Book Review: The Temptation of Charlotte North by Camilla Bruce

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

The Temptation of Charlotte North by Camilla Bruce

Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Genre: Horror

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Del Rey (May 19, 2026)

Length: 448 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

I confess, I was a little surprised at the mixed reviews for The Temptation of Charlotte North. As a fan of Camilla Bruce who has half a dozen of her books under my belt, this one ended up being one of my favorites! It had the same deliciously unsettling vibes that made You Let Me In such a standout for me, while also capturing the oppressive atmosphere and creepy dread that I loved in In the Garden of Spite. This one seemed to have it all. ‘

The story is set in the early twentieth century on Margaret’s Keep, a small and isolated fishing island. Charlotte North is the restless, strong-willed second daughter of the wealthiest family in the village, feeling trapped by the narrow future laid out before her now that she is of age to be married and plans are already being made to send her to the mainland. The problem, however, is that Charlotte is already pining over someone else: the island’s handsome new reverend, despite the inconvenient fact that he is already married. Her infatuation does not go unnoticed, least of all by the minister’s wife, who makes her displeasure abundantly clear to Charlotte’s parents. Mortified by the potential scandal, Mrs. North becomes determined to rein in her troublesome daughter. Already frustrated by Charlotte’s rebellious streak, she escalates her punishments by locking her away in a shed for hours at a time as if she were a prisoner.

But during one such confinement, a powerful earthquake strikes the island, toppling its namesake, an ancient tower that had stood on the edge of the cliffs overlooking the sea for centuries. For many islanders, its destruction actually comes as a relief. The tower has long been tied to local legends and whispered superstitions, and plenty are happy to see the cursed structure gone. Yet not long afterward, strange disturbances begin occurring in the North household. First, Charlotte notices odd noises within the walls. Next comes the needles appearing in impossible places, putting her on alert at all hours of the day. It’s as though someone, or something, is playing tricks on her. And then, there are the knocks. Something appears to have made this place its home, and Charlotte names it the Knocker because that’s how it communicates. Before long, she finds herself fascinated by the entity, intrigued by its supernatural powers and the secrets it knows. But is Knocker friend or foe? Regardless, it seems specifically drawn to Charlotte, making her wonder if it might be her key to escaping the life she never asked for while obtaining everything she has ever wanted.

One of the things I loved most about this novel was its structure. The Temptation of Charlotte North is told through three distinct points of view. Charlotte is the central figure, occupying that difficult space between victim and instigator. She’s strong and determined, but her youth also makes her impulsive, selfish, and motivated by desires she doesn’t fully understand. Another POV belongs to Ruth, a schoolteacher who had grown up on the mainland. As an outsider, she provides a fresh perspective on the island’s strange customs, as well as a grounded counterbalance to the increasingly chaotic events plaguing the North family. Finally, there’s Jasper Hill, the village’s idealistic minister and the object of Charlotte’s desires. Through him, the author explores guilt and temptation and the ways human beings rationalize our mistakes and bad decisions. Together, these three viewpoints create a fuller picture of both the mystery and the community of Margaret’s Keep itself.

Speaking of which, the setting is absolutely stunning. Margaret’s Keep isn’t merely a backdrop but serves as the very foundation upon which the story is built. Bruce does an excellent job capturing the feeling of a tiny, isolated community cut off from the wider world, where traditions, beliefs, and old ways of thinking have endured for generations. The islanders live deeply religious lives, yet many also cling to centuries-old folklore and old wives’ tales, taking them far more seriously than outsiders ever could, and are quick to show disapproval when customs are disrespected. All of this creates an atmosphere thick with unease from the very beginning, and the isolation is palpable.

Even though the pacing is slow, it’s very much by design. The story follows classic gothic fiction conventions, prioritizing mood and character psychology over action. The prose takes its time building tension, unfurling layers upon layers of mystery and unease, and in that regard, the novel reminded me quite a bit of the work of Laura Purcell, whom I consider the queen of modern gothic horror. In fact, if there’s one thing I wish had been different, it would be the ending. For my tastes, it was a little too open-ended, the kind of conclusion you’d expect from a book setting up the next installment in a series, but as far as I know, that’s not the case here. It didn’t ruin my experience by any means, but I did come away wanting a bit more closure.

Ultimately, The Temptation of Charlotte North won’t be for everyone. If you’re looking for fast-paced thrills, this probably isn’t it. But if you enjoy books that slowly wrap themselves around you and tighten their grip, there’s a lot to love here. Fans of Camilla Bruce’s darker, moodier novels should be especially pleased, and for me, this was exactly the kind of gothic horror I love to immerse myself in.