Fabulous Reads: Debut novel a treat for Jane Eyre fans

The Secrets of Hartwood Hall, Katie Lumsden, Penguin Random House, ISBN: 9780241556078

THIS gothic mystery, while not incredibly fast-paced, was still a gripping read.

It’s the late 1850s, England. Margaret Lennox, a young widower with a seemingly dark secret and no inheritance from her late husband, is desperate for a fresh start.

With only a few recommendations from the families she worked for, years prior to her marriage, she finds herself employed as a governess for a little boy, Louis, at an isolated and slightly dilapidated mansion in the countryside, known to the locals as Hartwood Hall.

Margaret’s employer, who is also widowed, Mrs Evarsham, is very unpopular and mistrusted in the superstitious little farming community.

The young governess soon finds herself feeling unsettled and suspicious in her new position with tales of ghosts, the discovery of an off-limits east wing as well as unexplained noises and eerie sightings.

Things become even more complicated when one of the other servants threaten to uncover her secret. Looking for comfort and a distraction, a lonely and desperate Margaret starts a forbidden love affair with the Hartwood Hall gardener, Paul.

As the relationship puts both of their positions at risk, she increasingly feels torn between her fondness of Louis and her growing affection for Paul.

While there isn’t a whole lot of world-building, the book is slow-paced. It really is primarily about the inter-relationships and uncovering of pieces of the puzzle.

There were so many loose threads that it took me a while before I was even remotely able to try and guess the truth.

However, as satisfying as the mystery was, I struggled to emotionally connect with any of the characters – despite the fact that they had all endured truly awful pasts.

I could empathise, and in some cases, relate to their thoughts and feelings, but I was never emotionally roused by any of the events or revelations.

What’s more, the romance element, while, in my opinion, was tastefully done, wasn’t very convincing. I didn’t feel the chemistry between them.

The ending was a little more exciting, however, compared to the rest of the book, but felt a little rushed and just a little too convenient.

I truly loved how the book featured such strong female characters in a book centred in the 1800s. I got Josephine March (Little Women) and Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice) vibes from Margaret. If you enjoy period dramas, you will also enjoy The Secrets of Hartwood Hall. – Mariclair Smit – 3/5 stars