condygurl's review against another edition
4.0
What an enjoyable cross-genre story. This story crosses the lines between historical fiction, mystery, and even paranormal activity, add in that touch of romance and boy do you have quite a mix.
Strangely enough, it all works!
Hester is the main character of this story. Her family are very strict Quakers. The mystery begins when Hester sets out to find out what happened to her sister Mercy.
This was a wonderful new book from Rhiannon Ward and I can't wait to see what else she produces.
Strangely enough, it all works!
Hester is the main character of this story. Her family are very strict Quakers. The mystery begins when Hester sets out to find out what happened to her sister Mercy.
This was a wonderful new book from Rhiannon Ward and I can't wait to see what else she produces.
beckys_book_blog's review against another edition
4.0
I don't read many books with supernatural themes (as I'm easily scared!
sarahredman's review against another edition
3.0
This Victorian mystery is a dark novel with hints at the supernatural. The characters are developed well, but the pace was somewhat jarring, it wrapped up very quickly with some over-explanations and it felt a little to straightforward in places! A good read nonetheless!
beckylej's review
4.0
Hester was raised in a a traditional Quaker family. So when her sister, Mercy, eloped with their brothers' tutor it was a scandal, to say the least.
In the aftermath, no one was to speak Mercy's name.
But one morning, Hester wakes to find Mercy's spirit in her room. Later that morning they receive the news: Mercy has died in a workhouse in Southwell. And Hester is sent to find out more.
With spirits shadowing her, Hester begins to investigate Mercy's death. What she finds is the story of a pale lady who steals babies. But the truth is even worse. And someone will stop at nothing to make sure that truth is never revealed.
Rhiannon Ward is the gothic pseudonym for crime author Sarah Ward! And this, her second historical gothic novel, is exceptional!
Hester was raised in a mostly well-to-do traditional Quaker family. Her father is strict but after having suffered a stroke, his business isn't doing as well as it once did.
Hester has always experienced what she calls Shadowing. In other words, spirits visit her. But it's not something her father is willing to entertain, and so she not only keeps it to herself but also attempts to banish said spirits as soon as they arrive. Including that of her sister.
The day the letter arrives, her father suffers a second stroke and Hester is tasked (by her mother) with traveling to Nottinghamshire to find out more about Mercy's death. For someone who has been sheltered for so long, it's a bit of an adventure even with the tragic reason behind it.
Little is known about Mercy's fate. What happened to her husband, first and foremost? Why was she sent to a workhouse? How did she die? And as Hester learns more, namely that her sister was pregnant, the answers seem to bring about even more questions.
As with the best gothic novels, The Shadowing is absolutely brimming with atmosphere! A sense of creeping dread that builds as the story progresses—and is even tempered some in the beginning by Hester's newfound freedom! It hangs over the story, nonetheless, much the same way as the grime that Hester encounters on her journey.
I really enjoyed this one! It's a perfect read for fall and an excellent addition to any gothic fan's TBR!
In the aftermath, no one was to speak Mercy's name.
But one morning, Hester wakes to find Mercy's spirit in her room. Later that morning they receive the news: Mercy has died in a workhouse in Southwell. And Hester is sent to find out more.
With spirits shadowing her, Hester begins to investigate Mercy's death. What she finds is the story of a pale lady who steals babies. But the truth is even worse. And someone will stop at nothing to make sure that truth is never revealed.
Rhiannon Ward is the gothic pseudonym for crime author Sarah Ward! And this, her second historical gothic novel, is exceptional!
Hester was raised in a mostly well-to-do traditional Quaker family. Her father is strict but after having suffered a stroke, his business isn't doing as well as it once did.
Hester has always experienced what she calls Shadowing. In other words, spirits visit her. But it's not something her father is willing to entertain, and so she not only keeps it to herself but also attempts to banish said spirits as soon as they arrive. Including that of her sister.
The day the letter arrives, her father suffers a second stroke and Hester is tasked (by her mother) with traveling to Nottinghamshire to find out more about Mercy's death. For someone who has been sheltered for so long, it's a bit of an adventure even with the tragic reason behind it.
Little is known about Mercy's fate. What happened to her husband, first and foremost? Why was she sent to a workhouse? How did she die? And as Hester learns more, namely that her sister was pregnant, the answers seem to bring about even more questions.
As with the best gothic novels, The Shadowing is absolutely brimming with atmosphere! A sense of creeping dread that builds as the story progresses—and is even tempered some in the beginning by Hester's newfound freedom! It hangs over the story, nonetheless, much the same way as the grime that Hester encounters on her journey.
I really enjoyed this one! It's a perfect read for fall and an excellent addition to any gothic fan's TBR!
mrsbookburnee's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the cover of this book, perfect for autumn and the upcoming spooky season.
This book had a spooky and gothic vibe, the start with Hester and Mercy was fantastic, and set the tone for Hester’s visions.
I enjoyed reading about the different burials for Quakers (I ending up reading more about them, as it’s a subject I don’t know about)
I liked following Hesters journey in finding out about what happened to Mercy, but would have liked a bit more spookiness.
