What do you think?
Rate this book
Enchanted Hill
Escape to Enchanted Hill in this historical mystery where two people with a dark, shared past collide while working undercover at a glittering mansion on the California coast.
The year is 1930 and Cora McCavanagh is posing as a maid at Hollywood magnate Truman Byrd’s legendary estate. She’s closing in on the damning evidence she needs for a high-profile client.
An aspiring PI, Cora was trained by her father, a former prison guard at the notorious Pelican Island, where Cora grew up surrounded by hardened criminals.
Which is why she recognizes Jack Yates as soon as he walks through the door. The last time she saw him was on an ill-fated night that changed the course of her life and still haunts her more than a decade later. Cora never expected to see Jack again—and now a single misstep could cause both their secret identities to come crashing down.
They strike a tentative truce to help each other during a week of parties overflowing with champagne and caviar. But there are puzzles hidden in every corner of Truman Byrd’s labyrinthine estate, and if Cora is to finally learn the truth about Jack Yates, she must unravel a sinister history that the rich and powerful will do anything to keep concealed.
Filled with intrigue and Old Hollywood glamour, Enchanted Hill is an unforgettable, sweepingly romantic novel set in a world you won’t want to leave.
The year is 1930 and Cora McCavanagh is posing as a maid at Hollywood magnate Truman Byrd’s legendary estate. She’s closing in on the damning evidence she needs for a high-profile client.
An aspiring PI, Cora was trained by her father, a former prison guard at the notorious Pelican Island, where Cora grew up surrounded by hardened criminals.
Which is why she recognizes Jack Yates as soon as he walks through the door. The last time she saw him was on an ill-fated night that changed the course of her life and still haunts her more than a decade later. Cora never expected to see Jack again—and now a single misstep could cause both their secret identities to come crashing down.
They strike a tentative truce to help each other during a week of parties overflowing with champagne and caviar. But there are puzzles hidden in every corner of Truman Byrd’s labyrinthine estate, and if Cora is to finally learn the truth about Jack Yates, she must unravel a sinister history that the rich and powerful will do anything to keep concealed.
Filled with intrigue and Old Hollywood glamour, Enchanted Hill is an unforgettable, sweepingly romantic novel set in a world you won’t want to leave.
381 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 7, 2023
About the author
Emily Bain Murphy
3 books499 followersEmily Bain Murphy was born in Indiana and raised in Hong Kong and Japan. She graduated from Tufts University and has also called Massachusetts, Connecticut, and California home.
Murphy is the author of the critically acclaimed YA fantasies SPLINTERS OF SCARLET and THE DISAPPEARANCES, which was a Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year, an ALAN Pick, and shortlisted for the Waterstones’ Children’s Book Prize.
Her debut adult historical mystery ENCHANTED HILL is available Nov. 7, 2023 (Union Square + Co.)
Murphy is represented by Peter Knapp at Park & Fine Literary and Media. She currently lives in the St. Louis area with her husband and three children. Follow her online on Instagram @emilybainmurphy and www.EmilyBainMurphy.com.
Murphy is the author of the critically acclaimed YA fantasies SPLINTERS OF SCARLET and THE DISAPPEARANCES, which was a Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year, an ALAN Pick, and shortlisted for the Waterstones’ Children’s Book Prize.
Her debut adult historical mystery ENCHANTED HILL is available Nov. 7, 2023 (Union Square + Co.)
Murphy is represented by Peter Knapp at Park & Fine Literary and Media. She currently lives in the St. Louis area with her husband and three children. Follow her online on Instagram @emilybainmurphy and www.EmilyBainMurphy.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 286 reviews
October 18, 2023
The Great Gatsby meets Downtown Abbey in this 1930's mystery that will thrill fans of Agatha Christie looking for a new mystery to solve!
While Cora and Jack are equally complex and intriguing characters on their own, their slowburn romance of childhood friends to enemies to reluctant partners to lovers make their character arcs all the more engaging to follow as they not only strive to accomplish dangerous missions but also learn to forgive each other, and themselves.
Live for a few hundreds pages in the sprawling mansion of Enchanted Hill, escape the Pelican Island prison, and follow the clues in this adult historical mystery that will leave you wanting to see Cora and Jack take on another case as soon as this one is solved!
Here are some of my favorite quotes:
“It was the first time Cora had ever realized there was a difference between being in the shade and the shadows.”
"Gotta believe there's something happening in the dark, that we just can't see yet. Something better coming.”
“Redemption isn’t possible without the truth.”
"And in that moment, he realized what he wanted most of all was for someone to forgive him."
