Challenge Corner discussion

Kristen Perrin is back with the second novel in her Castle Knoll series. Annie Adams is caught in a new web of murder that spans decades, returning us to the idyllic English village that holds layers of secrets.

Present day: Annie Adams is just settling into life in Castle Knoll when local fortune teller Peony Lane crosses her path and shares a cryptic message. When Peony Lane is found dead only hours later inside the locked Gravesdown Estate, Annie quickly realizes that someone is out to make her look guilty while silencing Peony at the same time. Annie has no choice but to delve into the dark secrets of Castle Knoll in order to find out just what Peony Lane was trying to warn her about, before the new life she’s just begun to build comes crashing down around her.

1967: A year has passed since her friend Emily disappeared, and teenage Frances Adams finds herself caught between two men. Ford Gravesdown is one of the only remaining members of a family known for its wealth and dubious uses of power. Archie Foyle is a local who can’t hold down a job and lives above the village pub. But when Frances teams up with Archie to investigate the car crash that claimed the lives of Ford’s family, it quickly becomes clear that this was no accident—hints of cover-ups, lies, and betrayals abound. The question is, just how far does the blackness creep through the heart of Castle Knoll? When Frances uncovers secrets kept by both Ford and Archie, she starts to wonder: What exactly has she gotten herself into?

I just went and picked up my copy! I'm SO excited to read this! I have 2 to finish up today so I probably won't be posting until tomorrow!

I am finishing up When the Wolf Comes Home today and will then be picking up this one. I can't wait! I had so much fun with the first book. I also plan to read Bat Eater over the weekend!

Oh I'm SO excited to read When the Wolf Comes Home!!

I'm starting this one today too!

To Ch 10: It took me just a minute to get readjusted to how these stories are told, the back and forth between past and present, but I'm settling into it now and I'm glad that we are still getting (view spoiler)[Aunt Frances's perspective, as well as a connection to Peony Lane. I love Annie too though, she's definitely my fave! (hide spoiler)]

Yes, I'm almost there too!

Trisha wrote: "Yes, I'm almost there too!"

I still haven't touched Bat Eater though -- hahahaa

megs_bookrack wrote: "Trisha wrote: "Yes, I'm almost there too!"

I still haven't touched Bat Eater though -- hahahaa"

hahah!! I'm behind on quite a few right now too! But with hubby gone, I'll have a bit more time to read so I should be able to get caught up!

11 chapters

(view spoiler)[
Yes, I like the back and forth - it took me a minute to figure out it was her Aunt and Archie

then her and Archie.

oh I can't believe Archie tried to keep the journals!
and OMG! Peony Lane has been murdered! And they were right there! How could someone have killed her so close to them?

I'm curious what the connection will be - the brake lines, the knife and now the murder. Hmmm. . . . (hide spoiler)]

To Ch 18: Well, that conversation between (view spoiler)[Frances and Ford was certainly informative, though I still side-eye him suspiciously! Also, I can't believe Peony was murdered!! In the chapter directly after I mentioned I was happy she was in this story. I sort of feel responsible for jinxing her 😝🤣 (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "11 chapters


Yes, I like the..."

I was so surprised by (view spoiler)[Peony's murder too! And right there. I am sad she's gone, clearly someone is trying to cover something up she knew! (hide spoiler)] but what!?

To Ch 19: Oh my gosh, so (view spoiler)[Saxon thinks his Mom, Olivia, was already dead when the car crashed!? That she was maybe in the trunk!? The plot thickens... (hide spoiler)]

I know...the plot is getting thick! So many secrets are coming out!!

22 chapters

(view spoiler)[ wow, so Samantha is in the back of this old wrecked car? Archie seems to have a bad history everyone is hinting at? And now she thinks Peony was in the car and may have staged the body to look thrown from the car?

What does all this mean? and how does it all add up to Peony dying know? Who would know she knew more and who would be getting revenge for staging it?

Could it be the captain of the police coming back? Marks? I wouldn't think he'd do all this but he is certainly dodgy and the fact he was there previously - when Frances was alive - makes him all the more suspicious! (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "22..."

Oooo, (view spoiler)[never even considered him... (hide spoiler)]

To Ch 34: Soooo much has happened, I can't even keep it all straight. My head is spinning. The whole story about (view spoiler)[Frances and Archie's engagement, and where the ruby came from in the ring, and why do I find Saxon so suspicious!? I don't want Eric or Archie to be involved, but... (hide spoiler)]

to Ch 34 too! and YESSSS (view spoiler)[ OMG I never thought the fortune wasn't Archie's!! To think the MINE written in red meant that Peony thought it was hers!

But does that make it so it's only either Archie or Ford? Not Birdy? not this other Marks guy?

I still really dislike Marks lol

and the story of the ring and the letter opener/dagger thing is pretty shocking. I don't blame Frances' shock at him having gave it to her! It was last on Olivia! eek!

and wow! Samantha being poisoned (if we can believe Archie's version of events). that's so sad. but who would have access to her meds? Could Archie or is that more likely Ford
(OR Marks!! hahah!! I'm just going to keep blaming that guy. I really don't like him)

I really like Jenny being there. I really hope her mom is okay. She was acting a bit odd too (hide spoiler)]

and done!

(view spoiler)[ wow, the ending felt like very last person was a part of the murders! lol Archie, Beth, her mom, Birdie, Ford, Eric, Samantha - it felt like every last person had a piece of the puzzle that helped bring the whole picture out.

I also thought Crane saying she shouldn't have been worried about being arrested was silly! of course running from police is bad but Marks really seemed like he was out to get her! lol

I like that we know our next mystery will be her own fortune!! OOOOOO when she found Peony's stack of fortunes she knew but didn't know for who - I had hoped hers would be in there!! (hide spoiler)]

Done! Oooo, this was so fun. I was a little sad it turned out (view spoiler)[to be Eric. I sort of liked him; he was an affable bloke. But also that moment when Annie noticed on the camera footage, her Mom's hands, I was like, OMG, her Mom did it!? hahahahhaaa -- that got me for a second. LOL

I like how Annie has come to understand and relate to Frances so much more, and also love her settling in to her new life even more. (hide spoiler)] Is there giong to be more books, do you think?

Trisha wrote: "to Ch 34 too! and YESSSS OMG..."

I really liked (view spoiler)[having Jenny there so much this time around as well. Hoping if there are more, maybe she'll move there. I know she says she belongs in London, but she can still go back and visit there anytime she wants! Also, I know you don't trust Marks and I agree. Maybe if there's a 3rd book, whatever the crime is, he'll be the guilty party! LOL (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "and done ..."

Ooo, I think I glazed over the last little bit -- I was making dinner and must have been distracted for a moment. So, there will be another book (view spoiler)[ and it's going to involve Annie looking into hers? I am going to reread that final chapter tonight! My bad! LOL -- I totally missed that. I was still sad Eric went to jail and how judging he seemed to be about Annie helping Archie with the business. (hide spoiler)]