The Shape of Darkness: 'A future gothic classic' Martyn Waites

Product Information

In another household in Bath lives two sisters and their bedridden, father with an infected, decaying jaw. Myrtle Boyle has given up performing séances for strangers and money since “the spirits have… whispered… that her real power lies in manipulating auras and controlling the universal force” of mesmerism. She is “a grasping, mercenary thing, full of affectation,” but is convinced her eleven-year-old, albino sister, Pearl, is the one who “possesses the Gift of Mediumship: she’s the Genuine Article.” Myrtle dubs her sister, “The White Sylph.” Given the murders surrounding her customers, the suspicion which is cast upon her indirectly affecting her business, and the inability of the police to find any possible suspects, it is only a matter of time before the lives of Agnes, Pearl, and Myrtle begin to intertwine. Take a Look at Our Summary of November Highlights, Whether You're Looking for the Latest Releases or Gift Inspiration This is the fourth book from Laura Purcell and it’s everything I wanted it to be. By that I mean it’s a Gothic delight with all Laura’s signature elements: a clever story that slowly unravels itself, a lead character you root for and a satisfying hit of the supernatural. Why did it take me so long to finally read one of Purcell’s novels? Well, I absolutely loved this one! Having read Purcell’s The Silent Companions and The Poison Thread before this, I can say with confidence that she relies heavily on a formula. All three of these books revolve around something that defines its time. In The Silent Companions, it’s wooden “silent companion” figures. In The Poison Thread, it’s sewing and embroidery. Here, it’s silhouette artwork. Each book has an imperiled female protagonist, a dark Victorian setting, split story lines, some thrilling twists, and paranormal features. The Shape of Darkness is different from the other two, however, in its smaller cast and less exciting plot. The writing is top-notch as always, and the Victorian era is well-drawn, but for many reasons this book is my least favorite of the three.

Here we see that Agnes is responsible for Constance’s death by intending to get Constance’s dress caught in the door.”Let's get it right up front that I love all the books Laura Purcell has written and so I was thrilled to find myself with an early copy of her latest book, courtesy of the author, Bloomsbury Publishing and NetGalley. Winner of Historical Crime Book of the Year category at The Fingerprint Awards 2022. Shortlisted for an Edgar Award and a Dead Good Readers’ Award.

As with all Purcell’s novels there’s a lot going on beneath the surface and the reader is drip fed clues about what has happened in Agnes’ life and what is going to happen. Some of the outcomes I guessed straight away, others I had an idea of but there’s a good twist at the very end that was satisfying. Then I read 'The Shape of Darkness' and realised it was not only possible to write a book as good as 'The Silent Companions', it was actually possible to write one better. This book is set in Victorian Bath. Agnes Darken is a silhouette artist. Her business is failing as people turn to the new art of photography for their portraits, and she needs money to support her widowed mother and young nephew. Then several of her sitters die in mysterious circumstances. Desperate, she turns to child medium Pearl, hoping the ghosts of the dead men will reveal who killed them and why. Pearl has her own problems, including a dying father and controlling sister. Events soon spiral out of control of both women. Towards the end the story becomes so dramatic as to be frankly risible. There were a few scenes that were meant to inspire suspense or whatnot but they way they go down would have suited more a B movie.

Will you not admit to all your atrocities, Miss West? Guess I might as well, eh? In for a penny, in for a pound. Seems better to hang for five bodies instead of two. [Simon]”