I received this ARC as a gift from the author. This review is voluntary and entirely my own opinion.
Genre: Historical Mystery
Audience: Adult
Rating: PG-13
While Cora and Jack are equally complex and intriguing characters on their own, their slowburn romance of childhood friends to enemies to reluctant partners to lovers make their character arcs all the more engaging to follow as they not only strive to accomplish dangerous missions but also learn to forgive each other, and themselves.
Live for a few hundreds pages in the sprawling mansion of Enchanted Hill, escape the Pelican Island prison, and follow the clues in this adult historical mystery that will leave you wanting to see Cora and Jack take on another case as soon as this one is solved!
Here are some of my favorite quotes:
“It was the first time Cora had ever realized there was a difference between being in the shade and the shadows.”
"Gotta believe there's something happening in the dark, that we just can't see yet. Something better coming.”
“Redemption isn’t possible without the truth.”
"And in that moment, he realized what he wanted most of all was for someone to forgive him."
I received this ARC as a gift from the author. This review is voluntary and entirely my own opinion.
Genre: Historical Mystery
Audience: Adult
Rating: PG-13
November 13, 2024
This didn't really feel overly historical to me. Review soon
Cora (28) & Jack
What to expect:
~ multiple 3rd person POV
~ undercover PI's meet again
~ 1930's California, Hollywood style
~ flashbacks
~ side character infidelity
~ no steamage
Narration notes:
You probably know what I am going to say 😂, she did fine, but I wish there was a male narrator, too.
Cora (28) & Jack
What to expect:
~ multiple 3rd person POV
~ undercover PI's meet again
~ 1930's California, Hollywood style
~ flashbacks
~ side character infidelity
~ no steamage
Narration notes:
You probably know what I am going to say 😂, she did fine, but I wish there was a male narrator, too.
Read
December 30, 2023I am giving up on this book and leaving it behind in 2023. For the life of me I couldn't focus or make myself care.
Nothing about it was terrible. But the characters were a little flat. The writing was a bit dull. And the story - I can comfortably spend the rest of my life without knowing how it ends.
I gave it a fair shot, I really thought I was going to like it when I started it. But no. I'm just going to dnf now, at around 50%, and start my 2024 with books that make me can't wait to turn another page.
Again, there was nothing too terrible about this one; maybe it just wasn't for me.
Nothing about it was terrible. But the characters were a little flat. The writing was a bit dull. And the story - I can comfortably spend the rest of my life without knowing how it ends.
I gave it a fair shot, I really thought I was going to like it when I started it. But no. I'm just going to dnf now, at around 50%, and start my 2024 with books that make me can't wait to turn another page.
Again, there was nothing too terrible about this one; maybe it just wasn't for me.
January 14, 2024
✰ 3 stars ✰
“Words were precise. Words could be wielded as a shield or a weapon. He knew that well.
And sometimes the absence of words was the greatest weapon of all.”
Fifteen years ago, Jack Yates was an inmate at Pelican Island, a prison where Cora McCavanagh's father served as a warden. Fifteen years ago, he and his brother escaped, while killing someone in the process, causing irrevocable damage to her father's career and forever tarnishing all the good and pleasant memories she had shared with him. 'She had loved Jack. Trusted him. Believed in him. And he had fled, and made her an accomplice to a crime she never could have imagined him capable of.' Now, an aspiring private detective sent by a scheming wife to find incriminating evidence to slander her husband, Cora's paths cross once again with Jack, as they both end up at the same enchanting California manor on Enchanted Hill, working undercover to solve separate mysteries, which undoubtedly, converge as one and the same.
“You were the first convict to ever escape Pelican and survive. Everyone thinks you’re dead. Why would you risk all of that by coming here?”
He felt guilt like a sudden punch to his gut. The way she looked at him, with those eyes that looked suspicious rather than trusting. Once she had believed in his innocence.
Once, a very long time ago, he had been innocent.”
Admittedly, I was initially drawn towards this, because of its alluring cover and the promise of a compelling mystery. Yes, a life of simple pleasures. 😊 But, as the story started to pick up and I got to learn more about Cora's intentions and Jack's ambitious pursuits, I started to get more invested in it. There was a well-paced balance between flashbacks to their past, as well as the steady interactions that reflected their complicated relationship. 'It appears we both are different people than everyone else thinks we are.' 😥 Hints of romantic attachments lingered on both sides, and I liked how they were able to openly confront each other about the events that transpired - how much it hurt, how much they lost, who erred, who faulted, and what now? I felt that tug in my heart that hoped their past issues would be resolved and they would find a way out of this - with a successful conclusion for both parties. 🤍
They were very steadfast on their respective missions, but the slow way in which they felt that pull towards one another, once again, was nicely done. They were characters that offered just the right touch of human empathy that made them believable and relatable. 'Guilt is worse than Pelican was,” he said. “Because you can’t ever escape it.' ❤️🩹❤️🩹 I liked Cora's quiet determination, Jack's sensible loyalty, the sensible ease in which they exchanged thoughts, challenged views, lent a helping hand, and then eventually, acted upon those pent-up and restrained emotions that had always existed.
