Description
'A chilling atmosphere of skulls, seances, secrets and hysteria' The Times
Set a guard upon your soul . . .
When Nathaniel Kerner takes up his new position as a mad-doctor at Crakethorne Manor, the proprietor, more interested in phrenology and his growing collection of skulls than his patients' minds, hands over the care of his most interesting case.
Mrs Victoria Harleston's husband accuses her of hysteria and says he will pay any price to see her well. But she accuses him of something far more terrible . . .
Nathaniel becomes increasingly obsessed with Victoria and her condition: is she truly delusional or is she hiding secrets that should never be uncovered?
'A Gothic masterpiece' The Lady
About the Author
Alison Littlewood's debut novel, A Cold Season, selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club, where it was described as 'perfect reading for a dark winter's night.' Among her recent novels are the highly acclaimed historical chillers The Hidden People and The Crow Garden and the ghost stories The Unquiet House and Mistletoe, all published by Jo Fletcher Books. Alison's novels and short stories have won the Shirley Jackson Award and been shortlisted for the British Fantasy Award, and have appeared in numerous 'Best of the Year' anthologies. Alison lives with her partner Fergus in Yorkshire, England, in a house of creaking doors and crooked walls. You can talk to her on twitter @Ali__L, see her on Facebook and visit her at www.alisonlittlewood.co.uk.
Reviews
Excellent . . . she creates a chilling atmosphere of skulls, seances, secrets and hysteria -- Antonia Senior * The Times *
[An] enjoyable excursion . . . gripping * The Sunday Times *
A Gothic masterpiece * The Lady *
[A] deliciously atmospheric psychological thriller . . . will appeal to fans of Susan Hill and Wilkie Collins * BookRiot *
A book which I know I will want to re-read time and time again . . . a brilliant example of historical fiction * The Bookish Bundle *
An excellent, chilling, autumn read, all about the dangers of power, obsession, and guilt, this is sure to be another hit * Blue Book Balloon *
Eerie and unsettling . . . Alison Littlewood has crafted a sublime blend of the psychological and the supernatural * Starburst *
A great seasonal treat -- Becky Lea * SciFiNow *
A rare treat! I love the idea of novels about madness but it is rare that I find one so well written . . . a fantastic novel and highly recommended! * Life Has A Funny Way of Sneaking Up On You *
Alison has been churning out intriguing and clever chilling stories that always manage to raise my heartbeat * Upcoming4.me on Alison Littlewood *
There's an amazing sense of place and time in this novel, as Littlewood perfectly captures the literary style, attitudes, and class consciousness of Victorian England * Publishers Weekly on The Hidden People *
Hypnotic and intelligent with buckets of atmosphere . . . Littlewood expertly weaves themes of misogyny and mythology into a psychological page-turner that feels both familiar and fresh * SFX *
The atmosphere Alison Littlewood conjures up in The Hidden People is absorbing and there's a real sense of foreboding, you feel the fairies might show themselves at any moment. * Irish News *
Alison Littlewood is one of the brightest stars in the horror genre at the moment . . . The Hidden People is impeccably written, quiet, evocative horror. It's yet another must buy from Littlewood * This is Horror *
Littlewood's dark and gothic style had me mesmerised from the very first page . . . a deeply compelling, fascinating novel, written in a way that had me, the reader, mesmerised also. * Book Babe Review *
A masterclass in confusion -- Marie O'Regan * SciFiBulletin *
For those who enjoy the growing genre of dark Victorian Gothic fiction, this will prove a welcome addition, wrapped about with fogs and spirits and dangerous beauty * The Idle Woman *
The Crow Garden flows smoothly, mixing atmosphere and language with effective precision . . . by far Littlewood's best, and by the looks of it, she's only going to get better. * British Fantasy Society *
An absorbing tale that plays adroitly with the concepts of reality and trust * CrimeReads *
Book Information
ISBN 9781848669888
Author Alison Littlewood
Format Paperback
Page Count 384
Imprint Jo Fletcher Books
Publisher Quercus Publishing
Weight(grams) 260g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 128mm * 28mm
