Three generations of Irish nobles face their family secrets in this spellbinding novel from the award-winning author of the Boleyn King trilogy. The Gallagher family has called Deeprath Castle home for seven hundred years. Nestled in the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland, the estate is now slated to become a public trust, and book lover and scholar Carragh Ryan is hired to take inventory of its … inventory of its historic library. But after meeting Aidan, the current Viscount Gallagher, and his enigmatic family, Carragh knows that her task will be more challenging than she’d thought.
Two decades before, Aidan’s parents died violently at Deeprath. The case, which was never closed, has recently been taken up by a new detective determined to find the truth. The couple’s unusual deaths harken back a century, when twenty-three-year-old Lady Jenny Gallagher also died at Deeprath under mysterious circumstances, leaving behind an infant son and her husband, a renowned writer who never published again. These incidents only fueled fantastical theories about the Darkling Bride, a local legend of a sultry and dangerous woman from long ago whose wrath continues to haunt the castle.
The past catches up to the present, and odd clues in the house soon have Carragh wondering if there are unseen forces stalking the Gallagher family. As secrets emerge from the shadows and Carragh gets closer to answers—and to Aidan—could she be the Darkling Bride’s next victim?
Praise for The Darkling Bride
“A gorgeous concoction of Victorian gothic, mystery, and romance, all with an unforgettable library, The Darkling Bride is the perfect book to curl up with in front of a roaring fire. Laura Andersen has created a masterpiece.”—Tasha Alexander, New York Times bestselling author of the Lady Emily Mysteries
“Who can say no to an abandoned castle, a mysterious library, a renowned Victorian novelist, a brooding viscount, and a mystery that goes back several generations? Andersen captures the gothic tone perfectly, drawing you into the secrets of Deeprath Castle. . . . Perfect for reading on a rainy day with a strong cup of Irish tea!”—Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author of That Summer
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A famous Victorian author’s missing manuscript, an ancient castle, family secrets going back generations, madness, murder, and romance… This modern-day Gothic has it all!
The Gallagher family and their ancestral home of Deeprath Castle are haunted but are they haunted by ghosts or by insanity or only by the memories of past tragedies? Even at the end of the book some of those questions are still open for the reader to decide. I’m okay with that. Some readers won’t be.
Ms. Andersen owns her setting and the tone of the book which is first and foremost a skillfully woven mystery than spans multiple generations. The romance is deftly kept in its place and ties back to the mystery. And throughout there is that intriguing blend of possibilities. Is the castle truly haunted? Is there only a madness of the mind? Has past violence carried its own energy into the present?
I rarely continue reading a book when the characters don’t tug at me when I’m away from it. I found The Darkling Bride to be an exception simply because I was able to fall back into the story effortlessly when I did have leisure to read. I gave this book 4.5 stars.
This is a light read but well written and with a good dose of humor. It has all the elements of a good Gothic story, handsome rebellious hunks, slimy relatives, tragedies, murder …fill in the blank. Relax and read for fun.
Loved this story that takes place in present day Ireland. A young woman is hired to catalog the centuries old massive library in an old and largely uninhabited castle. The woman who hires her is the great aunt of the present lord and owner, and who wants the library cataloged because her nephew wants to donate the castle to the National Trust. She accepts the job because she has graduated from university with a degree in Irish literature and folklore. One of her favorite 19th century authors had lived there, met and married the daughter of the then lord and was known to have been writing another book. But, tragically the young wife dies. The book is not only never published, but the popular author never writes again. By taking the job, she hopes to find the lost manuscript and solve the mystery surrounding it. She is not there long before strange things begin to happen, only some of which can be explained rationally. When the current lord arrives he proves to be both young and handsome, but also wary of forming close relationships with women. The longer she is at the castle, the more fascinated she becomes with the legend of the Darkling Bride that seems to simmer just below the surface of all that occurs there. Family rifts, fractures and secrets abound.
All in all, a great recreational read.
Really enjoyed this book. The author did a good job of weaving the mystery of four generations into one tale without the plot becoming so twisted the reader got lost in the process. Once I realized the true plot, I nailed my suspect down. I did doubt my decision several times, but won in the end. Satisfying conclusion and tying up of loose ends.
I just enjoyed the location Andrew the ambiance of an Irish castle. I think that the characters could lend themselves to a series. I’d enjoy meeting up with them again.
Very well written.
I didnt finish it. I couldn’t keep up with the flipping back and forth from present to past. Just didn’t hold my interest which rarely happens to be.
Great character. Haunting story
One of the best books I have read.
I absolutely loved the dark idea behind this story and the perfect blend of modern and traditional characters. It was one of those books that stumbled into my lap and was a refreshing flexing of someone who truly understand the writing craft and how to flex its muscles. One note: this book is labeled a Romance but in truth that is really more sub plotted.
I loved this book. If you are a fan of the old Gothic mysteries with spooky castles and brooding main characters, this is the book for you.
The Darkling Bride was a fantastic read. I’m a huge fan of classic gothics by authors such as Victoria Holt and Daphne Maurier, as well as newer gothics by Deborah Harkness and Sarah Rees Brennan. This novel gave me exactly what I long for from beginning to the end. There is an ancient castle full of history and layered secrets, a cast of mysterious characters, and just the right amount of romance. If you enjoy gothics and classic romantic suspense, then this is the perfect novel for you.