Fyneshade: A Sunday Times Historical Fiction Book of 2023

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It’s a gothic horror so there were a few creepy scenes, but generally it was less scary than I had expected.

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. 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.

The descriptions of the household are detailed and gothic and certainly add to mystery surrounding the family. I loved how Kate griffin builds the tension with each chapter and how she linked Marta’s story with the seasons of the moon. Marta’s pupil, little Grace, can be taught nothing, and Marta takes no comfort from the silent servants who will not meet her eye. Marta as a main character and narrator is a head strong woman, who is capable of many things, ruthless and cunning being her main attributes.

This historical gothic horror ticked all my boxes: creepy, involved a huge manor, held more secrets and shadows than sun and smiles. Arrogant and selfish, she is quick to make enemies and instead of nurturing young Grace, she under-estimates and manipulates her to suit Marta’s scheming plans. Still, the twists are well-delivered (even if I saw some of them coming) and fans of the abovementioned Gothic comparators will enjoy this clever new take on the genre.She thinks herself above everyone else, so what kept me reading above it being an engrossing tale, was hoping to see she gets her comeuppance. Separated from her lover and discarded by her family, Marta has no choice but to journey to Pritchard’s ancient and crumbling house, Fyneshade, in the wilds of Derbyshire. This is a bit of a slow-burn, but the gorgeously atmospheric and tantalisingly psychological buildup will more than make up for it. After her grandmother dies and after an affair with a young gentleman ends badly, Martha has little choice but to become a governess. 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.

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.

Here the author has cleverly reversed many Gothic mystery tropes, so that the ‘innocent young governess’ arriving at the creepy big house full of dark family secrets appears to be more predator than prey… but you know what they say about appearances and this story is FULL of deception! Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier is my favourite classic, and when it comes to gothic literature, for me it’s the one to beat. But she’s also manipulative and, frankly, a bit of a selfish cow, and I didn’t appreciate how she sometimes handles her charge, young Grace, who, I would assume, has Down Syndrome. Marta has been brought up by her French Grandmere, a woman who ‘died too soon to complete my education’. The house of Fyneshade itself holds even more troublesome secrets, some hidden deep within its walls.

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. 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. Grace is a treasure, and she can draw beautifully, albeit Marta will not be able to contribute much to teach Grace anything. What I liked about this is Griffin's writing on the sentence level: this oozes lavish Gothic atmosphere with dark and baroque interiors and that ominous sense of corruption just out of sight. When Marta finally finds a new appointment at Bly Manor, all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place.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!