has left a lot of clues for Dora to decipher. The nearer the truth they get, the more they realize there is far more to this than they would ever imagine. Now their own lives are in danger.


I liked this historical fiction mystery very much. It reminded me of the Davinci Code, which I loved. I loved both Dora and Dr. Sandys and was happy to get to know them, and I loved the chemistry between them.

Thank you to @netgalley @harpercollinsuk
@onemorechapterhc for this eARC.

I really wanted to love this more than I did. Don't get me wrong, it's not bad. But the pitch of "Bridgerton meets the Da Vinci Code" had my hopes up for something spectacular and it didn't quite hit that for me. But it was solid and I look forward to more from this author in the future.

Hell Fire Club! Beware!

Heady story introduces us to Dora Fitz-Pennington, the illegitimate daughter of a rich despicable merchant. Dora fled his home and took to the stage.
She keeps in touch with her half brother Anthony, who’s escaped his father’s overbearing ways.
When Anthony is murdered Dora is notified by the enigmatic Dr. Jacob Sandys, an ex-officer and son of a powerful family.
Dora is very far from what Jacob expects. She joins him, or rather he joins her in the search for Anthony’s killer. That quest involves members of the notorious Hell Fire Club and the Illuminati! Soon Dora and Jacob have trouble deciding who’s an enemy and who’s a friend.
(BTW The Bridgerton reference seems to be no more than a nod to the Regency era and possibly Dora being born in the West Indies to her father’s mistress. The only resemblance to the Da Vinci Code is the antiquated clues and the Illuminati. I happened to dislike the Da Vinci Code, so I’d rather not draw that comparison.)
Back to the Persephone Code however. I found the tale bold and intriguing, it really piqued my curiosity. A rather splendid read with two wicked leads! (Wicked as in Deadly, as in great!)

A One More Chapter ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

In the midst of the early 19th century, a captivating tale unfolds, drawing readers into a world of mystery and intrigue. The courageous and unconventional Dora takes center stage, embarking on a journey filled with unexpected twists and turns to uncover the dangerous truth behind her brother's unexpected death. As she and the enigmatic Dr. Jacob Sandys begin to unearth details surrounding both her brother's and a series of other perplexing deaths in the small parish of West Wycombe, a perilous adventure unravels, shrouded in secrecy and danger.

The Persephone Code was an absolute page-turner! The character development and historical context made it a truly enriching experience. The slow start set the tone perfectly for the time period, and once the action picked up, it was impossible to put down. A fantastic read that I highly recommend to anyone looking for a compelling historical novel with elements of secret societies and a dash of romance.

A travelling theatre actress and a former military surgeon are thrown together to find the Hellfire Club's secrets her brother hid before his death. A letter with clues sends them on a dangerous scavenger hunt followed by men who are ready to kill for those secrets. Naturally the two MCs are attracted to each other, but have their reasons/flaws not to turn their collaboration into a dalliance.

This could turn into a series.

A wild storyline that is described as the Bridgertons meets the Da Vinci Code gives you an idea that this isn't the typical Regency Romance. I would argue this isn't really like the Bridgertons other than the time period but it is filled with secret societies, conspiracies, murder and some quick passion.

I liked how Dora and Jacob are flawed human beings that you can empathize with though sometimes I thought their connection didn't quite work. Maybe it just felt too rushed for me. Some of the twists were pretty obvious but overall not a bad read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

I thoroughly enjoyed this regency era murder mystery. With its plucky protagonist who (though set in a different era) put me in mind of Kerry Greenwoods Phryne Fisher. Though the book was a little slow the mystery was compelling enough to keep me reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for the digital ARC it has not affected my honest review.

I liked how this book started but I soon found the characters to be quite flat and it was a DNF at 25%.

🎧Audiobook Review🎧

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I want to thank NetGalley for approving me for an ARC of this book.

👨🏻‍🤝‍👩🏻Dynamic Duo
💞Romance
😮Scandal
🧐Regency Mystery

This was an entertaining read full of scandal, secret societies, red herrings, and tension. Dora and Jacob's witty banter and great partnership shone through the pages.

⭐⭐⭐💫

We've got an actress whose half-brother, as she is illegitimate, has been stabbed and murdered, and an ex-army medic with an opium addiction, that he's been trying to avoid. The characters are thrown together in a chaotic and ridiculous quest to first find a letter left by her brother and then to uncover who has murdered him. They are caught between the Hellfire Caves where a bunch of rich people partake in illicit activities, and the famed Illuminati.

While many events unfold over the course of the story, at times I wished for more adventure/different pacing. Also, the POV was mainly the two main characters, but frequently to explain some situation the POV would shortly jump to another person. At times there were just to many POV, and it detracted from the storyline. As much as I do love a slow burn, it was quite enjoyable to have two characters be attracted to each other and act on it if they both so desired.


I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

3⭐️ 0🌶️

I was really excited to read this book. I was hooked on the idea of Bridgerton meeting the Da Vinci code. Although I think the only similarity to Bridgerton was the setting.

While this book has all the right elements of an engaging read, secret societies, murder, and carriage chases. I feel like it took until the third act for it to really pick up and despite wrapping up the mystery, I feel like the book was left a little too open ended when it came to the main characters. I’m assuming this is to leave it open for further books but while I found the book engaging enough to finish but I’m not sure I’ll pick up the next book if there is one.