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The Goddess and the Thief
A beguiling and sensual Victorian novel of theft and obsession from the author of the THE SOMNAMBULIST.
Uprooted from her home in India, Alice is raised by her aunt, a spiritualist medium in Windsor. When the mysterious Mr Tilsbury enters their lives, Alice is drawn into a plot to steal the priceless Koh-i-Noor diamond, claimed by the British Empire at the end of the Anglo-Sikh wars.
Said to be both blessed and cursed, the sacred Indian stone exerts its power over all who encounter it: a handsome deposed maharajah determined to claim his rightful throne, a man hell-bent on discovering the secrets of eternity, and a widowed queen who hopes the jewel can draw her husband's spirit back. In the midst of all this madness, Alice must discover a way to regain control of her life and fate...
Uprooted from her home in India, Alice is raised by her aunt, a spiritualist medium in Windsor. When the mysterious Mr Tilsbury enters their lives, Alice is drawn into a plot to steal the priceless Koh-i-Noor diamond, claimed by the British Empire at the end of the Anglo-Sikh wars.
Said to be both blessed and cursed, the sacred Indian stone exerts its power over all who encounter it: a handsome deposed maharajah determined to claim his rightful throne, a man hell-bent on discovering the secrets of eternity, and a widowed queen who hopes the jewel can draw her husband's spirit back. In the midst of all this madness, Alice must discover a way to regain control of her life and fate...
310 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 2013
19 people are currently reading
1658 people want to read
About the author
Essie Fox
7 books363 followersMy latest novel is called Dangerous, and it will be published by Orenda Books in April 2025. It's a slight change from my normal style of novels in that it's a historical crime mystery - but still very gothic. It's the story of Lord Byron in Venice, when a novel called The Vampyre is fraudulently published under his name, and he is then suspected of murder when several women of his acquaintance are found dead with wounds to their throats.
The Fascination which was published in HB in 2023 is set in the world of Victorian rural fairgrounds, the glamour of the London theatres and an anatomy museum in a shop on Oxford Street - based on one that really did exist! It's a book about deception, obsession, and what it is to be ''different'.
The Last Days of Leda Grey is about an Edwardian silent film actress who has lived in a crumbling cliff top house for more than half a century, until she confides her story to the journalist, Ed Peters ... who rapidly finds himself immersed inside her dark and eerie world.
I've also written three Victorian novels, the first of which - The Somnambulist - was shortlisted for the UK National Book Awards, featured on Channel 4's TV Book Club, and has been optioned for TV/film.
Elijah's Mermaid, features the hypocrisy in Victorian art and literature. It has brothels, asylums, and freak shows...not forgetting the mermaids!
The Goddess and the Thief is an 'oriental gothic', with Indian Maharajahs, Hindu gods and sacred diamonds ... including candlelit seances which are held in English drawing rooms.
My website is: www.essiefox.com
I blog as The Virtual Victorian. www.virturalvictorian.blogspot.com
The Fascination which was published in HB in 2023 is set in the world of Victorian rural fairgrounds, the glamour of the London theatres and an anatomy museum in a shop on Oxford Street - based on one that really did exist! It's a book about deception, obsession, and what it is to be ''different'.
The Last Days of Leda Grey is about an Edwardian silent film actress who has lived in a crumbling cliff top house for more than half a century, until she confides her story to the journalist, Ed Peters ... who rapidly finds himself immersed inside her dark and eerie world.
I've also written three Victorian novels, the first of which - The Somnambulist - was shortlisted for the UK National Book Awards, featured on Channel 4's TV Book Club, and has been optioned for TV/film.
Elijah's Mermaid, features the hypocrisy in Victorian art and literature. It has brothels, asylums, and freak shows...not forgetting the mermaids!
The Goddess and the Thief is an 'oriental gothic', with Indian Maharajahs, Hindu gods and sacred diamonds ... including candlelit seances which are held in English drawing rooms.
My website is: www.essiefox.com
I blog as The Virtual Victorian. www.virturalvictorian.blogspot.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
February 25, 2017
Over the course of just three books, Essie Fox has established herself as an author I am keen to follow and can rely on to produce atmospheric, compelling historical fiction. The Goddess and the Thief, which boasts a particularly gorgeous cover, follows a similar template to The Somnambulist and Elijah's Mermaid: inspired by Victorian gothic and aspiring to Sarah Waters levels of torment and unpredictability, it involves an orphan girl who is uprooted from her home and forced to live with an unwelcoming relative in London. Alice Willoughby, raised in India, resigns herself to a life aiding the parlour tricks of her aunt Mercy, a spiritualist medium, until a louche, scheming character by the name of Lucian Tilsbury enters their lives. Drawn back repeatedly to reminders of her upbringing in India - Hindu icons frequently feature in the narrative - Alice finds herself irrevocably bound to Tilsbury, and becomes part of a plot to steal the Koh-i-Noor diamond from the Queen.
This novel started wonderfully: in the first few chapters, the narrative paints a picture of India that is vivid, evocative and hugely beguiling. I was engaged by the story, which has as many twists, turns and dead ends as you'd expect, but I have to admit that at times Alice really got on my nerves. I know it was meant to be part of her character, but she was often a bit too hysterical to be likeable, as well as unbelievably naive, and her fickle switching on and off affection for certain male characters was taken to extremes I found almost comical. There were occasions when I rather felt that I agreed with Mercy about her, instead of sympathising with Alice herself. Another problem was that I found the Queen Victoria scenes unrealistic - nobody seemed to behave with the reverence and decorum I would have expected, instead taking it all in their stride, which didn't ring true.
I enjoyed Elijah's Mermaid a lot more than The Somnambulist, and I hoped The Goddess and the Thief would be another improvement, but I'm afraid I found it all rather dreary and was getting bored towards the end. I was disappointed that Fox chose to set so much of the story in London rather than having Alice return to India, since the beginning, which focused on this location, was so strong. Fox is a talented historical novelist and her work touches on a great number of interesting themes: in this book, the relationship between the British Empire and India is explored in a manner that seems believable but is also sensitive to the racial and cultural issues involved. However, without a more sympathetic protagonist and/or more inspiring plot, I struggled to connect properly with the story. I'm still interested in Fox's writing, but this, sadly, wasn't her best.
