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Evie Winstanley #1
Circle of Shadows
A gripping historical fantasy steeped in mystery, menace, and the macabre
368 pages, Hardcover
Published October 9, 2025
2 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 27, 2025
I'm not hearing many people talk about this book, but I had such a good time! I was engaged from the very start, in this eerie, gothic mysterious tale. There's secret societies, supernatural elements, discussions around wealth and privilege, and at the heart of it all, our main character Evie, who I was rooting for throughout. I really loved watching her unravel more and more to this mystery, all with the aim of protecting her sister, She's tough and fearless, and I think such a fascinating character for the Edwardian setting. The plot was a tad predictable - I wasn't shocked by the big reveal, but I was so sad about it, because I felt so much for Evie. I really liked the author's writing style, so I'm very intrigued to read more from them!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
September 30, 2025
Brilliant, I loved this book. So much going on without becoming confusing. Evie Winstanley disturbs an intruder in her late father's study. After a a bit of investigating she realises what her father was working on before his death and what the intruder was after. As she broadens her investigation and understanding of the occult, she gets drawn deeper into the mystery. She's tough and she doesn't give up. Plenty of twists and an all round great story. I hope there will be more books featuring Evie!
Thanks to Netgalley, Hodder & Stoughton, and Marisa Linton for the free ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thanks to Netgalley, Hodder & Stoughton, and Marisa Linton for the free ARC. All opinions are my own.
December 28, 2025
Mystery, fantasy, historical fiction, dark academia…this is a difficult book to classify as it’s all of those things and more. Most importantly, it’s also a fascinating, entertaining read and after finishing it I was pleased to learn that it’s the first in a series, with a second book, Domain of Darkness, on its way.
The novel is set in 1904 and follows Evie Winstanley, the daughter of a scholar who collects occult books. When her father is found dead in his study, with his clothes dripping with water and a circular symbol chalked on the floor beside him, Evie is determined to find out what has happened to him. Convinced that he was working on some kind of occult ritual before his death, she manages to identify the symbol as the Kuroskato, or circle of shadows.
Evie’s investigations take her first to a country house on the Yorkshire moors and then to Oxford, where she learns more about the Kuroskato and how it could be dangerous in the hands of the wrong people. She also meets two very different men: Marcus Ellingham, a reporter for The Ghost Hunter, who has written a series of articles on fraudulent mediums, and Aubrey Penhallow, a country gentleman who is an expert on horse racing. One of them is a friend from the beginning, whereas the other is much more difficult to interpret. As Evie’s path crosses with both men again and again throughout the book, she must decide which, if either, can be trusted.
I enjoyed this book and liked the way the supernatural elements were always there in the background but never really dominated the story too much. Yes, this is a world where the dark arts really exist, where people can be possessed and spirits can be summoned, but Linton manages to weave these things into the plot in a way that feels convincing and believable. The mixture of a scholarly historical setting with a real, practical system of magic kept reminding me of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, although the plots of the two books are very different.
I also found Evie a very engaging character. She shares her father’s love of history, books and archaeology, but as a woman in Edwardian England her opportunities to pursue an academic career of her own are very limited. When she finds her way to Oxford University in search of answers to the mystery, she has to navigate the halls of all-male colleges, gain access to the Bodleian Library and infiltrate a secret society, the Sons of Dionysus, made up of rich and privileged young men. The sections of the book set in Oxford are wonderfully atmospheric, whether Linton is describing the world of academia, the bustling streets of the tourist areas or the banks of the River Cherwell at night. The earlier parts of the book, where Evie and her sister visit Yorkshire are just as vividly described and the country estate with its dark and sinister lake provides a contrast to the urban setting we see later on.
Although I guessed who the villain was in advance, I was still satisfied with the ending, particularly as it sets things up perfectly for the second book. I can’t wait to see what Evie does next !
