Parting the Veil: A Novel

Written by Paulette Kennedy

Narrated by Siiri Scott

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Nov 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781713620273

Paulette Kennedy

Originally from the Ozarks, Paulette Kennedy now lives with her family and their menagerie of pets in a quiet suburb of Los Angeles. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her tending her garden and trying to catch up with the looming stack of unread books next to her bed. You can connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Reviews for Parting the Veil

[Marta Em · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

An interesting premise promising something resembling a Gothic novel that turned out to be absolutely ridiculous. It was all too much, idiotic characters (the protagonist was a strong independent woman who didn't want to marry anyone, yet - she falls in love the first time she sees that aristocrat), speaking an all over the place language that definitely wasn't true to the era, extremely unbelievable. There are ghosts (but all so underwhelming), there's a very cliché romance (oh so Harlequin-y), there's sex, some LGBT themes, madness, a mansion destroyed in a fire, we have it all but it's absolutely ridiculous and illogical. It's a no from me, took me ages to finish.

[Jenni Hoover · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In my opinion, this is a very good book! Everything came together at the end and everything made sense. And I was surprised by one reveal which always is nice I for sure saw the other ones but I did miss one. This is what I like real ghosts, in the story and real peoples problems as well. It doesn’t focus on just one aspect of the mystery. It keeps you guessing who is good and who is bad if anyone is good at all lol I truly enjoyed it don’t pay attention to the reviewer who did not want to have, LGBTQ shoved down her throat, or some thing, please. It’s not even in the story at all truly just memories of things and rumors of people that’s real life. If you can’t deal with real life, then don’t read a book.

[northern_light-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Eliza arrives from the USA after inheriting a large home from her aunt. The house next door has a mysterious past and no-one has anything good to say about the owner. There's an added request that needs to be completed before she can fully inherit. I mostly enjoyed this book as Eliza gets to know more about living in a small community which is very different. The book however gains nothing from the sex scenes, I just don't know why authors do this. As the story developed Eliza gains confidence in her status but there are unexpected noises and other mysterious happenings which unsettle her. What is really going on and can she solve the mystery in time to live her life fully.The description of the book doesn't prepare the reader for the many devices used by the author and that is why it only scores as it did.

[awolope.liv · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I’m not sure how anyone could get through this listen; not to be disparaging, but the narrator’s British accents were so poor. I kept trying to keep going, but honestly it was entirely too jarring.

[bookscookslooks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a perfect book for this time of year, eh? A spooky mansion, secrets – sounds like just what you want on these Fall nights when dark comes early. One thing I do love about books of this ilk is that they do tend to keep the pages turning and Parting the Veil was no exception. Once I started I didn’t want to stop.Eliza learns she has an inheritance in England. Having nothing really left in New Orleans she leaves to discover how her aunt’s bequest will direct her future.Once in England she meets the locals and finds herself very intrigued by her reclusive neighbor, Malcolm Winfield. Despite warnings from those around her she marries this mysterious lord.But once living in the house she finds that all is not well. Her husband is mercurial and the servants are not exactly welcoming. She begins to wonder if she has made the biggest mistake of her life.Has she?You know I am not going to spill any beans here. What I will tell you is that you will find yourself immersed in a creepy – but in a good way – gothic world full of distinct and fascinating characters. There are many a twist and turn to be found and the ending is a doozy.I will note two warnings: some suspension of belief is necessary to fully enjoy the book and there are some hard to read scenes dealing with troubling issues like suicide, domestic abuse and more. So bear that in mind if these bother you in a book.