Title: A Dreadful Splendor
Author: B.R. Myers
Publication: August 23, 2022
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Romance
Pages: 416

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SYNOPSIS: (From Goodreads)

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…

REVIEW:

I am pretty sure that I saw this book on TikTok as a BookTok book and added it to my wish list on Amazon.  I am pretty sure I purchased it for myself when I passed my Medic License exam as a reward to myself.  Hey, some women buy purses and shoes as a reward to themselves, I purchase books.  While I did own this book in the physical form I think I found it for my kindle on sale for .99 and figured why not.  I know my boyfriend would probably be happy that I pair down some of the cases and cases of books that I have in my home. It would probably create more space for us honestly.  I was excited to read it since I’ve seemingly been in a gothic suspense kick for some reason. 

Genevieve or Jenny performs seances for families that are grieving.  She also without their knowledge steals their jewelry when she asks them to hand it over in order for the event to happen perfectly.  She’s been in and out of prison several times each time being rescued by the woman who she rents a room out at the brothel from. Her luck unfortunately is about to run out.  That all changes when and older gentleman wants to hire her for his master back home. He wants her to do what she does best and hopefully lay his master’s broken heart to rest. Little does the gentleman know his master has other plans.  This book was so good.  I really honestly enjoyed it from start to finish. There was never a point where I was like this is dumb.  There was a dash of romance, a sprinkle of suspense, ghosts and a dollop of mystery.  To top it off it is also a YA book which is certainly my cup of tea.  I am of the class that you are never too old to enjoy a good YA book.  Sometimes they are even better than those books written specifically for adults. 

The author did an amazing job with this book.  I will admit that at times I was a little confused by the diary entries since they would appear at random it would seem but they were when you looked at the big picture painting a story that was underlying the main one that was being told.  I did have to pay attention to the dates and years when I was reading because it did throw me.  I will say that I did guess one of the major bombshells about a quarter of the way through the book and yes of course I did do a happy dance when I realized that it was actually accurate!!  Sometimes I realize things when I am just about done and they are getting ready to reveal things.  I thought the book flowed well through the storyline and there was no major things that made me lower my 5 star rating.  I see the author has another book out, I may have to read it.  My one complaint is the fact that I wanted more out of the epilogue.  I am a sucker for romance and I thought we could have gotten more.