I liked how their attraction rekindled slowly; with his 'high cheekbones, a cut jaw, hair that side swept into his eyes', Cora didn't immediately fall for his charms again. Rather the level of trust and communicating openly with each other was handled nicely. Those tender moments captured their honest vulnerability and made me hopeful that they would make it out of this predicament safe. 🥺 The echoes of the past still haunt them, but it was refreshing to see how they were able to move on from it, mainly in part, due to the events that take place at Hollywood magnate Truman Byrd’s legendary and mysterious manor.
“Redemption is only possible with the truth.”
And the manor, certainly, is a character of its own; so much of the mystery revolves around the secrets and locks that are hidden in it, that it was enough to hold my interest. I liked how the story captured the Hollywood allure of the silver screen era, how the supporting cast depicted that fit that time with their charm and drama. Truman, himself, was a man of intrigue; one of the key perspectives was from his view, and I was a bit unsure of what part he would play. 🤔 But, how it panned out was a surprise of its own. 'It was the first time Cora had ever realized there was a difference between being in the shade and the shadows.' It is rare to have the villain's part shown, even rarer when you can see why he behaved the way he did, and that perhaps, he wasn't all too deserving of what happened to him. I liked how the author brought the action and excitement down to one conclusive and climatic moment that answered the questions of the past and the present in an entertaining way. 👏🏻
It wasn't exactly perfect, but it was a well-rounded, well-grounded historical mystery. It exuded plenty of Hollywood charm with a likeable and interesting second chance romance rounded off with an intriguing mystery that made it all the more worthwhile of a read and not a disappointment of taking a chance with a story and writer I was not overly familiar with. 👍🏻
“Words were precise. Words could be wielded as a shield or a weapon. He knew that well.
And sometimes the absence of words was the greatest weapon of all.”
Fifteen years ago, Jack Yates was an inmate at Pelican Island, a prison where Cora McCavanagh's father served as a warden. Fifteen years ago, he and his brother escaped, while killing someone in the process, causing irrevocable damage to her father's career and forever tarnishing all the good and pleasant memories she had shared with him. 'She had loved Jack. Trusted him. Believed in him. And he had fled, and made her an accomplice to a crime she never could have imagined him capable of.' Now, an aspiring private detective sent by a scheming wife to find incriminating evidence to slander her husband, Cora's paths cross once again with Jack, as they both end up at the same enchanting California manor on Enchanted Hill, working undercover to solve separate mysteries, which undoubtedly, converge as one and the same.
“You were the first convict to ever escape Pelican and survive. Everyone thinks you’re dead. Why would you risk all of that by coming here?”
He felt guilt like a sudden punch to his gut. The way she looked at him, with those eyes that looked suspicious rather than trusting. Once she had believed in his innocence.
Once, a very long time ago, he had been innocent.”
Admittedly, I was initially drawn towards this, because of its alluring cover and the promise of a compelling mystery. Yes, a life of simple pleasures. 😊 But, as the story started to pick up and I got to learn more about Cora's intentions and Jack's ambitious pursuits, I started to get more invested in it. There was a well-paced balance between flashbacks to their past, as well as the steady interactions that reflected their complicated relationship. 'It appears we both are different people than everyone else thinks we are.' 😥 Hints of romantic attachments lingered on both sides, and I liked how they were able to openly confront each other about the events that transpired - how much it hurt, how much they lost, who erred, who faulted, and what now? I felt that tug in my heart that hoped their past issues would be resolved and they would find a way out of this - with a successful conclusion for both parties. 🤍
They were very steadfast on their respective missions, but the slow way in which they felt that pull towards one another, once again, was nicely done. They were characters that offered just the right touch of human empathy that made them believable and relatable. 'Guilt is worse than Pelican was,” he said. “Because you can’t ever escape it.' ❤️🩹❤️🩹 I liked Cora's quiet determination, Jack's sensible loyalty, the sensible ease in which they exchanged thoughts, challenged views, lent a helping hand, and then eventually, acted upon those pent-up and restrained emotions that had always existed.
