When a novel's strength is also it's weakness; The Death of Jane Lawrence is a modern take on classic gothic novel, toying heavily with concepts of mathematics and metaphysics. While the final output suffers from over-writing, and drowning in its own complicated pseudo-logic, it is still an amiable exercise at re-invigorating a familiar setting.

Caitlin Starling's detail-oriented prose shines when it comes to establishing settings (from the bleak, blood-stained surgery, to the ramshackle manor), and depicting grotesque supernatural incidents. But beyond these critical moments, this obsession for the minutia can be laborious to get through; the pacing never peaks because everything is dragged out by hollow textual busywork (no matter how beautifully written). You know this is an issue when chunks of paragraph can be skipped without losing the plot—the book can easily be 80+ pages shorter.

Set in a fictitious universe, this 'alternate timeline' approach allows flexibility in imagining a world that is more fantastical than our historical reality. With the female protagonist being someone who's obsessed with logic and order, the story presents memorable moments where her belief is thoroughly challenged. On the flip-side, without a grounded context (and the book never fully fleshes out its own world), and distressing scenarios constantly resolved by convenient, fantastical solutions, I find myself losing empathy as The Death of Jane Lawrence becomes more and more outlandish (even though it's part of its intent). The 'revelation' (No spoiler, but to those who've read the book it should be clear which chapter I'm referring to) is beautifully complex, would've been a daring move to end the book there—the remaining material feels anticlimactic, as it draws to a conclusion very typical to stories of this genre.

Overall, The Death of Jane Lawrence excels in conjuring the foreboding atmosphere and the supernatural, but the narrative as a whole suffers from an imbalance of homage and new ideas. Still, there is enough polish here to make it well worth checking out.

What a ride!

Instead of moving to Camhurst with her adoptive parents, Jane decides to marry the kind but troubled doctor, Augustine Lawrence. They agree to marry out of convenience, not love, but that agreement soon changes as they come to appreciate each other. Augustine doesn’t ask much of Jane, except she’s not to stay at his family home, Lindridge Hall, with him. On their wedding day, Jane is forced to Lindridge Hall and will soon understand why Augustine wanted to keep her safe from the house and in return, Jane will do anything to save them both.

Just as poor Jane didn’t know what was real and what wasn’t, you don’t know either and can feel what Jane was going through. It was definitely topsy-turvy, but in a good way. Characterization, setting and overall theme were brilliantly detailed and cinematic. It was like reading a movie.

I think it’s only fault, was there was one chapter that came off as repetitive. I understand why Ms Starling included it, to show us the state of Jane’s mind, but if you were paying attention to what you read in the previous characters, it slows everything down when you want to be ramped up.

Other than that one thing, “Death of Jane Lawrence” was SO GOOD.

This is a difficult book to review because I liked the ideas but didn't like the book. The first half was interesting and suspenseful, much more gothic than the second half. When the magical part of the story was introduced, it ruined it for me. It felt sudden and out of place in what was a gothic horror up until that point. I'm not sure the gothic and fantasy horror were a good match? The second half dragged which killed the mood. A magical cult, a haunted mansion, and creepy doctors are great ideas but I think there were too many ideas that were competing with each other.

If you like your thrillers dripping in atmosphere and intrigue, propelled by a compelling plot, look no further. This gothic suspense explores how far we'll go for love and what horror we'll perpetuate in doing so.

*Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for proving this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review."

3 ☆☆☆

The Death of Jane Lawrence was a captivating and interesting read! The slow burn and gothic scenery/visuals were amazinggg. The beginning of the book has graphic scenes that as much as they were disturbing will pull you in and leave you wondering what’s going to happen next! I liked our main character Jane. She was very logical and practical. I enjoyed the first half of the book more than the 2nd. The last half of the book fell a bit flat to me, I didn’t feel connected and the story could have benefited from being shorter as some parts were a bit dragged out. Overall, this was a solid read for me.

Thank you to St Martin's Press and Netgalley for an eARC copy of The Death of Jane Lawrence!

n author that improve a lot since her last book. The ambiance, the atmosphere is more gripping, more intense and so we get more into the book and forget everything else around us. The plot is fun and keep you on the edge all pages long. I recommend this one if you searching for new-worthy-voices in horror literature!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this ARC. All I can say is "Wow!". I originally rated this book at 4 stars. It was late when I finished last night, so I decided to defer writing my review until today. I seriously dreamt about The Death of Jane Lawrence all night long. As this almost NEVER happens, I am upgrading it to 5 stars because I just cannot get it out of my mind. I'm not a fan of reviews that repeat a synopsis (you can read the back of the book much quicker than I can rewrite it!), so I will just say that while Crimson Peak was an inspiration for this book, it is so much more. The story takes place in an alternate-world of Great Britain (Great Briltane) which gave it a Fringe-like feel.. With hints of war with the Ruskans and gassing, I only wish there was a little more detail to the backstory of the alternate history of GB. The creeping dread appeared in the first chapter and kept building until it crawled beneath my skin. If you are intrigued by creepy medical practices of yesteryear and a bit of dark magic, then this book is definitely for you. It is not for the faint of heart or those who yearn for happy endings. And let's talk about this gorgeously gothic cover! This image will stick with me for a very long time!

