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The Deception of Harriet Fleet
Dark and brimming with suspense, an atmospheric Victorian chiller set in brooding County Durham for fans of Stacey Halls and Laura Purcell
1871. An age of discovery and progress. But for the Wainwright family, residents of the gloomy Teesbank Hall in County Durham the secrets of the past continue to overshadow their lives.
Harriet would not have taken the job of governess in such a remote place unless she wanted to hide from something or someone. Her charge is Eleanor, the daughter of the house, a fiercely bright eighteen-year-old, tortured by demons and feared by relations and staff alike. But it soon becomes apparent that Harriet is not there to teach Eleanor, but rather to monitor her erratic and dangerous behaviour – to spy on her.
Worn down by Eleanor’s unpredictable hostility, Harriet soon finds herself embroiled in Eleanor’s obsession – the Wainwright’s dark, tragic history. As family secrets are unearthed, Harriet’s own begin to haunt her and she becomes convinced that ghosts from the past are determined to reveal her shameful story.
For Harriet, like Eleanor, is plagued by deception and untruths.
1871. An age of discovery and progress. But for the Wainwright family, residents of the gloomy Teesbank Hall in County Durham the secrets of the past continue to overshadow their lives.
Harriet would not have taken the job of governess in such a remote place unless she wanted to hide from something or someone. Her charge is Eleanor, the daughter of the house, a fiercely bright eighteen-year-old, tortured by demons and feared by relations and staff alike. But it soon becomes apparent that Harriet is not there to teach Eleanor, but rather to monitor her erratic and dangerous behaviour – to spy on her.
Worn down by Eleanor’s unpredictable hostility, Harriet soon finds herself embroiled in Eleanor’s obsession – the Wainwright’s dark, tragic history. As family secrets are unearthed, Harriet’s own begin to haunt her and she becomes convinced that ghosts from the past are determined to reveal her shameful story.
For Harriet, like Eleanor, is plagued by deception and untruths.
360 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2020
19 people are currently reading
560 people want to read
About the author
Helen Scarlett
4 books36 followersHelen Scarlett is a writer and English teacher based in the north east of England. Her debut historical novel, 'The Deception of Harriet Fleet', is inspired by the nineteenth century classics she grew up loving. The main character is a vulnerable govereness, who arrives at an isolated house, which is tainted by murder and dark secrets. It is set in County Durham, close to where Helen lives with her husband and two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
November 3, 2020
I am a huge sucker for gothic stories so when I saw this book on NetGalley, I immediately snapped it up to read. The Deception of Harriet Fleet by Helen Scarlett is a suspenseful and atmospheric read that captivated me right from the very beginning. Set in Victorian England, the story follows Harriet Fleet, who is desperate to escape her abusive uncle and accepts a position as a governess for a wealthy family in the remote countryside. Her charge is Eleanor Wainwright, a bright eighteen-year-old known for her erratic and violent behavior. Eleanor is convinced that her entire family is cursed and is obsessed with uncovering the dark history of the Wainwright family. The other servants warn Harriet that Eleanor is manipulative and not to pay attention to her stories. However, it doesn't take her very long to become embroiled in Eleanor's obsession.
I really enjoyed this book. I finished it in 24 hours - which is a rarity for me. The creepy, foreboding atmosphere combined with an intricate mystery kept me guessing and turning pages. Harriet is a sympathetic character and you can't help but hope that things turn out okay for her. In the end, I was satisfied with the direction the story took and never saw the final twist coming.
This is an excellent debut by author Helen Scarlett. If you're a fan of gothic novels, this book should definitely be on your list.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. I finished it in 24 hours - which is a rarity for me. The creepy, foreboding atmosphere combined with an intricate mystery kept me guessing and turning pages. Harriet is a sympathetic character and you can't help but hope that things turn out okay for her. In the end, I was satisfied with the direction the story took and never saw the final twist coming.
This is an excellent debut by author Helen Scarlett. If you're a fan of gothic novels, this book should definitely be on your list.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 6, 2021
Harriet is fleeing an unknown danger and manages to get a post as governess at gloomy Teesbank Hall, dreary and avoided by the locals - secrets, lies and mystery ensue. A decent Victorian mystery with a whiff of gothic, I liked the main character and I liked that the book highlighted the plight of women in those days. The lives of both wealthy and poor women alike were controlled by men, and non compliance (wanting to be educated beyond the realms of embroidery? Healthy interest in sex? Off to the asylum you go!) could have dire consequences. Poor women in domestic service, having been molested by the master of the house, would be dismissed without a character reference making it impossible to get another job, I thought the book covered these issues rather well. 4 stars, for me a pretty good read, I'd try more from this authour.
November 8, 2020
Many Thanks to Net Galley, Quercus Books and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.
Are You a fan of Jane Eyre? If YES, please do read this book without any fail.
NOPE, this is definitely not a story in a similar vein and am really not comparing the two but the absolute aura of the bleakness of Teesbank Hall and its menacing and brooding ambience was perfect for that gothic chill reminiscent of reading a Jane Eyre novel.
Harriet is the governess who is escaping from a dreadful past but the future she’s looking forward to is like jumping out of the frying pan into the fire, literally. Her presence is unwelcome and none of the family members are endearing. Being a governess is also a laugh as Harriet realizes that her charge Eleanor is much more learned than her and her real task is to spy on the young girl and curtail her freedom.
What exactly are the secrets of Teesbank Hall with its loveless inhabitants brimming with hatred towards each other, rumors of deaths and madness circling around them, a sly and manipulative Eleanor, even the servants colluding to hide facts, Harriet finds herself tormented by more than loneliness in what seems to be the remotest part of the earth. It is only Henry the young master of the house who shows some kindness but the friendship also comes at a price.
The story is charged with a sense of disquiet and unease as Harriet’s curiosity give rise to more questions than answers. The gloom and doom foreboding causes a thrill in the reader’s mind as the story becomes more gripping and exciting. A powerful narrative that lures a reader in, The Deception Of Harriet Fleet has one twist after another being revealed leaving the reader in a state of high-pitched anxiety. There’s only the part of child’s murderer being discovered at the end that felt a little off-key but otherwise this was one outstanding Victorian gothic mystery.
Highly recommended.
This review is published in my blog https://rainnbooks.com/; Amazon India, Meduim.com, Goodreads, and Twitter.
Are You a fan of Jane Eyre? If YES, please do read this book without any fail.
