Absolutely loved this book from start to finish. The writing was stunning and wrapped me in the unsettling atmosphere of Fyneshade. The protagonist was so unlikeable but that was the way it was supposed to be. It actually made the book better and more intense. I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.

Well I’m a little bit speechless. What an absolutely brilliant book from the beginning, right up to the end!

Fyneshade is a hauntingly gothic tale which leaves you unsure of any of the characters’ motives & keeps you guessing right til the end.

It’s true that with all of the characters, the reader is unsure who to trust, who to even like, as they all have their own secrets & are portrayed in such a way that they remain an enigma much of the time.

I found the book slowly crept up to it’s climax which built the tension superbly and had me gripped and trapped within Fyneshade’s gloomy corridors, not knowing where the plot would turn next.

It’s a brilliant piece of historical fiction with supernatural undertones, and I highly recommend for any fans of Jessie Burton, Stacey Halls, or Laura Purcell.

Opening with a quote from one of my favourite gothic novels, Henry James’ Turn of the Screw, Fyneshade by Kate Griffin is a delicious but disturbing gothic tale of greed and manipulation. On the death of her Grandmere , orphan Martha is sent to the estate of the absent Mr William Pritchard to become governess to his daughter Grace. There she meets his son and heir, Vaughan Pritchard recognising in him the very darkness that inhabits her own soul.

Martha our narrator is a sociopath, the perfect anti-hero. Single-mindedly focused on becoming more than her social status dictates, her treatment of her charge Grace is both alarming and triggering but in Vaughan it appears she has met someone who mirrors her wickedness.

The plot was exciting with dark sexual undertones and the stylisation of the writing was fantastic if unsettling gothic literature is what you enjoy. I was anxious that the ending wouldn’t satisfy me, but the authors endnote added a tasty layer of uncanny as you re-examine what you’ve just read.

A mouth-watering piece of gothic literature. In the acknowledgments the author writes of her editor “you are the most forensically brilliant and ghoulishly delightful editor. When I lost my nerve at one point and tried to be “nicer”, you showed me the foolish error of my ways”. I’m here for that!
Thank you to the author and Viperbooks for an advance copy in return for an honest review

‘In a place where many fear to tread,
She is the greatest threat of all…’ - cover tag line.

My thanks to Serpent’s Tail Viper for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Fyneshade’ by Kate Griffin. My apologies for the late feedback.

The protagonist of this Gothic novel is Marta. On the day of her beloved grandmere’s funeral she is advised that her aunt has arranged for her to become the governess to the young daughter of Sir William Pritchard. She journeys to Pritchard's ancient and crumbling house, Fyneshade, in the wilds of Derbyshire. Marta discovers that ten-year-old Grace is practically non-verbal (she appears to have Downs Syndrome) and realises that it will be impossible to teach her.

Marta is not particularly kind to the girl and is quite manipulative. Sir William himself appears to be mysteriously absent. She learns that Vaughan, his son and heir, is forbidden to enter the house. When Marta encounters Vaughan in the nearby woods, she is drawn to him despite the warnings of the housekeeper that he is a danger to all around him.

We quickly become aware that Marta is no innocent. Her grandmother had been regarded as a witch and had taught Marta her art. So she’s certainly a match for the inhabitants of Fyneshade. No further details to avoid spoilers.

I was impressed by this novel and it certainly ticked all the boxes that I look for in an atmospheric Gothic novel. Given that the Epigraph was a quote from Henry James’ ‘The Turn of the Screw’, Griffin appears to have been inspired by that iconic tale.

Marta served as the novel’s narrator and she emerged as a complex, multilayered character. Yes, she was definitely flawed but throughout I was hoping that she would prevail.

Overall, I found ‘Fyneshade’ an excellent read and was immersed from its opening through to the final page. I certainly will be interested in reading more of Kate Griffin’s work.

Excellent read from a great author.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my review.

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!

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!

I was reminded of classic books like Jane Eyre and Rebecca at first, but as the story unfolded and the characters revealed deeper layers, the story also brought to mind Philippa Gregory’s Wideacre series (but with an even less sympathetic narrator than Beatrice Lacey!)

While I absolutely love the twist of seeing a story through the eyes of a sociopath or villain, it also makes for quite uncomfortable reading. Marta’s attitude and behaviour towards children and animals was particularly disturbing and could trigger sensitive readers.

This has a great setup and builds tension very effectively, with the oppressive atmosphere and devious main character, but doesn’t quite deliver on all of the foreshadowing in the climax of the plot. 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.

