Marisa 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 the 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 dangerously 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.
Circle of Shadows by Marisa Linton
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Sounds interesting