The novel is set in 1904 and follows Evie Winstanley, the daughter of a scholar who collects occult books. When her father is found dead in his study, with his clothes dripping with water and a circular symbol chalked on the floor beside him, Evie is determined to find out what has happened to him. Convinced that he was working on some kind of occult ritual before his death, she manages to identify the symbol as the Kuroskato, or circle of shadows.
Evie’s investigations take her first to a country house on the Yorkshire moors and then to Oxford, where she learns more about the Kuroskato and how it could be dangerous in the hands of the wrong people. She also meets two very different men: Marcus Ellingham, a reporter for The Ghost Hunter, who has written a series of articles on fraudulent mediums, and Aubrey Penhallow, a country gentleman who is an expert on horse racing. One of them is a friend from the beginning, whereas the other is much more difficult to interpret. As Evie’s path crosses with both men again and again throughout the book, she must decide which, if either, can be trusted.
I enjoyed this book and liked the way the supernatural elements were always there in the background but never really dominated the story too much. Yes, this is a world where the dark arts really exist, where people can be possessed and spirits can be summoned, but Linton manages to weave these things into the plot in a way that feels convincing and believable. The mixture of a scholarly historical setting with a real, practical system of magic kept reminding me of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, although the plots of the two books are very different.
I also found Evie a very engaging character. She shares her father’s love of history, books and archaeology, but as a woman in Edwardian England her opportunities to pursue an academic career of her own are very limited. When she finds her way to Oxford University in search of answers to the mystery, she has to navigate the halls of all-male colleges, gain access to the Bodleian Library and infiltrate a secret society, the Sons of Dionysus, made up of rich and privileged young men. The sections of the book set in Oxford are wonderfully atmospheric, whether Linton is describing the world of academia, the bustling streets of the tourist areas or the banks of the River Cherwell at night. The earlier parts of the book, where Evie and her sister visit Yorkshire are just as vividly described and the country estate with its dark and sinister lake provides a contrast to the urban setting we see later on.
Although I guessed who the villain was in advance, I was still satisfied with the ending, particularly as it sets things up perfectly for the second book. I can’t wait to see what Evie does next !
September 21, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Circle of Shadows is an eerie, gothic Edwardian mystery that had me hooked from the first page, but it was those last few chapters that really blew me away. The suspense builds slowly and steadily, with séances, secret societies, and shadowy Oxford halls creating such an atmospheric backdrop that I could practically feel the candle smoke curling off the page.
Evie is such a strong and determined protagonist - smart, quietly rebellious, and unwilling to be boxed in by society’s rules. Watching her step into her father’s world of occult secrets while fighting to uncover the truth was addictive, and I couldn’t put it down.
The tension in the final act had me on the edge of my seat, and I absolutely loved how the threads pulled together while still leaving just enough mystery hanging in the air. I really hope this story is continued because I’d love to see more of Evie’s adventures - and yes, I’m rooting for more of Mr Hollins too!
If you enjoy historical mysteries with gothic atmosphere, sharp writing, and a dash of the occult, this is one I’d highly recommend.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Circle of Shadows is an eerie, gothic Edwardian mystery that had me hooked from the first page, but it was those last few chapters that really blew me away. The suspense builds slowly and steadily, with séances, secret societies, and shadowy Oxford halls creating such an atmospheric backdrop that I could practically feel the candle smoke curling off the page.
Evie is such a strong and determined protagonist - smart, quietly rebellious, and unwilling to be boxed in by society’s rules. Watching her step into her father’s world of occult secrets while fighting to uncover the truth was addictive, and I couldn’t put it down.
The tension in the final act had me on the edge of my seat, and I absolutely loved how the threads pulled together while still leaving just enough mystery hanging in the air. I really hope this story is continued because I’d love to see more of Evie’s adventures - and yes, I’m rooting for more of Mr Hollins too!
If you enjoy historical mysteries with gothic atmosphere, sharp writing, and a dash of the occult, this is one I’d highly recommend.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 21, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Circle of Shadows is an eerie, gothic Edwardian mystery that had me hooked from the first page, but it was those last few chapters that really blew me away. The suspense builds slowly and steadily, with séances, secret societies, and shadowy Oxford halls creating such an atmospheric backdrop that I could practically feel the candle smoke curling off the page.
