Thornby Manor by Stephanie Bramwell-Lawes #ThornbyManor @BramwellLawes @OrendaBooks #BookReview #Gothic #Mystery

 

There – suddenly – was Thornby Manor.

I would never forget the first time I saw it…

A talisman of darkness, an emblem of death.

Warwickshire, 1891. Recently orphaned and left destitute, Briar Monroe accepts the protection of Lord Danville and the shadowed sanctuary of Thornby Manor. The great house looms above a mist-shrouded lake, its corridors heavy with secrets – not least the mysterious death of Lady Elizabeth Danville, and the unspoken tensions between her formidable widower and his magnetic son, Gabriel.

As Briar navigates the undercurrents of a household ruled by watchful servants and locked doors, she is drawn ever deeper into a web of suspicion, desire and fear. Whispers in the night, figures at windows, and a constant sense of being watched leave her questioning not only the truth about Thornby, but her own safety within its walls.

Atmospheric, intoxicating and laced with peril, Thornby Manor is a gothic tale of betrayal, obsession and a house that never forgets.

A simmering, haunting debut for readers who loved Jane Eyre, Rebecca, The Woman in White and The Silent Companions.

Thornby Manor by Stephanie Bramwell-Lawes was published on 23 April 2026 by Orenda Books and is the author's debut novel. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review as part of this Virtual Book Tour. 

The excitement in discovering a new author makes me feel a bit dizzy! And when a debut novel is as wonderful and beautifully written as Thornby Manor it's even more of a joy. 

For me, this book brings some of my most loved things; a debut female author, a crime thriller, dark and gothic and what I especially love - the manor as a character. I mean, it even says in my Instagram bio about my loves 'house as characters'! 

Stephanie Bramwell-Lawes has created something truly special with Thornby Manor, a gloriously gothic tale that completely swept me away from the very first page. Rich in atmosphere and dripping with mystery, this is one of those novels that feels tailor-made for ME!

The setting is Warwickshire in 1891, and we follow Briar Monroe who has recently been orphaned and left with nowhere to turn. She accepts the protection of Lord Danville at Thornby Manor. From the moment she arrives at the estate, Briar just knows that something is wrong beneath the surface. The mysterious death of Lady Elizabeth Danville hangs heavily over the household, the servants are scared, and the tension between Lord Danville and his son Gabriel is impossible to ignore. As strange occurrences begin to unsettle Briar further, she finds herself drawn into a web of secrets, suspicion and danger.

Briar is such a wonderfully drawn character. Intelligent, vulnerable, determined and brave. It was such a thrill to join her in the strange world of Thornby Manor, where every corridor seems to hold another secret. The sense of unease is there from the beginning and increases so much as the story unfolds.

And Thornby Manor itself! The house feels alive in the very best gothic tradition; imposing, haunting, utterly unforgettable, and just perfect for a house fan such as me! This author has an incredible talent for creating mood and atmosphere. The mist-covered lake, the locked doors, the whispers in the night and the constant feeling that someone is always watching create such a tension.

The relationships within the house are fascinating, I really enjoyed the strange dynamic between Lord Danville and his son Gabriel. The mystery at the heart of the novel is beautifully handled too, with just enough clues scattered throughout to keep me guessing while never losing that creeping gothic dread.

The writing is elegant and immersive, perfectly capturing the feel of late Victorian England without ever becoming heavy. Fans of novels such as Jane Eyre, Rebecca and The Silent Companions will find so much to love here.  Thornby Manor really is a confident and captivating debut.

Dark, atmospheric and impossible to put down, this is a novel that lingers long after the final page. Stephanie Bramwell-Lawes is definitely an author to watch, and I already cannot wait to see what she writes next.

Stephanie Bramwell-Lawes grew up in the historic city of Bath and studied History and Ancient History at Exeter University. 

A lifelong love of literature led to a career in publishing in 2009, and her passion for books has only continued to grow ever since. 

Her favourite novels include Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, Rebecca, and anything by Tracy Chevalier. 

She currently lives in Warwickshire with her husband and a small feline dictator named Ruby. 

Thornby Manor is her debut novel.