Ava Reid has some of the most lyrical writing there is. This book had mystery and intrigue, but I wanted more from this gothic fantasy. Its tone fell flat compared to A Study in Drowning and I personally wanted more from Effy in this book.

Preston is the main character in this, with Effy as support, and while I enjoyed the story it just didn’t grab me as much as the first book.

This book has some major trigger warnings (incest/r*pe, su*cide attempt) that should be viewed prior to reading.

At the halfway point in this book, it felt like it was dragging but I was still intrigued and wanted to continue. It began to pick up again around the 70% mark and held my interest.

While it is an interesting story, I wish it had tackled more of the loose ends from the first book. I also wish that this book was a little more open ended, like a gothic fantasy should be. Overall it was enjoyable, but I would have been okay with A Study in Drowning being a standalone.