Many would find much to fear in Fyneshade’s dark and crumbling corridors, its unseen master and silent servants. This truly interesting, entertaining, and slightly sickening novel is told through an usually aloof tone which is one of the most compelling reasons I was captivated in the first place. There were moments when I caught myself rooting for her (I feel low-key guilty about it) but generally she was not a character you want to relate to. Fyneshade, however, is no Kitty Peck mystery – this is something else entirely, and comparisons would be foolish – beyond them all being well written.

It’s quickly clear that the staff at Fyneshade all love and care for Grace, that she’s a talented sketch artist, wilful, definitely not dumb, and possessed of a certain guile. Thank you Serpent's Tail / Viper / Profile Books and NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. It’s been some weeks since I finished reading the book, and I still can’t decide if I warmed to her or not – but I do know I’d read more about her at the drop of a hat.Or is she the woman she tells us she is, a powerful, gifted woman who is the victim of an even more powerful man? Having been read her future by her Grandmere, and having been taught her secrets, she believes this is her destiny. As she gets to know Fyneshade and its people better, Marta realises that deceit typifies every encounter, that everyone has secrets and none of what is said can be trusted. When she arrives, she is told the girl's mother is dead and the master is away for the unforeseen future. Our narrator sets herself up with witchy family credentials and a history of wickedness but that doesn't really get acted out for us - and I could see the end coming whereas her prediction skills are shown to be useless.

but none of the ones I've read mention Jane Eyre, the debt to which was far more overt to my eyes: the governess, the housekeeper, the pupil, the sort of master, the dog, the secret in the locked wing. Not only that, but one of the few males, young Master Vaughan Pritchard is forbidden to enter the house whilst his father lives. Many would find much to fear in Fyneshade's dark and crumbling corridors, its unseen master and silent servants. Kitty Peck and the Music Hall Murders, Kate's first book, won the Stylist/Faber crime writing competition.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!