I liked how their attraction rekindled slowly; with his 'high cheekbones, a cut jaw, hair that side swept into his eyes', Cora didn't immediately fall for his charms again. Rather the level of trust and communicating openly with each other was handled nicely. Those tender moments captured their honest vulnerability and made me hopeful that they would make it out of this predicament safe. 🥺 The echoes of the past still haunt them, but it was refreshing to see how they were able to move on from it, mainly in part, due to the events that take place at Hollywood magnate Truman Byrd’s legendary and mysterious manor.
“Redemption is only possible with the truth.”
And the manor, certainly, is a character of its own; so much of the mystery revolves around the secrets and locks that are hidden in it, that it was enough to hold my interest. I liked how the story captured the Hollywood allure of the silver screen era, how the supporting cast depicted that fit that time with their charm and drama. Truman, himself, was a man of intrigue; one of the key perspectives was from his view, and I was a bit unsure of what part he would play. 🤔 But, how it panned out was a surprise of its own. 'It was the first time Cora had ever realized there was a difference between being in the shade and the shadows.' It is rare to have the villain's part shown, even rarer when you can see why he behaved the way he did, and that perhaps, he wasn't all too deserving of what happened to him. I liked how the author brought the action and excitement down to one conclusive and climatic moment that answered the questions of the past and the present in an entertaining way. 👏🏻
It wasn't exactly perfect, but it was a well-rounded, well-grounded historical mystery. It exuded plenty of Hollywood charm with a likeable and interesting second chance romance rounded off with an intriguing mystery that made it all the more worthwhile of a read and not a disappointment of taking a chance with a story and writer I was not overly familiar with. 👍🏻
January 24, 2024
The Great Gatsby meets Murder for the Modern Girl with a capable main character and conman love interest. This was everything I hoped it would be; intriguing, enchanting, and a little bit mysterious. The opulence of the late 20s was in full swing in the "current" storyline, and the reflection on the American prison system of the 20s in flashbacks gave it a bit of Bonnie and Clyde flavor that I really liked.
I came to care so deeply for Cora and Jack, but also for Clementine, and even, at times, for Truman. Each one is fleshed out and explored and never excused, but explained. They make mistakes and regret their choices and keep living anyway. It feels so real, and I loved that about it. The plot kind of takes a backseat to the characters, and I didn't mind that at all.
Overall, this really worked for me, and I'm definitely interested to check out more from Murphy in the future! 5 stars from me!
**content warning for profanity (including 1 f-bomb), infidelity (on multiple counts), generally bad guys who are incarcerated on Pelican Island, and the general drinking/smoking/opulence associated with 1920s "high society"
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**
(random sidenote: I've never before seen the sentence "the best chap at craps I've ever seen" but I'm so glad that emily bain murphy put it out into the world, it's so iconic)
I came to care so deeply for Cora and Jack, but also for Clementine, and even, at times, for Truman. Each one is fleshed out and explored and never excused, but explained. They make mistakes and regret their choices and keep living anyway. It feels so real, and I loved that about it. The plot kind of takes a backseat to the characters, and I didn't mind that at all.
Overall, this really worked for me, and I'm definitely interested to check out more from Murphy in the future! 5 stars from me!
**content warning for profanity (including 1 f-bomb), infidelity (on multiple counts), generally bad guys who are incarcerated on Pelican Island, and the general drinking/smoking/opulence associated with 1920s "high society"
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**
(random sidenote: I've never before seen the sentence "the best chap at craps I've ever seen" but I'm so glad that emily bain murphy put it out into the world, it's so iconic)
Shelved as 'dnf'
November 9, 2024DNFd at 45% at the first F word. The rest of the book did have quite a bit of other language as well, even though the story was interesting
March 10, 2024
"Redemption isn’t possible without the truth."
.
"And in that moment, he realized what he wanted most of all was for someone to forgive him."
.
“It was the first time Cora had ever realized there was a difference between being in the shade and the shadows.”
.
This book was Agatha Christie and Downton Abbey with a dash of The Great Gatsby aesthetic that had my toes curling in ecstasy. Actually, the slow-burn romance between Cora and Jack was already doing that, but whatever.
And the writing style 😍 Oh my goodness—there was something so poetic about the way the story is told. We're seamlessly pulled between the past and the present through different perspectives without feeling overwhelmed, and I love that.
I've found another top read for the year 🦋🥀
(content warning for profanity, including one f-bomb. However, I would say it was well-placed and appropriate, if it makes sense. It fit the situation, hence, I don't have a huge problem with it.)
.