This novel started wonderfully: in the first few chapters, the narrative paints a picture of India that is vivid, evocative and hugely beguiling. I was engaged by the story, which has as many twists, turns and dead ends as you'd expect, but I have to admit that at times Alice really got on my nerves. I know it was meant to be part of her character, but she was often a bit too hysterical to be likeable, as well as unbelievably naive, and her fickle switching on and off affection for certain male characters was taken to extremes I found almost comical. There were occasions when I rather felt that I agreed with Mercy about her, instead of sympathising with Alice herself. Another problem was that I found the Queen Victoria scenes unrealistic - nobody seemed to behave with the reverence and decorum I would have expected, instead taking it all in their stride, which didn't ring true.
I enjoyed Elijah's Mermaid a lot more than The Somnambulist, and I hoped The Goddess and the Thief would be another improvement, but I'm afraid I found it all rather dreary and was getting bored towards the end. I was disappointed that Fox chose to set so much of the story in London rather than having Alice return to India, since the beginning, which focused on this location, was so strong. Fox is a talented historical novelist and her work touches on a great number of interesting themes: in this book, the relationship between the British Empire and India is explored in a manner that seems believable but is also sensitive to the racial and cultural issues involved. However, without a more sympathetic protagonist and/or more inspiring plot, I struggled to connect properly with the story. I'm still interested in Fox's writing, but this, sadly, wasn't her best.
December 11, 2013
A beautiful, ornate, richly-coloured cover pulled me into a story that was every bit as special.
It began in India at the end of the 19th century, a strange and unfamiliar country to a young bride from England, expecting her first child. I was pulled right into her world from the very first page; it came alive on the page. I felt her confusion and her wonder, and I was so very, very sorry that she died in childbirth.
Alice was the child who was left behind. Her father kept her close, her ayah cared for her, and she grew up to love them and the world around her so dearly. But her father had responsibilities, and he knew that he had to send Alice home to England, to be educated, to be raised as a lady should be.
He sent Alice to live with her Aunt Mercy in Windsor. Alice’s aunt was a medium, a very successful medium, and in time even Queen Victoria would summon her, to try to make contact with her beloved Albert. But she was sadly lacking in any sort of maternal instinct, and so an unhappy Alice began to wonder how she could escape cold, grey uncaring England and return to her warm, colourful loving India.
But Aunt Mercy and her gentleman caller, Mr Tilsbury, had plans for Alice. They pulled her into their scheme to steall the priceless Koh-i-Noor diamond, a gem said to be both blessed and cursed, that had been claimed by the British Empire at the end of the Anglo-Sikh wars.
And, of course, there were others – from England and from India – who wanted the diamond …..
The plot was elaborate and the plotters were ruthless. Alice was betrayed, seduced, abused and abandoned; she knew that she had to find a way to survive and break free, but she had no idea who she could trust, and she made mistakes and misjudgements.
I could say more, but this is far to good a story to spoil. Its written in wonderfully rich, descriptive prose, and it twists and turns beautifully; sometimes in directions that are quite unexpected and rather fanciful, but it always works. Because Alice and her world are so fully and beautifully realised, because I was drawn in, because I cared and reacted to everything that happened.
I loved the way that the story of Shiva and Pravati, and stories of her family, were woven into Alice’s own story. The contrast between India and England was very, very effective, and there were so many lovely things to notice along the way: bookish references, Victoriana, real history – everything you could want.
Essie Fox brought a wealth of knowledge and wonderful imagination to her story. It is told so beautifully, so cleverly, and her love of what she wrote shone from the pages. That made turning those pages completely irresistible.
And it pulled from me the same love of books and the story that I remember having as a child. I caught myself thinking, ‘I don’t want to go to work, I want to stay here and read my book!’
Later, of course, I didn’t want it to end.
But when it came the ending was perfect: there was high drama, and a lovely little twist.
I do miss Alice, who I grew to love, but that gave me a little clue about what her future might hold. I do hope I was right …
It began in India at the end of the 19th century, a strange and unfamiliar country to a young bride from England, expecting her first child. I was pulled right into her world from the very first page; it came alive on the page. I felt her confusion and her wonder, and I was so very, very sorry that she died in childbirth.
Alice was the child who was left behind. Her father kept her close, her ayah cared for her, and she grew up to love them and the world around her so dearly. But her father had responsibilities, and he knew that he had to send Alice home to England, to be educated, to be raised as a lady should be.
He sent Alice to live with her Aunt Mercy in Windsor. Alice’s aunt was a medium, a very successful medium, and in time even Queen Victoria would summon her, to try to make contact with her beloved Albert. But she was sadly lacking in any sort of maternal instinct, and so an unhappy Alice began to wonder how she could escape cold, grey uncaring England and return to her warm, colourful loving India.
But Aunt Mercy and her gentleman caller, Mr Tilsbury, had plans for Alice. They pulled her into their scheme to steall the priceless Koh-i-Noor diamond, a gem said to be both blessed and cursed, that had been claimed by the British Empire at the end of the Anglo-Sikh wars.
And, of course, there were others – from England and from India – who wanted the diamond …..
The plot was elaborate and the plotters were ruthless. Alice was betrayed, seduced, abused and abandoned; she knew that she had to find a way to survive and break free, but she had no idea who she could trust, and she made mistakes and misjudgements.
I could say more, but this is far to good a story to spoil. Its written in wonderfully rich, descriptive prose, and it twists and turns beautifully; sometimes in directions that are quite unexpected and rather fanciful, but it always works. Because Alice and her world are so fully and beautifully realised, because I was drawn in, because I cared and reacted to everything that happened.
I loved the way that the story of Shiva and Pravati, and stories of her family, were woven into Alice’s own story. The contrast between India and England was very, very effective, and there were so many lovely things to notice along the way: bookish references, Victoriana, real history – everything you could want.
Essie Fox brought a wealth of knowledge and wonderful imagination to her story. It is told so beautifully, so cleverly, and her love of what she wrote shone from the pages. That made turning those pages completely irresistible.
And it pulled from me the same love of books and the story that I remember having as a child. I caught myself thinking, ‘I don’t want to go to work, I want to stay here and read my book!’
