We are clearly not able to get enough of horror and keep finding more horror books to recommend to you, friends! Today, Ariel and I bring you our discussion of upcoming Historical Fiction, The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling. That cover is so enticing that is what led me to request this one! Take a look at the synopsis and content notes below then dive into our discussion.
Practical, unassuming Jane Shoringfield has done the calculations, and decided that the most secure path forward is this: a husband, in a marriage of convenience, who will allow her to remain independent and occupied with meaningful work. Her first choice, the dashing but reclusive doctor Augustine Lawrence, agrees to her proposal with only one condition: that she must never visit Lindridge Hall, his crumbling family manor outside of town. Yet on their wedding night, an accident strands her at his door in a pitch-black rainstorm, and she finds him changed. Gone is the bold, courageous surgeon, and in his place is a terrified, paranoid man—one who cannot tell reality from nightmare, and fears Jane is an apparition, come to haunt him.
By morning, Augustine is himself again, but Jane knows something is deeply wrong at Lindridge Hall, and with the man she has so hastily bound her safety to. Set in a dark-mirror version of post-war England, Starling crafts a new kind of gothic horror from the bones of the beloved canon. This Crimson Peak-inspired story assembles, then upends, every expectation set in place by Shirley Jackson and Rebecca, and will leave readers shaken, desperate to begin again as soon as they are finished.
Content Notes: Boy horror, medical procedures, medical trauma, death of loved ones.
The Death of Jane Lawrence
Whole book Discussion
The only other historical fiction novel that I can remember which I have read in the horror genre is The Lost Ones by Anita Frank which was also a ghost story. Apart from the similarity in the era and paranormal , The Death of Jane Lawrence is very different because of how it focuses on one character’s experiences with the ghosts and their relationship to magic. Jane is a young woman of marriage age and she has decided that she is going to marry the village doctor. He is well respected and seems attracted to her… what could possibly go wrong?
This book was marketed to be similar to Mexican Gothic, which is one of my favorite horror novels. It had tall expectations to fill, and I’d say it was a solid gothic horror all around. I have read the author’s other book, Luminous Dead, and that was pretty spooky too. I went in with excitement to read some spooky horror perfect for fall and that was exactly what was delivered.
I enjoyed Mexican Gothic and this book did give similar vibes. I agree that those are big shoes to fill. The book had an interesting premise and I enjoyed how unpredictable it could be. I wasn’t expecting a haunted-house cum ghost story.
The plot had some of the most unpredictable twists and turns! There were many times where we ended our daily reading wondering how we ended up there! But, it made for a fun reading and buddy reading experience.
Yes, it did! And we wanted to come back to it the next day so that’s always a good sign. I felt sometimes there were a bit too many characters but in general, the book focused on Jane and her desire to get Augustine back. I loved how erudite she was and the need to learn and explore was quite strong in her. This story won’t have been as good without her personality traits.
Yes, Jane was definitely the star of the show and I did love seeing how her character spiraled to different levels throughout the narrative. It gave me some Jane Eyre vibes while being more spooky, as well as some dark Edgar Allen Poe similarities as well. Now that you mention Jane Erye, I can see that too. 🙂
Concluding Thoughts on The Death of Jane Lawrence
Overall, this book is the perfect read for a stormy fall evening, cuddled in a blanket and with your pet of choice (for us, our cats!). If you’re a fan of gothic horror, this is definitely the book to pick up this spooky season.
The Death of Jane Lawrence will be released October 5th. Check it out then!
Many thanks to the publisher for providing me a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Cover Image: Photo by Artem Maltsev on Unsplash
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