Welcome to Litsy!

Do you ever have an author that you wanted to read their books and yet never have? Now I feel like I should just never read their books because otherwise I'll be disappointed if I start to read them and don't like them.

Listening to both titles. I stalled a bit with the Ashley Winstead title so I may switch to print. Very much enjoying The Poison Thread- yay for spooky season! 🎃
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#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

This was really good, from the point of view of two women Ruth who is accused of murder and Dorothea the highborn lady who visits the prison to help the women. I was gripped right to the end.

Easter in the warm sunshine with a book

#TBRPile 📚 “My sainted mother taught me the seven acts of corporeal mercy: to feed the hungry; refresh the thirsty; clothe the naked; shelter the traveler; comfort the sick; visit those imprisoned; and bury the dead.”

This was such a good read, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Purcell weaves such wonderful and dark stories, everything I have read of hers I have really liked and recommended to others.

The two main characters are so different and yet drawn to each other and their stories, the twist at the end was great and I didn‘t see it coming, a enthralling read 👍🏼

It came today! 🪡 ☠️

A really immersive read. Just the right length to be a good diversion. Wonderfully crafted prose that evokes an eerily realistic sense of Victorian gothic. Sinister and unnerving in places and with a clever, twisting plot that keeps you intrigued throughout.

#fivefingerbookchallenge @KarenUK @RaeLovesToRead

😍 A book I love: Fingersmith
👍 A book I love to recommend: The Corset
👎 A book I didn‘t like: Frankenstein (bailed 3 times!)
💍 A character I‘d like to marry: Lancelot ❤️
🤞 A book I pinky promise to read soon: Milkman.

This was fun! If you fancy joining in, consider yourself tagged. 😉

Evergreen

#12ColoursOfDecember

@Clwojick #WinterGames2020
#MerryReaders #ReadYourWay
@TheSpineView

21 points (book, post, & 1 hour reading)

October reads! 😀 A great month for reading spooky books! The Corset and The Silent Companions are defo the standout books. Loved em! 🍁 🍂 🎃 #octoberreads #octoberwrapup #bookreport

I read The Silent Companions around this time last year and loved it. This one is very good too!

I loved this! It‘s everything you want from a Victorian gothic! Full of suspense and atmosphere! Dark and twisted and completely immersive! It‘s similar to Alias Grace but with a better ending! 😉 #scarathlon2020 #teamslaughter #mystery #suspense total points = 183

Well... I liked Ruth's account, found her s really gripping narrator. Not so keen on Dorothea. Bit of an insipid woman.
The idea of the plot was great, full of intrigue. But... I didn't Think it played out well. Too many twists almost, or didn't quite resonate.

Beautiful cover!
Got this from a community phone box free library type thingy! 😁😁😁

I enjoy a good gothic Victorian tale and this one did not disappoint. Atmospheric, cleverly plotted, dark and engrossing. It has a few surprises and I did not expect that ending..had to reread the last few pages to finally appreciate it! 😅 Very good.

#Jennyis30 #gothic
#mandmchallenge2020 #supernatural

#TBRPile Day 10 - I love a good Gothic tale of madness and murder.

Wow. The beginning of this one is quite dark. 😬

(But it‘s GOOD).

Rich in atmosphere and character, this Gothic tale has touched of Sarah Waters' Affinity and Margaret Atwood's Alias Grace, tinged with the uncanny elements that made the Silent Companions so memorable. The Corset is brilliantly compelling and kept me guessing to the end.

Not my usual thing (Christmas gift from a sister in law) but a cracking read nonetheless! Ruth‘s story of abuse and horror is interspersed with the earnest Dorothea‘s reforming zeal and marital ambitions. Lots of secrets and a perfect supernatural whiff (or is it?). I was particularly charmed by Dorothea‘s self-assurance and the way it unravels. Great read! [Different title in the US I think, FYI]

A dark, gothic, Victorian-era story. The trauma faced by the poor and the restrictions placed upon an heiress.
Despite the horrors, Ruth and the other girls endured while working as seamstresses, I really enjoyed this book.

My husband is away on holiday so I treated myself to some new super soft pjs, new books and sweeties! I can‘t wait to get in bed tonight! 😁

Lazy Sunday - although the morning looks beautiful sunny I prefer breakfast in my reading nest ...

Still on my spooky, dark and disturbing October kick 🎃👻. Next up is #thecorset. I loved Bone China and hope this one is just as unsettling. ⁣
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Ruth claims that the garments she sews were unknowingly #haunted by her past bad experiences and her emotional reactions to them. Is she telling the truth or does she belong in an asylum?