Later, of course, I didn’t want it to end.
But when it came the ending was perfect: there was high drama, and a lovely little twist.
I do miss Alice, who I grew to love, but that gave me a little clue about what her future might hold. I do hope I was right …
March 17, 2020
This book... sucked.
There is no other way to say it. It tried to create a mysterious, unsettling and spiritual atmosphere, but it failed. It only managed to fill me with a sense of frustration and boredom.
It tried to encompass almost half of the life of its main character, but the scenes were disjointed and vague, to the point where the author had to expressly tell us how much time had passed otherwise there was no keeping the timeline straight.
The mc was supposed to be a lively, curious girl, but it turns out she was just naive, frail and unable to put two and two together. No matter how many times she felt uneasy around someone, she never suspected or tried to guess at their intentions, or how they might deceive her. Instead, she went along with their every word like a rag-doll (offering a small protest here and there), never understanding, never taking in her surroundings and then felt surprised at how well deceived and trapped she found herself to be... Frankly, after the first few instances I felt no more sympathy for her.
As for the "magical realism" element... I disliked it too, not only because I despise unexplained, surrealist magical touches thrown into my stories, but also because it tried to tie in to Hindu culture and myth and weave a grand tapestry of supposed connections with LITERALLY no payoff. All this talk of gods and reincarnation and rebirth and she remained the mediocrity she was to begin with.
Ultimately, I disliked this book for the same reason I dislike Oliver Twist; its mc has no agency whatsoever, letting everyone around them use and abuse them, feeling upset and betrayed, yet always returning to give those same abusers a second chance... It's a no for me!
There is no other way to say it. It tried to create a mysterious, unsettling and spiritual atmosphere, but it failed. It only managed to fill me with a sense of frustration and boredom.
It tried to encompass almost half of the life of its main character, but the scenes were disjointed and vague, to the point where the author had to expressly tell us how much time had passed otherwise there was no keeping the timeline straight.
The mc was supposed to be a lively, curious girl, but it turns out she was just naive, frail and unable to put two and two together. No matter how many times she felt uneasy around someone, she never suspected or tried to guess at their intentions, or how they might deceive her. Instead, she went along with their every word like a rag-doll (offering a small protest here and there), never understanding, never taking in her surroundings and then felt surprised at how well deceived and trapped she found herself to be... Frankly, after the first few instances I felt no more sympathy for her.
As for the "magical realism" element... I disliked it too, not only because I despise unexplained, surrealist magical touches thrown into my stories, but also because it tried to tie in to Hindu culture and myth and weave a grand tapestry of supposed connections with LITERALLY no payoff. All this talk of gods and reincarnation and rebirth and she remained the mediocrity she was to begin with.
Ultimately, I disliked this book for the same reason I dislike Oliver Twist; its mc has no agency whatsoever, letting everyone around them use and abuse them, feeling upset and betrayed, yet always returning to give those same abusers a second chance... It's a no for me!
March 28, 2014
This proved to be another wonderful novel from Essie Fox, which captures the essence of the Victorian Gothic melodrama with perfection. Into its rich narrative are woven themes of colonialism, the mythology of India, and the lore surrounding the Koh-i-Noor diamond, which also featured recently in the plot of Fay Weldon's Long Live the King. Interestingly in Weldon's novel fake spiritualists and the Royal Family's interest in the subject were also part of the plot.
I have deep respect for Ms. Fox's historical research and her ability to write sympathetic and complex characters as well as telling a rollicking tale. Here Alice proved a very likeable ingénue, her Aunt Mercy a somewhat tragic figure and Lucian Tilsbury, a charismatic baddie. It was easy to see how the women fell under his influence.
There are a few unanswered questions at the end of the novel that hint at the possibility that the story might one day be continued. I hope so for as much as I appreciate stand-alone novels some do cry out for further exposition. This blend of Eastern and Western mysticism, which only deepened as the 19th Century progressed, as well as the turbulent relationship between Britain and India seems a rich vein for further exploration. That Ms. Fox manages to integrate quite serious themes into her narrative is another testimony to her skill as a writer and makes her novels far more than tributes to the Victorian Gothic melodrama. She includes a bibliography and other material at the conclusion of the novel about the real life events that informed her narrative.
In terms of the mystical aspects I can only praise Ms. Fox's blending of tales of the Hindu pantheon into the text along with a sensitive portrayal of the Victorian interest in Spiritualism.
Orion deserves a special mention for the beautiful covers they've created for all of Essie Fox's novels, which in hardback have a textured surface. I am planning to recommend this novel to my reading group once it is published in paperback at the end of 2014 as I feel it is not only a good read but contains interesting points for discussion. I'll be also looking out for her future work with interest.
I have deep respect for Ms. Fox's historical research and her ability to write sympathetic and complex characters as well as telling a rollicking tale. Here Alice proved a very likeable ingénue, her Aunt Mercy a somewhat tragic figure and Lucian Tilsbury, a charismatic baddie. It was easy to see how the women fell under his influence.
There are a few unanswered questions at the end of the novel that hint at the possibility that the story might one day be continued. I hope so for as much as I appreciate stand-alone novels some do cry out for further exposition. This blend of Eastern and Western mysticism, which only deepened as the 19th Century progressed, as well as the turbulent relationship between Britain and India seems a rich vein for further exploration. That Ms. Fox manages to integrate quite serious themes into her narrative is another testimony to her skill as a writer and makes her novels far more than tributes to the Victorian Gothic melodrama. She includes a bibliography and other material at the conclusion of the novel about the real life events that informed her narrative.
In terms of the mystical aspects I can only praise Ms. Fox's blending of tales of the Hindu pantheon into the text along with a sensitive portrayal of the Victorian interest in Spiritualism.
Orion deserves a special mention for the beautiful covers they've created for all of Essie Fox's novels, which in hardback have a textured surface. I am planning to recommend this novel to my reading group once it is published in paperback at the end of 2014 as I feel it is not only a good read but contains interesting points for discussion. I'll be also looking out for her future work with interest.
April 10, 2017
A rich gothic story set in Victorian London. Alice won my heart in her struggles, in her search for who she was and where she must be. She is a character I shall long remember fondly.
