An Insidious Inheritance

Clara Dawson #1

by Amelie West

Some secrets refuse to stay buried…

Upstate NY, 1933. When Clara Dawson learns of her estranged father's death, she’s relieved to close that chapter of her life for good. But as his only child, Clara unexpectedly inherits Hollowfield House, a remote inn at the edge of a small town that she didn’t even know existed. Selling it could help her escape her mounting financial troubles, but first, she must confront the chilling mysteries that haunt its halls.

Arriving at Hollowfield, Clara is unnerved by eerie encounters that leave her questioning her sanity—a mysterious locket, an unsigned letter, and the apparition of a young woman who seems tied to the inn's dark history. As these unsettling incidents escalate, Clara begins to suspect that her father's death may not have been as straightforward as she was led to believe.

Her search for answers draws her into the tangled web of the inn’s haunted past, revealing a truth more sinister than she could have imagined. Someone—or something—is determined to keep the past buried, and they will stop at nothing to silence Clara before she uncovers the truth of Hollowfield House.

For readers who crave historical fiction with romantic tension and gothic suspense, An Insidious Inheritance is a mystery that will keep you guessing until the last page.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Gothic, Historical Mystery, Horror Thriller

297 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 2025

About the author

Amelie West is an author and fiction editor from Toronto, Canada, who crafts dark, atmospheric gothic mysteries featuring strong, complex heroines. She draws inspiration from authors like Simone St. James, Deanna Raybourn, and Ava Reid. When she isn’t lost in her latest manuscript, Amelie can be found wandering old bookstores or enjoying the company of her two loyal companions—a French bulldog and a pug mix.

Get updates on the Clara Dawson mystery series: subscribepage.io/claradawson

Reviews

[Nikita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightfully spooky and filled with hauntings, both of the ghostly and memory variety, Amelie West's debut is a gothic mystery you won't want to put down.

This book cultivates a feeling of unease and warns you to be wary of what lurks in the shadows, be they man, monster, or both. It is a layered story; with a gripping mystery, a traumatic past, a reluctance to trust, a ghost story, and so much more.

Clara's character is oh so relatable in her reluctance to trust, both others and at times her own mind. She is driven but stubborn, motivated, yet distrusting of herself, strong but imperfect. She is the kind of realistic character that I love to read - not a perfect package tied with a bow, but the messy reality with raw edges.

Check this one out if you enjoy:

👻 Isolated, spooky inn
👻 Haunting ghosts
👻 Stubborn FMC
👻 Complicated family
👻 Creepy small town
👻 Set in the 1930s
👻 A feeling of being watched that will have you looking over your shoulder
👻 Gothic mystery
👻 Slow burn


**I was generously provided with an advance copy from the author. However, all viewpoints expressed above are my own!

[I'mogén · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for access to an early digital copy. All opinions remain 100% genuine.


The set up for this story was one I knew I'd enjoy; it had mystery and ambience, an estranged father-daughter relationship which hit home a little, and an intriguing and intelligent fmc in Clara. Oh and add a dash of supernatural suspense and the concoction we have is a beautiful one.


In atmosphere, this story kind of made me think of June's Journey, though I've had the barest entanglement with the game/inspired YouTube show. It had that sinister mystery and that tinge of doom lurking around the corner, that came to a very satisfying conclusion.


I felt like Clara was a kindred spirit as her relationship with her father and the caring for her mother felt so relatable. There was a particular quote that felt like a gut punch: 


   "She waited for some depth of emotion to find her, to take her to her knees right there on the pavement like the death of a parent should. But all she felt was a slow unravelling of something else... relief. There was a loosening in her chest, a tightness she hadn't known was there finally easing, as if she'd been living in the constraints of a too-tight corset and was only just now plucking the laces free". 

  


   Gosh, I could only imagine he complex emotions our main character must have had swirling inside her, but that quote articulated it so eloquently.


I enjoyed the ambience surrounding Hollowfield House and the house felt like a character in its own right, with all the secrets it was hiding.


The paranormal aspect heightened the reading experience for me and although I don't know if the time period necessarily added anything major to the story, I enjoyed the feeling of the story being placed in the time of Prohibition. The language and the mannerisms people had was interesting to experience.


Overall, I thought this was a solid debut novel, with an author that clearly has a knack for building strong characters and teasing out that tension. I'd be happy to read more to come from West.


Pick it up, give it a go & enjoy! 

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haunted inn, creepy atmosphere, believable main character, and a satisfying conclusion. It says this is book #1 in a series, but it also works as a standalone. All questions are answered by the end and there is no cliffhanger.

