Murder mystery set in CORNWALL

28th April 2025

The Curse of Penryth Hall by Jess Armstrong, murder mystery set in CORNWALL

Folk medicine and magic interwoven into this complex murder mystery.

The Curse of Penryth Hall is Jess Armstrong’s debut novel and will appeal to lovers of Cornish myths. Readers are introduced to Ruby Vaughn, an American heiress who has settled in post-World War I England after conducting a dangerous mission on the Western Front.

Ruby now works for an elderly employer in managing a rare bookstore in Exeter, seemingly content to leave her past behind. However, a routine task – to deliver a box of books to a folk healer in Cornwall – draws her back to Penryth Hall, the family estate of her estranged friend, Tamsyn Chenowyth. This unexpected reunion sets the stage for a gripping murder mystery infused with elements of Cornish folklore and supernatural intrigue.​

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Ruby emerges as a multifaceted hero, embodying strength and vulnerability at the same time. Her independence and modern outlook often clash with the traditional and superstitious environment of rural Cornwall as she attempts to hide her true relationship with Tamsyn. Her background as a former ambulance driver during the war adds layers to her character, showcasing resilience and a penchant for unconventional behaviour.

The narrative gains momentum as Ruby becomes entangled in the mysterious death of Sir Edward Chenowyth, Tamsyn’s husband. Faced with local superstitions about a family curse, Ruby’s scepticism propels her to seek logical explanations. Her collaboration with Ruan Kivell, the enigmatic folk healer known as a pillar (traditionally a sorcerer or wizard), adds an intriguing dynamic to the story. Their evolving relationship, marked by initial scepticism and eventual mutual respect, enriches the plot and underscores themes of belief versus rationality. ​Add to this Ruby’s outsider status in the deeply traditional rural Cornwall where the villagers have deep-seated beliefs, and you’re left with a cultural friction that heightens the tension.

However, Ruby’s character is sometimes not very relatable as she weaves her relationship with Tamsyn into the narrative – this sub-plot almost detracts from the intentions of the main plot. However, lovers of myth and curse, interwoven with historical murders that are yet to be solved, provides a foundation for a series detailing Ruby’s further investigations.

Val for the TripFiction Team

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