by Laura Purcell
Laura Purcell is one of my favourite authors when it comes to Gothic Victorian literature. I am always riveted by her storytelling; it is incredibly atmospheric with regard to the creep factor. House of Splinters is a prequel to her acclaimed “The Silent Companions”. Truth be told, I enjoyed House of Splinters a wee bit more.
In this novel, we return to the creepy Bridge estate. After the death of her father-in-law, Belinda and her husband, Wilfred, arrive for the funeral and to claim their inheritance. Soon after their arrival, Belinda encounters one of the silent companions: two-dimensional, life-sized wooden figures that resemble deceased family members and appear unexpectedly throughout the house.
With unsettling memories of her last stay (after the birth of her son Freddie), a very pregnant Belinda is already on edge, so with the appearance of the “silent companions” and Freddie’s peculiar behaviour, Belinda gives birth, almost losing her own life and the life of her baby daughter.
As the novel progresses, Belinda learns of the dark history surrounding the Bridge, including murder and witchcraft. A history that her husband does not want to discuss. However, with the arrival of a brother-in-law, Nathan, whom she knew very little about, and the increasingly disturbing behaviour of her son, and bizarre noises, Belinda begins to wonder if she is losing her mind. Thankfully, she finds comfort in her newly acquainted brother-in-law, who confirms her misgivings about the home.
House of Splinters was everything I was expecting—quick, engaging, and riddled with suspense.
Thank you to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for the copy
Ink And Spine 