Well, this wins the weird with a capital ‘we’ book of the year for me! It’s certainly way out of the genteel Edwardian comfort zone of Upstairs Downstairs and I doubt that most Bridgerton enthusiasts will enjoy it.

What’s it about? I’m not sure. Anne is a scullery maid who hates her work and wants the opportunity to improve her station in life. She sees a chance to become personal maid to the lady of the house. But therein lies a different hell. This makes for intense listening. I had the audio version, well narrated throughout and at times had to pause because the graphic detail was simply overpowering. It’s stomach churning in parts and although it a fan of Gothic horror, I don’t think it even falls into that category. The writing is powerful but often cloying and stream of consciousness in style, with simile after simile to make a point. There’s a very loose plot but I don’t think that was the point of this tale. Did I enjoy it? In part, yes. Some of the writing is visceral and haunting. But I felt like a rather unwilling spectator at a horror fest. I didn’t buy into it and it’s not the type of book I’d read regularly. It was compelling mainly for the wrong reasons but I would look for further books by this author as she has a very unique take on narrative style and subject matter. You’ll love or loathe I guess…it’s better than a 3 but not quite a 4 but I’ve rounded up as I’m feeling generous. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley fir an early review copy.