Publication date
18 April 2024
Standalone or series
Standalone
First time reading this author?
Yes
Why I picked this
I’m cautious about historical fiction, but Pigeonhole online book club always feels like a safe place to try it.
Review copy or purchase
Thank you to the author, publisher Harvill Secker, and online book club The Pigeonhole for the chance to read this. This is an honest and voluntary review.
What it’s about
After losing his job as a surgeon in disgrace Henry Talbot accepts the position of family doctor at an estate in Wales. Refusing to believe local legends of ill luck and counter charms, Henry is intrigued at what he believes are more scientific reasons behind the death of his predecessor and the ramblings of the mentally ill lady of the estate.
Review
A compelling gothic mystery.
I liked both main characters. Henry Talbot avoids being either as stereotypical as the villagers assume he will be, while not being too virtuous either. Linette, as the daughter of the estate family left to basically raise herself is also a well-balanced character.
Although the villains are occasionally almost cartoonishly evil in how unredeemable they are, the plotting is well-paced enough that this doesn’t distract from the story too much.
Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Lisey's Reads 