Who Would Like This Book:
If you love your ghost stories with a heavy side of gothic atmosphere, The Silent Companions will be right up your eerie, creaky alley. Think chilling haunted house vibes, unsettling wooden figures, and a slow-building tension that keeps you second-guessing what's real. Laura Purcell mixes historical fiction with supernatural horror, giving you a dual timeline narrative packed with secrets and sinister happenings. It's perfect for fans of Victorian settings, creepy old estates, and anyone yearning for a suspenseful, women-centered story that knows how to turn up the goosebumps. If you're a fan of Shirley Jackson, Susan Hill, or Sarah Waters, this one should be on your list!
Who May Not Like This Book:
Not everyone will click with this book - especially if you prefer fast-paced stories or are looking for a super original twist on gothic horror. Some readers found it too slow in the beginning, plagued by familiar tropes and un-relatable characters. The multiple timelines and 'is she mad or is it supernatural?' device can feel drawn-out or predictable for some, and a few historical nitpickers weren't impressed by anachronistic dialogue. Sensitive readers may also find elements of ableism and unexamined prejudice dated rather than insightful.
About:
Set in a creepy Victorian-era estate, "The Silent Companions" follows Elsie Bainbridge, a young widow who discovers eerie wooden figures that seem to have a life of their own. As Elsie delves into the secrets of the house, she uncovers a history of supernatural occurrences and dark mysteries spanning centuries. The narrative shifts between different time periods, weaving a tale of suspense, horror, and family secrets that keep the reader on edge. Laura Purcell's writing style is described as atmospheric, vivid, and slow-burning, creating a sense of unease and tension throughout the book.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of grief, mental illness, and unsettling supernatural elements; there are also strong suggestions of violence and emotional distress.
From The Publisher:
The ultimate ghost story to curl up with.
'[An] extraordinary, memorable and truly haunting book' Jojo Moyes
'Terrific. Perfect setting, great build-up, chilling. What more could you want?' Susan Hill, author of The Woman in Black
Some doors are locked for a reason...
Newly married, newly widowed Elsie is sent to see out her pregnancy at her late husband's crumbling country estate, The Bridge.
With her new servants resentful and the local villagers actively hostile, Elsie only has her husband's awkward cousin for company. Or so she thinks. For inside her new home lies a locked room, and beyond that door lies a two-hundred-year-old diary and a deeply unsettling painted wooden figure - a Silent Companion - that bears a striking resemblance to Elsie herself...
Laura Purcell's spine-chilling new novel, The Shape of Darkness, is out now!
Ratings (69)
Incredible (6) | |
Loved It (26) | |
Liked It (26) | |
It Was OK (7) | |
Did Not Like (2) | |
Hated It (2) |
Reader Stats (247):
Read It (72) | |
Currently Reading (3) | |
Want To Read (129) | |
Did Not Finish (3) | |
Not Interested (40) |
1 comment(s)
The atmosphere, the unanswered questions, creepy supernatural happenings, the mix of historical and supernatural elements
What can you read after
The Silent Companions?
About the Author:
Laura Purcell is the author of The Silent Companions, The Poison Thread, and The House of Whispers. She worked in local government, the financial industry and a bookshop before becoming a full-time writer. She lives in Colchester, the oldest recorded…
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