I loved the first 2/3 of this book, but the last 1/3 kind of ruined the rest for me. Maybe I am just stupid but I had a really hard time following what was going on with all the magic at the end and whether or not Jane or Augustine were alive. Also not sure why the author made the choice to use thinly-veiled versions of Russia and Britain (Ruszka and Breltain) rather than just calling them what they obviously were. I dunno, this felt unfinished and perhaps more importantly, unedited. Weird book.

The Gothic genre has been around for a long time. Horace Walpole published The Castle of Otranto in 1764. Even then, we can see the inklings of the genre as we know it now. A castle haunted by the supernatural, rampant romanticism, and a horrific undercurrent beneath it all. It finds an immediate connection to class and violence, of death and the men (usually) that seek to control it. It is a cob-webbed Rosetta Stone and works within the genre that have come after generally follow its sinister guidance. Still, truly great Gothic works find ways to bend and break the familiar. They dust off the tropes so that they may see the cold light of the morning.

The Death of Jane Lawrence is a perfect example of the Gothic done well. It centers on Jane Shoringfield, a logical woman who is trying to find a way to keep her independence. She wishes to find a husband who will see marriage in the same way that she does; a business arrangement, a means to a happy end. Jane is a fascinating character. She is fully featured and cast wonderfully by Caitlin Starling’s purposeful prose. Her anxieties feel relatable, even though this novel is set in post-war England. Jane is rarely a passive character, which is a refreshing take from so many stories within this vein.

After much research, Jane thinks she may have found the perfect match in Augustine Lawrence. Augustine serves as her town’s doctor. He is work obsessed and brooding, reluctant to accept Jane’s offer. The good doctor spends his nights at a crumbling manor (!) outside city limits. The two characters bond quickly, and it doesn’t take long for fate to push Jane through the manor’s doorway and for the true terror to begin. If that all sounds familiar, have no worries. Augustine and the manor both have plenty of secrets to share, and I found myself astonished at the ingenuity of Caitlin’s plot.

Though it is rightfully advertised as a Romantic Gothic, The Death of Jane Lawrence has its terrifying moments. The apparitions are woven from the past and provide multiple set pieces that readers may not ever forget. I was entranced by Starling’s ability to meld gore and manners throughout. The horror within these pages hits hard, but never loses sight of the story or the characters.

This is a glorious new horror novel, written by the supremely talented Caitlin Starling. Caitlin’s book features these tropes, but she has found new ways to express them. In a genre that dates back 257 years, (visit Otranto’s castle on your next holiday!) creative execution is vital. If you’re looking for a modern feeling horror novel in a Gothic wrapping, this is the perfect book.

Well that’s twice I thought I’d like Gothic Horror only to come out the other side scratching my head, utterly perplexed … I mean, what?

And while it is maybe enjoyable to sometimes yell WHAAAAT? at the end of a story in complete astonished shock, in The Death of Jane Lawrence, I was simply yelling WHAT?!! I mean, WTF just happened? No, seriously. Can someone tell me because I think the author might have forgotten that part. (I kid, I kid.)

For me The Death of Jane Lawrence got off on the wrong foot from the get-go, I never for one single second enjoyed, bought, rooted for, or engaged in the premise of the “marriage arrangement” that went down in the opening chapter. I just didn’t really see the burning need Jane had to make an arranged marriage. She simply had to move to another city with her kind, well meaning guardians. So yes, the city had some bad memories of her parents deaths, but still. It’s just a move … no need to be hasty Jane.

Yes, it was nice and creepy at times. Yes, there was a large spooky house with lighting issues. Yes, there was lotsandlotsandlots of blood, so we can officially check this off as horror. (In all seriousness, if it isn’t obvious from the cover MAJOR body horror triggers in this here book FYI). But our main character’s preoccupation with the mathematical concept of zero and dividing by zero and this somehow challenging all worldly preconceptions of the fundamental laws that govern our realities and oh my the mathematics and philosophical goings-on was 100% too overdone.

