Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier is my favourite classic, and when it comes to gothic literature, for me it’s the one to beat. In terms of atmosphere and vibe, Fyneshade is definitely its equal. I kid you not, Fyneshade is the Manderley of the 21st century. Trust me, I’ve read my way through a boatload of books in recent years, searching for exactly this type of gothic literature, and I felt let down on multiple occasions, but Kate Griffin 100% nailed it. Actually, though, it was another classic that inspired this magnificently brooding little tale, one I’ve been meaning to read for ages and have now put at the top of my list: The Turn of the Screw.

We meet Marta, who is in mourning after the death of her grandmere. Scourned by her aunt and deemed undesireable by the family of the man she loves, Marta is placed at Fyneshade as governess to Grace. Likewise, the hauntingly uncanny sense of dread that seems to encompass our protagonist, Marta as soon as she arrives at Fyneshade had me practically glued to my seat in anticipation.BHO. (1906b). 14. 'Houses of Austin canons: The priory of Fineshade or Castle Hymel', in A History of the County of Northampton: Volume 2, ed. R M Serjeantson and W R D Adkins pp. 135-136. Retrieved November 2016, from British History Online: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/northants/vol2/pp135-136

BHO. (1984f). '9 Fineshade', in An Inventory of the Historical Monuments in the County of Northamptonshire pp.61-63. Retrieved November 2016, from British History Online: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/rchme/northants/vol6/pp61-63 All is not well at Fyneshade. Marta's pupil, little Grace, can be taught nothing, and Marta takes no comfort from the silent servants who will not meet her eye. More intriguing is that Sir William is mysteriously absent, and his son and heir Vaughan is forbidden to enter the house. Marta finds herself drawn to Vaughan, despite the warnings of the housekeeper that he 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. And it will take more than a family riven by murderous secrets to stop her...

Activities at Fineshade Wood

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. But Marta, too, is practiced at deception and coercion, and protecting her own interests above all. Enter your number plate and choose how long you’d like to park for. Remember, you can extend this later. Marta was one of the least likable MCs I’ve ever read. But that was the point. She was calculating and ruthless and I kept wondering until the very end who was the real villain of this story. 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.