The Shape of Darkness: 'A future gothic classic' Martyn Waites

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At this point, Laura Purcell is an auto-buy author for me. The particular sort of Gothic Historical Fiction that she writes is just exactly my sort of fiction, and so this was one of the most anticipated releases of 2021 for me, and I have to say, she didn't disappoint. The Shape of Darkness is a glorious gothic tale, set in the prime setting of Victorian Bath. Agnes is a silhouette artist and takes care of her mother and nephew. Pearl is an eleven-year old medium, and lives with her ailing father and half-sister. Purcell builds the picture of each’s life, layer by layer, and I was riveted by those spellbinding worlds. This woman and child come to join efforts when Agnes’s clients all start to be murdered... I really liked, “The Silent Companions,” a previous novel by Laura Purcell and, although I hadn’t read anything else by her until now, I was looking forward to this and was sad to find I did not enjoy it more than I did. I found the characters somewhat melodramatic and struggled to get to grips with the mystery element of the novel and the later coincidences. Although the setting was creepy; complete with séances and Pearl’s father, suffering silently off stage, I could not engage with, or feel enough sympathy, with the characters to make this work for me. There was too much faintness – legs giving way, spots in front of eyes, physical weakness. I much preferred the fiery Myrtle, for all her faults. There was also some gorgeous writing along the way, some of which I took the time to highlight so I could return to reread these sentences at a later time. Laura Purcell has a well-deserved reputation for historical Gothic chillers. The Shape of Darkness delivers all the elements her fans have come to expect: women in difficult situations, a sideways look at the restrictions and strictures of their society, a creeping supernatural menace and a final – jaw-dropping – twist.

The Shape of Darkness by Laura Purcell | Goodreads

There are a couple of interwoven storylines here that fit together wonderfully; that of our MC Agnes a struggling silhouette artist, and that of spiritual seances and mesmerism. I found both to be fascinating, along with some gruesome happenings in 1854 Bath which kept my attention throughout. I have read and enjoyed several other gothic novels by Laura Purcell, so I was excited to get the chance to read her newest work. I am glad to say I was not disappointed. Been living there?’ he asked. I said, ‘Yes.’‘Fine lot these government chaps—are they not?’ he went on, I’ve read and enjoyed Laura Purcell’s previous three books: The Silent Companions, The Corset and Bone China. I’m pleased to report that with The Shape of Darkness she has produced another entertaining tale steeped in wall-to-wall gothic spookiness. Creating atmosphere is her forte and all her books are pervaded by a creeping menace, darkness and paranoia. I am not going to say more because I do believe for this book to have the impact that the author intends, the less the reader knows the better.

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The Shape of Darkness - Bloomsbury Publishing

Ms Purcell has become one of my favourite Victorian ghotic authors, and I was delighted to have been offered the lastest of her books to read. This story is tragic in one ways than one. But the fates of both Agnes and Pearl slowly weave together to create a disturbing picture. One I didn’t see coming. Horrid Form: The vampires takes on a truly monstrous form. Amalgam: Dominate 2. Requires Vicissitude. p>I had very high expectations of this book after reading Purcell's previous books. I can safely say that this well-crafted masterpiece has not disappointed. Purcell is a hugely talented queen of storytelling and this is a book which is highly deserving of all the stars. I will absolutely be recommending this book.

Pearl and Agnes each experience weird ghostly phenomena while trying to help the other. How much of what happens is supernatural and how much is caused by a human hand?

A seance first took place at Clewer House in 1896, when a medium announced that all the sons of the family would die. By the time the first world war ended more than 20 years later, her prediction had sadly come true. Grieving for her own losses, Louisa Drew arrives at Clewer on a photography assignment, but is surprised to hear the mistress plans to recreate the infamous seance with as many surviving guests as possible. A suspenseful read, inspired by a real-life occasion.

Top 10 books about spirit mediums | Books | The Guardian Top 10 books about spirit mediums | Books | The Guardian

Despite the confusing nature of the book’s set up, The Shape of Darkness reinforces Purcell as a master of building suspense. With each new development, it became harder and harder to put this book down. The thrill of guessing if the conclusion would be supernatural or a clever deceit made for a thoroughly engaging reading experience, akin to reading a detective story. While the book’s ending was somewhat ambiguous (it posits several potential answers and leaves the reader to decide which is real) it was for the most part logical to the story, barring one slightly cliched element which I wish had been omitted. Protean is the signature Discipline of the Gangrel, and many of its powers are geared towards surviving in the wild or evoking the strengths of natural predators. It is also used by the Ministry to take on the shape or characteristics of snakes, as they once did using Serpentis; as well as the Tzimisce, which in concert with Dominate is used to enable their terrible art of fleshcrafting known as Vicissitude. Agnes Darken is our lead character and has a rather fascinating job – she is a silhouette artist. Expertly cutting people’s profiles into card – a skill that was called on less and less due to the advent of photography. Agnes is, therefore, finding things financially a struggle. She is unmarried and has to look after her mother and nephew too.I can always rely on Laura Purcell to give me dark, twisty compelling reads to help me get through the bleak winter nights. I would highly recommend for people who enjoy reading gothic fiction. I especially appreciated the motifs from Ms Purcell's three other ghotic books delicately included in The Shape of Darkness. Three women make this story: Agnes, a silhouette artist, Pearl, a child spiritual medium and Miss West, Pearl’s older half-sister. Each woman has her own story and struggles but the way Purcell presents these stories and then mashes them together in a slow burning read is addictive. What brings these three women together, you ask? Why, murder of course.

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The ending was by far my favourite aspect and I loved how deliciously twisted the reveals were. The dark focus was what I had desired to be presented throughout, so to have them appear when I thought all was pleasantly concluded was a real treat! Winner of Historical Crime Book of the Year category at The Fingerprint Awards 2022. Shortlisted for an Edgar Award and a Dead Good Readers’ Award.I loved the blend of supernatural ideas with the heady atmosphere of Victorian Bath. Plus, the plot felt restrained and tense, which added to the Gothic tone. Then I read 'The Shape of Darkness' and realised it was not only possible to write a book as good as 'The Silent Companions', it was actually possible to write one better. This book is set in Victorian Bath. Agnes Darken is a silhouette artist. Her business is failing as people turn to the new art of photography for their portraits, and she needs money to support her widowed mother and young nephew. Then several of her sitters die in mysterious circumstances. Desperate, she turns to child medium Pearl, hoping the ghosts of the dead men will reveal who killed them and why. Pearl has her own problems, including a dying father and controlling sister. Events soon spiral out of control of both women.