Blackened Cottage by A.E Richards

 

 

 

 

It is 1875 in Victorian England and Lisbeth lives a life of solitude and fear. She is fearful that her father will do harm to her and her younger brother Eddie. Without their mother there to protect them, Lisbeth has a huge task of looking after  her brother whilst avoiding the hatred that appears to be emanating from their father. It almost appears that the man is consumed with a passionate dislike for his children and Lisbeth only feels his intentions towards her and Eddie are evil.

 

 

However, Lisbeth soon befriends a young disfigured girl who wishes to help Lisbeth escape her father. Lisbeth's father is furious when he discovers the friendship and keeps Lisbeth a prisoner in her room. To further add to her pain, Lisbeth discovers that her brother has been sent away to boarding school. Just when her pain cannot run any deeper, an unsavoury associate of her father's arrives at Blackened Cottage with the intention of courting Lisbeth and claiming her as his own. Lisbeth must make a bid for freedom. But, what will she discover on her journey to find Eddie? She makes more discoveries that she bargained for.

 

This is a fantastic Gothic horror and I adored it! Told in a series of diary entries, letters and narrative it is a gripping read that had me on the edge of my seat countless times. The story was certainly very dark and chilling and was perfect reading for dark and stormy nights! Very creepy in places. Was like being inside someone's nightmare at times. Very weird. It has a very clever twist at the end which I so did not see coming! Highly recommended.