Evie is such a strong and determined protagonist - smart, quietly rebellious, and unwilling to be boxed in by society’s rules. Watching her step into her father’s world of occult secrets while fighting to uncover the truth was addictive, and I couldn’t put it down.
The tension in the final act had me on the edge of my seat, and I absolutely loved how the threads pulled together while still leaving just enough mystery hanging in the air. I really hope this story is continued because I’d love to see more of Evie’s adventures - and yes, I’m rooting for more of Mr Hollins too!
If you enjoy historical mysteries with gothic atmosphere, sharp writing, and a dash of the occult, this is one I’d highly recommend.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Circle of Shadows is an eerie, gothic Edwardian mystery that had me hooked from the first page, but it was those last few chapters that really blew me away. The suspense builds slowly and steadily, with séances, secret societies, and shadowy Oxford halls creating such an atmospheric backdrop that I could practically feel the candle smoke curling off the page.
Evie is such a strong and determined protagonist - smart, quietly rebellious, and unwilling to be boxed in by society’s rules. Watching her step into her father’s world of occult secrets while fighting to uncover the truth was addictive, and I couldn’t put it down.
The tension in the final act had me on the edge of my seat, and I absolutely loved how the threads pulled together while still leaving just enough mystery hanging in the air. I really hope this story is continued because I’d love to see more of Evie’s adventures - and yes, I’m rooting for more of Mr Hollins too!
If you enjoy historical mysteries with gothic atmosphere, sharp writing, and a dash of the occult, this is one I’d highly recommend.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 8, 2025
Marissa Linton’s Circle of Shadows is an Edwardian novel of the occult that is also inspired by Golden age detective novels. Centred around what can only be described as a plucky heroine, Circle of Shadows explores notions of wealth and privilege, abuse and misogyny in the early twentieth century. But it does so through an ultimately page turning horror-tinged mystery.
Evie Winstanley is devastated when her father, an investigator into the occult dies mysteriously. She is keen to take up his work but even he tried to put her off that course. When the Winstanley home is broken into, Evie finds herself drawn to the mysteries that her father was investigating in particular a group of dark magic users known as the Circle of Shadows. Her investigation will take her to the Yorkshire Moors and then to Oxford and only becomes more urgent when her younger sister is caught up with the potential members of a renewed Circle.
Evie is a tough, determined, fearless main character. Always pushing against the restrictions and expectations of young women of the era. But she is far from bullet-proof and Linton makes sure readers understand that the danger that she faces is real. The mystery element of the novel shines through as Evie works her way through and handles red herrings, false assumptions and misdirections.
Linton draws on gothic traditions to create a familiar but threatening atmosphere in Circle of Shadows. Similar to books like Jess Kidd’s Things in Jars and Paraic O’Donnell’s The House of Vesper Sands, she takes the superstitions of the era – the belief in the afterlife and the existence of a fae realm - and brings them to life.
Circle of Shadows is a dark, dangerous page turning occult mystery with an engaging heroine at its heart. Linton also leaves a few narrative threads hanging for a potential series. She has definitely done enough to bring readers back for more.
Evie Winstanley is devastated when her father, an investigator into the occult dies mysteriously. She is keen to take up his work but even he tried to put her off that course. When the Winstanley home is broken into, Evie finds herself drawn to the mysteries that her father was investigating in particular a group of dark magic users known as the Circle of Shadows. Her investigation will take her to the Yorkshire Moors and then to Oxford and only becomes more urgent when her younger sister is caught up with the potential members of a renewed Circle.
Evie is a tough, determined, fearless main character. Always pushing against the restrictions and expectations of young women of the era. But she is far from bullet-proof and Linton makes sure readers understand that the danger that she faces is real. The mystery element of the novel shines through as Evie works her way through and handles red herrings, false assumptions and misdirections.
