Andrea Ward

I started this a while back and put it down because it wasn't the right time, but I could t stop thinking about it. So I picked it up again. I liked that the horror was related to an obsession with beauty, bodies, and organic ingredients. The body horror and capitalism to an extreme were really well done. Some of the sexual stuff was weird and didn't add anything to the story to me. The ending visuals of the narrator will stay with me. I'm glad I came back to this one.

The setting is England in the 1860s through the 1890s in a lonely manor house. That alone will get me interested. Throw in some Spiritualists and some skeptics and it is sounding pretty good.
But the thing that really set this book apart are the characters. The story is told from 3 perspectives, Constance, John, and Eleanor. That structure helps us get to know each of them, so when the Wraxford Mystery happens, we are left wanting it all to work out for them. Constance's investigation is complicated and really well done. There are several layers to get through and then she has to prove it all. That also makes for a nerve wracking solution. We are often wondering if there are spirits at work or humans at work.
The author also does a very good job of portraying these women as capable and worthy of trust. He contrasts Eleanor and Constance with several other characters and the latter are found wanting.
Very well written creepy read.

A lovely and satisfying wrap up to the series and a connection to the Parasol Protectorate. At some point it seemed a little crazy that she was that successful against that many adults and there were a few other points that stretched my belief. It just brought me out of the world of the book. Not so much that I would rate it down, but it wasn't perfect. But maybe perfection is a lot to ask for. Overall, good ending to a great series by a fabulous author!

The story of Rumpelstiltskin comes to life with the story of Charlotte Miller. I fell in love with the character and setting early in the novel. However, I read the book slowly because I knew it wouldn't be an easy road for Charlotte. In fact, I even read the last couple paragraphs of the book to make sure it ended okay. This is maybe the first book I have ever done that with. Maybe if I wasn't pregnant and emotional, I could have read through it easier.
Charlotte is a strong character. She is hard working and passionate about her mill. She has a whole host of secrets to sort through as she tries to save her mill and by extension the whole town. Along the way she finds love and now has one more thing to try to protect. In the end, she finds there are many people she can count on to help her and maybe she doesn't need to try to do all this herself.

Very well written. Wonderful book.