Reviews

The Shape of Darkness by Laura Purcell

hundredacreofbooks1990's review

5.0

I really enjoyed the relationship Agnus had with her brother-in-law Simon, they made for great lighter elements amongst all the shadow and darkness; even the friends to lovers’ trope didn’t feel as it might have done in other titles keeping in mind it’s 1854.

Read my full review below
https://hundredacreofbooks.com/index.php/2021/12/10/the-shape-of-darkness/

aeblack's review

4.0

A decent story with not a likeable character in sight. Perfect.

emmaturningpages's review

3.0

Set against break and dreary Victorian England, Purcell tells the creepy tale of Agnes Darken. Agnes is plagued by lingering bad health after a serious illness, and she struggles to make ends meet caring for her family. Her business in commissioning silhouettes brings her pleasure, but it begins to suffer after being linked to recent mysterious murders.

Agnes gets swept up in finding out more about the murders in a bid to regain her dwindling sanity and clear the name of her business. In doing so, she tumbles down a rabbit hole of seances, ghosts, and other worldly goings on.

I listened to this as an audiobook, and although it was enjoyable, there was nothing that really stood out for me and it failed to give me any creepy vibes, like some of Purcell’s other work.

nora_rue's review

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

mister_goldfish's review

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

A little longer than it should be, but good atmosphere and sense of both place and time.

mh_books's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

lrichar's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Well written and paced as usual. However, I guessed the twist pretty early and the book didn't have me on the edge of my seat the way Purcell's others tend to. The ending also fell quite flat.

jackierobinson's review against another edition

4.0

I would follow Laura Purcell to the ends of the earth. This was an excellent gothic novel set in Victorian Bath as Agnes struggles to keep her business creating silhouette drawings in the age of the photograph. Matters worsen when Agnes’ clients are found dead, prompting her to consult a child spirit medium to figure out who is behind the murders. The twist in this was SO GOOD and I did not see it coming! Purcell has a way of writing that draws you in and leaves you wanting more. An excellent mystery for those who don’t mind something a bit darker.

adimms's review against another edition

4.0

A nice little Victorian Gothic ghost/murder mystery. This is the second Purcell novel I’ve read and overall, I throughly enjoyed this one. I did find it a tad predictable, but Purcell is great at creating an immersive story and atmosphere so it’s still a whole lot of fun.

thriftyfriday's review

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0