Andrea Ward

I started this a while back and put it down because it wasn't the right time, but I could t stop thinking about it. So I picked it up again. I liked that the horror was related to an obsession with beauty, bodies, and organic ingredients. The body horror and capitalism to an extreme were really well done. Some of the sexual stuff was weird and didn't add anything to the story to me. The ending visuals of the narrator will stay with me. I'm glad I came back to this one.

The setting is England in the 1860s through the 1890s in a lonely manor house. That alone will get me interested. Throw in some Spiritualists and some skeptics and it is sounding pretty good.
But the thing that really set this book apart are the characters. The story is told from 3 perspectives, Constance, John, and Eleanor. That structure helps us get to know each of them, so when the Wraxford Mystery happens, we are left wanting it all to work out for them. Constance's investigation is complicated and really well done. There are several layers to get through and then she has to prove it all. That also makes for a nerve wracking solution. We are often wondering if there are spirits at work or humans at work.
The author also does a very good job of portraying these women as capable and worthy of trust. He contrasts Eleanor and Constance with several other characters and the latter are found wanting.
Very well written creepy read.

I liked hearing about the history of this part of the world. I liked feeling like I was in a small town in Romania. I like the history of the vampires we see. The history of Joseph and his brother was interesting. The characters themselves were okay. The romance was fine and the crimes part of this was okay. So the atmosphere and history were great, but the characters and plot was okay.

A lovely and satisfying wrap up to the series and a connection to the Parasol Protectorate. At some point it seemed a little crazy that she was that successful against that many adults and there were a few other points that stretched my belief. It just brought me out of the world of the book. Not so much that I would rate it down, but it wasn't perfect. But maybe perfection is a lot to ask for. Overall, good ending to a great series by a fabulous author!