Many would find much to fear in Fyneshade’s dark and crumbling corridors, its unseen master and silent servants. But not I. For they have far more to fear from me…

On the day of her grandmother’s funeral, Marta discovers that she is to be sent to be governess at Fyneshade, her charge the young daughter of the owner, Sir William Pritchard.

All is not well at Fyneshade. Sir William is mysteriously absent, and his son and heir Vaughan is forbidden to enter the house. Marta finds herself drawn to him, despite the warnings of the housekeeper that Vaughan is a danger to all around him. But Marta is no innocent to be preyed upon. Guided by the dark gift taught to her by her grandmother, she has made her own plans. It will take more than a family riven by murderous secrets to stop her…

My Review

It’s one thing when the heroine is not very nice, but Marta is truly evil. Not because her French grand’mere was supposedly a witch, or because of the way she treats the young girl who she is sent away to ‘educate’, or the fact that she would be considered ‘no better than she should be’ in those days, but because of the way she views herself and others and is happy to wreak havoc on anyone who crosses her.

Discovering that she is not to be married to her lover Nathaniel, she accepts that she is to be sent away to be governess to ten-year-old Grace, the daughter of Sir William Pritchard, the owner of Fyneshade. She has never met him and told he is away for lengths at a time. She is shocked to discover that all members of staff at the house appear to be either old, unlovely, or in some way debilitated. They are shocked when Marta arrives and is young and attractive.

But the biggest shock is when Marta discovers that Grace is not what she expected (probably Downs from the description) and will not be learning how to become a society lady. But Grace is a lot cleverer than Marta gives her credit for. She is an accomplished artist, and she knows her way round the house, through the secret tunnels as well as the usual routes. The tunnels include getting to the stables where her older brother Vaughan lives, having been barred from the house for many years. It’s all very mysterious.

Marta calls Grace ‘Dearest’ and compliments her on her loveliness and talents, but in reality she treats her with spite and disdain. She is really horrible. She doesn’t even like the dog – has always hated their smell – well that’s a trigger if there ever was one! I’m surprised the dog isn’t more on to her, to be honest.

Marta has an agenda, of course, and will stop at nothing to carry out her plan. But will she succeed, and how far is she prepared to go? You will ask yourself how you feel about her, and do you want her to get her comeuppance? Or do you want her to succeed? By the end I’m not sure you will have much sympathy left.

I listened to this book on Audible and the narration was excellent and entertaining.

About the Author

“I’ve always loved getting lost in a good book. It’s why I studied English Literature at university. What a luxury to read novels for three years! After a few false starts, I was taken on as a trainee reporter by a local newspaper where I worked very happily for several years.

“I love old buildings and the stories they tell. I’m very lucky that my current work as press officer for a heritage charity allows me to visit and explore some amazing, inspiring places, including the wonderful Wiltons Music Hall in the East End. Kitty Peck and the Music Hall Murders (published by Faber and Faber) is partly based on that building. ‘Kitty’ is my first book and later this year Templar will publish my first first book for children The Jade Boy , written under my maiden name Cate Cain

“As I hope you can tell, I am passionate about history and about London in particular. I was born in the City at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, within the sound of Bow Bells – so I really am a true-born cockney! One of my earliest memories is being taken to the top of The Monument by my father when I was about four years old. Clearly, the story of the Great Fire made an impact on me as that’s what The Jade Boy is all about…”