A Marvellous Debut

The Animals At Lockwood Manor by Jane Healey is an epic historical read in the gothic tradition. I found it a curious blend of Jane Eyre and Rebecca as passions consumed various inhabitants. Lockwood Manor was reminiscent of Mandalay as the house took on a personality all of its own.

In true gothic style, the novel was creepy. I was never quite sure what was real and what was imagined. Emotions were twisting this way and that as the hairs on my neck rose.

The darkness of the setting mirrored the atmosphere… an old house with many rooms blacked out during World War II. Long, dark corridors, strange goings on at night and unusual figures all added to the mystery. Past influences very much intruded on present lives.

The characters were well drawn and elicited various emotional responses from the reader. The book is written in the first person from two alternating points of view so we get to know two characters intimately.

The Animals At Lockwood Manor was a consuming epic read where passions loomed large. It was a marvellous debut novel from Jane Healey.

A word of caution: some of the content surprised me and I was not totally comfortable with it. There are some adult scenes which some readers may not like.

I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

JULIA WILSON