In all I could’ve maybe gotten on board with this house of surgical horrors, bypassing the silliness of the “arranged marriage” part and trying to skim over the unnecessary mathematical philosophy included, if not for the fact that Caitlin takes the reader on a fever dream of psychosis that she never really pulls out of. For me, it was too much, too long, too overdone sequences of psychotic break and spinning, spinning, spinning in randomness that never came down, explained, or concluded. I still don’t fully understand what I read in the last 50 pages, even haven read it twice.

It’s good and bloody, but my hunt for a new favourite gothic horror continues … and no, for those wondering, this is nothing like Rebecca.

The Death of Jane Lawrence is a gothic horror novel that is being compared to Crimson Peak and Rebecca. The story follows Jane Shoringfield. Jane is looking for a marriage of convenience that will allow her to live as she likes, as an independent woman focused on doing the work she enjoys. When she proposes her plan to Augustine Lawrence, a doctor, he reluctantly agrees with added stipulations. Augustine does not want Jane to come to Lindridge Hall, his family manor, and Augustine must spend every night there alone. Jane respects these conditions, but is unexpectedly forced to visit Lindridge Hall. She quickly realizes that something is going on at Lindridge Hall and it affects Augustine in terrifying ways.

I found the first half of The Death of Jane Lawrence to be SO SO SO good. Jane and Augustine are very interesting characters. I enjoyed getting to know Jane and I was intrigued by Augustine and his secrets. This book got bloody and gross at times, but it added to the atmosphere. Lindridge Hall was extremely creepy and I was having a good time trying to figure out what was going on. The comparisons to Crimson Peak and Rebecca were spot on. The Death of Jane Lawrence stands on its own, but I loved seeing how Caitlin Starling was able to create a whole new story with nods to such iconic works.

As the book went on though, it did lose me. I feel like the book was longer than it needed to be. Some aspects of the story started to feel repetitive and unnecessary. The last half of the book gets muddled and murky and while I think it fits with what Jane is going through or how she's feeling at that point in the novel, it gets hard to follow. I didn’t always grasp exactly what was happening and when I did I felt very meh about how things were playing out.

The Death of Jane Lawrence delivers in terms of its gothic horror plot and atmosphere, but the story is long and gets muddled in its explanations. While I didn’t love how the plot played out, Starling’s writing is fantastic and I will be picking up whatever she releases next (especially if its historical)!

If you like Crimson Peak or Rebecca, I really would recommend giving this a try!

The only other historical fiction novel that I can remember which I have read in the horror genre is The Lost Ones by Anita Frank which was also a ghost story. Apart from the similarity in the era and paranormal , The Death of Jane Lawrence is very different because of how it focuses on one character’s experiences with the ghosts and their relationship to magic. Jane is a young woman of marriage age and she has decided that she is going to marry the village doctor. He is well respected and seems attracted to her… what could possibly go wrong?

I felt sometimes there were a bit too many characters but in general, the book focused on Jane and her desire to get Augustine back. I loved how erudite she was and the need to learn and explore was quite strong in her. This story won’t have been as good without her personality traits.

Overall, this book is the perfect read for a stormy fall evening, cuddled in a blanket and with your pet of choice (for us, our cats!). If you’re a fan of gothic horror, this is definitely the book to pick up this spooky season.

Many thanks to the publisher for providing me a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Practical Jane isn't looking for love. She's looking to make her way in the world, using her skill set: she's determined, she's levelheaded, and she's dependable. The man she chooses as her partner, Dr. Lawrence, could use someone like that by his side, during his busy days. But what Jane doesn't know is that his life and circumstances are more lurid than she could possibly fathom, and something is terribly, terribly wrong at Lindridge Hall. This will appeal to those who like gothic romance, but also to those who enjoy haunted house tales, period horror, and even harrowing magic school titles (think Vita Nostra, rather than The Magicians...but Lev Grossman fans would be at home here, too). Starling's penned another winner.

Very challenging to get into this title. It had a very gothic setting but lacked a creepy plot to go with it.

