This is my first Bridget Collins read. I enjoyed reading this gothic novel, which is quite old fashioned.

Henry Latimer is employed to assist Sir Edward Ashmore-Percy's deaf daughter. Henry gets immersed in Sir Edward's business of selling magical spider silk fabric. There are diary entries belonging to Sophia Ashmore-Percy from much earlier when Sophia and her husband James arrived in Greece, searching for the spiders.

The plot occurs across two timelines. The first part is told through the diary of Sophia, which starts in 1820. When she and James arrive on a Greek island, they intend to explore a rare specimen. However, their scientist friend who they expected to meet has died. They get involved with a mysterious woman called Hira who Sophia forms a close friendship with.

The second timeline of the story then moves to some decades later, and we encounter Henry Latimer, a widower working as an audiologist. Henry is dealing with grief and depression. Henry's life changes when he receives a gift of a special piece of silk made by spiders. This gift from Sir Edward Ashmore-Percy, is a piece of silk produced by spiders. This gift separates his connection to the earth with its special magical properties. Henry wants to help Edward’s deaf daughter Phil to hear and speak.

The plot was engaging and I read this book in a reasonably short time. It is quite an original story that I would recommend to others.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, and this is my honest review.