The Darkling Bride: A Novel

Gallagher Family Series, Book 1

By: Laura Andersen

Narrated by: Sarah-Jane Drummey

The Gallagher family has called Deeprath Castle home for 700 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 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 23-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?

©2018 Laura Andersen (P)2018 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Beautiful and haunting story

This really was a great story. Great characters, interesting storyline and I really enjoyed the narration… She was so good at all of the characters voices. Beautifully written.

Pretty good.

The story was engaging, well thought out and well read. This would make a good October read because of the ghosts but that’s just a thought. Do like the inclusion of Saint Kevin.

A Mystery Story of Irish Genealogy

As an audible book this mystery presented it challenges. I found it less confusing to diagram a family tree of the characters. To me it made it easier to follow the relationships of the family members and the townsfolk who surround the castle. The story is fun, interesting, exciting, and mysterious. You will enjoy it. I loved the literary technique of giving the castle an imagined and defined personality. Sarah-Jane Drummey does a good job of giving the characters a defined voice and vocal pacing. I am glad that I stumbled on to this book. I would recommend it to those who like a spooky mystery puzzle. Who is the Darkling Bride ?

Engaging

This was a very good lesson. I enjoyed the multiple timelines being explored, and the assortment of characters. The mystery, the mayhem, the romance, and the ghosts made this listen hard to turn off. I kept having to set timers, so I wouldn’t forget to do daily tasks like eat. Lol. My only complaint is that I wish there were more to the end, I want to know more about how all these characters lives continued.

Treachery with a dash of crazy

This was a good solid listen —sometimes the storyline moves slowly, but it wasn’t so slow as to be painful. I liked the mysterious aspects of the story as well as the setting and mix of characters. Story brings to mind the quotes about old age and treachery.