Title: The Widow of Rose House

Author: Diana Biller

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin 2019

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 352

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: TBR Jar Random

It’s 1875, and Alva Webster is ready for a fresh start. After three years of being pilloried in the presses for fleeing her abusive husband, his sudden death allows her to return to New York where she is determined to restore a dilapidated Hyde Park mansion, and hopefully her reputation at the same time. She is decidedly not supposed to fall in love.

But when a haunting at her new home threatens her careful plans, she must seek help from the eccentric and brilliant and - much to her dismay - very handsome Professor Samuel Moore. Alva doesn’t need more complications in her life, especially not a convention-flouting, scandal-raising one like Sam. Unfortunately, Sam is the only one who can help. Together, the two delve into the tragic secrets wreathing Alva’s new home while Sam attempts to unlock Alva’s history―and her heart.

Not sure why this one came up on my TBR, but I’m glad I ended up reading it. Overall I really enjoyed the story of Alva and the the mysteries of a rundown mansion. I loved her relationship with Sam and the back and forth between those two. I loved the the discussions about engineering and interior design. It was an interesting book and a good historical fiction volume. My biggest complaint was the ghost story part. The summary of the book makes it seem like the ghost story is essential, but it only appears sporadically. I would have liked more ghost story, but it was not meant to be.

Next up on the TBR pile: