Kitty Peck and the Music Hall Murders, Kate's first book, won the Stylist/Faber crime writing competition. Give me a governess, a little haunting, revenge, little bit of witchiness, revenge, secrets and set it in a massive Victorian mansion (a plus that one corridor is "abandoned" and locked up), and it's a masterpiece.

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. Everywhere are crows, hawks, hares ( the hare was believed to have mystical links with the female cycle and with the moon that ruled her. Marta is the anti-heroine you can't help rooting for: I was under her spell from the very first page. On the day of her grandmother's funeral, Marta discovers that she is to be sent to be governess at Fyneshade, her charge the young daughter of the owner, Sir William Pritchard. 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.However, she uses none of the finess of Jane and more of the unpredictable actions of Bertha to get what she wants. There’s nothing I love more than a book filled to the brim with secrets, creepy isolated house and shady characters you aren’t entirely sure of and don’t particularly like. 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. 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. Tucked away in the heart of Derbyshire, I swear I could hear it’s walls thinking as Marta and Grace explored and exploited its secrets.

She was also downright cruel towards Grace at times, who was only allowed to go to the automaton if she did what Marta wanted. Grace is a treasure, and she can draw beautifully, albeit Marta will not be able to contribute much to teach Grace anything. The story is linked to the famous story The Turn Of The Screw and I think if you like that tale then this will most certainly be for you. Marta believes she is destined for something much greater than being just the governess but her conceit might be her undoing.Marta very much looks down on the other characters in the book and her sense of superiority will not appeal to some readers.

Still in mourning for her grandmother, and smarting from her banishment to a life of servitude (after her dalliance with a wealthy heir she was forbidden from marrying), Marta comes across as quite mercenary in her pursuit of fortune and refuses to socialise with any of the staff beyond Mrs. It’s a gothic horror so there were a few creepy scenes, but generally it was less scary than I had expected. On the day of Grandmere’s funeral, Marta discovers that she’s being sent north to Derbyshire and Fyneshade to act as Governess to Sir William Pritchard’s daughter. Thankfully, Marta doesn’t have to rely on the unpredictable girl since she has her witchcraft to fall back on.Griffin gives the reader an enthralling gothic horror tale that might just be a prequel to a certain Henry James novella. Not only that, but one of the few males, young Master Vaughan Pritchard is forbidden to enter the house whilst his father lives.

Marta and her beloved grandmother have always been close, with dear Grandmere teaching Marta many dark secrets before she left this life. 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. The atmospheric writing cleverly twists and turns as we are drawn deeper into the story, and as she uncovers more about the family and the house. A gothic one - drenched rich in atmosphere and mood, it's a finely crafted drama perfect for fans of the classics, there's a final reveal for this one that Griffin takes delight in dropping on the reader.I was born in the City at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, within the sound of Bow Bells - so I really am a true-born cockney! 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. Our protagonist, Marta, was raised as an orphan by her grandmother, a cunning woman versed in ancient and secretive occult knowledge. It’s Grace who reminds us that Marta isn’t what she seems when we get so embroiled in the story (which is most of the time) and wanting to find out what happens next, that we forget to question the nature of the narrator. Seriously, I’m having a hard time convincing myself Fyneshade was not in fact written just for me, it’s just so up my street it’s pretty much on my doorstep with one foot already inside.