This book is set in 1933, and the main character, Clara, is a young woman who inherits an old inn from her estranged father. When she gets to the inn, she finds that the place is haunted and she starts wondering what happened there and if her father (who was abusive, so she knows he wasn’t a good person) had anything to do with it.

I’m not sure I would categorize this as a historical mystery, since it takes until about halfway through the book for Clara to do anything that could be called investigating. If you’re reading this hoping for a mystery plot, you might be disappointed and tempted to drop the book before it even gets to any of that. What I would call this instead is a ghost story. The book is great at crafting a creepy atmosphere (with strange noises and occurrences around the house and the feeling of being watched).

The pacing was a bit uneven – especially during the first half of the book, I felt like the story got stuck on set-up and exposition and had lost momentum. Clara’s personal background and her character were well-rounded and believable. However, I didn’t always buy Clara’s reasoning or the way she arrived at her theories or conclusions from the clues she found.

The villain was an interesting character and the resolution of how he was dealt with was satisfying. The romantic subplot felt a little forced to me and I think it could’ve been left out completely without losing anything important from the story. (And this is coming from a reader who loves romantic subplots and often gets more invested in that than in any other part of a story.)

Thank you to the author and to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing a review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Reia Pande · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️ This was so freaking good! Loved it!

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelie West’s debut is a fantastic gothic mystery that quickly pulls you in! The author did an amazing job of crafting a spooky atmosphere, full of shadows and unease, and I’ll admit, I had to stop reading it at night at one point because it was making me jumpy. The protagonist, Clara, feels so real with her mix of strength, stubbornness, and vulnerability and I loved the mystery. This book keeps you on edge, wondering what’s lurking around every corner: man, monster, or something in between. Thank you to the author for providing an ARC of this unforgettable read!

[Brittany Davis Author · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: An Insidious Inheritance by Amelie West

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

As an avid fan of suspenseful mysteries, An Insidious Inheritance by Amelie West was an absolute delight to read. This ARC delivered everything I could hope for in a murder mystery: intricate twists, edge-of-your-seat suspense, and a slow-burn, closed-door romance that added just the right amount of tension without overpowering the plot.

West masterfully creates a dark, intriguing atmosphere as the story unravels, keeping readers guessing at every turn. The world-building is immersive and rich, setting the stage for not just the mystery but also the budding potential romance between the main characters. The balance between unraveling the murder and exploring emotional connections was spot on, making this story feel layered and deeply engaging.

The twists were clever and unexpected, leaving me genuinely surprised by the revelations. It’s the kind of book that keeps you flipping pages long into the night, desperate to piece together the puzzle.

If you’re looking for a gripping murder mystery with a subtle hint of romance, An Insidious Inheritance is a must-read. Amelie West has delivered a story that’s both thrilling and emotionally satisfying, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! This was a slow burn mystery combined with paranormal elements. It had an atmospheric, eerie setting that really gives the reader an uneasy feeling.

I love a strong fmc and really enjoyed Clara’s multilayered character. She’s stubbornly independent with a reluctance to trust. She’s relatable in that she has overcome trauma and hardships in her life. I also really loved the love story intertwined throughout.

This held my interest and was a quick, easy read for me. This was a really solid debut novel by Amelie West, and I’m excited to read the sequel when available!

Thank you to the author for an advanced e-copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Ashley Wyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Copied from my Instagram @justanotherbook10

➡️ An Insidious Inheritance by @ameliewestbooks
➡️ARC
➡️Release date ~ January 28, 2025

✨️ My thoughts ✨️
The Insidious Inheritance is a haunting mystery filled with unsolved disappearances, shady town secrets, traumatic past, and spooky ghost stories. Man, monster, or madness... I questioned this phase the entire time I read it. I just couldn't believe it, and I didn't want to stop reading. This was a very fast-paced book for me. I found the FMC very relatable as she is strong-willed, independent, and distrusting of people. I did enjoy the slow burn romance with our main characters. I thought Tuck was an absolute gentleman. I will like to add that this book isn't a cliffhanger, and you get all your answers at the end. 😍

✨️ Favorite qoutes ✨️
▫️“This was the only way it could’ve ended."
▫️“You’re safe now. Sleep.”

✨️ Tropes ✨️
▫️Gothic Mystery
▫️Slow Burn
▫️Stubborn FMC
▫️Small Town Secrets
▫️Isolated Setting

Thank you @ameliewestbooks for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

You guys won't want to miss this book and I HIGHLY recommend keeping this author on your TBR list. More books to come! 👏💚

[lexactuallyreads [surviving off vibes ftm] · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG OMG I had to put my thoughts to paper but, but, BUT so many people are going to love this.