"And in that moment, he realized what he wanted most of all was for someone to forgive him."
.
“It was the first time Cora had ever realized there was a difference between being in the shade and the shadows.”
.
This book was Agatha Christie and Downton Abbey with a dash of The Great Gatsby aesthetic that had my toes curling in ecstasy. Actually, the slow-burn romance between Cora and Jack was already doing that, but whatever.
And the writing style 😍 Oh my goodness—there was something so poetic about the way the story is told. We're seamlessly pulled between the past and the present through different perspectives without feeling overwhelmed, and I love that.
I've found another top read for the year 🦋🥀
(content warning for profanity, including one f-bomb. However, I would say it was well-placed and appropriate, if it makes sense. It fit the situation, hence, I don't have a huge problem with it.)
December 6, 2023
Hated this book. Could not connect with any of the characters, they were dull and uninspiring. I found the writing to be blunt at points and too flowery and descriptive at other times.
March 26, 2024
A breathtakingly beautiful and masterfully written story. Longer review to come.
Read
June 26, 2023tl;dr
A bit of mystery, and a lot of human drama, featuring two surprisingly genuine leads.
Thoughts
When it comes to mysteries, detective leads are all about the case, but PI leads tend to have a lot of personal stuff going on as well. Balancing out the mystery and personal life is always tricky, but Emily Bain Murphy manages to hit that balance really well. The main puzzle stays in the forefront of the plot, but a series of flashbacks and help give us context on Cora and her very complicated history with Jack. The book veered off my expectations a little bit with them - the two leads are a PI and a con man, and yet they were probably the least duplicitous characters in the whole thing. In the end, I think it's their honesty that made them such a good match, though. Both smart and capable, but also emotionally vulnerable, for a slow burn relationship that unfolded in a very natural way. The other characters are all hot messes in that dramatic way that makes you not want to look away, and they all fit very neatly into the glamorous and hideous silver screen era of Hollywood.
Thanks to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
A bit of mystery, and a lot of human drama, featuring two surprisingly genuine leads.
Thoughts
When it comes to mysteries, detective leads are all about the case, but PI leads tend to have a lot of personal stuff going on as well. Balancing out the mystery and personal life is always tricky, but Emily Bain Murphy manages to hit that balance really well. The main puzzle stays in the forefront of the plot, but a series of flashbacks and help give us context on Cora and her very complicated history with Jack. The book veered off my expectations a little bit with them - the two leads are a PI and a con man, and yet they were probably the least duplicitous characters in the whole thing. In the end, I think it's their honesty that made them such a good match, though. Both smart and capable, but also emotionally vulnerable, for a slow burn relationship that unfolded in a very natural way. The other characters are all hot messes in that dramatic way that makes you not want to look away, and they all fit very neatly into the glamorous and hideous silver screen era of Hollywood.
Thanks to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
August 2, 2023
An exquisite, gilded tale of what it means to forgive and be forgiven. Of the dangers and corruption of bitterness. Murphy has crafted a story that will long stay with readers and have them reaching for its golden pages again and again.
I loved the history and dynamic between Jack and Cora. Their distrustful natures turned something more. It was beautiful to see them both learning to trust again, and watching that story unfold amidst a mystery that had me turning pages so fast in fear for the characters…well, let’s just say I absolutely loved this book!
I loved the history and dynamic between Jack and Cora. Their distrustful natures turned something more. It was beautiful to see them both learning to trust again, and watching that story unfold amidst a mystery that had me turning pages so fast in fear for the characters…well, let’s just say I absolutely loved this book!
August 20, 2024
I think this one is going to appeal to a certain audience. Luckily I happen to be a part of it.
The Enchanted Hill just had a premise I hadn't read before in a genre I haven't been reading lately and I felt a constant pull to the story despite the fact that this is a slower paced mystery.
Set in the 1930's this story has 2 POV's that takes place at an opulent isolated mansion. Cora, a PI who is working undercover as a maid to unlock a secret...and Jack...a convict on the run, who's trying to clear his name from a tainted past. Both are connected by a place called Pelican Island...a place Cora grew up where her father was a guard...a place where the most hardened of criminals were locked up. (kinda gave me Alcatraz vibes, which I've also had the ability to visit in real life.)
I loved how the plot when back and forth between Cora and Jack. I also really enjoyed the snippets we got of them interacting in the past which added some really rich depth to their present relationship. I felt like the slow burn was warranted due to the nature of their relationship and it was done really well as they learn to trust one another again.
This is a story that almost feels like a 1930's version of Glass Onion. A lot of rich and pretentious people holed up in a fancy house but theres something rotten under the surface. I really enjoyed the underlying mystery and the sprinkles of will they wont they romance set in a grand house with lots of secrets.
