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The Governess
A governess with no past. A family with everything to lose…
1884. Oxfordshire.
When Florence arrives at the grand estate of Branleigh Park to take up her post as governess, the Spencer family believes she is a blessing — gentle with the children, well-spoken, and impeccably devout. But beneath the polished veneer of this perfect household, something is beginning to shift.
Lady Georgina senses it a presence, quiet but unsettling, winding its way through the nursery, the halls, and her husband’s thoughts. The children grow strangely attached to their new governess. The servants whisper of footsteps at night.
As winter deepens and tensions rise within the house, Branleigh Park becomes a place of unease. Who is Florence? And what secret follows her like a shadow?
When tragedy strikes, the Spencers’ perfect world collapses. But some sins cannot be buried— they simply reawaken.
Atmospheric, seductive, and deeply unsettling, The Governess is a gothic tale of madness, family and possession set in Victorian England.
Perfect for readers of Laura Purcell, Sarah Waters, Essie Fox, and Stacey Halls, this dark historical thriller will draw you into its spell and leave you questioning every whisper in the dark.
1884. Oxfordshire.
When Florence arrives at the grand estate of Branleigh Park to take up her post as governess, the Spencer family believes she is a blessing — gentle with the children, well-spoken, and impeccably devout. But beneath the polished veneer of this perfect household, something is beginning to shift.
Lady Georgina senses it a presence, quiet but unsettling, winding its way through the nursery, the halls, and her husband’s thoughts. The children grow strangely attached to their new governess. The servants whisper of footsteps at night.
As winter deepens and tensions rise within the house, Branleigh Park becomes a place of unease. Who is Florence? And what secret follows her like a shadow?
When tragedy strikes, the Spencers’ perfect world collapses. But some sins cannot be buried— they simply reawaken.
Atmospheric, seductive, and deeply unsettling, The Governess is a gothic tale of madness, family and possession set in Victorian England.
Perfect for readers of Laura Purcell, Sarah Waters, Essie Fox, and Stacey Halls, this dark historical thriller will draw you into its spell and leave you questioning every whisper in the dark.
237 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 8, 2026
99 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 15, 2026
DNF @40%, I really tried to keep going with this but it felt like every chapter repeated itself without much actually happening
Review of advance copy
Oh my this was such a thrilling and unsettling read it gave off hand that rocks the cradle but Victorian, we watch as Florence Marchwood comes to be the governess for the Spencer family of Branleigh Park, we watch as she slowly takes over the household, the children fall under her thrall as does Lord Charles the husband, we soon learn that Florence is not who she seems. They are deaths of people who are obstacles to her goals or learn the truth about her, we see Georgina begin to put the pieces and a battle for Branleigh Park and her family where only one can win. This was great and the ending threw out a twist which was kinda of predictable but I was ok with it as this was a great thriller, also could be a opener to a sequel but if not that is fine.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 11, 2025
This started out really strong. I loved trying to figure out how everything would play out. Once the reveal happened, and even a bit before, everything started to feel really repetitive. It was an attempt to make you feel how some of the characters did, I think, but really it made it drag on. There were too many personifications and details in certain parts, and there was a lack of elaboration and potential opportunities to add details in others. It somehow felt too long and too short simultaneously. Overall I liked the concept, but I was really itching for it to be over. 52/100
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews