by Laura Purcell
Published by Raven Books Genres: Fiction, Gothic, Historical Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Paranormal
Format: Hardcover
Published by Raven Books Genres: Fiction, Gothic, Historical Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Paranormal
Format: Hardcover
4.5 stars This book had my attention from the get-go! I loved the synopsis: Is prisoner Ruth Butterham mad or a murderer? Victim or villain? I knew this book would be pretty much up my alley and it was! But what does that say about my alley? It’s dark and twisted folks! Doretha “Dotty” Truelove (let’s, for a minute, admire her last name!), is a young woman from a “good home” Her mother died when she was young, and she has been raised by her father. “Dotty” is a smart and inquisitive young woman who wants more out of life than just being a married woman. She is interested in phrenology and believes it can shed a light on one’s crimes. She does charitable work at Oakgate prison and there she meets a sixteen-year-old accused of murder named Ruth Butterham (what a last name!). Ruth believes that she has a supernatural power and can/has killed people using her skills as a seamstress. Is she a skilled killer or is she a skilled seamstress? Is she both? From the description the reader knows that one woman is from a life of privilege and luxury while the other is poor – extremely poor. Dotty has known a relatively easy life. Ruth has known pain, loss, suffering, and hard work. Their socio-economic difference is HUGE as are their outlook on life, and each’s understanding of the world. I devoured this book. I thought it did a good job of showing just how hard life was during that time. How huge the differences in the classes were, how people took advantage and how people were treated. Ruth and the other young women she sews with are subject to harsh conditions, horrific treatment and abuse. How about the debtor’s prison? You go there because you can’t pay your debts and yet you can’t make money there so how will you ever pay your debt? You don’t. You die. End of story. Life is harsh, no? Extremely. How scary to live during that time! Geez just learning what was in some of the fabrics/fabric colors made at that time gives new meaning to the saying: Beauty hurts. Why not wear a Victorian bone corset while you are at it and have someone tighten you in? Really enjoyed the story and the twists and revelations. Who saw that coming!?! Seriously, who? Anyone? Anyone? Well written and captivating. Were there some plot holes? Perhaps, but who cares? I didn’t. Again, this was right up my alley. I loved the time frame, loved how it showed the division of class, and how criminal justice was handled back then. We have come a long way baby is all I can say! I was fully invested in the story and how things would turn out. Was she a killer? Was she mad? Was she a supernatural killer? Was she a victim? I loved The Silent Companions and loved this book as well. It’s Gothic and evokes feelings of dread. In some ways this book reminded me of another book I loved The Unseeing about a woman in prison accused of murder telling her story. The plots are different, but both felt the same. I have been reading some doozies lately and reading this was like a breath of fresh air! It was nice to curl up and read a book which I found riveting and compelling |