NOPE, this is definitely not a story in a similar vein and am really not comparing the two but the absolute aura of the bleakness of Teesbank Hall and its menacing and brooding ambience was perfect for that gothic chill reminiscent of reading a Jane Eyre novel.
Harriet is the governess who is escaping from a dreadful past but the future she’s looking forward to is like jumping out of the frying pan into the fire, literally. Her presence is unwelcome and none of the family members are endearing. Being a governess is also a laugh as Harriet realizes that her charge Eleanor is much more learned than her and her real task is to spy on the young girl and curtail her freedom.
What exactly are the secrets of Teesbank Hall with its loveless inhabitants brimming with hatred towards each other, rumors of deaths and madness circling around them, a sly and manipulative Eleanor, even the servants colluding to hide facts, Harriet finds herself tormented by more than loneliness in what seems to be the remotest part of the earth. It is only Henry the young master of the house who shows some kindness but the friendship also comes at a price.
The story is charged with a sense of disquiet and unease as Harriet’s curiosity give rise to more questions than answers. The gloom and doom foreboding causes a thrill in the reader’s mind as the story becomes more gripping and exciting. A powerful narrative that lures a reader in, The Deception Of Harriet Fleet has one twist after another being revealed leaving the reader in a state of high-pitched anxiety. There’s only the part of child’s murderer being discovered at the end that felt a little off-key but otherwise this was one outstanding Victorian gothic mystery.
Highly recommended.
This review is published in my blog https://rainnbooks.com/; Amazon India, Meduim.com, Goodreads, and Twitter.
October 30, 2020
1871: An age of discovery and progress. But for the Wainwright family, residents of the gloomy Teesbank Hall in County Durham, the secrets of the past continue to overshadow their lives. Harriet would not have taken the job as Governess unless she wanted to hide from something or someone. Her charge is Eleanor, the daughter of the house, who is eighteen years old. It soon ecomes apparent that Harriet is there to monitor Eleanor's erratic behaviour. Harriet soon finds herself embroiled in Eleanor's obsession. Harriet and Eleanor are both plagued by deception and untruths.
It's hard to believe that this is a debut novel. I was pulled into this story of secrets and lies quite quickly. There's a creepy atmosphere throughout the book. There's plenty of twists and mystery. I xidnfeel the ending was a bit rushed but it still had a satisfactory conclusion. This is a description and well written story.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #QuercusBooks and the author #HelenScarlett for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It's hard to believe that this is a debut novel. I was pulled into this story of secrets and lies quite quickly. There's a creepy atmosphere throughout the book. There's plenty of twists and mystery. I xidnfeel the ending was a bit rushed but it still had a satisfactory conclusion. This is a description and well written story.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #QuercusBooks and the author #HelenScarlett for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 4, 2023
A gothic suspenseful read about a young woman hired to be governess to a troubled daughter of a wealthy family. Looking forward to author Helen Scarlett's next read which I cannot wait to get my hands on! Recommended.
November 3, 2020
Visit the locations in the novel
A HISTORICAL TALE TO TRANSPORT YOU TO DURHAM
I was very excited to read a novel set in 1871 which takes place in Durham. There’s something very gothic and stately about Durham anyway so to have this kind of novel sat there seemed perfect somehow.
The scene setting is strong – Harriet applies to be a governess at Teesdale Hall and I got all the feels of windswept countryside, a large gothic manor house and a sense of foreboding.
Harriet’s discovers that she is to spy on her charge – teenage Eleanor. Eleanor acts oddly and it’s not just your usual teenager behaviour. There’s something not right in this house and this sense lingers and builds as you read. There are also rumours that the ghost of a murderer haunts these walls….well… reading this on a dark night suddenly took on a whole new meaning!
This novel has wonderful moments and a few surprises too which was nice. I thought it said a lot in a few words or chapters as the writing was very well crafted. The story flowed easily and I found the main character easy to identify with.
There’s some serious issues here too regarding the role of Victorian women. Women had to stay home and do what their husband said. Unmarried women were expected to marry for money and not love. Even in a big house, the women feel trapped and confined which in fact, they are. A husband who wanted to tighten his grip on his wife’s freedom or behaviour, could send her to an asylum. On his word alone. Men decided the fate of their wives and other women in general. For servants and the ‘lower classes’, the man of the house could have his way and the servant would be the one to get dismissed, in serious trouble, or worse.
There were Whispers of The Suspicions of Mr Whicher here for the calm before the storm feeling the book carried. The mystery was strong and the overall visit to Teesdale Hall made me glad it’s fictional but I also really wanted to go for real!
A debut novel from an author who is definitely on my TBR pile with her upcoming books.
March 26, 2021
I enjoyed this book although at times it was a little slow but, it was also creepy. I didn’t usually read gothic novels as I do find them a little plodding but this one was an exception. It reminded me of the classic book Jane Eyre high I read a very long time ago. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
April 5, 2021
The publishers describe The Deception of Harriet Fleet as ‘dark and brimming with suspense’ and ‘an atmospheric Victorian chiller set in brooding County Durham’. It certainly has all the elements of a Gothic mystery: a remote house – Teesbank Hall – that’s chilly in more than one sense of the word; subjects that can’t be talked about; household members who rarely venture outside the house and don’t welcome visitors; locked attic rooms; and footsteps in the night. It was also the scene of a tragedy that means the local villagers give it a wide berth, even after twenty years.
And there’s Eleanor, Harriet’s pupil, who is treated like a prisoner for reasons no-one is particularly keen to explain in any detail, referring simply to ‘a weakness of the mind’ and ‘qualities that must be…suppressed’. No wonder that before long, Harriet begins to believe she’s been employed more as gaoler than a governess. Eleanor’s only ally within the family seems to be her brother, Henry, to whom Harriet takes an instant dislike. However, as we learned from Pride and Prejudice, first impressions can be deceptive.
Gradually the initially chilly relationship between Eleanor and Harriet starts to thaw, especially as Harriet starts to see parallels between her own situation and Eleanor’s, constrained in their life choices by their gender. In addition, as Harriet learns more about the family’s history, her curiosity leads her to make what will turn out to be a dangerous bargain with Eleanor.
From early on in the book, by her own admission, the reader knows Harriet is guilty of betrayal, theft and deception. Therefore, although Harriet describes Teesbank Hall as having ‘something grim and sinister’ about it, she also thinks of it as ‘a hiding place’ and, later, even as a sanctuary. I think it becomes fairly obvious what she’s fleeing from but I believe even the most observant reader will still find there are some surprises in store.
