When Evie Winstanley''s father, a collector of occult books, dies in suspicious circumstances, she decides to investigate . . . even though private detection is no profession for a woman of standing in Edwardian Britain. When Evie stumbles across a mention of the mysterious ''circle of shadows'', she begins to suspect occult involvement. Her pursuit of the truth leads her via a seance in a house on the Yorkshire moors, to legends of an ancient monster, and a sinister cult hidden amongst the elite of an Oxford University college. But some things are better left undisturbed, and when the body of a young woman marked with occult symbols is discovered floating in a river in Oxford, Evie realises that this is far bigger than one death . . . and that her own life, and the lives of those she loves, might very well be in danger.

Autorentext
Marisa Linton is a Brighton-based professional historian, professor (Kingston University), writer and academic, specialising in the history of witchcraft and magical beliefs, revolution and terror. She has worked as a historical adviser, including for the TV series, Dangerous Liaisons (Starz/Lionsgate, 2022). Her previous published books have all been historical non-fiction, including Choosing Terror (Oxford University Press), about Terror in the French Revolution. She also writes for the popular history market such as BBC History Magazine. Marisa won the Times/Chicken House Prize in 2023 for her YA folk horror The Binding Spell.

Klappentext

SHERLOCK HOLMES DIDN'T DEAL WITH THE SUPERNATURAL. EVIE WINSTANLEY DOES.

'Everything I want from dark academia' Susan J. Morris

'A terrifically engaging tale of supernatural goings-on' Tim Major

It's 1904, and being a detective - let alone an occult detective - is no profession for a woman. But that won't stop Evie Winstanley.

When her father, a collector of occult books, dies in strange circumstances, Evie is determined to investigate. Her only lead: a cryptic mention of the 'Circle of Shadows.' From a chilling séance on the lonely Yorkshire moors to the sinister, hedonistic halls of Oxford's elite, Evie hunts for answers, stalked by whispers of an ancient monster and an ever-shifting, ominous symbol.

But when a young woman's body surfaces in the Cherwell, bearing that same mark, Evie uncovers a truth far more terrifying than a single murder. Now, Evie isn't just seeking justice; she's fighting to save her sister, in a dark and twisted adventure where gilded boys unleash hell and defiant women must pick up the pieces. Nothing will stop her investigation, not outraging Edwardian notions of female propriety, and certainly not offers of romance.

Blending historical fantasy with Golden Age classic crime, Circle of Shadows is a dark and twisty adventure through an occult Edwardian England where wealthy boys toy with powers they don't understand, and a lone woman takes a stand against them.

NETGALLEY READERS LOVE CIRCLE OF SHADOWS!

'If you're looking for an eerie, gothic, historical fantasy packed with secrets, suspense, and a dash of horror, then Circle of Shadows is for you'

'An eerie and evocative Edwardian occult mystery, with a wonderful protagonist in Evie'

'A suspenseful historical fantasy'

'Plenty of twists and an all round great story. I hope there will be more books featuring Evie!'