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The Undoing of Violet Claybourne
1938. Gillian Larkin is used to going unnoticed, until she is sent away to school and befriended by her roommate, 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 accident 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 . . .
A captivating novel of family secrets, desperate ambition and deepest betrayal, set against the winter of 1938, The Undoing of Violet Claybourne is the irresistible new mystery from the acclaimed author of One Puzzling Afternoon.
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 accident 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 . . .
A captivating novel of family secrets, desperate ambition and deepest betrayal, set against the winter of 1938, The Undoing of Violet Claybourne is the irresistible new mystery from the acclaimed author of One Puzzling Afternoon.
400 pages, Paperback
Expected publication November 7, 2024
About the author
Emily Critchley
5 books153 followersAuthor of The Undoing of Violet Claybourne, One Puzzling Afternoon, Notes on My Family, The Bear Who Sailed the Ocean on an Iceberg and The Tiny Gestures of Small flowers.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 20, 2024
Summary: Gillian is a quiet young girl at an English boarding school in 1938. She doesn’t have much family and leads a lonely life. Then vivacious Violet Claybourne arrives and is assigned to be Gillian’s roommate. Violet is the most unique character that Gillian has ever met and together they have daily adventures in which Gillian is never lonely or bored. When Christmas arrives Gillian is dreading the visit to her aunt’s home, so Violet extends the invitation to spend Christmas at Thornleigh Hall and Gillian gratefully accepts. Little do they know that this holiday season will change their lives forever. Gillian travels to Thornleigh, meets Violet’s family and gets to know the huge estate. One day, a terrible accident takes place on the estate grounds while the adults are all out. Gillian is trapped in a web of lies to cover up the true story and learns how far the Claybournes will go to protect themselves.
Thoughts: This beautiful and sad story pulled me into the world of pre-WWII England. It is a worn and dog-eared snapshot of a dead era – with grand country houses, grounds and servants. The master of the house holds shooting parties and the family “dresses” for dinner. On the surface, everything is perfect for the Claybourne family, but underneath there are many, many secrets. There is infidelity, sexual abuse, family discord, lies, petty thievery, mental illness and much worse yet to come. Gillian wants so desperately to become a part of this gilded family and to belong somewhere, that she is willing to do or say anything to be accepted. But Gillian doesn’t understand the rules of how this family operates and she is out of her depth. The characters are skillfully drawn and the twists are breathtaking. A wonderful novel which will stay with me for a long time.
Thoughts: This beautiful and sad story pulled me into the world of pre-WWII England. It is a worn and dog-eared snapshot of a dead era – with grand country houses, grounds and servants. The master of the house holds shooting parties and the family “dresses” for dinner. On the surface, everything is perfect for the Claybourne family, but underneath there are many, many secrets. There is infidelity, sexual abuse, family discord, lies, petty thievery, mental illness and much worse yet to come. Gillian wants so desperately to become a part of this gilded family and to belong somewhere, that she is willing to do or say anything to be accepted. But Gillian doesn’t understand the rules of how this family operates and she is out of her depth. The characters are skillfully drawn and the twists are breathtaking. A wonderful novel which will stay with me for a long time.
September 10, 2024
I have never read this author before but Critchely's prose paints a vivid picture of 1930s England, immersing readers in a world of rigid class structures.
The story developed slowly in some places but ultimately it was worth it to see the characters and plot develop. I have never understood how parents can stomach sending their kids to boarding schools. It seems so heartbreaking.
This story is evocative and beautifully done.
The story developed slowly in some places but ultimately it was worth it to see the characters and plot develop. I have never understood how parents can stomach sending their kids to boarding schools. It seems so heartbreaking.
This story is evocative and beautifully done.
August 13, 2024
I absolutely adored the author’s debut novel so was thrilled to have the opportunity to read The Undoing of Violet Claybourne. I love books set in the 1930s and I found the cover and the synopsis so appealing.
It’s 1938 and 15 year old Gillian Larking is an outsider at her boarding school ; her mother died when she was born and she was raised in Egypt by her father who is now remarried with a new family. When Violet Claybourne joins her school and becomes her roommate Gillian is intrigued by the independent and strong willed Violet. When Gillian goes to stay with Violet and her family at Thornleigh Hall she is completely entranced by Violet’s older sisters and determined to be accepted by them whatever the cost.
Another stunning novel by Emily Critchley that I loved. Her writing is gorgeous, so descriptive and immersive and I was completely drawn into Gillian’s world and 1930s England. The class system and snobbery of the upper classes is brilliantly portrayed as is the heartbreaking treatment of young women who don’t conform and the expectations placed upon them. I found this to be a very emotional read, I was so angry with Gillian and Violet’s family and also felt a real sense of sadness throughout.
This was a novel I did not want to end, I felt bereft when I finished it and just wanted to devour other novels set during this period. One of my favourite novels of the year so far and I’d highly recommend it.
It’s 1938 and 15 year old Gillian Larking is an outsider at her boarding school ; her mother died when she was born and she was raised in Egypt by her father who is now remarried with a new family. When Violet Claybourne joins her school and becomes her roommate Gillian is intrigued by the independent and strong willed Violet. When Gillian goes to stay with Violet and her family at Thornleigh Hall she is completely entranced by Violet’s older sisters and determined to be accepted by them whatever the cost.
