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The Ancient Fire
The Ancient Fire is the first in the Triple Goddess series by Ellen Read. It’s a fantasy novel rooted in rich Celtic mythology and filled with lush imagery, suspenseful action, and themes of identity, legacy, and awakening power. The story follows Bree, a young woman raised in isolation with her aunt Áine, who discovers her divine lineage as the daughter of Brigid, the Triple Goddess. When an earthquake shakes their hidden world and the sacred fire she’s sworn to protect begins to change, Bree is thrust into a dangerous journey back to her homeland of Tír na nÓg. Alongside the brash warrior god Lu, Bree must come to terms with her powers, her grief, and the peril threatening her people.
I couldn’t put this one down. Read’s writing is poetic without being too flowery, and the pacing dances between quiet introspection and bursts of action. Bree is a character I wanted to root for—clever, curious, brave, and deeply human even as her godhood awakens. The dynamic between her and Lu had me grinning. There’s tension, banter, and just enough mystery to keep things spicy. What I loved most was how the magic felt sacred and elemental—more myth than wizardry, more essence than spectacle. And the fairies were delightful. The scene where Bree uses fire to chase off trolls? I actually cheered.
The lore, while fascinating, occasionally teetered on overwhelming. There’s a lot to absorb—names, places, histories—and at times I wished for a breather or a bit more grounding. Also, Lu’s macho swagger sometimes grated. I get that he’s a warrior god and all, but maybe chill. Thankfully, Bree holds her own and then some. Her transformation from cave-bound girl to rising goddess is powerful, and her grief for a mother she never knew is heartbreakingly real. Those emotional notes hit hard, and that’s what gave the book its heart.
The Ancient Fire lit something in me. It’s more than a fantasy, it’s about becoming who you were meant to be, even when you didn’t know you had it in you. I’d recommend this to anyone who loves myth-rich world-building, fierce heroines, and the spark of magic hiding in ancient stories. This book’s for the dreamers, the rebels, and those who believe stories shape the world.
Pages: 260 | ASIN : B0DTT2YFYN
Murder At Monterey
Ellen Read’s Murder at Monterey is a quintessential traditional murder mystery that transports readers into a world reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s iconic tales. The story revolves around two devoted sisters, Alexandra and Edith, who are invited to a grand party by Prudence, the enigmatic hostess. Their initial reluctance to attend, due to past encounters with the guest of honor, is overridden by the allure of a weekend getaway. Upon arrival, the sisters and their entourage mingle with the eclectic mix of guests, setting the stage for a suspenseful and tragic turn of events.
The narrative takes a dark twist when a guest is found dead, and another is discovered standing over the body, leading to a classic “whodunit” scenario. This homage to Christie’s masterpieces, such as the Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple series, grips the reader from the opening line, “Alexandra felt the loss…” The story is laced with foreshadowing, as exemplified by the line, “I, for one, hope we don’t have any murders while we’re there,” which expertly builds tension leading up to the murderous climax. Ellen Read’s adept use of dialogue enhances the suspense and character development, although the story takes its time to dive into the core action. This deliberate pacing allows readers to become intimately acquainted with the characters and their possible motives, enriching the overall narrative. As the sixth book in the series, Murder at Monterey showcases Read’s ability to create compelling characters and intricate plots.
Murder at Monterey by Ellen Read is a masterfully crafted murder mystery that pays homage to the classic works of Agatha Christie. Through meticulous character development and a well-paced narrative, Read weaves a tale of suspense and intrigue that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Whether you’re a long-time fan of traditional murder mysteries or new to the genre, this book is a must-read that promises a thoroughly engaging experience. I eagerly await the next adventure in this series.
Pages: 217 | ASIN : B0D48RQQFL
The Cook, the Ghost and her Sister
Inheriting a boarding house in the heart of Outback Australia, Danielle Roberts is initially wary, suspecting a possible scam. However, a solicitor’s assurances convince her of the house’s legitimacy, though she intends only a brief stay, anchored by her profession as a renowned pastry chef and café owner in Redcliffe. Upon arrival, she’s surprised by a reunion with Brett Bainbridge, a former love whose sudden departure once left her heart in tatters.
Flashback to 1872: Eloise le Gerseul, drawn by the allure of gold, travels from Jersey to Charters Towers with her family. Fate brings her and the prosperous gold miner, William Hatton, together. But after a sorrowful event – her father’s untimely death – she finds herself wedded to William, only to face a bewildering twist. His abrupt disappearance, followed by an eerie silence, suggests a haunting reality: Eloise may no longer walk among the living.
