The Death of Jane Lawrence is a chilling and deeply unsettling novel by Caitlin Starling. Set against the backdrop of an alternate post-war Britain, the book’s dreary ambience conjures a sense of impending doom. Jane is an orphan on the precipice of spinsterhood with a dwindling dowry. And she’s fiercely determined to find a husband.
Jane is not your typical paradigm of femininity. She’s more interested in crunching numbers and studying mathematics than raising children. Which is why enigmatic Augustine is her bachelor of choice. He’s a handsome surgeon with an unconventional lifestyle who reluctantly agrees to Jane’s business-like marriage arrangement.
But what appears to be the solution to all of Jane’s problems quickly devolves into a thing of nightmares. Augustine’s behavior grows more and more erratic and Jane soon realizes that all is not well at the ominous Lindridge Hall.
The Death of Jane Lawrence sucked me in from page one. I was immediately swept up in the captivating story, sinister atmosphere and mesmerizing dialogue. I found myself especially intrigued by the mystery man Jane had married who appeared to be harboring more than a few skeletons in his closet. As each layer was peeled back however, I became increasingly alarmed.
I am not an overly sensitive reader, nor am I a stranger to the horror genre, but I found the glorification of gore between these pages difficult to stomach. Unfortunately for me, this was only the beginning. The book grew progressively darker after that initial bloody scene. Despite myself, I was invested in the story and felt compelled to discover whether or not Jane would triumph in the face of seemingly insurmountable evil. Needless to say, I was absolutely shocked by the turn of events that ensued and I never could have predicted the way it all unfolded. My head is still spinning in the wake of that sucker-punch of an ending.
The Death of Jane Lawrence is a morbid and terrifying tale with a rain-soaked gothic atmosphere. This book is a perfect fit for readers who enjoy macabre horror featuring quirky characters, dark occult undertones and a splash of the supernatural.
Find a copy near you just in time for All Hallow’s Eve.
A special thanks to St. Martin’s Press and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 3/5 Stars