She is haunted by more than just the ghosts in this gothic mystery…

🪦🕯️ An Insidious Inheritance by Amelie West🕯️🪦

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“In the end, it’s a woman who saves them all.”


Thank you to Amelie West for this e-ARC to review! This was delightfully spooky and right up my alley. You’ve done the damn thing.
In the historical mystery, you will be holding on until the last page, for both romance and to figure out who-dun-it. The air of chilling suspense is bolstered by an eerie atmosphere. A bump here, a thump there, and a question of a presence. Is Clara seeing an apparition, or is this all in her mind? You’ll be listening for the sounds in your own home.

A reminder of the time and place in which this story is taking place only adds more tension and anxiety, making it palpable. The will-they-won’t-they romantic aspect leaves you hanging on just enough to wait for the second installment of the series. West is able to create dynamic characters that are packed with emotion, baggage and complications. Clara, specifically, is left as an adult to deal with the damage an absent and less-than father did to her. This truly hits home, especially for me, and I see myself in her character.

(Thank you, Amelie, for sharing a laugh with me over the romantic interest’s name. Yes, this story did change my view on the name, and this Tuck has now replaced the prior one in my mind.)

I enjoyed every minute of this book, and I am so happy that I was able to read this before its release. This is perfect for fans of Simone St. James and Deanna Raybourn, and is what I would describe as a quaint little combination of the two styles. Amelie West is a really fantastic storyteller, and I can just tell this series is going to be a good one. I do hope she expands on the ‘mystery’ aspect as we go on in the series, Clara is a force to be reckoned with and has true potential as an investigator. Can’t wait to see what mess she drops into next!

“It wasn’t physical breaks and bruises that he’d left behind but something deeper, a mental terror of sorts. It was the way he could walk into a room and change the atmosphere, putting both her and her mother on edge, waiting for what he might do. Even now, a wave of nausea swirled through her at the memory.”

“The town itself had a strange air about it, a somber weight clinging to each building like morning dew.”

“Your lack of self-preservation is alarming..”
 
 
Summary:
Upstate NY, 1933. When Clara Dawson learns of her estranged father's death, she’s relieved to close that chapter of her life for good. But as his only child, Clara unexpectedly inherits Hollowfield House, a remote inn at the edge of a small town that she didn’t even know existed. Selling it could help her escape her mounting financial troubles, but first, she must confront the chilling mysteries that haunt its halls.

Arriving at Hollowfield, Clara is unnerved by eerie encounters that leave her questioning her sanity—a mysterious locket, an unsigned letter, and the apparition of a young woman who seems tied to the inn's dark history. As these unsettling incidents escalate, Clara begins to suspect that her father's death may not have been as straightforward as she was led to believe.

Her search for answers draws her into the tangled web of the inn’s haunted past, revealing a truth more sinister than she could have imagined. Someone—or something—is determined to keep the past buried, and they will stop at nothing to silence Clara before she uncovers the truth of Hollowfield House.

“Maybe one day they would find themselves together in the same place at the same time, and she would finally be unburdened from the pain that still sat heavy in her chest after everything she’d experienced.”

Genre: Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Historical Mystery

[Nathalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: First of all, I want to mention that I received a digital ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. I am truly grateful for the opportunity.

So, where to begin? As I reread my notes on this story, I find it difficult to organize my thoughts in the right order. Before anything, I want to say I DO recommend this book, but it is not a perfect novel.

Now, I guess I’ll start by saying what An Insidious Inheritance is and what I liked most about it.
This is a historical paranormal mystery with a touch of romance, set in upstate New York around 1930. The story follows a young woman living in Rochester, who one day receives the news that her father has committed suicide. She hasn’t seen her father in over a decade and considered him a terrible man. However, the lawyer informs her that she is entitled to inherit her father’s property: a rundown inn located in the middle of nowhere, with no electricity and many secrets.

In this small-town mystery/horror story, we encounter ghosts, murders, and a small cast of characters who are wary of the new girl asking too many questions and uncovering strange things at the Inn.

The book relies on some of the classic elements of its genres, so it was a comforting read for me—predictable, yes, but cozy. It felt like the kind of story I would read at night while sipping hot chocolate.