The Cook, the Ghost, and her Sister by Ellen Read is a delicately woven supernatural romance spanning the 19th and 21st centuries. With a deft touch on history and botany, the novel employs third-person narration, offering an immersive reading experience. Themes of envy, deceit, complex family ties, and the triumphant power of love shine through.
As Danielle grapples with the ancestral ties that connect her to this house, she is also torn by resurgent feelings for Brett, leading her to question the world around her. I particularly appreciated the narrative shifts to Eloise’s perspective, enriched by period-appropriate diction that vividly paints the Victorian era. Still, I felt the dialogue could benefit from added depth, and some readers might find the plot familiar.
The Cook, the Ghost, and her Sister is an evocative read, blending mysticism, botanical symbolism, and romance. While thoroughly enjoyable, I yearned for a deeper exploration of the characters, allowing their unique personalities to shine even brighter. Nonetheless, the novel’s ethereal elements and romantic undertones contribute to its captivating charm.
Pages: 334 | ASIN : B0CFD9XFZN
Scorn as a Shield
Wings of Death follows an embittered woman who, after being gifted a scarab beetle broach, is inflicted with the curse of the pharaoh and must find a cure. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I’ve always loved mythology and ancient legends.
It was in my teens I first read of Howard Carter’s expedition in 1923 to find King Tutankhamun’s tomb. Funded by Lord Carnarvon, many of the artifacts found are on display at the present Earl’s home, which many people will know as the magnificent house used in Downton Abbey.
I was fascinated by the events that followed. Many of the people in the expedition took ill and died after either entering the tombs or handling the artifacts. This caused many people to jump to the conclusion that King Tutankhamun’s tomb was cursed.
However, this wasn’t a new idea. Many ghost stories about a mummy’s curse had been written as far back as the 17th Century.
This was the inspiration for my story.
I enjoyed the depth of the main character, Cassandra Bain. What was your process to bring that character to life?
Cassandra Bain was the most challenging character I’ve written. My idea was for Leigh to give her the scarab to replace her heart, the same as the Ancient Egyptians did when mummifying a body. The story revolved around her heartlessness and her disdain for everyone. She had to be heartless, otherwise, the main theme of the story didn’t work. However, she actually used her scorn as a shield. Her character is complex. Self-assured and disdainful to the world but, in private, crumbling inside. Her miscarriages and her failing marriage had destroyed her more than she was willing to admit.
What kind of research did you do for this novel to ensure you captured the essence of the story’s theme?
This book involved quite a lot of varied research, firstly on Howard Carter’s expedition in 1923 to find King Tutankhamun’s tomb.
Also on various poisons, bacteria, and mold.
Scarab beetles held as much importance in Egyptian religion as the cross is in Christianity. Researching this subject was vital. It was believed the scarab was born spontaneously and so became the representation of the sun. At death, when a body was mummified, the internal organs had to be removed. They were stored separately in jars, as the heart, in particular, had to be weighed by Osiris, the verdict recorded by Thoth on the Day of Judgement. In place of the heart in the mummified body, they placed a scarab.
The scarab Leigh gives Cassandra was supposed to come from the tomb of Imhotep, who was a great doctor and magician and revered as the god of healing. In the 3rd Dynasty, Imhotep was a sage to King Djoser, and a god of healing in his own lifetime. Educated by the Sumerians, he was a man of great medical knowledge and was thought to be a great magician.
Cassandra is a fashion designer, and I enjoyed researching the fashions of the 1950s. I also bring music and other factors such as movies, books, and flowers into my stories.
Wings of Death travels from Melbourne, Australia to London, Paris, Rome, and Cairo. Research had to be done about those cities in the 1950s.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
My next book to be released on 10th September 2023 is another cosy ghost story. In fact, although the story has two ghosts in it, it isn’t scary. One ghost is a main character. It’s more of a mystery and a second-chance love story. It’s set in Australia, in Queensland, in the outback town of Charters Towers. Its title is The Cook, the Ghost, and Her Sister.
Following this, my first three books in The Thornton Mysteries are being re-released this year, all with new covers. Books four and five will follow early next year.
I have started research for another thriller, following Wings of Death. It will hopefully be ready for release in the latter half of 2024.
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Then Leigh introduces her to Peter Trembath, a professor of Egyptology, who tells her about a pharaoh’s curse. Cassandra wonders if her scarab beetle is cursed, given that it was found in the tomb of Imhotep, a revered doctor and magician, who became known as the god of healing.
Soon afterward, Cassandra reads a headline in a London newspaper announcing the death of an Egyptologist, claiming that the curse of the pharaohs has struck again. From this moment forward, Cassandra is led through a maze of betrayal and murder.
