A Cruel Twist of Fate is gothic, dark, mysterious, thrilling and has a little bit of romance. Personally, I found the twists and the reveal way too easy but that may be because I love a murder mystery and can easily pick up on characters personalities and traits.

The main thing I loved about this book was that it wasn't exceptionally long. I have a short attention span and I easily read this in a day. The reveal was built up nicely and with the book being short it was revealed quite quickly compared to other novels in this genre.

One thing that I didn't quite enjoy was it started to feel repetitive with sentences and chapters, as a reader I am aware of what happened the chapter before and if I'm not I can always go back to it, I'd prefer not to be reading the same thing that has just happened over again. This would've been rated higher if there had been less of that and more suspense, more details and an unexpected twist/ending.

3/5

"A Cruel Twist of Fate" is a ya gothic mystery-thriller written by H. F. Askwith.

I loved the premise of this book! A beautiful but crumbling mansion. An island lashed by the tides. A thin causeway, the only connection to the mainland, submerged for much of the day. A group of people trapped by a violent storm. Sinister events and brutal deaths that soon begin to haunt them. In short, "A Cruel Twist of Fate" had all the makings of winning me over! But unfortunately it didn't!

The setting is the element that I appreciated the most! Archfall Manor is really fascinating, vividly and efficiently described. An manor perched on an island lashed by the tides, often cut off from the mainland, according to the whims of the sea. A huge, sprawling mansion of labyrinthine corridors, empty or locked rooms, alcoves and secret passages, and a soaring central tower. A sinister and mysterious mansion, characterized by insidious creaks, flickering lights, ominous shadow play, treacherous drafts of air. And maybe something more.

The plot, full of potential, in my opinion lacks suspense, tension and uncertainty. Everything seemed to me extremely superficial, rushed and somewhat chaotic, as if the story did not know exactly where to point. The novel has several plot holes, numerous repetitions and convenient situations, to which is added a really predictable mystery. Too bad, because it could have turned out something incredible!

The characters conveyed nothing to me! I found them flat, shallow and without evolution. Even Helena, protagonist with her only first person pov, is vague and superficial. There is a romance component that I don't know, it seemed unnecessary and sloppy, with an instalove that made me huff and roll my eyes.

All in all, this is a book with an excellent premise and a fascinating setting, which unfortunately did not convince me in its development!

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Although overall I found this to be a fun mystery, I thought the plot to be overly simplistic in execution. If you're going to market a book as something similar to And Then There Were None, then I expect all the nuances that come with that kind of murder mystery, even if it is marketed at a YA audience. The writing is very simistic, and I could almost track exactly what the author was trying to do, point by point, as the story progressed, meaning the supposed 'twists' weren't all that shocking. And I'm still questioning what the point of the fantasy elements were - they were woefully underdeveloped and felt out of place in this kind of story.

Quick read, but unfortunately not for me.

I am annoyed at myself for not piecing this together before it all started to be revealed because with hindsight it was so obvious who was behind it all.

But the fact that I didn’t I think shows just how well crafted this story was. I loved the atmosphere created from the onset with this book and it got more intriguing when Helena got to the house. I enjoyed the magical elements of it and how they were all rooted in the properties of the island.

I thought Helena was a really great character and I liked her partnership with Jasper.


Overall it reminded me a bit of Murder Is Easy - Agatha Christie. And when I reached the final page I found myself craving more because…well the ending felt a bit like a tease

A fun murder mystery involving a dead father, mysterious widower and her 3 children, and eerie characters. The gothic elements of Archfall Manor really set the tone. I enjoyed the eccentricities of the house and characters, such as Mr Cauldwell, an inventor.

The mystery lies in the murders taking place who is behind them. Caroline, the three time widower is especially interesting as a character because of her husbands dying under mysterious circumstances. The eventual reveal of the murderer is great and ties in to Helena's role in the manor.

However, the suspense and tension in this book was lacking, the most enjoyable part was the atmosphere and the environment of Archfall Manor. The intrigue about who the murderer was predictable and a little tedious. The bit that made it interesting was how the murderer was relevant to Helena and her family. Helena herself was a bland character as the protagonist.