This would be a perfect book for those who like non graphic mystery, old hollywood vibes, closed door/just sweltering kisses kind of romance and a solid historical era vibe. I thought Emily's writing was beautiful and atmospheric and I'd easily read another one of her books in the future.
The Enchanted Hill just had a premise I hadn't read before in a genre I haven't been reading lately and I felt a constant pull to the story despite the fact that this is a slower paced mystery.
Set in the 1930's this story has 2 POV's that takes place at an opulent isolated mansion. Cora, a PI who is working undercover as a maid to unlock a secret...and Jack...a convict on the run, who's trying to clear his name from a tainted past. Both are connected by a place called Pelican Island...a place Cora grew up where her father was a guard...a place where the most hardened of criminals were locked up. (kinda gave me Alcatraz vibes, which I've also had the ability to visit in real life.)
I loved how the plot when back and forth between Cora and Jack. I also really enjoyed the snippets we got of them interacting in the past which added some really rich depth to their present relationship. I felt like the slow burn was warranted due to the nature of their relationship and it was done really well as they learn to trust one another again.
This is a story that almost feels like a 1930's version of Glass Onion. A lot of rich and pretentious people holed up in a fancy house but theres something rotten under the surface. I really enjoyed the underlying mystery and the sprinkles of will they wont they romance set in a grand house with lots of secrets.
This would be a perfect book for those who like non graphic mystery, old hollywood vibes, closed door/just sweltering kisses kind of romance and a solid historical era vibe. I thought Emily's writing was beautiful and atmospheric and I'd easily read another one of her books in the future.
December 3, 2023
I loved this book so much. Glorious, sumptuous sensory detail. Deeply human characters. Beautiful themes. Bravo.
October 25, 2023
Enchanted Hill by Emily Bain Murphy is an extraordinarily wonderful Historical Fiction Mystery bedazzled with Old Hollywood Glamour, intriguing crime and sparks of romance. Not only is the setting superb but the characters are beautifully brought to life in vivid colour. The story itself really shines, too. Yet the writing isn't ostentatious or over the top but understated. I absolutely loved it.
Cora's upbringing was atypical as she lived on Pelican Island where her father was a prison guard. A few other families lived similarly with the prison practically in their back yards, only separated by a wire fence. Cora saw prisoners regularly and knew some were more notorious than others. One she met was a teenager like herself. Jack was no ordinary prisoner, however, and the two became friends. He confided he was not responsible for the crime he was imprisoned for. Years later, Cora was a private investigator and was shocked to encounter him while she was working at the opulent Truman Hollywood home. He recognized her, too. Though they had a history they had to learn to trust each other again as adults. With their unique skillsets they became an investigative team as they navigate a very different world, one full of luxury, secrets and infamy. The Truman family wasn't exactly upstanding, either. Past sins cast long shadows.
If you seek a deliciously different reading experience, this may just be what you need.
My sincere thank you to Union Square & Co. and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this phenomenal novel.
Cora's upbringing was atypical as she lived on Pelican Island where her father was a prison guard. A few other families lived similarly with the prison practically in their back yards, only separated by a wire fence. Cora saw prisoners regularly and knew some were more notorious than others. One she met was a teenager like herself. Jack was no ordinary prisoner, however, and the two became friends. He confided he was not responsible for the crime he was imprisoned for. Years later, Cora was a private investigator and was shocked to encounter him while she was working at the opulent Truman Hollywood home. He recognized her, too. Though they had a history they had to learn to trust each other again as adults. With their unique skillsets they became an investigative team as they navigate a very different world, one full of luxury, secrets and infamy. The Truman family wasn't exactly upstanding, either. Past sins cast long shadows.
If you seek a deliciously different reading experience, this may just be what you need.
My sincere thank you to Union Square & Co. and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this phenomenal novel.
January 1, 2024
This book was so slow. I kept trudging through hoping something would happen. This is a story of characters, it is less about the mystery. The endless descriptions from each of the characters about their past, their future and their desires got tiresome. I expected a period mystery with a dangerous edge, this was not it, the mystery and the investigation were a side note. Glad it’s over.
September 5, 2024
Mysterious, atmospheric, and entertaining!
Enchanted Hill is a menacing, action-packed tale that takes us into the life of private investigator Cora McCavanagh who, after being hired to provide proof of ongoing adultery by the wife of media tycoon Truman Byrd, heads undercover to work at his infamous estate, Enchanted Hill, only to have the past collide with the present when the one man whom she’s never forgotten but assumed was long dead suddenly reappears using a different name and having questionable motives of his own.
