What do you think?
Rate this book
The Laura Purcell Collection: The Silent Companions, The Corset and Bone China
A collection of three deliciously dark, atmospheric read with the lights on.
The Silent winner of the WHS Thumping Good Read award
'[An] extraordinary, memorable and truly haunting book' Jojo Moyes
Some doors are locked for a reason... Newly widowed Elsie is sent to see out her pregnancy at her late husband's remote country estate only to discover a mysterious locked door.
The Corset
'The Corset is a contender for my Book of the Year. Beautifully written, intricately plotted, a masterpiece' Sarah Hilary
Is prisoner Ruth Butterham mad or a murderer? Victim or villain?
Bone China
'Deliciously sinister' Heat
A scientist attempts a revolutionary experiment in the caves under a Cornish manor house. Forty years later, the young daughter of the house is now an almost mute invalid, haunted by what she saw.
The Silent winner of the WHS Thumping Good Read award
'[An] extraordinary, memorable and truly haunting book' Jojo Moyes
Some doors are locked for a reason... Newly widowed Elsie is sent to see out her pregnancy at her late husband's remote country estate only to discover a mysterious locked door.
The Corset
'The Corset is a contender for my Book of the Year. Beautifully written, intricately plotted, a masterpiece' Sarah Hilary
Is prisoner Ruth Butterham mad or a murderer? Victim or villain?
Bone China
'Deliciously sinister' Heat
A scientist attempts a revolutionary experiment in the caves under a Cornish manor house. Forty years later, the young daughter of the house is now an almost mute invalid, haunted by what she saw.
- GenresHorrorHistorical
1140 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2020
6 people are currently reading
453 people want to read
About the author
Laura Purcell
17 books3,312 followersLaura Purcell is a former bookseller and lives in Colchester with her husband and pet guinea pigs.
Her first novel for Raven Books THE SILENT COMPANIONS won the WHSmith Thumping Good Read Award 2018 and featured in both the Zoe Ball and Radio 2 Book Clubs. Other Gothic novels include THE CORSET (THE POISON THREAD in USA), BONE CHINA and THE SHAPE OF DARKNESS (2020)
Laura’s historical fiction about the Hanoverian monarchs, QUEEN OF BEDLAM and MISTRESS OF THE COURT, was published by Myrmidon.
Her first novel for Raven Books THE SILENT COMPANIONS won the WHSmith Thumping Good Read Award 2018 and featured in both the Zoe Ball and Radio 2 Book Clubs. Other Gothic novels include THE CORSET (THE POISON THREAD in USA), BONE CHINA and THE SHAPE OF DARKNESS (2020)
Laura’s historical fiction about the Hanoverian monarchs, QUEEN OF BEDLAM and MISTRESS OF THE COURT, was published by Myrmidon.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
October 8, 2023
A haunting and clever read.
The Silent Companions is described as Victorian Gothic or a Victorian ghost story. In truth, this book is much cleverer than that and is so much more than a category read. I rate it a 4.4 read - but up-rank it to 5 stars because 4 just isn't enough. The missing 0.6 stars are because it hasn't got the factor that makes me want to rave about it to family and friends, which is what makes a true 5-star read for me.
Elsie is recently married, pregnant, and now a widow. She travels to her late husband's country house, The Bridge, to prepare for an unwanted life as a widow and mother. She is accompanied by her late husband's cousin, spinster Sarah, also foisted on Elsie.
The Silent Companions of the title are wooden tromp l'eoil figures from the 17th century, of previous family members. These figures take on a sinister aspect when they start to appear in unexpected places and become linked to several untimely deaths, including Elsi's late husband.
The question the author teases us with is whether Elsie truly loses her mind, is there a supernatural force at work, or is there a rational explanation involving deception and betrayal. The success of the book lies in the beautiful writing and evocative language, but also in weaving a story that can be explained in three ways. Most satisfying.
The Silent Companions is described as Victorian Gothic or a Victorian ghost story. In truth, this book is much cleverer than that and is so much more than a category read. I rate it a 4.4 read - but up-rank it to 5 stars because 4 just isn't enough. The missing 0.6 stars are because it hasn't got the factor that makes me want to rave about it to family and friends, which is what makes a true 5-star read for me.
Elsie is recently married, pregnant, and now a widow. She travels to her late husband's country house, The Bridge, to prepare for an unwanted life as a widow and mother. She is accompanied by her late husband's cousin, spinster Sarah, also foisted on Elsie.
The Silent Companions of the title are wooden tromp l'eoil figures from the 17th century, of previous family members. These figures take on a sinister aspect when they start to appear in unexpected places and become linked to several untimely deaths, including Elsi's late husband.
The question the author teases us with is whether Elsie truly loses her mind, is there a supernatural force at work, or is there a rational explanation involving deception and betrayal. The success of the book lies in the beautiful writing and evocative language, but also in weaving a story that can be explained in three ways. Most satisfying.
Displaying 1 of 1 review