December 4, 2013
Essie Fox has proved with this third novel that she really is the master of Victorian drama, and excels in making historical fiction appeal to all. I often struggle with this genre, yet despite a fairly slow beginning, I was soon transfixed by this story, the writing and the masterful way that every intricate detail just seems to flow effortlessly.
Young Alice has been brought up in Lahore, India. Her mother died in childbirth and she was raised by her ayah. Alice's father decides that she must go to England, to live with her Aunt Mercy and Alice finds herself in Windsor. The place is so different, and Aunt Mercy is not what she seems. Mercy has plans for Alice, plans that would horrify her father, if he knew. And so, Alice becomes more miserable, but has no choice to go along with Mercy's plans.
The story moves forward, Alice is grown and determined to get away from her Aunt's hold. Enter Mr Tilsbury into the story; Alice thinks that she dreamt about him, but a few months later it becomes apparent that his night time visit was very real. Aunt Mercy and Mr Tilsbury are obsessed with the Koh-I-Noor diamond, they are determined that it will be theirs.
The Goddess and the Thief is a novel that meshes together the exotic and lively streets of India with the more sedate area of Windsor, and Essie Fox does this effortlessly and with great skill. Alice is a beautifully created character, who suffers greatly between these pages, and who the reader can empathise with. Mercy and Mr Tilsbury are vile and brutal, and it is with a sense of horror that the reader has to experience their treatment and betrayal of young Alice.
The fact that the novel features actual events adds another layer to the whole story. The contrast of the different locations is so well handled, with the story slipping effortlessly from one location to the next.
Fans of Essie Fox's first two novels will adore this one, and readers who are experiencing this author's work for the first time cannot fail to be impressed either.
A truly outstanding novel, well-researched, colourful, sometimes a little dark, often unusual, but very readable and certainly memorable.
Young Alice has been brought up in Lahore, India. Her mother died in childbirth and she was raised by her ayah. Alice's father decides that she must go to England, to live with her Aunt Mercy and Alice finds herself in Windsor. The place is so different, and Aunt Mercy is not what she seems. Mercy has plans for Alice, plans that would horrify her father, if he knew. And so, Alice becomes more miserable, but has no choice to go along with Mercy's plans.
The story moves forward, Alice is grown and determined to get away from her Aunt's hold. Enter Mr Tilsbury into the story; Alice thinks that she dreamt about him, but a few months later it becomes apparent that his night time visit was very real. Aunt Mercy and Mr Tilsbury are obsessed with the Koh-I-Noor diamond, they are determined that it will be theirs.
The Goddess and the Thief is a novel that meshes together the exotic and lively streets of India with the more sedate area of Windsor, and Essie Fox does this effortlessly and with great skill. Alice is a beautifully created character, who suffers greatly between these pages, and who the reader can empathise with. Mercy and Mr Tilsbury are vile and brutal, and it is with a sense of horror that the reader has to experience their treatment and betrayal of young Alice.
The fact that the novel features actual events adds another layer to the whole story. The contrast of the different locations is so well handled, with the story slipping effortlessly from one location to the next.
Fans of Essie Fox's first two novels will adore this one, and readers who are experiencing this author's work for the first time cannot fail to be impressed either.
A truly outstanding novel, well-researched, colourful, sometimes a little dark, often unusual, but very readable and certainly memorable.
December 4, 2013
This book had me enthralled from the very first page! It certainly lived up to it's tagline of 'A dark Victorian novel. A diamond, a curse, an obsession' it has all that and more!
This novel is really well written, the pace is good and the language used is really pleasing. When the story moves from one era/country/situation to another it does so seamlessly. The author does not rely on the 'one chapter one voice' style of writing that you get so much these days, using a much more fluid approach allowing the story lead the reader in a more natural fashion.
I love the way the exotic tales of Shiva and Parvati are woven into the story highlighting the difference in the cultures of India and England, and the way that these legends, mysticism and the penchant for psychic readings in Victorian England give depth and a certain wonder to this tale.
The style of writing is descriptive without being 'flowery' and you really do feel for the characters portrayed - well I certainly did anyway! I wholeheartedly recommend this novel and it will definitely remain on my bookshelf ready to enjoy again at a later date. I will also be searching out the other titles by Essie Fox in the hope that they are equally well written and entertaining.
This novel is really well written, the pace is good and the language used is really pleasing. When the story moves from one era/country/situation to another it does so seamlessly. The author does not rely on the 'one chapter one voice' style of writing that you get so much these days, using a much more fluid approach allowing the story lead the reader in a more natural fashion.
I love the way the exotic tales of Shiva and Parvati are woven into the story highlighting the difference in the cultures of India and England, and the way that these legends, mysticism and the penchant for psychic readings in Victorian England give depth and a certain wonder to this tale.
The style of writing is descriptive without being 'flowery' and you really do feel for the characters portrayed - well I certainly did anyway! I wholeheartedly recommend this novel and it will definitely remain on my bookshelf ready to enjoy again at a later date. I will also be searching out the other titles by Essie Fox in the hope that they are equally well written and entertaining.
December 28, 2013
I could not possibly do justice to Essie Fox's third book in a review but it is my favourite so far. Written in rich exotic prose to suit the setting of sumptuous richly coloured fabrics and jewels the reader instantly identifies with the heroine, Alice, and longs to help her escape from the people, circumstances and obsessions which entrap her. And yet Alice is not completely helpless and makes momentous decisions even if they are unwise. The enigmatic Lucian Tilsbury is both compelling and terrifying and the other characters are all clearly drawn. Essie Fox may not have lived in India, but her wide reading has enabled her to catch the fascination of this complex sub-continent. A very satisfying Christmas read!
September 13, 2015
This book was recommended to me via a facebook friend. I've read it and I liked that slow paced, well researched story set in India and England a lot. Fascinating characters, an interesting diamond, a seance with Queen Victoria, love and theft and quite a portion of tragedy. All ingredients to build up a gripping story. If you like Wilkie Collins or Rider Haggard you should give this one a try. And if you like historical gothic novels this is an absolute must read for you. Besides the author Essie has an interesting Facebook page and a very informative Victorian blog. Clear recommendation!
May 11, 2016
Started off beautifully with evocative writing and a beautifully sympathetic setting... but rapidly fell into a mess of tired fetishisation and hackneyed mimicry of Victorian orientalism. Coupled with an entirely spineless heroine and a bunch of repetitive, hallucinatory rape fantasies the book clearly WAS inspired by Victorian Gothic - sadly, not the good kind.
So bad it was offensive.
So bad it was offensive.
March 6, 2017
DNF at 12%. Started out with a very engrossing epilogue and first chapter, but soon dwindled into no plot and no interest. A good idea badly developed. A shame.
December 10, 2013
I have a general rule that an author can only be considered one of my favourites if they publish three books that I fall in love with. With her latest novel, which is a triumph, Essie Fox has become my newest favourite author.
Though Fox has returned to the Victorian era, she has covered new ground with the setting. “The Goddess and the Thief” begins in India, full of luscious imagery and exotic mythology, and follows the life of Alice Willoughby, the daughter of a surgeon in the East India Trading Company. As well as bringing the culture of India to life, it is clear that the author has done her homework – Fox’s portrayal of the political landscape at that time is as intricate as it is exciting. Central to the novel’s plot is the Koh-i-Noor diamond which, as well as casting light on the power struggle between India and the British Empire, lies at the heart of the novel’s mystery.
When young Alice is forced to return to England, she enters the care of her aunt – the spiritualist Mercy Matthews. There is a fascinating contrast between the open sensuality, the richness of Indian culture and the repressive nature of Victorian society (for which Mercy’s trade is an outlet). The veneer of respectability facilitated by properness and stoicism makes it all the easier to conceal what ranges from distasteful to disturbing. Fortunately for the reader – less so for poor Alice – she experiences all at the hands of Lucian Tilsbury, her aunt’s mentor, a man whose charisma and charm hide a streak of depravity.
Parallels are drawn with the connection between Alice and Tilsbury, and that shared by the gods Parvati and Shiva, which makes it difficult to discern between reality and the imagined. Another aspect of the story which skews perception is drug abuse – the casual use of opium is startling in such a conservative setting, as is the way in which ‘medication’ causes narrative misdirection. After much thought, I’m still unclear where the border lies between Alice’s dreams and experiences, and I love “The Goddess and the Thief” all the more for this additional layer of mystery.
My only issue with this novel is that the protagonist isn’t as engaging as in Fox’s previous novels – then again, she has outdone herself with the villain. It is such a good book. At points the plot is terrifying – a nightmare scenario – and, as a reader, I felt totally invested in the outcome for Alice. It isn’t the mysticism that is truly scary, but rather Alice’s invisibility. As a single, under-aged female without any trustworthy male to aid her, she is sickeningly vulnerable – a fact which is exploited time and time again. The way Fox works social issues into her novels is incredibly powerful.
“The Goddess and the Thief” is an excellent novel, which I recommend to all lovers of mystery and historical fiction. I look forward to reading whatever Essie Fox will publish in the future.
Though Fox has returned to the Victorian era, she has covered new ground with the setting. “The Goddess and the Thief” begins in India, full of luscious imagery and exotic mythology, and follows the life of Alice Willoughby, the daughter of a surgeon in the East India Trading Company. As well as bringing the culture of India to life, it is clear that the author has done her homework – Fox’s portrayal of the political landscape at that time is as intricate as it is exciting. Central to the novel’s plot is the Koh-i-Noor diamond which, as well as casting light on the power struggle between India and the British Empire, lies at the heart of the novel’s mystery.
When young Alice is forced to return to England, she enters the care of her aunt – the spiritualist Mercy Matthews. There is a fascinating contrast between the open sensuality, the richness of Indian culture and the repressive nature of Victorian society (for which Mercy’s trade is an outlet). The veneer of respectability facilitated by properness and stoicism makes it all the easier to conceal what ranges from distasteful to disturbing. Fortunately for the reader – less so for poor Alice – she experiences all at the hands of Lucian Tilsbury, her aunt’s mentor, a man whose charisma and charm hide a streak of depravity.
Parallels are drawn with the connection between Alice and Tilsbury, and that shared by the gods Parvati and Shiva, which makes it difficult to discern between reality and the imagined. Another aspect of the story which skews perception is drug abuse – the casual use of opium is startling in such a conservative setting, as is the way in which ‘medication’ causes narrative misdirection. After much thought, I’m still unclear where the border lies between Alice’s dreams and experiences, and I love “The Goddess and the Thief” all the more for this additional layer of mystery.
My only issue with this novel is that the protagonist isn’t as engaging as in Fox’s previous novels – then again, she has outdone herself with the villain. It is such a good book. At points the plot is terrifying – a nightmare scenario – and, as a reader, I felt totally invested in the outcome for Alice. It isn’t the mysticism that is truly scary, but rather Alice’s invisibility. As a single, under-aged female without any trustworthy male to aid her, she is sickeningly vulnerable – a fact which is exploited time and time again. The way Fox works social issues into her novels is incredibly powerful.
“The Goddess and the Thief” is an excellent novel, which I recommend to all lovers of mystery and historical fiction. I look forward to reading whatever Essie Fox will publish in the future.
December 5, 2013
Woven within the pages of 'The Goddess and the Thief' is the mysticism of Hindu Mythology juxtaposing the spirituality of the essence of reincarnation for Alice, her Aunt Mercy, and Mr. Lucian Tilsbury. Those are the main characters you will meet almost immediately through the letters of Alice's dead mother and through the thoughts of Alice herself. One of the aspects that makes 'The Goddess and the Thief' not only unique by its nature of the storyline and the plot are the written thoughts of Hindu Goddess Shiva and Pravati cleverly placed throughout this two-part gem of a masterpiece! Background characters are always there as well taking up space in the ether to support the subplot; thus, making for mesmerizing reading.
'The Goddess and the Thief' begins in 1843 India to the Great Exhibition in London, England, in 1851 with appearances throughout by Prince Albert and Queen Victoria, as well as Maharajah Duleep Singh. It wouldn't be Victorian Britain without her majesty Queen Victoria now would it? I found these chapters to be some of my favorites learning about the friendship between Victoria and the maharajah. The beautiful love between Shiva and Pravati was new to me and I really enjoyed reading the underlying aspects of reincarnation the author weaves into Alice's storyline. Always a wonderful occurrence to come upon an aspect of a novel where you find yourself curious to learn more about another culture.
