Rounded up from 3.5 stars

Beautifully written with many a nod to the style of Victorian Gothic novels, "The Company" uses the real-life scandal of arsenic-ridden wallpapers as a launching point. Knowing a bit about that background and the symptoms of arsenic poisoning helps in understanding some of the novel's more fantastical elements, though it still leaves elements open to conjecture.

I was disappointed that I sussed out many of the character motivations and secrets well ahead of time, so that by the end I was left thinking, Is that it? And the beginning was slow going, with too many oblique references that confused or bored me rather than piqued my interest, as I'm sure they were meant to. If it's lush writing and a moody ambience you're after, this will fill the bill.

Thank you, NetGalley and Hachette Book Group, for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Did not enjoy. Very slow. Not much happens. I guess if you really like gothic tales of this kind , you will like this book-but it was not my cup of tea. Well written though.

Really wanted to love this book but unfortunately i DNFed this book after 70 pages. I felt disconnected to the characters and story. The pacing and dialogue were weak to me. The concept was very intriguing it just did not deliver.

Wallpaper colored with arsenic? A Gothic suspense novel set in mid 19th C? A female hero struggling to run her family's company against a backdrop of existential dread? Yes, yes, and yes please!

Alas, I was not transported. I was not creeped out. I was left a bit flat. I was unconvinced. It's a shame that this book, even with its good research and solid writing in the vein of classic Gothic novels (<I> The Mysteries of the Udolpho </I> being the gold standard of course), just didn't work its spell on me.

Perhaps this would be a good choice if you are on a Gothic reading binge, or maybe as part of a Halloween challenge?

Thanks to Baskerville and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my unfettered opinion.

I think this book is probably best for someone who has never read a gothic suspense novel. For me, the heavy foreshadowing in the narrative was too much; I felt very led by the hand. The galley was not formatted well, so I ended up not finishing this. Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read.

The way this book is written definitely takes me back to the gothic, mystery vibes of some of the classics. I like the moodiness of the setting and descriptions and I think it sets up for a potentially interesting and thrilling story.

However, I think sometimes the plot is predictable and that takes away from the intent behind the vibes.

I enjoyed the characters and the dialogue. I think their interactions are a highlight and it helps to develop them. I would like to see a bit more action within the story so that the pace speeds up and slows down instead of being at one pace for most of the story.

Overall, the book is enjoyable and okay. I think it could still be stronger but I see what the author is trying to do in the story.