Beth Underdown

The Witchfinder’s Sister is a skilful mix of horror, history and social commentary that’s great fun to read. I had an uneasy sense of ‘I have no idea where there is going, but wherever it is it isn’t going there very quickly’ for the first third, got into it a bit more for the middle third and loved it after that.
The concept is a good one (Witchfinder Matthew Hopkins had a sister who was trying to stop him), there’s some solid threads of mystery running throughout it, and it manages to make the reader think about how male society treats women without seeming preachy about it. The story is well told and there are some really nice touches, especially towards the end. Now someone just needs to make a time machine, save Michael Reeves from his untimely death, and hire him to make a movie of it as a companion to his Witchfinder General.… (altro)

1919 and Ivy is mourning the loss of her son in the Great War. Into her life comes again Edward Tremain. 1888 and doctor's daughter Ivy is caught up in the events at the local 'big house'. A fire, the death of a child and Ivy falls in love. As events come full circle, Ivy finds the truth .
I didn't find this book very 'gothic' at all, essentially it is a fairly mundane historical tale. however I did love the description of the small town life and the intenseness of country social norms at the turn of the century. The book came to life in the final quarter as the tales became much clearer and the reader, like Ivy, sees the truth of events. Stick with it, it's worth it in the end.… (altro)

A dual timeframe gothic mystery set in Cornwall. In 1888 seven year old William is found dead under a bed at Polneath as the result of a fire. In 1918 Ivy is mourning the death of her son, Tim, whilst at the same time being haunted by events of the past. Can she piece together and discover what really happened all those years ago?

This is an eerie and beautifully written story. It is something of a slow burner but I found it very compelling even so. It really draws you in to its murky depths! It’s quite a dark tale and very atmospheric with some sinister overtones. It has a good sense of time and place. There is a great cast of fascinating characters, not always particularly likeable. It reminded me a little of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca at times. Always a winner for me! An intriguing and absorbing mystery which had me gripped until the last page.… (altro)