#chillingphotochallenge #scarathalon #teamslaughter
@Clwojick @TheReadingMermaid

Spent a good couple of #happyhour (s) at the bookstore today and oh! the #temptation to bring home so many books! In the end only these two followed me home..I‘ve read and loved the authors‘ earlier books (The Silent Companions and My Name Is Leon) and these two sound good. 👍
#ayupaugust
#BooksKinokuniya
#IWillBeBack

... @ofbooksandme ? Did you send me this super exciting book surprise? Sounds suuuuper up my alley!! ♥️🥰🌈

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This book was excellent! Almost as good as The Silent Companions. It reminds me of Sarah Waters‘ Affinity but I liked it so much more. The ending was very satisfying. @Lisas.Library make sure you buy this sooner rather than later, especially if you liked The Silent Companions.

I liked The Silent Companions so much - can‘t wait to sink into this one by Laura Purcell! And the cover is so pretty - the picture does not do it justice.

“When rest came, it was as thin as a reed and easily snapped.”

“A stitch of memory opened...” elegant turn of phrase on page 52.

I‘m just tucking into this mystery-historical fiction hybrid. Lots of interesting details & two very different protagonists! 🕯📚🗝

1) s.a.
2) no plans whatsoever
3) I like them all, it's just that some pale blues don't suit me
4) Jan - but my cousin once removed was born a few days before I made my grand entrance and got that name, so the next choice would have been my brother's name: Arend. They were so rooting on having a boy that when I arrived they couldn't come up with a girl's name, hence I was called after my mother's middle name.

#friyayintro @howjessreads

As someone who makes corsets for a living, I was beyond excited for this book and it didn't disappoint! I absolutely love her gothic vibes and this book was so compelling and hard to put down! I can't wait for more from this amazing author!

I didn‘t love this one. I went into it thinking I would enjoy it but I had to make myself finish it. I felt like it was trying to be shocking just for the sake of being shocking. And the whole business with Dorothea‘s phrenology “research” frankly annoyed me. This one just didn‘t work for me. I shall donate it and hope it finds a more appreciative reader than I.

Just look at these lovely gifts from my Scottish bestie, @DeborahSmall !

A signed edition of The Corset, Jane Austen playing cards and tea, a Highland cow pin and Scottie dog charm, “dirty” Glaswegian slang cards (😆😆), and this fabulous Typewronger Books tote from Edinburgh.

I love ya, my wee hen. 😘😘

#BookMail Pt2 In the missing package of books was a signed edition of this book. When I thought it was MIA for good, I ordered another signed copy from another seller, so this copy will be added to my stockpile of books for my big New Year/1500 Followers giveaway I‘m planning. Once Xmas is over, keep your eyes peeled for my How To Enter post. The tagged book is a gothic chiller about two women in Victorian England, one a murderer who may be mad.🔪

Peruvian cuisine, Spanish wine, Cafe Cusco‘s signature hot sauce, new book 📖 Happy Thursday, y‘all!

“It is not linen you‘re wearing out, but human creatures‘ lives!” Oh, this could be fun!

Damn, this is GOOD!!!🤓

Although I found some of the early descriptions a bit graphic, I'm glad I continued with this novel. Purcell's vivid descriptions are especially part of my favourite bit. I'd read The Silent Companions and loved Purcell's writing. I'm reading Alias Grace at the moment and I'm noticing some parallels between the narrative structures. Solid 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Woohoo! A great book and my first Pumpkin Spice Latte Of The year. Happy October🎃👻🍂 #mmmnutmeg

A creepy, gothic Victorian novel. A dark and atmospheric tale with disturbing undertones. There are subtle hints of menace throughout which only makes it the more unnerving. Beautifully written with some brilliant characters, not all particularly pleasant to say the least! It drew me in from the first page and gripped me until the last. Such an absorbing and mesmerising story, cleverly plotted with an unexpected and excellent twist at the end.

Laura Purcell and #Pigeonhole do it again. This is the perfect book to curl up with on a cold evening, absolute page turner. The gothic tale of a lady interested in phrenology visiting a mysterious woman accused of murdering her mistress. The prisoner is a former seamstress convinced that she can harm people with her sewing. One of those books that make you question paranormal elements.

I would be tempted to buy this book for the #Endpapers alone.

Yeah! New release day! #bookmail