A review by palsbookshelf
The Shape of Darkness by Laura Purcell

5.0

In Victorian wintry and gloomy Bath, Agnes Darken, a struggling silhouette artist is trying to provide for her old mother and orphaned nephew, while recovering from her own illness and past trauma. Agnes's professional life takes a dark turn when her customers are murdered mysteriously, one after another. She has an inkling that the murderer is targeting her business. She finds herself in a desperate situation when her family is at harm, and to seek answers she contacts the eleven year old Pearl, who works as a spirit medium. Pearl lives with her sister Myrtle, who herself works as a mesmerist and her ailing father. For their own personal agendas, both Pearl and Agnes decide to help each other by contacting the spirits of the victims. What unfolds, is something that both are unprepared for.


Laura Purcell has aced the gothic-mystery-supernatural-historical genre and she has done it again! The story starts slowly, but once it picks up pace it's hard to put down. There are some really good bone chilling scenes in this book! The moment you feel you've figured out the plot, she teases you with a plot twist. The whole mesmerism and spirit medium aspect of the story was quite interesting. There is likeness to her previous books, but it doesn't feel repetitive and this book definitely stands out. Atmospheric and a page turner, indeed!