Wings of Death
Wings of Death by Ellen Read is a captivating mystery novel that transports readers across the enchanting backdrops of London, Paris, Cairo, and Melbourne, Australia. The novel provides tantalizing glimpses of these vibrant locations. However, the true essence of the narrative lies in the remarkable perspective of Cassandra Bain, an artistic fashion designer. Intense and imbued with a touch of paranoia, Cassandra finds herself entangled in a web of infidelity and betrayal as her unfaithfulness to her husband is revealed, and her loyal assistant abandons her for another designer, masquerading as a confidante.
Yet Cassandra’s suspicions reach beyond these personal betrayals. She questions the sincerity of her lover’s affection due to his meager offerings. Similarly, Leigh seems to reciprocate this doubt, as Cassandra’s desires revolve solely around material possessions that sparkle. Astonishingly, Leigh’s gift, a scarab beetle bearing the ominous name Wings of Death, hails from the tomb of the magician Imhotep. Tutankhamun’s tomb bears a dire warning etched into its walls, declaring that those who disturb the pharaoh’s peace will be felled by the wings of death. As a perplexing ailment afflicts everyone who comes into contact with the scarab, including Cassandra, her newly appointed secretary, and even the gardener, who only brushes against it fleetingly, Leigh becomes its ultimate victim.
Driven by a relentless curiosity, Cassandra leads this motley group to Cairo in search of answers surrounding the enigmatic scarab. It is there that she discovers Leigh denying any involvement with a disquieting stranger, who inexplicably shadows their every move across multiple countries. As the mystery deepens, questions arise. What is the nature of the insidious illness plaguing them? Could it be the dreaded curse of the pharaohs? Will they find the strength to combat the affliction, or will they succumb, one by one, to its sinister grasp? Or perhaps, concealed within these dark events lurks a more benign yet equally petrifying menace—a real-world murderer?
Ellen Read masterfully weaves together a tale that combines intrigue, ancient mythology, and the raw human emotions of love and betrayal. The narrative’s strength lies in its ability to draw readers into Cassandra’s world, where every interaction and revelation unfolds with palpable tension. With an evocative and meticulously crafted setting, the novel effortlessly transports us from one captivating location to another while keeping the focus firmly on the psychological nuances of its characters. As the plot unfurls, the sinister undercurrents steadily intensify, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, yearning to uncover the truth concealed within the cryptic scarab and the harrowing journey it sets in motion.
In Wings of Death, Ellen Read seamlessly merges elements of mystery, suspense, and a touch of the supernatural to deliver a profoundly engrossing narrative that will captivate discerning readers seeking a thought-provoking and enthralling reading experience.
Pages: 287 | ASIN : B0C5WCFJRZ
The Butterfly’s Cocoon
Thornton Park, set on a vast estate shrouded in mystery and hidden secrets, provides an ideal backdrop for a conference on immortality. Intended to highlight cultural similarities and differences in beliefs, the conference takes an unexpected turn even before it begins. Alexandra and her family soon find themselves entangled in a paranormal quest to uncover the secrets of eternal life. To add complications to the quest, people are being murdered. As the family’s detective, Alexandra is determined to unravel the mystery and apprehend the culprit. While uncovering clues, she finds herself discovering dark tales and myths that could place her unborn child and herself at risk. Are they unfounded, or are Alexandra and her baby in danger?
Amidst the unfolding enigma, romance blossoms as Edith falls for the enigmatic James. Author Ellen Read masterfully crafts an engaging narrative that effortlessly blends critical plot points with an immersive scene setting. Readers are transported to Thornton Park, as if joining Alexandra and the conference speakers in their pursuit of eternal life’s elusive secret. The novel boasts a diverse cast of characters, each with a unique story to share. While keeping track of each conference attendee’s origins may prove challenging, their individual theories and backgrounds enrich the overall narrative. Readers will be drawn into each character’s backstory and get to know them, seeing how they fit into the story’s overall plot. Ellen’s skillful storytelling breathes life into the world of the Thornton Mysteries, leaving readers eagerly anticipating future installments.
The Butterfly’s Cocoon is a captivating read that combines mystery, romance, and a touch of the paranormal. The author’s deft handling of the plot and setting creates an immersive experience that transports readers back in time. With its intriguing cast of characters and thought-provoking themes, this novel is a must-read for fans of the Thornton Mysteries series.
Pages: 322 | ASIN : B0BV3CNBNC
The Ghost Rider
Kate is a normal 26-year-old living in Australia when she unexpectedly moves back home with her parents. When she arrives home, she finds her old bedroom is full of her mother’s old things. Kate and her mother go through the ancient family treasures and find a diary that unveils an old family mystery. What happened to Kate’s missing great aunt? She went missing in the 19th century and while rumors are everywhere, no one knows what happened to great Aunt Catherine. Kate flies to England to solve the mystery of Catherine’s disappearance from Lacey Hall.
Author Ellen Read has done an exceptional job of turning this riveting romance novel into a nail-biting mystery. It has everything readers would want in a romantic paranormal thriller. I was engrossed with the setting of this novel, maybe because of the vivid descriptions of the scenes, or maybe because the locales are intrinsically fascinating. Who doesn’t like the English countryside?
The Ghost Rider is captivating right from the start of the book. I really enjoyed the methodical pace of the story. The mystery unravels slowly, ensuring the intrigue and suspense is consistently high. This is one reason I kept coming back to this book time and again; I so desperately wanted to know what was going to happen. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but I was beyond pleased with the way the story came to an end. I feel like the author planned the ending well as it answered all my big questions. It’s always nice to have a tight mystery novel wrap up without needing to plan for a long series arc, but I still wanted more of the romance even after the mystery was solved.
The author’s ability to develop character arcs throughout the novel is phenomenal. I got so attached to Kate and Catherine, I just wanted them to turn out alright. The evolution of Charles is a great example of the skill Ellen Read has with developing characters and letting the story reveal their traits. As we see Charles transform from a gruff-looking man lacking manners to a well-established man of substance. This is an impressive feat to accomplish in so few pages. When I was introduced to Charles’s character I disliked him, but by the end I was in love with him. This ability to make me love and hate characters is what I look for in good supernatural romance novels.
The Ghost Rider is an enchanting ghost fiction story with a compelling female protagonist and a spellbinding storyline.
Pages: 295 | ASIN: B0B581Q3CX
Weaving History Into My Story
The Feathered Nest follows Alexandra as she’s wrapped up in a murder mystery involving bird smuggling. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
Norfolk Island itself was my initial inspiration for The Feathered Nest, and because the Green Parrot is endemic to the island, it seemed obvious to revolve the story around the parrot. Also Norfolk Island is the home of the descendants of the HMS Bounty.
Without using the names of Fletcher Christian and his fellow mutineers, and by imagining a couple of extra seamen, I was able to weave the history of the island into my story. Preceding the arrivals of the Bounty descendants, Norfolk Island was a penal settlement for Australia early days. For a small island, it possesses a huge history.
Alexandra Archer is an intriguing and well developed character. What were some driving ideals behind her character’s development?
In the first book of the series, and all are standalone with a new murder mystery in each, Alexandra had just finished a season in Melbourne’s society. However, she tired of endless lunches, dinner parties and other functions, and wanted to work in her family’s antique business. Set in the 1920s, Alexandra is nevertheless a modern woman.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
In The Feathered Nest, Alexandra is made the expedition’s official photographer as they head off to Norfolk Island. I wanted to explore women’s roles in the late 1920s and I did this through fashion innovations and roles in society. Alexandra is always looking at new fashions that offer freedom of movement and style. She has clothes designed for her trip that include culottes and men’s style of boots for walking through the rainforest. I also wanted to highlight bird smuggling, which still happens today with exotic birds such as parrots. I also mention whaling, which in the 1920s was still practised on Norfolk Island. Alexandra is at first appalled until it’s explained to her that whaling was only undertaken by seamen in small boats with a harpoon. No whaling on a huge commercial scale that we know today was carried out on Norfolk Island.
What can readers expect in book 5 of your The Thornton Mysteries series?
Book 5 is set at Thornton Park where a conference is being held. Experts from around the world are going to speak about their myths and philosophies concerning immortality. No one, least of all Alexandra, expects it to become a deadly search for the secrets to eternal life. Alexandra is pregnant. Caught up in a miasma of myths and dark tales, she comes to believe that for her baby to live, she must die.
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The Thorntons mount an expedition to Norfolk Island, a small island in the South Pacific, to study the green parrot and set up research programmes to help protect it and other endangered birds. As a birthday surprise, Alexandra’s father tells her she is to be their official photographer. He also gives her a black pearl brooch that Alexandra’s great-grandfather had bought off a merchant in Hong Kong in the 1850s. The pearls are Tahitian black pearls.
Before they depart Melbourne, they learn that Norfolk Island has had its first murder. It sends ripples of unease through Alexandra. She hoped she could escape murder on this small island paradise.
Alexandra is astonished to learn that the main inhabitants of Norfolk Island are descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian wives. Once on the island, she wonders if this is why her Tahitian black pearl brooch causes such interest.
A chain of events is set in motion, commencing with a threat on the life of one of their expedition members, followed by intrigue surrounding bird smuggling and a lost illustration of the green parrot. Then two of their team are murdered.
Alexandra is determined to find the answers and nearly loses her life in the process.
LITERARY TITAN 