Overall, while some aspects were dull, the overarching plot and some characters such as Caroline and Gabriel stood out. The thriller aspect was a little lacking but for a YA thriller I'm not expecting much. A highlight among the atmosphere, was the romance subplot.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars.
A great modern Gothic with plenty of secrets, an ominous setting and supernatural elements to keep you on your toes.
Helena travels to Archfall Manor, where her father disappeared 18 years ago, under the guise of governess, hoping to unravel the mysteries that seem to surround the house and her. The Cauldwell family are a complex set of characters, many with motives to commit murder, and murder quickly happens. Helena not only ends up trying to understand what happened to her father all those years ago, but who amongst them is the killer at large.
Nice YA book with interesting ideas, characters and a worthy addition to the Gothic genre.

I cannot describe or express to you how much I love this book. I knew from the first page that this was an easy 5 star for me.

If you enjoy dark gothic stories, with murders, tense situations, secrets, and inventions- maybe a bit of magic…then this is for you.

I loved every second of this book and I’m upset it’s now finished. I did at one point wonder if I needed to go to work that day…

My thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House UK for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I initially requested this ARC because I really enjoy mystery and murder mystery books and the summary of this one sounded really intriguing.

This has a similar starting premise to Lex Croucher’s Trouble where the main character takes on the identity of someone else to get work in order to help her family (both lying about being governesses) so if you like that microtrope you’ll enjoy this book.

I preferred the first half of the book compared to the second half. The premise was a lot for entertaining but then I felt that it lost a bit of steam despite all the reveals happening.

The mystery was somewhat interesting but I often found myself drifting off and struggling to focus on the plot even though it initially grasped my attention. I think the reason behind this is that I didn’t feel connected to the characters especially as the book was quite short so the mystery didn’t really feel developed.

I’d give this book 3.5 stars.

I received an ARC via NetGalley from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book and was given a copy through Netgalley from the publishers of this book as I had read the first released book that came out last year from this author.

Thank you for the opportunity loved every page of it.

No spoilers from me. But definitely worth the read.

Mystery meets thriller and YA also.

2024 52 Book Challenge - 1) A Locked Room Mystery

I requested this book because it was marketed as being similar to The Inheritance Games, a series which I absolutely adore. In some way, it is very similar to that series, with the young female main character joining the rich, inventive family as an outsider and solving a mystery. There were aspects that made it different, and I quite enjoyed it as a novel.

I think the main problem with the novel is that the twists and answers in the novel are incredibly apparent. Like, I guessed one from reading the blurb and I guessed the other at 10% so I was sat reading, waiting for the character to catch up.

That being said, I really enjoyed reading this book, and I have my fingers crossed for a sequel.

Very simplistic and shallow, with obvious plot twists and answers to the murder mystery and long, overbearing descriptions of the protagonists choices and feelings. If it weren't for the romance subplot I would call this book middle grade rather than YA.

Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

What a brilliant atmospheric dark YA gothic fantasy mystery! Having enjoyed H F Askwith’s first novel, A Dark Inheritance, I was very excited to read this one. From the very beginning I was captivated by this story, especially because of the richly evocative prose. Helena’s voice rings loud and clear throughout, what a great protagonist, full of courage, determination and a need to know her story. The island itself is a superbly eerie character, full of dark secrets and magical powers. Full of twists and turns, this is a real page turner of a book and one that I’m sure will delight many a young reader! It would be a great recommendation for any school librarian to pass on to readers looking for a chilling gothic read or for teachers to use as a class reader for KS3 English.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Penguin Random House UK, Children for an early copy of this book in exchange for a review.

A Cruel Twist Of Fate by H F Askwith due to be published 18th Jan 2024.
Marketed as a gothic YA mystery thriller, I loved it. A young governess seeking answers to her fathers disappearance sets off to work for a reclusive inventor and his family in a remote mansion on an isolated peninsula that gets cut off by a storm. It soon becomes clear there's a murderer on the loose. The book finishes on a cliffhanger without revealing whether the murderer is brought to justice , with the possibility of a sequel. I was left shouting 'oh no you can't leave it there' 😅. A great read.

