Secrets of Bennett Hall

Return to Amston, Book 2

By: Jordan Elizabeth

Narrated by: Connie Shabshab

Darkness once twisted Adelaide Dinsmore’s mind, but she thought she had grown out of that. Her job as a teacher in Hedlund proved that - until she discovers one of her students dead and the town turns against her.

As her mind starts to crumble, she is offered a new job, this time as a governess for Gentleman Bennett’s granddaughter back east. Bennett Hall is a sprawling manor of winding tunnels and manicured lawns, and the fence is really just for show. The little girl, Theodora, is a delight, albeit quiet, and the Bennetts are kind enough, especially the dashing young Joseph. So what if one of the servants sends chills down her spine every time he looks at her? Surely that, and the noises in the night, are figments of her imagination. She won’t allow the past in Hedlund to tarnish her future at Bennett Hall.

Then, Theodora begins to speak of a villain who haunts secret passages in the manor, and Adelaide stumbles upon a sealed off wing where ghosts whisper from the shadows. Twisted inventions fill the basement and the villagers are wary of the Bennett family. The longer she stays at Bennett Hall, the less likely her chance for escape, but she cannot leave Theodora or Joseph.

The darkness in her mind might be the only thing to save them.

©2018, 2020 Jordan Elizabeth Hallak (P)2020 Jordan Elizabeth Hallak

very good

Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!! good overall

Steampunk Mystery Written in Gothic Style

I really enjoyed this book until I was about 80% through it. I love good old fashioned ghost stories and gothic romances. I also believe in "recycled souls," which is a philosophy dating back to Plato's time. However, although the story starts off as a gothic ghost story, it is actually more of a steampunk novel - with mechanical devices and automatons. I think I would have appreciated that more had I been given a hint of it before I started listening to it.

A plot-twisting supernatural mystery

*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.*

Adelaide is a young woman who loves teaching and for what seems like no reason gets fired from her teaching job to be hired as a governess in a mansion. Over there she starts fearing for her live and the mental sanity of those who live in it. Will she make it out alive?

This supernatural thriller is logical and keeps you hanging for more than half of the story as secrets are unveiled. I don't know about you, but I did not expect some aspects coming, even though they were tropes that have been used in important classics.

The main and side characters are relatable and take you back to Victorian times. It is one of those stories in which you do not see what's coming, but once you start going backwards, you realise it makes total sense and facepalm for not having seen it before.

This is the third book I read by Jordan Elizabeth and I'm not planning to stop.

The narrator did an incredible job at engaging the reader even deeper into the story and increased its atmosphere.

I'd highly recommend if you like supernatural mysteries and there's no need to have read the first one to enjoy this one.

enjoyed this

I really enjoyed this book. the SciFi involved was good. I think it would be easier to follow as a book as I'm sure the back and forth between past and present events would be better divided. ie sometimes I didn't realize the narrator had switched from past to present or vice versa which was confusing until I figured it out.

Secrets of Bennett Hall

Interesting and captivating. Hopefully, part one will be made into an audiobook as well. A great tale.

Great Read

Secrets of Bennett Hall (Return to Amston #2) was a great read by Jordan Elizabeth. Adelaide Dinsmore's mind once had a lot of darkness, but she thought she grew out of it. That is until one of her students turned up dead and the town turned against her. She is offered a new job as a governess for Gentleman Bennett's granddaughter. Bennett Hall is a large manor with winding tunnels and manicured lawns. Theodora is the little girl who she is there for. The young Joseph is one of the Bennett's who is kind to her. Unfortunately one of the servants creeps her out and there are strange noises at night. But she thinks that it's a figment of her imagination. Then Theodora talks of a villain that haunts the manor. Adelaide is afraid that she won't be able to escape or leave Theodora or Joseph. This was a good read by the author and I can't wait to read more by the author.