This is a well - written historical story that reminds me both of Laura Purcell’s writing and Alias Grace. Unfortunately, this is not a favourable comparison- those books were far superior. Enjoyable enough but sadly nothing special

3.5 stars

Haunting and atmospheric, this book reminded me of Downton Abbey’s dark sinister cousin. The story alternated between a past and a present timeline. The former being the start of Lucy Blunts employment with the Burtons and the latter being her experience locked in a cell, waiting to be hanged for a double murder. The story recounted what happened during her time working for the Burtons, how Lucy ended up convicted and sentenced to hang, and her role in the murders.

Mrs. Eugenie Burton is mistress of a manor that employs various servants. Rebecca, Eugenie’s companion and Mr. Burton’s cousin, is at death’s door after accidentally getting locked out of the home and almost freezing to death. Lucy Blunt has just been hired as a maid and cook’s helper, replacing the last servant who recently drowned. As Lucy nurses Rebecca back to health and gets to know Eugenie, she discovers there are long standing secrets and manipulations that now threaten her position and lie just beneath the surface.

The mysterious nature of the writing was inviting. It set a particular tone that felt somewhat ghostly and unnerving. The plot captured my attention and I was keen to know what happened to land Lucy Blunt on death row. I wish the characters had been carved out with more colour. They felt flat and needed more depth so the reader could better relate to them and care about them. The  pacing was a bit off. At times it was riveting while at other times it moved too slow. A literary women’s fiction that was unique and worth the read.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

I received an advanced digital copy of this novel from the author, Lake House Publishing and NetGalley.com.  Thanks to all for the opportunity to read and review.  The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Companion checks all the boxes: unreliable narrator, historical fiction, law drama and murder mystery all rolled into one.  It should have been unputdownable, but it wasn't; I put it down many, many times.

The story falls to reach a good pace and the character of Lucy is uncompelling. It was a struggle to read and finish.

1 out of 5 stars.  Do not recommend.

A historical murder mystery. As a law teacher, I really appreciated the legal aspect and testimony that this book held. She is a somewhat unreliable narrator, but over all it was a decent book.

The story was interestingly depicted with to and fro narration of Lucy's life in prison and that in Burton Household. The unreliable narrator trope only makes it much more intriguing.

In sorry to say this was a book I just could not settle into.  Initially the plot sounded interesting and I expected to get drawn into unravelling the case of why Lucy was awaiting her death sentence but alas, it sat a third way through reading and just did little to entice me back.

DNF

It took me more than a year to finish this book, but I gave up at the 50% mark in the end. It was not engaging to me at all, unfortunately. I could not find any interesting qualities in the protagonist Lucy Blunt, nor did I find the other characters interesting as well. I was also not fond of the seemingly random jumps between timelines -- the past during her time in the Burton house and her time in prison -- that to me did not serve to enrich the narrative. 

It was too bad because I did like the premise and was curious to know more. However, I had to give up because nothing seemed to happen even at the halfway mark.

I struggled to get into this book. It felt too contrived and many of the characters just didn't seem to come to life - they felt flat. 

I felt like this book had a lot of promise, but it just wasn't there for me.

The story jumps back and forth between past and present.  Normally I love this style but there’s no clear delineation between the times and it’s confusing.  The writing is smooth, too smooth though as you’re partway into a different time before you realize you’re no longer in the past or present.  You have to stop and go back a bit to figure out where you are in the timeline.  This stop and restart of the story bothered me.  There were times that this reminded me of Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was an intricate novel about a woman’s life in the 1850’s! Lucy has taken a position working for the wealthy Burton family. She becomes swept up in the whole dynamics of the people who live and work at their mansion. She becomes close to the mistress of the family. In the end she is charged with murder and is serving time in prison. I enjoyed how Lucy told her story.

The writing is beautiful and the story is very atmospheric. But I’m not finding it remotely immersive. More than anything, I feel lost. It seems like it’s all over the place and, at the 20% mark, I feel no pull to keep moving forward. I’m, sadly, not the right reader for this one.

This story of a disgraced young woman on the run is beautifully written. The story highlights the veneer of the civilized behavior that hides secrets, but also lies bare the inequity of the class system. Relationships make this a worthy story, not the formulaic tragedy.

Very well written book. I really enjoyed it. Great plot and great characters. Thank you for the review copy!

**Thank you Netgalley and publisher for giving me an electronic ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

I was intrigued by the mystery of this book, yet I was confused when it kept jumping between her time in prison and her time with Mrs. Burton. If the switching between times was labeled, I would have given this book more stars.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read and review this title. I will review this title at a different date.

Atmospheric and engaging, the author endows this book with such heart. I loved it and would definitely recommend to people who love historical fiction.

I'd like to thank to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review but unfortunately this was a DNF for me at 24%.

A trippy look into an upstairs/downstairs story. It is filled with hidden doors, murder, mystery, lesbians and intrigue. I found the writing and descriptions really immersive. A topsy turvy read that will leave you questioning the state of humans and their capabilities to be empathetic to those who are different from them. Highly recommended.

It's 1855 and Lucy Blunt, a housemaid, is about to be hanged for a murder she has committed. the book opens a few days before Lucy's hanging and tells the story of that fateful day as recollected through Lucy's eyes.
This is a very interesting plot with many twists and turns that make it hard to put the book down.
After reading this novel, I would read more of Kim Taylor Blakemore's writing, very good story!

The Companion is set in antebellum New Hampshire in 1855. The novel opens with Lucy Blunt explaining how she came to be in prison awaiting execution for a double murder.  Lucy reveals herself to be an accomplished liar but it is hard not to feel some sympathy for her. 19th century New Hampshire is not the most welcoming place for a woman who is desperately trying to leave a torrid and tragic past behind her. Lucy acquires a post in the Burton household as an all round dogs body. However, Lucy is clever and ambitious and soon has Mrs Burton putting aside her regular companion for. her. Kim Taylor Blakemore writes with clarity and portrays the icy NH winter so well it would send a shiver down your spine. Revenge, lust, jealousy and love also play their part in this well written novel. Is Lucy guilty? you'll just have to read #TheCompanion to find out! Thank you #Netgalley for the opportunity to read this.