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* A SUNDAY TIMES HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK OF 2023 *

‘A gloriously foreboding Gothic tale’ – HEAT
‘A thrillingly dark page-turner’ – MAIL ON SUNDAY
‘Marta is Jane Eyre’s black-hearted alter ego’ – THE TIMES

Many would find much to fear in Fyneshade’s dark and crumbling corridors, its unseen master and silent servants. But not I. For they have far more to fear from me…

On the day of her beloved grandmother’s funeral, Marta discovers that she is to become governess to the young daughter of Sir William Pritchard. Separated from her lover and discarded by her family, Marta has no choice but to journey to Pritchard’s ancient and crumbling house, Fyneshade, in the wilds of Derbyshire.

All is not well at Fyneshade. Marta’s pupil, little Grace, can be taught nothing, and Marta takes no comfort from the silent servants who will not meet her eye. More intriguing is that Sir William is mysteriously absent, and his son and heir Vaughan is forbidden to enter the house. Marta finds herself drawn to Vaughan, despite the warnings of the housekeeper that he is a danger to all around him. But Marta is no innocent to be preyed upon. Guided by the dark gift taught to her by her grandmother, she has made her own plans. And it will take more than a family riven by murderous secrets to stop her…

Perfect for readers of Laura Purcell, Jessie Burton and Stacey Halls, Fyneshade is a dark and twisted gothic novel unlike any you’ve read before…

Publisher Review

A highly original work of dark gothic brilliance. In a house with monstrous secrets, Marta is a heroine like no other. She will steal your heart, believe me. A story so inventive and exciting, I simply couldn't wait for the next page -- Janice Hallett, author of THE APPEAL Dark, heady and bold, Fyneshade is a seductive treat, with a protagonist who is both wicked and irresistible. I was entranced from the first page to the last -- Antonia Hodgson, author of THE DEVIL IN THE MARSHALSEA Jane Eyre but with an icy heart... a dark, inventive story * Sunday Times * Marta is Jane Eyre's black-hearted alter ego... ingenious * The Times * Victorian menace with echoes of both Jane Eyre and The Secret Garden * Financial Times * A thrillingly dark page-turner with deeply satisfying nods to a number of gothic classics * Mail on Sunday * A gloriously foreboding Gothic tale, with a delicious anti-heroine and a fiendish final twist in the tale * Heat * A tour de force! I thoroughly enjoyed this darkest of dark tales with its canny and complicated heroine, and a final twist that made me gasp out loud. Gloriously wicked -- Rosie Andrews, author of THE LEVIATHAN With a satisfyingly dark anti-hero at its core Fyneshade makes for compelling storytelling and proves Kate Griffin's a new standout voice in gothic fiction -- Susan Stokes-Chapman, author of PANDORA A darkly delicious joy of a historical gothic novel. Mature and accomplished storytelling that's utterly compelling. I loved it -- Essie Fox, author of THE SOMNAMBULIST Playful and compelling, and a wonderful love letter to Gothic -- Nicola Upson, author of AN EXPERT IN MURDER Wonderful and well-deserved. I loved Fyneshade's clever reworking of Jane Eyre's gothic tropes, it's wicked anti-heroine and immaculate plotting. A perfectly shivery read for a hot summer day... Stupendously good -- Amanda Craig, author of THE LIE OF THE LAND I absolutely adored this unforgettable and original take on the governess gothic. Marta is the anti-heroine you can't help rooting for: I was under her spell from the very first page. A deliciously dark and decadent novel, sure to bewitch readers everywhere -- Emilia Hart, author of WEYWARD What a devious and delightful tale. In Marta, Kate Griffin gives us one the most inventive and compelling characters of recent years. A gloriously gothic and often darkly funny story. I devoured it whole -- Anna Mazzola, author of THE CLOCKWORK GIRL An atmospheric and enthralling read, perfect escapism and historical fiction at its best * Buzz *