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The Undoing of Violet Claybourne

The captivating, wintry gothic mystery of family secrets, lies and the darkest deception, with a devastating twist you won't see coming

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The Undoing of Violet Claybourne

By: Emily Critchley
Narrated by: Nathalie Buscombe
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'An evocative mystery . . . atmospheric and gripping' Good Housekeeping
'A brilliant claustrophobic study of gaslighting and manipulation, as a family's ambitions overwhelm their better impulses' Daily Mail
'Atmospheric and chilling, this is one to curl up with' Heat Magazine, Book of the Week

TO BECOME ONE OF THEM, SHE WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES...

1938. Gillian Larking is used to blending in and going unnoticed, until she is befriended by her new roommate at boarding school, the vibrant and spirited Violet Claybourne. As the Christmas holidays approach, Gilly can't believe her luck when Violet invites her to spend them at her home, the crumbling Thornleigh Hall.

At Thornleigh, Gilly is dazzled by the family's faded grandeur, and above all by Violet's beguiling older sisters who seem to accept her as one of their own. But following a terrible incident in the house's grounds, Gilly begins to realise the Claybourne sisters aren't quite what she thought they were. And if she's to survive in their world, she may have to become just like them . . .

*LONGLISTED FOR THE CWA DAGGER AWARD FOR BEST HISTORICAL CRIME NOVEL OF THE YEAR*
*FROM THE AUTHOR OF INDIE BOOK OF THE MONTH ONE PUZZLING AFTERNOON* Gothic Historical Horror Mystery Psychological Suspense Thriller & Suspense Winter Exciting Scary
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Critic reviews

An evocative mystery . . . atmospheric and gripping. An ideal read for winter days.
A stern boarding school, a dilapidated country mansion and an old-fashioned asylum are the gloomily atmospheric settings for a gothic-tinged story that explores the troubled minds and volatile emotions of the Claybourne sisters and their erstwhile friend, the impressionable Gillian Larking in 1930s England . . . Taut, tense and melancholy, it's a brilliant claustrophobic study of gaslighting and manipulation, as a family's ambitions overwhelm their better impulses.
Atmospheric and chilling, this is one to curl up with.
A powerful and convincing portrayal of the bitter consequences of human frailty and ambition, this novel pulls the reader into its dark depths like quicksand. I couldn't put it down.
Utterly spellbinding, this is a deviously dark Gothic tale full of deception and betrayal. Atmospheric and full of secrets waiting to be untangled, I highly recommend it.
Stunning... a dark and immersive plot that becomes more gripping and sinister with every turn of the page.
Dark, chilling and tightly plotted, this is the perfect read for a winter's night.
With shades of Sarah Waters and The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox, this is a riveting story about sisters, secrets and the lengths people will go to fit in with others. I raced through it because I struggled to put it down!
A moving tale of class, duplicity and the irreversible consequences of betraying a friendship. I devoured this wonderful book.
Gothic fiction at its darkest and finest.
All stars
Most relevant
I downloaded this because it was free. I loved it. It was fabulous. It has shades of The Go Between, with the winter cold instead of the stifling heat. It has brilliant characters, it's well-paced and really gripping. I couldn't put it down and I've recommended it to my friends' book groups. Loved it.

A surprisingly excellent and absorbing read

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Excellent book, well written of which the narration brought it alive. A sad story but engaging telling a story of a young girl wanting to belong but at a cost. A couple of twists which surprised me but on the whole a thoroughly good listen.

Thoroughly enjoyable

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Some unexpected events . Loved viewing the world of the Claybournes from Gillian’s perspective ; her sense of wanting and needing to belong and her helplessness were well described .

A nice easy read

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A surprisingly good listen. I took a chance & didn’t regret it. I was hooked from the start.

Fantastic listen

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lots of unexpected twists. ending was a bit predictable. would definitely be keen for similar stories in the future from this author

Very good

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