Fyneshade: A Sunday Times Historical Fiction Book of 2023

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Initially, I admired Marta's strength and the way she dealt with Grace, and how she managed to hold her own in that chilly, cold house with all its secrets. Marta realises that the housekeeper had acted to avoid this, and she now warns Marta off: Vaughan Pritchard may be the heir to Fyneshade, but he is barred from the house, and Marta should not trust him, he is a devil.

She quickly learns all in the beautiful house is not what it seems and is intrigued to find out what is really going on.

Thankfully, Marta doesn’t have to rely on the unpredictable girl since she has her witchcraft to fall back on.

m sure when I reread it then I’ll have changed my mind about the ending, and then I’m pretty sure I’ll change my mind again. A SUNDAY TIMES HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK OF 2023* 'A dark, inventive story' - SUNDAY TIMES 'A gloriously foreboding Gothic tale' - HEAT Many would find much to fear in Fyneshade's dark and crumbling. I love the idea of knowing more about a classic character and their motivations, especially when they have a dark streak. The main character of Marta is morally grey and is quite unlikeable but it works in these circumstances and I found myself wondering if I really should be rooting for her or not.If the reader is initially sympathetic of Marta’s plight, her emerging nastiness and cruelty might alter that a little, but by then it’s hard to look away.

While I absolutely love the twist of seeing a story through the eyes of a sociopath or villain, it also makes for quite uncomfortable reading. Every year I save one or two books that I’m desperate to read – and keep them until I have a holiday. She makes an effort with Grace when she discovers that Grace can be of help to her, but Grace, from the very beginning, seems to understand that Marta is not to be trusted. I was drawn to this book by the brooding, Gothic cover and blurb, then realised whilst reading that it was inspired by Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw – I won’t give away how, but readers of that story will spot the link! The power, emotion and intensity of this novel, where all the classic elements of a gothic novel are present, are overwhelming; : Fyneshade, the remote manor where Marta is appointed as governess to her pupil Grace, the supernatural elements (the influence of the moon, 'moon spells', rituals), the weather and environment, isolation (the nearest inn is 6 miles away, and due to the heavy snowfall, the residents of Fyneshade are trapped in the old, chilly manor ).

This gothic novel is also about a governess who ends up having a questionable relationship with the heir to a large house. Separated from her lover and discarded by her family, Marta has no choice but to journey to Fyneshade, Pritchard’s ancient and crumbling house in the wilds of Derbyshire.

A story of a young lady Marta who after the death of her Grandmere is sent away to become a governess and ladies’ companion at the residence of Sir William Pritchard.But Fyneshade is filled with mysteries: the master, Sir William Pritchard, seems to be absent; excepting the groom, all the staff are freakishly unattractive women whose dislike of Marta is soon plain; and the north wing is kept locked. Halfway through the novel, however, my attitude towards Marta changed as I noticed how evil and manipulative she acted.