The prose is descriptive and light. The characters, including the intelligent, independent heroine, are multi-layered, intriguing, and well-developed. And the plot is a well-paced, captivating tale full of red herrings, amateur sleuthing, dangerous endeavours, deduction, attraction, secrets, lies, deception, and a touch of the unexpected.
Overall, Enchanted Hill is a cosy, enjoyable, satisfying adult fiction debut by Murphy that is a solid choice for anyone who prefers mysteries set in historical times.
Enchanted Hill is a menacing, action-packed tale that takes us into the life of private investigator Cora McCavanagh who, after being hired to provide proof of ongoing adultery by the wife of media tycoon Truman Byrd, heads undercover to work at his infamous estate, Enchanted Hill, only to have the past collide with the present when the one man whom she’s never forgotten but assumed was long dead suddenly reappears using a different name and having questionable motives of his own.
The prose is descriptive and light. The characters, including the intelligent, independent heroine, are multi-layered, intriguing, and well-developed. And the plot is a well-paced, captivating tale full of red herrings, amateur sleuthing, dangerous endeavours, deduction, attraction, secrets, lies, deception, and a touch of the unexpected.
Overall, Enchanted Hill is a cosy, enjoyable, satisfying adult fiction debut by Murphy that is a solid choice for anyone who prefers mysteries set in historical times.
Read
April 28, 2024DNF @ 15%
I can't! 😫
I can't! 😫
November 14, 2023
I loved how unique this book was and it kept me intrigued the whole time! It had major Great Gatsby, mafia and Alcatraz vibes. Cora is a private investigator who is hired to figure out what is really going on at Truman Byrd’s estate, Enchanted Hill. While she’s posing as a maid, she unexpectedly runs into someone from her past that changes everything. This mystery keeps you guessing and has the perfect amount of romance. I definitely recommend it!
April 1, 2024
Emily Bain Murphy writes like no other. The richness of the worlds she creates, the dimensionality of the characters. My heart splintered into a million pieces and then gently sutured back together through the golden rays of peace toward the end.
A gorgeous work of art.
A gorgeous work of art.
April 21, 2024
Cora and Jack have an interwoven past—one they’d both rather forget. Years after they saw each other last on Pelican Island, they meet face to face again under hidden identities. Together they hunt for truth in the gilded mansion on Enchanted Hill.
I loved how mysterious the characters were from the start. I couldn’t wait to see how the story unfolded to reveal them more. I also loved that this story was inspired by Alcatraz and the Hearst Castle in California. Murphy pens beautiful descriptions and lovely metaphors through the story. She writes with a depth that goes farther than the surface. I went back through many of the pages after I finished the story and gleaned deeper meanings than I originally saw. I love that I’m books! It’s a very immersive read. The way the characters stories spoke of forgiveness and revenge was 👌🏻👌🏻.
Content warning—there is some language used in this novel.
Themes, anger, bitterness, regret, doubt, forgiveness, redemption, and hope.
Favorite quotes—
“God always plays the long game.”
“Nothing hurt worse than Hope did when it began to die.”
“If you’re going to sell the world a story, you better make sure it’s the version you want told.”
I loved how mysterious the characters were from the start. I couldn’t wait to see how the story unfolded to reveal them more. I also loved that this story was inspired by Alcatraz and the Hearst Castle in California. Murphy pens beautiful descriptions and lovely metaphors through the story. She writes with a depth that goes farther than the surface. I went back through many of the pages after I finished the story and gleaned deeper meanings than I originally saw. I love that I’m books! It’s a very immersive read. The way the characters stories spoke of forgiveness and revenge was 👌🏻👌🏻.
Content warning—there is some language used in this novel.
Themes, anger, bitterness, regret, doubt, forgiveness, redemption, and hope.
Favorite quotes—
“God always plays the long game.”
“Nothing hurt worse than Hope did when it began to die.”
“If you’re going to sell the world a story, you better make sure it’s the version you want told.”
January 4, 2024
“Redemption isn’t possible without the truth.”
I had no idea if this book would be a major let down — part of me was terrified it would be. I’ve been on a mystery kick, and everything this book promised sounded too good to be true. So I cracked it open with a sense of premature disappointment.
But, as the pages unfolded, I found myself absolutely swept into this thoughtful story, full of mystery, suffering, guilt, and yearning for/the power of forgiveness… and a splash of romance. Great themes, compelling characters, with a religious undercurrent, I could not put this book down.