Linton draws on gothic traditions to create a familiar but threatening atmosphere in Circle of Shadows. Similar to books like Jess Kidd’s Things in Jars and Paraic O’Donnell’s The House of Vesper Sands, she takes the superstitions of the era – the belief in the afterlife and the existence of a fae realm - and brings them to life.
Circle of Shadows is a dark, dangerous page turning occult mystery with an engaging heroine at its heart. Linton also leaves a few narrative threads hanging for a potential series. She has definitely done enough to bring readers back for more.
October 9, 2025
CIRCLE OF SHADOWS is ahistorical horror set in Edwardian Britain.
It took me a while to work out what genre this book best fit under. It's a historical novel that slowly builds its supernatural elements. Early on, it feels like the occult could be mere superstition then shown to be fraud (and some people in this book are!) but by the end there's a lot of terrible events, which is why I think horror fits it a bit better than historical fantasy (though it's on that ill defined genre border!)
Marisa Linton is a professor of history with a research interest in the field of the occult through time, and you can see that. While it's never the focus of the book, there are all sorts of references to how practices have grown up and died down over time, evolving and being supressed. I really like books where you can feel the expertise woven into the story.
It's also a story of family. Evie is so motivated by her love for her sister, spurring her on to sometimes reckless actions. They also come from a family dominated by women - living with their widowed mother and their maiden aunt. There are tensions between them and their visions for the future, but they're tensions borne from love and wanting the best for each other. Their half brother is also in the book too. Overall, I just really liked how the family was at the centre of the book rather than a romance.
This is the first book in a series. From the acknowledgements, one of the characters who keeps to the background until the end certainly looks like he's going to get a bigger role going forward, which given how things end promises to be very interesting indeed!
It took me a while to work out what genre this book best fit under. It's a historical novel that slowly builds its supernatural elements. Early on, it feels like the occult could be mere superstition then shown to be fraud (and some people in this book are!) but by the end there's a lot of terrible events, which is why I think horror fits it a bit better than historical fantasy (though it's on that ill defined genre border!)
Marisa Linton is a professor of history with a research interest in the field of the occult through time, and you can see that. While it's never the focus of the book, there are all sorts of references to how practices have grown up and died down over time, evolving and being supressed. I really like books where you can feel the expertise woven into the story.
It's also a story of family. Evie is so motivated by her love for her sister, spurring her on to sometimes reckless actions. They also come from a family dominated by women - living with their widowed mother and their maiden aunt. There are tensions between them and their visions for the future, but they're tensions borne from love and wanting the best for each other. Their half brother is also in the book too. Overall, I just really liked how the family was at the centre of the book rather than a romance.
This is the first book in a series. From the acknowledgements, one of the characters who keeps to the background until the end certainly looks like he's going to get a bigger role going forward, which given how things end promises to be very interesting indeed!
September 21, 2025
I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.
Here we have a historical mystery with supernatural elements. A young woman looking to investigate her father’s death becomes embroiled in his own studies of the occult which she suspects were the reason for his untimely demise. She becomes involved with dangerous people while she attempts to unravel what happened alongside keeping her sister safe.
Setting is key to the success of this novel. It takes place largely in two locations. Earlier chapters taking place in a stately home in Yorkshire, providing a rural, isolated location where lakes and hills give us a backdrop for the mystery, along with the increasingly suspicious relationships between the characters. A seance and a medium lead us to learn more. I enjoyed the Yorkshire setting and the complex relationships we uncover in this early part of the book. The second key location is Oxford. We move into more of a dark academia atmosphere now, with studies and secret societies forming a large part of the intrigue. The juxtaposition of the earlier rural part of the story and the more urban and academic worked so well for ramping up the intensity of the investigation and showing the expansion of our main character’s knowledge as she starts to uncover what’s been happening.