Already well familiar with Essie Fox's novels, having read the first two: The Somnambulist and Elijah's Mermaid, I was not prepared to become so entwined in every aspect of 'The Goddess and the Thief.' Author, Essie Fox, has once again chosen a part of her research that sparks an interest and pursues it with abundance. Luckily for her readers. Focusing on a well-known jewel the Koh-i-nor Diamond, a few séances, two troubled families and a few secrets they would prefer left hidden, I cannot urge you enough to read 'The Goddess and the Thief' for yourself. This is a surreal and spiritual story so beautifully written and told so cleverly that you will not be able to put it down!
'The Goddess and the Thief' begins in 1843 India to the Great Exhibition in London, England, in 1851 with appearances throughout by Prince Albert and Queen Victoria, as well as Maharajah Duleep Singh. It wouldn't be Victorian Britain without her majesty Queen Victoria now would it? I found these chapters to be some of my favorites learning about the friendship between Victoria and the maharajah. The beautiful love between Shiva and Pravati was new to me and I really enjoyed reading the underlying aspects of reincarnation the author weaves into Alice's storyline. Always a wonderful occurrence to come upon an aspect of a novel where you find yourself curious to learn more about another culture.
Already well familiar with Essie Fox's novels, having read the first two: The Somnambulist and Elijah's Mermaid, I was not prepared to become so entwined in every aspect of 'The Goddess and the Thief.' Author, Essie Fox, has once again chosen a part of her research that sparks an interest and pursues it with abundance. Luckily for her readers. Focusing on a well-known jewel the Koh-i-nor Diamond, a few séances, two troubled families and a few secrets they would prefer left hidden, I cannot urge you enough to read 'The Goddess and the Thief' for yourself. This is a surreal and spiritual story so beautifully written and told so cleverly that you will not be able to put it down!
January 21, 2014
From the balmy, exotically scented air of Lahore, to the dank, cloud-filled skies of Windsor, Essie Fox's third Gothic novel THE GODDESS AND THE THIEF faultlessly blends fact and fiction in a vividly imagined Victorian story of intrigue, crime and obsession.
Motherless and therefore raised by her ayah in India, Alice Willoughby is abruptly uprooted from everything known to her and sent to Windsor where she is left in the care of her Aunt Mercy who poses as a medium and occultist. This rich and luxuriously told tale begins here. The plot unfolds strand by golden stand as the author cleverly intertwines an incredible amount of research in a way that never takes its eyes off the vibrant characters, the pace, and the rich material of Hindu myths, the Koh-i-Noor diamond and Queen Victoria herself.
The pages fly in this compelling and intoxicating novel; the experience of gaining momentum from chapter to chapter is such a joy, until the reader reaches the climactic and satisfying end.
Motherless and therefore raised by her ayah in India, Alice Willoughby is abruptly uprooted from everything known to her and sent to Windsor where she is left in the care of her Aunt Mercy who poses as a medium and occultist. This rich and luxuriously told tale begins here. The plot unfolds strand by golden stand as the author cleverly intertwines an incredible amount of research in a way that never takes its eyes off the vibrant characters, the pace, and the rich material of Hindu myths, the Koh-i-Noor diamond and Queen Victoria herself.
The pages fly in this compelling and intoxicating novel; the experience of gaining momentum from chapter to chapter is such a joy, until the reader reaches the climactic and satisfying end.
December 23, 2013
I've read both of Essie Fox's previous books, so was keen to get my hands on her latest. It went straight to the top of my TBR pile, and certainly didn't disappoint. The story starts in India- I was amazed to learn that Essie hadn't been to India when she wrote these scenes; the writing is exquisite. So too is the way she uses historical anecdotes to enrich her story. I read the final 100 pages in just one sitting- the story powers along at this point. I wasn't quite sure who to trust, who had my sympathy. And as for the final page... well, I won't ruin that for anyone! A book I'd heartily recommend. This is historical fiction at its finest.
January 1, 2014
With a plot as intricately detailed as the hennaed hands that adorn the book’s cover, 'The Goddess and the Thief' is everything a dark Victorian novel should be. Once again proving herself to be an expert in the genre, Essie Fox has woven a sumptuous and intoxicating tale of greed, deception, jealousy, addiction and passion. The result is a book every bit as spellbinding as the Indian mysticism that inspires it.
This is Essie’s third novel and, in my opinion, her best yet. Without doubt, one of my favourite reads of 2013.
This is Essie’s third novel and, in my opinion, her best yet. Without doubt, one of my favourite reads of 2013.
December 14, 2013
A great read from Essie Fox, she just gets better and better.
July 3, 2023
I've had this on my tbr for 8 years. Didn't enjoy it. First half very stunted and slow.
November 30, 2024
Eugh. Shameful attitude to rapists.
I trudged through this.
I trudged through this.
January 28, 2015
Posted originally http://www.reviewedthebook.co.uk/2014...
The Goddess and the Thief is an unusual, beautifully told novel and one which really captures the imagination. I was fascinated and completely enthralled by the author’s atmospheric writing, and the way she intricately built the plot up, with every page laced with secrets and lies. Once I picked this book up, I was instantly intrigued with the first chapter headed ‘The Letter �� Never Sent’, and I did not stop reading until I had finished this wonderful novel. Each chapter title was interesting and set the scene, each chapter itself brought more gorgeous writing and the book ended on a high note too, with an ending I wasn’t expecting. I loved The Goddess and the Thief.
The book follows Alice, a young girl who is being raised by her aunt Mercy in Windsor after being uprooted from her home in India. Alice finds herself to be under the control of her aunt and things only worsen when the mysterious Tilsbury arrives on the scene. I could really get behind Alice’s character right from the beginning of the book and enjoyed reading the development in her character, from where she starts as a slightly naïve, easily controlled girl to a young woman who is more informed and understanding of the people in her world. I was always supporting and rooting for her character and it was sad to see some of the situations she found herself in when I was eager for her to take control and learn who to trust. Learning who to trust, however, was something even as a reader I couldn’t work out. Everybody seemed to have an ulterior motive, to be someone else completely, and I loved reading these characters because the plot was in turn unpredictable and very absorbing. The characters were each multi-layered and developed strongly and with every new name brought in, I knew they were about to surprise me.
