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A review by caroline77
The Shape of Darkness by Laura Purcell
2.0
***SPOILERS HIDDEN***
Silhouette art isn’t just art in this gaslamp mystery by Laura Purcell. It’s uncommon now, but in the Victorian era, when photography was rare and expensive, silhouette art was prized. The Shape of Darkness is about an unassuming silhouette artist, Agnes Darken, and how her creations suddenly turn sinister when they become connected to some local murders.
Having read Purcell’s [b:The Silent Companions|35458733|The Silent Companions|Laura Purcell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1500725504l/35458733._SY75_.jpg|55746774] and [b:The Poison Thread|42178610|The Poison Thread|Laura Purcell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1540085382l/42178610._SY75_.jpg|60683917] before this, I can say with confidence that she relies heavily on a formula. All three of these books revolve around something that defines its time. In The Silent Companions, it’s wooden “silent companion” figures. In The Poison Thread, it’s sewing and embroidery. Here, it’s silhouette artwork. Each book has an imperiled female protagonist, a dark Victorian setting, split story lines, some thrilling twists, and paranormal features. The Shape of Darkness is different from the other two, however, in its smaller cast and less exciting plot. The writing is top-notch as always, and the Victorian era is well-drawn, but for many reasons this book is my least favorite of the three.
Obvious early on is that the story is supposed to be spooky, yet it’s only oppressively gloomy. The sun doesn’t exist in this world. When action takes place outside, I automatically pictured an overcast sky. When action takes place inside, no matter which home, I saw a shadowy interior furnished with mahogany furniture, heavy drapes, and shabby throw rugs. Agnes is likable, but her world is so persistently dreary and lonely that it’s easy to see. Spookiness is held back by, in part, the silhouette art and in part by the split focus on Agnes and an eleven-year-old spirit medium named Pearl. Purcell has the ability to make something neutral threatening: The silent companions in the book of the same name are a beautiful illustration of this. They start out as the very definition of creepiness, then become outright terrifying as the story progresses. The silhouettes here never reach peak creepiness. The lives of Agnes and Pearl eventually intersect, but the split focus is instead split characterization of each. They’re reduced: Pearl to an albino circus exhibit and Agnes to a meek, frazzled mess, overly dependent on a male main character.
Unfortunately, the small cast of characters and limited settings makes this story feel really thin. There’s little physical movement, as events take place in either one of two homes or outside. While reading, I was constantly nagged by this confined feel. However, my biggest complaint concerns Purcell’s biggest weakness as a writer: Unlike many mystery authors, she doesn’t tend to insert big twists mid-story or throughout. There’s a little surprise earlier in this story, but everything—gasp-worthy revelations and twists—comes in the last few pages, all tangled up. The characters’ motivations aren’t totally understandable and the twists a little too twisty. I’m not sure all questions were answered.
On the other hand, although Purcell used her tried-and-true formula to write this, it can’t be criticized as formulaic. For her, the formula is magic, as she manipulates it in such a way that her mysteries aren’t interchangeable. Most positively, she always writes strong red herrings, and although sometimes too twisty, her twists are at least unpredictable. They alone make her books worth reading. The Shape of Darkness is obvious on only one point:, but this isn’t one of the bigger revelations, and it doesn’t scream obvious.
This book is signature Purcell—undeniably her creation, a dark and beautifully written story that explores the nature of perception, but it lacks oomph and isn’t the right one to start with. I could have skipped it altogether. Nevertheless, she’s absolutely gifted, and even one of her weaker works is better than the best works by many mystery authors. The two stars is for the intelligence in this story and exquisite [b:Rebecca|17899948|Rebecca|Daphne du Maurier|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1386605169l/17899948._SX50_.jpg|46663]-esque writing.
Silhouette art isn’t just art in this gaslamp mystery by Laura Purcell. It’s uncommon now, but in the Victorian era, when photography was rare and expensive, silhouette art was prized. The Shape of Darkness is about an unassuming silhouette artist, Agnes Darken, and how her creations suddenly turn sinister when they become connected to some local murders.
Having read Purcell’s [b:The Silent Companions|35458733|The Silent Companions|Laura Purcell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1500725504l/35458733._SY75_.jpg|55746774] and [b:The Poison Thread|42178610|The Poison Thread|Laura Purcell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1540085382l/42178610._SY75_.jpg|60683917] before this, I can say with confidence that she relies heavily on a formula. All three of these books revolve around something that defines its time. In The Silent Companions, it’s wooden “silent companion” figures. In The Poison Thread, it’s sewing and embroidery. Here, it’s silhouette artwork. Each book has an imperiled female protagonist, a dark Victorian setting, split story lines, some thrilling twists, and paranormal features. The Shape of Darkness is different from the other two, however, in its smaller cast and less exciting plot. The writing is top-notch as always, and the Victorian era is well-drawn, but for many reasons this book is my least favorite of the three.
Obvious early on is that the story is supposed to be spooky, yet it’s only oppressively gloomy. The sun doesn’t exist in this world. When action takes place outside, I automatically pictured an overcast sky. When action takes place inside, no matter which home, I saw a shadowy interior furnished with mahogany furniture, heavy drapes, and shabby throw rugs. Agnes is likable, but her world is so persistently dreary and lonely that it’s easy to see
Spoiler
how she would be hallucinating regularlyUnfortunately, the small cast of characters and limited settings makes this story feel really thin. There’s little physical movement, as events take place in either one of two homes or outside. While reading, I was constantly nagged by this confined feel. However, my biggest complaint concerns Purcell’s biggest weakness as a writer: Unlike many mystery authors, she doesn’t tend to insert big twists mid-story or throughout. There’s a little surprise earlier in this story, but everything—gasp-worthy revelations and twists—comes in the last few pages, all tangled up. The characters’ motivations aren’t totally understandable and the twists a little too twisty. I’m not sure all questions were answered.
On the other hand, although Purcell used her tried-and-true formula to write this, it can’t be criticized as formulaic. For her, the formula is magic, as she manipulates it in such a way that her mysteries aren’t interchangeable. Most positively, she always writes strong red herrings, and although sometimes too twisty, her twists are at least unpredictable. They alone make her books worth reading. The Shape of Darkness is obvious on only one point:
Spoiler
that Agnes is hallucinating Cedric and her mom.This book is signature Purcell—undeniably her creation, a dark and beautifully written story that explores the nature of perception, but it lacks oomph and isn’t the right one to start with. I could have skipped it altogether. Nevertheless, she’s absolutely gifted, and even one of her weaker works is better than the best works by many mystery authors. The two stars is for the intelligence in this story and exquisite [b:Rebecca|17899948|Rebecca|Daphne du Maurier|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1386605169l/17899948._SX50_.jpg|46663]-esque writing.