I think it can be hard to weave a story that is brimming with backstory and flashbacks, but I for one, loved each piece of this puzzle. It was heartbreaking and sweet and beautiful and exciting all at once.
I had some critiques while reading the story, but they did not take away from my enjoyment. So, 5 stars because I devoured this one in my free time and relished each moment.
I had no idea if this book would be a major let down — part of me was terrified it would be. I’ve been on a mystery kick, and everything this book promised sounded too good to be true. So I cracked it open with a sense of premature disappointment.
But, as the pages unfolded, I found myself absolutely swept into this thoughtful story, full of mystery, suffering, guilt, and yearning for/the power of forgiveness… and a splash of romance. Great themes, compelling characters, with a religious undercurrent, I could not put this book down.
I think it can be hard to weave a story that is brimming with backstory and flashbacks, but I for one, loved each piece of this puzzle. It was heartbreaking and sweet and beautiful and exciting all at once.
I had some critiques while reading the story, but they did not take away from my enjoyment. So, 5 stars because I devoured this one in my free time and relished each moment.
November 10, 2023
High Society, a sprawling estate with secret rooms and secret codes, a mystery, characters haunted by their interconnected pasts, secret identities and so much intrigue, oh and a classic friends to enemies to lovers story…. Enchanted Hill has it all, in a stylish package dressed in 1930s style. The main characters have depth and complicated backstories, and the action keeps the story moving forward in this fun read.
Jennifer Jill Araya did an excellent job narrating the audiobook.
Thank you Emily Bain Murphy, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for providing this ALC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.
Jennifer Jill Araya did an excellent job narrating the audiobook.
Thank you Emily Bain Murphy, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for providing this ALC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 15, 2023
Really really good! The plot was very entertaining and unique. I liked all of the characters, even the evil characters were very well composed. All of the main characters came with their own backstories that gave them so much depth and really brought them to life.
There were of course a few technical things I did not love but cannot state here without revealing too much. Nothing major though.
No shame in admitting that I came here for the gorgeous cover and stayed for the 1920s/Great Gatsby-esque setting. Recommending to anyone that is looking for some light mystery or something fresh to read.
There were of course a few technical things I did not love but cannot state here without revealing too much. Nothing major though.
No shame in admitting that I came here for the gorgeous cover and stayed for the 1920s/Great Gatsby-esque setting. Recommending to anyone that is looking for some light mystery or something fresh to read.
January 17, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
January 26, 2024
A glitteringly atmospheric tale of 1930's CA twining around the grounds of Hearst, ahem, Byrd Castle. Truly an intriguing and beautifully woven mystery full of all the emotions, knocking off one star for a few too many places of kissing and mooning which became downright stressful and a bit too much for my taste. The thread of redemption is absolutely lovely, however, and the final chapter is a thing of delicately penned perfection.
*First book finished for the Literary Life Podcast's 2024 Book of Centuries Reading Challenge
*First book finished for the Literary Life Podcast's 2024 Book of Centuries Reading Challenge
April 19, 2024
Absolutely magical.
December 4, 2023
An intense 1930s mystery in a puzzle-house mansion, where nothing is as it seems! Cora and Jack must outwit guests, guards, and each other in pursuit of their goals. I was kept on my toes the whole time as the mystery unraveled.
April 20, 2024
*I received an e-arc via Netgalley from the publisher. Thank you for the opportunity to review. All thoughts are my own*
Just like the title, Enchanted Hill, I thought this book was enchanting! It was so well written and original. I was swept away by the glitz and the glamor, and The Great Gatsby vibes!
I was on the edge of my seat until the very end! If you like historical fiction and mysteries, I really think you’ll enjoy this one.
Just like the title, Enchanted Hill, I thought this book was enchanting! It was so well written and original. I was swept away by the glitz and the glamor, and The Great Gatsby vibes!
I was on the edge of my seat until the very end! If you like historical fiction and mysteries, I really think you’ll enjoy this one.
September 22, 2023
A very original novel! The high security prison seemed like it was based on Alcatraz, a place with a fascinating history of its own. As a PI undercover, Cora is highly motivated, if not tripped up by her past. This is a fun romp through a Hearst-like castle with all the requisite characters of that time.
January 29, 2024
the plot moves at a snail’s pace, and the characters are insipid and daft. it also feels like there needed to be a bit more research done into this time period because nothing about it really screams “hollywood” or “1930.” totally unremarkable and forgettable.
content warnings: adultery, sensuality, innuendo, brief violence, murder
content warnings: adultery, sensuality, innuendo, brief violence, murder
Displaying 1 - 30 of 286 reviews