The blurb refers to the period in which the book is set as ‘an age of discovery and progress’. However, as the book explores, at the fringes of these developments were more questionable theories such as a belief in phrenology. Even less enlightened was the approach to mental health issues, especially in women, with a diagnosis of ‘hysteria’ commonplace and frequently linked with reproduction, menstruation or viewed as a sign of ‘unnatural sexual urges’.
As the story reaches it’s dramatic conclusion, with echoes of Jane Eyre and Rebecca, Harriet has need to cling to her personal mantra more than ever: “I will not let circumstances destroy me. I will survive this. Everything will pass”. Perhaps, after all, what seemed hopeless may not be entirely lost.
From its dramatic prologue to the book’s epilogue entitled ‘Aftermath’, The Deception of Harriet Fleet is an absorbing story of family secrets, betrayal, grief, jealousy and a desire for vengeance.
And there’s Eleanor, Harriet’s pupil, who is treated like a prisoner for reasons no-one is particularly keen to explain in any detail, referring simply to ‘a weakness of the mind’ and ‘qualities that must be…suppressed’. No wonder that before long, Harriet begins to believe she’s been employed more as gaoler than a governess. Eleanor’s only ally within the family seems to be her brother, Henry, to whom Harriet takes an instant dislike. However, as we learned from Pride and Prejudice, first impressions can be deceptive.
Gradually the initially chilly relationship between Eleanor and Harriet starts to thaw, especially as Harriet starts to see parallels between her own situation and Eleanor’s, constrained in their life choices by their gender. In addition, as Harriet learns more about the family’s history, her curiosity leads her to make what will turn out to be a dangerous bargain with Eleanor.
From early on in the book, by her own admission, the reader knows Harriet is guilty of betrayal, theft and deception. Therefore, although Harriet describes Teesbank Hall as having ‘something grim and sinister’ about it, she also thinks of it as ‘a hiding place’ and, later, even as a sanctuary. I think it becomes fairly obvious what she’s fleeing from but I believe even the most observant reader will still find there are some surprises in store.
The blurb refers to the period in which the book is set as ‘an age of discovery and progress’. However, as the book explores, at the fringes of these developments were more questionable theories such as a belief in phrenology. Even less enlightened was the approach to mental health issues, especially in women, with a diagnosis of ‘hysteria’ commonplace and frequently linked with reproduction, menstruation or viewed as a sign of ‘unnatural sexual urges’.
As the story reaches it’s dramatic conclusion, with echoes of Jane Eyre and Rebecca, Harriet has need to cling to her personal mantra more than ever: “I will not let circumstances destroy me. I will survive this. Everything will pass”. Perhaps, after all, what seemed hopeless may not be entirely lost.
From its dramatic prologue to the book’s epilogue entitled ‘Aftermath’, The Deception of Harriet Fleet is an absorbing story of family secrets, betrayal, grief, jealousy and a desire for vengeance.
September 5, 2021
Victorian Gothic
4.5 stars rounded up.
All the elements are here, an isolated house, shunned by the locals, a family with secrets, a new governess to follow in the footsteps of many who have gone before. Harriet is escaping an unhappy domestic situation, and flees to a new position as governess to Eleanor, troubled daughter of the even more troubled Wainwright family. What would now be mental illness is cause for grave concern in the household, with the undercurrent of danger and gloom everywhere, following the tragic death of a toddler Wainwright son years earlier.
The writing in this book produces an eerily creepy atmosphere, as due to circumstances, most of the book takes place in the house, so great skill is employed in setting the scene and general sense of dread. It touches greatly on the power of suggestion, and perhaps more so, the power of family for good or bad. It all finishes on a lighter note, a perfect balance to the pall that hangs around the majority of the book.
4.5 stars rounded up.
All the elements are here, an isolated house, shunned by the locals, a family with secrets, a new governess to follow in the footsteps of many who have gone before. Harriet is escaping an unhappy domestic situation, and flees to a new position as governess to Eleanor, troubled daughter of the even more troubled Wainwright family. What would now be mental illness is cause for grave concern in the household, with the undercurrent of danger and gloom everywhere, following the tragic death of a toddler Wainwright son years earlier.
The writing in this book produces an eerily creepy atmosphere, as due to circumstances, most of the book takes place in the house, so great skill is employed in setting the scene and general sense of dread. It touches greatly on the power of suggestion, and perhaps more so, the power of family for good or bad. It all finishes on a lighter note, a perfect balance to the pall that hangs around the majority of the book.
September 27, 2020
Well, I really, really enjoyed this.
One look at my read shelf will be enough to tell anyone I love a pacey, twisty thriller and this was definitely that. What set it apart for me was the atmospheric Victorian setting and the gothic sensibilities. It has a pleasingly spooky vibe to it that another reviewer referenced as Jane Eyre, and I totally agree, but I also get Turn of the Screw and The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher in here too.
Many, if not all, of the recent thrillers I have read have been in bang up to date time periods and that can lead them to lack a bit of atmosphere at times. The choice to move this to the north east of England in 1871 gave this an edge on more modern settings. I liked the hints at ghostly happenings and this played well with fairly complex ideas of sanity and gender in the Victorian age.
There is a lot of restraint here in terms of the way information is given to the reader making it every bit the page turner. The narrative is paced well and smacked me right in the face (metaphorically of course!) right at the end which is a feat in an age of well versed readers that can often spot every trick a writer might have up their sleeve. The writer also does a good job of subtly presenting a number of different aspects of mystery to the narrative for the reader to ponder over. There’s a lot to take in here but it’s not overwhelming, it’s engrossing.
A definite recommend for this one, this will be a great dark night, Halloween is coming, spooky read for anyone who likes a twisty page turner.
One look at my read shelf will be enough to tell anyone I love a pacey, twisty thriller and this was definitely that. What set it apart for me was the atmospheric Victorian setting and the gothic sensibilities. It has a pleasingly spooky vibe to it that another reviewer referenced as Jane Eyre, and I totally agree, but I also get Turn of the Screw and The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher in here too.
Many, if not all, of the recent thrillers I have read have been in bang up to date time periods and that can lead them to lack a bit of atmosphere at times. The choice to move this to the north east of England in 1871 gave this an edge on more modern settings. I liked the hints at ghostly happenings and this played well with fairly complex ideas of sanity and gender in the Victorian age.
There is a lot of restraint here in terms of the way information is given to the reader making it every bit the page turner. The narrative is paced well and smacked me right in the face (metaphorically of course!) right at the end which is a feat in an age of well versed readers that can often spot every trick a writer might have up their sleeve. The writer also does a good job of subtly presenting a number of different aspects of mystery to the narrative for the reader to ponder over. There’s a lot to take in here but it’s not overwhelming, it’s engrossing.