Let me put on my editor hat for the next fragment of the review:

I’m giving this book 3.5 stars because it has potential, but I don’t think it’s ready for publication. There are too many small details and contradictions that should have been addressed by the time ARC readers received their copies. And I’m not just talking about punctuation, repetition, or the excessive use of ellipses in almost every paragraph. I’m referring to plot points and historical accuracy.

There are several small issues that don’t quite make sense to me. Perhaps I’m wrong, but they felt off and detracted from my enjoyment of the book. For example, we’re told repeatedly that the protagonist is broke and that the U.S. is in the midst of the Great Depression. Yet, despite being unable to pay her bills, she owns a car (an uncommon possession at the time, especially for a single woman with a part-time job who can’t even afford rent). Even if we assume the car isn’t hers and a friend lent it to her, how did she know how to drive it? Her family never had money or owned a vehicle as far as I recall. I understand the need for transportation in the story, but it would have been helpful to include some “historical inaccuracies notes” at the end of the book to acknowledge such details.

Another issue arises when the protagonist visits the local library to investigate some missing people in town. She knows their names and that they are missing, yet she tells herself that it will be difficult to find information because she doesn’t know their names (which she does). She even checks the obituaries to see when they died (again, they are missing). There’s also a moment where the protagonist recalls something she said earlier, but she quotes it incorrectly. Additionally, there are several plot elements that are introduced but never fully explained or that get lost and forgotten by the end of the book. These loose ends simply disappear, even though they seemed important at one point.

Maybe I missed something or misunderstood something, but I don’t think I could’ve overlooked everything I’ve mentioned.

Now, from a reader’s perspective, my main issue with the story is that everything that happens in Rochester at the beginning of the book is completely forgotten by the 25% mark and never brought up again. I’m talking about the protagonist’s best friend, her Halloween party, and other early plot points. I do believe that if something is mentioned, it should serve a purpose. It would have made more sense if the epilogue had been set at that party, perhaps with a surprise guest meeting the protagonist there (trying to avoid spoilers as much as possible).

All in all, I think this is a great draft of a book with a lot of potential. I loved the protagonist and how she navigates life as an independent woman (by necessity) in the 1930s. That was fantastic. I also enjoyed the mystery and the paranormal elements. I would love to see more about her childhood memories and the things her father could see in future books. I liked many things about the book: the atmosphere, the twists, the characters, and the overall feeling of a small town filled with secrets, as well as the historical aspects.

I just think it needs more work before being released, and I hope the final version available for purchase addresses the issues I’ve mentioned.

To close this review: do I recommend this book? Yes, I think it’s entertaining and well-planned, despite some minor issues. No book is perfect, and most readers may not even notice the things I’ve pointed out. I just can’t help but read books with the eyes of an editor.

[Alison Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moral of this story is: If you think you're being watched, you totally are and you're gonna get dead if you're not careful.

This was a fun spooky time, and definitely a good "creepy books for wimps" option, because while there are some eerie and unsettling moments, if my wussy self can read it, then literally your toddler probably could and not get scared. I liked the choice to set this in the 30s, because the limits of the time period -- no cell phones, no easy access to information, etc -- contributed to the tension of the story and Clara's experiences. And I appreciated that she is allowed to basically be like "lol rot in hell dude" about her shitty dad. There's no Hallmarky moment of her having some realization that he wasn't actually that bad or something. And I liked that it makes complete sense why Clara would go to Briar Hollow, would want to look into these oddities that spring up. It wasn't something foolish or dumb, and it's perfectly understandable.

I did think the author laid the spooky ooky stuff on a bit too thick. Like constant "gasp what was that, who's there" moments, every other page Clara's like I always feel like somebody's watching meeeeeeee and after a while it loses it's impact through the repetitive nature of it all. Plus I thought it was a little weird that all of the scenes in the beginning of the book in Rochester just completely disappear. Like, after Clara calls Mabel the morning after she gets to the inn, Mabel pretty much vanishes from all knowledge. I'd thought the epilogue would bring all of that back into play and sort of complete the circle for us, but no.

But in general this was a very fun read and I appreciate a paranormal story that even little baby me can handle.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Format: Digital ARC
Genre: Mystery
Pages: 301

Release Date: 28th January 2025

Pacing: 4/5
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Cover: 5/5

Review: An Insidious Inheritance by Amelie West
Rating: ****
An Insidious Inheritance is a chilling historical mystery set in 1933
Upstate New York. Clara inherits a remote inn from her estranged father, she is drawn into a web of eerie occurrences and dark family secrets. As she uncovers unsettling truths about her father's death and the inn's haunted past, Clara faces a dangerous force determined to keep those secrets buried. The plot is gripping with unexpected twists and a slow-burn tension that builds to a chilling climax. combining the perfect paranormal thriller with a mystery! Clara is a compelling, strong yet vulnerable protagonist, and the supporting characters and supernatural elements are written well into the story.
The writing is atmospheric and vivid, which was the most surprising as someone who doesn't prefer third person perspectives. Overall, this is is the perfect blend of mystery, suspense, and the supernatural, and is a must-read for fans of ghost stories and psychological thrillers.