The author’s writing was brilliantly descriptive and I loved her portrayal of the age and the setting. I found it quite detailed at times but this really helped capture the essence of the actual plot and I think it worked because I never felt confused or out of sorts despite reading about a time I have no knowledge on. I’ve only recently started reading historic novels but this was ultimately the most gripping and involving. We’re brought more stunning descriptive writing, in the form of the things Alice sees unfold but the author’s telling of the action in The Goddess and the Thief is captivating too. There’s plenty of twists throughout the novel, some subtle and some more dramatic and they’re all faultlessly entertaining. The Goddess and the Thief’s prose was enchanting, thought-provoking and ultimately delightfully told. I’m really excited to read more from Essie Fox.
*Book received in exchange for an honest review.
May 18, 2014
Deliciously dark, alluring and utterly beautiful. Yet another atmospheric wonder from the hands of Essie Fox, whose prose I'll always admire. This novel is a treasure as mesmerizing and sparkling as the Koh-i-noor diamond itself.
"The Goddess and the Thief" begins in India among tigers, jewels and sensual myths about everlasting love between gods and humans. Fox pours rich descriptions on the page; one can almost feel the light silk gently bruising against the skin, breathe in the intoxicating odor of the flower gardens or feel the oppressive heat from the unmerciful sun. Fox always lures me in with her talent for description; she gives an impression of excessive detail but still, she lets some things remain unsaid, ultimately leaving a trail of shadows and mysteries.
When young Alice is removed from her ayah and taken home to her aunt Mercy in England, the trauma is almost heartbreaking. This young girl who has grown up in a world of exotic illusion is drawn into a world of ill-conceived trickery, scheming and theft. She has left the blinding light of the sun and stepped into the shadows.
But the mythology remains, and Alice's present is hugely influenced by her past. Her name in exchange for a life, her father's death, her aunt and her eventual lover's connection to the myths she heard as a child, create a beautiful and complex pattern, hidden in an opium haze and united in the depth of the cursed Koh-i-noor diamond.
As always, Fox has filled her story with a dangerous amount of twists and turns; half of which I never saw coming. The ending was sudden; unforeseen and certainly not what I had expected. I found myself reading faster and faster in the early morning light in order to finally reveal what was hidden deep within the many layers of the story.
At times the mythological aspects and the sense of the supernatural, became a bit confusing. What was real and what was not? I couldn't always tell; but neither could Alice as she was caught in opium-induced daydreams, haunting memories and a world of betrayal, trickery and hurt. The line between dream and reality is blurry, because it is meant to be. As readers we almost only see what Alice sees; and like her, we have a choice to make about what to make sense of and what to believe.
To me, this is a book about possession and obsession; of home and a sense of belonging; of betrayal and theft; of attraction, love and desire; of revenge and forgiveness; of history and politics; of caged birds and precious stones; of medicine and poisoning; of ivory elephants and crystal balls; of the clash between cultures and the people caught in between.
"The Goddess and the Thief" begins in India among tigers, jewels and sensual myths about everlasting love between gods and humans. Fox pours rich descriptions on the page; one can almost feel the light silk gently bruising against the skin, breathe in the intoxicating odor of the flower gardens or feel the oppressive heat from the unmerciful sun. Fox always lures me in with her talent for description; she gives an impression of excessive detail but still, she lets some things remain unsaid, ultimately leaving a trail of shadows and mysteries.
When young Alice is removed from her ayah and taken home to her aunt Mercy in England, the trauma is almost heartbreaking. This young girl who has grown up in a world of exotic illusion is drawn into a world of ill-conceived trickery, scheming and theft. She has left the blinding light of the sun and stepped into the shadows.
But the mythology remains, and Alice's present is hugely influenced by her past. Her name in exchange for a life, her father's death, her aunt and her eventual lover's connection to the myths she heard as a child, create a beautiful and complex pattern, hidden in an opium haze and united in the depth of the cursed Koh-i-noor diamond.
As always, Fox has filled her story with a dangerous amount of twists and turns; half of which I never saw coming. The ending was sudden; unforeseen and certainly not what I had expected. I found myself reading faster and faster in the early morning light in order to finally reveal what was hidden deep within the many layers of the story.
At times the mythological aspects and the sense of the supernatural, became a bit confusing. What was real and what was not? I couldn't always tell; but neither could Alice as she was caught in opium-induced daydreams, haunting memories and a world of betrayal, trickery and hurt. The line between dream and reality is blurry, because it is meant to be. As readers we almost only see what Alice sees; and like her, we have a choice to make about what to make sense of and what to believe.
To me, this is a book about possession and obsession; of home and a sense of belonging; of betrayal and theft; of attraction, love and desire; of revenge and forgiveness; of history and politics; of caged birds and precious stones; of medicine and poisoning; of ivory elephants and crystal balls; of the clash between cultures and the people caught in between.
January 6, 2015
The year is 1843, and the British Empire is at the height of her powers. In India, that jewel in Queen Victoria’s imperial crown, a young English bride struggles to adapt to her new life as the wife of a surgeon and emissary of the East India Company. Often left alone as her husband, Charles, travels on Company business, the heavily-pregnant Alice Willoughby suffers in the oppressive Indian heat, and worries about her own health and that of her unborn child. Her fears, we soon learn, are justified. As prophesied by an Aghori, an ascetic holy man of frightening appearance who worships the Hindu deity Shiva, Alice does not survive childbirth. The child, a daughter, also called Alice, is entrusted into the care of Mini, an ayah or Indian nursemaid. A deep bond develops between the pair, and Mini introduces Alice to the rich tapestry of Indian myth and folklore. She learns of Shiva, and also of his wife, the goddesss Parvati - who together represent the ultimate symbol of married bliss. Alice is captivated by Mini’s tales and finds herself drawn to Shiva as a moth is to a flame.