A definite recommend for this one, this will be a great dark night, Halloween is coming, spooky read for anyone who likes a twisty page turner.
November 1, 2020
1871 - to escape an abusive situation Harriet applies for the position of governess at Teesdale Hall owned by the Wainwright family. When she arrives in Country Durham, Harriet is dismayed to find that she is expected to spy and report on her teenage charge, Eleanor.. Harriet soon to comes to suspect that there is more behind the erratic behaviour of Eleanor than she has been told, especially as rumours abound that the Hall is haunted by the ghost of a murderer. The only bright spot is Eleanor's older brother, Henry, but even he may not be able to save Harriet or Eleanor as the past catches up with both the governess and the Wainwrights.
I absolutely loved this book. The plot had one or two surprises even I didn't expect. The main character was easy to empathise with and I cared what happened to her. I thought the author captured the sense of confinement and tedium that many middle and upper class Victorian women must have felt in being unable to go out without a chaperone and discouraged to use their intelligence in any meaningful way. There was also the threatening shadow of the asylum for any 'wayward' wives or daughters that displeased their male relatives. Not to forget the impossible position of many female servants who were at the whim of their masters but were blamed if any impropriety took place.
I will probably reread this book at some point and will definitely be recommending it to my bookish friends and relatives.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Quercus Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
I absolutely loved this book. The plot had one or two surprises even I didn't expect. The main character was easy to empathise with and I cared what happened to her. I thought the author captured the sense of confinement and tedium that many middle and upper class Victorian women must have felt in being unable to go out without a chaperone and discouraged to use their intelligence in any meaningful way. There was also the threatening shadow of the asylum for any 'wayward' wives or daughters that displeased their male relatives. Not to forget the impossible position of many female servants who were at the whim of their masters but were blamed if any impropriety took place.
I will probably reread this book at some point and will definitely be recommending it to my bookish friends and relatives.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Quercus Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
April 1, 2021
This is a Historical Romance just as I like them. A hint of Jane Eyre, (although nothing can beat that book): a dark and dismal haunted house, a governess with a secret, a dashing young man and a family harbouring lies. And it’s also a intriguing, slow burning murder mystery.
Harriet Fleet is fleeing from Norfolk after the death of her father, to escape the greedy hands of her guardian, uncle Thomas. She takes a position under an assumed name at Teesbank Hall, the stately home of the Wainwright’s, to take care of Eleanor, the troubled 18 year old daughter.
Soon it becomes clear it is not so much a teaching position, as Eleanor already mastered more subjects than Harriet herself, but she is asked to spy on Eleanor who suffers from hysterical angry fits. A task Harriet unwillingly performs because she has no choice. The atmosphere in the house is depressing: the parents hate each other, the murder of their young son 20 years ago hangs as a dark shadow above them and the only light is Henry, the goodhearted son.
As I said, the story has a lot of Jane Eyre in it: not a mad woman in the attic, but other secrets and lies. Maybe because the story is told by a much older Harriet, who looks back on the events that the story seems a bit distant. Interesting is the way the constraints of women in the Victorian age are made shockingly clear by the author. A modern touch I really appreciated.
It lacks in some ways the passion of Brontë’s novel: Henry is no Rochester and Harriet no Jane, but the plot and mood kept my attention. So, the foundations are there. So much that I read it in one sitting until the wee hours.
I’m interested to know with what novel Helen Scarlett comes up with next.
Thank you Quercus Books and Netgalley for the ARC! I enjoyed it!
Harriet Fleet is fleeing from Norfolk after the death of her father, to escape the greedy hands of her guardian, uncle Thomas. She takes a position under an assumed name at Teesbank Hall, the stately home of the Wainwright’s, to take care of Eleanor, the troubled 18 year old daughter.
Soon it becomes clear it is not so much a teaching position, as Eleanor already mastered more subjects than Harriet herself, but she is asked to spy on Eleanor who suffers from hysterical angry fits. A task Harriet unwillingly performs because she has no choice. The atmosphere in the house is depressing: the parents hate each other, the murder of their young son 20 years ago hangs as a dark shadow above them and the only light is Henry, the goodhearted son.
As I said, the story has a lot of Jane Eyre in it: not a mad woman in the attic, but other secrets and lies. Maybe because the story is told by a much older Harriet, who looks back on the events that the story seems a bit distant. Interesting is the way the constraints of women in the Victorian age are made shockingly clear by the author. A modern touch I really appreciated.
It lacks in some ways the passion of Brontë’s novel: Henry is no Rochester and Harriet no Jane, but the plot and mood kept my attention. So, the foundations are there. So much that I read it in one sitting until the wee hours.
I’m interested to know with what novel Helen Scarlett comes up with next.
Thank you Quercus Books and Netgalley for the ARC! I enjoyed it!
September 28, 2020
A very enjoyable historical mystery. Loved the locations as the book is set in and around my home area of Eaglescliffe, Stockton and all around the banks of the River Tees. Nicely fast paced and pretty dramatic and thrilling.
April 6, 2021
1871. The age of discovery, progress and enlightenment. But for the Wainwright family, the residents of the once splendid, now tainted Teesbank Hall in County Durham, the secrets have stained their very souls.
Harriet needs to start afresh, assuming a new identity in order to escape the demons of her past and so she is keen to accept the job of governess to Eleanor, the daughter of the house but she is far from an ideal charge as she is feared by both relations and the staff, with Harriet finding out the hard way just how mischievous Eleanor can be.
Eleanor is convinced Harriet is there to spy on her rather than be her teacher and over time wears Harriet down with never ending hostility, paranoia and delusions which surely are all just in her mind.
However, when Harriet stumbles upon why Teesbank Hall is gloomy and much spoke of my the locals, she starts to uncover the truth as to just why Eleanor is tortured by her own thoughts and marred past.
But as Harriet works to uncover just what happened, the ghosts of her past start to emerge from the shadows as she must face up to the fact that she cannot simply run from her own shameful history no matter how hard she tries and sooner or later, a figure from a time long ago may come claiming is theirs....
Gorgeously gothic, this story oozes intrigue and mystery which will haunt you late into the night as you learn just how truly deceitful Harriet Fleet can be...
Harriet needs to start afresh, assuming a new identity in order to escape the demons of her past and so she is keen to accept the job of governess to Eleanor, the daughter of the house but she is far from an ideal charge as she is feared by both relations and the staff, with Harriet finding out the hard way just how mischievous Eleanor can be.
