Fab Four – Immersive reads

Gothic treasures

There are books that stick with you for whatever reason and books that really make an impression on you. There are three books, most out this year, that have really stuck with me and I push them on everyone I can. A shoutout then for if you are in the market for a fantastic read (and if not, why not).

These have conjured some of the most vivid and immersive reading experiences that I have ever had! Locations are top notch!

If you have synaesthesia like me ( where you see shapes and colours in words) where you see scenes vividly as you read, these books are going to blow your mind!

A POISONER’S TALE

A Poisoner’s Tale by Cathryn Kemp

Italy

From the very start, I knew this was going to be good. Immersive from the off and sharp, writing with underlying, hidden meaning and a sense of foreboding. Inspired by a true story of a group of women, one in particular, who formed a poison ring where they would sell poisons to women being abused or wanting to escape their husbands for whatever reason. Now, a writer who can make me want these women to succeed is a brilliant writer. She gave these women a voice, a sense of justice and she evoked Italy at that time with such acerbic wit and concentrated detail that I honestly could not put this book down.

Gothically glorious. Can’t wait to see what this writer does next.

ESTELLAS REVENGE

Estella’s Revenge by Barbara Havelocke

London, England

Taking one of the most famous and well-written authors and their work and making it your own – not easy. Barbara does it with style and ease and the story of what happened to Estella during Great Expectations, before and after. This is not a reworking but more of an interpretation of Estella’s story and who she was and how she became that person.

The joy of going back to Dickens day through Estella’s eyes was truly breath-taking. I felt I was the honoured traveller in a time machine and it was glorious. Scene setting is outstanding and the characters so very very real.

This author is making great waves herself and will surely introduce more people to Dickens too!

THE LOST ONES

The Lost Ones by Anita Frank

England in an old house

This book chilled me when I read it and I often think of it when it’s dark, or when my mind wanders or when I think of a scene in a book that made me smile nervously. It’s a ghostly tale but one very cleverly  done that it takes in the family, the home and its history and is so well written and the scenes so fully immersive that I was totally swept away.

The tagline ‘ Some houses are never at rest’ conjured up so much nervous anticipation for me. I remember receiving the proof and feeling very excited but nervous to read it. I read it in a late afternoon and into the evening. Yup, when it was dark, yup I was brave. Totally worth it.

THE SHADOW KEY

The Shadow Key by Susan Stokes Chapman

Wales

Atmospheric to the max. A fictional setting in Wales but just as well when you enter the house in the book. Welsh legends abound and this tale sweeps you along in the folkloric myth of it all.

Bought in HB for the cover alone as I had already read the book. It’s a stunning artistic one. The story inside delights and stokes fear into you in equal measure. It was a brilliant exercise in the use of foreboding. I was in edge in the best way possible!

Wonderfully Welsh and gothic.

More gothic reads here

Susan x