The occult was explored well here, though I would have liked to have seen more of it throughout the book, it was referenced, but then it hugely ramped up in intensity towards the end and I would have liked more breadcrumbs strewn throughout the full story. Overall though it did lead to a satisfying conclusion. I was rooting for the main character, she was intelligent and driven, though a little naive at times. She had a lot to contend with as she tried to investigate given family members frequently made this more difficult for her.
Here we have a historical mystery with supernatural elements. A young woman looking to investigate her father’s death becomes embroiled in his own studies of the occult which she suspects were the reason for his untimely demise. She becomes involved with dangerous people while she attempts to unravel what happened alongside keeping her sister safe.
Setting is key to the success of this novel. It takes place largely in two locations. Earlier chapters taking place in a stately home in Yorkshire, providing a rural, isolated location where lakes and hills give us a backdrop for the mystery, along with the increasingly suspicious relationships between the characters. A seance and a medium lead us to learn more. I enjoyed the Yorkshire setting and the complex relationships we uncover in this early part of the book. The second key location is Oxford. We move into more of a dark academia atmosphere now, with studies and secret societies forming a large part of the intrigue. The juxtaposition of the earlier rural part of the story and the more urban and academic worked so well for ramping up the intensity of the investigation and showing the expansion of our main character’s knowledge as she starts to uncover what’s been happening.
The occult was explored well here, though I would have liked to have seen more of it throughout the book, it was referenced, but then it hugely ramped up in intensity towards the end and I would have liked more breadcrumbs strewn throughout the full story. Overall though it did lead to a satisfying conclusion. I was rooting for the main character, she was intelligent and driven, though a little naive at times. She had a lot to contend with as she tried to investigate given family members frequently made this more difficult for her.
August 27, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️¾ (3.75)
Yikes, this was a tough one to get through. It is a fantastic and compulsive read, beautifully written and so atmospheric. In fact, it might have been almost too effective for me, the tension and atmosphere were so strong that I found it a bit overwhelming at times.
That is in no way a criticism of the book itself. Quite the opposite: it is deliberately written that way, and bravo to the author for pulling it off so well. My rating reflects more my personal experience than the quality of the writing, as this was not a relaxing read for me.
All in all, an excellent book that I think many readers will love. I may just need to give occult fiction a little time in the naughty corner before I pick it up again!
Yikes, this was a tough one to get through. It is a fantastic and compulsive read, beautifully written and so atmospheric. In fact, it might have been almost too effective for me, the tension and atmosphere were so strong that I found it a bit overwhelming at times.
That is in no way a criticism of the book itself. Quite the opposite: it is deliberately written that way, and bravo to the author for pulling it off so well. My rating reflects more my personal experience than the quality of the writing, as this was not a relaxing read for me.
All in all, an excellent book that I think many readers will love. I may just need to give occult fiction a little time in the naughty corner before I pick it up again!
October 13, 2025
4.5★
The description of the book is spot-on!
I had a lot of real-life work to do, so sadly I couldn’t read it at the pace I wanted. It started a bit slow for me, but around the 10% mark I got super into it and couldn’t wait to jump back in. I just wanted to finish it in one sitting!
You know how sometimes, when there’s a love interest, it tends to take over the plot even though it’s supposedly not a big part of it? Here, it actually wasn’t — and in the moments where it was, it felt natural and unforced, unlike many books I’ve read recently.
You know how there’s often a mystery to solve, but you can guess what’s going to happen from the first few chapters? That’s not the case here — the twists are real twists.
You know how some authors try to impose feminism in a way that feels forced, artificial, or even annoying? None of that here, you can actually feel the early 20th-century feminism ideals represented by Evie in a natural for the character way, that you can imagine in the beginning of the century in Britain.
I’m not sure what made me start writing this review in this format, but I truly enjoyed the book. The plot is fully resolved by the end, yet it definitely feels like the beginning of a series — which is quite exciting. If it is, I’ll definitely be following it.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for the ARC version of the book.
The description of the book is spot-on!