Eleanor is convinced Harriet is there to spy on her rather than be her teacher and over time wears Harriet down with never ending hostility, paranoia and delusions which surely are all just in her mind.
However, when Harriet stumbles upon why Teesbank Hall is gloomy and much spoke of my the locals, she starts to uncover the truth as to just why Eleanor is tortured by her own thoughts and marred past.
But as Harriet works to uncover just what happened, the ghosts of her past start to emerge from the shadows as she must face up to the fact that she cannot simply run from her own shameful history no matter how hard she tries and sooner or later, a figure from a time long ago may come claiming is theirs....
Gorgeously gothic, this story oozes intrigue and mystery which will haunt you late into the night as you learn just how truly deceitful Harriet Fleet can be...
December 21, 2020
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Quercus Books for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I am a total sucker for any gothic Historical Fiction tale, especially one with hints of hauntings and a mystery at the heart of them, so this sounded right up my street.
Harriet Fleet is fleeing some unknown trouble and takes a position as governess at a remote estate. Enter Eleanor, a very trouble young lady and a family with a tragic history.
I think there is plenty to like here; each part is played out well and the characters are fairly well fleshed out, however, I do feel like this book tried to do too much. One too many mysteries, one too many threads to the story. If this had been just a little more 'compact' I think I would have adored it.
It was an enjoyable read, but not one that I feel will stick with me.
3 stars.
I am a total sucker for any gothic Historical Fiction tale, especially one with hints of hauntings and a mystery at the heart of them, so this sounded right up my street.
Harriet Fleet is fleeing some unknown trouble and takes a position as governess at a remote estate. Enter Eleanor, a very trouble young lady and a family with a tragic history.
I think there is plenty to like here; each part is played out well and the characters are fairly well fleshed out, however, I do feel like this book tried to do too much. One too many mysteries, one too many threads to the story. If this had been just a little more 'compact' I think I would have adored it.
It was an enjoyable read, but not one that I feel will stick with me.
3 stars.
November 7, 2022
Teesbank Hall is an isolated place that hides a dark history and terrible secrets. Secrets that the Wainwright family have forbidden all who work and live there to speak of. But they can’t disguise the malevolent and unsettling atmosphere that permeates its walls or the ghosts that wander them.
Harriet arrives at the house to begin her new job as governess, the remote location the perfect place for her to avoid being found by the secrets and people she’s running from. But her new charge, the Wainwright’s daughter Eleanor, is not what she imagined. The young girl is feared by all those in Teesbank Hall and openly hostile of her new governess, something Harriet understands a little more when she learns she is actually there to report on Eleanor’s bizarre behaviour. Yet over time the two develop an unusual relationship that centres on their mutual fascination with the family’s sinister history and work together to try to unveil the truth of a brutal murder decades earlier.
Deliciously dark, haunting and mysterious, The Deception of Harriet Fleet is a gorgeously gothic read. The story is part historical fiction, part mystery, and part ghost story, but there also are much deeper themes explored in its pages. Helen Scarlett explores the harsh treatment of women in the Victorian era, particularly those who are feisty, strong and intelligent. Women had no autonomy, were owned by men and sexual assault was prevelent. We see this in how Eleanor, who refuses to be silenced by her family, is imprisoned by them, has her every move watched and lives with their threats of the asylum looming over her. It is even shown in those who seem to have what others strive for, such as her mother, Susan, who is trapped in a miserable marriage with a philanderer.
The story is told to the reader by Harriet, who is finally telling the truth about what happened at Teesbank Hall all those years ago. Chillingly written, and evocative, there is a strong sense of place that makes the house feel like a character in its own right. Harriet often feels there is someone watching when she’s alone and finds herself checking for ghosts in the shadows. Many who live there feel imprisoned, the claustrophobic air permeating every page.
Atmospheric, eerie and forbidding, this was the perfect book to read during the dark and cold autumn nights.
Harriet arrives at the house to begin her new job as governess, the remote location the perfect place for her to avoid being found by the secrets and people she’s running from. But her new charge, the Wainwright’s daughter Eleanor, is not what she imagined. The young girl is feared by all those in Teesbank Hall and openly hostile of her new governess, something Harriet understands a little more when she learns she is actually there to report on Eleanor’s bizarre behaviour. Yet over time the two develop an unusual relationship that centres on their mutual fascination with the family’s sinister history and work together to try to unveil the truth of a brutal murder decades earlier.
Deliciously dark, haunting and mysterious, The Deception of Harriet Fleet is a gorgeously gothic read. The story is part historical fiction, part mystery, and part ghost story, but there also are much deeper themes explored in its pages. Helen Scarlett explores the harsh treatment of women in the Victorian era, particularly those who are feisty, strong and intelligent. Women had no autonomy, were owned by men and sexual assault was prevelent. We see this in how Eleanor, who refuses to be silenced by her family, is imprisoned by them, has her every move watched and lives with their threats of the asylum looming over her. It is even shown in those who seem to have what others strive for, such as her mother, Susan, who is trapped in a miserable marriage with a philanderer.
The story is told to the reader by Harriet, who is finally telling the truth about what happened at Teesbank Hall all those years ago. Chillingly written, and evocative, there is a strong sense of place that makes the house feel like a character in its own right. Harriet often feels there is someone watching when she’s alone and finds herself checking for ghosts in the shadows. Many who live there feel imprisoned, the claustrophobic air permeating every page.
Atmospheric, eerie and forbidding, this was the perfect book to read during the dark and cold autumn nights.
April 4, 2021
Review: The Deception of Harriet Fleet by Helen Scarlett
"It was silent but it was the silence of someone holding their breath and waiting".
We all love a good Gothic thriller. There is always an appetite for something with the feel of Jane Eyre and The Woman in White, but with a pace that may – to some readers – feel more suited to our modern, frequently fast paced world. The Gothic thriller does just this, holding readers’ hands through a time and tropes we know so well and making us feel uneasy despite this, which is something Helen Scarlett, in her debut novel, does so well.
The Deception of Harriet Fleet takes place predominantly in 1871, but it is the past that dominates and dictates the character and actions of our protagonists. With the exception of the vicar and his wife, there are few characters that are not scarred by previous horrors. Harriet, our eponymous heroine, is running from her past, whilst Eleanor and the inhabitants of Teesbank Hall are prisoners to a past that may or may not be truly theirs.