A dark gothic and atmospheric horror tale that was a bit longer than necessary for me. References all the classic tropes making it a fun read.

A seemingly innocent, but in actuality worldly governesses, ,arrives at the stately home of Fyneshade, to tend to her ingenue pupil, who has knowledge of all its secret passages. But it is fate rather than Fyneshade that outwits governesses Marta….

Book Review: Fyneshade by Kate Griffin

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 stars

Summary ✒️
In Fyneshade, a place filled with dark and decaying corridors, an unknown master, and silent servants, many would be afraid. However, the narrator is not. On the day of her grandmother’s funeral, Marta learns that she is to become a governess at Fyneshade for the young daughter of its owner, Sir William Pritchard.

Fyneshade is not a peaceful place. Sir William is mysteriously absent, and his son and heir, Vaughan, is not allowed inside the house. Despite warnings from the housekeeper about Vaughan being a danger to others, Marta feels drawn to him. Yet, Marta is not defenseless. She possesses a dark gift taught to her by her grandmother and has her own plans. A family filled with deadly secrets will not be able to stop her.

Review ✍🏻
First, let’s talk about the cover of Fyneshade - it is pure perfection! The cover designer deserves a standing ovation for creating such a visually stunning and enticing image that draws you into the world of this dark and twisted gothic novel. Now, on to the review.

I absolutely loved Fyneshade by Kate Griffin. From the very first page, I was completely captivated by the mesmerizing prose and well-crafted storytelling. The writing in this book is phenomenal, with Griffin’s words flowing seamlessly and effortlessly, creating a mesmerizing and immersive reading experience.

The pacing of the book is spot on, keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout. Each chapter ended with a cliffhanger, compelling me to keep turning the pages late into the night. The author skillfully weaves together suspense, mystery, and elements of the supernatural, creating an atmosphere that is both haunting and enchanting.

The setting of Fyneshade is splendidly gothic and exquisitely atmospheric. The dark and crumbling corridors of the ancient house, with its unseen master and silent servants, create an eerie backdrop that sent shivers down my spine. Vivid descriptions brought the house to life, making it feel like a character in its own right.

The plot is intricate and engaging, full of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. I particularly enjoyed the nod to Henry James’s influential supernatural tale, The Turn of The Screw, which added an extra layer of depth and literary richness to the story. Griffin skillfully balances suspense and character development, creating a story that is both thrilling and emotionally resonant.

One of the standout aspects of Fyneshade is its morally ambiguous protagonist, Marta. She is fiendishly flawed, making her a complex and intriguing character to follow. Guided by the dark gift taught to her by her grandmother, Marta is determined to take control of her own destiny. Her actions may not always be morally upright, but they are undeniably captivating.

Overall, Fyneshade is one of the best books I have read all year. It is a perfect read for the upcoming “spooky season” with its gothic atmosphere and chilling secrets. Kate Griffin’s masterful storytelling and compelling characters make this book an absolute must-read for fans of Laura Purcell, Jessie Burton, and Stacey Halls.

I give Fyneshade a well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

Wonderfully gothic and deliciously dark this book is everything I love about gothic literature. I couldn't put it down and I love the front cover

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Viper Books for approving me for an ARC of this book.

💀Dark, gothic and very haunting, this is the perfect story to read as the colder nights draw in.

🥀Filled with mystery and intrigue I had constant theories running through my head. Were any of the characters genuine? What secrets were they hiding? I had so many questions but enjoyed watching it slowly unravel.

🌙My favourite aspect of the story was the witchy part. I loved how Marta’s story was linked to the phases of the moon, it certainly set the tone for what was to come.

⭐A creepy house, disturbing characters and a sense of impending doom. What more could you want from an Autumn read?

A fun Gothic novel. I didn't really feel like this did anything new, but I enjoyed getting to know its world and following the characters' quest for revenge!

This is a fantastic piece of gothic fiction that I absolutely loved. Crumbling Manor House, secretive cast of characters, strange happenings, secret corridors. This book had it all and I devoured it.

I don’t think there was a single likeable character in this book. Everyone had their own agendas and were out for number one. Usually if I don’t bond with the main character and want her to come out on top I struggle to enjoy a book but that wasn’t the case here, I was intrigued to see what would happen. I had my suspicions throughout of where things were going and whether Marta would get what she wanted at the expense of all others or whether she had met her match with Vaughan.

This was a slow burn book that had me riveted to my seat, it really felt like it was written in a different era.