I had a lot of real-life work to do, so sadly I couldn’t read it at the pace I wanted. It started a bit slow for me, but around the 10% mark I got super into it and couldn’t wait to jump back in. I just wanted to finish it in one sitting!
You know how sometimes, when there’s a love interest, it tends to take over the plot even though it’s supposedly not a big part of it? Here, it actually wasn’t — and in the moments where it was, it felt natural and unforced, unlike many books I’ve read recently.
You know how there’s often a mystery to solve, but you can guess what’s going to happen from the first few chapters? That’s not the case here — the twists are real twists.
You know how some authors try to impose feminism in a way that feels forced, artificial, or even annoying? None of that here, you can actually feel the early 20th-century feminism ideals represented by Evie in a natural for the character way, that you can imagine in the beginning of the century in Britain.
I’m not sure what made me start writing this review in this format, but I truly enjoyed the book. The plot is fully resolved by the end, yet it definitely feels like the beginning of a series — which is quite exciting. If it is, I’ll definitely be following it.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for the ARC version of the book.
July 17, 2025
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book for an honest, free review.
In Circle of Shadows, Marisa Linton conjures an Edwardian mystery thick with occult tension and razor-sharp insight. It’s a story that creeps rather than charges, leaving behind traces of dread and flickers of unease.
Evie Winstanley is a quietly defiant force—a woman unwilling to be boxed in by society’s decorum. When her father dies under suspicious circumstances, she steps into the shadows he left behind, chasing whispers and half-truths across candlelit moors and cloistered Oxford halls. Each clue draws her deeper into a world woven with secret symbols, ancient monsters, and the chilling arrogance of privileged men dabbling in the dark.
Linton’s prose is measured but evocative, guiding us through séances, riverbanks, and dusty libraries with an elegance befitting the era. But beneath the polished surface lurks something primal—a tale of grief, ambition, and inherited danger.
This is not just a mystery. It’s a meditation on power, identity, and the quiet resilience of women who refuse to be erased. Atmospheric, intelligent, and utterly absorbing, Circle of Shadows will linger like the scent of candle smoke long after the final page.
In Circle of Shadows, Marisa Linton conjures an Edwardian mystery thick with occult tension and razor-sharp insight. It’s a story that creeps rather than charges, leaving behind traces of dread and flickers of unease.
Evie Winstanley is a quietly defiant force—a woman unwilling to be boxed in by society’s decorum. When her father dies under suspicious circumstances, she steps into the shadows he left behind, chasing whispers and half-truths across candlelit moors and cloistered Oxford halls. Each clue draws her deeper into a world woven with secret symbols, ancient monsters, and the chilling arrogance of privileged men dabbling in the dark.
Linton’s prose is measured but evocative, guiding us through séances, riverbanks, and dusty libraries with an elegance befitting the era. But beneath the polished surface lurks something primal—a tale of grief, ambition, and inherited danger.
This is not just a mystery. It’s a meditation on power, identity, and the quiet resilience of women who refuse to be erased. Atmospheric, intelligent, and utterly absorbing, Circle of Shadows will linger like the scent of candle smoke long after the final page.
October 6, 2025
In 1904 England, being an occult detective is no profession for a woman - but Evie Winstanley won’t let that stop her. When her father dies under strange circumstances, she follows a cryptic trail from eerie Yorkshire séances to Oxford’s sinister elite, hunted by whispers of an ancient monster.
This eerie Edwardian gothic mystery hooked me from the start with its smart, determined and seemingly fearless (if occasionally naive) protagonist. Evie tries to play by society’s rules but the number of gloves she loses in this book says it all. She’s far more interested in truth and justice than perfect propriety.
The whole story hums with a foreboding, creepy air, just unsettling enough to keep you turning pages but not so much that you’ll lose sleep. Fans of the genre will find plenty to love here. There are séances, shadowy student cults, curling mists, occult marks and Oxford’s cobbled backalleys, which feel like a character themselves. Having grown up in the city, I loved imagining Evie creeping behind the Turl and Bear pubs in the gloom or punting on the Cherwell. It’s so atmospheric!