It is March, a pleasant spring day in 1871, when Harriet travels north to County Durham to take up the position of Governess at Teesbank Hall. She is to tutor 18 year-old Eleanor Wainwright, a troubled and manipulative soul, who is all too aware that Harriet is there as a spy not governess. Harriet has a plan of her own though. Our governess does not intend to stay long at Teesbank Hall - she just needs to earn enough money to give her a future. Within a matter of days, however, Harriet is embroiled in solving the tragedy that consumes the Wainwright Family. Is it Eleanor that pushes Harriet into investigating these historic events or the menace of Teesbank Hall itself? The horrors of the past are everywhere, real and imaginary, and although Harriet is initially content to outrun her own ghosts and help Eleanor discover the truth, events soon escalate beyond her control. By autumn, the past and present collide - not just for the Wainwrights but for Harriet too - and some perceived horrors become all too real.
The Deception of Harriet Fleet is set a little over halfway through the reign of Queen Victoria and many of the scientific achievements that we associate with the era had yet to happen or become widespread. The arrival of electric lighting did not occur until the late 1870s and the reader is left in no doubt as to the value of light to Harriet. Whether it is the dark mood that pervades Teesbank Hall, the complete absence of light in the attic and stairways at night or Harriet’s fear of how much freedom she will lose when the shorter days and longer nights of winter arrive. Summer has not ended when Harriet makes the decision that she will have left Teesbank Hall by December.
Themes of the macabre and paranoia intertwine to create a feeling of claustrophobia that threatens to consume our heroine. The power of suggestion is real, and Harriet is constantly questioning her own mind. “Did I know in my heart the house was haunted?... Or perhaps it was my own demons that hung about me”. In the classic Victorian Gothic tradition, the female mind and its supposed frailties dominate the narrative, as does society’s fear of female desire, both sexual and intellectual. A female mind that was not controlled led to wicked acts and madness; it was easier for this society to accept ghosts and the macabre. It is testament to the writing of Helen Scarlett that it is possible to feel sorrow for both Harriet and Eleanor, even if it is not always easy to empathise with a soul as tortured by jealousy as Eleanor’s. It is a shame that the trajectory of the classic mystery thriller does not allow for Eleanor’s own past to be given more space, separate to her family’s historic tragedy. Eleanor’s true self and the real cause of her pain, sorrow and bitterness are crammed into chapter 25. Moreover, this real Eleanor that readers get to glimpse briefly is never seen again in 1871 and - whilst this fits with the race to find out whodunit – it feels as though Eleanor has been done a disservice. For Eleanor is not the only character affected by jealousy in this tale. Readers are left in little doubt of the power of jealousy to twist the mind, remove logic and reason, leaving malice, spite and obsession with perceived wrongs.
We get to know more about Harriet than our supporting cast, not least because the reader is allowed to slowly learn about her past as the story unfolds - for all her deception, she is ultimately likeable. Determined rather than feisty, her actions are understandable, even when the reader is shouting for her to turn back and not undertake actions we know will put her at risk. As the novel continues, we begin to realise Harriet’s own haunting had already started long before she arrived at Teesbank Hall.
Helen Scarlett has a gentle style that is easy to read, whilst also managing to convey the angst-ridden claustrophobic atmosphere of a Gothic thriller. The balance between description, narrative and dialogue is perfect for the style and length of the book. With her debut novel, Helen Scarlett has given readers a real whodunit spine-tingling Gothic thriller that will appeal to readers of Laura Purcell and Sarah Waters for the themes of shame, jealousy and control. This is, without doubt, a tale for readers who want a delicious mystery to solve during their escapist reading adventures.
"It was silent but it was the silence of someone holding their breath and waiting".
We all love a good Gothic thriller. There is always an appetite for something with the feel of Jane Eyre and The Woman in White, but with a pace that may – to some readers – feel more suited to our modern, frequently fast paced world. The Gothic thriller does just this, holding readers’ hands through a time and tropes we know so well and making us feel uneasy despite this, which is something Helen Scarlett, in her debut novel, does so well.
The Deception of Harriet Fleet takes place predominantly in 1871, but it is the past that dominates and dictates the character and actions of our protagonists. With the exception of the vicar and his wife, there are few characters that are not scarred by previous horrors. Harriet, our eponymous heroine, is running from her past, whilst Eleanor and the inhabitants of Teesbank Hall are prisoners to a past that may or may not be truly theirs.
It is March, a pleasant spring day in 1871, when Harriet travels north to County Durham to take up the position of Governess at Teesbank Hall. She is to tutor 18 year-old Eleanor Wainwright, a troubled and manipulative soul, who is all too aware that Harriet is there as a spy not governess. Harriet has a plan of her own though. Our governess does not intend to stay long at Teesbank Hall - she just needs to earn enough money to give her a future. Within a matter of days, however, Harriet is embroiled in solving the tragedy that consumes the Wainwright Family. Is it Eleanor that pushes Harriet into investigating these historic events or the menace of Teesbank Hall itself? The horrors of the past are everywhere, real and imaginary, and although Harriet is initially content to outrun her own ghosts and help Eleanor discover the truth, events soon escalate beyond her control. By autumn, the past and present collide - not just for the Wainwrights but for Harriet too - and some perceived horrors become all too real.
The Deception of Harriet Fleet is set a little over halfway through the reign of Queen Victoria and many of the scientific achievements that we associate with the era had yet to happen or become widespread. The arrival of electric lighting did not occur until the late 1870s and the reader is left in no doubt as to the value of light to Harriet. Whether it is the dark mood that pervades Teesbank Hall, the complete absence of light in the attic and stairways at night or Harriet’s fear of how much freedom she will lose when the shorter days and longer nights of winter arrive. Summer has not ended when Harriet makes the decision that she will have left Teesbank Hall by December.
Themes of the macabre and paranoia intertwine to create a feeling of claustrophobia that threatens to consume our heroine. The power of suggestion is real, and Harriet is constantly questioning her own mind. “Did I know in my heart the house was haunted?... Or perhaps it was my own demons that hung about me”. In the classic Victorian Gothic tradition, the female mind and its supposed frailties dominate the narrative, as does society’s fear of female desire, both sexual and intellectual. A female mind that was not controlled led to wicked acts and madness; it was easier for this society to accept ghosts and the macabre. It is testament to the writing of Helen Scarlett that it is possible to feel sorrow for both Harriet and Eleanor, even if it is not always easy to empathise with a soul as tortured by jealousy as Eleanor’s. It is a shame that the trajectory of the classic mystery thriller does not allow for Eleanor’s own past to be given more space, separate to her family’s historic tragedy. Eleanor’s true self and the real cause of her pain, sorrow and bitterness are crammed into chapter 25. Moreover, this real Eleanor that readers get to glimpse briefly is never seen again in 1871 and - whilst this fits with the race to find out whodunit – it feels as though Eleanor has been done a disservice. For Eleanor is not the only character affected by jealousy in this tale. Readers are left in little doubt of the power of jealousy to twist the mind, remove logic and reason, leaving malice, spite and obsession with perceived wrongs.