[Joana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clara is struggling financially. She learns that her estranged father has passed away and unexpectedly inherits Hollowfield House, a remote inn at the edge of a small town that she’s never heard of. She intends to sell the inn but when she arrives she comes face to face with the chilling mysteries that haunt it’s halls.

The spooky vibes were immaculate here. I enjoyed the mystery aspect. Although I struggled with the pacing at times and predicted the “villain” pretty early on, I did enjoy the story nonetheless. Clara is a character that you can’t help but root for and the slow-burn romance was a nice addition to the story.

Read if you like eerie historical mysteries with a bit of paranormal activity.

Many thanks to Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op for the ARC!

[Stasia Roze · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the wonderful privilege of being an ARC reader.

What a fantasticly haunting read by Amelie West!

Our FMC is Clara, an independent girl suffering with finances after the death of her mother. Clara and her mother had left an abusive father/dad and lived together in New York City.

Clara's relationship with her father is very relatable to me. Reading the opening chapters of the book actually lifted some guilt. Clara doesn't react to the death of her father with tears or an emotional breakdown and is instead quite stoic and unbothered. That is until she gets letters from a lawyer to discuss the estate of Hollowfield House, an Inn that once belonged to her father.

The storyline of the abusive father doesn't feel forced, Clara's reaction to his death is relatable. Often, authors will do some strange moral fight with the victim and abusive dead parent, and thankfully, we do not see that here. It's not the representation I'd ever thought I'd need, but it's there, and that matters.

As Clara travels to her father's Inn, she mentions a feeling of being watched, which repeats again after she arrives at the house. Although 2 small sentences hidden amongst paragraphs of information, seeds of fear are slowly being planted into the readers head. A feeling of being watched is relatable to pretty much everyone, and this foreshadowing is working as intended. Is it Clara that's being watched? Or is it us, the reader?

The suspense already building throughout the story is ramped up by well-timed noises of someone in the house, curtains blowing from a window that shouldn't be open, and a shadowy figure out in the treeline

West continues to plant seeds of fear, which continue to grow in our imaginations as we read on and more events happen in the house.

West is excellent at making the reader feel Clara's frustration as she tries to work out what is going on in this jouse. From the lack of knowledge, wondering if her own father, abusive as he was, was also a murder, which isn't helped by the MMC Tuck, keeping things from Clara.

The story comes to a head as Clara works with the ghost of one of the murdered girls and with some last-minute help from a woman in town. Clara brings closure to the spirit in the house and their families by working out what happened and who was involved.

Clara is a phenomenally strong female main character. At times Clara even challenges sexism and gender roles to others as well as us learning from her inner monologue that she is a feminist frustrated with the men who want to reduce her, and every woman, to a vapid housewife. Clara's determination and power to face adversity is a truly refreshing take.

The story also contains the slowest of slow burns, and honestly, I'm here for it. We never see Clara forget her purpose or change her mind in order to appease a man she is starting to get feelings for. West makes sure that their growing infatuation doesn't take from the plot or from the main storyline.

West is incredible at writing suspense and fear, and I think she has the ability to move into full-on horror if she ever wanted to. It would be an honour to be a woman written by West. The only time I've ever thought like that is reading popular author Carissa Broadbent. Congratulations, Amelie, you are going to be a generationally known author!

[Emily Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A huge thankyou to NetGalley for the ARC. The book was a fun read. It does start off a little slow but I promise keep on reading and it will keep you on your toes. This book has all the great action at the end and didn’t disappoint. I loved every second of reading and hope to see the adventure continue. I loved that there was a friendship forming between Clara and the fabulous Tuck and hope to see more of Tuck in the adventure to come. Go and read this book for the fabulous thrill of mysteries to solve, a chilling haunt and the friendships that form. 👻

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a 1930s, chilling mystery, look no further. West does a great job of creating a spine tingling atmosphere, as well as letting the story unfold with new details and events that drive the plot. This is a book that truly grabbed my attention within the first few pages, and kept it throughout the entirety of the story. I was given the opportunity to review this book through NetGalley, and I hope it finds readers that will appreciate the story as much as I did!

