A review by jedore
The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell

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? It's complicated

4.0

"Imprisonment was never the real punishment: it was the people you were stuck with.”

This novel explores how loneliness and fear can twist one’s perception, making the supernatural feel inevitable. It demonstrates how true terror often comes not from ghosts, but from the people around us and our own minds. The story plays with the idea that myths and legends can manifest when enough people believe in them.

If you ever doubted that classic gothic horror could still be gripping, this book proves otherwise. I liked this book more than I expected when I first picked it up. It’s in the vein of Rebecca, Shirley Jackson’s works, and Slade House. Laura Purcell has crafted an eerie, unsettling tale that pulls you in.

What stood out most to me was the quality of the writing. Purcell makes it incredibly easy to visualize the decaying mansion, the unsettling companions, and the creeping sense of dread. The supernatural elements are balanced with psychological horror, leaving you wondering what’s real and what’s imagined. If you love unsettling Victorian ghost stories, this one delivers.
 
Before becoming known for gothic horror, Laura Purcell wrote historical fiction. Her background in historical research definitely adds an extra layer of authenticity and realism to this book.