We get to know more about Harriet than our supporting cast, not least because the reader is allowed to slowly learn about her past as the story unfolds - for all her deception, she is ultimately likeable. Determined rather than feisty, her actions are understandable, even when the reader is shouting for her to turn back and not undertake actions we know will put her at risk. As the novel continues, we begin to realise Harriet’s own haunting had already started long before she arrived at Teesbank Hall.
Helen Scarlett has a gentle style that is easy to read, whilst also managing to convey the angst-ridden claustrophobic atmosphere of a Gothic thriller. The balance between description, narrative and dialogue is perfect for the style and length of the book. With her debut novel, Helen Scarlett has given readers a real whodunit spine-tingling Gothic thriller that will appeal to readers of Laura Purcell and Sarah Waters for the themes of shame, jealousy and control. This is, without doubt, a tale for readers who want a delicious mystery to solve during their escapist reading adventures.
October 30, 2020
1871. An age of discovery and progress. But for the Wainwright family, residents of the gloomy Teesbank Hall in County Durham the secrets of the past continue to overshadow their lives. Harriet would not have taken the job of governess in such a remote place unless she wanted to hide from something or someone. Her charge is Eleanor, the daughter of the house, a fiercely bright eighteen-year-old, tortured by demons and feared by relations and staff alike. Worn down by Eleanor's unpredictable hostility, Harriet soon finds herself embroiled in Eleanor's obsession - the Wainwright's dark, tragic history. As family secrets are unearthed, Harriet's own begin to haunt her and she becomes convinced that ghosts from the past are determined to reveal her shameful story
A new author & a very good debut, which is hard to believe as it’s so accomplished. A lovely gothic read ideal for this time of year, the pace was very good & I was soon engrossed in it & kept reading until the mystery was solved. I must say I’m glad I started this early in the day or I wouldn’t have had much sleep. I look forward to more books by the author
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
A new author & a very good debut, which is hard to believe as it’s so accomplished. A lovely gothic read ideal for this time of year, the pace was very good & I was soon engrossed in it & kept reading until the mystery was solved. I must say I’m glad I started this early in the day or I wouldn’t have had much sleep. I look forward to more books by the author
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
April 9, 2021
Harriet Fleet is desperate. Otherwise, on arrival at Teesbank Hall, discovering none of the locals will set foot on the property and her post of ‘governess’ is instead more of a nursemaid to a seriously troubled young woman, she would have turned right around and left again. But Harriet has no money and nowhere else to go, so she’s stuck. Trapped in a house of dark secrets and unimaginable cruelty, all Harriet can do is her best to be kind to her charge… who despises the very sight of her.
A very gothic Victorian tale, the story really started twenty years earlier, with the horrible murder of a young child, and the far-reaching effects on the whole family. There’s some pretty searing social commentary on the lack of choices afforded to women - of all classes in society - in this era of supposed enlightenment, and some real horrors in the way mental illness was handled, which was truly nothing short of torture.
A bunch of trigger warnings apply, not just for the aforementioned child death, but also sexual assault, coercive control, self-harm and self-mutilation, mental illness and barbaric medical practices. There are hints of the paranormal but nothing concrete, much of it proving to have been the work of human malice.
I guessed early on that the child of the woman convicted of the baby’s murder would come to play a part, because I knew the law wouldn’t allow a pregnant woman to be executed, but was completely wrong about who it actually was.
A bit to my surprise, because it’s not really hinted at in the blurb, there’s a heavy thread of romance here, with an actual happily-ever-after ending for Harriet and her love interest. It’s not quite enough for this to be an actual romantic suspense, but I don’t think romance fans will be displeased either.
A solidly written and engaging read, obviously well researched, it felt very accurate to the period. I’m happy to give it five stars.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
A very gothic Victorian tale, the story really started twenty years earlier, with the horrible murder of a young child, and the far-reaching effects on the whole family. There’s some pretty searing social commentary on the lack of choices afforded to women - of all classes in society - in this era of supposed enlightenment, and some real horrors in the way mental illness was handled, which was truly nothing short of torture.
A bunch of trigger warnings apply, not just for the aforementioned child death, but also sexual assault, coercive control, self-harm and self-mutilation, mental illness and barbaric medical practices. There are hints of the paranormal but nothing concrete, much of it proving to have been the work of human malice.
I guessed early on that the child of the woman convicted of the baby’s murder would come to play a part, because I knew the law wouldn’t allow a pregnant woman to be executed, but was completely wrong about who it actually was.
A bit to my surprise, because it’s not really hinted at in the blurb, there’s a heavy thread of romance here, with an actual happily-ever-after ending for Harriet and her love interest. It’s not quite enough for this to be an actual romantic suspense, but I don’t think romance fans will be displeased either.
A solidly written and engaging read, obviously well researched, it felt very accurate to the period. I’m happy to give it five stars.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.
October 26, 2020
One of the highest accolades that I can give a book is that I read it in an afternoon because this means it held my attention to the point that I shut the rest of the world out and simply lost myself to another time and place. I read The Deception of Harriet Fleet in an afternoon. It was gothic suspense in the tradition of Victoria Holt and Phyllis Whitney with a dash of modern feminism thrown in to contrast with the societal imprisonment of Victorian women.
I will have to warn that the book opens with the murder of a two-year-old, definitely not Holt or Whitney territory--this almost caused me not to read the book at all.However, the description was not graphic in the extreme and the action quickly moves 20 years forward in time and to our her heroine Harriet who is fleeing her abusive uncle to become a governess. However, the situation she is fleeing to may be just as dangerous as the one she left: gloomy mansion, mysterious and damaged aristocratic family, a job that is more warden than governess, hostile servants, and, of course, talk of ghosts.
Author Helen Scarlett does a good job of drawing the reader in while also indicting the inequities of the Victorian era in a fast-moving read that entertains. Verdict: a great rainy day read.
Full Disclosure--NetGalley and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.
