Day 5 of 2022, and I’ve already finished my first book of the year! (Though let’s just keep between us that I started it back in mid-December… Our little secret, okay?)
I’ve been a fan of Laura Purcell ever since I was loaned a copy of The Silent Companions back in 2017, which, by the way, was the second book ever to give me nightmares! So, it’s safe to say I knew that any book that followed would come with an eerie plot, and The Shape of Darkness did not disappoint.
The twists and turns in this book were absolutely incredible! I must admit, as much as I enjoyed Bone China, it felt like Purcell might’ve been rushing through it to move on to a new idea. It left me with a bit of a deflated feeling at the end (something I sometimes feel with Stephen King novels too). But this time, it was completely different! For me, it felt as though she’d surpassed her own standard and launched into something extraordinary. I loved every second of it!
Admittedly, it took me longer than I’d like to finish this book—thank you, Covid-19—but once I reached the halfway point, I couldn’t put it down! I read obsessively into the late hours, even when my eyes were gritty and I was half-asleep!
The plot centers around a woman who believes her clients are being murdered and seeks the guidance of a young spirit medium. Meanwhile, she’s also juggling the care of her young nephew, elderly mother, and dealing with her own fragile health. But things aren’t what they seem, and that’s when the story gets really interesting!
For a while, I thought Constance might still be alive, taunting Agnes. At one point, I even suspected Montague and bounced back and forth between these two theories for what felt like ages. And then, there were two mind-blowing plot twists at the end that left me reeling! I had to reread the final pages three times for it to sink in… and I still have so many questions!
Honestly, The Shape of Darkness is absolutely worth the read. At first, I wasn’t sure if I found it difficult because of being unwell or because of the historical fiction elements, or maybe a combination of both, but I’m so glad I pushed through. Purcell proves once again that she’s still nailing it when it comes to captivating plots and well-developed characters!
About The Author
Laura Purcell is a former bookseller living in Colchester, Essex with her husband and pet guinea pigs. She began her career with two historical novels about the Hanoverian monarchs, Queen of Bedlam and Mistress of the Court.
Her first Gothic novel The Silent Companions was a Radio 2 Book Club pick, was selected for the Zoe Ball ITV Book Club and was the winner of the Thumping Good Read Award. Her other Gothic titles include The Corset, Bone China and The Shape of Darkness.
In the USA Laura is published by Penguin Books, where The Corset is titled The Poison Thread and Bone China is called The House of Whispers-Which led me to get overly excited thinking there were two more books of hers I had yet to read! Her new title Something Wicked is due for release in August 2022 and available to pre-order now.
Morelli’s Reads 