A Dreadful Splendor

A Novel

By: B.R. Myers

Narrated by: Olivia Vinall

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER • WINNER OF THE MARY HIGGINS CLARK AWARD

“This gem of a book sparkles with wit and originality. . . . There is no shortage of tricks and feints in this excellent novel and Genevieve is a delightful character.” — The Globe and Mail

“A spooky gothic romance with impeccable vibes. I loved this!" — Erin Sterling, New York Times bestselling author of The Ex Hex and The Kiss Curse

In this wickedly whimsical Gothic murder mystery brimming with romance, betrayals, and chills, a fake spiritualist is summoned to hold a séance for a bride who died on the eve before her wedding, but as nefarious secrets are revealed, the line between hoax and haunting blurs.

Be careful what you conjure...

In Victorian London, Genevieve Timmons poses as a spiritualist to swindle wealthy mourners—until one misstep lands her in a jail cell awaiting the noose. Then a stranger arrives to make her a peculiar offer. The lord he serves, Mr. Pemberton, has been inconsolable since the tragic death of his beautiful bride-to-be. If Genevieve can perform a séance persuasive enough to bring the young lord peace, she will win her freedom.

Soothing a grieving nobleman should be easy for someone of Genevieve’s skill, but when she arrives at the grand Somerset Park estate, Mr. Pemberton is not the heartbroken lover she expected. The surly—yet exceedingly handsome—gentleman is certain that his fiancée was murdered, even though there is no evidence. Only a confession can bring justice now, and Mr. Pemberton decides Genevieve will help him get it. With his knowledge of the household and her talent for illusion, they can stage a haunting so convincing it will coax the killer into the light. However, when frightful incidents befall the manor, Genevieve realizes her tricks aren’t required after all. She may be a fake, but Somerset’s ghost could be all too real…

A Dreadful Splendor is delicious brew of mystery, spooky thrills, and intoxicating romance that makes for a ghoulishly fun and gripping listen.

"A delightful mix of gothic, mystery, and romance. I had such fun reading this book!" — Gwenda Bond, New York Times bestselling author of Not Your Average Hot Guy

©2022 B.R. Myers (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Excellent story!

I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I especially enjoyed the mystery and character development and how all the loose ends were tied up in the end.

Kept me guessing

Just when I thought I had figured the mystery out, the story took a twist! Loved it

Good story, great narration

This was a nice scary story, some hints of the supernatural. Well constructed plot, some great twists, a few predictable but well told. The narrator was terrific. Her various characters were done very distinctly. Her male voices were good, too. Her various accents were excellent. I'll look for this narrator again.

It's okay.

I was super excited to get into this book but found myself not really enjoying it. The characters were fantastic, though I often got confused because of it being told in first person, that's more personal taste though. Towards the end I was fast forwarding through some chapters just because of the repeating information and the general boringness of it. I wasn't surprised by the ending either because it was sort of spoiled halfway through by the MC, the hints of what the ending was going to be were repeated multiple times.

The narrator really carried it. I finished it mostly because of how well the narrator was doing and I usually finish a book I start reading no matter what.

Lots of twists

Enjoyable listen. Kept me interested with a new twist around every corner. It was well read as well.

Clever

I can't wait to see what else this author will write.
Great setting and characters

Great Gothic Romance!

Exactly what I want in a gothic romance. Fake mediums, murder, the occult, slow burn… 🥰

An Unexpected Pleasure

What a wonderful story. I sought it out for it's occultism undertones, but found an engaging mystery, a love story subtly conjured, curses, and restless spirits. It's quite the "page turning" thriller. The narration was well done, but I had trouble with the lead character's accent at times, especially when it changed here and there.

The twists and the kind ending

Relinquish ones self into twists you may not know. Also I dig a freaky story that ends in rectified characters.

wonderful, quite enjoyed

best plot and performance I've heard in quite awhile. Definitely worth the listen, you won't be sorry!