The Death of Jane Lawrence is a bit of a genre meld: part Victorian-style romance, part gothic horror, with a good splash of magical realism. It's an odd mix, no doubt. The first half of the book is traditionally gothic, even if it's based in a world of alternate history. Lindridge Hall is every gothic manor house. The grounds were ill-kept, overgrown with vines, dead shrubberies. Inside, it's much the same, with a Winchester House vibe with fake doors, odd hallways, and a locked cellar door. Of course, the house comes with its share of secrets and so does her new husband, Augustine.

The second half of the book is where things get really odd. I can't say too much without giving away the plot, but think how Mexican Gothic flipped things on its head. You go in expecting a dark past, apparitions, and other gothic accoutrements according to formula but what you get is so much more. Old friends of Augustine's appear at the Hall, bringing metaphysical elements and magic into play. Jane's (and Augustine's) sanity is frequently in question and as she spirals down and down, it gets weird. but in the best way.

I can say without a doubt that I loved sensible Jane Shoringfield. Living in a time period where she MUST get married, she makes a list of all the eligible bachelors and lists them off by how likely they are to let her continue with the life she has without disturbing it. She's determined by her careful selection that Dr. Augustine Lawrence is that person. She only has to convince him, which she does, with logic that includes their marriage as a business arrangement. Having spent a lot of time reading Harlequin romances, Jane is exactly the bluestocking kind of character I would choose. Fiercely independent, inquisitive, and ever-questioning, she's a force to be reckoned with.

I think those that go in expecting a cut-and-dry gothic ghost story are going to be disappointed with the transcendental twist, but I highly enjoyed it. I favor books that stray outside of the tried and true formula and this one certainly did.

***UPDATE: I pushed through the more graphic surgery scenes and I'm so glad I did. This turned out to be one of my favorite books of 2021. I have since purchased it for a friend as a gift. It's wonderfully written and had me on the edge of my seat. There are some scenes that may hit the squeamish folks throughout the book, but it adds to the overall spooky Crimson Peaks meets Jane Eyre vibes.

From what I was able to read, the book is written really wonderfully. Unfortunately, however, I am really squeamish and I did not realize how graphic this book was going to be regarding surgery. I was not able to get past the third chapter, but I wish I could have. If you don't have a weak stomach, I would definitely recommend it.

The CRIMSON-PEAKY-ness of this was helpful to know going in -- and I enjoyed it ultimately for the same reasons I enjoyed that film: atmosphere, everything being turned to 11, embracing the mess and deciding to ride it out. It's a lovely slice of Gothic set in an alternate world full of questions about the reality of magic... and while I think the early-going atmosphere is better than the ultimate reveals, there's still plenty of fun to be had for those who like this kind of thing.

This book started off so strong for me. The setting, atmosphere, characters, ghosts ...everything was truly on point for a fantastic gothic read! But then the element of magic was brought in and it threw my mind for a loop that had me confused for the rest of the book. I THINK I understood the ending, but it never came full circle to allow me to put it all together.

In "The Death of Jane Lawrence," a classic ghost story is told with a twist. There are the elements of a haunted house, a character's fall into madness, and the fight between what is real and what isn't... all with the added bonus of witchcraft, romance, and feminist themes. A woman fights for autonomy and her life in a world which constantly seeks to own both. This book was slow in the middle but got me with a stunning ending, I really enjoyed this read.

Unfortunately I just ended up really bored by this book and ended up not finishing it. Just not as enthralling as the blurb made it sound! Reviews seem to be mixed though, so worth a try if you like gothic horror.

This story started out strong, with the marriage of convenience trope that I love so much. I enjoyed the first quarter of the book, with it's mysterious and spooky setting. Caitlin Starling writes a beautiful gothic setting in which it seems almost anything can happen, which is why I ended up a bit disappointed as to where the story went. The paranormal, black magic vein of gothic storytelling was not what I expected. I could have grown to be okay with it, but it quickly became very confusing and overwritten. I really liked Jane Lawrence as a character and the overall gruesome quality to the story, but it ended up a bit too convoluted for my enjoyment.

What drew me to this was the comparisons to Crimson Peak with a better ending. I love the ideas in Crimson Peak, the ghosts as horror movie antagonists flipped on its head. I HATE the poor character development of the husband and sister-in-law and the lazy ending.

I see where the comparisons come from, but I'm not sure the ending is better or the secondary characters more developed. Motives for loyalties are certainly on a similar level.

The biggest shortfall here was pacing.

The beginning was wonderful!

On that- what's up with the setting and an alternate universe? Did the author need to bring in the Blitz that badly? War trauma could have been done perfectly well within the actual historical confines. Ruzka when there was plenty going on with Russians (expats and not) at the time. Ultimately, this fades into the background enough that you just fill in with Britain between the World Wars and it works just fine. But it grated every time it came up.

The ambiance for early 20th century England was perfect for medical thought and the thinking about science, math, philosophy, and the occult from this time. The nontraditional, independent view that Jane begins with and grows into more helping at the surgery fits into that and results in exhilarating scenes. This could have been so great!

Then the middle happened.

The ghosts do not move the story along very well. The plot centers on the mathematics, metaphysics, and the occult in a way that will be familiar to anyone up on the occult practices of the late 19th/early 20th century or modern Wiccan practice (adjusting for exaggeration because novel and plot). The main problem here was the dragging story once the couple arrives at his crumbling mansion - Lindridge Hall. It picks up a bit when some guests arrive, although that part could have been clearer. Then there's a seven day ritual. Had this been about three days, and about 100 pages cut from arrival to "chapter zero," this could have easily been five stars. As is, it putters out and you just dont care anymore. Had this not been a Netgalley read, it would've been dnf'd somewhere around 60%.

The end was good. Very metaphysical, so not everyone's cup of tea. Especially after being lulled to boredom or apathy or something numbing in that long slog before it. The main character gets something to get her brain working again. We don't. So, if you find yourself confused or bored by such things, you'll have absolutely no reward for your perseverance.

I wont be recommending this one, except for maybe that one friend that really likes stuff in this particular niche and will enjoy the oh so many details to get to the end. You know the one. For me it's Katelynn. Synchronicity?

Thank you to Caitlin Starling, St. Martin's Press, and Netgalley for an advanced ecopy in exchange for an honest review.

Jane Shoringfield's guardians are moving to a place that holds a lot of trauma for her. Instead of going, she decides on a marriage of convenience. She settles on Dr. Augustine Lawrence. He is hesitant, but Jane's prodding makes him bow to her wishes with one specific request. She must never spend the night at his place, known as Lindridge Hall.

Unfortunately people gathered in a procession to escort them to that one place Jane promised not to spend the night. Lindridge Hall. Later that afternoon, Jane is on her way back to Augustine's surgery when the carriage wrecks and the road washes out. She is forced to retreat back to Lindrisge Hall with no option but to spend the night. Jane is convinced he's concerned about her opinion of the state of disrepair the house is in, but she'll soon discover that things aren't as they seem.

The beginning was good, but it just lost steam very quickly and eventually derailed. I didn't really connect with the characters or the plot. I found it moved along at a snail's pace with little tid bits of action thrown in. There was nothing here that made me want to pick this up and read it. Unfortunately, I can't recommend this one.

My appreciation to St. Martin's Press, author Caitlin Starling, and NetGalley for gifting me a digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

It fell short in everything that it was supposed to be (a gothic novel) but was still a decent story.

Three Stars. Beautifully written though a bit muddled in the middle, The Death of Jane Lawrence is a dark, suspense-filled gothic novel about Jane who is in a complicated marriage of convenience with her employer, Dr. Augustine Lawrence. Unfortunately, this was not exactly the ghost story I was hoping for based on the synopsis, and it really seemed to lose its way about halfway through. It was good, but I really didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d hoped I would. However, I really enjoyed author Caitlin Starling’s writing style so I will definitely be looking into her other work.

I’m grateful to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review The Death of Jane Lawrence.

With a romance in the vein of Crimson Peak, I was taken with this gothic tale and its mix of literary ideas. I can't say the setting hit the spot, though intriguing, it did jump off the page. Still, I highly recommend giving it a read.

Not much to say unfortunately, other than I need to read more from this writer. It isn't what I would describe as a quick read.