Book Shelf: Haunting Violet (Haunting Violet #1) by Alyxandra Harvey

Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.

Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother's scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she's known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies?

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

Stunningly written and deeply gothic, Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey is an alluring story that weaves a historical and paranormal mystery together with high society, scandal and murder. Ghosts, danger and romance mingle in this haunting read that will captivate from it's opening chapter!

I have to say how much I adore Alyxandra Harvey's writing. Each and every one of her stories are choc-ful of harrowing stakes and delectable characters and now having finished Haunting Violet I can say I've read every single one of her books and loved them all, with Haunting Violet being no exception.

Set in the 19th century, Haunting Violet follows sixteen year old Violet Willoughby, the daughter of a fraudulent spirit medium who has spent her life assisting her mother in "communicating" with the dead on behalf of the rich and powerful. Violet's life has been nothing but elaborately staged gatherings and thoroughly perfected lies, until her mother is invited to the estate of a very powerful Lord to communicate with the dead and Violet begins seeing the dead for real. As Violet is continuously haunted by the spirit of a young woman who died under mysterious circumstances, she quickly realizes that this heiress’s death was more sinister than first appearances dictated and soon undertakes to learn the truth before the murderer strikes again.

Haunting Violet was a genuinely enjoyable read. The deliciously dark and gothic tone of the novel allowed for a thrilling and mysterious feel and the characters were ones I truly enjoyed reading about. Personally I don't read that many historical fiction novels, but I do appreciate a well written, and well thought out historical read with a supernatural twist, something Harvey delivers with Haunting Violet.

As our protagonist, Violet really was a joy to follow. She was a typical young woman of this era; slightly repressed but with her own hidden fire, whose life was an elaborate web of lies and charades and for whom the prospect of marriage offered the only escape from this tiring lifestyle. I really liked Violet and appreciated the choices she made in this book. Considering her mothers whole façade, I thought it was very fitting Violet developed actual abilities to see the dead and thought Harvey did a great job exploring this amongst the murder mystery Violet found herself investigating.

Violet finds herself with a couple of different romance options in this book, but I was very happy with the one Harvey chose to explore. Violet had a fantastic relationship with the childhood friend she began to care deeply for and I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop.

Told against an old English backdrop, Haunting Violet was a darkly riveting read that will entrance you from opening chapter and leave you captivated until the very end.

Rating:
Source: Sent for review by Bloomsbury Australia (Thank you Sonia!)
Format: Paperback
Buy it: Bookworld | The Nile | The Book Depository | Amazon
My Recommendation: Fans of historical novels will enjoy this!
Cover: I think it's beautiful!
Will I read sequel/continue with series: To my knowledge this is a stand alone novel, but I'll read whatever Alyxandra Harvey writes.....