[Horror Haus Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m usually not one for a slow burn but I really enjoyed this one. It pulled me in with its quiet, creeping dread and I loved every second of it. The atmosphere is rich and chilling, each chapter steeped in mystery and unease. Clara’s journey kept me turning the pages late into the night, and Amelie West’s elegant, immersive writing made it all flow so effortlessly. I’m excited to return to this world and see what shadows await in the next book.

[Natalia ✧ ⋆⁺₊⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC for an exchange of my honest opinion!

It was definitely a quick read. Nothing special, in my opinion but I had fun reading it. I didn’t feel engrossed in it until the second half.

I feel lack of characters backgrounds impacted on the story. It could’ve been much better with it.

Nevertheless, I ate it up in one sitting.

[* Crissy * crissys_book_addiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a gothic mystery with spooky vibes. I read this in one sitting. If you’re a fan of the prohibition era, haunted houses, and small town mystery, this one is for you. This will have you guessing from start to finish.

[Claudia]

Beta read back in August 2024. Will review after I receive ARC.

[Ashley Pearson Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me HOOKED! I devoured it in two days. I jumped twice while reading it. As soon as I read the title I knew I had to read it. I love a good spooky book and this went beyond my expectations with believable characters, the setting, the twists, and a little slow burn romance.

Tropes:
🕯️Gothic mystery
🕯️Slow burn
🕯️Small town secrets
🕯️Isolated setting

Thank you Amelie West for providing a digital ARC!

4.85 stars rounded up!

[DianaKay Abraham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting with twists and turns. Definitely a spooky story that kept me awake on more than one night while I was reading; however the historical context often misses the mark.

It talks about prohibition, which is fine because its set loosely in 1933 however prohibition ended December 1933 and the timeline begins late September then there's a span of weeks, but still talks like its September except the home has been vacant for much longer by description. The timeline was definitely not clear enough to know if themes were even relevant.

The talk of emotions and family dynamic was also not typical of the time period, but rather held a lot of notions from today's "woke" world that just wasn't part of thought processes a hundred or even fifty years ago.

The single female role of the FMC also seemed highly implausible though the author did create great condescending male characters to acknowledge that in a sort of way. The "mansplaining" banter was pretty good and given her family being deceased she wouldn't have had a choice, but she would have had an even harder time of it than portrayed.

Another issue is the speak about vehicles, there's talk about mechanical farm equipment, however back then they still plowed with horses with the exception of straight up millionaire company fields, but in this struggling small town cooing with the weight of the depression it just doesn't make sense. Also she talks about being broke but never seems to run out of gas despite driving hours at a time all over the place... so small things like that I found distracting as it just doesn't fit the time period or make sense and would pull me right out of the story. Women drivers and/or a woman owning a car or wearing pants outside of Hollywood would have been an anomaly in the time period so even though our heroine is bold and brazen, it's just implausible as a historically based novel and again, these instances yanked me right out of the story and made it a bit of a slog in some parts.

I'd recharacterize this as a suspense novel to avoid marketing to the wrong reader. Gothic vibes, yes. Historical gothic mystery....meh. i think it depends how important accuracy is to you. As far as gothical romance the slow burn fits the bill for this no spice novel.

Overall I wouldn't call this historical gothic fiction, but just a really creative ghost story. I really wish there wasn't as much talk about emotions in the book because the idea of understanding childhood trauma was simply not a thing 90 years ago and is incredibly distracting as a theme in the book. Even if people were in survival mode back then, she would have gone Freudian and said she was hysterical because that's what women were taught to believe then, not that their emotions mattered.

[ScarlettesBookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! It kept me guessing what was going on right up to the reveal. The depth and detail of the historical events had me guessing who was involved, I definitely suspected everyone she spoke to. It kept my attention and when I got to the halfway point I was finding it hard to put it down at all! I definitely want to know what happens for Clara next.

[Bianca Newby · Rating 3 out of 5]

What would you do if you found out your estranged father passed away leaving you an inn in the middle of nowhere that is haunted? The plot and vibes of this book drew me to request the arc and I’m glad I did! It’s a historical fiction mystery with some supernatural elements. Then sprinkle in a very slow burn. I will say that this book solidified for me that I like a good slow burn. I loved getting to know Clara and Tuck and watching their banter with each other.

Things I loved were the plot, Clara as a main character, the slow burn between Clara and Tuck, and the creepy atmosphere West created in the inn. I love a good haunted house story and West did a great job making the inn feel uncomfortable and eerie.

