The Undoing of Violet Claybourne

By Emily Critchley and Emily Critchley

Book Overview

"Artful, gothic-tinged...an immersive, chilling treat for suspense fans." --Publishers Weekly

For fans of Sarah Penner and The Foundling comes a slow-burn gothic mystery following Gillian, a young girl enthralled by the enigmatic Claybourne sisters, their house at Thornleigh Hall, and the tragedy that binds them together for good.

To become a Claybourne girl, she'll have to betray one first.

1938. Gillian Larking, lonely and away at boarding school, is used to going unnoticed. But then she meets Violet Claybourne, her vibrant roommate who takes Gilly under her wing. Violet is unlike anyone Gilly has ever met, and she regales Gilly with tales of her grand family estate and her two elegant sisters. Gilly is soon entranced by stories of the Claybournes, so when Violet invites Gilly to meet her family at Thornleigh Hall, she can't believe her luck.

But Gilly soon finds that behind the grand fa ade of Thornleigh Hall, darkness lurks.

Dazzled by the crumbling manor and Violet's enigmatic sisters, Gilly settles into the estate. But when a horrible accident strikes on the grounds, she is ensnared in a web of the sisters' making, forced to make a choice that will change the course of her life forever. Because the Claybournes girls know how to keep secrets, even at the cost of one of their own.

With ensnaring prose and layers of friendship, privilege, mental health, and more, The Undoing of Violet Claybourne is a poignant book club read with characters you won't soon forget.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1728287197
• ISBN13: 9781728287195
• Release Date: March 2025
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

4 stars

THE UNDOING OF VIOLET CLAYBOURNE by Emily Critchley Holy gaslighting! There is no love or loyalty to be found in the Claybourne family, that’s for sure. However there’s plenty of trauma, betrayals, and secrets to go around. I was reminded of old VC Andrews novels (minus the incest, ha) as every member of the family was problematic, devious, and morally grey - love unhinged characters! On another note, I liked how (at the beginning) Gillian was a good friend and understanding/accepting of Violet’s “rituals” (OCD) and social anxiety/awkwardness. That was her one redeeming quality otherwise she was such a pushover. This was so darkly gothic and tragic yet entertaining - loved it! It’s a bit of a slow burn, but the twists and turns kept me interested and the ending was so satisfying. Rating: 4/5 ⭐️ Pub Date: 03.04.2025 **ARC courtesy of Netgalley & SourceBooks.