The suspense builds gently throughout, then ramps up to a crescendo in the final chapters. It delivers a satisfying conclusion while leaving just enough mystery to make a sequel worth waiting for. Fingers crossed for the return of some key characters!
Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC. All thoughts are my honest opinion.
This eerie Edwardian gothic mystery hooked me from the start with its smart, determined and seemingly fearless (if occasionally naive) protagonist. Evie tries to play by society’s rules but the number of gloves she loses in this book says it all. She’s far more interested in truth and justice than perfect propriety.
The whole story hums with a foreboding, creepy air, just unsettling enough to keep you turning pages but not so much that you’ll lose sleep. Fans of the genre will find plenty to love here. There are séances, shadowy student cults, curling mists, occult marks and Oxford’s cobbled backalleys, which feel like a character themselves. Having grown up in the city, I loved imagining Evie creeping behind the Turl and Bear pubs in the gloom or punting on the Cherwell. It’s so atmospheric!
The suspense builds gently throughout, then ramps up to a crescendo in the final chapters. It delivers a satisfying conclusion while leaving just enough mystery to make a sequel worth waiting for. Fingers crossed for the return of some key characters!
Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC. All thoughts are my honest opinion.
October 24, 2025
🕵🏻♀️✨Page-turning feminist occult mystery in Edwardian England
When Evie Winstanley's father dies in mysterious circumstances, she is determined to find out what has happened. Uncovering occult mysteries leads her to the Yorkshire Moors and halls of Oxford University, and lands her and her family in danger.
But the perils come not just from the occult, but also from the fact Evie, a young women, is trying to investigate these crimes in 1904. Definitely not a suitable occupation for a lady! But Evie's story never comes across as preachy - she is concerned with the practicalities of her mission and protecting her family. And as a side quest, figuring out if she can trust the mysterious handsome stranger... Whilst it's not a romance, having some elements sprinkled in gives some sweet and light moments in this fast-paced novel.
Intense, gripping, and atmospheric, this is an incredible story. The details and historical accuracy are peppered throughout, so you are transported into another time. I was completely immersed. I loved it as a book but I could also see this as a series - a sort of grown up Enola Holmes with fantasy.
I can't wait to read even more from this author and hopefully to revisit this world!
When Evie Winstanley's father dies in mysterious circumstances, she is determined to find out what has happened. Uncovering occult mysteries leads her to the Yorkshire Moors and halls of Oxford University, and lands her and her family in danger.
But the perils come not just from the occult, but also from the fact Evie, a young women, is trying to investigate these crimes in 1904. Definitely not a suitable occupation for a lady! But Evie's story never comes across as preachy - she is concerned with the practicalities of her mission and protecting her family. And as a side quest, figuring out if she can trust the mysterious handsome stranger... Whilst it's not a romance, having some elements sprinkled in gives some sweet and light moments in this fast-paced novel.
Intense, gripping, and atmospheric, this is an incredible story. The details and historical accuracy are peppered throughout, so you are transported into another time. I was completely immersed. I loved it as a book but I could also see this as a series - a sort of grown up Enola Holmes with fantasy.
I can't wait to read even more from this author and hopefully to revisit this world!
September 23, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Hodderscope books for my ecopy for my a free and unbiased opinion.
This was a quick and easy read which I really appreciated after having slogging through and sometimes giving up a few books!
Evie Winstanley is the persistent heroine of the book desperately trying to save her younger sister from a shadowy cult made of rich and upper-class snobs but several obstacles- some completely expected given she is a woman in 1904 and some not so expected such as the mystery of her father’s death.
Evie is a sympathetic heroine and the secondary characters including her brother; the changeable Lord Aubrey and various mystics and sceptic are equally interesting and well written. There a few twists and turns but while I wasn’t particularly surprised by them ( having read so many books in this genre), I still enjoyed the reveal.