There were a few things hard for me to enjoy. The rest of the characters felt sort of flat. We really don’t get to know the side characters too much. I’m not sure if that was because Clara didn’t have time to spend with them and wanted the audience to truly be from her point of view or they just weren’t giving more characteristics. That was a struggle for me which caused the reveal at the end to be anticlimactic. I also did find one plot hole but it’s not too distracting from the main story.

The story as a whole was an enjoyable time. It’s funny for me reading stories like these because I think everything is going to end up worse or be more intense…I forget that not everything has to be horrific, graphic, and gruesome. I think this author has something going with this series and can grow from here.

Although this may be just a 3 star for me, I still recommend others to read it. If you’re interested in the life during the Prohibition, an isolated inn, tragic father daughter relationship, a slow burn, or just historical mysteries, I’d recommend this to you! And of course I recommend this to you because we need to support indie authors!

Thank you to Amelie West for giving me an arc copy of this book. I can’t wait to see what more you have in store for Clara Dawson.

[Cait · Rating 4 out of 5]

A captivating murder mystery set in the prohibition era of upstate New York. Clara Dawson receives an unexpected inheritance of a run down inn after her estranged father passes away. Upon arrival at Hollowfield House, strange occurences begin and expose her fathers potential involvement in the cases of local missing women.

Overall, the book is well done and is a good debut novel. I would recommend to readers who enjoy murder mysteries, historical mysteries, and ghost sotries. It does have some minor issues detailed below (spoilers). However, I will note that the minor issues may not bother all readers. I am just particular about details when a book is advertised as 'historical'.

What I enjoyed:
- historical setting
- spooky vibes
- the mystery plot line
- the slow burn romance sub plot
- independent FMC
- the suspense
- entertaining

What could improve:
- though the author did a decent job with historical elements and it was improved upon after the BETA read. There were some areas that still would have benefited from more research.
- it's repeatedly stated that Clara is very broke. However, she's still in her own apartment in Rochester NY as a single woman and still owns her own vehicle. In the depression era, owning vehicles was incredibly rare. It would have been more believable that she borrowed the car from her rich friend as well as lived with roommates after her mother's death.
- the outcome of the inheritance is not resolved by the end of the book

BETA Reader and ARC Reader. Thank you Amelie West for involving me in your creative process!

[Hayley Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting enough for me to finish, but it wasn’t grasping me. The plot was predictable but well planned, and the plot twist didn’t feel like a plot twist. Hated the very ending.

This is depicted as a historical mystery, but the Great Depression was downplayed so comically that i almost stopped reading when she said “some people being down on their luck”, so i wouldn’t say that’s an accurate representation of the story. It’s more of a ghost/supernatural thriller.

***I received an advanced reader copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily***

[Lauren | Pages & Puzzles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A more formal review to come, but I loved this story!

[DarkStar's Book Cavern · Rating 3 out of 5]

First things first – the cover art is amazing. Dark, atmospheric and really sets the tone for the book.
This is definitely more a mystery ghost story rather than a gothic, historical fiction. It really didn’t give off those gothic vibes that books like Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre do.

The first third of the book is a bit of a slog to get through. What the characters are doing is mundane day to day stuff and the narrative tends to be a tad repetitive. It takes until about halfway through the book for Clara to actually start investigating what’s going on around her rather than be at the mercy of whatever or whoever is plaguing Hollowfield House. Clara is our main character, and I didn’t dislike her, but I didn’t like her either. The decisions she makes are hard to follow in how she comes to her conclusions and her mood swings gave me whiplash. Although once she decided to get to the bottom of this mystery, she was a lot easier to live with. And then the story noticeably flows into its stride and is a riveting read for the last 50%. I do think that it would have benefited more being in first person rather than third, especially when Clara spends her first night at the Inn so that the reader could really, really feel the creepiness and Clara’s mounting fear at what she is hearing, feel it rather than be told it.

There are quite a few threads which are left unanswered or characteristics of characters which are forgotten about. Mabel is her overbearing best friend, goes through her mail, worries for her like a mother hen. Insists on Clara calling her the day after she gets to Hollowfield just to make sure she’s alright. But is never mentioned again after this and considering everything Clara ends up enduring, surely her bestie would be there for her.

The ending was satisfying, although the villain was dealt with much too swiftly and easily for my liking. This was the part that I feel could have been more drawn out with more tension and more building to that reveal. It was a bit quick. Unfortunately, I did guess the end villain right where they were introduced so the big reveal at the end really didn’t land the way it should have.

