Description

A mesmerising Gothic mystery from Costa Award-shortlisted
author Nicholas Bowling – perfect for reading by candlelight
this Halloween …
‘Fans of dark academia will be on the edge of their seats
… perfect for dark spooky nights’ IRISH EXAMINER

‘This atmospheric gothic mystery is ideal winter fare for
12+’ THE GUARDIAN

‘Bowling’s atmospheric prose keeps the scares and the surprises
coming’ LITERARY REVIEW

To the horror of young gravedigger, Ned, bodysnatchers have been
visiting his churchyard in the dead of night. Until now, he’d
been daydreaming about another visitor – daughter of the manor,
Obedience Wellrest.

But sixteen-year-old Obedience has troubles of her own: her loving
but overbearing father, and his wish to see her married to a
rich man of science, Phineas Mordaunt.

When Mordaunt starts to poke his nose into her family history
– in particular, the ruinous research of late Uncle Herbert
– Obedience enters into a dangerous game with Death, and Ned
might be the only person who can save her …

A mesmerising tale of magic, death and science, wrapped
up in a delicious Gothic mystery

Think Frankenstein vibes: dark academia, gravediggers
and dark magic

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell meets Dangerous
Remedy – for young adult readers

From highly acclaimed Costa Award-shortlisted author
of In the Shadow of Heroes and The Garden
(as Nick Newman)

‘Nicholas Bowling is a thrilling writer’ THE
TELEGRAPH

‘A vastly entertaining riff not just on Mary Shelley, but
the novels of her father William Godwin’ FINANCIAL TIMES

‘Gripping and evocative … Creepiness will of course ensure
in this page-turning historical thriller’ IRISH TIMES