The Holybrooke Curse (Regency Gothic Ghost Tale)

Regency Tales, Book 4

By: Gayle Buck

Narrated by: Julia Eve

It was a ghastly horror of a house party. Miss Penelope Childe and all the others were awaiting the end of the wicked earl's rotten life. The disinherited son, the new heir, the illegitimate son - all of them are there. Murder is done. The centuries-old curse has struck again. Penelope alone heard the supernatural scream and sees the ghosts that no one else can. Penelope is a reluctant bride-to-be, contracted to wed a man she's never met before. She intensely dislikes her betrothed, the rakish Lord Taredell. With a murderer in the haunted house, dare she trust the rogue lord? Is Lord Taredell really her protector? Is he the murderer?

©2015 Gayle Buck (P)2020 Gayle Buck

Fun Novella

As a rule, I’m not as fond of novellas as full novels, but this one covers the bases nicely with a shorter tale. This is a quick moving, lively story of a curse and ghosts at the Holybrooke Manor. It has a few additional family characters that round out the cast. A fun, quick, quirky, read if you want a short story to fill a few hours!
As always, the reader did a great job distinguishing characters with voice changes.

Short, gothic novelette

Story: 5 stars

This is short, but surprisingly complete! I loved the gothic feel to the whole story! There is quite the cast of characters and was a bit overwhelming, but if you hang in there, they sort themselves out fairly quickly.

The female protagonist had a reliable viewpoint and was surprisingly perceptive and the male was sarcastic, brooding and world-weary. The combination was perfect. Throw in a curse and a partly psychic aunt and you have a well-rounded short story.

Narration: 5 stars

Julia Eve did a wonderful job with the various voices! Her acting is stellar and her timing, emotion and nuances are top-notch!

*poor, **ok, ***good, ****very good, *****something special

Eerily entertaining!

Julia Eve performs this eerie tale by Gayle Buck tremendously, giving life to each individual. The plot itself will mislead and surprise, perhaps even bring goosebumps!

short but good

I enjoyed this for a short story. I wish it was longer so I could get to know the characters better but overall it was an enjoyable quick read.

Regency gothic

This is a really great regency Gothic mystery. It was quick and classic traditional Regency.