Another stunning novel by Emily Critchley that I loved. Her writing is gorgeous, so descriptive and immersive and I was completely drawn into Gillian’s world and 1930s England. The class system and snobbery of the upper classes is brilliantly portrayed as is the heartbreaking treatment of young women who don’t conform and the expectations placed upon them. I found this to be a very emotional read, I was so angry with Gillian and Violet’s family and also felt a real sense of sadness throughout.
This was a novel I did not want to end, I felt bereft when I finished it and just wanted to devour other novels set during this period. One of my favourite novels of the year so far and I’d highly recommend it.
September 30, 2024
3.5 stars.
The good stuff first: I really enjoyed the author's writing in this. It was my first introduction to Emily Critchley, and I liked her prose and storytelling style throughout the book. She sets the English 1930s scene very well. The pacing of how the story unfolds will be wonderful for those who love a slow-burn mystery, and the gothic tones mixed with beautifully descriptive scenes (both the actual landscape/buildings and the characters) really make for a good read.
I am all for an immersive read, and the writing is what gets me there. I love good descriptions to help me visualize the story in my own head, and The Undoing of Violet Claybourne was easy to picture.
What I wasn't fond of: Yes, the characters in here had some pretty good character development and we got to know a lot of thoughts/feelings behind things without just seeing mindless action, which I LOVE. But I did not like any one character aside from Violet 🤣 I found that I felt too much for this girl and all that she has been through in her life, and wanted everyone who did her wrong to meet an untimely demise - including Gillian!!! Like, how on earth can you become friends with this girl, go to her family home for Christmas, and then do what you did?! Oh, my heart hurt for Violet in more than one spot of this book. I just wanted to reach into the book and whisk her young self away from everyone and everything.
Don't get me wrong, my lack of liking for most of the characters doesn't mean I didn't enjoy this because I really did. Once I hit the 40-50% mark, I got really sucked in could NOT put this down and flew through it, in fact! I think there will be a lot of folks who will adore this book once they get their hands on it.
Thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for allowing an advanced review of this book.
The good stuff first: I really enjoyed the author's writing in this. It was my first introduction to Emily Critchley, and I liked her prose and storytelling style throughout the book. She sets the English 1930s scene very well. The pacing of how the story unfolds will be wonderful for those who love a slow-burn mystery, and the gothic tones mixed with beautifully descriptive scenes (both the actual landscape/buildings and the characters) really make for a good read.
I am all for an immersive read, and the writing is what gets me there. I love good descriptions to help me visualize the story in my own head, and The Undoing of Violet Claybourne was easy to picture.
What I wasn't fond of: Yes, the characters in here had some pretty good character development and we got to know a lot of thoughts/feelings behind things without just seeing mindless action, which I LOVE. But I did not like any one character aside from Violet 🤣 I found that I felt too much for this girl and all that she has been through in her life, and wanted everyone who did her wrong to meet an untimely demise - including Gillian!!! Like, how on earth can you become friends with this girl, go to her family home for Christmas, and then do what you did?! Oh, my heart hurt for Violet in more than one spot of this book. I just wanted to reach into the book and whisk her young self away from everyone and everything.
Don't get me wrong, my lack of liking for most of the characters doesn't mean I didn't enjoy this because I really did. Once I hit the 40-50% mark, I got really sucked in could NOT put this down and flew through it, in fact! I think there will be a lot of folks who will adore this book once they get their hands on it.
Thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for allowing an advanced review of this book.
September 15, 2024
In the present, Gillian Larking receives a letter from a person claiming to be related to someone she used to know. In 1938, Gillian Larking is assigned a new roommate, Violet Claybourne. The two become friends, and Violet seems to be adventurous and brave while Gillian appears to be more cautious. When the Christmas holiday approaches, Violet invites Gilly to come and spend the time at Thornleigh Hall and Gilly can't believe she will get to meet the amazing sisters that Violet speaks about so often. What at first seems like a perfect holiday, quickly turns into something far more sinister. Gilly is surprised at how dilapidated Thornleigh is and while on the surface Violet's sisters, Emmeline and Laura, seem to be glamourous and sophisticated, Gilly soon sees that this is a facade. When a tragedy happens, Gilly is caught between her friendship with Violet and her desire to be accepted by Emmeline and Laura who will sacrifice anything to keep the family secrets. When the novel returns to the present, the secrets from that long ago Christmas come back with a vengeance and Gilly once again has to make a choice to protect the Claybourne secrets.
August 18, 2024
I would class the book as a historical family & friendship saga. It started really well and I enjoyed reading about the antics at the boarding school, but found it quite drawn out when the story developed at Violet’s family home. I also didn’t understand why Gillian continued to stay there when obviously the girls were no longer friends. I finished this book but found it to be sad and left me a little flat. Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy.
August 27, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It was emotive and beautifully written. We see how secrets and lies can destroy a family and I didn't want the book to end. I was completely enraptured by Gillian's world as a child and I felt I was transported into 1930s England.
Thank you Zaffre Books and Netgalley for the arc!
Thank you Zaffre Books and Netgalley for the arc!
September 19, 2024
A really good read, sucks you in and is beautifully written. Really felt like I was living alongside the characters. Also desperately sad at times, but overall very gripping, I didn't want to put it down.
September 27, 2024
This novel started out great (gothic setting, odd family) but started to slow down/meander in the middle portion of the novel. With some further editing this could be greatly improved.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews