Laura Purcell is a former bookseller living in Colchester, Essex with her husband and pet guinea pigs. She is the author of six previous novels, among them Gothic novel The Silent Companions, which was a Radio 2 and Zoe Ball ITV Book Club pick and The Shape of Darkness, winner of the inaugural Fingerprint Award for Historical Crime Book of the Year. Her short story 'The Chillingham Chair' was included in The Haunting Season anthology, which was an instant Sunday Times bestseller. She also wrote 'Roanoake Falls', a dramatic podcast for Realm, working with John Carpenter and Sandy King Carpenter.
Darkly seductive and artfully realised, this is a novel which in true Purcell style weaves a menacing net of intrigue that makes it very hard to put down. Undoubtedly her best Gothic tale yet! -- Susan Stokes-Chapman, author of number one bestseller, PANDORA Spooky, atmospheric, brilliant ... Think I love it the best out of all Laura's books. Watch out for it - but beware... -- Bridget Collins, author of number one bestseller, THE BINDING Deliciously creepy and vividly told, this gorgeous Gothic tale is already one of my favourite books of the year. -- JJA Harwood, author of THE SHADOW IN THE GLASS Another fantastic outing for Laura Purcell in this gripping, theatrical drama - fabulous characters, twists and turns aplenty. Deliciously dark and very satisfying -- Rebecca Netley, author of THE WHISTLING Dripping with atmosphere and mounting dread, The Whispering Muse will haunt you long past the final page. Laura Purcell is a master of her craft. I still have goosebumps! -- Erin A. Craig, New York Times bestselling author of HOUSE OF SALT AND SORROWS