One of the main themes of this book is Clara’s trauma and PTSD caused by her father, Al. And this is really well written, the way she acts and some of her decision making is all molded by her father’s treatment of her and her mother. When those flashbacks happen through-out the story it does come across as the traumatising subject matter it’s using very well. It makes you uncomfortable. I thought Clara only referring to him as Al and never as Dad and only Father out of the rarest of necessities was a nice touch, as was the subtle reactions of the people around her when she does just refer to him by his name.

This is the first in a series but this one didn’t end on a cliffhanger and everything was pretty well all wrapped up in a neat little bow. The plot was interesting when it got to the mystery and asking questions of the people of Briar Hollow. Their backstories were intriguing as were their motives. The romance wasn’t romancing for me and I think it probably would have had more impact had they remained platonic partners in the investigation.

[TheCasualCrypt · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Insidious Inheritance is a haunting Gothic tale that lingers long after the final page. Set in the prohibition-era 1930s, the story transports us to Briar Hollow, a small town steeped in secrecy, sorrow, and the kind of shadows that seem to breathe just beyond the edge of sight. It’s a place where both human cruelty and supernatural forces thrive, leaving devastation in their wake.

At the center of this story is Clara, a woman marked by the complicated absence of her estranged father. When news of his death reaches her, she reluctantly leaves her modest city apartment and returns to Briar Hollow to settle his estate. What begins as an unwelcome duty quickly unravels into something far more sinister. The townsfolk greet her with suspicion, their hostility thinly veiled, and the dilapidated inn she inherits groans with secrets of its own. What should have been her chance at financial security becomes a labyrinth of unease.

The atmosphere of the novel is drenched in dread. The creaks of floorboards echo like whispers, shadows dart through the corners of her vision, and strange trinkets and letters hint at tragedies best left buried. As Clara digs deeper, she finds herself entangled in a web of mysteries that force her to confront not only the sinister history of the inn but also the lingering scars of her own childhood. Her parental trauma and trust issues haunt her almost as much as the apparitions in the night. The question grows more urgent with each page: is she uncovering the truth—or losing her grip on reality?

What makes this novel particularly compelling is the way it balances supernatural terror with the psychological weight of Clara’s inner battles. In a time when women were easily dismissed as “hysterical,” her fear and desperation become dangerous liabilities. The more she presses for answers, the more precarious her standing becomes—to speak the truth is to risk being locked away.

An Insidious Inheritance is a slow-burn story that thrives on atmosphere. It doesn’t rush to deliver jump scares but instead builds layer upon layer of unease until you feel just as trapped as Clara in the suffocating halls of the inn. This is not only a ghost story, but also a meditation on trauma, grief, and the terror of being unheard. Readers who love Gothic fiction rich in secrets, mystery, and creeping dread will find themselves fully absorbed in Clara’s descent into the darkness of Briar Hollow.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author Amelie West for the digital ARC, it has not affected my honest review. 


TW: references to child and domestic abuse, suicide, death, mental illness, violence 


Upstate New York, 1933. Clara Dawson is relieved when she is given the news that her estranged, abusive father Al has died and that she can finally close the door on her past. However, as his only child, she has inherited his home for the past few years, an isolated inn named Hollowfield House in the middle of nowhere. Hoping to sell it to get out from underneath the weight of growing debts, Clara goes to Hollowfield. Within days of arriving, she finds herself unnerved by the apparition of a young woman, a mysterious locket and an unsigned letter. As she is forced to face the realities of Hollowfield, and better understand the life her father was leading, she comes to suspect that his death wasn’t natural. Digging further into the house's past alongside the groundskeeper Tuck, Clara soon comes to suspect that someone- or something- is determined that the secrets of Hollowfield House should remain hidden, even if it leads to her death. 


This book is deeply atmospheric and weaves the isolation of Hollowfield House with Clara’s past so well. I found her to be a strong main character, especially as you get further into the story and learn more about her background before her new life in the city. The setting and timeline of ‘An Insidious Inheritance’ works really well, Clara’s experiences are so sinister as you come to realise just how many secrets have been hidden- and how many might have involved her father. The exploration of abuse and recovery was really well written, it added to the tension of the mystery and the spirits of the house. I loved the scenes with Tuck as well, though I felt like he needed some more development in some parts, and his relationship with Clara became the perfect team-up. I truly didn’t know who or what was the cause of everything, the scenes where Clara read newspapers about the town were some of my favourites because I so enjoyed the gradual unraveling of the truth. I’m looking forward to seeing where this series might go next!