Another excellent children’s book from this publisher. A gothic feel story aimed at readers ten and up, but much older readers will enjoy this too. I found a mix of gentle horror, murder mystery and fantasy. Helena ends up on an isolated island from the mainland, with secrets to uncover, and a stately house that is terribly worrying to her at best. With her own secrets burdening her who can she trust? The ending comes quicker than you might expect. A make up your own mind or maybe a sequel to come? Happy to use my imagination, but would equally be very happy to read a sequel from H. F. Askwith. Thank you to penguin Random House UK and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine freely given.

Having just read this author's debut novel, 'A Dark Inheritance' only the month before, which I saw flagged up on the New Writing North newsletter, I requested Askwith's second via Net Galley and the publishers, Penguin, kindly sent it to me.
I am an H.F. Askwith fan now I must admit.
Her first I enjoyed but did feel it was too long and repetitive in places, but this one, 'A Cruel Twist...' really gripped me and held me from the off. . I do love a Victorian set, Gothic style, twisty thriller be it Y.A. as in this case as it's aimed at 14-17 years, but adults can read and relish it - no problem.
From the blurb: -"When eighteen-year-old Helena is sent to be a governess at Archfall Manor - a beautiful but crumbling manor house, perched at the edge of a causeway in the North Sea - she feels confident she will know how to deal with the esteemed but eccentric Cauldwell family who own it. But it quickly becomes clear that the Cauldwells are hiding more than Helena could ever have dreamed of...."
Helena is a most likeable, inventive, feisty and intelligent heroine, whose steps we literally walk in around the isolated manor, and to the tower top where the mysterious, magical Arch is - here the story slithers into magical fantasy but still remains believable and that's important for me.
There are a number of deaths, historic, current and the body count keeps rising, and there is a hint of a budding romance with the caretaker's son, Jasper.
The action keeps moving, suspicion falls on pretty much everyone bar the cat, if there is one? The storm thunders on, the island is cut off, the staff and the family are at loggerheads, secrets leak literally from the walls of the manor house and the lying lips of some.. who can Helena believe and trust? Who will die before the storm is over?
One caveat- I did find the ending a trifle of a let down, and unsatisfactory- it didn't deliver the satisfaction or conclusion I wanted. Hence this is 4 stars.

When Helena is offered the position of governess at Archfall Manor, she is given the opportunity to investigate the mysterious disappearance of her father. In order to do so, she must ingratiate herself with the infamous Cauldwell family and avoid the murderer killing members of the household.

A gripping, gothic whodunnit, H. F. Askwith once again writes a dark story, inspired by invention. I would say it is very similar to ‘A Dark Inheritance’, which was released in early 2023, sharing very similar themes. I enjoyed the flow of the story and the creativity behind Archfall Manor, the Cauldwells, and how the story flowed. I personally prefer ‘A Dark Inheritance’ as I found this one a bit more predictable.

I would recommend for fans of gothic mysteries, and especially the author’s earlier work.

I thoroughly enjoyed H.F. Askwith's previous offering , A Dark Inheritance, so thought that I would enjoy this one too. I actually liked this even better, deliciously gothic with the odd touches of gruesome. A deeply immersive book, once I started to read it was difficult to stop. I think that I might have found a new favourite author.

Thank you Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the arc of A Cruel Twist of Fate by H F Askwith in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

If you’re looking for a YA gothic, locked room, whodunnit mystery then you won’t go wrong with A Cruel Twist of Fate!

Askwith delivers a mysterious house, occupied by a secretive and mysterious family on a tidal isle that will draw you in and have you trying to decipher the plot and work out whodunnit from the start. The book itself uses reasonably concise, so you can enjoy the plot twists and turns without becoming too frustrated but, also immerse yourself in the whodunnit mysteries from both past and current timelines.

Askwith has built a mini world set within the Cauldwell home on this isolated tidal island that is both intriguing and foreboding. Sprinkle in a feisty and strong female character - Helena, and a smattering of romance that doesn’t overwhelm or distract from the plot and you have the makings of an enjoyable YA gothic mystery that I really enjoyed.

My only caveat is that with such a short book, some areas of plot and character yet are less fleshed out than I would like but, this is understandable with the length of the book. If you love a mystery with a hint of YA gothic spookiness, you’ll enjoy A Cruel Twist of Fate.

This was a nice, short and quick read but had plenty of twists still. I felt the ending was very abrupt but feel it would appeal to the YA audience well

An enjoyable YA thriller set in the Scottish Highlands. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC