Before the Ruins by Victoria Gosling

Victoria Gosling's accomplished prose and well-rounded characters allow Before the Ruins to hold the attention until its final pages

Book Review by Kerri Logan | 07 May 2021
  • Before the Ruins by Victoria Gosling
Book title: Before the Ruins
Author: Victoria Gosling

Before the Ruins is a gothic, menacing debut that follows Andy, Peter, Em and Marcus as they become entangled in a 50-year-old hunt for a diamond necklace that is rumoured to be hidden in an abandoned mansion. The events that unfold over the course of one summer will reverberate throughout the rest of their lives. When Peter disappears, it sets in motion a chain of events that forces protagonist Andy to delve into her past, questioning how well she really knows those closest to her. As she begins to investigate the events of that fateful summer, she quickly realises that in the end, your past always catches up with you – for better or for worse.

Captivating at points, the plot proves a slow burn with the pacing challenging; moments that feel important are often glossed over whilst some of the less-interesting subplots seem to be overly complicated and exhausting. In this respect Before the Ruins misses the mark, leaving a lot of potential questions unanswered. However, the detailed character arcs and the haunting, descriptive writing make this book an enjoyable one overall, marking a refreshing and unique departure from a typical thriller. Gosling's prose is accomplished and atmospheric, and the well-developed characters easily draw you into their stories and keep you intrigued until the very last page, even if it leaves you wanting for more.


Serpent's Tail, 6 May, £12.99