I will have to warn that the book opens with the murder of a two-year-old, definitely not Holt or Whitney territory--this almost caused me not to read the book at all.However, the description was not graphic in the extreme and the action quickly moves 20 years forward in time and to our her heroine Harriet who is fleeing her abusive uncle to become a governess. However, the situation she is fleeing to may be just as dangerous as the one she left: gloomy mansion, mysterious and damaged aristocratic family, a job that is more warden than governess, hostile servants, and, of course, talk of ghosts.
Author Helen Scarlett does a good job of drawing the reader in while also indicting the inequities of the Victorian era in a fast-moving read that entertains. Verdict: a great rainy day read.
Full Disclosure--NetGalley and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.
October 22, 2020
I loved this book. It's a gothic tale written from the perspective of the 21st century - how frustrating to be an intelligent woman in the 19th century, with such limited opportunities and such a dependance on men. But this isn't pushed - the story is gripping, and the book is a real page turner. Harriet is fleeing from her uncle to take a post as a governess to the difficult Eleanor - in the inhospitable Teeside Hall, with the unwelcoming Wainwright family. There is an old murder to solve, and current secrets and mysteries aplenty, uncovered gradually but dramatically throughout. There's also romance, adventure and conflict. The setting is dark and spooky - there is a sense of foreboding which intensifies as you read on. A very good read.
April 18, 2021
Set in the North East of England, The Deception of Harriet Fleet is a Victorian gothic murder mystery. A young woman flees her past life to the north to work as a governess at an isolated hall. The family she works for have many dark secrets which Harriet is drawn into by her charge.
This reminded me of the Victoria Holt novels and there is certainly references to Jane Eyre. An entertaining and easy read.
This reminded me of the Victoria Holt novels and there is certainly references to Jane Eyre. An entertaining and easy read.
January 31, 2021
Oh my what a fab Gothic read. It had everything I liked. An isolated country pile, a master who keep away from female servants, a mistress slowly sliding into madness and siblings with a creepy releationship. Add to that a young woman on the run from her frightening past and a house full of ghosts and an old murder and the stage is set for terror and secrets. Really enjoyed this one.
March 18, 2021
Rating - 3.5
eARC kindly provided by NetGalley and Quercus Books.
As a fan of gothic fiction and murder mysteries, I was delighted to pick this up. The writing is incredibly easy to read, which I found very refreshing, as some gothic novels can be quite 'wordy' for want of a better word. This was a quick and intriguing read, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you turning the pages and I read it in two sittings.
I was slightly underwhelmed with how everything was wrapped up at the end, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story as a whole. It was a very ambitious premise and I just found that all of the strands of the various mysteries were tied up a little too neatly.
I will definitely pick up another book by this author in the future. If you are looking for a fairly quick, immersive mystery with interesting characters, please think about picking this book up.
eARC kindly provided by NetGalley and Quercus Books.
As a fan of gothic fiction and murder mysteries, I was delighted to pick this up. The writing is incredibly easy to read, which I found very refreshing, as some gothic novels can be quite 'wordy' for want of a better word. This was a quick and intriguing read, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you turning the pages and I read it in two sittings.
I was slightly underwhelmed with how everything was wrapped up at the end, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story as a whole. It was a very ambitious premise and I just found that all of the strands of the various mysteries were tied up a little too neatly.
I will definitely pick up another book by this author in the future. If you are looking for a fairly quick, immersive mystery with interesting characters, please think about picking this book up.
December 18, 2020
3.75🌟
March 19, 2021
Review to follow...
November 9, 2020
So excited to read a story set in the North East by someone from here. And it is wonderful and I can't put it down and I'm desperate to know how it ends but also desperate for it not to end and ...
Very seriously recommended!
Very seriously recommended!
October 10, 2022
perfect for long, autumn evenings, did not expect that ending
November 1, 2020
What an assured debut novel the author has given us. I found it hard to believe this was her first published novel - there was a sophistication in the twists in the plot, the motivations of the characters and the restrained narrative that is reminsinscent of a more mature author such as Susan Hill. The central tenets of the book - family secrets will 'out' and women struggling with their proscribed roles in Victorian society, and the repercussions of both - were dealt with in a sympathetic manner so much so that the character I started off by disliking (Eleanor) had gained my empathy as the novel unfolded. There were twists in the book I hadn't foreseen and again, this is a sign of a good plot. I did find the epilogue unnecessary, it tied things up too neatly - the novel stands on it's own without us having to know what happens to the characters, but that is a minor gripe and doesn't deter me from giving the novel a well deserved 5 star rating - I look forward to her next book.
October 26, 2020
I really enjoyed this atmospheric work of historical fiction which deftly blends familiar elements of Victorian gothic novels - ghostly horrors in an isolated country house, a wealthy family harbouring terrible secrets, a murderous mystery and an amateur detective determined to uncover the truth – with a modern sensibility, to create an energetic page-turner.
The plot centres around Harriet, who as events unfold is revealed as both perpetrator and victim of the titular ‘deception’. A lonely ‘outsider in a hostile home’, Harriet applies her considerable curiosity and empathy to unravelling the truth about the tragedy that has blighted the Wainwright family, for whom she works as a governess, hoping in the process to expose a miscarriage of justice. However, she proves to be unprepared for the many shocks that are to come and soon finds herself in terrible danger.
I loved the darkly evocative descriptions of the novel’s haunting north-eastern setting. I found a pleasing crossover with my interest in historical true crime as well knowing echoes of favourite novels like Jane Eyre, The Turn of the Screw and Wuthering Heights. I also enjoyed the way Helen Scarlett subtly enables us to view the desperate plight of her female protagonists through modern eyes, showing the gothic terrors she describes as an extreme response to intolerable circumstances.
The plot centres around Harriet, who as events unfold is revealed as both perpetrator and victim of the titular ‘deception’. A lonely ‘outsider in a hostile home’, Harriet applies her considerable curiosity and empathy to unravelling the truth about the tragedy that has blighted the Wainwright family, for whom she works as a governess, hoping in the process to expose a miscarriage of justice. However, she proves to be unprepared for the many shocks that are to come and soon finds herself in terrible danger.
I loved the darkly evocative descriptions of the novel’s haunting north-eastern setting. I found a pleasing crossover with my interest in historical true crime as well knowing echoes of favourite novels like Jane Eyre, The Turn of the Screw and Wuthering Heights. I also enjoyed the way Helen Scarlett subtly enables us to view the desperate plight of her female protagonists through modern eyes, showing the gothic terrors she describes as an extreme response to intolerable circumstances.
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