Fyneshade: A Sunday Times Historical Fiction Book of 2023

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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. There are also those Jane Eyre vibes to it with the house hiding secrets and a master of a grand house being hidden away. I wish the ending was more impactful, the main character really brought out the bloodthirsty part of me and whilst the resolution fanned the flames of that bloodthirstiness, I was hoping for something more explosive.

She was also downright cruel towards Grace at times, who was only allowed to go to the automaton if she did what Marta wanted. From a victim, she suddenly became for me a woman with a particularly unpleasant edge, lusting after status and power, ultimately committing the ultimate act. When Marta finally finds a new appointment at Bly Manor, all the pieces of the puzzle fall into place. The main character of Marta is morally grey and is quite unlikeable but it works in these circumstances and I found myself wondering if I really should be rooting for her or not. She is the perfect anti-heroine.When she meets her ten-year-old charge, Marta is surprised at Grace’s appearance (she has encountered the moonface features before) and that she is virtually non-verbal. She’s meant to teach this girl French, to transform her into a lady? Marta, it turns out, is not what the housekeeper, Mrs Gurney expected either: young and attractive is a concern. Many would find much to fear in Fyneshade's dark and crumbling corridors, its unseen master and silent servants. But not I. For they have far more to fear from me... On the day of her beloved grandmother's funeral, Marta discovers that she is to become governess to the young daughter of Sir William Pritchard. 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. 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...

And if like me, you love flawed morally ambiguous characters then you need to add this to your TBRs immediately, as pretty much every character is suspect in some way; their secrets and lies muddying every single action —it’s absolutely glorious!BHO. (1930g). 'Parishes: Warmington', in A History of the County of Northampton: Volume 3 pp.113-122. (W. P. 1930), Editor) Retrieved November 2016, from British History Online: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/northants/vol3/pp113-122 A story of a young lady Marta who after the death of her Grandmere is sent away to become a governess and ladies’ companion at the residence of Sir William Pritchard. Once Martha arrives it becomes apparent that not all has 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. Many would find much to fear in Fyneshade’s dark and crumbling corridors, its unseen master and silent servants. But not I. For they have far more to fear from me…”

Fyneshade is the first stand-alone novel by British author, Kate Griffin. When her beloved Grandmere dies, Marta is sent to be a governess at Fyneshade in Derbyshire. It’s an imposing place, but she is well-equipped with Grandmere’s teaching about herbs and remedies, knowledge that saw her referred to as a witch. Marta has lived with her grandmother for as long as she can remember, & the old woman has educated her in the ways of using magic. Following her grandmother's death, Marta discovers that she is to be sent away to be a governess at Fyneshade Hall, & she suspects that this is a plot cooked up between her aunt & the mother of Marta's lover, Nathaniel. When Marta arrives at Fyneshade she discovers that her charge, Grace, has developmental & learning delays (the description seems to suggest Down Syndrome). An elegant iron fist of a novel cast in tattered finery and soaked in velvet darkness. Its darkness cloaked me to the end. Magnificent - Matt Wesolowski, author of SIX STORIES Wikipedia. (2016a, December 11). Destruction of country houses in 20th-century Britain. Retrieved December 2016, from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Destruction_of_country_houses_in_20th-century_BritainMarta is the one we follow as she enters the house. She’s there to look after the young daughter of the owner, Sir William Pritchard. He’s never around and his heir is mysteriously very present indeed. You might think that Marta could be in danger but oh my word – Marta is not to be messed with.