A Dreadful Splendor

A Novel

By: B.R. Myers

Narrated by: Olivia Vinall

Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER • WINNER OF THE MARY HIGGINS CLARK AWARD

“This gem of a book sparkles with wit and originality. . . . There is no shortage of tricks and feints in this excellent novel and Genevieve is a delightful character.” — The Globe and Mail

“A spooky gothic romance with impeccable vibes. I loved this!" — Erin Sterling, New York Times bestselling author of The Ex Hex and The Kiss Curse

In this wickedly whimsical Gothic murder mystery brimming with romance, betrayals, and chills, a fake spiritualist is summoned to hold a séance for a bride who died on the eve before her wedding, but as nefarious secrets are revealed, the line between hoax and haunting blurs.

Be careful what you conjure...

In Victorian London, Genevieve Timmons poses as a spiritualist to swindle wealthy mourners—until one misstep lands her in a jail cell awaiting the noose. Then a stranger arrives to make her a peculiar offer. The lord he serves, Mr. Pemberton, has been inconsolable since the tragic death of his beautiful bride-to-be. If Genevieve can perform a séance persuasive enough to bring the young lord peace, she will win her freedom.

Soothing a grieving nobleman should be easy for someone of Genevieve’s skill, but when she arrives at the grand Somerset Park estate, Mr. Pemberton is not the heartbroken lover she expected. The surly—yet exceedingly handsome—gentleman is certain that his fiancée was murdered, even though there is no evidence. Only a confession can bring justice now, and Mr. Pemberton decides Genevieve will help him get it. With his knowledge of the household and her talent for illusion, they can stage a haunting so convincing it will coax the killer into the light. However, when frightful incidents befall the manor, Genevieve realizes her tricks aren’t required after all. She may be a fake, but Somerset’s ghost could be all too real…

A Dreadful Splendor is delicious brew of mystery, spooky thrills, and intoxicating romance that makes for a ghoulishly fun and gripping listen.

"A delightful mix of gothic, mystery, and romance. I had such fun reading this book!" — Gwenda Bond, New York Times bestselling author of Not Your Average Hot Guy

©2022 B.R. Myers (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Splendor just ok

A predictable story that I had trouble keeping engaged
An on listen but would not recommend

wonderful, quite enjoyed

best plot and performance I've heard in quite awhile. Definitely worth the listen, you won't be sorry!

Reminiscent of Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca

The story reminds me of “Rebecca” in that it twists and turns in ways you would never expect.

An entertaining story!

This book is a fun read, I highly recommended it! It is a spectacularly imaginative and ghoulishly Gothic murder mystery,

As the story unfolds, it brims with chills, betrayals, and romance, In the grand Somerset Park estate, a line between hoax and haunting blurs as dangerous secrets are revealed—and Somerset residents are hiding MANY deadly secrets. Its ghosts could be all too real! Genevieve discovers that she really doesn't know who to truly trust as a result (and neither does the listener)!

Genevieve Timmons has made her living posing as a spiritualist in 1852 London. Her mom was turned away from her family, For survival and out of desperation, they swindle wealthy believers in need of answers of their loved ones deaths and afterlives, However, things soon turn topsy-turvy and a séance goes awry and lands Genevieve in a jail cell.

To have her charges dismissed and gain temporary freedom, she agrees to hold a séance for the handsome and aloof Mr. Pemberton, the patriarch of Somerset Park's estate—to contact his recently deceased fiancé. Although no foul play was ever uncovered, Lord Pemberton believes that his fiancé was murdered and wants Genevieve to expose the culprit!

Loved it!

I liked the pace, the plot, the characters, and the narrator. Some good twists and turns.

Kept me guessing

Just when I thought I had figured the mystery out, the story took a twist! Loved it

Excellent story!

I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I especially enjoyed the mystery and character development and how all the loose ends were tied up in the end.

It's okay.

I was super excited to get into this book but found myself not really enjoying it. The characters were fantastic, though I often got confused because of it being told in first person, that's more personal taste though. Towards the end I was fast forwarding through some chapters just because of the repeating information and the general boringness of it. I wasn't surprised by the ending either because it was sort of spoiled halfway through by the MC, the hints of what the ending was going to be were repeated multiple times.

The narrator really carried it. I finished it mostly because of how well the narrator was doing and I usually finish a book I start reading no matter what.

Lots of twists

Enjoyable listen. Kept me interested with a new twist around every corner. It was well read as well.

Clever

I can't wait to see what else this author will write.
Great setting and characters