Parting the Veil

A Novel

By: Paulette Kennedy

Narrated by: Siiri Scott

Length: 12 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's Summary

Some houses hold secrets that are meant to be kept forever...

When Eliza Sullivan inherits an estate from a recently deceased aunt, she leaves behind a grievous and guilt-ridden past in New Orleans for rural England and a fresh start. Eliza arrives at her new home and finds herself falling for the mysterious lord of Havenwood, Malcolm Winfield. Despite the sinister rumors that surround him, Eliza is drawn to his melancholy charm and his crumbling, once-beautiful mansion. With enough love, she thinks, both man and manor could be repaired. 

Not long into their marriage, Eliza fears that she should have listened to the locals. There’s something terribly wrong at Havenwood Manor: Forbidden rooms. Ghostly whispers in the shadows. Strangely guarded servants. And Malcolm’s threatening moods, as changeable as night and day.

As Eliza delves deeper into Malcolm’s troubling history, the dark secrets she unearths gain a frightening power. Has she married a man or a monster? For Eliza, uncovering the truth will either save her or destroy her.

©2021 by Paulette Kennedy. (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic Reviews

“Well-written, the novel admirably recalls Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights and Henry James’s Portrait of a Lady.”—Historical Novel Society

“Complete with LGBTQIA+ inclusivity, the suspenseful story will delight fans of historical fiction, horror, and mystery with twist after twist after twist.”—Booklist 

“If you love a gothic tale full of twists and turns and things that go bump in the night, Paulette Kennedy’s Parting the Veil is a not-to-be-missed treat. This debut is the perfect book to curl up with on a stormy night, but don’t expect to put it down easily. And don’t forget the Earl Grey and biscuits.”—Barbara Davis, bestselling author of The Last of the Moon Girls 

Be warned - Bodice Ripper

I couldn’t finish. From the summary I thought it would be a gothic, historical fiction piece with a touch of the supernatural which is ordinarily up my alley.

However, the main character is absurdly changeable and the story line way too focused on her capturing “her man”. No substance at all.

Hard pass - would not recommend unless you like gooey romances that spend a lot of time describing dreamy green eyes.

I did however enjoy the narration.

Very intriguing

A slow start, but the accents drew me right in. French New Orleans and southern, a mix I understand and relish. The expected meeting between Eliza and Havenwood came fast, a little Pride & Prejudice-ish, but as I kept reading that wasn’t the entire story at all- they HAD to meet right away. About half way through I started trying to piece together the mysteries of the house, key word was trying. I figured out part but not all of it, the sign of a great mystery!!!! While I was unsure at first, I think I really liked this novel!

Performance

The dialect and accents were terrible. I did not care for the performance. The story itself might be pretty good if I could have just read it and not listened to the narration.

Sweeps you into another world and helps you forget your day to day

Loved this book! I’m going through a difficult time with family and honestly the world has been getting me down. This took me back to such an intriguing time with beautiful developed characters and a plot that propels you in with no time for boredom. Love the twist and turns and the supernatural involvement. Thank you for the much needed get away!!! Cant wait to read more!

Slow but the Ending Makes it All Worth It

This would be hard to stick to If it weren't for the author's writing talents. The story is compelling and adventurous in the beginning, but there is a lull in the middle. However, there is a twist at the end that will blow your mind. Loved it.

Parting the veil

Lots of twists to the story so you didn’t know who or what to believe

Just okay for me

Story moved too slowly. A few too many storylines going on. Narrator did a good job, particularly on the Scottish accent.

Merely okay

I'm being forced to write a review in 15 words in order to leave a rating. This is it.

Sappy and Trite

I can't listen anymore! The reader's voice is annoying. I tried to get used to it, but the strange accent and high wispy voice made no sense, and it sounds unnatural.

The story is predictable and frustrating. None of the heroine's actions make any sense. Every scene is overwrought. Her rash decisions lead to further rash decisions, leading to a bad outcome.

Enjoyable storyline

Very good with twist and turns. Definitely great narrated
voices. very good story and plot

A feast of a story with a fulfilling end.

A fabulous 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for PARTING THE VEIL by Paulette Kennedy.
I read the kindle version, then listened to the wonderful Audiobook narrated by Siiri Scott.

After inheriting a grand Country Estate, Eliza Sullivan travels to England, leaving a guilty past in New Orleans behind her. As she explores the surrounding landscape and meets local society, Eliza falls for Malcolm Winfield, lord of nearby Havenwood, a crumbling, decaying Manor of once great status. But Havenwood is a place of secrets, harbouring forbidden rooms and ghostly whispers. Despite the rumours and gossip, Eliza and Malcolm marry, and she is determined to repair both the man and the manor.

Gothic fiction is my go-to; it's where my heart sits in all its lavish prose, mystery, intrigue and supernatural—Parting The Veil certainly delivered my expectations; a treat for those who love a spine-tingling Gothic romance to read (or listen to) by lamplight. With a wide cast of intriguing characters, each playing their part, the plot is by no means one-dimensional romance. With so many twists and turns you hope for in a gothic romance and then some unexpected ones, Parting The Veil gives the reader a feast of a story with a fulfilling ending. I loved this story and am already looking forward to the next novel coming soon from Paulette Kennedy, The Witch Of Tin Mountain.




*Almost a full 5-stars; my only issue was some of the word choices, particularly for the servants (mum instead of ma'am); a little more research into English historical detail. *This is purely my opinion, being English and writing historical, gothic fiction. American readers will most likely be unaware and love it regardless.

hmmm

Ahhh well, those are twelve hours I'll never get back. Predictable. Perhaps the author might have researched the late 1800s and early 1900s in England before writing about them.

Hard going

Enjoyed this story of emancipated American girl inheriting in England but the narration was truly awful - the accents grated and were inconsistent - especially the Scottish ones. Also American pronunciations seemed wrong for novel set in England. Finished the audiobook and enjoyed the story but it was hard going due to the performance. Sorry.

Awful

This is the worst audible book I have ever had the misfortune to listen to. The narrator has a wooden robotic voice that irritates from the very start, not to mention the mispronouced words throughout.

Awful narration

I had to give up on this after 2 hours and I’m amazed I stuck with it that long. Although the story wasn’t going anywhere, I would have tried to stick with it if it hadn’t have been for the horrific narration. As a British person I could not listen to the awful Dick Van Dyke British accents any more. Avoid.