I obtained a evaluation copy from the writer. This doesn’t have an effect on the contents of my evaluation and all opinions are my very own.

The Temptation of Charlotte North by Camilla Bruce

Mogsy’s Score: 4.5 of 5 stars

Style: Horror

Sequence: Stand Alone

Writer: Del Rey (Might 19, 2026)

Size: 448 pages

Writer Info: Web site | Twitter

I confess, I used to be a bit of shocked on the combined opinions for The Temptation of Charlotte North. As a fan of Camilla Bruce who has half a dozen of her books underneath my belt, this one ended up being one among my favorites! It had the identical deliciously unsettling vibes that made You Let Me In such a standout for me, whereas additionally capturing the oppressive environment and creepy dread that I liked in Within the Backyard of Spite. This one appeared to have all of it. ‘

The story is about within the early twentieth century on Margaret’s Preserve, a small and remoted fishing island. Charlotte North is the stressed, strong-willed second daughter of the wealthiest household within the village, feeling trapped by the slim future laid out earlier than her now that she is of age to be married and plans are already being made to ship her to the mainland. The issue, nonetheless, is that Charlotte is already pining over another person: the island’s good-looking new reverend, regardless of the inconvenient truth that he’s already married. Her infatuation doesn’t go unnoticed, least of all by the minister’s spouse, who makes her displeasure abundantly clear to Charlotte’s mother and father. Mortified by the potential scandal, Mrs. North turns into decided to rein in her troublesome daughter. Already pissed off by Charlotte’s rebellious streak, she escalates her punishments by locking her away in a shed for hours at a time as if she had been a prisoner.

However throughout one such confinement, a strong earthquake strikes the island, toppling its namesake, an historical tower that had stood on the sting of the cliffs overlooking the ocean for hundreds of years. For a lot of islanders, its destruction truly comes as a reduction. The tower has lengthy been tied to native legends and whispered superstitions, and lots are joyful to see the cursed construction gone. But not lengthy afterward, unusual disturbances start occurring within the North family. First, Charlotte notices odd noises throughout the partitions. Subsequent comes the needles showing in not possible locations, placing her on alert in any respect hours of the day. It’s as if somebody, or one thing, is taking part in methods on her. After which, there are the knocks. One thing seems to have made this place its dwelling, and Charlotte names it the Knocker as a result of that’s the way it communicates. Earlier than lengthy, she finds herself fascinated by the entity, intrigued by its supernatural powers and the secrets and techniques it is aware of. However is Knocker good friend or foe? Regardless, it appears particularly drawn to Charlotte, making her marvel if it could be her key to escaping the life she by no means requested for whereas acquiring all the things she has ever needed.

One of many issues I liked most about this novel was its construction. The Temptation of Charlotte North is advised by three distinct factors of view. Charlotte is the central determine, occupying that tough house between sufferer and instigator. She’s sturdy and decided, however her youth additionally makes her impulsive, egocentric, and motivated by needs she doesn’t absolutely perceive. One other POV belongs to Ruth, a schoolteacher who had grown up on the mainland. As an outsider, she gives a contemporary perspective on the island’s unusual customs, in addition to a grounded counterbalance to the more and more chaotic occasions plaguing the North household. Lastly, there’s Jasper Hill, the village’s idealistic minister and the article of Charlotte’s needs. By him, the writer explores guilt and temptation and the methods human beings rationalize our errors and unhealthy selections. Collectively, these three viewpoints create a fuller image of each the thriller and the neighborhood of Margaret’s Preserve itself.

Talking of which, the setting is completely beautiful. Margaret’s Preserve isn’t merely a backdrop however serves because the very basis upon which the story is constructed. Bruce does a superb job capturing the sensation of a tiny, remoted neighborhood lower off from the broader world, the place traditions, beliefs, and outdated methods of considering have endured for generations. The islanders stay deeply spiritual lives, but many additionally cling to centuries-old folklore and outdated wives’ tales, taking them way more significantly than outsiders ever might, and are fast to indicate disapproval when customs are disrespected. All of this creates an environment thick with unease from the very starting, and the isolation is palpable.

Regardless that the pacing is sluggish, it’s very a lot by design. The story follows basic gothic fiction conventions, prioritizing temper and character psychology over motion. The prose takes its time constructing stress, unfurling layers upon layers of thriller and unease, and in that regard, the novel jogged my memory fairly a little bit of the work of Laura Purcell, whom I take into account the queen of recent gothic horror. In actual fact, if there’s one factor I want had been completely different, it might be the ending. For my tastes, it was a bit of too open-ended, the sort of conclusion you’d anticipate from a e-book establishing the subsequent installment in a collection, however so far as I do know, that’s not the case right here. It didn’t destroy my expertise by any means, however I did come away wanting a bit extra closure.

In the end, The Temptation of Charlotte North received’t be for everybody. In case you’re on the lookout for fast-paced thrills, this most likely isn’t it. However in the event you get pleasure from books that slowly wrap themselves round you and tighten their grip, there’s quite a bit to like right here. Followers of Camilla Bruce’s darker, moodier novels needs to be particularly happy, and for me, this was precisely the sort of gothic horror I like to immerse myself in.