A delicious gothic novel full of both psychological horror and magic, this book explores a number of standard gothic tropes, turning them into far more complex and interesting plot devices. There's a slow-ish burn romance, women helping women, and set pieces that while recalling gothic predecessors are original and full of creepy detail and suggestions.

I had a love/hate relationship with this book. So often it had me on the edge of my seat so curious and excited to see what happened next, and then other times I was bored out of my mind. This book was very wordy, which in some instances was great, but at other times a bit frustrating. I don’t need all the details on mathematics and how she did the books. It just felt like there were many instances where we were given pages and pages of details that just weren’t needed or all that important to the story.

The story itself was amazing and gripping and constantly had me wanting to keep reading, and what ultimately had me pressing on despite my moments of frustration. The ending was done very well, even if it did maybe go a bit over my head since I had to read it twice to truly understand everything that happened, and even now I’m not sure I understand it all, but I’m okay with that since it gives me a lot to think about, and I love books that leave you thinking about it long after it is over.

Jane felt that she had no control or power in life. Her parents were killed when she was a young child, and she became the ward of Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham. She grew up trying to not be noticed; making no emotional demands or ties. Vulnerability was not an option. With a move to another city lurking, Jane came up with a plan to get married so she could remain in Larrenton. As a logical, intelligent, and rational person, she came up with a list of the positive attributes her future mate would have to possess. Dr. Lawrence was this man. However, as Jane will soon find out, his secrets and her emotions will put her to the test.

This gothic tale has all the key elements: a young woman who is isolated and in distress (Jane); the anti-hero (Dr. Lawrence); romance; an isolated and crumbling estate (Lindridge Hall); fear, suspense, and emotional distress; atmosphere and setting (darkness, flickering candles, locked doors, mysterious hallways, a crypt, mysterious sounds and sightings); and the supernatural (magic, malevolent entities). Jane chooses to deal with all of this with research, personal sacrifice, and determination.

Caitlin Starling--a Bram Stoker-nominated author—is an excellent author. She avoids the cliché: Jane doesn’t swoon, nor is she underage; Dr Lawrence doesn’t treat her gruffly, nor is he an older man. They respect each other. The book moves at a fast pace, and the characters grow.

I highly recommend this book.

I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this fantastic book.

Where to begin!?

Do YOU believe I’m ghosts?

Have you ever read a tale so terrifying, so twisted, so full of metaphor that you must simply “sit with it a moment” before writing a review?

The Death Of Jane Lawrence is a tightly wound knot the reader must carefully unwind...pick at. Layers of meaning beg for discussion (which I cannot do here for fear of spoilers).

Jane Lawrence wants a husband. She long for a husband for pragmatic (financial) reasons and being a woman of math and logic, she sets about to carefully chose a suitable match. Enter Augustine Lawrence, a quiet, skilled surgeon.

But, what sort of gothic horror could ever be so straight forward?

Jane soon learns all is not what it seems. Shame, guilt and loss are real things for her new spouse...his guilt, his shame, his loss are physical things too. Terrifying things. All-consuming things.

Unsettled, Jane sets out to explore her new home, a home her betrothed wishes she stayed far away from. Why? The new home has shames, holds guilt, has seen loss. It’s a physical presence all its own.

Jane has things that haunt her too...and as she learns more about the mysterious world of her spouse, Jane is wrenched into a Schrödinger's Cat situation.

Here I would love to discuss what those things are but I would spoil—I fear—this strange and wonderful tale.

Starling has created a complex and confusing world full of layered meaning and metaphor. I don’t think any two people will read exactly the same story. We all of us have our ghosts.

Do you believe magic is real?



https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3857336844

I found this book to be quite word-y, but I was still intrigued about what would happen. I skipped over a lot of it.

The story is about an orphaned girl in a fantasy country that has been wracked by war. With her parents gone, she is raised by family friends. She doesn't wish to burden them, and so finds a suitor with whom to arrange a business-marriage contract. Initially she is supposed to keep to doing the accounting, but then is thrust into the medical aspects of her new husband's job. Dr Lawrence takes Jane to his family home, which according to contract, she was never supposed to spend the night. But after rainstorms have washed out the road, she finds herself unable to return to the town where she was supposed to live. After spending a few nights at the family home, she sees apparitions and falls into a world where her doctor husband is involved with a magical cult and spends his time treating the physical ailments caused by magic use.

My full review will be posted on my blog on October 11th, 2021
Caitlin Starling is a master at crafting a tale in which the words themselves are beautiful. Of course, the plot itself was fantastic. However, Starling uses creative phrasings to create a world in which you are enraptured. This is a slow build-up to insanity, and it was done incredibly well.
Jane Lawrence is the perfect main character for this book. Her life is ruled by numbers, rules, and logic. This is truly tested throughout the book. Her husband, and catalyst, Augustine was both loveable and frustrating. He wanted to do what was best for Jane, but he consistently was selfish in his own guilt and grief.
This is one of those books in which reviewing its contents is tricky when you do not want to spoil the story. The pacing was interesting, as it would seem to come to a peak and then lull, in a way that tricked you into feeling safe. Overall, this was a fantastic horror story that kept me on my toes and gave me the ending I wanted.

You know, I don’t really know what to say in regards to this book. I guess the best way to start is by telling you that this is the perfect story for those that need more gothic romance/terror in their lives. We’ll couple that with a powerful intelligent female main character for maximum awesomeness. Jane is not perfect, but she’s closer to how a female character should be portrayed. We have no time for the whole damsel in distress thing here haha

A lot of the beauty in The Death of Jane Lawrence is the secrets it gives up little by little. These secrets pull you in and keep you engrossed until the very last word. I loved mostly everything about this story and am so stoked I got a chance to read it before it comes out in October.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Can you imagine the eerier and more terrifying mash up of House of Leaves- Haunting of Hill House and Rebecca?
By the way this cover deserves its own five blazing stars! This is magnificent, terrifying masterpiece!

If you like the definition of a couple who realize they start to fall for each other as both of their hands hold intestines of a man in pain, lying on operation table, they’ll love Jane and Augustine! Well, aren’t those weirdos perfect for each other?

Jane Shoringfield is extremely logical woman reminds me of combination of coolest and creepiest actress Rosamund Pike and another blood freezing blond Kim Novak: she’s logical, she plays no games, she knows what kind of struggles awaiting unmarried women so she makes list consisted ten men and Augustine Lawrence is the first name at her list.

She just proposes to the man at the beginning and she presents her offer as business arrangement that both sides can be mutually benefited. Jane is good at mathematics and she will organize his accounts as she gets Augustine’s last name. And of course Augustine will resume staying each night at Lindridge Hall-the female estate.

No romance, intimacy or consummating of marriage will be required. They keep their public faces as happily married couple as they keep their independence behind the close doors! Both Augustine and Jane are quiet quirky, awkward ! They are truly weird match made in hell.

But their well thought plans change abruptly at the wedding night because of the unexpected storm and mudslides which prevent Jane’s carriage move back to town. She returns back to Lindridge Hall where her husband dearest forbid her to stay but at the storm there’s nowhere else for her to stay!

As soon as she spends two nights at the place, Jane realizes Augustine keeps dark secrets from her.

Jane checks the accounting book and finds out a recorded large amount of balance belongs to a name called Elodie. Jane finds some entries at the previous months as well. Who the hell that woman? Is she Augustine’s estranged daughter?
And who is the red eyed woman looking at from the window?

The creepy things start to happen behind the closed and locked doors, crumbling walls of Lindridge Hall! Nothing is as it seems! And as the magic starts, everything in Jane’s life traumatically changes! She doesn’t different what is real and what is illusion anymore!

The gothic, twisty version of Rebecca with Alienist vibes and Crimson Peak push you turn the pages faster!

Especially the last third of the book is truly shocking, jaw dropping, a great kind of lunatic!
The beginning of the book was a little compelling! You just have to be patient for the upcoming juicy parts! As soon as Jane finds herself at Lindridge Hall, true magic starts to enchant you!

I only lower one star for my troubled and bumpy start of the book but overall it’s whirlwind, high tension, intense, gothic, blood freezing, WTH I just read kind of promising reading for the genre fans! I highly recommend it!

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

Actual rating: 4.5 stars.

This was, overall, just fantastic. It was everything I had wanted and expected from a gothic romance/haunted house horror story, while still being innovative and surprising. The cast was fascinating: Jane in particular felt fully realized and sympathetic as a character, and the psychological elements of this novel were believable and captivating. I also love what Starling did with the overall theme (of shame), and her creative melding of mathematics and magic. To top it off, it was beautifully written and absolutely horrifying.

I knocked off a half star because it got off to a rough start. In the opening chapters, the writing style seemed a bit amateur, and worse, major plot points seemed unnecessarily contrived: specifically, I didn't really buy the reasoning behind Jane's very rushed engagement, her immediate participation in Augustine's surgery, and especially the events that led to her 1) arriving at Lindridge Hall, and then 2) staying there past the first night. These decisions did not make sense to me outside of needing to happen for plot purposes, and also seemed like they could have easily been replaced with other explanations/events that would have been more believable and made more sense given the characters' personalities.

However, once Jane finally arrives at Lindridge Hall, Starling really hits her stride. From then out, the novel is tense and terrifying and full of twists and turns that I could have never predicted (that ending…).

I can't wait to see what Starling does next!

"The Death of Jane Lawrence" is a fantastic gothic horror novel.
How does one talk about this book without revealing anything? I won't say too much because I don't want to give anything away. However, I can say that Caitlin Starling's has built a truly beautiful gothic novel reminiscent of "Rebecca" with just the right amount of ghosts, gore and magic.
The novel takes in the 1800s. Jane marries Augustine Lawrence simply out of convenience, but she quickly realizes she's gotten more than she expected. Augustine, a gifted surgeon, is a man haunted by his past and magic. He forbids Jane from spending the night at his home Lindridge Hall outside of town, but a storm sends her back on their wedding night. Soon, Jane finds herself in the home's shadowy grips. Things quickly unravel after.
The conclusion of the novel was beautifully done. I cannot wait for others to give this a read so we can delve into the viscerally twisted ending.

Did you want Rebecca to be creepier? Looking for something that feels vaguely House of Leaves? Want something that will give you weird nightmares? Look no further than this book.

Jane Shoringfield is well aware of the realities of unmarried life as a woman, and though she has never been the romantic sort, she hatches a plan to create a list of unmarried men that she could work out a marriage of convenience for. A man with enough money to sustain them both in exchange for her work as an accountant, no romance required. Her first choice, the odd town doctor, Augustine Lawrence, bows to her initial ask and allows her into his life. The perfect arrangement--he stays each night at his family estate, Lindridge Hall, she manages his finance. They both have the respectable public face of marriage while maintaining their independence.

That is, until she begins to feel something for Augustine. And he begins to feel something back.

A storm, a mudslide, an unanswered knock at the door of the family estate she promised Augustine she'd never spend a night in.

Suddenly, Jane is forced to confront the fact that her husband is not all that he appeared to be, secrets lurking behind the wallpaper of the crumbling Lindridge Hall.

This was such a wonderful, wonderful book. Caitlin Starling's prose is gorgeous and pulls you in, making it nearly impossible to put this book down. This magical twist on classic gothic novels like Rebecca will make you afraid to turn out the light at night. Jane is compelling and real, her power, drive, and passion propelling her to be the heroine of the story as the men around her fail her again and again. It's hard to detail just how brave and whip-smart she is without spoiling much of the plot, but as her story unravels you cannot help but be captivated by her.

The mystery and the horror Starling creates in Lindridge Hall has some serious staying power, the house becoming its own character as in House of Leaves and Mexican Gothic. You will be kept on the edge of your seat as you question your own eyes and Jane as a narrator as the story unfolds.

And the ENDING. Just you wait. That's all I'll say on that.

Get yourself some good mood music, a few candles, and dive into this brilliant, rich story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Don't you just hate it when you marry someone and find out a week later that he killed his last wife? It seems like Jane, for being a logical mathematical person, should have asked a few more questions before marriage. Why, for instance, her new husband had to return to his country estate every single night even though he had a perfectly good bedroom kitchen parlor study library in his office building.

Umm, a few questions might have helped Jane keep her body parts and sanity.

Keep in mind that this is an alternative view of history. Women had to fight to be allowed into medical school and were denied licenses even after graduation. The doctor having as many female physician friends as male medical friends would not have been a reality. But, speaking of reality, scientists practicing the dark arts probably wouldn't have been a reality either.

I know this is horror and there has to be a suspension of disbelief on the reader's part, but I had trouble believing that in a week's time Jane, a rational accountant, would be completely turned into someone who would swallow chicken fetuses. To me, the story needed a slower buildup to the creepiness. That's part of suspense--the slow buildup. The gore is graphic so if you have an aversion to blood that smells rank and/or eating disgusting things, you might want to skip a few pages here and there.

An all right book though I found some things hard to swallow (pun intended--there were a lot of gross things swallowed.) Fantastic cover art.

This is fascinating gothic horror-fantasy and I'm furious it's not out until October (although that's perfect) because I'm dying to discuss and read interpretations of that ending. Loved the ideas explored, loved the original, fresh take on classic tropes and concepts, loved the magic system, loved the ambiguity and willingness to trust that the reader is smart enough to read between the lines. Eerie, visceral, enthralling storytelling.