REVIEW: Let No Clan Put Assunder – Gothic Gwyn Mysteries – Judith Sterling

“It was no small thing to marry into the Donnachaidh clan, and there was nowhere to hide from its past.”

So states the tagline of the gothic mystery Gwyneth Camm discovers out of place—not once, but twice—inside her newly inherited Salem home. Her deceased Aunt Ethel seems determined she read the book, and once again, Gwyn finds herself sucked into a gothic romance, inhabiting the body of its heroine.

This time, she’s a young bride in 1970 on her way to a clifftop castle that harbors secrets, Scottish legacies, hidden malice, and…a vampire? Only by learning the truth can she return to her own life, where yet another puzzle awaits.

Reviewed by Linda Tonis

Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team

When Gwyneth Camm’s Aunt Ethel died she inherited her home and her aunt’s ghost. In book one her aunt directed her to read a gothic romance which put Gwyn in the main character’s body while she tried to solve a mystery so she could return to her time. Now her aunt has once again dropped a book on her and this time it takes her to the 1970’s where she has taken over the body of Gwyndolyn Hughes a young woman heading to Castle Donnachaidh for her marriage to Alistair.

Upon arriving Gwyn discovers that he is missing, and she finds herself drawn into family legends and myths. For centuries it was believed that William Robertson was seduced by a Baobhan Sith, a succubus or female vampire. He died and every century another male heir disappears and is believed to become a vampire the family wonders if Alistair is alive or undead.

Fiona, Alistair’s sister, embraces Gwyn as a new member of the family while they wait to discover her brother’s reason for disappearing. His aunt and uncle, Mike and Irene along with their son Garrett are staying at the castle where they expected a wedding now, they are either part of the mystery or just relatives just as confused as everyone else.

More and more secrets are revealed, and Gwyn is trying to find answers without any help. It is apparent that everyone is keeping a secret from Gwyn but is it to protect her or cause her harm. Everyone seems suspicious and when certain secrets are revealed regarding Garrett there are more and more suspects.

The butler and the chauffeur are all suspects, the butler is always following Gwyn and the chauffeur is keeping secrets. Garrett is attracted to Gwyn and doesn’t hide that attraction from her. She must act like an engaged woman and try to keep from making mistakes that will give her away.

Gwyn disregards caution and follows whatever is presented to her, a note to meet in the crypt in the middle of the night and she goes only to be attacked by someone. She is enticed to go out on the boat only to have it begin to sink and she is known for not being able to swim. Mike takes Irene ashore promising to come back for Gwyn, but she doesn’t risk waiting and swims to shore her lie is she learned to swim as a surprise to Alistair.

This book is full of secrets and surprises and the best part according to me is that the story Gwyn entered is just as exciting as the main story I began reading and couldn’t put down.

If you are not familiar with this series then I highly recommend getting to know it, it is well worth your time and money.