The romance subplot is threaded through the story but it never overwhelms it and I loved how the author manged this subplot in the end- it felt realistic and honest.
The primary plot is resolved by the end but the it does feel like this book is the start of a series and I will definitely be following Evie’s story.
This was a quick and easy read which I really appreciated after having slogging through and sometimes giving up a few books!
Evie Winstanley is the persistent heroine of the book desperately trying to save her younger sister from a shadowy cult made of rich and upper-class snobs but several obstacles- some completely expected given she is a woman in 1904 and some not so expected such as the mystery of her father’s death.
Evie is a sympathetic heroine and the secondary characters including her brother; the changeable Lord Aubrey and various mystics and sceptic are equally interesting and well written. There a few twists and turns but while I wasn’t particularly surprised by them ( having read so many books in this genre), I still enjoyed the reveal.
The romance subplot is threaded through the story but it never overwhelms it and I loved how the author manged this subplot in the end- it felt realistic and honest.
The primary plot is resolved by the end but the it does feel like this book is the start of a series and I will definitely be following Evie’s story.
August 7, 2025
An eerie and evocative Edwardian occult mystery, with a wonderful protagonist in Evie. From the very beginning this is a compelling story, taking us from the wild Yorkshire moors to the dark underbelly of Oxford and the secret societies there.
This story is well-written and paced just right to create a creepy, foreboding atmosphere while still being fast-paced. I also loved the side characters, and would have liked to see them developed further. I'm hoping this will become a series, and I look forward to reading more in the future!
I'd give this book 4.25 stars and highly recommend, especially as an autumnal read. It seems perfect for a rainy day, with the nights drawing in and a hot beverage in hand. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This story is well-written and paced just right to create a creepy, foreboding atmosphere while still being fast-paced. I also loved the side characters, and would have liked to see them developed further. I'm hoping this will become a series, and I look forward to reading more in the future!
I'd give this book 4.25 stars and highly recommend, especially as an autumnal read. It seems perfect for a rainy day, with the nights drawing in and a hot beverage in hand. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 9, 2025
It's not only feisty and fabulous heroine, Evie, who makes this book such a joy to read - it's the city of Oxford itself that Marisa Linton brings to life in her shimmering prose. Eerily beautiful, yet decadent, Linton's Oxford lures us in, but like the Oxford of Dorothy L.Sayers' 'Gaudy Night,' it isn't a place you'd want to stay for too long. The novel delivers on all its supernatural promise and you won't see the shocking final twist coming. Linton is a sophisticated writer who wears her historical knowledge lightly, yet this historical fantasy is infused with the perfect period details that give the story its feeling of authenticity and help to ground it. It's a fascinating combination - intricate,subtle and layered, yet ultimately terrifying. I can't wait to read the next installment in this book series.
October 4, 2025
When her father dies in suspicious circumstances, Evie decides to try and find out the truth. With only a clue tot the circle of shadows, this leads her a Manor House on the Yorkshire moors. However it is when another body is discovered with the same occult symbol that makes Evie realise that she may be in danger and that the investigation is a whole lot bigger.
This was a historical mystery that had a wonderful slow building suspense. Written with plenty of atmosphere and came complete with a dramatic ending. Overall I really enjoyed the read.
This was a historical mystery that had a wonderful slow building suspense. Written with plenty of atmosphere and came complete with a dramatic ending. Overall I really enjoyed the read.
January 5, 2026
I highly recommend this book; it's gripping and the author builds the suspense beautifully throughout the book. I couldn't put it down! There were plot twists that I didn't see coming. It was also dark and quite scary - in the best way. I found that I needed to be careful reading it before bed! The characters are vivid and the writing is wonderfully atmospheric. I love the strong main character and I can't wait to read Evie's next adventure!
December 23, 2025
I really enjoyed this; the character descriptions were really good and the plot captivating throughout. The author had clearly researched her topic well which has inspired me to read further in this genre. The ending was fantastic - dark and shocking. I look forward to more books with the main character.
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