Thank you to the publisher and Compulsive Readers for having me on the blog tour
This book had a spooky and gothic vibe, the start with Hester and Mercy was fantastic, and set the tone for Hester’s visions.
I enjoyed reading about the different burials for Quakers (I ending up reading more about them, as it’s a subject I don’t know about)
I liked following Hesters journey in finding out about what happened to Mercy, but would have liked a bit more spookiness.
Thank you to the publisher and Compulsive Readers for having me on the blog tour
avrilsreads's review against another edition
4.0
The Shadowing by Rhiannon Ward
I was drawn to this book by its storyline, set in Victorian England it tells Hester seeks out the truth about her sister’s unexpected and unexplained death in a works house in
Rhiannon shows traders what life was like during these times, the Quaker lifestyle, the workhouse conditions and we get a taste of how the well off live too. Some very interesting characters help to build the intrigue and mystery. Dark, twisted and creepy, with the mess of child trafficking.
The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is because I’m not of fan of the supernatural, I don’t think this story needed it.
I was drawn to this book by its storyline, set in Victorian England it tells Hester seeks out the truth about her sister’s unexpected and unexplained death in a works house in
Rhiannon shows traders what life was like during these times, the Quaker lifestyle, the workhouse conditions and we get a taste of how the well off live too. Some very interesting characters help to build the intrigue and mystery. Dark, twisted and creepy, with the mess of child trafficking.
The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is because I’m not of fan of the supernatural, I don’t think this story needed it.
shelfofunread's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5
The Shadowing follows Hester, the youngest daughter of a well-to-do family of Bristol Quakers. When the family learn that Hester’s elder sister Mercy has died at a Nottinghamshire workhouse, Hester is sent north to Southwell to find out exactly how her sister ended up in such a place, why she had not felt she could draw on the support of her fellow Friends in the area, and whether she has received the burial rites due to her as a Quaker.
As Hester journeys north, she is aware of a presence travelling with her. Beset by traumatic dreams and ghostly visions – ‘shadowings’ – since childhood, Hester knows it is Mercy who travels alongside her. And when she reaches Southwell Workhouse, she soon discovers why. Mercy was pregnant when she died – and although the Master and Mistress of the Workhouse claim both she and the child were taken by cholera, Hester soon discovers that there hasn’t been an outbreak for years.
With the reluctant aid of local innkeeper Matthew and his serving maid Joan, Hester sets about investigating what is really going on at Southwell Workhouse. Why are her new Friends – fellow Quakers Dorothea and Caroline – so reluctant for her to visit the place? Why does the young town doctor take such an interest in her visits there? And who exactly is the ghostly Pale Lady who terrifies the women and apparently steals babies in the depths of night?
As with her previous historical novel, The Quickening, Rhiannon Ward has provided a compelling and atmospheric blend of historical mystery and ghost story in The Shadowing. I was fascinated by the historical detail – from Hester’s Quaker background to the realities of life in the Workhouse, there’s a real sense of both time and place in the novel, and you can tell that the author has done her research – although it is lightly worn and woven expertly into the story.
The novel doesn’t shy away from portraying the grim realities of Workhouse life – especially for those deemed the ‘undeserving’ poor. I felt great compassion for the women (and, sadly, they were primarily women) forced to rely on the ‘charity’ of the parish due to abandonment or widowhood – and the novel does a great job of showing just how easy it would be for a young woman deemed ‘respectable’ and well-to-do like Hester to end up in a situation where her life – and her fate – is taken wholly out of her control.
Hester herself is a spirited main character. Although somewhat naïve – a result of her sheltered and strict upbringing – she is determined to get to the bottom of the unexplained deaths and disappearance at the Workhouse. I really liked the way in which Hester’s Quaker beliefs were woven into the plot, and the way in which they often ran counter to the more common ethos about who was ‘deserving’ of charity and the chance of redemption. Hester’s relationship with Matthew – the somewhat gruff and forthright publican at Southwell’s coaching in – is also really well done, moving from antagonistic to grudgingly respectful as the story progresses despite their very different upbringings and outlooks.
Although the supernatural element is stronger in The Shadowing than in The Quickening, Hester’s supernatural visitations and psychic senses are woven into the plot in a way that is wholly believable, and that adds an ever present sense of unease to the novel. Although Hester’s ‘shadowings’ are ghostly apparitions, the whole novel is imbued with an atmosphere of shadowiness (and some brilliant moments of foreshadowing), with Southwell itself quickly becoming a place of secrets and shadows, ready to leap at Hester from every corner.
Anyone who enjoyed The Quickening is sure to find The Shadowing a worthy follow-up, packed with the same level of historical detail and a brilliantly eerie atmosphere, and headed up by another strong and determined female lead. With its blend of historical mystery and supernatural happenings, The Shadowing is also the perfect fit for fans of Laura Purcell and Anita Frank, and an excellent addition to the popular genre of Modern Gothic.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Death, Child death, and Abandonment
Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, and Suicide
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