But when she is “very nearly eight years old”, Alive is suddenly ripped her ayah’s bosom when her father brings her to England. There, she is taken to live with her mother’s sister, Mercy Matthews, a spiritual medium of the charlatan variety and a woman of a less-than-merciful disposition. Before depositing his daughter in Mercy’s imposing stuccoed house in Windsor and returning to India to resume his career, Charles takes Alice to the Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in London’s Hyde Park. It is here that Alice has her first, but not her last, encounter with the Koh-i-Noor, the world’s largest diamond.
The rest of this review can be read on the Book Batter website: http://www.bookbatter.com/latest-revi...
But when she is “very nearly eight years old”, Alive is suddenly ripped her ayah’s bosom when her father brings her to England. There, she is taken to live with her mother’s sister, Mercy Matthews, a spiritual medium of the charlatan variety and a woman of a less-than-merciful disposition. Before depositing his daughter in Mercy’s imposing stuccoed house in Windsor and returning to India to resume his career, Charles takes Alice to the Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in London’s Hyde Park. It is here that Alice has her first, but not her last, encounter with the Koh-i-Noor, the world’s largest diamond.
The rest of this review can be read on the Book Batter website: http://www.bookbatter.com/latest-revi...
July 30, 2016
I had high hopes for Essie Fox’s The Goddess and the Thief. The prose is intensely sensuous, and the scope of the narrative is vast. Fox is incorporating the Victorian obsession with death, opium and India in the tale, plus cleverly interweaving a great deal of Hindu mysticism, myth and religion, thus creating an original and intriguing Oriental Gothic novel. Essie Fox has clearly done her research very thorough and is evidently passionate about the Victorian era. The novel is full of charming details and exotica of Victorian Britain, weaving a rich atmospheric tale.
However this book did not wholly take me in. Though the plot is capitivating, the string of complex situations the protagonist Alice is placed in does not allow for her as a character to fully develop convincingly, in my opinion. Hence the three and not four stars review.
However this book did not wholly take me in. Though the plot is capitivating, the string of complex situations the protagonist Alice is placed in does not allow for her as a character to fully develop convincingly, in my opinion. Hence the three and not four stars review.
August 12, 2016
The Goddess and the Thief is a story of abuse and betrayal, thinly disguised behind a veil of mysticism.
Alice is torn away from her home in India and sent to live in servitude to her Aunt whose only care is to preserve her fraudulent reputation and squander Alice's inheritance.
The story reads in first person narrative, thanks to this you get a strong sense of personal development and growing maturity as the story progresses.
We follow Alice from a naive innocent girl thrown into an unknown world, through a rebellious and troubled adolescence, and her first tentative steps into womanhood.
lost to those she loved and betrayed by those she trusted.
After many hardships she emerges a strong independent woman.
goodreads winner.
Alice is torn away from her home in India and sent to live in servitude to her Aunt whose only care is to preserve her fraudulent reputation and squander Alice's inheritance.
The story reads in first person narrative, thanks to this you get a strong sense of personal development and growing maturity as the story progresses.
We follow Alice from a naive innocent girl thrown into an unknown world, through a rebellious and troubled adolescence, and her first tentative steps into womanhood.
lost to those she loved and betrayed by those she trusted.
After many hardships she emerges a strong independent woman.
goodreads winner.
January 15, 2014
‘The Goddess and the Thief’ by Essie Fox is a glorious gothic mystery. Fox conjures both the heat and colour of India and the claustrophobia of Victorian England in heady, rich prose. Alice grew up in Lahore, but after her mother’s death she is sent ‘home’ to England by her father to be raised by family. There she becomes embroiled in the plot to steal the Koh-I-Noor diamond. Alice is a wonderfully drawn character, easy to empathise with, and when you realise that Fox skilfully weaves fiction with historical fact it only adds to the magic of this sumptuous novel.
January 17, 2014
The story is written in a masterfully way that made Essie Fox to one of my new most adored authors!
"The Goddess and the Thief" is a masterpiece of Gothic literature, that combines an enthralling magic atmosphere with outstandingly great drawn characters and the exotic of India.
Magical tales from Hindu scripture blend into the incredibly dark historical story in the Victorian age. A truly outstanding novel, extravagantly and colourful!
If you love Gothic, I HIGHLY recommend this breathtaking novel !!
"The Goddess and the Thief" is a masterpiece of Gothic literature, that combines an enthralling magic atmosphere with outstandingly great drawn characters and the exotic of India.
Magical tales from Hindu scripture blend into the incredibly dark historical story in the Victorian age. A truly outstanding novel, extravagantly and colourful!
If you love Gothic, I HIGHLY recommend this breathtaking novel !!
February 16, 2014
Although the genre is not my usual type of read, a Victorian setting, I really enjoyed this book and found some of the descriptions quite humorous. We follow the heroine Alice Willoughby, through her beginnings in an exotic mystical setting in India to a completely different 'mystical' experience in England. But there is much more to this story, including the theft of a diamond, religion and drug abuse. The detailed descriptions of Alice's life in both Lahore and London, and the different characters who cross her path, made this an exciting and colourful read. Definitely a recommendation.
April 30, 2015
I was really excited to read this having enjoyed the previous two from the author. Sadly the plot soon became tiresome after a wonderful beginning and the main character annoyed me with her unbelievable relationship with Tilsbury. It could have been an amazing book if it the action had moved back to India, (the scenes and legends were the best written IMO) but sadly this is my least favourite of the Foxes offerings
November 19, 2015
I was so prepared for this book to be amazing, but sadly I was disappointed. In fact I got until the half way point and then I basically skim read the rest of it. I feel as though it was an idea that had so much potential, but sadly I was just bored.
I'm still going to be checking out Essie Fox's other novels in the future, I just hoped I would enjoy this one because I love The Moonstone so much.
I'm still going to be checking out Essie Fox's other novels in the future, I just hoped I would enjoy this one because I love The Moonstone so much.
January 16, 2014
Just love Essie Fox's style when writing these historical novels - you could believe they actually happened although she weaves them around some truth most is from her imagination. There is India, its gems, seances and Queen Victoria. An orphan of the Raj is caught up in plans to return the Koh i Noor to its rightful place and gets more than she bargained for! At times made me shiver!
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