Although I love a good historical novel, I usually hesitate when I come across the moniker “Gothic”. It conjures up vast forbidding mansions with secret passages, nasty servants, a naïve governess, absent owners and dreadful family secrets. These ingredients are then put in a mixer and pureed to a samey pulp.
In “Fyneshade” we have a vast forbidding mansion with secret passages, nasty servants, a naïve governess, absent owners and dreadful family secrets.
But, oh….this time those ingredients have been rearranged with such malicious skill that a truly breathtaking Gothic miasma rises from the pages.

Despite the interesting setting and descriptive way of writing... I couldn't appreciate any of the characters with all of the revengeful plots. Not for me.

Have you ever realised you’ve been completely wrong about a book once you get right to the end? Thank you so much to @viper.books and @netgalley for my advanced copy of Fyneshade by @kateagriffin because it was one of those reads: I did not fully understand how brilliant it was until I’d finished it and discovered it was imagined as a prequel to one of the best gothic novels ever written.

You know I’m a sucker for any gothic read set in a big, crumbly old house inhabited by a family plagued with devastating secrets, and whilst the chilling atmosphere and writing of Fyneshade - as well as the familiar tale of governess arriving in the midst of discord in the style of Mrs England - was enjoyable enough, but I struggled to connect with the darkness the reader can see in the voice of Marta, our protagonist. I wondered whilst I read was what I was not connecting with the fact she’s not a likeable character, that this was a departure from the trope? She did not seem designed to love to hate like a classic anti hero. But when you get to the end, you’ll realise this is why the book is so good.

Whilst I adore historical fiction and I love a good fantasy novel, I assume most of you are following me because you also love an excellent gothic read: if so, read this.

Fyneshade, by Kate Griffin
Rating: 5/5
Published: NOW
This book is spellbinding. On the day on her grandmother’s funeral, Marta is sent off to be the governess of the young and challenging daughter of Sir Willian Pritchard. She expects to make her fortune there, but is instead met with ghosts, secrets and dangers. Sir William is nowhere to be found, and his son, Vaughn, is forbidden from entering the house. Marta believes that she can turn the situation to her advantage, and marry into the wealthy family, but all is not what it seems. This book is gorgeously unsettling, and I love Marta’s use of the dark arts to seek guidance when things are troubling in the house. This book is full of twists and turns, and Marta’s illusion of control is soon revealed to be a horrific story of retribution. This book will get under your skin. For all lovers of gothic fiction, and shocking twists.

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 been disclosed to her about her charge. The house of Fyneshade itself holds even more troublesome secrets, some hidden deep within its walls. This is a gothic horror/thriller with many twists and turns. It heavily reminded me of classics such as Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.

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. I found her very unlikeable yet felt compelled to be sympathetic when her walls came crashing down and she was at the receiving end of some of the tragedy she had previously been happy to dish out. I believe that she is supposed to be an unlikeable character even though there are more wretched souls in this story who are more wicked and ruthless than Marta. There were some real gut retching moments where the pit of your stomach drops because you know what’s coming and cannot bear to read on- yet must!

Luckily Grandmere’s teaching in foresight and witchery help Marta correct some of the wrongs done to her and keep her in search of her true destinies.

Kate Griffin’s inspiration for Fyneshade was The turning of the screw by Henry James, which its self is a short, gothic horror about a governess and her charges. I am now compelled to also read this story if it inspired such a gripping, mysterious tale of deceit as Fyneshade. Look forward to reading more innovative historical fiction from Kate Griffin in the future.
Trigger warning
self abortion, murder
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

After her beloved grandmother's death Marta is sent to be governess to the daughter of Sir William Pritchard at Fyneshade, a large house which nestles in the remote Derbyshire countryside. In this house of plain women, Marta shines like a beacon, quietly looking after Grace, whilst at the same time watching everything that goes on in this brooding house of secrets. For Marta has secrets of her own and she is definitely not what is expected of a god fearing governess. Of the mysterious Sir William we know very little but as this sinister story continues, Fyneshade, such a perfect central character, is about to, reluctantly, give up its creepy secrets.

I enjoyed getting to know Marta, she's wonderfully manipulative, not at all likeable, but gloriously addictive so that very page she is on comes alive with hidden meaning and certainly when, son and heir, Vaughan Pritchard makes his appearance in the novel the sparks between these two flawed characters literally fly off the page.

The author writes well and builds up the tension with beautifully imagined scenes which bring a creepy edginess to what is quite a darkly detailed story. There a few unexpected twists and a final reveal to the story that I didn't see coming, which all helps to make Fyneshade into a wonderfully gothic story of revenge, and retribution, with a smattering of sinister suspense thrown in for good measure.